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Budding entrepreneurs are joining forces to open a new boutique in Barnet High Street

A group of High Barnet retailers are demonstrating yet again the ability of the High Street to reinvent itself. A ground-breaking zero waste shop, Kronos and Rhea, which was forced to close last year, is now about to become a boutique for three traders who have combined forces to re-open the empty premises.

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High Barnet book launch for adventure story for children published in memory of local author

A year after the death of a Barnet author of children’s stories, her first book – Odd Fox Out – has been published by her husband Tony Barnes and its publication was celebrated with a launch party at Waterstones book shop in The Spires.

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Rugby club a step closer to getting a new clubhouse at Byng Road playing fields

After consultations with nearby residents, neighbouring organisations and other users of Byng Road playing fields, an application has now been submitted for planning permission for a new two-storey clubhouse for Barnet Elizabethans Rugby Club.

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After previous refusals trustees are making a renewed bid to get approval to redevelop Whalebones estate

Yet another revised scheme to build houses and flats on the woods and farmland at Whalebones in Wood Street, High Barnet, has been shown to local residents at a public exhibition held by the estate’s trustees and their developers Hill Residential.

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Last orders at popular real ale bar as budding entrepreneurs lose their outlets in Barnet High Street

Enjoy a glass of locally brewed craft beer or real ale for a final few afternoons and evenings at the Urban Alchemy bar in the Chipping Work Shop in Barnet High Street before its last day of trading on Sunday 26 March.

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Policy changes to encourage cultural and fun events in Barnet’s parks and open spaces

Developing Barnet as “a borough of fun” is the objective of Barnet Council and to help achieve this there are to be increases in the number of people who are allowed to attend events in some of the borough’s 200 parks and open spaces.

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Renewed bid by developers for approval for residential development at historic Whalebones estate

A fresh application to redevelop some of the woods and farmland at Whalebones in Wood Street, High Barnet — but this time with fewer new homes — is about to be made on behalf of the trustees of the estate.

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Preparations underway ready for new emissions charge on older vehicles approaching High Barnet

Barnet appears to be leading the way among outer London boroughs in the speed with which cameras and equipment is being installed by Transport for London for the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone which will impose a £12.50-a-day levy on older vehicles.

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Boosting home cultivation of fruit and vegetables with surplus seeds and tips on planting

With persistent warnings of shortages of fresh vegetables there seems to be even greater enthusiasm for grow-your-own produce — and that was certainly the vibe at an event organised by Barnet’s Incredible Edible campaign aimed at encouraging home cultivation in gardens and on unused land.

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Looking back on 450 years education at QE Boys’ — former headmaster relives era of dramatic change

For 30 years Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet — which is celebrating its 450th anniversary — was at the apex of a clash between opposing education policies which were being pursued by Labour and Conservative governments, and which at the time split the country.

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Fundraising Dinner

Join the Barnet Society for a fun evening, of delicious food, a raffle and a chance to meet like minded people to talk about local issues.

On Tuesday 21 March at 7pm we will be holding a fundraising dinner at Melange 135 High Street in High Barnet. The cost of the three-course meal will be £35 which includes Starter, Main Course, Dessert, service charge and your donation to The Barnet Society. (As our costs have increased, we have sadly had to raise our price slightly.)

Payment can be made here by credit or debit card or through your PayPal account. Alternatively, if you wish to pay by cheque or bank transfer, please email info@barnetsociety.org.uk to arrange.

Once you have paid, please email info@barnetsociety.org.uk to confirm your attendance and to receive the menu.

The deadline for reservations and menu selection is 14 March so please reserve your places soon to avoid disappointment. Raffle prizes will include some fine wines and delicious treats. All money raised will go towards the work of the Barnet Society to support our local community. We look forward to seeing you at Melange on the 21st March!

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Legendary football commentator never lost touch with his days reporting Barnet FC at Underhill

Tributes from former colleagues, fans and fellow sports journalists to the legendary BBC football commentator John Motson have been reflecting on his fondness for Barnet Football Club where the young Motson cut his teeth as a cub reporter on the Barnet Press.

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Cross party unity on action needed to prevent spread of high-rise developments around Barnet

Action to thwart the onward advance of tower blocks around High Banet and close to the Green Belt was a shared objective of a panel of politicians and architects at a Barnet Society discussion on future housing needs.

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High Barnet’s rising crime rate causing concern says committee monitoring police response

A steep increase in crimes recorded by the police in and around High Barnet during the last 12 months — and especially since the start of the year — is a matter of real concern says the group that monitors the response of the town’s Safer Neighbourhood Team.

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End finally in sight after fifty year wait for a refreshing drink of water on Hadley Green

BBC Television were present on Hadley Green to record the final inspection and handover of a newly-restored pink granite water fountain which will once again offer the chance of a refreshing drink of water after being out of order for the last 50 years.

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Local residents being canvassed on ideas for refurbishing abandoned sports building off Tudor Road

Barnet Vale residents are being consulted about possibilities for restoring long-abandoned changing rooms used by New Barnet Football Club and finding ways to bring the building back into community use.

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Long wait for new premises for much needed and widely supported community base for Dollis Valley

Patience is the watchword among staff and volunteers at the Rainbow Centre on the Dollis Valley estate as they wait for Barnet Council to refurbish a dis-used sports pavilion to provide a new base for community activities.

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Blunt message for developers: either work with Barnet’s community groups or planning approval is unlikely

A much-troubled plan to build flats on the former gas works site in New Barnet has joined The Spires shopping centre as one of those projects where developers might have no alternative but to respond to the views of local community groups if they are to have any chance of gaining planning approval.

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Celebrating his 100th birthday — and still setting off to go shopping in Barnet High Street and New Barnet

A High Barnet centenarian who is often seen out and about on his four-wheel mobility scooter shopping in the High Street is still receiving congratulations weeks after celebrating his birthday.

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Plan for blocks of flats in The Spires highlights debate over new and improved housing in High Barnet

Property company BYM, owners of The Spires, have supplied Barnet Council with more details of their plans to redevelop the shopping centre to include blocks of flats of up to six storeys in height.

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