This press release from Barnet Council explains a lot

Finchley Carnival goes with a bang

Barnet Council is all set to help Finchley Carnival go with a bang this weekend.

The popular carnival, which has been running for more than 100 years, will feature a funfair and run from Thursday 7th July to Sunday 10th July at Victoria Park, Finchley.

The Carnival’s highlight will come on Saturday night with a spectacular free firework display for residents paid for by the Council with proceeds from the funfair.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Lisa Rutter, will set off the first firework for the display from 9.30pm.

Councillor Brian Coleman, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “I am delighted that Barnet Council has been able to keep the traditions of the Carnival going and include a firework display which so many people have enjoyed over the years.

“I hope that next year we can restore many of the other traditional features of the Carnival which our residents have looked forward to so much in the past.”

The editor comments

The Finchley Festival committee were trying to turn the festival away from the idea of a carnival which tended to attract the wrong sort of people to the festivities, but a certain member of the council – no names-no pack drill as they say – told me that he didn’t approve of dispensing with the carnival. I understand that the owners of the fun-fair pay many thousands of pounds to hold their fair in Victoria Park so I guess, sadly, it was really all about money.

I did feel the council was very mean to wait until the Festival Committee had put in hours and hours of their time and probably a lot of money as well, before putting up the rent for Victorial Park from around £145 to many thousands of pounds.

I do understand the need to make the best of the Council’s resources but can’t help feeling that a little forethought and a little compassion wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Independents Day calls on residents to save our local Finchley shops (on 9th July)

Finchley is celebrating its first Independents Day on Saturday 9^th July. Community group Finchlinks is calling on residents to make a point of shopping in their local high street and independent shops for the day in place of using supermarkets, buying online or visiting other areas.

Shops are doing their part by offering special incentives to encourage people to visit them on the day – an extra excuse for people to try a new shop or discover something different about an old favourite. To find out what shops are offering people can look up www.finchlinks.com/independents

Independents Day has been set up by local community group Finchlinks. The group hopes that the day will remind residents in Finchley of how vital it is for us to support our local shops. This is the first time the group have run the day and they hope it will be the first of many.

Across the UK high streets independent shops are under increasing pressure of low spending, competition from the internet and out of town shopping centres, as well as rising rates and parking fees. Town centre vacancy rates have doubled in the last two years and Finchley’s high streets bear witness to these statistics.

Finchley’s Independents Day is part of a nation wide movement to stop this decline. In May Mary Portas, or Mary Queen of Shops, agreed to take on the challenge of saving our high streets after being invited to chair a review by David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Independents Day has also been taken on by other high streets across the UK. As petrol prices rise people are starting to wise up to the benefits of shopping on our doorsteps. Hard times are also proving fertile grounds for new businesses and this can be seen with the emergence of new shops like Mr Simms Old Fashioned Sweets Shop and Tailors Corner.

Paul Evans, one of the founders of Finchlinks said, ‘Independent shops are the heart of our community. We all love the idea of having good friendly shops on our doorstep but it’s up to us all to support them to keep them there and to encourage new ones in. It’s easy when money is tight to put savings above everything else and just shop in the supermarkets and on line but these could be short sighted savings if we end up with boarded up, depressing high streets.

 

[Ed: Small businesses can get a free listing from FinchleyCommunity.co.uk a sister website of the Finchley arrow.] 

The Pasture’s 2nd Anniversary celebration

Yesterday (Sunday) evening saw the volunteers, councillors, Mike Freer our local MP and other friends of the Pastures celebrating the magnificent work the volunteers have put in. They have turned the Pastures into a wild horticultural haven, with special plants of interest to butterflies, lovely paths through the huge open space, up to a little enclosure at the far end with its own bee hive.

The volunteers, who only work during the weekends, have, in 200 days of work, really transformed this originally ugly patch to the beautiful haven of quiet and tranquillity that it is.

There is also a huge pond with fish and in season it is a hotbed of tadpoles and frogs. The fish have to be carefully chosen to be the types that don’t eat tadpoles. Alas, as you can see from the photograph, it was covered with algae but we were told by Ann Brown, who chairs the volunteers, that it was the wrong time to remove it as it would cause a lot of damage. We see the view of the pond over the view of the lovely food provided for this occasion!

It is open between 10am and 5pm, during weekends and public holidays, except after heavy rain. Also it is closed quite a bit during winter months. It really is worth a visit and, to get there is quite easy. If you go down Long Lane up to the North Circular flyover you will find the Finchley Fire Station on the N3 side of the bridge. Opposite the fire station is a little lane (you can’t park a car in it though). Walk up the lane for about 25 yards and you come to a gate in the railings on the right. You are there!

Dogs are not admitted as they could do damage to the delicate work the volunteers are carrying out. But you can get a full description and learn of all the work that is going on from their website.

Layout of the Pasture

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MP pays tribute to volunteers at drug and alcohol treatment charity’s North London branch.

Westminster Drug Project (WDP) provides the Catalyst and Re-Start drug and alcohol services in the Borough of Barnet. It celebrated National Volunteers’ Week at the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley.

Finchley & Golders Green MP Mike Freer paid tribute to the passion and commitment of the volunteers who help people to recover from drug and alcohol dependency at the charity Westminster Drug Project.

He said, “Volunteers do a huge amount of good. Often they can win the confidence of people who need help, and inspire them to change, where others fail.

“Volunteering also breaks down prejudice by bringing people in and giving them insight to people’s lives and how they can be helped, whether the issue is addiction, or HIV, or disability.

“It’s a two way street. I’ve been a volunteer and you get a lot back from it. It can also be very important experience on your CV.”

The MP heard moving accounts from former service users who are now volunteers themselves. Jon (26) explained how he had started using drugs as a way of escape: “Eventually I ended up a dependant opiate user and was committing crimes to support my use. My life spiralled out of control and for a 16 month period I was basically homeless and in and out of prison.

“The reason I am mentioning this is because it was a turning point in my life: after a sustained period of abstinence from drug use and crime, I was offered the opportunity to attend a volunteers’ training course at Westminster Drug Project.

“I decided to go because throughout my using days I had some contact with drug services and was very surprised at how helpful, and friendly the staff were.” Jon described how he developed experience and received further training. “By early 2010 I feel I started to prove myself in my role: I was given more responsibility and I was given the chance to help develop our service. I feel that I was always listened to and supported by management and staff.”

Eventually Jon was encouraged to apply for jobs, and decided he wanted to work for WDP. Today he is a successful drug and alcohol practitioner.

Yasmin Batliwala, Chair of WDP, told the volunteers who had come from across WDP’s services in London and the South East of England, “Volunteers’ Week celebrates the fantastic contribution that volunteers make. Today we say thank you for all the amazing work you do. By giving your time, your skills and your leadership to WDP, you are significantly increasing the help and support we can give to our service users.

“Our mission is to support people to recover from drug and alcohol dependency and help people lead full and active lives in their families and communities. Volunteering is a key part of that cycle, of connecting people with the help they need so that they in turn become empowered and able to give back.”

Volunteers make up one in four of the workforce at WDP – about 100 volunteers and 300 staff. Over half the volunteers have recovered from drug and alcohol dependency themselves and are able to provide powerful role models to current service users.

If you are interested in volunteering with WDP, please visit the website www.wdp-drugs.org.uk and click on volunteering for more information and application form, or visit Re-start. If you want to talk to someone about a drug or alcohol problem, whether for yourself or someone you know, please contact Re-start at:

6-8 Alexandra Grove, North Finchley, N12 8NU – Telephone 020 8492 2525

 

Avenue House: Janett Durant’s replacement starts on the 15th August.

Avenue House appoints new General Manager

The Trustees of the Avenue House Estate Trust are pleased to announce the appointment of Lance Bourne to the role of General Manager of the Avenue House Estate Trust. Lance will take up the post on August 15th, following Janett Durrant’s retirement from the post of Chief Executive.

Lance has considerable experience in the management of corporate entertainment sites: he spent fifteen years at the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, rising to the post of Head of Marketing and Events , followed by three years as Business Manager of the Tower Bridge exhibition. Lance also has experience of working with volunteers and of fund-raising.

Andy Savage, Chairman of the Avenue House Estate Trust, says: ‘I am delighted that Lance has agreed to join us. His skill set is exactly what Avenue House needs at this time, and I am sure that he will be a worthy successor to Janett Durrant, who has managed the Estate since the Trust’s formation nine years ago. I am looking forward to working with Lance as we establish Avenue House in the centre of the Finchley community.’

Lance Bourne said ’I am looking forward to joining Avenue House, and working on the Estate. Apart from working in such wonderful surroundings, I am looking forwards to helping increase the use of the Estate, and to continuing the re-establishment of its financial success after the problems earlier this year.’

Avenue House sketch

The Big Society is Alive in Barnet – at the launch in the arts depot.

Paul Binks

By Paul Binks

The Launch of Barnet’s Big Society Innovation Bank .

‘Barnet will be one of the fastest growing areas in London over the coming years. With reductions in public spending to tackle the deficit mean that times will be tough for the next few years, for both those who depend on good public services and those who provide them.’ Councillor Robert Rams.

The Barnet Big Society Innovation Bank has been launched so that we in Barnet get the biggest bang for our buck. This works by ensuring that the public are primarily involved in the decision-making process of where our money is spent.

From the revenue budget allocated to the Borough of Barnet, the council has set aside £600K to be invested in community-minded projects proposed and delivered by the local populace over the next 3 years.

