🪴From Soil to Social: Community Gardening

group of people planting flowers and shurbs — Get planting : Kenny Eliason

Looking towards spring, why not get involved in community gardening? It’s a place to relax, engage with nature, meet others and get active outdoors.

8 groups of unsung heroes community gardening across all the Finchleys:

The Finchley Central Garden N3

Finchley Central Tube Station, southbound platform. Set up in 2019, it’s one of 26 London railway station gardens the brainchild of Energy Garden. and volunteer-led. Email Anna.

Long Lane Pasture N3

A delightful meadow hidden away in the heart of North London’s suburbs. Purchased for public recreation in 1912. Work days on the Pasture take place every Saturday morning from 10am – 12 noon. Just turn up! N3 2RP opposite the Finchley Fire Station. Email.

Finchley Way Open Space N3

Regular work parties on Sunday mornings from 10.30 to 12.30. Litter picking, fly-tipping removal, keeping the undergrowth under control and planting wildflowers, bulbs and saplings. Contact for more info.

Friends of Windsor Open Space N3

Windsor Open Space was once part of Groats farm (subsequently known as Grass Farm), and sheep grazed here. Meets regularly to organise wildflower planting, dawn chorus walks, litter picks, hedge maintenance and a mid-summer evening social. Contact Ruth.

Leopold Neighbourhood garden N2

Built in an unloved spot, and which now provides seating, plants for pollinators and a very fine bug hotel.

Finchley Memorial Hospital Garden N12

Volunteers manage the raised beds at Finchley Memorial. Growing flowers and edibles - squash, beans, brassicas - they leave them in the staff room for staff in the hospital to enjoy. Want to get involved? contact Liz Dembina

Friends of Friary Park N12

A group of locals aiming to benefit the community and wildlife in this beautiful park. Email.

The Community Plot @ Whetstone Stray Allotments N12

Facilitated by volunteers for local groups and individuals who want to learn how to grow vegetables organically and in harmony with nature.

Contact Les Moore.

So Finchley, wrap up warm. Community gardening is a great way to learn about nature, the environment, food growing and feel refreshed, calm, happy and connected.🪴

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Events

Tuesday 30th January

Wednesday 31st January

Paint Picasso 'Head of Woman' at Finchley Golf Club | Wed, Jan. 31 | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Finchley Golf Club | £50 | Paint ‘Head of Woman’ by Picasso at Finchley Golf Club, no previous experience is required. This is a relaxed art class, everyone welcome, first-time painters you won’t be alone. An art class with fun, cheese, wine, tunes, all art materials included in the price.

Animal Farm | Wed, Jan. 31 | 7:30 pm to 9:10 pm | artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, N12 0GA | £18 | George Orwell’s barnyard classic is brought to vivid life with the use of only a bale of hay, bowler hat, a whip, amazing animal sound effects, and an extraordinarily bravura physical performance. All the animals are perfectly conjured and the allegory is perfectly conveyed in a manner to be enjoyed by all ages.

Friday 1st February

Going Dutch | Fri, Feb. 01 | 7:30 pm | Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 1 Highgate Village, N6 4BD | £16.00 | Mark and Sally are celebrating Mark's fiftieth birthday at a Bruce Springsteen concert in Holland, but their old friend Gill has brought along her new ex-con boyfriend. The hilarious one-liners and toe-curlingly realistic vignettes of mid-life crises come thick and fast as the foursome embarks on the tempest-tossed Pride of Hull to the forbidden delights of Amsterdam.

Saturday 3rd February

Dance for Driving Aid To Ukraine | Sat, Feb. 03 | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | Fortismere School, South Wing, N10 1NE | £20 donation | Will be a fun two hours of all kinds of music and Zumba movement and a relaxing stretch to finish - a real feel good well-being experience with loads of amazing raffle prizes. It’s to 100% benefit a local initiative 'Driving Aid to Driving Aid To Ukraine that has delivered 200 tons of aid of vital supplies to Ukraine.

Local Lowdown

The new Brudis restuarant — The new Kebab place in East Finchley | Image from Darren Murphy

Food

Culinary adventure. East Finchley welcomes Brudis, the new sensation on the High Road. Dive into German Doner Kebabs, where herbs meet the finest meats, or bite into the juiciness of Smash Burgers. And don’t forget to treat your sweet tooth with their delicious desserts.

Community

Green legacy. David Lee, a true Barnet gem, has sadly passed at 93. But, his vision lives on in the leafy splendor of Barnet Hill. His 1999 initiative to plant nearly 50 trees, predominantly London planes and Norway maples, forever changed the town's gateway. A natural tribute to a remarkable life.

Animals

Heartwarming hoofbeats. Dreamisi, a former Barnet racehorse, and Matt Bannon from Strength and Learning Through Horses have trotted their way to the prestigious Retraining of Racehorses Awards shortlist. Dreamisi is now a Therapy Horse and has helped children with anxiety and prisoners with rehab.

Entertainment

Summer sizzle. North Finchley's pop-ups, originally a winter wonder, are now set for Summer 2024. Think sun, fun, and a cultural extravaganza showcasing local talents. Singers, performers, organisers, and more – want in? Express your interest here.

Travel

Travel twist. Govia Thameslink Railway throws a curveball with a total train shutdown tomorrow (Jan 30) due to ASLEF's national strike. Limited shuttles for airport-goers, and trains won't stop at many North London stations.

New Girls' Cricket Team in Finchley

Mill Hill Finches is a new partnership for Junior Girls Cricket.

Be part of a sport that’s grabbing attention - England women’s inspiring team is making headlines as they go from success to success!

Finchley Cricket Club and Mill Hill Village CC are joining forces, with Head Girls Coach Anisha Dissanayake (Middlesex & Sunrisers, and ambassador for Take Her Lead, the non-profit organisation championing women and girls in cricket) leading the Girls coaching, with support from both clubs.

And now they’re seeking more girls to grow the side, create teams, and enjoy the game.

A no-pressure, fun, opportunity to try an interesting sport. With amazing training from specialist coaches.

Open to girls of all ages and experience. Be part of a team and make new friends. Have fun, get outdoors, get fit, and learn new skills.

Winter training starts in February on weekends. Summer training is provided throughout the summer.

Interested in joining or just in finding out more? contact Anisha or Phil. Go Finches!

How Did You Like Today's Newsletter?

Editors' Note - From Sasha

The climate crisis means that I don't totally know when spring is, or how seasons work anymore.

However, I'm delighted that my hyacinth is starting to bloom.

I planted it in a dark cupboard in deepest winter, and now it's looking like spring has slightly sprung, even if there's still a chill in the air.

I love the purpleness, the fragrance, and the sense of new blooms, new ideas, new opportunities.

Also, let us know about local events, local news, or email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

Tessa Davis

Sasha Frieze

Finchley Now

🗞️ 8 Community Gardening Heroes and the local racehorse turned therapy horse

🪴From Soil to Social: Community Gardening

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Events

Local Lowdown

New Girls' Cricket Team in Finchley

How Did You Like Today's Newsletter?

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