BelSoc Autumn Historic Walk
Averil Nottage led the autumn BelSoc historic walk twice for over sixty people on a dry, October Sunday. We walked from Belsize Village to Englands Lane covering a century of development in Belsize, much still standing and very much the present fabric of our area.
We were introduced to Daniel Tidy, a developer of the former Belsize House lands, who constructed the stucco housin
g stock (Belsize Avenue, Belsize Square). We really enjoyed the architectural transition from stucco to the red-brick housing as we headed toward Eton Avenue. The developer William Willets responded to the lessening popularity of stucco and met the new demands for more individual features for houses, including more ornate windows. The next transition, to the Arts and Crafts was then drawn to our attention as we entered Eton Avenue. Were these buildings the precursors to the garden suburbs of Hampstead and other areas?
Averil is planning a walk for next Spring, and we’re already very much looking forward to hosting this.
BelSoc Summer Party
This year’s party brought over sixty of us together, including many new members, to catch up, eat some great cakes and enjoy a very sunny garden.
Thanks to the volunteers that helped to cater for the event, and to hosts for providing a lovely setting for the party.