Archived Articles January to December 2017

John Brown

Jan 04, 2017 General News
John Brown in his studio
Two sculptures by the noted Barnet sculptor John Brown are due to appear in Steven Spielberg’s most recent…

Free to speak her mind?

Jan 04, 2017 General News
Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers
After what for her personally – and for the rest of the country – has been a momentous political year, the…

Barnet’s footpath pioneer remembered

Jan 06, 2017 General News
Eric Lucas, who died in 1996, author of the first Rambles Round Barnet published in 1948
After years of uncertainty answers have finally been found to questions about the identity and motives of an…

Wanted: Battle project co-ordinator

Jan 22, 2017 General News
Project Coordinator needed for the Battle of Barnet
The job of promoting and explaining the Battle of Barnet of 1471 is to be undertaken by a project…

Library protests ignored 5

Jan 22, 2017 Planning
A last-minute attempt by the Barnet Society to challenge the loss of community space was unsuccessful
Downsizing of the Chipping Barnet Library – with much of the floor area being converted into commercial…

Widening High Street pavement 10

Jan 22, 2017 High Street The Spires
The built-out pavement will extend from the Post Office to the entrance to the Spires Shopping Centre
A plan to widen the pavement on one side of Barnet High Street, from the Post Office to just beyond the…

Underhill super school rejected 9

Jan 26, 2017 Planning
The internal courtyard of the proposed school
Barnet Council’s planning committee has voted unanimously to reject plans to build a massive all-through…

Theresa Villiers MP under fire

Jan 27, 2017 General News
Theresa Villiers joins Barnet Society committee members before her annual question and answer session. From left to right, Gail Laser, vice-chair, Theresa Villiers and Frances Wilson, minutes secretary
A ready supply of lively and forthright questions kept the politics and views of the Chipping Barnet MP…

Protecting war memorials 1

Feb 04, 2017 Consultations
East Barnet war memorial
East Barnet war memorial is one of tens of thousands across the country that is being considered by Historic…

Red Lion re-opens 7

Feb 04, 2017 High Street The Spires
Mayor of Barnet, David Longstaff, tries his hands at making Pizzas with the Red Lion’s Matt Baker
Mitchells and Butlers say they have created ten new jobs following the conversion of the Red Lion public…

New Year’s Day parade success

Feb 04, 2017 High Street The Spires
Miriam Nyarko (14) sang Beyonce’s Crazy in Love for the float from the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School
Pupils of the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School from the Old Bull, High Barnet, were guests of the Mayor of…

Derelict eyesore gets worse 6

Feb 17, 2017 Restoration & Rejuvenation
The derelict Marie Foster home
Yet again NHS Property Services appears to be in a state of indecision about the future of the derelict Marie…

Barnet’s royal pastry chef

Feb 24, 2017 General News
George O’Connor ready with a slice of lemon cake to go with his afternoon cup of tea
Celebrations for the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee, marking her 65 years on the throne, brought back fond memories…

Tardis sparks fury 8

Feb 25, 2017 High Street The Spires
High Barnet’s super-size smart telephone kiosk – an eyesore say its critics
Plans to improve one of the busiest stretches of Barnet High Street by planting trees, and providing benches…

Housing proposed for Whalebones 20

Mar 07, 2017 Planning
Whalebones in the sunlight
Building houses on the fields around Whalebones, between Wood Street and Barnet Hospital, has possibly moved…

Petticoats and poetry

Mar 15, 2017 General News
Michael King, a founder member of the Barnet Poetry Group, with new member Anita Butler, and on his left Jane Strange
Barnet's WEA* is launching its first-ever one-day Summer Saturday courses in May, 2017.;They are being held…

Library facing summer closure 3

Mar 15, 2017 General News
The Library will close over the summer months to convert a large part into commercial office space
Chipping Barnet library will operate on a partial self-service basis during April and May before closing…

Barnet’s phantom mini-roundabout 4

Mar 15, 2017 Road Improvements
Wellhouse junction traffic
Contractors working on the installation of a mini-roundabout at one of High Barnet’s most hazardous road…

