Mayor plants oak to celebrate pasture's centenary (From Times Series)

Mayor plants oak to celebrate pasture's centenary

1:59pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Top Stories By Emma Phippen

The Mayor of Barnet has planted a tree this morning to mark 100 years since Long Lane Pasture was bought by the council.

On February 22, 1912, the Finchley land was purchased for public enjoyment and recreation, and today Cllr Lisa Rutter has planted an oak to mark the centenary.

During the 18th and 19th centuries The Pasture, in Long Lane, supplied hay for London’s horses, in 1914 it survived the threat of a new railway, in 1925 it was cut in half by the North Circular, and in 1940 it was used to grow food as part of the war effort.

More recently, in the 1980s it was closed for potential use as a builder’s depot and in 1999 it was threatened with a housing development.

It is now a green space set aside for use by people and wildlife.

As part of the centenary celebrations the Long Lane Pasture Trust is also launching a photograph and art competition which aims to create a record of how the site looks in 2012.

The competition is open to everyone and entries close on September 15.