www.hgs.org.uk Issue 117 · Winter 2014

Councillor Rachel Dein Author Michael and vicar enjoy talks to our Morpurgo opens fireworks party Style editor, Archer Academy, again page7 see page 4

RA’s fireworks party back You can talk about and plan these An hour earlier, the magnificent Church, eagerly awaiting the events for weeks, as indeed we did, St Jude’s Church and it’s resident countdown to midnight. Noise but no amount of preparation Vicar Alan Walker hosted probably levels were increasing by the makes any difference if you’re one of the busiest New Year minute in this normally quiet relying on the weather, as we were. drinks’ parties in the history of place of worship. For those of a slightly anxious these annual firework displays. Meanwhile, our weather-hardy disposition, nature had a cruel The cava was flowing, the soft Stewards were outside in Central way of playing with us and it drinks were demolished in Square proudly shaking the wasn’t until approximately 11.40 moments but no-one minded eponymous yellow buckets and on New Year’s Eve 2013 that the because at least they were dry. cash donations were literally rain finally stopped and held There was a buzz of excitement thrown in by hundreds of local off long enough for the much whilst umbrellas were shaken residents and visitors to the event. awaited RA firework display. and guests took refuge in the (continued on back page) PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS

Keeping up appearances Fellowship moves ahead newly illustrated Design Guidance value the special qualities of the The Trust has now confirmed you have not already given to We’d like to thank Peter Falk, in terms of the historical intentions Suburb and better appreciate the go ahead for Fellowship’s this excellent Suburb cause – the having given years of hard work of controlling development in the need to protect its character. plans for the refurbishment of only remaining independent and a huge amount of his own the conservation area, and The guidance explains the its building and garden area. community building in the time to Fellowship as Treasurer, about providing home-owners importance of careful design in Barnet gave its consent at the Suburb – please consider doing and has now decided to step down. and architects with the tools all works to buildings, and beginning of November. so now. Pick up a copy of the We welcome local residents and assistance to make refers to the specialist skills and The plans were displayed in appeal information leaflet and Keith Ellis, who takes over as appropriate alterations. This craft traditions involved. It will Fellowship House and in the Gift Aid form from Fellowship Treasurer, and David Levey who Design Guidance gives advice assist applicants to make their Trust Office and comments House or the Trust Office or call will be responsible for various With a lecture given by their on repairs, alterations and proposals realistic and help the were invited over a three month me on 8209 1475. All donations administrative duties including architect David Davidson, extensions to properties and on Trust and Barnet to make decisions period. Fellowship members will be acknowledged and a hall bookings (call 8209 1773 or Hampstead Garden Suburb works to trees and gardens. It which are clear and consistent. approved them last summer. donors roll will be displayed in email [email protected]). Trust launched the new Design has been produced jointly by All applications for alterations It is hoped that the works will the building. JOHN HEWSON Guidance to an audience of the Hampstead Garden Suburb will be determined in the light of start in the summer, incorporating some 80 residents in December Trust and Barnet Council. the guidance given in this booklet. the annual summer shutdown in the synagogue hall. In preparing the publication, The Design Guidance is period. We at Fellowship are The lecture was entitled the emphasis has been to use published for Residents of aware of anxieties about closure Playground revamp ‘Keeping Up Appearances – photographs and illustrations Hampstead Garden Suburb and and are already planning March is the planned start for the to partner the venture with its Design guidance and aesthetic to bring to life the form, texture can be found on the Trust’s alternative venues. full scale update of the young own £50,000, leaving the users control as part of Unwin’s plan and detail of the architecture website www.hgstrust.org. Copies A Suburb wide appeal has children’s playground in Northway to raise a small balance for some for Hampstead Garden Suburb.’ and landscapes of the area. It is can be obtained from the Trust, been launched to provide top Gardens (Suburb News Autumn of the equipment. Over half the He discussed the significance of hoped that this will encourage the Garden Suburb Gallery and up financing for the works. I’m 2013). Thanks to an RA grant of cost is to replace the unhygienic control and the relevance of the residents to understand and Community Library. struck by the generous response the remaining £20,000 of its wood chips with child-friendly of residents to this initiative centenary fund, and energetic matting, now to be brown rather and as of mid January, £22,000 lobbying by a users’ group chaired than blue, thanks to input from has already been raised. More is by Katie Fearn, Barnet has agreed Oakwood Road residents. Passionate Suburbites needed to reach our target so if For 35 years we have been dealing with the “great and the good” of the Suburb RA party We live, eat and breathe this wonderful cherished place and feel privileged to be able to serve Sign up for this community. for new residents Suburb New and not so new residents will be particularly welcoming We routinely break price precedents for our valued customers, since we attract buyers from both can drop in to a drinks reception those who have moved into the within and outside the area greatly assisted by our local and international status. toddlers at Fellowship House (Willifield Suburb in the last couple of years, “We know a lot about a little”, which means we do not get distracted by properties we cannot Way, opposite the big green) on but any resident who wants to sell in other parts of London. We attract the best purchasers/tenants for our clients and every party Tuesday 4th February, any time feel the warmth of this fantastic transaction is a milestone for us. All Suburb toddlers are invited, between 6.30-8.30pm. RA team community should drop in – and with parents, to a party organised member, Diane Walsh, said “We buggies will be welcome. Before we act for you we adopt your property as if it is our own and deal with it accordingly. by the RA Events Committee on Our extensive clientele base is a testament to the commitment and passion we have for our Sunday March 9 at Fellowship business so if you have not dealt with us before, why not give us a ring? We have an innate House,Willifield Way. understanding of where the market is going and we are happy to impart this to you or simply Elaine Robinson, mother of The 102nd give you an up-to-date appraisal. two and near neighbour Florence Cooke have planned an afternoon AGM No obligation, no fuss… just old-fashioned service. of fun, with entertainment and of the Association will take place on Monday 31 March 2014 food, and prizes for all. Speak to you soon. at 8pm in the Henrietta Barnett School Hall, Central Square. Expecting children from 2 Motions for the agenda must be received by 17 February 2013. to 4 years old, there’ll be plenty Nominations for the posts of officers and members of the of floor mats in the next room Council must be received by 21 March 2014. for babes in arms. Registration is They should be submitted in writing, signed by proposers via the website www.hgs.org.uk and seconders and have the consent of nominees. which has more information. Please send notices of motions and nominations to: Any further questions can be sent to Elaine or Florence at The Assistant Secretary, Rosemary Goldstein, 1a Church Mount, N2 0RW [email protected]. Sheila Seepersaud Jones, 1941-2013 Michael Darke Please be a current of racism. She worked hard commissioning murals, 1923-2013 Fellowship running school workshops and Michael Darke, who has died 1957 he acted as Hon Sec to the organising multicultural events aged 90, came to the Suburb in 1957 jubilee. It was a very ambitious volunteer to help raise awareness. 