Welcome

This week we've got your favourite Norfolk recipe, and some tips on where to head to flex your singing skills.

🎤🎶 Choir Up Your Life

Do you love to sing in the shower? Maybe you want to sing outside the shower.

There’s a great book from about reclaiming your voice and finding your singing tribe. Published by Do Books from Do Lectures founder David Hieatt, of Hiut Demim fame.

If you’re thinking about singing more in ‘25, why not try out one of these 7 local choirs?

1: ‘R’ Voices

A warm, inclusive contemporary choir for adults. There are no auditions, no uniform and no choreography. It’s just a bunch of ‘Everyday people’ who love to sing. Locations in Muswell Hill and Winchmore Hill, with Barnet and Crouch End coming soon.

2: Rock Choir

Rock Choir is a national group of local, contemporary choirs. No auditions, no musical knowledge, just fun. Hampstead (actually Golders Green) is your local. Meets Wednesdays 1930 at Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Michael, NW11.

3: Finchley Chamber Choir

A friendly but hard-working locally based group of about 30 singers. Usually giving five concerts each season in Trinity Church, Nether Street N12. Occasional BBC broadcasts. Regular rehearsal night Tuesdays 1945 - 2200 in N12.

4: Memory Lane

Enjoy singing in a friendly and supportive environment. They entertain in the community, especially at residential homes, daycare centres and charity events. Meets Friday 1130 - 1330 at St Mary at Finchley Church Hall N3.

5: North London Chorus

A friendly local choir singing a varied and exciting repertoire of sacred and secular music. They give concerts three times a year, mostly in St James’s Church in Muswell Hill. Rehearsals on Thursday evenings at Martin Primary School N2.

6: HB Choral Society

Henrietta Barnett Choral Society invites students, staff, parents, members and friends of all the institutions set up locally by Dame Henrietta Barnett to join together. Each year they perform a large-scale choral work, accompanied by the school orchestra. Mozart Requiem Concert 19 March 2024.

7: Alyth Choral Society

ACS is a welcoming choir, warm and sociable, growing in numbers and confidence. There are no auditions and the Music Director is there to support individual singers.. Rehearsals Tuesday evenings 2000 to 2200 at Alyth Synagogue NW11.

Take the leap, hit the high notes, and own 2025 in song. 🎤🎶

Events

KIDS

Friday 20th December

N20 Kids Club | Fri, Dec. 20 | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | N20, N20 0PT | £18 per child, £2 per adult | N20 Kids Club is hosting the ultimate Christmas party for kids of all ages. Expect to see a visit from Santa... and maybe an extra mean green guest, face-painting, a festive Christmas disco, fun games, and crafts.

Saturday 21st December

Tuesday 7th January

Baby & Toddler Community Café at John Lewis | Tue, Jan. 07 | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | Brent Cross Shopping Centre, NW4 3FP | Free | John Lewis & Partners at Brent Cross is delighted to host the Baby & Toddler Community Café, a series of gatherings designed for new parents and carers. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to meet others in similar life stages, exchange ideas, and enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment.

COMMUNITY

Tuesday 23rd Jan

Grow London - Post Office drop-in sessions | Tue, Jan. 23 | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Barnet Post Office, 63-65 High Street, EN5 5UU | Free | Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur based in London? Access business finance, find marketing support to help boost your sales, develop your skills and identify learning opportunities for your employees.

MUSIC

Thursday 19th December

Sabra Swing: Oy Hanukkah! | Thu, Dec. 19 | 7:30 pm to 9:10 pm | artsdepot, N12 0GA | £18 | Jazz band Sabra Swing light up the room with Hanukkah hits and festive favourites famously written by Jews – this show will be your swinging soundtrack to the holidays. Expect a new twist on Hanukkah hits, including Ocho Kandelikas, Dreidel Song, Maoz Tsur and O Hanukkah.

Friday 20th December

Amy Belle at The Colindale Barnet Folk Club | Fri, Dec. 20 | 8:00 pm | The Bull Theatre, EN55SJ | £6.00 | Amy Belle is a singer-songwriter with a great voice. From humble beginnings as a busker, she has duetted with Rod Stewart and in the duo Nugent & Belle, has supported Robert Plant.

Saturday 21st December

Sing Christmas! With Crouch End Festival Chorus | Sat, Dec. 21 | 7:30 pm | St Michael's Church, Highgate, N6 6BJ | from £5 | Join the community for a heartwarming and enchanting evening of festive music at the beautiful St Michael's in Highgate. There are two concerts: Matinee at 4:00 pm and Evening at 7:30 pm.

