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20p ISSN 1361-3952 where sold Archer February 2021 No. 322 A community newspaper for East run entirely by volunteers. Historic house finally bites the dust By Daphne Chamberlain Goodbye, Valona House. One of the oldest buildings in has finally been demolished as devel- opers move in to prepare for replacing it with a new block of flats. Anyone new to the area may windows, counted against it. not have realised that the hoard- Controversial ings that have stood opposite the Underground station for development Despite a petition with more more than three years were than 1,000 signatures, and vehe- partly concealing a handsome ment objections from many 200-year-old house. other people, including The Built in the 1820s from local Finchley Society, the develop- brick, Valona House was here ment application was finally long before the railway, when granted in June 2018. Objec- the Old White Lion pub was tions to the proposals listed a coaching inn called the Dirt poor design, overdevelopment, House, Market Place was a encroachment on neighbours’ famous pig market, and neigh- privacy, lack of parking space, bouring manor houses stood and the risk of accidents from around the notorious Finchley vehicles being forced to reverse Common. out into the High Road in a The hire car years blind spot. Originally one private house Final approval was hedged Bring the house down: Valona House being demolished last month. Photo Mike Coles with stables, it was bought in around with conditions, which 1953 by Cyril Wilds, a well- only resulted in new plans, known local man who ran a fleet involving even more flats (in of hire cars. He had started off one instance below ground Clean-up mystery after the night before By Ann Bronkhorst by keeping his cars in the sta- level). tion forecourt, but now moved Last year it was listed for sale An odd time and place to them to the courtyard of Valona at auction, and bought by Can choose for a get-together, a House, and leased the house Deniz, who is also building January night and a damp as flats. the flats in the car park behind . Our picture Budgens. shows what was left behind The cur- the morning after. rent plan is Furious, the Friends of for 24 one-, Coldfall Wood arranged to meet two- and to clear up after the unknown three-bed- revellers, only to be beaten to room flats, it by persons unknown. These plus a com- good people not only removed mercial the chairs and litter and filled Abandoned: Chairs and litter surround the remains of a fire in Coldfall Wood unit. With in the fire site but also left a the North- message saying: “Have fun but ern line and please remove your rubbish”. bus services It’s great to know that users Frontage: Valona House as it was in the early 2000s on their of the wood care enough to doorstep, tackle a mess like this one. The Minicab business Greater no parking facilities will be Friends send grateful thanks to Hire took over from provided. some unknown good fairies! him in 1968, becoming a valued part of East Finchley life. When their lease expired in 2017, EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL they were forced to move to Bounds Green, and developer 38 High Road London N2 9PJ Safeland were very soon pre- 08002793463 - 02084447994 senting plans to demolish the Find your new home today... house and build 21 flats with two parking spaces. Successful independent estate agent, established since 1992 A last-ditch attempt to save Residential and commercial, sales, lettings and management specialists Our friendly and helpful staff provide a professional and genuine service the house by getting it listed was 40 High Road, East Finchley Our office is situated 100 yards from East Finchley Station unsuccessful. A fire in the 1980s London N2 9PJ had destroyed a rear exten- www.primelocations.co.uk sion, and the replacement, plus Estate Agents Valuations Sales Lettings [email protected] possible enlargement of some Overseas Properties Management Services 020 8883 9090 • Visit us online at www.the-archer.co.uk or Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @TheArcherN2 • 2 FEBRUARY 2021 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk The Archer USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS PO Box 3699, London N2 2DE Councils Help & Advice Drugs Helpline 0800 776600 www.the-archer.co.uk Email: [email protected] Barnet Council 020 8359 2000 Childline 0800 1111 Health Info Service 0800 665544 @TheArcherN2 Recycling & refuse 020 8359 4600 Citizens Advice Barnet 0300 4568365 MIND 020 8343 5700 Benefits 0800 882200 Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 8081677 National Blood Centre 0845 7 711 7711 Voicemail (messages only) 0800 612 0748 for editorial and general Haringey Council 020 8489 0000 EF Advice Service 0300 4568365 enquiries or 0800 612 4027 for Advertising enquiries only Recycling & refuse 020 88857700 Lone Parent Centre 020 3828 4834 Crime Benefits 020 8489 2800 Missing Persons Helpline 116 000 Emergency 999 Published by Editorial Team Finance & East Finchley Newspapers Diana Cormack Advertising National Debt Line 0808 156 7718 Police non-emergency 101 Leisure NSPCC 0808 8005000 CrimeStoppers 0800 555111 Copy Editor Daphne Chamberlain John Dearing John Lawrence Sub Editors Distribution Alexandra Palace 020 8365 2121 Rape Crisis helpline 0808 802 9999 Victim Support 0845 303 0900 East Finchley Library 020 8359 3815 Refuge Crisis Helpine 0808 2000 247 Production Editor Ann Bronkhorst Toni Morgan Alison Roberts Jeff Robson Jane & David Marsh Everyman, 0872 436 9060 Relate Helpline 0300 100 1234 Hospitals Lucy Moorman Printed By Picture Editor Garden Suburb Library 020 8458 3301 RSPCA 0300 1234 999 NHS 111 Sharman & Co Ltd Mike Coles Muswell Hill Library 020 8489 8773 Samaritans 116 123 Barnet General 08451 114000 Phoenix Cinema 020 8444 6789 SENDIASS Barnet 020 8359 7637 General 020 8952 2381 Thank you to The Bald Faced Stag and New Local Cafe for providing us with a meeting place. 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National Express 0871 781 8181 Cancer Support 020 8202 2211 Age UK Barnet 020 8203 5040 March: 12 February April: 12 March TfL 0343 222 1234 Carers’ Line 0808 808 7777 Independent Age 0800 319 6789 Copy deadlines – Thameslink 0345 026 4700 Drinkline 0800 917 8282 Age UK 0800 169 2081 May: 16 April A friend on the line Volunteers from the East Finchley Neighbourhood Sup- Extra floors for flats under port group have started a free Phone a Friend service for anyone who is feeling isolated and alone during the lockdown. new planning rules Local residents are on hand themselves. For assistance By John Lawrence to offer a regular friendly chat email HungryN2@hotmail. A plan has been submitted to build an extra floor of homes on the top of the two front to anyone who may be missing com or call the EFNS helpline blocks in Mansfield Heights, the community of 45 houses and flats that sits between human company. Call 0843 on 0843 886 5900. 886 5900 or email EFcovid@ You can also find help with Great North Road and gmail.com for a call-back or to collecting shopping or prescrip- Aylmer Road. schedule a phone chat. tions. And there is a book club Developers Redington The support group has that meets online every three Capital are asking Haringey grown rapidly since the start weeks, along with plans for a Council for permission to add of the pandemic last March and Share Your Story video call an extra layer on to the exist- now provides a range of help for once a week, giving a chance ing three-storey north blocks people in need. to connect and chat with others. to provide nine new homes. Its Food Project supplies If you’d like to volunteer, Residents who have objected healthy tasty food from The visit the Community Organisa- to the proposal say they are Phoenix Cinema every Tuesday tions page at ILoveN2.co.uk or worried that it contains no between 10.30am-12.30pm keep informed by joining East mention of additional parking for individuals and families Finchley Neighbourhood Sup- spaces to accommodate new who may be struggling to feed port’s Facebook group. residents and their vehicles. PLANNING APPLICATIONS Others have raised concerns councils for determination of Barnet Council and associated ancillary works. Roof extension, involving rear over the disruption and pollu- whether approval is needed 10 Ashburnham Close, N2 36 Heath View, N2 dormer window, Juliet balcony tion that would be caused by for specific design issues. Single-storey side extension. Single-storey rear extension. New and two front roof lights. Replace- the building work. Residents This is the application that Replacement of conservatory front porch. ment of existing rear outbuilding. directly opposite on Great is currently with Haringey roof with solid flat roof. New side Rear of 20 High Road, N2 26 Market Place, N2 North Road say a higher floor Council for consideration. window opening. Use of premises as Class E(g)(iii)) Roof extension, involving rear overlooking their homes would Mansfield Heights is made up 8 Bedford Road, N2 light industrial processes. dormer window, two front and destroy their privacy. of two interlinked three-storey Variation of condition of planning 12 Howard Walk, N2 one side facing roof lights. In August last year, the Gov- blocks, a six-storey block and permission for single-storey rear Single-storey side and rear 1 Oak Lane, N2 ernment started to streamline a terrace of houses built in extension, including raising roof extension, following demolition Single-storey rear extension. some planning procedures. 