almost peckham

The model maker seems to have planted a whole bunch of trees down the road that Sainsbury's trucks deliver through - the bit of road between DHFC and the supermarket. I went along to the exhibition last week and was struck by the lack of communicative value in much of the presentation - especially the drawings/CGIs. I'm quite used to looking at working drawings and presentations but the ones on show were pretty incoherent. A lack of orientation, common scale, stretched perspectives, and wilful misrepresentation all combined to offer gloss over content. An example was the perspective view of greendale field from the greendale path side showing what looked like a stadium about half a mile away, all through forced fish-eye perspective. I'm grateful to thedukeofmoclar for the CAD scaling of the pitch as none of that information was clearly available at the presentation. There were some pretty spurious claims in the texts too. One referred to the 'underused road to the south of the present stadium that forms an unsatisfactory boundary to the houses on Burrow road'. Its not underused - must be hundreds of schoolkids, cyclists, dog walkers and joggers going through there every day. And I wonder if anyone has asked the residents of Burrow road what they think. The proposals have nothing to do with the survival of DHFC but development of commonly available land for private profit. Development creeps - Sainsbury's started it here, on the other corner of greendale (with wanley road) a four-storey block filled the entire site where there was a smaller two-storey building. Setting these precedents means that they might one day join up. I don't follow DHFC but want them to survive - I last went in about 1980, but the football club does not need to expand out of its current site. In fact, one of the display panels made the point that the current DHFC plot is too big for their needs. Much could be done by reconfiguring the current stadium - re-orienting the entrance etc. I'm also concerned about what the term 'public space' really means in these contexts. If the linear park (footpath) is merged with st. francis park does the whole lot go under lock and key (as st francis park does) with no real accountability for access? I think I'm rambling somewhat! Apologies. Hadley should not be allowed to build on open land regardless of the various social leverages they are trying to apply.

I'm sure you've thought of this, GillinHG, but if the burglars weren't targeting the viola they might not know they've got a viola. It might be worth searching 'violin' if they are trying to sell on themselves via ebay etc. Hope you get it back.

I would have thought it is next to impossible to turn right into Oglander from that little bit of Copleston anyway given the way the paving is built out to shape the corner. Even if you manage it that end of Oglander is one way. Not sure how many cars/vans the camera will catch unless it is specifically for scooters/mopeds doing the right turn or coming down Oglander and over the paving...neither of which I can recall seeing.

There is a bee-keeper with hives on their plot up at the Rosendale Road allotments. Maybe try emailing the allotment via their website to be put in touch?

There has always been a lot of traffic through Bellenden shops and sometimes it is a complete exhibition of selfish and/or stupid driving but it normally manages itself. It's only a hundred metres or so though and if you are ever caught in it only holds you up for a little while. A benefit of the congestion is it slows the traffic down making the pedestrian crossing a relatively safe one - this can only be a benefit given the heavy density of pedestrians around the shops, on the way the station etc.

Got a white Fiat or know someone with one? Check it's locked, the one outside here doesn't look very locked.

Dyos's 'Victorial Suburb' shows comparative maps of the Worlingham road estate at 1880 and 1895. The church is in the 1895 map marked as 'St James Church'. Page 108 in my edition. Not sure what the maps are based on but most probably OS sheets.

Getting back to the original shoe/boot thing. For really good handmade boots at not ridiculous prices have a look at William Lennon - based in the Peak District I think. For beautifully made flat/round toe shoes for women check out maikodawson.com - not cheap but a genuine london-based one lady band - bespoke service and will modify a last to your fit. And she takes them back in when they eventually need repairing.