Fire Risks and Litter Hazards in Coldfall Wood

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 August 2020 No. 316 A community newspaper for East Finchley run entirely by volunteers. Fire risks and litter hazards in Coldfall Wood By Ann Bronkhorst Like most green spaces in London, Coldfall Wood and the playing fields beyond have been a blessing to hundreds of people during the lockdown. For some it’s been a revelation to find a little nature reserve within easy reach. Families, jog- gers, dog-walkers, they’ve criss-crossed the wood off Creighton Avenue day and night … and unfortunately the heavier footfall has left its mark. Four large bin bags of rubbish were collected in one hour in June by five volunteers. Dog- poo bags are still being tossed Best friends: Michelle and her two dogs. Photo Mike Coles into trees, and picnic leftovers, usually non-decaying plastic and metal, often surround dens and Morning after: Litter and a smoking fire in Coldfall Wood. Michelle has her campsites. Den-building is the Photo David Bellis fashion in north London wood- sparks chose to light fires there. extension, playground or party lands so beetles and bugs must One fire was photographed still venue rather than a nature compete with humans for the smouldering at 7.30am; it had reserve? hands full dead wood needed for survival. been lit the night before. The Anti-social behaviour in Stage and TV star Michelle Collins has been keeping Smouldering fire very angry photographer put it busy with a fundraising project for her fellow actors… out using water from the stream. Cherry Tree Wood By late June Coldfall was At the same time, residents and the arrival of a new four-legged friend. Read the Every summer the Friends of very dry so several bright living near Cherry Tree Wood full story on page 7. Coldfall Wood worry about fire are being kept awake by noise hazards and are grateful to the from people using it at night for local ‘eyes and ears’ for react- barbecues and meet-ups with Find your new home today... ing quickly to danger signs and Phoenix friends. Several local people sharing their concerns. Successful independent estate agent, established since 1992 have found the litter left behind Can this small ancient wood Residential and commercial, sales, lettings and management specialists so unsightly and annoying that Our friendly and helpful staff provide a professional and genuine service recover from so much human 40 High Road, East Finchley on hold they have cleared it up them- Our office is situated 100 yards from East Finchley Station Trustees and staff at the activity or will it be seen, London N2 9PJ selves. Read the full story on increasingly, as a handy garden www.primelocations.co.uk Phoenix Cinema in East page 4. Estate Agents Valuations Sales Lettings [email protected] Finchley say they are work- Overseas Properties Management Services 020 8883 9090 ing hard to ensure it can reopen as soon as possible. A Phoenix statement said it wanted to make sure it was fully prepared to open safely for the sake of staff and customers before setting a date to open its doors again. Cinemas were Everything Electrical are Proud to be Stockists & Installers of all officially allowed to reopen Ring Security Products. from 4 July provided they Keeping East Finchley Safe at all times & always at home could abide by hygiene 38 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9PJ regulations. Give us a Call on Freephone 08002796436 • Visit us online at www.the-archer.co.uk or Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @TheArcherN2 • 2 AUGUST 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 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 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 Alison Roberts Jeff Robson Jane & David Marsh Everyman, Muswell Hill 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

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 Oak Lane Clinic 020 8346 9343 The Archer team wishes to thank all the generous people who give up their Transport Health Advice Royal Free 020 7794 0500 spare time, in all weather, to deliver the paper for us. National Rail 0845 7484950 AIDSline 020 8363 2141 Whittington 020 7272 3070 If you have a story for us, please contact us at the above address. City Airport 020 7646 0088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 7697555 Comments to The Archer may be published unless clearly marked ‘ Not for Heathrow Airport 0844 3351801 Barnet MENCAP 020 8203 6688 OAPs’ Advice publication’ within the text. National Express 0871 781 8181 Cancer Support 020 8202 2211 Age UK Barnet 020 8203 5040 September: 14 August TfL 0343 222 1234 Carers’ Line 0808 808 7777 Independent Age 0800 319 6789 Copy deadlines – October: 11 September; November: 16 October Thameslink 0345 026 4700 Drinkline 0800 917 8282 Age UK 0800 169 2081 School opens its playing fields to all Now is a good time to By Sandy Barker, from Grange Big Local One of the many beautiful green spaces in East Finchley, which have been lying empty advertise with us during the pandemic, are the playing fields at Bishop Douglass School. With support By John Dearing from Grange Big Local and their volunteers, the school made the fields available for The Archer is East Finchley’s community newspaper local residents to use for play and relaxation. and is produced and distributed each month entirely It was a pilot scheme to see by volunteers. how it worked for everyone, Despite the chal- especially the school, and to lenge presented by the assess the demand. We had up Covid-19 pandemic, to 80 people, mainly families we continued to publish with young children, on the field throughout and bring with bikes, scooters, footballs, our unique focus on and one day even kites. East Finchley events, The fields were open for issues and features to two hours each afternoon for our readers. eight days last month, ending Thanks to our bril- with the school holidays, but liant team of volunteer we hope that arrangements can deliverers, we have now 10,000 delivered each month. be made for some further fun in restarted letterbox delivery to of adverts that we can offer. For August and September. Play time: Families enjoy Bishop Douglass School field. 10,000 homes and businesses in more details go to our website the N2 postal code area, starting at: www.the-archer.co.uk. on the first weekend of each Contact us for advice and Mature trees under threat in Queen’s Wood month. As East Finchley comes a quote by emailing us on By Ann Bronkhorst back to life with the easing of [email protected], In early July four mature, healthy oak trees in Queen’s Wood were due to be felled. lockdown, why not share in leave a voicemail on 0800 612 The reason? An insurance company would not meet the cost of underpinning a prop- our success by advertising in 4027, send us a message on our erty nearby and was likely to sue Haringey Council, which owns the wood, unless The Archer? website, or write to us at: The they removed the trees. Adverts in The Archer are Archer, PO Box 3699, London, Protest rapidly grew via writing protesters were on site priority. Catherine West, MP interspersed with the arti- N2 2DE. local press, social media and a daily and the trees had not yet for Haringey, and local council- cles and pictures throughout petition on Change, led by the been felled. lors lent support, as did other the paper, rather than being Friends of Queen’s Wood, who Supporting the petition, amenity groups such as the consigned to back pages that Snap happy believe that, as a nature reserve Professor Duckett of the Natu- Haringey Parks Forum and the carry only adverts. Our rates Amateur photographers and ancient wood, it should be ral History Museum argued that Friends of Coldfall Wood as are very competitive, starting across the capital are invited protected in law from claims preservation of ancient wood- well as activists from Extinc- from £20 for a small, single- to submit photos that show- such as these. At the time of land is the top environmental tion Rebellion. column advert, with larger, case the best of the people and multi-column adverts costing proportionally more, and with places in their local area with PLANNING APPLICATIONS discounts for repeat orders. the chance to win photogra- You can commission your phy equipment and to have Barnet Council 18 Hamilton Road, N2 ing roof height and rear dormer own artwork or ask us to pro- their work displayed on the 15 Beresford Road, N2 Roof extension, including rear window. vide simple layouts and we are Museum of London website. Roof extension, involving rear/ dormer window with Juliet bal- 59A Huntingdon Road, N2 happy to help you with either. The free competition runs side dormer windows and two cony and two front roof lights. Single-storey rear extension, Please look through this issue until 21 August. Find out more front roof lights. 78 Hertford Road, N2 following demolition of existing of The Archer to see examples and enter at www.photocrowd. 83 Durham Road, N2 Conversion of property from HMO conservatory. of the different sizes and styles com/becauseimalondoner Roof extension, including rear to two self-contained flats. Asso- 86 Ossulton Way, N2 dormer with French doors and ciated amenity space, refuse/ Conversion of garage into habit- Juliet balcony, and three front recycling area and cycle store. able space. Reinstating original - Beginners - roof lights. 