1956 as housing for Met Police height on infill extension. of garage. Roof extension, includ- Haringey Council Among them was the intro- officers but now in private 18 Church Lane, N2 ing rear 1 The Terrace, Lauradale Road, duction of a right to add “up ownership. Part single, part two-storey rear/ dormer window and one con- N2 to two additional storeys of The developers originally side extension, following demoli- servation side roof light. New Rear dormer and four front roof residential accommodation on submitted an application in tion of conservatory, workshop rear garden shed. Alterations to lights. top of existing, purpose-built 2019 to add 12 new flats but and hard and Mansfield Heights, Great North blocks of flats”. this was scaled back to nine rear outbuilding. Roof extension soft landscaping to front garden. Road, N2 A condition of this auto- when the decision was taken involving rear dormer window. 4-5 King Street, N2 Application to determine if prior matic planning permission is not to add an extra floor to the 83 Durham Road, N2 Replacement of existing pitched approval required for roof exten- that developers must apply to six-storey south block. First-floor rear extension. roof. Mansard roof extension, sion over detached north and , East involving three front and three south blocks of flats to provide End Road, N2 rear dormers. Creation of one nine new homes. Demolition of existing building, self-contained flat. Alterations to 36 Twyford Avenue, N2 East Finchley Baptist Church Installation of pre-fabricated unit front fenestration, with provision Single-storey rear extension. including two ambulant disabled of Juliet balconies and front porch. First-floor side extension under cat Sunday Morning Worship 10.30 am WC cubicles, following levelling Associated off street parking, bin slide roof, with front dormer. Hip- of ground. store and cycle storage. to-gable loft conversion with front Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Grass Verge Land Adj East 39 Lincoln Road, N2 roof lights and two rear dormers. please visit our website to see whether Finchley Library, 226 High Roof extension, involving side/ 62 Twyford Avenue, N2 we are meeting online or in person at the church. Road, N2 rear dormer windows and two Single-storey extension: depth For more information please contact the Church Office Proposed 15m Phase 8 Monopole front roof lights. 7.5m, maximum height 4m, eaves Email: [email protected] C/W wrapround Cabinet at base 12 Manor Park Road, N2 height 3m. www.eastfinchleybc.org.uk 3 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2021 Time to stop dropping these dirty face masks By John Lawrence East Finchley workers and residents are being urged to rid the area of yet another unwanted symptom of the Covid pandemic: the blight of hundreds of masks dropped carelessly on our pavements and in our parks. Eden Ford has lived in Hertford Road, N2, for more than 20 years and daily walks his black German shepherd dog Seren from his home along Durham Road and Summerlee Avenue to Cherry Tree Wood, returning via the High Road. Noticing so many dis- carded masks, Eden decided to photograph all those he saw along his route, being careful not to duplicate. The composite picture shows his results. Taken over one week, he photographed no less than 34 masks in only five roads and the park. Eden said we had just started reaping the rewards of fewer plastic bags littering our roads thanks to the single- use carrier bag tax when they were replaced by something altogether more heinous. Eden’s message “We now have what is basically medical waste, something even the boldest of good citizens would balk at the thought of picking up,” he said. “Horribly disposable single-use blue masks and brightly coloured reusable masks are hanging from Dirty waste: Eden Ford’s montage of hedges and polluting pave- masks he found littering the streets of ments all about our village. East Finchley “The fact is that masks will be with us for some time and people may never want to give them up. Something A Local Handyman we can all do is pay much available for general household more attention to what hap- & garden maintenance. pens when our masks are not No Job Too Small on our faces. Please dispose Clean air zone charges are coming Free Estimates of them properly, not on the Households in East Finchley received a leaflet last month reminding them that Call John on: 0789 010 3831 or: 0208 883 5325 ground.” the Mayor of London will be introducing charges for the worst-polluting vehicles Eden has created a Face- across the capital anywhere inside the North Circular and South Circular roads book group called Stop Drop- Midhurst Butchers ping Dirty Facemasks and an from October. Instagram account with the The Ultra Low Emission Mayor of London Sadiq Khan daily charges will heap extra Certified organic meat name stopdroppingdirtyface- Zone (ULEZ) will impose says the expanded ULEZ will costs onto the poorest families at reasonable prices masks. He urged people to daily charges of £12.50 on help to improve air quality for who cannot afford a new car and help raise awareness of the cars, motorcycles, vans and millions of Londoners, and onto small businesses who may Free-range poultry problem by posting examples minibuses every day of the that four out of five cars in be running older vans. Home-made sausages of mask litter they see out on year except Christmas Day, the zone already comply with To find out what you will (including Boerwors) their daily walks. depending on their emissions. emission standards and will pay, enter your vehicle regis- therefore not incur charges. tration at tfl.gov.uk/ulez-21. 2 Midhurst Parade, But there are concerns that the Fortis Green, London N10 Tel. 020 8883 5303

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T: 0208 883 9414 l F: 0208 444 5414 Call John M.I.M.I W: www.creegodfreyandwood.co.uk l W: www.creegodfreyandwood.co.uk Cree Godfrey & Wood 28 High Road East Finchley London N2 9PJ 0773 851 4406 greenedriving.co.uk 4 FEBRUARY 2021 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk N2United: How to build a place to live and work in By Charles Haydn In the January edition of The Archer, N2United, the com- munity and business network for the area, reflected on how the East Finchley community and particularly many of its businesses had come together to provide much needed support during the times of lockdown. Their January meeting should be given to where we focused on ideas about how to want to be in one, five and maintain the positives of this 10 years’ time either from the period and make an already point of view of an individual, strong community better. Guest business or organisation. speaker was Roger Chapman, The meeting also included an influential voice in the com- updates from the Food Project munity helping to run the East and Tarling Road Community Helping hand: Laura Roberts delivers laptops to Cathy du Vergier and Tristan Green at Martin Primary. Finchley Festival for more than Hub, as well as consideration Photo Mike Coles 35 years until stepping down in of existing community ideas 2018 and now a driving force like a local loyalty card and a among the Friends of Cherry way to improve our daily walks. Laptop scheme helps Tree Wood. He talked about Businesses will be pleased to the importance of community hear the popular N2Unique planning to help create the campaign will be extended to best environment to live and include the cafes, restaurants children learning at home work in. and takeaways currently open. By David Gritten Looking forward Full details of the meeting can be found at n2united.co.uk The latest lockdown, with there, to pass on to pupils. She need, Laura also wants to con- Underlined by the recent frustration felt by many about and the next will be on Thurs- entire families now stay- is also in touch with the Archer tact locals with some technical day 11 February, again open Academy and Bishop Douglass knowledge: “Anyone who can the cycle lanes and the lack of ing home, has thrown up consultation before implemen- to everyone to help, as Roger several unforeseen prob- School. fix broken screens, someone suggested, “identify the dots She first heard about prob- who could reset laptops. That tation, Roger pointed out that lems, including the needs of even without Covid-19 and the and join them together” under- lems being faced by homebound would be very helpful.” pinned by a collaborative and children to do school work children on BBC Radio. “A Laura can be reached at lap- new way people are working, effectively. more people will move into mutually supportive plan. To headteacher was saying she [email protected]. share your ideas or to help select With this in mind, East knew of families with four She also has a website: laptops- the N2 area given the hundreds Finchley resident Laura Roberts of homes under development. the next showcased business, or five children and only one forlockdown.com. email [email protected]. has set up a scheme called device. All the kids had to Therefore due consideration Laptops For Lockdown, share it asking local people to donate and maybe that laptop also unwanted laptops and tablets had to help a parent