As the Government’s Big Society agenda gains momentum, local citizens and communities will have more opportunities to take the reins in addressing local issues. Cynics would say that this is just another example of how the Government are transferring costs to the voluntary sector and alleviating themselves of responsibility should anything go wrong. The Government argue that at a time of financial constraint in the public sector, ‘business as usual’ is not an option. Nationwide polls show that the people largely accept this sentiment and which is why we are seeing a great shift in the landscape of public services.

Nick Hurd MP

The Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner patroned the scheme with an appearance and furthered the Big Society notion stating “too much power has been taken away from local Government and centralised. The transference of power back to the community is a big weapon every MP knows about.” He continued to eulogise the principles of the Big Society before changing focus to the people within the room, “Seize the opportunity in the challenge to test the notion that local communities know best.” This statement seemed to underpin the scheme’s true value to us in Barnet. For time immemorial many have exalted their wisdom in criticising the ‘powers that be’ in the administration of taxes with countless schemes suggested as superior models to those implemented. Not because of intellectual superiority but of local knowledge.

Well this is our opportunity to prove this, one never given to our forefathers and like our recent vote on the Alternative Vote, one which may never see again for generations if at all.

Councillor Andrew Harper

The Interim Leader of the Council, Councillor Andrew Harper stated that the introduction of the bank was part of the ongoing realignment in the relationships between the Council and the people and Not-for-profit organisations and charities. He stated ‘the council is not the single depository of wisdom in the borough’ which requires no convincing on my part. He continued by saying ‘you are better at judging the effectiveness of grants and so it is your ideas not ours which will drive the scheme, ideas which will be properly supported by the Council and turned into practical solutions.’ In a similar vein to Nick Herd he challenged the audience by saying “go on, surprise me”.

Ultimately the new scheme is to galvanise creativity from all sectors of the borough so that local people can innovate and find new solutions for old problems. Ideas which have previously been overlooked are very much on the table should we have the aptitude and the conviction to push them forward.

To summarise how the scheme will work a key initiative outlined in the Big Society Innovation Bank Prospectus is SUSTAINABILITY. ‘We are using grants to kick-start community-led activities that can sustain themselves through new income streams such as charges to clients, trading income and corporate giving, as well as public sector and charitable income.’

The first theme is for new projects that strengthen the bonds within the community or reduce the need for public sector support or intervention.

The second theme is to enable groups or individuals to seize control of existing projects that currently rely on public sector support and run them in such a way they will no longer rely on that support.

The funds are allocated in the form of grants which are available to any individual or group. Unconstituted groups are eligible for grants from £500-£5K and constituted groups are eligible for grants ranging from £500-£50K. A project or scheme must be submitted to the council to be assessed and if successful the funds will appear in a one-off payment devoid of any conditions or external arrangements with the council. If a scheme fails in the application process it can be resubmitted to a later round of assessment.

“Have you ever got together with someone to make Barnet a better place?” Councillor Andrew Harper. If you have or haven’t but would like to, the opportunity is there for anyone to put forward the suggestions they believe will make this a stronger and more cohesive community.

Question from audience

For more information – http://www.barnet.gov.uk/highlights/highlights-big-society-innovation.htm

Wingate & Finchley Football Club Preseason Fixture and Charity presentation

Wingate & Finchley have announce their preseason fixture list for this coming summer. First up is a visit to the Great Britain Maccabiah side at the end of June, and the fixtures build up to testing matches against Uxbridge, Chesham Utd and Dulwich Hamlet. Hamlet were of course the beaten finalists in last season’s Ryman League Cup Final.

The full list is as follows:

Tues 28th June – v GB Maccabiah (at Rowley Lane), kick off TBA
Sat 9th July – v Cockfosters (at The Hive), kick off 3pm
Tues 19th July – v Cadicote (Away), kick off 8pm
Sat 23rd July (Game 1) – v Haringey Borough (Away) , kick off 3pm
Sat 23rd July (Game 2) – v Broxbourne Borough (Away), kick off 3pm
Tues 26th July – v Oxhey Jets (Away), kick off 7:30pm
Sat 30th July – v Berkhamsted (Away), kick off 3pm
Tues 2nd Aug – v Uxbridge (Home), kick off 7:45pm
Sat 6th Aug (Game 1) – v Chesham United (Away), kick off 3pm
Sat 6th Aug (Game 2) – v Leverstock Green (Away), kick off 3pm
Sat 13th Aug – v Dulwich Hamlet (Home), kick off 3pm
Sat 20th Aug – Ryman League Season Starts

Wingate & Finchley Club President Harvey Ackerman and Commercial Director Mike Bayly are pictured handing over a cheque to Hazel Kaye from Jewish Blind and Disabled. The club raised over £2300 for the charity as some of its supporters and staff embarked on a sponsored walk to Waltham Abbey FC’s ground earlier in the year.

Barnet Council cancels the Finchley Carnival this year.

We are sad that Brian Coleman has cancelled the carnival at the very last moment.

We suspected he was thinking of it as far back as last July so, surely, he could have cancelled it earlier before the committee had put so much work in this year’s festival.

I am sure he wasn’t being mean, and small minded and vindictive, and that there was a legitimate reason for waiting so long, so it would be nice if he could explain what this reason is. We would hate our readership to get the wrong idea about him.

Here is an open invitation, write in and tell us why and we will print it in full.

There is also a story in the Finchley Times – but we can’t write about it ourselves as we strive to be non-political and won’t take sides.

An exciting new website called Streetbank

Streetbank’s Sam Stephens

I have recently come across a new community website called Streetbank run by four young people who have come up with an interesting concept.

This is a community website where people can offer to lend neighbours mundane items of equipment, such as a ladder, a lawn-mower and other garden tools, or even a fish kettle for those who want to cook a whole salmon for a garden party once or twice a year.

In addition, most of us have various objects around the home that we should throw out but feel they might be worth something to somebody – here’s a chance to offer them here.

The third, and up to now, the final idea is if you have a knowledge of something, an opportunity to share it with your neighbour, such as maths or science skills, repairing lawnmowers, or writing a complaint letter for someone.

You also have to select an area distance around your house, and that area is all you will ever see on the website. If you live in a city area or town centre, you may choose the 1 mile radius as I have done in Finchley, my local area. If you live in the country, you might choose the largest 10 mile radius and if you live in an urban sprawl, the middle choice of 5 mile radius might be your best bet.

This is an ingenious method as you don’t get inundated with “noise” or offers way too far for you to go and borrow, or too far for anyone to trust lending to you.

You can also send and receive messages without the other person knowing your email address to ensure privacy, although once you set up to deal with someone you can exchange phone numbers, addresses etc. For example, if someone wants to borrow one of my items, I will only deliver but never let them collect – so I know where they live.

If you run a club, society or just want to broadcast something there is a page you can go to just for that purpose.

The final good idea is, you can’t join until you offer someone something. So forget it if you don’t want to give, and only want to take. This is not for those people.

Can you help our next community project in Finchley?

We are looking for voluntary help in the following area for

The Finchley Community.

We need three volunteers, one each in N2, N3 and N12 to keep an eye on their postcode area. To let the office know when a company closes and a new one opens in its place, to source likely small business with branches in Finchley only who might be interested in joining us, and to source any not-for-profits in the areas which aren’t on the FinchleyCommunity.co.uk website.

What we are really asking for is researchers, if you want to actually call and talk to various of these shop owners and organisations secretaries, that would be a bonus from our point of view but not essential.

Who would volunteer. It would be someone who has a love of community and would love to see Finchley grow into a tightly knit area where people are willing to get involved. This is a long term project as we, in London, have, on the whole, lost the community spirit and recreating it may take years. You would be welcome to attend our once a month Editorial Meeting but it is not a requirement of the job and you will be able to please your self.

How to apply: In the first instance, send an email to andrew.taylor@finchleycommunity.co.uk with your phone number and the best time to call.

Charity Concert For Japan Earthquake appeal

By Ron Smith our cultural correspondent
Photos by Chris Hurwitz Bremner

Trinity Church (Nether Street – near Tally Ho) was the perfect venue for this final charity concert in aid of Diabetes UK, held on Saturday 28th May. Eighty Finchleans enjoyed a wonderful evening of superb music and song which was performed by truly gifted and accomplished young talent, too many to mention, who delighted us with their skilful performances on a variety of instruments

The programme included pieces of Classical music by ten of the Youngsters which included a very mature performance on the Cello by Anoushka Sharp, and a brilliant performance of Chopin  Etude No 4 in C sharp minor (piano) by Tiffany Cheng.

The Adults performed Classical and Pop including Japanese songs by Apparei with Hideaki Domon on guitar, and Norikazu Saruyama (vocal), whilst Kofi Karikari gave a powerful exhibition of Percussion instruments and wonderful rhythm.

The evening ended after three hours with all the performers and the audience singing “HEY JUDE” by the Beatles.

A vote of thanks was made to Chris Hurwitz Bremmner at Trinity Church for the use of it, and his great support and help in organising the events over the month.

Thanks were also given to Maki Asano who organised the show with help from Shino and many other helper. Entrance was only £5 and the event raised £400.

The donations will be sent to the children’s music group in Kesennuma in Miyagi, Japan to buy new instruments to replace the ones destroyed and lost in the Tsunami and Earthquake.

The recent recital at St-Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church

A RIGHT ROYAL RECITAL by Ron Smith

A marvellous evening of songs and arias, was performed at St- Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church, London N3 on Saturday 21 May 2011

 “Churches together in Finchley” are a gathering of more that a dozen churches embracing six denominations from every corner of Finchley. It has been around as an organisation under a variety if titles for about 40years, and Christian Aid is one of the many actions.