339 High Road, N2 garage door. Enlargement of side 27 Fairlawn Avenue, N2 Single-storey side extension and window. Single-storey rear extension. two-storey rear extension. Roof 34 Pulham Avenue, N2 Tai Chi& Qigong ** NEW COURSES ** in East Finchley Addition of skylights. extension, involving rear and side Erection of two-storey dwelling. Wednesdays am & pm (Trial session: £5) 44 Fortis Green, N2 dormer windows and two front Associated parking, landscap- James Drewe is a qualified teacher and has been practising tai chi for 40 years. Roof extension involving hip to roof lights. ing, cycle store, and refuse and He is the author of 3 books on tai chi & is a member of the BCCMA. gable, rear dormer window and 21 Huntingdon Road, N2 recycling. Other classes : www.taiji.co.uk three front roof lights. Roof extension, involving rais- email: [email protected] phone: 020-8883 3308 3 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk AUGUST 2020 Fast food outlet forced to remove huge metal vent By David Melsome The East Finchley branch of KFC has been operating since 1973 and is still hugely popular with fans of fast food… but not always with neighbours of its premises on the corner of Huntingdon Road. People living nearby quickly. Within 48 hours report that one benefit of the the horizontal outlet had outlet being closed during disappeared, although lockdown was the absence the remaining perpen- of unwanted wrappers, dicular chimney would cups and the other pave- look more at home on ment detritus that accom- an industrial estate than Spare tyres: Donated bikes at Bedford Road. Photo Mike Coles. panies its takeaways. in a residential street.” Another benefit was not KFC’s press team has been having to step over the contacted for comment Generous donors drop flow of effluent, described but had not responded at by one resident as “the the time of going to press. off dozens of bikes horrible stream of yuck”, Crime reported that can trail across the By John Lawrence In addition to the noise There was an amazing response when bike charity volunteer pavement from the shop’s and pollution problems, back gate to the Hunting- shortly after KFC re- Adam Ognall put out a call for the people of East Finchley don Road gutter when the opened one local home- to donate any unwanted two-wheelers. Families and indi- shop is operating at full owner reported prevent- viduals handed over a total of 53 bicycles in the space of just strength. ing a robbery, when a two hours on the afternoon of Wednesday 1 July. New noise, new vent young boy was being They brought However, when KFC threatened by half a dozen children’s and adult started serving custom- others outside the shop. models, some old, ers again towards the Short lived: This horizontal vent was removed The Archer understands from the side of the KFC restaurant in some relatively end of June, a new loud that police are aware of new, to a small generator-type noise Huntingdon Road soon after being installed the corner as a crime mews space at the impacted the peace of hotspot. Many residents High Road end many homes, accompanied noise had woken them at 6am. would like to see CCTV of Bedford Road, by the strong fatty odour of Complaints were submitted installed to help monitor the N2, where The the Colonel’s Bargain Bucket. to the environmental health situation, but who would pay for Bike Project chair Residents were up in arms department of Barnet Coun- it? Investigations are ongoing of trustees Adam following the appearance of a cil and East Finchley coun- and The Archer awaits a reply Ognall has his huge horizontal metal extraction cillor Arjun Mittra submit- from Barnet Council. office. vent at the side of the building ted his own urgent query. His charity fixes pointing straight up Huntingdon One resident told us: “To and refurbishes any Road. The new and unwelcome their credit the council acted Raised road bikes it is given and passes them on to refugees, primarily Car crashes on the raises noise in the London and Residents living near the Birmingham areas. junction of Church Lane In five years, it has Great North Road with the High Road have given out 6,500 A man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after complained that they are bicycles. colliding with another car on the Great North Road on being plagued by the fre- Bike benefits Saturday 18 July. One of the cars turned over and a man quent noise of heavy lorries Adam said: was taken to hospital with an injured leg. The emergency and their loads thumping “For many people services were called to the incident just by The Bishops over a new raised section having a bike can Special couple of hours: Adam Ognall from Avenue at 10.40pm. Several people at the scene helped transform their of road. The Bike Project. Photo Mike Coles. the occupants out of their cars. The raised surface was lives. As a refugee installed in June to slow down in this country, you get £36 a thanked everyone who had traffic on the approach to the week to live on after housing donated for their incredible Slow-down too slow? pedestrian crossing outside costs have been deducted. A generosity. Barnet Council has agreed to review the process for Martin Primary School, where bus pass alone is £21 so having Refugees are often referred introducing 20mph speed limits in areas where resi- a young girl and her father were a bike means you can save to The Bike Project by a local dents are in favour. Some councillors claim that the injured in an accident last year. a large part of your income. church or the Red Cross. They process is too slow, while others argue that 20mph However, residents say many “Cycling has huge mental and are also given a set of lights, a zones are not effective in improving road safety. lorry drivers do not realise it is physical health benefits. It helmet and lock, and taught the A 20mph zone has been proposed for parts or all of East there and continue at normal makes refugees more visible rules of the road. speed if the lights are green, and more mobile and makes Finchley to calm traffic on busy roads like the High violently shaking their chassis them feel part of the commu- Road and East End Road, as well as residential roads and their loads. Some have nity.” Climate and those close to schools. called for warning signs to be Adam described the East installed on the approach to give Finchley collection as “a really change relay drivers a chance to slow down. special couple of hours” and Local climate change rebels, Barnet Extinction SOLICITORS Rebellion, are organising Cree Godfrey & Wood provide a full range of services including Residential and Commercial Conveyancing, Landlord and Tenant advice, Employment (Compromise Agreements), Family, a community relay race on Wills Probate and Elderly Client advice and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Saturday 29 August, racing for time to save our planet. Why choose CGW Solicitors? Everyone is invited, from Our team are: grandparents to babies. COMMITTED to excellent customer service; Offer GOOD value and reasonable fees; Check @BarnetXR on Here to WORK for you and give you honest, straightforward and effective Twitter or facebook.com/ advice in a timely efficient manner. XRBarnet for details T: 0208 883 9414 l F: 0208 444 5414 nearer the time, or email W: www.creegodfreyandwood.co.uk l W: www.creegodfreyandwood.co.uk Cree Godfrey & Wood 28 High Road East Finchley London N2 9PJ [email protected]. 4 AUGUST 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk Anti-social noise and litter mar woods and parks By Janet Maitland Residents living near Cherry Tree Wood have been kept awake by noise from people using it at night for barbecues and meet-ups with friends. Several local people have found the litter left behind so unsightly and annoying that they have cleared it up themselves. “Young people shouting complaint of people gathering and screaming and having at night in the picnic area by fires till one in the morning the Fordington Road entrance. keeps me awake,” said one Jan said: “It’s a shame as people resident, who lives near the leave rubbish and disposable park. “This has always been an barbecues on the grass. It’s a dif- issue during the summer. The ficult one as none of the Barnet last time the gates were left parks are being locked. It’s not unlocked, as they are now, this ideal, but we’re only speaking went on for the whole summer. of handfuls of people.” Open water: The Men’s Pond on Hampstead Heath now needs to be booked and paid for in advance “Some young people would still Police and councillors climb over locked gates, but it comment Ponds swimmers kick out would be more difficult to bring Local councillors Arjun in barbecues and alcohol. They Mittra and Claire Farrier met would definitely deter older with Barnet Council offic- people, like an accordion player ers a few weeks ago to raise against new booking system recently who was so noisy I residents’ concerns about anti- called the police.” Archer reader Lucy