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🗞️ Which local politician just got sacked?
Published about 16 hours ago • 7 min read
Welcome
Looking like a sunnier week, but the weather still turning autumnal - perfect for checking out our new independent bookstore - and five others we recommend.
And which local boy is in the news (again)?
📚 6 Finchleyish Bookstores
Great new bookstore in N10
In celebration of the opening of a new second-hand bookshop, here’s our roundup of six Finchleyish independent bookstores.
Muswell Hill just got a brilliant new book browse-spot: Muswell Hill Books & Parlour has opened in a former funeral directors on Fortis Green Road.
Run by husband-and-wife team Chris and Katrina Masson, the shop launched on 6 September and sells secondhand books, plus art and records, with space for readings, parties and pop-ups. Expect shelves from classics and philosophy to photography, science, occult, spiritual and antiquarian finds.
Chris cut his teeth at Black Gull Books in Camden and East Finchley, both now closed, so north London’s pre-loved scene gets a welcome lift.
Muswell Hill Books & Parlour, 190 Fortis Green Rd, Muswell Hill, N10 3DU.
Opened in 1945, Housmans in King’s Cross is London’s legendary radical bookshop, specialising in politics, peace, feminism and activism. A hub for campaigns, it remains a vital independent voice today.
Word on the Water, a 1920s Dutch barge moored at Regent’s Canal has sold eclectic secondhand books since 2011, hosting live music, poetry and community events.
A children’s specialist bookshop since 2012, with theatre space, it hosts storytelling, author events and creative workshops for families.
Six brilliant indie bookshops near Finchley, from barge to backstreet, proving north London’s still stacked with character, community and shelves you’ll want to lose a Saturday in.📚
Events
ARTS
Thursday 18th September
Dan Carrier - Telling our Stories | Thu, Sep. 18 | 7:00 pm | 10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RN | £13.20 | Dan Carrier has worked at the iconic Camden New Journal for four decades. The CNJ is the only campaigning paper locally and one of the few nationally. It repeatedly wins awards for its journalists, including Dan.In this talk, he discusses the history of our local press in North London (with riveting stories of Hampstead and South End Green), how the many titles reflected their communities, why they matter now and what the future holds.
Monday 22nd September
Libraries Of Sanctuary | Mon, Sep. 22 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Finchley Church End Library, 318 Regents Park Road, N3 2LN | Free | Join Barnet Libraries as they celebrate being given the Library Of Sanctuary Award. The afternoon will include speakers, performances, food and drink.
COMMUNITY
Sunday 21st September
HADAS Open Day | Sun, Sep. 21 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Stephens House and Gardens, East End Road, N3 3QEN3 | Free | Come along and meet some of the experts from the Hendon and District Archaeological Society (HADAS)who have taken part in digs all over our Borough and see a number of the historic items they have found.The Finchley Society will also be displaying a range of artefacts, images and fascinating Finchley-based objects.
Friday 26th September
McMillan Coffee Morning | Fri, Sep. 26 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | St Mary’s Church, Hendon, NW4 4JT | Free | Macmillan Coffee Morning at St Mary’s Church, Hendon. Join for a morning of coffee, cake, and community in support of a great cause.
Saturday 27th September
Quiz Night | Sat, Sep. 27 | 7:00 pm | St Mary's Church, 49 Chruch End NW4 4JT | £10 | Quiz Night at St Mary’s Church, Hendon Think you’ve got what it takes to be a quiz champion? Join for a lively evening of trivia, laughter, and great company at this Quiz Night.
MUSIC
Friday 26th September
Crossroads Music Festival | From Fri, Sep. 26 | The Crown Hotel, 142 Cricklewood Broadway, NW2 3ED | Free | Born in Cricklewood and raised in Holywood, Co. Down, Conor MacMahon is a multi-instrumentalist specialising in the Uilleann Pipes and Irish flute. Conor will be joining three fellow musicians for a lively traditional session in the Crown Hotel at this year’s Crossroads Festival. All musicians are welcome to join.
