4 MAY 2007 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 of A walk through the history of Common Fortis Green By Tony Roberts Historical Society hosted a guided walk around Fortis Green on 1 April led Barnet’s Heritage Officer Hugh Petrie began the second by David Frith and Keith Fawkes Underwood. Joy Nichol reports. of two talks about Finchley Common by admitting that Fortis Green has a very long history. It became a popular route due to the fact that it a subject so large warranted at least one extra talk to do was on a ridge left at the end of the Ice Age which drained well and, compared with it justice. Equally, this account of his talk to the Finchley the lower, very muddy roads, made travel much easier. Society on 22 February has room for only some of the It was once adjoined by interesting facts and figures he related. Coldfall Woods which came It was John Bacon, stand- a reservoir at Strawberry Vale, right down to the north side of ing to benefit as a landowner subsequently abandoned in Fortis Green until the beginning and resident of , favour of the Welsh Harp site. of the 20th Century. There was who pushed for ‘inclosure’ A large tract of land north of common land on both sides of of common land from 1805 the reservoir was allocated to the road until the onwards. But only when the the Rector in lieu of tithes, and of 1815. threat of invasion by France a glebe land (sometimes called From the traffic lights at had waned was Parliament the rough lots) to the north of Tetherdown, we looked at willing to countenance enclos- the land currently called the the neo-Georgian flats by ing land of strategic military glebe lands. William Collins, and imag- importance. Obligations to the poor were ined the run of St James’ In 1811, it passed the Act tiny: an acre and a rod to be School, the fire station and appointing three rented out to provide funds to the council depot where solicitors as commissioners to compensate loss of rights and Spring House Retirement draw up and manage the proc- 15 acres to be rented out to buy Home and the clinic now ess of enclosure. The book of fuel for the ‘deserving poor’. stand. We saw photos of the Award was published in The land, now allotments near these vanished buildings Hornsey Historical Society take an historical walk round Fortis Green. 1816 but some matters were Martin Schools, was governed from the historical society’s still being sorted out as late as by a trust called The Finchley archives, to help us. Society Picture by Joy Nichol. 1825 and 1828. Charity, a dubious, self-seeking member Hugh Garnsworthy the winter. the walk, and I think we all As well as Finchley Common organisation not to be confused was deputy headteacher at St We walked past the Manor learned a lot and found inter- itself, wastes of the Manor were with The Finchley Charities. James, so we had first-hand Health Club, originally an esting new bits of included; wide roads were to be A full 476 acres, or 64% of memories of his days there. electricity showroom, and the and Muswell Hill. redefined with a width of 33 the land remaining, went to just We looked across the road police station built in 1903. Hornsey Historical Society feet without exception, freeing eight people, including John from the clinic to see the Opposite, behind the Alexan- will be leading more walks this strips and triangular areas at Bacon himself, the Marquess firemen’s helmets on Leaside dra Pub, are Hornsey’s back- spring and summer. For more road junctions for enclosure. of Buckingham, and Alexander mansions, and tried to visualise to-back cottages; only four of details or to join the society, One such wedge on East End Murray. the lake to Fortismere House, them, so we don’t really rival telephone 020 8348 8429 or Road, known variously as For information about The which was 160 yards long, and the North in these! visit the website www.hornse Bells Green or Hunters Green, Finchley Society visit www. had rowing boats on it in the About 50 people came on yhistorical.org.uk. stretched from the present day finchleysociety.org.uk summer and skating parties in junction of East End Road and Stanley Road to Church Lane Suburb celebrates (Bull Lane) near where Holy Show you care about Trinity church is today. The Act also included centenary fixing the boundaries between animals Finchley, Friern Barnet and TV and radio presenter Jonathan Ross, actor Sir Donald By Caroline Broome Sinden and politician Peter Mandelson are just