Author Archives: David

Megan’s has big plans for the Clapham Common skate park cafe

A few weeks ago we reported that the gradually-deteriorating former Recovery Kitchen next door to the basketball courts had gone under offer for around £25,000 a year. And now we know that it’s being taken over by local restaurateur Megan’s, who already … Continue reading

Posted in Clapham Common, Environment, Food & drink, Planning | 3 Comments

The Milkman still delivers to Lavender Hill

It’s a long-lost sound many of us remember from our childhood – but it’s not gone away. If you’re awake in the early hours in Lavender Hill, you may hear the familiar sound of an electric milk float, and the … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Transport, Useful to know | Leave a comment

Lavender Hill retail roundup – February 2021

It’s been a tough few months for our traders, with the always-difficult start of the year combining with yet another lockdown – but Lavender Hill has held up better than most. One of the emerging themes of lockdowns is that … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Food & drink, Retail | Leave a comment

A surprising planning decision on Taybridge Road

Wandsworth have just made an interesting planning decision – which is maybe the sign of a new approach to urban trees and greenery in Wandsworth. It’s on a site that a couple of years ago was very controversially converted from … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Housing, Planning, Street by street | 6 Comments

Work starting to improve the Lavender Hill / Queenstown Road junction

Back in January we reported that following 17 accidents at the junction in three years (cars crashing into nine cycles, five pedestrians and two motorbikes), Lambeth are planning to make some design changes to make it safer. Work is now … Continue reading

Posted in Transport, Useful to know | 1 Comment

A big upgrade for Clapham Common’s basketball court

Things are looking up for Clapham Common’s basketball court. As part of a project to support grass roots basketball in the UK, it’s set to be turned in to a proper spectator arena with new rows of tiered spectator seating … Continue reading

Posted in Clapham Common, Environment, Planning, Useful to know | 2 Comments

John Archer, Battersea’s groundbreaking mayor, may be honoured with a statue on Lavender Hill

It’s surprising how little we talk about John Archer. Born in Liverpool, he and his Canadian wife moved to Battersea in 1890 when he was about 30. He was clearly an industrious gentleman, with myriad jobs over the years including … Continue reading

Posted in Local history, Politics | 3 Comments

A neon nod to Lavender Hill’s history, hidden away among Battersea’s new flats

Taking the bus along Queenstown Road on a rainy winter evening, if you cast your eye down one of the obscure side streets full of bins & delivery lorries you might just spot a huge sprig of Lavender glowing in … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Street by street | 2 Comments

Walks aren’t just for the countryside! We review two recent walking guides in Battersea.

One of the simple pleasures that’s still open to most of us – including in the lighter stages of lockdown – is outdoor exercise. And what better way to do this than to explore the area we live in in … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Street by street, Useful to know | 5 Comments

Should the speed limit on Lavender Hill stay at 20 or be increased? Have your say…

Back in 2017, the speed limit on most of Wandsworth’s roads was cut to 20mph. Driving much faster than that on narrow side streets full of parked cars, small children and cats wasn’t very safe in any case – which … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Transport | Leave a comment