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No 160 • Winter 2005

The Newsletter of the Enfield Preservation Society

• Traffic-calming measures are threatened for Whitewebbs Lane, a A devastating threat rural winding lane from which traffic should be discouraged. to our Green Belt • Hard-surface car parking is It almost beggars belief, but earlier this year the Council Cabinet proposed for some 120 cars and approved, subject to planning approval, a scheme which will coaches. blight a great swathe of the Green Belt - in blatant contravention • The whole site will be fenced and of their own published policy (UDP). guarded to ensure there can be no public access. The proposal by Tottenham Hotspur • The majority of this land is also within The public excluded Football Club to create a training centre the Conservation Area. Not only is this land under threat, but and youth academy on 56 acres at Bulls • The Estate land forms part of also the well-loved Open Cross presents the most serious threat to the 16th century deer park of Elsynge Space. The proposed community facility the Green Belt since the 1974 attempt Palace. there will have a two-storey multi- by Wates to build a housing estate at • The total surface of the whole site will purpose sports hall (40m x 25m) with , writes Colin Pointer. be removed; playing areas will be associated parking areas. There will be The targeted site is to the west of resurfaced either with synthetic material changing rooms, etc., an education suite Myddelton House, and is part owned by or with a type of grass which may be with 20 computer stations and two Lee Valley Regional Park Authority with alien to all wildlife. teachers' offices. the remaining majority of the land owned • One totally-covered football pitch is This will also be the head office 'for the by our Council as part of the Forty Hall proposed, flanked at either end by a administration of Tottenham Hotspur Estate and now farmed by Capel Manor Youth Academy Wing and a Community', apparently having at least 10 College under an agricultural tenancy. full-time staff. Spurs also propose to develop a ' community facility' on Bulls Cross Open Space. For undisclosed reasons, the Club has already bought Myddelton Farm How can the devolution of large tracts of Green Belt land which fronts onto Bulls Cross, next to the from public ownership into private company hands be Pied Bull pub. of "beneficial public use", especially when that land will From information presented to the be totally enclosed within a perimeter fence and Green Belt Forum in September and from guarded 24/7 to keep everybody out? Spurs' own website, our total opposition to this catastrophic proposal is based First Team Wing, with an adjoining One artificial and three turf football upon the following main objections: First Team Pavilion; all of these are on pitches are proposed. The use and access • All the land under threat is within three levels and cover nearly 6% of the will be reserved for local authorities' the Green Belt. The land west of site. children and youths from other boroughs Myddelton House is beautiful • A further 13 football pitches are as well as from Enfield, to the total countryside, a truly rural enclave proposed, including some with all- exclusion of the general public who have rare in an area as built-up as this, weather synthetic surfaces and some enjoyed unlimited access to this public and therefore something to cherish. with floodlighting. open space for decades. • There will be a new road of some length The community programme extends into the site from Whitewebbs Lane. beyond football for youngsters to include health and crime diversion with breakfast clubs, after school clubs and the possibility of a late-night soccer league, as in Wolverhampton where they run dusk, twilight and midnight leagues! The Open Space has a fine row of preserved Lombardy poplars, resulting from the Society's Enfield Tree Planting Week in 1964, as well as other trees along the western boundary provided by EPS at a later date. continued on next page 2

Happy Birthday, EPS! In March 2006 the Society will be 70 years old, and to mark the occasion there will be a celebration for members on Friday, 10th March 2006, 7 for 7.30pm, at the Royal British Legion Hall, Holtwhites Hill, Enfield. This will take the form of an anniversary supper comprising a fork buffet with meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, followed by a scrumptious selection of desserts, coffee, tea and petits fours. It is hoped that a pianist or other instrumentalist will provide entertainment This plan from the presentation brochure presented to Enfield Green Belt Forum shows throughout the evening. the size of the proposed two-storey training facility at Bulls Cross Open Space - from A ticket application form is enclosed which Enfield's residents will now be excluded. with this copy of EPS News. A limited number of tickets is available, so if you continued from page 1 serious difference of opinion between wish to attend please return the form as EPS and the Council as to the protection For all the reasons listed, and for many early as possible. others, the Tottenham Hotspur plans of and real purpose of our Green Belt. represent totally inappropriate We intend to show Spurs a red card for development within the Green Belt and foul play. Please support us and write, contravene Enfield Council's