You've enjoyed the book, now find out more behind Amy's stunning photos by visiting some of the locations. Join us on a journey from Fabulous Furzedown to Planet Tooting, across the Common and Totterdown Fields to the Market through some of the most significant locations in this extraordinary area where a chance encounter or oddball adventure is never far away! If you haven't got your hands on a copy yet, look online at 'Wild About Tooting and Furzedown'.
Starting at the world famous Tooting Bec Lido (currently closed for a refurb) the Walk features Samuel Johnson's mulberry bush, Transition Tooting Community Garden and the stunning All Saints Church. Two old hospitals featured are the sites of St Benedict's and 'Tooting Bec Asylum' - a significant location here for almost a century, there is no trace or reminder of its presence. Its residents and those who worked there deserve something better and we would like this year to put up a blue plaque. Stories include a Totterdown family torn apart by the Titanic tragedy and the orphan from a children's home overlooking Tooting Common who went on to be an international star of TV and film. We feature the scandalous Flower family of Furzedown House and the heartbreaking story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britiain. We finish at historic Tooting Market, described in 1930 as 'the greatest shopping experience in south London' and the site of Tesco founder Jack Cohen's first Market stall.
Geoff Simmons runs a community history project in south west London called Summerstown182 alongside his job as a graphic designer. This involves Guided Walks and Talks, working with schools and putting up plaques. Over the last ten years a trail of these have emerged along the Wandle Valley, shining a light on some of the lesser-known history in this area. They range from the youngest soldier to serve this country in the First World War to a ground-breaking plaque acknowledging Romany Gypsy and Traveller heritage in Wandsworth. 'Planet Tooting' is an ongoing initiative championing the outstanding migrant contribution to our neighbourhood which resulted in a blue plaque on Tooting Market. Have a look on Geoff's blog for more details or follow @summerstown182 on twitter.
