Gazing upon this unassuming obelisk, one might easily dismiss the Hadley Highstone. But let me assure you, this monument holds a story steeped in English history. The Hadley Highstone commemorates the Battle of Barnet, a pivotal clash during the Wars of the Roses. Fought on April 14th, 1471, this battle saw Edward IV triumph over the Earl of Warwick, who was subsequently slain. The original inscription, commissioned by Sir Jeremy Sambrook in 1740, reads, “Here was fought the famous battle between Edward IV and the Earl of Warwick April 14th Anno 1471 in which the Earl was Defeated and Slain.” Originally placed closer to the actual battle site, the Hadley Highstone was moved about 180 meters to its current location around 1840. Imagine the scene in 1471. The clash of steel, the cries of men, the fate of England hanging in the balance right here. This area, once known as Gladmore Heath, part of the vast Enfield Chase, witnessed a turning point in English history. While the monument itself doesn’t date back to the battle, it serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles that shaped this nation. The Hadley Highstone is more than just stone and inscription. It’s a tangible link to a dramatic past, a silent witness to the ebb and flow of power. Take a moment to reflect on the weight of history held within this simple monument. The echoes of the battle may be gone, but the story lives on, etched in stone and whispered on the wind.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service