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The newsletter of The Enfield Society

TES News No 175 • Autumn 2009

Since the loss of museum space inBroomfield House in 1985, when thedisastrous fire occurred, the entirepopulation of our large borough hashad to be satisfied with just themuseum at Forty Hall. This is in thefar north of Enfield in a magnificenthistoric house but which has neverhad the accommodation or facilities tohouse and display the type of museumand exhibits which a borough, such asours, deserves and needs. When thenew extension to the Palace GardensShopping Centre was planned,provision was made for our Museumand Museum Service to move there,into what is now named ThomasHardy House. Adequate space therewould fulfil Enfield’s needs and itsfacilities could outmatch those in thecomparatively small towns ofHertford, Ware and Hoddesdon, all ofwhich have outstanding centrallylocated museums. At the present timethe first floor at Thomas Hardy Househouses the Local History Unit,transferred from Palmers Green, andalso the Central Library for theduration of the construction work atits premises in Cecil Road.When the Library returns home itseems logical for the Museum andMuseum Service to movepermanently from Forty Hall into thatfirst floor space. However it seemsthat there may be other plans afoot,perhaps to house a diluted museumcentrally but not on that ideal firstfloor. Enfield, with its long andoutstanding history, needs a majormuseum to illustrate that past and alsothe present, located in the heart ofEnfield Town, adequately housed andresourced. This would then be in aposition to nurture small satellitemuseums in other parts of theBorough if this was consideredessential.

Colin Pointer

Relaunch of our HistoricBuildings GroupThis Group has been dormant for a longtime, although Stephen Gilburt has beenkeeping a watching brief on the importantbuildings in the Borough as well asgiving talks on the subject and buildingup his large collection of slides. GrahamDalling is now joining Stephen torelaunch the Group as an active branch ofthe Society, and an open meeting formembers will be held on Thursday 1stOctober at Jubilee Hall at 7.30pm.Graham will give an illustrated talk onEnfield’s listed buildings and the aimsand proposed activities of the HistoricBuildings Group will be explained. Thereplies to our questionnaire, earlier thisyear, showed that a considerable numberof members were interested not only inour historic buildings but also inparticipating in the Historic BuildingsGroup. So we look forward to seeingmany of you on the 1st October to join usin re-establishing the Group which has avital role to play both for the Society andfor the Borough of Enfield.

Colin Pointer

Planning appealsSeveral recent appeal decisions, asreported to the Conservation AdvisoryGroup, have reflected the PlanningInspectors’ concerns that the characterand appearance of conservation areasshould be respected. A planned monopoletelecommunications antenna with controlcabinet on a grass verge next to HoppersRoad was turned down as an incongruousand highly visible feature.A Council enforcement notice againstnumerous illuminated and non-illuminated signs on the building at 80Church Street, N9 was upheld, one of thereasons given being that the ConservationArea Character Appraisal referred to aproliferation of signs being one of theissues facing the Conservation Area.An extension to the Trent Boys SchoolHouse adjoining Cockfosters Station wasrefused as an incongruous addition andagain the Council’s Conservation AreaAppraisal is referred to.

Chris Jephcott

From the web site of theEnfield Museums Service:We aim to reflect the history andcultural diversity of Enfield throughadvancing an understanding ofour collective past and sharedfuture, and by providing a forumfor local people to participate inthe development of the service.By collecting, caring for andinterpreting objects, we will createopportunities for everyone toexperience, learn from and enjoythe past and present.We are currently in a period ofplanning for the new museumwhich will form part of the planneddevelopment in Enfield Town by2009. Over the next 2 years wewill continue to work with the localcommunity to further improve ourservices, and we welcome yourideas, views and feedback on there-development and our work ingeneral.<http://80.169.147.100/museum/>

Concern over our Museum

Have lunch in Middle Temple Hallon 15th September - see page 8

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Conservation

Publicity Group

The effects of the credit crunch areshowing in the reduced number ofplanning applications for majordevelopments. Details of plans alreadyapproved in principle are also slow incoming forward. The most significantto be approved recently are the latestproposals for ‘enabling development’of apartments in the grounds of TruroHouse in Green Lanes, which willallow the restoration of this major listedhouse to proceed. Also recentlysubmitted are detailed plans forresidential development at the front ofArnold House Cheshire Home on TheRidgeway, following the appealdecision to allow the rebuilding of themain building in the garden behind,within the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Sadly we find the standard of the designof the new houses very disappointing.The Society is still unhappy about theproposals for Southgate College as theyaffect the High Street frontage andlisted cottages. By contrast, wewelcome the restoration proposals forthe gardens at Myddelton House, whicheven include replication of some stolenstonework items!In Enfield Town it seems as thoughagreement on the type of stone facingfor the new library has now beenreached and likewise the latest plans forthe new Little Park Gardens Day Centreseem generally acceptable. It is good tosee that the Woolworths store is nolonger empty.