The songs were sung by Rachel Weston, and Carl Gombrich. The piano soloist, and accompanist was Yukiko Osedo,

The recital started at 6pm approx, after 180 people aged from one year old through to very senior persons, were treated to a delightful programme of songs from Rogers and Hammerstein , Sondheim, Verdi, Gilbert and Sullivan ,and a delightful rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody sung by Rachel and Carl .

Carls version of the Mikado was brilliant, and a thrilling performance of The White Cliffs of Dover by Rachel and Yuki, had most of the audience in full voice, which ended a superb evening.

 You can find out more about Rachel Weston at www.rachelwestonsinger.com she is married to Carl Gombrich who is the Director of the Arts and Sciences (BASc) undergraduate degree programme at the University College London (UCL)

Carl has sung in over 30 major operatic roles with various National Companies. He is also on the committee of Friends of Avenue House in Finchley.

Barnet Council is to become one of the first local authorities to establish a ‘trading company’ deliver adult social services.

Will this be a good move or not? What do you think? We would welcome any impressions for or against such a move in the comments box below.

New trading company set to provide greater choice

Barnet Council is to become one of the first local authorities in the country to establish a ‘trading company’ to help deliver adult social services.

Last night (24 May 2011) Cabinet Resources Committee agreed that the council should look to set up a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) in conjunction with Barnet Homes.

The move is a key step as adults with disabilities are transferred to a system of direct payments which they can use to pay for their care.

These cash payments are intended to give residents greater choice and control over how their needs are met and where money is spent – but the system does not allow residents to buy the services they need directly from the council.

Once set up, the new trading company will provide a point from which to purchase those services.

In the process more people will benefit from greater choice and control over their care.

The LATC will be wholly owned by Barnet Council but will have its own board of directors and manage its own operations.

The staff who will run the new LATC will be drawn from both the council and Barnet Homes, the organisation responsible for managing the borough’s social housing stock.

In future, other local authorities or individuals outside the borough could approach the trading company to purchase services, helping generate income.

Cllr Sachin Rajput, Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “I appreciate that it may not be obvious to residents how this relates to them, but it is an important change to the way the council works and will make sure that we can continue to meet the needs of disabled people.

“This is about forging a new relationship with citizens by giving people greater control over the services they use.”

Tracey Lees, Barnet Homes’ Chief Executive, added: “I’m delighted that we could now have the opportunity to extend our expertise to support the delivery of adult social care services.

“We are determined to build on our success as a social landlord while offering excellent support to drive service quality and efficiency within adult social services.”

Finchley Central Café takes over Avenue House Kiosk and will reopen during the next week

With all the weather forecasts indicating we are going to have a very warm June and July, this will be a blessing for most of us who like to visit the grounds.

  Jo & Al’s Café
65 Ballards Lane
London N3 1XP

Popular Café Jo & Al’s, is to take over the running of the Kiosk in the Grounds of Avenue House. The Kiosk, which has been shut since last Autumn, will reopen in the next week.

Until the end of last year the Avenue House Estate Trust operated the Kiosk itself. Trust Chairman Andy Savage explained that the Trust then decided to franchise out the operation of the café in order to keep its own resources focused on the running the House and the Estate. He said: ‘The Trust sought bids from several possible franchisees. The combination of the Trust’s well-publicised problems in the early spring, and the consequent loss of the first possible proprietor, meant that, regrettably, we were unable to see the Kiosk open for Easter. However, I think that we have been most fortunate to get Jo & Al’s as our new franchisee. Albert Bejerano has built a very popular business at Ballards Lane, with his excellent coffee and cakes, and we look forward to seeing him repeat this success at Avenue House.’

Albert Bejerano

Jo & Al’s proprietor Albert Bejerano said: ‘I had hoped to get to operate this Kiosk for some time. All the most successful parks have their own café, and I am sure that we will be able to repeat this success at Avenue House Estate. As well as the Kiosk itself, I will be opening the refurbished tea room in about a month’s time, and I will be offering an increasing range of products through the summer. I look forward to operating the Kiosk for a long period of time.’

Successful sales at Gordon Road allotments – huge turnout proves its popularity.

By Pam Taylor (photos by Andrew Taylor)

Gordon Road allotment sale

Gordon Road Allotment plant sale took place this morning. The place was heaving with visitors when we arrived at half past ten.

All the people walking out past us were laden down with trays filled with plants. We have friends coming to stay next weekend and they particularly asked me to get some runner bean plants, but unfortunately I was out of luck – the hot, dry weather had killed most of their seedlings, although they were hoping there would be some available next weekend. If they do not sell everything today, then they said they will probably be open next Sunday, so why don’t you pop in.

I managed to find a plant which I’d never heard of (Stachys macrantha ) and the lady selling it very kindly showed me a photo of it in flower – I call that service! It only cost £2 and when I looked it up on the Internet I discovered that it’s an Asian wild flower. The sale was a gardener’s heaven with so many flowering plants, vegetables and herbs for sale at very reasonable prices.

It’s such a shame that they forgot to put their sale into our events page, but I hope that this serves as a reminder for you to call in next Sunday just in case and also to look out for their sale next Spring.

They even have their own café on the allotment…

And their own loo, this is a new French invention that doesn’t need water or plumbing but is scientifically healthy and clean…

And a happy punter winds her weary way home…

The Finchley Art Society’s Spring Exhibition – a resounding success!

Hon President Henry McMillan introducing Mike Freer MP

On Saturday Mike Freer, MP (Finchley & Golders Green), opened the Finchley Art Society’s (FAS) Spring Exhibition at Trinity Church in Nether Street. As you can see from the photographs below, there was a huge turnout for this first day event. Mike Freer commented on the high standard of art at the exhibition and, whilst the potential buyers milled around enjoying the paintings, partaking of nibbles and drinks, against the very pleasant tinkling of ivories in the background, the team were constantly complimented at the large turnout and excellent paintings.

Viewers at the opening day of the Spring Exhibition

If you missed the opening day, which was announced in our events page, all is not lost – opening times are Monday to Thursday and Saturday 9am-10pm, Friday 9am-6pm and Sunday 2-6pm. The last viewing day of the exhibition is Sunday 29^th May so there is plenty of time.

Please look in our Events page as there are lots of other events going on at Trinity Church during the two weeks of the exhibition, including painting demonstrations on 14^th and 21^st May.

The FAS team, left to right: Danuta das Gupta, Loretta De Lange (Chairman), Mary Harper, Henry McMillan (Hon President), Pam Taylor, John Dornin, Colin Clark

Like most successful occasions, events only run as smoothly as clockwork when a lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes, and the Society is no exception, so our team certainly deserve their photograph here.

Further photographs:

A small corner of the exhibition

The incredibly young violinist

Osama Bin Laden – virus in emails, keep on guard

We have received an email about this and have checked it with the famous website that scotches most of these warnings, called Snopes.com

If you get a message that Osama Bin Laden has been captured or hanged, I am sure you would ignore it as we know he was shot. However, be on guard.

Never, ever, open any attachment unless you know the person who sent the email. If you use Google GMail then you wouldn’t get it as if there is a virus, Google send you a note warning you, but then allows you to download it but at least you will be warned. If they know it is a genuine spam or malware, they will send it to your spam box anyway (with the virus stripped out of course).

If you get emails frantically warning you about anything horrible, you can usually check with www.snopes.com which will then inform you whether the story is true or false. A lot of people deliberately try to slow the Internet down this way. Every minute of the day there are literally millions of emails flying around because people send these on to everyone they know without checking first.

Wingate & Finchley FC’s tremendous end to the season, winning 9 of their last 10 games and drawing one.

Although football isn’t my sport (wrong shape ball) I think it is terrific that our Finchley team, based in Summers Avenue, North Finchley, is doing so well here is their press release. Note that I always put press releases in a lighter colour and indent them to show that it wasn’t our hard work!

Tuesday 10th May 2011 – London Senior Cup Final – Wingate & Finchley 3-1 Hendon

Wingate & Finchley came from behind in this London Senior Cup Final, to beat Hendon and complete an historic Treble including promotion to the Ryman Premier Division and the League Cup.

Both sides were slightly depleted, Hendon through injuries and Wingate’s squad shattered from the two extra-time matches of the last five days. On the pot-holed dusty pitch it was Hendon who dominated the opening stages and took the lead in the 14th minute with a scrappy goal bundled home from a near-post corner by Greg Ngoyi.

Wingate responded immediately from this setback, and the Hendon centre back James Parker should then have been sent off for cynically hauling down Murat Karagul when through on goal, but the referee was too afraid of giving such an important decision so early in a cup final.

The lively Karagul then equalised on the half hour mark. Receiving a ball upfield from Jones he showed strength to hold off his marker, and from close range swivelled and volleyed low through the helpless goalkeeper.

The game was deservedly level again, but Hendon’s Scott Cousins was the second player who was lucky to stay on the field after an over-the-ball challenge on Ola Williams on the halfway line which brought only a booking.

Both sides found life tricky on the embarrassingly horrendous football pitch, as it was clear that both sets of players were more comfortable playing a passing style of football. 

The Blues then took the lead ten minutes after the break. Lewis Jones worked hard to press and close down the Hendon right-back, who lost all confidence in reading which direction the ball may next move off the surface, and the ball broke for the onrushing Sam Sloma. He forged into the box and showed great composure to slot the ball at the near post under goalkeeper James Reading.

