finchley and the city

A visit to the London Maze, the City of London Corporation's local history fair at the Guildhall, a new building on old foundations (i.e. it was flattened during the second world war) which was interesting in itself. The fair was less interesting although I looked at a book about london housing in the 1930s. £35 was too much to pay though.

From Travels around London

Next on the list of visits was Wesley's Chapel. This was surprisingly like a Church of England church of the 18th century, the only difference being the pulpit directly behind the holy table. The communion rails were donated by Margaret Thatcher, who was married and had her children christened in the chapel.

The Museum of Methodism in the chapel cellar was somewhat confused and confusing with each explanatory board numbered, except when they weren't, but had artefacts and paintings relating to John and Charles Wesley and methodism in general. I'm not sure I came away with a greater understanding of Methodism but it was interesting.

From Travels around London

Afterwards I had a visit to Finchley which was better than I thought it was. The Church, dedicated to St Mary, was almost as long as it was wide, with a fine timbered roof of the 1940s (again the chancel was flattened during the second world war). The church was of 13th century origin but altered in the 19th and 20th centuries. The main drag of Finchley and the housing was pleasant. This was Margaret Thatcher's constituency

From Travels around London

The finchley archer at East Finchley symbolyses rapid transport to central London. Yeah right.