own UDP expressing your opposition to these safeguards for our Green Belt land. proposals, to the Council at the address Having now been able to see the below. The Society's single voice could detailed proposals, it is difficult to rise to many hundreds if enough understand how our Council Cabinet could individuals write in. We are, of course, have approved them earlier this year, also working with many other groups and subject to planning approval. The Cabinet organisations to coordinate our campaign. papers recommended acceptance "to Make your voice heard! improve public access to parts of the land" If you are opposed to the development (!) and quoted one member who "broadly described above, write to Councillor supported the proposals which were Michael Rye, Leader of the Council, compatible with Green Belt land which Borough of Enfield, PO Box 50, should be of beneficial public use"(!). Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, Yet on 7th October our Council's EN1 3XA. website quoted one of its Cabinet Is this Enfields members as saying "I want to make it • Another on-going threat to the Green perfectly clear that this Council is determi Belt is the proposed expansion of ugliest building? ned to protect Enfield's Middlesex University in . Details of the latest proposals are given Green Belt and will prosecute anyone who The Civic Environment Group is on page 3. threatens it". tackling the problem of the cluttered Not for the first time there is a Enfield streetscape, starting with Enfield Town, but a short trip through almost any part of the borough shows the scale of the problem they face. This example (above) on the corner of and depth of activities. Nightingale Road and Hertford Road, N9, Help! EPS has over 2,000 members and there is without doubt a horror, but is it our most must be those who have wondered in the disfigured Most EPS activities are undertaken by the building? various groups shown in the EPS past whether they could contribute. A continuous renewal is vital to the health of Dennis Stacey, Chair of the Directory on the back page. In common Council's Conservation Advisory Group with many other societies, EPS is not any organisation and fresh thinking and new ideas are essential. (CAG), is asking for entries for Enfield replacing fast enough those group Design Awards 2005. Perhaps we should members who retire or leave and this is While specialised expertise is always welcome what is really needed is set up another competition - for the worst threatening the continuation of our work. building in Enfield? As a matter of urgency our groups are enthusiasm for the aims and objectives of the EPS. If you would like further If you wish to nominate such a building, looking to the EPS membership to provide send details to the editor of EPS News at the additional numbers needed to enable information on a group that might interest you please give a call to the relevant the address on the back page, with a EPS to function and, hopefully, even photograph where possible. expand the range contact listed in the Directory. 3 Middlesex University at Trent Park: revised plans an improvement, but...

A decision now has to be reached on the proposals included residential blocks latest and possibly final attempts by which would still have intruded into this Middlesex University to update its Trent vista. Under the current Park Campus. The previous application, proposals they are fewer in number and considered at length in the Winter 2004 tucked well to the side. issue of EPS News, fell foul of the Mayor A double lime avenue will be recreated of London, who considered it which could link up via a bridge to the incompatible with policy on the Green Japanese Garden. At the western side of Belt. the lawn it will be possible better to The latest applications, an outline appreciate the arboretum collection. A application for the whole works and pedestrian link will run from the at present detailed applications for the first of three rather forlorn gate piers next to the phases, promises the same benefits as Mansion, through the site of the Jebb regards the heritage and conservation extension and on down to join the footpath aspect, with reduced, though still near where it crosses between the lakes. significant, expansion of the teaching The dew pond is now safeguarded. facilities. The historic Listed buildings on the site There will be no increase in the overall ' The fine Mansion in Trent Park. But if will be comprehensively restored and footprint' compared with the present the University moved, could it become unsightly clutter cleared away. This must buildings (this has recently been queried another ? include the forecourt to the Mansion, and will need verification). arguments that are valid in planning terms. scandalously neglected up to now. The EPS involvement Doubts as to the veracity of the much-neglected stables will be restored as It is relevant to consider the Society's University or its future intentions and as to the Students' Union building. involvement with Trent Park as a whole whether it has the finance to carry through Less car parking over the years. EPS has been actively the proposals are not material Car parking will be significantly represented on the Trent Park considerations as far as planning is reduced, and students will no longer be Conservation Committee since it was set concerned and arguments based on them