Zanetti welcomes the return of swimming at Highgate Ponds on social behaviour in the woods. Hampstead Heath but laments the introduction of compulsory charges to enjoy the waters. Jan Lovell from the East “The council stopped lock- Like many locals, I’m point, tranquillity has reigned, one precious hour of access. We Finchley Safer Neighbourhood ing the gates because of finan- a year-round swimmer at payment has not been compul- hope the booking requirement Team said they had received one cial constraints and although Highgate Ponds. The Ladies’ sory, and so, like the zoo at Gold- won’t outlast the Covid-19 they are seeking community and Men’s Ponds are treasures, ers Hill Park, the playgrounds restrictions, but the idea of volunteer support to help with each an off-grid oasis where and the Heath in general, the commercialising this historic issues like maintenance and you can relax (phones hardly public right of access has con- enclave makes me weep. locking up, this is very early work there), admire the pond tinued unabated. If only the Corporation days,” said Cllr Mittra. life, commune with nature, So it is with heavy hearts had listened to the voices of Patrolling to increase and meet friends or enjoy that we learn the City of London the swimmers, the Hampstead A Barnet Council spokes- solitude. Corporation (one of the wealthi- Heath Consultative Committee person told us: “We’ve sus- Thousands visit the ponds est local authorities in the and the locals who resolved to pended the locking of parks through the summer and some country), which manages the cooperate with a viable alter- in consideration of Covid-19 hardy folk swim on into the Heath, is intent on spoiling our native option for encouraging and this is being reviewed on a winter, when you might be in the respite from the frenetic world more voluntary payments, then regular basis. Our officers and water for only three or four min- we now live in. all could have remained equal police regularly patrol parks utes but the life-affirming lift and undivided. and will be stepping up patrols Payment: voluntary or this provides is incomparable. compulsory? For more about this debate, in this area.” We can turn up when we like, look at the Kenwood Ladies Last month they introduced Residents can report anti- no planning ahead necessary, Pond Association website at a system whereby swims must social behaviour on the 101 just slip in, swim about and www.klpa.uk and consider be booked via an online system, Music man: Geoffrey Hanson police number or online at head off. What a dream. the implications for local at a cost of £4 or £2.40 for just www.met.police.uk/ro/report. Our ponds have been closed democracy. Geoffrey In case of emergency, always during the Covid-19 crisis but dial 999. Hanson are now reopening. Up to this Daphne Chamberlain The Archer team was very Piano & Theory sad to hear of the death of East Finchley Arts Festival Lessons founder and director Geof- Beginners & Grades 1-8 Jan Lovell, of the East Finchley Safer Neighbourhood Team, frey Hanson. He was found 30 years teachiing experiience - begiinners to advanced updates us on the latest crime news. Jan and the team can at his home last month by G. Drewe BA (Hons), PGCE (Music) be contacted by email at: [email protected], a friend when he failed to [email protected] 020-8444 0655 or by phone on 020 7161 9014. Follow the team on Twitter keep a virtual appoint- @MPSEastFinchley. ment. We understand that Roofing scam ambulance paramedics This is a resident’s account of a roofing scam that happened in said he had died quickly Nicky Sharp East Finchley. They tell it very well in their own words. Please be on and peacefully. the alert and spread the word. A church organist and pro- Osteopathy Clinic “I avoided paying the scammer any money (apart from £250 to lific composer, Geoffrey was a scaffolding company for scaffolding which I’m having removed). also the Director of Music at All Cranial and Structural Osteopathy I’m still going to incur expense reinstating the roofing tiles that were Saints’ Church in Durham Road unnecessarily removed but the cost should be hundreds rather than for 30 years. He celebrated his and Acupuncture thousands of pounds. 80th birthday with a special All Major Insurers Accepted “You may wish to warn local residents that aggressive and very concert there last December. professional sounding roofing repair scammers are operating in the This year’s Arts Festival had For consultations and appointments: area, offering an initial cheap repair service and then claiming major already been postponed indefi- roofing repairs are needed costing thousands of pounds to remedy nitely because of Covid-19. Telephone: 020 8815 9433 when the repairs are unnecessary. The Archer will bring you a “In my case they caused damage to the roof by ripping off tiles www.nickysharposteopathy.co.uk full appreciation of Geoffrey 260 East End Road and throwing them to the ground pretending that the condition of Hanson next month. London N2 8AU e-mail: [email protected] the roof was dangerous when it wasn’t.” 5 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk AUGUST 2020 ‘Temporary’ cycle lane plan for the High Road By John Lawrence Barnet Council is propos- ing to install new cycle lanes running almost the entire length of the High Road in East Finchley to make travelling safer for the growing number of people who have taken to cycling in recent months. The council has released plans showing details of almost continuous cycle lanes in both directions between the North Circular and the Great North Road, south of the tube station as far as the border with Haringey. The cycle lanes scheme is being labelled as ‘temporary’ but, at the time of going to press, Get on board: Sonia at the wheel of her big red bus there were no details on how long they might be in place, nor when they might be installed. Sonia’s driving passion for a double-decker Pros and cons By John Lawrence There will be a clear ben- When Sonia Beldom drives up in her big red double-decker she always gets double takes from the other, mostly efit for cyclists in having a male, drivers on the bus-for-hire circuit. And when she’s on the road some tourists even leap out in front of her designated and clearly marked vehicle to snap a quick photo. space to travel up and down Sonia loves the attention producer and and full-make-up,” says Sonia. the busy High Road. However, when she’s behind the wheel. presentation it will come at the cost of the “As you can imagine, most of Most of her work is private coach. She the drivers are retired London suspension of around 20 paid hire for weddings, corporate has helped parking bays outside shops Transport bus drivers. It’s very outings and tourist trips around bring many funny to see the reactions some- along the route, in order to London’s iconic landmarks. travel series create room for the new lanes. times, which is another reason “My favourite,” says Sonia, to the screen, I love it.” East Finchley councillor Arjun “because I get to drive where including An Mittra posted the plans on Buses4Homeless I like and the thrill of driving Idiot Abroad While the private hire buses Facebook and asked for reaction over Tower Bridge gets me with Karl from local people. He told The have been off the road during every time.” Pilkington, the Covid-19 crisis, Sonia has Archer he is still seeking details Sonia lives locally so if The Hairy from the council on when they spent her time writing a chil- you’ve ever seen an old Route- Bikers’ Great dren’s picture e-book called might be installed. master bus she’s probably been Mississippi One respondent said: “The Granny Franny’s Big Red Bus, at the wheel. Once, driving Adventure Front seat driver: Sonia gets ready to welcome more pedestrian and cycle a fun adventure partly based on along the High Road in East and Victo- passengers her mum. friendly an area is, the more Finchley on her way to the ria’s Empire room there is for people to Sonia is donating 10% of A1, she got diverted before with the late Victoria Wood. could do occasional paid work sales to Buses4Homeless who shop and the more pleasant the she could turn into East End She started her broadcasting for the company as they had no experience. The more we can recondition old buses into Road. Manoeuvring her double- career as a BBC Radio 2 pro- female drivers. sleeping, eating, learning and move away from cars and get decker down Kitchener Road ducer where she discovered that “I think I’m one of the them off the streets the better wellbeing hubs for homeless and Market Place to get back on Ken Bruce owned a heritage youngest female drivers of people who enter a three-month for people and the local shops.” track was “a challenge”. Routemaster bus hire company. these old buses and I always get Another said: “Being cycle and programme to get them back On board with Ken Bruce Ken agreed she could drive surprised looks when I rock up into work and onto their feet. pedestrian friendly transforms it and, with a proper licence, with my blonde hair, red nails town centres for the better and Sonia’s day job is as a TV And now the lockdown has is supportive of local busi- loosened a little, she