A Home Alone Christmas Candlelight Experience | Sat, Dec. 21 | 6:30 pm | St John The Baptist Church, Church House, EN5 4BW | From £20.00 | Lumos Live brings you enchanting concert experiences paying homage to world-famous artists. This concert is in the Christmas Spirit Through Home Alone.

NATURE

Tuesday 17th December

Saturday 28th December

Events - Book Ahead

Saturday 23rd November

Biker Down Workshops - Barnet | Sat, Jan. 25 | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | Finchley Fire Station N3 2RP | Free | Biker Down returns in 2025. They are a nationwide scheme delivered in partnership with the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and Transport for London.

Thursday 30th January

Fresh: Art Fair Alexandra Palace | Thu, Jan. 30 | Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY | From £9 | Fresh: Art Fair is the easiest way to browse and buy the art you love. With 75 galleries hosted in one convenient place showcasing artworks from contemporary paintings, prints and sculpture, to photography, glass and ceramics.

Thursday 27th February

Mary Livingstone I Presume? | Thu, Feb. 27 | 7:30 pm | The Bull Theatre, EN5 5SJ | £12 | Mary Livingstone, I presume? written and directed by Claire Fisher, builds on our previous forays into the local history of Barnet. This play explores the lives of women in different times and places who are undervalued and underestimated.

Local Lowdown

Connecting

On the move. North London’s latest transit treat, the 310 bus route, is making waves by linking Stamford Hill to Golders Green. This new line zips through Hackney, Haringey, Camden, and Islington, boosting connectivity and takes the load off routes 41 and 210. Even TikTok’s transport guru, the Black Train Boy, gives it a thumbs up for its smooth service.

Swimming

Chill dip. Brace yourself for the seasonal splash. Parliament Hill Lido, Kenwood Ladies Pond, and Highgate Pond are your go-to spots for a brisk swim all year round. On Xmas day the Lido will be open from 0700 to 1100 (for last entry), the Ladies Pond from 0730 to 1130 (for last entry), and the Mixed Pond from 0730 to 1030 (for last entry).

Saving

Cash crunch. Barnet Council faces a whopping £52 million funding gap for 2025. Weigh in on their plan to boost income and potentially raise Council Tax by 4.98%. Got an opinion? Time to voice it before the consultation closes on 22nd Jan.

Remembering

Sit a spell. East Barnet now hosts a new memorial bench outside Brand Russell Pharmacy, honouring the beloved Councillor Laurie Williams. Swing by 280 East Barnet Road to reflect on his dedication to the community and years of service. A heartfelt homage honours his legacy.

TFLing

Back on track. Kentish Town Tube station swings open its doors again on December 23rd, just in time for the holiday rush. The grand reopening follows months of delays due to repairs on what TFL has branded 'the most unreliable' escalators.

The Finchleyite: Tamagotchi

Come on down | Image source Bandai Namco

Remember the iconic 1990s virtual pet Tamagotchi? It’s enjoying a major comeback – and it’s local.

Global sales have surged, doubling from 2022 to 2023, prompting owner Bandai Namco to open its first UK store in Camden Market.

While retaining its classic egg-shaped design, modern Tamagotchis offer advanced features like Wi-Fi connectivity and downloadable items, appealing to both nostalgic millennials and a new generation of kids.

The relaunch in 2019 has fostered a diverse fan base, blending nostalgia with innovation. Fans, such as YouTubers Emmalution and Lost in Translationmon, celebrate the sense of community and escapism Tamagotchis bring.

Despite competition from other virtual pets like Bitzee and Punirune, Tamagotchi remains a beloved cultural phenomenon, offering a touch of joy and simplicity in a complex world.

See you in Camden!

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Editors' Note - From Sasha

Cold weather calls for comfort food.

big dish of cheesy mashed potatoes with baked eggs — Fresh out of the oven

Norfolk cheese and potato pie is a family favourite. Make a cheesy mashed potato, put it in a large flan dish, making holes for eggs with the back of a spoon. Crack eggs into the holes, sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in a hot oven for around 45 minutes. If it gets too dark, cover it with foil.

Recipe courtesy of my fabulous sister-in-law, Julie.

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Tessa Davis

Sasha Frieze

Finchley Now

🗞️ Is it time to stop singing in the shower?