posted 4 Apr 2012 07:35 by Love Battersea
Sainsbury's so called "Local" store on Battersea's famous St John's Hill, has been incorrectly named "Clapham St John's Local" - it should be called "Battersea St John's Local"
Local people from Battersea who love their home and community are calling for Sainsburys, one of the biggest retail store businesses in the UK to take a look at Googlemaps, Streetmap or any other map and understand that they are applying the name "Clapham" to a store that is on one of Battersea's famous roads - St John's Hill, in the Borough of Wandsworth, and far away from Clapham, which is located in the Borough of Lambeth.
One shocked local shopper raised the issue with Sainsbury's and has reported back that he "Got a reply from Sainsburys about Clapham St Johns shop." and they said "Basically "it's our shop, we'll call it what we want." "
Well, should the people of Battersea conclude that any Sainsbury's spokesperson who says such a disrespectful thing about beautiful Battersea must be inSanesberry to do such a thing?
The SW11tch Back to Battersea Campaign has met with much corporate indifference to our community's identity, history and geographic location let alone integrity over the years, but we have seen a great deal of humility and generosity of spirit from big brands and small - here are a selection:
We call on Sainsbury's not to be inSanesberries and show Battersea that they love us and are delighted to be part of our community's family. They will see that if they Love Battersea, Battersea will love them back.
All we want is LOVE... Surely that can't be too much to ask of you Sainsbury's? - and it won't cost you a bean or any pasty VAT!
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posted 13 Dec 2011 11:48 by Love Battersea
Major Victory for Battersea & for Clapham - Googlemaps corrected -
TomTom comes up trumps and gives an early Christmas present to Battersea...and to Clapham!
In January 2010, we started our campaign to get Googlemaps to correct its data and put Clapham back home where it is, and not in the middle of Battersea on top of our town centre Clapham Junction, which takes its name from the famous railway station.
See the story here:
Battersea calls on Google to correct its maps - The SW11tch Back
to Battersea Campaign writes an open letter to Google Co-Founder Larry
Page asking for his help to correct a big mistake on Google Maps
Since then we have been in touch with Google and the company that provides their map data, TeleAtlas and its parent company TomTom. We wrote to the Chief Executive of TomTom, Mr Harold Goddijn and continued to speak with people at Google. We got a reply back from TomTom that was very encouraging:
See story:
Here is a reminder of what TomTom told us:
I
have reported this issue to our map team but have also sent them the
links to the dedicated site you provided in the hope that the
corrections needed are fully understood. I have been informed that this
map correction has now been logged for investigation and also has been
marked for urgent attention. Our map team works closely with TeleAtlas
as although Tom Tom have taken the company over they still remain two
separate departments at this stage and so map issues need to also be
recognised by them as they have access to the raw map data. Our
map team here have informed me that they will discuss this issue with
our TeleAtlas and report back the findings and hopefully a time frame on
when the corrections will be implemented. We update and release new map
versions every quarter so when we have implemented a change it can take
1 or 2 map updates before we can see the change being released to our
customers. I
will keep this case on research with myself and so when I have been
updated on the developments I will inform you accordingly. I can
assure you that Tom Tom are on board with your community's campaign to
correct our maps to show SW11 as Battersea and give accuracy, clarity
and identity back to the area.
In October we got an encouraging update from one of TomTom's experts:
Thanks for your valuable feedback to our maps!
I can confirm our department has looked into this issue carefully and the relevant edits have been made in the UK database to correct the below issues. We found that in our database the centre of settlement names had been moved previously to the correct locations and now edits have been made to the underlying naming structure of areas (such as Index Areas) to reflect the reality of this area. All dependant features in this area have been checked and updated where necessary. The updates are effective in our first next internal release. Unfortunately this will only result in an update on the TomTom navigation maps that are released in mid May 2012. Expert Geographic Sourcing Analyst Content Production Western Europe
Mr Coppens has (to borrow a favourite phrase of Boris Johnson, Mayor of London) 'Played a blinder' and delivered a change to Googlemaps almost 6 months earlier than we expected!
So here is the evidence for lovers of Battersea and of Clapham to feast their eyes on - remember that Clapham hadn't even been on the map in the place it is located:
Googlemaps corrected: Monday 12th December 2011
Closer shot:
...and to remind us what existed before:
Thanks to many people:
There are thanks to offer many people and we'd run out of space of we tried to mention all.
So firstly, a big thank you to all those people from Battersea that helped us campaign for this change and made frequent contact with Google and TeleAtlas.
Thanks most of all to Mr Harold Goddijn, CEO of TomTom for having ensured that we finally got action, and to his colleagues, particularly Mr Wilfried Coppens.
We also should acknowledge the help of one of our London MEPs, Syed Kamal, who responded to our early campaign news by contacting people he knew at Google and making sure the problem was on their radar screens. Our London Assembly Member, Richard Tracey has been actively supportive throughout, helping to ensure that the Mayor of London Boris Johnson was kept abreast of news and gave us his support. Also, our local MP Jane Ellison.
But most of all it was the many people who love Battersea who provided us with the encouragement to keep plugging away at the giant Google corporation and its map providers, TomTom/TeleAtlas.
