Braving the rain, the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Tony Vourou, opened the annual Barnet Christmas Fayre, cutting a red ribbon stretched across the High Street.
He congratulated the organisers on continuing to stage an event which had always been a traditional and popular curtain raiser to the town’s Christmas festivities.
After the official opening, the mayor was escorted by the band of the 1st. Barnet Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association, to see the stalls and activities in the courtyard of Barnet and Southgate College.
Councillor Vourou – who was accompanied by the mayoress Caroline Vourou and Councillor David Longstaff -- was assisted at the ribbon cutting ceremony by Susi Earnshaw (above, far right) and Peter Neville-Johnson (far left).
Backing them up were performing elves from the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School.
Councillor Vourou said it was the first time he had been to the fayre, but the event was always supported by the borough council and the Mayor of Barnet.
He was delighted to see the enthusiasm of all those involved in presenting events and arranging stalls.
Mrs Vourou told the Barnet Society she had sung in choirs at the fayre in previous years and knew how much residents enjoyed the event.
This is a special year for Alan King, leader and conductor of the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association’s band, who gave performances in the college courtyard and The Spires.
Mr King is celebrating his 50th year as leader of the 100-strong association – a role which over the decades has brought him into contact with countless brigade members.
Twenty-five members of the band took part in the fayre – “not a bad turn out for a wet Sunday morning”, said Mr King.
One of the many attractions along the High Street was a display of eight classic and vintage cars arranged by members of the Barnet Classic Car Club.
They held a raffle in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice - and despite the rain raised £1,200, double the amount in 2023.
For their group photo they crowded round a highlight of the display, a 1923 three-litre tourist trophy Bentley – see above, from left to right, Peter Snow, Chris Frost, George Dimitriadis, Bill Steele, exhibiting his 1973 red Triumph Stag, and Chris Skinner with his Fiat 600 – one of 2.6 million built by Fiat between 1955 and 1969.
One of the busiest stalls along the High Street was promoting the BringBarnetBack campaign which is backing the proposed application for planning permission for Barnet Football Club to return to a new stadium at Underhill.
Three members of the campaign – see above, from left to right, Chris Rutt, Ian Botterill, and Neil Manvell – were busy handing out ballons.
Mr Botterill said they had found tremendous support for the prospect of Barnet FC returning to Underhill.
Following a consultation with residents, the plans are being “reshaped” so that a formal proposal can be made for planning approval.
The aim is to have submitted the application well before a deadline of the end of the 2024-25 season.
Helping to keep up spirits along the High Street was stilts performer, Jody Hibberd, of High Voltage, who towered above the Christmas tree stall.
Among the events opened by Councillor Vourou was a performance by the Big Choir at Barnet Parish Church where the team vicar Father Sam Rossiter-Peters welcomed the mayor and mayoress.
