Hidden in plain sight, Harrow Weald Common is a refuge of tranquility amidst the London Borough of Harrow. Don’t let its unassuming name fool you. This 18-hectare expanse holds centuries of history and ecological wonders. The name “weald” itself is a whisper from the past, meaning “wooded upland” in Old English. Imagine Harrow Weald Common as a fragment of the once-vast Forest of Middlesex. Close your eyes and hear the echoes of highwaymen who, in the 18th century, lurked beneath the ancient trees. During the 19th century, the common witnessed a flurry of gravel extraction, a right granted to commoners following the Inclosure Acts. But the heart of Harrow Weald Common was nearly lost in the 1880s when plans for its sale arose. Thankfully, a wave of opposition, championed by none other than W.S. Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame, who resided at the nearby Grim’s Dyke, saved the day. Today, Harrow Weald Common stands protected, a living testament to its rich past. It’s a refuge for wildlife, designated as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. As you explore its woodland trails and open heaths, remember, you’re walking through history, a precious green space saved from the brink.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service