CAMPAIGNING FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY SINCE 1945 INSIDE: Pages 2&3 The Green and pleasant land Pages 4&5 Jenny Remfry remembers Pages 8&9 Heroes of the town centre Pages 10&11 Medieval Festival Barnet Pages 12-15 Nick Jones looks back Pages 16&17 Winter 2020 £1 Fight for good design Society

Barnet High Street around the time the 75 Society was formed YEARS Copyright The Francis Frith Collection SPECIAL ISSUE

From left to right, Bob Burstow, Nigel Murchison and Gail Laser at the launch of their campaign

Right: Newspaper advertisement for meeting 1945-2020 75th Anniversary Commemorative Newsletter History in modest subscriptions and were planning to celebrate occasional donations to this anniversary with a support their work, that’s combined AGM and party in the making an anniversary worth June. Regrettably, Covid-19 This newsletter gives a taste of the celebrating. put a stop to that. Society’s important earlier moments This newsletter does three We still hope to stage a and achievements. things. First, we look back at celebratory event and AGM A fuller account of our earlier years is in the reasons for the Society’s in 2021, but the continuing The Diamond Collection, published to mark foundation and at some major uncertainty makes it our 60th Jubilee in 2005. Copies at £2 For three-quarters of achievements, particularly impossible to set a date yet. plus P&P are available from the Chairman a century the Barnet over the past 25 years. We will inform our members (contact details on back cover). Society has been working Secondly, we highlight issues as soon as we can. The Society archives are held at to protect the quality of we’re currently grappling In the meanwhile, we hope Barnet Museum. As well as minutes of our buildings and green with. And thirdly, we attempt that this Commemorative meetings since our foundation, it includes spaces, and of the lives to future-gaze: what further Issue of our Newsletter will Newsletters, Annual Reports, cuttings from of those who live and changes we might expect, provide some compensation the Barnet Press and other interesting work in and around the and what the Society must until we can meet again memorabilia. In normal times, the archives constituency of Chipping do to be fit for the next safely in person. Long may can be viewed by arrangement with Barnet. For a group of 75 years. the Barnet Society flourish! Barnet Museum. local amateurs with only At the start of 2020, we Robin Bishop, chair.

Winter 2020 | 1 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE

The Green Belt around Barnet and (below) Patrick Abercrombie, author of the 1944 Greater London Plan

Green and pleasant land The Barnet Society was founded on 2 May 1945...but why – and why then? Robin Bishop takes up the story

The 1920s and 30s had alarmed that they leaked the designating a ‘green belt seen London grow hugely plan to Trevor Jukes, who or girdle of open space’ around new Underground told his cousin Gwyneth around London went back stations and along trunk Cowing, who passed it on to 1935, but a council could roads. A tide of semi- to her friend, the landscape only stop its being built over detached houses, gardens architect Sylvia Crowe. by purchasing the land. It and shopping parades had Through the medium of the wasn’t until 1944, with washed over most of the Barnet Press, these three the publication of Patrick old towns and villages roused the folk of Barnet Abercrombie’s Greater surrounding London, and called a town meeting London Plan, that a complete merging them into almost (on 12 June 1945). There, belt of green space, continuous suburbia. they displayed a large map permanently safeguarded With the 2nd World War of Barnet and the Dollis from development, became a won in Europe, there was Valley and on to it stuck, bit real proposition. a national desire to clear by bit, pieces of black paper What made such a the slums and build decent to show where the house- constraint on London’s homes for all. Barnet Urban building was proposed, until development acceptable? District Council planned to almost the whole valley This was down to triple its population. Our was covered. The people of Abercrombie’s proposal, Vice-President Jenny Remfry Barnet were so shocked and adopted in the 1946 New describes it thus: outraged that the Council Towns Act, to create a “Some enterprising had to refuse the developers, ring of new towns around property developers except for the area closest to London, outside the Green presented a plan to Barnet the town, between Underhill Belt, to absorb the demand UDC to build houses in the and the Dollis Brook, which for new housing and Dollis Valley, covering the became the Dollis Valley promote alternative centres fields between and Estate.” of growth. It was reinforced …The Council The group that coalesced by the 1947 Town & Country were minded to accept around Jukes, Cowing Planning Act, which for the the proposal but two of and Crowe became the first time made planning the Councillors were so Barnet Society. The idea of permission a requirement

2 | Winter 2020 Barnet Society for any new development. for Nature Conservation and Right: Adverts But it was only in 1955 that Sites of Special Scientific for various councils were required to Interest – some within only events and designate Green Belt land a few minutes’ walk of our talks held in their local plans. As a homes. If you walk to the under the result, is top of Whitings Hill you can’t auspices of the society today surrounded on three fail to be struck by their sides by Green Belt (see combined extent. map on opposite page). Even Thanks to our founders, better, we’ve inherited many and to those who came after other natural assets such as them, our bit of Barnet is parks, Metropolitan Open still a remarkably green and Land, Sites of Importance pleasant land.

Goodbye to planning as we've known it? In June, Boris Johnson announced the most radical changes in our planning system since the 2nd World War: a major increase in ‘permitted development’, other changes to the current system and a White Paper proposing its comprehensive reform. The Town & Country Planning Act 1947, on which our planning system is based, has been vital in the fight to protect the Green Belt and control development in and around Chipping Barnet. In September, we submitted criticism of the proposed housing algorithm, and in October our response to the White Paper (summarised below). We supported • Some streamlining of the planning system • Better enforcement of planning law • Recognition of the need to upskill and adequately resource the planning service. We had particular concerns about • Its basic premise that the present planning system is outdated and ineffective • Excessive focus on housing, especially the market sector • Too little regard to wider planning challenges of the 21st Michael Kirkbride century such as redressing regional disparities, new forms Costume Drawing (detail) Oil on canvas of transport, land reclamation or power generation • Significant omissions e.g. no mention of social housing or the Metropolitan Green Belt • Lengthy and costly disruption Instagram: @insightart • Slow delivery of housing Facebook: @InsightSchoolOfArt • Abolition of public consultation on individual planning applications. We concluded that • The PWP fires a scatter-gun of remedies at a limited – Art School and sometimes imagined – set of problems. • It barely addresses the realities of a post-Covid world on for Everyone! the edge of a climate emergency. • It risks major disruption to a system that is not perfect, but capable of fine-tuning. • In the short term, it risks failing to meet the housing target the Government sets itself. In the longer term, it risks undermining public faith in planning. 1A CADBURY CLOSE WHET STONE LONDON N20 9BD • There is time to rethink, and we urged the Government www.insight-art.co.uk to do so. 0796 3 1 901 97 Our full response is available on our website

