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ποΈ What does a Β£2 million local library refurb look like?
Published 4 days agoΒ β’Β 7 min read
Welcome
This week we've got some winterval walking routes for you. And our brand new (and local) ambassador to the USA.
π₯Ύπ 6 Routes to Walk, Cycle, Dance
These boots were made for walking | Image Olia Gozha
Looking for some outdoor activities and healthy living options this winterval season?
Whether youβre looking for a brisk Boxing Day walk, a scenic bike ride, or some local alcohol-free clubbing, weβve got you covered.
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1. Walk - A River Runs Through It: Tracing North Londonβs Moselle River
Start: Queen's Wood, Muswell Hill Road
End: Tottenham Marshes
Distance: 11.7 km
Discover North London's own winding Moselle River. This hidden gem starts on the slopes of Highgate and Muswell Hill and meanders through Hornsey and Wood Green. Details here.
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2. Walk - Finchley Farmlands Circular: Rustic Charm Awaits
Start and End: The Ridgeway
Distance: 5 km
For those looking for a shorter stroll, the Finchley Farmlands Circular is ideal. Wander through fields, and over Folly Brook. This route offers a glimpse into Finchley's pastoral past. Details here.
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3. Walk - Finchley to Broadway: Urban Meets Green
Start: Finchley Central
End: Broadway
Distance: 16.05 km
This trail offers a mix of urban and natural settings, leading you through Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, and Regent's Park, before culminating at Broadway. It's a longer walk, perfect for those looking to step up their Boxing Day adventure. Details here.
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4. Cycle - Hampstead Ponds β Hampstead Heath Loop from Brent Cross West, 25.7 km.
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Kickstart your journey with this ride that offers serene views of Hampstead Heathβs famous ponds.
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There are some sections that might have you pushing your bike. But it's worth it to enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings.
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5. Cycle - North London Lanes Loop from East Finchley, 38.9km.
It combines mostly paved surfaces with a straightforward path. This makes it ideal for all skill levels.
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The accessibility of this route means you can focus on enjoying the ride and the diverse scenery.
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6. Dance β Sober Wellness Rave in Tuffnell Park
βEcstatic Dance London and Urubuβs intention is self-exploration, connection, fun, healing, expanding human potential and community building through freestyle ecstatic dance.
They offer a range of sober wellness events, cacao ceremonies and conscious connections β check out the Sober Wellness Rave in Tuffnell Park on New Yearβs Eve.
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So get out your walking boots, bike or dancing shoes and celebrate the winter season with some fun and healthy activities. π₯Ύπ
Events
KIDS
Monday 23rd December
βMeet Santa's Elf | Mon, Dec. 23 | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Springcare Support Services Family Support Centre β 10 Market Parade, N9 9HF | Free | Join for a free, festive event where kids can meet Santa's Elf. There will be interactive activites, a free present for each child, and photo opportunites.
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βSensory Bottle Workshop at Chipping Barnet Library | Mon, Dec. 23 | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | Chipping Barnet Library, EN5 4QT | Β£5 | Get ready for a joyful time filled with gentle movements, singing and engaging activities that will stimulate your baby's senses and encourage their development.
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βActivity Room at Chipping Barnet Library | Mon, Dec. 30 | 10:00 am to 10:50 am | 3 Stapylton Rd Barnet, EN5 4QT | Β£3 | βFor children aged 1-5 years. The room will be set up with a variety of construction and creative activities for you and your child to explore together.
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COMMUNITY
Monday 23rd December
βRAF Museum Community Exhibition | Mon, Dec. 23 | RAF Museum London, NW9 5LL | This exhibition showcases the RAF Museum's Heritage Volunteersβ research. It was originally displayed on Grahame Park and is now hosted by the Museum to share the story of the estate of Grahame Park with an even wider audience.
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Saturday 28th December
βThe Snowman in Concert | Sat, Dec. 28 | 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm | St Marys Church, N1 2TX | Β£15 | What would Christmas be without the magic of The Snowman? Award winning actor Clare Corbett narrates the timeless classic to the accompaniment of a live musical score. Adults and Children alike will be enchanted and transported.
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Sunday 29th December
βMenorah Lighting at Victoria Park | Sun, Dec. 29 | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm | Victoria Park, Ballards Lane Entrance, N3 2PG | Free | The annual Finchley community Chanukah event. Musical entertainment by Shir music. Doughnuts, latkas & hot drinks available, crafts & gifts for children.
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Monday 30th December
βLondon Fashion Networking & Elevator Pitch in Kings Cross | Mon, Dec. 30 | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Drake & Morgan at King's Cross, N1C 4AG | Β£15.00 | Socialite Connections bring together the industry's most renowned designers, influencers, and fashion enthusiasts to showcase the latest trends, styles, and must-haves.
