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🗞️ Which local legends received New Years Honours?
Published 8 days ago • 8 min read
Welcome
Happy 2025 - we took a well-earned break last week, and hope you're all raring to go (in the remains of the snow!).
This week we've got new year honours for locals, Ally Pally in the news and how to recycle your Christmas tree.
🌟 Locals Shine In New Year Honours
Fab to see so many local names on the Honours List this year. There were plenty for us to choose from, but here are 6 local legends who have been recognised for their work.
1: Sir Kazuo Ishiguro
At the helm is Nobel Laureate Sir Kazuo Ishiguro. He was recently appointed to the Companions of Honour for his great impact on literature.
A resident of Golders Green, Ishiguro is known for his poignant tales. He deeply explores memory and time. This accolade adds to his many awards, including a knighthood and the Nobel Prize in Literature. Ishiguro's journey from Nagasaki to Britain's literary pinnacle continues to inspire.
2: Dame Tamara Finkelstein
Esteemed civil servant, Tamara Finkelstein, is now a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath.
Her career spans over two decades. It includes advising on economic and policy matters at the Treasury. It also includes being Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Her leadership extends to championing civil service initiatives that enhance public service delivery.
3: Sir Stephen Fry
The beloved actor and writer Stephen Fry has been knighted. This is a nod to his advocacy for mental health, the environment, and charities.
A familiar face on TV, Fry has credits like QI and Blackadder. His charity work, including a presidency at Mind, shows his commitment beyond the stage and screen.
4: Nicola Solomon
After a recent retirement, Nicola Solomon is still busy. The former chief executive of the Society of Authors is being honoured with an OBE for her service to literature. Solomon continues to have a profound influence on the literary community.
5: Ian Karet
Ian Karet, a partner at Linklaters, has received an OBE for his charity work and public service. He was also an interim chair at the Charity Commission. He has spent his career improving governance and ethics in public institutions and the charity sector.
6: Dame Marie Gabriel
Finally, Dame Marie Gabriel, Chair of NHS North East London, is honoured with a damehood for her 45 years of work for health and equity. As Founding Chair of the NHS North East London Integrated Care System, she leads efforts to address racial biases in healthcare. She shapes policies to ensure fairness and justice in health services.
Here’s to making 2025 a year of action and kindness.🌟
Events
KIDS
Tuesday 7th January
Baby & Toddler Community Café at John Lewis | Tue, Jan. 07 | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Prince Charles Drive, NW4 3FP | Free incl hot drink | An inclusive community space where you are the main guest. Meet other new parents and carers, talk all things baby and exchange experiences about this new phase of your life. A host from the Nursery team will welcome you and get everyone involved in the conversation. Pre-school siblings welcome.
OLDER PEOPLE
Thursday 9th January
Over 60s Social Club | Thu, Jan. 09 | 11:45 am to 1:30 pm | One Stonegrove, Hayling Way, Edgware, HA8 8BN | Free | Meet new people, socialise with like-minded individuals, play games and challenge your mind, enjoy delicious snacks and drinks, get tech support to help you navigate the digital world. Everyone welcome.
Tuesday 14th January
Age UK Barnet Book Club | Tue, Jan. 14 | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Wilmot Community Centre, Wilmot Close, Tarling Road, N2 8LB | TBD | Enjoy reading and discussing novels or non-fiction books? This is for you. The books are - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Tell me Everything by Elizabeth Strout and The Maiden by Kate Foster. | contact Helen on 07384 466840 or email helen.nicolaou@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Wednesday 15th January
Lemons, Acrylic Painting | Wed, Jan. 15 | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | Chipping Barnet Library, 3 Stapylton Road, EN5 4QT | Free | Join Tetiana in a workshop where participants will create vibrant lemons and lemon leaves from acrylic paint. This event is part of the Loving Life project, a community health project for older adults in 2025, the event welcomes all including those with carers.
ARTS
Wednesday 8th January
The Artist's Way JW3 | Wed, Jan. 08 | 10:30 am to 12 noon | JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 6ET | £18 per session | Struggling to follow The Artist’s Way on your own? It’s not just for artists - whether you enjoy writing, performing or want to explore new creative outlets, you are welcome to join. Designed to help you overcome creative blocks, stay motivated, and nurture your artistic growth, this course offers expert guidance and a supportive community to help you unleash your creativity.
COMMUNITY
Thursday 9th January
Warm 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).
MUSIC
Tuesday 7th January
Mildmay Club Zumba | Tue, Jan. 07 | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | The Mildmay Club and Institute, N16 9PR | Free first session, subsequent sessions: £5 - £8 | Improve your fitness, have fun, do something new, meet new people. Suitable for all levels from complete beginners to expert Zumbatistas! Every Tuesday unless stated otherwise.