Camden as a Catwalk | Sun, Sep. 21 | 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm | Camden High Street | Free event offers a fun and inspiring day out for all ages - whether you’re eco-curious, style-obsessed, or a passionate champion of the environment, there’s something here to discover and enjoy.
FOOD
Friday 19th September
Table And Candle Pop Up | Fri, Sep. 19 | Holybella, 860 High Rd, N12 9RH | From £18 | Popping up in North Finchley for two evenings only, Masterchef finalist Phillippe Sonou showcasing his Beninese soul with Parisian precision across six show stopping plates.
Events - Book Ahead
Sunday 5th October
ReWear the Revolution, Fast Fashion and Eco-Action | Sun, Oct. 05 | 3:00 pm | Jewish Vegetarian Society, 853 Finchley Road, NW11 1LX | £10 | Discover how fashion connects to climate, creativity, and justice at this inspiring afternoon with fashion activist Leah Thorn and artist Miki Shaw. Join honest, inclusive conversations about fashion, the environment, and social justice.
Tuesday 7th October
Barnet Borough For The Sight Impaired | Tue, Oct. 07 | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | S Mary's Church Hall, Hendon Lane, N3 1TR | Free | Friendly meetings offer an enjoyable exercise class or discussion group followed by a talk by a visiting speaker (usually for eyesight related subjects), live entertainment, refreshments and much more.
Thursday 9th October
Our North Finchley Public Meeting | Thu, Oct. 09 | 7:00 pm to | St Barnabas Church, N12 8QJ | Free | Join for a major community meeting to hear from local and regional elected representatives and others with expertise. This is a chance to have your say on the Masterplan and GNLP development proposals for North Finchley. Confirmed Speakers: Sarah Sackman MP - Finchley and Golders Green; Zoë Garbett - Chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee; Ross Houston - Barnet Councillor and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration.
Local Lowdown
North Midd winners | Image from Camden New Journal
Cricketing
Century and a half in style. North Middlesex Cricket Club celebrated its 150th anniversary by winning the Premier Division title in the Middlesex County Cricket League. Their third-ever triumph, sealed at the weekend, was captained by Jacob Miltz and feels like the perfect Hollywood ending for this milestone year.
Protesting
Towering tensions. Over 250 residents rallied against TfL’s five high-rise flat plan at High Barnet tube station. With honks of support from passing cars, protestors defied warning posters and staff presence, moving the demo across Barnet Hill. Residents say 283 flats are “too many, in the wrong place.” Objections close 19 September.
Winning
Musical maestros in the spotlight. South Hampstead High School has just been crowned UK’s top senior school for music by The Week. From ukulele jams and rock concerts to community sessions, their supremely talented students are making serious noise - literally. Our local music scene just got a standing ovation.
Traveling
Hop aboard the planned SL13 express bus: it’ll whisk you from Hendon War Memorial to Ealing Broadway in double-decker style with limited stops like Hendon Central, Brent Cross and Staples Corner. Running from 05:00 am to 12:30am, seven days a week, you could be zooming across town every 12 minutes.
Posting
Parcel hustle made easy. Aldi’s Station Road in Arnos Grove shop (plus others!) now sports shiny new InPost lockers. Drop off or grab online orders while topping up your snack stash - no more missed deliveries or rushing around.
The Finchleyite: Peter Mandelson
Peter and Keir: do all politicians go to the same suit shop?
Local boy Peter Mandelson has got into trouble again about his association with and emails to Jeffrey Epstein. Now sacked as HM Ambassador to the United States.
He resigned in 1998 for failing to declare a loan from fellow MP Geoffrey Robinson, and again in January 2001 over allegations of misconduct in relation to a passport application for the Hinduja brothers. Mandelson, grandson of Herbert Morrison, a key figure in Attlee's post-war government, began his political career in the Young Communist League before shifting to centrist politics at Oxford. 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. We wonder what he'll do next.
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Editors' Note - From Sasha
Been a busy week - nephew's wedding overseas, flying trip to Manchester and a wonderful family birthday boat ride on the Thames yesterday - great view of the Houses of Parliament.
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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