| The death of Paschal, a long term member of the Society, was announced in April. He had been unwell for a number of years with Alzheimer’s. In the wider world he will be remembered for his fine voice, he sang with the English Opera Group, and at Glyndebourne, the Aldeburgh and Edinburgh Festivals, and particularly the Royal Opera House. In the Society’s narrower orbit he was appreciated in smaller settings. He sang at the inaugural Society Soirée in 1986, and many others; those who had the pleasure of hearing him sing at our soirées or a musical evening at Earlsfield Road will feel particularly privileged. A fine singer and a lovely man, he will be much missed. A memorial concert is planned. |
News
Wandsworth prisoners need your help
These are unusual times so we are using this medium as a one off to to make a plea for a very local cause. A team of friends of the prison are creating activity packs for the prisoners (who are all on 23-hour lockdown); so far 800 have been assembled. These consist of jigsaws, board games (e.g. dominoes, chess, ludo), coloured pencils and paper and appropriate magazines including motoring magazines, History Today and colour supplements. They are also looking for books including airport style novels and foreign language books and dictionaries.
If you are out exercising, items can be left in two plastic crates outside the door to the Visitor Centre in Heathfield Road although the centre is not manned at weekends so best to leave items on weekdays. Or, if there is a substantial collection, please email events@wandsworthsociety.org and your email will be forwarded to arrange collection at a specified time from your front garden.
How to entertain yourself whilst in lock down
The creative world has responded in an amazing way . Those who are forced to be at home can catch up on the Arts while we respond to these dramatic adverts we can add a different sort of drama to our lives.
Sadly, live entertainment and support of the arts is not considered an essential activity by any stretch of the imagination. However, there is plenty to see on-line and lots of chances to support real Drama and a range of other Arts. Here is a list of the Events Group’s ideas.
Some short walks in Wandsworth
The Society is published a short series of local walks to inspire those who were exercising within Government guidlines when the first COVID lock down came into being in March 2020.
There are maps attached so you can pick the point to start the walk which is closest to home. The mileages are very approximate and in practice you will walk a little further dodging the walkers, runners and cyclists. Happy walking!
Self guided local walk: Wandsworth Common & Tooting Bec Circular, 3.5 miles
Linking the Borough’s two Commons
The walk starts at Wandsworth Common Station. From the ticket office lobby walk southwards with the railway on your left and the St James’ Triangle section of Wandsworth Common on your right. You will find that the way as far as Bedford Hill is signed as the Capital Ring.
Follow the path along the Common and into the alley way; at the end turn left into Balham Park Road. Continue along this road, crossing Boundaries Road, until you reach Balham High Road. Cross, turning right and then after a short distance turn left into Elmfield Road. Take the third right (opposite the Balham Leisure Centre) in to Cloudsdale Road. At the end turn left into the wide Ritherdon Road. At the top of the road turn right on to Bedford Hill (and ignore the Capital Ring signs in to Fontenoy Road).
When you reach the pedestrian crossing bear right on to Tooting Bec Common on a path marked at the start as Capital Ring. When you reach a clear cross-path, turn a very sharp right, almost back on yourself. After a short distance there is a path to your left down to the lake and the 145 million year old Fossilised tree. It is a legacy of the Victorian practise of placing geological curiosities on display as public attractions in urban parks.
Walk along the edge of lake until you see the tennis courts; turn left across the grass and walk between the playground and the tennis courts. Head over the field going to the left of the works depot. Cross Dr Johnson’s Avenue and continue across the garss. Where you see a small path through the shrubbery follow this. It takes you on duck boards around an empty but attractively overgrown pond.
Where you join another path turn right and you will be taken to light enabled crossing on Tooting Bec Road. Cross and turn right. Take the first left into Avoca Road and first right into Topsham Road. Follow this until you reach Upper Tooting Road. Turn left and cross this road at the lights; almost straight across is Beechcroft Road.
After at least a mile you will reach Burntwood Lane. Turn right and walk up beside the Sir Walter St Johns Sorts Ground. Cross Trinity Road at the lights. Walk down Bellevue Parade and you are back to your starting point.
There are various potential diversions on this walk including a wider circuit of Tooting Bec Common. For those curious about the redevelopment of Springfield Hospital turn left off Beechcroft Road into Glenburnie Road. Follow the road around and enter the Springfield campus. Work is progressing and the pavements are all in good condition. It is very accessible – with the site being a living hospital despite the contractors working on much of the area. Ignore the notices for motorists stating that the road is closed; the pavements are very much open. Just continue along the main spine road, past impressive buildings and the Share Garden on your right. At the end of the road turn right into Burntwood Lane and proceed to Beechcroft Road to join the circuit.