permitted to bring their motor vehicles on up, by Douglas Dawson, in 1969. The can carry no weight with the Planning to the campus. The Green Travel Plan has trigger was the desecration of the Committee. We have to stick to our terms been much criticised, but it does go in the renowned Long Garden by the new music of reference and judge the applications as right direction, to rely less on the private block, which cut into the lily ponds and they stand, no matter how strongly we car and make full use of public transport ( blocked the formal vista down to the lake, may feel about other aspects. significantly improved under the London and the other building works at that time. The benefits Mayor). The internal bus shuttle service We have been able to witness the There are both benefits and drawbacks will be enhanced. Polytechnic's, and later the University's, in the revised plans. First, the benefits. Detailed designs have been prepared less than total commitment to the aims of They propose sweeping away pretty well only for the two buildings to be included that committee over the intervening years. all of the mediocre, insensitively sited, within the first phase: the Learning In due course the Preservation Society was post-war buildings; in particular, the Resource responsible for the whole of Trent Park intrusive teaching blocks on the lawns Centre and the first of the three being designated a conservation area, below the Mansion, which should sweep residential blocks. The modern style may which has enormously assisted the process uninterrupted down to the lake. They will not be to everyone's taste, but they have of ensuring that the area remains as allow the complete restitution of the Long obviously been designed with care by a pleasant at it still is, and that new Garden, recreating the vista from the very reputable firm of architects. proposals have to undergo such rigorous Wisteria Walk (painted by Winston continued on next page scrutiny. Churchill) down to the lake. The previous Working with the Council's Conservation Advisory Group and the Conservation Committee we have been able to prevent or mitigate many horrors. The Conservation Committee has CORRECTION instigated many improvements, such as In the report of our meeting with Chief Executive John Pryor and others renewing the daffodil displays, and has in the Autumn 2005 issue of EPS News, relating to PalaceXchange, been responsible for significant tree we attributed to him the remark "the current Administration had inherited planting. unrealistic plans with no secure funding." We wish to make it clear that We have to look at the latest he was referring to the views of the Administration, not his own. A fuller applications with the same approach. In fo transcript would read "The view of the current Administration at the Civic rmulating our response to Centre was that it had inherited unrealistic plans with no secure Enfield Council's Planning Department we funding". This was in response to our raising the issue of the downgrading of can only use plans for the new Central Library and Community Centre. This was a very useful meeting and we certainly did not wish to intimate that any officer had behaved unprofessionally in any way. 4

Conclusion The University is an established institution in Enfield which has benefited the locality to an appreciable extent. It may not be a material consideration, but would the site become another white elephant should the University move away? Bearing in mind the original attitud e of the present administration towards Forty Hall, would Enfield Council feel inclined to come to the rescue with funds to put the Listed buildings to rights? Would another body take on the burden? Could Trent Park Mansion become another Broomfield House? Are the new The new Learning Resource Centre (left) and student accommodation, sited at the buildings more sensitively sited than those highest point of the campus. they replace? We say the answer is an continued from previous page but still represent a substantial increase. unequivocal yes. Do they look better? The Much use is made of external timber Half the new buildings, including the answer here is more subjective, but at least cladding as in so many current new most prominent, the Learning Resource they are to a coherent design in place of buildings. We would have preferred to see Centre, are sited at the highest point of the the current hodgepodge. Carried through more brick, but apparently timber is now campus. Despite assertions to the contrary, sensitively, the new proposal has roughly encouraged as being more sustainable. The it is likely they will be visible looking the same benefits as the previous Centre is the larger and more idiosyncratic across from Bramley Road. applications, but the overall impact of of the two, and the façade facing towards Also, it is difficult to judge how the their greatly reduced scale would be much the Mansion needs to be most carefully Centre will appear viewed from the less. handled despite being considerably Mansion. Will this important façade pass They have now been approved by the screened by trees. the test of enhancing the conservation Mayor's Office and by English Heritage. Adjoining the Centre the academic area? They could pass the test of enhancing, blocks along the concrete spine road echo Up to now the University has rather than detracting from the appearance the