News from The Barnet Society

Barnet's credentials as a green borough have been strengthened enormously by the dedication of volunteers who maintain the seven-and-a-half-acre nature reserve and environment centre off Byng Road. Councillor Tony Vourou, Mayor of Barnet, paid tribute to their work at an event to celebrate the centre’s 50th anniversary.

A small industrial estate behind hoardings and cafes at Pricklers Hill on the Great North Road will be replaced by a new self-storage facility if Barnet Council gives planning approval.

"Where will all the cars go?" was the first question asked by many local residents attending the first exhibition of the latest plans to build blocks of flats over the car park and self-storage container yard at High Barnet tube station.

After Christmas markets in late November were disrupted by snow, rain and wind, organisers are hoping for better weather on Sunday 1 December for the annual Barnet Christmas Fayre.

Visiting Arkley Christmas bazaar was a chance for the Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson to get into the seasonal spirit and make his acquaintance with Santa Clause. Santa (Ellis Rich) welcomed the MP into his grotto and gave him a present for his eight-month-old son.

After its opening at Underhill six years ago, Ark Pioneer Academy now has its first sixth-form pupils who were introduced to representatives of the High Barnet community. A-level political students had the chance to put questions to the Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson after he toured the school and saw classes in progress.

A bid by Barnet Museum to purchase the vacant Tudor Hall has now been "positively received" by Barnet and Southgate College. After confirmation of prospective funding by the Hadley Trust, the museum has submitted an offer to purchase the former schoolhouse which is now being considered by the college’s board of governors.

Approval has been given for the demolition of the original nurses' home for Barnet Hospital but there still seems to be a possibility that what is now the oldest structure remaining on the hospital site might yet get a reprieve and possibly be refurbished.

A standard charge of £3.50 for an hour of parking is being proposed across the Borough of Barnet as part of a revised transport plan aimed at reducing car journeys. Higher charges are intended to improve air quality and to promote active travel by walking, cycling or the greater use of public transport.

Residents at the Carlton Court Care Home in Bells Hill, Barnet, spent a day engaged on activities with children from a New Barnet nursery as part of the home's attempt to encourage visits by community groups and organisations.

At the opening of public consultations over plans for a new stadium at Underhill, officials and consultants representing Barnet Football Club insisted that the club's owner Tony Kleanthous is ready to be as flexible as possible about a future site.

Transport for London and its developers are about to unveil details of revised plans to build flats on the car park at High Barnet tube station and the adjoining container storage site.

High Barnet is likely to lose its crown post office. It is one of 115 branches on a list for possible closure which has been announced by the Post Office's new chairman Nigel Railton as part of what he says will have to be a radical shake-up of the business.

For The Fallen, sung by the St John the Baptist choir, concluded the Remembrance Sunday Service at the High Barnet war memorial outside the parish church. St John’s new director of music, Patrick Korczak, chose the piece by Doulgas Guest.

Dan Tomlinson, who was elected Labour MP for Chipping Barnet last July, is to continue the campaign of the previous Conservative MP Theresa Villiers to persuade the Metropolitan Police to re-open High Barnet Police station to offer assistance to the public.

Barnet Football Club is to hold two meet-the-public events later this month to hear the views of residents and fans before submitting plans to build a new stadium at Underhill as close as possible to its former ground.

Barnet High Street pharmacist Naresh Maini is retiring after over 40 years of what customers say has been an outstanding record of dependable and friendly service and advice. He started work at Wilkinson the chemist – at 190 High Street – in 1982 when his family purchased the business, and he soon established a loyal clientele.

An all-day conference to discuss the challenges facing the 22 foodbanks across the London Borough of Barnet issued a warning of "serious concern" about levels of malnutrition among local people seeking support. Chipping Barnet Foodbank is one of six in the borough being surveyed in a study being conducted by University College London.

Two leading members of Tottenham Hotspur women's team spent the afternoon meeting children and families at the Noah's Ark Children's Hospice in Byng Road, Barnet, as part of the club's long-standing support for its official charity partner.

An action group formed by residents is to be a core participant at a public inquiry to oppose plans for a travellers' caravan site on farmland off Mays Lane, Barnet. An appeal has been launched to raise money for legal representation.