Wingate sat back well and the defensive line of Marc Weatherstone, Paul Wright, Ahmet Rifat and Daniel Nielsen forced the Hendon strikeforce into mistakes time after time. Then on 70 minutes, as the green army were committing men forward, Lewis Jones all but sealed the trophy for Wingate & Finchley finishing off a great counter-attack. A superb run down the right from Williams attacking two players, took him into the area where a low cross found Jones who diverted the ball in at the near post from ten yards.

At the other end Hendon hit a post from a tight angle wide on the right with one of their only meaningful shots of the second half, whilst for Wingate Leon Smith was substituted on and nearly made an instant impact with a shot at the near post which the keeper Reading did well to get his whole body behind.

The regimented side knew just how to hold on to a lead – something they have had a lot of practice doing in recent weeks having won 9 and drawn 1 of the final 10 games at the business end of the season – and they played out the final moments with extreme professionalism, sealing a quite incredible Treble of honours that goes down in history as the Club’s most successful.

Lineup: King, Weatherstone, Wright, Fowler (Henry 46), Nielsen, Rifat,  Williams (Smith 75), O’Brien, Karagul, Jones, Sloma (Laird 80). Subs: Cooper, Burrell.

Man of the match Murat Karagul, who scored the side’s opening goal, said “We’ve won this treble in our club with a fantastic atmosphere, and we are already looking forward to next year and taking the Premier League by storm.”

Manager David Norman said: “an incredible end to a fantastic season. This evening’s game showed how much work and effort the staff and players have given this year. Having secured promotion after two strenuous matches, six changes were made to the starting lineup. This evening’s result shows the quality in depth of the squad we have assembled here at Wingate, and we will all enjoy the break and focus on consolidation in the Ryman Premier.”

Final chance to comment on waste plan for North London

The following may not be of interest to everyone but we felt it should be included.

The North London Waste Plan is being published for final comments by the seven North London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest. The plan identifies the sites which the seven councils consider to be the most suitable for new waste facilities and sets out planning policies to guide all future waste developments. The plan protects all existing waste facilities.

Communities are now required to take more responsibility for their waste, and this means managing, recycling and treating more waste in the areas where it is produced. As a result, new waste facilities are needed in North London. The plan suggests that most but not all of the new facilities needed can be accommodated on sites which are currently used for dealing with waste, including the Edmonton EcoPark in Enfield. However, some additional sites will be needed and the plan identifies two new sites for waste facilities, which has been chosen following a rigorous assessment process. These are:

Site description Borough Site area (hectares)
Site on Edgware Road and Geron Way Barnet 3.28
Friern Barnet STW (Pinkham Way) Haringey 5.95

Speaking generally about the North London Waste Plan, Cllr Richard Cornelius, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration recognises the scale of the challenge which the plan faces: “Waste facilities have, historically, been unpopular but modern well-designed facilities can bring many benefits and opportunities.

“We think we have found the right sites and put in place the right policies to help ensure that the new waste facilities we need will be well designed, good neighbours, fit for purpose and create opportunities for new jobs, new types of green industries and for local heat and energy systems that can help in the fight against climate change.”

Turning to the Pinkham Way site, Councillor Cornelius said:

“Waste has to be dealt with and processed somewhere. The Pinkham way site is very close to the North Circular and used to be a sewage works. As a group of North London councils, we have been required to find land that can be used to handle the rubbish that our residents chuck out. My concerns are to make sure that this facility minimises traffic impact and controls pollution as promised. These and other matters raised by local residents must govern what the Haringey Planning Committee allows to be built so close to Barnet and Enfield.”

The plan (the proposed submission version) will be available to download from the project website (www.nlwp.net) from 11 May 2011. Copies of the waste plan will be available to view in the Council’s planning offices and in local libraries.

Comments need to be returned by 22nd June.

For more information visit www.nlwp.net or contact Archie Onslow on feedback@nlwp.net or 020 7974 5916

Council cuts red tape to help residents join in the Big Lunch on the 5th June

Tim Smit has style and is a very able man. He, single handedly, took from concept to reality, the famous Eden Project in the West Country where my wife and  I spent a full and enjoyable day a few years ago. I say style as everything was to the fullest specification and it all looked stylishm which in turn made it a joy to be there. Even in the cafeteria the tables and chairs had style and were well made.

Tim has now started on a new project which is expanding each year. This is to hold a street party all over the United Kingdom once a year. The following has been taken directly from their website:

The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. This year it’s happening on Sunday 5th June and a record number of people are expected to take part – why not be one of them?

A Big Lunch can be anything from a few neighbours getting together in the garden or on the street, to a full blown party with food, music and decoration that quite literally stops the traffic.

Since starting in 2009, thousands of Big Lunches have taken place in all kinds of communities across the UK and the best part of a million people get involved each year.

The West Finchley Residents Association held one last year but there was so much red tape from the Council that we decided to hold it in the park by Dollis Brook (the right hand side in Fursby Avenue) and about eighty people turned up for a most enjoyable picnic. It seems, for this year, the Council may be having a change of heart with red tape as the following press release arrived in my email box:

Hot on the heels of the success of the Royal Wedding celebrations, Barnet Council is inviting its residents to get together again – this time courtesy of the Big Lunch.

The Big Lunch is a one day get-together for neighbours and communities across the UK. The idea is to encourage as many of the 61 million people in the UK as possible to join their neighbours for a few hours of friendship and fun on 5 June.

The Big Lunch has been running for two years, with at least one million people taking part last year. The event can be as big or as small as you want it to be – from inviting a few friends over, to throwing a street party or large picnic.

Barnet Council used its new community initiative PledgeBank to successfully arrange 54 Royal Wedding street parties in the borough on 29 April. In return for three or more households signing up to its PledgeBank site, the council arranged public liability insurance and street closure notices free of charge.

The council will once again be using the PledgeBank site to play its part in supporting residents wishing to host another bash by cutting through the red tape involved. Anyone wishing to host a small-scale event can contact the council for an information pack via barnet.pledgebank@barnet.gov.uk or call 020 8359 7293. Those wanting to put together a bigger bash are invited to visit the PledgeBank pages of the council’s website http://www.barnet.gov.uk/biglunch.

Residents wanting to close their road for an event will then need to complete a straightforward application form letting the council know what they are planning.

Councillor Kate Salinger, Barnet Council’s Big Lunch champion, said: “I am hoping that the wonderful community spirit we saw on the day of the Royal Wedding can be matched in Barnet by the Big Lunch.

“This event is another perfect excuse for friends and neighbours to enjoy spending an afternoon together and provides a wonderful opportunity for those who missed out on the fun the first time round to join in.”

Those wanting to know more about The Big Lunch should visit: www.thebiglunch.com where they will learn that a million people have already attended a “big lunch” in 2009 and 2010.

AV Referendum result: How Barnet voted

Here are the results for Barnet UK

Residents in Barnet have voted against the Alternative Vote during the 5 May Referendum.

55,451 of residents, or 64.7 per cent, voted against the Alternative Vote with 30,153 residents, or 35.2 per cent voting in favour of electoral reform.

85,738 residents cast their votes in total, equivalent to 38.9 per cent of those registered to vote in the first UK-wide referendum in over 30 years.

27,789 postal votes were returned, which equates to 68.7 per cent of postal ballot votes sent out – amongst the highest in London.

The question being put to voters on 5 May was:

“At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ’alternative vote’ system be used instead?”

Seems very similar to the National Average.

Avenue House appoints present trustee Andy Savage to chairman of AHET

Andy Savage - AHET Chairman

The Trustees of the Avenue House Estate Trust are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Savage, Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, to the role of Chairman of the Avenue House Estate Trust, following the retirement of Bill Tyler in March this year.

Andy is a long-term Finchley resident, and member of the Trust. He brings to the Trust a lifelong experience of voluntary work in the heritage sector, particularly through his involvement with the Ffestiniog Railway. In his present post he is responsible for awarding grants to improve the condition of listed buildings on the national railway system. He has held a number of senior positions in the rail industry, and was, until the end of 2009, Deputy Chief of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, part of the Department for Transport

Andy says: ‘I am honoured to be appointed to this post, and would like to pay tribute to the work of Bill Tyler, who has led the Trust for a decade, most recently through the crisis caused by the loss of tenants. Now that the Trust has got over the worst of these problems, I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees, the staff of the Estate, and the Friends of Avenue House to develop the Estate for the benefit of the people of Finchley. My prime aim is to rebuild the Trust’s business and reserves. I am sure that we can achieve this, and that the Estate has a bright future.

I would also like to particularly thank our Estate Manager, Janett Durrant, for her ongoing work for the Trust, especially in such a difficult time, and for agreeing to remain with the Trust until the end of September, despite her wish to retire. This has given us time to find a worthy successor to her, and we hope to announce an appointment shortly.’

Avenue House is a grade 2 listed building, and is set in grounds of some 10 acres in the centre of Finchley. The Estate was left to the former Finchley Urban District Council by Henry Stephens, the ink manufacturer, in 1918. It is now run by the Avenue House Estate Trust, on a 125 year lease from the London Borough of Barnet. The Trust maintains the Estate and operates it for the benefit of the people of Finchley, in line with Stephens’ wishes. It does this with virtually no revenue support, using the income from letting rooms in the house, and donations, to cover the maintenance and operating costs of both the house and the grounds. The Trust opens the grounds to the public free of charge during daylight hours every day of the year.

Henleys Corner – no right turn from the 9th May – huge diversions via Hendon for Southbound traffic.

