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Events Calendar
Our next event:
All-Day Walk from Hertford to Enfield on Sunday 19 April 2015
Walk led by John Polley of the New River Action Group. Free. Details are in Walks.
400 years of the New River in 2013 Celebration Record
The events that were part of the New River 400 year have been moved to a 'Celebration Record'. We would like to include descriptions, photos or items (programmes, art etc), and would welcome contributions from those who were there or who helped organise the events. Contact us to discuss how we can best do this for your event, or just send images and/or details to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Events in date order
(click for geographical order)
Events are notified to members of our circulation list (let us know if you'd like to join the list by sending a brief email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
LONG-RUNNING EXHIBITIONS |
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| Till 5 Jan 2014 | Water, Water Everywhere – 400 years of the New River exhibition (from 26 Apr 2013). At the Enfield Museum, The Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS. | |
| Till 15 Jan 2014 | New River 400. Exhibition at Ware Museum, The Priory Lodge, 89 High Street, Ware, Herts, SG12 9AL. Open Tue, Wed, Sat 11am - 4pm, Sun 2pm - 4pm, Bank Hol Mons 2pm - 4pm. Among the artefacts on display at the museum are tools walkmen – those charged maintaining the route – used, including equipment to kill water voles. Now a protected species, water voles threatened the aqueduct's integrity. Also on show is an elm pipe, one of thousands used to transport water from the New River to people's homes. The logs were bored out using a horse-powered borer, with Ware pump maker John Bartholomew tasked with choosing the trees to bore. | www.waremuseum.org.uk Tel: 01920 487848 |
OCTOBER |
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| Sun 20 Oct 10.00 am |
All-Day New River walk from Enfield to Hertford led by John Polley (New River Action Group). | www.newriver.org.uk |
| Sat 26 Oct 1pm - 4pm |
The Big Draw at Hoddesdon Town Centre (or Lowewood Museum if wet). Our theme is "Water", based on the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River that runs through Broxbourne. Come along and join in with this national initiative to encourage everyone to draw! One of two fun family workshops (the other is at Waltham Cross on Sat 12 Oct) organised by Ware Art Shed where children and young people can make, design and decorate their own model houses and place them along a 3D map of the New River. | |
| Mon 28 to Wed 30 Oct | Creatures of the New River - Half-term activities. At Enfield Museum, The Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS. Organised by Broxbourne Council. | See here for details |
NOVEMBER 2013 ONWARDS |
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| Wed 13 Nov | Talk (by New River Action Group) at Grange Park (details to follow) | |
| Wed 27 Nov | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Transport for London History Group (details to follow) | |
| Wed 5 Feb | Talk (by New River Action Group) to London Westminster & Middlesex Family History Society (details to follow) | |
| Wed 12 Feb | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Hornsey Historical Society (details to follow) | |
| Wed 23 Apr | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Friern Barnet and District Local History Society (details to follow) | |
| Thu 15 May | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Edmonton Hundred Historical Society (details to follow) | |
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Celebration Events Calendar
All-Day Walk from Enfield to Hertford on Sunday 20 October
Walk led by John Polley of the New River Action Group. Free. Details are in Walks.
Celebration Record
Previous events for NR400 have been moved to a 'Celebration Record'. We would like to include descriptions, photos or items (programmes, art etc), and would welcome contributions from those who were there or who helped organise the events. Contact us to discuss how we can best do this for your event, or just send images and/or details to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Events in geographical order
Events are notified to members of our circulation list (let us know if you'd like to join the list by sending a brief email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Events below are listed in geographical sections, and in date order within sections.
