Page 12 - HGS Suburb News 133 - Winter2018

An interview with The Orchard Fireworks over Central Square

a decoupage class, which is December 31 saw the annual HGS At midnight, the church bell Or you can see photos at
organised by one of The Orchard’s party held in St Jude’s church, rang, announcing the start of www.stjudeonthehill.org/?m=1
tenants, producing beautiful which this year attracted the 2018, followed by a brilliant and www.stjudeonthehill.org/
boxes, there are also tenants largest ever crowd of local residents firework display over Central 2018/01/new-years-eve-
who have musical skills and can with their families and children. Square, created by Alchemy. Then 20172018.html.
play the saxophone, piano or Organised by the RA and their sadly, it was all over and time to Once again, many thanks
sitar, and then there are those Events team, all present enjoyed go home and continue partying. go to the Reverend Alan Walker
that attend talks, music wine and soft drinks with home- In the unlikely event that for the use of St Jude’s, the
PHOTOS: DAVID JOHNSON
programmes and a poetry class made snacks provided, while anyone missed it, a clip can be Suburb Trust and the Borough
at Fellowship House. catching up with friends and their viewed at www.youtube.com/ of Barnet for use of the tennis
So, what has transpired Christmas news and activities. watch?v=fsxhfSHHpjQ. court and Central Square, all
during this summer is a new volunteers young and old, and
collaboration between The finally to both our sponsors
Orchard and the new HGS U3A. Hausman & Holmes, and Estate
Tenants were invited to attend Wealth of Golders Green.
‘taster’ classes for one week led TONY BRAND
by different HGS U3A group
leaders. This has led to several
tenants joining the new U3A
Situated in the heart of the early affairs of the Society are conducted and starting classes in Yoga and
Suburb, in a secluded close off by a group of local volunteers Gentle Exercise and Dance; classes
Hampstead Way, is the Orchard who form the Management which they really enjoyed and
Housing Society, known near and Committee together with up to found beneficial.
far just as The Orchard. It is a three current tenants. The Orchard is a fine example
special place that has its history It was on a sunny afternoon of how well sheltered housing can
steeped in the ethos of Dame in September, I was sitting and succeed; with good management, PHOTOS: CESAR RODRIGUEZ-DURAN
Henrietta Barnett, the founder talking to Beatrice Boussard, the purpose-built accommodation
of Hampstead Garden Suburb. new Tenant Support Manager in an attractive tranquil setting;
The Orchard exists to provide of The Orchard in their newly and connections with other
sheltered accommodation for the refurbished communal lounge. groups within the local vicinity,
older (aged 60 and over) members Beatrice explained to me that she thus continuing the spirit of
of the Suburb population (or the feels with two new managers on community from its original
parents of Suburb residents or those site who have previously worked founder Dame Henrietta Barnett.
with strong Suburb connections) with bigger housing organisations, The Orchard are pleased to
who are in housing need. The they will have a fresh look, and be able to take on new
provision of flats for residents aim to share their enthusiasm for applications from prospective
to rent when they became bringing the tenants together by tenants who would like to
elderly was part of Henrietta organising activities in the new move to The Orchard in the
Barnett’s vision as this would communal room. She believes near future.
enable them to continue to live that having activities on site can DAPHNE BERKOVI Tony Brand & Hella Schrader of RA Events
independently on the Suburb be very beneficial to health and
throughout their later years. wellbeing, giving tenants the Suburb kids (of all sizes) April
The original building opened opportunity to meet and socialise.
in 1909, but by the 1960s it was Beatrice explained that she enjoy the snow
in a poor condition and no feels the key to tenant satisfaction HGSArt
longer met the requirements for is achieved by inviting each Fair
this type of housing. A group of tenant to complete a support
local residents led by Edward plan. This highlights any areas
Parry formed the Orchard in their life that could be HGSArt is a young organisation
though some of its members are
Housing Society to replace the improved or supported by quite mature. They are skilful local
original building with a more external agencies. Her plan is to artists, sculptors, photographers,
modern provision and the new try to make sure the tenants are
buildings were opened in 1972. involved in some activities film makers, potters, glass makers,
workers in fabrics and indeed all
It has accommodation for 48 especially in the winter months manner of craft. HGSArt brings
single people and 13 couples, when it is harder to go out. She them together to enjoy interesting
with approximately 70 tenants anticipates that this will reduce
on site. isolation and loneliness and lectures, outings, wine tasting
and social events, and also to
The Orchard Housing Society promote tenant engagement. display their work at its annual
is a registered, not-for-profit Although tenants have some Art Fair which will be held at
provider of social housing. The activities to engage with, including
Fellowship House on April 14 -15,
where it will run a Children’s
Art Workshop. A date for your
diary and do keep a look out for
HGS posters which will give
more details.
Meantime, we are looking
forward to Pat Hedger’s lecture
on the Dutch Golden Age on
February 22.
To join HGSArt, visit us at
www.hgsart.co.uk or contact Mary
Davis, membership secretary at
maryd5@hotmail.com.
PHOTOS: JULIAN GIBBINS

A wonderful example of HGSArt
member Vera Moore’s work

Please help make Suburb News your newspaper. Articles, letters and news items welcome,
send to the publisher with High Res pictures at rapublications@hgs.org.uk
EDITOR: Terry Brooks, rapublications@hgs.org.uk
WHAT’S ON EDITOR: David Littaur, raevents@hgs.org.uk.
Views expressed in Suburb News are not necessarily those of the publishers
the Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents Association.
Deadline for the Spring issue is April 7, for publication on May 5

The RA website is www.hgs.org.uk