Local News is our Aim

THE CAR SERVICE Professional Sales & Lettings AT COMPETITIVE RATES 020 8883 5000 020 8444 5222 [email protected] October 2008 No. 181 20p ARCHER ISSN 1361-3952 where฀sold A community newspaper for East Finchley run entirely by volunteers. Master plan for playing ields By Ann Bronkhorst Improvements for Muswell Hill playing ields, alongside Coldfall Wood, were up for debate at a special Area Assembly as the irst step towards a master plan for one of the area’s largest open spaces. On Sunday 7 September, a the ields. Thanks to pressure at large number of people from the assembly it will now reach Barnet as well as Haringey met homes in Ringwood Avenue, in a marquee on the ields to put Beech Drive and Church Vale their point of view. Some wanted (but not Twyford Avenue). the ields to be left alone; some Continued on page 2 hoped for increased facilities for children or sport players; some were asking for paths, Floody hell litterbins and toilets. Many Calendar Residents in Bedford Road were confronted with knee- were concerned about noise, THE ARCHER Calendar 2009 is going on sale soon. At just £5, deep water on 31 August when the latest in a series of vandalism and maintenance it’s the perfect Christmas gift and every penny raised will go tremendous summer downpours caused havoc with the problems both now and after to support East Finchley’s good neighbour charity Contact. overused drainage system. any improvements. Our full-colour wall calendar others. It was garden tools at the ready as these hardy residents resisted Halliwick Park features 12 stunning photographs You can also order copies now calls to the emergency services and cleared the drains within a of people and places, all taken by post and they will be delivered Several important points few minutes. Photograph by Sam Clarke. emerged from the assembly. One within the boundary of N2 by ARCHER to your door for FREE. Order as readers. It comes in a stylish month- many calendars as you like, and is that Haringey is committed to not building on open land, so it to-a-view format with plenty of room don’t forget copies for friends and seems likely that the essentially for you to scribble important dates family. Turn to page 11 for an ELECTRICIANS and appointments. order form. open nature of the site will not be compromised. Housing in the Thanks to all our readers THE ARCHER Calendar 2009 is FOR A FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CALL 020 8444 7994 Coppett’s Road area, however, who contributed photographs. supporting Contact, which seeks to will increase in the next few years, Enormous thanks also to improve the quality of life for eld- affecting the existing and future Photobox.co.uk for printing the erly and disabled people, and those infrastructure, including leisure calendar for us. living alone in East Finchley. facilities. You’ll be able to buy it in local Order your calendars now The NEW Sound 43 from Roberts. shops and outlets from the middle and you can make a difference A powerful DAB digital radio sound If the nearby but rundown system with CD player and iPod dock Halliwick Park and playground, of October. Look out for it in Toni’s to the work of this essential local owned by Barnet, were improved, Continental and Lazooli, and many charity. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL PRICE perhaps through a joint scheme £195.00 with Haringey, local people in both boroughs would beneit. www.everything-electrical.com 38 High Road, London N2 9PJ Haringey councillors say they will approach their opposite numbers in Barnet about this. ……………………..The Right Choice Hotblack Dixon & Co. Consultation Estate Agents – Valuers - Residential Sales – Lettings –Management – Cyprus Properties Estate Agents Some residents at the assem- 40 High Road East Finchley London N2 9PJ Tel: 020 8883 9090 Fax: 020 8883 8580 Email: [email protected] Website: www.primelocations.co.uk bly were concerned about the planned process of consultation Call us for a Free Valuation. Family Business you can Trust. FOR LETTINGS AND SALES by postal survey. Because of the odd borough boundaries, a size- IN able area of Barnet lies on the 82 High Road eastern side of Coppett’s Road. East Finchley N2 NW11 N3 Residents in those streets will N2 9PN not be consulted, despite living CALL US NOW so near the ields, and will have no say apart from a possible on- 020 8883 0033 line response. 17 Market Place, Hampstead Garden Suburb One important concession [email protected] London NW11 6JY was won, however. Originally the survey was to cover only those Estate Agents and Valuers - Established 1767 020 8458 8411 homes within a 400m radius of www.hotblackdixon.co.uk [email protected] • Visit your community newspaper on-line at www.the-archer.co.uk • 2 OCTOBER 2008 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 THE ARCHER USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS PO BOX 3699 Councils Hospitals Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 LONDON N2 8JA Barnet Council: Barnet General 0845 111 4000 Crime Admin/Town Hall 020 8359 2000 Coppetts Wood 020 8883 9792 Emergency 999 42 Church Lane, London N2 8DT. WWW.THE-ARCHER.CO.UK Council Tax 020 8359 2608 Finchley Memorial 020 8349 7500 Finchley Police 020 8442 1212 Tel/Fax: 020 8444 6265 e-mail: THE-ARCHER Recycling & refuse 020 8359 4600 Oak Lane Clinic 020 8346 9343 Mus. Hill Police Stn. 020 8345 2148 Primary Care Trust 020 8201 4700 Royal Free 020 7794 0500 CrimeStoppers 0800 555111 @LINEONE.NET General Advice. Benets Agency 020 8258 6500 St Lukes 020 8219 1800 Victim Support 0845 303 0900 Monday to Friday: 10am - Voicemail & Fax: Employment Service 020 8258 3900 Whittington 020 7272 3070 East Finchley Safer Neighbourhood 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4pm. Haringey Council 020 8489 0000 Team 020 7161 9014 Editorial/enquiries: - Health Advice Legal Advice. Leisure AIDSline 020 8363 2141 Help & Advice Tuesdays: 7pm - 8pm. 08717 33 44 65 Alexandra Palace 020 8365 2121 Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 7697555 Childline 0800 1111 Advertising/inance: - East Finchley Library 020 8359 3815 Barnet MENCAP 020 8203 6688 Disability Info Service 020 8446 6935 Councillors’ Surgery. Muswell Hill Odeon 0870 505 0007 Cancer Support 020 8202 2211 E.F. Advice Service 020 8444 6265 Saturdays: 10am - 11.30am 08717 33 45 28 Phoenix Cinema 020 8444 6789 Carers Line 0808 808 7777 Gingerbread 020 8445 4227 Warner Cinema 020 8446 9933 Drinkline 0800 917 8282 National Debt Line 0808 808 4000 Drugs Helpline 0800 776600 NSPCC 0800 800500 Community Services PUBLISHED฀BY Transport v Credit Union, Green Man Com- BR Enquiries 0845 7484950 Health Info Service 0800 665544 Rape & Sexual Abuse 020 8683 3300 munity Centre 020 8883 4916 East Finchley City Airport 020 7646 0088 MIND 020 8343 5700 Relate 020 8447 8101 v Careers advice, Green Man, Com- London Transport 020 7222 1234 RSPCA Inspector 08705 555 999 Newspapers munity Centre 020 8883 4916 National Express 08705 808080 OAPs Advice Samaritans 08457 909090 Barnet Age Concern 020 8346 3511 v Toy library, Muswell Hill 020 Heathrow Airport 0870 000 0123 Refuge Crisis Line 0870 599 5443 CHAIR Contact (N2) 020 8444 1162 8444 0244/ 8489 8774 Kevin Finn Masters of deception Crime rates mapped COPY฀EDITOR By Janet Maitland The crime rate in East Finchley is classiied as ‘average’ John Lawrence If a trader or workman calls at your door unannounced on a new Metropolitan Police website. In July, there were and uses phrases like “We’re only in the area today”, 37 reported cases of burglary, robbery or vehicle crime. EDITORIAL฀TEAM “We’ve noticed a problem with your roof/guttering/tree/ This compares with June, when there were 29. In the year to the end areas of London. Diana Cormack wall/garden/chimney”, “We’re working for the council and have some tarmac left over” or “Your neighbour of March 2008, there were In line with the rest of Daphne Chamberlain said we should call round”, then beware. 325 reported crimes in East Finchley, signiicantly down the capital Trading Standards oficers caller must give you a notice East Finchley’s ‘average’ from 477 in 2006/7 and 490 SUB฀EDITORS from Barnet Council are warn- advising you that you are rating means the area is in in 2005/6. ing residents about an increase legally entitled to a seven-day line with the average for the Ann Bronkhorst The website at http: of rogue traders operating in cancellation period. If a trader whole of the capital. Barnet as //maps.met.police.uk/ is Wendy Devine the borough. Everyone is a has started work without doing a whole is also average, with designed to give ward-level Pam Kent target, particularly those with this, the contract may be unen- Haringey being classiied as information on crime for all homes which look in need of forceable and you do not have ‘above average’. attention. to pay anything. PRODUCTION฀EDITOR Rogue traders induce resi- For further information Alison Roberts dents to have work done on and advice, call the Council’s their property for ridiculously Trading Standards Dept on 020 OSTEOPATHY large amounts of money. Some- 8359 2115. PICTURE฀EDITOR times very little work, or none, If you think you have been a Mike Rubens is carried out despite sizeable victim of a rogue trader, call Con- at deposits. sumer Direct on 0845 404 0506. FINANCE฀&฀ How to get a fair deal The Twyford Practice Only use reputable traders ADVERTISING Masterplan for who have a veriiable address Osteopathic consultation and treatments John Dearing and genuine landline telephone numbers or are recommended playing ields in Fortis Green, N2. DISTRIBUTION by someone you trust. Obtain Cont. from page 1 written, properly itemised The survey results will be Robin Kiashek, Toni Morgan quotes (including materials) made available in Novem- Anna King from at least three companies. ber at Muswell Hill Library, Osteopath and Naturopath, Pam Kent If in doubt, don’t open the in the local press and on door at all to unexpected callers. www.haringey.gov.uk. The next Bsc (Hons), Ost Med., If you feel you have to open stage is a master plan to be put PRINTED฀BY it, put the chain on irst. Don’t to Haringey Council’s cabinet in N.D., M.R.N. Sharman & Co Ltd engage in conversation, just say late January 2009. In the mean- no. If a caller becomes aggres- time, for information about the For appointments: sive or won’t go away, call the possible improvements contact Thank you to The Bald police on 999. [email protected] or call please phone 020 8815 0979 Faced Stag for providing Remember that in law a cold 020 8489 5873. or visit: us with a meeting place. www.robinkiashek.co.uk THE ARCHER team wishes Planning Applications for further information to thank all the generous erection of a two storey detached people who give up their Barnet Council McDonald’s, 11-59 High Road, N2 dwelling house with rooms in roof spare time, in all weather, space and basement. to deliver the paper for us. Installation of internally illuminated entrance sign, one university sign 18A Lewis Gardens, N2 and one golden arch. Change of use from workshop (class Your contributions 61 Lincoln Road, N2 B1) to residential (class C3) If you have a story for us, please Addition of second loor to prop- 35 Elmield Road, N2 contact us at the above address. erty roof. Extension including front Single storey rear extension. Haringey Council Comments to THE ARCHER may dormer window and alterations to be published unless clearly roof pitch. 