work from that children could use for their home. House holds a place in history home schooling. “I thought, even in my road, By Ivor Gaber “Some families might have I’m sure there are spare laptops ‘A.J.P. Taylor, 1906-1990, Historian and Broadcaster lived here’ reads the plaque on four or five children and only knocking about in cupboards the neat semi-detached house on Fordington Road, N6, just adjacent to Cherry Tree one of two devices to share or the bottoms of drawers, not Wood. between them,” she observes. being used. It seemed to me it Alan Taylor was one of Brit- “So their education may be would be good to unite them suffering at a time when they ain’s most famous historians, with children and young people and indisputably the first-ever need it the most.” who needed them.” Laura has contacted Martin ‘telly don’, a breed now made School, near her home, and has Tech help needed famous by the likes of Simon already started sending devices Having now identified a Schama, Mary Beard and Lucy Worsley. Back in the Fifties, in the days of black and white telly, Cemetery collision Taylor would just stand in front A vehicle crash caused serious damage to one of the his- of the camera and talk for an toric stone walls outside the gates of the Islington and hour. No pictures, interviews or St Pancras Cemetery on the High Road, N2, last month. videos were needed to illustrate Several blocks of stone were destroyed and vehicle debris his spellbinding talks. was left along the pavement and gutter in the collision, Between 1955 and 1964, thought to have happened around 6am. Taylor lived in Fordington Road with his second wife Eve, the sister of the Labour politician Anthony Crosland. Remembered: The house bearing the AJP Taylor plaque, left Nicky Sharp well-known books, including Sir Hugh Trevor Roper, and that Osteopathy Clinic probably his most famous and was perhaps why Oxford never certainly his most controversial made the ‘telly don’ a real don. work The Origins of the Second But as the blue plaque in Now offers World War. Fordington Road reminds us, Taylor’s life was filled with for all the contradictions Taylor, Manual Lymphatic drainage controversy and contradiction. or AJP as he was known, was Specialising in Lymphoedema A left-winger and founder of a great English radical and the Campaign for Nuclear Dis- historian. For enquiries, consultations and appointments: armament, he was nevertheless Are there other blue plaques devoted to the right-wing press in the area? Let us know by baron Lord Beaverbrook. He emailing news@the-archer. Telephone: 020 8815 9433 www.nickysharposteopathy.co.uk had great spats with many of his co.uk or leaving a message on 260 East End Road And it was in this house that Taylor wrote some of his most contemporaries, most notably our Freephone number 0800 London N2 8AU e-mail: [email protected] 612 0748. 5 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2021 Grange Big Local reveals first list of grant winners By John Lawrence Music therapy and a community garden are among the projects being supported by the first round of cash grants from the Grange Big Local (GBL) team, it has been announced. GBL put out a call last year reduce isolation and promote open to students, staff, and the for ideas that will make a posi- healthy aging. wider community as a space for tive difference to people living Something Out The Ordi- reading, counselling, gardening in its regeneration area, centred nary (SOTO): a programme and animal therapy. on the Grange estate and the of free, online, arts-focused Akana Theatre: an online northern end of East Finchley, activities in dance, drama, programme offering local resi- as well as the wider N2 area. and music for disadvantaged dents the chance to build their On offer were grants of up and marginalized children and confidence, problem-solve, to £500 for individual residents young people aged between five and work as a team through the and up to £10,000 for local and 25, aiming to boost mental medium of improv theatre. organisations to get the projects health and confidence. Acting for Health: a com- off the ground. North London Music Ther- munity arts project that uses The GBL team said the judg- apy: The Wednesday Group is theatre and acting to tackle ing panel “had the difficult task a weekly online music therapy issues around health and well- of narrowing down a brilliant group for young people to come being. pool of applications to just a together, using lyric writing and Tarling Road Little small handful of recipients”. online music software to build Garden: to celebrate the com- So, in response, they increased a community of music makers. pletion of this community Good news: Kevin Lukau, second left, with his basketball training the budget for the programme Little Volcanoes: working garden funded by Grange Big team on the Cherry Tree Wood court. Photo Mike Coles. and have announced funding hand in hand with two local Local’s first Community Grants for nine local residents and schools, these online science programme in 2019, Tarling nine organisations. Among the workshops will feature hands- Road Little Garden plan to have Unsafe basketball organisation projects being sup- on experiments, drama, and a celebration event bringing ported are: singing, motivating children to local residents together later Wild About Our Woods: not only learn science, but to this year. and tennis courts to an eco-therapy and wellbeing enjoy the process as well. To find out more about the pilot based in local community Friends of the Archer individual projects Grange Big forest garden Barnwood N2, Academy: The Archer Acad- Local are funding, check their be resurfaced off Tarling Road, offering a emy Parents Association are Instagram and Facebook @ By David Melsome tailored programme of nature- building an outdoor classroom grangebiglocal or follow them based workshops and activities at their lower school site in on Twitter at @GrangeBL The ageing basketball and tennis courts in Cherry Tree for local residents aged 55+ to Eagans Close, N2, that will be Wood will be rebuilt over the next few months after Barnet Council found the funding and appointed a contractor to carry out the resurfacing work. Safety fears over Sunday parking Last September, The Archer proved their value for our By John Lawrence reported on calls from regular physical and mental health and users to repair the badly dam- wellbeing over the past year and Residents of the Thomas More estate in East Finchley say inconsiderate parking by aged courts following years of it’s great to see this value being churchgoers is becoming a nuisance and potentially putting their lives at risk. deterioration and an incident recognised,” he said. A small chapel in the East where a basketball player was Equipment standards Finchley Cemetery, off East injured during a game. urged End Road, is hired out by the A Barnet Council site Regular basketball player cemetery’s owners, Westmin- inspection revealed that the Luke Tiratsoo thanked the ster Council. The congregation one basketball and two tennis council and everyone who who arrive to use it on weekends courts all required a complete worked with them to secure park their cars on Thomas More rebuild. They were kept open in the funding. But he pointed out Way immediately opposite and the short term thanks to regular that it was important for the sometimes inside the private sweeping by the council, play- renovations to use regulation roads of the Thomas More ers and volunteers from the posts, hoops and backboards estate. Friends of Cherry Tree Wood. recognised by sporting bodies One resident told us: “The Plans are welcomed so that Cherry Tree Wood cars are parked across dropped Once funding was assigned, could be used for competi- kerbs and they block our Blakedown Sport & Play Ltd tive games between amateur roads. There was one inci- was appointed as the contractor teams from across the region, dent where a fire engine to carry out the rebuild. This as well as for leisure games. couldn’t get in. Thankfully, same contractor undertook the “It may sound like a minor there wasn’t a fire that day refurbishment of the tennis and issue, and obviously we are but we need to keep our roads multi-sport courts in Victoria all massively thankful for the open for emergency vehicles. Park, off Long Lane, N3, last resurfacing. We just feel that’s “We go to church elsewhere spring. it’s really important we get this in East Finchley and have no The Cherry Tree Wood thing right,” he said. problem with people using the works will replace like for like, Packed: Cars parked outside homes in Thomas More Way, with the leaving the two tennis courts and one basketball court in the DO YOU FEEL VERY ANXIOUS MUCH OF THE TIME? chapel beyond. same dimensions, adding new Does your anxiety sometimes feel out of proportion? chapel but they must respect diction of Barnet Council. The nets and posts for both sports the neighbourhood where other roads on the estate have and erecting new surrounding Do you find it hard to calm and soothe yourself? they’re parking. These are parking restrictions imposed fencing. There will be a good reason for your levels of anxiety, not short services and seem by the estate manager Optivo. Roger Chapman, Chair of possibly buried in experiences from the past to last for hours at a time. We East Finchley councillor Arjun the Friends of