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
HERTFORD - BROXBOURNE |
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| Till 15 Jan 2014 | New River 400. Exhibition at Ware Museum, The Priory Lodge, 89 High Street, Ware, Herts, SG12 9AL. Open Tue, Wed, Sat 11am - 4pm, Sun 2pm - 4pm, Bank Hol Mons 2pm - 4pm. Among the artefacts on display at the museum are tools walkmen – those charged maintaining the route – used, including equipment to kill water voles. Now a protected species, water voles threatened the aqueduct's integrity. Also on show is an elm pipe, one of thousands used to transport water from the New River to people's homes. The logs were bored out using a horse-powered borer, with Ware pump maker John Bartholomew tasked with choosing the trees to bore. | www.waremuseum.org.uk Tel: 01920 487848 |
| Sat 26 Oct 1pm - 4pm |
The Big Draw at Hoddesdon Town Centre (or Lowewood Museum if wet). Our theme is "Water", based on the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River that runs through Broxbourne. Come along and join in with this national initiative to encourage everyone to draw! One of two fun family workshops (the other is at Waltham Cross on Sat 12 Oct) organised by Ware Art Shed where children and young people can make, design and decorate their own model houses and place them along a 3D map of the New River. | |
CHESHUNT - ENFIELD(southwards to North Circular) |
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| Till 5 Jan 2014 | Water, Water Everywhere – 400 years of the New River exhibition (from 26 Apr 2013). At the Enfield Museum, The Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS. | |
| Sun 20 Oct 10.00 am |
New River walk from Enfield to Hertford led by John Polley (New River Action Group). | www.newriver.org.uk |
| Mon 28 to Wed 30 Oct | Creatures of the New River - Half-term activities. At Enfield Museum, The Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS. Organised by Broxbourne Council. | See here for details |
| Wed 13 Nov | Talk (by New River Action Group) at Grange Park (details to follow) | |
| Wed 23 Apr | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Friern Barnet and District Local History Society (details to follow) | |
| Thu 15 May | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Edmonton Hundred Historical Society (details to follow) | |
WOOD GREEN TO FINSBURY PARK(North Circular to Finsbury Park) |
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| Wed 12 Feb | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Hornsey Historical Society (details to follow) | |
HACKNEY TO ISLINGTON(Stoke Newington to New River Head) |
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| Wed 27 Nov | Talk (by New River Action Group) to Transport for London History Group (details to follow) | |
| Wed 5 Feb | Talk (by New River Action Group) to London Westminster & Middlesex Family History Society (details to follow) | |
Celebrations to Date - Events Calendar
Celebration Record
Events for NR400 that have taken place have been moved to this 'Celebration Record'. We would like to include descriptions, photos or items (programmes, art etc), and would welcome contributions from those who were there or who helped organise the events. Contact us to discuss how we can best do this for your event, or just send images and/or details to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Events in date order
(click for geographical order)
Events are notified to members of our circulation list (let us know if you'd like to join the list by sending a brief email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
SEPTEMBER |
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| Sat 14 Sep 1.30 - 3.30pm |
Author, Michael Kensey, will be signing copies of his book, 'London's New River in Maps', at Lowewood Museum in Hoddesdon. For further details, please contact Broxbourne Council's community development team on tel: 01992 785555 ext 5909 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Wed 18 Sep 8pm |
Talk about the History of the New River and the New River Company. Speakers Darian Mitchell from the Amwell Society and Andrew Smith from the Islington Buildings Preservation Trust. Organised by the Islington Archaeological and Historical Society. At Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1. Talk on the construction of the New River and the history of the New River Head and the New River Company. Admission free to members and £1.00 donation asked from non-Members. | www.iahs.org.uk and www.islingtonsociety.org.uk |
| Wed 18 Sep |
New River Old Loop Walk from Myddelton House. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the New River, join us for a guided walk which traces the course of the New River between Myddelton House Gardens through the Forty Hall Estate and Whitewebbs. Devised and led by garden volunteer Peter Baker, it covers aprroximately 3.5 miles and takes 3 hours starting from and returning to the garden. Note that most of the walk will be over uneven, rough terrain so suitable robust footwear is advisable. If you cannot make this date, the walk also takes place on Wednesday 9th October. Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 9HG. |
Myddelton House |
| Sun 22 Sep 12 - 5pm |
Hidden River Festival in Finsbury Park (at the American Garden, near the outdoor gym). Large community event, celebrating the New River 400, with music stage and many activities from local food to art and wildlife. Organised by Manor House PACT with the help of many volunteers and community organisations. | http://hiddenriverfestival.co.uk/ |
| Sun 22 Sep 12 - 5pm |
New River 400 Wildlife Picnic organised by London Wildlife Trust at Stoke Newington East Reservoir Community Garden, Newton Close, N4 2RH. Come and join LWT on the banks of the New River at the East Reservoir Community Garden. Bring a picnic, sit under the chestnut trees and spend some quiet time amongst the wildlife to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the New River. | http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/NewRiver |
| Sun 22 Sep 3pm |
