I live not far from Nine Elms lane and have watched those properties going up. If you walk along in the evening you can see that maybe one or two of them per block actually have people that live in them. The rest are purely for investment and all owned by people that live abroad. They are called - I don't know if you've heard this expression? - 'Virgin properties' - because no-one has ever been in them and no-one ever will. Tiny flats over £100,00 each some of them even the smallest and with a view of another flat. Wouldn't want one if they gave me one for free. Thank you so much for mentioning 'The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment' So kind of you. Absolutely delightful video which I will share widely. Including with the ex vicar's wife from St Mary's Battersea - now living in Australia. And a few friends that were married at the church and will also love this. Thank you. x i

@BaronMichaelDeBlone1066

2 жыл бұрын

All the more infuriating with the upsurge in homelessness coinciding with the introduction of Universal credit, a horrible sounding term all on its own. Without wishing to undermine anybody here as I understand the context these homes are being described in, I would still swap my council flat for one of those pads given the opportunity. The din in social housing can be unbearable particularly in summer and this year we have a noticeable outpouring of cabin fever to contend with thanks to the strategy of our wonderful government in handling this blasted pandemic. If only they hadn't dragged brexit out for four years I wonder how better prepared they might have been. The difference in many business staying afloat no doubt. Oops apologies for the slight digression. Anyway, I mean it should at least be quite peaceful and if you are like John you would be outside most of the day anyhow. Hopefully they come down in price and help alleviate some of our social difficulties. Are you paying attention Mr. Mayor.

So good to see that Lower Marsh has been designated as a conservation area. "UP WITH THIS SORT OF THING!" 👍🏼

Just saw this John. As it happens, back in 1996, which is when your A-Z dates from, I was living in a former Council flat in Totteridge House in Yelverton Road, Battersea, just round the corner from St. Mary's Church and directly behind the 'Virgin Flat' development that Isabel Losada is banging on about down below. Some other people that I know were living in the Eco Village which had sprung up on the old industrial site where the 'Virgin' developments now stand and every day we all used to get woken up by the likes of Michael Hesseltine being choppered in via the Heliport. From my living room window I used to be able to look through the windows of the penthouse flat at the top of the tower in the middle of the Chelsea Harbour development across the river from where you and Iain Sincliar were filming, which was owned at the time by Michael Caine; who was rarely there. The punchline here is that whilst resident at Totteridge House I plotted all of the psychogeographic alignments that i could see from the block emanating out across the London landscape on a Landranger series map which I still have and one of them runs right the way through the successor t the Eco Village over in Uxbridge, where elements of XR and others are trying to stop the development of the London leg of Bojo's HS2 in the Prime Minister's very own constituency! Thought that I would just get this all in by way of a Post Election psychogeographic anecdote!

And that church with its connections to Blake and Turner. What a gem!

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+Ross Webster it is indeed Ross - a real treasure - and they're very welcoming too

excellent meal time viewing. The 'back to normal' so to speak was a delight. All the towering blocks of flats etc crammed together and sky high frighten me. A catastrophe waiting to happen. Just my feelings John.

William Blake is buried in Bunhill Fields Burial Ground near Old Street. They don’t know exactly where he is so there’s a headstone which says he’s within the grounds. His wife was buried with him. If you take snacks there are squirrels which will eat out of your hand. It’s a lovely spot,

@lunam7556

4 жыл бұрын

There’s also a Garden Museum next to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s house. It’s got a lovely cafe and the garden is beautiful.

@JohnRogersWalks

4 жыл бұрын

I really must visit there one day - walked past many times

@stashedawayman1521

4 жыл бұрын

The grave of William Blake at Bunhill Fields has been identified and marked with a new stone : kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZGiGqa6JnrfJerg.html Other videos are available on here regarding the unveiling of the grave. I visited earlier this year on what was quite a memorable day for me.

I lived on one of the house boats on Cheyne Walk (Chelsea Yachting Club) for about 4 years about 50 years ago!

Another great knowledgeable video. You mentioned The Tyburn and Wandle. But missed out the Falconbrook lost river. But I would totally watched you walk the Handle some day. Love learning those facts. xx Also it was strange seeing Battersea o n my screens. 🤭😂

I remember going in a riverside pub on Wandsworth bridge, or very near the Wandsworth end, I think it was called ‘The Ship’? I could be mistaken though. I recall it was very dark inside, with some old penny machines in the bar...

I lived down the road from Lower Marsh up until 1980, my school (Holy Trinity) was at either end of Archbishops Park, one (the infants school) is now a garden museum (almost next door to Lambeth Palace), the other (Primary school) is now an urban zoo. You could see and hear big ben from the top floor of our house up until St Thomas' hospital built it's extension in the early 1970's.