Cherry Tree have spoken to the priest and Mittra said the matter had been Wood, said it was really good HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP YOU REACH, RELEASE the situation did improve for raised with Barnet Council news for a much-needed local AND CLEAR HISTORICAL TRIGGERS FOR ANXIETY a couple of weeks but then but there was little they could facility. “It’s great to see such went back to being bad.” do as Thomas More Way was Free, no-obligation, introductory chat desperately needed investment Residents are asking for road not connected to an existing in our local park. Parks and Call or email me to find out more: markings and warning notices controlled parking zone and it [email protected] 020 8444 5498 07703 404 839 open spaces have particularly to be placed on Thomas More was not possible to set one up www.kathrynscorza.co.uk Way, which is under the juris- for a single road. 6 FEBRUARY 2021 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk Learning to make connections across the globe Jane Conway tells the story of the very special connection that has grown between pupils at Martin Primary School in East Finchley and children at a school 5,000 miles away in western India. It was a baking hot day in elaborate designs, and patiently use of computers. Particularly January, the temperature allowing me to help sprinkle the important was the size of the registering 36°C in the air- different coloured powders in my rooms, big enough for the 7th less classroom. I was visiting inexpert way. Standard children to sit the state Tryamboli Vidyalaya School in Early one morning Namretta exams which would allow them Kolhapur, Maharashtra, which came knocking on my door and to move on to secondary school. gesticulated that she wanted me When I returned to Kolhapur a has shared a special bond with to come with her. I followed her year later, in 2013, I carried with Martin Primary School since and her boys along the lanes me a heavy suitcase of children’s their ‘twinning’ in 2016. behind the bungalow, past the story books and encyclopaedias On this particular day, there row of single-roomed houses which had been donated by the was great excitement because where women were washing families of Martin Primary School. for the first time, children from clothes on their doorsteps, and I will never forget the excitement of both schools were going to talk then up three steps and through the pupils as they opened up the to each other. In London, teachers a gate into a large open area of books and turned the pages, full Julie Taylor and Shona Glakin had wasteland where, in front of a low of wonder at the colourful illustra- been at school early to prepare brick building, stood 200 children tions. For many of the children for the video call. At my end, it Page turner: Tryamboli girls in an English lesson in neat rows, apparently waiting for there, a book was an unaffordable was the afternoon and a group of my arrival. As soon as they saw luxury, the significance of which children were gathered round my is never the need for anything but and answers, one of the Indian me, they started singing a song of was movingly articulated by one of mobile phone in eager anticipation the lightest jacket. children carried my phone around welcome in English, and from that the pupils. Now a college graduate of seeing their London peers. They Their carefully rehearsed ques- Tryamboli School, introducing instant, my heart was irrevocably in IT, and fluent in English, he told had prepared some questions in tions were immediately forgotten, each class in turn and provoking a bonded with the school. me on my last visit that he had English, their third language after giving way to spontaneous ones. chorus of high-spirited greetings. Tryamboli Primary school had never seen a book before that day. Marathi and Hindi, which they were “Why so many clothes?” they It was with reluctance that they been set up on a charity basis “I knew they existed of course,” he keen to practise in a meaningful wanted to know. “Why are they said goodbye, keen to keep the to provide an education for the said, “but when I held them and context. wearing things on their hands and link live for as long as possible. children living in the neighbouring looked at them, I started to have But classes were about to begin slums, taking them from aged 4 in a different hope for my future, I in London. Lower Kindergarten to 7th Standard started to have a dream.” For the rest of my visit, the (the same as the English Year Partners children wanted my help to form 7). It started life in a cow shed The partnership between a myriad of questions they could and had gradually expanded to Martin and Tryamboli Primary ask Martin School children the a row of small brick interjoined schools has grown steadily year next time they spoke to each classrooms. by year with a reciprocal sharing other. Indeed, they were so keen However, it still lacked the of cultures and desire to learn to communicate further that we most basic resources of water about each other. I have been spent an afternoon writing letters and electricity and only the oldest amazed by the inspired ideas of for me to take back to London. It children had desks – the younger Martin School pupils who have was heart-warming to see them ones sat on a hard, concrete floor wanted to show their support completely absorbed in their all day. Most of the items we take and friendship for Tryamboli in efforts to interact with children for granted in a school setting many different ways, from raising thousands of miles away. were absent, even pens and paper money for new resources, to hand- How it began and books. The teachers were made gifts of picture books, wall Classrooms: The primary school is in the heart of a slum area My first encounter with Try- amboli School was in January Questions and answers heads?” When the Martin children 2012. My husband had organised After a few technical hitches, were sent off to hang up their coats a two-month sabbatical from his Julie and I had a clear WhatsApp and put away their backpacks, job at University College Hospital connection, just in time for the chil- this stimulated new questions. to collaborate on a research project dren with me to witness the Martin Where were the coats and bags with a medical team in Kolhapur. I School children bursting into their going? Tryamboli children come had taken leave from my teaching classroom, fully wrapped-up in to school without outer garments job to go with him. winter coats, hats, scarves and and keep their bags with them, so Kolhapur is a busy industrial gloves. The Tryamboli children the concept of a ‘cloakroom’ was town, famous for its brick indus- were astonished and perplexed; unknown to them. try, leather shoes and the Shri even in a South-Indian winter, there After a series of questions Ambabaix temple. Although visited by many Hindu worshippers, Kolhapur is not on the tourist track All Saints’ Church, Durham Road, for foreigners and Westerners are East Finchley rarely seen there. For our stay we were given Church of England accommodation on the outskirts of the town where the urban and You are welcome to join us for: rural are juxtaposed; busy streets Sunday mass at 10.00 a.m. and and rows of overcrowded small Weekday masses as advertised on the website. dwellings lead to open patches of land where animals graze and Love of reading: Tryamboli boys with a book donated by Martin Primary Face masks must be worn for the time being. wander. Behind our bungalow was a sprawling slum area, a maze of dedicated and the children keen to hangings, personalised bunting Or join our live-streamed services on our Facebook narrow lanes and pathways. study, but funds were desperately and bookmarks, and, as shown page: Getting to know you needed to create better conditions in a recent Archer edition, cotton https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsef/ I soon made friends with a and to provide more teaching bags with a design showing the The church is also open for private prayer as family of four generations sharing resources. partnership between the two advertised on the website. one room. I invited the two young Water, classrooms and schools. In return, the Tryamboli boys to play in our garden and their dreams pupils and teachers have made Prayer requests are gladly accepted. mother, Namretta, and I communi- With the help of medical col- ingeniously resourceful presents cated enthusiastically, undaunted leagues in Kolhapur, and friends out of recycled materials, as well For more information, by reliance upon improvised sign and family in the UK, we raised as their own picture books, cards, contact the Vicar, Fr Ian Chandler, on language and a limited vocabulary initial funds to build two big new pottery and Diwali decorations, to 020 8883 9315 of English and Hindi. Each morn- airy classrooms with desks and send back to London. Few of the Email: [email protected] ing she was up at dawn, busy benches, and to install water and children have been further than or check out our website: with her housework, but in her electricity – thus allowing for fans their Kolhapur neighbourhood, but http://www.allsaints-eastfinchley.org.uk free time she taught me the art of to cool the rooms in the heat and most of them know the name of rangoli, decorating our path with to lay the first steps towards the East Finchley, London!

