Cash Shortfall at Phoenix Cinema Is Getting Bigger

The Local News is our Aim residential sales 6 lettings 6 management 020 8444 5222 www.jeremyleaf.co.uk

20p ISSN 1361-3952 where sold Archer February 2020 No. 310 A community newspaper for East Finchley run entirely by volunteers. Cash shortfall at Phoenix Cinema is getting bigger By John Lawrence The Phoenix Cinema is urging film lovers to visit more often after reporting its biggest ever loss and admitting that its financial crisis is getting worse rather than better. Trustees at the High Road “If we could have the cinema had hoped they could equivalent of Little Women start to close the cash gap that every week, life would be easy in 2018 led them to seek a but that’s not how cinema is, partnership with the Curzon it’s full of ups and downs,” she Cinemas chain. That deal was said. “Our staff do an excellent called off at the last minute job programming high-quality following strong opposition films and we just ask people to from Phoenix supporters who come to the Phoenix as often as wanted the venue to retain its they can to enjoy the films we independent charitable status. have on show.” However, the latest annual Films coming up in Febru- report from the Phoenix reveals ary include the Oscar-tipped that the money it took from ticket comedy thriller Parasite and sales and charitable trading a new adaptation of Jane Aus- Float on: The Fixation Theatre youngsters alongside their carnival vehicle in central London. activities in the year to March ten’s Emma, starring Anya 2019 fell significantly compared Taylor-Joy and Miranda Hart. Happy moment on carnival parade to the previous year, resulting in Opera and theatre please a record loss of £78,000. Youngsters from Fixation the punters Theatre Company dressed Some ups, some downs Other strong performers last Find your new home today... in a riotous rainbow of There have been some posi- year were Quentin Tarantino’s Successful independent estate agent, established since 1992 tives, such as the £1,000 raised Once Upon a Time in Holly- colours to represent Barnet Residential and commercial, sales, lettings and management specialists by a raffle in December, and in the Lord Mayor of Our friendly and helpful staff provide a professional and genuine service wood and repeated showings 40 High Road, East Finchley Our office is situated 100 yards from East Finchley Station London’s New Year’s Day London N2 9PJ Parade. www.primelocations.co.uk The theme of their float Estate Agents Valuations Sales Lettings [email protected] was ‘Live Your Best Life’, Overseas Properties Management Services 020 8883 9090 focusing on the importance of good mental health, and they danced to Pharrell Williams’s hit Happy as they paraded EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL past thousands of spectators 38 High Road London N2 9PJ along the central London route. 08002793463 - 02084447994 Barnet’s float won fifth place overall, earning £6,000 for charity. Fixation offers a range Financial worries: The Phoenix Cinema of performing arts classes in packed houses for the recent of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s East Finchley for young people run of Little Women, but not one-woman show Fleabag. aged three to 18. Find out more enough to counteract the nega- By contrast, the Downton at www.fixationtheatre.com tives. The Phoenix applied for Abbey movie failed to draw financial support from Barnet the crowds. Streamed operas Council last year but was turned and National Theatre shows In this issue down, and hotly anticipated remained popular as did the Flats on tube car park.... p2 blockbuster Star Wars: The Saturday morning Kids’ Club. Festival funder last chance... p3 Rise of Skywalker performed Alison Gold said staff and Spate of burglaries..... p4 badly over the crucial Christ- trustees continued to explore Crash landing in wood.... p5 mas period. all avenues to keep the Phoenix TV comedy in Budgens.... p7 Alison Gold, chair of the running independently and had trustees, admitted the cinema not discussed reopening the Community cookery..... p9 was struggling but said it was Curzon deal. However, Curzon Ricky Savage...... p9 still possible to get back to Cinemas said at the time that Red carpet premiere.... p10 break-even with some good they would be open to talking to What’s On...... p10 luck and regular support from the Phoenix again if they were Your letters...... p11 local film-goers. approached. • Visit us online at www.the-archer.co.uk or Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @TheArcherN2 • 2 FEBRUARY 2020 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 Voicemail (messages only) 0800 612 0748 for editorial and general Benefits 0800 882200 Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 8081677 National Blood Centre 0845 7 711 7711 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 Published by Editorial Team Finance & Benefits 020 8489 2800 Missing Persons Helpline 116 000 Emergency 999 East Finchley Newspapers Diana Cormack Advertising National Debt Line 0808 156 7718 Police non-emergency 101 Copy Editor Daphne Chamberlain John Dearing Leisure NSPCC 0808 8005000 CrimeStoppers 0800 555111 John Lawrence Sub Editors Distribution Alexandra Palace 020 8365 2121 Rape Crisis helpline 0808 802 9999 Victim Support 0845 303 0900 Production Editor Ann Bronkhorst Toni Morgan East Finchley Library 020 8359 3815 Refuge Crisis Helpine 0808 2000 247 Jeff Robson Jane & David Marsh Alison Roberts Everyman, Muswell Hill 0872 436 9060 Relate Helpline 0300 100 1234 Hospitals Printed By Picture Editor Sharman & Co Ltd Garden Suburb Library 020 8458 3301 RSPCA 0300 1234 999 NHS 111 Mike Coles Muswell Hill Library 020 8489 8773 Samaritans 116 123 Barnet General 08451 114000 Thank you to The Bald Faced Stag and New Local Cafe for providing us with a Phoenix Cinema 020 8444 6789 SENDIASS Barnet 020 8359 7637 Edgware General 020 8952 2381 meeting place. Vue, North Finchley 0345 3084620 SENDIASS Haringey 020 3667 5233 Finchley Memorial 020 8349 7500 The Archer team wishes to thank all the generous people who give up their Oak Lane Clinic 020 8346 9343 spare time, in all weather, to deliver the paper for us. Transport Health Advice Royal Free 020 7794 0500 If you have a story for us, please contact us at the above address. BR Enquiries 0845 7484950 AIDSline 020 8363 2141 Whittington 020 7272 3070 Comments to The Archer may be published unless clearly marked ‘ Not for City Airport 020 7646 0088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 7697555 publication’ within the text. Heathrow Airport 0844 3351801 Barnet MENCAP 020 8203 6688 OAPs’ Advice March: 14 February; April: 13 March National Express 0871 781 8181 Cancer Support 020 8202 2211 Age UK Barnet 020 8203 5040 Copy deadlines – TfL 0343 222 1234 Carers’ Line 0808 808 7777 Independent Age 0800 319 6789 May: 10 April Thameslink 0345 026 4700 Drinkline 0800 917 8282 Age UK 0800 169 2081 Green bin charges Barnet Council has announced that homeowners will have to pay an annual charge of £70 for their green garden waste bin to be collected from April, despite 82% of respondents to its consultation opposing the charge. The council claims the charge is in line with other neighbouring councils and Honours will enable investment in other environmental services such as awarded street cleaning and upgrading East Finchley couple Mari- roads and pavements. anne and Peter Summer- Residents who sign up will field were appointed MBEs receive a sticker to display on in the New Year’s Honours their garden waste bin to allow list for their services to collection crews to identify Holocaust education and that they have subscribed to the service. The council says awareness, as was Lillian Towering: An artist’s impression of how the Finchley Central development could look. information on registering will Levy, from Highgate. be available on its website and John Hajdu, chairman of the on leaflets to be delivered to Muswell Hill and Fortis Green homes. Association for the last 17 years, ‘Canary Wharf’ coming to also became a MBE. Finchley Central OSTEOPATHY | ACUPUNCTURE By David Melsome A campaign group called Hands Off Finchley Central has been formed to oppose a major high-rise development that has been proposed for land in and around the area’s The Robin Kiashek tube station car park. The group claims that plans development might also set a the group was not against the Clinics by Transport for London, Barnet precedent for TfL building on provision of badly-needed Council and construction com- other car parks elsewhere on new housing but did oppose Keeping North London OSTEOPATHY pany Taylor Wimpey for 668 the Northern line, including East the nature of these particular pain free for 25 years flats, including a 27-storey Finchley’s. A development of plans. “This ‘intensification’, tower, will overcrowd the area 350 homes is already planned the sinister phrase used by Visit www.robinkiashek.co.uk and swamp local facilities like for land next to High Barnet Barnet, will destroy the heart of to see how we could help GPs and schools, as well as tube station. Finchley Central, by crashing Most major health insurance accepted putting pressure on already Affordable housing a kind of pound-shop Canary Please note that we also have ACUPUNCTURE congested local roads. Wharf into a peaceful and a Central London clinic It says only 12 parking shortage remains