From Chaos to Compassion in Clapham Junction Jenny Sheridan Charts the Events Which Began on the Night of 8-9 August

From chaos to compassion in Clapham Junction Jenny Sheridan charts the events which began on the night of 8-9 August

Clapham Junction was burnt, sacked and pillaged on the night of 8-9 August. Crowds rampaged through the shops and along the streets of St John’s Road and St John’s Hill. Lavender Hill was the worst affected. Almost every shop and restaurant between Debenhams and the Post Office was attacked, their plate glass windows and safety grilles smashed, any goods that had not been looted broken and strewn on the ground.

Devastation The scene the next day was one of devastation. The Party Shop on Lavender Hill, the shops next to it and the flats above were burnt out (above). Residents had lost all destroyed. Battersea’s underlying When London Mayor Boris Johnson their possessions and had been strength of community spirit arrived he was heckled and told to lucky to escape with their lives. On emerged. The rioting was spread get a broom and help. He was duly St John’s Road 16 shops had been via Twitter, Facebook and Blackber- photographed holding one. broken into and looted. ry and looted goods were sold on Local people were deeply Gumtree and Ebay. But it was simi- Police tactics shocked. This is not an area with a lar social networking that brought There was criticism of the lack of a high crime rate. Groups gathered together scores of people with strong police presence. The trouble on street corners and in pubs to brooms and rubber gloves to help started soon after 8pm but the talk about it and to commiserate the Council clean up the area once street belonged to the looters until with those whose shops had been the police had finished (below). after midnight. MP Jane Ellison said in a speech in the House of Com- mons, “Some of the tactics need to be reviewed. Parts of my constitu- ency were a free-for-all for hours …. Many people were appalled to see open criminality being tolerat- ed on the streets.” By 25 August 98 suspects had been arrested in Wandsworth for offences including burglary, han- dling stolen goods and violent dis- order. Across London there have been almost 2000 arrests.

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feel. Violence is very rarely a From the Editor solution and certainly not here. So much has been written about the riots in Clapham Junction that if Inspiring we still used ink it would all have This is another bumper issue of run dry. So I will limit myself to Battersea Matters. There is much personal experience. I live, alone, to think about, even apart from the ten minutes walk from Clapham riots. On page 4 there is the Junction. A week after the troubles, continuing story of York Gardens I had a drink with a friend (female). Library, much of which is inspiring. The ‘Big Society’ is based on the But where is the justice in the value of volunteering, and for those No simple solution poorest area of the borough having with some time available it can be We discussed the problems, to stump up £70,000 a year while highly enjoyable and fulfilling. In acknowledging how complex they Northcote library, in a wealthy this issue there are ideas for were and how the rioters and district, is supported by the council volunteering on page 11 (our looters were hugely disparate and tax payer? planning committee), 3 and 4 (York did not present one simple problem Gardens and lollipop people) and and no one solution. On my way Cuts overview 14 (Thrive). home I met a neighbour (male) On the page opposite, Robert There is a wealth of things to do in who had been away for two weeks. Molteno suggests we demand from the next few months. A look at “It makes you feel quite violent, the Council a broad-brush overview page 18 will whet your appetite. doesn’t it?” he said, “with your of its proposed cuts and the home being at risk”. I said no, not rationale behind them and an Jenny Sheridan at all, that’s absolutely not what I opportunity to express our views. [email protected] 020 7350 2749 There is always some light relief Streetlife website about this from even the direst situation and I topic. And how good to find The Man on the Battersea Bus Mike Roden is in nostalgic mood enjoyed some of the hyperbolic Debenhams knows its place headlines relating to the recent and thanks the folk of Battersea for Nostalgia mayhem. But my favourite was their support (see back page). On one of the few balmy summer from the Telegraph which nights this year we packed a picnic (following some minor disturbances A clean sweep? and with some friends took the in Gloucester) announced grimly As a final note on this topic, it was Overground to Hampstead for an "Mobs on rampage in Cotswolds." gratifying to see the sweeping open air performance at Keats brush become a symbol of the House dramatising the poetry, Nervous twitch clean-up campaign. Those of you prose and letters of the Romantic Did members of the Chipping Nor- with very long memories might re- poets . Sitting close to the tree un- ton set nervously twitch their cur- call my piece a year ago in which I der which the poet penned “Ode to tains and look for signs of urban called for a Big Brush Society a Nightingale” we nibbled on intruders? Much in the same way “making brushes, brooms and dust- Shippams fishpaste sandwiches, perhaps as those SW4 residents pans available at colourful docking which had as much recollective who woke up to hear John Hum- stations throughout Battersea”. As power for the four of us in bringing phries telling them that their High the picture shows, we have a new back childhood as the madeleine Street had been devastated the supporter, so perhaps it will soon did for Proust. previous night, only to discover not become a reality? Now, as Keats observed in another a sign of damage. Even I was misled ode we’re heading into that for a moment by “riots in Clap- “season of mists and mellow ham”, until I heard that the trouble fruitfulness”, the days shorten, and had centred round Lavender Hill. there is that smoky, autumnal qual- Of course we’ve been here before, ity to the air, which always pres- ASDA took a bit of persuading to aged the end of the holidays, and acknowledge (for the second time) the long trudge towards Christmas, that it was located in Clapham with only Bonfire Night to relieve Junction, and there are still plenty the monotony. of other SW11 stores who insist that they are somewhere other Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. than Battersea. There is an on- Mind how you go. going discussion on the excellent

Lollipop funding to cease – what’s next? Robert Molteno calls on the Council to open up its proposals on funding cuts 8.30 am on a Friday morning in July. safety of the 4 million kids who The drizzle filtered down. Scores of walk or cycle to school each day. children at Fircroft Primary School They are the friendly faces each were standing on the street corner morning and afternoon who help with Lucille, their ‘Lollipop lady’. increase security on our streets. Each carried a homemade yellow- Their imminent disappearance and-black-striped pole with a ‘Stop where schools cannot find a solu- the Cuts’ disc at the top. A Wands- tion will mean a small, but signifi- worth Guardian photographer tee- cant, diminution in the quality of enhance the quality of our lives tered on a ladder getting pictures. life of many people in the borough. that are under threat. What was going on? I suggest we demand of the Coun- The answer is money. Councillor Locally provided cil that it present a broad-brush, Russell King, cabinet member for But our School Crossing Patrol ser- four-year perspective on how it transport, explained the situation vices falling victim to financial cuts proposes to close the funding gap. to Wandsworth Living Streets when is only one example of a much big- The Council should then devise a we met him on 28 July. The Council ger question. Ending some familiar way for us to express our prefer- is under severe financial pressure. locally provided public services, ences across these proposals. It has to reduce spending by 30% charging fees, farming out key ac- Robert Molteno is secretary of over the coming 4 years, assuming tivities to private sector providers Wandsworth Living Streets little or no Council tax increases. are all likely to happen. And these £30 million savings must be found changes are going to upset many of in 2012-13 alone. Since Freedom us residents in the next few years. Interested in Trees? Passes which give free travel to all The question for all of us is: what of us over 60, whether we are still will this mean for the quality of life in a job or retired, take up a large for different sections of our com- part of the transport department’s munity? The Council’s approach so budget, there are limited options far has been piecemeal. We have as to where it can find its share of already seen its withdrawal of free savings. swimming for children and pension-

ers; its proposal to close York Gar- The Wandsworth Tree Warden Final decision dens Library situated in a particu- Scheme is looking for new vol- So what is going to happen? The larly deprived estate; the 30% cut in unteers to join . The Wands- Council has written to all our library opening hours; and the in- worth scheme has been running schools telling them it can no long- tention to charge children £2.50 at for approximately 20 years and er pay the cost of its 37 designated the Battersea Park Adventure Play- is now looking for additional School Crossing Patrols. Instead ground. The difficulty with this bit members who are interested in each school affected must pay the by bit way of deciding how to close local tree matters including cost themselves (over £7,000 a year the funding gap is that none of us practical planting and mainte- in the case of Fircroft), or organise nance projects. has a chance to look at the choices parents and others as volunteer as a whole. patrollers, or perhaps find business Anyone interested should contact the scheme co-ordinator, sponsorship. In any case, the Coun- Democratic right Andrew Wills, as soon as possi- cil’s executive expects to make a We are being given no opportunity ble on telephone 020 7223 6000 final decision to end funding this to indicate to the Council what or email [email protected] October (saving a little over priorities it should have, and what £200,000), the decision taking im- balance should be struck between Further details about Tree War- mediate effect the following withdrawal of some services, charg- den Schemes generally can be month. ing for others, and raising the found at treecouncil.org.uk/tree-wardens ‘Lollipops’ have been a familiar council tax. Yet this is our part of our street life for over half a democratic right as residents and century. They have shepherded council tax payers. It is our money generations of children across busy being spent, and the services which roads. They are essential to the