Happy Christmas - we're back on the map!
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posted 9 Nov 2011 02:51 by Love Battersea
We Will Remember Them
This year is unique for Armistice Day - the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month will also be the Year "2011".
So on this auspicious anniversary date, please remember all those from Battersea who gave their all for us fighting to enable us to be free, those many men, women and children of Battersea who died in the Blitz. Also, do keep in your minds and prayers the men and women from Battersea and Wandsworth who are serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and their families who await their safe return.
The
memorial featured above was unveiled in 2008, replacing the original
metal one that was stolen. It can be seen in Christchurch Gardens, next
to Christchurch Church on Battersea Park Road. The original church was destroyed in the Blitz.
To see this memorial with many other pictures of Battersea click here
To see a picture of the original Christchurch click here
In Flanders' Fields by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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posted 21 Oct 2011 04:39 by Love Battersea
[
updated 21 Oct 2011 05:20
]
The Tiny Italian Deli gives delicious heart to Battersea!
Delicious new food stall arrives on Battersea's Northcote Road Its here...from tomorrow (22nd October 2011) on Battersea’s Northcote Road...a great new market stall to delight your taste buds, continuing a scrummy family tradition!
You must all remember the wonderful Salumeria Napoli? - the legendary Italian deli on Northcote Road run by the unforgettable Salvatore Maggiulli (see picture at bottom of this page). Well since its recent closure, the long running family business is moving to pastures new. Not in the form of a new shop, but a new stall, a tiny Italian stall. And luckily for you...it's just across the road!
The Tiny Italian Deli is a new venture between Hamish Johnston and Paola Maggiulli, Salvatore’s daughter - its is a brand new stall selling simply the best in fresh Italian food; handmade tortelloni, delicious pesto, Tuscan sausages and more.
Paola promises to uphold her father’s excellent reputation of selling the finest of Italian foods and she will certainly give her father a run for his money when it comes to his famous, friendly chat!
So there's no longer a reason to miss out on your favourites, Phew!
We wish Paola and all of her team every success with this yummy new venture!
Come and find them, outside Hamish Johnston...the cheese centre of Britain!
Every weekend from 22nd October
You can follow The Tiny Italian Deli on Twitter @TinyItalianDeli
or Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tiny-Italian/278278435526866
....but that's not the end of the story
By a slip of the twitter pen (we know, its a metaphorical pen), their new Twitter account added the address of 'Clapham'. But in seconds, The Tiny Italian Deli had SW11tched and brought its big hearted Italian love and irresistible food back to Battersea - see below:
So, huge thanks & love from Battersea to The Tiny Italian!
NOW: & Before:
Farewell & Thank you to Salumeria Napoli:
Here's a memory of one of Northcote Road's classic shops - Salumeria Napoli, whose traditions are now continued by the same family, through the start of The Tiny Italian Deli.
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posted 27 Sep 2011 11:35 by Love Battersea
Googlemaps may be about to SW11tch and put Battersea properly on the map ...and Clapham too!
Back in January 2010 we first wrote to Larry Page and others at Google to alert them to the fact that their maps were positioning Clapham in the middle of Battersea without any reference to Clapham in Lambeth where it lies. See story here [click]
The result was that any store or restaurant locator using Googlemaps presented any business in large parts of Battersea's SW11 postal code as being in Clapham - and a search for 'Clapham' on googlemaps pops up a Bedfordshire village in the English countryside! 'Derr' as the Simpsons say! At least a search for Battersea pinpoints it on top of the Latchmere Pub and Theatre 503...but with the label 'Clapham' across the area.
Well, nearly two years on we may actually have a result. As the many of you have already discovered it is TeleAtlas, the provider of Google's mapping data who have it all mixed up. Since TeleAtlas didn't seem able to pick this up quickly from all those Battersea folk writing to them, we wrote to the CEO of its parents company - Mr Harald Goddijn of TomTom, and this is what we had in reply:
I have reported this issue to our map team but have also sent them the links to the dedicated site you provided in the hope that the corrections needed are fully understood. I have been informed that this map correction has now been logged for investigation and also has been marked for urgent attention. Our map team works closely with TeleAtlas as although Tom Tom have taken the company over they still remain two separate departments at this stage and so map issues need to also be recognised by them as they have access to the raw map data. Our map team here have informed me that they will discuss this issue with our TeleAtlas and report back the findings and hopefully a time frame on when the corrections will be implemented. We update and release new map versions every quarter so when we have implemented a change it can take 1 or 2 map updates before we can see the change being released to our customers. I will keep this case on research with myself and so when I have been updated on the developments I will inform you accordingly. I can assure you that Tom Tom are on board with your community's campaign to correct our maps to show SW11 as Battersea and give accuracy, clarity and identity back to the area.
We think Mr Goddijn is clearly a Good'un and are delighted by the response we have had from TomTom.
So, KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED for the change - it may still take time, but it looks as if its o its way. Fingers crossed.
Huge thanks to so many of you who have persisted with us on this one.
Here's a taster of what might yet be - Battersea properly on the Googlemap and our much loved neighbours in Clapham too!
