1. I was walking through Wandsworth Town Centre on 7^th July, with a few minutes to spare, and I decided to pop into Belton & Slade, the hardware shop, just yards away from the church. Over the years many people, especially councillors have asked me whether there was a family connection. I always said “No”, without ever knowing. So, I popped in and discovered a fabulous old-style store – stacked with hardware stock of all shapes and sizes, imperial and metric. It’s a treasure trove, which I wish I had known about in my DIY years. I introduced myself to the man in charge. I think he was a bit suspicious at first but fortunately I had my Council lanyard with me – he was/is Michael Belton. We had a brief conversation but unfortunately, there does not seem to be a family connection, which is strange as there are not many Beltons around. Anyway, here is Michael, standing proudly in his shop doorway.
   

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2. The next day, Penny and I went to Saragossa (Zaragoza) Spain. It was an interesting experience from at least 4 different standpoints. Firstly, we had a problem with my rash insistence to travel eco-consciously by train. Paris was the problem; going out road traffic chaos resulted in us missing our train from Gare Montparnasse to Biarritz. Hence, we lost a hotel booking and had to buy a second set of train tickets. And, on our return, our Metro train was stopped because some un-authorised person was on the tracks. We had to take a taxi to the Gare du Nord but missed our train.
   

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3. Secondly when we left a sweltering London at about 37C (high 80s), we feared the worst and sure enough Zaragoza was 41-42C (high 90s). I’m sorry to say I don’t think that I can manage the Mediterranean countries in the months of July and August any longer – unless on the Atlantic coast, which is where we were in San Sebastian (see photo) on one lovely day!
   

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4. But thirdly the conference itself was interesting and Penny’s presentation about the evolution of the handshake as a business and sporting symbol and as an egalitarian, demotic greeting, was well appreciated. And the social events around academic conferences are always entertaining, as indeed was this one.

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   However, fourth my real interest was in exploring Zaragoza, which was far too hot most of the time. But I did get out early in the morning and explored a little of the old city. Founded by Augustus Caesar, it was captured by Islamic forces in 714 and not re-captured by Catholic forces until the early 12^th century, when it became the capital of Aragon for three centuries before the capital of (now) Spain moved to Toledo and then Madrid. This complex history is fascinatingly illustrated in its public places where Islamic and Gothic/Catholic styles both clash and mingle – the picture is of the two cathedrals that dominate the city and the River Ebro – one of the cathedrals is built in the curtilage of the mosque it replaced. I am not sure that I agree with the Spanish proverb that “Africa starts at the Pyrenees”, but there is no doubt Spain really is very different from the rest of Europe – in challenging ways.

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6. On the 17^th July I took Wandsworth’s new Chief Executive and his PA for a walk around the ward, finishing off in Battersea Park, at the café where we were joined by one of the locals, pictured here enjoying his “elevens”. We discussed:-
   

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   The tiled roof of the Pagoda, which has reached the end of its lifespan and requires replacement. The Council is consulting with Japanese specialists and awaiting responses to initial enquiries. For health and safety reasons, the Pagoda has been fenced off until the works begin. A timeframe for these works is yet to be confirmed.

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   The limited public toilet facilities in Battersea Park, at all times but specifically during the highly successful fun-runs. I have hopes that the CEO might seek funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy to fund additional toilets.

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   The paving around the Royal College of Art. Unfortunately, the pavement works I highlighted last month are being revised again to address several challenges, including boundary level discrepancies, utility conflicts, and potentially unauthorised works by other frontagers. Subject to approval, the revised works are expected to commence in late August or early September.

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7. I chaired the Planning Applicatins Committee on the 23^rd July. There were a couple of applications in Blenkarne and Thurleigh Roads, which were, of course, of great interest to the immedate neighbourhood but not of much to the rest of Battersea.
   

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8. The Council planted this two-year old sapling in my road, but it was listing about 15 degrees and in a dead, dry patch of earth. I rang the council’s tree helpline and it was staked and I added some of my not very well composted compost and now look at it – flourishing in its own street garden.
   

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9. Talking of adding colour to Battersea, watch for the work on the Falcon Road underpass of the railway lines. Work is starting right now – which we know will be a pain for bus passengers and all drivers, who can not avoid Falcon Road – but what a bonus it will be making that underpass bright, breezy and colourful.
   

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10. On the 31^st July I went to Bridge Lane Clinic for a health check – everything seems to be in working order (kind of), but I noticed that the clinic has also bought into the let’s prettify Battersea philosophy, with this magnificent new mural of Chelsea Bridge and the Power Station.
    

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My August Programme

1. I have the Councillor’s surgery on 2^nd August.
2. The Northcote ward selection of Labour’s candidates for the Borough Election is on the 6^th August, and
3. the Planning Applications Committee (PAC) on the 20^th, and that is all in what will be a quiet month.
   

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Did you know?

Last month I asked, “How many pubs are there in Battersea named after members of the British aristocracy? And where are they located?” This proved to me how difficult it can be to ask questions, which everyone understands and interprets in the same way. So, I received answers, which included the Crown on Lavender Hill, and another which included Churchills on St. John’s Hill, which I had omitted – though Winston was, of course, descended from the Duke of Marlborough, and therefore an aristocrat. But, no one mentioned the Royal Standard in Ballentine Street, or the Queens Arms (St. Philips Street).

The answer that I was looking for was, the Duke of Cambridge (Battersea Bridge Road), the Duchess Belle (Battersea Park Road – opposite the Power Sation tube station), the Albert (Albert Bridge Road), the Victoria (at the junction of Silverthorne and Queenstown Roads), and the Churchill on St. John’s Hill. But what about the Bolingbroke (Northcote Road) – is that a pub or a wine bar? – he certainly was an aristocrat, and also lord of the manor of Battersea. Anyway, they are all worth a visit – so Cheers everyone.

And this month?

Someone last month asked me, “Why the Dodd?” I assume that is simply a chatty abbreviation but why the Doddington – does anyone know? And what about the other names on the Dodd – pictured here? Francis Chichester, Charlotte Despard, Lucas, Cromwell, Arthur, York, Kennard, Youngs, Bolton, Turpin, Park South? Most of them I guess are the names of councillors of the time, but does anyone have an interesting story about any of them?