The Big Society in action? organizing and running community Jenny Sheridan reports on the local groups staking their claim in York activities and promoting the com- Gardens Library munity spaces to generate income. The centre will be closed for the Community action saved York Gar- community is prepared to support. month of October for building dens Library from the closure pro- A slimming club is interested in hir- works and refurbishment. posed by the Council. (see Batter- ing space and a couple of arts or- When it re-opens in November it sea Matters Spring 2011). As a con- ganizations may be too.” will house a children’s library of dition for keeping it open, the much the same size as previously, Council devised a ‘Big Society’ solu- Community resource though with fewer professional tion, in which community stake- The Council’s original plan was to staff. There will be a homework holders and the Council work in use the large hall for a resource club and reading help and other partnership to run and fund the centre for the educational depart- activities for children. There will be centre. ment. The community is pleased eight computers and a small collec- The stakeholders group consists of that it will now continue to be avail- tion of books for adults. representatives of groups that cam- able for hire for large social events “I am hopeful for the future,” says paigned in support of the library, such as weddings and meetings of Ms Francis-Mills. “Of course we including the York Gardens Library the bridge club. There are also would have preferred to keep the Users Group, Women of Wands- smaller spaces to hire. library open as it was, rather than worth (WOW),the Katherine Low Sandra Munoz from WOW made a having to put a huge amount of Settlement and the Lavender Bridge moving video in March that helped time in as volunteers. My anxiety is Club, based at the centre. There are to persuade Wandsworth Council whether we can keep the service also representatives of the Coun- not to close the library. She has going at a high level, with good cil’s library management and local been involved in children’s projects computer tutors for example. But councillors from both parties. Local that will help raise funds as well as we are impressed with the skills educational establishments such as provide healthy and fun activity. and experience of the volunteers Thames Christian College and “We ran a Taekwondo class, fund- we have interviewed so far.” Thomas’s Preparatory School are ed by Thomas’s School, which was Sarah Rackham of the Katherine also involved. hugely successful,” she says. “WOW Low Settlement comments, “We mums are interested in volunteer- know it won’t be easy, but there is Motivating volunteers ing and we have also made contact a huge amount of enthusiasm and The library will be staffed by a full- with the local job centre, as volun- good will. Everyone wants it to suc- time manager and two library assis- teering can be a good way into ceed.” tants, supported by volunteers. The work.” stakeholders group will be respon- . Any readers interested in sible for the recruitment, training Skills and experience volunteering or hiring space at and management of the volunteers. According to childrens’ services li- York Gardens should contact Crucially, there will be a part-time brary manager Hilary Manning, vol- Hilary Manning on 020 8871 volunteer co-ordinator, funded in unteering opportunities will include 8848 part by a contribution from the customer care, enquiry support, Council’s Big Society Fund. “We will have to raise funds for the rest of the post,” says Sonia Francis-Mills, chair of the stakeholders group. “It’s essential in training and motivating volunteers and creating a team who can work creatively together. “Altogether we have to find £70,000 a year to keep the library and community centre open. It’s a very challenging target. We aim to do this by hiring out the spaces and through activities. WOW and Thom- as’s School have come up with lots of good ideas for projects that the

Is there a future for the Pump House? Mike Roden reflects on the current exhibition in the Battersea Park gallery The Pump House is integral to like to know what local people Battersea Park’s history. Built in want. 1861 soon after the park’s opening it housed a coal-fired steam engine Exhibits and installations and pump to circulate water in the Containing an uneasy mixture of lake and drive the cascades on the new work and written comments north bank. By end of the thirties it by artists who have previously ex- was no longer in use. The rest of hibited at the gallery and from stu- the park enjoyed its post-war Festi- dents from the Royal College of Art, val of Britain success, but for two with additional contributions from decades the reputedly “haunted” local residents, it offers a range of Pump House remained overgrown ideas about where the Pump House and neglected. should go from here. The physical exhibits and installa- Broader programme tions areas always - difficult to The heritage boom of the eighties describe. Tea Party by Julia Hayes likes the idea of providing low cost and nineties saw its restoration and (see picture) is explained thus: workspace for young artists. Kirsty in 1999 it became a permanent gal- “using broken teapots and cracked Chapman (an artist herself) envis- lery and by 2010 was presenting up cups she will interpret spillages ages the Pump House hosting a lo- to five exhibitions a year. In July of with the help of tea-leaf reading cal Society of Art with featured art- that year, as part of its cuts pro- symbols, embroidered on the table- work constantly changing. The gramme Wandsworth Council de- cloth.” She will use these findings most imaginative (though probably vised the curious plan of handing to offer a prediction of the gallery’s impractical) notion amongst the the building over to its arts and fate. Bik van der Pol’s video shows comments on display was an anon- events teams so that it could be Susie Shaw carrying out a ‘clearing’ ymous plan to build “three minia- “opened up more to local people on the building “ridding it of stag- ture squash courts”. and have a broader programme of nant energies and lingering histo- arts activities”. Clearly this implied ries”., enabling the site to function Performance space less money would somehow make effectively as a home for contem- My own personal view is that the it more responsive to local needs . porary art. Perhaps these are vi- Pump House should become more The current exhibition A Future sionary ideas, perhaps not. The integrated with the life of the park Pump House: Ideas, Thoughts and choice is yours. which surrounds it. The new exhi- Plans which runs until 25 Septem- bition space on the ground floor ber, (in the words of curator Nick Imaginative or eccentric? could house a permanent display Aikens) “proposes a need to con- Simon Faithfull’s A Modest Pro- about the park’s history, with the tinually question what role these posal sees the Pump House be- upper floors showing a regularly spaces play... to address and inter- coming an ICA (Institute for Canine changing variety of work from local rogate the differing interests, histo- Arts) serving the cultural needs of artists and photographers. There is ries and agendas of those in- the park’s most loyal users. I have no reason why the paved area in volved”. I think he means they’d a nagging feeling that, should these front of the gallery should not also various plans be put to a be used as a performance space for public vote, this one stands musicians and dancers. an outside chance of being That’s just one idea to add to a selected! long list. The Pump House would be Most of the written com- delighted to hear yours… ments displayed round the walls believe that the build- The exhibition is open until 25 September ing should retain its exhibi- (Wed, Thu, Sat 11am-5pm; Fri, Sun 11am- tion function. Frank Steggall 4pm). sees it as a showcase for in- Julia Hayes (see above) will be holding a novative ideas from local Tea party on Saturday 10 & 17 September, schools and colleges where and Friday 23 September from 4-4.30pm. engineering and art come together. Marian Cowler

