MEMBERS of The Finchley Society were joined by the Deputy Mayor of Barnet and the Chipping Barnet MP to celebrate its 40th anniversary at the weekend.

Councillor Lisa Rutter and Theresa Villiers were amongst 75 guests marking the event at Avenue House in East End Road, Finchley.

The society was founded on February 11, 1971, to conserve and explore historic features in Finchley and Friern Barnet.

David Smith, 71, has been a member of the society since its formation and became chairman in 2007.

He said: “When it began we were a group of strangers.We came from all walks of life.

“Some had lived here since childhood, others had come from elsewhere but what we had in common was an appreciation of our surroundings, both natural and man-made, and a determination to ensure the special character of the area be maintained and enhanced.”

The catalyst for the society was the late Finchley resident and all-round entertainer, Spike Milligan, who expressed his concern over the dereliction and threatened demolition of cottages in Lodge Lane, North Finchley.

Mr Milligan, who wrote and performed in the radio programme The Goon Show during the Fifties, set up a campaign with the support of Jean Scott, who was the Greater London Council member for Finchley.

After enlisting the help of an architect called Bill Tyler, plans were drawn up to modernise the former agricultural worker’s cottages which consequently still stand today.

Mr Milligan became the society’s president and Sir John Betjeman, who was Poet Laureate from 1972 until 1984, became its first patron.

Over the years the society has continued to grow in numbers, reaching over 400 members to date, and has helped conserve a number of buildings, including Hawthorne Dene.

The building, dating from 1826, stands in Strawberry Vale, East Finchley, and was saved from demolition following a campaign set up by the society in 1972.

Mr Smith said: “It is the earliest known example of cast iron being used as a structural feature on an ordinary house – instead of having a ceiling and staircase made of wood they used cast iron to prevent the risk of fire.

“Eventually the house was completely restored and now it's two housing units with people living there.”

The society has also helped conserve the old Holy Trinity School in East End Road, East Finchley, and is currently putting up plaques to draw people’s attention to particular buildings or features in the area.

One can now be seen outside Mr Milligan’s former house in Holden Road and the former home of Harry Beck, designer of the London tube map, in Courthouse Road in West Finchley.

Some plaques which provide passers-by with historical detail have also been erected, including one at St Mary’s Church in Hendon Lane.

Mr Smith said: “Each plaque costs in the region of £800 but we think it important to record and celebrate the cultural heritage of our area.”

As Mr Smith addressed the guests gathered at the anniversary celebrations he paid tribute to the hard work of members over the years and their achievements.

Speaking at the event, Ms Villiers said: “It is testament to their excellent work and spirit of the local community that The Finchley Society is still going strong after 40 years.

“I am sure they will continue to thrive for the next 40 years as well.”