New River 400: Illustrated Talk about the New River. Also the House is one of the venues open to the public as part of the 'Open House' weekend (from 10am - 5pm). | http://www.clissoldpark.com |
| Tue 24 Sep to Sun 6 Oct | Photgraphic Exhibition: Shoot Me A River by the Click Camera Club. At The Step (cafe, bar, gallery), 101 Myddleton Road, London, N22 8NE. Open: Tues to Thurs, 6pm-11.30pm & Fri to Sun, 10am-11.30pm. | www.thestep.co.uk Tel: 020 3302 2412 |
| Wed 25 Sep 10.30am |
Footpath walk: Waterways, parks and the New River. Meet 10.30am Tottenham Hale Station (near Victoria Line ticket office) for 6 to 7 mile linear walk via the Lea, Springfield Park/Marina, historic Stoke Newington Church Street/Clissold Park and the New River, ending at Finsbury Park Station. The route will include Abney Park Cemetery nature reserve to view some of the interesting monuments. Many shorter options. Bring lunch or food available. Leader: Roy Dyer. Organised by the Enfield Society. | Enfield Society http://www.enfieldsociety.org.uk |
| Thu 26 Sep 2pm |
Talk: 'A View of the New River' by Rachael Macdonald (New River Action Group) to the Wesley Guild at Trinity at Bowes Methodist Church & Community Centre, Palmerston Rd, London, N22 8RA. | Tel: TAB Community Centre 020 8888 2797 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER |
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| Sat 28 Sep 9.30 - 10am |
Bell Ringing at St John the Baptist, St John's Lane, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, SG12 9SR. To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River, we will be ringing our church bells from 9.30 to 10am on the morning of Saturday 28 September, followed by a short service on the bridge over the river just below the church. St John the Baptist's bells are also being rung at 8pm tomorrow Sun 29 Sep. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services.. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 10 - 10.30am |
Bell Ringing at St Catherine and St Paul's, Paul's Lane, Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8TR. The present church building was completed in 1865, and the tower and eight bells added 2 years later, however, the first church building on this site existed from an unknown date long prior to 1336. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 10.30 - 11am |
Bell Ringing at St Augustine's Church, Churchfields, Broxbourne, Herts, EN10 7AU. This is a beautiful Grade 1 listed church with many facinating stories from history and points of special interest. The dates of the original chancel and nave are unknown, but they stood for many hundreds of years before the church was completely rebuilt and enlarged around 1460, probably funded by the Lord of the Manor, Sir John Say, who died in 1478. The tomb of Sir John and Lady Say remains in the church and is a National Monument. The church font is late 12th century. The church stands opposite the New River and on the edge of the Lea Valley Park with the River Lea 1/4 mile away. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 11.15 - 11.45am |
Bell Ringing at St Mary the Virgin, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Herts. The original church was mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086, and the present building created in 1418-1448. Six bells were installed originally in 1636-1760, but these were re-cast and made into an eight in 1911. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 10.00am |
New River 400 New River Study Day at the Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS. The cost per person is £13 which will include all the activities below plus coffee and biscuits, lunch and tea. The day will include a guided walk round part of the New River loop, a visit to the 'Water, Water, everywhere: 400 years of the New River' exhibition currently at the Dugdale Centre, a lecture on The New River - History & Operation by John L. Cunningham CEng., MICE. You will also have the unique opportunity to view the full set of original 1775 survey maps of the New River by Robert Mylne. Please send a SAE and a cheque (£13 a ticket) payable to 'The Enfield Society' to: New River Event, Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ. Include a telephone number and say if you are a member of the Society or not. Organised by The Enfield Society, registered charity no. 276451. To contact the Society tel. 020 8363 9495. | http://www.enfieldsociety.org.uk |
| Sat 28 Sep morning |
Bell Ringing at Islington St James. The 'method' rung will be a quarter peal of Grandsire Doubles. A quarter peal consists of 1260 'changes'. A 'change' with 'doubles' is 6 bells ringing, and the 1260 changes will take around 40 minutes (a full peal takes around 3 hours). Not all quarter peals are successful - if too many bells sound out of the correct order, within a few changes, the intricate patterns become lost, and the quarter peal may be halted. St James' church is located on the corner of Prebend Street and Packington Street, Islington, London, N1 8PF. Originally the chapel for the Clothworkers Company, set near the London Wall, this late 19th century Church was built to serve the new estates of south Islington, its tall spire easily visible among the streets and squares which were named to reflect its older roots, Prebend Street, Canon Street and St Paul's Street. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 11am - 1pm |
Junior Explorers at New River Walk, N1. The former route of the New River from Douglas Road to Essex Road has been preserved as a beautiful linear public park maintained by Islington Council. Junior Explorers are invited to find out about the New River between 11am and 1pm. Meet at the St Paul's Road entrance. Children must be accompanied by adults. Also see Sun 29 September for a community fun day on the New River Walk. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 11am - 5.30pm |
New River 400 Water Art Exhibition at Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA, as part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River. Tel: Church office 020 8888 2797 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sat 28 Sep 3.30 - 5.30pm |
