Homeless man has lived in Sidcup park tent for a year

Kevin Rumble has made the park his home since being made homeless, before Bexley Council gave notice of its plans to evict him, with the date set for Thursday, August 8.

The 49-year-old was perfectly happy in his “cabin” in Old Farm Park, but was told he would be evicted under byelaws for the “regulations of pleasure grounds and open spaces”.

Kevin also claims to have been told in the letter that the council had requested the police to join staff when removing him and his things from the park.

Kevin Rumble, 49 (Image: Brian Aldrich)

The council has since said that while it works hard to protect rough sleepers, it has a duty to protect green spaces so they can be used safely by all.

Kevin became homeless when his mother passed away two years ago.

He had been living in a two-bedroom flat with her, but it was registered in her name and so he could no longer live there when she died.

Kevin said: “All they (Bexley Council) offered me was the phone number of a hostel.

“I told them not to bother because I wouldn’t be going there. I would rather find somewhere on the street.

“It’s turned out to be a blessing in disguise because when you’re homeless you have to look around and find something.”

In October 2022, Kevin found a couple who let him live in their spare room in exchange for caring for their dog while they were at work.

But when they were expecting a baby Kevin was asked to leave.

He added: “I made the assumption that the council still wouldn’t help me, so I came to the park almost exactly a year ago.

“I had to learn to survive like Bear Grylls, who’s about the same age as me.”

Kevin claims that a local nurse found it “fascinating” that he had survived, telling him that he was “clean, tidy and smart”.

He is now “used to” being homeless and would be “going mad” if he was constrained by four walls, instead he enjoys being close to nature.

Kevin has been complemented on his tidy living space (Image: Brian Aldrich)

He said: “If you find some sort of happiness in life, no matter where it is, you’ve got to hold on to it.

“It sounds a bit contradictory, but I’ve found happiness at this time in my life and I don’t want it spoiled.

“I can move on when I choose to. If I’m lucky to meet someone, a lady, I could make something of it, but I’m quite happy alone because I’ve got nothing to lose that way.”

Kevin has been to his local foodbank and found himself getting along with the people there and helping with different things such as carrying shopping and putting up tables.

This led to the foodbank giving him some shopping in exchange.

The foodbank is linked to a church, which is important to the self-proclaimed “born again” Christian who is “there if they need an extra pair of hands”.

Despite all of this, Kevin was told that on August 8 he should expect to be evicted from his “cabin” in Sidcup.

So he was surprised when only two days prior, on August 6, the council retracted its eviction notice.

Kevin received communication from Bexley Council that said: “You may know this already, but in case you don’t, we are reviewing our position in light of developments today.

“We will be able to update you in the morning.”

The following day, the council confirmed that it was standing down from its eviction plans.

In a full statement, Bexley Council said: “We work hard to support rough sleepers in the borough, including booking accommodation and providing mental health support.

“We also have a duty to protect our green spaces and to ensure that they can be used safely by all our residents.

“We cannot discuss individual cases but can confirm that we always encourage any rough sleeper breaching byelaws to present to the council as homeless.

“Regardless of whether an individual has funds above the Local Housing Allowance threshold, we can still support in ensuring they understand their housing options, and thus their opportunities to resolve their homelessness.”