7 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2021 Alarm over air pollution from allotment bonfires By David Melsome Last March, The Archer published a Soapbox column written by Trisha and Peter Portinari pointing out the hazards of air pollution caused, they said, by bonfires on the allotments to the rear of their home in Creighton Avenue, N2. Light and shade: Christine Watson’s pastels are on show online We’ve now been contacted to April. by a resident of one of the tower Compost preferred to fires blocks in Prospect Ring raising Cathy said: “Reminders Pictures at an exhibition the same concern. The resident are issued to plot holders to East Finchley artist Christine Watson has an image in the Royal Over-Seas League accompanied his email with have as few fires as possible. Incognito Exhibition, which is online at rosl.org.uk until Monday 15 February. Christine photos looking out across East Only dry vegetation should Finchley from his flat, showing also has three pastels selected for the Pastel Society Annual Exhibition 2021, which be burned and everyone is can be seen online at www.mallgalleries.org.uk bonfires burning on allotment encouraged to compost mate- land off the High Road. The rial as much as possible. resident, who asked to remain “If a plot holder has a Plastics campaign group takes battle to the Lords Ann Inglis, of No2PlasticsN2, updates us on the latest legal moves against single-use plastics and issues a plea. We at No2PlasticsN2 are, as many of you know, an East Finchley-based group who, by a complete fluke, have been gifted the opportunity with the Environment Bill going through Parliament of influencing legislation in this country. The Bill has finished its Advice and support single-use plastics outright. passage through the Commons Find the petition on our website and is just about to go to the wanted Inexperienced campaigners, at No2PlasticsN2.com. We are Lords. We want it amended we failed to get the Bill amended about to launch on the Change. to ban single-use plastic car- while it was in the Commons. org platform. Please sign it if rier bags outright. We want to We would be grateful for advice you can. demonstrate that there is such from anyone with experience of Additionally, Muswell Hill a groundswell of opinion in getting a proposal such as ours Sustainability Group (MHSG) the country on this issue that across to members of the House has promised their full support. Zac Goldsmith (Minister of of Lords. Could everyone who cares State for DEFRA, and so the Currently we have a petition about reducing and possibly most powerful person in the that calls on Zac Goldsmith even eliminating single use Lords on the environment) to table the amendment and plastics, approach their own will be persuaded to table this favourite organisations and ask Smoke signals: A photo taken from Prospect Ring shows an summarises the reasons to ban amendment. them to support the petition? allotment bonfire burning We will get as many organi- sations as possible to sign a peti- anonymous, urged allotment bonfire on the wrong day, tion to be launched just before holders to have more considera- which happens very rarely, or CARPENTRY & JOINERY Est 1962 the Bill goes to the Lords. We tion for the potential smoke and is burning the wrong type of are doing our utmost to generate Bespoke Built in Furniture, Wardrobes, Windows particulate pollution they could material, someone from the a tsunami of support! be causing by burning waste so committee will speak to them We ask for as many people as Email: [email protected] close to homes and the neigh- and ask them to extinguish the possible to share the campaign bouring Martin Primary School. bonfire. petition we have joined. More Website: www.fandcshawltd.co.uk He wrote: “I see fires and “If a local resident com- than 17,000 people have done smoke on a daily basis. I get plains about smoke I will try so already. To find it, go to Tel: 07999858816 the impression that they have to contact the plot holder and change.org and search ‘ban all absolutely no regard for the ask them to put it out. If local disposable single use plastic’. well-being of the surrounding residents are bothered by the Unfortunately, during the Your IT Problems Solved population, particularly chil- smoke they often ring me and passage of the Bill through dren. It’s fortunate that Martin I do try to respond to their For all your Apple, PC, laptop and mobile phone problems the Commons, George Eus- School has a limited number of complaints.” tice MP the DEFRA Minister come to pupils attending due to Covid Judith Ryan, secretary of announced that the cost of restrictions.” the neighbouring Fuel Land single-use plastic carrier bags Allotments, told us fires and Lease regulations will be raised from 5p to 10p, barbecues were prohibited We asked Cathy which we regard as derisory. He between 1 May and 30 Sep- Schling, Secretary of the thus publicly nailed his colours tember, except on the first East Finchley Allotment firmly to the mast, making it Wednesday of July, August Holders’Association, for a much more difficult for him to and September. The manage- 93 High Road, East Finchley N2 8AG comment. She told us that change course. the allotment committee was ment committee encouraged Faiza will solve all your issues professionally, quickly composting of green waste, very aware of the need to and with friendly personal service keep pollution from bonfires rather than burning. Emergency Denture Repair to a minimum and had been Judith added: “Our rules and New Dentures Home visits available discussing the best way to limit are also mindful that smoke their number. should not cause a nuisance to As well as repairs, also come to Intellot for all your digital According to the allotment others, and in particular, to our printing, architectural drawings, posters, t shirt printing, site lease, bonfires are allowed close neighbours in Chandos passport, ID photos and much more one specified day a month from Road. If smoke is blowing May to September and at any that way the rules state that the 103a Rd NW11 8EN 0208 8833390 (www.intellot.co.uk) fire should be extinguished.” 020 87318611 time on any day during October http://www.mydenturedirect.co.uk Email [email protected] 8 FEBRUARY 2021 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk Where in the world quiz: the answers Thank you to everyone who took part in our picture quiz, published in our December edition. We’re glad that many of you enjoyed using your daily walks to search for the ten mystery East Finchley locations in our photos. Winners were chosen at random from all the correct entries we received. Congratulations are therefore due to £30 first prize winner Maria Cogo, £20 second prize winners Holly and Lauren Ketchell and £10 third prize winner Howard Chapman. And for anyone still flummoxed by any of the photos, here are the answers: 1. Sign painted on the wall outside the Bald Faced Stag pub, High Road. 2. The old girls’ entrance to the former Holy Trinity School, East End Road, now The Learning Experience pre-school. 3. Coat of arms above the Royal Mail sorting office in Market Place 4. Metal bench in the play area in Cherry Tree Wood 5. Front window of the Phoenix Cinema 6. Sign outside the Windsor Castle pub in The Walks 7. Old shop advertisement above Finchley Wines, on the corner of the High Road and Leicester Road 8. Shutters on the front of the kiosk in Cherry Tree Wood 9. The painted side wall of the Clissold Arms in Fortis Green 10. Banner in the booking hall of East Finchley Underground Station 11. The bell tower of Holy Trinity Church, Church Lane 12. The roofline above the Barber Shed and Animal Aid shop in the High Road.