13 Southern Road, N2 marked ‘Not for publication’ Cedar Drive, N2 Demolition of existing conserva- within the text. New slate covered monopitch tory and erection of single storey entrance canopies. rear extension at basement level Copy deadlines 2008 21 The Bishop’s Avenue, N2 and ground loor level. 31 Aylmer Road N2 November issue: 10 October Demolition of existing house. Overbrook, 24 The Bishop’s Erection of two storey side and December issue: 14 November single storey front and rear January issue: 12 December Avenue, N2 Demolition of existing property and extension. 3 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 OCTOBER 2008 Parents urged to immunise against measles Parents in Barnet are being urged to have their children immunised against the threat of a measles outbreak. Barnet Primary Care Trust is planning an MMR catch- up campaign and intends to make immunisations more easily available through GP surgeries. In Barnet, there have been Barnet PCT points out that three outbreaks of measles in the small research study that the last few months and many was published in 1998 that individual cases. The bor- led to the reduced uptake of ough has had the third largest MMR vaccine has been totally number of cases of measles in discredited. the capital with several people Risk of epidemic so ill that they have required Dr Andrew Burnett, Direc- hospitalisation. tor for Health Improvement/ The irst priority is to ensure Medical Director at Barnet PCT that anyone aged between three says: “There is now a signiicant months and 18 years who has risk of a measles epidemic in not received MMR vaccine has Yes, we made it! Barnet. Last year, we saw a By Tracy Quirke Gardening a irst dose. Thereafter, the pri- big increase in the number of ority is to give a second dose of children and adults getting mea- On a rare sunny day back in the summer, staff and students from Bishop Douglass School took part in the online MMR vaccine to children aged sles when the schools went back Gardeners may be inter- three years and seven months Race for Life 2008, a 5km event in Trent Park, Enield, after the summer holiday. I urge ested in a new website to 11 years; then children aged parents to protect their children to raise money for Cancer Research. 12-18 years; then school leav- Hilmi, Aisha Sallahdeen, speciically for garden and against this very real danger by Well done to Abigael allotment news in East ers aged 18 and over going to ensuring that they have at least Gaskin, Mandi Chivasa, Leyla Rachel Mugungu, Tovonya higher or to further education one dose of MMR vaccine.” Murray, Monique Hilbert, Finchley, Muswell Hill, establishments. Jane O’Reilly, and Jamila Afzal. Highgate and Alexandra Cherry Tree Also to Ms Quirke, Mrs Gumbs, Palace. Ms Delaney and Mrs Evans. The new site can be found at Wood Café Special thanks to Liz Goddard, www.muswellhillgardeners.co. This summer’s inclement the team’s personal trainer who uk and contains information on weather was not the only prepared them for the event and open gardens, community gar- reason for some inconsist- an extra special congratulation to dens, allotments, horticulture encies in the opening times Jane who completed the race in courses and important dates in at the Lazy Sally kiosk in 19mins. Well done, Jane! the gardening calendar. Cherry Tree Wood. Some of the closures were due to the fact that Sally-Anne Nicky Sharp Wigield was in the middle of planning her wedding, Osteopathy Clinic However, she has lined up two trustworthy friends to run Cranial and Structural Osteopathy the place while she is on her Bollards and barrier block o part of Brompton Grove. Phtoto by Diana Cormack honeymoon this month. and Acupuncture Bollards to Barnet’s land All Major Insurers Accepted By Diana Cormack HEALING For consultations and appointments: Earlier this year, a heavily-loaded skip was put in place across Brompton Grove, which runs alongside Cherry Kathryn Scorza Telephone: 020 8815 9433 Tree Wood from the bottom of Summerlee Avenue to Park Registered Spiritual Healer 260 East End Road www.nickysharposteopathy.co.uk House, opposite East Finchley tube station. It effectively London N2 8AU e-mail: [email protected] blocked off most of the made-up area from the unlevel part of the road, as did a barrier that had been lowered for the same purpose. In addition, the gates to the car park at the back of the building had been chained together. VICTORY AUTO SERVICES A statement in the March on-site protection. Recently edition of THE ARCHER said: another form of protection has “Barnet Council has blocked been given to the made-up area Air-Conditioning - Recharge & Servicing access to prevent unauthorised behind the barrier: the skip has Mechanical repairs, tyres, parking on a piece of land that been removed and replaced by a bodywork, clutches, exhausts the council owns. The public row of concrete bollards. For footpath remains passable.” Barnet Council told us: MOTs by appointment appointments Since then, a possible sale of “These bollards were installed 109 Fortis Green East Finchley London N2 9HR Park House to a development as a more permanent solution in East Finchley Tel: 020 8883 9707 / 0023 Fax: 020 8482 9179 company has fallen through to the skip, to prevent motor- please call and the council-owned prop- ists parking illegally on council 07703 404 839 erty is now being offered to let owned land, and they will be EAST FINCHLEY ELECTRICAL as ofice space. The premises staying there indeinitely. Park or email always lowering prices are guarded by Camelot, whose House is currently being mar- [email protected] live-in employees provide keted for short-term letting.” All Types of Heating in Stock Authorised Dimplex Installer Josephines Design Service Available LOCAL COUNCIL EXPERTS IN CREATIVE FLORAL DESIGN APPROVED CONTRACTOR & RETAILER IHROAD HIGH For all your electrical needs in the home, KITCHENER ROAD For the freshest flowers around HUNTINGDON we turn up on time, guarantee our work ROAD Pop in and choose from the largest selection in the area and are unbeatable value. We are here. No excuses – to miss that special occasion 115 High Road London N2 Tel: 020 8444 5630 or email [email protected] www.josephinesflowers.co.uk Tel: 020 8444 9569/020 8883 3598 60 High Rd, East Finchley, London N2 9PN 4 OCTOBER 2008 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 Focus on the community By Daphne Chamberlain It looks like being the start of another act for Commu- nity Focus drama. Director Alastair Reid said they had had to overcome some problems following their brilliant triumph in the end-of-year play in 2007. Speaking to the audience 8369 5483/5484. If you would before their annual production like a tour of the artsdepot facili- this summer, he described their ties contact the ofice on 020 season as “interesting”. They 8369 5483 or pop in between had faced transport dificulties, Monday and Friday to have a and had to replace three regulars chat with the staff. Group tours at very short notice. and taster sessions can also be This year’s play, A Tale of arranged. Two Families, was a contempo- rary version of the Romeo and Juliet story. At the end, there Canned were gifts for Alastair, who was leaving after 15 years. Looking to the future fruit Community Focus drama is Residents who recycle continuing, though. It provides their aluminium cans have Coat Meur: Jane and Bobs home in Brittany. Photo by Jane Revell a stage for performers with dis- helped to plant more than abilities, and also for their help- 150 fruit trees in Malawi. ers, when necessary. Classes are Barnet Council and Alupro From Finchley to Finistere 2 - 4 pm on Thursdays at artsde- run a scheme to plant trees THE ARCHER is still read by many people who’ve left East Finchley. We’d like to hear pot in North Finchley, working according to the tonnage of about where they are now and what they are doing. (Contact details are on page towards the next production at aluminium cans recycled in the borough. 2). Here’s the story of former ARCHER writer and deliverer Jane Revell, now living Christmas. in Brittany. Meanwhile, the Community As residents recycled more Focus summer photography than 150 tonnes between July In 2002 Jane Revell and Bob have a garden or were too near patiently behind you if you’re 2007 and June 2008, Alupro, Janes sold their lat in Park Hall a road, they found Coat Meur, fumbling for your money. They project for young people aged eight to 13 produced a display working with a British charity Road and bought a house in the Breton for ‘great wood’. The don’t puff and sigh as they might called Ripple Africa, planted north-western corner of Brittany. house is tucked into a rocky do in Budgens. throughout September in the artsdepot gallery. Photos were the orange trees in specially Finistère means Land’s End, the slope, surrounded by woodland, Priorities there are differ- created nurseries in the coun- Breton rather than the Cornish and halfway between the town ent too, says Jane, with eating based on the 263 bus route, and included Cherry Tree Wood. try’s rural communities. variety. and the sea, which are about a and drinking high on the list. The nurseries are run by Jane had fallen in love with mile in either direction along the People take time talking about, To ind out about CF’s very varied programme of activities, local garden clubs and schools, the area in 1964 when she went to footpath. choosing, preparing and enjoy- and are also used to grow guava, Ploudalmézeau as a 14-year-old, ing their food. The market on contact caitriona.dunnet@com Haven of peace munityfocus.co.uk or call 020 pawpaw and lemon rootstock. on the irst of several exchanges. Brittany. The land of Friday isn’t a grab and go race. She never completely lost touch Astérix, pancakes and cider, It’s a leisurely, chatty, social with friends she made then. One bagpipes, oysters, stripey T- event, with lots of kissing and How to give cold callers the family especially, Genevieve shirts and much more besides. hand shaking. and her parents, have welcomed Jane says the people are friendly And then there’s the sea. cold shoulder Bob and Jane, which has helped and helpful, the pace of life is Jane describes glorious, almost Why do they always call at the most inconvenient time? them become accepted into the gentle and you can walk for empty, beaches and sand dunes; In fact, why do they call at all? Telephone sales people local community. miles without seeing anyone. a stunning coastal footpath After looking at many houses along a wild rocky coastline; are only doing their job but sometimes we just want There’s no rush. At the super- them to go away. that were tiny or damp or didn’t market checkout, people wait sailing, suring, windsuring; delicious seafood, including Paul Hammond, of the calls with no one on the other end police’s Barnet Boroughwatch, are generated by machines and A friendly welcome awaits you scrumptious scampi. Pisces paradise! has some tips for dealing with record the time of day when a Jane and Bob are offering any unwanted marketers. person answers. This technique EAST FINCHLEY METHODIST CHURCH B+B at Coat Meur and look First, try saying ‘Hold on, is used to determine the best time 197 High Road, London N2 (opp. Creighton Ave.) forward to welcoming guests please’, then putting the phone of day for a ‘real’ salesperson to www.eastfinchleymethodist.org.uk