11 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 MAY 2010

Letter to the editor Any reader who feels strongly Slimmers about any matter is invited to Send your correspondence use this “Soapbox” column. Rudi Vis signs off to: “Letters Page”, Dear Editor, expand The Archer, PO Box 3699, Please note that opinions expressed A popular slimming group From time to time a person are those of the writer alone. is starting a new morning has been pointing roughly in my London N2 8JA or e-mail meeting. The East Finchley direction saying: “That is my MP.” [email protected]. Drivers need to Slimming World group has And still almost every time, I look Letters without verifiable over my shoulder to see who the contact addresses will not be been named ‘best warm and MP might be, just out of curiosity I reviewed or printed. Contact look in the mirror friendly group’ three times suppose, but quickly realizing that details can be withheld, however, By John Perrow and two members have won the person pointed at me and that on request at publication. Stanley Road is a cul-de-sac leading to Ashburnham awards for losing weight. a lot of people show far too much Finchley and Golders Green Close, Homefield Gardens and a footpath to Holy Trinity Natalie Hanna, the group’s deference and respect to MPs. Some Primary School. Drivers leaving Stanley Road to join consultant, said: “Morning groups MPs, of course, start believing that has been special. I never had the often work really well for mothers they are special and rare and start desire to stand anywhere else and East End Road are faced to their right with a blind with young children or retired men behaving as if they were, often with I did not think that we would win it bend some 70 feet distant and can see nothing beyond and women who prefer not to go dire consequences. in 1997. Locally the Labour Party this. A vehicle moving at 30mph covers 88 feet in just out in the evening.” has been brilliant in assisting me, two seconds with a stopping distance of 75 feet. It is, The current group meets at both for themselves and for me. The therefore, extremely dangerous. East Finchley Baptist Church, constituency is also an agreeable I contacted Barnet Council twice to suggest that a mirror Creighton Avenue, on Tuesdays and convenient place in which to installed on East End Road would give anyone emerging from at 5pm and 6.45pm. The new live. It needs all our protection as Stanley Road a much-improved sight of oncoming traffic. Both group meets at East Finchley it is one of the jewels in the crown requests were rejected. Methodist Church, High Road, of London, particularly with the Numerous Acts were quoted to show how difficult it would on Wednesdays at 9.30am. improved Northern line. be, legally, to install such a mirror which might also be a target Natalie is offering 50% off Finchley and Golders Green for vandals. But the objections went much further, giving a membership to all readers of constituents have, on average, a whole list of reasons why mirrors could, in fact, be positively THE ARCHER if they mention higher income than elsewhere. We dangerous. The objections were highly unconvincing. If valid, the paper when joining. For were the fourth wealthiest Labour- why are all vehicles fitted with mirrors? more information, contact her held constituency in 1997, but Frustrated, I circulated a petition urging the council to install on 07889 252548 or turn up at since then we lost Wimbledon and a mirror and was surprised at the response. It was signed by 187 one of the groups. Hammersmith and Fulham. We still residents on the roads concerned, plus the parents of children have Hampstead and Highgate so we attending the school. are now ‘second’ well off. Of course On 24 February at the relevant sub-committee, I had five Review: Bach we have constituents in difficult minutes to speak and hand in the petition. It was immediately economic and social circumstances rejected by the Director of Environment and Operations on the I have enjoyed being called Rudi. and I have done as much as humanly grounds that no accident had been recorded at the junction in and Handel I have enjoyed the banter, serious possible to assist. By Ken Carter the last three years and that the council did not advocate the use conversation, jokes and debates. I It is also a constituency of mirrors. There was no discussion. Officialdom had spoken. There was no doubt about it: probably fool myself into thinking that where many people are politically Readers can draw their own conclusions. the North London Chorus I have almost never lied. Also, and sophisticated and are thoughtfully and Orchestra were the naturally, I have had to apologise for contributing to just about every stars. St James’, Muswell being in error about matters. I was debate. This has been a fantastic Review: The Buddy Holly Story sure, yet pleased that Sir Thomas educative experience for me. We By Sheila Armstrong Hill, rang with the variety Legg QC, who examined the MP’s would not have won so many cam- of sounds and performing expenses claims wrote to me, and I paigns if ‘locals’ had not put on their The Theatre Upstairs at the Gatehouse did it again last styles demanded by the quote: “Dr Vis has no issues”. campaigning gear, often only asking month