Posted on 3 Apr 2025
The Trust has submitted comments to Barnet Council on the planning application for padel tennis courts at Northway Gardens. While the site lies outside the Scheme of Management, it is within the Conservation Area and a prominent green space. The Trust has therefore commented on aspects of the proposal that affect the character and appearance of the Suburb.
Issues such as noise and parking will be considered by Barnet Council as part of the planning process.
You can read the Trust’s full response here.
Posted on 25 Nov 2024
Ahead of the retirement in January of current CEO Simon Henderson, we are pleased to announce that a new CEO has now been appointed.
The Trust and the Suburb more generally has benefitted from Simon’s leadership over the past five years, when he joined at a pivotal moment for everyone, just days ahead of the first national Covid lockdown.
Following a thorough recruitment process, Will Hawkins has been selected to take on the role of CEO, and he starts in mid-January. The timing allows for a small overlap between Simon and Will and enables a smooth handover.
Will brings with him over 10 years of senior management experience at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), where he led initiatives supporting architectural excellence and community engagement. This, alongside his broader experience in charitable governance and architecture, positions him well to lead the Trust.
He says:
"Hampstead Garden Suburb is a remarkable place, embodying a vision of thoughtful design and community spirit that has stood the test of time. The Suburb’s unique character is not just about its architecture and layout but also the role of green spaces in creating a harmonious environment. The Trust plays a vital role in safeguarding this legacy, ensuring that its special qualities are protected while supporting the needs of its community.
I discovered the Suburb when studying architecture as an undergraduate, and I was struck by the vision of its founders in integrating green spaces into planning and design. As a resident of Kentish Town for the last 20 years, I’ve grown to know the Suburb even better, particularly when it became part of my Covid lockdown walks. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for its thoughtful design and the foresight that created such a unique environment.
I feel privileged to take on this role, and I’m excited to work alongside the Trust’s team and trustees to care for the Suburb. It’s clear that everyone involved is deeply committed to this mission, and I look forward to contributing to that collective effort.
As CEO, I aim to be approachable and accessible, continuing the Trust’s tradition of open dialogue. Whether it’s addressing concerns, exploring ideas, or simply getting to know the community, I’m eager to engage with everyone who shares in the Suburb’s future. See you in the New Year!"
The election for a new resident trustee has taken place, and ballot papers returned to the Trust's auditors have been counted and verified. The results are as follows:
Of the 193 valid voting papers received, Bryan Marcus received 73 votes, and Nicola Avery-Gee received 120 votes. Therefore, Nicola Avery-Gee is the newly-elected resident trustee on Trust Council.
We’re trying something new this year!
We want to give our Members a better opportunity to meet the trustees and discuss matters of interest than the present format of the AGM allows.
We will therefore be holding a Members’ Meeting immediately before this year’s AGM, starting at 6.30pm. This will showcase our new Retrofit Guidance, as well as giving good time for Members questions.
The formal business of the AGM will then follow at 7.30pm, and we hope to complete by around 8pm.
We very much look forward to meeting you on the 23rd September at the Free Church Hall. If you are not already a Member, you can easily join on-line via our website at www.hgstrust.org/membership
Copies of the notice of the AGM and annual report & accounts were sent out in August. Download a copy of the AGM notice here, and find electronic copies of the annual report & accounts here.
Posted on 12 Jun 2024
Users of our Central Square tennis courts now need to use a unique access code to enter the courts. You'll be sent your code in your booking confirmation email, so make a note of it if you won't have access to your emails when going to the court.
Just enter the entire code, with the leading asterisk, and the gate will unlock. You won't need the code to leave.
The new access code and locking system is another step to help us ensure that our courts are only used by legitimate users, and will prevent vandalism and misuse. This all goes towards preserving these facilities for the use of Suburb residents.
Our courts can be booked via clubspark.net/HGSTrust - you'll need to register the first time, and then login on each subsequent visit. Remember to make a note of your access code in the
If you have any queries about the new system, or need to report any issues, just give us a ring on 0208 455 1066 or email mail@hgstrust.org.
Posted on 23 Apr 2024
From 24 April 2024, you'll be able to book via clubspark.net/HGST for our Central Square tennis courts, for slots starting from 1 May onwards.
You can continue to use Reservio for bookings for slots up till the end of 30 April: https://hampstead-garden-suburb-trust.reservio.com/
Posted on 11 Oct 2023
Posted on 25 Sep 2023
Please be advised that the Trust office will be closed on Wednesday 27 September for staff training.
Messages can be left via 0208 455 1066 or mail@hgstrust.org and we will get back to you as soon as we can on Thursday.
Posted on 18 Sep 2023
Trevor Price stands down as elected trustee after one three year term.
We have received one nomination for this vacancy from Sarah Stafford - please see her candidate statement below. As there are no other candidates, Sarah will be elected following the AGM on Wednesday 20 September.
Sarah Stafford
Why I’m standing for Trust council
Hampstead Garden Suburb is a beautiful area. It’s a privilege to live here. I want to be part of the debate that shapes how this area keeps its rich heritage and wonderful aesthetics whilst responding to the greatest challenge of our times: climate change.
