Highgate Library, Chester Road, N19
The AGM was held in the former Children's Library (see 'History'). This was the first time this wonderful space in our listed Library has been available for a civic meeting for several decades. Before the meeting started those attending were able look at a number of exhibitions, buy historic postcards and other Advisory Committee publications, talk to members of the Swain’s Lane and Neighbours of the Mansfield Bowling Club about their campaigns and spend a convivial half an hour chatting over drinks and nibbles.
The formal session was followed by our guest speaker Colin Thom. Colin, Senior Historian with English Heritage's Survey of London, an expert in researching London’s built environment and author of the seminal work on the subject, “Researching London’s Houses”, was our guest speaker this year. Colin’s Powerpoint presentation, which included some original research into several houses in the Conservation Area, stimulated an avalanche of questions and a lively discussion which could have gone into the night but for the fact that we had eventually to vacate the building. AGM veterans agreed it was one of the best we had had in many years. With Colin's kind permission a PDF of the talk and an XPS version of the presentation can be found below. Opening the latter is not recommended unless you a decent computer and fast broadband. Please respect Colin's copyright.