diverse suburb,” he said. Ample free parking Hands Off Finchley Central spaces would be left at the sta- The group argues that the spokesman Rob White said The Twyford Practice tion for tube commuters. Any flats risk becoming so-called 52 Twyford Avenue shell investments or buy-to- Fortis Green London N2 9NL let fodder that won’t solve the tel: 020 8815 0979 PLANNING APPLICATIONS shortage of affordable housing. LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY of single-storey link between It has launched a website and a Barnet Council petition at www.handsofffinch- Robin Kiashek | BSc (Hons) Ost Med., N.D., LicAC 34 Beresford Road, N2 numbers 21 and 23, including repositioning of door. leycentral.co.uk Roof extension, involving hip Transport for London said to gable, rear L-shaped dormer 410 Long Lane, N2 - Beginners - Roof extension, including rear three years ago that station window with juliet balcony, and car parks represented a “huge two front roof lights. dormer window and two front roof lights. opportunity” for new town 64 Fortis Green, N2 centre housing. Barnet Coun- Tai Chi& Qigong Existing dormer window to be 13 Oakview Gardens, N2 ** NEW COURSES ** in East Finchley cil estimates that the Finchley (Trial session: £5) replaced with doors. Front and Single-storey rear extension. Wednesdays am & pm Central development will bring James Drewe is a qualified teacher and has been practising tai chi for 40 years. rear roof lights. Haringey Council £240 million of investment into He is the author of 3 books on tai chi & is a member of the BCCMA. Other classes : www.taiji.co.uk 23 Howard Walk, N2 16 Fortis Green Avenue, N2 the borough and revitalise the Modifications to rear parapet Single-storey rear extension. town centre. email: [email protected] phone: 020-8883 3308 3 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2020 Gate dispute puts volunteers at loggerheads By John Lawrence Volunteers at Long Lane Pasture are locked in a dispute over access with their neighbours at Pointalls Allotments, which they claim could threaten the future of the established wildlife haven opposite Finchley Fire Station. Disagreements over the ment storage on the pasture use of a gate connecting the site itself. “The future of the allotments to the pasture arose Pasture could be in jeopardy if between the Pointalls manage- a solution is not found to this ment board, who are themselves dreadful situation,” they said. volunteers, and long-time pas- Volunteer Linda Dolata told ture volunteers Wayne Armsby The Archer that the pasture is and his wife Elsie Price, whose the source of several springs and Ready to roll: Youngsters Jonty, left, and Jacob enjoying wheelchairs bought with help from my-AFK. Long Lane home backs on to has always had a problem with the allotments. These led to the flooding. “We had this under board taking back their allot- control by pumping the worst ment plot and terminating the of the water into the sewers but When a wheelchair can gate licence. now we no longer have access to the power that we need to work the pump,” she said. make all the difference Response from Pointalls Becky Dann, who lives in East Finchley and who had to raise funds to buy her own Paul Hendrick, chair of the wheelchair, reports on a charity that helps people in the same situation. board of directors at Pointalls Disability can affect people child either because the NHS contributions for people up to Allotments, said under their in different ways, but still, the cannot provide equipment that the age of 25. lease with Barnet Council first word it brings to mind for meets their needs or because In its 27 years, my AFK only current plotholders were a lot of people is ‘wheelchair’. the strict assessment criteria has received 2,294 applica- allowed to have gate licences, The word is so common in our exclude them. For example, tions from people who were No access to equipment which no longer applied to lives that the disabled spaces, disabled people who can walk turned away from the NHS In turn, this means the pas- Wayne and Elsie. accessible toilets and even a few steps independently or wheelchair services. They ture team no longer have direct emojis on our phones feature who can walk holding onto currently have 22 people on access to the tools and heavy wheelchairs. furniture within the home are their waiting list, with over equipment they use to maintain Surprisingly, wheelchairs not provided with wheelchairs £120,000 needed to be able the two-acre site throughout the are not always easy to come by to get out and about. to provide all of those people year. It has always been stored for many physically disabled Wheels for the young with their freedom and inde- in a workshop behind Wayne people in the UK. The NHS A wheelchair can mean pendence. and Elsie’s house, close to the can no longer be expected freedom and independence, You can help towards connecting gate. to supply one automatically, but for many this basic human someone receiving a wheel- Pasture trust chair Donald especially to people with more right can only be achieved chair by making a donation. Lyven and vice chair Harriet complex needs. by reliance on charities and Please visit the donation page Copperman told supporters in In the UK, one in four fami- the ability to self-fundraise. at www.my-afk.org/donate or a letter that their current lease Left and above: Photos of flooding lies goes without specialist my AFK is a charity based in text MYAFK followed by the with Barnet Council does not at Long Lane Pasture taken by one equipment for their disabled Hornsey that helps by making amount to 70085. Thank you. permit them to build any equip- of its volunteers. He said the issue of power for the water pump had not been Last chance for raised directly with the board SOLICITORS and questioned why equipment Cree Godfrey & Wood provide a full range of services including Residential and Commercial could not be moved from their Conveyancing, Landlord and Tenant advice, Employment (Compromise Agreements), Family, workshop to the pasture’s main Wills Probate and Elderly Client advice and Lasting Powers of Attorney. festival fundraiser entrance via Long Lane. East Finchley Festival’s He added: “I stress we have Why choose CGW Solicitors? crowdfunding campaign Our team are: no argument with the pasture’s COMMITTED to excellent customer service; will close on 8 February, but trustees. They have written to Offer GOOD value and reasonable fees; the team of volunteer organ- us with an outline proposal for Here to WORK for you and give you honest, straightforward and effective isers will only receive the an alternative arrangement for advice in a timely efficient manner. pledges if they have reached access. Our response was that T: 0208 883 9414 l F: 0208 444 5414 we had no objection in principle W: www.creegodfreyandwood.co.uk l W: www.creegodfreyandwood.co.uk their funding target. Cree Godfrey & Wood 28 High Road East Finchley London N2 9PJ As The Archer went to press, but we needed to see a detailed the total sat at just over £7,000, proposal which met their needs with just over a week to go. but at the same time did not To pledge please go to www. compromise our site security Nicky Sharp spacehive.com/east-finchley- and was at no cost to Pointalls. Osteopathy Clinic festival. We are awaiting their response.” Cranial and Structural Osteopathy and Acupuncture All Major Insurers Accepted For consultations and appointments:

Telephone: 020 8815 9433 www.nickysharposteopathy.co.uk 260 East End Road London N2 8AU e-mail: [email protected] 4 FEBRUARY 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk Man arrested following ten burglaries in just two weeks By Janet Maitland Ten homes in East Finchley were broken into in the middle of December, including three in East End Road and two in Brownswell Road. In every case, the burglars got in by smashing a glass door and then stealing jewellery, cash and luxury goods. Residents became very con- third of the way up and an auto- the door with a key when going cerned as news of the almost matic deadlocking rim lock one out. Take keys out of all doors daily break-ins circulated on third of the way down. Wooden and store them out of sight. social media. By the end of door frames and locks can be Glass panels on doors should December it was evident that reinforced with metal strips be at least 6.4mm thick and the burglary rate had not sud- along the jamb and hinge edges either laminated or reinforced denly increased but that the ten respectively, called London and with security film. Consider burglaries, the total number for Birmingham bars. fitting internal grilles on exter- the whole month, had been con- With UPVC doors, just clos- nal doors if there is a risk that centrated into just two weeks. ing the door and pushing the window releases can be reached A man was arrested and handle up is not secure. Lock via a broken pane of glass. charged with burglary on 19 December. He was remanded in custody and was due to be tried in the crown court in mid- January after this newspaper went to print. Ten burglaries in a month is about average for East Finchley. There were 110 reported burglaries in 2019, just over nine Jan Lovell, of the East Finchley Safer Neighbourhood Team, a month. This rate is lower than updates us on the latest crime news. Jan and the team can be the previous year when there contacted by email at: [email protected], or