appeared on ITV’s Born to Shine Not for me, not for you, but for us programme training Joe Swash Tim Burley tells the story of Battersea Arts Centre’s past, present and (from Eastenders) in the art of future beatboxing (vocal percussion). And The Old Town Hall was built in reaching our fund-raising targets. our young people presented a show 1893 to house the Vestry and Coun- We are working with a network of BRAVE during the second week of cil of Battersea. It was designed by established writers and theatre August in the Council Chamber Edward William Mountford, archi- makers to create an interactive sto- which was an energetic and timely tect of the Old Bailey. The stunning rytelling experience based on the production exploring what it means bee mosaic on the ground floor, the true story of George Neighbour. A to be brave for a young person to- same species of bee that adorns local community hero, he died in day. The production was a huge the title head of this newsletter, is 1909 whilst helping others escape a success and we hope it will return said to symbolise the democracy fire in Arding & Hobbs and is com- for another short run in September. and industry of the hive, the double memorated by a plaque at BAC. Since securing a 125 year lease in B’s of Battersea Borough and possi- The show will be a building-wide 2008 we have invested £1.75million bly the early history of the area as ‘promenade’ (where the audience in the building, refurbishing the lavender fields. Battersea Arts Cen- walk around a series of spaces) Grand Hall, removing partitioning tre (BAC) today maintains the origi- aimed at children aged six to twelve to re-create the original footprint of nal motto ‘Non Mihi, Non Tibi, Sed and their families. It incorporates a the first floor and refurbishing Nobis’ or ‘Not for Me, Not for You, series of 10-minute experiences those spaces, and beginning the But for Us’. that have been developed in local restoration of the Council Chamber. BAC recently branded its work un- schools by professional artists com- der three headings: missioned by BAC. We anticipate Refurbish and restore audience numbers of 6,000 – 8,000. Over the next four to five years we Cook Up: representing our role as a After the recent riots the show has want to complete a full refurbish- ‘development house’ where artists a profound message, encouraging ment and restoration of the build- test out new ideas. We recently children to explore what it means ing, ensuring it’s in a fit state for installed six bedrooms, a kitchen to belong to a local community and the next generation of artists, audi- and bathroom in the building. This our moral responsibility to our ences and visitors. The plans in- provides space, time and resources neighbours. clude repairing leaking roofs across for visiting artists and ena- the building, installing new bles us to offer a year- technical infrastructure and round programme where more sustainable energy artists and actors present systems, better public spaces ‘scratch’ (work-in-progress) with the original light well re- performances on Thursday stored, a resource centre hous- to Saturday evenings. The ing an archive and research fa- living spaces also makes it cilities, residential facilities for viable for artists and com- 12 artists and a ‘greening’ pro- panies from across the UK ject on Town Hall Road. and overseas to develop The Heritage Lottery Fund and and present work here Arts Council England have without having to factor in pledged £2.5m each to the next the considerable costs of accom- Walk-in workshops stage of works, as long as BAC can modation. BAC’s Homegrown programme for raise a further £1m. This means young people (aged 12 -25) was Tuck In: each year we aim to pre- that for every £1 donated BAC will recently developed to include inex- receive £5 of HLF/ACE funding. Our sent three seasons of high-profile pensive walk-in workshops rather deadline for securing these funds is productions, running throughout than just offering term based pro- May 2012. Anyone who can help the week for a yearly total of 18 jects as we have in the past. This should contact me on 0207 326 weeks. has resulted in a more ethnically 8235. We are always delighted to Take Out: recognising a growing and socially diverse pool of young show interested parties around the role as an exporter of productions people taking part. Thursday nights building and to explain our plans for tours in the UK and beyond. at BAC can be very lively now with for the future. up to 100 young people engaged in The Good Neighbour will be our a variety of creative activities. A Tim Burley is head of next major production, from Feb- participant of our Beatboxing Acad- development at BAC ruary to March 2012, subject to emy, Nahum (pictured), recently 6

House for sale; royal underwear a bonus river from Chelsea”). Forbes employed the distinguished Jenny Sheridan reports on Battersea’s oldest house architect Sir Frederick Gibberd to Old Battersea House is up for sale. College for Schoolmasters, which in restore it to its former glory. The If any member has £12million or so the 1920s amalgamated with St Forbes family lived in the house to spare, they should pop along to Mark’s College and moved to whenever they visited London and Savills and make an offer. Chelsea. Old Battersea House was entertained royalty, politicians and This lovely house has a fascinating then threatened with demolition by film stars there. history. It was probably built in the Battersea Borough Council for the late 17th century for Sir Walter St development of the Somerset Art collection John, lord of the manor of Estate. It was only saved by a local Although some of the Forbes Battersea and founder of the outcry led by Colonel Charles family’s collection of Victorian art educational charity that still bears Stirling and his wife, who leased the was sold at auction in 2009 for over his name. Surrounded by lavender house. Mrs Stirling lived there until £25million, much remains, fields and lapped by the Thames, it her death aged 99 in 1965. She including works by Millais and must have made an idyllic country brought with her paintings by her Gainsborough. Prospective home- manor house. talented sister, Evelyn de Morgan buyers will be pleased to hear that and ceramics by her husband the collection is available for Demolition William de Morgan. purchase, along with a pair of In the nineteenth century the In 1954 the house was listed Queen Victoria’s knickers. The house was occupied by the Grade11*. It was in a poor state of house itself offers ten double principal of St John’s Training repair when the lease was bought bedrooms (six with river views) and

in 1970 by Malcolm some of the original baroque Forbes, the late panelling. publishing millionaire. Those wishing to enquire online His son Christopher said about buying the house should be recently that “Battersea sure not to confuse it with Old was not the most Battersea House Wedding Chapel– desirable neighbourhood ‘the perfect place to say “I do” in when my father bought historic downtown Stuart, Florida.’ it.” (Perhaps this is still the case: Savills is See estate agents details at marketing it as “ideally http://tinyurl.com/43ecv3x situated just over the

Suzanne Perkins’ Basement Blues Woke up many a mornin’, to a compres- Woke up many a mornin’, truck two stories sor’s roar high Woke up one mornin’, saw a basement Deep, low and heavy, poundin’ on my door Cement pumpin’ loudly, I was fit to die van Any kinda thinkin’, made my whole head Only consolation, that the end was nigh Wasn’t too long, saw a basement man, sore. Knew my summer was over, long I like to see, the evenin’ sun go down before it began. I like to see, the evenin’ sun go down Oh, I like to see, that evenin’ sun go down Oh, I like to see, that evenin’ sun go down Tinnitus in my earholes, it’s the only sound I like to see, the evenin’ sun go down Bitta conversation, it’s the only sound. Folks, let me tell you the news, Oh, I like to see, that evenin’ sun go down Hound dogs, birds and children, they’re the I’ve got those low-down, deep-set, ear- only sound. splittin’, teeth-grindin’, heart-thumpin’ nerve-wrackin Basement Blues. Woke up many a mornin’, heard a ten-ton truck You dig? Metal scrapin’ tarmac, yells of %@* and £$ %^! Any thought of sleepin’, I was outta luck. PS The Council’s Noiseline is 020 I like to see, the evenin’ sun go down 8871 7869, and officers might, if you Oh, I like to see, that evenin’ sun go down are lucky, negotiate you a half-hour Music, talk and laughter, they’re the only break during the day, when you can sound. eat without getting indigestion.