never-built, southern wall to the walled demonstrated very little sensitivity or and character of the Conservation Area. garden, an interesting concept, if commitment in dealing with its historic But for this to be the case, watertight somewhat far fetched. Altogether, the new heritage. The intentions regarding it are conditions would be needed to tie in very buildings in this location occupy a far less clear than other aspects of the detailed commitments to restoring all the smaller area and should have a greatly development, which does not bode well. historic elements of this diverse site to a reduced impact compared with the previou For example, in relation to the repairs to timetable, to ensure that they are carried sly proposed large the forecourt and terrace, both crucial out simultaneously and to an acceptable serpentine block. elements, there is merely an intention to standard with the other works. These applications are only the latest set identify possible sources of finance. A legal agreement ring-fencing the of a series of proposals for the campus, but The long access along Snakes Lane funds would be a necessity. EPS will need they display a greater sensitivity to the remains a drawback for an institution with to be fully satisfied on this matter before it unique features and character of this so many members coming in from outside could consider outstanding site than any that have gone every day. We doubt whether the proposed giving its support to these latest before. shuttle service will operate for long proposals, which do otherwise It is no longer proposed to close the Cat enough or frequently enough, and there incorporate some good features. Hill Site. are safety issues around the turning point Christopher Jephcott. at the top of Snakes Lane. The drawbacks Also, it has to be clearly demonstrated The University is a large establishment that there will not be increased pressure on inappropriately sited within the Green Belt parking in the streets around Oakwood Country Park. Its proposed expansion Underground Station. Edmonton Group would therefore have to be judged as an The University points in its literature to Despite heavy rains and flooding here exceptional case if the situation was its ongoing expansion, which the previous were fifty people present at the joint thought to warrant it. proposals hoped to cater for. The picture meeting of the Edmonton Hundred Although the changes are smaller in may now be different, but for how long? If Historical Society and EPS' Edmonton scale than in the previous unsuccessful it is allowed to go ahead with the present Group on 19th October. Everyone present application, they still envisage a plans, can we be sure that this is the much enjoyed Graham Dalling's significant increase in student numbers, accepted limit, and that future entertaining and informative talk on and even if all would not be on the site at administrators or local planning Edmonton Before Norld War 1. the same time, this is also the case at departments will no longer feel bound by present. The footprint may remain the undertakings given by their predecessors? • See also page 8 for information on a same but the total floorspace is increased. World War 2 Exhibition in The residential students' places may be Edmonton, arranged by Enfield fewer than previously proposed Museum Service, an Associate Member of EPS. 5

Three score years and ten and still going on the Society's name attracted a limited but that strong may not be the expected lifespan response, which suggests there is no remains our for a society, but having reached it is an overwhelming desire for a change, though prime focus. achievement we shall be celebrating the 75th anniversary would be a suitable Much of the next March. The Enfield Preservation time if a change were to be decided on. criticism of the Society started in 1936 with a The most frequently suggested and apt currentfocuses name on the word 'Preservation' as successful campaign to keep one of title 'The Enfield Society' has giving a negative, regressive image. In this Enfield's cherished open spaces, Chase unfortunately been pre-empted by context it is interesting to recall the words Green, and now we face another - to another, non-amenity group. Other of our first Chairman, the Reverend keep Spurs' hands off our vulnerable suggestions were 'Enfield Civic Society ' Geoffrey Daisley, Vicar of Enfield, in Green Belt countryside. and 'Enfield Heritage Society'. 1936: "We call ourselves the Enfield In between we have come a long way, Obviously the title should contain the Preservation Society because our prime with not a few successes as well as some word 'Enfield', but I think I aim is to preserve everything that is defeats and disappointments - all as set out should make it clear in response to historically interesting and of natural in Valerie Carter's eminently readable queries that this refers to the former beauty in Enfield. But we have no book Fighting for the Future. Something Metropolitan Borough of Enfield. The intention of stopping progress; on the to congratulate ourselves on as we look EPS may on occasion become contrary, we aim at taking a hand in forward to new challenges. involved in important issues in other creative construction for the future". I My comments in the last EPS News parts of the Borough or further afield, think those words are still as true today. Chris Jephcott.