New River 400 Concert and cream tea at Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA. Concert by the Enfield Community Singers followed by a Cream Tea as part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River. Tickets: £6 in advance from church office, tel: 020 8888 2797 or at the door. Email contact is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Sat 28 - Sun 29 Sep | Weekend walk organised by 'Discovering London', cost £150, now fully-booked. Tracing the route of The New River from Hertfordshire to Finsbury, the walk is around 30 miles long, and will be done in two stages, starting at the source on Sat 28 Sept and breaking for an overnight stay half-way. | Details for interest (now fully-booked) |
SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER - 400 YEARS YOUNG TODAY! |
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Sun 29 Sep |
New River 400 Walk organised by John Polley (New River Action Group). The walk starts in Finsbury Park and finishes at New River Head, Islington, where the main New River 400 celebration event organised by the Amwell Society will be taking place. | Download full details here |
| Sun 29 Sep 9.30am - 6pm |
New River 400 Year Anniversary celebrations at Myddelton House Gardens. Join in with the celebrations at Myddelton House Gardens as we mark 400 years since the creation of the New River with a series of water themed activities. The Myddelton House Gardens made famous by Edward Augustus Bowles will showcase some stunning unique creations for all to enjoy, including the unveiling of a new water feature in front of one of the two New River bridges that still stand in the gardens today. Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles OBE, the great-great nephew of EA Bowles, and great-great grandson of the last governor of the New River Company, will be making an exclusive visit to officially mark this historic day. Some of the water contained within the new water feature will be collected from the New River, by staff, volunteers and with the support from Thames Water. No booking is required for this event, which is free. Venue: Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 9HG. | Myddelton House |
| Sun 29 Sep 10am - 3.30pm |
Open Day at Whitewebbs Museum of Transport, Whitewebbs Lane, EN2 9HW. As part of this day the Well in the Basement of the Museum will be open for the first time to the public & small groups of 8 will be allowed to view it. The Well was constructed around 1898 as an additional source of water for the New River. The Pumping Station originally contained two steam engines to pump water from the well into the New River. The Museum has a large collection of vehicles of every description, in addition to a huge Crossley stationary engine, and some of the original equipment from the Pumping Station. | www.whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk |
| Sun 29 Sep 10.30am |
New River 400 Walk organised by Broxbourne Council. To celebrate 400 years of the opening of the New River, join the team for an easy walk along the New River path. Meet outside the café at the Lee Valley car park, Broxbourne, EN10 7AX. For further details, please contact the Council's community development team on 01992 785555 ext 5909 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sun 29 Sep 10.30am |
Harvest Sunday 10:30am, theme: 'Water of Life' - Morning Worship led by Rev Mark Davenport. At Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA, as part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River. Tel: Church office 020 8888 2797 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sun 29 Sep 11am - 4pm |
New River Walk 400 Year Celebration. Help us celebrate the New River's 400 years at this free community fun day. For all ages. There will be characters in period costume, Punch and Judy, den building, story-telling, bouncy castle, a fire breather an exhibition by Islington Museum and much more. This extremely historical site was first opened on 29 September 1613 and was designed to bring clean, fresh drinking water into London. Now a linear park, it is an attractive and popular landscaped feature with a large collection of trees and shrubs. There is also a considerable amount of wildlife including various mammals, amphibians, waterfowl and other birds. Contact: Andrew Hillier, Islington Council - Greenspace, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | click |
| Sun 29 Sep 11am - 4pm |
Myddleton Road Market. Another namesake, Myddleton Road puts on its second ever street market at the point where the New River meets the road and goes underground into the newly restored Victorian tunnel (the New River emerges at the other end of the tunnel near Alexandra Palace). The market will have a festival atmosphere, with children's activities in the Community Garden and a great view of the New River in its hidden valley between the houses. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 12 - 4pm |
New River 400: Family Activity Day at Clissold Park. At The Old Bowls Green. Come and celebrate the 400th anniversary of the New River. Relive the 1613 New River opening ceremony at 3pm! Try your hand at traditional games and crafts, find out about the creatures living in today's New River, help us create a commemorative mosaic to display in the park, and join in the silent disco for all ages. Queries tel: 020 8356 4600 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | http://www.hackney.gov.uk/clissold-park.htm |
| Sun 29 Sep 12 - 4.30pm |
Petherton Road celebrations. South of Clissold Park the New River goes underground again, but its route has been preserved as a linear park the width of the New River, running between the two sides of the length of Petherton Road, which ends near Canonbury Station. Local residents are having an informal picnic celebration on this lovely area of grass and trees. Look out for the fishes in the trees! | |
| Sun 29 Sep 1.30 - 4.30pm |
Sir Hugh Myddelton's Glory: New River Head. A special event, funded by Thames Water and organised by CASS architecture students. There will be a re-enactment of the opening of the New River on the very site it happened 400 years ago, with live theatre, music, food and fireworks. The event is invitation-only as it takes place in a private garden but you can email the organisers and ask for one at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 2pm |
