Editing Crouch End (section)

===Clocktower===
The red-brick Clock Tower has become a much-loved icon of Crouch End. Designed by the architect Frederick Knight, it was originally built as a memorial to Henry Reader Williams<ref>Henry Williams was a local wine merchant and local councillor who led the campaign to preserve [[Highgate Wood]] against threatened development.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}}</ref> in 1895.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://hornseyhistorical.org.uk/crouch-end-clock-tower/|title=Crouch End Clock Tower|last=Schwitzer|first=Joan|publisher=Hornsey Historical Society|year=2002}}</ref> Williams was chairman of the local authority of Hornsey from 1880 to 1894, and played a key part in shaping the district, in particular campaigning against developers for the preservation of [[Highgate Wood]] and Queen's Wood. He also paved the way for the purchase of [[Alexandra Palace]] and Park by a consortium of local authorities in 1901. After Williams's retirement the newly designated Hornsey Urban District Council decided to erect a clock tower to celebrate his achievements.

Out of the estimated cost of £1200, £900 was raised by public subscription. On 23 June 1895 a ceremony was held for its unveiling. The Broadway was hung with flags, and the Tower connected to nearby houses with festoons. Over a thousand people assembled, and at noon the Earl of Stafford, Lord-Lieutenant of Middlesex, released a blue ribbon hanging from the belfry and the clock struck its first notes. The bronze sculpture of the head of Williams was created by [[Alfred Gilbert]], who also designed Eros in Piccadilly Circus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hornseyhistorical.org.uk/crouch-end-clock-tower-2/ |title=A Brief History of the Crouch End Clock Tower |date=10 October 2017 |publisher=Hornsey Historical Society |access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref>

Although closed to the public, it is now used at Christmas for a Santa's Grotto.