17. Rose & Crown P.H. 19. Recreation Ground. Plaque for Stevie 20. Fallow Buck P.H. EPS was invited by 21. Forty Hall. Bookshop and English Heritage to the 22. Trinity Church and unveiling by the Poet Laureate, Andrew Loop. Motion, of a blue plaque to Stevie Smith, 23. Forty Hall and Lake. who lived in Avondale Road, Palmers 24. Crown & Horseshoes P.H. Green for 65 years, from the age of four 25. Public Offices, Gentleman's Row. until her death in 1971. 26. The Fountain, The Town. There were short speeches about the poet 27. War Memorial, Chase Green. and her works, and Andrew Motion read Heritage 28. The cottages, Chase Green. some of her poems. She is now regarded as postcard series 29. Library Green. one of the 20th century's most distinctive 30. Whitewebbs House. and The picture above shows St. Andrew's 31. Government Row, . original poets. Her first book of poems Church, Enfield; it is the latest card in the 32. Millennium sculpture, Chase was published in 1937 and her best-known Heritage series. It is available from EPS ( Green Gardens. is probably Not Waving but Drowning. On price 15p) or from the Central Library, 33. Enfield Grammar School. her death The Times praised her talent as Forty Hall and some retailers. 34. St. Andrew's Church. "wholly individual, unconventional and The first colour view card in this series, • A booklet containing 11 postcards of unpredictable". White Lodge, was published in 1984 and places saved by EPS campaigns during is still available. Numbers 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, its first 60 years can be purchased by 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 18 are out of print. members from EPS at the special price Of these, no.7 (The Rose and Crown) has of £1. been replaced by no.17 and no.13 (Crown and Horseshoes) by no.24. Handyman required Below is a list of postcards currently We are looking for someone to help out available from EPS, all at 15p each. Other with small practical jobs at Jubilee Hall, outlets do not usually stock the full range such as putting up shelves, changing light and may charge different prices. A pack bulbs and painting doors. This is not of 20 different cards is available from likely to be very onerous but is important, Her novels are less well-known than her EPS for £2.75. and we would be grateful if any member poetry but are also personal and contain AVAILABLE CARDS would volunteer to help maintain the hall, pictures of life in Palmers Green in the first 1. White Lodge, Silver Street, Enfield. which is a really great benefit to the half of the 20th century, including her early 3. Gentleman's Row. Society. education at Palmers Green High School. 4. Trent Park. If any one feels they could help, please A play by Hugh Whitmore, Stevie, based 9. The Market Place. leave your name and telephone number on on her life, was staged at the Vaudeville 14. River Lea at Enfield Lock. the answer phone at Jubilee Hall and Theatre in 1977 with Glenda Jackson in the someone will contact you. The number is leading role, and was later made into a 020 8363 9495. film. 6 Future Walks Note: Train details given below are correct at press date but EPS cannot accept responsibility for last minute changes. Please always check. For overground train enquiries/times telephone 08457 48 49 50; for /DLR and bus details telephone 020 7222 1234. Reduced price train travel: If three or four adults travel together on WAGN or One railways, ask for Groupsave Cheap Day Return tickets.These allow three or four adults to travel together for the price of two adults. Even for travel to the start of linear walks, Groupsave Day Return tickets are normally cheaper than buying A rest-break near a ford across the River Ash on a September walk. a standard price single. options. Bring lunch or pub food probably returning from Bromley-by-Bow Station. Saturday 26th November available. Leader: Stuart Mills. Many shorter options. Roy will relate tales Norman, Medieval and Wren churches. Wednesday 11th January which illustrate the triumph of the human Meet Brian at 10.10am by the entrance to Meet 10.25am at Station (10. spirit over adversity in this little known Platform 1, (9. 