Bell ringing at St Andrew's Church, Enfield. The 'method' rung will be a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples. A quarter peal consists of 1260 'changes'. A 'change' with 'triples' is 8 bells ringing, and the 1260 changes will take around 50 minutes (a full peal takes over 3 hours). Not all quarter peals are successful - if too many bells sound out of the correct order, within a few changes, the intricate patterns become lost, and the quarter peal may be halted. St Andrew's is the ancient Parish Church of Enfield, situated in the heart of Enfield Town behind the Market Square. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 2 - 6.30pm |
Photo exhibition and cream teas at St John the Baptist, St John's Ln, Great Amwell, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9SR. As part of the celebrations of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River, there will be a display of recent and not so recent photos of the New River, and cream teas available from 2 pm until the start of Evensong at 6.30pm. | |
| Sun 29 Sep afternoon |
Bell ringing at St Mary's Church, Upper Street, Islington, London, N7 8LT. The ringing will be 'general' rather than a specific 'method'. St. Mary's as Islington's Parish church played a role in the New River's inception and in the maintenance of the Islington section. 'Local government' issues were addressed by the Vestry of Parish churches at that time, hence St. Mary's involvement with the New River Company. In 1904 the Metropolitan Water Board took over, and later became Thames Water. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | www.stmaryislington.org |
| Sun 29 Sep 4pm |
Bell ringing at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Enfield. St Mary Magdalene's is located at the top of Windmill Hill, Enfield, EN2 7AJ. The ringing will be 'general' rather than a specific 'method'. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 4pm |
Prayer Walk along the New River, starting near Alexandra Park Station, 5.45pm Prayer Walk ends at Clissold Park, then walks to Finsbury Park Methodist Church, 6.30pm New River Circuit Service at Finsbury Park: 'The River of Life'. Part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River by Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA. Tel: Church office 020 8888 2797 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sun 29 Sep 5-6pm |
Bell ringing at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Holloway Road, Islington, London, N7 8LT (located in the gardens opposite the Central Library and Fieldway Crescent, approx. a quarter of a mile from Highbury Corner. The ringing will be 'general' rather than a specific 'method'. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 8pm |
Bell Ringing at St John the Baptist, St John's Ln, Great Amwell, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9SR. To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River, on the Sunday evening some local ringers are ringing New River Surprise Minor, a method which was first rung for the New River Action Group. All churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. St John the Baptist bells are also being rung at 9.30am on Sat 28 Sep. | |
| Sun 29 Sep evening |
The Myddleton Arms on the junction of the New River and Canonbury Road (address: 52 Canonbury Road, Highbury, London, N1 2HS) invites you to raise a glass to Sir Hugh Myddleton, after which the pub was named, to celebrate his fine achievement (and yes, there are various spellings of Sir Hugh's name). | |
OCTOBER |
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| Wed 9 Oct |
New River Old Loop Walk from Myddelton House. SORRY FULLY BOOKED. This walk may be repeated at a future date. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the New River, join us for a guided walk which traces the course of the New River between Myddelton House Gardens through the Forty Hall Estate and Whitewebbs. Devised and led by garden volunteer Peter Baker, it covers aprroximately 3.5 miles and takes 3 hours starting from and returning to the garden. Note that most of the walk will be over uneven, rough terrain so suitable robust footwear is advisable. If you cannot make this date, the walk also takes place on Wednesday 18 September. Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 9HG. |
Myddelton House |
| Sat 12 Oct 1pm - 4pm |
The Big Draw at Waltham Cross High Street. Our theme is "Water", based on the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River that runs through Broxbourne. Come along and join in with this national initiative to encourage everyone to draw! One of two fun family workshops (the other is at Hoddesdon on Sat 26 Oct) organised by Ware Art Shed where children and young people can make, design and decorate their own model houses and place them along a 3D map of the New River. | |
| Sun 13 Oct 2 - 3pm |
New River mini-beast walk organised by London Wildlife Trust. Meet outside the Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, N4 2HA. Come and find out about the insects that live along the New River and around Stoke Newington East Reservoir. | http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/NewRiver |
Celebrations to Date - Events Calendar
Celebration Record
Events for NR400 that have taken place have been moved to this 'Celebration Record'. We would like to include descriptions, photos or items (programmes, art etc), and would welcome contributions from those who were there or who helped organise the events. Contact us to discuss how we can best do this for your event, or just send images and/or details to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Events in geographical order
Events are notified to members of our circulation list (let us know if you'd like to join the list by sending a brief email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Events below are listed in geographical sections, and in date order within sections.