is back nesses. Losing 20 parking bays driving a modern open-top tour- A Local Handyman Emergency Denture Repair Child/Adolescent counsellor on the High Road won’t make Hannah Grossmith-Dwek BACP ist bus for the same charity to available for general household and New Dentures distribute personal protective it harder to park. The problem & garden maintenance. for most people is the cost of 103a Golders Green Rd I am an experienced, accredited equipment and information to parking, not finding a bay.” No Job Too Small NW11 8EN counsellor offering support for vulnerable and homeless people. But others argued that the new Free Estimates 020 87318611 young people and their families. Find out more about the book lanes will create congestion Call John on: 0789 010 3831 Based in East Finchley and download it at www.gran- or: 0208 883 5325 http://www.mydenturedirect.co.uk and damage the viability of Please contact me on: 07855601335 nyfrannysbigredbus.com; it’s the retail shops as well as shift [email protected] also available on Amazon. parking onto residential streets. DO YOU FEEL VERY ANXIOUS MUCH OF THE TIME? http://www.hgd-counselling.com They called for more creative Does your anxiety sometimes feel out of proportion? solutions to slow the traffic Midhurst Butchers Greene Driving School through the High Road and Do you find it hard to calm and soothe yourself? East Finchley N2 improve safety for all cyclists There will be a good reason for your levels of anxiety, Certified organic meat From £20.00 per hour and pedestrians. possibly buried in experiences from the past at reasonable prices for 2 hr lesson HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP YOU REACH, RELEASE Free-range poultry Safe driving for life Follow us! AND CLEAR HISTORIC TRIGGERS FOR ANXIETY Home-made sausages Small manual Low Co2 Car (including Boerwors) Free, no-obligation, introductory chat Eco & Low Maintenance Tuition Call or email me to find out more: 2 Midhurst Parade, Pass Plus 4 cheaper Insurance. [email protected] 020 8444 5498 07703 404 839 Fortis Green, London N10 Call John M.I.M.I @TheArcherN2 www.kathrynscorza.co.uk Tel. 020 8883 5303 0773 851 4406 greenedriving.co.uk 6 AUGUST 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk What is the future of our libraries after lockdown? By Daphne Chamberlain “Librarians are just like search engines, except they smile and talk to me, and they don’t give me paid-for advertising when they are trying to help.” This tweet from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) illustrates the social and educational role of libraries in society. The closure of our library The School Libraries online events.” East Finchley buildings during lockdown Resources Service has been is a Core library. struck hardest at people, par- supporting schools with digital Safety requirements will ticularly children, who ben- resources throughout lockdown obviously include marked-out New ways John Lowrie at the Baptist Church. Photo Mike Coles efit enormously from personal and resumed collection and social distancing, possibly interaction, and at the many delivery of learning materials reorganised shelving, quar- households without dependable on request to schools on 18 June. antining all returned stock for internet access. In the first week of operation 72 hours, hand sanitiser units, How church-going Online successes in June, a reported 531 custom- Perspex screens, and a limited For those who were able ers made use of the Select and number of customers at any to use it, however, technology Collect service, requesting just time. has been changed proved itself. E-book borrow- over 2,200 items. (See below What next, though? The pan- ing rocketed during lockdown, for details). demic has left many Councils sometimes by up to 600%. Going forward facing bankruptcy. CILIP fears a Barnet offered e-books, e-audi- Barnet Council says: “We postcode lottery, with closure of for the better obooks, e-magazines, newspa- will…gradually expand the large and busy libraries in areas By David Gritten pers and comics, issuing over opening of the core libraries where they are most needed. Churches across Britain have been dealt a blow by the 123,500 electronic stock. The and core plus libraries for wider The government has pledged social restrictions that coronavirus has made necessary. council also had about 18,000 use over the following months. extra funding, but will that be Most have closed their doors, at least for the time being, views of 50 online events. We will continue with all our enough? and East Finchley Baptist Church is among them. But John Lowrie, pastor there thing: “We won’t come back for the last three years, believes the same people, that’s for sure. Barnet library services open online that despite this year’s setbacks, Folks have shared their lives By Emma Magnus the church’s future is bright. and their problems more. There While East Finchley Library remains shut for the time being, here are the free library ser- Many members of its congre- have been offers of help between vices you can still use by going online. You’ll need to join the library in order to benefit gation are connecting with its them and some of them leav- from these services. You can either fill out a three-minute form at www.barnet.gov.uk/ services and sermons online, and ing parcels of food on people’s libraries or visit one of the reopened branches at Finchley Church End, Chipping Barnet, using Zoom has revolutionised doorsteps. They’re finding new Edgware or Colindale. the way they worship. ways to look out for each other. Alternative means of Barnet Libraries can put together Ancestry, Oxford Dictionary of Friendly buzz “People now socialise outside the church, where they borrowing books a selection of items for you based National Biography: all free to John reports that the experi- on your preferences. You can use. If you’re learning to drive, ment has had remarkable wouldn’t have done it before. The good news is it’s still They’d turn up on a Sunday, possible to borrow books, CDs borrow up to 20 items on your Theory Test Pro is also available. results: “We wondered how library card. people would interact. Most of then not see each other for a and DVDs via the Select and Col- Book clubs week. But now they’ll go to lect and Home Library services. Not just books If you’re a member of a book the folks, when you see them, they wave, say hello, and for the park together, maybe go for The Home Library service is for You can read ebooks, audio- club that meets in Barnet, you can a meal. They’re enjoying each members with limited mobility or books, newspapers (including borrow sets of popular titles (up the first five minutes we just chat, share news, whatever. other’s company. When all this living in sheltered or residential those with paywalls) and maga- to 30 books) for eight weeks. One is finally over it won’t be ‘the housing. Select and Collect is zines for free online: there are member just needs to register at “That’s turned out to be a very friendly time, as opposed to new normal’. I think it’ll be for everyone, with items chosen thousands available in over 60 a library to get a ‘group reading better in many ways.” from a catalogue then available languages, accessible on a range ticket’. being in church, where you come in, find a seat and wait qui- to collect at Chipping Barnet, of reading devices. Coding Edgware, Finchley Church End etly until the service starts. This Online resources Finally, your coding dreams way there’s a buzz, a hubbub Shared or Colindale Libraries. Libraries offer free subscrip- can come true. You can borrow Browsing the shelves may of noise. It’s not just about the tions for many handy resources. Micro:bits, tiny computers that service, it’s getting people to harvest not be possible, but there are Oxford English Dictionary, Britan- allow you to create programs and still ways to discover new books: enjoy each other’s company.” Plot holders at East nica, Oxford Reference Online, save them onto your computer. Before the pandemic, he Finchley Allotments, off recalls: “We’d get about 50-60 Plane Tree Walk, N2, have All Saints’ Church, Durham Road, Editor’s note: people on an average Sunday. been donating surplus Most Haringey libraries, With Zoom we get over 30 screens. fruit and vegetables to be East Finchley including Muswell Hill and Some might be a single person, distributed to local charity Church of England Highgate, have re-opened and but others a couple or a family of kitchens and food banks. four. So our numbers have actually We are now open again for public worship you don’t need to be a Haringey The scheme has been oper- resident to join their libraries. gone up, particularly midweek, ating on weekends and invites and you are welcome to join us for: because Zoom allows people to Find out more about the many growers to leave produce in a services on offer locally at join us without having to travel Sunday mass at 10.00 a.m. and Weekday shady spot on the site, which www.haringey.gov.uk/covid- after a long day at work.” is then collected by two volun- masses as advertised on the website 19/council-services~lib John is convinced of one teers for onward distribution.

