Can the tree gardens continuue? A message from Tony Campbell

This poignant email was sent by Tony Campbell on 8th November: Dear Ockendon Road gardener. I am sorry to have to write with disappointing news.  I do so on behalf of those who have been helping to look after those tree gardens that are not the individual responsibility of yourself and others. Sadly, advancing age …

Autumn 2018: Up to the Downs

The last weekend in September often vouchsafes wonderful walking weather, but this Ramble was tremendous: sun, big skies, and breath-taking views over Sussex and towards the sea. Two feeder groups successfully conjoined  at East Croydon; the curiously triangular station at Lewes was reached on time. Then a small select group of Ramblers embarked on the …

Services

This list has been compiled by residents as a guide to providers of services who, based upon previous experience, are seen as worth recommending. Details of other providers whose services could be recommended would be gratefully received and incorporated into the list. These could include other categories such as cleaners, dog-walkers, cat-sitters and professions such …

Yesterday and Today: Compare the differences on Southgate Road

It's illuminating to look at the same places with one hundred years or so in between then-and-there and here-and-now. Here are some of the historic pictures in the two walks-into-the-past on other pages, juxtaposed with the same view this summer, 2018: LOOKING NORTH TO OCKENDON ROAD (first left after the pub) AT THE JOLLY FARMERS, …

Yesterday and Today: Compare the difference on Essex Road

It's illuminating to look at the same places with one hundred years or so between there-and-then and here-and-now. Here are some of the historic pictures in the two walks into the past on other pages, juxtaposed with the same view this summer: 2018. (In summer, of course, the trees tend to obscure the differences, even …

Flaming June 2018

A late June afternoon: blazing sun, the tree gardens in constant danger of drought, but some wonderful flowers. Why not come out and water the garden nearest to you? It's a sure way to change the weather!   

Getting Together 2018!

  In 2017 a film crew blocked off a goodly portion of the Road to film a TV drama in one of the houses, authorised by Islington Council. Residents complained they were being denied their parking rights, and eventually the Council Film Office was persuaded by Peter Streatfield to donate the sum of £500 to …

Web weavers

This site could not exist without Alan Peake, who started it as http://www.orra.org.uk/ and nurtured it for years. Rachel Thomas refurbished and renamed it https://ockendonroad.wordpress.com using much of the original material. Very many thanks to both of them. And to Louise Blenkinsop and other contributors, up to now and into the future. Ideas and contributions welcome …

How the trees got their gardens

Like most things, it was a happy accident..and an awful lot of hard work. In 1992, Romee's sister in Switzerland gave her one or two sunflower plants. Romee's garden faced north, so in a hurry to keep them alive she planted them in the space left around  the crab apple tree in front of No. …

Oh! Look at the trees!

For more than a century, Ockendon Road was pretty much treeless, and rather grim as a result (look at the historic pictures here). Then along came Bill Bayliss, long-time Road resident and a formidable Islington councillor or alderman from 1952-83.   Bill Bayliss, teacher at Camden Road Upper School, 1961 Bill Bayliss not only opposed …