Winning the battle by inches? new arrangements as a victory for the campaign against closure. It’s Labour’s new leader on Wandsworth Council talks to Jenny Sheridan. good to use people’s energy and enthusiasm but I have one big wor- “Nearly all the great battles ry. It could all be squandered be- through history have been won not cause the Town Hall isn’t giving it by miles but by inches – the Saxons enough back-up in terms of profes- nearly won the Battle of Hastings! sional support. And it’s impossible Important to remember in history - to predict how it will be affected by and a useful lesson in life.” The the potential hiving off of all the speaker is keen historian Councillor libraries next year.” Rex Osborn, the new Labour leader in Wandsworth Council. The bor- Fair distribution ough has not only a new leader in There are, according to Cllr Osborn, Ravi Govindia (see Battersea three frontline areas that the coun- Matters summer 2011), but a new cil must look at: education, health opposition leader, following on and policing. “There are many from Cllr Tony Belton. different kinds of school– local authority, faith, academies and soon Modernisation there will be one or more free “I am keen to protect and celebrate country. What are the opposition’s schools. The jury’s out on free our heritage,” says Cllr Osborn, views? “It’s what local people want, schools but we are uneasy. We are who is also chair of the Tooting Lo- we live in a democracy so we have concerned about the resources put cal History Group. “But it is also to respect that and live with that into the Bolingbroke free school essential for the council to modern- culture. If Labour were to win in the compared to other schools. What’s ize and in particular to make better local elections in 2014 I would keep important is that the local authority use of the internet and social me- the low council tax. We could still has a strategic overview and can dia. Our website should be easier to achieve a lot. We do think salaries distribute resources fairly between navigate. Technology is not a sub- and bonuses at the top are too high schools. We don’t think the free stitute for face to face contact, and and we always oppose rises. school policy has been properly I recognise that not everyone has “But if we wanted to do some- thought through but in principle I’m easy access to it, but if it can give us thing and it would mean increasing not saying they’re always a bad an extra edge we should use it. council tax, we wouldn’t do it. thing. “Labour’s priorities are moderniza- There’s an important rider: we “The need for more police was tion, compassion and providing an wouldn’t be so obsessed with it and clearly shown in the riots last week. opposing view to the ruling party. we would aim to be less penny- I have spoken to several police Residents have a right to expect an pinching especially in cases of hard- officers. Many were extremely opposition to offer an alternative ship.” brave, they are exhausted, they’ve view. But we have always tried to been working long shifts. But we be a constructive opposition; we Community involvement must recognise that Clapham Junc- would never undermine good gov- What does Cllr Osborn think of the tion burnt because there were gaps ernment in Wandsworth. Big Society? “There’s always been a in policing. There must be a mora- strong case for community involve- torium on cuts in the police force. Council tax ment and Labour has a good record “We see our role as taking the on this. Giving it a fancy new name Public enquiry sharp edge off what the Conserva- just hides the fact that it cloaks a “It’s essential to have a public en- tives do. In housing, for example, lot of cuts. The Big Society actually quiry into the reasons for the riots. the council is too quick to send ten- means that lots of things have had Clearly there was criminal involve- ants a letter outlining the tough to get smaller. But it’s vital to look ment. People waiting for looters in consequences of their actions. If we on the positive side and work with transit vans had a pretty good idea sent round a housing officer to find what we’ve got.” of what to do with stolen goods. out the exact circumstances of the Is the York Gardens Library a good We have to recognise that adver- family we could probably come up example of the Big Society? Cllr Os- tisements and fashion put huge with a better solution for both the born is definite: “There should nev- pressure on young people. It tenant and the council.” er have been a proposal to close doesn’t justify it but it makes it less Wandsworth prides itself on hav- that library – that one, of all the ing the lowest council tax in the libraries in the borough. I see the continued on next page

Interview with Cllr Rex Osborn this and we feel very strongly about attractions, other than Battersea cont’d from previous page it. However in general, eviction is Park. “What about St Mary’s an important tool and can make life Church in Putney, with its exhibi- surprising. It was only a small mi- easier for neighbours. We would tion on the Civil War debates? And nority of young people but even a use it in other circumstances.” Tooting’s art deco Gala Bingo Hall? small number can do a lot of dam- Mr Osborn, who has been a coun- “And an idea for Battersea: how age. I don’t agree with Cameron cillor for five years, lives in Graven- about bringing back the lavender to that single parents and a broken ey, Tooting, the ward he repre- Lavender Hill? It would need to be society are to blame, that’s not an sents. He is also a qualified Blue dramatic, with great swathes of adequate explanation.” Badge guide, specializing in the purple outside shops, in window What does the Labour group think south London suburbs. “I might boxes, on street corners and in of the proposed eviction of a family lead a subterranean London tour in hanging baskets, smelling wonder- from a council flat after the 18-year the morning and a Harry Potter one ful. It would bring people from all -old son was charged with rioting? in the afternoon. I love it, but I’ve over London and beyond, and the “It’s wrong and it’s not properly scaled back a bit to spend more local economy would benefit as thought out either. The mother and time on my council work.” tourists spent money in local shops her small daughter should not be and cafes (and bought hay fever evicted. In any case, if they are Bring back the lavender sprays in chemists!). There could be made homeless the council would Cllr Osborn passionately wants peo- rooftop apiaries and shops could have to find them bed and break- ple to come to Wandsworth, to sell Battersea honey. It would need fast, which would be much more spend their money in the local a small amount of funding and a lot expensive. And at the moment we economy and to enjoy themselves. of encouragement.” don’t even know if the individual is He thinks the council does not do guilty. Cllr Tony Belton is leading on enough promotion of the borough’s Open House Weekend 17-18 September have a local exception in the Mike Roden picks a few morsels from this year’s programme Battersea Arts Centre (Lavender Hill SW11 5TN) which is offering Once again hundreds of buildings of regular tours on Saturday 6pm- all types and periods are opening 10pm. You can see artists exploring up their doors to all, without BAC's ongoing development of the charge. The list of properties open Old Town Hall. in Wandsworth is available on our On Sunday if you venture over the website, but to whet your appetites river again, close to South Ken sta- I’ve chosen just a few local high- tion you’ll find the oasis of calm lights (in Battersea or nearby). that is The Ismaili Centre (1-7 A newcomer to our area this year Cromwell Gardens SW7 2SL). is Clapham House (23 Mallinson pm). You’ll need to queue, but Opened in 1985, the Centre is the Road SW11 1BW) You will need to (unless you suffer from vertigo) if first religious and cultural centre to book in advance with Open House you’re interested in modern do- be built for the Ismaili community (openhouse.org.uk) to join one of mestic architecture it’s worth the in the West. From the serenity of the architect-led tours on Saturday wait. the entrance fountain to the re- afternoon (only five people per Just across Battersea Bridge, you markable roof garden it draws upon tour). What you will see is a have a rare chance to see beyond Islamic traditions in architecture “sculptural transformation of a Vic- the elegant 17th century frontage of and design. There are regular tours torian family home, interweaving Lindsey House (100 Cheyne Walk on Sunday from 10am-4pm. house and garden”. SW10 0DQ). It’s only open on Satur- Another transformed Victorian day between 2-4pm and the But that is just the tip of a very house is Skinner-Trevino House (67 queues are usually very long. Not large iceberg. You can find details Santos Road SW18 1NT). The origi- far away is the new Chelsea Acade- of all open properties on the Open nal interior has been almost com- my (Lots Road SW10) which is open House website (openhouse.org.uk). pletely gutted, filled with light by a from 10.30-3.30 on Saturday. You’ll glass extension on the ground need to join one of the hourly tours For those planning to travel further floor , and a glass box roof exten- to see inside and visit the garden afield, you should be warned that there sion accessed by a glass staircase. (maximum 12 per tour). are partial closures on the Circle, Dis- It’s open on Saturday and Sunday Most Open House properties are trict, Hammersmith & City and Metro- between 10am-5pm (closed 1-2 only open during the day, but we politan lines, and there is no service on the Victoria Line.

How not to encourage cycling Barclay’s advertising banners are offensive, says Tony Tuck In these austere times some may has some silly number and an- find it irksome that Barclays Bank nounces that it goes from X to Y has this year 1) paid its chief execu- (check out Battersea Park Road, for tive Bob Diamond a bonus of example). £6.5m; 2) ensured that the average In addition to the garish blue cycle pay for its 23,000 staff in Barclays lane paint, (often apparently oblivi- Capital's was about £196,000; 3)in ous to the geography of the actual total paid bonuses to its staff of road) this latest piece of advertising more than £2bn and 4) that its for the unpleasant bank flaunts it- highest-paid executives below self halfway between the pavement board level received £38.3m, plus and the sky in never-ending vulgar £10.8m in long-term incentive blueness. It would be hard to imag- awards, while the top earner re- ine a more obvious piece of gratui- ceived £10.9m, plus a long-term tous advertising and self- incentive award of £3.3m. promotion. Given the culpability of the bank- ing system for the 2008 global Ostentatious and irrelevant Monstrous financial collapse and the continu- A visit to almost any Nordic city will After campaigning over the years ing western European and Ameri- demonstrate how cyclists can be against street clutter in Battersea can recession, some might think segregated on roads and given safe and supporting responsible encour- this largesse is excessive. priority without ostentatious and agement of safe cycling, we are irrelevant display. In London we deeply disappointed by this out- Grotesque have a prime example of how not break of offensiveness. If you And what is singularly grotesque is to encourage cycling, and to do so agree, then do write or email the sudden besmirching of our en- with the utmost vulgarity and lack Transport for London, the London vironment with large blue banners of safety. (Hire a heavy cycle in a Mayor, and Wandsworth Borough affixed to lamp posts signalling, not high density traffic urban centre Council asking that these mon- only that this road is now a Bar- without a helmet? Plain irresponsi- strous advertising banners be re- clays Cycle Highway, but also that it ble.) moved.

