Author Archives: Blogger

New secondary school plans updated

Posted on by

Some 2,000 parents have joined the Neighbourhood School Campaign (NSC), which wants to turn the old Bolingbroke hospital site into a secondary school by 2013.

Bolingbroke Hospital

At a stall in the Northcote Road Festival, campaign leader Jon De Maria told us that they have appointed ARK as the school provider. ARK is a private charity with a good track record in setting up Academy schools. He also announced that Wandsworth Council is now in talks with the NHS to acquire the Bolingbroke Hospital site. Bolingbroke Hospital closed in 2008 despite an extensive local campaign to save it. Since then it has remained empty.

According to the NSC campaign, the closest secondary, Chestnut Grove, received 777 applications for 150 places. The next closest, Salesian College, has a faith orientated admissions policy, and will close for a year soon anyway. The end result is that children in local primary schools (Belleville and Honeywell are the two largest primary schools in Wandsworth) have to travel far and wide when they move up to secondary school – Over the past four years,  pupils have ended up at 49 different schools.

Streetbook – new for SW11

Posted on by

SW11 is on Streetbook… Are you?

Streetbook is your local community, online. It brings together everyone and everything that’s going on around you in one secure, simple place.

You can chat with your neighbours, arrange a street party, borrow a ladder, or improve the security of your neighbourhood. You can reach out to the wider community to find a jogging buddy, set up a book club, or recommend a plumber.

You’ll also receive up-to-the minute offers from local businesses, enabling you to take advantage of the best deals on your doorstep.

Wandsworth Business Forum

Posted on by

These regular free meetings have been held in rotating town centre venues throughout the borough for over fifteen years. They are an invaluable tool for communication between the council (officers and members) and local businesses. They are held to encourage and support new and existing businesses in Wandsworth – especially small and medium sized firms.

For up to date notice of forthcoming meetings, visit http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200013/business_support_and_advice/389/business_forum/1

All Wandsworth businesses are welcome

Little Bay Battersea gutted in fire

Posted on by

Eight fire engines and over 40 firefighters were called to fight a huge fire at the Little Bay restaurant in Battersea on New Year’s Day.

Peter Ilic, who is owner of the Little Bay restaurant group said “We still don’t know exactly what caused the fire, but it most probably was something electrical. The kitchen was already closed when the fire started.”

Clapham Junction Town Centre

Posted on by

Wandsworth Council has been awarded a £1.2million transport grant to improve the road network surrounding Clapham Junction Station.

The council’s scheme aims to reduce traffic congestion, cut accidents by a third and improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

The work would also improve station access and make life easier for commuters switching between different modes of transport.

The project will include introducing a new right-turn traffic movement from Lavender Hill into Falcon Lane. This new route will divert some traffic away from the main crossroads where Lavender Hill meets St John’s Hill – easing congestion and making way for safety improvements.

There will also be new pavement surfaces, new pedestrian crossing points, new cycle lanes and improved street lighting.

Work is expected to start in March 2010.

Road improvements go ahead

Posted on by

A scheme to reduce traffic congestion around clapham junction is going ahead. The plan is to allow traffic heading for Falcon road to turn right opposite the library on Lavender Hill and go down the Asda link road.

This will reduce congestion around the main crossroads at clapham junction and make residents safer and more secure.

Rent or Buy Property

Posted on by

The area has undergone a lot of changes in the last ten years. There are now many estate agents in the area offering a wide selection of flats to rent or buy. Houses large and small are also offered to let or to purchase.

The renting market is currently strong, and stretches from Battersea Park in the North to Clapham Common in the South East.

CJ Nightlife

Posted on by

The most famous landmark in Clapham Junction for going out is undoubtedly the Clapham Grand.

It was originally opened in 1900 as a theatre, but its unique, rich decor has been preserved and recently renovated to give the venue a touch of splendour with ornate ceilings and VIP gold boxes. It is now a exciting venue spread over three floors and is perfect for live acts, corporate entertainment and private functions.

Other venues include the Battersea Arts Centre, which delivers tomorrow’s theatre for today’s audiences.

A comedy club, Jongleurs, offers a change for a refreshingly different night out.