Winter 2020 | 3 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE the 1980s. Gwyn Cowing died in August 1987, having been President of the Society since 1966. In 1990, the Society elected a new President: Sydney Chapman, A trip who had become the MP for Chipping Barnet in 1979. He was already representing the Society on the London down Green Belt Council, of which he was Chairman, and the instigator of ‘Plant a Tree memory in ’73’. He was knighted in 1995. When Sydney Chapman retired from Parliament at lane the General Election of 2005, he resigned as President. Vice-President Jenny writes: I was so itself the aim of ensuring Above: David The person eventually lucky. When I joined the that Barnet was a pleasant Lee and Jenny chosen to succeed him, in of the Barnet Barnet Society in 1977, place in which to live. By Remfry 2008, was Aubrey Rose CBE, Society is an Gwyneth Cowing (below) supporting the Abercrombie a successful London solicitor and she invited me to tea plan to create a Green Belt with a colourful career ‑ honorary elected at Whalebones [her home]. round London, they were happily still with us. post, but all our She was the proprietor of the able to safeguard many of The Society has had an Barnet Press, President of the open spaces of Barnet impressive list of Vice- ‘Veeps’ have the Barnet Society, President and maintain the leafy Presidents, including Trevor earned their of the Barnet and District nature of the area. The open Jukes, (by now Dame) Sylvia Local History Society and a land in the Dollis Valley was Crowe, and Andrew Pares title. This year talented water colourist. declared Open Space and CBE, who had been Mayor of we have said She was also Honorary has been protected ever Barnet in 1976. Also on the Secretary (following Trevor since, apart from a small list was Lord Carr of Hadley, goodbye to Robin Jukes) for 18 of the Society’s development called Arkley who as Robert Carr, Minister Marson, who held first 21 years. Most of all she Gate, on flood land where for Employment in Edward was a lady of natural dignity there had been a pig farm Heath’s government in 1971 various posts in and authority, and the giver and sewage works, and a had been the victim of a the Society from of wise counsel. There is discreetly placed Meeting bomb attack by the Angry a portrait of her in pastel House for the Exclusive Brigade at his home, Monken 1995. Judith hanging in Barnet Museum Brethren. To appreciate Holt, on Hadley Green. Clouston features Gwyn told me the story of what has been saved, I Carr later became Home why and how the Society recommend the view from Secretary. on Pages 8 & 9. was founded – a story Robin the top of Whitings Hill. The key to the success And on this and includes in his article on The Society gave advice on of a Society is often the Page 2. the two new Conservation Honorary Secretary, because the following The new Society set Areas – one in the Hadley he/she wrote the minutes of three pages, we Highstone and Monken meetings and the newsletter, Hadley area, designated in and was the link with highlight some 1968, and the other centred members. This was so in of the many on the Chipping Barnet 1988 when the Secretary parish church and Wood of the Society was Derrick contributions by Street, designated in 1969. It Bridges. Derrick, a well- Jenny Remfry has been represented on the known solicitor in Wood Conservation Areas Advisory Street, had been appointed and David Lee Committee ever since. Peter in 1985 and went on to serve Willcocks (a future Acting with great distinction until Chairman) chaired the CAAC 2000 with four successive for many years. Chairmen: Eric Shepherd, The Society also had other Peter Rossiter, myself and aims – social, cultural and Jane Tounjer. Derrick was musical, and in the days an entertaining character, before television kept us quite literally, playing drums all at home, these were in a band and bursting into much appreciated. It was Read more song at the drop of a hat, and through the Society’s lecture News at re-telling the dozens of jokes programme that I first joined, https://www. he had inherited in a book and the concerts organised barnetsociety. compiled by his father. by Janie Mills continued into org.uk His main victory was to get

4 | Winter 2020 Barnet Society Barnet hospital rebuilt. The Wrotham Estate to the west future at risk. The Barnet Sydney Chapman existing one, clustering round of the St Albans Road. Their Countryside Centre at the the old Barnet Workhouse, plan involved changing the bottom of Byng Road was was so old and run down landscape by importing vast also at risk as funding from that patients on trolleys had amounts of landfill material Barnet Council ceased. to be moved in the open air, to create contours, and The Methodist Church irrespective of rain or snow, the construction of a large in the High Street was to their wards in Nissan clubhouse, all on Green Belt demolished to make way for huts. There was serious talk land. The local residents The Spires shopping centre. of closing most of it down. whose mouthpiece was The Wesley Hall in Stapylton In 1990 Peter started a SPACES were particularly Road was built with the campaign and persuaded concerned over a proposal proceeds of the sale. the Prime Minister Margaret to install a floodlit driving The new library in Thatcher to come and have range. Together we Stapylton Road was built at a look. The result was managed to trim the the same time as the Wesley the spanking proposals, preserving a Hall, to replace the one in Hospital we have today, that public footpath round the Church Passage. opened in 2002. western perimeter, lowering It was also in the 1990s In 1990 I was elected the height of the clubhouse that the Victoria maternity Chairman. In the following and ensuring protection for hospital, where so many of Sylvia Crowe decade there was a lot going areas used by skylarks for our members had been born, on in Barnet. The first big nesting. But the company was converted into luxury challenge was the threat still brought in 37,000 lorry apartments (‘flats’ does not to close down the Register loads of waste material do them justice). The Society Office in Wood Street. We and topsoil, leaving a lot of was keeping a watchful eye put forward such cogent mud on the St Albans road. on all these developments objections that the council Bridgedown sold it on and it and we were prepared set up a Citizens Jury in is now known as The Shire to take action when we 1997 to decide the issue. London Golf Club. thought it necessary. We won, and the Office was Other major developments In 2002 I was elected a safe for the next ten years, were taking place. Barnet Vice-President of the Society although it was downgraded College, which had been – a position I accepted with to an ‘outstation’ where controlled by the Local pride. There is now a new marriages could be held. The Education Authority until list of talented and dedicated battle was lost in the end – 1963, was becoming people carrying the Society Robert Carr the Register Office became self-governing, preparing forward and new stories the Coroner’s Office, and is the way for a complete waiting to be written. now redundant. rebuilding in the early 2000s A fuller account of the The second battle was that left only the Tudor Hall Society’s earlier years is with the Bridgedown intact. The Old Bull had contained to The Diamond company, which wanted to become an important arts Collection, published in build a golf course on rough centre. Bill Young sold the 2005 to mark its 60th farm land belonging to the Barnet market, putting its anniversary.

Derrick Bridges

Peter Rossiter was a true Barnetonian, brought up in Fairholt on Hadley Green. As Chairman, he got involved in several campaigns to protect and enhance Barnet, such as finding a new site down Mays Lane for the Barnet Horse Fair (above) and joining up with the Tidy Britain campaign against litter, which had become a major problem in the High Street and beyond. Winter 2020 | 5 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE David Lee at Barnet Hill, other trees and assorted were chosen for sites volunteers across Underhill, and on the on Barnet pavement on both sides of Hill in 1999, the High Street up towards where they the parish church. began the ‘Green Chain’ David has spent the last of trees. two decades devising other This was an smaller-scale schemes to assortment reinforce the original work of London and doing all he can to Planes and ensure replanting if trees get Norway Maple diseased or are damaged. trees that Perhaps the most troubled now adorns area has been the lower the stretch end of the High Street. of road from Norway Maples planted the Underhill outside the old courthouse bridge to were removed during road the junction widening and several trees Trees, trees, trees of Milton Avenue on the other side of the Profile of David Lee by Nick Jones “Back then there was not High Street have had to be any tree planting alongside replaced. He was sceptical Forty years elapsed or behind you. David, who the newly built road, and I of the recent pavement between inspiration and celebrated his 90th birthday resolved it was high time we widening and tree planting realisation – and the start in March, was a young put that right. in the upper High Street, of what has become half a architectural student in 1956 “Forty years on from my being in favour of more lifetime’s work for David when for the first time he initial thought that trees modest arrangements. Lee, the celebrated tree walked down Barnet Hill. would improve the vista, the Nevertheless, he applauds planter of High Barnet, “I have to admit, my first first saplings went in. the green linkage through whose lasting achievement impression of High Barnet “All told we planted nearly the town centre with has been the greening of was that the main approach 50 trees in 1999, mainly its boost to his original Barnet Hill. to the town was most London Planes and Norway ideas. “Lee’s Trees” – a row of unwelcoming. Maples. Twenty years later Barnet Hill has remained splendid London Planes and “As I walked down this they are coming along a major pre-occupation Norway Maples – now march long, sloping busy main road very nicely, and they have on David’s to-do list. upwards from the railway all I could see was the tube transformed the approach to Unfortunately, extensive bridge at Underhill to the line and the old railway High Barnet.” road improvements are junction with Milton Avenue. goods yard to the left. To the David, later a qualified planned at the junction They form part of his right there was this bleak, architect and landscape with Underhill and Fairfield concept for “a green chain” windswept bank that went architect, joined the Barnet Way (consequent upon the – all the way up from the on for ever without a tree in Society in 1995.His first opening of Ark Academy) railway bridge, along the sight.” task was to advise on the which will require the felling High Street, and on to Such was the impact of location and contents of two of several of the original Hadley – so that wherever that first visit that it never plantations of trees on the ‘Lee’s Trees’. you are, walking or driving, left him and was still south-west side of David’s original planting there is always a tree to be fresh in his mind when he Whitings Hill, tucked away scheme included additional seen, either in front of you eventually settled in High between Quinta Drive and trees on the grass bank north Barnet in 1982 and Barnet Mays Lane. of Milton Avenue behind the Hill seemed just as exposed Barnet Council had Barnet Hill bus stop. These as he remembered it in the created a new open space are awaited in due course. 1950s. in what was formerly scruffy David remained chair of David is the first pastureland and local groups the society’s planning and to acknowledge the were invited to plant trees environment committee ingenuity of highways as part of the Watling Chase until 2010 and is now a long commissioners who in the Community Forest project. serving vice president. 1820s rerouted the hill and The Barnet Society joined in Despite failing eyesight, straightened it by taking soil as a way of celebrating its and without the advantages from nearby fields to build a 50th anniversary. of modern techniques causeway so as to ease the Spurred on by the such as computer aided passage of the 150 stage completion of the Whitings design, he is still producing coaches that travelled daily Hill plantations, David detailed designs to fill in and through Barnet along the became ever more Much more of complete a green highway Great North Road. determined to tackle Barnet the Society’s that had its origins in the In subsequent years trams Hill. The Council agreed to commitment musings of an architectural and later trolley buses proposals and the project to trees can student who happened to benefited from those early started in January 1999. be found on stroll down Barnet Hill in steps to ease the gradient. In addition to the planting our website the 1950s.

6 | Winter 2020 Barnet Society When native species like oak, ash, silver birch and wild cherry stole the show Jenny Remfry writes: ash, silver birch, willows, 1995 happened to coincide blackthorn and wild cherry. with the creation of new More than 50 trees were national forests. donated from members’ In 2000, three more Barnet Council was gardens, and the rest paid trees were planted higher The planting party on planning to plant trees to for by members’ donations. up Whitings Hill with a Whitings Hill, December 1995. help create ‘Watling Chase On a cold and foggy bench to commemorate the From L to R: Cllr Monroe Community Forest’, so it Sunday in National Tree Honorary Secretaries of the Palmer, Sir John Johnson seemed appropriate for the Week, 3rd December 1995, Society. Derrick Bridges was (Countryside Commission), David Lee, Cllr Susette Palmer Society to join in. a crowd of us assembled the first to sit on the bench (Mayor of Barnet), Sir Sydney We worked together on Whitings Hill, joined and he entertained us with Chapman (President), Jenny with Catharine Cairns, the by Sydney Chapman MP, a song. We held a couple of Remfry (Chairman), Trevor Borough Countryside Officer, the Mayor of Barnet Cllr tea parties up there before Jukes and Andrew Pares CBE and agreed that Whitings Susette Palmer (wearing a the bench was vandalised, (Vice-Presidents) Hill Open Space, which is very fetching green hat), but the oak is still there. owned by the council, was a several Vice-Presidents, the suitable place to create small Deputy Lieutenant in full woodlands. uniform, and the head of the She proposed a main plot Countryside Commission. on the southern slope of the The larger plot had already hill, where 400 young trees been planted with saplings would be planted, and two by the council team, leaving smaller ones on the north- space for the Mayor and Sir west side, one for the Society Sydney to dig holes with the and the other Whitings Hill Borough’s ceremonial spade School, where the children for a 6ft high osier willow helped with the planting. and 6ft high downy birch. David Lee, a retired A plaque commemorating landscape architect with the event was also dug in a particular love of trees, and the plot was surrounded joined the Committee at with wire netting to deter about this time and so rabbits. was the natural choice to About half the trees mastermind the programme. survived, making a thriving He selected the trees, all spinney. Now, 25 years on, native species, such as oak, they are an important part of the landscape. In 1996, the Woodland ‘In 2000, three Trust was given land by more trees were Barnet Council to create planted higher Whitings Wood, adjacent to Whitings Hill. It is reached up Whitings Hill by a public footpath and has with a bench to well-managed paths within it. It is well worth a visit. In commemorate 1998 David Lee went on to the Honorary persuade Barnet Council to Secretaries of plant the row of 42 Norway maples along the slope of the Society’ Barnet Hill that became known as Lee’s Trees.

Autumn 2020 | 7 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE

But in 2012, Judith grasped the Council’s offer of funding via Transport for London for Stalwarts behind urban realm improvements. Working with Council engineers and the Town Team, she helped broker a the makeovers that scheme to widen pavements, plant more trees, form pedestrian-friendly road crossings and provide many boosted town centre more benches. It has taken all of By Nick Jones Perched on its hill, green Hours with a substantially drafted a Council bid to the eight years to complete on three sides and proud taller building. Mayor of London’s Outer – sometimes with bitter of its history, Chipping At the heart of these London Fund (OLF) - and opposition – but now most Barnet retains some of the efforts have been won £417,000. people find the central feel and scale of a market three personalities. In The third achievement section of the High Street far town, writes Robin Bishop. chronological order they was to secure further more congenial than before However, from the 1990s are David Lee, who joined enhancements to the High (especially in these times of the gradual deterioration of our Committee in 1995 Read more Street public realm. David’s social distancing!) the town centre became a and is now one of our News at Green Chain stalled because Behind these and our trio’s Society concern, and after Vice-Presidents; Gail Laser, https://www. below the pavements were other achievements was the the 2008 recession and Committee member since barnetsociety. cables and drains that left no conviction that if locals and internet shopping revolution, 2003 and sometime Vice- org.uk room for tree roots. its economic decline was a Chair; and Judith Clouston, major preoccupation of ours. who joined the Committee Getting anything done in 2007, was Chair for three has often felt like being on years and is also now a THEN the losing side of the Battle Vice-President. They can of Barnet, but the energy claim major (and often the Society has devoted shared) responsibility for has been immense. We’ve at least three outstanding collaborated with other local achievements. groups and Barnet Council, First was development and found new friends who of a vision to transform the cared as much about the dilapidated town centre. place as we did. From 1995 David (with With their help, we’ve Friends of the Earth and fought off the closures the Town Centre Forum) of Barnet Market, Barnet generated ideas, culminating Museum and The Bull. in a set of Millennium We campaigned for free proposals. car parking and faster Some fell by the wayside, broadband. We’ve welcomed but one of the ideas caught conversion of empty floors local imagination and, also, above shops into flats. the attention of Barnet We’ve embraced the Council. Christmas Fayre, Teenage This involved planting Market, Medieval Festival trees from Barnet Hill to and the visitors they Hadley Green – a ‘Green increasingly bring, and Chain’ ‘so that along that supported hotel proposals. stretch of the A1000 one is We created pop-up never out of sight of a tree’. shops and insisted on Just before the Millennium, new workspace on the David successfully lobbied Brake Shear House site. the Council to plant the We scrutinise planning southern end of the Chain up applications, especially in Barnet Hill, described more the Conservation Areas at fully on Pages 6&7. each end of the High Street. The second achievement And we badger the Council was to get some to enforce approved designs, improvements to the for example at 70 High appearance of the centre Street, where a developer itself. NOW has replaced After Office In 2011 Gail and others

8 | Winter 2020 Barnet NOW Society

What was the high point of your efforts on behalf of the town centre? Gail Laser Helping to create a local Town Team, without which we would not have been given a chance to bid for the OLF… Then winning, and being given a much-needed opportunity to remove unnecessary and tatty railings, improve six shopfronts with new signage, awnings and a fresh coat of paint, plant trees at each end of the High Street, and give a makeover to the garden of St John the Baptist Church at the gateway to our High Street. Judith Clouston The successful bid for OLF money – to get enough from the Mayor of London to enable the Council to carry out some of the items we had identified for enhancing the town centre – and then to be able to carry these out. What was your lowest point? Gail A devastating low point was watching four out of the six shops close down. So terribly upsetting as we had invested so much time, effort, energy and of course hard- won funds. Only The Paper Shop and Julian’s Hardware still trade, and long may they continue. I’m also saddened that so little cleaning, maintenance or other improvements THEN have been carried out. Have the High Street and churchyard improvements turned out as you hoped? Gail visitors find the High Street recovery. That process began Above, Gail Church Garden is more user friendly but has not lived up a pleasant and accessible in 1996, when the Council Laser (left) to my expectations. I feel that the design element could place, then that will benefit was persuaded to set up and Judith have been more inspiring. Bags of rubbish left daily at its shops, eating and drinking Barnet Town Centre Clouston edge discourage the L’Antica Pizzeria from placing tables establishments, and Forum, and (after a break) beside one of with attractive umbrellas along the pavement, which strengthen town identity has continued since the benches was a huge part of our original game plan, particularly as and trees that and self-esteem. 2010, initially as the Town it would ensure high visibility from the road as well as now adorn the They also made a less Centre Strategy Board, and adding colour and interest. High Street. visible – but crucial – since 2013 as the Town And (opposite contribution: to bring Team. page) a before Judith together locals and Council Underpinning the Team and after It’s brilliant to finally see the trees in the High Street, after to boost Chipping Barnet’s was a Town Centre Strategy picture of the waiting so long, but why so few? The original drawings Framework setting out area around showed eighteen trees and we have eight! There’s room priorities for improvement. Church for many more…Opening up the churchyard has, I think, Today, they have shifted and Passage made a big difference to the historic heart of the town but Last year with need redefining. it needs to be maintained properly – the planters along the support of Last year, with our Church Passage need repairing and the plants which the Society, support, the Council didn’t survive need to be replaced! commissioned a Chipping the Council Barnet Community Plan What should the Barnet Society be doing commissioned to identify new projects next about the town centre? – buildings, landscaping, a Chipping economic and social – to Gail Barnet revitalise the town centre. I hope that the Barnet Society continues its vigilance and Community Plan They will be exhibited online action to support our High Street. from the week beginning Judith to identify new January 4, 2021 for a six- This year must have been the most commercially projects ­­to help week public consultation. challenging one yet. We need to push for the Community Do look at the projects, Plan to be realised and to support our surviving local revitalise the comment on them – and let’s businesses and historic market. town centre build on the achievements of 25 years.

Winter 2020 | 9 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE

of the fields to the north of In 1997, the Barnet Society Kitts End Road. Interesting supported a Memorial finds were made, but Fund Heritage Appeal to evidence was inconclusive. enable local sculptor John The Battle Although the most famous Somerville to cast in bronze literary representation of the a large statue entitled battle remains Shakespeare’s Pyrrhic Victory, depicting Henry VI, Edward Bulwer- a warrior on horseback of Barnet, ­­­ Lytton’s best-selling novel, gazing in sorrow at his The Last of the Barons dead comrades at the end (1843), generated new of the battle. Although the interest in the confrontation maquette was exhibited at 550 years on between Edward IV and the Royal Academy, both Warwick ‘the Kingmaker’. funding and a suitable site Many of the streets in New have remained elusive. Susan Skedd writes: memorial is Hadley Barnet laid out soon after In 2016, the Battle of The Battle of Barnet fought Highstone, erected in 1740 were named after key Barnet Partnership secured on 14th April 1471 was a by Sir Jeremy Sambrook to figures in the battle, with a Heritage Lottery Grant to turning-point in the Wars mark the site of the battle. Edward and Henry Roads deliver a suite of activities of the Roses, the 30- It originally stood farther flanking either side of the designed to generate year conflict that divided south and was moved to its mainline railway. interest in the history of the England and was one of the present location a century inspirations for the epic TV later. series Game of Thrones. The The surrounding area events on that foggy Easter is designated on Historic Sunday morning - when the England’s Register of Historic Yorkist forces led by Edward Battlefields, but debate IV met and defeated the continues about the exact Lancastrian army loyal to location of the battlefield. In Looking the Henry VI - have since been 2015, the Society sponsored, part: the Kelly commemorated in various in partnership with Barnet family join in ways and have left their Museum and the Battlefields the medieval mark on Barnet’s identity. Trust, a three-year fun as battle The battle’s most visible archaeological investigation rages, below

10 | Winter 2020 Barnet Society

displays and children’s activities. As it has not been possible to hold the event this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival committee is selling T-shirts and mugs on its website to raise much-needed funds. The 500th anniversary of the battle was marked with a series of events in spring 1971. Anyone with memories and photos of the quincentenary held in 1971 can contact info@ barnetmedievalfestival.org. The Battle of Barnet gatherings. At the heart of continues to fascinate people the festival will be re- and to bring visitors to the enactments of the Battle of town. Susan Skedd Barnet and also the Battle When consulted about and Bob of Tewkesbury, which was the design of the new Burstow of the fought on 4th May 1471 and benches recently installed committee, the battle sealed Edward IV’s victory in the High Street, the memorial over the Lancastrian army Chipping Barnet Town Team from 1740 of Henry VI and Margaret of chose a logo featuring two and 500-year Anjou. Other attractions will medieval soldiers in combat, anniversary be a living history camp, symbolising the town’s link programme medieval market, firepower with its medieval past. battle. These culminated in battle. Such has been public 2018 with the first Barnet enthusiasm – national as Medieval Festival at Byng well as local – that a range Road playing fields, which of activities to commemorate proved a real hit with the the anniversary of the battle public and attracted over are being planned. 6,000 visitors. Together with Barnet Museum has members of the Town Team, produced a souvenir volunteers and re-enactors, calendar for 2021, which I formed a new charity, the is available to purchase at Barnet Medieval Festival Waterstones and from the Committee, and successfully museum. staged the Festival again in The splendid 72 heraldic 2019. banners, which have been Next year will be the repainted and refurbished 550th anniversary of the by the dedicated team of volunteers at the Museum, will adorn the High Street once more, together with a The Battle of number of new banners. Barnet continues A new play, ‘The Fog to fascinate of War’, has been written for the occasion and will people and to be performed by the Bull bring visitors to Theatre Players. The Museum has also the town. With produced a series of lessons that in mind, a for schools and is updating special festival its booklet about the battle. To round off the will be held to commemorations a special remember it on Barnet Medieval Festival will be held on the weekend Online lessons also available! the 5th and 6th of 5th and 6th June 2021, of June next year subject to the easing of restrictions on community

Winter 2020 | 11 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE Looking back at Millie the cat In the decade since the Barnet Society started publishing Barnet characters regular news items on its website, the stories that have frequently attracted most hits have been reports about the life and times of Millie the cat. A small bronze statue commemorating what is fondly remembered as perhaps the town’s most sociable and safety conscious tabby is a step nearer to being completed. After her death in January 2019, countless admirers donated £2,800 towards a permanent reminder to Millie, who was known affectionately as the library cat and later the Waitrose cat. She became a star of social media and was regularly photographed stopping the traffic as she calmly crossed Stapylton Road, between the Spires Shopping Centre and the library, making sure to use the zebra crossing. After almost a year’s trial and error, local sculptor John Somerville completed a clay model which won the approval of Millie’s owner, Paula Gabb, who launched the financial appeal after being overwhelmed by messages of sympathy. John has finessed his clay model ready to be cold cast in resin before finally being cast in molten brass once there is agreement on where it might be bolted on to a wall at the entrance to the Spires. Nick Jones Gail and Dom on the Spot Despite a campaign that attracted national publicity and was featured on BBC television’s Dom on the Spot, the Barnet Society failed to persuade the Council to introduce an hour’s free parking in the High Street. A petition launched by the Society in February 2015 attracted 2,500 signatures at the height of an upsurge in parking wars when clashes between aggrieved Right: motorists and aggressive local authorities were generating Preferred headlines across the country. route Gail Laser, founder of Love Barnet, took TV presenter Dominic Littlewood on a tour of the High Street to demonstrate how a short period of free parking would help revive the town centre. At the time there were 63 allocated parking spaces ‘After her death in January 2019, along the High Street, from the Meadway junction to countless admirers donated £2,800 Hadley Green – a number now much reduced following pavement widening in the town centre. towards a permanent reminder to In 2018, Gail then vice-chair of the society, was declared Millie, who was known affectionately a local champion by the national Save our High Street as the library cat and later the campaign for her dedicated work over the previous decade in working to regenerate the town centre. Waitrose cat’ Nick Jones

12 | Winter 2020 Barnet Society

Dory's Café for eight customers, on the Struggling but surviving is the motto at pavement just inside Bruce Dory’s café, a High Barnet institution Road, at the St Albans Road since the late 1950s, which has faced junction. its toughest trading year because After being closed for of lockdown and the rules on social lockdown and then re- distancing. opening initially to serve Giuliano and Angela, the third He was followed takeaways, the recent generation of the Pellicci family to run the by his daughter increased footfall in the High Street has café, are full of praise for the loyalty of and husband, ensured the return of previously regular customers and are determined to hang on Dorina and Tony, customers. and to wait for the lifting of the Covid.19 and now their son “Don’t worry. We are determined to restrictions. and daughter, carry on and, we are so looking forward “We are struggling because our café is Giuliano and to the day we see everyone back at the so small and we can’t sit people so close Angela, carry cafe,” said Giuliano. together,” said Angela. on the tradition It was in 1956 that Ottorino Pellicci, After trying for months to get approval of serving up an endless supply of whose name had been shortened to Dory, for outdoor seating, Barnet Council has full English breakfasts, teas, coffees and set up in business, taking over the café been “more obliging”, and Dory’s café sandwiches as well as home-made dishes from the Mancini family. now has tables and chairs outside such as shepherd’s pie, steak pie and chicken escalope for lunch.

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Winter 2020 | 13 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE Julian's Hardware A triple heart by-pass has not dimmed the business acumen of the proprietor of High Barnet’s very own Aladdin’s cave – Julian’s Hardware shop in the High Street. After his operation in August 2019, Julian Stewart, was forced to close for much of that summer and again earlier this year during lockdown, but at the age of 72, he is still trading with many loyal customers. Since the return of more shoppers to the town centre, he has benefited from the increased trade generated by the growth in do-it-yourself as people have spent more time at home. Julian opened Bargain Buys in 1979 and believes his longevity on the High Street is due to a combination of personal service, customer care and reliability. A decline in the number of hardware and do-it-yourself outlets has worked to his advantage as a shop of his size can change to suit the trading conditions of the time. Julian is always innovating and finding new opportunities. He has become a dab hand at changing watch batteries and Duggie Shrubb just as with the rest of the thousands of items he stocks, he just looks around and knows immediately where to locate the right replacement, and likewise for any other product. An ever-cheerful presence in the town centre amid lockdown and all the social distancing restrictions has been the High Street’s dedicated road sweeper Douglas Shrubb, his barrow bedecked with brushes and scoops, and decorated with the odd fluffy toy. Still working at the age of 68 – having opted to carry on working rather than retire – Duggie, as he is known to one and all, says that he did get a bit depressed some days, especially when so many of the shops were closed in the early months of the Covid.19 pandemic. “When lockdown was announced, the guvnor asked if I was OK to continue working. I said Yes. I told him I would only get bored at home. “I still enjoy my job and that is important to me, so I keep going. Loads of people wave and say a hello, or stop for a chat, and even offer me a cup of tea, and that makes all the difference.” Duggie has been Barnet Council’s dedicated road sweeper for High Street and Wood Street for 15 years, having switched to street cleaning from his previous job as gardener in . Such is his popularity with residents and shopkeepers for his contribution towards keeping the town centre tidy that mention of his name was greeted with a cheer at the ‘Julian opened Bargain Buys in 1979 Barnet Society’s 2018 open forum. and believes his longevity on the Among the accolades were praise for his regular emptying of High Street litter bins High Street is due to a combination of and for his deft brush work, personal service, customer care and making sure even cigarette ends are swept into his shovel reliability.’ and then deposited into green bags ready for collection by the council.

14 Winter 2020 Barnet Society

Victoria Bakery Within a year of its much-lamented closure, the former Victoria Bakery was back in the news because of a planning dispute that involved the most famous doorway along Barnet High Street. Objectors to a plan to build three flats on the site of the former bakery called in aid Charles Dickens to back up their demands for the character and roof line of the building to be preserved. In Oliver Twist, written in 1837, Dickens imagined that the shop doorway was where Oliver met the Artful Dodger – a literary and historical association that Barnet Council’s planning committee was urged to respect. An application, submitted by chartered surveyors Stuart Henley and Partners, sought permission for the construction of a rear extension to the retail premises at 83 High Street to provide one flat; the construction of two flats in the bakery yard; and an extension fronting 8 Union Street to form a two-storey office building. Rebuilding the former bakery and extending the rear of the shop, which would be retained as retail premises, would involve “raising the height” on the existing buildings. But the developers say a previous planning inspector considered redevelopment of the site was “an acceptable replacement” as there was already “a variety of new infill development” within the conservation area. 83 High Street is one of the oldest retail premises in the High Street and although not identified by name in the novel, Dickens is said to have later acknowledged that this was where Oliver “sat, with bleeding feet and covered with dust, upon a door-step.” Oliver had “limped slowly into the little town of Barnet. The window-shutters were closed...He had been crouching on the step for some time: wondering at the great number of public-houses (every other house in Barnet was a tavern, large or small), gazing listlessly at the coaches as they passed through.” Dickens is thought to have had other associations with Barnet: he used to drink, so it was said, at the Red Lion, and Barnet Union Workhouse, now demolished, was believed to have been the basis for the workhouse in Oliver Twist, although some historians dispute this. 83 High Street was listed as a shop until 1867, becoming a bakery in 1884. Victoria Bakery closed in 2019 on the retirement of the proprietor, James Freeman, (pictured with former staff) whose father took over the business in 1968. Customers queued out into the street on Real ale and craft beer the final day of trading at what had been a popular High Street institution for the previous brewed in Barnet 50 years. Farewell messages were left on the shop Free local delivery “Where will the Artful Dodger meet Oliver now? Bye, Bye!” was one. Nick Jones Naturally conditioned and vegan

www.urban-alchemy-brewing.co.uk

Winter 2020 | 15 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE

and several are now nationally listed. Skilful site Fight for good design in planning can achieve the same today – but it has to be right for its site. When the former Brake Barnet is far from over Shear House employment site behind Barnet High The Society might modern design if it respects The result is a nice balance Street was sold in 2015, we often seem to object to its neighbours. We disliked of unity and diversity, worked with the Council change, but in fact we’ve the initial designs for Barnet enhanced by excellent on a planning brief for a often supported good College, which would have landscaping. mixture of flats and houses new design, whether dominated the Tudor Hall On a more modest scale, with gardens, plus affordable traditional or modern, and competed with St the Older Women’s Co- workspace to offset some of writes Robin Bishop. John the Baptist’s Church. Housing fits discreetly into the jobs that were lost. Here are some recent The architects responded Union Street, its massing and We also asked for a new examples, The Signature by removing a floor, using brickwork resembling but view to be opened up from care home on the former russet wooden panels not aping its neighbours. the High Street towards King Marie Foster Home site, to harmonise with the We also supported this George’s Fields and Hadley. Wood Street is in the Arts & Elizabethan brickwork, and development because it’s The developer did that, Crafts manner of Ravenscroft framing the older buildings a pioneering UK example of producing a scheme for 8 Park and other nearby with colonnades that create co-housing, for 26 women in homes and gardens and 32 Victorian and Edwardian an attractive new semi- this case. Each resident has flats rising to a maximum of villas. The design of building public piazza. their own privately owned 5 floors. and landscape benefited Brook Valley Gardens, or rented flat, but shares It also offered 789 square from early consultation which is replacing the Dollis Refused: communal facilities and a metres of workspace and with us. Valley Estate, is also in a Whalebones garden. sensitive landscape design, We also supported Linden bold 21st-century style. plan by All the above so we were pleased when Homes’ 114 dwellings Many of its 631 homes architects developments have in it won planning permission Pollard at Elmbank. Their style are 2 & 3-storey family common a human scale, in 2016. Thomas wouldn’t have been out of houses with gardens lining natural materials and respect Edwards The site was then sold on place in Hampstead Garden traditional streets. There (below) And for existing urban grain. to Shanly Homes, who kept Suburb a century ago, but are some higher blocks of bottom Unfortunately the low- the general concept but it suits Arkley and retains flats, but they are sensitively Elmbanks, density suburban house- narrowed the view through mature trees on the site. sited and in the same brick by OSP and-garden model that the site, raised the number However, we also support as the houses. Architecture has worked for 150 years of flats to 50 and their height is less and less profitable to 6 storeys. They also in London. Today, market propose to shut it off with homes are affordable by only a gate, which we oppose: 8 per cent of its population. that would lose not only the Other kinds of housing will view but also the welcoming often be necessary, but that feeling consistent with needn’t be a bad thing. recent High Street pedestrian Higher densities were improvements. achieved in Bloomsbury in For the former gasworks, central London and Bath New Barnet Community without exceeding 5 or 6 Association worked with the storeys in height. Council and One Housing on In the 1960s & 70s a mix of 2 & 3-storey homes Camden built many housing plus flats in 4-8 storey estates that did the same, blocks. Permission for a scheme of 371 homes was granted in 2016. We agreed that it was the right scale for the site between the town centre and Victoria Recreation Ground. It was a shock, therefore, when this year Fairview & One Housing submitted a much bigger scheme for 652 flats in 14 blocks up to 16 Winter 2020 Barnet Society

Brake Shear House site: first design by architects Morrow + Lorraine (above) Victoria Quarter refused scheme by EPR Architects (left)

10 storeys high – and even it to be overdevelopment. High Barnet more so that Council officers A more modest scheme Station 2nd recommended approval that conserves open space proposal, despite its breach of several between High Barnet and architects key Barnet planning policies. Arkley would be more Scott We were among over acceptable. Brownrigg a thousand objectors, At High Barnet Station, (above) and were gratified when Transport for London this Brook Valley councillors rejected the year proposed to build up Gardens, by application unanimously in to 300 flats on the car park, Alison Brooks September. and a planning application is Architects We were also pleased expected very soon. (left) when, the following month, Our objection is not permission for 152 homes simply to six 6 & 7-storey on the Whalebones estate slabs forming an almost was refused. Ironically, their continuous wall dominating architectural quality was Barnet Hill and the much better than in most neighbourhood – though applications. that would be bad enough, Why did we object? For and contrary to Barnet two principal reasons: it planning policies. would have been a flagrant We have submitted a long breach of Conservation and detailed list of concerns Area and other planning about social, visual, technical policies, and our members and environmental flaws in overwhelmingly considered the design. Such a big development could only be justified as part It was a shock, of a package of community therefore, when benefits and radical improvements to interchange this year a much between rail, bus, car and bigger scheme other modes. The current for Victoria scheme would leave the station untouched, and make Quarter for only minor changes to the 652 flats in 14 pedestrian ramp and a bus £12.50 per session + stop. £2.50 hot meal blocks up to 10 The planning battles over storeys high Victoria Quarter, Whalebones was submitted, and High Barnet Station aren’t over: the Mayor of Contact us for more Information! particularly as London has yet to have his council officials say. There could be appeals, Club Mobile: 07864 091060 recommended and fresh plans could be www.thekaleidoscopeclub.co.uk submitted. The fight for [email protected] approval good, human-scale design in Upper Rooms, Lyonsdown Hall, 3 Lyonsdown Road EN5 1JB Barnet is far from over.

Winter 2020 | 17 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE A brighter future for

Barnet SIMON KAUFMAN SIMON COHEN

I’m a local architect I was born in Hadley Wood with wide experience of and have lived in Barnet residential and commercial for 40 years. I’m director developments and of a landscape architecture enthusiasm for towns, consultancy and project including Barnet where manager with a specialist I’ve lived for the last few furniture company. I stood years. I’ve been advising as a Liberal candidate for We asked some of our younger Committee the Society on big planning Barnet Council at the last and building issues. election. members and specialist advisers about their hopes for the future of Barnet, and what the What do you like What do you like most? most? Barnet Society should do to help shape them I love the character of the Chipping Barnet is a old industrial buildings wonderful community historical town of interest and shops, but we need and environment with an where residents are proud great new architecture amazing heritage. to live and eager to keep to strengthen our the history alive for future vibrant communities and Biggest hope? generations. neighbourhoods. To improve transport integration to enable a What’s your greatest Biggest hope? coherent working, shopping worry about the way For well-considered and living environment, with Barnet is going? developments that integrate less reliance on cars and That Barnet will become with the historic environment, more priority to pedestrians KIM AMBRIDGE overrun with small buy-to- protect and enhance our and cyclists – and to let housing units where local green spaces, and also improve our streetscapes to I’m the Society’s infrastructure cannot support inspire us. encourage more walking to Membership Secretary. the demands of hundreds of local shops and schools. I’ve lived in Barnet for new homes and thousands Greatest worry? over 30 years and help of people. Also safety, rising Our scruffy or empty organise the Hands Off crime and future issues buildings. I’d like to see them “Chipping Barnet High Barnet Station associated with cramped more carefully refurbished is a wonderful campaign. I’ve worked living and/or lockdown and turned into exciting community” as an accountant in situations. new businesses, great housing, oil and fashion, public places, and spacious, and currently advise What can the Barnet low-energy homes for local Greatest worry? people and businesses on Society do better people. The cost and provision of saving money on bills and to make Barnet a affordable housing. There is shopping. Bee-keeping is better place to live What can the Barnet a real need for new high- one of my hobbies. and work? Society do better? quality, sustainable homes, Continue to liaise with Present a clear voice for of a scale and character What do you like local businesses, residents the neighbourhood to in keeping with our most about Barnet? and Society members to support and strengthen the neighbourhoods. The green spaces we are share information and character of development able to enjoy - for walks gather opinions regarding when it is good; and defend What can the Barnet with friends, with dogs or local issues and proposed the community when it is Society do better? alone – enjoying fresh air developments, and raising inappropriate. Be more visible and active, and peace. I respect the awareness of what Barnet building on our impressive neighbours I have – helping offers today. Favourite place? experience of protecting the and supporting each other. Hadley Common. heritage and character of What’s your favourite Read more Barnet and the Green Belt. What’s your biggest place in Barnet? News at hope for Barnet in The Open Door café for https://www. Favourite place? the next 10 years? lunch and music nights at barnetsociety. Hadley Woods, King George’s That Barnet remains a High Street pubs. org.uk Fields or The Mitre.

18 | Winter 2020 Barnet Society become a major part of town life once again. What can the Barnet Society do better? Get its message out, engage with more people and grow its membership. Give an example of SUSAN SKEDD SIMON WATSON GUY BRAITHWAITE how you have made a difference I am a Hertfordshire girl I’m a cybersecurity I was born in New Barnet I was delighted to be able and feel very much at consultant and have lived and moved back here to contribute to the review home living in New Barnet. locally with my young thirteen years ago. I work of the council’s Local List I work as a freelance family for four years. on historic churches for of Historic Buildings which historian and heritage I’m keen to preserve the the Church of England. resulted in about 50 historic consultant and volunteer character of Barnet, but at I am the Barnet Society buildings being added. as festival director the same time recognise representative on the of the Barnet Medieval that some things have to Conservation Area Favourite place? Festival. change. Advisory Committee. The run of houses facing Common. What do you like What do you like What do you like most? most? most? The endless variety of Barnet It has to be the sense of I like Barnet’s green spaces, “I’d like to see – from historic buildings and community; we moved to the fact it’s got a proper streets to parks and open Barnet on a slight whim – high street and its great Barnet Market spaces, plus of course the but it has worked out better connections, especially the became a major glorious views over London. than we could have ever Northern line. imagined! part of town life Biggest hope? Biggest hope? once again.” That the regeneration of Biggest hope? I’d like to see Barnet Market Barnet High Street takes That the trend for new and hold and attracts even more innovative small businesses independent shops and continues on the High Street, businesses. the market continuing to undergo a renaissance.

“If we don’t Greatest worry? How Barnet maintains its Y o u r l o c a l f a m i l y f r i e n d l y make use of heritage and green spaces what’s on our – while embracing positive m e n ’ s h a i r s a l o n . change, the challenge of doorstep, we will providing affordable homes lose it.” for young people – and what seems to be the steady and inevitable transition of the High Street away from Greatest worry? one that is primarily based That if we don’t make use of around retail offerings. what’s on our doorstep, we will lose it. What could the Barnet Society do How you have made better? T u e s d a y t o F r i d a y 9 : 3 0 a m - 6 p m a difference Look to expand its S a t u r d a y 8 : 3 0 a m - 5 p m I am very pleased to be membership among families C l o s e d o n S u n d a y & M o n d a y part of the team organising and young people – who Barnet Medieval Festival are showing an increasing and look forward to building awareness of their on its success as we environment and wanting to commemorate the 550th do something to protect it. anniversary of the Battle of Barnet in 2021. Favourite place? The hustle and bustle of the Please call to book an appointment on Favourite place? market, or the peace and 0203 952 7188 Hadley Woods. tranquillity of King George V Fields and the Common 39b Bulwer Road, Barnet EN5 5EU (mood dependent!).

Winter 2020 | 19 75 YEARS SPECIAL ISSUE OUR WORK Are you interested in more detail about what else we’ve done on your behalf over the last few years? We invite you to browse Our Work (accessed from the main menu on our website) This is a newly-published archive of the Society’s articles, submissions and Arianit Dobra, owner of the shop, with his daughter, Elisana other documents on planning and environmental matters. They show the breadth and depth of our activity behind Medieval roof found the scenes in more detail than An original timber- converting the property to a structure support the date is possible in our Newsletters framed roof structure florist’s shop, is awaiting the of 1397 or earlier, including and Website News. that dates from about the results of tree-ring dating a splayed and tabled scarfe Content includes our 14th century, has been to confirm the precise age joint, which has a kink submissions to Barnet, discovered in the High of the timbers. But he says similar to other wooden London and national Street after ceilings were further research all points joints found in Hertfordshire consultations; our work on removed from former to 1397 or earlier. This is barns built in the 14th the Green Belt; planning hairdressing salon, the date suggested by Lee century, and the evidence and environment reports to Chudy’s, writes Nick Jones Prosser, curator at historic of slots for boards in front of the committee; our work on Specialists in medieval royal palaces, who has the shop for use when it was major development proposals architecture were amazed studied medieval buildings closed. and regarding Chipping to find the intact timbers of in Hertfordshire and has Samples of paint on Barnet Town Centre. Further a crown post roof of what linked the roof to medieval timbers and walls also date new and archive material originally was a medieval barns constructed by St from the medieval period. will be added shop constructed around Albans Abbey. 1397 or earlier. The thinking is that this Experts in historic medieval shop was built in buildings believe that the the days when High Barnet shop was built in the late was on the route of animal 14th century by carpenters drovers who stopped the from St Albans Abbey. night at taverns, or perhaps Sherry Bates, of chartered sold animals at fairs in architects Bates Zambelli, Barnet. who is advising on Several features of the roof

Help the Barnet Society carry on its work by joining. Annual subscriptions are £8 for an individual or £12 for a family. Additional donations are greatly appreciated. Website – www.barnetsociety.org.uk Chair – Robin Bishop [email protected] 020 8449 0088 Membership Secretary – Kim Ambridge Kimbarnet6@ gmail.com 07974 225950 Correspondence – The Secretary, 27 Elton Avenue, Barnet, Herts EN5 2EB Edited by Eamonn Rafferty Design: Surgerycreations.com Edited by Eamonn Rafferty

20 | Autumn 2020