1936 when he was thirteen and affair opened by the Lord Mayor Later, Sheila refocused her eventually moved away in 1968 of London and visited by Princess driver energies on her sculpture and to take up an appointment as Margaret who during a day on As many of you may know, every with characteristic gumption and head of environmental design at the Suburb unveiled a plaque Tuesday afternoon at Fellowship drive managed to convince the Manchester College. In subsequent on the Institute wall and, using House there is a talk for members HGS Trust to allow her to build years he returned frequently, had Henrietta Barnett’s spade, dug the and Suburb Residents on a variety a studio in her back garden. The many friends and clearly felt very first sod of the new Fellowship of subjects. There are some bricks were sourced from derelict much at home on the Suburb. House. Michael won a competition members who would love to buildings and the Suburb style He was an architect and designed for the design of the jubilee attend but would be unable to of architecture rigorously applied. two important Suburb buildings, logo and designed the map for do so unless they had a lift. We She spent many happy years in The Orchard and, with Kenneth the programme which is still therefore have a rota of her studio repeatedly turning Williams, Fellowship House which used in the RA Directory more volunteer drivers to help them new creative ideas into colourful sadly was only on part of the than half a century later. but we urgently need some ceramics. Her training as a site of the bombed Club House. CHRIS PARRY/ RICHARD WAKEFIELD more people. It only involves a sculptor combined with her early Some would consider it once-a-month commitment on experience of bright tropical unfortunate that they were built a Tuesday afternoon to take colours led to wonderful three when they were, in 1950/60s them to Fellowship at about dimensional work now to be found style but they remain good 2pm and return them home at in many homes locally and around examples of the period. about 4pm – you might even the world. Sheila featured in one A keen sportsman and enjoy staying to hear the talk of the earliest Suburb News and captain of the HGS Tennis Club, yourself, with a cup of tea included! was a frequent exhibitor in the he chaired the Sports and Social So if you feel you can help Garden Suburb Gallery. committee of the 1950 Suburb once a month on a Tuesday She also found time to act as Festival which was held to mark afternoon please do get in a volunteer on the Africa desk at the end of the war years and ‘to touch with Gill Read, tel. 8455 Artist, nurse, anti-racism campaigner and then as a midwife at St Mary’s the British Museum. Children (and keep alive and active the ideal of 9523, who will be happy to give and long-time suburb resident Paddington and the Central adults) from all over the world the founders – good neighbourliness you further details. Sheila Seepersaud-Jones died in Middlesex Hospital where she were delighted to handle selected and community enjoyment’. In October from pancreatic cancer met her future husband. After a items from the collection brought at the Marie Curie Hospice in series of posts in London teaching to life by Sheila’s enthusiasm. Belsize Park. hospitals Sheila continued nursing With an insatiable appetite for Fellowship Sheila was a colourful and part time and was still, aged 70, up promoting art and encouraging Dorothy Unwin eccentric character who was often at the crack of dawn commuting other budding artists, Sheila Dorothy Unwin, who died before Suburb School. Dorothy was made AGM seen zipping around the area across the city to vaccinate school became one of the founding Christmas, was a life long Suburb an honorary life member of the At the Fellowship House AGM with pink highlights in her hair children in Tower Hamlets. members of the ‘East Finchley resident. Her family lived in Residents Association in 2004 last November, the report and and wearing garments in all Not content with filling her Open’, the increasingly successful Oakwood Road where she was when she finally, after 30 years, accounts for the year to July were colours of the rainbow. She lived time as a nurse and mother, forum for promoting the work born and, when she was 13, gave up being a membership accepted. The accounts show that, in the suburb for more than when her daughter Emily was of artists in the area. Her kiln moved to a new house in representative and ward organiser. largely due to Eileen Whelan’s forty years, first in Midholm born Sheila enrolled to study was fired up just before her last Howard Walk where she lived She was a valued member of the generous bequest, reserves as at and then in Brookland Rise. pottery at The HGS Institute. day at home and the resulting until 2011. She taught at Garden RA Council. July 31 were £290,495 and that Sheila was born in 1941, one of Her talent and enthusiasm as work was sold to benefit the there were 276 members. six in a village in British Guiana. an artist led to a coveted place hospice at a celebration of her life The meeting was attended only As she slept in her hammock in on the Sculpture degree course at as an artist in Soho on 10 October by members of the governing a small clapboard house with a St Martin’s School of Art, much exactly two weeks before she died. Tony Thornley committee. No individual member picture of the Queen on the wall to her enduring pride. Her ‘Just Giving’ website, Past vice chairman and chairman He first met his wife Kay who was not also on the she dreamed of exploring her In the mid-eighties she joined to benefit Marie Curie, is still of the Trust in the eighties, Tony when he was a radar operator governing committee was present. other mother country. When a the GLC to work in the anti-racism open at www.justgiving.com/ Thornley has died at 92. A partner on the Isle of Wight. They The notice of meeting, report British representative from the movement. Sheila always remarked SheilaSeepersaud-Jones. in KPMG, he used his accounting moved into one of the houses and accounts had, while copies Department of Health arrived in that although she had embraced Sheila is survived by her talent on various Suburb bodies rebuilt after wartime bombing had been placed in the foyer, Guyana scouting for candidates a life of freedom and friendship husband Richard, their daughter to great effect. in Coleridge Walk in 1947 and not been circulated to members. to fill our nursing shortage Sheila in England, she herself had not Emily and two grand-daughters As well as keeping the Trust later to Willifield Way. John Hewson, who had saw her chance to expand her always felt welcome in her adopted Esme and Amity Bo who gave accounts in order for many years, Both keen golfers, Tony said in April that he would step horizons. In 1964, knowing no home, especially in the early her great pleasure as her life he was treasurer for the Orchard captained Hampstead Golf Club down at the end of the year, one in England, she travelled by days after coming down to drew to its end. and raised funds for the launch and clearly enjoyed a life on was re-elected chairman with Dutch cargo ship from her London. At a time of simmering RICHARD JONES of Abbeyfield on the Suburb. the Suburb. Louise Scheuer as vice chairman. home in the tropics to arrive 18 tensions, just after the Brixton Peter Falk resigned as a trustee days later at Southampton in the riots, Sheila felt passionately and treasurer and a new snow. She trained to be a nurse that she should play some small treasurer was sought. Pia Duran at the Royal Hospital Chesterfield part to help reduce the under- Freshly baked bread for the Suburb had also resigned as a trustee. Robert Paul, who grew up in delicious cakes, without the hassle old techniques. The premium, David Levey would be taking Hampstead Way, is one of the of having to leave the house. natural ingredients used in the over the administrative duties founders of artisan bakery, Poppy We bake into the early hours, range of breads are sourced locally previously handled by Peter Falk. and Rye, which has launched a delivering straight to your door, and have no added preservatives. RICHARD WAKEFIELD weekend home delivery service to ensure you receive a wonderfully bringing fresh breads, pastries and fresh morning delivery.” DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S HOME CARE cakes straight to your front door. Customers can order online We offer a competitively priced, home-based nursing service by He says, “It’s surprisingly at www.poppyandrye.co.uk and fully-qualified Carers to those suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease difficult to get fresh, handmade, receive a bakery box packed with or who require general Geriatric care. We also provide Nannies. baked goods delivered to your luxury bread and pastries on a If you require such help, from a few hours a day up to 24-hour live-in care, door. Poppy and Rye offers the Saturday or Sunday morning. we can be of assistance. convenience to enjoy the finest Poppy & Rye’s award winning Please contact: In charge of Carers Geraldine on 07946 170162 artisan breads, flaky pastries and loaves are handmade using age- Office number : Andrew 020 8368 8177 Mobile: 07774 442 047