with its very successful production of The Buddy three principal works in a This has been part of my me to come in for support. Nuclear Holly Story ,directed by John Plews with his own inimitable concert on 20 March. experience not just with my Labour trains in Cricklewood, College flair and style. I admire Buxtehude. His Party friends and voters, but also Farm, a multiple of planning issues, The young and multi talented cast ably supported Roger Rowley music is simple yet grand, bare and with people who I consider, not as insolvency matters and assistance (still at drama school) as Buddy and Jason Blackwater as the Big heroic, spare yet warm. Tonight, enemies, but always as opponents to non-governmental organisations Bopper, both sounding very like the originals. It was a great night we heard meditations on the parts and often friends. I have enjoyed are all local-led issues where I came out with the audience singing, clapping and strolling down memory of Jesus’ body assailed during the such friendships with Tory and Lib- in by invitation of them. lane; well, those who could remember the 1950s anyway. crucifixion. Choir, orchestra and eral Democrat councillors and other I could now name hundreds of Find out about future productions at The Gatehouse in Highgate soloists were gravely moving, voters, although one cannot always party members, friends, acquaint- at www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com. open to the music’s stark, glow- utter that in public. ances and people who have assisted Political parties, all of them, both ing splendour. me beyond the call of duty, but I will in their policies, intent and through hide behind the screen that says: Klages Plumbing & Heating Agency LTD. The Bach Mass in F was an vagaries can be wrong. If there are “What if I should forget some?” CONTACT TELEPHONE No: 020 8346 7218 / 8636 astonishing contrast: brisk, busy, superior ideas around from “others” Allow me to make one exception. I with vigorous interweaving coun- one should lean on them, discuss have been in love with Jacqui, my terpoint and daring in its demands them, re-examine your own views partner, wife, confidante and mother for instrumentalists to vie with with seriousness and not dig your of our 15-year-old twins for 25 years KLAGE each other in versatility. This is own hole even deeper. The good for and she is utterly marvellous. I thank A NAME IN PLUMBING FOR OVER 40 YEARS a shorter work than the great B us all requires at times to transcend her for that. Both she and I have been minor Mass. Its style is secular. party politics and to ditch dogma. honoured by ‘our’ constituents to be ALMAR BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Even so, the genius of its crea- Accountancy | Tax Consultancy | IT Solutions Why do I not fight in this election? elected and re-elected, variously from www.AlmarBSL.co.uk tion shone and sparkled. Small it Well, I’ll be 70 years old next time 1986 onwards and we shall always may be, but choir and orchestra and talent, if there ever was any, is remember that with the fondness and Services provided: proclaimed that it has size. not growing as easily. Experience humility it deserves. �� Book-keeping �� Management Accounting Handel’s Organ Concerto might be enhanced over years, but Our very best wishes for all �� Financial Accounting and Annual Accounts Preparation (The Cuckoo and the Nightin- mere backbenchers face terrific dif- your futures. �� VAT & Tax Administration and Consultancy gale) brought nimble currents ficulties in making themselves heard. Yours with warmth, �� Personal & Business Financial Health Checks and virtuoso cascades from Government is too ‘presidential’ in Rudi Vis Tailored packaged services offered for: Nicholas Ansdell-Evans. The policy-making and journalism can be �� Sole Traders �� Partnerships rushed in, only directing their atten- �� Self-Employed �� Contractors evening’s climax was Handel’s �� Private Limited Companies Dixit Dominus. The choir hit the tion and interviews at the same ‘old faces’. For a FREE initial consultation, please contact us rafters with their Gloria Patri, by phone on 07894 473309 or email: [email protected] full-throated, unashamedly It also does not assist one to vote against one’s own party. I have tried jubilant, brisk and resonant. This not to be a rebel for the sake of it, was Handel unmistakeably, and but it has not always been possi- at his best. ble. It is not the road to take if one The soloists played their part. were interested in being promoted. brera gardens Nina Lejderman and Sarah Barnes, Iraq, student fees and foundation sopranos, together with Jake hospitals come to mind among  garden design  maintenance Artditti, counter-tenor, blended quite a few other ‘mishaps’ by my  hard landscaping  interior & office felicitously, often as one voice. Government. Warren Albers, tenor, and John Most unfortunately I have recently  soft landscaping plant displays Molloy, bass, were, somewhat been diagnosed with incurable cancer East Finchley based mutedly, distinctive. Conductor with all its attendant nastiness, chem-  Murray Hipkin must be proud of otherapy, feeling below par and being Mob. 07939 557 934 Tel. 020 8365 3615 the night’s achievement. totally out of breath. Email: [email protected]