News from The Barnet Society

Potters Bar residents have had their first chance to learn more about a proposed data centre which is to be built on an 85-acre suite alongside the M25 motorway.

There is a serious problem for ramblers planning to travel by car to Dancers Hill before doing the following walks: (1)  The 2-miles ‘There and Back’ route in Walk 3 of ‘Rambles Round Barnet’ Part 1.(2)  Both routes in Walk 4 of ‘Rambles Round Barnet’ Part 1.

Enjoy five short walks in our local countryside recommended by Owen Jones. In May the Barnet Society celebrated its 75th birthday. Since our founding in 1945 was prompted by the threat to build on the green space that surrounds Chipping Barnet on three sides, it also seems appropriate to celebrate that countryside.

The previous update of 29th June 2019 referred to the progress made by the Darlands Conservation Trust since their inception in September 2017.

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.

 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.

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.