ParksWe commented on the draft OpenSpaces Strategy for London and theformal document has now been issued,just in time to guide Enfield Council inits formulation of a new Parks Strategy.A Stakeholder Working Group recentlyheld its first meeting. The appearanceof structures such as the blue MUGA inEnfield Town Park and the curious andvery large construction in the ancientwoodland in Grovelands Park referredto in the last newsletter [see letters,page 4] emphasise the need for alandscape architect to advise beforemajor installations are considered in theparks.

Chris Jephcott

The Trentwood Side allotment plot hasnow been rotovated and the first fewtrees, container grown, have beenplanted. In the past various membershave notified us of tree saplings in theirgardens they wished to donate.Unfortunately until now it has not beenpossible to deal with their requests. Idon’t have a list of their names but ifanyone would like us to consider such arequest I can be contacted, though it hasto be stressed that the condition andspecies of the trees would have to beconsidered to ensure that they weresuitable for use. We expect to carry outplanting within the winter months whenthe trees are dormant.Regrettably the Conservation AdvisoryGroup is still awaiting a report onCouncil policy regarding preservedtrees. The latest agenda received todayagain has no tree item. It is interestingthat Barnet’s Tree Officer has, with hiscolleagues in the London Tree OfficersAssociation, developed a system forascribing value to trees according tosize, health, historical significance etc.For example, an oak in Southgate hasbeen valued at £267,000. This shouldhelp councils fight insurance claims. Itis all too easy to point a finger at a treewhen the real cause lies elsewhere.Good news is that the proposal to fellthe magnificent oak in front of 244Chase Side, N14 has been refused.

Chris JephcottConvener

Trees Group

TES PublicityWe have an updated poster in the PostOffice in Church Street, in a moreprominent position than previously.This poster is also appearing on‘Community’ Notice Boards that arebeing placed at various National RailStations across the Borough. Thanks toDave Cockle for organizing this.Spare copies of TES News continue tobe available from First Stop at theCentral Library where our membershipapplication forms are also displayed.

Enfield Town ShowWe have booked space for our stand atthe Town show, which takes place thisyear on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6thSeptember.

The Enfield Society display and salesstand at the New River Festival

New River Festival 2009We attended the New River Festival onSaturday 11th July with our stand in agood position attracting a steady streamof visitors. We gained 6 new members asa result and possibly more to come fromthose who took away the TES applicationform. Thanks to Monica Smith and herteam for staffing the stand, and DerekStone for ‘put up’ and ‘take down’.It was good to see the New River ActionGroup (NRAG) with a stand at theFestival. The Group has been inactive forsome time, but following its recent AGMmembers are getting activities movingagain. A number of walks are beingarranged and the newsletter shouldappear again soon. Any TES membersinterested in joining NRAG shouldcontact the Membership Secretary –Chris Royall, 27 Elm Park Road, LondonN21 2HP

Bob Fowler

New membersWe warmly welcome the followingnew members:Ms. P. Allbutt, Miss M. Bayliss, Mrs.C. Bowden, Mrs. Donegan, Mr.T.Dowd, Ms. C. George, Mrs. Y.Griffin, Mrs. K. Humeniuk, Mrs. S.Ives-Moiba, Mrs. M. Lacy, Ms. M.Lee, Mrs. C. Ranasinghe, Ms. M.Randham, Mr. A. Rogers, Mr. P.Starling.

Olive Sharman

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Historic buildingsChrist Church United Reformed ChurchChase Side, Enfield, EN2 6NB

Stained glass window representing,from the left, Belief, Charity and Hope

Chase Side Chapel (1830) and Zion Chapel (1780)in the mid-19th century

Christ Church URC will be open to thepublic from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday19th September, to coincide with theOpen House London weekend. Therewill be a display illustrating thearchitecture, history and activities of thechurch, which will be decorated for theHarvest Festival service the next day.The Grade II listed Victorian Gothicchurch was opened in 1875 on the siteof Zion Chapel (built in 1780), whosemembers had agreed to unite with themembers of the adjoining Chase SideChapel (rebuilt in 1830).

