An Unforgettable Moment in the History of Punk Car Abandoned After Crash

5 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk AUGUST 2017 An unforgettable moment Car abandoned after crash Byin John the Lawrence history of punk By Janet Maitland It was a baking hot night 40 years ago. It was a tiny wood-built community centre in Broken metal was scattered in all directions when a man East Finchley with hundreds of young fans packed in. And on stage were a band that crashed a stolen car straight into the central barrier on had just broken into the big time as kings of the punk rock scene. Falloden Way, NW11, at about 8.30pm on 2 July. The driver of a blue BMW had car driven by someone else,” said been travelling east along the A1 a police spokesperson. “The car when he suddenly swerved to the was left abandoned and was later right just before the traffic lights recovered.” The BMW had been at Hill Rise and smashed the car stolen from an address in Southall. head on into the barrier. Although On 13 July, Barnet Council the front of the car was badly officers, Transport for London damaged, the driver managed to and local councillors met at the get out. Ossulton Way crossroads to dis- “Witnesses saw the driver cuss what to do about safety on leave the car and then get into a this stretch of the A1. Motorcyclist named By Janet Maitland The motorcyclist killed when his bike collided with a car on Falloden Way on 21 June has been named as 29-year- old Benjamin Hillbrook, from Southgate. Emergency services were called just before 11am to reports of an accident on the A1, just past the traffic lights at the junction with Hill Rise and Northway, NW11. Despite the best efforts of everyone involved Mr Hillbrook was pronounced dead at the scene. “We urge anyone who saw anything to come forward,” said Detective Sergeant Jane Mallet. “It could prove vital to our ongo- ing investigation.” Contact the dedicated witness appeal line on 020 8991 9555. You can also tweet police via @MetCC. Glory days: (left to right) Stranglers lead singer Hugh Cornwell with Finchley Boys Al Hillier, Dennis Marks, Chris Green, Tommy McGonnall and Steve Hillier, plus Bruce Foxton of The Jam and The Human Resource Solutions Plus Stranglers’ Jean-Jacques Burnel, pictured at The Roundhouse in 1977. Helping you to manage, train The date was Saturday 27 buy them some kit. “It was absolutely rammed and develop your employees at a commercially sensible cost. August 1977, the place was Steve Hillier, now 61, grew on a very hot night and was so the now-demolished Herbert up on The Grange estate and steamy inside. The audience www.hrsp.net Richard Pell:[email protected] ••• PO Box 27013, London, N2 0WX Wilmot Centre in Eagans Place, was one of the Finchley Boys. was wall-to-wall and there next to Holy Trinity School, and After first meeting The Stran- were people stage diving and the band were The Stranglers. glers at The Torrington in North doing all sorts. The energy At the time of the gig, their Finchley, he went on to work was fantastic. For everybody single Peaches had just been on their worldwide tours for there on that day and in that Nicky Sharp one of the summer’s big hits. 17 years. summer the music was a life- The Finchley Boys Legendary gig changing experience. It’s still Osteopathy Clinic So why were they playing to He recalls the Herbert a legendary gig among Stran- Cranial and Structural Osteopathy a jumping crowd in a commu- Wilmot gig like it was yester- glers fans.” nity centre in N2? Well, Hugh day: “The centre usually just Forty years on from their and Acupuncture Cornwell and the rest of the had discos and there was only East Finchley debut, The Stran- band were friends with a gang of a low platform stage. But it glers are still playing live. Later All Major Insurers Accepted lads called The Finchley Boys didn’t bother us. We cleared all this month they’re in Belfast, who had a football team in the the pinball machines and sofas then later in the year they will be For consultations and appointments: touring France before moving Barnet Sunday League, so they out of the way and hundreds of agreed to help raise money to people turned up, all ages, from on to New Zealand and Aus- Telephone: 020 8815 9433 tralia early next year. all over Finchley. www.nickysharposteopathy.co.uk 260 East End Road London N2 8AU e-mail: [email protected] Personal services: Business services: Bookkeeping & Accounting Personal tax planning Business planning Self assessment Business start-up Specialist sectors: Company Secretarial Corporate tax planning Building profits eCommerce & Payment Solutions Charities Payroll Owner directors Service Charge Accounting Retail VAT Sole traders Why choose us? By providing high quality of service and not charge over the top fees, we retain the business and loyalty of our customers, as well as win many new ones through word of mouth. We also work with tax specialists, investor advisors and auditors to provide clients additional services where there is a need. Call us for a FREE review of your requirements and to discuss best way forward, with no obligation. Tel: 0203 151 0750 or email: [email protected] . Visit our newly improved website with useful and topical information: www.AlmarBSL.co.uk Nice ‘n’ sleazy: The Stranglers play the Herbert Wilmot Centre Almar Business Solutions Limited is a registered company in England and Wales (registered number 04541322), holder of ACCA Practising Certificate with Association of Chartered in August 1977. Photos courtesy of Steve Hillier Certified Accountants and has Professional Indemnity Cover for its business activities. .

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