were were 150, between 12 and by phone on 020 7161 9014. Follow the team on Twitter @ 13 a month. MPSEastFinchley. In the pink: Shop manager Julie with the visitors. Photo Mike Coles. Guard against burglaries We asked Jan Lovell from Door to door the Safer Neighbourhood Team We have received several reports of males allegedly from Pretty flamingos how to guard against burglaries. a Youth Opportunities Project for ex-offenders, selling Her first tip was to consider cleaning items door to door. The males do have an ID fitting an alarm, as all the tag and may even have a pedlars’ licence and may be December burglaries were from genuinely from a project or they may not. come in to roost At best they will be selling basic items for a much higher price By Diana Cormack unalarmed premises. Use timer switches to give by engaging your sympathy. At worst they are using this front There is always an impressive window display in the the impression that your home is to make money, and can be quite verbally abusive if refused. RSPCA charity shop at 160 High Road, especially for occupied, but of course burglars Our advice is to not buy any item or service at the door. Check special events such as Easter or Hallowe’en. However, at could just knock to see if anyone who is at the door via a window. Unknown callers are so much the start of the year people were particularly attracted answers, so think about fitting easier to deal with through a closed door or window. A quick to it by an unusual donation. an alarm or the newer doorbell smile and “No thank you” and away from the window will see As all charity shop aficiona- didn’t notice was the ‘not for phone app monitors, such as most of them quietly on their way. dos will admit, you never know sale’ sign on one of their feet. Ring or Sky Bell. ‘We do not buy at the door’ stickers can be bought on line or what you’ll find in such places, Manager Julie, who is Fit a high gate to the side home-made. If any callers are persistent or abusive call police but the appearance of two tall responsible for the displays, of your property. Gates should on 101. pink flamingos certainly caught couldn’t tell The Archer where have good quality locks top and the eye. What a lot of people the birds had come from but bottom with trellis and Prikka she did tell us there had been Strip attached. Garden fences Farewell Emergency Denture Repair many disappointed would-be should be 1.8 metres high and Roofing and New Dentures purchasers. “We’re hoping topped with trellis or a Prikka 103a Golders Green Rd to hire them out for special Strip topping. Yama Yama Keep wheelie bins either company Diners will have been sad to NW11 8EN events,” she said. “If and when this is decided I will put a notice chained away from side gates or In our January edition we see the closure of Japanese 020 87318611 about it in the window.” behind them to prevent burglars reported that men claim- restaurant Yama Yama at http://www.mydenturedirect.co.uk using them to climb on. ing to have been sent by the end of last year. Run Wooden front and back Barnet Council stole from for some years by the irre- doors should be solid timber two residents living in pressible Lily and Adam, with 5-lever mortice locks one social housing provided the High Road eatery was by Barnet Homes, quoting closed as a result of rede- Jan Lovell from the Safer velopment. Midhurst Butchers Neighbourhood Team who Business services: Personal services: “The owner is gutting the Bookkeeping & Accounting Personal tax planning said the men had “offered building,” explained Adam, Self assessment Certified organic meat Business planning a fake business card saying “and he told me that if I wanted Business start-up Specialist sectors: Company Secretarial at reasonable prices G and Sons Roofing”. to continue the business I must Corporate tax planning Building profits Free-range poultry Following a call from the pay for the re-fit of the restau- eCommerce & Payment Solutions Charities Payroll Owner directors Home-made sausages owner of this company to the rant and kitchen. It just wasn’t Service Charge Accounting Retail (including Boerwors) Safer Neighbourhood Team, viable.” VAT Sole traders Jan Lovell has asked The A hole to fill Why choose us? 2 Midhurst Parade, Archer to clarify that “the Adam has a second restau- By providing high quality of service and not charge over the top fees, we Fortis Green, London N10 company G and Son Roofing retain the business and loyalty of our customers, as well as win many new rant in Chiswick and so the ones through word of mouth. We also work with tax specialists, investor Tel. 020 8883 5303 is a legitimate north London couple reluctantly decided to advisors and auditors to provide clients additional services where there is a roofing company” and that leave East Finchley and focus need. A Local Handyman “there is no inference that the all their time there. That leaves Call us for a FREE review of your requirements and to discuss best way burglars using a card from this forward, with no obligation. available for general household a hole in the High Road for Tel: 0203 151 0750 or email: [email protected] . & garden maintenance. company as a ploy to enter a fans of their yaki gyoza and home last November have any Visit our newly improved website with useful and topical information: No Job Too Small agedashi tofu. Perhaps read- www.AlmarBSL.co.uk connection whatsoever with ers have recommendations for Almar Business Solutions Limited is a registered company in England and Wales (registered Free Estimates G and Son Roofing.” We are number 04541322), holder of ACCA Practising Certificate with Association of Chartered Call John on: 0789 010 3831 other Japanese diners within Certified Accountants and has Professional Indemnity Cover for its business activities. happy to do so. or: 0208 883 5325 reach of N2? 5 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2020 It could be a jungle out there! By Ruth Anders Wolves in the back garden? Not exactly, but Archer readers will know of the growing awareness of the importance of nature in maintaining our mental health and wellbe- ing, particularly significant in urban environments. East Finchley resident and of MxN Architecture, won a pond, different sized water architect Sian Moxon, a pas- 2016 competition to “Imagine baths for bees and larger crea- sionate campaigner, demon- London as a National Park tures, bird feeders, bug hotels strated to me recently some City”. She has since set up the and a shed with a green roof. effective ways of making gar- website www.rewildmystreet. And that’s without mentioning dens more wildlife friendly to org, which is full of valu- all the flowers, shrubs and trees benefit us and the creatures who able rewilding tips. The site is she has specifically planted and nurtured with wildlife in mind. All or some of these features can be replicated by anyone with a garden, balcony or even a window box, and Sian’s website contains details of DIY activities and products we can all buy. Added value “Everyone is entitled to contact with nature,” says Sian. “We can improve our quality of life and urban environment by doing more for biodiversity. People don’t understand the value their gardens can have.” At a time of gloomy warnings about climate change, I came Nature in the city: An image from Sian’s rewilding website. away inspired to do more to help share our city spaces. While funded by the Cass School of make something similar of my some East Finchley homeown- Art, Architecture and Design, own garden and am now on the Timber: The large tree that came down in the recent winds in trail of fox ‘teethers’. However ers are busy concreting their where Sian is a senior lecturer. Cherry Tree Wood. Photo Mike Coles front gardens to accommodate small your outside space, you Rich with ideas too can make a difference. For more cars, Sian, like many Her tiny front and back others, is keen to counteract monthly tips and loads of ideas gardens boast a mini meadow, sign up to Sian’s website www. Close call for pavilion the trend. nesting boxes, water butt, a She and her husband Jon, rewildmystreet.org in crash landing A large hornbeam tree crashed to the ground in Cherry Highest point in the history of Tree Wood on the morning of Thursday 9 January. Despite conditions not being particularly windy, the tree had uprooted itself and lay with its crown blocking the East Finchley… ever! pathway, resting on the railings surrounding the long- By Mike Coles derelict park pavilion. Fortunately no one was injured Construction work contin- gational Church, which until but, with a bit of good luck and the wind in our favour, ues on the new 13-storey 1965 stood on the High Road it could have demolished the pavilion and saved Barnet tower Eastblock inFinchley Prospect Clinic - Advert site now occupied by Budgens Council the trouble! Ring, N2, and our investi- and Iceland, and which reached gations lead us to declare 130ft. ARTWORK APPROVAL - 2 COL w100mm x Theh80mm Prospect Ring crane, Can you help us deliver? that the crane doing the supplied by Spanish company The Archer relies on volunteer deliverers to reach readers heavy lifting work is set- JASO, has an arm that can be in East Finchley. Can you spare 30-45 minutes once a ting a record for being the raised, lowered and rotated month to help out? Papers are brought to your door and tallest single structure ever to move objects