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2 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS RA pressure on TfL works wonders After years of pressure from the loading bay altogether. The RA’s Roads & Traffic Committee, latest improvements in the Transport for London have at visibility of the north side bays last applied roadway markings having now been achieved, it is to the Market Place loading bays to be hoped that the RA’s long which have been the subject of campaign may be brought to a intensive CCTV enforcement close although the CCTV camera Community spirit at since 2006. The new markings is likely to continue to be used improve the visibility of the bay by TfL to hound residents and Brookland Junior school and should help to reduce shoppers accused of a range of accidental mis-use which has minor parking or traffic winter fair given TfL the opportunity to contraventions. Last December Brookland Junior brimming with excitement. A wide issue anything up to 2,000 parking To that end residents might School raised over £9,000 at their variety of entertainment was on tickets each year worth up to wish to respond to the government Winter Fair. This annual fundraising offer including outdoor water £300,000 per annum in fines. consultation on parking found event has been organised for balls, a fabulous magician, the Traders in the Market Place say at http://goo.gl/buoIXR. over 35 years by the school’s Santa’s grotto, delicious culinary many of their customers never The proposals include ending Parent Association and is a firm dishes from around the globe, a return after being issued with a local authority use of CCTV fixture on the school’s calendar, fun photo booth, plenty of parking ticket and some blame cameras to enforce parking always eagerly anticipated by artisan stalls, chess competitions the closure of several of the north regulations and providing greater pupils and parents. and an online auction. performed by the school choir Co-Head Heather Blackmore side shops on TfL’s aggressive discretionary powers to indepen- Much to the delight of the One of the event highlights and there were competitions for said, “This year’s Winter Fair was enforcement of the section. dent parking adjudicators. The children, this year’s fair was was the festive Christmas Carols Best Poster Design, won by Mia a huge success due to both the Over the past eight years the Roads & Traffic Committee has Wolfin (Year 5), and Best Jolly fantastic organisation from our RA has been instrumental in been told that feedback it Jar Design, won by Marlon PA, and from the loyal support helping several hundred residents provided, partly based on the Fuller (Year 3). of the local businesses who so and visitors recover fines or have Market Place experience, has £50,000 for charities This year’s fund raising was generously donated their goods their parking tickets cancelled contributed to the formation of dedicated to the PA’s attempt to and services to this fantastic after demonstrating that signage the proposals. As it is likely that from Proms at St Jude’s save the school’s treasured community event.” beside the loading bays was the local authorities will be swimming pool since Barnet For further details please email: inadequate. In particular the mobilising all their considerable Council has now cut all funding. [email protected]. R&T Committee has made reserves to oppose any relaxation representations on behalf of of parking controls, the R&T residents at several dozen Committee is anxious to Parking and Traffic Appeals encourage as many residents as hearings and has succeeded on possible to complete the short several occasions in having government questionnaire at CCTV enforcement suspended the website address or a paper in the Market Place for a period copy can be obtained by of time. In 2008 the Roads & telephoning the Department of Traffic Committee persuaded Transport on 0300 330 3000. TfL to remove the south side GARY SHAW