Ripping yarns… all in 50 words or less Thanks to everyone who truth to the morning. Do Gently laying down the got their creative juices you hear? You may need lifeless body of the wife flowing for the Fifty Word to tune your ear. he’d just shot, he raised Story Challenge we set back the still smoking gun to his in April. Here we print The Developer, temple. Allowing himself a some of the best tales we’ve by Laurence Robinson. brief moment of reflection received. The houses he built despite on what might have been, Can you write a story in 50 the opposition of neigh- he pulled the trigger. His words or less? Email: news@ bours, whose rights he 1,000 years’ Reich was over. the-archer.co.uk or post to had trampled, would make The Archer, PO Box 3699, him a lot of money. Then A Welcome London N2 2DE. the estate agent said there was another development Relief, The Mystery planned next door and by DeBear they were now unsellable. I wanted to walk in the Woman, The irony was lost on the countryside but the police by Stroller developer, and so were his were there and said I had Walking along East End profits. to go back home. Oh no, I replied, the virus levels In memory of a dear friend Road, a woman passed me People living in the area of King Street, N2, have got used wearing a grey skirt, a red Red Alert, have fallen, and we are now allowed to go out when and to seeing a collection of cuddly toys perched in the large anorak with the hood pulled by Diana Cormack tree close to Ferrour Court. They were placed there in over her head, a face mask “Don’t touch that flashing where we like. They just smiled and walked away. memory of Kathleen Sturman, who died in June at the and dark sun glasses. As red button, Mr President. age of 39. Friends and neighbours have also put a framed we passed she waved to me. It’s for automatic atomic photo of Anfield stadium in the tree, in recognition of She clearly knew me, but I attack activation. The flash- The Rocket Kathleen’s love of Liverpool FC. have absolutely no idea who ing blue one is pause for it was… peace talks. That’s the one Scientist, by Jake the Peg FUN and MUSIC for BABIES and TODDLERS to push…Oh no, why the “50 words?” he said to Deep Listening, hell did you do that?” in N2 on TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS at 10am by Valerie Archer The Editor, “For my life’s “Hey, Senator, didn’t any- work? It took 50 years, The wind speaks to each body tell you I’m colour with and £50 billion.” Outside, LIVE ACCOMPANIMENT leaf on each tree as it blind?” ON VIOLIN AND GUITAR 50 rockets with 50 atom at EAST FINCHLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, whistles across the Heath. Creighton Avenue Animated and alive - the Prequel to VE bombs rose into the sky. leaves weave their dream In 50 minutes the world for the world into fables for Day, would be blown back into https://www.facebook.com/teddybearsmusicclub the birds who gift songs of by Alex Leppard the stone age, as though it https://www.facebook.com/SteppingStonesEastFinchley were 50 centuries ago. or text 07836 284538 9 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2021 Willow House fire damage may be repaired by the spring By Janet Maitland The long-awaited refur- rent lockdown this isn’t always bishment of Willow House possible in practice. on the Grange Estate fol- A Barnet Homes spokesper- lowing a fire that destroyed son told us that an “outbreak of the roof and made resi- coronavirus cases resulted in dents homeless two years temporary shutdowns involv- ing workers having to isolate ago may soon finally be or undertake tests” early last finished. month. Nevertheless, workmen Barnet Homes, who manage were hard at it in the pouring the estate, hope the repairs rain in mid-January when our will be completed in early photographer took pictures. spring, but this depends on

Refurbishment: Willow House last month. Photo Mike Coles there was a slow start because also challenges relating to the Plant a tree in of problems with staffing and building structure which meant materials. However, by Decem- that Barnet Homes had to get ber work had sped up and was expert advice and then under- remembrance going well. In fact, just before take unforeseen work. This winter the Royal Hor- the latest lockdown, Barnet Coming and going ticulture Society is inviting Homes had been on the point of Two of the 13 households individuals, community providing leaseholders access to forced to leave their homes groups, schools and busi- the flats so they could prepare were tenants who were rehoused nesses to plant a tree in New roof: The block was partially destroyed by fire to reclaim them. by Barnet Homes. One will be memory of those who have Cost and damp issues moving back in, the other was the workforce being able to The site was closed during lost their lives during the The pandemic has not been rehoused permanently else- pandemic. work. Although construction is the first lockdown last March the only cause of the long delay. where. Two resident leasehold- allowed by the rules of the cur- and when it reopened in July Anyone who would like A decision to re-tender the con- ers will return when the work to remember a loved one who tract because the bids received is complete. The remaining passed away is urged to plant a “did not represent value for leaseholders rent their proper- tree of any size, shape or variety money” led to the work being ties out. Their tenants either where they have permission. put on hold for a year. Once made their own arrangements Then they can add the loca- Ricky Savage“The voice of social irresponsibility” ... work started in November 2019, after they lost their homes, or tion of their tree to a Roots of the plan was to finish by March were helped by Barnet Homes. Remembrance map, as well A world turned upside down 2020. Although loss adjusters were as download a dedicatory But this quickly changed to able to confirm that the fire was plaque, on the RHS website at: With the virus striking back, we’re all living in a Hollywood July when contractors realised caused by an electrical fault, sequel of the worst kind. But now we have the coming of the www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/ how long it would take for the they were unable to draw any community-gardening/remem- vaccine and it’s a game-changer because as everyone over 70 building to dry out. There were further conclusions. gets the jab the world can open up in a seriously surreal way. brance There will have to be new rules, starting with pubs and res- taurants. To go into your local bistro, you’ll need to bring ID… to prove you are over 70. No kids or hipsters will be allowed Good advice for seniors on and menus will have to change: an end to the gastro tyranny of quadruple fried chips stacked in a miniature shopping trolley staying well this winter and the return of dumping them in a proper pile on your plate. By Daphne Chamberlain The same thing goes for hipster coffee that has been passed through the digestive system of an endangered species and Age UK has put together an advice sheet on how to stay safe and well this winter. Here served in old jam jars. Instead, it will be all the tea you can are some extracts: drink in white mugs. Keep warm Keep moving warmer” recipes. Don’t get the idea this will be a return to post-war stodge, though; Cold puts pressure on Try not to sit still for more Medical advice remember that your average 70-year-old would have been hitting hearts and circulatory sys- than one hour at a time. The Age Everyone aged 65 and over, their local Chinese restaurant or curry house in the 1970s. These tems, increasing the risk of UK website has simple home- anyone who cares for a friend or are people who remember when pizzas were special and not just heart attack or stroke, as based exercises, plus advice if family member, front line work- delivered by some kid on a scooter. well as hypothermia. If you you are unsure where to start, ers, and anyone in a clinical risk And what about live music? They’re not looking for an evening of suspect yourself, or another, or find moving difficult. group, or who lives with some- Herb Alpert or Mantovani. No, these people bought The Beatles on is experiencing any of these, In East Finchley, the Ann one previously asked to shield, vinyl, just like they bought the Stones, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. call 999 immediately, or 112 Owens Centre in Oak Lane, is entitled to the free flu jab. They probably have much-loved copies of David Bowie in the loft. from a mobile. For symptoms and the Green Man Centre on For over 65s it will help boost So if the only people allowed into Glastonbury are the over-70s, of heart attack or hypothermia Strawberry Vale offer a range the immune system’s response they’ll want a classic line-up. Just think of Paul McCartney, and advice on how to help, see of fitness and exercise classes, to flu and is not incompatible Robert Plant and Iggy Pop playing on the same bill in a sunny NHS websites. but obviously these are affected with the anti-covid vaccines. A field. Of course, the toilet situation will have to be cleaned up Wrap up well, with layers, by Covid-19 restrictions. Please flu jab is even more important somewhat, but they’ll all be there wearing their T-shirts proclaim- and take extra when spending phone 020 8629 0269 for details. this year, with the coronavirus ing “I may be old but I saw all the best bands”. And The Coffin time outside. Keep a comfort- Eat well threat still looming large. Dodgers, the radical biking wing of the Pensioners’ Alliance, will able home temperature through If you’ve lost weight without Check if you’re eligible for come on their Harley Davidsons to drink beer and see fair play. the day. Close bedroom win- meaning to, or have a smaller the pneumo vaccine, which At a festival of this calibre, who could possibly fill the legends slot dows at night, and curtains at appetite than usual, find out helps protect from pneumonia. on the Sunday afternoon? There can be only one choice. He may