tel: 0208 346 1700 who want to get away from it down and walking off. The more call back and ind someone at all and give themselves some of their time you can consume, home. What can you do? If you Family service and Junior Church space. For further details visit the less time they have to call realise there’s no-one on the end www.coatmeur.com or email others. After a while, they will of the line, immediately start hit- Every Sunday at 10.30 a.m. Jane at [email protected] or end the call and you can replace ting the # button on the phone six write to her at Coat Meur, 29830 the receiver. or seven times as quickly as pos- Ploudalmézeau, France. Secondly, those annoying sible. This confuses the machine Worship Music Social events Youth Club Wheelchair friendly that dialled the call and it kicks e-mail: [email protected] Room hire tel:0208 444 4453 your number out of their system QuakerQuest and eliminates future calls from explores the Quaker way that source. All Saints’ Church, Are you looking for a spiritual path that is simple, radical and Junk that junk contemporary? The Quaker experience could speak to you. Finally, when you receive Durham Road, East Finchley junk mail for everything from We offer a series of three evenings, repeated, on topics Church of England credit cards to second mort- such as: Are Quakers Christians? Quakers and Worship, gages, don’t throw away the Sunday masses at 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. Quakers and Peace. return envelope. Why not dispose Weekday masses at 10.00 a.m. We will share our individual and common insights through of other junk mail by putting it Prayer requests are gladly accepted. presentations, discussions, and questions, followed by in these postage-prepaid return an experience of Quaker worship. envelopes? If you received noth- The Parish has a flourishing social life. ing else that day, just send back Thursdays 6.30pm for a 7pm start 9.15pm finish. Contact the Vicar, Fr Christopher Hardy, nd the blank application form. If Starting Thursday 2 October. Everyone is welcome. It is free on 020 8883 9315. you want to remain anonymous, make sure your name or a refer- All Saints’ also has a strong musical tradition and an At Finchley Quaker Meeting House 58 Alexandra Grove, North Finchley, N12 8HG ence number isn’t on anything enthusiastic choir of both adults and children. you return. You can even send the Experienced singers are always welcome. Probably the best kept spiritual secret in the world. envelope back empty if you just Contact Geoffrey Hanson on 020 8444 9214. See if there is something for you want to keep them guessing. It still http://www.allsaints-eastfinchley.org.uk For further information ring: 020 8445 6212 costs them and, after all, it’s their or visit: www.quakerquest.org envelope that you’re returning. 5 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 OCTOBER 2008 Campaign to save park patrols By Janet Maitland A campaign is under way to prevent Haringey Council from axing the Parks Constabulary, which carries out safety patrols in Coldfall Wood. Haringey plans to replace ing,” said Liberal Democrat MP the constabulary, a team of 12 Lynne Featherstone, leader of oficers and three police dogs the campaign. “Safer Neigh- providing 24 hour cover, with bourhood Teams aren’t tasked a new cross-borough Parks to respond to 999 calls and they Response Unit, to be managed don’t have transport to carry by the Metropolitan Police, arrested persons, witnesses based at Finsbury Park, and who need assistance or dogs. supporting two Safer Neigh- It’s also likely they will clock bourhood Teams. off at 5pm although much of They also plan to increase the trouble that occurs in parks frontline parks staff by more happens at night.” than 17,000 additional hours Local Friends group a year and to establish new If you care about the future Community Warden volun- of Coldfall Wood you might teering opportunities. Haringey be interested in joining a local believes that this scheme will group who act as its voluntary improve safety and security, guardians. The Friends of particularly during the daytime Coldfall Wood organise clean- when parks are used the most. ups, walks and conservation Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia visited the Phoenix cinema to watch The Boy In Striped Pyjamas. Night cover inadequate activities. Photo courtesy Stuart MacFarlane / Arsenal Football Club. Campaigners, however, are The Friends meet on the not convinced. They not only irst Tuesday in every month want to save the existing service at 7.30 pm at the Vampires Three famous faces at the Phoenix but to appoint dedicated Park Football Club, off Coppett’s By Daphne Chamberlain Wardens. Hundreds of people Road. If you are interested in Look out for events at the Phoenix. Last month, a favourite book brought Arsenal have signed a petition, submit- becoming a member, email goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to the cinema. The week before, famous local poet Fleur ted to Haringey at the end of [email protected] or Adcock introduced her favourite ilm, while irst in to bat in September had been September. visit their developing website “Blowers”, alias cricket commentator and wit Henry Blofeld, “my dear old things”. “Haringey’s plan is mislead- at www.coldfallwoods.co.uk. The Blowers event was a Finchley. The ilm she selected ticularly relating to World War screening of one of his recorded to be shown was Shakespeare Two. He had not seen the ilm Get tested talks, giving glimpses of his at his most accessible, Laurence before, but his wife had bought Barnet Primary Care Trust (PCT) is encouraging sexu- eccentric family, his roundabout Olivier’s excellent Henry V, him the book two years ago, and ally active young people to get tested for Chlamydia, still way into commentating via the chosen for nostalgic reasons. he recommended it for children City, and his gift for mimicry. the most common STI (sexually transmitted infection) She had seen it three times as to learn about mistakes the He signed copies of the video a child, in England, Ireland and human race has made, and to treated at local clinics. afterwards. The infection is most with results available from the New Zealand, and had delivered remember not to make the same prevalent among 16 to 24 year NHS in around two weeks. the St Crispin speech mistakes again. olds who, in most cases, are As part of this programme, many times from the The young boy next to me unknowingly infected. Barnet 46 GP surgeries in the borough family’s kitchen table. had his hands over his face as PCT aims to screen every sexu- are offering Chlamydia screen- Almunia’s choice the story neared its terrible ally active young person in this ing to patients. Barnet PCT has And inally, “fresh climax. This extremely pow- age group. also arranged weekly screenings from keeping a clean erful and very sad ilm made If caught early, the infec- and advice sessions at Barnet sheet against Black- a tremendous impact on the tion can easily be treated with College, in addition to services burn”, and with his audience. antibiotics. If not treated, currently offered at local young sweaty shirt to award Almunia was at the Phoe- Chlamydia can cause serious persons’ clinics. Discussions to one lucky ticket- nix to support Arsenal’s Pre- health problems such as mis- are also under way to roll out holder, came Manuel mier League Reading Stars carriage, infertility and ectopic the Chlamydia Screening Pro- Almunia. programme, an educational pregnancies. gramme at Middlesex Univer- A question and project in partnership with Chlamydia testing can be sity and local youth clubs. answer session before the Football Foundation, the carried out by the individuals For more information about the film of The Boy National Literacy Trust, the themselves. Self-tester kits can the Chlamydia Screening Pro- in the Striped Pyjamas Premier League and the Arts be obtained from local pharma- gramme and full details on revealed a footballer Council England, which aims cies and GP practices offering where to get tests, contact with a passionate to encourage families to read sexual health services. The Justine Maher on 020 8447 interest in history, par- together. ‘do-it-yourself’ tests are free, 3590 or Justine.maher@barnet- Henry Blofeld. Photo by Diana painless, simple and discreet, pct.nhs.uk Cormack Judith Costa BSc DPodM Fleur’s happy few Chiropodist/Podiatrist Swim for kids “As you get older, your perfectly ordinary life turns into Available for home visits Throughout October, www.noahsarkhospice.org.uk Please call for an appointment Children’s Hospices UK or telephone the Appeals Ofice history,” Fleur Adcock relected is running a national on 020 8449 8877. after reading some of her poems, Tel: 0208 365 2393 Mobile: 07802 88 7919 most with the emphasis on East “Swim for Kids” spon- sored swimathon. Thanks to a partnership GEMINI PHOTOGRAPHIC between the north London Camera Sales and Repair Centre based Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and Barnet Leisure 58. High Road, East Finchley, N2 9PN. 020 8883 6152 Centres, anyone participating Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax in Barnet will be able to swim SLR and compact digital cameras in stock! for free at one of the desig- nated leisure centres when Instant digital prints, 6x4 @ 25p, 5x7 @ 39p they do their swimathon. Next day processing on 50 prints or over To ind out about the leisure (6x4)10p each (5x7) 18p each. centres involved and for other information such as registration Free estimates for film and digital camera details and sponsorship forms, repairs. Insurance quotes. visit the Noah’s Ark website at 6 OCTOBER 2008 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465