around in a you can deliver your round at a time to suit you. in East Finchley. relatively confined space. It We are particularly looking to fill three rounds in Trinity Road, Nick Gardner, site manager was chosen in preference to the Gurney Drive and Prospect Ring and would also love to hear from for Hill Construction, told us more traditional hammerhead drivers who could drop papers to our deliverers. Please leave that his team are using a luff- crane with a movable dolly on a message free on 0800 612 0748 or email: news@the-archer. ing crane, whose highest point a horizontal arm, because that co.uk. Thank you. when its jib is at rest overnight would have been restricted by and at weekends is 276ft, or the two existing tower blocks 84m, above ground level. and would have overhung the Piano & Theory We’re saying that’s an East adjacent Tube line. Finchley record, until someone Lessons tells us otherwise. The closest Tall story: The Prospect Ring crane. Photo Mike Coles. Lessons contender we can think of is Beginners & Grades 1-8 the spire of the former Congre- 30 years teachiing experiience - begiinners to advanced Wendy Longworth & G. Drewe BA (Hons), PGCE (Music) Associates physiotherapy [email protected] 020-8444 0655 practice offers a variety of treatments at the clinic, or off-site, in DO YOU WRESTLE WITH FEELINGS OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM? ■ Back Pain patients homes, ■ Neck Pain nursing homes, Does lack of self-confidence limit you in your life? ■ Whiplash Injury private hospitals Does this cause you to have negative feelings about yourself? ■ Sciatica and other There will be good reasons for these difficult feelings, ■ Sports Injury organisations. which may stem from your early life ■ Frozen Shoulder HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP YOU REACH, RELEASE ■ Arthritis AND CLEAR HISTORICAL TRIGGERS ■ Tennis Elbow *NB. Before considering Hypnosis it is vital to identify any health issues ■ Sprain or Strain that could be the cause of your symptoms ■ Rehabilitation www.eastfinchleyclinic.co.uk Free, no-obligation, introductory chat ■ Neurological Call or email me to find out more: 020 8883 5888 [email protected] 020 8444 5498 07703 404 839 ■ Stroke 2-3 Bedford Mews Bedford Road London N2 9DF www.kathrynscorza.co.uk

EFC ARCHER ADVERT ARTWORK P11110 DATE 14/10/11 [EFC NEWAD BLACK AW/ AY] 6 FEBRUARY 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk East Finchley ward escapes major change in boundaries review By Daphne Chamberlain East Finchley has emerged almost unchanged from a recent review of local electoral ward boundaries. The only change is that Howard Walk has been moved from East Finchley ward to the Garden Suburb, bringing it into line with its immediate neighbours south of East End Road. Barnet Council has released mendation is that Barnet should details of the proposed new continue to be represented by 63 electoral ward boundaries, rec- councillors, but that the number ommended by the independent of wards should be increased Local Government Boundary from 21 to 24. There will be 15 Commission for England. three-councillor and nine two- Boundary Commission’s councillor wards. East Finchley task retains its three councillors. The Commission decides Role of Parliament how many councillors are Professor Mellors thanked needed for each local authority, people across Barnet who had how many wards there should taken part in the review, saying: be, how many councillors “We believe these recom- Monumental: Archer writer Ruth Anders at the World Heritage Site in Ethiopia. should represent each ward, mendations deliver electoral where the boundaries of each fairness for voters as well History and current affairs ward should be, and what they as reflecting community ties In the 12th century in remote Northern Ethiopia the local ruler King Lalibela sought should be called. It also equal- throughout Barnet. We are ises the number of electors that not part of government or any to recreate Christian Jerusalem. He built 11 churches in two clusters representing political party. We are account- heaven and earth with a trench between them representing the River Jordan. The each councillor represents. The Commission is conduct- able to Parliament through a most famous church, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the Church of St George. committee of MPs chaired by It was carved downwards into volcanic rock as a monolithic structure and is often referred to as ing a three-year programme of electoral reviews of London the Speaker of the House of the eighth wonder of the world. The hollowed interior contains a simple shrine to St. George and, Commons.” behind a curtain (forbidden to view apart from priests) lies a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. boroughs that have not been reviewed in the last five years. The proposed new arrange- Archer writer Ruth Anders visited the church recently and while resting found it the ideal time ments must now be imple- to catch up with her favourite local newspaper. When it started work in Barnet in 2018, wards had remained mented by Parliament. A draft unchanged since 1999. Order – the legal document which brings into force the Reflections on a well-known Fairer representation recommendations – will be laid Commission Chair Profes- in Parliament in the coming sor Colin Mellors found that the months. number of electors represented road… but which one? Full details of the Commis- by individual councillors By Daphne Chamberlain sion’s final recommendations varied considerably, which Local author Iqbal Ahmed has just published his fourth book, described as “a love (including maps) can be viewed of course affects the value of letter to London”. Do you recognise the London road he is describing in these extracts? at: https://consultation.lgbce. votes. “[At night] it appears to in. One afternoon I saw my GP org.uk/node/15057. Or: http:// To redress this, after three be a ghost road. I look out for outside one of these houses www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/ rounds of consultation, the potholes when I cycle here in and she told me that she had greater-london/greater-london/ Commission’s final recom- the dark, because the road is been to see a patient in a care barnet. strewn with rubbish. The new home there. I would never have buildings have tidy pavements, guessed that there could be a whereas the derelict houses care home among the derelict East Finchley Baptist Church have unkempt front lawns. dwellings. You only find rude Just off the High Road in Creighton Avenue N2 “It is a different scene during notices such as ‘KEEP OUT’ the day, though. Cars and vans tied to the fences of houses Sunday Mornings at 10.30 am are parked on both sides of around here. Crèche and Sunday School during service the road, belonging to build- “A new block of flats seems For more information please contact the Church Office ers working on various sites. like an oasis in a wasteland Email: [email protected] You can also see a few large because the lights of the flats www.eastfinchleybc.org.uk coaches in an unmarked section are actually on. Author: Iqbal Ahmed (Minister: John Lowrie) of the road. The coach drivers I have noticed some of the by the growth of moss on its park them there while waiting houses being redecorated a few exterior.” Visitors always welcome between jobs in town. And times, but no one ever living The road in question is The occasionally big lorries and in them. There are actually Bishops Avenue. Iqbal, born Your local home care company caravans belonging to a TV or only sixty-odd houses in the and raised in Kashmir, has lived film company are parked in an entire length... Some of these in London for 24 years, and Call us now on 0300 124 5231 adjacent road, since the empty are in good condition whereas in East Finchley since 2007. mansions in the area are ideal others are boarded up. [One Readers of his previous books for your free assessment and 30, High Road for location shooting. was advertised as] ‘a mag- will be familiar with his decep- get £100 off your 2nd invoice! East Finchley “Despite seeing building nificent freehold’. I think you tively conversational style and N2 9PJ work going on, I have never have to be pretty audacious to his skill in finding connections seen a parked removal truck describe a dilapidated house as between past and present, and DO YOU FEEL STUCK? hired by someone who is either ‘magnificent’ when a client can different people and places. Are you keen to make a change but don’t moving in or moving out. A few see plants growing in its cracks Iqbal says that his new book, know where to begin? smaller houses seem to be lived and the brickwork turned green which covers many aspects of Are you ready to achieve your dreams and access your London, has more emphasis on full potential? Convivial Lunch Club his own thoughts. An Open Book and Empty Transformational life COACHING can help provide The North London Probus Club welcomes retired and semi-retired PROfessional you with the tools, techniques and strategies to & BUSiness men and women on the third Wednesday each month for lunch and Cup (ISBN 9781527253216) a talk at Stephens House East End Road N3 3QE. Next meeting 19 February: will be published by Cold- deal with CHALLENGES and reach your GOALS. Professor Colin Jones CBE explores in his illustrated talk the fascinating culture stream on 14 January, costing FREE no-obligation introductory chat and history of Paris from Roman times up the present. £15, and will be available on Call or email me to find out more: Details from Eveleen (8455 6431). Amazon. [email protected] Phelisia 07518351720

