Appeal launched to raise money for historic building

The grade II listed, Friends Meeting House and Burial Grounds is in need of urgent repairs and Quakers hope to be able to restore the building.

The building has been on the site in Church Hill since 1688, with the group aiming to raise £33,000 to pay for vital work.

Stephen Cox from the Quakers said: “We just want people to know we’re here so they get a chance to have a look at the building.

“We’ve been working on it for a long time to keep it up to date and in order. However our budget for some improvement has taken a hit from lead thefts and urgent work for subsidence.

“We need do repairs to woodwork, replacing windows and doors, and reducing energy and water use.

“The building has been here for so long and it is part of the character of the area and we want to preserve it to the best of our ability.”

Quakers have already spent more than £100,000 tackling subsidence, five lead thefts from the roof and other conservation work.

The building will be part of this year’s Open City event which will give people the chance to visit the buildings in the borough and the capital this weekend.

The Friends Meeting House and Burial Grounds will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.

There will also be a number of other buildings from Enfield part of the Open House London weekend.

They include the Chicken Shed Theatre in Chase Side, Southgate, Enfield Town Library, in Church Street, the King George V Pumping Station, in Swan & Pike Road and Kingsmead School Theatre, in Southbury Road.

Also included is the Lee Valley Athletics, in Meridian Way, Myddelton House, in Bulls Cross, and the new facility of the North London Hospice in Barrowell Green, which opened last week.

Also on the list of open buildings is the Royal Small Arms Factory, in Island Centre Way, which was home to the world famous Enfield Rifle.

People are able to find more information about buildings opening their doors by going to the Open House London website.