or join our live-streamed services on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsef/ Open Sundays Pet Boutique

The church is also open for private prayer OPENFree SUNDAYSParking Covid-secure as advertised on the website. Prayer requests are gladly accepted. For more information, Independent veterinary care in modern, spacious facilities contact the Vicar, Fr Ian Chandler, on Free vet healthchecks for new puppies, kittens and rabbit kits 020 8883 9315 Email: [email protected] Cats - Dogs - Small Mammals - Birds - Reptiles

or check out our website: 178-180 Long Lane, Finchley N3 2RA http://www.allsaints-eastfinchley.org.uk 020 3865 8905 www.twobytwovets.co.uk

7 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk AUGUST 2020 Buyer steps in to build on site opposite station By Diana Cormack In early July a notice from Deniz Investments, the same company that is developing the Viceroy Close car park in East Finchley, appeared on the hoardings around the former GLH minicab site opposite the tube station. It announced proposals to construct 24 luxury flats and one commercial unit. The property was previously expected to be sold at auction at the end of March and was described thus: ‘Lot 27: Planning consent granted for 25 flats (with no affordable housing requirement) and B1 Office on the ground and lower ground floor.’ The guide price was £4,750,000 but the property was withdrawn prior to auction, presumably to be sold privately. Reasons for objection Dog days: Michelle Collins with Peggy, left, and Humphrey. As often reported in The Under development: Hoardings currently surround the former GLH site Archer, since planning per- mission was first granted vehicles, they argue, threatening development: the former Bobath Michelle has her three years ago, locals and the increased danger and disruption Centre in East End Road, the sta- Finchley Society have vigor- in an already extremely busy tion car park itself, the disused ously opposed the development. thoroughfare. London Underground electric- Subsequent modifications have Further reading ity substation almost diagonally hands full not changed their minds. Whether there will be opposite The Bishops Avenue, By Ruth Anders It is not only the number another change of planning and Park House, which stands Animal-loving actor Michelle Collins is a dynamo. Not of flats, none of them afford- application is unknown at the next door to the GLH site. Inter- only does she help promote our local charity All Dogs able, that they object to, but time of writing. However, a visit estingly, on the borough’s pro- Matter, but she has also raised over £33,000 for the Actors also the lack of parking and to Barnet Council’s Schedule of posals their map shows the Park Benevolent Fund. road safety. The High Road Site Proposals makes interest- House and GLH sites as one. I met Michelle and her two took part, including Ian McKel- site immediately opposite the ing reading for East Finchley Find the proposals for yourself delightful canine friends in len, Sheila Hancock and Derek entrance to the station car park residents who care to look. by visiting engage.barnet.gov. Cherry Tree Wood in late June. Jacobi. The monologues, titled will create traffic problems There are four places listed uk and searching for ‘Draft She had adopted Humphrey ten For the Love of Arts, can be with access and exit for service as sites of current or potential Local Plan (Reg 18)’ years ago and now Peggy is the viewed on the Equity Benevo- latest addition to the family. She lent Fund’s YouTube channel at first fostered her from All Dogs https://bit.ly/3cZMh6s Matter during the lockdown and Michelle told us: “The cur- Abseiling a long way down to soon decided to adopt her. rent crisis has had a devastating Actors and writers unite effect on my industry, affecting keep the air ambulance up Michelle’s next challenge so many of us indiscriminately. By Rebecca Wilks was to help her fellow thespians. I started ringing around friends The London Air Ambulance’s red helicopter is likely to be a familiar sight in the sky Archer readers will be aware in the industry; one thing led to another and I suddenly had to many Londoners. For those seriously injured, the charity provides rapid trauma of the difficulties Covid-19 response to hundreds of life-or-death accidents in the capital each year. poses for performing artists. a list of well-known film, TV So with the help of a raft of and stage actors on board, all Despite the service’s vital highly respected mates, along wanting to support the project. role, they rely primarily on with producers Debbie Gray I also have a group of extremely donations and fundraising to and Sam Cornish of Genesius talented writers who agreed to keep running, and with the Pictures, Michelle assembled write monologues for whoever current Covid-19 crisis funds a series of monologues to raise needed one.” are tighter than ever. funds for actors’ union Equity Don’t forget dogs I grew up in East Finchley members who are suffering While actors continue to and am going to be fundrais- hardship. struggle, All Dogs Matter is ing for this amazing cause by More than 50 famous names concerned that, as new dog taking part in a sponsored abseil owners return to work after from their helipad on top of lockdown, many sadly will the 17-storey Royal London Eclectic Grief Counselling want to offload their new pets. Hospital in Whitechapel. From £25 per session General manager Ira Moss I will be raising funds in stresses that dogs like Peggy honour of my mum Carol appear on their books rarely. Jackson, who lived in East Finchley for over 20 years Elizabeth Barmak Those for whom the charity seeks homes and foster carers and was involved in the local DipPsydynCouns community for many years. [email protected] are far more likely to be grey- hounds or Staffies. For more My mum was tragically killed 020 8346 0722 in a car accident on the High Finchley based information about the charity visit alldogsmatter.co.uk Road in 2019 at the age of 64, and the London Air Ambulance were the first on the scene to CARPENTRY & JOINERY Est 1962 provide support. It is my hope that giving Bespoke Built in Furniture, Wardrobes, Windows back can help as many other families as possible who may Email: [email protected] need the service in the future. Any donations would be much Website: www.fandcshawltd.co.uk appreciated; to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/ Loving memory: Carol Jackson, who was killed in a collision on the Tel: 07999858816 carol-jackson-2020. High Road. 8 AUGUST 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk Y o u n g A r c h e r

Time to listen: The Academy’s Mark Carter, left, with David Lammy MP during the online discussion. Shared experience on BLM By Kate Wiseman The Archer Academy hosted its first virtual community event on Tuesday 7 July with a live panel discussion on Black Lives Matter attended by more than 400 people. The event was focused on and academic Dr Carlene Firmin encouraged”, and it means better understanding our indi- and author Ashley Hickson- “acknowledging that we’re vidual and collective respon- Lovence. Students and staff human…it is a statement to sibilities in addressing racism shared their personal experi- make people realise that our and it also served as the official ences of racism and what Black lives and opinions matter…it On the run: Marco Glaser trains in Cherry Tree Wood. Photo Mike Coles. launch of the school’s staff and Lives Matter means to them. is equality. It’s not being fol- student Diversity and Inclusion Contributors said it means lowed by security when I walk societies. “building a society where… into a shop or looked at differ- Why I’m pounding the Speakers included David diversity is not just tolerated ently because of the colour of Lammy MP, social researcher but actively sought after and my skin.” streets in the run-up to Pay care workers a decent living wage Ellie Afek from Year 10 at the Archer Academy in East Finchley is playing a leading my 13th birthday role in a campaign to demand that the government pays care workers a decent living By Marco Glaser wage. She was one of two hosts of a joint Jewish and Muslim blessing for care workers With more free time than usual in June due to lockdown, at the Kenwood Care Home in North Finchley. I decided to challenge myself by running 113 miles in 11 Rabbi Rebbeca Birk from gogue and Abubakar Ali from Association thanked staff at weeks, raising money for charity. I am running around Finchley Progressive Syna- the Somali Bravanese Welfare the home for their hard work 10 miles each week from Cherry Tree Road and my last looking after some of the most run will be on my 13th birthday on 21 August. vulnerable in society and called My original aim was to raise mistic I can raise a bit more to for all carers to be paid a real £1,013. However, I managed help my two nominated chari- Living Wage in return for a hard to complete this goal within ties: Mind and Maccabi GB. day’s work. two weeks, so I adjusted my Mind uses the power of sport Ellie told the gathering, target to £2,013. I have raised and physical activity to raise organised by Barnet Citizens: £1,730 so far, but I am opti- awareness, tackle mental health “For years, carers have been stigmas and support people hidden heroes. This crisis has with mental health problems to shown who our most essential Archer’s become more active. They also workers really are. Thank you offer a range of resources and to carers over Barnet, and in engagement opportunities for the UK who have literally put arrows sports organisations who wish their lives on the line during Fed up with screentime, or to do more around mental health. lockdown to care for those who just fed up? Then join in with Maccabi GB is close to my need it most.” Grange Big Local’s Scaven- heart as my grandpa and uncle Fair wage: Ellie Afek, second left, back row, with visitors and carers at Kenwood Care Home ger Hunt. A free book, Archer’s have both represented their Arrows, aimed at eight to country in the international 18-year-olds and designed Maccabi games. Maccabi GB Bubbles in the bathroom and the garden by artists John Costi and is a leading health and wellbeing charity and has developed An East Finchley nursery JC Adams, has local super- over 80 years, with a broad reopened right at the start hero, the Archer, leading you range of sporting, educational, of June, welcoming chil- around the area and showing social and health activities. dren back with balloons you things to do and try. The fact that my friends and and a special medal for Grange Big Local has a family are sponsoring me and being brave in returning limited number of copies to give supporting these charities keeps away and will be giving some to after such a long break. me going when I’m running Finchley Foodbank to distrib- or feeling rather tired from ute. Check their social media running! If you would like to find out where to get your to support me, please go to: copy, or download it directly uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ from www.grangebiglocal.org MarcoGlaser