News from the Safer Neighbourhood Team By Sergeant Lee Benham In our irst column last month we answered some ques- tions about who we are, what we do, and how to get in touch with us. In a nutshell, we identify and tackle issues that affect the daily life and feelings of security of East Finchley residents. We do this by listening and responding to the problems you tell us about when you ring, email or write to us, or when you talk to the Police Community Support Oficers (PCSOs) you see on patrols. Our ofice is at 113 East Finchley High Road, N2 8AG. You can phone us on 020 7161 9014 or 07887 632767 or email us at [email protected] Autumn priorities The team is also given direction by the Ward Panel, made up Walkers enjoying the Capital Ring in north London. Photo courtesy of Walk London. of local people representing the community. The priorities we’ve been given for the next few months are burglary, theft from vehi- cles and general anti-social behaviour. Discover the beauty of autumn Dangerous dogs The team is being trained on how to recognise breeds of dogs, such as pit bull terriers, that are classiied as dangerous. There on foot is much controversy over the fate of these powerful animals that Alexandra Rook lives in Park Road and is Project Director of Walk London. Here are bred as ighting dogs. In the light of this, we will always take she reveals some stunning walks right on N2’s doorstep. action to prevent these dogs from becoming resident in the local One of London’s six ton, discovering Abney Park ‘M25 for walkers’ that inspired area. We will also target people who mistreat these animals. We long-distance walks that cemetery with its Egyptian Iain Sinclair to write London recently called the Specialist Dangerous Dog Unit to rescue two make up the Strategic gateway, Finsbury and Clis- Orbital. pit bull terriers that had been left alone in a lat for weeks at a sold Parks and the Newington Section 18 of the LOOP time. Walk Network of 350 miles runs right past East reservoirs on the way. It’s only from Enield Lock starts on Mobile phone theft Finchley tube station. You 4.6 miles, less than two hours’ the River Lea, another of If you’re planning to ask Santa for a nice new all-sing- brisk walk. the Strategic Walks, and is a ing-and-dancing mobile phone this year, take a look at may have noticed signs for All the walks are designed revelation. It takes you up to www.immobolise.com. This website provides a free phone the Capital Ring and won- to start and inish at stations the Queen Elizabeth Hunting registration service, which means that if you lose your phone or dered what it was. so you can leave the car at Lodge in Epping Forest with have it stolen, it can be immobilised and the police, your insurer The Capital Ring covers home, get fit and discover amazing views down onto the and second hand dealers made aware of its loss. You can also 75 miles in 15 easy sections, the best kept secrets of your Lea Valley reservoirs en route. register other items such as jewellery, cameras and electrical connecting many of London’s local neighbourhood right It’s a three hour walk with a equipment. glorious parks and open spaces, on your doorstep. For more pub at the end of it. woodlands and waterways. information, pick up a lealet Lealets for every region Station to station from the tube station. There and every section can also Section 11 through East are free led walks on every be obtained free from Walk There’s a hole in our Finchley starts at Hendon section of the network on the London by telephoning Central and covers 5.6 miles last weekend in January and 0870 240 6094, emailing through Hendon Park, along May next year. [email protected] or pavement the River Brent, Mutton Wood, Loop the LOOP looking up www. In the August edition of THE ARCHER, we reported on Cherry Tree Wood, Highgate If you want a more rural walklondon.org.uk. They the frustration of residents in Aylmer Road who for and Queens Wood to end at experience go north to High are also available on audio months had lived with Highgate Station. Barnet and pick up section 16 to download to your MP3 or a hole in the ground out- Carry on down the Parkland of the 150-mile London LOOP mobile telephone. Even with- side Whittington Court Walk for the next section to (London Outer Orbital Path) to out a lealet, you can just follow while they waited for end at trendy Stoke Newing- Trent Park and Cockfosters, the the signs and waymarks. workmen to carry out work on the water and gas pipes. Dedicated follower of Doctor Who Work was inally in- By Diana Cormack ished and the hole illed in Some of the 10 million viewers who watched the closing episodes of the recent Doctor but now, just weeks on, the Who series were perplexed if not completely bafled by parts of the programme. If pavement has collapsed dra- you are still searching for a solution, don’t despair. Help is at hand. Just pop along to matically and looks like it’s Budgens in the High Road and ask for Ian Collett. in urgent need of repair. Ian has watched the pro- cast, such as Billie Piper, John ments are made not only in Residents are resigned gramme since the irst episode Barrowman and Noel Clarke, the dialogue but also in graf- to seeing pedestrian bar- on 23 November 1963 (the and some of the writers. Ardent iti, print and picture form. Ian riers go up again while Sinking feeling: the hole in the pavement day after President Kennedy’s followers will know that writer is adept at spotting these but workmen return to repair outside Whittington Court has assassination) and his knowl- Russell T Davies has just left the reckons that you have to watch the damage. reappeared. Photo by Nevile Robinson. edge about it is impressive. programme and Ian is looking the programme more than once Special collection forward to Steven Moffat being to catch them all. Sci-i fan Ian has no doubt in the driving seat as, judging Ian’s hobby helps him to East Finchley Baptist Church that Doctor Who is the best of by his former efforts, things will relax away from work. No Just off the High Road in Creighton Avenue N2 the genre. He has built up a get even better. Though he pre- doubt he’ll add to his collec- huge collection of memorabilia fers this modern series to those tion when he visits the Doctor Sunday Mornings at 10.30 am ranging from books, comics and of the past, Ian does not have a Who exhibition at Earl’s Court magazines to games, models favourite doctor. “They all bring (ends 9 November), though he For more information and DVDs. Since its relaunch their own particular thing to the could probably tell the exhibi- please contact the Church Office in 2005 Doctor Who merchan- role,” he told THE ARCHER. tors a thing or two. Tel: 8883 1544 (Minister: Simon Dyke) dise has looded the market, so Off to Earl’s Court Do you have a hobby you Ian’s collection even contains Regular viewers will know would like to tell THE ARCHER Visitors always welcome Easter eggs. that references to previous about? If so, our contact details He has met members of the plots, characters and com- are on page 2. 7 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 OCTOBER 2008 Is clothes collection Song and dance By Jane Fletcher in the pink? Finchley Children’s Music Group is to accompany the world-class Rambert Dance By Ann Bronkhorst Company for the London premiere of Eternal Light at Sadler’s Wells from 11 Novem- Slim plastic bags bearing pink lettering and that famil- ber. The piece features a specially commissioned choral score by popular composer iar pink breast cancer ribbon are the latest version of Howard Goodall. ‘charity’ lyers coming through doors in East Finchley. Rambert will be accom- Are they just as misleading? panied by different choirs at each venue on its regional It’s perfectly legal, of they collect, he said, are sold tour. The talented FCMG course, to collect and sell peo- to possible markets worldwide, Senior Choir will perform ple’s unwanted clothing. In this mainly Poland, Ukraine, Geor- alongside Christ Church case, the collector, Intersecond gia and Lithuania. He claimed Cathedral Choir, Oxford, for Ltd, claims to be donating bogus collectors, using the the London dates. money to a ‘project’ (not a Intersecond name, had often This year marks FCMG’s charity) in Lithuania called stolen the donated clothes and 50th anniversary, and their col- Do Not Delay. The project is at one stage “almost bankrupted laboration with Rambert is just said to provide ‘information us”. one event in a year-long pro- and screenings for women in Clothes Aid, a British co- gramme of celebrations. Over Lithuania to help prevent breast ordinating and advisory body the past 50 years FCMG has cancer.’ All this sounds ine, but for charities that handle clothes, given young people the oppor- questions remain. told me that last year, in the tunity to develop their musical Havering area, 8-10 Intersec- Making contact skills and perform in some of The FCMG choir in action. Photo courtesy Simon Weir/FCMG ond employees were found with Several organisations are London’s major concert venues a large quantity of clothing ton- Young voices join quality. involved: Azzara, registered and abroad. The Group’s most nage that was not legal. None One singer, Charlotte in Lithuania as a company, and notable achievements include the dance spoke English. Police arrested Senior, 12, said: “It’s original Intersecond Ltd, described as regular appearances at the BBC Eternal Light is Artistic them but could not secure a music. I’ve never done any- Azzara’s ‘appointed agent in the Proms and the City of London Director Mark Baldwin’s UK and Ireland’. Raimondas translator so released them. second major work for Ram- thing like this before, so I’m Festival. In July 2007 a choir very excited. Thinking about Biguzas, Intersecond’s direc- Trading standards of 40 youngsters was selected bert. Live music has always tor pointed me in the direction been an integral part of the it gives me butterlies. I cannot concerns to back Madonna at the Live wait to see the dancing.” of the website, www.nedelsk.lt, A senior trading stand- Earth concert. Rambert experience and the where I found quite persuasive introduction of live choral Eternal Light is at ards oficer in Scotland said: Sadler’s Wells from 11-15 information about the ‘project’ “Trading standards colleagues music is an exciting new available in English. venture for the company. November. For more infor- throughout the country have mation and to book tickets Putting Intersecond into received enquiries with regard Freecycle Rambert’s creative team said a search engine brings up a they were attracted to FCMG’s visit Rambert’s website at to Intersecond. The emotive www.rambert.org.uk. great deal of material. Com- wording (on the bags) relects professionalism and vocal ments, mostly negative, come that of a charity but there is grows and from a huge number of regional no registered charity number newspapers and media in Eng- or any reference to charity land, Ireland and Scotland. Indi- work.” grows 93 HIGH ROAD EAST FINCHLEY N2 8AG viduals on various blogs and Here is the problem: if Inter- The Barnet version of the 02088159898 forums voice their suspicions second does provide funding for trading and swapping that Intersecond is “simply a a good cause in Lithuania, where clothing scam”. website Freecycle has cel- is the independent proof? In the ebrated its irst birthday KODAK PICTURE KIOSK LAPTOPS / COMPUTERS This allegation has been vig- absence of hard facts, it may be PRINT / ENLARGE PICTURES SALE REPAIR UPGRADE orously denied by Intersecond with 4,000 Barnet members FROM CDS PHONE OR DATA RECOVERY wiser to donate our old clothes - and rising. DIGITAL CARDS, ALL RELATED PROBLEMS and by Mr Biguzas. All clothes to a local charity shop. MAKE CALENDARS, SAME DAY SERVICE Users post up their INVITATION CARDS & MORE WITH YOUR OWN FREE unwanted goods and items on PICTURE. the message board, in the hope CHECKUP / ESTIMATES Walk-on part for Dilly BUY DIGITAL CAMERAS ALL BATTERIES, CDS DVDS By Sheila Armstrong that a fellow member will make FRAMES ALBUMS CASSETTES, TELEPHONES a treasure from their trash. The Tricia Gilmore’s infectious laugh won her a part in local aim of����������������������������� the site is to reduce the ilm maker Karen Fraser’s latest ilm Bel Air, ilmed this amount of rubbish society summer in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. creates by giving unwanted T a l k i n g items free to a new home. recently to THE Some of the weird and won- ARCHER Karen derful postings on the Barnet said that she site have included a ‘wanted’ wrote the part post for a ive-bedroom house especially for in Hendon, which had to be Lazooli her neighbour rejected, and an offer of a Tricia. There single squash ball. was also a part John Heyworth, the Freecy- for Dilly, Tri- cle Barnet founder, said: “It’s cia’s lively 15 quite amazing how successful year old Papil- the site has become. It started lon dog, who off with just a few friends, but made her acting Photo Sheila Armstrong the site is growing rapidly, with debut. Filming was timed to so watch this space. She can be just over 175 new users a week. coincide with the Aldeburgh contacted at zenfraser@googl I’m really pleased with what one-day summer festival and email.com. we’ve managed to achieve so far, and I can’t wait to see ������������������������������������������� also featured the locals who And although Dilly is new to ����������������������������������������������� dress up and parade in the ilming her owner is not. Long how next year’s birthday will ������������������������������������������������ town on that day. time East Finchley resident ind us.” ������������������������������������������������� The non-proit organisa- The ilm concerns a girl Tricia has been a ilm extra and ������������ ������������ swimming out to sea to over- model for some years. She can tion was initially founded in ������������ ��������������� come a deep fear. At another be contacted on gilmore867@ 2001 by Deron Beal in Tuscan, ������������������ ������������������� level it explores the way that btinternet.com. Arizona. ����������� ����������������� the elements, the air and the sea, ���������������� ��������������� ������������������ ��������� support us and all life, hence Klages Plumbing & Heating Agency LTD. the title Bel Air. Filming took place in the town, on the beach CONTACT TELEPHONE No: 020 8346 7218 / 8636 ���������������������������� and ive miles out to sea. Karen hopes that there will KLAGE �������������������� ���������������� ������������� be a premiere locally as well as A NAME IN PLUMBING FOR OVER 40 YEARS ������������ in Aldeburgh later in the year, ������������� ������������������

��������������������� ������ ����������������� ����������������������������� ����������������������������� 8 OCTOBER 2008 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 YOUNG ARCHER Citizens What a belter of the By Julia Cooper Haris Bandey is a force to be reckoned with. The Holy Trin- ity School pupil has gained his black belt in karate at the future age of just nine. Year 5 pupil Haris, who lives in the High By Helen Drake Road, has become the youngest member of Friern Barnet’s The history of School Makenki karate club to earn the prestigious belt. Councils stretches back Haris started practising karate when he was six and has risen approximately 40 years, through the ranks, gaining 11 belts before being presented with but with citizenship now his black one back in July. He trains three times at week and won being taught as part of the The Bishop of London at the Holy Trinity balloon release in 2004. a bronze medal at the National Youth Championships last year. He said: “I love karate, I’ve made a lot of friends and am very curriculum, more empha- proud to get my black belt.” sis is being placed on the Balloon’s incredible role of School Councils in relation to “active citizen- ship”. four-year journey School Council UK says: By Julia Cooper “Our vision is of young people A balloon released by children at Holy Trinity School as decision-makers, stakehold- has arrived home after a four-year odyssey and a round ers and partners in their schools trip spanning more than 1,000 miles. and communities”. School The balloon was one of I walked along the beach I Councils empower children hundreds released by children noticed the label and a small to take responsibility and give in 2004 when the Bishop of piece of the balloon in the sand. them a voice in the running of London visited the school to Your balloon probably fell into their schools. mark the opening of the new the sea and was dropped on the Discussing and deciding library and ofice extension. beach by the waves.” School Councils are usually Each balloon had an iden- Holy Trinity headteacher made up of representatives tifying tag attached, and it Tim Bowden said: “It arrived from each year group, elected was this tag that caught the in its envelope full of sand: it by their classmates. Some have eye of German primary school is the genuine article.” budgets, some don’t. Members teacher Margarethe Scheider- Mr Bowden said the school can raise topics for discussion Göte while on holiday on the intends to develop its interna- themselves or on behalf of their island of Norderney in northern tional links and hopes this act classmates, or be asked for their Germany in August. of friendship from across the opinions on matters raised by She kindly posted the tag waves will lead to exciting new staff and governors. back to the school, writing contacts with the Ms Scheider- In recent times at Martin (in perfect English): “When Göte’s school. Primary, council members have debated school dinners, toilets, travelling to school, Fruity poems wanted rules for the school ield and a Local primary schools are being given the chance to take new behaviour policy. At Holy part in the Pound a Poem scheme to raise money for the Trinity School, council mem- Rays of Sunshine children’s charity. bers have decided whether to Children aged ive to 11 can write poems on the theme of fruit spend school funds on days out and vegetables and pay £1 to enter the competition. The best poems or playground equipment, and are published in the Pound a Poem book, and there is a prize of a have even helped to interview family holiday for the national winner, as well as prizes for the win- new teaching staff. ners’ schools. To ind out more, visit www.poundapoem.co.uk. Super karate kid Haris Bandey. Innovative ideas So what is it like to be a member of School Council? New life for unwanted items Shannon Walsh from Martin Recycling isn’t just about to a recycling plant where recycled, you raise money for water pollution. Just one litre of Primary explains: “I am one newspapers and tin cans. they are ‘mashed’ into pulp in the Tree House Trust, based in oil can contaminate one million of the School’s reps for Year Clothes, mobile phones and a machine. North London, an educational litres of drinking water. 6. School Council does more batteries are all welcome 3. At the pulp stage the Yellow charity for children with severe Batteries than just make improvements. in your black box. Here’s Pages are no longer yellow but autism. Each phone can be To recycle household batteries, It is a chance to share ideas to what happens to them when are sold on as greyboard, used worth up to £9. put them in a plastic bag inside make them better and to dis- as a key component of that they leave your home. Engine oil your black box. Complete, cuss things with our teachers. durable household wallpaper, If draining your engine, put the undamaged car batteries should School Council have asked for Textiles and shoes woodchip. oil in a sealed upright container be left next to your box. new clubs like dancing, singing Shoes (tied together in pairs), Did you know? Millions of and leave it next to your black 1. G and P Batteries, the UK’s and drama. It has organised and unwanted clothes, blankets and copies of the Yellow Pages get box. largest collector of waste bat- helped the teachers try loads of materials can all be recycled. turned into animal bedding, 1. M2 Environmental Solutions teries, takes your household and new things. Huff and Puff, a 1. Shoes, clothes and blankets cardboard, Jiffy bags, egg boxes transport engine oil from ECT car batteries from ECT’s recy- time when children can get out are sent to D. Robinson & Son, and loft insulation. Some paper Recycling’s depot in Mill Hill cling depot in Barnet to their playing equipment, was School in Northampton, for sorting. mills can now recycle them into to their depot in Cottenham, factory in Willenhall in the West Council’s idea. We have even 2. After being separated into newsprint. Cambridgeshire. Midlands for re-processing. got an allotment on the ield.” piles, many hundreds of items Mobile phones 2. There, the oil is transferred 2. Batteries are separated into Maggie Driscoll, former are sent to the developing world, Before putting your mobile into huge holding tanks. Sam- those containing lead acid and Headteacher at Martin Pri- depending on their condition. phone out for recycling, ples go to a laboratory to estab- those which don’t. They are mary, says: “I have always Did you know? At least 50 remember to remove the sim lish what sort of oil it is and the either recycled in a furnace irmly believed in listening to per cent of the textiles we card and pop the phone in a best way to clean it. or treated chemically. Each the children’s voice and have throw away are recyclable yet plastic bag. 3. The oil is cleaned, separated, battery’s chemistry requires endeavoured to involve chil- the proportion of textile wastes Mobiles are bagged up and sent shaken and ‘cracked’. The a different recycling process dren in our decision-making reused or recycled annually in to a recycling agency, Carphone ‘cracking’ is simply a result of to achieve the most effective processes at the school. The the UK is only around 25 per Logistics in Wednesbury, where the oil and any water residues recovery of material. children come up with bril- cent. the component parts are broken separating. Finally, after these 3. Recycling batteries allows the liant ideas, often better and Yellow Pages down and environmentally dis- processes have been completed, component parts to be removed more innovative than adults 1. Raven Recycling in Croy- posed of. The phones contain only the ‘good oil’ is left. Mixed and made into new batteries, or would have done.” don receive regular deliveries a range of metals, plastics and with kerosene, it becomes RFO: reused as raw material, such as For more information of Yellow Pages collected in several valuable components ‘reclaimed fuel oil’. This can scrap metal and plastic. on School Councils go to Barnet and manage the process such as silver that can be be sold to factories for their Did you know? It takes 50 www.schoolcouncils.org of turning them into something extracted and re-used. industrial heating systems. times more energy to make and for more information on useful. Did you know? Every time you Did you know? Oils and fuels a battery than it gives during the citizenship agenda go to 2. They send the Yellow Pages put out a mobile phone to be are the most common cause of its life. www.teachernet.gov.uk 9 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 OCTOBER 2008 KALASHNIKOV KULTUR By Ricky Savage, the voice of social irresponsibility Absolute beginner Victoria Davenport, of Durham Road, took up running for all the wrong reasons Something for the man with but now she has run the London Marathon twice. Here, she reveals how she came to terms with getting fit. everything As a child and teenager, fat, labby, without a muscle to my name, I wasn’t Once upon a time when lat caps were lat and a pie ’n’ a pint athletic in the slightest and couldn’t have cared less about sports. Annually, I had nothing to do with Jamie Oliver, football was the people’s failed to make the grade as a Physically Fit American. In gym class I couldn’t game. You stood on terraces in the cold and rain watching pull myself three inches off the ground, or swing from rings or jump a rope. I local lads play in the local mud for the honour of the local started smoking at 16, starved myself, and lived on chocolate bars and cookies. side, and never complained. Players were enslaved by the I decided to try running for all the wrong reasons: to lose weight and counteract the clubs, paid £20 per week and hoped to run a tobacconists or effects of smoking, allowing