Thank you for showing St Mary's Battersea..my grandparents were married there in 1908.Long after Blake I 'm araid. lol

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

It's such a beautiful church, great place to get married

What a magic church two of my heroes Turner and Blake,thank you...

Love your videos, I live in USA these days but love to reminisce of my younger years in London, miss it a lot.

Nine elms , i remember a Peter Sellars film set there , very underated.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

I'll have to look that up Roderick - can you remember what it was called?

@roderickscott7429

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalks The optimists of Nine elms.. heard its also just known now as just The Optimists , why confuse us like that.

@roderickscott7429

3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnRogersWalks can,t get the whole film on yt but there are short clips , one is outside either Chelsea or Fulham ground and another is near a Windmill cinema.

Thanks for posting this wonderful video. Love the references to William Blake. Sadly, many of the cities in North America are also becoming full of modern glass towers.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+Dawn Devereux thanks Dawn - the Blake references at the start were a real bonus and to finally see the window and the Turner chair made it really special. The development though is tough to absorb

This film really sorted my head out while trying to make sense of some difficult decisions. Thanks John

@JohnRogersWalks

5 жыл бұрын

very glad I could help morgan - hope all is well

Having watched this I decided to visit, walk and photograph the battersea area myself, back in April this year. Took loads of photos which I've worked into sketches and oil paintings - love capturing urban//industrial and urban development - something visually fascinating about it - especially the old power station and construction cranes around it.

@robertbarlow6359

5 жыл бұрын

The finished architecture does look bland but there's something intriguing about the march of construction and cranes. I think the abandoned post industrial, there before it, was more interesting to look at, so it's a race to photograph it before it's all gone and to capture what's progressively replacing it. It seems to be a repeat of the 50'5/60's/70's mass building boom, but instead privatised, with lots of 'Glass' and 'Brick' - where as during the post war building boom it was 'Concrete'. There's a section along the Thames which is still industrial looking and that's east of the O2 Dome, out towards the Thames Flood barrier,Tate & Lyle sugar plant and as far as Gravesend and Dartmouth Bridge. But again you can see it gradually disappearing phase by phase to these apartment blocks - soon I think it will look more like Miami.

...and you missed doing the Lambeth Walk . The original Lambeth Walk, which according to an illustration I've seen, was down by Lambeth Palace. People would stroll up and down by Lambeth Palace, waiting for the horse ferry, to cross the river.

@Chris-mf1rm

Жыл бұрын

This probably seems a bit dense, but I just realised because of your post, why Horseferry Road in Westminster is so named. 😊 Thank you!

A really lovely film, many thanks for posting.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+mathew green thanks Mathew

love it by the Thames, so many stories to tell. thanks John

Thank you very much for uploding, filming and commending this fantastic film of London. I´ll visit London in Dec 18 für tree days so i´ll looking forward to lokk at those places..... all the best for you!

@JohnRogersWalks

5 жыл бұрын

thanks Andre - hope you have a great time in London

Great film John, i'll have to pay a visit to your neck of the woods in the future , just got hold of a copy of this other London,roll on Sunday ,time to digest it in peace.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Richard - really hope you enjoy the book

These are my ends John, it a funny feeling seeing this area and hearing you say you don’t know the area!

Nice video full of interesting facts.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+stewart conacher thanks Stewart

I've watched a couple of your videos on the Battersea area; you and Iain. It's fascinating to see your home through someone else's eyes. It's all changing so fast, now.

Great film John! Can't help but feel some sadness in watching it but loved it just the same. Doug

@JohnRogersWalks

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Doug, I know what you mean about the sadness, I had to tone it down in the video as I didn't want it to dominate the mood

coincidence, done that walk just last week!

Thank you John. I really enjoyed that. 5 years on, the 9 Elms development is overwhelming now. And Battersea Power Station is obviously finished now. What I noticed from a list rivers map that I kept flicking to, is that you passed over the mouth of the Falcon between St Mary’s, Battersea and Wandsworth Bridge.

Some of my old stamping grounds,barely reconisable now.Some may call it progress but sadly only built for the wealthy whilst ordinary folk are shipped out to estates far away.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

I'm afraid you're right - they're certainly not built for us

One of my favourite videos of yours John

@JohnRogersWalks

5 жыл бұрын

thanks Leo - the next video starts at Vauxhall, so will make a nice compliment

@leophillips5723

5 жыл бұрын

John Rogers look forward to it

maybe you could walk this again in the night time, and highlight the empty blocks with no lights on, or real people living there, but you sum it up well with the words exclusivity, and social housing ,

...and you walked pass the old barge entrance, on Albert Embankment, near Black Prince Rd, where the Royal Dalton pottery company, would load their barges.