Last orders at famous Barnet hostelry 5

Mar 18, 2017 General News
CAMRA’s David Fenton pointing to the forlorn sign “This pub matters” – the only remaining reminder of what was once the White Lion public house
Another of Barnet’s historic public houses, the White Lion in St Albans Road, has closed, and local residents…

Graffiti artists’ head for heights 5

Mar 24, 2017 High Street The Spires
The handiwork of High Barnet’s graffiti artists is visible above shops such as Specsavers and Greggs’.
Graffiti daubed on walls and the sides of buildings in and around High Barnet has become an increasing…

Playtime for “invisible” carers

Apr 05, 2017 General News
Chris Robertson, healthy living instructor, organised a fashion parade at the High Barnet hub for young carers
A two-hour session of play and activities once a month at the Sense Touch Base, just off Barnet High Street,…

Roadworks herald faster broadband 3

Apr 06, 2017 Broadband
Virgin Media is to offer homes and businesses in High Barnet a rival broadband service after long-standing…

Wanted: Advice on protecting Barnet’s whalebones

Apr 07, 2017 General News
New owners of Whalebones House, Paddy Shanahan and Helena Boland, are seeking advice on how to protect an historic Barnet landmark.
Preserving two massive jaw bones from a ninety-foot-long blue whale is just one of the challenges facing the…

For and against wider High Street pavement 18

Apr 13, 2017 High Street The Spires
High Street seen from the Post Office
Members of Chipping Barnet Town Team have given their backing to Barnet Council’s plans to widen one side of…

Brighter future for Barnet’s physic well

Apr 18, 2017 Restoration & Rejuvenation
Barnet's Physic Well
After years of neglect and decay, Historic England has commissioned a detailed survey of the work required to…

Battle of Barnet project co-ordinator

Apr 18, 2017 General News
Helen Giles, project co-ordinator for the programme to develop and promote the Battle of Barnet
Helen Giles, who has wide experience as a museum curator and consultant for numerous heritage projects, has…

High Street - proposed improvements 3

Apr 19, 2017 High Street The Spires
The High Street looking north
CHIPPING BARNET HIGH STREET – PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS: BARNET COUNCIL PUBLIC CONSULTATION, 28 MARCH…

Petition to halt cuts in 384 1

Apr 23, 2017 General News
384 at bus stop on High Street
Transport for London is facing concerted opposition to a proposed reduction from 15 minutes to 20 minutes in…

Will jobs go for flats? 13

Apr 28, 2017 Planning
Paola Sachia opened his carpentry and joinery workshop at Meadow Works six years ago
Up to forty jobs might be lost if planning permission is approved for the construction of two blocks of flats…

Barnet’s classic cars on parade again

Apr 28, 2017 High Street The Spires
John Barnett’s Alvis Grey Lady from the early 1950s was one of the elegant cars on display at the 2016 show
Cameras, smart phones and tablets will be out in force to capture images of the many much-admired and…

Special protection for local landmarks 1

May 08, 2017 General News
Arkley war memorial -- “a simple yet dignified Celtic cross
Three Barnet war memorials – at Arkley, East Barnet and Monken Hadley Common – have been given the added…

Duke backs local history campaigners

May 11, 2017 General News
The Duke of Gloucester at Barnet Museum. From left to right, Mike Noronha, trustee Barnet Museum; Martin Russell, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London; the Duke of Gloucester; Mike Jordan, chair of the trustees
On his first visit to Barnet, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was on the warpath at the 1471 Battle of…

Drop-in centre opens at Christ Church

May 15, 2017 General News
The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor David Longstaff, with the Mayoress Gillian Griffiths, is thanked for his support for the Open Door project by the Bishop of Stepney, the Right Reverend Adrian Newman
After almost a decade spent planning, campaigning and fund-raising, the Bishop of Stepney, the Right Reverend…