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY. We won’t waste time showing your home to the masses. With an unrivalled database of serious buyers on our books, we prefer to spend our time finding the perfect purchaser for you. Last November over 50 Proms at concerts sponsored by the Residents St Jude’s volunteers gathered to Association, which will take place hand over donations of £50,000 on the Suburb from 21-29 June. to its two target charities. A top opera star will perform on the P R HARTLEY Graham Fisher (pictured Last Night. Look out for a leaflet Knight Frank Hampstead 79-81 Heath Street, London NW3 above), chief executive of through your door in February or 020 7431 8686 [email protected] CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT Toynbee Hall, received a cheque go to www.promsatstjudes.org.uk. knightfrank.co.uk for £37,500 from Judith Cohen, RON FINLAY & REGISTERED AUDITOR who coordinated stewards for the LitFest. The money funds LLP Accounting & Taxation Services the ASPIRE project, helping 13 and 14-year-olds in the East GregoryAbramsDavidson Call 020 8731 9745 or 07850 634395 End build their confidence and Suburb Email paul prhartley.co.uk communications skills. Sara SOLICITORS Serving the @ Gibbins (left, picture above), www.prhartley.co.uk head of catering, gave £12,500 to Judi Guy, community fund- raising manager of the North Property Lawyers London Hospice. This will help pay for nursing both at the Hospice’s inpatients unit and in with over 30 years local experience the community. Contact: OIiver Joseph or Melvin Cohen Thanks go to everyone who supported Proms this year, making these donations possible. 020 8209 0166 Planning is now under way for the 2014 Festival of walks, talks and music with lunchtime

Daytime, afternoon and evening classes Wordsearch 746 Finchley Road, Temple Fortune, [email protected] suspense London, NW11 7TH www.gadllp.co.uk The name of the winner of the [email protected] Conveyancing Family Law Personal Injury Medical & Dental Negligence Wills, Probate & Elder Law Autumn wordsearch, together with Corporate Law Commercial Property Dispute Resolution Media & IP Financial Mis-selling the answers will appear in the Spring issue of Suburb News. SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS 3 Michael Morpurgo OBE officially York stone theft thwarted opens Archer Academy cut the ribbon and declare the school officially open. The event was attended by a number of guests who had supported the school up to opening, including Mike Freer MP, Ian Threlfell from the Department for Education, Andrew Travers, Chief Executive of Barnet Council and councillors Alison Moore, Arjun Mittra and Andrew Harper. Headteachers from some of the local primary schools and other Renowned author and former during which the students community members were also children’s laureate Michael asked some well thought-out guests on the day. Morpurgo was the guest of questions and received some Headteacher Mick Quigley honour at the official opening insightful, often hilarious answers. summed up the view of the of the Archer Academy, East Student Jake Emmerson said, “I school on the occasion, saying: Finchley’s new secondary school, got to ask a question! I asked “I know I speak for everyone on on 21 November 2013. him about his goals and he the Archer Academy team when Both students and staff were wisely told me goals are never I say what an honour it has A combination of quick action the van free from its muddy we are able to report a failed theft delighted to be visited by such a reached, which I thought was been for us to have such a well- by vigilant neighbours and ill- trap before the police arrived that reminds us how important celebrated writer, and spent the very clever.” loved author officiating at our advised parking led to the and arrested them. our neighbours can be to us. weeks before his visit immersing Staff and students then went opening ceremony. thwarting of a York stone Thefts of York stone paving Fortunately our Suburb is an themselves in his books. They outside the Beaumont Close The students have raised robbery and the arrest of two have become a more common urban area with a strong sense also came up with a range of building and were joined by more than £750 for his charity would be thieves in Brim Hill in occurrence in the Suburb of community and fellowship, fundraising activities to raise governors and other invited so far, to show our appreciation early November. recently with reports of thefts which benefits us all. money for his charity, Farms for guests to see Michael reveal the for his visit, and the money is Neighbours spotted a white from elsewhere in Brim Hill, Congratulations to those City Children, as their way of commemorative plaque and cut still coming in. It was a truly van parked on the grass and Meadway, Hill Rise, Spencer whose concern and quick wits saying thank you. the ribbon. unforgettable day, and a real workmen lifting a pathway from Drive, Holne Chase, Linnel Drive resulted in a positive outcome The author was greeted at the To the delight of the watching highlight of our first term at the a property. After some fearless and the path from Hill Close to in this case. Archer Academy, by the school’s students, Michael claimed he Archer Academy.” and pointed questioning, and The Square. However in this case TERRY BROOKS book club, who chatted informally was unable to pull the cord on And student Jake agreed, getting some unconvincing with him about his writing and his own, and enlisted the help saying: “This has been a answers, the police were called. his life. They were then joined of Arsham Moti-Ghavanin, in marvellous, momentous and Either through inexperience or by the rest of the school to recognition of the fact that memorable occasion and I feel stupidity the thieves had not Take the 20mph listen to Michael reading from Arsham had shaved his head to privileged to have been part of reckoned on the slippery nature his collection of short stories, raise money for Michael’s it. It was very kind of Michael of wet grass and found they challenge Of Lions and Unicorns. charity. Two other students, Alex to come to our school. He was could not make their escape. The Roads and Traffic Committee either not aware of the 20mph After the reading, Michael Warwick and Markos Jethwa, were very funny and I think everyone Even without the stone on hears often from residents in limit or who do not care about it. took part in a lively Q&A session, then roped in to help Michael will remember it forever.” board they were unable to push favour of a 20mph speed limit I have made a dozen or so across the Suburb. round trips since the limit was Many RA members will be introduced and sticking rigidly aware that during December to the absurdly inappropriate A police warning Camden Council instigated just limit I have been overtaken by I am writing to warn of a fraud another courier to collect the such a limit throughout that antagonised motorists on every scam that is happening across cash as ‘evidence’. They may borough so residents of the occasion including twice at zebra London but is currently particularly also ask you to confirm who Suburb, anxious for a similar crossings! This is a classic example affecting Barnet. I feel it is my they say they are by calling 999 limit, may now care to try the of not thinking through a policy duty to warn you of this scam or Scotland Yard but this is part following experiment. simply because it sounds like a and to reassure you we are of the scam as they do not clear Travel from the 20mph limit’s good idea. I have no doubt that taking these crimes very seriously the telephone line and you are starting point at Spaniard’s Gate introducing 20mph limits in and are working with other simply reconnected to them. via Whitestone Pond and Heath Camden will make the roads Boroughs and Specialist Units Important: Neither the Police Street then down Fitzjohn’s there less, rather than more, safe. to apprehend the offenders. nor the Banks would EVER ask Avenue to its junction with Those who think the Suburb’s The scam is particularly for your credit card numbers over Finchley Road where the 20mph roads are unsafe should be concerning as they are targeting the phone. The police would limit ends (Finchley Road is TfL concentrating on schemes which the elderly and vulnerable and NEVER send a courier round to operated and therefore retains will make a genuine contribution especially women. The criminals collect evidence. If you receive its 30mph limit). Drive around to safety such as improved are calling victim portraying a call from anyone claiming to the Swiss Cottage roundabout sight-lines at certain locations themselves as police officers from be a police officer and you are and travel back to Spaniard’s and the enforcement of junction police stations in London, stating suspicious then dial 999 or contact Gate the same way you came. parking regulations. 20mph that you have been a victim of your local Neighbourhood See if you can keep to the limits would make no contribution fraud and that they need your Policing Team but allow at least 20mph limit and if so whether whatsoever to safety on the bank card as evidence. They ask 5 minutes for the line to clear or you are able to do so without Suburb’s roads though overnight for credit card and PIN numbers. use a different phone. keeping your eyes on the speed- they would criminalise virtually They then tell the victim that they There is further information ometer rather than the road. all of the Suburb’s car-owning need the card as evidence and will available on the MET police See if anyone else (including residents. If you disagree at least send a courier to pick it up. In website in the little book of big bus and taxi drivers) is observing take the above challenge before some cases they ask the victim scams, www.met.police.uk/docs/ the limit. See if you can complete raising the matter with the to obtain cash from their bank little_book_scam.pdf. the journey without being flashed, Roads & Traffic Committee. or post office as they believe it ADRIAN USHER, hooted or overtaken by infuriated CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT GARY SHAW is counterfeit. They then send BARNET BOROUGH COMMANDER motorists behind you who are [email protected]

G Cohen ANTIQUE SILVER

We wish to purchase items of silver in any condition. As a long standing resident of the Suburb, Gideon Cohen is happy to view your silverware at home and will make an offer to purchase, free of any obligation.

