Page 7 - HGS Suburb News 151 - Autumn 2022

S U B U R B
OUT& ABOUT

Anyone for… topiary? children commenting, “Is it a

squirrel or a bird?” From behind
the hedge, Elaine calls out in a
JUDY MARCUS hedge art from the previous house squeaky voice “I’m a squirrel-bird!”
owner, an artist, who, in turn, had All goes quiet as the astonished
opiary is the ancient art of inherited it from the owner before: children wonder if the mammal-
clipping trees and shrubs into also an artist. Elaine, also an artist bird has spoken!
Tornamental shapes, dating (clearly a theme is emerging here) When I visited, the mammal-
back to Roman times. The shape has a strong interest in maintaining bird was in need of maintenance
created can be a simple geometric the topiary and does most of the and Elaine agreed to let me ‘have
design or lifelike and recognisable. work assisted by Keith, who, being a go’. Elaine uses a light handheld
With its profusion of hedges, taller, is called upon to trim the tail, battery-operated hedge trimmer
the Suburb naturally lends itself so acquiring the name ‘tail-man’. and a manual bolt cutter for areas Photo: Adrian Marcus
to topiary. You may have come Under their care, the topiary that are tough and twiggy. She
across a large bird-shaped hedge changes between squirrel-like and doesn’t wear gloves as they make you want to because the twiggy lines. It was rather relaxing. I stood
sculpture standing proudly on the a bird-like. If he’s in the mood, Keith it harder to get an accurate line. growth gets in the way and if you back and was pleased to see how
corner of Southway and Bigwood fashions a squirrel’s tail, or he Efficiently and swiftly, Elaine can’t remove them with the manual much neater I had made the
Colin Gregory, RA Representative
on the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee Road. On a breezy summer day, I simply chops the tail in half and it sheared away spare strands from shears you have to incorporate structure. I could see how Elaine
went to make my enquiries about becomes a bird again. Elaine likes around the sides of the sculpture that area of growth into the got a sense of satisfaction and
it from the house owners, Elaine the sculpture to be a mystical cross in demonstration. She explained: design. That’s part of the artistic pride in the creation she has
and Keith, inherited their decorative breed. She recounts hearing sometimes you can’t cut everything licence and the fun. She then maintained for eleven years. She
handed me the trimmers… also enjoys the sociable and
At first, I felt nervous about communal aspect to her topiary.
damaging this well-loved and As I left Elaine’s pretty garden
elderly structure, but I soon got I looked back to admire our joint
into my stride. All the hard work handiwork. The hedgerow creature
of producing the original shape looked so lifelike and, as it gently
had been done and it was just a undulated in the breeze, it seemed
question of following the pre-set to nod me a thank you as I left.

Photo: Michael Spiro
Indiaʼs Gold winning Bowls Team

trained at Bishopswood Club

MICHAEL SPIRO had the opportunity to play with the final to take silver. All in all,
the India team. While the Indians an outstanding performance from
n the run-up to the Birmingham won, the Bishopswood players the Indian squad! And it all started
2022 Commonwealth Games, held their own, giving the visitors at our Suburb club!
IBishopswood Bowling Club in ‘real’ games to play. A strong If you would like to try your
Lyttelton Playing Fields, hosted bond was formed between the hand at the sport, just come in
the National Bowls team of India club and the India team in the few whenever the gates are open.
while they prepared for their Lawn intense days spent together, with Bishopswood Bowling Club is
Bowls challenge in the Games. some of the members attending generally open seven days a week
Having arrived in London on the matches to support them. from 9:45 through to dusk. The Free Fellowship trip to Hatfield House Fellowshipʼs
July 20 they spent each day at the At the Games, the India club and the members are friendly latest initiative to benefit its Club Members, an annual expedition
Club practising and training from woman’s fours team beat New and welcoming, and you will be by coach entirely free of charge, was taken up with enthusiasm.
the day they arrived until Sunday Zealand, one of the best nations invited to come in, learn about On 28th July a visit to Hatfield House for 40 Members was
24th, when they went on to in the sport, in the semi-finals. the game and have a go. organised. A lovely day out by all accounts.
Birmingham for further training on They then went on to beat South Please visit the club website
the actual greens the competitions Africa, another giant nation of the at https://bishopswoodbc.co.uk
themselves were to take place sport of bowls, to take gold! The for more information on bowls or
starting later in the week. India men’s fours team beat the club, or you can contact them
Many on the Suburb came to England in the semi-finals but were on 020 8058 2212 or email to:
watch. Some club members also defeated by Northern Ireland in info@bishopswoodbc.co.uk.

Mayorʼs lockdown walk

EMMA HOWARD
ayor of Barnet, Alison Moore, was delighted to visit Northway
Gardens on a dry but dull morning on Wednesday 27 July. The
M roses were looking glorious despite the long dry spell, and the
Mayor told the Head of Northway Gardens Organisation, Brian Ingram,
that she had enjoyed walking through them as one of her ‘lockdown’ walks.
Brian explained the background to the gardens, including how the
original beds which are mainly planted with evergreen shrubs, will slowly
be replanted with flowering shrubs of various types – when funds permit.
Sponsors to the gardens, which include local businesses, The HGS Trust
and HGS Residents Association make all this possible, as does the
generosity of some key volunteers who pay for the roses themselves.
Many volunteers are involved in keeping the gardens beautiful.
There is also a regular coffee morning at the hut by the tennis court: a
great opportunity to make new friends and meet people. The Mayor
chatted to the attendees, who were enjoying a cup of coffee, before
moving on to her next visit. Photo: Emma Howard
SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS 7