THEATRE
Saturday 18th January
The George Harrison Project 2025 | Sat, Jan. 18 | 7:30 pm | Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, N18 1PJ | £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.
SUSTAINABILITY
Friday17th January
Zero Waste Community Leadership Training | Fri, Jan. 17 | 11:30 am to 2:00 pm | Finchley Church End Library, downstairs, 318-320 Regents Park Rd N3 2LN | Free | Training to empower community-minded Barnet residents with the skills and knowledge needed to galvanise their communities to reduce waste with easy-to-execute initiatives and small events. Learn how to encourage people to share their knowledge and hobbies with others. All Barnet residents welcome, even if you don’t currently belong to an organised community.
NATURE
Saturday 18th January
Wild about Hampstead Heath - Big Birdwatch | Sat, Jan. 18 | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Heath Bird Sanctuary Pond and by the Model Boating Pond, N6 6JH | Free | Join the Wildlife Interpreters near Hampstead Heath’s bird feeders for an identification session to mark the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
Events - Book Ahead
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.
Wednesday 12 February
Bee Rowlatt: One Woman Crime Wave | Wed, Feb. 12 | 7:00 pm | Keats Community Library, 10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RN | £13.20 | Author and broadcaster Bee Rowlatt will talk about her new novel, set in Kentish Town. One Woman Crime Wave explores the relationship between people living as neighbours.
Saturday 1 March
Introduction to Photography – Exploring Techniques and Composition with David Kearley | Sat, Mar. 1 | 11:30 am to 1:30 pm | Forty Hall, Enfield, EN2 9HA | £30 | A hands-on beginner photography workshop to master camera settings and composition essentials. Bring your DSLR or mirrorless camera, enthusiasm, and comfortable gear for this small-group session with personalized guidance. | Sells out fast.
Local Lowdown
Luke Littler beat a three time world champion twice his age to win
Throwing
Palace Glory. Luke Littler, 17, became the youngest World Darts Champion by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 on Friday night at our very own Alexandra Palace. He described the victory as an "incredible journey" for his family, who have supported his career from a young age.
Relaunching
Hotel Revival. Britannia Hotel Hampstead has reopened its doors after a transformative refurbishment. With sleek, modernised rooms, enhanced facilities, and refreshed dining spaces, the revamped hotel promises a comfortable stay while retaining its historic charm. Hampstead locals welcome this fresh chapter in hospitality.
Recycling
Pine Farewell. Time to recycle your Christmas tree? Barnet Council offers curbside pickup on Sat January 11 or 18; place trees at boundary by 6:00 am, decorations removed. In Camden, trees can be recycled across the borough from January 2 to January 12 – map here.
Retiring
Carriage Comeback. Where do Northern Line carriages retire to? Alderney Railway, the only working railway in the Channel Islands, operates original Northern Line carriages from 1959-2000. These preserved trains, now diesel-powered, shuttle passengers between Braye Beach and Quesnard Lighthouse, offering scenic views of beaches and historic sites.
Parking
Time to get walking and using public transport. Barnet has delivered a modest uplift to parking charges from 1 Jan, and the feedback on the Draft Parking Charges Policy (consultation closed 17 December) is due in February. Aiming to tackle pollution, promote active travel and align with Net Zero goals it includes a minimum street parking charge of £3.50.
Finchley History: Beating The Bounds
Beating The Bounds | Image from The Barnet Society
Ever heard of Beating the Bounds? It's an ancient tradition. Locals would walk their parish borders, swatting boundary markers with green branches.
This wasn’t just for show. It helped preserve a shared mental map of the area. This was crucial before the days of the Ordnance Survey.
The practice dates back to the 9th century and was a mix of ceremony and practicality. In medieval times, children weren't spared. They'd get a symbolic tap or a bump on a boundary stone to lock the geography into their memories.
The goal? To ensure everyone knew exactly where the parish began and ended.
In Barnet, the last recorded boundary walk was in 1995. But thanks to Barnet Museum, the tradition returned in May 2024.
The setting of the renovated Trafalgar Theatre, reinstating the original 1930s design is perfect for Liz Cooke’s beautiful stage set and costumes. Portia’s styling as a Diana Mitford-esque siren and Erran Baron Cohen’s music made it a sensory delight.
While an interesting idea co-conceived by director Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann it still left me feeling unresolved.
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.
And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.
Tessa Davis
Sasha Frieze
Finchley Now
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