75 years of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association!
The Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association (MHFGA) recently held its 75th anniversary party with members and special guests. It was a fantastic evening with delicious food from Wave Café, a beautiful cake made by My Little Cake Tin, and specially brewed beer from Muswell Hillbilly Brewers.
There was also an exhibition by local artists Zoe Norfolk, Agnes Gomori, Hilary Masetti and Alan Lancaster. The winner of a competition, open to local Year 5 and 6 pupils to find the most creative idea of what Muswell Hill will look like in 75 years, was also announced. An auction of Muswell Hill Photography postcard images and other artwork raised £295 for a local food bank.
On a sadder note, the Association said goodbye to John Hajdu MBE, who has held the post of Chairman, and been incredibly effective at it, for a record-breaking 22 years. After giving his final Association annual report, John distributed copies of his recently-updated book “Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association: a history of its campaigns and landmark achievements”. This fascinating read is available in electronic format on the MHFGA website.
John added, “It has been my privilege and pleasure to have led the organisation for such a long period. During that time, I have been delighted to see the Association make such a valuable contribution to the preservation of our environment. There have been many notable achievements over the years. If I had to pick one, it’d be the saving of the Langton Clock, a local landmark on Muswell Hill Broadway since 1899.”
The Association presented John with a beautiful painting of Muswell Hill (including the Langton Clock) by Alan Lancaster, and also a bunch of flowers to his wife Maureen, who has supported John’s hard work for the Association over the past 25 years, 22 as Chairman (see photo).
Various other projects to commemorate the Association’s 75 years are also underway – including working with Haringey council to recently fit two stylish new benches opposite St James Church, and to make a range of improvements later this year to the Pocket Park opposite the Village Green pub, a project the MHFGA originally developed many years ago.
If you live, work, or just enjoy spending time in Muswell Hill, why not join over 700 other members of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association. For just £10 annual membership for households, or £25 for businesses and organisations, you can support its activities and campaigns; receive six bi-monthly Newsletters and email updates; attend members’ meetings; and join the annual guided local walk. Please visit www.mhfga.org/membership