Popular Centre now fully booked

May 15, 2017 General News
Dick Elms, vice chair and trustee, took visitors through the video recording wildlife at the Environment Centre
A blood-sucking leech, a dragon fly nymph, a baby newt and a back-swimmer water boatman were just some of the…

Barnet’s Wars of the Roses celebration

May 23, 2017 General News
The Medieval Siege Society at Sandwich Medieval Festival last year. They will be providing demonstrations at our Medieval Festival in Barnet on Sunday, 11th June
Barnet’s first medieval festival is to be held at the Old Courthouse Recreation Ground at the rear of Barnet…

Success for “stubborn but steadfast” women pioneers

May 29, 2017 General News
Inner courtyard of New Ground, the women’s co-housing complex in Union Street
An 18-year struggle by a group of “ageing, stubborn but steadfast” women reached its grand finale with…

Barnet’s link to the The Crown

Jun 05, 2017 General News
Ben Dillon (left) and Mark Raggett, art director for The Crown series being produced at Elstree Film Studios, standing beside a Jaguar Mark 1 featured during a scene when the Queen visits the Jaguar car factory
Providing period cars featured in the hit television series, The Crown – being filmed at Elstree Film…

Delay to High Street redevelopment

Jun 07, 2017 High Street The Spires
Brake Shear House development delayed and possible changes to the agreed planning consent
Barnet High Street’s historic Brake Shear House complex, which is boarded up ready for demolition, has gained…

Barnet's first medieval festival 1

Jun 11, 2017 General News
Richard Jupp gives a demonstration of medieval gunnery at Barnet’s first medieval festival
A posse of Barnet police officers was on hand when members of the Medieval Siege Society gave a gunnery…

Classic car show snubbed by Spires 2

Jun 11, 2017 General News
Chris Nightingale beside the 1935 blue Riley sports car that was refused access to the Spires shopping centre. Next to them is a 1951 Grey Lady Alvis
Barnet High Street was lined with well-wishers cheering on the 30 classic cars that made their way to the…

Manorside's Great Get Together

Jun 19, 2017 General News
Quizmaster Curtis Gallant (left) holding the answers close to his chest, together with Tony Barnes, one of the organisers of Manorside’s street part in memory of Jo Cox
Manorside, High Barnet, joined thousands of other communities around the UK in holding a street party in a…

Make-over for historic Union Street 7

Jun 19, 2017 Restoration & Rejuvenation
Roger Newell is hoping to demolish a semi-derelict lock-up that has blighted Union Street for many years
Plans to replace a semi-derelict vacant shop that has blighted Union Street for many years will go a long way…

Teenage Markets come to Barnet

Jun 23, 2017 General News
Teenage Markets come to Barnet
In recent years Barnet Market has been a shadow of what it once was, but a life-line is at hand. Imaginative…

Perfect weather for jazz afternoon 6

Jul 03, 2017 General News
Home Cooking, one of the bands, that entertained hundreds enjoying an afternoon of jazz on Hadley Green
Enthusiasts and local residents gathered in their hundreds on Hadley Green for a picnic lunch and Sunday…

Accolade for Normandy Avenue garden

Jul 03, 2017 General News
Years of hard work by Derek Epstein and Jo Vargas on show when their garden opens to the public in July
A 120ft garden at a traditional Edwardian semi-detached house in Normandy Avenue, Barnet, has secured…

Hazardous road junction gets mini-roundabout 21

Jul 13, 2017 Road Improvements
The Wellhouse mini roundabout
Six months to install a mini-roundabout – an entry perhaps for the Guinness Book of Records – but worth the…

Wood Street’s miniature railway

Jul 13, 2017 General News
Ian Johnson (right) astride the trailer of his electric engine, on his miniature railway line at his home in Wood Street, Barnet. With him at the controls is Derek Smith, a fellow member of the North London Society of Model Engineers
Generations of Barnet children have enjoyed a trip on the miniature railway that circles the Wood Street…

Captivating images of Battle of Barnet

Jul 17, 2017 Barnet History
Geoffrey Wheeler with some of his many drawings, photographs of reproductions of events and characters involved in the Wars of the Roses and the 1471 Battle of Barnet
An unrivalled display of images of Richard III, from his role in the 1471 Battle of Barnet until his death in…