I have been informed by Tarmac of their following diversions at Henleys Corner from Monday coming (9th May) until further notice. The following is an extract of their letter to residents, together with a map showing the diversions.

Henlys Corner Improvement Scheme Carriageway Construction

As you may already be aware Tarmac National Contracting working on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and London Borough of Barnet are carrying out carriageway construction work at Henlys Corner as part of an Improvement Scheme. The project is due for completion in December 2011 and the scheme will provide new signalised crossing facilities for pedestrians, high friction road surfacing and improved junction design to ease traffic congestion.

From 9 May 2011 carriageway construction work will be carried out 7 days a week from 07.00hrs – 19.00hrs and will require some additional night time works. We will send you additional notification in advance of any night time works. During carriageway construction, traffic management will be operational and carriageway closures will vary. Vehicles will not be able to turn right from any approach to the junction and vehicle diversions will be used to redirect right turning traffic, all diversion routes are shown on the enclosed diversion map. Please note that diversions will be operational from 9 May until further notice.

Bus numbers 82, 460 and 232 will not be affected by the diversions. Bus number 102 will use the green diversion route and bus number 611 will use an alternative diversion. For more information about bus route 611 please visit tfl.gov.uk.

Please also be aware that during construction of the scheme footpaths around Henlys Corner are closed and pedestrians should use the pedestrian diversion route which is displayed on maps along the footpaths around the junction. If you would like a copy of the pedestrian diversion map or If you have any concerns or questions about the scheme please contact me on free phone 0800 756 1406, mobile 07999 489357 or by email at nicola.corrigan@tarmac.co.uk.

We will do our best to keep any disruption to a minimum wherever possible and will continue to keep you up-to-date with the progress of the scheme. For more information about the scheme you can also visit tfl.gov.uk/henlyscorner.

And here is the map showing the diversions for right turning traffic.

Map of diverted traffic

The Finchley Society’s public meeting in North Finchley and slide show of photographs over 100 years old

By Pam Taylor

There was a good turn-out of visitors to the Finchley Society meeting on the evening of the 28^th April. Scattered around the sides of the hall were various objects and old photographs for us to look at (poster of Woodside Park station describing the achievement of the Finchley Society).

An attentive Audience for Peter Pickerings talk

Spike Milligan, who was President at the time, suggested to London Transport that Woodside Park station was worthy of a special redecoration scheme; various leaflets promoting the Society and even a continuous screen show of local photographs.

The meeting was opened by the society’s chairman, David Smith, who welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. He described the Finchley Society as a coming together of people who like living in Finchley. There are changes taking place all the time, and they like to think that they are acting on behalf of the people of this area, by looking with some considerable scrutiny at planning applications to make sure they are acceptable to the community as a whole.

The chairman then introduced Peter Pickering who talked to us about various planning issues with a particular emphasis on North Finchley which was the theme for the evening. He told us that Barnet Council publish all the planning applications every week. There are three clauses to which they pay particular attention:

1. Converting a family house with garden into a purpose built block of flats outside the town area (Holden Road and Courthouse Gardens)
2. What is proposed if it is too dense a redevelopment
3. Threatens retail diversity and the vitality of the town centre

Barnet Council have a planning strategy to improve North Finchley’s town centre, but they appear not to be moving forward. There could be a new super library at the artsdepot which will combine both the Friern Barnet and North Finchley libraries.

One of the old photographs taken of the screen

Derek Warren then gave a very interesting slide show of old photographs of the Finchley area. Lots of people joined in commenting on the various photographs and telling us what had been built there since, with Derek telling us the date of the various photographs. We had a refreshment break and then continued a little longer with the slide show.

A very enjoyable evening if you have a sense of belonging in the area.

Our last article on open spaces in Finchley N3 is Victoria Park.

Victoria park is situated in the North part of Ballards Lane near Essex Park. It is a pretty large park as the photographs will show.

Apart from a generous number of tennis courts they also have a public bowling club with two full size greens. In addition there is a large park café with a good choice of food and drink – and they are open from early until dusk.

Before I let the photos do the talking, I will mention that there is a bone of contention from many reisdent that there is only one toilet for the entire park and, should anyone from Barnet Council read this, they can look at our article on the Gordon Road allotments and see how they installed a public toilet without any plumbing and without any sewage outlets, in a perfectly hygienic fashion with this French invention, and in addition, had compost produced for the plants. It is truly amazing. And inexpensive to install!

And now for our photographs.

Ballards Lane entrance

Public Bowls Green

Early to dusk Cafe in the park

Further into the park

Hiroshima memorial plaque below the tree

Tennis courts in Victoria Park

Etchingham Park Road end of the park

Etchingham Park Road end of the park

Etchingham Park Road end of the park

It could be argued that this is nothing to do with Finchley – but it could be!

In fact, it affects all of us.

The following video was shown to a Sony Annual Shareholder Meeting in 2009. I have only just come across it and am still undecided as to whether it is exciting, or frightening. But of one thing I am sure of, the information contained within the video affects us all, whether in Finchley UK, Finchley in the USA, Finchley in India or Finchley in China.

The end of another month – a tale of Finchley and Zululand – and why this is relevant for our Community

April is coming to an end, this is the last day of a three day week, which reminded me of the three day weeks when I was a young man – so long ago!

Anticipating an invite to “The Wedding” on Friday – it might have got lost in the post – I finished my editorial a few days early, and Pam also hurried through getting the events up. If the postie can’t find these pesky invitations, we’ll have to watch it on television like everyone else!

Over two billion people around the world will be watching on Friday. That is a third of the world’s population. There is something very positive about this. That is, a third of the peoples on this planet now have electricity and television. I am not too sure if the latter is a good thing to celebrate, but the former certainly is. Let us hope, by the time “Wills” is crowned King, over half of the world will have electricity!

Come along to our editorial this Sunday, full details in 1 Editorial at the top of the page. We are a friendly bunch and you will be made to feel right at home.

I will end with an illustration of what Ubuntu means. Not the computer operating system, the African word which is the same in both the Xhosa and Kwa-Zulu languages. It is a difficult word to describe and it has taken Bishop Tutu 149 words to describe it below:

“Ubuntu is a concept that we have in our Bantu languages at home. Ubuntu is the essence of being a person. It means that we are people through other people. We can’t be fully human alone. We are made for interdependence, we are made for family. Indeed, my humanity is caught up in your humanity, and when your humanity is enhanced mine is enhanced as well. Likewise, when you are dehumanized, inexorably, I am dehumanized as well. As an individual, when you have Ubuntu, you embrace others. You are generous, compassionate. If the world had more Ubuntu, we would not have war. We would not have this huge gap between the rich and the poor. You are rich so that you can make up what is lacking for others. You are powerful so that you can help the weak, just as a mother or father helps their children.”

Andrew Ampers Taylor

Play offs secured for Wingate and Finchley Football Club last Saturday.

By Jamie Dickens

The gulf between both sides, in this exciting encounter on Saturday afternoon, was evident as Waltham Forest played victims in a five-nil drubbing at the hands of Finchley’s impressive Wingate and Finchley FC.

Tensions were high at Summers Lane as the play offs were within touching distance for the hosts. David Norman’s side started off confidently as an instinctive long ball from keeper, Bobby Smith, well within his own half caught Forest’s defence napping and found David Laird inside the box. Laird could only volley into the keeper’s hands but it was a sign of what was to come.

The opener was to come shortly after this opportunity which came about after an excellent piece of skill from Wingate’s fearsome striker, Leon smith. Combining strength and nifty footwork to leave three Forest defenders scrambling in his wake, he slid the ball into the bottom corner past on-looking keeper Sidney Anguilley.

Anguilley was given no chance by his defence for Smith’s and Wingate’s second. When an extremely distinctive chipped ball was played into the prolific striker’s path by Gary Burrell, Forest’s captain, Gbenga Sonuga, was left in no-man’s land and could only watch as the ball nestled in the bottom corner once again.

After the interval things only got better for the impressive Leon Smith. He bagged his 27^th of the campaign seconds after the re-start. Cleverly, he wrong footed the unlucky Gbenga Ladega and produced an exquisite finish to complete his hatrick. This opened up the flood gates and the fourth was clinched by an outstanding Ahmet Rifat goal on the hour mark volleying in from the edge of the area. The final goal was turned into his own net by former Wingate captain, Marvin Samuel.

This was an emphatic win for the home side and after a slip up by Sudbury they had clinched their play off place by the final whistle. Manager David Norman said “This was the most important game of our season; this is because it could have been a major slip up if we hadn’t got the result. We had a game plan today and the lads responded to it very well. All credit to the opposition, we knew it would be a tough game for us today despite their position in the table, however, after having matched them physically there would be only one winner today and the quality of my squad shone through.”  When asked about a possible man of the match, Norman said “Obviously we cannot ignore the fact that Leon has scored an incredible hat-rick today, but he wouldn’t have been able to do this if we hadn’t worked so hard as a team so I’d put today’s result down to a team performance rather than an individual.”

After a desperate attempt to flee, a Hoodie is captured in Finchley

On Good Friday, Finchley resident and international rescue agent, Janet Baker, successfully ID’d escaped fugitive ‘Hoody Doody’ at large, and living rough, in West Finchley for three weeks.

An attempt to capture the villain by grappling the smooth criminal and taking it into custody on Saturday resulted in failure and the ecapee fled. A trap was then set, which saw the successful capture of  the Hoody’ on Easter Sunday.

