When Crouch End was nearly on the Tube

by | Dec 21, 2024 | Travel | 0 comments

When Crouch End was nearly on the Tube

By JOHN DEEKS

The development of Crouch End as we know it today happened in the late Victorian era. and the early 1900s. It happened because of one important factor, which was the Railway. The growing numbers of the middle classes wanted to escape the crowded and more polluted city centre, and live in a better environment.

The grassy hills around Crouch End and Muswell Hill were very attractive.  Local builders saw the opportunity. This resulted in some big family houses being built in new tree lined roads, that were also close to a railway line that provided direct access to workplaces close to Moorgate and Broad Street in the City.  Crouch End Station opened in 1867, with the branch line to Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace being completed six years later.  From Crouch End you could travel north to High Barnet, Mill Hill and Edgware.

The line prospered for nearly half a century by which time competition from a bus service between Muswell Hill and Finsbury Park was reducing passenger numbers.

In 1935 the London Passenger Transport Board drew up a plan to develop the railway to become part of the Northern Line. Work on this went ahead with rebuilding of station platforms.  Electricity sub-stations to provide current to the new tracks were built next to Crouch Hill and Muswell Hill Station. The line even appeared on Tube Maps as “under construction” until 1950.

The austerity during and after the war years brought about a change of plan. The electrification of the railway was only completed between Highgate and High Barnet and also to Mill Hill. The plan to link the Northern Line through to Finsbury Park and on to Moorgate was over.

The branch line was reduced to a two carriage peak-time service between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. This service was finally withdrawn in 1954, after 87 years serving the local community.

The legacy of the line is of course the Parkland Walk, enjoyed each day by so many. The local population has grown in recent years. The existence of a tube line would be seen by many as a vital fast link into town.  Others would argue that what makes Crouch End unique is that it doesn’t have a tube station. Whichever view you take, there is no doubt that had the Northern Line come to Crouch End it would have changed the whole character of the area that we know today.

With great thanks to Nick Catford of disused-stations.org.uk for permission to use the images

 

Living in Crouch End

by | Jun 27, 2023 | Community | 0 comments

Living in Crouch End

The secret of Crouch End is out. In spring 2023 Crouch End was voted the best place to live in London.

The Crouch End area has a long association with creativity, especially since the 70s, when artists, musicians, film and TV makers moved to the area, giving Crouch End a Bohemian flair. It has been described by the BBC as one of “a new breed of urban villages” in London.

But how did all this start?

From the later part of the 18th century, Crouch End became home to wealthy London merchants trying to escape from the city. The development of the railway changed the area significantly.

 

In 1965 Crouch End became part of the London Borough of Haringey.

The area became known as bedsit land into the early 1980s, until rising house prices changed the social profile of the area and progressively wealthier residents moved in.

Among its more prominent buildings is the modernistic Hornsey Town Hall. The red-brick Clock Tower has become a meeting and a reference point in Crouch End. Hornsey College of Art was established in 1880 and renowned for its experimental and progressive approach. The Queen’s Pub built in 1899 is one of the early Edwardian pubs with a hotel.

There are several primary schools within Crouch End: Rokesly, Coleridge Primary and St Peter-in Chains, among others. There are also three state secondary schools: Highgate Wood , Hornsey School for Girls  and The Greig City Academy. Kestrel House is an independent special school for pupils with autistic conditions. The two private schools are Highgate School and Channing School for girls, located in nearby Highgate. There are few nursery schools in the area.

The main two parks in the area are Stationers’ Park and Priory Park.  Also on the west is Highgate Wood and Queen’s Wood. In the north is Alexandra Park home to a newly restored theatre, ice-rink, farmers market on Sundays and amazing views of London.

There are several shops, restaurants, pubs and endless coffee shops, many of which are independent serving a variety of delicacies. If you run out of milk, a Waitrose is perfectly located on the Broadway with M&S a short walk away.