Lime Grove Footpath and the Darlands Nature Reserve 2

Jul 22, 2017 Rambles
Local ramblers who have followed the guiding notes in ‘Rambles Round Barnet’ Part 1 for Walk 1 may well be…

Barnet loses another link with past 4

Jul 29, 2017 Barnet History
The Barnet High Street shop front of J. Cowing, publishers of the Barnet Press, as it was in July 1913
The Barnet Press, once one of the most respected weekly newspapers in North London, has ceased publication…

Blot on landscape lives on 10

Jul 30, 2017 Planning
The Union Street shop
To the dismay of its owner, Barnet Council has refused planning permission for a semi-derelict shop in Union…

Childhood memories of 1930s Barnet 1

Jul 30, 2017 Barnet History
Betty Fanning at her house in Potters Road, looking across the Meadway towards King George’s Fields
Roads running between High Barnet and New Barnet merge together almost seamlessly today, but in the 1930s,…

Archbishop to re-consecrate Barnet church

Aug 04, 2017 Restoration & Rejuvenation
Church of Mary Immaculate and St Gregory the Great
Internal fixtures and fittings are being added to a 100-seat extension to the Roman Catholic Church in Union…

Barnet teenage market a step closer 1

Aug 10, 2017 General News
Sizing up the bandstand area are the Reverend Eugene Hanshaw (left), youth worker for Barnet parish church, and the appeal organiser Bob Burstow, secretary of Barnet Town Team.
A £10,000 pledge of support from the Spires shopping centre has given an all-important boost to the…

Views sought on Whalebones redevelopment 22

Aug 10, 2017 Planning
Robin Bishop, chair of the Barnet Society (left) was briefed by Culainn Shanahan on his plans to undertake a research study into future options for safeguarding as much as possible of the Whalebones green space
A survey is to be undertaken to discover the extent of local interest and reaction to the prospect of housing…

New proposal for Ark 8

Aug 17, 2017 Planning
The proposed new Ark Pioneer Academy, facing south west
After failing its first public examination, Ark Pioneer Academy (APA) is back for a re-sit – this time a…

Older women’s housing up for another award

Aug 24, 2017 General News
The co-housing flats designed for the needs of residents and to sensitively fit into Union Street courtyard
New Ground co-housing, the innovative flats for older women in Union Street, High Barnet, have been declared…

Standing room only for church re-opening

Sep 03, 2017 General News
Cardinal Vincent Nichols during the service re-opening the Roman Catholic Church in Union Street
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, re-opened High Barnet’s Roman Catholic church after…

Children to understand the Battle

Sep 07, 2017 General News
Hannah Brownlow (left), newly-appointed heritage learning consultant for the Battle of Barnet project, with Barnet Museum volunteers Mike Noronha and Hilary Harrison.
Reaching out to local schools to explain and promote Barnet’s role in the Wars of the Roses is one of the key…

Toast to Barnet’s top trade unionist

Sep 11, 2017 General News
Neil Kinnock, former Labour Party leader, joined the 93rd birthday party for Fred Jarvis, Barnet’s most celebrated trade union leader – a New Barnet resident for over 60 years
Neil Kinnock led the tributes at a party to celebrate the 93rd birthday party for Fred Jarvis, Barnet’s most…

Police station to close 2

Sep 13, 2017 Services
High Barnet police station is set to close
High Barnet police station is one of 30 or so across London where a front counter service to the public is…

New Vicar for Christ Church

Sep 16, 2017 General News
Reverend Andy Rimmer (far left) being congratulated on his institution as the new Vicar of Christ Church by (from left to right), the Bishop of Edmonton, the Reverend Bob Wickham, the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Brian Sallinger, and Martin Russell, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London.
A service to institute and induct its new vicar, the Reverend Andy Rimmer, was described as a moment to…

