News from The Barnet Society

In a break with tradition a service of commemoration was held beside the war memorial at Barnet parish church after the ceremonial wreath laying on Remembrance Sunday.

Alice and Michael Kentish hope a micro gallery at their traditional sweetshop Hopscotch will provide the town’s artistic community with some much-needed exhibition space. Artists and creative groups will be able to take advantage of what Alice Kentish (above) says is their strongly held wish to find ways to help inspire and encourage creativity.

An urgent appeal is being made for commercial sponsorship towards staging the annual Barnet Christmas Fayre on Sunday 6 December to help pay a £4,700 bill to cover the cost of traffic diversions.

Barnet Council’s question and answer session on tackling a £200 million budget shortfall gave every indication that a switch from weekly to fortnightly bin collections is almost certain. Councillor Alan Schneiderman, cabinet member for the environment, told callers the saving would be substantial and would bring Barnet into line with most local authorities.

High praise for entries at this year’s annual exhibition was another boost for the Barnet Guild of Artists as members await the completion of their new purpose-built studio.

Concern about threats to the green belt and the loss of popular open spaces dominated a question-and-answer session held at the annual meeting of Barnet Residents Association.

A second High Barnet public house, The Sebright Arms, in Alston Road, is getting a new lease of life after another successful community-inspired bid to take over the tenancy.

All the stresses and strains – and sometimes laughter – of everyday life in Barnet during the Second World War are captured in an imaginative and often poignant production at The Bull Theatre.

Ark Pioneer Academy, which was established in 2019, has achieved the all-important milestone of seeing a high proportion of its first intake of sixth formers going on to further study at some of the country’s top universities.

Barnet Council’s Labour controlled cabinet has been accused by Conservative councillors of “skirting around” the need to come clean with residents about what is almost certain to be a massive hike in council tax next year.

Leaving behind her sculptures and paintings was quite a wrench for artist Joy Feld, so Carlton Court Care Home in Bells Hill, Barnet, came up with the idea of staging an exhibition of her work.

At least a dozen large fish had to be removed from Brewery Pond on Hadley Green after they were found floating on the surface having died most probably due to the summer drought and a prolonged lack of rainfall.

A packed meeting at Underhill gave enthusiastic support to a community bid to purchase the derelict former Quinta Youth Club in Mays Lane which is being sold off by Barnet Council.

A large mural painted by students at Barnet and Southgate College – which features iconic images of the town – will welcome visitors to High Barnet once a site has been agreed.

Mayor of Barnet Councillor Zahra Beg joined in a training session for skills in first aid when she visited an open day held at the Underhill headquarters of Barnet St John Ambulance.

Prizes at the annual celebration of excellence at Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School, Barnet, were presented by a former pupil who was later awarded an MBE for her contribution towards supporting young people.

Hundreds of pumpkins and squashes have been ripening in the autumn sunshine ready for Pumpkin Time on Saturday 24 October at Grow, the school and community farm alongside Totteridge Academy. Tickets for the event – which are now on sale – include a serving of pumpkin soup, a farm tour and children’s activities.

Cast members are going through their storylines before rehearsals start in September at The Bull Theatre for a new play which aims to portray the life and times of the townspeople of Barnet during the Second World War.

A time capsule was buried in the grounds of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Byng Road, Barnet, as part of the celebrations to mark its 20th anniversary. Twenty messages from children and families supported by the hospice were placed in the capsule to help commemorate its work.

Wartime comings and goings among patrons and staff at Barnet Odeon contribute to storylines in the latest production by the Blue Door Theatre Company to be staged at The Bull Theatre in October.