Lyndhurst hall has a special place in the heart of this community

• I am rather upset to see that a grand old building like Lyndhurst Hall was and is scheduled for demolition. This building has a lot of history in the community.
It was the home for St Pancras Boxing Club for many years before it was moved to Talacre Road, which is when it was given to the union and turned into a social club.
It was also home to a unique youth club for 30 years – yes 30 years! Unique in the fact it was run by a committee of its young members. I actually used to be a chairman of the Lyndhurst Youth club.
This building has been a part of the community for a very long time before it was a social club. It was used in 1971 by Anna Scher of the theatre school fame, and Talacre Action Group, when TAG first appeared.
There was also a snooker club downstairs and a school for many years.
It would be a shame to see it go but I suppose housing must come first – but please do appreciate the building not for being just a social club (which is what it was in its dying days). Appreciate it for the real history the building has offered to the community, including when it was a church building owned by Lyndhurst Road Association, which is why it is called Lyndhurst Hall.
This building is a big part of history in the area and has been for many years, that is why I am sad to its demise. But I would like to see it celebrated for what it really did for the area over the years. For a time it was rented out for weddings and such in the 60s and 70s, bringing lots of different cultures to the building and therefore the surrounding area. I saw all that as I grew up nearby, and it was looked after by a caretaker, Mr Dyas, and his family. He was a gentleman, and must have been the caretaker there for 30 or 40 years.
To me it is the end of an institution intrinsically linked to the area, since I think it was around in Victorian England as it saw a lot of change around but stayed intact. So it will be very sad to see it go.
But please remember it for what it was and not what it became.
STEPHEN BEECHEY
Lymington Road NW6

• Councillor Jill Fraser’s deliberations against the proposed over development at Lyndhurst Hall is welcome locally (Bulldozers ready at Victorian Landmark, Jan 5)
She claims: “There is a danger that in this part of the borough there will only be blocks of societal housing and nothing else. That is how you create slums.” Never a truer word was ever spoken.
However, I am personally a bit sceptical about Cllr Fraser’s real intent. Did she not recently endorse rather publicly the equally undesirable seven-storey, 55-flat Dalby Street scheme at Talacre just a stones throw away from Lyndhurst?
Both schemes would have serious negative effects on our community. The Dalby Street development will encroach on our open space considerably and reduce access to the Talacre Sports Centre. Lyndhurst will also be overbearing (eight-storey tall) and we would lose a Victorian landmark. Why has Cllr Fraser picked on one project but not the other? Beware of mixed messages from those seeking our votes.
M Cooper
Anglers Lane, NW5

• After your article on Lyndhurst Hall, I was contacted by a gentleman regarding English Heritage’s views.
Unfortunately, due to the fact my computer crashed, I have not got his contact details. I would be very pleased to hear from him again? Could you please put this appeal in the New Journal.
Cllr Jill Fraser
(Lib Dem) Haverstock Ward NW5