Christ Church is faced with Kentishragstone on the outside and Bath stoneon the inside. The reredos on the apsewall is a stone relief copy of Leonardoda Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper.Late 19th century memorial stainedglass windows represent Christ theSaviour and the Good Shepherd, thefour gospel writers, Peter and Paul, three1st century Christian deacons and threeChristian virtues.For more information telephone (020)8363 0031 or (020) 8363 4571, or visitonline at<www.christchurchenfield.org.uk>.

Stephen Gilburt

Christ Church(1874-5, extended 1885)

seen from the west

Interior at Harvest Festivallooking towards the apse

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Community mattersTES was selected by Waitrose inEnfield Town to take part in theirCommunity Matters programme for themonth of July. This is where customersat the check out are given a token to usein the selection of one of three charitiesfor a share of a fund donated byWaitrose. The fund is allocated betweenthe charities according to the number oftokens received by each. At the time ofwriting all three charities, includingTES, were being well supported.

Tony Langston

In our last issue Tony Connolly wroteabout the new climbing structure inGrovelands Park:“This development is further damaging thenatural woodland that remains in the park.It will have an adverse effect on the habitatand security that wildlife enjoys there andbe ecologically damaging. The enjoymentof people who like to walk quietly amongthe trees will be much reduced.”We have received the following letters inresponse:From Valerie Martin (neé Jemmett, ex-Latymer)“Your summer ‘09 edition contained aletter regarding Grovelands Park ... abeautiful habitat, explored personally formore years than I care to remember.We visited over the weekend of 9th-10thMay with our son and two grandchildrenand surveyed the new (to us) climbingfacilities for 8-13 year old juniors. This didblend so well in the relatively small areaprovided and to our eyes had no injuriouseffect whatsoever. In fact, it was great tosee the happy faces of all those around us.The remaining walks in the Park –including around the lake – surely must bemore than adequate.We do question ‘natural woodland’. Thisis an urban park, is it not? There issufficient habitat (including the banks ofthe lake) to protect the wildlife.Finally, a London park should provide asmuch enjoyment to the younger set, aswell as their elders. ‘Long live the playarea!’ ”Another reader who asked that her nameshould be withheld, wrote by email:“My husband and I have passed the areaseveral times and were pleased to seeyoung people enjoying the area in asensible way. The playground area nearthe cafe is more suited to youngerchildren. We cannot see why young peopleand wildlife cannot share the same area.After all the park is there to be enjoyed byeveryone.”

“Risk experience” in Grovelands Park

A new category: “Bins in bloom” ?From <www.wheelie-bin-covers.co.uk>

NewslettercontributionsContributions to the newsletter frommembers are most welcome, and maybe in the form of letters, articles, newsitems, responses to previous articles,opinion pieces or photographs. Wecannot undertake to publisheverything, and we reserve the right toshorten or edit items beforepublication. Copy in electronic form ismost convenient, and can be sent as anemail attachment tonewsletter@enfieldsociety.org.uk, butitems on paper can also be accepted.Contact the Newsletter Editor,Leonard Will, at the above emailaddress or by telephone at (020) 83720092 if you have any questions aboutmaking a contribution. The copy datefor the next issue is 16th October2009, but items can be sent at any timeand having them in advance is mosthelpful. The newsletter is distributedabout three weeks after the copy date.

Leonard Will

Wheelie binsFrom Mrs Mavis Cullingford:“What a catastrophe if these monstrositieswere to be forced on us in Enfield. Withoutsaying, their presence would ruin ourwhole environment and drag us into slumconditions in no time at all. I hope thateveryone will urgently revolt against thisawful idea before it’s too late.I have written to the Enfield in BloomCommittee, as I have serious concerns as towhether any residents would have the heartto beautify their frontages and enter theircompetition if gardens and pavements hadto accommodate these huge uglycontainers. Many friends already vow theywill not co-operate with such a scheme.”From Norman Bennett:“I have read recently that the Council isintroducing Wheelie Bins to Enfieldsometime in September.I am quite worried about the prospect ofhaving three of said bins adorning the frontof my house and wondered if the Societyhad raised any objections to this CouncilPolicy. I would also like to know the time-table for their introduction if you have thatinformation. Apart from anything else, afterwatching the Bin Men in action; I wouldhave thought that it would take them aboutten times as long to collect the rubbish andthree times as long to collect thecompostable and re-cycleable material.”The Enfield Society understands that a pilotscheme is to be run in the Autumn. It hasbeen discussed at some length at AreaForums and other open meetings andconcerns have already been raised by theminority group in the Council. The Societywill consider making a reasoned responsewhen we know the result of the pilotscheme.

