Cockfosters
Encyclopedia
Cockfosters is a suburb of North London
, lying partly in the London Borough of Enfield
and partly in the London Borough of Barnet
. The counties of Hertfordshire
and Middlesex
respectively (in which Cockfosters was located pre-1965) are still used in postal addresses.
The name has been recorded as far back as 1524, and is thought to be either the name of a family, or that of a house which stood on Enfield Chase
. One suggestion is that it was "the residence of the cock forester (or chief forester)".
Of note in Cockfosters is Trent Park
which serves as a country park
.
Christ Church, Cockfosters was founded in 1839. The Piccadilly line
of the London Underground
reached Cockfosters in 1933.
The Cock & Dragon Pub (formerly the Cock), offset from Cockfosters Road on Chalk Lane, opened in 1798.
nearby:
The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture
is also located on the Cat Hill campus.
Southgate School
is located in Sussex Way.
Trent C of E Primary School is located in Chalk Lane.
, aka Chickenshed, is located in Cockfosters. It was founded in 1975 in a chicken shed, and has since moved to its current site. It now produces many shows, most recently "Badjelly's Bad Christmas
", "The Kings Web", "Slender Threads", "Duty" and "The Rain that Washes". It is an inclusive theatre compnany, and started the concept of "inclusive theatre", which means anyone, regardless of background, race, gender, age or disability, is allowed to both watch and perform in theatre.
used to play at Chase Side (also known as Clocktower Park). ("Chase Side" is the name of a road between Cockfosters and Southgate
). However, they moved to and currently reside in Watford
. The ground is still used for Enfield F.C.
training and for the Saracens' 'B' team, Saracens Storm. It is also used as Saracens Amateurs' training ground. Cockfosters Cricket Club, Southgate Compton Cricket Club and Cockfosters Football Club play at Chalk Lane on fields adjacent to Christ Church.
for Southgate, David Burrowes
, was born in Cockfosters. George Baillie Duncan
ministered at Christ Church, Cockfosters and the cricketer Andrew Wingfield Digby
was a curate
there. Cameron McVey
grew up in Cockfosters. The poet John Betjeman
, who taught at Heddon Court School in 1929-30, wrote "The Cricket Master" about his experiences there. Other transient residents have included the footballers Tommy Docherty
and George Eastham
and Dave Davies
of the Kinks
.
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
, lying partly in the London Borough of Enfield
London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
and partly in the London Borough of Barnet
London Borough of Barnet
The London Borough of Barnet is a London borough in North London and forms part of Outer London. It has a population of 331,500 and covers . It borders Hertfordshire to the north and five other London boroughs: Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south-east and Enfield to the...
. The counties of Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
and Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
respectively (in which Cockfosters was located pre-1965) are still used in postal addresses.
The name has been recorded as far back as 1524, and is thought to be either the name of a family, or that of a house which stood on Enfield Chase
Enfield Chase
Enfield Chase is an area in the London Borough of Enfield, North London. It was once covered by woodland and used as a royal deer park. While it is no longer officially a 'place', the Church of England Parish of St Mary Magdalene, Enfield Chase, officially holds that title, which was effectively...
. One suggestion is that it was "the residence of the cock forester (or chief forester)".
Of note in Cockfosters is Trent Park
Trent Park
Trent Park is a country park, formerly the grounds of a mansion house which currently forms the Trent Park campus of Middlesex University in the north of London, United Kingdom...
which serves as a country park
Country park
A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.-History:In the United Kingdom the term 'Country Park' has a special meaning. There are over 400 Country Parks in England alone . Most Country Parks were designated in the 1970s, under the...
.
Christ Church, Cockfosters was founded in 1839. The Piccadilly line
Piccadilly Line
The Piccadilly line is a line of the London Underground, coloured dark blue on the Tube map. It is the fifth busiest line on the Underground network judged by the number of passengers transported per year. It is mainly a deep-level line, running from the north to the west of London via Zone 1, with...
of the London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
reached Cockfosters in 1933.
The Cock & Dragon Pub (formerly the Cock), offset from Cockfosters Road on Chalk Lane, opened in 1798.
Geography
Education
There are two campuses of Middlesex UniversityMiddlesex University
Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...
nearby:
- One in Trent ParkTrent ParkTrent Park is a country park, formerly the grounds of a mansion house which currently forms the Trent Park campus of Middlesex University in the north of London, United Kingdom...
- At the top of Cat Hill, next to the large roundabout.
The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture
Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture
The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture is a museum in North London, England, housing one of the most comprehensive collections of 19th- and 20th-century decorative arts for the home....
is also located on the Cat Hill campus.
