January 2010
Members may be interested in news from the Southgate Civic Trust.
Flora Robson in Palmers Green and Southgate
by Richard Purver
OPEN MEETING Saturday 6th March 2010 at 2.30pm (free, all welcome)
at Walker Lower Hall, Christ Church Parish Centre,
7 The Green, Southgate, N14
Richard will draw on his article in Oakleaves 4 in presenting an illustrated talk about the renowned stage, film and radio actress Dame Flora Robson, who grew up in our area and started to perform locally at the age of five, later appearing in plays as a pupil at Palmers Green High School and winning prizes at the annual Eisteddfod held at what is now the United Reformed Church in Fox Lane, before going on to study at the [Royal] Academy of Dramatic Art in 1919.
Oakleaves 4
The Southgate Civic Trust's latest local history bulletin Oakleaves 4 is out.
40 pages 295 x 210 mm Fully illustrated in colour and black & white £6 (+ £1.20 P&P)
To purchase a copy, fill in and send off the Oakleaves form.
Articles include:- Actress Flora Robson Backstage at the Intimate
- TV naturalists in Southgate Film making in Palmers Green
- Unique Gothic revival church Garden history in Winchmore Hill
- An artist’s Southgate childhood A woman of the Walkers
- plus a miscellany of shorter items.
September 2009
Trees
Members might have been alarmed recently to see that several mature trees along Waterfall Road had been felled. LBE had consulted SGA about the need to replace the trees and a site meeting was held with the Council’s Arboriculturalist and the head of Highways. It became apparent that the trees were close to their sell by date and were unlikely to survive the works to the pavement. Also, when you actually took a close look (as opposed to driving past, which is what most of us generally do) they were not beautiful specimens - mainly due to heavy pruning in the past.
We have a firm undertaking that the trees will be replaced with good-sized specimens of tulip tree, not necessarily immediately but in conjunction with the rest of the works along Waterfall Road, which are scheduled to take place over the next few months.
Primary Care Strategy
David Burrowes MP has arranged a public meeting to consult on the Primary Care Strategy with the PCT Chief Executive, Stephen Conroy. The meeting will take place on Tuesday 22nd September at 7.00 pm in the Gladys Child Theatre, Southgate College, High Street, N14.
For further details contact David Burrows on 020 7219 5414 or at david@davidburrowes.com
Bulb planting
The Friends of Broomfield Park plan to plant early daffodil bulbs in the Park over the weekend of 3rd/4th October. Bulbs will be planted near the main gate on Aldermans Hill and along Powys Lane. The event will run from 10-4 on Saturday 3rd and 2-4 on Sunday 4th and anyone is welcome to go along for 1/2hour or as long as they can spare.
For further details contact Elizabeth Dobbie: edobbie965@btinternet.com
Local History Lectures at Christ Church
Members of the SGA may be interested in a series of lectures relating to local history on Tuesday evenings in the autumn, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets for these lectures (to include a glass of wine) are available in advance at £5 (£4 concessions) or may be purchased at the door for £6.50.
Tuesday, October 20 at 8 p.m. – Graham Dalling on ‘Southgate before World War I’.
Graham Dalling is the author of numerous books on local history and has recently retired as Enfield Archivist and Local History Officer
Tuesday, November 10 at 8 p.m. – Oliver Green on ‘The extension of the Piccadilly Line to Southgate and beyond’
Oliver Green is Curator at London Transport Museum.
Tuesday, November 17 at 8 p.m. – Caroline Knight on ‘Enfield’s Country Houses’
Caroline Knight is a lecturer at the V & A and has recently published a book about London’s country houses.
To reserve a ticket (and pay the lower price), please phone the Church Office (020 8886 0384), leaving a voicemail message if necessary, or e-mailchristchurch@christchurch-southgate.org
Memories of Southgate Past
A few weeks ago a letter came out of the blue from a former Southgate resident, Mr Nicholas Rule, who had come across the SGA website while looking for something else on the internet.
Mr Rule shared his memories with us and we thought current residents might find them as fascinating as we do.
I went to the Walker Primary School from 1957 until about 1960 – two classes were based in the old village hall that overlooked The Green. We trudged back and forth to the main building opposite the Church. The Vicarage was next door to the school and the vicar was Rev. McLeod, I think. On The Green were the old stocks and a wooden bus-shelter.
Regarding Walker School, I think Miss Hamilton was the Headmistress in the late 1950s. I was taught by Miss Grantham and other pupils I can remember were Paul Grout, Richard, son of the footballer Danny, Blanchflower, Richard Staunton, Gary Philip Boyce, Janet Finlay, and Fiona McLeod who I think was the daughter of the Vicar.
There were some interesting shops in those days. There was a Cullen’s provisions shop in its green livery, a little on the pricey side as I remember. Their formidable lady manager was very much in control of an antique ham slicing machine propelled by a huge fly-wheel! Then there was an antique shop named Moores and a dry cleaners, with a board outside, advertising that week’s film at the Southgate Odeon. By the passageway was Barclays Bank. I think a Dr Simpson had his surgery along there.
Further along, past the Cherry Tree was the UDT grocery shop on the corner that later became a restaurant. Masons the Ironmonger seemed to have sold everything, then there was Stevens the greengrocer, ‘A Nicol Gray’ the Post Office and stationer and towards the end of the parade, Ridge Motors and Squires bakery and ‘Confectionery’ on the corner.
Then there was Selborne Road – I was told Ted Ray the comic (son Robin was a star of ‘Face the Music’) had lived on the corner of Cannon Hill before the site was re-developed). At the Fox Lane end had lived the Grout family that owned the celebrated haberdashery shop in Palmers Green.
After Walker, I went on to Franklin House School in Palmerston Road, Bowes Park. I would travel on the 29 bus to Cannon Hill and then cross by a zebra crossing where I see there is now a roundabout – much safer I should think.
My father had a very soft spot for Southgate to where his family had moved in the early 1930s. His brother ran ‘Rule and Robinson’ the estate agent in Chase Side and Uncle Fred had also been on the Southgate UDC that is commemorated by the Winchmore Road swimming pool.
I see that the old Meadway garage is now or has been re-developed. Amongst the adjacent shops was ‘Gwen Courtney’ a gift shop. What is now the Masonic Centre further along the High Street had been the Southgate Church Hall. I remember that the Chandos Operatic Society had staged South Pacific there while in the mornings Mrs Gray ran the children’s nursery school at the hall. Those were the days of solid fuel and so it was not surprising that some children returned home for lunch, hands, clothes and faces covered in coal dust – happy days!
How times have changed! If any members can remember Mr Rule we would be happy to pass on a message to him. We would also be pleased to receive reminiscences from members to add to the picture of Southgate in times past.
Subscriptions Subs are due for 2009/10. . Your subs keep the Association going and contribute to improvements within the Conservation Area. Cheques to the Secretary please.
Southgate Green Association. Mrs. J. Bowden (Secretary)
17 The Green, Southgate, London N14 7EH
Tel:020 8886-8141