The entrance opposite Vauxhall, is not the Tyburn, but the Tachbrook. I think the Tyburn, formed part of St James Park, and it came out near Whitehall Stairs. The is a hole, visible at low tide, near the stairs.

I really enjoyed this! Must watch again as there is so much content.

Dipping back into the archives. So glad you've kept these up on KZread! Thank you!

....and Turner lived on the opposite bank and lived in a house next to Cremorne Gardens. There is also a statue of the artist James Whistler on the north side of Battersea Bridge, Cheyne Walk.

Another great walk John. Once again very enjoyable . Thanks for sharing.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Stu

Thanks john, lovely walk :)

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lemenelli

I love your videos. Thank you.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+Debra S thanks Debra - very kind of you, I love making them

Very relaxing video, especially after spending all day constructing Ikea paraphernalia. I managed to walk the Regents last week, avoiding the ' Evel Knievel's' of Cycledom! Regarding your video, I walked the same route a couple of months ago, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Considering I rarely venture south side. As always thanks for the upload. I live in Forest gate where may get a copy of the book?

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael. Probably the nicest place to get my book near Forest Gate is Newham Bookshop on Barking Road, failing that they usually have a copy in Foyles or WH Smith in Westfield

Surley it would be Wood Lane on the H&C and Circle which opened in ~2008 to support the Westfield at White City/Shepherds Bush? Great videos as always :)

@luketreherne

6 жыл бұрын

However you are correct that the Jubilee extension is the last extension before the current extension that you've covered in your video. Did you see the remnants of Keybridge House or New Covent Garden Market on your travels?

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

I did indeed, but I think the development was overwhelming me slightly by that point so I didn't log it

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

Ah, thank you, I suspected there'd be a more recent one

Fantastic video John! All of this walking along the corridors of money and power in London make me hope you and Adam Curtis can do a collaboration in the near future.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+Ross Webster thanks Ross - that would be great, I've met him a couple of times, but only quite briefly

Brilliant. Thanks John. PS. Love the choice of music in your films. Puddle of Infinity etc. Really ads to the overall atmosphere and tone of the films. Your films help me to stop and reflect. Dave

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave much appreciated. I sometimes take nearly as long looking for music as editing the films. Glad they give you time to pause and reflect

Have only just discovered your channel John, and loving it. originally from the East end and worked in the Royal Docks before it all closed up. but with a friend do many walks in the summer, mainly the old haunts, but the channel has broadened my horizons, many thanks. by the way, what's with this statue of an Indian 12th-century statesman Basaveshwara ? not well publicised when we are in an era of pulling down statues of our historical heroes we are putting others with no connection to London's heritage or history. but I suppose it is close to the Thames.

@JohnRogersWalks

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Peter - welcome to the channel - and always great to hear from people who worked in the docks. I'll be completely honest, I'm not really in favour of statues of 'notable' people full stop (there's probably the odd exception like the statue of John Lennon in Liverpool perhaps), let's celebrate the people who do the actual work, like the dockers, nurses, teachers, firefighters etc.- the real heroes

THERES SOME LOVELY SIGHTS IN LONDON

I’ve done the Thames Path from Tower Bridge to Hampton Court 3 times, I find the walk between Tower Bridge and Putney the best part, but find the part from Barnes Bridge to Hampton Court, as lovely as it looks I find it quite hard going as the path is mainly dirt tracks and there are very few landmarks, which becomes quite monotonous. I’m interested to see what your feelings are about the route and how you get through it.

@roderickscott7429

3 жыл бұрын

Tower bridge to Putney how far is that in miles ?

@stevejones3635

3 жыл бұрын

@@roderickscott7429 about 11 miles if you follow the river path.

@roderickscott7429

3 жыл бұрын

@@stevejones3635 11 miles from Tower bridge to Putney alone , fair walk.

One other interesting fact about St. Mary’s Battersea is that Benedict Arnold (whose name is synonymous with ‘traitor’ to Americans) is buried there.

Great video as usual

Also, that's a gorgeous pagoda in the park.

Hi John, love your films. Have you made a film about the Prospect of Whitby? And watching the tide come up to the window. I love Wapping!

Just stumbled across Ur channel, really enjoyed this video 🤙

@JohnRogersWalks

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary

I remember reading The Time Machine and the description of the thames valley and the grand yet derelict decaying buildings and the hopeless eloi.

Anyone know anything about the MI6 folly thingy? 6:25. I came across it about 10 years ago when walking the opposite direction.

Did you see the pier and boats on Cringle Street?

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+thisisjukebox I did indeed - is that where you lived?