Southgate School
Southgate School
Southgate School is a state comprehensive secondary school in the London Borough of Enfield. It has approximately 1574 pupils.The school has Specialist Science Status. The school is situated just east of the Cat Hill roundabout of the A111 and A110, between Cockfosters and Oakwood tube stations...
is located in Sussex Way.
Trent C of E Primary School is located in Chalk Lane.
Theatre and the Arts
The Chickenshed Theatre CompanyChickenshed
Chickenshed is a British theatre company based in Cockfosters, London. It was founded in 1974 in a disused chicken shed by Mary Ward and Jo Collins. The company produces theatrical and musical productions, performed by children, teenagers and adults of all backgrounds and abilities...
, aka Chickenshed, is located in Cockfosters. It was founded in 1975 in a chicken shed, and has since moved to its current site. It now produces many shows, most recently "Badjelly's Bad Christmas
Badjelly's Bad Christmas
Badjelly's Bad Christmas was a play created and performed by the Chickenshed Theatre Company, based on the works of Spike Milligan. It followed the journey of two arguing sisters, Kate and Laura, who had gone to visit their Grandad for the Christmas after they pushed their mother to the verge of...
", "The Kings Web", "Slender Threads", "Duty" and "The Rain that Washes". It is an inclusive theatre compnany, and started the concept of "inclusive theatre", which means anyone, regardless of background, race, gender, age or disability, is allowed to both watch and perform in theatre.
Sport
SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
used to play at Chase Side (also known as Clocktower Park). ("Chase Side" is the name of a road between Cockfosters and Southgate
Southgate, London
Southgate is an area of north London, England, primarily within the London Borough of Enfield, although parts of its western fringes lie within the London Borough of Barnet. It is located around north of Charing Cross. The name is derived from being the south gate to Enfield Chase...
). However, they moved to and currently reside in Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
. The ground is still used for Enfield F.C.
Enfield F.C.
Enfield F.C. is a football club, formed in June 2007 after Enfield F.C. ceased to exist....
training and for the Saracens' 'B' team, Saracens Storm. It is also used as Saracens Amateurs' training ground. Cockfosters Cricket Club, Southgate Compton Cricket Club and Cockfosters Football Club play at Chalk Lane on fields adjacent to Christ Church.
Local newspapers
The local newspapers are as of 2011-| Newspaper | Link |
|---|---|
| Enfield Independent | |
| Enfield Advertiser | |
| The Jewish Chronicle The Jewish Chronicle The Jewish Chronicle is a London-based Jewish newspaper. Founded in 1841, it is the oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the world.-Publication data and readership figures:... ("The JC") |
People
The MPMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Southgate, David Burrowes
David Burrowes
David John Barrington Burrowes is a British politician. He is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate, Parliamentary chairman of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, and an Officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel group.-Early life:David Burrowes was born in Cockfosters...
, was born in Cockfosters. George Baillie Duncan
George Baillie Duncan
George Baillie Duncan was a prominent evangelical Anglican and Church of Scotland minister, and Keswick Convention speaker.George Duncan was born in India of missionary parents but brought up in Scotland. Educated at Merchiston Castle School and Edinburgh University, he studied for the ministry at...
ministered at Christ Church, Cockfosters and the cricketer Andrew Wingfield Digby
Andrew Wingfield Digby
Rev. Andrew Richard Wingfield Digby is a former English cricketer. Wingfield Digby was a left-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace....
was a curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
there. Cameron McVey
Cameron McVey
Cameron Andrew McVey is a British music producer, best known for his work with Neneh Cherry, Massive Attack, Portishead, All Saints, and Sugababes.-Family:...
grew up in Cockfosters. The poet John Betjeman
John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
, who taught at Heddon Court School in 1929-30, wrote "The Cricket Master" about his experiences there. Other transient residents have included the footballers Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
and George Eastham
George Eastham
George Edward Eastham, OBE is an English former footballer. He is known for playing for Newcastle United, Arsenal and Stoke City, as well as a non-playing member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad...
and Dave Davies
Dave Davies
David Russell Gordon "Dave" Davies is an English rock musician best known for his role as lead guitarist and vocalist for the English rock band The Kinks....
of the Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
.
Nearby Stations
- Cockfosters tube stationCockfosters tube stationCockfosters is a London Underground station on the Piccadilly Line for which it is the northern terminus. The station is located on Cockfosters Road approximately 9 miles from central London and serves Cockfosters in the London Borough of Barnet although it is actually located a short distance...
- New Barnet railway stationNew Barnet railway stationNew Barnet railway station is in the London Borough of Barnet in north London, England. It is 10¼ miles north of Moorgate and is on the East Coast Main Line between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. New Barnet is in Travelcard Zone 5...
- about 2 miles west