THE REJUVENATION of a historic street was celebrated today with a community festival.

The Bowes Community Association organised a two-park festival, with African drummers, alcohol and an open mic event in Finsbury Gardens, Truro Road, while a community picnic was held in Community Gardens, off Myddleton Road.

The latter was also the scene of a new butterfly mosaic, unveiled today as the association’s motif, and as part of the celebrations which coincide with the 150th anniversary of the extension of The New River.

The river, which runs underneath the garden, was the brainchild of engineer and MP Sir Hugh Myddleton in the 17th century, who created it as a way of bringing fresh water into London from Hertfordshire springs.

It was extended into Enfield 150 years ago.

The Edwardian and Victorian houses and shops of Myddleton Street, described as “unbelievably fashionable” until the 1960s by Haringey councillor Matt Cooke, are currently undergoing a £1m transformation to restore them to their former glory.

Vintage street lamps have already been put in place and, according to Cllr Cooke, the council is currently challenging about 35 conversions on the grounds that they are not in keeping with the original architecture.

Cllr Cooke said: “This area was blighted for a long time. We claimed this garden from Thames Water – it used to be derelict. It’s now a beautiful community garden. Part of the strategy is to take on some of the shops which haven’t been properly converted, and we’re also restoring original shopfronts and should be reducing parking to 1p for 20 minutes within the year.”

“One of the key things about this is the enormous amount of work in the community.”

Mosaicist Miranda Andrea, of Palmerston Road, who works out of the former waiting room at Bowes Park station, is one of the association’s 70 members.

She created the mosaic, which lies on a brick wall at one end of the garden, using glass and ceramic tiles.

She said: “It was my suggestion, it took about six or seven sessions and it’s the same as the butterfly over the gate. I got scaffolding and put it up with the help of some local carpenters and other volunteers. It was great.”