Long Lane Pasture

^{Photo by Martin Addison}

The Pasture (1.05 ha, 2.6 acres) is a meadow, which has remained largely undisturbed for centuries (apart from a small area under cultivation during World War 2). It has never been built on. It is within an area defined as being 'deprived of public open space'. The land is owned by the London Borough of Barnet. It was purchased in 1912 for 'public recreation and enjoyment'.

Up to the early 1980s (when it was closed to the public because of proposed road works) it was well-used by local people and had a public footpath across it. Horses grazed here for many years. The Pasture was a popular place. There is evidence of many activities on the land: kite flying, picnics, pony riding, and nature walks by school children.

The wildlife here is now of considerable local importance.

In 1999, after years of neglect, the Council decided that the land was surplus to requirements and decided to sell it for housing development. However, after a public campaign to keep the Pasture as green space, this decision was overturned and in 2006 the land was designated for community use.

In 2005 the The Trust was granted a licence to access the land, and work began to restore the Pasture, clear rubbish and improve the land for wildlife. Read all about it.

In June 2009 a 25-year lease to manage the Pasture was granted to the Long Lane Pasture Trust (to an agreed Management Plan) for the benefit of wildlife and the community. Read all about it.

A Public Green space for a Century

Long Lane Pasture was purchased by the Finchley Urban District Council for public enjoyment and recreation on 22 February 1912. On 22 February 2012 the Mayor of Barnet planted an oak tree on the embankment area to commemorate this landmark. It is an English oak, grown locally by one of our Friends.

The Pasture has changed little in 100 years, except that its cut hay no longer provides fodder for London's horses, and horses no longer graze here. Many of the wildflowers on the restored damp meadowland are now thriving again and although there is no public footpath leading to a bridge across the railway (one of its old names was Iron Bridge Field), there is a network of paths for visitors to make a less hurried visits. Some Finchley residents can recall varied leisure activities here: it was the home ground of the local football team 'Squires United; many enjoyed family picnics; children used to fly their kites; and classes from Manorside School came for nature study and afterwards made displays of grasses and wild flowers. It is proving as popular today as it was at the turn of the 20th century. The Pasture has outlived many threats and is now half its original size, but continues as a delightful green space for both people and wildlife.

In 2012 Long Lane Pasture has launched a Centenary Photo & Art Competition to create a visual record of the Pasture. An Exhibition of over one hundred photographs and paintings of Long Lane Pasture was held at the Finchley ArtsDepot in October.

In 2012 / 2013 Long Lane Pasture was awarded a prestigious Community Green Flag Award - the national award for well managed, high quality green spaces. The Pasture is one of 43 community green flags awarded across London, and that year the only one in London Borough of Barnet. For more information visit: The Green Flag Award. We have since repeatedly been awarded the Green Flag, and are very proud of this achievement.

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