Cockfosters

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Cockfosters
Hertfordshire, Middlesex

Cockfosters Parade
Location
Grid reference: TQ275965
Location: 51°39’10"N, 0°9’22"W
Data
Post town: Barnet
Postcode: EN4
Dialling code: 020
Local Government
Council: Barnet / Enfield
Parliamentary
constituency:
Chipping Barnet
Enfield Southgate

Cockfosters is a town straddling the border between Hertfordshire and Middlesex. It is at the far northern end of the London conurbation, bordering Barnet to the south and west, and open country to the north and east. Cockfosters is most famous for its tube station being the northern terminus of the Piccadilly line of the London Underground.

History

The name was 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)'.[1][2] Philip Howard, a Times columnist, characterises Cockfosters as an 'agreeable commuter suburb, whose inhabitants, like all suburbanites, consider their "village" proper country.'[3]

Of note in Cockfosters is Trent Park, now a country park.

Christ Church, Cockfosters, an Anglican evangelical church, was founded in 1839.[4]

The Piccadilly line of the London Underground reached Cockfosters in 1933. The Cock Inn (formerly the Cock), off Cockfosters Road on Chalk Lane, opened in 1798.

Education

Southgate School is located on Sussex Way.

Trent Church of England Primary School is located on Chalk Lane.

Theatre and the arts

The Chickenshed Theatre Company, 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. It is an inclusive theatre company 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.

References

  1. Harris, Cyril M. (1977). What's in a name?. London: Capital Transport. ISBN 1-85414-241-0. 
  2. Christ Church Cockfosters: 125 years. Franey & Co., London, c. 1964. p. 5.
  3. "London is awash with underground romance yet we blindly pass it by | The Times" (in en-GB). The Times. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/columnists/article2614100.ece. Retrieved 2017-01-09. 
  4. "Christ Church Cockfosters". Christ Church Cockfosters. http://christchurchcockfosters.co.uk/about/our-history/#. Retrieved 2015-12-07.