cycle helmet around all day on the Comment from Susie Morrow of the Wandsworth chance that they might decide to Cycling Campaign hire a bike? A recent paper in the British Medical Journal showed that The advertising banners may be the health benefits of a citybike temporary, and the blue paint may hire scheme far outweigh the disappear before too long; it is un- effects of injury. likely to be a high priority for Inexplicable maintenance. My main gripe about Battersea Park In northern European countries Road is that TfL has inexplicably where there are high levels of cy- erected a guard rail in the middle of cling, this is mainly due not to seg- the road. This makes crossing more regation but to a low speed limit difficult for pedestrians and (about 30 kph ie 18 mph). encourages motorists to drive fast-

er, making the road less safe for all Statistics its users. Tony’s assertion about the irre- sponsibility of hiring a bicycle without a helmet is not borne out by Let Battersea Mattters know what you the statistics. In Melbourne, helmet think about the Barclays Bike scheme. -wearing is compulsory and has Join the debate by emailing Story from the Melbourne Age [email protected] killed their cycle hire scheme stone website dead. Why would anyone carry a

Planning Matters We don’t necessarily object to every application even if we don’t Nine Elms or Battersea City? Monica Tross reports on buildings great like the proposals. When a neigh- and small bour or neighbours have sent in A colleague in the Chelsea Society velopment of the site and all con- excellent and well informed objec- recently referred to “the new cerned (not least Wandsworth tions and made a compelling case Battersea city”– or Nine Elms as Council) will need to take great care (to us at any rate) against the appli- Wandsworth Council call it. Work to ensure that the design and build cation we may decide we have continues in the area with new de- quality meets the standards set out nothing useful to add. In the case of velopments being designed and an application to demolish 46 consultants briefed to come up Anhalt Road and replace it with with branding proposals for the a new building we are likely to VNEB (Vauxhall, Nine Elms and object even though there are Battersea Opportunity Area - - good letters on the application not a name that trips off the website (2011/2440). tongue). We will let you know We decided we were neutral in when we hear more. relation to plans to replace Over the summer we have Longhedge in Battersea Park commented on the Marco Polo Road (2011/1330). The new application (2011/2089 and building seems pleasant enough 2090) objecting to the height compared with the existing one (see artists’ impression right) ; and in this master plan. We are told and should provide better facilities the Ballymore scheme (2011/1815) there is likely to be a public exhibi- for the residents. where we registered concern about tion of the plans and we will post vehicle and pedestrian access and news of this on our website. Olympic restrictions the need for interconnections be- With the Olympic Road Network, it tween the sites along Nine Elms. Long way to go seems that Battersea will get off We have posted news of the latest One thing is clear; building at Nine relatively lightly. The changes to exhibition of the American Embassy Elms is going to continue way into routes, signal phasing and bus stops plans on our website (see also page the 2020’s. While all members of will only be in place from just be- 18). I hope some of you will visit the planning committee hope to be fore the tennis at Wimbledon (28 this and let us know your views. around for a while yet, I certainly July 2012) and should be disman- won’t want to be monitoring design tled swiftly after this closes (5 or 6 Royal Mail site development into 2021. I know we August). In Battersea these changes Several of the planning committee keep saying this, but do get in will affect York Road, Battersea spent an interesting couple of touch if you care about Battersea’s Park Road and Nine Elms although hours at the offices of Allies & Mor- built environment and have some routes in Central London may affect rison, master planners for the new time to give to planning issues. us. development on the Royal Mail We are not only focussed on Nine Fuller details, updates and feed- site. The architect took us through Elms. We are sent the full list of back forms can be found at the scheme and you can see our planning applications and decisions www.tfl.gov.uk/orn We will update comments on the Council’s plan- each week and we check out those you whenever we hear more. One ning application website, reference which seem of concern. piece of good news is that there 2011/2462. There is a lot to like in will be an embargo on all but emer- the way the scheme is being ap- Tall and oppressive gency highway works during the proached, in particular the liaison We have objected to plans for an Olympics between the architects, their col- excessively tall block at Battersea leagues on neighbouring sites, and Reach (formerly Gargoyle Wharf) as the landscape architects (Camlins) did the Wandsworth Society, but working on plans for the linear sadly to no avail. We are hoping for park.This might lead to a strategic better things in relation to an appli- Let us have your views on any approach to interconnections – we cation for a tall and oppressive de- planning or transport matter. certainly hope so. However assum- velopment next door to Candle- Please contact us at ing the master plan is approved, makers (the former Price’s Candle [email protected] this is just the start of the process. Factory) at 100 York Road Others will take on the actual de- (2011/2950).

Watchers on the walls Richard Dening unveils the history and mystery behind the sculpted Brilliant orator faces in north Battersea Pride of place is given to Henry St John, the first Viscount Boling- You may have noticed the faces broke. His stone portrait, surround- built into the walls of the Althorpe ed by bricks saved from the floor of Grove Estate, the area between his stables, is built into the wall on Battersea Church Road and West- No 1 Sunbury Lane, facing St Mary’s bridge Road. Some of the faces are Church . Born in 1678, he was ap- now covered by climbing plants, pointed viscount in 1712, after a but they call out to be noticed and successful political career ending as admired. Queen Anne’s first minister. He The site was developed in 1981 by died here of cancer in 1751. He was the Greater London Council. How- ambitious, ruthless and a brilliant ever it was only when the obituar- orator and in his youth was seen as ies of the architect, Sir Roger Wal- one of the greatest men of his age. ters, appeared last November that He was both christened and buried we could begin to understand the Enigmatic presence in St Mary’s Church. creative drive that inspired the ap- It is no surprise that, when faced pearance of the faces. He was a with developing a site filled with Changes in the law man who aimed at low-key archi- interesting history, he should hon- On his death, his nephew Frederick tecture, subtle and human, which our the soil that he was disturbing. inherited the manor and the title. the occupants would really enjoy. Hence the enigmatic presence of In 1757, he married the popular the faces. Sadly, the passage of and theatrical Lady Diana Spencer, Winning entry time does not allow us to know daughter of 3rd Duke of Marlbor- Walters’ ability to combine a seri- why some appear. Nelson? No ough. ‘Bully’, as he was known, ran ous message with humour is shown idea. Sarah Bernhardt, Vanessa up huge debts through his extrava- by his winning entry for the Sunday Redgrave, Lord Denning? Perhaps gant lifestyle, string of mistresses, Times competition in the1970s, to to reflect the theatrical past of oc- gambling and breeding racehorses. compose the headline for its cupants of previous buildings and To relieve his tight finances, he 10,000th edition in 2017. His pre- the part played by the House of pushed changes in the law through diction: "Government computer Lords and the law? the House of Lords that allowed resigns". He wrote pamphlets on Demeter (above ), the Greek God- inheritors to sell family properties. Keats, John Nash and the Prince dess of grain and bountiful harvests He then sold his inheritance to Lady Regent. His ‘diary of ideas’, surfac- reminds us that excavation in the Diana’s cousin, John Spencer, Vis- ing only after his death, reveals his 1970s revealed the remains of a count Althorp and Earl Spencer. love of friendship and of life in all farm from the 12th and 13th centu- The Spencer, St John and Boling- its aspects. He lived his belief in ries. Later, the northern part of the broke names live on in many the need to be compassionate and site formed part of the kitchen gar- Battersea streets. non-judgmental. dens of the Battersea Manor.

