Old Park House

6 SEPTEMBER 2005 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 Old Park House The story of Stanley Road Kathryn Scorza concludes her history of the original Park House playing fields The original Park House (pictured), which stood next By Hugh Petrie to GLH House and opposite East Finchley Station, was an elegant villa in extensive grounds. Demolished in the Stanley Road Playing 1960s to be replaced by the local government building fields was originally three that now occupies its place, it became a landmark in the fields. The oldest was Home 1940s because of the Spitfire parked on the lawn. This Field (1) which was left to belonged to the Royal Airforce Association, which was Finchley by Thomas Sanny based in a building in the gardens behind Park House. in 1506, and was a part of Finchley Charities. It ran from East End Road to the Market Place in one long strip, until split in half by the Great Northern Rail- way (1865). The second field (2) was Alder Sports Day in 1947. Reproduced by kind permission London owned by the Arrowsmith Borough of Barnet copyright family. The Great Northern Railway purchased the sev- School as a sports field but the ough engineer realised that ered section of the Arrow- Fields were unsuitable during the drainage system would smiths’ land, and gave it to the the football season due to poor require the council to buy the Finchley Charities; it became drainage. Finchley Borough allotments as well. It was here “Railway Field”. Between Education Committee decided during the football season of 1911 and 1939 the field was in 1954 to put in a ‘Redgra’ 1975 - 76 that Alder School used as tennis courts, first all-weather surface. Redgra is won the Barnet Schools’ football by the Finchley Presbyterian made from a mixture of crushed league, a sporting swan song as Lawn Tennis Club and then, shale and rock, which acts like the school was about to merge from 1927, by the Redbourne a clay surface when wet and with Christ’s College. The Lawn Tennis Club. a sand surface when dry. It land was subsequently rented The original Park House in the 1940s. Photograph supplied byNigel Wilds The last field (3) had been the requires only regular raking to various clubs and groups, Maureen Betts - still an East is listed as ‘Park House’. Kel- gardens of a house called Park with a tractor to stop the whole including The Five Bells FC, Finchley resident - lived on the ly’s Directories and the Electoral House*and since the 1940s had surface setting. but now seems to be returning top floor with her parents for Rolls show it was occupied for been allotments. The Council purchased gently to the wild. around 10 years from the mid- decades by medical men, who In 1939 the Borough of Home Field and Railway Field * Footnote: not the Park 1940s, after the council had lived and ran their practices Finchley leased Home and in March 1956 with money House opposite the tube acquired the house and divided there. For many years from the Railway fields for use by Alder from Middlesex CC. The bor- station. it into two flats. She remembers 1890s, Dr William Hicks, ‘Sur- huge grounds, in which two geon, Medical Officer and Public tennis courts had been turned Vaccinator for the East Finchley What is The Finchley Silent dog into allotments. Each flat also district’ owned the house, which had a separate garden. became known as ‘Hicks’ house’. Society? Park House is clearly visible In 1938 Grays Brothers’ Coal By Robert Winton training These classes are advertised on the parish map of 1841, and Office, based at the station, set Have you noticed how East Finchley has managed to avoid on the slightly later map of the up a temporary office in the in East Finchley’s Animal the worst of the building developments? How is it done? Aid shop. Linda Soper went late 1860s (see August ARCHER), grounds at the front (just visible You can thank the people who keep an eye on the plans where it is labelled ‘Park Cot- in the photograph). to see one in action. tage’ (GLH House was named The local government build- of building developers and of the Borough of Barnet. Silent dog training is ‘Valona House’ at that time). ing that replaced the original One of the most eagle-eyed improving buildings, trans- a simple yet effective Park House is thought to have house in the 1960s (also called organisations is The Finchley port, roads and open spaces method, based on rewards, been built by Neville Smart, Park House, and currently let Society, set up in 1971 to save in Finchley and Friern Barnet, cottages in Lodge Lane N12, from and in investigating the history to get dogs to sit, lie, wait, the developer who built ‘Fair- to the Hampstead Garden and come when called. lawn’, ‘Cranleigh’, ‘Park Hall’ Suburb Institute) is itself now demolition. The poet Sir John of the area. Betjeman was its first president, The society has some 450 Roland has been a trainer and ‘Summerlee’ villas on Fortis due for development, marking for twelve years and explains Green, probably in the 1820s, the start of another chapter succeeded by Spike Milligan. members, and is run by volunteers. The Society is now active It is non-political, and is supported his methods with enthusiasm. If possibly to live in himself. for this historic corner of our you ignore a dog, he says, it will By the 1880s, ‘Park Cottage’ neighbourhood. in protecting, preserving and by subscriptions and donations, without any outside grants. stop jumping up and demanding attention. If you take notice of it, Through information from it thinks it is the boss. Barnet Council, the press and To get a dog to sit, the owner the public, the society constantly holds a treat and moves it towards Finchley Christian Fellowship reviews building developments (An Elim Pentecostal Church) the dog’s head. Then the dog and problems with the environ- will sit and its reward is given. ment, such as graffiti, and with When the action is performed ‘A Church for EVERYONE’ public transport, such as the 263 one hundred per cent then the bus route. It gives its reasoned command is introduced. Once views, which are well respected, the puppy understands what is to those concerned. wanted, rather than being forced The society strongly opposed to obey, it becomes more at ease the development of a Waitrose and enjoys its training. supermarket opposite East Not regimented Finchley underground station I spoke to Carol who had a Lab- and the proposed moving of East rador. She said, “I’ve been to other Finchley Library, and is aware training courses and they have of concern about the dangers been very regimented. Roland has of radio masts and the effects children in his classes and we go of supermarkets on local shops. to Trent Park. This way reality is Each year the society sends brought into the classes.” members 10 newsletters, and Diane from East Finchley holds nine talks at Avenue House, said, “My dog Sheba has learned N3, on local issues and on subjects many new things in a fun, stress- of wider interest. The society wel- free atmosphere.” comes new members. The annual Roland’s classes take place subscriptions are £9 for individu- on Saturday afternoons in New COME and discover what God can do for YOU als and £16 for families. Barnet. Each six-week course, More information and mem- takes six to seven dogs and This Sunday 11:00am The Finchley Youth Theatre bership forms are available from costs £50 plus £5 per class. Robert Winton, 224 Creighton Contact 020 7689 0630 or 07748 142 High Road East Finchley London N2 Avenue N2 9BD. Tel: 8883 2633. 558782..

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