Welcome

This week we're celebrating Finchley Now's first birthday!

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Time for cake, and some reflection.

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🎉🎉Happy Birthday, Finchley Now

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Can you believe that Wednesday is our first birthday?

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October 2nd 2023, after some months of coffee, exploration, planning, designing and coding, Finchley Now was born.

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We have both had a blast! And from the feedback we get from you guys, we think you’re enjoying it too.

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The Highs

We’ve got 2,500 subscribers and we have great open rates and click-throughs.

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We’ve written about lots of locals – Emma Bunton, George Michael – our hyper-local graffiti artist Fanksy, covered gardening and allotments, great restaurants, local architectural gem Peter Barber’s Edgwood Mews, the Tiny Forest, quirky property news and brilliant events and community projects.

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The two of us have discovered that there’s so much more going on locally than we ever imagined. Great local theatres, music, brilliant walking, singing, crafting groups. Yoga, pilates, fab new independent cafes and restaurants.

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We’re both way more excited about Finchley than we were before we started. Hope you are, too.

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Our Purpose

Just a reminder of what Finchley Now is all about.

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We work on this as a side-gig, because we love Finchley (and the surrounding areas).

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We want to bring together the local community to connect, inform, and spread good vibes about local initiatives and activities.

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This is to enable Finchleyites to support the local community in a way that works for them – to leverage the power of community.

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In summary, we are about:

• Connecting community
• Supporting local projects and local micro-businesses
• Spreading good vibes

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The Future

We love what we do, and we love hearing from you.

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Expect more of the same – great events, hyper-local news, good vibes and connection.

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Also we want to keep it fresh and exciting. Expect a new approach to content in the coming weeks.

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We love it when you share your subscriber link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] and give more people the Joy of Finchley Now.

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And we want to hear from you – you can share local events and local news.

​You can get guaranteed paid listing for local events or local lowdown/news items. Or talk to us about advertising.

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New Year, New Beginnings

As you know, we write about all faiths and none, we’re pretty tradition-agnostic in our editorial approach.

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Wednesday night is Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, and so in the spirit of both the Jewish New Year, and the Finchley Now new year, we re-share Sasha's favourite honey cake recipe.

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Thanks for reading, happy birthday to us, and keep on keeping on. 🎉🎉

Events

OLDER PEOPLE

Sunday 6th October

​Whose Life is it Anyway? | Sat, Oct. 5 | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Upstairs at the Gatehouse, N6 | £15/£13 concessions | Claire Harrison is paralysed from the neck down. Intelligent and quick-witted, she doesn’t want to live with this body. Doctors, the law and society are against her, but she is up for the fight as she pursues her mission to be allowed to die. This moving play explores Claire’s complex journey with sensitivity, empathy and a prescribed dose of humour.

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Sunday 6th October

​Silver Sunday & Silver Week 2024 | Sun, Oct. 06 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | Middlesex University, The Burroughs, NW4 4BT | Free | Come join everyone at Middlesex University London for a day filled with activities, information, and entertainment which celebrates ageing well in our community. Silver Sunday is all about celebrating an "Age-friendly" Barnet and sharing opportunities with organisations and groups who support our community to age happily. running from the 6th October till the 13th.

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ARTS

Thursday 3rd October

​AOI Community Choir | Thu, Oct. 03 | 7:30 am to 9:30 pm | Flat 1, 64 Squires Lane, N3 2AP | Free | Whether you are an adult learner, an undergraduate opera student, a repetiteur, or simply a lover of opera, we invite you to join us. The AOI Chorus is open to all who share our passion for opera. Our application process is straightforward, and while auditions are optional, they are designed to ensure that each participant finds their ideal place within the ensemble.

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Saturday 5th October

​Open Studios - Second Floor Studios & Arts | Sat, Oct. 05 | 10:30 am to 4:00 pm | Second Floor Studios, Wembley Park | Free | Meet talented makers, designers and artists while learning a new skill and exploring their work. Meet artists, chat about their studio practice, view work, and buy items for your home directly. A diverse range of work will be on show, including painting, drawing, fashion, sculpture, and ceramics.

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Sunday 20th October

​Muswell Hill Creatives Make and Mend Festival | Sun, Oct. 20 | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | St Mary With St George Hornsey Parish Church Hall, N10 3AH | Free admission. See website for workshop prices | The popular Muswell Hill Creatives Make and Mend Festival returns this Autumn on Sunday 20 October. Come along for an afternoon of immersive crafts and mending workshops, a local makers' sale and delicious food and drink on sale.

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MUSIC

Monday 21st October

​A celebration of black history with Levi Roots | Mon, Oct. 21 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | The Ann Owens Centre - Age UK Barnet Oak Lane, N2 8LT | Free | Levi Roots, from TV’s Dragon’s Den and Celebrity Big Brother, shares more of his inspiring stories. The afternoon also features a fascinating talk on Black Tudors, insights from Anne Stennett, partner at Curwens Solicitors, a live cookery demo with tasters, and vibrant African-Caribbean music.

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COMMUNITY

Thursday 10th October

​Barnet business breakfast briefing - start-up support | Thu, Oct. 10 | 8:30 am to 10:30 am | Rickett Quad, Middlesex University, NW4 4BT, UK | Free | This is a great opportunity for new entrepreneurs to learn about resources and support available for start-ups in the Barnet area. Come network with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights to help kickstart your business.