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
HERTFORD - BROXBOURNE |
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| Sat 14 Sep 1.30 - 3.30pm |
Author, Michael Kensey, will be signing copies of his book, 'London's New River in Maps', at Lowewood Museum in Hoddesdon. For further details, please contact Broxbourne Council's community development team on tel: 01992 785555 ext 5909 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sat 28 - Sun 29 Sep | Weekend walk organised by 'Discovering London', cost £150, now fully-booked. Tracing the route of The New River from Hertfordshire to Finsbury, the walk is around 30 miles long, and will be done in two stages, starting at the source on Sat 28 Sept and breaking for an overnight stay half-way. | Details for interest (now fully-booked) |
| Sat 28 Sep 9.30 - 10am |
Bell Ringing at St John the Baptist, St John's Lane, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, SG12 9SR. To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River, we will be ringing our church bells from 9.30 to 10am on the morning of Saturday 28 September, followed by a short service on the bridge over the river just below the church. St John the Baptist's bells are also being rung at 8pm tomorrow Sun 29 Sep. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services.. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 10 - 10.30am |
Bell Ringing at St Catherine and St Paul's, Paul's Lane, Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8TR. The present church building was completed in 1865, and the tower and eight bells added 2 years later, however, the first church building on this site existed from an unknown date long prior to 1336. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 10.30 - 11am |
Bell Ringing at St Augustine's Church, Churchfields, Broxbourne, Herts, EN10 7AU. This is a beautiful Grade 1 listed church with many facinating stories from history and points of special interest. The dates of the original chancel and nave are unknown, but they stood for many hundreds of years before the church was completely rebuilt and enlarged around 1460, probably funded by the Lord of the Manor, Sir John Say, who died in 1478. The tomb of Sir John and Lady Say remains in the church and is a National Monument. The church font is late 12th century. The church stands opposite the New River and on the edge of the Lea Valley Park with the River Lea 1/4 mile away. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 10.30am |
New River 400 Walk organised by Broxbourne Council. To celebrate 400 years of the opening of the New River, join the team for an easy walk along the New River path. Meet outside the café at the Lee Valley car park, Broxbourne, EN10 7AX. For further details, please contact the Council's community development team on 01992 785555 ext 5909 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sun 29 Sep 2 - 6.30pm |
Photo exhibition and cream teas at St John the Baptist, St John's Ln, Great Amwell, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9SR. As part of the celebrations of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River, there will be a display of recent and not so recent photos of the New River, and cream teas available from 2 pm until the start of Evensong at 6.30pm. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 8pm |
Bell Ringing at St John the Baptist, St John's Ln, Great Amwell, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9SR. To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River, on the Sunday evening some local ringers are ringing New River Surprise Minor, a method which was first rung for the New River Action Group. All churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. St John the Baptist bells are also being rung at 9.30am on Sat 28 Sep. | |
| Sat 12 Oct 1pm - 4pm |
The Big Draw at Waltham Cross High Street. Our theme is "Water", based on the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River that runs through Broxbourne. Come along and join in with this national initiative to encourage everyone to draw! One of two fun family workshops (the other is at Hoddesdon on Sat 26 Oct) organised by Ware Art Shed where children and young people can make, design and decorate their own model houses and place them along a 3D map of the New River. | |
CHESHUNT - ENFIELD(southwards to North Circular) |
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| Sat 28 Sep 11.15 - 11.45am |
Bell Ringing at St Mary the Virgin, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Herts. The original church was mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086, and the present building created in 1418-1448. Six bells were installed originally in 1636-1760, but these were re-cast and made into an eight in 1911. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 10.00am |
New River 400 New River Study Day at the Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS. The cost per person is £13 which will include all the activities below plus coffee and biscuits, lunch and tea. The day will include a guided walk round part of the New River loop, a visit to the 'Water, Water, everywhere: 400 years of the New River' exhibition currently at the Dugdale Centre, a lecture on The New River - History & Operation by John L. Cunningham CEng., MICE. You will also have the unique opportunity to view the full set of original 1775 survey maps of the New River by Robert Mylne. Please send a SAE and a cheque (£13 a ticket) payable to 'The Enfield Society' to: New River Event, Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Lane, Enfield, EN2 0AJ. Include a telephone number and say if you are a member of the Society or not. Organised by The Enfield Society, registered charity no. 276451. To contact the Society tel. 020 8363 9495. | http://www.enfieldsociety.org.uk |
| Sun 29 Sep 9.30am - 6pm |
New River 400 Year Anniversary celebrations at Myddelton House Gardens. Join in with the celebrations at Myddelton House Gardens as we mark 400 years since the creation of the New River with a series of water themed activities. The Myddelton House Gardens made famous by Edward Augustus Bowles will showcase some stunning unique creations for all to enjoy, including the unveiling of a new water feature in front of one of the two New River bridges that still stand in the gardens today. Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles OBE, the great-great nephew of EA Bowles, and great-great grandson of the last governor of the New River Company, will be making an exclusive visit to officially mark this historic day. Some of the water contained within the new water feature will be collected from the New River, by staff, volunteers and with the support from Thames Water. No booking is required for this event, which is free. Venue: Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 9HG. | Myddelton House |