7 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2020 New TV comedy likes to shop local By John Lawrence A new TV show set to hit our screens this year follows the comic misadventures of a reporter working for a small newspaper in north London… and plenty of the scenes will look familiar to anyone who lives round our way. Tim Downie, previously Toff’s in Muswell Hill, Two seen in the BBC’s Upstart Brothers in Finchley Central Crow, plays neurotic journal- and Mermaid Fish Bar in Long ist Paul who’s always strug- Lane. gling to get his stories into the Gary said: “Most of the UK’s (fictional) fourth-biggest locations we used are places Jewish publication. I would visit in my daily life: The Jewish Enquirer my florist, my hairdresser and was filmed in East Finchley, all the shops and streets I know Muswell Hill, Finchley Cen- in East Finchley and the area tral and North Finchley, partly around. We filmed the whole because the whole area is close series in five weeks at the end of to home for director and writer 2018, usually working quickly Gary Sinyor. with handheld cameras. It was Location, location nice to finish each evening and The six 30-minute episodes get home quickly.” Smooth operators: Josh Howie, left, and Tim Downie, right, try to make a friend outside Budgens feature scenes shot up and down Knowing you, struggles, everyone’s problems. our High Road, including a knowing me It shows Jewish people are just hilariously misfiring chat-up We never see the newspaper like everyone else.” Milkmen look to the attempt in the aisles of Bud- office itself in the series but The Jewish Enquirer, which gens, and one scene outside every episode ends with Paul also stars Lucy Montgomery Finchley Fire Station in Long frantically checking its online future after disruption and Josh Howie, premiered at By Ann Bronkhorst Lane. There’s also a moment edition to see how his stories a special screening at the JW3 when Paul has to make a mad have done, usually poorly. Tim Centre in Finchley Road, NW3, In December we reported the difficulties facing our local dash around local fish and chip Downie said the comedy is and is expected to find a home independent milkmen. Have they saved their rounds and shops, where viewers get to see universal: “It’s about everyday on Amazon or Netflix this year. are customers still cheering them on? We asked one of them, Mike Fuller, for an update. It’s not been plain sailing. man will need to own, not hire Changes to After their issues with supply or borrow, their own milk van. company Milk & More, the They face daily charges when our email milkmen found another dairy the Ultra-Low Emission Zone but after several weeks the arrives inside the North Circu- arrangement had become unsat- lar in 16 months or steep costs addresses isfactory. One problem was its now for buying or converting a The Archer has two new location in east London: some chassis cab van. email addresses. If you of the men were travelling many So this winter was difficult have a news story, photos or miles each day. Now a nearer and the worries aren’t over interview ideas for us, email dairy has welcomed them, along yet, but they have managed to [email protected]. with ten more independent maintain regular deliveries and We’re always pleased to milkmen whose contracts with to increase the range of goods on hear about anything that’s Milk & More have just ended. sale. Regular customers support going on in and around East There is a vehicle problem, them and new customers are however. Eventually each milk- joining: new decade, new hope. Finchley, whether it’s big news or just a small snippet. On the job: Paul, played by Tim Downie, is given his next reporting If you’d like to advertise Anyone for cricket? assignment outside Finchley Fire Station in Long Lane. in the pages of The Archer, Highgate Cricket Club is looking for new cricketers of all reaching readers in almost ages and abilities to join its winter training programme, 10,000 homes and businesses led by award-winning coaches. in N2, please email advertis- [email protected]. You Johan de Silva, Director of community. More than 220 can find details of our rates and Junior Cricket, said the club had players took part in its All Stars specifications in the advertising grown considerably in recent cricket programmes last year. section of our website at www. years thanks to its development New and experienced crick- the-archer.co.uk work in schools and the local eters are welcome to join the club’s winter training on Monday nights from 6pm to 10pm and on CARPENTRY & JOINERY Est 1962 Sundays from 10am to 3pm at F & C Shaw Ltd Christ’s College Finchley, East End Road, N2, throughout the Bespoke Built in Furniture, Wardrobes, Windows spring term. For more informa- Email: [email protected] tion contact Johan on 07481 622 191 or email: Johan.De-Silva@ Tel: 07999858816 marsh.com.

FUN and MUSIC for BABIES and TODDLERS Greene Driving School in N2 on TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS at 10am East Finchley N2 From £20.00 per hour with for 2 hr lesson LIVE ACCOMPANIMENT ON VIOLIN AND GUITAR Safe driving for life at EAST FINCHLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, Creighton Avenue Small manual Low Co2 Car Eco & Low Maintenance Tuition https://www.facebook.com/teddybearsmusicclub Pass Plus 4 cheaper Insurance. https://www.facebook.com/SteppingStonesEastFinchley Call John M.I.M.I or text 07836 284538 0773 851 4406 greenedriving.co.uk 8 FEBRUARY 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk High-speed car harnesses How the teddy the power of the sun bear came into our lives By Diana Cormack Cuddly toys are a popular Valentine’s Day present, particularly in the form of a teddy bear which, a national newspaper recently revealed, is the bedtime companion to one in three people. These bears first appeared early in the 20th century in Germany and the USA, which is where they got the name ‘Teddy’. My husband and I were ing to please him, the accompa- reminded of this last year on nying party captured a bear and our 2,000 mile road trip through presented it to him tied to a tree. the states of the Deep South. But the president declared this On Route 61 along the flooded to be unsporting and refused to Mississippi Delta we found our- shoot the injured animal. Word selves bound for Onward, billed of his ‘kindness’ spread to the as ‘home of the teddy bear’. This capital (he had apparently given turned out to be a deserted house orders for the bear to be shot to and store at an isolated junction end its misery). Running repairs: Isaac Rudden tweaks the car’s electronic system on site in Australia. Photo Owen Foo. on the Blues Highway. Deserted Teddy-mania because we later discovered the It was the story of him refus- storeowner had angered local ing to kill the bear which later farmers and residents with his appeared along with cartoons views about installing pumps to that depicted a cuter creature deal with their local floods and than the original. Roosevelt they had retaliated by boycotting gave his permission for the the business. subsequent stuffed toys to be In the surrounding garden named Teddies after him and stood a face-in-the-hole board these were followed by stories bearing the sun bleached paint- and books. Then, in 1907, came ing of a hunting scene. This the ever popular song The Teddy featured the beginning of the Bears’ Picnic. teddy bear tale. Had this event not happened, Sportsmanship the world might have missed The story goes that in out on ursine favourites such 1902 US President Theodore as Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Roosevelt, a keen big game Bear and Rupert, not to mention hunter, had been unsuccessful the favourite furry friend at whilst hunting in the area. Wish- millions of people’s bedsides. No fuel required: The solar-powered car designed by Isaac Rudden and his Durham University teammates sets out on the road in Adelaide. Photo Owen Foo Engineering student Isaac to compete against teams from it so aerodynamic that its total Rudden is a driving force behind 23 other countries. drag was comparable to just the a futuristic project to design and Their single-seat, carbon wing mirrors on a regular car. build an energy-efficient car fibre car, called Ortus, was driven Daytime temperatures during that runs entirely off the power more than 2,800km across the the event exceeded 40C in the of the sun. Outback, reaching a top speed of shade, with temperatures in the Isaac, who previously studied 67mph, without the need for any car hot enough to melt plastic at Christ’s College Finchley, off fossil fuels. Isaac was respon- components. Isaac and his team East End Road, N2, was part of sible for the electrical system, returned to the UK with hopes to the Durham University Electric including the motor. The vehicle enter the European Solar Chal- Motorsport team that travelled weighed just 178 kg and cruised lenge later this year, gain new to the World Solar Challenge in on the highway using less power sponsors, and improve Ortus Adelaide, Australia, late last year than a hairdryer. Its shape made even more.

Where it started: Diana in Onward. Photo Ian Cormack.