@thisisjukebox

6 жыл бұрын

That's the one - on a wonderful Dutch barge called Vlietzande... www.gumtree.com/p/property-to-rent/500pcm-double-room-available-on-vlietzande-houseboat-nine-elms-central-london.-/1186127885

The river carries all before, the ghosts of victory and defeat. Oil and tar, the barges drift ... All is transitory, fugitive, flotsam and jetsam upon the water.

@JohnRogersWalks

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful words Andrew

When lived I Vauxhall in the 1960's, we always called the market in Lower Marsh, The Cut, even though The Cut was further on pass Waterloo. So maybe the market there was much longer, back in the day.

One of the many things I love about John's short films is the way he uses music to underscore and enhance his commentary and the images he's captured. This, though, is a very rare instance of the music intruding and making the narrative difficult to hear clearly. Is it possible to remix the sound - i.e. to lower the music in the mix - and post again? (I know, it's been here for five years and no-one else has complained ... no, hang on, Paul Morris did - five years ago. 😉)

At the beginning you see a family walk towards a tunnel. In there in the House of Vans skateboard rink and gig venue. Metallica played there. CV Freqs hold regular modular synthesiser meets with lectures and gigs there too.

Do south east London!

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

yes Michael - good idea. I did a long walk a few weeks back from Deptford through Lewisham and Catford out to Shirley but plan to return

Surely Pink Floyd also got it wrong when the pig broke loose! Another great video John.

@JohnRogersWalks

6 жыл бұрын

+Ian Phillips thanks Ian

Waterloo Chariot’s gone on Lower Marsh

Is the church from The Omen? at Putney, well I think its on the north bank of the Thames opposite Putney

@nickharvey7233

2 жыл бұрын

Not that church, it’s the church opposite, as you say, on the Fulham side

🍸 speedy river taxi: upstream/inbound: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z6upwdSshtvOhLw.html ; downstream/outbound: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aGussqqMgNSnkaQ.html

That design of chair which belonged to William Blake is known as a Glastonbury chair. They are still being sold online but cost over 200 pounds.

Well its now Sept 2020 and yes Nine Elms and the surrounding area is exactly the horrible high-rise mess you thought it would be, still being built and hardly a tree or blade of grass to be seen.

So sad that London's character and architecture is being destroyed.

Pls can you give a it more time 4 us to read stuff

Here's that Bob Hoskins clip: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qn2dj7uTY66apbw.html

MY SAX PLAYER LIVES AT THE FAMOUS OXO TOWER

Love your commentary about the currency silos. So very true. The buildings represent an aesthetic ( if it can be called an aesthetic) of people who can only see the world in small and large rectangles. Bit minded people who have become the curse of humankind. For more on this topic see the work of Dr. Iain McGilchrist. Those buildings are incredibly ugly in comparison to the buildings of the past. I would wonder how long they will last. My guess? Far less than 100 years for most of them . Short term building for short term thinkers

GreaT VideO GoddeSS God BleSS William BlaKe A Diamon London GeeZer God.....

My city too is being "gentrified" all out of existence, nearly on the same level of greed as there. Urbicide comes in many forms in this brave new world of ours.

Johnhow London has changed over the years and I for one don’t think that it’s for the better what a shame that it’s all being spoiled

Quite sad,what’s become of London

ive been to that rubbish tip Battersea power station

Commerce underpins everything mate ... there are no consequences. My grandkids will pay a huge price. Inner London seems like a dystopian hell. Thanks for the upload though.

Pretty sure the Mayors take a cut, or “those who shall not be named” have something on them. But what can we do eh... not a lot. Just create our own little universes and not buy into theirs as much as is possible when sharing the same planet. Have to remain positive and cynical all at the same time 🤓

Effra

I wonder if there will ever be a time when huge cranes will NOT be an element of the London panorama...

Welcome to london now. of parks sharks and oligarchs

Your content is good but you really need to introduce some nuance into the "oh look more luxury flats" narrative... Is there no benefit to restoring Battersea Power Station, for example which has been neglected for years and which, by the way, is going to be commercial floorspace?

Not sure whether I hate more modern and wealthy tower blocks or poor, ugly tower blocks built between the 60s and the 8os.

@thegreenarchitect

3 жыл бұрын

John - I spend evenings in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada fascinated by your walks in London. I was born near Highclere in Hants - and I wish I had taken more notice of these lovely aspects of the old City. Love it! Love it!

Lovely video.I like you'ramble'.but the music to this blog is irritation.

Shame about the development of course council do t care

Excellent walk, as always. Have to say there is so much really ugly architecture along the Thames.😫

Truly dismayed at the changes at Battersea. There's a lot I could say but you mostly covered it. Shit.

Its awful