Advantages: A fun way to support a deserving charity
Disadvantages: None

...A wonderful earlier review leaves very little to say about the adoption process for this charity. So I would like to highlight another way you can help. Some people may have a love of cats (or dogs) but for various reasons may not be able to adopt one. Perhaps they are allergic or they do not live in suitable accomodation, it may be the committment that puts you off. But there is still a way you can help. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as it is now known offer Kitty Kabin Sponsorship alongside the Sponor a Kennel programme. For the vary small sum of £5 per month which you can pay by direct debit, you can help give cats a new start in life. The £5 helps to care and feed your Kabin resident as well as giving her blankets to keep her warm in the winter. What do you get in return? On joining the programme you receive a booklet telling you... Read review

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Advantages: They will look after you
Disadvantages: None

...If like me you are a Black woman who straightens their hair then you will know that you are doing untold damage to it. I've gone for the more natural look now but a few years ago I was so obsessed with getting it straight that I tonged it, relaxed it and put it through heat hell so much that it started to fall out. I was petrified and then I heard a programme on the radio about a woman who right after straightening her hair, washed it and great big lumps fell out. I didnt wash mine for a month!! As a last resort I sought out the Battersea Scalp and Hair Clinic. This small clinic in Clapham is run by 2 trichologists who will NOT rip you off. They gave me potions and special conditioners, instructed me how to look after my hair properly and hey presto gradually the area where my hair had started to thin started to grow back. These people... Read review

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Advantages: Money for a good cause, giving rescue animals a home
Disadvantages: Based in south east, get home visit before approved as "parents", opening times

...We recently became "parents" of two lovely cats, presumed to be sisters, thanks to Battersea Dogs Home (yes, they help cats too). This is our story... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ History of Battersea Dogs Home ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Opened in 1860, the Battersea Dogs Home is perhaps the most famous of all animal rescue centres in the UK. But did you also know that they rescue cats too? Last year (2003), Battersea found homes for nearly six thousand animals who, for one reason or another, had ended up with nowhere to go. Running costs are a whopping £637 per animal on average, and the centre receives no support from the government - it relies wholly on public donations and legacies. ~~~~~~~ First Visit ~~~~~~~ Opening hours are fairly restricted at Battersea, so we went on a Saturday morning. It didn't take long to walk from... Read review

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Advantages: Guaranteed pitch, well organised, friendly helpful staff...
Disadvantages: Only you can sort out your clutter!

...Battersea Car Boot Sale Important Info: Booking line number (sellers must book in advance): 07941 383 588 Venue: Battersea Tec College, Battersea Park Road, SW11 Cost for sellers: Walking £8, Cars £10-15 Opening times: 1:30-5pm Growing up my family used to head to car boot sales on a regular basis – both as customers going for a Sunday browse and as sellers trying to get rid of various bits and pieces. Since moving out of home eight years ago I hadn’t even though about going to a car boot sale until a few months ago when, bored at home one day, I looked around me and thought how the heck did I collect so much clutter?! After noticing just how much stuff I had that I no longer wanted I couldn’t get the desire to de-clutter out of my head! Having thought through all my options (giving stuff to charity, advertising on gumtree... Read review

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Advantages: Wonderful enamels collection. Central location.
Disadvantages: Industrialised.

...Wolverhampton, a place with a long and wonderful tradition of metal working. Others made homes in Battersea on the south bank of the Thames of London. As a result, these places became the centres of fine English enamel ware in the 18th century. The factory at Battersea specialized in opaque white enamel decorated with delicate monochrome transfer printing. It was renowned for its framed plaques, wine labels, and snuff boxes. Places such as Bilston, Birmingham, and Wednesbury produced a great variety of ornate pieces, including cutlery handles, candlesticks, scent bottles, tea caddies and vases, as well as bonbonnieres in the forms of birds, animals, shoes, fruits and vegetables. Some of the enamels they produced were absolutely gorgeous. The best places to see Bilston enamels are the Bantock House Museum at Wolverhampton and the Birmingham Art... Read review

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Advantages: Experienced, well run homing centre
Disadvantages: So many dogs looking for a home

...been a dog lover but he really, really loved our last dog and the thought of replacing him was unthinkable. However, I could see that he was weakening and remembering the lovely long walks besides the lakes where we live. When he installed an iron gate and made the garden escape proof, I knew things were going my way! Finally one hot sunny day in August, we drove up to London and to Battersea. The idea was just to have a look and get the feel of the place with a view to going back possibly a second time to adopt. We set off early to be there before the doors opened at 10.30 and even then we were third in the queue. Soon after, the queue extended down the road. There were whole families with small children and young singles. Some people with cat carriers as Battersea have 100's of cats needing good homes too. Finally great... Read review

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Advantages: Cozy rooms, great service, fantastic value
Disadvantages: Can be a bit noisy outside

...into my holiday time. This is my report of the Travelodge in Battersea in South London. We arrived at Battersea on New Years Day. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from Wandsworth Town station. The distance is leisurely but does involve going down into a subway, which isn't always a nice experience at 10pm in a traditionally rough part of the capital. Nonetheless we had no problems in our time in the area. In fact, the area outside Wandsworth Town station is very pleasant indeed, with lots of fancy restaurants and clothes shops on an old cobbled street. Wandsworth Town can be reached either from Waterloo or by going from Victoria to Clapham Junction and changing. It takes about the same amount of time. The station lies in zone 2, so getting into London won't cost the earth. We arrived at the hotel at 1pm, but Travelodge have a policy... Read review

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Advantages: Glossy .Incisive Writers. Fine Reviews
Disadvantages: Not Many

...should concern wines,spirits or food and related subjects. They pay quite generously with rates starting at Stg 150 pounds per 1,000 words. Most of the feature articles in Decanter seem to be between 1500 and 2000 words. It is a much quoted magazine and its reviews are taken very seriously by the wine industry. It enjoys great prestige not only in Great Britain but in many of the major wine producing countries. The editorial address is Priory House, 8 Battersea Park Rd, London SW8 4BG and they also have an online edition at http://www.decanter.com. Final verdict on Decanter ! A fine glossy magazine of really high quality that is a must read for serious wine lovers. Even for half baked dabblers like myself with no serious pretensions at expertise on wine,it is a thoroughly interesting read. Thanks for reading and rating !... Read review

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