Now back in custody Hoody Doody is ‘feline relieved’ to be reunited with her family and regrets having catnipped off.  She has lost weight, but no explanation is forthcoming as to how she came to be sporting such a red nose?

Hoody Doody is receiving five star service from her tin openers, who are very greatfull to Janet for her vigilance and for reuniting them with Hoody Doody.

Hoodie receiving visitors

The Pastures is the third open space in Finchley N3 of our mini-series.

Finchley Pastures

The third “open space” area in our mini-series around Finchley.

Once again, a little ‘blurb’ but we’ll let the photos do the talking.

The Pastures are secured with a contract until 2034 and are open for visitors during weekends and public holidays only.

They have their own website at www.longlanepasture.org and full information and times of opening can be found there. Open weekends and public holiday through parts of the year. The location is opposite the fire station in Long Lane, right by the N3 side of the North Circular flyover.

Here are a few pictures to give you a taste of what is on offer there.

And, it’s a lovely place for a picnic!

Open day where you can learn how to bowl, free of charge!

Finchley Bowling Club (Founded in 1922) is holding its annual open day on the 8^th May 2011 between 10am and 4pm. Their website www.finchleybowlsclub.co.uk will give you a lot of information about the club, but this day is where the public can try their hand at lawn bowling for free. There will be instructors on hand to show you how to play.

Come along to the club at 6 Etchingham Park Road, off Ballards Lane just north of Victoria Park, admission is free and there will be tombola, bric-a-brac, Barsnacks including tea, coffee, softdrinks, cakes and sandwiches. If you need more information, contact our club secretaries Alan Oldham on 0790 649 3791 or Valerie McMillan on 020 8346 0438′

This is one event I never miss as the people are so friendly. So, from around 2:00pm you may have to suffer meeting your editor… He’ll probably be propping up the bar as editors are wont to do!

Police: Have you seen this man?

Police are appealing for assistance to trace a 20-year old man missing from Barnet.

Abubakar Mohidden was last seen between 9:20am and 09:55am when he left his home address on Wiggins Mead, NW9.

Abubakar is 5′ 5″ tall and of medium build. He has Downs Syndrome and is unable to communicate by speech.

Abubakar is not believed to have any money with him.

Anyone who has seen Abubakar is asked to contact the Missing Persons Team at Barnet on 020 8733 5146 or 0300 123 1212 quoting ref: 11MIS013431.

Lest we forget – Ishinomaki – Black Water

A short documentary film about Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture one of the hardest hit areas of the 11th March 2011 tsunami.

This documentary deals with the city, the people and relief efforts completed by individuals living in Tokyo to send relief supplies to a center for disabled people in Ishinomaki.

HADAS (Hendon and District Archaeological Society) wins prestigious London Archaeology award

HADAS has won the 2011 Ralph Merrifield Award for London Archaeology, presented by the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society (LAMAS).

This award was given for the work HADAS has undertaken in the field of post-excavation analysis.

A training programme was created in 2003 under the title “Post-excavation: Analysis of materials from the Ted Sammes archive” and resulted in the publication in 2006 of a book “The Last Hendon Farm: The archaeology and history of Church End Farm”.

This was followed by a series of related courses, all tutored by a co-recipient of the award, Jacqui Pearce BA, FSA, MlfA, of the Museum of London Archaeological Service (MOLAS).

HADAS is currently presenting the latest course in the series entitled “Looking at Finds: A practical course in post-excavation analysis”. This is also expected to result in a book about Church Terrace, Hendon, provisionally to be published later this year. The award was presented at the LAMAS Archaeology conference on Saturday 9th April 2011 by the new LAMAS President Professor Martin Biddle, OBE, FBA. HADAS is an amateur archaeological society based in the London Borough of Barnet and is a registered charity.

The Society was founded in 1961 by Themistocles Constantinides to investigate the Saxon origins of Hendon and since has grown to over 200 members covering the whole of the London Borough of Barnet, and addressing all archaeological periods. Its two declared objectives are to undertake archaeological and historical research, and education for the public benefit, with particular reference to the London Borough of Barnet.

The first excavation in 1961 was at the ruins of Church End Farm, near the parish church of Hendon St. Mary’s. Further excavations have included the West Heath Mesolithic camp site at Hampstead, Roman Hendon, medieval Chipping Barnet, and the probable Roman site of Sulloniacis at Brockley Hill.

In addition to undertaking archaeological investigations, HADAS also organises visits to sights of archaeological and historical interest across the UK, and a series of expert lectures throughout the year.

For further information contact: Don Cooper Chairman, HADAS Tel: 020 8440 4350 Email: chairman@hadas.org.uk

A nice walk in the country… Country? No this is Finchley!

Over the next week or two I am going to show you that you don’t have to go into the country to enjoy a lovely Summers day walk. Here are some photos, but first, a map and directions.

From West Finchley station, walk down Fursby Avenue, past Brent Way but before the roundabout, there is an entrance into Dollis Brook walk on your left. After you pass by some rather large allotments, the “countryside begins.

There is another approach, and this is from Nether Street, next to Finchley Way. The first two pictures are from this approach, the others are on the walk after crossing the bridge and turning right. (Although you can also turn left and continue for quite a way.)

If anyone knows of open spaces in N12, please let me know and I will photograph them for this series. andrew.taylor@finchleyarrow.co.uk

Fantastic Family and Community Day at Wingate and Finchley FC

By Ayisha Khan, our roving football reporter

Wingate & Finchley FC are hosting a Club Community day for their match against Cheshunt FC this Saturday. The ‘Renault Enfield Community Day’, originally scheduled last year, will offer a chance for new and existing fans to enjoy an afternoon’s entertainment and watch a crucial Ryman league match.

Commercial Manager Mike Bayly says, “There will be a number of events for people to take part in, including a Penalty Shoot Out competition, Games Console tournament and a Speed Cage event, where fans can test how hard they can strike a ball!

“We also have a number of great prizes available in our raffle, including tickets to watch Arsenal play, and signed football shirts.”

Bayly says they are also running coaching and small-sided games on their Astroturf facility for school children, and players are signing autographs and taking photos. At an event that offers something for everyone, parents will have the chance to talk to the club about getting their children involved with it’s highly successful youth team.

The club thanks Renault Enfield and the Ackerman Group for their kind sponsorship offers, which have enabled The Blues to lay on additional entertainment. Renault are showcasing one of their cars at the ground for the motoring enthusiasts amongst you.

Entrance on the day is £8 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and free for U16s. Events start at 1pm. Further information can be obtained by contacting Mike Bayly on 07931 777958, or emailing mike@wingatefinchley.com

Mayor of Barnet’s Charity Apeal raised £4,500

These are photographs from the recent Mayor of Barnet’s Charity Appeal event at the House of Commons.  The reception was hosted by Mike Freer, MP for Finchley & Golders Green on behalf of the Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Anthony Finn.

 

L to R – Mike Freer MP, Mayor of Richmond, Mayoress of Richmond, Mayor of Barnet

 

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Francis Maude, MP welcomed guests and dignitaries to the reception and spoke about the ‘Big Society’ and its importance in our communities and praised the work of the two charities supported by the Mayor of Barnet (Camp Simcha and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice).

The event raised in excess of £4,500 for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

L to R - Mayor of Barnet, Francis Maude Mp, Gill Dodge CEO Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, Neville Goldschneider, CEO Camp Simcha

 

This is £500 more than the £4,000 the Friends of Avenue House raised the other afternoon but as a well known supermarket keeps telling us, every little helps!

Barnet Police Chief visiting Finchley’s Pardes Grammar School

 

Police Chief at Pardes Grammar School (photo by Shuli Smus)

(In playground) L-R  Mr A Wagner, Headmaster Rabbi D Dunner,  Chief Superintendant Neil Basu, Deputy Headmaster Rabbi Eli Segal, Mr. Gary Ost

Civic Awards ceremony recognises residents’ dedication to others

Barnet residents who have made a significant contribution to borough life have been honoured at the council’s annual Civic Awards Ceremony.

A total of 57 nominees were recognised at a special ceremony at Hendon Town Hall, in The Burroughs, on Wednesday 23 March. All of those nominated were presented with certificates by the Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Anthony Finn.

Eight of the nominees (including Catherine Loveday – N12) were judged to have made an outstanding contribution and were presented with a framed vellum in recognition of their achievements.

The Mayor said: “Once again, the borough’s Civic Awards give us a glimpse of some of the tremendous contributions our residents continue to make to borough life. It also allows us an opportunity to give a little something back and recognise the hard work of those who give up their time selflessly for the good of others and for worthwhile causes. It is heartening to know that we can count on so many wonderful people.”

More information on the CPZ action Group

Barnet Council are to increase Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) charges from 18th April this year. A residents’ car permit would increase from £40 per year to £100 (for the first car). Visitors’ vouchers would increase from £1 each to £4 each. The impact of the proposed visitor voucher charges will be particularly harsh on CPZ residents in East Finchley with all day restrictions. For example, a daily child-minder or carer alone will amount to over £1000 in visitors voucher charges per annum.

The aim of the new charges is to increase revenue from CPZ residents to help pay for road maintenance across the borough of Barnet. As most people in Barnet do not live in CPZs, this means East Finchley CPZ residents are being targeted to fund road repairs across the borough.

Despite strong local opposition to the charges at the Barnet Council Cabinet Meeting on 14^th February, the charges were approved by the committee. Subsequently the story received media attention, including BBC London Regional news and various newspapers and radio shows. As a result, residents havey formed a new committee, the Barnet CPZ Action Group.