dusk. If necessary, get help why. It’s important to eat, even For more information, see www. have had to cancel his “I’m Nearly 80” tour last year but, freshly with heating costs. The Age if you only fancy a slice of cake. ageuk.org.uk/campaigns. To order vaccinated, he’ll be fit and ready. Yes, folks, it’ll be time for Cliff to UK website www.ageuk.org.uk Something is always better than printed copies of the full fact remind the crowd why they like to ‘Move It’. Like I said, this summer has advice, as well as tips for nothing. sheets, call 0800 678 1602, 8am is going to be the world turned upside down. keeping hands and feet warm. Try the Age UK “winter -7pm, 365 days of the year. 10 FEBRUARY 2021 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk Unlock nature’s clues to our rural past Natural history expert Linda Dolata explains how a walk around East Finchley can transport you hundreds of years back in time. Over the months, the virus restrictions have encouraged us to take many more local walks, and how lucky we are in East Finchley. A view of the horizon in any direction will usually include mature trees, and our roads are lined with beautiful London planes, limes, ginkgos, hawthorns and sorbus trees. We have so many green ash and sycamore. rural past. And areas. Remnants of an ancient The farms and Common any patch of bare forest can be found in Coldfall recorded on 19th century maps grass soon shows Wood, Coppett’s Wood, Cherry of our area can still be seen in what survives in Tree Wood, Wood, part as parks, allotments, cem- the seed bank. Queen’s Wood, Kenwood, Big eteries, playing fields, scraps The haw- Wood, Little Wood; all within a of pasture and private gardens. thorns edging couple of walkable miles. Some of the older trees in the the High Road (near the Vue cinema area, for example) show the horizontal limbs that were cut and laid (by a hedgelayer) when this was a drovers’ road; a veteran oak once on the noto- rious Finchley Common, now grows surrepti- tiously within 10 yards of the North Circular behind an ancient hedgerow (Font Hill, off Long Lane); and even the bushes either side of the North Circular show every spring the lambs-tail cat- kins of the hazels that remain from their coppiced Common land: How East Finchley, then East End, looked in 1822, with the Great ancestors. North Road and Fortis Green crossroads in the centre and what is today’s High Road Look care- fully and our running north alongside the open land of Finchley Common Well-trodden: Ploughman’s Walk started as a path through fields and centuries-old footpaths are to the hedges that surrounded hold marvellous clues… manor, is still a much-used route through the middle of homes between Long still honoured (Ploughmans the path. wood, coppetts (copse or cop- Lane and Tarling Road Walk and Pumphandle Path, Time-travel pice), glade, lane, way, green, A working landscape East Finchley Cemetery off off Oak Lane), one at least even I would suggest to anyone well, grove, hurst (clearing in Most of these retain the signs East End Road survive from having its own little pedestrian who is getting bored with this a wood), ley (meadow). of their past use as working that long-gone farmland. bridge over the North Circular lockdown to get hold of an old So, living in a meadow with woods, with coppiced horn- Wood anemones, mistletoe, from the top of Tarling Road Ordnance Survey map and use finches as we do, maybe this beam and hazel, and timber trees speedwell, cow parsley, hawk- with again hazel and elm, field it to imagine the past (you can winter and spring are a good of oak, no longer harvested, bit… many simple plants still maples, hawthorn and dog probably use your phones for time to explore the story of its along with the colonising birch, appear, reminders of our more roses pointing back in time this). The place names often past in depth. All the way to Africa on foot Mindful Our photo editor Mike Coles has walked every day for almost a year. Here he updates us on where his daily treks have taken him. baking East Finchley resident Ines Last spring, with the first lockdown impending, I thought I had better Lanza is to host a five- do something to keep fit and sane so I decided to do a ‘virtual’ walk week series of free family- into Europe. I ‘left’ London a couple of days before lockdown on 17 friendly online sourdough March 2020 to walk to Marseilles in southern France. baking workshops. A Grange Big Local Com- The actual walking was in where I last stayed on a work trip munity Grants funded local streets and parks, my route in 1972. On Boxing Day morning, project, the workshops will plotted by Google Maps and my I got the ferry to Tanger Med, the daily distance recorded by my fit- largest port in Africa, about 40km be open to local residents of ness band and my phone GPS. east of Tangiers in Morocco. The all ages, backgrounds, and By the middle of July, after 124 days actual ferry is temporarily sus- baking experience. at an average of 9.6 km per day (about pended because of COVID, but in Ines said she wants people to six miles), I reached Marseilles and my virtual world it’s still running. come out of the sessions more left the next morning walking towards Saturday 9 January was a new land- settled, rested and feeling better the Pyrenees. On the first day of mark: my 300th consecutive day of connected to others, adding that September, I reached Sils in north- walking, and I was now covering few things are as comforting as ern Spain, and passed the milestone more than 10 km per day, putting me baking a good loaf of bread. of 1,000 miles of walking. I wasn’t 1,864 miles from London. Workshops will take place ready to stop so carried on south- The whole of the African continent on Saturday afternoons from 27 wards through Barcelona, Valencia lies before me so I am now heading February. Sign up by contacting and Murcia. south along the Moroccan coast to Ines directly at: ines_lanza@ yahoo.it. You can follow her Heading south: On Christmas Day, after 285 Essaouira, west of Marrakesh. If I consecutive days, I found myself can keep up the pace Google thinks on Instagram @mindful_sour- Mike’s route to Gibraltar in The Rock Hotel in Gibraltar, I should be there by 7 March. dough for more updates on the programme. 11 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2021

Letters Send your correspondence Call to take to: "Letters Page" Wonderful walks The Archer, PO Box 3699, part in once- Dear Editor, London N2 2DE or e-mail Many of us are sick to the back [email protected] teeth of walking the same streets, again and again and yet again. Letters without verifiable contact a-decade addresses will not be printed. Contact Some of us are working as hard or details can be withheld on request at harder than ever and desperately publication. We reserve the right to population need something completely differ- abridge letters for reasons of space. ent to do to escape the unrelenting pressure. survey Parents who are home school- conversation and their breath. By David Melsome ing need to take exercise them- Then there is the lone mobile Every household in East selves and with their sometimes user planted in the middle of the Finchley should look out reluctant children. Retirees, thrash- path blocking any clear passage for an invitation from early ing around at home, with minds either way. next month to take part in often honed over lifetimes but The time has come for some now in complete limbo, need to rules to be set. We are still uncer- the once-in-a-decade event exercise. tain of the correct distance to keep of Census Day. Could there be a way through apart. Now my approach is to wave The census is a survey sent this? Why could those of us feel- an arm out to the side shouting: out by the government to build ing our minds atrophying, not set ‘Make space’ but perhaps yelling the most accurate estimate of up quiz/discovery/no-treasure one of my sister’s quotes: ‘Keep all the people and households treasure hunt trails that would a coffin’s length away’ would be in England and Wales. It has allow exercisers to take directed more effective? been carried out every decade walks while exercising their brains As on our roads, we should since 1801, with the exception as well as their bodies? keep to the left. How much easier of 1941. Exercisers could learn more and safer it could make our walks For the first time this year about our area or figure out puzzles. if this was adhered to, especially it will be run predominantly These can be educative in all sorts if we also made space for on- online, with households receiv- of subjects at all sorts of levels, comers appropriately. Just be kind ing a letter with a unique some requiring solutions or some to one another! simply being just plain fun. Clear winner: Stanley with his British Chess trophy access code, allowing them to L. C. Ward complete the questionnaire on They could mine materials Address supplied. either their computers, phones presently existing to educate, Chess champ Stanley or tablets. Support will be entertain or both: the geology of Inept cycle lanes available to help residents do the area, what was around before Dear Editor the underground was built, how Barnet Council finally this and paper questionnaires East Finchley developed over time. can be sent on request. responded to my letter ‘Lost is best in Britain What about puzzles along the lines parking spaces’ published in Coldfall Primary School’s excellent reputation for chess Benefits from a of the TV series Only Connect, your January edition. They say players continues after 11-year-old Stanley Badacsonyi successful census although for me they would have that the cycle lane scheme is was crowned a British Champion. The Year 6 pupil Emma Taylor, Census to be very, very much simpler! a government-funded transport Engagement Manager respon- For a range of reasons I am measure which has paid them won eight out of nine games to triumph in the British uniquely unable to take the idea Under-12 Online Blitz Championships held over the sible for the N2 area, told The £315,000 to encourage active Archer that a successful Census forward. Is there anybody out travel, which they are using to Christmas and New Year holiday. 