New Battle of Barnet

SIR – A fascinating illustration of local loyalties (Letters, April 24) took place in Barnet, where I lived and taught.

It was decided that Barnet (then in Hertfordshire) and Finchley and Hendon (districts of Middlesex) should be amalgamated as a London borough.

But what was the borough to be called? There were months of argument among officials. Hendon said it would never be called Finchley. Finchley said it would be called Hendon “over our dead bodies”.

Finally it was agreed that, as there had been a Battle of Barnet in the Wars of the Roses, it would be called Barnet.

This was only the start of problems. I was qualifying as a football referee and, even though Barnet was now part of Greater London (not Hertfordshire), Hertfordshire Football Association said it must test, qualify and register me – it must not be done by Middlesex or Greater London.

Meanwhile, Finchley Schools Sports Association tried to stay independent. This failed after several years when it was found that Football Association insurance only covered those registered with the Borough of Barnet.

For six years I ran swimming at Barnet primary schools, but never were we allowed to select anybody from Finchley, which banned itself from joining our association. Yet the only swimming pool in the borough was in Finchley. So we trained in Finchley but Finchley would not join us. Alan J Burton

Shotley, Suffolk

SIR – I was born in Bournemouth before it was swallowed by Dorset and was still in Hampshire – a county I consider to be home, despite having lived for years in London.

When asked where I am from, I always say Hampshire, and call myself a “Hampshire Hog”. With Dorset I feel no affinity. Jennifer Adams

London SW11