| Sun 29 Sep 10am - 3.30pm |
Open Day at Whitewebbs Museum of Transport, Whitewebbs Lane, EN2 9HW. As part of this day the Well in the Basement of the Museum will be open for the first time to the public & small groups of 8 will be allowed to view it. The Well was constructed around 1898 as an additional source of water for the New River. The Pumping Station originally contained two steam engines to pump water from the well into the New River. The Museum has a large collection of vehicles of every description, in addition to a huge Crossley stationary engine, and some of the original equipment from the Pumping Station. | www.whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk |
| Sun 29 Sep 2pm |
Bell ringing at St Andrew's Church, Enfield. The 'method' rung will be a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples. A quarter peal consists of 1260 'changes'. A 'change' with 'triples' is 8 bells ringing, and the 1260 changes will take around 50 minutes (a full peal takes over 3 hours). Not all quarter peals are successful - if too many bells sound out of the correct order, within a few changes, the intricate patterns become lost, and the quarter peal may be halted. St Andrew's is the ancient Parish Church of Enfield, situated in the heart of Enfield Town behind the Market Square. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 4pm |
Bell ringing at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Enfield. St Mary Magdalene's is located at the top of Windmill Hill, Enfield, EN2 7AJ. The ringing will be 'general' rather than a specific 'method'. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Wed 9 Oct | New River Old Loop Walk from Myddelton House (details to follow) | |
WOOD GREEN TO FINSBURY PARK(North Circular to Finsbury Park) |
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| Sun 22 Sep 12 - 5pm |
Hidden River Festival in Finsbury Park (at the American Garden, near the outdoor gym). Large community event, celebrating the New River 400, with music stage and many activities from local food to art and wildlife. Organised by Manor House PACT with the help of many volunteers and community organisations. | http://hiddenriverfestival.co.uk/ |
| Tue 24 Sep to Sun 6 Oct | Photgraphic Exhibition: Shoot Me A River by the Click Camera Club. At The Step (cafe, bar, gallery), 101 Myddleton Road, London, N22 8NE. Open: Tues to Thurs, 6pm-11.30pm & Fri to Sun, 10am-11.30pm. | www.thestep.co.uk Tel: 020 3302 2412 |
| Wed 25 Sep 10.30am |
Footpath walk: Waterways, parks and the New River. Meet 10.30am Tottenham Hale Station (near Victoria Line ticket office) for 6 to 7 mile linear walk via the Lea, Springfield Park/Marina, historic Stoke Newington Church Street/Clissold Park and the New River, ending at Finsbury Park Station. The route will include Abney Park Cemetery nature reserve to view some of the interesting monuments. Many shorter options. Bring lunch or food available. Leader: Roy Dyer. Organised by the Enfield Society. | Enfield Society http://www.enfieldsociety.org.uk |
| Thu 26 Sep 2pm |
Talk: 'A View of the New River' by Rachael Macdonald (New River Action Group) to the Wesley Guild at Trinity at Bowes Methodist Church & Community Centre, Palmerston Rd, London, N22 8RA. | Tel: TAB Community Centre 020 8888 2797 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Sat 28 Sep 11am - 5.30pm |
New River 400 Water Art Exhibition at Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA, as part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River. Tel: Church office 020 8888 2797 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sat 28 Sep 3.30 - 5.30pm |
New River 400 Concert and cream tea at Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA. Concert by the Enfield Community Singers followed by a Cream Tea as part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River. Tickets: £6 in advance from church office, tel: 020 8888 2797 or at the door. Email contact is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
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Sun 29 Sep |
New River 400 Walk organised by John Polley (New River Action Group). The walk starts in Finsbury Park and finishes at New River Head, Islington, where the main New River 400 celebration event organised by the Amwell Society will be taking place. | Download full details here |
| Sun 29 Sep 10.30am |
Harvest Sunday 10:30am, theme: 'Water of Life' - Morning Worship led by Rev Mark Davenport. At Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA, as part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River. Tel: Church office 020 8888 2797 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
| Sun 29 Sep 11am - 4pm |
Myddleton Road Market. Another namesake, Myddleton Road puts on its second ever street market at the point where the New River meets the road and goes underground into the newly restored Victorian tunnel (the New River emerges at the other end of the tunnel near Alexandra Palace). The market will have a festival atmosphere, with children's activities in the Community Garden and a great view of the New River in its hidden valley between the houses. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 4pm |
Prayer Walk along the New River, starting near Alexandra Park Station, 5.45pm Prayer Walk ends at Clissold Park, then walks to Finsbury Park Methodist Church, 6.30pm New River Circuit Service at Finsbury Park: 'The River of Life'. Part of the Weekend Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the opening of the New River by Trinity at Bowes Church & Centre, Palmerston Road, N22 8RA. Tel: Church office 020 8888 2797 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | |
HACKNEY TO ISLINGTON(Stoke Newington to New River Head) |
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| Wed 18 Sep 8pm |