2021 will ensure councils and there in our flourishing community implement cycling schemes. Stanley said: “It was an iors and some Year 7s, but to charities can put services and who is? There was no prior consulta- honour to play amongst such a actually come out on top was funding in the places where Ann Inglis, tion, but the first six months is strong field of players, which amazing and I feel thrilled!” they are most needed. This Huntingdon Road, N2. the consultation period. So far, included some England jun- The British Chess Champion- includes facilities like doctors’ 536 people have signed a petition ships are normally held in the surgeries, schools and new Pavement courtesy against the scheme. Shopkeepers summer. Last year they were transport routes. With a daily walk being essen- have complained about the double Ken Carter due to be held in Torquay but “Barnet already has one tial for many, in the early days when yellow lines, which have been a two-metre gap was advised, introduced in places which make We are sad to have to report were switched online due to the of the largest populations in pandemic. In total there were London and it is expected to most people did make the effort to no sense but are put in as there that Ken Carter, a former separate. Passers-by would walk over 800 entries across the continue to grow to almost is “insufficient space to accom- member of The Archer into the road or onto the grass at modate dedicated cycle lanes”. Championships, hundreds of half a million by 2030. That team and a popular figure them junior players like Stanley. the path side, couples stepped one It is particularly inept around in East Finchley, died last is why it is more important behind the other to make space, East Finchley station as the than ever that everyone living often with smiles and thankyous cycle lane starts, stops, starts month. in East Finchley takes part to Ken, who lived in Leicester exchanged. again and stops just before Free art make sure they are included,” Though that does still happen, the traffic lights with East End Road before moving to the West said Emma. Country to be close to family, it is much less frequent. Many Road. This means that the few wrote for us on music and New and voluntary make no effort to move aside when cyclists actually using the lane reviewed East Finchley Arts workshops questions passing. Often they are in groups will move in and out of the non- or families with children spread Festival concerts each year. He Local resident Vanya Census Day itself will be protected zones, where the cars on Sunday 21 March, but across the walkway. None seem are. When normal traffic volumes will be much missed, and we Georgieva is launching a to notice that approaching walkers return, traffic congestion and the hope to publish a longer tribute series of free, online art households can expect to have tried to make space and few danger to cyclists will increase. to him in our next edition. workshops for people of all receive letters with online adults instruct their youngsters to Sometime later, another Barnet ages and backgrounds to codes allowing them to take do so. They sail by, oblivious in reply came saying that they were come together and create. part from early March. their chatter to each other or into aware of the congestion, and are Supported by funding from The census will include their mobiles. “reviewing options to improve the Grange Big Local’s Community questions about your sex, age, People stand facing one situation”. Grants programme, Vanya’s work, health, education, house- another at an unsafe distance, Barry H White, ‘Art for All’ workshops will hold size and ethnicity. And, for leaving you to walk through their Fordington Road, N6. provide a warm, welcoming the first time, there will be a question asking people whether space to meet new people and Holy Trinity Parish Church they have served in the armed learn new creative skills. 67 Church Lane, N2 0TH forces, as well as voluntary There will be five Saturday www.holytrinityeastfinchley.org.uk afternoon workshops in total, questions for those aged 16 and each focusing on a different over on sexual orientation and We are a community where faith is shared, gender identity. hope is nourished, and love comforts. theme. The first takes place on You are welcome to join us for worship and mutual support: The Archer online Saturday 13 February from 2pm Statistical results will be Did you know you can catch up available within 12 months Bible Readings & Prayers: Sunday at 11.00 am - Online with a Valentine’s Day special. Morning Prayer: Monday to Friday, at 9.00 am - Online with past issues of The Archer Vanya will provide free arts kits to but, by law, all personal details will be locked away for 100 online? Every edition since the any participants who need them. The church building is closed until further notice. start of 2000 is available on our Sign up by contacting her directly years. For more information, For more information please contact us: website www.the-archer.co.uk. at [email protected]. visit: census.gov.uk. Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 3565 4430 FEBRUARY 2021 PAGE 12 Your news Send your stories, letters, and photos to [email protected] or by post to The Archer, PO Box 3699, London N2 2DE. Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Insta- gram @TheArcherN2. You can view our The Archer online archive at www.the-archer.co.uk Published by East Finchley Newspapers, P.O. Box 3699, London N2 2DE. www.the-archer.co.uk The factory that worked round the clock By Charles Haydn The recent lockdowns He told the story of times have encouraged the gone by when the factory, built opportunity to explore the on the site of the old Grange highways and byways of manor house in 1919-1920, East Finchley on our daily supplied diesel fuel injectors walks. My last one left me and other essential parts for a with more to think about wide range of companies such as Perkins, Rolls-Royce and than I expected. Vauxhall as well as military I’d set off to take a look at tanks and trucks during the the Tarling Road community Second World War. building off Oak Lane. Look- ing around, I saw someone Success and decline else doing the same and we An important employer got chatting. This gentleman of many local people includ- was reminiscing about past ing this gentleman’s father, times and mentioned that mother, brother and sister he’d worked at the old Simms and many of his friends and automotive factory that occu- neighbours, Simms employed pied an area of some six acres East Finchley folk across between Tarling Road, Long four shifts, 24 hours a day. Lane and Oak Lane until it On saying our goodbyes he closed 30 years ago. promised to share a selection

Industrial belt: The Simms car part factory occupied land between Oak Lane, top right, and Long Lane, bottom of photographs of the time and manufacturers lost market Simms Gardens. they accompany this article. share. Find out more about By the 1950s, the Simms In 1991, the factory ceased the former Simms fac- factory was thriving and had production altogether and the tory in our archives at expanded to include drawing site was taken over by Fair- www.the-archer.co.uk/ offices, development shops, view Homes. Two years later, archive/2002/2002Nov07.pdf. a social club and the central the first new residents moved Do you remember this factory instruction school for the into the houses and flats that or did you perhaps work there? company’s entire operations. sit on the land today, along Please share your stories with Then in 1968, Simms was roads like Taunton Drive, us. Email news@the-archer. taken over by Lucas CAV and Blackdown8535(AW)TheArcher_2ColumnAdvert:ClintonSmith_020 Close and, of co.uk or write to The 7267 Archer, 7727 5/2/14 over the following decade the course, Lucas Gardens and PO Box 3699, London N2 2DE. British car and vehicle indus- try changed rapidly. Manu- facturing in East Finchley Wish you were here: A 1950s publicity image of the plant was steadily run down as UK Your Security Collective problems ! COLINSales & LettingsSCLARE Solved creation The Brentano Suite, Lyttelton House, 2 Lyttelton Road, London N2 0EF We cover East Finchley, Muswell Hill, Intruder Alarms The East Finchley Open , North Finchley, Whetstone, Artists group has gone live Finchley Central, Barnet, , Golders Green, CCTV with an exciting collective Archway, Islington and parts of the City. Access Control creation… its brand new Letting fee: 7% (= 8.4% incl vat) Sales fee: 1.5% (= 1.8% incl vat) But more importantly, a quality service to you! website. You can see Open 6 days a week Intercom Systems the end result at www. 9.30 am - 7 pm Monday to Friday 10 am - 3 pm Saturdays eastfinchleyopen.org.uk Contact us on Locks, Doors & Keys The group’s 60 artists and 07891368049 020 8444 3351 craftspeople found their old www.colinsclare.co.uk [email protected] Safes & Grilles EFOA site could not host live Locksmiths events during the lockdowns so DID YOU KNOW? they decided to use the quiet peri- ods to their advantage by creating YOU ARE GOING TO BE HAPPY a site that was more versatile. WITH YOUR NEW VARIFOCALS EFOA Chair Lesley Andrew OR YOUR MONEY BACK. said: “The teamwork and the AS SIMPLE AS THAT amount of time everyone has contributed has been amazing. IF YOU TRIED THE REST NOW TRY We are all delighted with the new CERTIFIED VARILUX SPECIALISTS site, which has become the crea- O2O 8442 O66O Securebase Ltd tive tool we need for showcasing STEWART-DUNCAN OPTICIANS 112 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9EB our work and artists at a time T: 020 8442 0660 126 High Road, East Finchley, N2 9ED F: 020 8365 2788 when web visibility continues [email protected] to increase in importance.” 020 8883-2020 www.securebase.co.uk The Archer is a non-profit-making, non-political & non-religious newspaper, staffed entirely by volunteers.