News from The Barnet Society

Almost 30 years have elapsed since there has been a Beating of the Bounds of the ancient parish of Chipping Barnet -- an historic custom which volunteers at Barnet Museum intend to revive on the May Day Bank Holiday.

A community garden is being established on a small piece of spare land in the Old Courthouse Recreation Grounds with the aim of creating a meeting point for local people and encouraging a wider interest in gardening and the growing of fruit and vegetables.

David Parry, founder of the highly successful Open Door Centre and drop-in cafe at Christ Church, St Albans Road, has died at the age of 77.

Another two of High Barnet's ULEZ cameras are out of action after having been cut down with an angle grinder in a fresh wave of sabotage by vandals protesting at Transport for London's £12.50 charge on vehicles which fail to meet the new ultra-low emissions standards.

A fun day out with activities for children and a vast choice of refreshments welcomed families, friends and supporters to the newly established High Barnet Islamic Centre.

A positive -- and perhaps lasting -- outcome from the covid emergency is that local councils relaxed licensing rules on outside seating for public houses, cafes and restaurants -- and one High Barnet beneficiary hopes the changes will be made permanent.

A wide range of road safety and calming improvements are being proposed by Barnet Council along Mays Lane and in several surrounding roads to reduce traffic accidents and increase safety for pedestrians.

A meeting hall with adjoining seminar rooms, which are tucked away behind shops in Barnet High Street, are to become an Islamic centre for High Barnet. Currently Muslim Friday prayers and Sunday Madrasah teachings for children are held at the Rainbow Centre in Dollis Valley.

Barnet Society stalwart David Lee, who was renowned for his dogged determination to do all he could to enhance and preserve the character of Chipping Barnet, has died at the age of 93 leaving a unique and enduring legacy.

Installing bus lanes in Barnet High Street between the junction with Meadway and the parish church is one of the projects which Transport for London hopes to complete by March 2025.

Within four days of hearing the shock news that the Prince of Wales is to close East Barnet village is fighting back with more than 2,000 signatures on a petition and a mass lobby demanding that the pub should be saved. Over 60 regulars and residents joined the protest.

Increasing awareness about care for cancer and assisting women pursue careers in science have been the twin aims of a dedicated High Barnet campaigner who has been recognised in the New Year Honour's List.

East Barnet village is in danger of losing its one and only public house: The Prince of Wales is due to close in mid-February and the premises are in the process of being sold.

High Barnet's nature reserve near the Byng Road playing fields -- which is now being visited by around 2,000 school pupils ever year -- is embarking on a series of ambitious projects to increase its biodiversity.

St Peter's Church, Arkley, has a new vicar, the Reverend Cindy Kent -- and few women priests have a back catalogue of experience that stretches to the 1960s and fame as lead singer in the pop-folk group The Settlers.

A new block of changing rooms is the latest in a series of improvements due to be carried out by Hadley Football Club in a continuing upgrade of their ground at Brickfield Lane, Arkley.

Barnet Council's decision to refuse a planning application for a two-acre paddock at the Arkley end of Mays Lane to be converted to a site for residential caravans has been hailed by local campaigners as a significant boost to the protection of the Green Belt.

Transport for London's aim of completing coverage of its ULEZ cameras on approach roads in and around High Barnet is being repeatedly thwarted by protestors who are still angered by the introduction of the new anti-pollution vehicle charge.

After standing empty for almost three years, one of High Barnet's historic High Street buildings has been re-opened as the flagship cafe in a local chain of Costa Coffee houses.

High Barnet's great tradition of Christmas carol concerts and services was given a boost with what was described as a marvellous musical performance by the choir and orchestra of Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School.