FUN and MUSIC for BABIES and TODDLERS Al fresco: Four of Monkey Puzzle’s children enjoy a snack outside in N2 on TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS at 10am

Monkey Puzzle, opposite the tube station, had to run its days with a little differently as parents and carers were not allowed into the LIVE ACCOMPANIMENT ON VIOLIN AND GUITAR building, and children had to remember to stay in their small groups. at EAST FINCHLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, Operations manager Jenny Eracleous said: “The children have Creighton Avenue done brilliantly at adjusting to the new normal and are now experts at hand washing and remembering to stay in their bubbles. We https://www.facebook.com/teddybearsmusicclub were really lucky at first with the weather meaning children could All clean: The children have got https://www.facebook.com/SteppingStonesEastFinchley used to the new hygiene rules spend most of their time in our garden.” or text 07836 284538 9 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk AUGUST 2020 Try this round route for a Steve Amos: much- spot of summer cycling loved father and By Greta Brambilla Would you like an active morning or afternoon out with family and friends? Look no further than this 12km cycle route, which will take you past some lovely local sights and friend can be completed in an hour and a half. The sudden and unex- From wherever you are in East Finchley, cycle pected death of Steve along East End Road until you reach Cromwell Amos has left the East Close, almost opposite the Five Bells pub, which Finchley community leads to three leafy pathways ahead of each other in mourning. Steve, crossing Brim Hill and Abbots Gardens all the 51, died peacefully in way down to Lyttelton Road (give priority to hospital at the end of pedestrians on these narrow paths). At Lyttelton Road, go right, then cross it at June after suffering a the crossing opposite Gurney Drive. A little road devastating bleed to ahead leads to a jungly path through the back of his brain. the playing field featuring a charming bridge and Steve, a lawyer and stream: the perfect photo opportunity. Director of Litigation When you reach Kingsley Way you can stop with the Government for a fresh roll or pastry from King’s Bakery on Legal Department, had your right or continue the route by turning left. been an East Finchley resident for almost 20 At the end of Kingsley Way turn left at the little Fondly remembered: Steve Amos roundabout onto the green and stately Wildwood years, living on the Road (where you may notice a few neighbour- county roads with his wife A small funeral followed by hood superheroes). Nicola, and three children a walk on Hampstead Heath Once past the Heath extension, turn left at the Jamie, Kate and Toby. for close family and very close end of Wildwood Road to go up Hampstead Way. All three children attended friends was held at the end of You will soon reach Golders Hill Park where I rec- Martin Primary School where July. His family are encourag- ommend dismounting and taking time to wander Steve was a governor for a ing people to have a walk on around the vibrant gardens, majestic pergola and Hidden track: Crossing a bridge off Lyttelton Road number of years. He was a key the Heath as a way of taking part of the school community a few moments to remember duck ponds. The Refreshment for 17 years, and was known Steve. House also does delicious cof- very fondly by staff and parents. Nicola and her children fees and ice creams here. Steve loved East Finchley have taken great comfort in To leave the park, it is safest and Hampstead Heath where the love and support shown to follow the path to the pergola, he liked to walk and swim, and by their friends, neighbours keep going, then turn left into had so many friends in the area and the wider East Finchley Heath Brow, up towards Jack who will all miss him terribly. community over recent weeks. Straw’s Castle. Turn left at the roundabout there and cross over on to the cycle path alongside Spaniards Road, with lovely views of London over Hamp- Ricky Savage“The voice of social irresponsibility” ... stead Heath. Continue past Spaniards Inn and Kenwood House, turn- We’re not all going on ing left onto the quaint and quiet Sheldon Avenue. At the Route map: The 12km circuit to Hampstead and back East Finchley end of the road, a summer holiday cycle across the cut- through By Ricky Savage and cross over onto the Great It’s that time of year again when half the population heads North Road. off for two weeks of sunburn, hangovers and strange exotic A little way on, turn right diseases. You know the way it goes: cram yourself into into Woodside Avenue, then left a metal tube for the whole breakfast in London, lunch in into Fordington Road and up the Madrid and luggage in Helsinki experience. narrow, shrouded Indigo Walk. Except that is so last year. This year the skies are the quietest Admire the picturesque front they have been since 2010 when one of Iceland’s more incontinent gardens as you turn left onto volcanoes belched so much dust that half the world’s aircraft had Southern Road and right onto to have a lie down. Western Road. Fortis Green is So in this weird socially distant world if you can’t go and despoil at the top and you can return the beautiful countryside of some far-off land, why not despoil your home from there. Safe journey own country? Act like you are abroad: drop litter, drink beer and and happy cycling! Up on the roof: Can you spot these superheroes in Wildwood Road? complain about the funny foreign food. And to make it a proper holiday don’t stay at home upsetting the neighbours with a death-defying barbie. Take a road trip, go Your local home care company Bounce somewhere and annoy someone else’s neighbours. You could do what Cliff Richard did in the 1960s, borrow a Call us now on 0300 124 5231 double-decker bus, convert it into a motorhome and go singing and for your free assessment and 30, High Road Back 2020 Anyone in East Finchley dancing up the A1, picking up girl hitchhikers, a runaway teen star nd get £100 off your 2 invoice! East Finchley between eight and 18 years pretending to be a boy and a bunch of blokes playing twangy guitar. N2 9PJ Or, for the less social, load up your car, complete with a four-year- old is welcome to join in old child, and drive 264 miles to Durham to get your eyes tested. Bounce Back 2020, an hour Holy Trinity Parish Church As you travel across this green and pleasant land looking for a of dance, drama and multi- 67 Church Lane, N2 0TH beach or beauty spot you’ll be able to rediscover Britain in all its sports every day, followed glory. You can admire all those ‘Tourists, go away’ signs that vil- Our church building is now open for worship. by pizza. lagers have put up to welcome you. Yes, time to enjoy that uniquely Sundays: Holy Communion @ 9.30 am There will be three one- British xenophobia that is as central to all charming country villages Wednesdays: time for private prayer 5.00 - 7.00 pm. We continue to meet online for prayer and mutual support: week courses between 3 and as the smell of manure. Morning Prayer: Monday to Friday, at 9.00 am 21 August and three age groups And it will probably be raining, making you wish you had gone Bible Readings and Prayers: Sunday at 11.00 am 8-12, 12-15 and 15-18. The to Specsavers instead. By the time you get home, you will need a If you would like to join in prayer or send us prayer requests, please courses, hosted by Grange Big proper holiday, this time somewhere hot and abroad, especially if contact us via our website: www.holytrinityeastfinchley.org.uk Local and SOTO CIC, are free the idiot next door got out his barbie and burned down your shed. For more information please contact us at: and so is the pizza. To sign up You’ll be fine. All that will be missing is your luggage, which will Email: [email protected] Tel: 202 3565 4430 email [email protected] be in Helsinki. On a pub crawl. 