IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
The Grange, LONDON, N2 8EL

Vane House on Central Avenue.

Representative of housing built on the Grange Estate in the late 1930's to alleviate overcrowding in the area of Market Place and Red Lion Hill. The balconies provide somewhere to sit and to dry washing. There are small areas of grass amongst the concrete slab roads. The children from Bishop Douglas school - centre - are enroute to the bus stops on the High Road (A1000).

Another view of Garden House from my balcony at 12, Vane House, Central Avenue on the Grange Estate in East Finchley, 4 August 1997

Walkway between blocks of flats to Challoner Close

Access road to a parking area.

Craven House seen from the balcony of 12, Vane House, where I grew up as a child and lived for 20 years, on a warm and sunny day on 27 July 1997. Craven House was one of the first block of flats to be built as part of the new housing estate in 1938. The car park in front was provided in 1993, before that it was a rough tarmac vacant bit of land which had a children's play area on it, and a washing line enclosure. This area was also a bomb site during the Second World War, when Finchley experienced the Blitz in November 1940.

Unkempt and uncared for garden area next to the Grange Community Centre. Without the Convolvulus there would be no flowers. It looks like the council have given up on this borough backwater. In the background is one of the blocks of flats, ironically named Garden House, without a tiled roof.

A very familiar character who resided in East Finchley, and known by many, was a bloke called Horace, who lived in Goodyear House on the Grange Estate - he is seen here approaching his flat passing Lochleven House. He was often seen carrying many bags or suitcases; evidently he was travelling light on this occasion. Like clockwork, he used to catch the 263 bus up to North Finchley and hang around in the High Street and at his 'pitch' outside Sainsbury's. He'd also regularly frequent Camden Town. His famous line was 'The Best Of Luck' which he'd repeat heartily many times; he loved saying it. He also had a sharp memory and never forgot a name, and also knew a lot of trivia, especially music - the names of all the bands and their producers etc. He was wound up a lot by kids on the estate; they'd shout 'Stanley' at him and he would immediately become really upset and agitated; a volley of expletives would quickly follow (his real name, ironically, was Stanley White). It would be the exact same volley every time; like it was programmed in a loop. This wind-up happened often, as his reaction was a constant source of entertainment. His booming voice could be heard all over the estate and possibly miles around. I remember one summer, 1991 or 1992 I think, he was hanging around King Street/Central Avenue with a 'boom box' stereo player on his shoulder, playing a rap tape he'd made; his signature tirade of expletives had actually been recorded and then skillfully edited into the mix...a proud moment. He was a gentle soul who was evidently much loved by many people - including me; he passed away in September 2012 and hundreds of mourners attended his funeral. I believe a bench has been named in his honour. This photo was taken from my balcony on 12, Vane House.