A friendly welcome awaits you EAST FINCHLEY METHODIST CHURCH 197 High Road, London N2 8AJ (opp. Creighton Ave.) tel: 0208 346 1700 www.eastfinchleymethodist.org.uk

Sunday service at 10.30 a.m. with Crèche

Worship Music Social events Wheelchair friendly e-mail: [email protected] Room hire tel:020 8444 9887 9 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2020

Ricky Savage“The voice of social irresponsibility” ... Chocolates and roses Just when your credit card has got used to being maxed out over Christmas along comes the next way of separating you from reality. Yes, it’s that time of year again, when the look of delight on the face of a child opening presents is replaced by the look of disappointment on the florist’s face when you only buy six red roses. No one’s too sure who St Valentine was, there’s a load of options amongst the early martyrs. Was he a Turkish bishop or a priest in Rome or a Christian flower seller who gave 12 roses to a Vestal Virgin martyred by being smothered in rose petals? And why February 14th? Well, let’s start by blaming the French. It was Charles V who named it as the day of love in a charter in 1400, and the first Valentine’s poetry was written by a Frenchman. OK, a Frenchman locked up the Tower of London, but a Frenchman just the same. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that things got really crazy. First there was ‘The Young Man’s Valentine Writer’, or guide to stalking as we’d now call it. Then, in 1851 there was the arrival of the penny post so the sender paid the postage and finally Esther Howland started churning out pre-printed cards in 1867. From there it was only a short step to Cadbury’s coming up with heart-shaped chocolates. And since then it hasn’t stopped. Filomena, centre, with some of the community cooks at St Mary’s Parish Centre. Photo Mike Coles In amongst the endless romantic trash on Classic FM, special menus in restaurants you’d normally avoid and re-reruns of When Food and friends in the kitchen Harry Met Meghan we spend a medium-sized fortune. In the USA Cooking and eating food can be a great sharing experience which is why social enter- they send 200million cards. The average American spends the best part of $150 ‘celebrating’. prise Bread N Butter have been running free community cooking sessions for the last Here we’re just as bad and send 25million of the things. Guess few months. how much that all costs by the time you’ve chucked in the cham- People come together once Zero waste board staples home with them pagne, chocolates, flowers and special dinner at Chez Boris? Well, a week at St Mary’s Parish The sessions also tackle the along with any leftovers from I’ll tell you, it’s about 2billion quid all told. So this year, do something Centre in the High Road, N2, important issue of food waste the cooking sessions. different, donate it to a better cause. Just think what the NHS could to try different recipes and then which has a huge impact on the Sessions are free to local do with that sort of extra cash. enjoy the results, and take them environment. Each week attend- residents to attend and take home to their families. ees are offered food donated by place every Friday from 11am- Filomena Komodromou, The Felix Project, a surplus food 1pm at St Mary’s Parish Centre, one of the directors at Bread n redistribution charity based in East Finchley, N2 8HG. To book Butter, said: “Our ultimate aim Enfield. your place email: filomena@ was to create community cohe- At the end of the session breadnbutter.org.uk. For more sion. Food connects us, brings attendees are able to take fresh information visit www.Breadn- people together, unites us and fruit and vegetables and cup- Butter.org.uk crosses boundaries, whatever your culture, background, race or religion. We all have stories, traditions, habits and routines centred around food.” The sessions have been funded by the Grange Big Local project in response to demand for opportunities for lone residents to make new friends Prize winners: from left, Maxine Allon, Neil Boast and Anna Paganini and for local communities to in the Phoenix foyer. Photo Mike Coles. integrate with each other. “We believe our Community Free seats at Phoenix Cooking Together sessions Three film fans will be able to keep up with all the latest address all these issues and movie releases after winning prizes in the annual Phoenix bring people together whilst Cinema raffle, held at the end of last year. learning new cooking skills,” Neil Boast won two free Maxine said: “The Phoenix said Filomena. No such thing as too many cooks. Photo Mike Coles tickets a week for a year and is such a wonderful, beautiful said: “I bought raffle tickets cinema”, and Anna said she was to support the cinema. I’m “delighted to win”. The raffle very happy I won.” Maxine raised more than £1,000 to go Allon won free tickets for six towards the costs of running months and Anna Paganini won the cinema, which is a chari- free tickets for three months. table trust. THE BEST IN PRIVATE GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTAL CARE Trading group for new parents By Hande Kiamil I hate putting things in the bin and it is particularly upsetting when usable things end up in landfill whilst new versions are being produced and sold. So I have long been a user of sell WhatsApp group started the ‘shpock’ app, which matches by a Haringey mum. Taking buyers and sellers by location. inspiration from this, I have However, I find that things take a just launched an N2 group for while to sell. I used not to mind babies’, toddlers’ and young that, but in May I had a baby, children’s items. and what he needs and enjoys Any N2 expectant parents or changes on a weekly basis. I parents of young children who wanted a way to buy and sell would like to join can email their Exam & Hygiene quickly and locally. name and number to n2parents- https://www.thefinchleydentist.com A friend told me about [email protected] and I Only £95 a very successful buy and will add them to the group.

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If you would like information regarding our services have a look at our website www.thefinchleydentist.com or call us on 020 3488 0335 10 FEBRUARY 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk Regular Events Sport & Fitness Red carpet premiere  Finchley & Hornsey Ramblers Group Call Vivien 8883 8190  Glebelands Indoor Bowls Club, Sum- for new director mers Lane N12. New and experienced The Everyman cinema in Muswell Hill was the venue bowlers welcome. for a red carpet premiere to launch the new movie by  1-2-1 boxing and Pilates training with Martin Carroll at home or private studio, local director Cush Berlyn. Trust is set in London’s call 07809 593952 underworld and asks its audience to question who they  Pilates Classes Tue 9.30, Fri 9.15 & can really trust. Sun 11am. www.pilatesineastfinchley. Cush, who grew up in East Finchley and went to school in co.uk. Michelle 07767 804 564 Friern Barnet, gathered a team of fellow creatives and friends to  Pilates with Michele: private and group work alongside him on the project, including assistant director classes, all levels. Michele 07947 657 441  Tai Chi & Qigong in N2, Weds 12pm, 1pm, and cast member Bobby Gordon, who has appeared in Hollyoaks, 6pm & 7pm. James 8883 3308/07836 and music composer and pianist Jessica Sawers-Warren, a friend 710281 or [email protected] since they were three.  Tennis club with four clay courts off West Ham footballer Ryan Fredericks, actor Jovian Wade, Southern Road. Call 8883 7723. international model Aneesa Sharif and musician Aggro Santos  Tennis group lessons for adult begin- were among those who walked up the red carpet to enjoy the film’s ners and intermediates, weekends, Park premiere in December. Cush described the whole event as “incred- Road, N8. Contact Maz on tennisgift@ ible”. Trust is available to view on Amazon Prime Video Direct. gmail.com. First night: Director Cush Berlyn with lead actors Laura Nicole, left, and  This Mum Runs: Free social runs in East Andrea Martinez at the Muswell Hill premiere. Finchley and Muswell Hill, Sunday 8am and Wednesday 7.30pm. Contact trishy. [email protected].  