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Tuesday 31st December
βNew Year's Eve Party At The Bald Faced Stag | Tue, Dec. 31 | 69 High Road, N2 8AB | Free | Join your friends and others for New Year 2025 at The Bald Faced Stag. there will be an evening of Live Music from 7:00 pm and a DJ from 10:00 pm.
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Thursday 9th January
βWarm Spaces | Thu, Jan. 9 | 9:30 am to 12:00 pm | Tarling Road Community Hub, 20 Fallows Close, N2 8LG | Free | Grange Big Local's Warm Space and Coffee Morning - come along for free hot drinks and friendly chatter. Range of additional activities planned: arts and craft, talks and gardening (weather permitting).
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THEATRE
Monday 30th December
βKing James | Mon, Dec. 30 | 7:45 pm to 9:25 pm | Hampstead Theatre, NW3 3EU | Β£25.00 | The fortunes of the Cavaliers are about to change: the great LeBron James, the biggest star in basketball, is coming to Cleveland. But when superfan Mattβs latest business venture turns sour, he has to sell his most prized possession β his pair of Cavs season tickets.
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SUSTAINABILITY
Tuesday 2nd January
βFashion Design & Upcycling Workshop | Tue, Jan. 02 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | Canada Villa Youth Activity Centre, NW7 2BU | TBA | Start the new year with creativity. Join The Barnet Council-sponsored Fashion Design World Book Day Upcycling Workshop for a fun parent-and-child experience.
Events - Book Ahead
Thursday 18th January
βThe George Harrison Project 2025 | Thu, Jan. 18 | 7:30 pm | Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, N18 1PJ | Β£25 | Enjoy the UK's leading live music tribute to George Harrison, performing his best-loved hits from The Beatles, his solo career, and The Traveling Wilburys.
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Saturday 1st February
βThe Marvin Gaye Songbook 2025 | Sat, Feb. 01 | 7:30 pm | Millfield Theatre, Silver Street,, N18 1PJ | Β£31.50 | This is the Marvin Gaye Songbook. The Marvin Gaye Songbook, respectfully recreates every magical hit, live on stage, taking you on a musical journey back to a golden era of chart-topping songs.
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Monday 3rd February
βBen Moss - Live at Green Note | Mon, Feb. 03 | 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm | Green Note, 106 Parkway, NW1 7AN | Β£12.00 | Ben Moss is a folk singer firmly rooted in the 21st century. Infusing his songs with social commentary and socialist politics, he weaves powerful narratives through his poetic lyrics, creating a new folk canon for the issues and challenges of the modern day.
Local Lowdown
Wembley Library | Image from Brent Council
Reading
Book lovers rejoice. Wembley Library is back with a bang. After a Β£2 million facelift, it now boasts an expanded collection, dedicated kid zones, serene study spaces, and a new resident hub - all in Brent Councilβs Civic Centre. Over 2,200 people celebrated its reopening with music, workshops, and raffles.
Pet owning
Paws up. A brand new vet clinic, Creature Comforts, is set to open at 204 High Street, Barnet. They will bring furry expertise from their Notting Hill and St John's Wood branches. Sign up for the waitlist and get an invite for treats and a tour on opening day.
Grooving
K-Pop comeback. Northwick Park might turn into a dance floor this June. The MIK Festival aims to bring a 3-day K-Pop extravaganza back, after a 2022 hit and a 2023 cancellation. Up to 15,000 fans could groove to their favourites, pending Brent Council's approval.
Tubing
Commute crunch. Brace yourselves, Finchley. Tube, Elizabeth line, and Overground fares are set to climb by 4.6% in March 2025. On the flip side, Mayor Sadiq Khan plans to keep bus and tram fares frozen for another year.
Training
Speedy transit. Zip from Brent Cross to St Pancras in just 12 minutes thanks to Brent Cross West. Last week we celebrated its first anniversary. The station has upped our area's connectivity with eight Thameslink trains hourly.
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The Finchleyite: Peter Mandelson
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Peter Mandelson: looking relatively youthful
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Local boy Peter Mandelson has been appointed as the UK's ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
As Labour's director of communications under Neil Kinnock, he helped rebrand the party as "New Labour," playing a crucial role in its 1997 electoral victory.
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Elected MP for Hartlepool in 1992, he served under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in roles including Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Business Secretary. Despite two cabinet resignations, he became European Commissioner for Trade.
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Now appointed UK ambassador to the US, Mandelson's experience is vital for navigating UK-US relations during Donald Trump's presidency.β
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Editors' Note - From Tessa
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Last week my first Queen Mary University students graduated with a Paediatric Emergency Medicine MSc.
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Along with my trusty faculty teammates, we set up the MSc programme from scratch 4 years ago. And last week we got to put on some hats and gowns and celebrate with our new graduates.
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Congrats!
Me and my buddies being very proud at graduation
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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.
βAnd email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.
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Tessa Davis
Sasha Frieze
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