| NEWS
| News - October 2009 |  |
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| New Tea Rooms
On Thursday the 24th September 2009 Joshua opened the new tea rooms for us. These will be open at the same time as the kiosk and are heated so that the kiosk will be open for most of the year. |
|  | | News - July 2009 | |
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| New water system found!
In May we started to relay the footpath below the kiosk. We found 3 large water tanks. The largest is 8' x 8' and approximately 25' deep. When we have the money new covers will be ordered and this will then give us access to the water for the grounds. We know that Henry Stephens created his own watering system making the Estate self sufficient with all rain water from the buildings going into these various tanks and wells. |
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| Rockeries recovered
Whilst working on overgrown shrubs, trees, bramble etc we discovered a further rockery which had not been visible for a considerable period of time, 50 years plus. With the help from Pay back Community Service we have cleared both sites and reset as rockeries. Over £5,000 has been spent on plants and some stones. When the plants have matured both rockeries will give a colourful display. We will be fencing the area. |
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| Ghost nights
Ghost nights are becoming a regular feature. The House will be visited more than ten times this year by para-normal groups looking for ghosts and other unusual phenomena. Two ghosts have already been reported from these night-time events: a man in the Turret Room (who didn't like women!), and a child who appeared to be locked in the Basement. |
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| December 2008
Thanks for your Help
We thank all of you who have donated to the Trust on a regular basis.
Our difficulties continue and we are looking to raise money wherever possible. We have reduced our outgoings as much as we possibly can. The staff have been reduced from 17 down to 10 and their hours have also been reduced.If we do not manage to raise more money we will be forced to hand back The Estate to the council.
Measures are in place to change the business in Avenue House so that this decline in use of the house does not happen again. We have put 3 rooms out for charitable or commercial rental. This will ensure the future but it will take time to find new tenants.
We receive no financial support for the grounds other than donations. We rely heavily on public support to maintain the gardens. We have also been very successful in getting project funding over the past 6 years.
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December 2008
Regulations
Some of the problems with our trees have been caused by compaction of the soil, partly caused by the playing of ball games. Ball games are not allowed in the Grounds and this rule will be strictly enforced through the spring and summer to keep our trees healthy.
We will also be enforcing in the grounds no cycling except for those children of 10 years and younger. Cycling is not allowed at all but we want children to learn to ride and be safe provided they are sensible.
We have received many complaints about cyclists in the gardens and we now have to enforce the regulations.
To find out more about the very special trees of Avenue House Grounds, you can obtain a copy of our booklet Discover Our Unique Species of Trees (price £5) from the Kiosk or House Reception. | |
December 2008
In the Grounds
The Kiosk is currently closed but will re-open early Feb 09
The Kiosk is open from 9.30am to 5pm, weather permitting. The closing time will be later (up to 7pm in May) as daylight stretches into evening.
Following an incident involving a pit bull terrier, which involved the Police, we would be grateful if anyone seeing a pit bull terrier in the Grounds could report this as soon as possible to the Kiosk or Reception in the House. These are dangerous dogs and are not allowed in the Grounds. | |
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| December 2008
Projects
In the summer the Community Service workers helped us uncover a rockery unseen for at least 60 years( as we have been advised by some of the older residents). They have been in the proces of clearing the area before we reinstate the rocks and plant out. We were hoping that we would not need to fence the area but as some parents have already allowed their children to trample over the plants already planted on the first rockery section we feel that we will have to rather than see nearly £2000 wasted by damage. | |
December 2008
Bothy
You can now visit The Bothy garden any Friday between 10.30am and 1pm. Volunteers, who have put in a huge amount of work over a number of years, will be there to show you round. | |
December 2008
New Funding
We have just received project money from Biffa and a small contribution from the Council to resurface several of the paths in the gardens. The work will start on the path around Monkey Hill within the next couple of weeks.
2 other paths will also be done early next year. | |
February 2008
Solicitor Needed
We are looking for a volunteer solicitor who could work for us pro bono on drawing up a lease. If you could help do this, or know someone who might be able to do so, please get in touch. | |
The Police will be holding regular open surgeries at the kiosk in the grounds.
Details will be available at the kiosk.
FinchleyChurch End SNT
Tel 07920 233740 or 0208 733 5598
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