Letters to the editor

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Until 6th SeptemberDesigner style: home decorating in the1950s. Following the Festival of Britainthere was an emphasis on good design for allaspects of home furnishing, The exhibitionillustrates this by showing a wide range ofwallpapers and textiles. The Museum ofDomestic Design and Architecture,Middlesex University, Cat Hill, EN4 8HT.Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm,Sunday 2 to 5 pm. Admission free.

14th AugustTatem Park butterfly and dragonfly walk (2hours) with the Herts & Middlesex ButterflyConservation Group. Meet at 2 pm by thespeed skating track, Tatem Park, HedgeLane, Palmers Green. The Parks OutreachTeam.*16th August, 3.00 to 5.30 pmHillyfields bandstand concert. Salsa withMerengada. Collections will be in aid oflocal charities. Full details are on the website<www.hillyfields.info>23rd August, 10.00 amForty Hall circular walk. (4-5 hours)through Forty Hall grounds, Gough Park andWhitewebbs. Meet at Forty Hall Car Park.The Parks Outreach Team.*5th-6th September, 10.30am to 6.00pmAutumn Show, Town Park. Visit the EnfieldSociety stand.

Diary dates12th September, 12.00 noon to 4.00pmGrand Finale and Centenary reunion,Enfield County School Old GirlsAssociation. MC Sharp Building, (enterfrom Silver Street). £10 per person to includebuffet lunch and wine. Book by 4thSeptember with ECSOGA Treasurer, AnnWickert, 84 Hoodcote Gardens, N21 2NE(020 8360 5573)19th-20th SeptemberOpen House London weekend. Detailsavailable from mid-August on<www.openhouse.org.uk> or locallibraries.20th September, 10.00 amWalk from Albany Park to Trent Park(London Loop section 17). 9 miles. Meet atAlbany Swimming Pool car park, HertfordRoad. Free transport back provided. TheParks Outreach Team*26th February 2010, 7.30 for 8.00 pmJoint meeting with Edmonton HundredHistorical Society on John Keats. Thepoet’s association with Edmonton iscommemorated by a plaque and a bench inChurch Street, and the meeting will be heldin the nearby Charity School Hall .

*Contact details: The Parks OutreachTeam. Phone (020) 8441 8272 or emailalan.mitellas@enfield.gov.uk.

The President’s columnJubilee Hallmeetings

Tuesday mornings 10.00 for 10.30am29th SeptemberBelgravia and Kensington PalaceGardens by Peter Lawrence (with slides)27th OctoberDick Turpin – the reality by MargaretBale (with slides)24th NovemberThe history of the Royal GunpowderMills by Richard Thomas (with slides)15th DecemberChristmas quiz

Thursday evenings 7.30 for 8.00pmAugust – no meeting.17th SeptemberNorfolk by Frank Bayford, with slides.15th OctoberLibya revealed by Monica Smith, withslides.19th NovemberInland waterways by Richard Moules,with slides.

The national response to the news that theCivic Trust had gone into administration,referred to in our last News, reinforcesthe view that there is a need for a body toco-ordinate and represent the civicsociety movement nationally. Agroundswell of support following thenews has led to formation of the CivicSociety Initiative. Launched in ConventGarden on 2nd June by its new Director,Tony Burton, it is appealing for £50,000funding to be reached by the end of theyear. Prominent among its supporters isGriff Rhys Jones, former President of theCivic Trust, and over 500 local civicsocieties have already said they wish tobe kept in touch with the new venture.The Enfield Society has contributed £200

to the fund. Furtherdetails can be foundon line atwww.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk.The demise of the Civic Trust is a starkwarning to charitable bodies on thedangers of becoming too reliant forfunding on competing as providers forpublic services. When a contract is lost,as for running the Green Flagprogramme, the result can be disastrousfor the charity. This is a problem, notonly for amenity bodies but also in areassuch as health and social serviceprovision. Fortunately the Enfield Societyhas kept well clear of this risk.

