Welcome

Off the back of the RHS Space to Grow report we've got a great list of local community gardening and green projects.

And great news for the artsdepot! Scroll down to read all about it.

🪴Blooming Beyond Barnet: 4 Local Projects

Let's get blooming, FInchley and Barnet Image: Nicholas Sorenti

The RHS’s Space to Grow report is the first national map of community gardening - and it shows the movement is blooming nationally, not just in Finchley.

An estimated 2.5 million people have pitched in over the last three years, with another 14.7 million ready to get their hands dirty.

Why does community gardening matter?

· Health: regular, low-cost activity outdoors reduces stress, tackles loneliness and supports recovery - exactly what GPs call “social prescribing.”

· Community: shared plots bring neighbours together across ages and backgrounds, building trust and pride in local places.

· Nature: flower-rich beds, ponds and trees create mini wildlife corridors that boost biodiversity and cool our streets.

But the sector runs on shoestrings: a third of groups work with under £500 a year, only 3% own their land and 56% fear for their future. The report urges councils to weave growing spaces into planning, explore a “Right to Grow,” and simplify, lengthen funding.

Here’s four local community gardening and other projects:

1: Mutton Brook Tiny Forest, Barnet

Our very own Tiny Forest – a brilliant combination of citizen science and community action. Planted in 2022, it's Barnet's best kept secret. Join the WhatsApp group to get involved.

2: Finchley Pollinator

Great local project with mini meadows, pollinator-friendly bulb-lasagne workshops. More here.

3: Finchley Central Energy 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.

4: Britain’s Biggest Garden, NW11

Dominic Rose is aiming to make HGS the most biodiverse urban area in the UK.

And check out our listing of 8 local community gardening projects and 5 quiet local retreats.

For Finchley and beyond, the message is clear: volunteer, donate materials, champion gardens at schools, estates and health sites - and watch our neighbourhood thrive. 🪴

Events

ARTS

Sunday 23rd November

Frost Fair | Sun, Nov. 23 | 10:30 am to 4:30 am | Stephens House and Gardens | Free | This much-loved festive event features local artisans offering handmade gifts, edibles, jewellery, candles, artwork and more. With returning favourites and exciting new stalls, it’s the perfect place to find unique seasonal presents or a special treat for yourself.

Friday 28th November

Photo Exhibition - Dairy | Fri, Nov. 28 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | Heath Hands, The Dairy NW3 | Free | Join the team at The Heath Dairy for an exhibition of this year’s top photo competition entries. The exhibition will include spectacular photographs of Hampstead Heath, including this year’s winning entry, a beautiful image of Kite Hill by Joseph Barnes.

COMMUNITY

Wednesday 12th November

Our North Finchley Public Meeting - Challenging The closure of Great North Leisure Park | Wed, Nov. 12 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | St Albans Church Hall, 51 Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 7NN (2 minutes walk from North Finchley Bus Station) | Free | Barnet Council has agreed with a developer to demolish all the entertainment and dining venues at GNLP and replace them with massive blocks of expensive flats. Come and meet the community and find out what is happening and what you can do about it.

Saturday 29th November

The Battle of Barnet: a guided walk | Sat, Nov. 29 | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | Meet at junction Great North Rd and Hadley Green Rd EN5 5PP | £15, £5 under 12s | Step back in time and explore the famous Wars of the Roses battlefield (1471) on a fun and informative guided walk. With Paul Baker, City of London guide. Email Paul.

SPORT

Saturday 15th November

Mill Hill Girls Cricket Training Programme | Sat, Nov. 15 | Ark Pioneer Academy, Westcombe Drive, Barnet, EN5 2BE | Hardball and softball training for our girls team will take place at Ark Pioneer Academy in High Barnet.

SHOPPING

Sunday 16th November

Saturday 29th November

SUSTAINABILITY

Thursday 13th November

The Invisible Universe of Fungi: Webinar | Thu, Nov. 13 | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Online | Free | The Finchley Pollinator Project invites you to learn about the wonders and curiosities of the largely unseen universe of fungi - vast underground mycelial network which brings nutrients to plant life.

Saturday 22nd November

Events - Book Ahead

Monday 8th December

Wednesday 17th December

Community Carols at The Windsor Castle N2 | Wed, Dec. 17 | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | The Windsor Castle, The Walks, N2 8DL | Free | Join us on 17th December as we bring the community together for a classic piano-led carols singalong. We’ll be serving mulled wine and hot cider. Wear your Christmas jumper, bring your singing voice, and arrive early to secure your space.

Saturday 28th February

Songs, Laughs and Guitar Heroes | Sat, Feb. 28 | 7:30 pm | The Bull Theatre, EN5 5SJ | £16.60 | A lighthearted evening of legendary guitar solos, classic songs and fun anecdotes - performed with a LIVE BAND and hosted by guitarist Darren Loveday, who featured with Shakin' Stevens and Katrina & The Waves, as he shares memories of meeting his guitar heroes.

Local Lowdown

Closing

Sad pints all round. The Catcher in the Rye has pulled down its shutters, with a sign saying it’s “waiting for new owners.” Its Facebook page lists it as temporarily closed, but no one’s sure when - or if - it’ll reopen. For now, locals are left wondering where to catch their next round.

Panto Politics

Jeremy Corbyn’s taking his act from Parliament to the Pleasance. The Islington North MP will pop up onscreen as the “Wizard of Oz-lington” in drag panto Wicked Witches. Expect festive fun, a sense of community, and a touch of political flair as the theatre celebrates its 30th year of magic.

Lighting

Festive glow-up. Highgate’s own Mr Christmas, Anthony South, has flipped the switch on his famous Hillway home lights - and this year, it’s shining for good. Visitors can donate to three local causes: Rett syndrome research; the PMSF UK charity; and Highgate’s Wood That Works community workshop.

Remembering

A hero’s seat. A new bench now stands in North Finchley to honour Private John Parr, the first British soldier to die in WWI. It replaces the recently stolen sculpture near his old home on Lodge Lane. The bench was installed by Barnet Council and is a moving tribute to local lives lost in the Great War.

Fountaining

Fizz and fireworks lit up the sky as Barnet’s mayor, Cllr Danny Rich, switched on the new Brent Cross Town fountain last month. Crowds gathered in Neighbourhood Square for the colourful countdown and dazzling display. The lively piazza is a key point for the growing area, now home to more than 1,000 residents.

artsdepot Future Secured Till 2075

The future of North Finchley’s cultural heartbeat is secure. Artsdepot, the much-loved creative hub at Tally Ho Corner, has agreed a new 50-year lease with Barnet Council, safeguarding the venue until 2075.

Finchley & Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman, who stepped in to prevent its closure, called it “the beating heart of Barnet’s cultural scene.”

The peppercorn rent gives artsdepot space to breathe - and grow - for the first time in two decades.

Creative Director Monique Deletant says long-term security means they can finally invest in much-needed improvements.

Barnet Council leader Cllr Barry Rawlings said: “The lease has been renewed and artsdepot can continue inspiring artists and helping people nurture their passion for the arts.”

With 185,000 visitors a year and a thriving 21-year legacy, artsdepot’s next act begins now.

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Editors' Note - From Tessa

We headed out to Hammersmith on Saturday night to enjoy the legends that are The Saw Doctors.

Highly recommend seeing them if you get the chance.

They know how to get the crowd up and singing along.

Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

You can now get a guaranteed (paid) listing for local events or local lowdown/news items.

And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

Tessa Davis

Sasha Frieze

Finchley Now

🗞️ A favourite local pub has closed!