17 The London Silver Vaults 53-64 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1QT 020 7404 1425 [email protected] www.gcohen.co.uk

4 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS The power of the flower Love, war and opera Flower power is back. Following principally in Afghanistan, it is Theatres of War is about a theatre autobiographies of the time, and and musicians, and on the ordinary her much-lauded magnum opus, grown, as the author puts it, “to – an opera house in Naples – and the works of historians such as soldiers who come to watch. The Rose, Jennifer Potter is back haunt those who first recognised a war – the Italian campaign in James Holland, it seems clear The Second World War was in full bloom with new research, its potency.” The political impact 1943. But it is really about love: that this was the way many a tragedy, inhuman in its scale entitled Seven Flowers And How of flowers is perhaps no better the love of two men for one British behaved in the war, and and depravity. But there were They Shaped Our World. exemplified than by the two woman, and the love of opera. that it got them through it. countless tiny incidents of love This, her fifth study of what Opium Wars of the nineteenth Frank and Edmund are two Richard Hall understands this, and of beauty where humanity orders our gardens and what lies century in which Britain, in British officers fighting in Italy and adds some examples of prevailed. Theatres of War tells behind the universal pleasure pursuit of commerce, sought to in 1943. While on a brief period narrow mindedness which are the story of one of these. of gardening, concentrates on force opium produced in India of leave in Naples, Frank stumbles breathtaking by modern standards, MICHAEL RIDPATH seven flowers that have, in one on a Chinese government afraid upon an abandoned theatre and but once again were to be way or another, affected cultures of the drug’s addictive effects determines to put on first a play, expected at the time. Edmund’s Theatres of War by RJJ Hall, and attitudes including, as one on the nation’s populace. and then an opera. Vermillion, courage is both remarkable and Matador: paperback 347 pages, would expect, matters concerning The genesis of Jennifer Edmund’s girlfriend, follows believable, as is his chauvinism. £9.99; e-book £4.99. the heart. The Suburb’s botanical Potter’s inspiration can probably Edmund to Naples from Cairo Hall has clearly researched Theatres of War is shortlisted for historian has extended her scope be traced to a sojourn in San and then helps Frank stage his his subjects carefully: the Italian the winter 2013 collection of The across the globe and deep into Francisco during the Flower operas. The inevitable love campaign, Naples, wartime People’s Book Prize. Vote for RJJ Hall’s the ancient world to bring to the Power era where she immersed triangle develops. behaviour. The battle scenes, book at www.peoplesbookprize.com. reader this intensely meticulous herself among the Beautiful The novel has an old- the freezing horror that was Michael Ridpath’s latest book, account of the origins of these application as a medicine and a People and their ways. However, fashioned feel, and this is, I Monte Cassino in that winter, Traitor’s Gate, is published by seven flowers and how they healing ointment were matched she says she was not one to think, one of its strengths. It is are well crafted, especially in Head of Zeus. have influenced the behaviour by its use as a perfume (for wear a flower in her hair. Well, authentic. A presumption grew the opening, where we see Frank of mankind. men). In more recent times the of course not… the flowers were up in the 1960s and 70s that bellowing out Schubert’s songs Her previous book, The Rose, lily has been a floral accessory already in her head. the old black-and-white films of in an attempt to shore up his was its inspiration. “For five of the Pre-Raphaelite painters, a PETER HODGSON wartime romances portraying as own courage under bombardment. long years I tracked the rose’s symbol of intimate imaginings they did bravery, a stiff upper But it is the opera, and in evolution, struck by how central of poets and the object of Seven Flowers and How They lip, romantic infatuation, naivety particular the effect it has on the it had been to so many cultures,” adoration from those of the Shaped Our World by Jennifer Potter. and innocence, were lying to us. various characters in the book, she writes. “Who you are dictates Aesthetic Movement, Oscar Wilde Published by Atlantic Books at £25 But if you read diaries and that grabs the reader. I know how you see the rose. Each age having once said: “The reason little about opera, I don’t under- has reinvented the rose in its we love the lily and the sun- stand it, and before I read this own image.” She then asked flower is that they are the two book I didn’t understand the herself: “If the rose can do this perfect models of design… the SNOWDROPS people who love it. But here we what about other flowers?” gaudy leonine beauty of the one see its effect on Frank, on The seven chosen flowers, and the precious loveliness of the I know we look sad: unfortunately it’s instinct. Vermillion, on the Italian singers including the rose and her least- other… entire and perfect joy.” If your ancestors had seen what we endured favoured bloom, the orchid Well, whatever the great maybe you’d understand. We were always attracted (“nasty, spidery things”), are all aesthetes thought of the to sacred places, the never ending peace of holy ground, scrutinised for the ways they sunflower, another of Jennifer Bach’s St John Passion have shaped lives, whether in the Potter’s seven choices, she has only the sound of bell ringing, the chantings and sheep. This Bach masterpiece is going from St Jude’s and others from fields of politics or commerce, her own view. “The sunflower is They were on horseback, thundered through the fields to be performed in the Free Great St Mary’s Cambridge. The medicine or aestheticism, or a brute,” she writes before and forests where we lay, some dormant others in bloom. Church, Hampstead Garden performance will be accompanied in mythology. adding how it had an uncanny Suburb, on Palm Sunday April by a professional orchestra with The lotus, for example, ability to lock you into its stare. The noise...their hooves ripped the earth, 13 at 6.30 pm. young, professional soloists and traditionally regarded as the flower Argument over the sunflower’s then came the cries. It happened all over, but in the east, Jonathan Gregory, Director promises to be a very special of Buddhist contemplation, heliotropic properties, the plant Walsingham, Framlingham, great swathes of us were of Music at the Free Church, is Easter occasion. played a pivotal role, many turning its head from eastwards conducting combined singers Jonathan Gregory can be millenniums ago, in the mystery to westwards as the day wiped out, others so shocked they didn’t see daylight from the UK Japan Choir, the contacted on JGregoryukjapan@ of creation and the mythology progresses, are given with the for years. We don’t like being thought of as sad. I know Free Church, with some singers gmail.com. of ancient Egyptians, Indians author scorning the myths and they hadn’t come for us but it was a bloodbath. and Chinese. We learn that the religious symbolism attached to We were part of it. No, talking about it doesn’t help. burial chambers of the elite in this daily movement. Egyptian society, including that Another flower that could From Saying it with Flowers by Peter Phillips of the boy king Tutankhamun, also be described as a “brute” is contained dried lotus blooms and the opium poppy, not because images of the flower on various of its appearance of course but artefacts which were placed in the because of its use as an illegal drug. tomb to sweeten the deceased’s One of the ironies surrounding journey into the afterlife. this feared and medically- The lotus’s powers and sacred acclaimed plant is that it began associations are shared by the botanical life as a food in the lily, the origins of which go western Mediterranean and then back 3,500 years in Europe. Its moved eastwards where now,

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SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS 5

