You demanded it, the fabulous 'Wandsworth Road, Nine Elms to Clapham Junction Walk is back - an arrow straight to the heart of Wandsworth Borough of Culture! If you've ever gazed out from the top deck of the 77 bus on the long Wandsworth Road stretch between Lavender Hill and Vauxhall and wondered about what you are passing, this is the Walk for you! I'm a huge fan of this route and if I'm lucky enough to get a front seat my eyes are all over the place. I'd love to share some of its stories on a Walk and surely there's no better time in this year when Wandworth is 'London Borough of Culture 2025'. From the riot of skyscapers at Nine Elms, within touching distance of the Houses of Parliament, we follow Wandsworth Road through the low lying lands that were once market gardens, the bread basket of London. As it shadows the course of the 'lost river' Heathwall and rises above key housing estates, homes for its population of railway workers and Irish migrants, we will reflect on the personalities that emerged from this hot-bed of radical politics. A century ago they fanned the flames in a country on the brink of revolution.
Other quirks include some extraordinary houses, sprawling estates, pocket parks and characterful buildings, not least the astonishing 'House of Carvings' at No575. There's a small factory that looks like a 1930's wireless, Cantilever Court with its student lecture hall hanging over the pavement, a procession of sadly-lamented old pubs that could tell a tale or two. So much bombing and WW2 devastation, but the spirit of Brian Barnes, Angela Carter and Smiley Culture endures, not to mention that of the Battersea Poltergeist ...
There is so much to absorb and learn but thanks to the monumental efforts of plaque dynamo Jeanne Rathbone whose work highlighting 'Inspiring Women of Battersea' a light is being shone on largely unknown history. This Walk also pays tribute to Graham Gower and Sean Creighton, both of whom sadly died recently but whose research lives on. There's also a book by Jon Newman which sounds great and I must get my hands on.
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. Have a look on Geoff's blog for more details or follow @summerstown182 on social media.
