Local Pubs

The Hadley Hotel, 113 Hadley Road, EN5 5QNThe hotel (& pub) is about 300 metres south of the Common, and is very convenient for walkers on the London Loop (leave the Common by the Hadley Road gate). The Cock Inn, Chalk Lane, Cockfosters, EN4 9HUThe Cock Inn is immediately east of the Common, on the London Loop about 50 metres from the Games Road gate.

Latest News

Although the Trust does not have a 'News' section on our website we aim to provide occasional updates of recent activity and future plans.

AGM Minutes

Please find attached the AGM minutesof meeting 28/10/2024.

'Bund'

Users of the Common may have seen notices placed by Enfield Council regarding the planned introduction of a drainage 'bund' on the Common to the south east of Parkgate Avenue. The Trust supports the project as it will improve a very wet and therefore inaccessible part of the Common and hopefully stop homes being flooded after extreme rainfall. The ‘bund’ will be a relatively small area with raised sides into which excess rainfall will flow and then gradually drain through the usual system. It is expected that work will start in the next few months and be complete in the spring. It should not take long to construct but exact dates are not yet known.

Paths

As regular users of the Common will doubtless have noticed, brambles are spreading across many of the smaller and less used paths. Our Volunteers (see ‘Vacancies Corner’ on the website if you are interested in volunteering) try to keep the paths clear however the wet summer has meant the brambles are winning just now. Please feel free to join us on a Tuesday or Thursday morning to keep trimming.

Bakers Hill & carpark

The surface of the car park at Bakers Hill has deteriorated over recent years, particularly the entrance. Tarmac has recently been laid at the entrance and hollows filled elsewhere in the carpark. This has been done in an effort to increase use of the car park and reduce parking on Bakers Hill. Parking on Bakers Hill narrows the road inappropriately (large trucks need access to the railway and utilities running across the Common) and damages the Common. In due course, now the carpark surface has been improved, bollards will be placed at the unofficial lay-bys along Bakers Hill to stop parking.

Tree work

We have recently undertaken a review with our arboriculture advisor and noted trees which need or may need attention in the future. Trees have been marked accordingly to help future identification. We will only reduce or remove trees if or when safety becomes an issue for users of the Common.

Funds

As users of the Common will realise, it costs a substantial amount annually to maintain the Common as a safe and pleasant environment which is open to all. Work, as outlined above, costs a great deal. The Trust urges those who use and enjoy the Common to contribute whatever they can in an effort to support the Trust. Membership is open to all - see the Membership tab on the website, and as a registered charity the Trust welcomes donations, small and large!

Vacancies corner

  1. Woodlands volunteer - we are looking for someone with expertise on woodlands in general to join either as a volunteer or, possibly, as a trustee. Please contact treasurer@mhctrust.org.uk for more details.