Eyesore site for sale 1

Sep 16, 2017 Planning
The former Marie Foster Centre now to be developed
A derelict former nurses’ home that has been an eyesore for years will finally be demolished under plans to…

Work starts on Barnet hospice

Sep 27, 2017 General News
Sophie is now 11 years old and is displaying similar symptoms to her brother who died aged 17
To coincide with the start of building work on its site at the environment centre off Byng Road, Barnet, an…

Barnet teenage market next steps

Sep 28, 2017 General News
Bob Burstow (right), teenage market appeal organiser, briefing James Winpenny of Hunter Asset Management, which operates the Spires, and has pledged £10,000 for the teenage market.
Organisers of Barnet’s teenage market – to be launched on Easter Saturday next year – are hoping that this…

Barnet Market to move 2

Oct 02, 2017 General News
Tyler Bone pitching for custom at the family’s fruit and vegetable stall
Barnet market stall holders are delighted by the news that the managing agents for the Spires shopping centre…

Fern Room to be demolished

Oct 08, 2017 General News
The Fern Room
Plans have been announced by a developer to demolish the Fern Room in Salisbury Road, Barnet, and replace it…

Big day for “Puff Buffs”

Oct 10, 2017 General News
Michael Portillo and Francesca Caine
Michael Portillo, presenter of the tv series Great Railway Journeys, unveiled a plaque at Hadley Wood station…

Fears for future of Old People’s Welfare

Oct 12, 2017 General News
Christine Pugh (left) and Jean Broadhurst get their first chance to see the block of flats that is planned to take the place of the Fern Room in Salisbury Road
Barnet Old People’s Welfare committee fears that the demolition of the Fern Room, its day centre in Salisbury…

Glory days for QE Girls 5

Oct 16, 2017 General News
Violet Walker, head teacher of QE Girls, with students and teachers. From left to right, Nanaekua Minta, Afsham Fareed-Birtill, Mrs Walker, Anna Taylor, Lindsey Southwell and Deepika Makkar.
Record GCSE and A-level results for the second consecutive year have now been topped by the news that Queen…

Barnet workshop tackles online bullying

Oct 22, 2017 General News
Workshop where students shared their experiences as part of a theatrical project to tackle cyber-bullying
Two students who took part in a workshop at the Wood Street campus of Barnet and Southgate College are to…

Council excavate roots of historic oak 1

Oct 23, 2017 General News
Excavation for a three-foot deep trench took place directly in the root protection zone of a 250-year-old oak.
Unthinking council planners and contractors are being blamed by local tree lovers for hacking through the…

Underhill school to go ahead 11

Oct 27, 2017 Planning
The proposed new Ark Pioneer Academy, facing south west
After being refused permission in January, Barnet Council’s planning committee has now approved plans for the…

Mighty oak sparks almighty row 1

Oct 30, 2017 Planning
Frederic Micoud, Barnet Council tree officer (far left) examining the test pit under the oak tree as local residents and contractors look on.
After protests from local tree lovers, Barnet Council finally called a temporary halt to trench digging and…

Police station will close

Nov 03, 2017 Services
Barnt Police station on the High Street
High Barnet’s police station will close to the public by the end of the year along with 36 other police…

Last butcher's shop closes 15

Nov 03, 2017 High Street The Spires
Butcher's Hook, was the last bucher's shop on the High Street
End of an era. Butcher’s Hook, the last remaining butcher’s shop in High Street, Barnet, has ceased trading…

New homes and commercial space

Nov 08, 2017 Planning
Steve Mellor (left), head of planning for Shanly Homes, briefs Robin Bishop, chair of the Barnet Society, on the company’s plans for the Brake Shear House site off Barnet High Street.
Shanly Homes, which purchased the semi-derelict Brake Shear House workshops off Barnet High Street earlier…

Three cheers for mighty oak

Nov 13, 2017 Planning
Simon Cohen (far left) and local residents raise a cheer for the mighty oak at the junction of The Meadway and Potters Road. The celebration was in support of the Woodland Trust’s “We Love Street Trees” campaign.
Local residents raised a glass to celebrate – and wish good health -- to the 250-year-old oak tree at the…