me to continue to smoke and to eat junk food. run-down pub when they retired. I was 16 the irst time I tried are so many how-tos, where- Victoria has succumbed Then everything changed and now it is universally acknowledged that running. It was winter 1967. I tos, when-tos, if you are just to marathon madness and a man in possession of an exceedingly large fortune must be in want drove to the beach, hoping to starting out, or even if you have will be running the New of a football club. It doesn’t really matter what football club, as long as avoid public humiliation, put been exercising for years, that York City marathon in it’s available. Roman Abramovich did a bit of a Caesar when he bought out my fag and ran a few steps, you can feel paralysed. What November for Medecins Chelsea; he came, he saw, he wrote the cheque. The Glazers bought looking around to make sure shoes should I wear? Heart sans Frontiers. Donations the only club they’d heard of and the Abu Dhabi moneymen may have no one could see me. I lasted monitor? Watch? To drink or are welcomed either through thought they were buying Manchester United. And that’s before we go about three minutes. Gasping not to drink? http//:www.justgiving.com/ anywhere near Wigan. for breath, I got back in the car, Face it, you’re bound to victoriadavenport3, or cheques If you’ve done three ludicrous things before breakfast then buying a lit up and tore off home. make an idiot of yourself one payable to MSF or V. Daven- football club over the pre-luncheon drinks probably comes as naturally I didn’t fall in love with way or another. Too many port, 21 Durham Road. as breathing. Of course, once you’ve bought the club the problems running there and then. I layers, too few, too much begin. Naturally you need to spray your third Ferrari in the club colours, never did. It remains an water, too little: it’s impos- although if they play in pink and lime green you might have problems, ambivalent relationship, at best. sible not to get it wrong. and not just of taste. Being young, however, my nar- Which is how you will Next step is the promises, which should be insane enough to win over cissism had no bounds, and I eventually start to get it the fans. You must promise success, more success and demonstrate a took up running, mainly to show right, not through reading slavish devotion to the manager right up to the moment you sack him. the world my saintly nature. I books and magazines, but It’s fantasy football with real people for your unreal fantasies. Once you was out in all weather, snow simply through experience. stood on the terraces and told your mates you could do better. Now you storms, rain storms, boiling You will learn to listen and own the club you can stand on the terraces and prove that you can’t. heat: nothing would dent my learn, and in the process gain For some people it doesn’t stop there. Manchester City’s new owners self-image as a lithe, it runner. the conidence to know what promised to buy the best players, to win the Premiership, the Champions I continued to smoke two packs is right for you, not the guy League and the World Series, and half of Manchester believes them. But, a day but since then I’ve given alongside you. But it does back in the 1970s, the old Soviet Union decided to do something similar. up. Fitness and fags just don’t mean initially being willing They transferred the whole of the national team to Dynamo Kiev. This go together. to feel like an idiot. Not that would mean success in the European Cup for the club and the World When I irst tried running I anyone is watching you, as Cup for the country. It was almost a stroke of genius, but the next season had no idea what to do, what they’re probably far more Dynamo came second in the Russian league. to wear, anything. Today, there interested in their speed, iPods or looking like a muscle-bound gazelle. Illustration by Victoria Davenport Challenges ahead for new principal at The Institute brera gardens By Vikki Chalmers  garden design  maintenance Joy Solomon, the new Principal at The Institute in East Finchley, describes adult  hard landscaping  interior plants & containers education as her irst love. “It is absolutely my head and my heart,” she says. She  soft landscaping  East Finchley based attributes this feeling to the example set by her father, who had to leave school at 14 Mob. 07939 557 934 Tel. 020 8365 3615 when his own father died. Despite this he became a well-educated, erudite man. “He spent every spare directly relevant. With empha- ideal opportunity to celebrate moment studying,” she says, sis in government funding so The Institute’s past and to get “attending numerous part-time altered, the education world is new momentum going for the adult education courses in col- divided into under 19s and over future.” leges and university.” Encour- 19s. As a result, The National Vote of conidence � � � � � � � aged by her father, Joy devel- Institute of Adult Continuing Joy succeeds Fay Naylor, oped an avid taste for books, Education has been reporting a who was Principal for more than reading six library books a week general downturn in adult edu- 17 years. Fay has retired after from a very young age. cation, with only Skills for Life guiding The Institute through Before joining The Institute, now eligible for funding. a major period of growth and Joy worked for a further educa- “In my view, the future for development, including the tion college looking after adult quality Institutes is to work with move from Hampstead Garden education, rising to become employers. Another major area Suburb to East Finchley. Her Director of Adult Education, for us will be helping adults to faith in The Institute’s future then Assistant Principal. seek new directions under the was, and is, undiminished. Funding changes “Train to Gain” scheme. “With a new business plan in “It is a real privilege to be “As new Principal of the place,” she says, “I believe the appointed to The Institute,” she Institute, it is my job to meet outlook for the future is good.” says. “There is no doubt that the challenges and to turn The Fay will now have time to the present situation is a chal- Institute’s inances round. My pursue other interests, includ- lenge, one for which I feel my arrival, coinciding with our ing travel, writing and enjoying experience and perspective is forthcoming centenary, is an long stays in Italy.

� ���� ���� �������� � ������� ������������ ��������฀�������� www.AndysWeb.net � ������� � ����� ��� ���������� � ������� ������� � ����� � ��������� � ������ � ��������� Certified organic meat ������������������������������ � ���������� ���������� ��������� ������ ��� ������ at reasonable prices ����������������������������� Free-range poultry ���������������������������������� ��� ������ ����� ���� ��������� ������ �� ��� Home-made sausages Professional Graphic Designer available ���� ��� ���� ���� (including Boerwors) ����������������������������������������� ������ ��������������������� �฀��������฀������� ������������������������������������� ������฀������฀������฀��� ������������������ ����฀���฀����฀���� ������������������������������������������ 10 OCTOBER 2008 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 Regular Events October at the Phoenix SPORT & FITNESS By Paul Homer, Phoenix Cinema manager v Finchley & Hornsey Ramblers Group Call Vivien 8883 8190 As the nights begin to draw in, I look back over the summer v Glebelands Indoor Bowls Club, and breathe a sigh of relief. Traditionally summer is a tough Summers Lane N12. New and time for independent cinema. The combination of school experienced bowlers welcome. v Keep fit for the Retired on holidays, sunshine and Hollywood blockbusters means we Wednesdays, Christ Church N12. have fewer people coming through our doors. Call Bridie 8883 5269 This summer, however, was a stupidly when large sums of vMuswell Hill Bowling Club, Kings Ave, N10. New & experienced bowl- steadily busy time at The Phoe- money are available to them. ers welcome. Tel: 8883 1178. nix, helped partly by the lousy With George Clooney, Brad Pitt vPilates in East Finchley, qualied weather that dampened my and a favourite actress of mine, teacher. Contact Dee on 8883 7029 week’s camping in Cornwall as Tilda Swinton, all playing great vPilates class Wednesdays, 2.15- 3.15pm at Youth Theatre, N2. Ring well as many barbecues and bike parts, the ilm is one of the must- Penny Hill 8444 2882. rides, but also helped by some sees of the autumn. vTae Kwon Do at The Green Man strong ilms: The Edge of Love, On 31 October we’re playing Thursdays 7-9pm 07949 612 706 Summer Hour, Man on Wire and Terence Davies’s irst ilm since vTennis club with four clay courts off Southern Road. Call 8883 7723. Somers Town among them. The House of Mirth in 2000. Time vWood Walk, meet 10am at Cherry Some of the arts and crafts on sale at the Art Fair. So The Phoenix is heading and the City is a homage to his Tree Wood cafe on 1st & 2nd Mon of into the autumn, traditionally a home town Liverpool, a lyrical month for 1 hr walk, Call 8883 8750. strong time for us, with a solid documentary with archive foot- v Yoga, breathing & relaxation. Invitation to the Fair summer to build on. Thank age, music and voiceover which Weekly drop-in classes - N2, N6, By Marlene Cohen N10. Phone Judy on 8444 7783. you for your support over this adds up to a beautiful testament v Yoga, pregnancy yoga, meditation Sunday 16 November is the date, 10.30am to 4pm the time period. We’ve got some more to a city now changed out of rec- classes. Call Sunnah 07941 321 772 or and Martin School the venue for the ifth East Finchley see www.stretchingpeople.co.uk great ilms coming up to keep ognition. Open Art Fair, so put it in your diary now. It’s an event you engaged. We’re also delighted to wel- MUSIC, DANCE & not to be missed. The new Coen Brothers ilm come the BFI London Film Festi- CREATIVE ARTS The EFO Art Fair offers to a very high standard. The Fair Burn After Reading opens on 17 val to The Phoenix again. On the v Art Classes. For info call Henry on the community an opportu- organisers offer a wide range October. A critical success at the evening of Monday 27 October 8888 5133. nity to meet local artists and of quality work that includes Venice Film Festival, the ilm is we’re playing Waltz with Bashir v Ballroom Dance Classes, Wednes- more comic than the recent No and Broken Lines. Our box ofice day eves for beginners & improvers . St craftspeople, browse their ceramics, ine art, jewellery, Marys Church Hall, N3. 