3922_PoppyandRye_v6.indd 1 15/01/2014 10:18 Suburb Style

Suburb Style editor, Deborah Warland talks to local residents

“Suburb! No way! Look, we’ve lived in a wonderful flat in Hong For the last 3 years she has been a Volunteer with the Met. Police A CHANGE OF HEART Kong with greenery behind and views down to the harbour in front in the Media Office of Barnet HQ in Colindale. She helped to write featuring June and Alan Armstrong Wright and a spacious house here in Washington. I am not going to live in a press releases and then was asked to write a Blog informing what place with Suburb in the title – with row after row of cramped, crimes and scams were being committed and how to combat them Alan and June bought their house on the Suburb and took possession of identical homes.” Despite June trying to correct this image, Alan was and stay safe. it on the day after the big storm in October. They had an anxious drive adamant. It wasn’t until he too had returned, and had turned down 2 Alan was born in 1929 and during World War II, he was to the empty house that day, past fallen trees and lots of damage – the and 3 on the short-list, that he was persuaded to look on the Suburb. evacuated several times and went to five different schools which he Surveyor’s report: “there are two notoriously shallow-rooted, mature, There was an immediate, and lasting, change of heart. says, “did not help his education – but ended up at Tottenham birch trees far too close to the house,” dominating their thoughts. Alan and June first met on a blind date organised by a mutual Grammar School which did!“ He was in London during the blitz and I Fortunately they were still standing. friend and got engaged six weeks later. They celebrated their asked him what it was like. “Our parents didn’t stop my friend Nobby Diamond Wedding Anniversary last May. A few months after they and me going out after the air raids to spot the damage. After an 987 was the year they returned to the UK after thirty three years married, Alan joined the Colonial Service as a Civil Engineer and they incendiary bomb raid we went to Finsbury Park and dug up seven 1 abroad – the majority of which was in Hong Kong, then finishing packed their meagre possessions ready to set sail for Hong Kong and incendiary bombs – we tried to set them off by banging them on the with five years in America. June came ahead of Alan especially to find a four year tour of duty there. Their thoughts were full of the footpath until a park keeper chased us off.” a house to settle in. She cast the net wide and searched from prospect of an exciting new life opening up. June added, “Only years After meeting and marrying June, there followed the famous boat Chiswick to Hampstead with over 150 viewings. Their Hampstead later did we appreciate the sadness of both sets of parents as we trip to Hong Kong where Alan immediately commenced his work as a Way house was top of a short-list of three. “Where is it?” he asked. blithely assured them that fours years “would pass in a flash.” As we Civil Engineer. For the next 28 years he had a succession of high “Hampstead Garden Suburb,” June replied. climbed up the gangway of the P&O Flagship ‘Chusan’, our lives did, powered jobs designing and supervising the construction of main roads, indeed, change overnight. It was sailing on a three month round-trip flyovers and bridges on Hong Kong Island, served on the Committee cruise to Japan; the first since the end of the war. The cruise attracted examining alternative locations for Kai Tak Airport. Alan was Deputy a passenger list of nobility and wealthy travellers intent on getting Secretary of the Environment and Deputy Financial Secretary and his away from post-war Britain. There was also a sprinkling of passengers last job there was as Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Transport. like us – mainly young people travelling to start a career.” They From 1982-87 Alan moved to the World Bank and was based in stepped ashore in Hong Kong a month later and were quickly won Washington DC – which must have been quite a change from Hong over by the energy and vitality of the place. Kong. He was taken on as Urban Transport Advisor, because of his June had acted in England but there was no professional Asian experience, and his job was to encourage the development of English-speaking theatre in Hong Kong at that time, however, she private enterprise efficiency and financial viability. He had to saw an advertisement for teachers. After a brief interview she was cooperate with many countries around the world including Kenya appointed to teach English to Chinese students. She also got involved which he says “was one of my favourites.” He continued to work for in the very active amateur drama groups and took part in many plays, the World Bank and the European Bank as an independent consultant acting and directing, both on stage and radio. It was as a result of until he was 71. He has also written many books on various aspects radio drama that she was invited to join Radio Hong Kong and of transport. started a broadcasting career that encompassed Hong Kong versions Now Alan has a full life of mainly voluntary work. “I am in touch of Woman’s Hour, Down Your Way, Desert Island Words, Forces with the Hong Kong Society, the World Bank and the World Wildlife Favourites and BBC’s Two Way Family Favourites. She presented this Fund, regarding their action to eliminate the slaughter of rhinos for programme from Hong Kong for the next sixteen years. Their son the supposed curative power of their horns. Additionally he does and daughter were born and grew up in Hong Kong. June told me, work for the Suburb Trust, including helping with the organisation of “we all loved the life – lots of swimming in the warm sea and at clubs; the Tree Survey plans and the review of the tree consultants going out on boats; picnics on the green hills; good schools and life recommendations 2012-2013. He drew up the Annual Road at home made much easier by a dear Chinese amah who was with us Maintenance Contract. In addition to these good works there is still a for twenty five years and whose daughter grew up with our children.“ lot of the humorous side to this gentleman .“I did a Cartoon Course The leaving of Hong Kong to go to Washington DC was a difficult at the Institute but despite many attempts have got only one printed wrench to begin with but June met up with a British actress within a in a Golf Club magazine. I also did a Stand Up Comedy Course and few weeks and the two of them started a small, professional theatre performed a few times with a seven minute gig that went down quite company called Interact. Over the next five years, she co-wrote and well at the Soho night club ‘Pear Shaped in Fitzrovia’. directed fourteen original shows for Interact ranging from a children’s June and Alan say they thoroughly enjoy living on the Suburb; puppet show to a play on the reign of William and Mary. the rich pickings offered by Fellowship House; the friendship of Then it was back to England and HGS and more time to pursue neighbours and the congregation at St Jude’s; the preserved writing a memoir (unfinished), poetry, short stories, entertainments architecture and greenery; walking on the Heath Extension to watch for Fellowship House and the Horticultural Society and a docu-drama cricket or rugby and last – but certainly not least – to be within easy on Henrietta Barnett, ‘With Regard to the Dame’, as part of the reach of the treasure trove of theatres, museums and galleries this Suburb’s Centenary in 2007. great city offers.

ADVERTISING FEATURE January 2014 finds The Institute once again on top form. Our students have settled in well at Bishop Douglass School – where most of our courses now take place – and you will find that same special atmosphere in our classrooms generated by people studying something which they love. If you missed our main enrolment in September, it is not too late to sign up and Insight enjoy that buzz yourself: there are still a few places remaining on some of our 3 term courses. Visit our website www.hgsi.ac.uk or call us on 0208 829 4229. As well as our ever popular adult courses, we run a number of children’s courses too. There are still some places on our after-school Fun with Clay course for 5-7 year olds which runs on Mondays at the Arts Centre (now the Archer Academy). We also have 3 days of Half Term Holiday Workshops for 7-13 year olds coming up from 17-19 February. You can choose from Cookery, Cartooning and Carnival Fashion. For more information about the half term workshops, email [email protected] or call Anne on 020 8829 4235. Love So what else is new? We have a great range of short courses on offer this term. Our new 4 week Opera Magic course focuses on Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’ and ‘La Traviata’. It is designed to deepen your appreciation of opera and enhance your enjoyment. Learning We have an attractive range of computer courses too including ipad for Artists (Improvers) starting on March 1, a one day workshop on designing leaflets and posters also on March 1 – ideal for someone setting up their own small business or planning a special event – and two Creative Photoshop courses, one for beginners starting on February 15 and a follow-on for improvers on March 15. Some of our most popular courses return this term too: you can take your pick from Breadmaking (starts March 3), Understanding Your Digital Camera (Beginners – March 1, Intermediate – March 29), a Meditation Workshop for beginners running on Feb 8 and March 22 or two new London Walks: West London (starts February 26) and South London (starts April 22.) We also have 3 First Aid courses – one for children and babies running on February 22 and March 22 and a basic first aid course on March 8 and March 29 – as well as silk painting and life drawing courses starting this term. So what are you waiting for? Check it all out at www.hgsi.ac.uk – and sign up online. Bishop Douglass School, We are looking forward to welcoming you back to The Institute. Hamilton Road, East Finchley, N2 0SQ For further details ring 020 8829 4229 or visit www.hgsi.ac.uk

6 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS SUBURB ARTIST featuring Rachel Dein

I was so pleased when Richard Wakefield gave me the tip off about the multi-talented Rachel Dein as it looks like 2014 is going to be a rather special year for her.

oming up soon for Rachel (in March) is an Casts are then finished and refined by hand, some Cinterview with ‘Gardens Illustrated’ and then in of which are then painted. Rachel says, “when my May she will be exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower youngest child started school, having turned our Show for the first time, all of this alongside her studio loft into a studio I began to make small tiles from work on special commissions, creating decorative home and established the Tactile Studio. The items to show at galleries and giving classes. Suburb Free Church put out a call for creative Rachel and her husband Alan moved to the people in the area to show their work. A gallery Suburb in the autumn of 2007 with their three saw my work there and invited me to exhibit with children Abraham who is 12, Natasha 9 and them. That summer I had taken a stall at the Dandy Rebecca 8. As Rachel says, “we hadn’t planned to Lion Market where I met a lady who bought a move here – we were living in a Victorian terraced small tile. She commissioned me to make four house in Kentish Town and were looking for more large tiles using the favourite things that she and space. We saw loads of houses around NW5 and her husband and their children had chosen. Since N2 – but nothing seemed right. A friend then then I’ve worked to various commissions and I’ve mentioned an arts and crafts style house on the been making new pieces, experimenting with Suburb – and it was just right!“ Alan works as an different compositions of plants and flowers and oral historian (which is the recording of people’s different combinations of plaster and concrete.” memories, experiences and opinions and is a radio I asked Rachel about life on the Suburb. “The presenter. Their two girls are at the Garden Suburb Garden Suburb School has been the centre of our School where her son was also educated. When I time here so far, we have local friends at school asked her about juggling work with a young family and a fantastic cultural diversity from outside the she answered, “it’s not easy but working from Suburb too. It’s a shame that the ‘Royal Oak’ pub home means I don’t waste time commuting, I just closed – a far cry from where we were living before climb the ladder to the loft!“ with a pub on every corner. I don’t have enough Although I was the publishing director of time to enjoy the Suburb as I would like but my ‘House & Garden’ magazine for seven years, during favourite walk is from Wild Hatch into the Heath that time I never saw the type of work that Rachel Extension, down to the Vale of Health then over produces, which is really stunning. She studied the bridge and into Kenwood.” When I asked her Fine Art at Middlesex University and then had a about a memorial bench she replied, “I’d like to propmaking apprenticeship at the English National design a bench – it doesn’t need to say anything Opera. Since then she has worked as a propmaker and it can go wherever a bench is needed. I joined for the Royal Opera House, The Globe, West End the Horticultural Society and it was great to have a Theatres, the London Transport Museum and the buddy who gave me the confidence and inspiration Rothschild Villa in Corfu, amongst others. She has to work on our garden.” She is currently working also exhibited at the Ben Uri Gallery, Raymond’s on a centenary plaque for the Suburb School. Revue Bar and the Garden Suburb Gallery. To get a To finish, Rachel told me a Suburb story, “a few real feel of Rachel’s work go to her website, years ago, the oak tree in our crescent which all the www.tactilestudio.co.uk, as this illustrates her unique houses had been built around was rotten and style better than words can. To quote Rachel: “I enjoy needed cutting down. David, our neighbour, took the magic of plaster casting to create fossils from on board the job to salvage the wood and organise everyday life – whether it’s a shell found on holiday, a farewell to the old oak. His children who’d grown your grandmother’s treasured lace, a christening up here and left home wrote poems about the tree gow, or the flowers from your wedding.“ Her method and our son played the Last Post on his trumpet. of plaster casting captures everyday objects in a Many of the neighbours gathered for this sad delicate and different way. She makes impressions farewell. We later found out that the tree was over in wet clay, and then pours plaster directly over it. 250 years old and one of the tree millers handed us The clay captures the most intricate details, subtly a nail that he had found towards the middle of the colouring the plaster as it sets. Each clay mould can tree, which may have been part of a boundary only be used once, making every piece unique. marker dating pre-Suburb!“ Garden Suburb Design Guidance A fully illustrated Design Guidance for the Suburb has been produced by the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust and Barnet Council. This full-colour publication gives advice on repairs, alterations and extensions to properties and on works to trees and gardens. Copies are available to collect from the Trust Office and Garden Suburb Library, or by sending a self-addressed A4 envelope stamped with £1.33 to: Trust Education & Publications Assistant, 862 Finchley Road, London NW11 6AB A digital copy is available on the Trust’s website www.hgstrust.org