a few of Hornsey, until now hidden If you care about the welfare of animals and want to within adjacent commons. the present and former residents preparing to celebrate th Finchley Parish was help them, why not consider becoming a branch trus- the 100 birthday of Hampstead Garden Suburb this instructed to build new roads. tee for your local Finchley Hendon & Golders Green summer. Although the land was free, the RSPCA? The Centenary Celebrations eant and Procession on 6-9 June Parish had to pay for construc- The mainstay of the branch separately registered charity are being co-ordinated by the and an Historic Exhibition at tion, which they were reluctant is the RSPCA Small Animal responsible for the manage- Residents Association which, the Church Farm Museum from to do. The Parish was awarded a Clinic, which has been in ment and financial control of together with 25 other Suburb May to September. gravel pit for materials, land that Park Road, East Finchley, for branch affairs and is advised organisations, has put together The Big Birthday Party subsequently became Finchley more than 50 years and offers and supported by the national an ambitious programme. and Picnic will be an open sewage works. its services to local pets and society. “I am happy to report that air extravaganza in Central Of the 900 acres of common, wildlife alike. Becoming a branch trustee the Centenary Appeal has Square on Sunday 17 June. 139 acres were sold to defray the The RSPCA has more is a great way to meet like- raised over £40,000 from resi- In the evening the Proms at costs of enclosure, 120 going to than 170 branches throughout minded people, gain new dents and local organisations to St Judes will be performing the Regents Canal Company for England and Wales. Each is a skills or develop existing ones, fund these events and to pay for Handel’s Messiah. while making a real difference some permanent improvements Community spirit to animals. Although some to the infrastructure of the area. Founded by social reformer St. Johns Christian Spiritualist Church trustee positions may require The generosity of residents has 4 Woodberry Grove - Henrietta Barnett in1907 as specific skills in finance or been most heartening,” said an experiment in providing Just behind Homebase Residents Association Chair- phone 020 8446 3544 fundraising, many just need housing for people of differ- commitment, common sense man David Lewis. ent social classes and incomes Services: Sunday 6:30 pm - Thursday 7:30 pm and impartiality. Spiritual healing and Private Readings every Tuesday 1 - 3 pm Grand opening within one community, the If you are over 18 and would The Celebrations kick off Suburb retains a unique com- Different clairvoyant mediums every week!! like to find out more, visit with a Grand Opening Cer- munity spirit. Regular Workshops - Development circles - Friendly atmosphere - childrens corner www.rspca.org.uk/volunteer or emony on 2 May, starting in “The key to its character ALL WELCOME telephone 020 8444 2329 or 020 what is now Hampstead Way is the beauty of its gardens, 8444 6096 for details of your at the same location where hedges and public open spaces. local RSPCA branch. A friendly welcome awaits you Henrietta Barnett “cut the first The architecture, especially in In the case of an animal sod”. She was accompanied by the earlier parts of the Suburb, emergency ring RSPCA the Lord Mayor of London and evokes a style of a much ear- EAST FINCHLEY METHODIST CHURCH Harmsworth Hospital on 020 Bishop Winnington-Ingram, lier era,” added David Lewis. 197 High Road, London N2 (opp. Creighton Ave.) 7272 6214. www.eastfinchleymethodist.org.uk still remembered in the names This was the intention of the of Ingram Avenue and Win- founding supervising architect nington Road. This will be Sir Raymond Unwin. Family service and Junior Church Did you know? followed by the unveiling of Full details of events are Children’s book The Very a Centenary Floral Display on available at www.hgs.org.uk/ Every Sunday at 10.30 a.m. Hungry Caterpillar by Willifield Green and Maypole centenary. The main sponsors Eric Carle has sold one Dancing, which also featured of the Centenary Celebrations Worship Music Social events Wheelchair friendly copy every minute since in 1907. are the Hampstead Garden tel: 020 8349 9340 e-mail: [email protected] it was printed in 1969. Dozens of special events Suburb Residents Association will take place including a Pag- and Glentree Estates.