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THEATRE

From Monday 30th September to 12th October

​The Lightest Element | Mon, Sep. 30 | 7:30 pm to | Hampstead Theatre, NW3 3EU | From £35 | Boston, 1956. Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, one of the most eminent astronomers of the twentieth century, is about to be appointed Chair of Astronomy and the first woman to head a Harvard department. Only two things stand in her way: a covert investigation aimed at exposing her as a communist sympathiser, and the entrenched conservatism of her male colleagues.

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Sunday 6th October

​Home, I'm Darling | Sun, Oct. 06 | 106A Holly Park Rd, N11 3HB | £11 | Every marriage needs a little fantasy to keep it sparkling. But behind the gingham curtains, being a domestic goddess isn't as easy as it looks... Home, I'm Darling is Laura Wade's new dark comedy about sex, cake and the quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife.

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NATURE

Saturday 12th October

​Wild About Hampstead Heath | Sat, Oct. 12 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Hampstead Heath | Free | Come and find out about nature on our green spaces with the volunteer wildlife interpreters. Drop in anytime between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, no need to book. Look out for the big Wild About Hampstead Heath bike.

Events - Book Ahead

Wednesday 23rd October

​How To Survive Your Mother | Wed, Oct. 23 | Kings Head Theatre, N11QN | From £10 | A play by Jonathan Maitland (Dead Sheep, An Audience with Jimmy Savile, The Interview). How do you navigate a crazy, glamorous, narcissistic, scandal-loving mother whose idea of fun is to turn your 1970s family home into Britain’s first ever gay hotel? A witty, poignant and often hilarious exploration of the complexities of mother-child relationships, this new play shines a searingly fresh light on the oldest question in the parenting book: what does it take to be 'a good mother'?

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​Dr Bike | Wed, Oct. 23 | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Stapylton Road Car Park, EN5 4LP | Free | Free Dr Bike sessions run by qualified bicycle mechanics. Members of the public can take along their bicycles to have a free, full safety check, including checks on the condition of tyres, rims, gears, brake function and tyre pressure and adjustments can be made if required.

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Saturday 26th October

​Cold War Spies Week - RAF Museum | Sat, Oct. 26 | RAF Museum London, Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL | Free | Head on over to the RAF museum for some fun activities this October Half Term. Some familiar favourites are back including Robot Races and RC Helicopters, or try our new activities such as the LEGO Berlin Wall Workshop.

Local Lowdown

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Music

• Reunion Of The Ages. 61 years ago, a group of Highgate Boys School choir members performed a recording of War Requiem. It was conducted by Benjamin by Britten at the Kingsway Hall in Holborn in 1963. Fast forward to now, and they've just been reunited to relive the magic at Soho's Dolby Theatre.

A cuppa

• Tea for Two. Trevor Lyttleton, 88, from Hampstead Garden Suburb, started hosting tea parties for lonely older people back in 1965. Now, his charity Re-engage helps thousands nationwide with 9000 volunteers, tea, and a little company. He has been honoured as a “game changer” by the National Lottery.

Parks

• Splish splash. Watling Park in Burnt Oak is getting a £1.5 million makeover. Expect less flooding and more frolicking. There will be new wetlands, paths, and an exciting playground. Plus, the Burnt Oak Brook is breaking free from concrete to become a curvy, clean water haven.

Churches

• Historic haven. Camden Town Methodist Church just turned 200. It survived severe damage in WW2. And 3 years ago it had a £9m facelift. Check out The Wesley hotel upstairs for a slice of history when you visit and look at the Chapel which is still standing today.

Homeware

• Hidden gem alert. Kentish Town Stores has just opened their stylish new Hampstead location. Tucked away in a picturesque courtyard, this spot offers a treasure trove of UK-made homewares to spruce up your space. Discover this off-the-beaten-path boutique at the old Antiques Emporium (Unit 3, 12 Heath St).

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Finchleyite: Nicky Gavron

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​Nicky Gavron was a British politician serving as deputy mayor of London under Ken Livingstone.

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A Highgate resident, she was enticed into politics by the so-called motorway box scheme in the late-1960s. It aimed to turn the Archway Road into a dual carriageway.

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She was the driving force and inspiration behind Jacksons Lane, saving the church and creating a play scheme and community arts space.

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She was always an advocate for children’s play, starting Highgate summer holiday playschemes and setting up the Haringey Play Association with other parents creating free playschemes for families.

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Born in Worcester to a German-Jewish refugee, she studied art history and taught at Camberwell School of Art.

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Gavron was a Labour councillor, led planning committees, and contributed to environmental policies, co-founding the London Climate Change Agency.

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Notably, she was ranked among the top 20 global leaders fighting greenhouse emissions. ​

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She married publishing tycoon Robert Gavron, had two daughters, and died in August 2024 at age 82.

Editors' Note - From Tessa

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I know you might not be as into reality TV series as much as I am, but My Mum, Your Dad with Davina McCall is a solid watch.

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And if you don't fancy it, just check out the soundtrack.

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So much 80s goodness you won't be able to stop that foot tapping.

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Check the soundtrack out here.

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Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

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You can now get a guaranteed (paid) listing for local events or local lowdown/news items.

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​And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

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Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze