4 OCTOBER 2006 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 Why they’re chopping our trees By Ann Bronkhorst Chainsaws are coming to , not for a massacre but to let in more light. Helped by a grant from the Forestry Commission, the coppicing programme will start this autumn, Nick Michael informed a pointed out that soil disturbance, also benefits other trees which meeting on 5 September hosted too, allows long-dormant seeds struggle for light, become too by Friends of Coldfall Wood. to germinate. After the last cop- tall and are at risk in high winds. Nick, Haringey’s Conservation picing in Coldfall Wood in the The coppicing programme will Officer, and David Bevan, his 1990s, a Hypericum recorded in cover only 14% of Coldfall predecessor, were questioned the 19th century reappeared, one Wood, mostly in a north-south by the Friends and members of of 120 different plant species swathe along the course of the public about this first stage newly found in the coppiced the stream. The vehicles and in the planned re-generation of areas. machinery used will be small the wood. Nightingales and brambles and will enter by the east gate on Coppicing entails cutting Simon Levy, a forester who Creighton Avenue. Wood debris trees, in this case hornbeams, works in a wood in Croydon (‘brash’) may be chipped, or down to stumps from which included in the same Capital used for ‘dead-hedging’ or pos- new growth emerges. It sounds Woodlands Project backed sibly for reedbed dams planned drastic but does not kill the trees by the Heritage Lottery Fund, later for the stream. and was traditional in Coldfall shared his experience. After Concern was expressed about Wood for centuries. Repre- coppicing brambles would vandalism during this long-term sentatives from the Friends grow, he agreed, but they would project and it was agreed that, of Queen’s Wood, , support insects and other wild- ideally, local schoolchildren showed ‘before’ and ‘after’ life. Then, as the hornbeams should be fully informed and photos to demonstrate how grow back, the brambles will involved. Further meetings gloomy it had been before diminish again. In his wood, for the public are planned and coppicing, and how letting in birds such as nightingales and information will be available at light encouraged plant growth, nightjars have reappeared. He the gates to the wood, and at including orchids. David Bevan felt that hornbeam coppicing www.coldfall.info Common The Sylvia and her pocket park. Photo by Ann Bronkhorst Colour them pink By Ann Bronkhorst exposed big key Of all the local ‘pocket-parks’ this must be the tiniest. By Tony Roberts Its mound of pink flowers has brightened Durham Road At a meeting at Avenue House on 14 September organised all summer, for the third year running. by the Finchley Society’s Local History Group, Hugh giveaway When paving stones were re- without a conscience dug up Petrie, the Borough’s Heritage Officer, gave a fascinating A recent survey by insurer laid in 2004, on impulse Sylvia some of the display. Hastily and informative talk about Finchley Common. More Than shows that Etheridge asked the workmen Sylvia put in more plants to With the help of contem- consequent ‘herbage’ - the graz- many of us allow relative if they’d leave unpaved a hide the damage. porary maps, he traced its ing of animals - took over. strangers to have keys to small area round a tree near Durham Road residents passage from Finchley Wood, With the reduction in trees, our properties, but then her home. To her surprise they have had enormous pleasure the ancient, thickly wooded Finchley Wood gradually agreed. Sylvia put in compost, yet again from Sylvia’s pink buffer between Finchley, Friern became Finchley Common. The come to regret it. Appar- ently, 40% of people said planted Busy Lizzies and nur- ‘pocket-park’ and will be sorry Barnet and , to the more change is evidenced in Herbals of tured them. when the autumn cold wilts sparsely wooded and smaller the time: John Gerrard refers to they had given someone else a key to their home. Last year, when this photo the flowers. So if you want a 900-acre Finchley Common at Wortberries from Finchley Wood was taken, the display was even colour photo in THE ARCHER, Around 27% of us had the time of in 1816. whereas 40 years later Culpeper better, in spite of attentions reach for some pink crayons, allowed relative strangers such The area formed the main mentions juniper berries from from dogs. This year, however, and if you want colour in your as window cleaners, builders part of the wastes of the Finchley Common. dogs weren’t the only threat. A street next year, start planting and tradesman to have unsu- Bishop’s Manor (other parts Hugh went on to talk human being with a trowel but in the spring. included the wide verges about encroachments, started pervised access to our homes. alongside thoroughfares). Ini- long before the Common was It seems that window cleaners tially the woods were managed, enclosed, military encamp- are the most likely non-resi- providing fuel for in the ments, and highwaymen, dents to have keys, followed by Eat your fruit and form of wood faggots, and ‘pan- whose activities ceased some plumbers and utility tradesmen, nage’, the feeding of animals time before enclosure. cleaners and childminders. on acorns and beech mast from Hugh will be giving a Thirteen percent admitted vegetables in season the wood floor. When coal was second talk to The Finchley they did not even know the By nutritional therapist Judy Watson introduced in Stuart times, the Society about the Common in person at all before they gave Judy Watson has recently started practising at Utopia price of wood fuel fell so the the spring; also open to non- them a key! Nearly 25% said Health & Beauty, off the High Road, and is also the alter- felling and selling of timber and members. they had a non-resident come native health columnist for Real People magazine. to their house at least once a Why is it important to eat As we move into autumn month, with 11% having one fruit and vegetables in season? and Halloween, try making come every week. It is difficult nowadays when pumpkin pie. It is sweet tasting Giving a set of keys to a non- shopping to know what is in so is great for those with fussy resident, however, led to an abuse season, as produce from abroad. taste buds, as well being rich in of trust in 14% of cases. is available all year round. antioxidants: beta carotene and Fourteen per cent said their However, vegetables not vitamin C to boost the immune homes had been damaged or in season have usually been system and keep the skin glow- they had had items stolen transported thousands of miles, ing when the colder weather Six per cent said people which puts more stress on our comes. If you buy a pumpkin with keys had helped them- delicate environment, while for the kids at Halloween, make selves to food and drink the time taken results in lost good use of the pumpkin flesh A friendly welcome awaits you without permission nutrients and taste. by adding it to a stew or soup Five per cent said they had To buy in season and avoid for the cooler nights. METHODIST CHURCH used the telephone, invited ‘food miles’ check the label first Apples and pears are now 197 High Road, London N2 (opp. Creighton Ave.) people over or skived off to make sure it has a UK name, at their best and can be eaten www.eastfinchleymethodist.org.uk when they should have been for instance ‘Produce of Kent’ in packed lunches, as snacks or working, or Lincolnshire. baked and served with yoghurt Three per cent claimed they Secondly, support farmers’ and a drizzle of honey. Family service and Junior Church had cash or personal belong- markets. You will be surprised Other seasonal vegetables for ings taken how many there are in London: October include carrots, broccoli, Every Sunday at 10.30 a.m. One per cent said their Alexandra Palace, Palmers leeks, spinach and turnips and keyholder had even borrowed Green and Borough Market mushrooms. Happy eating! Worship Music Social events Wheelchair friendly clothes without asking! are just some of them. Support Judy Watson can be con- tel: 020 8349 9340 e-mail: [email protected] It makes you wonder how independent grocers or order a tacted for appointments on we can be so trusting. box of local organic produce. 07904 335763.