Chris Jephcott

Sales tableThe 2009 Christmas card is the view of thefrozen New River towards Trinity Church on acold February day when the pigeons perchedon the railings were my only companions.The price remains £1.50 for a pack of five ofthese cards with envelopes. The messageinside is “With best wishes for Christmas anda Happy New Year”.The only packs of previous years’ cardsavailable are Forty Hall Dining Roomdecorated for Christmas and with the turkeyon the sideboard and the painting by EmmaCollins, a young local artist, of Trent ParkHouse. Packs of four different cards are alsoon sale at £1, including envelopes.The full range of books stocked is listed on theenclosed Order Form if you wish to orderdirect. Former residents of Enfield oftenappreciate books on the area as gifts – thelatest publications are Graham Dalling’s TheEnfield Book and David Pam’s booklets onEdmonton and Enfield Town. Small itemssuch as pencils, pens and badges are usefulstocking fillers.

Monica Smith

Frozen New River Loop Forty Hall Dining Room Trent Park House

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Train details are correct at press date butwe cannot accept responsibility for lastminute changes.Enquiries: for operating traincompanies’ enquiries and times ring08457 48 49 50; for TFL London areaTube, DLR, London Overground and busdetails, ring (020) 7222 1234.Reduced price train travel: GroupsaveOff-Peak Day Return (previously CheapDay Return) tickets allow 3 or 4 adults totravel together for the price of 2 adults onFirst Capital Connect, London Midland,Southeastern, Southern, Chiltern orNational Express East Anglia. Even fortravel to the start of linear walksGroupsave tickets are usually cheaperthan buying a standard price single butyou must travel as a group.Please bring your Freedom Pass /National Bus Pass with you as we mightuse a bus for access.Please wear walking boots or stoutwalking shoes – trainers are not usuallysuitable, even for London parks.Sat 22 Aug. New & Old. Meet 2.30pmat front entrance to Forty Hall Mansionfor 3 to 3.5 hour circular walk includingNew River, the Whitewebbs & Forty HallEstate and newly created bridleways justover the border in Hertfordshire. Leader:Stuart MillsSat 29 Aug. Three Villages. Meet2.20pm The White Hart, South Mimms,(84 & 398 buses from Potters BarStation) for 3 to 3.5 hour circular walkvia Ridge village with tea break inShenley village. Leader: Ken CooperBank Holiday Mon 31 Aug. RodingValley. Meet 10.40am Theydon BoisStation (Central Line, about 30 minutesfrom Liverpool Street Station) for 10 milecircular walk via Abridge andLambourne. Shorter option or return bybus from Abridge (lunch stop). Bringlunch or food available. Leader: BrianFrearWed 9 Sept. Capital Ring. Either travelwith Dave from Enfield Chase on the9.34am train to Moorgate, then viaNorthern Line to London Bridge mainlinestation for frequent trains to WoolwichArsenal Station. Alternatively, join groupby 10.55am in the ticket hall ofWoolwich Arsenal Mainline Station (notDLR). Note: if you use the DLR to reachWoolwich Arsenal, please go to themainline station. From the Thames, theCapital Ring heads inland through asuccession of parks, commons and woodsto end at Falconwood Station. Lunch stopen-route (bring lunch or food probably