Yoga, breathing & relaxation. Weekly Stairway to heaven drop-in classes - N3, N6, N10. Phone Two works by East Finchley artist Christine Watson have Judy on 07956 375607. been selected from over 800 entries to appear alongside  Yoga beginners’ course at Yogalogy, paintings by some of Britain’s leading pastel and dry High Road, N2. Contact 020 70187377 media artists at The Pastel Society’s annual exhibition or [email protected]  Yoga, pregnancy yoga, meditation in central London. classes. Call Sunnah 07941 321 772 Christine, who lives in www.stretchingpeople.co.uk. Creighton Avenue, was inspired to create them by a recent trip to Music, Dance & Creative Arts Chefchaouen in the Rif Moun-  The Archer Community Choir, Tuesdays tains of northern Morocco, 7-9pm, The Archer Academy, Eagans Close, N2. Email: archercommuni- which is known as the Blue [email protected]. Pearl because at least a third  Art Classes. Call Henry on 8888 5133. of the town is painted with a  A-Chord , friendly choir, all genres, open to stunning array of blues from all. Thursdays 8pm at NNLS, East End Rd. Best friends: Left to right, Emilija Trajkovic as Becky Thatcher, Jonah cobalt to ultramarine. Laura 07732 120464. www.a-chord.uk Visitors to the exhibition at  Ballroom & Latin American Dance Maddocks as Tom Sawyer and Maya Woolf as Huckleberry Finn. the Mall Galleries, The Mall, Classes - beginners & improvers. Wed & Fri eve, Bishop Douglass Sch. 8207 2323. SW1, from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 16 February will have  ‘Calm & Sing’ workshops. Contact Tom Sawyer is back Angie on [email protected] the chance to cast their vote for  Creative writing classes in informal, Christine in the society’s Visi- friendly atmosphere. Tel Sallie Rose 020 tors’ Choice Award. Admission Chefchaouen Steps: One of the on his adventures works by Christine Watson on 8444 7217. This February half-term, Garden Suburb Theatre is is £5, but free for under 25s,  Creative Writing at Friern Barnet Com- show at Mall Galleries. bringing a musical production of The Adventures of Tom Friends of Mall Galleries and munity Library. Every Saturday, 12pm, also free for readers mentioning More details can be found at 07488 230580. Sawyer to the King Alfred Phoenix Theatre in Golders The Archer at the gallery desk. www.mallgalleries.org.uk  Dance conditioning classes. New body Green. in 10 lessons. Diana: 07580 041270. In 1840s’ Missouri, teenage The show is on at the King www.boldbodies.co.uk. Tom Sawyer cheekily wends his Alfred Phoenix Theatre, North  East Finchley Writers Group, Weds at way through life falling in love, End Road, NW11, from Thurs- Extinction Rebellion the Old White Lion. Contact Ralph 8444 5903. constantly outsmarting everyone, day 20 to Sunday 23 Febru-  East Finchley Poetry Writing Work- avoiding work at all costs and ary at 7.30pm, with weekend shops. Monthly on Saturdays. Contact finally catching a real murderous shows at 11.30am and 3pm. fanned by bush fires Dennis Evans 8346 9528. villain, all with the help of Huck- Tickets are £14/£12, and a By Daphne Chamberlain  Jazz Club at the Bohemia, North leberry Finn, Becky Thatcher and family ticket £42. To book, go As we all know by now, in the hottest year on record in Finchley. Call 020 7998 6217 or 07957 his other friends, and the love and to www.ticketsource.co.uk/ Australia, thousands of homes have been burned to the 347411 for more information support of his Aunt Polly. gardensuburbtheatre  Learn to sing at Finchley Methodist ground and the landscape devastated. The tragic loss of Church, Ballards La. Call 8888 4412. life, both human and animal, include many animals on E-mail your listings to: [email protected]  Memory Lane Singing Club - friendly the extinction list. singing club meets every Friday in What’s On... Over 30 countries joined obliging the Dutch government Finchley. Call Valerie 8458 4508. Mondays in February House, New End Square, London NW3 the #BushfireRebellion, with to take action to protect its citi-  Muswell Hill after school ukulele club, • Games Group for the over 55s: friendly 1LT. Tickets: £15 (£10 concessions) from activists demanding recogni- zens from climate change. This Wednesdays 4.15-5.15pm, ages 6-10. people and choice of board and card www.ticketsource.co.uk/solarek-piano- tion of climate change from ruling is the first of its kind. Contact Margie 07909 439513. games; The Bohemia, 762-764 High Road, trio or at door, include free glass of wine the Australian government.  Rock ’n Roll dance lessons, 8pm every Mass cycle ride North Finchley, N12 9QH; every Monday or soft drink. Weds at the Constitutional Club, The Mass demonstrations last month Extinction Rebellion and 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 February Walks. Drop-in. Call Kav 07721 489489. included one in London outside Animal Rebellion members are Wednesday 12 February • Garden Suburb Theatre’s musical the Australia High Commission, planning to keep cycling all the Clubs & Social • Sleeping and Dreaming; Professor production of The Adventures of Tom with more actions planned at the way to Glasgow, to attend the  Bingo Club Mondays 7-9 pm, Green Catherine Loveday explores sleep, what it Sawyer, Mark Twain’s beloved story time of writing. Man Centre, Contact: Jan 8815 5452 COP26, the next UN climate is, why we need it and how to do it better; of cheeky teenager Tom Sawyer and change summit in November.  French conversation in small friendly Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, N2, 6.30pm. his friends Huckleberry Finn, Becky Legal victory in the group with native speaker. 8444 9395. Tickets free but booking essential as Thatcher and Aunt Polly; King Alfred Netherlands Follow @TourDeRebel on  Friends of Cherry Tree Wood friendsof- places are limited. Email Wendy at wendy. Phoenix Theatre, Golders Green, 7.30pm On 20 December, the Dutch Facebook and Instagram to keep cherrytreewood.home.blog or 8883 7544. [email protected] or call 020 with weekend shows at 11.30am and Supreme Court upheld two track of their progress. For local  Haringey Recorded Music Society 8432 1421. 3pm. Tickets £14/£12, family ticket lower court rulings legally XR voices, follow @XRBarnet. informal meetings locally. Call David Friday 14 February £42 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/ Moldon on 8361 1696. • The Solarek Piano Trio perform two piano gardensuburbtheatre.  Muslim Ladies Lunch Club 1st & 3rd Get seen in The Archer Weds, Ann Owen Ctr., Oak La. Call trios side by side, the late-romantic highly Saturday 29 February Is your club, charity, school or society planning a public event? Tell everyone in East 8432 1415 to book. expressive Trio in C major op 29 by Croatian • Muswell Hill Indoor Car Boot Sale, Finchley about it with a free listing in our What’s On column. Send brief details by email  Bridge Club, Thursday & Saturday composer Dora Pejačević, and Beethoven’s 10am-1pm, Hornsey Parish Church Hall, to [email protected] or by post to The Archer, PO Box 3699, London N2 2DE. You afternoons, Age UK, Oak Lane, N2 8LT. celebrated Op. 97 in B-flat major, the Cranley Gardens, N10 3AH; admission 50p; can also reach us on Facebook and Twitter @TheArcherN2. Deadline for submissions is Contact Ray Tiano 07944 562180. ‘Archduke’ Trio, regarded as the greatest refreshments available. More information always the middle of the month ahead of the issue in which you’d like your event included. of all piano trio works; 6.30pm, Burgh from 020 8368 8180 or 07708 152354. Full details of deadlines at the top of page 2. 11 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk FEBRUARY 2020

Letters Send your correspondence Nuts about to: "Letters Page" Box clever The Archer, PO Box 3699, Dear Editor, London N2 2DE or e-mail nut roast In the December edition of The [email protected]. Anyone inspired by Archer, there was an article regard- Letters without verifiable contact addresses Veganuary to carry on ing the making of woven paper will not be printed. Contact details can be boxes with instructions. It inspired withheld on request at publication. We eating meat-free for the us to assemble our own paper box, reserve the right to abridge letters for rest of the year will enjoy involving three nations - Scotland, reasons of space. this delicious recipe for Australia and England (pictured). Nut Roast, thanks to food We had fun, lots of discussion and Shear effrontery writer Felicity Cloake. accomplished our joint mission. Dear Editor, Vegans can make their own Thank you to The Archer. I wonder how many other read- version with substitutes for Yours faithfully, ers are angry at the lack of care the butter, cheese and egg. Helen Barry, Agnes and Kate, shown by householders who fail to Address supplied. keep the bushes and trees in their Serves 6. gardens under control. Ingredients: There are parts of East 2 large parsnips Finchley where the pavements are oil, to grease obstructed by overgrown plants, 1 small savoy cabbage, sometimes spreading as much as 4–6 outer leaves only; half way across the footway. 150g hazelnuts Not only is your way impeded 40g butter (or vegan alterna- but pedestrians’ clothing could be damaged by these, and there are tive) also many overhanging branches 1 red onion, finely chopped First glass: Mel and Helen’s new window featuring Archie. which could damage the eyes of 150g chestnut mushrooms, passers-by. Photo Mel Glass. finely chopped I suggest that people whose 100g cooked chestnuts, gardens border public footways roughly chopped take a look and, if need be, take Archie moves into new 100g Stilton, crumbled (or Hold all: Helen’s recycled secateurs to the offending foliage. vegan-friendly cheese of your Otherwise a band of secret shearers choice) paper basket. might take to the streets! home way out west 100g brown breadcrumbs Yours faithfully, Former Fortismere School headteacher Helen Glass and 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage Buses and trains Dear Editor. L.C Ward, her husband Mel, a cycling instructor, may have moved 1 free-range egg, beaten (or Address supplied. to Gloucestershire but they haven’t left East Finchley That long bus queue for the vegan egg alternative). 