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

This footpath is an extension of The Walks and used to pass between the Alder School and the Elim Church on King Street, both now replaced by housing. At the end of the path is Elmfield Road by the junction with Red Lion Hill. The large flowering tree on the right is a member of the Catalpa family, probably an Indian Bean (Catalpa bignonioides).

Garden House (built circa 1949), Central Avenue on the Grange Estate as seen from my balcony at 12, Vane House on 4 August 1997. In the distance the Red Lion pub can be seen, built circa 1907 on the site of an Inn which originally dated back to 1714 and opened as 'The Rabbit'. It was situated on the corner of Red Lion Hill but unfortunately this lovely example of Edwardian architecture has since been demolished.

View of the Grange Estate & Central Avenue from 12, Vane House looking toward King Street, Elmfield Road & Red Lion Hill junction. Blocks Elmfield House (left) and Garden House (right) can be seen, as well as The Red Lion pub which is sitting just behind, and to the right of, Garden House. Built circa 1907, this Edwardian building was situated on the site of an Inn which dated back to 1714, originally called The Rabbit; it was renamed The Red Lion circa 1789. Unfortunately this pub no longer stands. Also visible in the middle of the photo, peeking out of the shrubbery and sitting on the opposite side of the road to The Red Lion, is the old caretaker's house which was originally part of the former Alder School, a Secondary school which sat behind the row of houses going up Elmfield Road. This was demolished in 1979 when the school was merged with Christ's College Finchley (my alma mater) when it went Comprehensive in 1978. Also demolished at the same time was Elim Church; this was situated out of view behind Elmfield House in King Street. Both sites are now occupied by new housing which was built in 1979-1981.

Further examples of housing on the Grange Estate. In recent years some of the housing blocks have been cleaned and modernised. The old tile roof has been removed from Foskett House and a new floor of residences added. Sycamore House, in the background, retains its original roof profile and has yet to be cleaned.

Built on the site of the Elim church in King Street, this block of flats was constructed as part of the redevelopment of the Alder school after it was closed. The alley to the left passed between the church and the school wall and was a popular venue for after school fights. This photo is taken from the approximate location of the schools rear gate - now an alley into the rest of the estate. The branches in the foreground belong to a London Plane tree (Platinus X Hispanica). Its globular seed heads are visible - the seeds are not normally fertile and almost all London Plane trees are produced from cuttings.

Site of the 1st Finchley Scout hut. The building was demolished around 2 years ago. The white house is the end of terrace on New Trinity Road. The ace colonisers of the plant world have subsequently moved in en-masse. First came the dandelions. Now, the Buddleia, Tansy and Brambles are growing well. Presumably the site will be given over to housing in the future but for now nature rules.

Vane House on Central Avenue.

One time home of the 1st Finchley Scouts. The building was pulled down around 2 years ago after a long period of disuse. The footpath on the right leads from Red Lion Hill to New Trinity Road and Oak lane.