For a good night out, Crouch End is home to the King’s Head, London’s oldest comedy venue. Want to watch an independent movie? The Art House cinema is the perfect place.

The best way to experience Crouch End and discover this unique place is to visit. Sit down in one of its coffee shops and enjoy the Crouch End life passing by. You may end up having a coffee next to a celebrity!!!!

Getting around:

Trains: Hornsey, Haringey and Finsbury Park Stations

The nearest tube is Highgate station

Buses on 41, 91, W3, W5 and W7

For more information go to: visitlondon.com, LondonTown.com and timeout.com

Article written by Bernardo Calero | [email protected]

Crouch End Festival

by | Jun 27, 2023 | Community | 0 comments

Crouch End Festival

Now in its 12th year, and one of the biggest community arts events in London, the Crouch End Festival returns with 3 days of cultural and creative events from Fri July 7th to Sun 9th. No wonder Crouch End was voted Best Place to Live in London!

With 5 centres across the N8 area, covering Crouch End, Hornsey and Stroud Green, it will feature music of all kinds: dance, poetry, spoken word, comedy, fringe, art, drama, a psychedelic light show, talks, markets, kids activities, workshops, history talks, and a free open air cinema night.

 

Plus dozens of performers doing their own thing from pubs to churches to barber shops and pop up spaces. This year we see a return of Poets in a Phone box with Alan Wolfson and others.

The best part is that almost everything is free! Chris Arnold, artistic director said, “We have always tried to make creativity and the arts free so everyone can enjoy it and especially in these tough times it means everyone can enjoy our rich catalogue of activities and performances.”

Fellow festival directors Chris Currer and Amanda Carrara added, “We focus mainly on local talent and provide a platform for that talent to shine – everyone does their own thing. Aside for the many upper coming performers we have some well established names – Rohan Candappa and Alan Wolfson are both seasoned Edinburgh performers, and American comic Mike Capozzola.”

Some highlights, almost everything is free!

WESTON PARK – artisan craft and food market and jazz stage featuring top performers. Sat 8th, 11am-6pm.

STATIONERS PARK – fun family festival – loads for kids, activities, performers, music, dance, Charlie the Clown, café, football academy, assault course, fun games, face painting, arts and craft tables. Sat 8th, 10-5pm.

OPEN AIR CINEMA  (free) – Stationers Park, 7pm-9pm. Bar and popcorn, bring a cushion and picnic rug.

HORNSEY LIBRARY – 3 days of cultural events, music, art, film, comedy, story telling, drama, street art and more. Fri 7th – Sun 9th.

ST MARY’S TOWER: TOWER MUSIC FESTIVAL, open air. Live bands and the legendary psychedelic lightshow from 10pm. One hour concert for Ukraine. Bar and hot food. Sat 8th 6pm- midnight.

Tower Open Day – climb the Tower, fun activities, history talks, live music Sat 8th 11am-3pm

JIMMY C BLUES PICNIC – full day of blues bands at St Mary’s Tower, bring a picnic. Sun 9th from 12pm – 9pm.

HOLY INNOCENTS – classical, folk and ethnic music and performance. Fri 7th, Sat 8th.

Plus loads of other activities and performances across N8 – check out the Art House, Crouch End Picture House The Priory pub and other bars, cafes and spaces.

This year’s key sponsors are David Astbury, Ayrton Doors & Windows, Nikon, A View and Far East Consortium.

If you want to perform at the Crouch End Festival there may still be an opportunity – email [email protected]

For more details of what’s on check out the website www.crouchendfestival.org, Twitter @CrouchEndFest, Instagram @CrouchEndFestival or Facebook – Crouch End Festival, Crouch End Creatives and Hornsey Village Life.

The Crouch End Festival (London Community Arts CIC) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a small group of volunteers and is funded by local businesses. It receives no grants of funds from the Mayor, Arts Council or any local council so welcomes any support or sponsorship. Contact Chris Arnold 07778 056686 or email [email protected]