Rare acclaim from Pevsner cottages....This has been incorpo- Mike Roden notes a Battersea Society connection with the Althorpe rated in the GLC's Althorpe Grove Grove estate redevelopment of 1976 - 1980. “Round headed arches appear as a This site, along with much else in with unusual approval from Niko- recurrent motif. What is important this part of north Battersea would laus Pevsner in 1983 in The Build- is that the scale and line of the old have disappeared had the pro- ings of England London 2: South frontages are respected with a sen- posed inner London ring road been (Penguin books): sitivity seldom found in earlier built in the 1970s. housing developments." Once development began, the "Battersea Church Road starts with Battersea Society played an im- the Raven Inn, an original little This part of the Althorpe Grove es- portant role in ensuring that the structure of the mid 17th C with tate is included in the Battersea original street line was retained top heavy curved Dutch gables and Square conservation area down Battersea Church Road and quoins, then continues with a low, into Battersea Square, meeting irregular curving terrace of

Great bus journeys of the world Jenny Sheridan plans to explore all the bus routes that pass through Battersea. She starts with the 19. An intrepid prospect: a diagonal the bus you can see into the palac- voyage across London from the riv- es of luxury shopping – Armani, er up to the distant heights of Fins- Dior, Prada. They are invariably bury Park. At Battersea Bridge I empty, peopled only by slim black- board the 19 and find my favourite clad staff with nothing to do. Pre- around Eros at Piccadilly Circus, seat – top deck, front row, left hand sumably they are forbidden from then on, between Soho and China- side. It’s low tide and the afternoon reading, or dancing the polka or town, into theatreland. The crowds sun is shimmering on the grey- playing ping pong with rubies, so thronging the pavements - tourists, brown mud and wrinkled water. To they stand about, seeking forlornly workers, locals – look more diverse my right Albert Bridge is still for customers. here. shrouded in plastic. Bloomsbury Chelsea Up Charing Cross Road there’s an The Chelsea leg of the journey enormous Crossrail hole where starts with a reminder of hard com- once stood the Astoria. We enter mercial times: the development in another of central London’s villag- the Kings Road stands empty, many es, Bloomsbury, stopping outside months after completion. But the Hawksmoor’s fine St George’s glamorous and rich fill the tables Church (left) before glimpsing the outside the Bluebird Café (once an British Museum and refreshing our- ambulance station). The bus passes selves with the green of Blooms- several garden squares – Paultons, bury Square. James Smith and Sons with its voluminous plane tree, nar- advertises not only its famous um- row Carlyle, flower-filled Markham. brellas but “life preservers, dagger- Just past Glebe Place is a small ter- canes and swordsticks”, a reminder race of early 18th century houses of the dangers of 19th century Lon- where Ellen Terry the actor and don. Carol Reed, director of The Third Hyde Park corner A homeless young man sits with a Man, lived. The billionaires’ ghetto at One Hyde bottle of wine in a doorway in face- The bus stops opposite Chelsea Park lies ahead after the usual less Theobald’s Road. There’s a Old Town Hall. A bride emerges, in bottleneck at the top of Sloane quotation from Nietzsche on Con- scarlet with a rather brave bouquet Street. The Ukrainian oligarch who way Hall: “Is Man one of God’s of orange flowers. A group of teen- paid £136 million for a flat – sorry, blunders or is God one of Man’s?” age girls in leggings and vest tops “residence” – apparently pays only There’s more green at Gray’s Inn, blow kisses to each other at the £1,375 in council tax. where lawyers’ quills have stop, shrieking “Ciao guys, love Hyde Park Corner, and we enter scratched for 700 years. Now it’s you.” The Methodist Church shows tourist London. No horse guards uphill into Clerkenwell. Rosebery a different face of Chelsea; it runs a trotting through Decimus Burton’s Avenue is a viaduct, giving exciting drop-in centre and night shelter for arch today, but I nod to Battersea side-views into streets below. The homeless people. sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger’s Old China Hand pub offers ping Much of the relatively new build- sombre war memorial. I wonder if pong, Sadlers Wells offersFela! ing we pass has a welcome quirki- the tourists queuing outside the ness, rather than the bland St Hard Rock Café have noticed the Islington George-isms we see on our side of Athenaeum Hotel’s exuberant Islington was once a fashionable the river. And at Sloane Square planted wall, now sporting pink Georgian village, rather similar to there are two superb modern inter- fuchsias and yellow daisies among Clapham. I can still see its elegant pretations of distinguished build- the green vertical jungle. side-streets and squares, as well as ings at the Saatchi Gallery (formerly Green Park’s on our right, Lord Upper Street’s chain stores, vintage the TA barracks) and Peter Jones. Palmerston’s sadly deserted man- clothes shops and trendy restau- Round the corner the bus tiptoes sion on the left, then there’s the rants and the 1920s town hall, stiff into the even more rarefied air of Royal Academy with its splendid with civic pride. So far, so familiar, Sloane Street. I love this part: it courtyard, St James’s Church and makes me laugh. From the top of the Ritz. More tourists on the steps continued on next page

Great bus journeys of the world stadium…. There’s the Arsenal Fish wonder what the background is for continued from previous page Bar, the Gunners Tavern and Melody Lane, not to mention Vivian Arsenal barber, the Emirates Grill. Comma Close. (I learn later via but at Highbury Corner I enter un- An area of small independent shops Google that Vivian Comma was a known territory. In St Paul’s Road and restaurants it reflects many calypso singer and kite flyer, there’s scruffy paintwork, an organ- cultures: Vietnamese, Arab, Turk- originally from Trinidad). ic restaurant, tomatoes in window ish, Italian. There are several Mid- Past the well-known mosque, we boxes, then a ‘lifestyle boutique’ dle Eastern cake shops, dripping reach at last the 19’s terminus, called Pixie Moon. . We cross a rail- with delicious calories. I’m glad I’m Finsbury Park Station. It has been a way bridge, the Overground from on the bus, far above temptation. I fascinating afternoon, but it did homely Clapham Junction. spot a tiny corner shop with a clay take over an hour and a half, so oven, specializing in naan bread. perhaps I’ll get the tube home. Many cultures One of the great bus journeys of The bus swings north-east and even the world? Well, maybe it’s not up further uphill. The far north feels there with the Karakorum Highway different from down south. The or Saigon to Bangkok. But it starts roads are wider, the houses bigger, from home, it has history, green there’s an airier, more spacious, spaces and the wonders of London top-of-the-world feel. We reach the Street names and best of all, for those of us lucky top of the big dipper and start to It’s a literate area too; there are at enough to have a Freedom Pass, trundle downhill. Ah, I know where least two charity bookshops. And it’s FREE. I must be, though I can’t see the what interesting street names. I

Thrive is thriving running for just over 18 months and many people are now well on Susan Stuart, manager of the project in Battersea Park, describes its their way to getting a job or secur- current work ing a college place. Earlier this Thrive uses gardening to change one of our fund raising events or month over 50 clients came along the lives of people with disabilities. you can find out how to donate by to an event at Fulham Palace. They In October 2010, HRH Princess Al- contacting us directly. Our won- heard a talk from industry specialist exandra visited us to celebrate derful plants – just as good as the Jonathan Pettit about the huge completion of the first phase of the garden centre but better value– range of career opportunities, met Battersea Garden Project’s redevel- are popular at local events. This with careers advisers, found out opment. She was joined by over 30 year we took part in the Open about courses and were able to of Thrive’s clients and volunteers to Squares weekend, Summer in the network with employers. open the Herb Garden facilities, a Square and Newton Prep’s summer renovated workshop and training fair. This autumn we’re holding a Life-changing room, a purpose-built glasshouse Halloween Fest for children on 29 Rob, pictured below, started gar- and redesigned gardens. October and a Christmas coffee dening when he met Battersea hor- morning and fair on 24 November. ticultural therapist Woody at the Second phase Springfield Hospital. Since joining Rapid growth Thrive has now raised £320,000 of Working it Out, Rob has got a job in Despite the disruption from the the £510,000 needed for the se- a garden centre and says “meeting ongoing works, the project has cond and major phase of the pro- Woody from Thrive has changed grown rapidly. In 2010, 288 disa- ject, the creation of purpose-built my life”. Find out more about Rob bled people took part in our gar- facilities at the Main Garden. With on our website (thrive.org.uk) dening programmes, that’s up from those funds in place we’re ready to 118 in 2009. Thrive gardeners are start but delays in agreeing the justifiably proud of what they leases to provide security of tenure achieve. Our work to renovate and mean that the building is unlikely to restore Battersea Park’s Old English commence before late autumn. Garden is really showing some re- In the meantime, we’re still busy sults now and groups of Thrive gar- fund raising. Having raised the ma- deners are also taking part in the jority of funds so far from charita- restoration of the gardens at Ful- ble trusts and legacies, we’re hop- ham Palace. Our work skills pro- ing the local community will step gramme Working it Out has been forward! Please help by coming to

