News from The Barnet Society

Almost half the teaching staff at Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School, Barnet, have been there for at least ten years -- a record of long service that was described as "a remarkable achievement" by the headteacher Violet Walker.

Transport is back in the news, with the government’s promises of a ‘bus revolution’ and renationalisation of rail services. As London expands into the Green Belt, it’s timely to review the state of transport in Barnet and neighbouring areas.

A new special school for autistic children in Moxon Street, Barnet, is full of surprises. A calm, safe playground on the roof top and a pink and purple sensory room are just two of the many innovative features.

Volunteer fruit pickers are hoping for a bumper harvest of surplus produce to support foodbanks across the London Borough of Barnet. Barnet Community Harvesters, established four years ago by Daniella Levene (above, left), are finding that this autumn’s crop of apples and pears is far better than a year ago.

A fund-raising campaign is underway to prevent a repeat this winter and next spring on the muddy conditions which disrupted an equine therapy centre for challenged youngsters at Greengates Stables in Mays Lane, Barnet.

Staff and volunteers at the Chipping Barnet and Dollis Valley foodbanks are being forced to start making arrangements for alternative supplies and deliveries -- especially of fresh fruit and vegetables -- following Barnet Council's decision to withdraw funding from the borough's foodbank hub.

Barnet parish church was transformed for its annual summer party -- and the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Tony Vourou, joined in the fun when teddy bears were hauled on a zip wire to the top of the tower.

After promoting the BringBarnetBack campaign for the last six months supporters say that they have been amazed by the enthusiasm they have found within the town for a possible return of Barnet Football Club to a new stadium in Underhill.

Two planning applications on neighbouring sites in Mays Lane, Barnet, reflect the continuing pressure for redevelopment on green belt land in the Dollis Valley.

Residents, shopkeepers and bus passengers are among those who have been invited to give their views on a controversial plan to introduce bus lanes along much of the busiest section of Barnet High Street -- between the Wood Street junction at the parish church and the junction with Meadway.

What should be the future priorities for High Barnet? The creation of local employment and a successful town centre or the continued loss of jobs through the demolition of business premises to make way for additional housing?

Except for a few stragglers, swifts that spend three months each year flying high above High Barnet and New Barnet seem to have said farewell and set off on their long migration flight to Africa via France and Portugal.

Missing for several days from the bus stand beside The Spires shopping centre has been the 399 service from High Barnet to Hadley Wood station. From the start of August, Sullivan Buses, an independent bus operator based at South Mimms, withdrew from eight Transport for London routes because of a funding dispute.

A former street corner shop close to Barnet High Street which featured in scenes in the 1960s tv crimes series Gideon's Way can now be demolished and replaced with a house.

Walkers and cyclists are being encouraged to take part in the preparation of plans to strengthen and complete a 17-mile long loop of footpaths and cycleways circling the London Borough of Barnet.

Pam Edwards, who for over 60 years was a tireless supporter of the local arts scene and a founder member of what is now The Bull Theatre, has died at the age of 98.

A silver lining from the continuing debacle over the stalled future development of The Spires shopping centre is that the previously abandoned Chipping Close car park has belatedly been re-opened to motorists.

A car theft summit -- bringing together police, councillors and community leaders -- is being proposed by the new Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson to tackle the repeated theft of vehicles from local roads.

Any prospect of Barnet Football Club returning to Underhill and building a new stadium was well and truly dashed at a question time session held by senior members of Barnet Council.

A programme of summer concerts beside Jack's Lake at Monken Hadley Common concludes on Sunday 4 August with a performance that includes romantic music from around the world.