The first public meeting was held on 9^th March and got off to a flying start with approximately 60 residents attending. Over £2000 was raised to start the legal proceedings and everyone offered either their expertise and support take the legal action forward. David Attfield, a solicitorm is acting as Chairman and said; “we have tried all other avenues and have been left with no alternative other than to legally challenge the new charges in the High Court. We have sought independent advice from a barrister and believe we have a good case to apply for Judicial Review”.

Treasurer Nigel Linton also explained; “the increases in charges are driven by the need to raise revenue and not by the need to regulate parking. This is not what CPZs have been established for and we have the evidence and the law to prove this”.

Local resident Philippa Worke adds; “if these new charges are approved it will set a very bad precedent for CPZ residents all over the country. We have a race against time now”.

The Barnet CPZ Action Group are fundraising with some urgency given that the court rules mean that, by the time you read this, the claim will have had to be issued. In total £15,000 needs to be raised if there is to be a good chance of successfully taking this case through to trial. The action group are calling on all residents who are affected, and those who see that this should be fought on principle, to give generously or to act as fundraiser along their road.

If the case is a success the action group expect to return the bulk of money donated. Cheques made payable to ‘Barnet CPZ Action’ can be sent to 88 Summerlee Avenue, East Finchley, London N2 9QH.

The group also has a website www.barnetcpz.blogspot.com and they can be contacted via email barnetcpz@gmail.com

Helping the Honey Bees!

By Ron Smith

Spring has arrived with a host of Golden Daffodils along with all the other spring flowers and shrubs. It is a welcome sight after the SAD Winter.

I am seeing a few Bumble bees doing what they do best in the sunshine, however I am reminded of the terrible plight of the Honey bees which are under attack from various nasty pests and diseases which are appearing to resist the usual treatments.

From Wikipedia

The numbers of honey bees have dropped considerably in the last Decade due to the varroa mite which weakens the bee and spreads the disease, also the cold , wet summers which we have had has not helped them to pollinate the 40% of our fruit and vegetables .

Watch out and report the very nasty Asian Hornet,

From Wikipedia

If you see these in your garden you can also contact the Barnet Beekeeping club at the Town Hall, The Burroughs, Hendon. For advice.

I am going to suggest some of the plants that Bees are attracted to, we need to make our gardens more bee friendly by adding them now. Apart from thyme, rosemary, lavender, and forget me-nots , there are many more plants and shrubs which were found in the old cottage gardens.

Any Hardy Annuals, Heathers, Honeysuckle, Geranium , Salvia, Wallflower, Stocks, and Night scented stocks, Sweet peas, Aqueliga, Delphiniums, Foxgloves, Sunflowers Sedums, Michaelmas dasies, Nepeta (catmint) will be good.

Try and plant a clump of oilseed rape, bees love the bright yellow flowers, and plant some Nettles for the Butterflies in a pot, and plant it in the ground  so as to stop it spreading! Thistles and Fennel seed heads attract the birds too.

With the increase in new build, front gardens are being lost to paving bricks, slate and gravel. The rear lawn is being covered in decking, and we are losing all the daises, buttercups, clover that grow there, so we need to make an effort to introduce more wild garden plants this year.

Are there any Beekeepers in Finchley? It would be good to know you!

[Editors note: There is a working beehive in the Long Lane pastures – at the top end near the railway line.]

Before the cuts start biting

Some of the things you can do around the house what may make life a little better.

Security. When times are hard, burglaries tend to increase and one thing one learns in the forces can be applied, fairly easily at home. This is that misinformation confuses the enemy.

A burglar needs to know the home is empty before he breaks in. Your job is to make that difficult and this can be done by using net curtains so he can’t look in. Sometimes he will look through the letterbox. Use a guard that allows post to fall, but stops prying eyes from seeing inside.

If you go out, buy a time switch for your lights and have them turn on and off between rooms to look as if someone is moving between the rooms.Have a decent speaker near the door on the floor and when the bell is pushed, have a sound like a soft growl from a big dog eminate. Barking is not the answer as most attack dogs don’t bark.

If you have a glass door, fix a letterbox with coves on all sides so post can’t be seen. Ask neighbours to keep an eye out and to push any papers or post all the way through for you if you are away or at work.

If you have a small conservatory in front of the front door. An expensive lock on your front door and a cheap lock on your conservatory means the burglar can get access easily, then close the conservatory door, and have all the time in the world to attack your expensive front door lock, away from the eyes of passers by. Make sure the conservatory door has a good lock on it.

There’s a lot more you can do, but this is a good start.

Water. A lot of people buy water from the shops and this is very expensive. Some people buy a Brita jug but this can also prove expensive. You can buy an undersink water filter with a tap for the drinking water for the sink, for around £45. Needs fitting but a plumber can fit it for you in minutes.

Garden. Perinnials can save money as they bloom each year, annuals are more colourful but have to be replaced each year. Keep these to a minimum. Think of growing your own vegitables. The money saved there can go into the garden kitty.

These are some ideas and if you can add to them, add your idea in the comments so you can share good ideas with others in Finchley.

 

Synagogues targeted in Barnet

Barnet Police inform us that a group of men are suspected to have been involved in a number of burglaries of synagogues across Barnet.

During these burglaries a number of religious artefacts have been taken.

Police are asking members of the Jewish community to be made aware that some of the prominent pieces of silver could well be offered back to unsuspecting members of the community.

Police are asking people to cooperate with the enquiry and if they become aware of any of the following silver religious items being offered for sale they should contact police immediately.

Items include –
2 x solid silver breast plates,
3 x solid silver pointers,
2 x solid silver crowns,
3 sets of solid silver bells,
3 sets of candelabra, each containing 5 candle sticks,
1 x Goblet, 1 foot in length,
1 x Silver chess set
2 silver trays, 1 approx 40cm across without handles, 1 approx 50cm across with handles,
Several small silver goblets, about 10cm in length

Items taken in the region of £20,000

DC Paul Richardson of Barnet CID said, “We have liaised closely to ensure that places of worship are aware that these criminals are active. But it is important that the local community is also given the information, so police can be alerted if this property is being circulated. If people give us information we do all we can to ensure that this property is returned and those responsible brought to justice.”

Anyone who recognises these men or is aware of any of the religious items being offered for sale should contact police directly on 0300 123 1212 or phone CrimeStoppers on Tel 0800 555 1111. Please quote reference 2401181/11

 

Computer Corner

No names, no pack drill!

Now and again I need to contact a charity or not-for-profit in Finchley as I am about to write something on their particular sector.

I recently got a document sent to me, not an actual press release, but something I could use about the terrific work they are doing. This is a shame as I fully support their effort and they operate right on the other side of Finchley, a thirty minute walk, so there and back is over an hour of my day by the time I speak to them and admire what they are doing. I just don’t have the time.

Why can’t I contact them? Because they only give an email address, and never give a phone number. I think they imagine they are going to be swamped with calls. I thought that when I started the Archer twenty years ago, and when I started the Arrow two years ago, but it rarely happens, and I get an average of two to three telephone calls a day, three to five days a week.

OK, I hear you say, “An email is OK”.

Yes, not in this case as everytime I write to the lady in question, I get an email back from her Internet Provider saying my email could not be delivered as their mailbox quota is full. The Finchley Arrow use Google and my email andrew.taylor@finchleyarrow.co.uk is never full as I could have three or four thouand messages in my mailbox and it would still not be full. So there is no need to have emails bouncing.

It is important, even if you are involved in a not-for-profit, to be contactable as you never know what opportunities you are missing.

I email those who ask, a week before our deadline for events, and have added this organisations email address, but if it is always full, they’ll never know to put their events on.

In any organisation, communications is a really important issue.

Long Lane Pastures winn £10,00 Lottery Grant

New Grant from the Lottery

Great News! The Pasture has recently been awarded an ‘Awards for All’ grant (a fund of the Big Lottery) of nearly £10,000 which will enable us to complete most of the capital works outlined in the Management Plan. We can now put up a noticeboard and a panoramic sign interpreting the extensive view over Finchley at the new pedestrian gate by the railway bridge, remove an area polluted by dumped oil which is seeping down a main path killing the grass, install visitor counters, and buy more wildlife plants for the butterfly border and embankment.

“Trees, Tours and Teas” – Open day at Avenue House

Finchley residents show support for Avenue House at Open Day

Mostly by David Baker with a small contribution by Andrew Taylor and photographs by Andrew Taylor

Rear of Avenue House from the gardens

Strolling through Avenue House gardens

The two children in the front are Angelina Sparksman and Chloe Reed (both from St Mary’s Primary School)
In the main row are Claire Sparksman (slightly to the rear), Sandra Rebak, Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter and Jack Ellis
We are awaiting confirmation of the people in the back row.

In a strong show of support, just over 400 people attended “Trees, Tours and Teas”, the Open Day at Avenue House on Sunday 20 March and raised over £4,000. This was the first event staged by the recently formed New Friends of Avenue House, a group of local residents working to help save the House and Grounds from the threat of closure.

Visitors to the Open Day took part in tours of the house, Bothy Gardens and main gardens, with its wonderful collection of rare trees. They also enjoyed tea and cakes provided by local supporters, (including Parkway Patisserie of Regents Park Road, who were especially generous). The Open Day was organized to raise awareness of the problems facing Avenue House, and during the afternoon many visitors signed up to support the work of the New Friends of Avenue House.