16am train from Southbury Station) for area beyond the City. Bring lunch or food 34am train from Enfield Town) for a tour about 2.5 hour circular walk in the Lea available. Enquiries 0208 360 0282. with a similar format to that of last Valley Park near Fishers Green. Leader: Roy Nicholls. September. Bring lunch or food available. Leader: Christine Fookes. Wednesday 8th February Leader: Brian Pask. Saturday 14th January Meet 10.25am at the 313 bus stop on The Wednesday 30th November Meet 10.30am at Gordon Hill Station for Ridgeway opposite the entrance to New Meet 10.15am at the Odeon Cinema, circular walk mainly in Enfield's Cottage Farm for 2.5 hour linear walk via Barnet, (307 bus) for 2.5 to 3 hour linear countryside, ending by about field paths, commons and Monken Hadley, walk via Hadley Woods to New Barnet 3.30pm. Option to end earlier at the Crews ending at High Barnet for return to Enfield Station. Leader: Ray Moss. Hill lunch stop. Food by 307 bus. Shorter options. Leaders: Carol Cope and Kinu Ohki. Saturday 10th December available or bring your own. Meet 10.43am at Station ( Leader: Monica Smith. Saturday 11th February 10.10am train from Wednesday 25th January Meet 11.00am at the front door of Baker Street) for 6.5 to 7 mile circular Meet 10.15am at Oakwood Station for Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane (210 walk in the Come Valley. By car, about 45 about 2.5 hour circular walk in Trent Park. bus from ) For a minutes from Enfield via M25 (junction Leader: Norman Coles. circular walk over the Heath Hiding by 4. 00pm. Shorter options. Bring lunch or café 18) and A404. Bring lunch or pub food Saturday 28th January and/or pub food available. Leader: Ken available. Leader: Norman Coles. Meet 10.30am by the entrance to Platform Cooper. Wednesday 14th December 1, Liverpool Street mainline station, for a Meet 10.15am at the front door of Forty 7 to 8 mile linear walk Wednesday 22nd February Hall mansion for about 2.5 hour circular London Visit. Meet 10.40am by the walk with coffee stop and, en-route, entrance to Platform 1, Liverpool street discover the missing building! Leader: mainline station, and discover Lesser- Brenda Brown. OBITUARY known parts of the City, culminating in a guided tour of Clothworkers Hall. Bring Tuesday 27th December Val Adams lunch or Food available. As pre-booking is Meet 10.35am at Bayford Station or 10. Society members and friends were essential for this tour, please forward a 45am in Bayford Village (please park shocked and deeply saddened to learn of cheque for £3 (made payable to B.J.Pask) considerately) for circular walk with lunch Val's sudden death after a short illness in to 161 Wellington Road, Enfield EN1 2RJ. stop and option to end early in Hertford. August. No acknowledgements will be sent Bring lunch or food probably available. For many years we have enjoyed the without SAE. Enquiries 020 8360 3593. WAGN expect to run a Saturday service pleasure of Val's and Colin's company Leader: Brian Pask. on that day (i.e. 10.21am train from and their jointly organised walks. The ) but it is essential to check. Saturday 25th February rest of us often called upon their Leader: Stuart Mills. Meet 10.24am at Crews Hill Station ;10. combined knowledge of plant and 19am train from Enfield Chase) for 9 to 9. Monday 2nd January wildlife and many times Val's sense of 5 mile circular walk with a Lunch stop at Meet 10.15am at The Arkley P/H, Barnet ( humour came to the fore when the going Northaw. Shorter Options of 5 or 6.5 miles 307 bus) for circular walk in Barnet's sometimes got tough! or join the group in Northaw by 1.30pm countryside via Totteridge and Mill Hill We will retain happy memories of Val for the return walk of 4.5 miles. Leader: villages. Shorter but, of course, our thoughts are with Colin Adams. Colin and their family at this most difficult of times. SM. 7 Essential work on New River Loop Letters Ever since the completion of the major To the Editor, EPS News restoration of the Enfield New River Loop, water has continued to leak from Sir, A change of name? No, never! There the initial River Front section. Despite is so much to preserve. numerous investigations and remedial We are very fortunate to have a works the cause has never been identified considerable area of Green Belt land and therefore not cured. within the borough, as well as many