There must be thousands of us with long memories (back to the Thirties for me) of exploring and playing in the grounds of Avenue House and learning about the wonderful tree collection.

Being “left for ever to the people of Finchley” didn’t preclude its value and usefulness to a much wider public.

During the Second World War, in 1944, the professional Shakespearean Company, which in less dangerous times played in Regents Park, came to Avenue House.

A vivid description of a performance of Macbeth on a summer night, when drenching rain couldn’t quench the excitement, tells of the mayor, mayoress and members of the council attending who all sat on the grass in front of the house, facing the wooded slopes.

The performance began, but after a while, a far-distant grind heralded the approach of a flying bomb which roared overhead.

The play, temporarily inaudible, proceeded as the bomb sailed away; Lady Macbeth “batted not an eyelid” and the intent audience, though perhaps inwardly alarmed, sat it out to the end.

Shakespearean tragedy performed in highly dramatic, dangerous circumstances more than 60 years ago, and Shakespearean comedies on the lawn in the walled garden of the Bothy just a few years ago, are part of the history of a unique and irreplaceable treasure.

Avenue House and its grounds were maintained throughout the war years, so why not now?

Mrs F G Lunn
Village Road, Finchley