10 AUGUST 2020 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk How three lads from Surrey Moving poem saved me from the 1970s By John Lawrence goes more than For comedian Ian Stone, life as a 14-year-old in 1977 was pretty bad: bad clothes, skin deep his parents’ marriage going By Diana Cormack bad and a bad case of teen- Pat Leacock is known to many in the area for regularly age boredom. hosting the East Finchley Community Festival as well Then he fell in love. Not with a girl but with a band. as for his involvement in the music scene. Now he has He followed The Jam around added another string to his bow with his skill as a poet. faithfully and obsessively for Pat says that his latest poem five years until they split up “seems to have absolutely the in 1982, something he says zeitgeist of the issues related he is just about getting over. to Black Lives Matter. Most Now he has written a book importantly, it has changed about those heady days when the way so many people feel Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and about the importance of unity, Rick Buckler showed him the democratic debates promoting power of being an angry young equality and an understanding/ man and gave him some of the acceptance of differences’. most memorable experiences Views of Pat reading The of his life. Skin I’m In have hit the thousands on Facebook, Twitter and Big brother Paul Instagram and led to requests Ian, who lives in Brighton for radio interviews and online Road, N2, calls To Be Someone educational discussions. Pat is part-social history and part- Pat Leacock: To see him setting up a website at PDLpoet. love letter to The Jam and their read, visit www.youtube.com/ com. music. Two years in the writing, watch?v=HPQQv-RDH50&t=2s its publication has come at a good time for the star of BBC TV’s Mock the Week while his The Skin I’m In regular gigs on the stand-up Look at me... Smart enough to see it works comedy circuit have been put Faithful fan: Ian Stone has written about his teenage years on temporary hold. Really! both ways... Ian told The Archer: “I following The Jam LOOK AT ME! Dark as night man set in his wanted it to be funny, dark and look at what my life was like in taught me to be someone. He Now look beyond the skin... ways. poignant. It takes an honest those years and how Paul Weller guided me like a big brother The skin I’m in. Prejudging too... through my teenage years.” Not me, mind you. Ian followed the Surrey trio Can you look deeper? Just some who I thought knew everywhere, at one point trying Beyond the false claims that better... to sneak into the Hammersmith cheapen Some I hoped knew better! Odeon and ending up on the Who I am? roof, and at another almost From the 6ft hole they dig for being thrown out of a Brighton Your stare I seek... you hotel until Paul Weller himself A glance you don’t want me to Or stepped in and invited him for catch. The ashes that they scatter. a drink at the bar. Like segregation’s door When his book was about years before, All that hatred, fear and loath- to come out, Ian sent a copy to Built firm with a cast iron latch, ing... his hero. Weller liked it so much to block my kind... from enter- Did it matter... that he gave a quote for the cover ing. Did it? and the two of them met up over dinner. Ian said: “Paul told me A man with a similar mind... Don’t be naive and let the he’d forgotten how s**t it was Same dreams of Martin actions of a few DEFINE us all... in the seventies.” Luther... However, let the devastating The King! loss of life of the few REMIND Wanting the same thing... us all. Cut out and keep: Elizabeth Joseph with her bespoke jewellery Words such as interposition True power isn’t about spread- and nullification... ing lies, untruths and hate. Artist in search of a Meant nothing to me REAL power comes through when I was nappy haired and conversation, wanting to three, understand... and democratic workshop Now mean everything to an debates. A graphic design artist is looking for a space in East older, wiser me! Finchley where she can set up her new business giving Don’t delete the enemy I am greeted not with the firm to defeat the enemy. people the skills to make their own jewellery. steady handshake of the light The internet is more than that! Elizabeth Joseph has been be a membership system, payable man, running jewellery-making work- monthly, to use the facilities. But the high five “all the same- Don’t regurgitate opinions! shops at private members’ clubs The maker space would have a ness” of the dark as night man. Dig DEEPER and eat up just the such as Soho House and The laser cutter and also possibly a Star endorsement: Ian’s book has FACTS Curtain Hotel in London for more 3D printer.” a cover quote from Paul Weller Everything’s changed... than five years and also has a Elizabeth would like to hear himself yet nothing’s changed. Before our inevitable decision home studio where she runs crafts from anyone interested in joining of fate, workshops. and also from anyone with a small To Be Someone No! and the six foot hole is dug Now she hopes to find a ‘maker space to rent, or to let for free in Ian has published his book making it all too late... space’ in the area that could be return for laser-cutting work. Find through the crowdfunding site Not the chip on my shoulder... look beyond the skin, used by individuals and small out more at www.colourfunc- Unbound.com and it’s there that as I get older... crafts businesses to fashion their tion.com and contact Elizabeth you can find out more and buy I’ve just got bolder... The skin WE are in! own acrylic laser-cut jewellery. directly at elizabethjoseph919@ copies by searching ‘Ian Stone’ at saying what I see. Elizabeth explains: “There would yahoo.com or ‘To Be Someone’. 11 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk AUGUST 2020

Letters Send your correspondence Ravenous rats Another beautiful cat to: "Letters Page" Dear Editor, The Archer, PO Box 3699, Picking up on your article on the London N2 2DE or e-mail driven into the open Savannah cat spotted in East Finchley [email protected] By Janet Maitland in your July edition, I was in my back Letters without verifiable contact addresses garden when out of the corner of will not be printed. Contact details can be It’s not quite a plague but East Finchley residents have withheld on request at publication. We my right eye I detected movement. reserve the right to abridge letters for reported seeing a growing number of rats in their gardens On turning, I saw this cat, pictured, reasons of space. over the last few weeks. “I’ve never seen a rat in my garden coming in from the front garden. before,” said one horrified homeowner. “It was huge.” At first I thought it was that same Savannah cat. However, on looking Isolation inspiration British closer, the spots were more like a Dear Editor, Pest Control leopard. It looked at me, wasn’t fazed I live in sheltered accommoda- Association by me at all and carried on looking tion in Wilmot Close and am cur- has seen a for something in the shrubbery. rently self-isolating. I am aged 81 51% rise in Then a young fox came into the and to keep myself busy I decided rat call-outs garden. The cat saw the fox and to write a poem about our situation. since March went into what I can only describe I have never written a poem before and Rentokil as hunting mode. The fox took off as and, as a first attempt, I didn’t know has noted an fast as it could and the cat streaked when to stop! It’s rather long but 80% increase after it. I didn’t see either again. Thanks to our I thought it might bring a smile to in visits to its The cat was about one and a half pharmacies people’s faces. website com- times to twice the size of a normal Dear Editor, cat. Pretty sure it is a Bengal Cat, pared to this Regarding the letter from Lockdown in bred from an Asiatic Leopard Cat time last year. Paresh Shah thanking us his cus- and a domestic cat. With restaurant waste bins mammals. He is also confident tomers (The Archer, June 2020), springtime Richard Baldwin it should have been us thanking standing empty for months and that as soon as restaurants are High Road, N2. The sun is shining, spring’s on less takeaway food discarded opened, the rats will return to him and all his staff for looking its way, on the streets, the rats that live their old habitats. “They’ll get Bunker next door after us and dispensing prescrip- Oh what a beautiful, glorious day. Dear Editor, tions and offering advice in their Flowers in bloom show their around us are foraging in our back to normal, probably, before usual caring and efficient way. gardens for alternative food we do,” he said. I see that Roz Davy has a face to the sun, question about whether there Once the lockdown comes to an It’s all so uplifting for everyone sources. They’re also digging Advice to householders end I for one will purchase toilet- holes to make nests. are bunkers in the area (‘There’s In the meantime, don’t leave a bunker in my garden… or is ries, tissues, toothpaste etc from But hey, just a minute, we’re Cannibalism your back door open unless you there?’ The Archer, July 2020). CW Andrews rather than in super- not allowed out, Rats are normally nocturnal are in the room. Clear up spilled In our neighbours’ garden in Howard markets. It is essential we keep Coronavirus is lurking about. animals that we rarely see, but food from the ground by barbe- Walk, N2, behind our rear fence, is pharmacies in our high streets. It’s deadly and serious and they’re now so hungry they’re cues and under bird tables and a concrete bomb shelter so there Thank you, Paresh and staff, from unknown to man out in daylight. Some pest con- feeders. A compost heap scat- are other bomb shelters in the area. one grateful East Finchley resident. So we’ve all got to do as much trollers in the UK have reported tered with discarded vegetable Mike Ruttenberg Pauline Delius, as we can. householders unable to cook material is like a salad bar to a Heath View, N2 Abbots Gardens, N2. We’ve just got to stop it from on their barbecues as hungry starving rat, so keep it enclosed. spreading so fast Open libraries rats are swarming round their A Barnet Council spokes- Rubbish behaviour But what can we do, how long ankles. There are also reports person told us that if you see Dear Editor, will it last? of rats getting indoors; in one rats in your own garden you One of the most important things Dear Editor, case, a rat was eventually found should arrange pest control that Barnet Council can do is to As lockdown peters out, the No trips to the country, no hiding under a cot pillow. treatment. If rats are in another reopen libraries, not for borrowing amount of litter appears to be walks in the park, but for computer use, which is so increasing. It’s not only the dis- No hugging and kissing, keep Starvation has even driven private property you can contact carded gloves and disposable face some to cannibalism. Steve Environmental Health on 020 important these days. Church End, metres apart which is large and spacious so that masks left in the streets but our local But we must obey rules to keep Belmain, professor of ecology 8259 7997. park is suffering too. at the Natural Resouces Institute Reassuringly, they added safe distancing could be observed ourselves safe and numbers kept to a minimum, How can someone eat and drink So ‘Just stay at home’, perhaps in Kent and a leading expert that they received seven rodent in Cherry Tree Wood and think it on rats, said we should not be reports from East Finchley would be ideal for this and its renewed bake a cake, use would be most welcome. acceptable to leave cans and wrap- Read a good book or just watch surprised by this as cannibal- during June, which is “normal pers underneath the bench they have ism is common among starving for the time of year”. John McPartlin, the telly, Creighton Avenue, N2. been sitting on, with a litter bin only a Have lots of chocolate, ice short distance away? Why do some people sit drinking under a tree in the cream and jelly. wood, then leave all the containers Try to keep smiling, healthy The anti-plastic fight goes on along with the plastic carrier bags and fit Ann Inglis updates us on the latest news from the No2PlasticsN2 campaign group. they came in scattered around? Because none of us wants to go down with this. The threat of a ban of plastic from selling water in single-use Probably even worse is the Social media help increase in dog poo both in the grass straws and plastic stirrers in plastic bottles. Could you be the one to help Thank God for the doctors and April (Covid-19 now delaying We believe that every school and on the paths. There are bins to nurses, I say, us maintain our social media put this in, if dog owners/walkers the ban until October) meant child must have a reusable water presence (our wonderful Jess Who battle and fight for us by bother to bring a suitable bag for it. night and by day. that in March none could be bottle as basic school equip- is off to university)? We will This sort of behaviour is unac- found at any café on the High ment. Most schools have any be keeping up the lobbying If they’re all doing so much for us ceptable, particularly at a time when We’ve got to help them to stop Road in East Finchley. Con- number of fountains and more (after the Commons, on to the we are being encouraged to be kind gratulations to all eight estab- and more shops are becom- Lords) and building the web- to one another. There are those kind this virus. lishments! ing part of the London-wide site. For offers of help with locals who do go round picking up Thank goodness too for the Most of the world’s land sur- REFILL scheme. our social media or for gripes other people’s litter. What a pity phone and the wifi, face is in countries where single- Way forward about plastic, contact us at there is a need, but thanks to all Without which we’d never get by, use plastic bags are banned; why In this time of Covid-19 eve- [email protected] or via who do this. To talk to our families, neigh- can’t we join them? The time to ryone feels anxious and fearful No2PlasticsN2 on Facebook, L C Ward, bours and friends act is now, particularly with the for their security and future. It’s Twitter or Instagram. (Address supplied). To keep us all close until it all Environment Bill going through difficult to see any way forward ends. Parliament as I write. but as a campaign group we will Our message to be keeping our wheels turning. So when it’s all over, we must East Finchley Baptist Church celebrate. Parliament We’ve achieved so much in our first year that it would be Due to the Covid-19 virus our face to face We’re in this together, so don’t No2PlasticsN2 submitted hesitate. evidence to the Parliamentary tragic if our efforts to give N2 services and meetings have been residents the opportunity to live Just let your hair down and let’s committee. We quoted shop suspended until further notice but please have a ball managers and owners telling plastic-free lives were to go to waste. Virus or no virus, old go to our website for details of And shout a ‘BIG THANK YOU’ us they want single-use plastic to one and to all. bags banned so that trading plastic never dies; it just keeps online services and meetings. conditions will be the same for building up and up. We will just For more information please contact the Church Office Wendy Hughes, all shops, and parents telling have to clean up more of it, and Email: [email protected] Wilmot Close, N2. us they want schools banned stop exporting our problem! www.eastfinchleybc.org.uk AUGUST 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

Three of the young hedgehogs tuck into a tray of food Prickly customer: This cute baby is just a ball of spines Tiny hedgehogs make themselves at home By John Lawrence Hedgehogs are known to be away from human view. hoglets popped out of the close enough to capture these everyone to be very careful shy and retiring creatures So Natalie Rogers and her undergrowth and set up excellent photos. using grass strimmers and to who come out mostly in family were more than home in the back garden Natalie suggests hedgehogs always check before burning the hours of darkness and surprised when a mother of their house in Kitchener are increasingly adapting to life piles of sticks or vegetation in prefer to spend their lives hedgehog and five tiny Road, N2. in suburban gardens and urges case wildlife has moved in. Natalie said: “The hoglets were not worried about us watching them at all. They explored through all the leaves COLIN SCLARE before going back in after about Sales & Lettings 40 minutes. We have seen them Still open for business - please call us for any advice in the day several times. They or help with your letting requirements tend to stick to the shade and Colin Sclare Ltd pick up insects under the dry The Brentano Suite leaves.” Lyttelton House Natalie and her daughter 2 Lyttelton Road Mia, who attends the Archer London N2 0EF Academy, also gave them some Thank you apple, banana and hedgehog 8535(AW)TheArcher_2ColumnAdvert:ClintonSmith_020 7267 7727 5/2/14 food, allowing them to get 07891368049 020 8444 3351 Berry tasty: One hoglet has healthy eating licked www.colinsclare.co.uk [email protected] Dismay at over-75s having to pay for TV licences By Daphne Chamberlain Your In spite of public protests and petitions, TV licences will no longer be free for people Security over 75 who are not on Pension Credit. At the time of writing that decision still stands, problems ! and comes into effect this month. Solved However, Covid-19 is still lowest incomes do not receive been contacted, and that letters with us. Regional spikes or a Pension Credit, even though will start being sent in August. second major wave of infection they are entitled to it. The advice is to wait for the Intruder Alarms could occur at any time. If and official letter, and only use official Beware scams CCTV when that happens, television The BBC says it will contact channels if you are making a pay- will be more than ever a main- ment. Some people have already all current recipients by post to Access Control stay for the isolated among us. agree a payment plan if they been the victims of scams. Age UK comment want to continue to be covered To find out more about Pension Intercom Systems “We need to make as much by the licence fee. It adds that Credit or for other support contact noise as possible and call on no one will be expected to pay the Age UK Barnet helpline on Locks, Doors & Keys the government and the BBC to for a new licence until they have 020 8203 5040 or Citizens Advice urgently find a solution that allows Barnet on 0300 456 8365. Safes & Grilles the free licence to continue.” That Locksmiths was the reaction of Age UK at the DID YOU KNOW? news. They continued: “Many older people on low incomes YOU ARE GOING TO BE HAPPY have told us that if they have to WITH YOUR NEW VARIFOCALS find £150 plus a year to pay for OR YOUR MONEY BACK. a licence then they will have to AS SIMPLE AS THAT forego some other essential, or try to survive without TV at all. We IF YOU TRIED THE REST NOW TRY genuinely worry about the mental CERTIFIED VARILUX SPECIALISTS health of older people living on O2O 8442 O66O Securebase Ltd their own in this situation.” STEWART-DUNCAN OPTICIANS 112 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9EB Making the situation even T: 020 8442 0660 126 High Road, East Finchley, N2 9ED F: 020 8365 2788 worse is the fact that as many as [email protected] two in five of pensioners on the 020 8883-2020 www.securebase.co.uk The Archer is a non-profit-making, non-political & non-religious newspaper, staffed entirely by volunteers.