parks. The puddled clay has now been dug out, Much of the Green Belt land is farmed and an impervious liner laid on the river bed at the same time is accessible for the and the clay reinstated along the total Library Green public to walk in freely and to enjoy open length of this section. This work should country. guarantee an adequate flow of water The Library Green is one of the most To counter the constant, insidious throughout the whole length of the Loop, attractive features of Enfield Town, pressure of developers to acquire land to subject to the operational demands of especially in springtime when the crocuses build on in Enfield needs an organisation Thames Water who supply the daily are in bloom, as captured in the above that emphasises in its name its active requirement. This latter dependence has, painting by Miss Ethel Hemsworth, kindly determination to preserve Enfield's green in turn, led Council officers to start to donated to Enfield Preservation Society in and pleasant land for all time. investigate ways of obtaining an 2005 by Mr and Mrs D. Stone. So stick with the title: Enfield independent water supply. Even more It was painted in the 1960s, and we are Preservation Society. urgent is the need to replace the pleased that the scene has remained Yours faithfully, revetments in the area between Church substantially unchanged since then. EPS T. Connolly Street and Gentlemans Row bridges. has been involved in several proposals that , N21. These have deteriorated far more quickly would have affected the Library Green, as than was anticipated and we have pressed documented in Valerie Carter's book Sir, I feel that including the word ' the Council to include the replacement Fighting for the Future. She describes the Preservation' in the Society's name does cost in the Budget estimates for financial first of these as follows: have some negative connotations, year 2006/ 7. "... Enfield Council had cast its particularly for younger members of the predatory eyes on the Library Green in population. It also suggests an agenda Church Street and in August 1937 it took which is limited to preservation when, if I the controversial decision to sell the green understand the Society's aims correctly, it as a site for shops. The Library Green, has broader aims than that. with its fine trees, was once part of the I have two alternative suggestions to garden of House, the home for make: either 'Enfield Heritage Society' or many years of Phillip Twells, MP for the simply 'The Enfield Society'. My City of London and a partner in the preference is for the former since it is banking firm which became Barclays more specific, but suggests a broader Bank... The Preservation Society protested agenda than the current name. against the decision to sell the Green Yours faithfully, urging that it should be kept as a R. Fowler permanent open space... Local opposition Old Park Avenue, EN2. Broomfield funding? intensified, led by the Preservation Society At long last progress is being made and its Sir, Does the word 'Enfield' in EPS towards the restoration of this important chairman Geoffrey Daisley. He was stand for town or borough? If the latter, Grade 11* listed building. A project fond of describing the Library Green as a it seems to overlap with other societies. planning grant application has been made beautiful gateway into the centre of the Here, for example, we belong to the to the Heritage Lottery Fund to part cover town and one of the jewels of Enfield. Southgate Green Association and the Fox the cost of employing consultants to draw Sixty years on, EPS members will endorse Lane and District Residents Association, up a conservation management plan, a his frequently quoted opinion that 'We which have similar aims to those of EPS. training plan and an audience and access demur to the idea that Enfield is in such Yours faithfully, plan - all essential requirements, with financial difficulties that it must sell its A. Peeler others, to prepare for a full application for diamonds'." The Mall, Southgate, N14. a Lottery grant for repairing the House. Funding has also been requested for a • See the President's Column on project officer to deal with all the detail page 5 for comment on the above and bureaucracy which is now required New members letters. Your views on this and any other before there is any possibility of actually We warmly welcome the following matters concerning Enfield are most starting work on site. All this is going to new members: welcome. Send them to The Editor, whose address is on the back page. take many months, but since the Council Mr & Mrs. G.Beat; Mrs B.Burke; Mr has done little to save Broomfield House O.Buruncuk; Mr A.Cudworth; Mr in the 21 years since the major fire, M.George; Mr J.Grove; Mr P. perhaps we should be patient for a while Hawes; Mrs V.Henry; Dr. P. longer! Kench; Miss E,Muir; Mr M.Perbe; Miss A.Toz. 8

