Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Why Harringay Benches Help
I've noted some diffidence elsewhere about our new benches. Whilst, were money were no object, some people might have chosen another style, I thought it just worthwhile adding a note here from another perspective.
Recently, I was watching a TV report on Manchester's bid to become the UK's most age-friendly city. A couple of the older people they spoke to mentioned how important benches are to older citizens. So when I passed a bench in one of the Gardens roads headers this morning and saw two older Cypriot ladies taking a breather, I stopped to have a quick word. I asked them what they thought about the benches. They were full of praise and enthusiasm and told me that the benches made a real difference to their lives.
It was nice to see our street life expanding to include this age group hanging round on street corners and chatting. So roll on Harringay benchlife.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ant on
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Same with the FoHP bench experiment over at the passage junction on Frobisher Rd. TBH I was a bit nervous about trying it and worried people, particularly the older residents, might not like it and worry about loiterers, but the response has been really positive. All the comments in the diary have been in favour and several older residents have talked to me about it and been really enthusiastic and pleased to have it there.
We should do more.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Pike on
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Used to walk past this impromptu bench and bin planters at the junction of Palace Gates Rd and Alexandra Park Rd on the long walk up the hill:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=palace+gates+road+n10&hl=en&am...
Always pleasant especially when the bins bloomed thanks to green fingered locals.
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Thanks for that Robert, really interesting to see. We're clearly being too timid...
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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I love the idea of benches Ant, but FYI, we do tend to end up getting a few folks hanging about on the raised bed walls on Pemberton during the summer and sometimes (not always) making a mess and noise to late into the evening and early morning.
I suspect it is often the poor sods who have only a pokey, hot and sweaty HMO room to go to, and cannot afford the prices in London pubs! Personally I have never been too troubled by them but other neighbours have.
This might be something to watch for as the temp rises.
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Yep, i agree thats a worry, really interested to hear what others think about it?
Only some spots are suitable, and even then only if those living nearby are supportive. Thats why the Frobisher one is described as an experiment, and why the diary was good so people could make comments anonymously, there's also a phone number on the Frobisher bench to call if there's trouble or concerns.
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See how it goes Ant. Do not what to be a downer as it is a great idea. I am a big believer that properly designed communal spaces can bring folks together and undo some of the community severance that the motor car has visited upon us!
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This web page says probably the best kind of seating is the movable chair...so one solution to the benches causing groups to gather and be noisy could be chairs. We could get a bunch of chairs, paint on the FoHP logo so they're identifiable, and scatter them about appropriate spots along the passage. Ebay has lots, here's 7 for £20, 8 for £19.99, or 6 for £1.04
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Permalink Reply by David Thomas on
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Agree- similar situation in Umfreville, pretty much outside my bedroom window. Not usually a problem and a polite request to keep the noise down usually works. Interesting cross section who use it from teenagers , groups or couples, to "the poor sods in HMOs". Never the less I think benches are a good idea and I shall try one out!
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When you say you will try one out, do you mean you'd like to try out putting a bench in on Umfreville Rd, and if so do you need any help getting one? People continue to offer money for bench experiments so we could help fund purchasing one. Or if anyone else has a suitable spot and wants to try one let me know.
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The householders that overlook it are Open Garden participants so not timid at all. Look forward to the cake, and bunting at your bench very soon!
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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William H. Whyte, the famous urbanist and public space advocate, once observed that "people like to sit where there are places for them to sit." I've certainly noticed lots of people taking the weight off while shopping on the new benches. I also see that people (particuarly older folk) often perch for 5 minutes at the planters on Warham or Pemberton before the big hike up the hill. Hurrah for benches and "places to sit" I say!
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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on
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Ah, so that's where Gina's been hanging out for the past decade or so. Not a damn bit of wonder I could never find her. A reason, Hugh, for FoHP's existence after all, then?
You should know, however, that the decline and fall of Roman civilisation set in with the provision of Sedes pro Senilibus (seats for seniles) in the Forum and around the Baths of Caracalla. Ant, too, should know that it's the loitering seniles that are Harringay's greatest threat. As for Liz's observation of "lots of people taking the weight off (?their feet)", what we need to do is to keep the old buggers on their feet in the hope that they'll take off some of the weight further up. Obesity and senility are what really did for the Roman Senate in the long run.
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