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The Association represents local views on such matters as planning applications, traffic and transport. It provides a voice for local opinion on many areas of wider interest and is represented on the committees of several amenity and public bodies, including the Alexandra Palace Statutory Advisory Committee and the local Conservation Area Advisory Committees.

Our views are sought by the officers and councillors of the local borough, Haringey. We also maintain contacts with other appropriate organisations including the local police.

There are regular open meetings for members and non-members with authoratative speakers on local issues and the history of our area.

The Association's informative and highly regarded eight page Newsletter is distributed six times a year to our 730 members. It reflects our aim to be as proactive as possible, canvassing and putting forward members' views to the relevant authorities, such as design of shop fronts, parking, graffiti, green sites, transport and litter.

In 1973 we fought against the proposed Archway Road motorway scheme, which was eventually defeated.

In 1974 we vigorously opposed Haringey Council's proposal to cut down nearly 4000 street trees in the western half of the borough. We persuaded the council to change its policy and as a result the trees were saved.

In 1976 we were successful in achieving the closing of Grand Avenue at the Muswell Hill Road end, to stop traffic cutting through. We also set up and ran the first Muswell Hill Festival and have played a major part in organising this event ever since. We have assured its future by working together with The London Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

We were involved in a massive campaign to retain the famous art deco Muswell Hill Odeon when its owners threatened to demolish it in 1981. The cinema was saved and given Grade II status.

In 1982 we played a key role in representing local residents' views at the Public Inquiry on the future of Alexandra Palace and Park. This was one of the few occasions when a local residents' association's proposals have been carried through into legislation. As a result, the Statutory Advisory Committee, our main forum for influencing future plans for the Palace and Park, was established.

In 2005 we gained a 'Making the Difference' grant for the clearing and re-instatement of Grove Lodge Gardens, a pathway along Muswell Hill, which runs from Grove Lodge to the foot of the hill. It was originally created in 1945.

2006 was notable for the refurbishment of 4 pocket parks in our area and in September we successfully arranged for a community notice board to be erected on Muswell Hill Broadway.

In 2008/9 we instigated and organised the refurbishment of E.W.Langton's 1899 clock, a famous local landmark on Muswell Hill Broadway, which had been threatened with removal. This was our 60th Anniversary Jubilee Project largely funded by a 'Making the Difference' grant from Haringey Council.

We have also run events to celebrate the creative talents and natural beauty of this part of North London such as photographic, painting and front garden competitions.

Our recently completed Historic Shopfronts Survey covering the whole of Muswell Hill Broadway and Fortis Green Road records its architectural features and will form a comparison record for future planning. Some of the photographs are on the site, and the full album can be viewed on request.

Some of the green space projects we were involved in are illustrated on our Hotspots page.