I
spent this morning church-sitting – a duty some of us carry out on rota. St.
Peter’s church is open from 10am to 12noon on Wednesdays in the winter and also
on Mondays in the summer. Some mornings you do not see a soul. Not today!
First
Chris Gannaway (of the Aldborough Hatch Defence Association) and Stephanie Irvine
(Project Manager, The Urban Orchard Project) called in following a meeting at
the Dick Turpin with a representative of Miller & Carter, who have the
lease from Redbridge Council. The representative was very helpful and readily
agreed that the orchard trees behind the Dick Turpin and also those in the
grounds of Cuckoo Hall could form part of an orchard project funded by the
Heritage Lottery. That is great news – for at long last, subject to the
Heritage Lottery agreement, we have a chance to renovate the area around Cuckoo
Hall and, later, Cuckoo Hall itself. There are a few hurdles to jump first –
but this could happen!
Secondly
a lady who lives in south east London called in. The lady is retired and has
set herself the task of visiting every London Underground station – and exploring
the surrounding area. I gave her a potted history of St. Peter’s and told her a
bit about the area.
Both
visits have convinced me that I need to update my book Aldborough Hatch – The Village in the Suburbs – A History for I am
sure that both ladies would buy a copy – but it is now out of print. I must set
myself a target date – like yesterday – and get down to the work.
