News from The Barnet Society

On Tuesday 13 July, the Barnet Society held its first Open Meeting on topical local issues via Zoom. Around 50 members of the Society and general public participated. This is what we discussed.

Darlands Conservation Trust The previous update of 20th December 2018 referred to the Trust that had been set up on 4th September 2017 by the London Borough of Barnet. The trustees included representatives of some local Residents Associations, The London Wildlife Trust and 2 local councillors.

Lime Grove Footpath Some good news is that the chequered history of the Lime Grove footpath, referred to in Part 1 Walk 1 para 7, may now be forgotten for the present.

Local ramblers who have followed the guiding notes in ‘Rambles Round Barnet’ Part 1 for Walk 1 may well be familiar with the changing fortunes of the footpath that leads from Totteridge Common to the Dollis Valley.

After years of uncertainty answers have finally been found to questions about the identity and motives of an early pioneer in the continuing task of defending the footpaths and green spaces that mean so much to members of the Barnet Society.

 Part 1   Walk 3   Section 2: Trotters Bottom to Saffron Green      31st May 2016 It is almost 4 years since David Ely discovered, researched and then wrote up this account of a delightful 2 1/2 miles ‘There and Back’ walk. The starting point is easily reached by car from High Barnet in about 15 minutes.

Lime Grove Footpath Reopened The closure of this public footpath was noted in the update of 11th September 2013 as it is referred to in ‘Rambles Round Barnet Part 1’, Walk 1, paragraph 7.

Correction:  ‘Rambles’ Vol. 2 Walk 5 (ii) Paragraph 5. The additional information in italics refers to ‘..an inwardly leaning Scots Pine’ to help the reader locate an Aspen tree in Ravenscroft Park in Wood Street. The tree is, in fact, a European Black Pine, sub species Austrian Pine, a native of Central Europe.

Walkers who have enjoyed following the popular trails featured in the Barnet Society’s Rambles Round Barnet guides are now being offered step-by-step outdoor guidance and narration instructions on an app that is available free on smartphones.

Catering and tourism students from Barnet and Southgate College are gaining work experience at High Barnet’s newest pop-up shop, a family-friendly tea shop that has opened in the Spires shopping centre.

Members will recall that a previous update on 11th September 2013 referred to the closure of the Totteridge Village/Lime Grove footpath in the summer of that year without any notice showing an alternative route back to the footpath.

Rambles Round Barnet 2 went on sale for the first time at the Christmas Fair on Sunday 1st December 2013.

Footpath closure affecting 'Rambles Round Barnet' Part 1. Update to infomation. This is for walkers following the directions for WALK 1 and who are heading back to Barnet having reached the war memorial at the junction of Totteridge Lane with Barnet Lane.

Barnet Society publication ‘Rambles Round Barnet’ is the no 1 local best-seller at Waterstones Barnet! The booklet is the work of Society members, Owen Jones and David Ely, who carried out the research, walked the walks and wrote them up.