263 at the station pictured in behind completely. your November edition says it Send for Greta After both realising they glazing windows supplied by Method: 1. Pre-heat oven to 180C. all. People dependent on that bus Dear Editor, missed seeing Archie on the a firm close to their new home, I wonder how swiftly we can Peel and quarter parsnips, boil have my sympathy. It’s about skyline every day, Mel designed called Corwyn. “Everyone here time we had a better service up crowdfund for Greta Thunberg to in salted water until tender, a reminder of the tube station loves it. And every morning, towards North Finchley. travel to the UK and educate the drain and mash. statue as a present for Helen, as before, we walk past the And why hasn’t that stop at the London Borough of Barnet what 2. Grease a loaf tin approx as part of some new double Archer!” said Mel. station got a bus shelter, when the climate change is truly about? As 20cm x 10cm x 7cm, line with other stop there has? Also, even most readers are aware, LBB is in foil, and grease foil generously. though there is only one service significant breach of EU and national All Saints’ Church, Durham Road, Blanch 6 cabbage leaves in boil- from that stop, why is there no minimum standards for recycling. East Finchley ing, salted water for 2 minutes: indicator of when the next bus is Specifically they removed ensure you have enough to line coming? Maybe someone thinks the four giant bins outside East Church of England tin with overlapping leaves it would be too depressing. Finchley station, followed by many before you tip away water. Everyone thinks we have such street refuse bins certainly in N2. Sunday mass at 10.00 a.m. Plunge leaves into iced water. a good transport service here, More recently the green garden Weekday masses as advertised on the website 3. Toast hazelnuts in a frying but even the Tube station wants bin collection ceased in November, suspended till February. (Coffee served after mass on Sunday and Thursday) pan over high heat until starting looking at. Why can’t we have a lift? It’s not much good living As an elderly resident unable to colour, then set aside. Turn near the station if you can’t get to heave mega sacks to the Sum- heat down to medium, add Join us on butter and chopped onion and up or down the stairs. mers Lane Recycling Centre as Sunday 23rd February 2020 I know you had some letters recommended, I have to resort to cook for 5 minutes. Add mush- at 5.00 p.m. rooms and cook for another 7 about this a little while ago, and I disposing of my garden waste in the really think something should be grey garbage bin to join other landfill. for the Induction and Collation of minutes until softened. 4. Roughly chop hazelnuts done about it. Whilst appreciating Barnet’s Fr Ian Chandler Yours faithfully, cost cutting may placate some and place in large bowl with as the new Parish Priest chopped chestnuts, crumbled S. Skidmore, residents, they are now suggesting High Road, N2. adopting Haringey’s previous idea of All Saints’ Stilton, breadcrumbs and sage. of having an extra paid collection Add mashed parsnip, softened Prayer requests are gladly accepted. service. Excellent idea if landfill is onions and mushrooms fol- Wait at the lights reduced and 100% service guar- The Parish has a flourishing social life. lowed by beaten egg. Season anteed. and stir together. Dear Editor. All Saints’ also has a strong musical tradition and an In spite of the recent terrible Clearly mere N2 residents 5. Line prepared tin with cannot easily influence large enthusiastic choir. overlapping cabbage leaves, accidents to pedestrians on East Finchley’s roads, people are still complex geopolitical governments New singers are always welcome. leaving excess hanging over but wouldn’t it improve this new sides, then spoon in the mix- persisting in crossing against the http://www.allsaints-eastfinchley.org.uk traffic lights. decade for Barnet to accept their For more information: Please email: ture, pressing down well, and In the last month I have seen two environmental responsibility? [email protected] fold any overhanging cabbage groups of teenage schoolchildren Yours faithfully, leaves back over top. Cover very nearly knocked down when Evan McStreens, tightly with foil and bake for crossing the High Road at the Fortis Green, N2. 45 minutes. (You can keep in Bald Faced Stag junction on the Holy Trinity Church the fridge for 24 hours before red light. In neither case was the Church Lane, East Finchley baking.) driver to blame, and the youngsters Archer online Church of England 6. Remove foil from top and seemed completely oblivious to the Did you know you can catch put loaf back in oven for another narrowness of their escape. up with past issues of The We're a warm and friendly congregation 15 minutes, then remove and Can people not realise that their Archer online? who look forward to welcoming you put large serving plate over top lives and their futures are worth Every edition since the start Sunday Parish Communion at 10.00 am of tin. Holding tin with oven a wait of a couple of minutes at of 2000 is available on our web- the most? Children's Sunday Club 6 Meet over coffee after church gloves, turn plate over so loaf site www.the-archer.co.uk. The Fr. Marius Mirt is happy to answer any enquiries: inverts onto plate. Carefully Yours faithfully, site also gives information on email: [email protected] tel: 020 3565 4430 peel off foil and cut into slices K. Stevenson, advertising in our pages and how www.holytrinityeastfinchley.org.uk to serve. Address supplied. you can contribute to the paper. FEBRUARY 2020 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

Heavy load: Porters are accustomed to carrying all supplies on their heads and High point: Luca, left, is congratulated on reaching the summit by porter Joseph, who has backs. Photo Luca Pittalis. climbed Kilimanjaro more than 300 times. Photo Luca Pittalis. Capturing Kilimanjaro before the ice vanishes Filmmaker Luca Pittalis experience. We trekked seven ening, but also agreed with the has produced a new hours in the dark in -20C. With scientific literature. They said documentary shining a little time for acclimatisation, they had been told that the we felt the effects of altitude mountain will be ice-free within light on global warming sickness and this made the in the heart of Africa the next two decades. filming process a real challenge. On top of the world by investigating the The locals repeatedly told us to At 7.20am, we reached the shrinking of the glaciers drink water, their ‘medicine’. summit, or as Eden called it, on the continent’s highest Guides who know the his ‘office’, and he produced a mountain Kilimanjaro. mountain football that he had been carry- It is law in Tanzania that you ing in his bag the whole time. climb with registered guides Kicking a ball around at 5,900 and porters. It is important for metres with a few football- safety and for their economy. fanatic Tanzanians is something ‘Filming challenge: Mount Kilimanjaro stands proud above the high you don’t forget. Many of them half run up, car- plains of Tanzania. Photo Luca Pittalis. rying 15-20 kg loads on their It is hard to describe what it’s like up there: you are above On the way home we had announced that we would be heads. Our head guide, Eden, a short flight from Arusha to “cruising at 18,000ft”, the four told me in an interview that he the clouds and there is no light pollution because the whole Nairobi.8535(AW)TheArcher_2ColumnAdvert:ClintonSmith_020 We were the only ones of us laughed… we 7267 had 7727 just 5/2/14 had summited Kilimanjaro over on the flight. When the pilot climbed to 1,000ft higher! 200 times. The porters reported area is uninhabited. You could 20-metre shifts in the glaciers’ even see Jupiter. I’m sure that positions alongside the trekking it is what our earliest ancestors would have been used to seeing. Luca, pictured above, who paths, which was not just fright- lives in Bancroft Avenue, N2, Your was funded by Rotary Interna- Security tional to travel to Tanzania with problems ! three friends. They climbed the STEWART DUNCAN Solved dormant volcano in four and a OPTICIANS * EAST FINCHLEY * 020 8883 2020 half days and on the way asked the local porters, the people who NEW YEAR Intruder Alarms know the mountain best, what CCTV changes they had noticed to the giant ice sheets. Access Control You can see Luca’s film on YouTube by searching ‘Kili- S A L E Intercom Systems manjaro: The White Mountain’. Here Luca himself takes up the UP TO 80% OFF FRAMES! Locks, Doors & Keys story of how it was made. FINAL REDUCTIONS Safes & Grilles Attempt on the summit The more I’d read about Kil- Locksmiths imanjaro, the more I realised that it was riddled by the effects COLIN SCLARE of climate change. Its glaciers, Sales & Lettings which have inhabited its slopes is relocating offices from the end of February 2020. for nearly 12,000 years, are Our contact details remain the same and our new address is: receding faster than ever. When I failed to find any documen- Colin Sclare Ltd The Brentano Suite taries that even mentioned it, I Lyttelton House decided to give it a try. 2 Lyttelton Road After four days moving up O2O 8442 O66O London N2 0EF Securebase Ltd the lower slopes, we set off at 112 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9EB Thank you T: 020 8442 0660 midnight for the attempt on F: 020 8365 2788 the 19,300ft summit and it was 07891368049 020 8444 3351 [email protected] www.securebase.co.uk brutal. We had no prior climbing www.colinsclare.co.uk [email protected] The Archer is a non-profit-making, non-political & non-religious newspaper, staffed entirely by volunteers.