...we'll let you know the latest news as we get it!
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posted 25 Aug 2011 23:30 by Love Battersea
[
updated 26 Aug 2011 00:02
]
Incredible news has reached us from a former resident of Battersea
(London) - Mike Todd, who until May 2010 was a Wandsworth Councillor representing Battersea's Queenstown Ward. Thousands of miles away from our very own
Battersea, lies a City suburb c.11 miles west of of Sydney in New South
Wales, Australia, called Canada Bay.
So what? you may say. Well, Canada Bay has a wonderful surprise in store for all those who love Battersea.
Here is Mike's story, written in his own words:-
You
can imagine my surprise when after a visit to the local rowing club for
a spot of lunch, I came across a street, called of all things Battersea
Street - So the ex Councillor in me could not resist a trip down
Battersea Street as a reminder of the terrific four years I had serving
the Wandsworth ward of Queenstown -
And
who could of imagined what lay nestled at the bottom, hugging the
Parramatta River - non other that my own little slice of South West
London - Battersea Park - !
Below: Mike Todd in Battersea Park...down under:
Battersea Park is a small public reserve of
15,010 square metres situated on Hen and Chicken Bay, along the
Parramatta River. The area is part of the City of Canada Bay. Nearby
Abbotsford Point was originally called Battersea Point but later was
renamed after the adjoining suburb. The name is most likely derived
from Battersea in London. Several place names along the Parramatta
River replicate names along the River Thames around London (Henley,
Chiswick, Putney, Mortlake). Battersea
Park is predominantly a grassed area bounded by a stone seawall to the
river and a terraced sandstone cliff with concrete stair on the other.
The stone terracing shows evidence of quarrying for construction of the
sea wall. Towards the end of the 1930s the then Drummoyne Council (now
part of the City of Canada Bay) commenced a programme of land
reclamation. The first scheme centred around the foreshores of Hen and
Chicken Bay and entailed the reclamation of mud flats and the erection
of a sea wall. The park is notable also for its remnant indigenous trees
particularly one large Blackbutt.
Along the foreshore there are unfinished stone terraces with drill holes still visible on the face. These form part of the remains of a tidal swimming pool built by J.Cashman in 1910. There were several tidal swimming pools along the Parramatta River in the first half of the twentieth century. The terraces were used by Sydney Rowing Club spectators during the 1920s. Rowing was a significant sport along the Parramatta River from the 1880s through to the early 1930s. A few images of Battersea Park are available through the Library's image collection, 'Canada Bay Connections':
Whilst
my once usual walk around Battersea park will not now be as long. It
will be, never the less, a great reminder of London and its fantastic
parks - and of course the my spiritual home of Queenstown.
We
are so grateful for Mike taking the trouble to share this discovery and
send our best wishes to him and all other residents of Canada Bay,
where a little piece of Battersea shall always lie, reminding
Australians and ex-pat Battersea folk of the original Battersea that
rests along the River Thames back home.
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posted 12 Aug 2011 10:45 by Love Battersea
Debenham's in Clapham Junction, Battersea have put up some wonderful large posters all around their store declaring their Love for Battersea. This is really fantastic - their store is such an important centre-piece of Battersea's town centre at Clapham Junction and is in the historic building of famous store Arding & Hobbs.
We think that all we need to say is "We love you too Debenhams" !!!
They re-open formally tomorrow morning at 9.00am, so be there and give them your support.
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posted 10 Aug 2011 16:20 by Love Battersea
Sorry about our belated arrival on Twitter, but we're finally here, encouraged by the riot clean-up that was organised at Clapham Junction on Tuesday with help from media like Twitter.
You can follow us at: http://twitter.com/#!/LoveBattersea1 ...and also keep us updated on news by linking with us on Twitter.
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posted 10 Aug 2011 14:51 by Love Battersea
[
updated 10 Aug 2011 16:19
]
Jane Ellison, Battersea's battling MP spent Tuesday with the "Broom Army" of Battersea, helping local people to organise the clear up.
Picture Below: Jane Ellison keeping the the broom army updated with help from her megaphone, accompanied by James Walker (in yellow top to her left), who had come over from Clapham Town to help out after being caught amidst the riots whilst visiting a friend the night before. James ended up as a key organiser of the community who turned up to help - a real case of the 'Big Society' that has always existed and emerges from the people at times like these.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the Broom Army was held back from getting on with cleaning our streets due to 'elf n safety' worries - the paper's columnist Bryony Gordon, who had come along to lend her support wrote that:
"The local MP, Jane Ellison, was having none of it and hit the phones. She solved the problem before the cleaners became rioters themselves".
This was a very accurate report - the brooms were getting somewhat frustrated at not being used, so it was great when Jane organised the opening up of St John's Road for the battling Brooms of Battersea to be let loose on. Within a short space of time it was well cleaned up! |
posted 9 Aug 2011 10:20 by Love Battersea
[
updated 26 Aug 2011 07:15
]
The latest news story from Wandsworth Council provides some great pictures of the work of local residents in cleaning up of Battersea's well known shopping street, St John's Road, Clapham Junction.
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