The modest impresario Antony Lewis-Crosby of the St Luke’s Music Society talks to Jenny Sheridan

World-famous bass Willard White, exciting to be part of building that Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine up. I made close links to the London (below), Humphrey Lyttleton– Symphony Orchestra during that these are just some of the musical time.” stars who have appeared at St Antony and his wife have lived in Luke’s Church in Thurleigh Road, and around Battersea for over 40 Balham. This is thanks to St Luke’s years (they now live in Balham). Music Society and especially to An- After a period in Liverpool in the tony Lewis-Crosby (right), the musi- 90s running the Liverpool Philhar- cal impresario who entices them monic Orchestra he returned to from Ronnie Scotts or the Royal London, freelanced for a while then Opera House to our corner of south became managing director of the -west London. London Mozart Players. He retired Antony, a modest man, emphasis- in 2009. sea Rise and St Barnabas on Clap- es that he is just one of a The St Luke’s Music Society’s first ham Common Northside, was built “marvellous committee. Everyone concert was in 2003. The com- under the auspices of John Erskine has immense skills and knows just mittee set out to create an annual Clarke, founder of Bolingbroke Hos- what to do. We meet about four series of eight concerts, including pital. Antony is planning a lecture times a year and otherwise com- two by the local Festival Chorus, series on social issues named after municate by email. I take on the which often sell out. The series is this social entrepreneur. “What he role of finding and booking the based on classical music but always was doing, really, was establishing a artists because that’s been my job includes jazz and other arts such as community in a housing estate – over the years. poetry - Benjamin Zephaniah was a most of the housing in this area big hit with local families. “We real- was new and raw when Clarke was Greenwich festival ise that big names pull in a larger vicar of St Mary’s.” “I’ve had an incredibly fortunate audience, but we also encourage career. I started off as part of the young artists. We have a policy of Horse racing team at the London Borough of letting the artists choose what they Another of Antony’s interest is Greenwich helping to run the festi- want to do; sometimes they want horse racing. He has raised £21,000 val there. Then I was planning man- to try out a programme before tak- for the Cystic Fibrosis Society at ager at the Barbican for 15 years ing it on tour.” racecourses throughout the UK and since before its opening up to the Ireland which, eccentrically, he is mid 90s. It developed from a white Community scene visiting in alphabetical order. Exeter elephant into one of the world’s The SLMS has a mailing list of is next in England and he is up to major arts venues and it was very around 650, about half of whom the letter P in Ireland. As another are Battersea-based. There is also aspect of his “portfolio retirement” a Friends group (benefits include a he acts as an arts Council assessor, splendid summer party) of 90. visiting funded concerts and festi- All the concerts are held in St vals throughout the country. Luke’s Church, a fine Victorian The SLMS concert season for brick basilica with a gorgeous mo- 2011/12 starts on 14 October with saic apse. “It’s a lovely building a recital by Lucy Crowe, a rising and the centre of the local com- young soprano who has sung with munity – it’s been part of our lives English National Opera and Scottish since 1974. I believe passionately Opera. Other highlights include jazz in the community scene.” singer Stacey Kent and pianist John Music is Antony’s great passion Lill. More details on the St Luke’s but he has many other interests. website : slms.org.uk St Luke’s, like St Mark’s on Batter- The inimitable Cleo Laine

crushed glass unsuitable for recy-

To shred or not to shred… cling as bottles or jars. This is usual- Mike Roden visits a local recycling plant for local people ly sold on to be processed as grit The opening of the Western River- for spreading on icy roads. side Waste Authority's new recycling plant at Smugglers Way was Short fibres not as widely heralded as perhaps it Shredded paper is also unsuitable should have been. It is the first of for turning into new paper or card, its kind in England and in a very as most paper mills cannot process compact space, built over three the short fibres produced by the tiers, can sort out three types of shredding action. So the advice is paper, three types of plastic, cans, now to put shredded paper into tins, and glass. the normal rubbish. The same advice is also given about bottle tops, Saving fuel which tend to fall through with the Most importantly, once the facility crushed glass. is operating at full capacity, recy- However, on the plus side, the cling material from Wandsworth, bags - which can get caught in ma- new technology employed in this Lambeth, Kensington and Chelsea, chinery- and other non-recyclable facility means that means that plas- and Hammersmith and Fulham will items, such as cables, and clothing. tic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (no no longer have to be transported matter how flimsy), and food and by around 15 articulated lorries Contamination drinks cartons (Tetrapaks), suitably daily down to Crayford in Kent *. The materials swiftly move down rinsed if necessary can now go in In June a few local residents took through the system of moving con- orange sacks and orange-lidded up an internet offer from Wands- veyor belts and platforms, falling recycling bins. Which must be some worth Council to don hard hat, gog- away, as they are sorted electroni- sort of progress. gles and high-vis jackets and enjoy cally into cardboard, loose mixed a conducted tour of the new plant. paper, plastics, bottles and cans. Your intrepid Battersea Matters And finally the smallest pieces – *You can read Angela Roden’s detailed reporter can be seen above (second mainly crushed glass - falls through account of a Battersea Society trip to from left.) the smallest holes. Unfortunately the Crayford plant on page 13 of There is an initial hand sorting pro- this is inextricably mixed with Battersea Matters Autumn 2009 cess, removing plastic sacks and shredded paper, rendering the

Battersea Park, Australia Former Battersea councillor finds a bit of London in New South Wales Mike Todd, a Queenstown ward and since several place names councillor until 2010 now lives in along this river replicate names Canada Bay, a suburb of Sydney along the Thames (Henley, Chis- over ten thousand miles from wick, Putney, Mortlake) it seems Battersea. He was a little surprised likely that they have been named to find a little bit of his former as reminders of south London. hometown on his doorstep. Shorter walk Battersea Street Battersea Park is predominantly a He writes: “After a visit to the local grassed area bounded by a stone rowing club for a spot of lunch, I seawall to the river and a terraced came across a street, called of all sandstone cliff with concrete stair things Battersea Street.” The pic- on the other. Many thanks to the SW11tch Back ture shows what he discovered at Mike comments: “Whilst my once to Battersea campaign for permis- the end of this road . This version of usual walk around Battersea park sion to use this story and picture. Battersea Park is a small public re- will not now be as long. It will be, serve on Hen and Chicken Bay, never the less, a great reminder of along the Parramatta River. London and its fantastic parks- and Visit their website at The area where the park is situated of course my spiritual home of lovebattersea.org.uk was once named Battersea Point, Queenstown”.

