Grove Lodge Gardens

Newsletter Archive

I read with interest David Frith’s story of Grove Lodge in the September Newsletter. In that there is a mention of, ‘the tree-lined strip which is still there and called Grove Lodge Gardens’. I rediscovered this ‘strip’ or path a few years ago.

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Memories of Grove Lodge when occupied by the Red Cross

Hornsey Red Cross HQ, Grove Lodge, 1995

Mention of Grove Lodge in the last Newsletter brought back memories to me. In 1948 I was a Red Cross Cadet and did voluntary duty there. At that time the Commandant was Mrs Blue when the house was a home for elderly ladies in need of full-time care.

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Memories of Grove Lodge as a Children’s Home

Grove Lodge, 1986

It was quite strange in the late 1980s being uprooted from Cambridge in the middle of the night and being taken to London to go into foster care. I watched from the car and tried not to cry – even in the dark London scared me.

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Grove Lodge, Muswell Hill

Grove Lodge, 1914

There were three large houses on the eastern side of Muswell Hill until the late 19th century – Bath House, The Grove and Grove Lodge. By far the oldest site was the one which still remains, Grove Lodge.

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Victorian Thrift: A Local Penny Bank

St Mary's Penny Bank Withdrawal Card, 1889

The virtues of thrift and sobriety were highly prized in Victorian society. Mrs Priscilla Wakefield (1750-1826), born in Tottenham, philanthropist and a Quaker author of children’s books, founded a Penny Bank for children which was to develop into England’s first savings bank.

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Our Changing Language

Newsletter Archive

“I was all knocked up!”, said my 90-year old neighbour. This shocked me at first, but then I realized she meant she was exhausted after a flood of visitors.

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Memories of Crouch End High School: Part One

Garden side of Crouch End High School house.

September 1928, aged five, my mother took me across Cranley Gardens to St. George’s Hall for my first day at school.  At that time there were no nursery or play schools to help prepare a child for this big day.

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