8444 0280. work and buy direct from photography and textiles. Country for Old Men although is on 020 8444 6789 or visit v Ballroom & Latin American Dance the makers. Entry is free but There will also be artists’ it also focuses on people acting www.phoenixcinema.co.uk. Classes - beginners and Improvers. Wed & Fri eve, Bishop Douglass Sch. 8207 2323. there is a suggested voluntary cards available, handmade E-mail your listings to: v Club Dramatika drama club for donation of £1 per adult visi- soap, exquisite plain paper [email protected] kids. Call 8883 7110. tor. This will go to the local books, wearables and mirrors. Whats On... v Creative writing classes in informal, charity Contact, which works In fact, there is likely to be Friday 3 October - Sunday 19 October friendly atmosphere. Tel Sallie Rose East Finchley Arts Festival, All Saints Church, Durham Road. Saturday 4 0208 444 7217 to improve the quality of life of something to interest everyone October, 12.30pm, Lunch Hour Recital by Duo Dorado; 7.30pm, Hatstand v Drama Classes for 11-14 year olds. elderly, disabled and isolated and it’s a chance to purchase Opera present Golden Moments from Opera. Sunday 5 October, 7.30pm, Mondays at 6.30pm. Contact Carolyn people living in N2. some special and unique Christ- Endellion String Quartet. Tuesday 7 October, 7.30pm, East Finchley Writ- on 07905 481682 ers. Wednesday 8 October, 7.30pm, Jazz Evening with Vipers Dream. v East Finchley Writers Group, Weds The East Finchley Open mas gifts. Thursday 9 October, 7 .30pm, Christophe Coin and The Lupo Consort. at the Old White Lion. Contact Carola (EFO) group is growing both For further information Friday 10 October, 7.30pm, London Ripieno Orchestra & Singers, All 8883 5808 or Lilian 8444 1793. in strength and quality and its please check the website www Saints Choir & Jennifer Bate, organ. Saturday 11 October, 11.30am, 2pm v East Finchley Poetry Writing members produce art and craft .eastinchleyopen.org.uk and 3.30pm, Geoff Felix presents his traditional Punch and Judy Show in Workshops. Monthly on Saturdays. the church garden, free; 12.30pm, Young Artists Recital; 7.30pm Gemma Contact Dennis Evans 8346 9528. Rosefield, cello, and Michael Dussek, piano. Sunday 12 October, 7.30pm v Finchley Jazz Club: All Stars Special Youth Music Centre. Saturday 18 October, 12.30pm, Lunch Hour recital 13 & 27 October at 8pm, Wilf Slack Things that go bump in by prizewinning young organist Tom Bell; 7.30pm, London Mozart Players. Cricket Pavilion, East End Rd, N3. Sunday 19 October, 7.30pm, Finchley Childrens Music Group. Tickets from v Line dancing Tuesdays from Les Aldrich, 98 Fortis Green Road, N10 (020 8883 5631), Black Gull Books, 8.30pm at The Constitutional Club. 121 High Road, N2 (020 8889 5631), online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ Call Maureen 8440 8530. High Barnet efinchleyartsfestival. v Memory Lane Singing Club - Have you got the nerve to take a ghostly and ghoulish walk friendlysinging club meets every Friday through High Barnet? Local guide Paul Baker conducts Saturday 11 October in Finchley. Call Valerie 8458 4508. Guided walk exploring Highgates artistic and literary heritage; 11.30am, v Over 50s Tea Dance at Christ a tour that is ideal for adults and children who love to meet outside Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill (nearest tube Archway or Church, North Finchley. Every Weds, have the life scared out of them. bus 210). £7, group discounts for 10 or more. Also Saturday 1 November. 1pm. 020 8444 0280. Advance booking essential, by phone on 020 8340 7178, by email at v Learn to sing at Finchley Methodist The walk also goes ghost of a churchyard by torchlight. [email protected] or visit www.literarywalks.co.uk. Church, Ballards La. Call 8888 4412. hunting in Monken Hadley, the For Hallowe’en everyone, Sunday 12 October v Street Dance every Tuesday at Old second most haunted village in adults and children alike, is Obama or McCain: whos good for the Jews? Two weeks before America Barn for children of various ages England. Frequently, those who invited to dress up in costume goes to the polls, Melanie Phillips, James Rubin and Jonathan Freedland Contact Lorna 07976 203669. discuss with chair Jon Sopel which candidate will be best for Israel and for v Symphonic Wind Orchestra Con- have attended the tour say that with a prize for the spookiest world Jewry; 7.30pm, Hampstead Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London tact Caroline Egan 8340 2706 they will never look at Barnet one. Take a torch if you have NW3. Price £10. Telephone number for tickets and information: 020 7431 v Tap Dance for children at Old Barn or Monken Hadley in the same one. 9866. Jewish Community Centre for London. on Mondays, Call Sharon 8349 4613 way again. The walk takes place on 31 Sunday 12 October vTraditional Music in the Alexandra Live music at East Finchley Methodist Church, High Road: Red Baroque pub, Church Lane from 8.30.pm on the Scarcely surprising, after October, 1 and 2 November. presents Autumn Serenade, a programme of exquisite compositions by last Thursday of every month. tales of witchcraft, murder, Meet at High Barnet tube at Fauré, Debussy and Ravel featuring Stephanie Beck, outstanding young CLUBS & SOCIAL executions, ghostly ladies in the top of Meadway at 7.30pm. harpist from Liechtenstein, and a sextet of talented musicians; new starting v Bingo Club Mondays 7-9 pm, Green grey, medieval knights, the Tickets are £6, under 12s £3. time of 7.30pm. Free admission, collection in aid of North London Hospice. Man Centre, Contact: Jan 8815 5459 Venue fully accessible to people with disabilities. ghostly dead of the Battle of Phone Paul on 020 8440 6805 Monday 20 October v Contact Lunch Club Tuesdays at the Barnet, topped off with a tour for further details. Green Man. Call 8444 1162 to book. Hampstead Garden Suburb Horticultural Societys autumn talk Wild v EF National Childbirth Trust Plants through the Lens by Dr Peter Brandham, of the Jodrell Laboratory contact Joanna 8883 0941 or joanna- at Kew Gardens; 7.30pm at Fellowship House, Willifield Way, NW11. All [email protected] Conservation choices welcome. Entry £2 for non-members. v Finchley & District Philatelic We talk a lot about conservation but how do we decide Sunday 26 October Society, Contact Brian 8444 3251 which objects should be conserved? Jon Finney will The Big Sing Off in association with Sing the Nation. Sign up to one of three v Friendly Rubber Bridge at The Old explain what is conserved, why, and how, in a talk to singing workshops, and take part in the Big Sing Off or just come along to Barn. Contact 8349 4613 watch. Tim Samuels comperes and singing sensations The Zimmers perform; v Friends of Cherry Tree Wood the Finchley Society. 3.30pm, Hampstead Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3. £6 www.cherrytreewood.co.uk or call Jon is the principal architect Curtain up on workshops, £4 concert. Tickets and information: 020 7431 9866. 8883 7544. Friday 31 October v and planner for the Borough of Haringey Recorded Music Society Halloween ghost walk. Meet at High Barnet tube, top of Meadway, 7.30pm. informal meetings locally. Call David Barnet and is chairman of the Prize for spookiest costume. Also Saturday 1 November and Sunday 2 Novem- Mouldon on 8361 1696. London & Middlesex Archae- theatre school v Highgate Film Society, call 8340 Create Theatre School has ber. Details of this and other Barnet walks: 020 8440 6805. 3343 or email: [email protected]. ological Society’s Historic Until Sunday 2 November v North London Bridge Club, Muswell Buildings and Conservation started its autumn term London premiere of A Tale of Two Cities, a new musical based on the Hill. Contact 8348 3495 Committee. and is welcoming new novel by Charles Dickens; Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, N6; v Jewish Friendship Club for over 60s, He will draw on his wide members. Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7.30pm, Sundays at 4pm; tickets £12-£15 Tuesdays 1-3 pm at Muswell Hill Synagogue, (concessions £10-£12). Box office: 020 8340 3488. experience to talk about con- Drama, dancing and singing Tetherdown. Call Anita Shaw 8886 6140. Whats on at artsdepot, North Finchley v Muswell Hill Tetherdown Bridge, servation and relate it to local classes will be held at Tudor The World in The Gallery: Sunday 5 to Sunday 19 October, 12-4pm. Call Me contact 8883 4390 buildings and area, as well as the Primary School, Queen’s Dave - A Serious Comedy: Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 October, 8pm. Srishti v Old Barn pre-school club, contact Road, N3, on Saturdays. The - Play Ball: Wednesday 15 October, 8pm. My Brilliant Divorce: Thursday 8349 4613/1961 choice of ancient objects. His talk takes place at class for six to 14-year-olds 16 October, 8pm. Musicals of The Night: Saturday 18 October, 7pm. Jake v Parent & Toddler Group, Green and Dinos Chapman: Saturday 25 October to Sunday 23 November, 12- Man Centre, Julia 8444 2276 Avenue House, East End Road, is 9.30am-12.30pm and for 4pm. Stephen K Amos: Saturday 25 October, 8pm. Chapmans Uncorked: v Probus Lunch Club for retired N3, at 8pm on Thursday 30 three to ive-year-olds from Thursday 30 October, 6.30pm. Folk in The Foyer: Friday 31 October, professionals. Call John 8883 8114. 8.30pm. Subitango: Saturday 1 November, 8pm. K-Groove: Thursday 6 vStepping Stones, interactive play session October. Admission for non- 1-2.30pm. Call 020 8882 9009 November, 8pm. for under 3s. Karen 07957 278860. members is £2. for more details. 11 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 OCTOBER 2008 Letters to the Editor Send your correspondence to: “Letters Page”, Telecare scheme is a Scrap this pricing estate will be included in that, and The Archer, PO Box 3699, even better news that there is half a London N2 8JA or e-mail racquet million quid in ring-fenced money to [email protected]. life-saver Dear Editor, pay for the new facilities. By Janet Maitland Maybe us local artists can get The plans for the Cherry Tree Letters without verifiable Vulnerable residents are being urged by Barnet Council Wood pavilion (THE ARCHER, August involved with the designs? Later contact addresses will not be 2008) rightfully place high emphasis on, what about launching an annual to consider the Telecare scheme, after it saved the life of reviewed or printed. Contact an elderly dementia sufferer from Edgware. on education and health. I’m sure summer festival on the ields for details can be withheld, however, I was healthier during the recent when it’s all in place? I’d be happy on request at publication. The Telecare scheme helps house and her daughter was on years when I played tennis for free to meet with anyone who’d like to vulnerable people maintain her way to the property.” their independence and stay in Anyone who wants to ind in the same park ñ before my daily get involved. Email me on efo@e- had been another restaurant (or knock-up with friends was stopped ish.demon.co.uk. betting shop)? their own homes by providing out more about Telecare should by the re-introduction of court fees Yours faithfully, Would it attract more parking equipment such as fall detectors, call the council on 020 8359 that I cannot afford. Adam Justice-Mills problems and trafic congestion? I bed and door exit monitors, and 4693 / 4307. The opening of the Lazy Sally Beech Drive, N2. doubt it. It’s designed to be used by smoke, heat and lood detectors. kiosk meant that Barnet Council local people and the odd passing Any alert is sent to a call centre, Pina Thobhani once again had someone to collect Be positive about trade will pop in and be gone within which instantly sends a message In last month’s article “Surprise the money and my racquet is back 20 minutes. I suspect those that shout to the relevant emergency serv- of medical centre plan”, we in the cupboard. supermarket Dear Editor most about parking problems are the ices and relatives. attributed a comment to Pina Come on, Barnet Council - Sport very ones that create them. Don’t use “The system recently saved For All, obese kids, doing our bit for I am dismayed at the negativity Thobhani of Corey Bros, that the proposed use of the long your car for local shopping, then. the life of Eileen Moore, aged the High Road pharmacists. 