Through my work with REACH, the environment committee for the HGS Residents’ Association, I have heard first-hand how ill-informed residents are concerning their ability under current Trust policies to make changes that would make their homes more comfortable as well as reducing their carbon emissions. But, to be clear, we need to not only communicate better regarding the current policies, but also debate and create frameworks for a net zero future. We need to recognise and anticipate the shift from gas heating to heat pumps for domestic buildings. We need to keep talking about energy efficiency of the housing stock. We need to offer a framework in which local buildings can become carbon neutral, or very close to that. I know that the Trust is already looking at exciting projects in this area and I would be delighted to help where I can. This would be my focus, working with the other Trust council members and staff, if I were elected.
It is worth repeating that I live in this area because of its beautiful architecture and flora. I want to preserve the charm and character of this area. But I also want us to be ambitious about reaching net zero for the benefit of ourselves and future generations.
What I can offer
I am a lawyer. I will bring clarity of expression, a willingness to reach consensus and attention to detail.
I am an entrepreneur. I will bring a can-do attitude and ambition.
I am a mum of school-aged children. I will bring energy, the perspectives of the next generation and a lot of patience!
I am a home-renovation enthusiast. The very recent eco-renovation of our house in this area means that I am fully aware of the challenges faced by the Trust and homeowners to get our homes ready for net zero.
I would be very grateful for the opportunity to make a positive difference by election to the HGS Trust council.
Posted on 30 Aug 2023
The Trust recently cleared one of the two disused tennis courts below Central Square in preparation for its restoration as a green space. An online survey organised by a group of residents has since sought views on the reinstatement of this area for sports use. The Trust had no part in this survey.
The court had been out of use for a decade and was beyond economic restoration. We do not consider that the location is now suitable for a hard-court sports use, not least because of its now-isolated position and inability to meet current guidelines for accessibility.
There is also no evidence of unmet need at a level that would justify the expense of constructing and maintaining a further sports court. While there is natural pressure on any outdoor sports facility in the peak summer period, the two existing tennis courts are even then not fully utilised. These courts, together with the various other public, club and shared courts in the Suburb, already provide a level well above the general provision across Barnet and other boroughs.
Given all the above, we believe that restoring this land to green use as an orchard meadow makes best use of the space as it now is, complementing the adjoining spinney as a continuous greensward on this side of the path. It also reinstates the original use of this area as an orchard, reflecting Henrietta Barnett’s vision for the Square.
In the longer term we would like to rehabilitate the whole area between Central Square and Willifield Way. It will take some time to establish the parameters for a meaningful discussion, but we will then be a position to seek residents’ informed views.
Posted on 25 Aug 2023
The Trust's 2023 AGM will be held at the Free Church Hall, Northway, on Wednesday 20 September at 8pm.
Formal business will commence at 8.00pm but the doors will be open from 7.30pm, allowing a period for informal conversation over light refreshments before the formal business of the evening.
Details of the meeting and how to attend are set out in the formal notice downloadable here. Please see the linked PDF for the full AGM notice along with the two Special Resolutions which will be voted for at the meeting itself. Copies of this notice have now been sent by post, along with this year's annual report and accounts, to all registered Members of the Trust.
If you are not yet a Member and wish to join before the AGM, please fill in our simple membership form to join today.
Posted on 12 Jun 2023
What is happening?
We will be carrying out some work to the disused tennis court on the right-hand side of the footpath leading away from the Henrietta Barnett monument in June / July. The first phase of the work will take approximately one month to complete. We intend to remove the tennis court surface, and grass the area ready for some trees to be planted later this year or early next year.
Why?
This court has been disused for some time and could be utilised in a way that better suits the needs of the residents. Having taken over the management of Central Square from Barnet Council last year, we see this as an area where we can improve our green estate management. By restoring this historic orchard into something more appropriate for its location, our plan is to connect this part of Central Square with the existing site whilst simultaneously reducing the impact of the built environment.
Updates
We’ll keep you posted on the works as the year goes on. Keep an eye on our Central Square noticeboard or social media for more.
If you have any questions, contact the Trust office on mail@hgstrust.org or 0208 455 1066
Posted on 29 May 2023
It's now even easier to become a Member of the Trust, or to renew.
We have an online form which takes less than a minute to complete. Paper forms are still available if you'd prefer to use those. Visit https://www.hgstrust.org/membership/ to find out more.
Membership of the Trust is open to all Suburb residents over the age of 18. It's separate to paying the management charge or ground rent - in fact, you only have to live on the Suburb to be a Member, you don't have to be a homeowner.
Being a Member means you support the conservation of Hampstead Garden Suburb, and you want to be kept up to date with the work of the Trust. You'll also receive copies of our annual report in the post, as well as invitations to events like our annual winter lecture.
You'll be kept updated on the Trust's AGM, and when there is an election for Trust Council, Members get to cast their votes for the candidates to decide the new resident trustees.
Membership is not automatic. You must apply to be a Member, and renew every three years when it expires.
Just visit https://www.hgstrust.org/membership/ and fill in the online form. We just need your name, address, and the year you became a resident of the Suburb. You can also give us an email address if you'd like to recieve occasional Trust-related communications or renewal reminders.
If you want to check your current Membership status, or find out more, send us an email: mail@hgstrust.org
Posted on 17 Apr 2023