Park Keeper or Parks Policemen: What’s in a name? actions and intentions and the management of civil actions. It is to We must keep our park police, says Society chair Tony Tuck be hoped that our local elected In 1985 Wandsworth Council estab- councillors can see this and thus lished the Parks Police Service to decide to reject the implausible manage the Open Spaces of suggestion of the London Mayor. Wandsworth. In Battersea, this is primarily Battersea Park, but it also “Extremely concerned” includes all the other smaller parks Certainly the officers of the Council and spaces across the borough. For can see and understand this, hence a quarter of a century this service the admirable statement of fact in has been a quiet but resounding the job description in the Paper success. Quiet because those resi- cited above. All the local amenity dents and visitors who do not use organisations can see this, while the parks and commons have prob- the organisation with probably the ably never heard of the service. closest and dealings with the ser- Resounding because those who do, vice, the Friends of Battersea Park, hold the service and its individual is on record as being “extremely A Parks police dog-handler on duty officers in high regard for the work concerned” about the proposal. they do in keeping our open spaces Our own Battersea Society con- safe and tranquil. dent responders, key holders, cerns, and our letter to the Council, spokespeople for borough services, can be read in full on the news sec- Twin attack and advisers on areas of compe- tion of our web site . But this service is now under a real tence. In other words, most certain- In essence initially we considered threat. Faced with swingeing man- ly not functions compatible with that the proposals were so imprac- power cuts in the Metropolitan Po- officers of the Metropolitan Police tical and undesirable that they lice, Boris Johnson has offered local whose prime function is law en- would be disposed of summarily. councils a “Buy one, Get one free” forcement. We were alarmed in June to see offer, in which for the price of one that they are still being considered police officer a second would be Stewardship apparently seriously. provided. The offer is for three In short, our local service is being years only with no guarantee that tarred by its own name. We have a Vital local service the pricing would continue beyond highly effective form of ‘park keep- All councillors are urged to consider then. The council is using this singu- ers’, who have small added local the value of the local Parks Police larly odd offer to decide whether or powers of by-law enforcement. Had Service to the residents and users not to abolish the local Parks Police. we kept the name “Park Keeper of our open spaces. We call on In the proposal put to the Council Service” then the daft idea of the them to reject the siren voices of (Paper 11 - 583: June 2011), apart London Mayor would never have the London Mayor and the bean from a series of partial and spurious been given a second thought. It counters who care nothing for the costings there is a detailed 35 item would be bizarre indeed to punish human value of a key local service. job description. Close analysis of local people who use the parks and All Society members are urged to the tasks presently carried out by commons (and particularly our local use any contacts they have with the Parks Police reveals that these park keepers/police themselves, local councillors to get across the are primarily the tasks of stewards, who stand to lose their jobs) for a message that we genuinely value managers, messengers, trainers, sleight of hand name change! our local Parks Police Service and back office providers of information There is a world of difference be- do not want it abolished. and services, by-law enforcers, inci- tween the stewardship of criminal The Battersea Society Committee Chairs General enquiries Chair Tony Tuck Community Harvey Heath [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website Planning David Lewis & Liz Walton Secretary Harvey Heath batterseasociety.org.uk [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Raheel Hanif Marketing Sara Milne [email protected] [email protected] Registered charity no.1103560 Membership Maureen Larkin Events Wendy Deakins [email protected] [email protected]

prosciutto, zucchini and tomato Restaurant review: l’Antipasto sauce was wonderfully flavourful. Elaine Smith Dunlap revisits a Battersea favourite If it’s not too busy, and it often is, Clearly there’s much more to several part-timers with five cooks ask the chef to make you his Antipasto & Pasta than the half- below. Despite the bustle, the specially-whipped-up Zabaglione, price nights on Sunday, Monday, service may not always be fast, an egg, sugar and Marsala wine Thursday and Saturday. The place especially if it’s busy, but it is delicacy that borders on divine! is always packed with loyal always friendly. There were four of us and, with Battersea locals turning up for the House specialities starters, desserts and two bottles of dependably consistent good food. And, of course, the food is Italian. house red, the tab with tip was £21, With a bright new awning at the A chalked board in each of the each! front sporting only the Antipasto rooms carries the day’s specials and part of the name, the restaurant, at the regular menu offers a full range 511 Battersea Park Road a block on of eponymous starters: the grilled from the Latchmere and Theatre sardines, carpaccio and calimari are 503, is actually entered from the house specialties, as is the delicious side on Atherton Street. Two Parmigiana Di Melanzane – rooms: a bright, glass-roofed aubergine in cheesy tomato sauce. garden room fine for large parties, Pastas are also an excellent as well as the small and more specialty and encompass a wide intimate front, street-facing room variety. Chicken, meat, especially with windows that open onto a veal dishes, and fresh fish comprise Get there early, otherwise you’ll welcome breeze in warm weather. the mains. On the most recent have to wait, or better still re- The bar and service area between night I was there my calves’ liver serve a table at 0207 223 9765. them are manned by a combination was tender and moist and my of the four full time wait-staff and companion’s special penne with

Public exhibition on plans St Mary's Church Fete Dates for your Diary for US embassy Saturday 17 September

11am onwards The Bridges of London Wednesday 14 September & Thursday 15 September Bric-a-brac, books, plants, tombola, Thursday 13 October 8.00am-8.00pm food, children's entertainment etc. 7 for 7-30pm And a chance to look round the A consultant team will be available St Mary’s Church church at both drop in sessions to answer your questions Illustrated talk by Peter Matthew If you can help with the Battersea from the Museum of London Unit 1-5 Ponton Road Society stall please contact Maureen (organised by the Battersea Society) (off Nine Elms Road) Larkin 0207 228 4873

The Pre-Raphaelites The History of Chocolate Urban Ancient Trees Friday, 25 November 2011 6.00 to 8.00 pm Thursday 29 September Friends of Battersea Park The Studio, 88a Thurleigh Road 7 for 7-30pm Lunchtime Lecture

St Mary’s Church Talk by Sara Jayne Staynes OBE, direc- Monday 19 September tor of the Academy of Culinary Arts Illustrated talk by Alison Smith, 12.30-1.30pm and food writer. Includes a chocolate Tate Britain Curator (organised by tasting and a glass of wine as well as the Battersea Society) Talk by John Fleetwood of the Woodland Trust. sample chocolates to take away . (Organised by The Thurleigh Road GP Wandsworth Open Studios practice, with the Battersea Society) 8-9 October and 15-16 October Tickets £5. More details on the Friends of Battersea Park website Twenty local venues Tickets £10 (includes raffle) (batterseapark.org/events)

Full information will be published on our website when it is available Prince Albert Please contact Maureen Larkin if you plan to attend (020 7228 4873) corner of Parkgate Road/Albert Bridge Road SW11 [email protected] Supported by the Battersea Society

Clapham Junction—the aftermath The damage and the clean-up operation in pictures

Waiting to get started

The devastated Party Shop and flats

Jane Ellison MP lets the crowds know that the clean-up can begin

Store staff sort through the wreckage

The Battersea broom brigade in action

Boris Johnson goes walkabout in Pictures from Cllr Tony Belton, Lovebattersea.org.uk, Clapham Junction Wandsworth Council, and @Miss_Lucifer

From chaos to compassion continued from front page

The Mayor of London has offered £50million to re-build town centres (though much of this appears to be going to Spurs to persuade the club to remain in Tottenham). Wands- worth Council has offered grants and loans of up to £15,000 to busi- nesses to help them rebuild and restock quickly. Just three days after the riots all but the worst damaged shops had re-opened. The Council organized a meeting, known as Battersea Buzz, on 17 August, for local people to get together and come up with ideas. Despite the short notice, 200 people turned up. Among the ideas that arose from The big clean up begins on St John’s Road the meeting were a Clapham Junc- tion Festival, a mentoring scheme by weeding, clearing and helping Council Controversy for young people and a fund-raising plant vegetables on Saturday morn- One of the Council’s decisions fol- fancy dress party wearing clothes ings. She has set up a Justgiving lowing the riots has been the cause bought from the Party Shop’s page to raise money for charities of much controversy. Cllr Ravi Go- online shop. It is not yet clear how working with young people. vindia announced that the Council or if these ideas will be taken for- Another sign of community spirit was serving an eviction notice on ward. can be seen on the plywood hoard- the family of an 18-year-old who ings protecting the broken windows had been charged with looting. The Community garden of Debenhams and TK Maxx at fact that the young man’s mother Riot Remedy (riotremedy.org) is an Clapham Junction. Debenhams staff and eight-year-old sister would lose idea that has already taken root – pinned up pens and within a day their home has caused much im- literally. Using Twitter, Heather the boards were covered with passioned debate on both sides. Taylor has organized a group of writing. Some is negative– “Chavs Comments on the Council’s website people to support the community will rot in hell” but much more is divided 244 to 91 against the Coun- garden on the Doddington Estate along the lines of “We love Batter- cil’s action. sea 4 ever”or “We love our city”, “So proud of this strong community” and “This community is not rotten, David.” One said, “Education is the best thing. Don’t play into there (sic) hands.”

Fundraising efforts Wandsworth Museum will be add- ing some of the boards to its collection. New director Neil Couzens plans to display them temporarily in the museum’s café. The Clapham Pioneers Running Club raised over £1500 from a swiftly-arranged char- Poster in the re-opened store ity run for the Wandsworth Com- Messages on the boarded-up munity Safety Trust, which raises window of TK Maxx money for communities affected by More pictures on page 19 emergencies such as the riots.