Sylvia Ladyman

Eastcote has had many champions throughout the ages. Sadly one of our most ardent supporters recently passed away: Sylvia Ladyman aged 89 (1931-2019).

Sylvia was born in Aylesbury and went to Leicester University in 1948 where she studied botany and zoology. This was followed by a variety of teaching posts before she moved to Eastcote in 1966. Her last teaching post was at Northolt High School where she was Head of the Sixth Form.

She joined RNELHS in about 1986: she was always an active member and would volunteer to help with exhibitions and stewarding at various events. She served on the committee from 2000 to 2012, where she acted as Outings Secretary with her customary enthusiasm.  

She was very involved in the National Trust, attended French language classes for many years and participated in the many group theatre trips and holidays organised by local resident George Guest.

For many years Sylvia took part in Hillingdon Council’s Street Champions scheme, winning Champion of the Year on more than one occasion. One of her passions was for all plant life, especially trees. Her knowledge of local trees and their welfare was of invaluable help to the Conservation Panel Chairman.

Sylvia was always ready to give credit and to praise others. She definitely made the most of life and lived it to the full and she will be sadly missed.

Lesley Crowcroft
Chairman – Eastcote Conservation Panel

All aspects of conservation are embraced by the Eastcote Conservation Panel.

Eastcote’s first Eco-Warrior was the late Sheila Liberty, who was a founder member of the Eastcote Village Conservation Area Advisory Panel [EVCAAP].  Sheila built the foundations of Conservation in Eastcote, on which we build today.

Advisory Panels came into being in the 1970s as Conservation Areas were formed by the Government, supporting English Heritage who were attempting to stop the wholesale destruction of old buildings and areas of architectural value.

This destruction was evident in Eastcote, where two of the big houses, Eastcote House and Haydon Hall, were both demolished in the 1960s.

In 2008 the aims of the Panel increased to include all open spaces.  There are many volunteer groups in and around Eastcote who work endlessly to conserve both our built environment and beautiful green spaces.


Built Environment:

There are three conservation areas in Eastcote:

Eastcote Village Conservation Area
Morford Way Conservation Area
Eastcote Park Estate Conservation Area

There are also 30 Grade II listed Buildings, as well as Locally Listed Buildings and Structures.

Three Areas of Special Local Character [ASLC] situated in Northwood Hills are also under the EVCAAP umbrella:

Gates Hill ASLC
Hillside ASLC
Raisins Hill ASLC

There are also Locally Listed Buildings and Structures.


Parks and Open Spaces:

Eastcote House Gardens
Warrender Park
Highgrove Woods
Long Meadow/Cheyne Field
Bessingby/Cavendish/Pine Gardens Parks
Pinn Meadows including Kings College Playing Fields
Haydon Hall

The Celandine Route, a 12 mile walk along the River Pinn passes through the area.


Volunteer Groups:

Friends of Eastcote House Gardens

Friends of Warrender Park and Highgrove Woods

Friends of Bessingby/Cavendish/Pine Gardens Parks

Highgrove Woods Volunteers

Friends of Pinn Meadows

River Pinn Volunteers


Eastcote Conservation Panel Members:

Lesley Crowcroft - Chairman  [EVCAAP and FEHG]
Chris Groom - Deputy Chairman Built Environment  [EVCAAP and Eastcote Residents Association]
Rob Cousins - Deputy Chairman Green Spaces  [Friends of Pinn Meadows]
Joan Butfield - Secretary  [FEHG]
Keith Barnard - Treasurer  [FEHG]
Susan Toms  [Ruislip, Northwood & Eastcote Local History Society]
Jess Lee  [Highgrove Woods Volunteers and River Pinn Volunteers]
Ian Murray - Green Belt Council  [Eastcote Residents Association and Pinner Village]
Ed Fuller  [Friends of Warrender Park and Highgrove Woods]
Nick Woodley  [Friends of Bessingby/Cavendish/Pine Gardens Parks]
Carolyn Morrissey  [Friends of Bessingby/Cavendish/Pine Gardens Parks]
Gerry Edwards  [Eastcote Park Estate, FEHG and Eastcote Horticultural Society]