Tea and cakes at the Open Day

Among the many people who attended the event were some famous faces. Actors Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter tour joined the tours of the house and gardens. Ms Staunton, whose childhood family home was in Vines Avenue, Finchley, said the Avenue House Estate was a hugely important part of the area, and deserved everyone’s support. ‘The house and gardens are so wonderfully maintained, and are clearly enjoyed by so many people. It would be very sad indeed if they were not kept as a resource for local people.’ Actor Jack Ellis, who is a Finchley resident and an active member and supporter of the new Friends of Avenue House added, “This is an extraordinarily beautiful place, full of hidden treasures. It would be an absolute tragedy if people couldn’t continue to enjoy it in the way Henry Stephens intended when he left it to the people of Finchley.”

The small intimate museum for Stephens Inks was also open and attracted a lot of visits.It is housed in the conservatory of Avenue House and shows the aspects of Dr Charles Stephens (1796-1864) life – he was the inventor of the famous blue-black writing fluid. It also covers the life of his son and the development of the Stephens Ink Company and the story of writing materials from ancient times. Finally it shows the history of Avenue House from 1859 to the present day.

Teaching them young at the Stephens Museum

Sandra Rebak, chair of the Friends said, “The support that local people have shown has been wonderful. We are so grateful to the many people who came to find out more about the Avenue House Estate. We are especially pleased to see so many children here; we know that – thanks in part to the the children’s playground – Avenue House is every bit as important to children as it is to adults.

“Our committee was only re-formed two weeks ago, and this has been a great opportunity to launch the New Friends of Avenue House. We are delighted to make contact with so many people and to receive so many suggstions and offers of support for our fundraising work.’

“Although the main aim of the day was to increase awareness of the problems facing Avenue House, people attending the Open Day were extremely generous, and we also managed to raise over £4000 on the day, with further pledges of support. This is an important first step in our immediate objective of raising £25,000 by the end of April, to cover short-term needs and help ensure the Estate’s survival. The recession has reduced commercial bookings, especially over the past six to eight months. Also, Avenue House’s charity tenants have suffered cutbacks which mean they can no longer afford to rent offices. Because of this, we have to find a way to plug the gap.

“There is cause for optimism. Bookings for spring and summer are better, so if we can get through the short-term crisis, the situation should improve. In the longer term, we aim to to continue to support the financial sustainability of Avenue House through increased community support and involvement.”

The New Friends of Avenue House are working hard to keep people informed of developments. We are developing an improved website and a Facebook page, and will soon be announcing a number of events and initiatives. In the meantime, people can join us or find out more about our activities by emailing: info@friendsofavenuehouse.org

In a recent letter to the Editor, Stewart Wild came up with an idea for the council to move the public Library into Avenue House, the Council could then sell the library building in Hendon Lane. The council could then pay rent which would be cheaper than the upkeep of the old library building.

Note: The Avenue House Estate was left in perpetuity to the people of Finchley by “Inky Stephens”. In 2002 Barnet Council leased the Estate to the Avenue House Estate Trust, a registered charity which now administers and runs it. The Friends are aiming to raise at least £10,000 this month to help with the ongoing running of the Estate and about £3,000 to £4,000 a month afterwards when the savings which have been introduced cut in.

In the Bothy grounds of Avenue House

Group of friends in the Avenue House courtyard

People in the Avenue House courtyard booking a tour of the gardens.

Open Day at Avenue house this Sunday

By Ampers Taylor

This is the official one, run by the “Friends of Avenue House” committee.

It is the “Open Day” at Avenue House from 2pm to 5 p.m. on this coming Sunday (20 March).

If you come early,before 2:30pm when they will be leaving, you’ll have the opportunity of meeting  Jim Carter (Mr Carson from Downton Abbey) and also Imelda Staunton (who has Finchley connections) who will be saying a few words at the opening ceremony

The man in the audience with the brown leather hat (see picture above) will be your editor, do say hello to him, but he won’t pay for your tea!

Legal action taken against Barnet Council

By Ifé Fatunase

Many of us have so much going on in our lives these days, it is no wonder that we often choose the easier, quieter option of doing nothing.

Prices at the fuel pumps rocket, we shrug our shoulders and fill up our cars. Someone lights a cigarette on the upper deck of a bus, we simply move downstairs. We pay out more for lunch at the work canteen, but say nothing about the smaller potions we receive.

If that’s what Barnet Council hoped its residents would do when it announced plans to increase Control Parking Zone (CPZ) fees, then it was very much mistaken.

A group of residents, called Barnet CPZ Action, plan to take legal action against the council to stop the increases which come into force on March 21.

Barnet Council want to raise resident parking permits in CPZs from £40 to £100 a year. However, what’s incensed the Barnet residents even more, is the increase of the one day visitors permit from £1 to £4.

Jeanne Wray, a 79-year-old, who lives in one of the areas affected, is furious. She said: “I quite often have friends round during the day, but they are not going to be able to afford to come if the visitor vouchers increase from £1 to £4.”

When she raised the issue at a council meeting last month, she was told that she would simply have to have her friends over in the evening. She says that’s impractical as her friends are also pensioners and cannot travel in the dark.

Last week, on March 11, Barnet CPZ Action started the legal proceedings, serving the council with formal notice of the court challenge. David Attfield, a lawyer leading the group said: “We have tried all other avenues and have been left with no alternative other than to legally challenge the new charges in the High Court. We have sought independent advice from a barrister and believe we have a good case to apply for Judicial Review.”

Barnet council now has over a week to consider its position.

The basis for Barnet CPZ Action’s legal challenge is the issue of whether any council can put up parking charges solely for the purpose of increasing its revenue.

The group points to a report by the RAC which states: “It is illegal (however) for local authorities to set charges in order to provide a source of revenue for other activities, even if the money raised is used to fund transport provision. The level of charges must be based solely on the need to manage parking.

“Any local authority that sets its parking charges or penalties in order to raise funds is acting ultra vires (i.e. illegally) and may be challenged in the Courts.”

The action group believes it can win because Barnet Council’s financial plans for next year, shows it wants to reduce its Highways Maintenance budget by £1.5 million but expects to raise £1.42 million from the CPZ charges increase to spend on roads.

The members of Barnet CPZ Action say they are fired up and confident of winning this ‘David versus Goliath’ battle, but they do face an obstacle. They believe they need to raise £15,000 to stand a good chance of taking the case all the way to trial.

A meeting last week of over 70 residents raised £3,000 in donations in a single evening. Barnet CPZ Action is now appealing to all residents in the borough to help them reach their target, and say most of the donations will be returned to donors if the case is successful.

This Saturday, March 19, Barnet CPZ Action will have a stall in East Finchley outside Budgens on the High Street from 10am to 2pm to talk to Barnet residents and answer questions.

If you want support the legal action by making a donation, get involved or just to find out more information about Barnet CPZ Action, you can visit their website on www.barnetcpz.blogspot.com , email barnetcpz@gmail.com or follow them on Twitter @barnetcpzaction

RAC report can be viewed at http://www.racfoundation.org/research/mobility/on-street-parking

Avenue House – unknown meeting

As mentioned yesterday, I received a leaflet handed out to one of our journalists in his local pub last evening.

For some reason my scanner is down, so I have typed in the leaflet exactly as it appears, errors as well.

============================================

STOP THE CLOSING,

OF AVENUE HOUSE

PARK

Avenue House & Grounds are destined to be shut

to the public, and handed over to a school from

St.Johns wood.

If you do not come to show your report, all will

be lost, please come a long on Sunday 20th march

2011 at 2pm for a protest and petition signing.

There will be Tea & Cakes at the park for

fundraising (cake donations after 10am)

Please spread the word to your neighbours as we

can only distribute one leaflet per five houses.

If you cannot make the protest, please send a

letter to your MP or ‘Brian Coleman (Barnet

councillor)’

ACT NOW!!

============================================

The newspaper has no knowledge of who is behind this and if anyone knows, would you please ask them to contact the editor so he may use the newspaper to publish this widely as we, at the Finchley Arrow, are fully behind the newly resurrected official group, The Friends of Avenue House.

Mayor Honours Pupils at Town Hall Robes Show

by Ayisha Khan

The Mayor of Barnet hosted a show at the Town Hall in honour of more than twenty schools in the borough who took part in a charity event.

Councillor Anthony Finn paid homage to 1,000 pupils from schools in Cockfosters, Mill Hill, Hendon, Barnet, Totteridge, Whetstone and Muswell Hill, who raised £10,000 for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and Camp Simcha.

The ‘Town Hall Robes Show’ was an opportunity for the children to meet the Mayor and be presented with certificates to thank them for their participation in a ‘dress down day’ held last month, whereby they wore non-uniform and donated £1 to the two charities.

Lorraine Felding of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice said, “[The ‘dress down day’] was an initiative on behalf of the Mayor to engage with the schools so that it would build awareness, and we felt it’s a very powerful message when children are helping other children.

“It was a fun way of doing it – one particular school dressed in an animal theme.” Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Barnet raised the money for a community fund that supports life-limited children and their families within the borough.

Neville Goldschneider of Camp Simcha said, “It was a very inclusive kind of thing to do – a ‘dress down day’ is quite a simple idea and it’s nice that all the children could take part in it very easily.

“Seeing that the funds have clearly come from children from all different backgrounds within the borough, we thought that that was a really nice way to use the money.” Camp Simcha has a project that sends balloons, clowns and toys to children in hospitals regardless of religion and background.

Cllr Anthony Finn added, “One’s got to be grateful for the kids taking part and to encourage [them] to do future activities not just in this charity but in other charities.”