Welcome to The Barnet Society

The Barnet Society is a non-political organisation that campaigns for the preservation and improvement of the environment of Chipping Barnet and surrounding areas and for protection of the Green Belt.

Founded in 1945 by Trevor Jukes and Gwyneth Cowing, the Society was established to give a voice to local people who believed that the Green Belt needed defending. We continue with that cause today but also campaign on many other local issues. Please refer to our News page for details of current campaigns and other items.

The Barnet Society works to ensure that we get the best for our town and its environs and that any change enhances and improves the area for all who live, work and study here.

High Barnet is a great place to live – open spaces, friendly village atmosphere, prestigious schools and historic public houses. The Barnet Society, the voice for High Barnet and surrounds, is committed to keeping Barnet a welcoming and thriving locality whilst encouraging positive developments.

Our website is a reliable source of news and information about life in our locality and the Society’s work in campaigning for a better Barnet, from Arkley and Hadley to New Barnet and Oakleigh Park.

The Barnet Society is proud to publish a detailed newsletter brimming with local news, community updates, and historical tidbits. Become a member of the Barnet Society now and enjoy early access to our insightful and engaging newsletters for active community participation.

Find Out More About the Barnet Society…

Our Work

Barnet Society

The Barnet Society is actively involved in shaping and monitoring development within Barnet. The society engages in pre-application discussions for major developments, providing updates via newsletters and formal responses to planning applications.

In Chipping Barnet Town Centre, we collaborate with local groups to enhance the area’s appearance and vitality. We also participate in various consultations, responding to proposals from local and regional bodies like the London Borough of Barnet and the Mayor of London, with a particular focus on Green Belt issues, reflecting our historical commitment to protecting green spaces since their founding in 1945.

Our involvement extends to submitting detailed reports in newsletters and at committee meetings, discussing environmental and planning matters. Additionally, the society conducts talks and presentations to educate the community about local issues.

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Our Membership Newsletter

The Barnet Society

The Barnet Society stands as the voice for High Barnet and its environs, passionately committed to maintaining our community as a welcoming and flourishing place while championing positive developments.

Our website is your premier source for local news and a deep dive into the Society’s efforts to enhance Barnet. It’s an invaluable place for discussing and debating current, sometimes contentious, local issues where our input can be pivotal.

But the real highlight of membership is early access to our quarterly Newsletters. Issued four times a year, these newsletters are cherished for their extensive coverage and in-depth analysis of our work to protect the Green Belt, improve our town centres, and elevate design standards in new housing and commercial projects.

By becoming a member, you’ll not only support these initiatives but also receive these insightful newsletters directly, ensuring you’re always in the loop and part of the conversation shaping our community’s future.

Join the Barnet Society today to have access to informed and engaging community involvement through our newsletters.

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Latest News from The Barnet Society

6 Aug 2025 | Written by Nick Jones
Work well underway on Victoria Quarter flats at New Barnet…but uncertainty over much-used footpath and tunnel
A long-established footpath under the main railway line at New Barnet faces an uncertain future after being deemed unsafe during redevelopment of the former gas works site off Victoria Road.


4 Aug 2025 | Written by Nick Jones
Time is running out for “Morty” the graffiti vandal whose tags have disfigured shops and buildings around Barnet
Graffiti vandal “Morty” who has sprayed a tag on countless doors, walls and hoardings might be about to be unmasked after a two-month spree of damage to premises in and around Barnet.


4 Aug 2025 | Written by Nick Jones
Free book shop has returned to The Spires – and Barnet residents are again being asked to donate surplus books or bookshelves
High Barnet’s much appreciated free book shop has re-opened in The Spires shopping centre after being without a home since the spring – and has launched a fresh appeal for donations of books and bookshelves.


1 Aug 2025 | Written by Nick Jones
Plans for the introduction of yet another CPZ for High Barnet has provoked furious response among Mays Lane residents
A mass protest is being organised by residents of Mays Lane and surrounding roads in opposition to the introduction of a new and additional controlled parking zone which is being proposed by Barnet Council. A campaign to force the council to abandon the idea was launched at a public meeting attended by around 170 residents.


1 Aug 2025 | Written by Nick Jones
End of an era in Barnet town centre: Dory’s closes after 71 years in business leaving customers dismayed by the loss of a welcoming cafe  
Dory’s, High Barnet’s celebrated family run cafe which provided refreshments and a warm welcome for generations of satisfied customers, has closed for business after the retirement of its proprietors Guiliano Cardosi and Angela Casali.


30 Jul 2025 | Written by Nick Jones
Glitzy evening in City of London is next big fundraiser for Noah’s Ark Hospice organised by award-winning events manager
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, which provides palliative care for over 350 children from its base in Byng Road, Barnet, depends on a continuous programme of fund raising together with community financial support from across north London and parts of south Hertfordshire.


If you have some local news, some interesting Barnet history or want to bring something else to our attention then please email us.