The Story of Hornsey

A new course for 2009

A series of 6 weekly lectures commencing 23 April
at The Old Schoolhouse, 136 Rokesly Avenue, N8 7EL

Provisional Course Content:

Introduction: Overview of Early Hornsey
Manors and Estates: Land ownership
Economic History: Agriculture, trade and industry
Social History: Church, charity and education
Local Government: Vestry, magistrates and council
Built Environment: Public, commercial and domestic

The course, led by John Hinshelwood, is open to everyone, and will provide an introduction to the history of Hornsey.

Thursdays 6.00 – 8pm with refreshments

£72 for 6 weeks, or £15 per lecture if there are spaces available.

For more info contact Joy Nichol Tel. 020 8883 8486

Hornsey Past

A new book from Historical Publications Ltd is available from HHS:

Hornsey Past by Steven Denford (2008)

The long-awaited local history, covering Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Hornsey itself in the popular Historical Publications Ltd “Past” series format. This authoritative160-page hardback contains 157 illustrations, some previously unpublished.

Historical Publications Ltd £17.95 + £2.30 p& p

The author will give a talk and signing session at Hornsey Library on 11 November at 7pm.

Haringey’s Hidden Streams Revealed

This best seller has been reprinted and is again available from HHS:

Haringey’s Hidden Streams Revealed by Albert Pinching and David Dell (2005)

Retraces the routes of Haringey’s several natural streams which once flowed in the open from the “northern heights” of Highgate and Muswell Hill but are mainly now underground. Surviving evidence of their original routes is described in a narrative embellished by almost 100 illustrations including early prints and maps, past and present photos and historical references. Reprinted 2008.
Hornsey Historical Society

ISBN 0 905794 35 4 £12.00 + £2.00 p & p

North Middlesex Photographic Society: Images of Hornsey

The North Middlesex Photographic Society and the Photographic Record Movement

During the early years of the twentieth century the North Middlesex Photographic Society joined the English photographic survey movement that aimed to construct a photographic record of England’s past. The photographs of Middlesex between 1903 and 1920, now held by the Hornsey Historical Society, forms a valuable complement to the National Photographic Record Association collection now held in the Victoria & Albert Museum. John Hinshelwood will use the North Middlesex collection to explore the history of Hornsey Village and show the important contribution made by the North Middlesex Photographic Society to the photographic record of England.

The talk is on Wednesday 12 November at the usual venue – URC Hall, cnr of Weston Park/Ferme Park Road, London N8. Entry is free to members, donation of £1 requested from visitors. Doors open 7.45pm for coffee and bookstall. Talk starts at 8pm prompt. Doors are closed at 8pm and no latecomers can be admitted.

Paintings from Alexandra Palace: The Art of George Kenner

Most members will be familiar with at least some of George Kenner’s pictures from a Bruce Castle exhibition, at which Nick McCormick gave a talk, resulting in the pictures being featured in the society’s current Bulletin. The society is fortunate to have Nick McCormick to give a talk and the opportunity to see the Alexandra Palace from a different viewpoint, that of an internee who had plenty of time on his hands to see at least some parts of the palace in great detail and to leave us a fascinating record of the building and its reluctant inmates.

The talk is on Wednesday 8 October at the usual venue – URC Hall, cnr of Weston Park/Ferme Park Road, London N8. Entry is free to members, donation of £1 requested from visitors. Doors open 7.45pm for coffee and bookstall. Talk starts at 8pm prompt. Doors are closed at 8pm and no latecomers can be admitted.

Lotus Cars in Hornsey – Wednesday 10 September

The story of Lotus 25 Cars and their success in Formula1 racing all started in Hornsey. Colin Chapman started building the cars in Tottenham Lane, behind the Railway Hotel (now the Fiddler’s Elbow) which was owned at the time by his father. There are plans to create a museum and workshop on the original site in Tottenham Lane.

You may have seen Chapman in a recent Channel 5 documentary in their series “Brits who Built the Modern World”, which featured his co-worker (later his rival) Len Terry of Tottenham. Come along and get the whole story from Dr Mike Lawrence. This talk is a must for fans of motor racing in general and Lotus in particular, and of course anyone interested in Hornsey’s past.

The talk is on Wednesday 10 September at the usual venue – URC Hall, cnr of Weston Park/Ferme Park Road, London N8. Entry is free to members, donation of £1 requested from visitors. Doors open 7.45pm for coffee and bookstall. Talk starts at 8pm prompt. Doors are closed at 8pm and no latecomers can be admitted.

Our latest publication! Now available

Lost Theatres of Haringey by Marlene McAndrew (2007)

The stories of six of Haringey’s lost theatres once located in Highgate, the Alexandra Palace, Crouch End, Tottenham and Wood Green. Written by a music hall and pantomime enthusiast and HHS member, this well illustrated book brings back “the good old days” of local popular entertainment.
£7.50 + 0.65p P &P

Special Offer while stocks last – Highgate Video £1 only!

The Town or Hamlet of HIGHGATE
Our second video. Written and directed by Andy Attenburrow, here is the hidden history of Highgate from medieval times to the 1930’s; from highwaymen to ‘high’ culture – opium addict and resident genius Samuel Taylor Coleridge! Home to merchants, magistrates, schoolmasters, preachers, poets and philanthropists. In three parts, with a narration by Bill Paterson, Juliet Stevenson and Tim Pigott-Smith, with hundreds of rare archive images, live interviews and music. Total running time 132 minutes. (2001)
Previous price £10.00 – now offered at an amazing £1.00 only (to personal callers at the Old Schoolhouse)
OUR NORTHERN HEIGHTS (our first video) now £5.00 only (personal callers)
Both these videos are available by post at these same low prices, but please add £1.15 p&p for each (UK only)
To check stock availability and shop opening hours, please ring 020 8348 8429
Click on “Bookshop” tab on Home Page to see all our publications