Published in Friends of Battersea Park review April 2010
Katie Darling swoops into Il Molino bang on the appointed time of 2.45 pm, dressed in a stunning scarlet red trouser suit and boots. Ordering her umpteenth coffee of the day in a loud clear voice, she settles down easily to conversation, clearly warming to the relaxed atmosphere of Battersea’s a la mode cafe, a popular gathering place for people with time on their hands and tales to tell.
Together with her husband, three children, and two dogs-the not so young Pluto (White Labrador) and youthful Mickie (Daschund/Scottie), the engaging Katie has recently moved to Battersea after a long stint of living as an expat in Paris, and has become one of the Friends newest members. Educated at Francis Holland school, Katie has worked in a variety of jobs, including advertising and sponsorship, although her life-long profession is that of an actress. Her principal acting credits include the title role of Mary in the BBC series ‘The Crocodile’, a theatrical role in a bi-lingual production (she is fluent in French) in PG Wodehouse’s ‘Summer Lighting’, and-as Mrs Darling- in a pantomime of Peter Pan . During her ten years in Paris, roles in three French films, ‘Le Refuge’, ‘ Notre Universe Impitoyable’, ‘Haut et Court’, and ‘Les Deux Freres’. She sipped a large Americano while talking to the Review’s editor, Jimmy Burns.
JB: Early memories of Battersea?
KD: In my early twenties, before Paris, I had a bit part as an extra in a film shot in the park. I had to play a jogger. All I remember was I fell and cut my leg. My sister had her first flat in the area and there were several boyfriends who lived round here. I always thought of it as quite a lively neighbourhood.
JB. Parisian parks- best features?
KD: The French spend a fortune on their parks. They are heavily subsidised by the state and each local elected mayor invests a lot of political capital in being seen to be taking care of the green spaces in his area. They plant a lot, keep their lakes clean, stage varied and imaginative events, rather like New Yorkers do in Central park- and most French parks are open and unfenced. I like that, it makes them feel more a part of the neighbourhood.
JB I can imagine the food is pretty good too…
KD: Yes, there are restaurants and cafes which are decently priced and have good food-from barbecued meat over large open fires to delicious pates and excellent cheeses, and all with good service and comfortable design…
JB: And negative features?
KD: I suppose the French have a tendency to overregulated with their bureaucracy. For example playing football in public parks is not allowed, and you have to keep your dog on a lead. The French and their dogs in parks are not so friendly. They reflect each other in their neurosis. Owners walk with sticks to fend off other dogs from their own.
JB: Good food, decent prices, comfortable seating…. I wonder what you think of our very own cafe by the lake?
KD: I find the seating uncomfortable, the cafe itself architecturally ugly, and the food very ordinary, if not unappetising. It reminds me of some of the old cafes there used to be in some of London’s Royals parks before they got knocked down and replaced.
JB: What do you like about Battersea Park?
KD: I think it’s a park with a strong identity. It’s a gathering place for a variety of people united in wanting to go there for the right reasons. I get an incredibly positive feeling from all the activity going on -whether its children playing, or dogs being walked, or people jogging, or simply enjoying this wonderful open space. There is a unity in this enjoyment and an absence of the negativity you might find beyond the park gates. If it wasn’t for Pluto who has arthritis in his legs, I’d walk round more. But I do cycle and am discovering other wonderful parts of the park like the Tropical Garden which I like because of its colour and how pretty it looks even when it’s cold. I’m looking forward to the main planting in the Winter Garden
JB: In an ideal world, how would you like Battersea Park to be run? Differently to the way it is now?
KD: I’d like it to be taken out of the hands of Wandsworth Council, see it owned and run by a well funded Trust set up, and have the Friends become more involved as they love it so much.
JB: Your own future?
KD: I’d like to go back to acting, do something in the park…
JB: A People’s theatre?
KD Yes, something like that…..