Future walks available). Full route about 7.5 miles butmany shorter options. Details: 8366 2242or 07948 204 025. Leader: Dave CockleSat 12 Sept. River Quin & River RibValleys. Meet 10.30am at public car parkin Huntsman Close (off High Street) incentre of Puckeridge village (6 milesnorth of Ware via A10) for about 9 milecircular walk in scenic countryside withlunch stop in the pretty village ofBraughing. Possible to shorten route toabout 5 to 6 miles by ending atBraughing and returning to start by eitherbus or 1 mile walk. Bring lunch or pubfood available/village shop. Leader:Stuart MillsTues 15 Sept. London Visit to MiddleTemple Hall. Brian Pask has arrangedwith The Honourable Society of theMiddle Temple for a professional guidedtour of this magnificent Elizabethan Hall.Booking essential as numbers limited.Please note this is a smart dress event,not a walk. For full details see page 8.Mon 21 Sept. Enfield’s Countryside.Meet 10.10am Gordon Hill Station(access by W8, W9 (5 mins walk) & 610buses or 10.01am train from EnfieldChase Station). About 2.75 hour linearwalk (with 1.5 hour option) using manyof Enfield’s rural field paths via TingeyTops, East Lodge and Holly Hill Farmand ending at Botany Bay. Both optionsreturn to Enfield by 313 bus. Leader:Carol CopeSat 26 Sept. Hertfordshire SwallowHoles. Meet 2.25pm Potters Bar BusStation, adjacent rail station (2.01pm 313bus from Cecil Road, Enfield Town) for3 to 3.5 hour circular walk via NorthMymms with tea break in Water Endvillage. This part of the valley of theMimmshall Brook is noted for havingexceptionally varied geological features.Leader: Ken CooperWed 7 Oct. From 1066 to an OlympicsSite. Meet 10.20am at the main frontentrance to the Abbey Church, WalthamAbbey (frequent buses from WalthamCross bus station – 5 mins journey time),for about 3 hour circular walk from theAbbey grounds via the arboretum, LeaValley Park, Fishers Green andwaterways. After walk: choice of eatingfacilities in Waltham Abbey &/or be atourist and see the Abbey, Abbey gardensand the Epping Forest District Museum(free admission) in Sun Street. Leader:Norman ColesSat 10 Oct. Lea Valley Park &Waterways. Meet 10.44am BroxbourneStation (10.14am train from SouthburyStation change Cheshunt for 10.39amtrain) for a maximum 8.5 mile circularwalk (with shorter 6 or 7 mile options)via New River, Rye House, lakes and

River Lee. Bring lunch or pub/café foodavailable. Leader: Christine FookesMon 19 Oct. Mid Hertfordshire. Meet10.45am Watton at Stone Station(10.21am train from Enfield ChaseStation) for 8 to 9 mile circular walk inthe attractive Upper Beane Valley which,although close to Stevenage, remainsunspoilt and remote. Possibility of shorteroption by using buses. Bring lunch or pubfood probably available. Leader: StuartMillsSat 31 Oct. Lower Ash Valley. Meet10.25am Ware Station (9.44am trainfrom Southbury Station change Cheshuntfor 10.09am train) for 8 to 9 mile circularwalk via River Ash Valley & Wareside.Possibility of shorter option by bus. Bringlunch or pub food probably available.Leader: Brian FrearWed 4 Nov. Trent Country Park. Meet10.15am. Oakwood Station (121, 307and 377 buses) for about 2.5 hour circularwalk in the late autumn colours of TrentPark. Leader: Carol CopeSat 14 Nov. Border Country. Meet10.00am at front door of Forty HallMansion (in case the car park closesearlier than expected, recommend cardrivers park in Forty Hill and walk to theMansion). 9.5 mile circular walk fromEnfield into Hertfordshire using somenewly created paths. Lunch stop at GoffsOak where the group can be left or joined(options are 4.25 miles in morning, 5.25miles in afternoon). Bring lunch or foodavailable. Details: 8364 0300. Leader:Colin AdamsWed 18 Nov. East London Waterways& Marshes. Meet 10.00am CambridgeHeath Station (9.29am train from EnfieldTown or 9.43am from Seven SistersStation). 3 hour linear walk via VictoriaPark, Hertford Union (or Ducketts)Canal, Walthamstow/Hackney Marshesand Lea Valley Walk ending atTottenham Hale Station. Optional lunchfacilities at end. Details: 07703 470 156.Leaders: Toby Simon & MargaretMcAlpineSat 28 Nov. Green Chain Walk. Meet10.47am Falconwood Station (10.25amDartford train from London BridgeStation). Alternatively, travel with Royon the 9.29am train from Enfield Chaseor meet Roy at 9.55am when this trainarrives at platform 9, Kings Crossmainline station. About 7.5 mile circularwalk via woods, open spaces, historicbuildings and Avery Hill Park. Shorteroptions including ending at lunch stop inMottingham (bring lunch or foodavailable). Details: (020) 8360 0282.Leader: Roy Nicholls