Saving Whalebones for community use

Nov 13, 2017 Planning
Whalebones Farm ducks November 2017
Creating a city farm with access for volunteers and local children is one of the ideas being canvassed by…

Appeal for new swimming pool roof

Nov 20, 2017 General News
The pool at Cromer Road Primary school
Parents of children at Cromer Road Primary School, New Barnet, are launching a last-minute campaign to get…

High Barnet’s ever-expanding CPZ 12

Nov 20, 2017 Road Improvements
Roads outlined in red will be included in the new Barnet Hospital CPZ. Roads in the existing High Barnet CPZ are hatched in green.
An extension of the High Barnet controlled parking zone to impose restrictions on roads around Barnet…

Rehearsing for Christmas Fayre

Nov 24, 2017 High Street The Spires
Elves take a break from their rehearsal for Twas The Night Before Christmas (from left to right): Clementine Griffiths, Lois-Grace Atkins, Holly Strawson, Miriam Nyarko, Tallulah Isted, and Erin Gall.
Preparations are well underway for the annual Barnet Christmas Fayre on Sunday 3 December – including elves…

High Barnet’s budding food court 3

Nov 27, 2017 High Street The Spires
Master pizzaiolo Giovanni Marino and Noah Hirsch in their Citroen van at the rear of the Spires
A van producing and selling authentic Roman pizzas is helping to kick start the development of what is fast…

Medieval conflict at church 1

Nov 27, 2017 High Street The Spires
Camp follower Isabella Henman whose job it was to help dress soldiers in full armour and livery
A re-enactment of armed combat from the time of the Battle of Barnet of 1471 filled the garden in front of…

Why no bus from tube to hospital? 4

Nov 29, 2017 Consultations
High Barnet tube station’s approach road: ample space for a mini-bus or Hoppa bus to Barnet Hospital?
A long-running campaign by the Barnet Society to persuade Transport for London to run a bus service from High…

Hairdo sing-along for Barnet centenarian

Nov 30, 2017 General News
Greta Nellie Druce, 102 in November, getting ready for a sing song with her hair stylist Pammie Sardillo (left) and her daughter Diane Druce at JJ’s hairdressing salon in Alston Road, Barnet.
A sing song going through favourites of yester-year is a highlight at a Barnet hairdressing salon when…

A fun day for Barnet children

Dec 04, 2017 High Street The Spires
Ready for the opening of the Barnet Christmas Fayre (from left to right), the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Brian Salinger, the Mayoress, Kate Salinger, Tom Salinger and Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet
A damp Sunday afternoon did little to dampen the excitement for countless children who enjoyed the…

Preserving footpaths – you can help

Dec 12, 2017 General News
Unless favourite footpaths and walks are included in the new 2026 definitive map they might be lost forever
Local residents are being urged by the Barnet Society to support a campaign to make sure historic footpaths…

Hidden secret in Wood Street 1

Dec 19, 2017 General News
Removing bricks in a cottage wall exposed the hidden wallpaper. Emma Hardy (left) with Penny Mayes.
Two historic cottages at the corner of Wood Street and Manor Road have revealed a secret that has been hidden…

Millie the cat: online sensation 13

Dec 27, 2017 High Street The Spires
Millie stations herself outside Waitrose ready to acknowledge the strokes of her many admirers
Millie the Waitrose cat, already dubbed High Barnet’s most sociable feline, has been inundated with good will…

Artists launch Nightingales Emporium 2

Dec 27, 2017 High Street The Spires
Natasha Nightingale (left) and Candy Ward, at Nightingales Emporium in Brake Shear House
After remaining empty and abandoned for over a year, High Barnet’s historic Brake Shear House, just off the…

Changing face of High Barnet 2

Dec 27, 2017 Planning
New homes in the Elmbank development are transforming the junction of Wood Street and Barnet Road
Big new housing developments such as Elmbank, opposite the Arkley public house, are changing the face of High…
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