862 Finchley Road, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 6AB · 8455 1066 · mail @hgstrust.org · www.hgstrust.org

SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS 7 WHAT’S ON GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY GODFREY & BARR, HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB’S LEADING ESTATE AGENT

ONGOING FROM 28 JANUARY EVERY TUESDAY FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2.30pm Talks at Fellowship Fellowship House, 136a Willifield Way. 1pm Violin Recital by Litsa Tunnah Free Church. Lunch supporting 1pm Cello Recital by Catherine Lee Free Church. Lunch supporting Diverse subjects from interesting speakers from Diamonds are a Girl’s Christian Aid served from 12.15pm Christian Aid served from 12.15 Best Friend to Women in Medicine and the author on her new book, 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as at 7 February 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February Seven Flowers SATURDAY 1 MARCH SUNDAY 30 MARCH SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 10.30am Traidcraft Sale and Coffee Morning Free Church 10.30am Mothering Sunday St. Jude’s Church. All welcome. Info 10.30am Traidcraft Sale and Coffee Morning Free Church 11am-1.30pm Opera Magic. Understanding the Magic of Verdi - 020 8455 1025 Verdi’s Il Trovatore – Details as 25 February SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY MONDAY 31 MARCH 10.30am History and Topography of the Hampstead Heath Ponds SUNDAY 2 MARCH 8pm Residents Association AGM Henrietta Barnett School Hall Burgh House, New End Square, Hampstead NW3 ILT. Heath & 10.30am The Hidden Heath Meet between Old Kitchen Garden and Hampstead Society present a guided walk, led by Marc Hutchinson. Former Stables, east of Kenwood House. Heath & Hampstead Society WEDNESDAY 2 APRIL Admission £3. Info 07941 528 034 present a guided walk, led by Michael Hammerson (Highgate Society) Last copy date for What’s On in May, June and July for insertion in on the historical features of Hampstead Heath. Admission £3. the Spring issue of Suburb News. Details to David Littaur, TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY Info 07941 528 034 84 Wildwood Road NW11 6UJ. Tel 020 8731 6755 or 07510 308 10.15-10.45am RA Library Story and Song Time for toddlers and 997. Email [email protected] carers. Every Tuesday. HGS Community Library. Engaging and fun TUESDAY 4 MARCH stories & songs to participate in and enjoy together. Admission free. 8pm Residents Association Council Meeting Fellowship House. FRIDAY 4 APRIL Info 8455 8256 Hear Suburb issues debated and raise your concerns at Question 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February 8pm Residents Association Council Meeting Details as 4 March 6.30-8.30pm New(ish) residents welcome at RA drinks party at Time (8.30pm) Fellowship House, Willifield Way (opposite the big green). Buggies welcome too FRIDAY 7 MARCH SATURDAY 5 APRIL 10.30am Traidcraft Sale and Coffee Morning Free Church 2pm Women’s World Day of Prayer Service Trinity Church, Hodford FRIDAY 7-20 FEBRUARY Rd, Golders Green NW11 8EG SUNDAY 6 APRIL 1pm-5pm Highgate Gallery Paper Games This exhibition celebrates 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February the diversity that is possible when paper is used as the starting point 9.30am Birds of the Heath Burgh House, New End Square, in the making of two-dimensional art. All four artists, Cuillin Bantock, SATURDAY 8 MARCH Hampstead NW3 ILT. Heath & Hampstead Society host a birdwatching session, on various parts of the Heath, led by John Hunt and Sash Jessica Poole, Geoffrey Rigden and David Webb, have known one 7.30pm Finchley Chamber Choir Concert Trinity Church, Nether Tusa. Admission £3. Info 07941 528 034 another professionally for up to twenty years. Street N12 7NN (near Tally Ho Corner). Music by Bach, Brahms & 9.30am The Hidden Heath Meet Details as 2 March 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Fellowship House. Classical Music others, including Lotti’s Crucifixus & 40-part motets. Admission £12 and Tea 50p (conc £10), under 16s £6. To book 020 8815 9422 FRIDAY 11 APRIL 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February FRIDAY 14 FEB SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February 3.30pm RA party Suburb toddlers are invited, with parents, at SUNDAY 13 APRIL SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY Fellowship House (Willifield Way). Registration at www.hgs.org.uk. 10.30am Palm Sunday St Jude’s Church. Church service. All welcome. Further details, Elaine or Florence at [email protected]. Horticultural Society coach trip to Welford Park for the Snowdrops Admission free (collection). Info 020 8455 1025 11am Palm Sunday Service Free Church Visit Welford Park near Newbury – noted for a spectacular display FRIDAY 14 MARCH 6.30pm Bach’s St John Passion Free Church. Bach’s masterpiece is of snowdrops. Snowdrop gift shop and plants. Tearoom for light 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February lunches. Price and application details www.hortsoc.co.uk; being performed on Palm Sunday by Jonathan Gregory, Director of 020 8455 0455/7334 THURSDAY 20 MARCH Music at the Free Church, with some singers from St Jude’s and others 2.30pm Thursday Fellowship Free Church Rooms. Slide Show on from Great St Mary’s, Cambridge. Please note the date and support us if MONDAY 17 FEBRUARY Africa, by Dennis Dyke you can. The performance will be accompanied by professional 1pm Youth Music Centre Goes to Town North London Saturday 8pm Historical Association Uncontrolled Ambitions and Treaties – orchestra with young professional soloists and promises to be a Music School (YMC) performs in St Martin-in-the-Fields (Trafalgar HA Lecture now on 15 May Fellowship House. Fellowship House, 136a special Easter occasion. Jonathan Gregory can be contacted on Square). Under the baton of their artistic director, Nigel Goldberg, the Willifield Way NW11 6YD. Talk on the causes of the First World War [email protected] Senior Orchestra will perform works by Vivaldi, Rossini, Mozart, Brahms at diplomatic level across Europe, by Paula Kitching. Visitors are welcome and Dvorák. Info 020 840 9290 THURSDAY 17 APRIL £3, members of Fellowship House £1. There is no difficulty in parking 2.30pm Thursday Fellowship Free Church Rooms. ‘Missionary Life – THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY FRIDAY 21 MARCH illustrated talk by Derek & Carole Lindfield. 2.30pm Thursday Fellowship Social Afternoon Free Church Rooms 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February 8pm Maundy Thursday Communion Service Free Church 8pm Historical Association Talk. Railways and Religion in 8pm Maundy Thursday St Jude’s Church. All welcome. Info Victorian England – Evangelism, Symbols and Unexpected SATURDAY 22 MARCH 020 8455 1025 Connections at Fellowship House. Fellowship House, 136A Willifield 11am-1.30pm Opera Magic. Understanding the Magic of Verdi – Way NW11 6YD. Professor Roger Richardson, Professor Emeritus, Verdi’s La Traviata Details as 25 February FRIDAY 18 APRIL University of Winchester and fellow of The Royal Historical Society. 11am-3pm Spring Book Market St. Jude’s Church Sale of second- 10.30am Church Good Friday St Jude’s Church. All welcome. Info Visitors are welcome £3, members of Fellowship House £1. There is hand books. Admission £1 per adult. All welcome. Info 020 8455 1025 020 8455 1025 no difficulty in parking 7.30pm Horticultural Society Gardeners’ Supper Quiz Fellowship 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February 6.30pm Good Friday Service Free Church FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY House. Light-hearted quiz on general knowledge horticultural 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February themes. Tables of 4/5 (make up your own with friends or we can seat SATURDAY 19 APRIL you). £15 includes supper and a glass of wine. Tickets. Diane Berger 8pm Easter Eve St Jude’s Church. All welcome. Info 020 8455 1025 SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY (020 8455 0455). Essential to book in advance 11am 104th Anniversary Service Free Church SUNDAY 20 APRIL SUNDAY 23 MARCH 10.30am Easter Sunday St Jude’s Church. All welcome. Tea and MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY 11am Cradle Roll Reunion and Junior Church Open Day Free Church coffee afterwards. Info 020 8455 1025 6pm-7pm Borough Councillors’ Surgery Fellowship House. Ask for 1.30-4pm Church Spring Book Market Details as 22 March 11am Easter Sunday Service Free Church advice on local problems MONDAY 24 MARCH THURSDAY 24 APRIL TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 6-7pm Borough Councillors’ Surgery Details as 24 February 7.30pm Horticultural Society talk. The Tale of the Tulip Fellowship Fashion with Lorna Watts Fellowship House. £60 for 6 weeks TUESDAY 25 MARCH House. A talk from garden historian, Russell Bowes. Hear about the 7-9pm Opera Magic. Understanding the Magic of Verdi – Verdi’s Il spectacular rise and fall of this beautiful garden flower. Members 7-9pm Institute Opera Magic. Understanding the Magic of Verdi - Trovatore The Institute. These seminars are suitable for all levels, free; non-members £3.00 at the door. Verdi’s La Traviata Details as at 25 February including beginners who are intrigued by opera but don’t know where 8pm Outreach Meeting in North Finchley Presented by The Finchley to start to seasoned opera lovers for whom opera is the greatest Society. Admission £2 for non-members. Info 020 8883 3381 emotional experience. The aim is to make opera more accessible for WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 7.30pm Persuing Astronomy using New and Old Technology beginners and to stimulate deeper understanding for those familiar FRIDAY 25 APRIL Free Church Hall. Oriel Room, Free Church Hall, Northway NW11. with the genre. Each seminar will put each opera in context, give 1pm Piano Recital by Meritxell Cusido Free Church. Lunch supporting HGS Astronomical Society presents a talk by Mark Jacobs. Details as background and delve in depth into the music, with the aid of modern Christian Aid served from 12.15 26 February recording, live examples and analysis of the vocal score. It will also 2.30pm Fellowship Friday Music Details as 7 February consider the role of the singer and vocal requirements for tackling THURSDAY 27 MARCH SATURDAY 26 APRIL these roles, plus all you al you want to know about opera but never 8pm Parking on Front Gardens Avenue House, East End Road, London dare ask! Price £35.00 to enrol contact 020 8829 4229 2pm-10pm YMC Concerto Prize Competition Union Church, Weston N3 3QE. We are going to have a discussion + panel of 3 or 4 people, Park, Crouch End N8 9TA. Many talented young musicians will give hopefully including someone from the HGS, to discuss ‘Parking on WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY their best in front of the distinguished adjudicators. The event aims Front Gardens’. Whilst there are stringent restrictions in the HGS, 7.30pm The Tiepolo Fresco in Wurzburg Free Church Hall. Oriel Room, to bring the chance to play with an orchestra to students at a radically many front gardens throughout the rest of Barnet are being paved Free Church Hall, Northway NW11. HGS Astronomical Society presents early stage in their musical lives.Just turn up any time of the day. over, with consequences for drainage and loss of habitat etc. a talk by Giles Davison on the Tiepolo fresco, with emphasis on the Info 020 8450 9290 Transits of Mercury. Membership £25 per year. New members Presented by The Finchley Society. Admission £2 for non-members. welcome – first visit free. To book 020 8455 5501 Info 020 8883 3381 MONDAY 28 APRIL 6pm-7pm Borough Councillors’ Surgery Details as 24 February THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2.30pm Ally Pally Prison Camp Avenue House, East End Road, WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL London N3 3QE. The Finchley Society presents an illustrated talk on 7.30pm Siding Spring Observatory – a Brief History Free Church Hall. Alexandra Palace and how it was used as an internment camp during Oriel Room, Free Church Hall, Northway NW11. HGS Astronomical WW1. Admission £2 for non-members. Info 020 8883 3381 Society presents a talk by Paul Cass. Details as 26 February

HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB OFFICE Covering Hampstead Garden Suburb, Mill Hill, Finchley, Hendon, Highgate, Hampstead, Arkley, Radlett, Elstree, Stanmore & Totteridge MILL HILL OFFICE 20 MARKET PLACE, HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB, NW11 6JJ Residential sales • Letting • New homes • Management • Investments 59 DAWS LANE, MILL HILL, NW7 4SE T 020 8458 9119 E [email protected] GODFREYANDBARR.COM T 020 8959 9000 E [email protected]

8 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS Down the allotment Price rise in the homegrown Gardening veg department in the winter Rental charges for allotment Barnet Federation of Allotment Living alongside Hampstead Heath doesn’t just offer advantages plotholders on the nine sites and Horticultural Societies. to human residents. A fantastic variety of birds live in the owned by the HGS Trust will Using the old agricultural Suburb and if you want to entice them into your gardens increase by 10% this year. This appellation of poles as a measure, then choose plants that produce berries and fruits. follows an increase of 15% on the 4,000-odd plotholders in Winter is an ideal time to plant berry-bearing trees or the previous year and is in line this organisation pay rent on bushes in the garden. Consider the following shrubs and with the Residents Association the basis of a charge per square trees synonymous with the Suburb: Native berry-bearing Allotment Committee’s aim to pole (25 square metres); the species such as rowan, holly, whitebeam, spindle, dog rose, satisfy the need for a closer standard size of a Barnet plot is elder, hawthorn, honeysuckle and ivy. relationship between income 10 square poles, considerably For highly decorative shrubs plant pyracantha, berberis, and spending, the latter being larger than those in the Suburb. and particularly cotoneaster adored by field fares and redwings. somewhat greater than the The latest rent rise follows an To supplement naturally grown food supplies why not former. Certainly, the days of upward trend and rents are likely install a bird table, ideally where you can see it from your peppercorn rents and concessions to increase above the rate of house. As well as general purpose Wild Bird seed mix, which are well and truly over, although inflation for some time ahead. attracts garden stalwarts such as tits & robins, introduce few would disagree that the Nick Packard, the Trust Estate Chris Page chairs the white sunflower hearts and nyger seeds for goldfinches and facility offered for growing one’s Manager, says the allotments black sunflower seeds for nuthatches. Fat blocks are favoured own vegetables remains value play an important part in the Horticultural Society by woodpeckers. Fallen fruit can also be saved in the freezer for money. communal life of the Suburb At the Horticultural Society’s 99th following agreement of members and put out onto the bird table in the depths of winter. Most Principal items of expenditure and the Trust is keen to see them AGM and Prizegiving held at present, Yvonne Oliver was duly importantly make sure you top up the bird table regularly so recently have been incurred by fully used and well maintained. Fellowship House on 12 November, elected. Prizes, cups and medals that supply doesn’t run out and you will be rewarded by the provision of a water supply “We are conscious that rents have Chris Page was elected Chairman were presented to show and garden visits from most if not all of these birds. to two sites (Willifield/TFHill risen significantly over the past of the society. Chris, who recently competition winners by one of Camellias are very popular winter flowering shrubs, and and Asmuns Place) and the costs few years,” he says. “But we retired from medical practice at the society’s Vice-Presidents, Joan do particularly well in the Suburb, but a lot of local gardeners associated with the management have increased the amount of the Temple Fortune Health Centre, Rees Phillips. are put off due to their reputation for high maintenance. A of trees bordering the sites and maintenance and improvement is also Chair of the NW support The full programme of events few simple steps should alleviate these concerns: the damage caused to some work over the last five to six years group of the North London Hospice. for 2014 will be published in the Yellowing leaves: Shrubs are probably nutrient starved so older trees by storms. with the aim of making them more The outgoing Chairman, Michael society’s members’ handbook in feed with ericaceous fertilisers in late summer. A thick mulch One act of tree ‘management’, attractive to Suburb residents.” Franklin, was away in New York the new year and on the website with composted pine bark or needles or composted bracken however, has not attracted an The allotments cost to the celebrating a significant birthday, www.hortsoc.co.uk. will help maintain the pH balance. invoice. Before Christmas a 10 Trust – a £2,200 loss last year, but he was thanked profusely Membership costs £7 (single) Buds don’t form: Camellias start to bud up with next year’s foot conifer on the Chatham £7,300 the previous year – is for his valuable service for the and £10 (double/family), under- flowers in late summer so water well during hot dry spells. Close site was cleanly cut above borne by the Trust’s own funds last six years and given a gift on 18s free. Contact David Broome Flowers go brown and drop off prematurely: Camellias are the ground and removed. The and not by the Management his return. hgshs.membership@virgin woodland plants and therefore grow best in loose well allotments constabulary is seeking Charge. “We have said to the The committee proposed a media.com or call him on 020 drained soil in shelter and light shade. Camellias should to identify the culprit by checking allotments committee that we new post of Vice-Chairman and, 8444 2329 to join or renew. never be planted on an east facing wall. The delicate tissues on discarded Christmas trees. must try and bring the rental of the flowers will freeze overnight and rapid thawing in the Another source of significant income closer to the costs of heat of the early morning sunlight will cause the flowers and expense over a long period has maintenance,” says Mr Packard. Join us for a fruitful 2014 buds to burst and be destroyed. Against a west-facing wall been the investigation of and The figures he quotes do not however, the plant will thaw gradually with the rise in air works related to a water leak at include any allocation for Whatever the weather has in store added attraction of children’s temperature, so by the time the sun hits it directly it has one location. insurance, management and for us in the next few weeks, fancy dress and adults’ fancy already defrosted. To meet these and other costs, administration expenses “nor any Spring is on its way, and with it hats competitions at the June Hydrangeas seem to sap the confidence of gardeners too. the Trust looks predominantly assessment of the time given by comes the new programme for show (hopefully to be judged by The most common concern is when and how to prune them. to rents. On sites where these the volunteer site secretaries HGS Horticultural Society. There Hon President Jonathan Ross), It’s not so much the traditional mop head and lacecap types, are applied on a per-square- and those who help them.” is something happening every and a return visit by the very where, at the end of March, you cut one or two of the old metre basis, the charge is in the Most sites are being fully used month and you don’t need to be popular Grimsdyke Brass Band stems back to ground level and the rest down to a healthy region of 60p a square metre, a and any inquiries by residents a professional gardener to enjoy at the September show. Your pair of buds. It’s hydrangeas paniculata Annabelle and figure which would equate about availability should be what’s on offer. There will be children and grandchildren could Limelight that cause confusion. Gardeners tend to either roughly to plots on sites where directed to the site secretaries day trips to lovely gardens and have fun growing and making leave them unpruned for fear of preventing them from a more notional method of whose names and contact details a three-day visit in and around things for the children’s sections flowering, resulting in floppy and leggy stems bearing charging is applied. are in the Suburb Directory. Herefordshire. Talks, a gardening at the shows too. If you have an unsupported blooms, or to prune them at the wrong time of This figure compares with the Patricia Major is to take over quiz and a gardeners’ question allotment, why not enter your year, resulting in no flowers at all. However if you follow a higher end of charges that are as the Allotment Committee’s time will provide fun and answers produce at the shows? few simple tips, success is assured: applied on the 46 Barnet sites, chairman. She succeeds Pia Duran to your horticultural conundrums. Several members’ gardens will If you want to keep your plant compact, with large now managed independently by who has served in the role for The two flower shows at the be open in the Summer in aid of flower heads, cut it back to ground level around the end the local members who fix their seven years. Free Church Hall bring the the National Gardens Scheme March once the worst of the weather is over. own rents under the aegis of the PETER HODGSON sights and scents of the country charities (Yellow Book). For a bigger but leggier bush, only cut a third of the to our suburban setting, with the MARJORIE HARRIS stems to ground level, also in early spring, leaving the rest to grow on, but this will mean earlier but smaller blooms. Market Place Rain well above the norm CAROLINE BROOME Post Office scare Now the Suburb can bask in the those of 2000 (17.2 inches) or There was a time when a visit to Market Place Post Office might reflected glory of a storm named 2002 (16.7 inches). Since 1980, the Temple Fortune post office be about to close. However that after our very own St Jude, patron there have been five years with was really a pleasure with the turned out to be an exaggeration. saint of the parish church. Thank higher autumn rainfall. smiling Sue and Eugene Lim The post master, Mr Jitendra goodness, St Jude looked after his The yearly total rainfall of running it as a friendly village Dave, told Suburb News, “The own and we did not have the 29.2 inches was just below the shop and post office. Everyone Post Office wanted to reduce destruction and flooding that some average and well below 36.8 who knew them was sorry the level of services on offer but parts of the country experienced. inches of 2012. It was also far when the Lims decided to retire. I have persuaded them to keep However, there was over an inch below the totals of just over 41 New people arrived who ran things as they are.” So he looks of rainfall over that night of the inches for both 2000 and 2002. it rather differently. Many and forward to an increase in custom 27/28 October, bringing the Unfortunately, at the time of often are the complaints that after a small refurbishment October total up to 4.4 inches, writing (6.00pm on January 4), crop up every now and again planned for May, which should way above the norm of 3.4. Again, there has already been another on the hgs list (the RA chatline) speed up the queues. in December, another gale brought 1.5 inches in less than four days, about the service, the queueing Asked about those queues over an inch on the 23rd, giving so 2014 has not started very and the mistakes with frequent he said they do usually operate a monthly total of just over 4 well. At least this winter’s rain declarations that “we always try both counters when it is busy. inches, compared with an average followed a dry late spring and to use the one in Market Place” or Jitendra Dave enjoys dealing of 2.8 inches. summer. So the ground did not “I don’t go near it if I can help it” with the friendly and interesting November’s 2.6 inches made become waterlogged as soon as Much consternation then people he meets, some for over for a very wet end to the year, it might otherwise have done. when it was rumoured that the 25 years. though not as wet as last year in We will all now be hoping for a landscaping the same period. In neither year drier spell though this will design did the three-monthly totals of mean colder as well. patios Welcome to St Jude’s 11 and 12 inches come near DIANA IWI planting Mothering Sunday drives 30 March 10.30 am I specialise in all domestic and Children are always welcome commercial carpentry 020 8209 0194 especially on Mothering Sunday. to the highest possible standards maintenance Easter services Professional decorating services turfing Palm Sunday: 13 April 10.30am also managed with over 10 years of excellence watering systems Maundy Thursday: 17 April 8pm fencing Good Friday: 18 April 10.30am Call now for a free quotation Easter Eve: 19 April 8pm lighting Easter Day: 20 April 8am & 10.30am For all your professional www.berrysgardens.com carpentry needs joshuabergercarpentry.com www.stjudeonthehill.com Caring for the Suburb for 20 years

SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS 9 More than ever enjoy RA’s New Year party (continued from front page) the Big Ben bongs were heard via ever’ could be heard over and over. well as the volunteering stewards, Shortly before midnight, there live broadcast. However, the delay It really was a treat to the senses: bar staff and the Rev Alan and was a surge for the exits as people to the display certainly did not colourful, loud, exciting, creative Mrs Walker. Thanks also must go made their way on to what had detract from its magnificence. – a hum-dinger of a display. to the many that donated and become the ‘bog’ in Central Square. ‘Oohs’ and ‘aahs’ echoed around None of it would have been helped raise a record amount of Sensible were those in wellies. the crowd as people huddled possible without the incredible just short of £1,000. The numbers meant that many together, necks craned and mobile energy of David Littaur and his Save the date for 2014! were still leaving the Church as phones held aloft. ‘Best display RA Firework Sub Committee, as AMANDA REUBEN PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS

Hilda Williams

Garden Suburb pupil Charles Gale, Jeremy Clynes, David Littaur Jonathan Seres design wins MP Mike Freer asked all junior The winner was Leon Luc at school pupils in the constituency the Garden Suburb Junior school to enter a competition to design seen here with the MP and his his Christmas card. splendid design. NIGEL SUTTON

John and Mary Simon and Laura Pam Yap and Whiting Leadsford daughter

(Above) The Free Church Hall was full for the Christmas Tree Gift Service on December 15 and about twenty-five children and young people acted in a play ‘Dr Who and the Strangers at the Inn’. The nativity story was seen through the eyes of Dr Who and her companions. They travelled back over 2,000 years to Bethlehem and experienced the first Christmas. An offering of £642 was collected for the Islington Young Carers’ Project to use for activities like Ice Skating and Cinema trips for the young carers. Then the children lit candles on the Christmas Tree and sang ‘Away in a Manger’ by candlelight. (Right) Nativity play at St Jude’s

PUBLISHER: Richard J Wakefield, [email protected] EDITOR: Terry Brooks, [email protected] WHATS ON EDITOR: David Littaur, [email protected] Views expressed in Suburb News are not necessarily those of the publishers the Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents Association. Deadline for the Spring edition issue is March 28 for publication on April 26 The RA website is www.hgs.org.uk