2012, quality community amenity - Spoil East Finchley’s ‘village’ 94, when a ire started in her all high-cost objectives? This one is empty unit on the ground loor of Stag We should have said Cootes Court in the High Road arouses (Let- atmosphere? Why would it? That home,” said a spokesperson Pharmacists, not Corey Bros, staring you in the face for the sake atmosphere is as much generated by from Barnet. “Within minutes of a few quid. ters, THE ARCHER, August and Septem- and would like to apologise for ber 2008). Surely it is better to have people as it is by shops. And anyway the Fire Brigade were at her Yours faithfully, it’s not a village anymore but a more any confusion caused. Ken Behan, a retail use than a dull ofice, which has never been attracted to the site urban High Street, so let’s forget the Ingram Road, N2 since it was built, and the planning nostalgia and get real. department at Barnet should have had East Finchley is getting a lot Calendar Field of dreams more nous to know that when it gave better. We have a cafe culture of THE Dear Editor, permission; certainly better to have a sorts but still lack many essentials I was delighted with the Area retail use than no use. such as a butcher that make up a Assembly in Muswell Hill playing truly vibrant and diverse High Street. ARCHER The usual false alarms that are 2009 ields (or is that Coldfall Woods Down the Creighton Avenue/library raised about adverse impact on the Please send me THE ARCHER Calendar 2009. playing ields?). The atmosphere, High Road shops are daft. There end, there is very little. I for one, with music and food, was wonder- are several corner-type shops that would welcome another small and Name: ……………………………………...... ful. Are all assemblies like this? Can’t sell a variety of foodstuffs, and Spar independent supermarket, which I wait for the next one. and Budgens, all of which happily understand was the applicant in this Address: …………………………………...... Getting the involvement of the case (I would wholeheartedly oppose co-exist, or compete. A critical mass ……………………………………………...... children in how the ields should of similar stores actually helps (look a chain such as Tesco Metro). be enhanced was a great idea. So hooray to the 62 people who at Tottenham Court Road electrical ...... Let’s hope they stay involved and stores, for instance). actually bothered to write in support so committed to preserving both Okay, so that is ‘comparison of the shop plan. Let’s support some- Postcode: ………………………………...... the proposed new facilities and goods’ in the jargon, where people thing positively for once, especially of course the beautiful old woods do shop around, rather than ‘con- local business and enterprise, and themselves. venience goods’ or everyday food stop the whingeing. I’ll be looking out for the propos- shopping and other immediate Yours faithfully, Telephone: ………………………………...... als questionnaire in October. Good Alexandra Rook needs, but would there have been Email address: …………………………...... news that most of the Ringwood such an outcry if the proposed use Park Road, N2. Number of copies …….. at £5.00 per copy. Sixty years of helping ministers I enclose a cheque for £…………. made payable to By Daphne Chamberlain ‘The Archer’. Sixty years ago, the National Health Service was born, the Methodist Ministers’ All proceeds to Contact, the East Finchley good neighbour charity. Housing Society was started, and the Reverend Ronald Frost began his ministry. What is the link? Post this order form to: Ronald Frost has been community. The Archer, PO Box 3699, London N2 8JA “retired” for 13 years but is The Reverend Frost told a volunteer preacher on the us that an added bonus is that Please note: Delivery is free. Allow at least 14 days for delivery. Barnet, New River and Isling- ministers now have a say about ton Methodist circuits (includ- where they settle. Having lived ing East Finchley and Ballards in Twyford Avenue while he Lane), a Boys’ Brigade Captain, was Superintendent Minister and a private tutor in GCSE at Archway Central Hall, he maths, English and religious wanted to stay in London, knowledge. where he has many friends. Four years ago, he received So the offer of “an absolutely an OBE for youth work, but wonderful” house in East told THE ARCHER: “I don’t want Finchley delighted him. “It’s this article to be all about me.” easy to run,” he says. “There He wants us to know more is a beautiful new kitchen, and about the MMHS, a provident with my little microwave I society and registered charity, manage very well.” started by a group of individu- Bevan’s helping hand Rev Ronald Frost als to assist retired ministers What is the link with the individuals, but demand still and deacons, and their widows NHS? Nye Bevan, Health and widowers. outstrips supply. For further Minister in Clement Atlee’s information, contact the Soci- A home at last Labour government, also had ety on 020 7467 5272 or at On official retirement, a responsibility for Housing. [email protected]. minister has to leave his house, When a Mrs Hoult gave a group and many are unable to afford of Methodists a house and land new accommodation. Before at Barrow-on-Trent, Bevan, son ����฀�������฀���� the MMHS, they often had to of Baptist and Methodist par- move in with family or take on ents, secured planning permis- ���������� another tied job. The Society, sion for a further 20 lats to be �������������฀���฀����� which owns and maintains built in the grounds. From that ������฀������฀��฀������� almost 1,000 UK properties, grew the MMHS. ������������������������������������ gives them the option of a home The Society has added to ��฀����฀�����฀������฀��฀��� of their own, from where they its property through Benevo- ����฀���฀����฀����฀�฀����฀�฀���� can continue contributing to the lent Funds, organisations and ���������������������������� John’s Shoe Repairs OCTOBER 2008 PAGE 12 Shoes, Trainers, Sandals, Bags and Luggage Complete Repair Service by a craftsman Same day if required Key Cutting 1 Manor Park Rd. N2, behind 88 Church Lane, opposite Trinity Church PublishedHE by East Finchley Newspapers, P.O. RCHERBox 3699, London N2 8JA. www.the-archer.co.uk Tel: 07956 329 150 Open 12-7pm T A Celebrity artworks auction An auction of artwork in aid of the Kaos Signing Choir for Deaf and Hearing Children is to be held in Alexandra Palace this month. Going under the hammer is a selection of specially drawn angels. The A5 pictures have been created by celebrities who, at the time of writing, include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jo Brand, Colin Jackson, Joanna Lumley, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Evelyn Glennie, “Supernanny” Jo Frost, Jeremy Hardy, Geri Halliwell, Emma Thompson, Bernard Cribbins, Mike Leigh, Roger McGough and Sandi Toksvig. Special guest auction- Suite, Alexandra Palace, eer is Rowland Rivron, from 7.30pm to midnight with live music provided on Saturday 18 October. by popular north London Tickets are available at singers The Angels of £15 (including ambro- Kaos. sial buffet). For tickets, The event will take commissioning bids or place in The Palace telephone bids contact S u z y Davies on 07950 359199 or [email protected], or Ali Wood Swimming with ducks on 07950 359209 or [email protected]. For more details and Linda Dolata has been a regular swimmer at the ladies’ pond on Hampstead Heath artwork previews, contact Marcella Hampson, 07989 410314 or [email protected] since 1968. Here she explains what keeps her going back. Artworks up for grabs include oerings from Joanna Lumley (above The awful weather this summer has not deterred the stalwarts from visiting the ponds. left) and Sir Ian McKellen (above right) Indeed many of them, including some notable nonagenarians, swim throughout the winter, breaking the ice if necessary. I usually wimp out by mid-October. During early September, the pond I hang onto one of the a family of kestrels practising STEWART ladies’ pond was a very accept- buoys and just look to see what their lying. There is often a able 61F (16C), and thanks to all is around. On a red-letter day I heron spiralling down to hide DUNCAN the rain, beautifully clean and see a kingisher. On one occa- at the far margin, looking like a fresh. Having said that, the sion this summer, I saw three, prehistoric pterodactyl with its OPTICIANS, SINCE 1962 ponds are checked constantly presumably this year’s brood on clumsy light. For many years EYE EXAMINATIONS to ensure good water quality. an early outing. Equally exotic there was a beautiful Persian DESIGNER EYEWEAR They are part of a moving water are the family groups of ring- cat that lived wild and deigned CONTACT LENSES LATE NIGHT system so are not stagnant at necked parakeets calling from to join the sunbathers in the DYSLEXIA CLINIC any time. the trees (I know many people summer. DVLA APPROVED Many of the ladies who dislike these immigrants, but I To me there is no place OLD FASHIONED SERVICE swim in the pond are serious like their cheerfulness). quite like the pond. Do come 020 8883-2020 swimmers, dedicated to outdoor Above the water, house mar- and experience it for yourself, 126 HIGH ROAD, EAST FINCHLEY swimming, but I suspect that tins circle. This year has seen but do so quietly. many others go for the real sense of peace. Stress melts away within minutes of arriv- Silver cyber surfers ing at this beautiful place. People aged over 55 who cannot afford a computer have a Radios and phones are chance to receive one free in a scheme using reconditioned Est 1988 banned on the meadow where models formerly used by council staff. CCTV one can sit, read, sleep, sun- The computers will be be able to allocate around 10 bathe or just think. It is a lovely provided with the Windows a month to residents. A panel place to have a snack, as long XP operating system pre- of council oficers and a repre- as you don’t mind sharing it loaded. Anyone over 55 will sentative from the Barnet Vol- with the permanent residents be able to apply by illing in untary Service Council (BVSC) who turn up hopefully. Among an application form explain- will administer the scheme. For them are cheeky magpies, ing why they need one and more information, contact the which bounce up as close as what they would use it for. council’s Grants Unit on 020 they dare, comical but shy The council is expecting to 8359 2020. ducks, and (more unusually) gentle moorhens. I have my own special reason for going for a swim most days. I swim to the far Y NOT HA end of the pond, choosing times H V W E when there is hardly anyone else Your in the water, and use a sort of c r t elderly breaststroke that hardly Alongside our current therapies we are Se u i y disturbs the surface. A r ble s pleased to announce the addition P o mv ! Y At the distant part of the FR Sol ed VE of a qualified Acupuncture Therapist EE UR Can you help us with ALARM S distribution? Telephone for more information and booking The Archer needs volunteer distributors for The Grange. 020 8444 0666 Each round takes approx 30-45 Dr Mark Warren BSc. MChiro. ICSSD Chiropractor 0800 279 0792 mins to deliver each month. 112 High Rd East Finchley London N2 For details please call 020 98 High Road, East Finchley N2 9EB 8883 0433 or email the- www.activechiropractic.org.uk [email protected] www.securebase.co.uk [email protected] The Archer is a non-proit-making, non political & non religious newspaper, staffed entirely by volunteers.