Stuart Mills

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Hackney is an area that never seems toreceive a good press and arguably has oneof the worst images of any part ofLondon, and so I was pleased to have aparty of sixteen join me at Victoria Parkfor an exploration of part of this eastLondon Borough.Hackney has a long history and asurprisingly large number of buildings ofdifferent ages survive as evidence of this.One difficulty for the visitor is that theyare spread thinly over a relatively largegeographical area, so an afternoon visitmeant that only a small selection of thesecould be seen.We started in VictoriaPark, (actually inneighbouring TowerHamlets) which was thefirst public park createdto serve the rapidlyexpanding suburbs to theeast of the City. It was anattempt to improve theenvironment and staveoff possible civilinsurrection. Thegovernment purchased290 acres from theCrown and the Church,and James Pennethornedesigned the flower beds,shrubberies andpromenades in time for itto be opened to the public in 1845. Alater amenity provided as a result of thegenerosity of Baroness Angela BurdettCoutts, was the elaborate drinkingfountain of 1862 in Victorian Gothic stylewith Moorish touches. This survives butsadly is closed off to the public, awaitingrestoration. We passed out of the Parkinto a residential area of predominantlymiddle class housing of the 1870s butcontaining a disused Jewish burial groundfounded in 1788, a former hospicedesigned for the distressed descendents of

Enfield Society visit to Hackney, 20th June 2009

Huguenots, the Monger almshouses and aBaptist chapel of 1847.In Cassland Road, we saw HackneyTerrace, built in 1792 by threespeculators, and unusual for the area inthat it is designed to appear at first as onelarge house. The individual houses areunified with a line of stone at first floorlevel and a large pediment over themiddle two houses. This speculativeventure was not a financial success. Thehouses did not appeal to the businessmenof the City of London, as they were notprepared to commute so far. The unifiedstyle contrasts with the Georgian terracein Clapton Square seen near the end of

the walk. In 1864, a residentof Clapton Square becamethe first person murdered ona train in this country.Before we arrived at thisattractive area, we had a teabreak at Sutton House, theoldest surviving house inEast London. The NationalTrust is now the custodianof this Tudor property. Thesurviving tower ofHackney’s medieval parishchurch dedicated to SaintAugustine and the largerreplacement of 1797, StJohn at Hackney, togetherwith a terrace of houses in

Sutton Place, built in 1809 were allpassed on route to Clapton Square. Ashort walk then took us to HackneyDowns station for the return home.Fortunately many of these buildings arelisted and, as many of the period housesof the area are now fashionable and wellcared for, they should be around for youto visit in the months to come. However,nothing lasts for ever, not least inHackney, so I suggest that you explorethe area for yourself at an early date.

Mick Coe

Drinking fountain in Victoria Park

The Enfield Society group outside Sutton House

April 2010 will be the centenary of the GreatNorthern Railway extension line from GrangePark to Cuffley. An exhibition celebrating theevent will be staged next year at Cuffleylibrary during April before moving to FortyHall for May and June.I am particularly seeking any old photos fromprivate collections that may include thestations at Grange Park, Enfield Chase,Gordon Hill, Crews Hill and Cuffley forpossible inclusion in the exhibition. Copieswould be made of any originals which wouldbe promptly returned. I already have many ofthe local post card views of these stations andphotos from local history books.Any memorabilia relating to the line such asold tickets/timetables would also beconsidered for display at the exhibition.Any assistance would be greatly appreciated; Ican be contacted on (020) 8366 2242.

Dave Cockle

New railway bridge, Holtwhites Hill

Photos from the pastsought for railwaycentenary exhibition

Freight train on bridge at Grange Park

This photo shows Enfield Society membersdisembarking from the Woolwich Ferry on3rd June whilst walking Section 15 (Becktonto Woolwich) of the “Capital Ring”, a 78-mile footpath which encircles London.Further sections will be included in our walksprogramme as we make our way round in aclockwise direction. The next section will becovered on 9th September when I will leadthe walk from Woolwich to Falconwood.

Dave Cockle

Walking on water

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President: Dr C.J.A. Jephcott

Chairman: Colin Pointer

Hon. Secretary: Richard Stones

Hon. Treasurer: David James

Office: 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 0AJ.Telephone: 020 8363 9495

When there is nobody in the office, messagesleft on the answering machine will be dealtwith as promptly as possible.

