Four friends from the Benwick Women's Institute are shown pristine architectural models, presented to them at the community centre meeting. But the expressions of excitement and shock betray deeper complexities.
A studious Ethel Farnsworth, the group's leader, talks gushingly about the futuristic high-rise visions to her sceptical peers. "This is exactly what the region needs" Marjorie Hutton, Ethel's lifelong friend and north east native of over 40 years, appears shocked at her statement
What the photograph cannot reveal is that decades later, damning evidence would emerge that Danielson's Daedalus Architects had systematically infiltrated and cultivated "grassroots advocates”, like Farnsworth from within communities targeted for redevelopment.
Court documents alleged the firm's representatives wined-and-dined neighbourhood organisational leaders, greasing their cooperation and public endorsements with door-knocking fees, paid speaking engagements, and even cash bribes cloaked as "consulting" income. Daisy-chained through these shadowy payments, some hauled in small fortunes while acting as unwitting sockpuppet shills for the concrete onslaught to come.