Hon. Secretary Stephen Hoye Hon. Treasurer David James Office 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 OAJ. Telephone 020 8363 9495 When there is nobody in the office, messages left on the Answerphone will be dealt with as promptly as possible. Website: www.enfieldpressoc.org.uk Helplines For information on EPS activities or to report matters you think need investigation or action, please contact the appropriate person below: Architecture and Planning John Davies Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, Green Belt Chris Jephcott Civic Environment Philip Gooch Coach Outings Jim Deamer Footpaths and Walks October to March. An exhibition In At Art Start, 11-12 South Way, Shirley Cotton Historic Buildings Search of Suburbia at the Museum of Claverings Industrial Estate, Montagu Group Design and Architecture, Middlesex Road, Edmonton. Open Wednesday to Stephen Gilburt Jubilee Hall University, Cat Hill Campus. Open Sunday 11am to 4 pm. Bookings Tuesday to Saturday, loam to 5pm; Until late November, an exhibition Black Pat Keeble Membership Sunday 2 to 5pm. Admission free. is Beautiful, a celebration of Black Pat Atkins Records and Research British style since the 1950s. At Forty Leonard Will Trees Until 27th November. An exhibition Their Hall Museum, Forty Hill, Enfield. Open Mike Gadd Lives Changed Ours, about the events and enduring impact of the Second World War Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm. Management Committee on this borough. Pat Atkins, John Davies, Beryl Dorrington, Mike Gadd, Stephen April (Easter) - no meeting. Gilburt, Stephen Hoye, David James, 18th May Tony Langston, Janet McQueen, Joint meeting with the Edmonton JUBILEE HALL MEETINGS Jubilee Peter Mackey, Stuart Mills, Pam Hundred Historiel Society. The Hall, close to the junction of Parsonage Pemberton, Peter Perryman, Colin Hospitallers and Thmplars in the Lane and Chase Side, is a great place to Pointer, Monica Smith, Stanley Enfield Area - a talk by Pamela meet friends (old or new) and listen to Smith, Leonard Will. Willis. interesting talks before chatting over President June - no meeting due to the EPS AGM. Dr. C.J.A. Jephcott, refreshments. Thursday evenings (7.30 for 8 pm) 20th July Vice-Presidents Travelling Theatre - The Murder of Mr A.J. Skilton, Mr D. Pam, 17th November Dickens. A talk by Geff Hales. Mr S.R. Smith, Mr W.T. Woodfield, The London Borough of Enfield in August - no meeting. Mrs P. Lowen, Lord Graham of World War 1. A talk by Graham Edmonton, Mr J.W.E. Jackson, JP, Dalling. Tuesday mornings (10 for 10.30 am) Mr M. Saunders MBE, December - no meeting. 29th November Mr C. Pointer. Walking in the Canadian Rockies - a Newsletter Editor 19th January talk, with slides, by Tony Freake. Mike Gadd, 143 Chase Side, Enfield, A Walk from Muswell Hill to Hampstead 13th December Middlesex EN2 OPN. mike. in Postcards - a talk, with slides, by Hugh A light-hearted Christmas Quiz. [email protected] Garnsworthy. Setting the questions: Joyce James. 16th February 24th January Enfield Preservation Society. From Pepys to Dickens: In the Footsteps Registered in as a limited The Story of the Cuffley Airship - a of the Famous round High Barnet - a talk, talk, with slides. by John Higgs. company no. 312134. with slides, by Paul Baker. Registered Charity no. 276451. 28th February 16th March Printed by Studio Projects Ltd The Vikings: Farmers, Traders or Alderman Thomas Sidney (18051889), Looters? - a talk, with slides, by Last incumbent of Bowes Manor - a talk, Stephen Gilburt. with slides, by Rachel MacDonald. 28th March Bhutan - a Mountain Kingdom - a talk, with slides, by Anne Johnson.