Website: www.enfieldsociety.org.uk

Helplines:

For information on TES activities or toreport matters you think needinvestigation or action, please phone theappropriate number below:

Architecture and Planning020 8363 7707 (John Davies)

Coach Outings020 8360 8974 (Jim Deamer)

Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings,Green Belt020 8360 5677 (Chris Jephcott)

Edmonton Group020 8367 5920 (Monica Smith)

Footpaths and Walks020 8367 5168 (Shirley Cotton)

Historic Buildings Group020 8363 0031 (Stephen Gilburt)

Jubilee Hall Bookings020 8360 3873 (Pat Keeble)

Membership020 8367 6189 (Olive Sharman)

Press and publicity020 8363 5732 (Bob Fowler)

Records and Research020 8372 0092 (Leonard Will)

Trees020 8367 9696 (Emma Collins)

Management CommitteeDave Cockle, John Davies, RobertFowler, Stephen Gilburt, David James,Tony Langston, Stuart Mills, PeterPerryman, Colin Pointer, Olive Sharman,Monica Smith, Derrick Stone, RichardStones, Leonard Will.

Vice-PresidentsMr A. J. Skilton, Mr D. Pam,Mr S. R. Smith, Mrs P. Lowen,Lord Graham of Edmonton,Mr M. Saunders, MBE, Mr C. Pointer.

Newsletter EditorLeonard Will(newsletter@enfieldsociety.org.uk)

The Enfield Society.Registered in England as a limitedcompany no. 312134.Registered Charity no. 276451.

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TES DirectoryPolesden Lacey is a Regency countryhouse with renowned Edwardian interiorsand gardens, set in the beautiful NorthDowns countryside. There is a NT giftshop, garden shop and farm shop andgourmets should find something ofsatisfaction in the licensed restaurant.The gardens and shops are open at 10.00am and the house at 11.00 am, whichshould allow time for exploration untilwe depart for Painshill Park at about 2.00pm. We should have about two and halfhours to explore one of the mostimportant 18th century landscape gardensof Painshill Park before making thejourney back to Enfield .The cost of the trip is £26.50 per person(£17.50 for National Trust members) andincludes coach fare, driver’s gratuity, andentrance fees to both venues.To reserve aplace please apply to Jim Deamer, 32 TheOrchard, Winchmore Hill N21 2DH, tel:(020) 8360 8974, enclosing your chequepayable to The Enfield Society. Pleaseinclude a stamped, addressed envelope toreceive confirmation of your booking,made ONLY on receipt of an sae. Pleaseremember to indicate your preferred pick-up point for the coach, either VillageRoad at the junction with Bush HillRoad, Winchmore Hill at 8.15 am, orGenotin Road, Enfield at 8.30 am. Yourtelephone number would also be usefulwhere possible.

Janet McQueen

Visit to Polesden Lacey and Painshill Park, Surrey onSaturday, 26th September, 2009

The management committee recentlyconfirmed that these trips are for paid-upmembers of the Society. If anyone who isnot a member wishes to come, they caneasily join for a minimum subscription ofjust £2.50 per year. Application formsare available from Jubilee Hall or maybe downloaded from our web site athttp://www.enfieldsociety.org.uk/joining.htm.

Brian Pask has arranged with TheHonourable Society of the Middle Templefor a professional guided tour of one of thefinest examples of an Elizabethan Hall inthe country. Begun in 1562, it hasremained almost unaltered to the presentday.Although the tour itself is free, afterwardsan optional pre-booked 3 course lunch andcoffee (at a set price of £18.50 per person)is available in this awe-inspiring hall. Theattractive surrounding gardens may beseen after lunch.Either pre-assemble for morning coffee atThe Knights Templar pub nearby at 95Chancery Lane and leave from there withBrian by 10.25am, or meet at the MiddleTemple Hall, Middle Temple Lane (offThe Strand/Fleet Street) at 10.50am.Tour numbers are strictly limited andaccess is only available by booking inadvance with Brian. If you wish to alsohave the lunch, then when booking for thetour please enclose a cheque made payable

to Mr.B.J.Pask and send to 161 WellingtonRoad, Enfield EN1 2RJ. Enquiries: 0208360 5593. Please enclose a stampedaddressed envelope with your applicationfor confirmation of booking.Please note that the Middle Temple has asmart dress attire code – men: please wearsuits or smart casual clothes with ties(town shoes – no walking boots ortrainers!).

Stuart Mills

Polesden Lacey

Visit to Middle Temple Hall – Tuesday 15th September

Middle Temple garden