Talk about the History of the New River and the New River Company. Speakers Darian Mitchell from the Amwell Society and Andrew Smith from the Islington Buildings Preservation Trust. Organised by the Islington Archaeological and Historical Society. At Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1. Talk on the construction of the New River and the history of the New River Head and the New River Company. Admission free to members and £1.00 donation asked from non-Members. | www.iahs.org.uk and www.islingtonsociety.org.uk |
| Sun 22 Sep 12 - 5pm |
New River 400 Wildlife Picnic organised by London Wildlife Trust at Stoke Newington East Reservoir Community Garden, Newton Close, N4 2RH. Come and join LWT on the banks of the New River at the East Reservoir Community Garden. Bring a picnic, sit under the chestnut trees and spend some quiet time amongst the wildlife to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the New River. | http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/NewRiver |
| Sun 22 Sep 3pm |
New River 400: Illustrated Talk about the New River at Clissold House. Also the House is one of the venues open to the public as part of the 'Open House' weekend (from 10am - 5pm). | http://www.clissoldpark.com |
| Sat 28 Sep morning |
Bell Ringing at Islington St James. The 'method' rung will be a quarter peal of Grandsire Doubles. A quarter peal consists of 1260 'changes'. A 'change' with 'doubles' is 6 bells ringing, and the 1260 changes will take around 40 minutes (a full peal takes around 3 hours). Not all quarter peals are successful - if too many bells sound out of the correct order, within a few changes, the intricate patterns become lost, and the quarter peal may be halted. St James' church is located on the corner of Prebend Street and Packington Street, Islington, London, N1 8PF. Originally the chapel for the Clothworkers Company, set near the London Wall, this late 19th century Church was built to serve the new estates of south Islington, its tall spire easily visible among the streets and squares which were named to reflect its older roots, Prebend Street, Canon Street and St Paul's Street. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sat 28 Sep 11am - 1pm |
Junior Explorers at New River Walk, N1. The former route of the New River from Douglas Road to Essex Road has been preserved as a beautiful linear public park maintained by Islington Council. Junior Explorers are invited to find out about the New River between 11am and 1pm. Meet at the St Paul's Road entrance. Children must be accompanied by adults. Also see Sun 29 September for a community fun day on the New River Walk. | |
| Sun 29 Sep 11am - 4pm |
New River Walk 400 Year Celebration. Help us celebrate the New River's 400 years at this free community fun day. For all ages. There will be characters in period costume, Punch and Judy, den building, story-telling, bouncy castle, a fire breather an exhibition by Islington Museum and much more. This extremely historical site was first opened on 29 September 1613 and was designed to bring clean, fresh drinking water into London. Now a linear park, it is an attractive and popular landscaped feature with a large collection of trees and shrubs. There is also a considerable amount of wildlife including various mammals, amphibians, waterfowl and other birds. Contact: Andrew Hillier, Islington Council - Greenspace, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | click |
| Sun 29 Sep 12 - 4pm |
New River 400: Family Activity Day at Clissold Park. At The Old Bowls Green. Come and celebrate the 400th anniversary of the New River. Relive the 1613 New River opening ceremony at 3pm! Try your hand at traditional games and crafts, find out about the creatures living in today's New River, help us create a commemorative mosaic to display in the park, and join in the silent disco for all ages. Queries tel: 020 8356 4600 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . | http://www.hackney.gov.uk/clissold-park.htm |
| Sun 29 Sep 12 - 4.30pm |
Petherton Road celebrations. South of Clissold Park the New River goes underground again, but its route has been preserved as a linear park the width of the New River, running between the two sides of the length of Petherton Road, which ends near Canonbury Station. Local residents are having an informal picnic celebration on this lovely area of grass and trees. Look out for the fishes in the trees! | |
| Sun 29 Sep 1.30 - 4.30pm |
Sir Hugh Myddelton's Glory: New River Head. A special event, funded by Thames Water and organised by CASS architecture students. There will be a re-enactment of the opening of the New River on the very site it happened 400 years ago, with live theatre, music, food and fireworks. The event is invitation-only as it takes place in a private garden but you can email the organisers and ask for one at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Sun 29 Sep afternoon |
Bell ringing at St Mary's Church, Upper Street, Islington, London, N7 8LT. The ringing will be 'general' rather than a specific 'method'. St. Mary's as Islington's Parish church played a role in the New River's inception and in the maintenance of the Islington section. 'Local government' issues were addressed by the Vestry of Parish churches at that time, hence St. Mary's involvement with the New River Company. In 1904 the Metropolitan Water Board took over, and later became Thames Water. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | www.stmaryislington.org |
| Sun 29 Sep 5-6pm |
Bell ringing at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Holloway Road, Islington, London, N7 8LT (located in the gardens opposite the Central Library and Fieldway Crescent, approx. a quarter of a mile from Highbury Corner. The ringing will be 'general' rather than a specific 'method'. All the churches along the route of the New River have been invited to ring their bells on the anniversary Sunday 29 September, also to include the New River in some way during their services. | |
| Sun 29 Sep evening |
The Myddleton Arms on the junction of the New River and Canonbury Road (address: 52 Canonbury Road, Highbury, London, N1 2HS) invites you to raise a glass to Sir Hugh Myddelton, after which the pub was named, to celebrate his fine achievement (and yes, there are various spellings of Sir Hugh's name). | |
| Sun 13 Oct 2 - 3pm |
New River mini-beast walk organised by London Wildlife Trust. Meet outside the Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, N4 2HA. Come and find out about the insects that live along the New River and around Stoke Newington East Reservoir. | http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/NewRiver |