Welcome

We're hitting the high notes with Finchley classical music options, North London finally has a (shortlived) Banksy and North Finchley community spirit reigns.

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Enjoy the sun 🌞

🎵 Harmonising Finchley: Classical Music

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A rock ballad might be your music of choice while you're singing in the shower, but there's nothing quite like classical music.

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Finchley has a wealth of talents. Yours to join...or listen and appreciate.

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Here are 3 to check out:

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1: Finchley Chamber Choir

Formed in 1973, the Finchley Chamber Choir has long been a cornerstone of the local music scene. It is lauded as "one of London's finest amateur classical choirs" with around 30 skilled singers. The Choir is known for its ambitious projects, like the recent world premieres of works by Paul Patterson and Richard Bullen.

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Last year's 50th anniversary celebrations drew in a large audience at St James's Church, Piccadilly with their performance alongside Linden Baroque.

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The choir’s next performance is on 16th November at Trinity Church - an evening of Brahms, Schoenberg, and Dvořák.

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They are currently looking for more singers, so get in touch.

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2: The Finchley Symphony Orchestra

​The Finchley Symphony Orchestra performs under the skilled baton of Music Director Christopher Stark.

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Their recent season ended on a high note with Beethoven’s powerful "Eroica" Symphony (and not as per the previous typo in a recent edition of Finchley Now!).

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The orchestra collaborates frequently with the Finchley Chamber Choir but also fosters young talent and new compositions.

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They currently have space for string players and in some other sections too. If you're interested, reach out to them.

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3: The North London Sinfonia

Formerly known as the Tudor Orchestra, the North London Sinfonia stands out for its bold programming and inclusivity.

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They have a professional conductor, leader, and principal cello.

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This orchestra, welcoming musicians of all levels without auditions, is particularly keen on reviving forgotten pieces alongside standard repertoire.

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Currently, they have space for violin, viola, double bass, and brass players.

Want to join them?

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Thanks for the classical vibes, Finchley.🎵

Events

KIDS

Wednesday 14th August

​Mini Marvellous Makers at Chipping Barnet Library | Wed, Aug. 14 | 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Chipping Barnet Library 3 Staplyton Road Barnet EN5 4QT | £3.00 | A storytime with craft activities linked to the story, recommended for 2-5 year olds.

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​Meet The Dinos - Jurassic Spires | Wed, Aug. 14 & 21 | 11:30 am to 2:30 pm | 111 High St, Barnet EN5 5XY | Free | 4 roaring performances at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Enjoy a chance for your little ones get creative with dino-themed crafts and explore a thrilling dinosaur trail with sweet treats to claim! Perfect for families and dino enthusiasts of all ages!

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ARTS

Tuesday 13th August

​Inky Stephen's @ Stephens House And Gardens - Small Museum | Tue, Aug. 13 | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | Stephens House and Gardens, N3 3QE | Free | the museum is open every Tuesday and Thursday throughout August, 10am-3pm. Why not pop in and learn about the gardens benefactor Henry ‘Inky’ Stephen’s and the history of the house and gardens. Plus, try your hand at writing with a quill.

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Saturday 17th August

​Flowers in Kenwood - Poetry Workshop | Sat, Aug. 17 | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | Kenwood, NW3 7JN | £5.00 | A free walking poetry workshop on Hampstead Heath. Discuss poetry related to the natural environment and explore different areas of the Heath, giving you a chance to write creatively about your observations of the Heath's wildlife and landscapes. A relaxed, interactive workshop - open to all. No previous writing experience required.

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MUSIC

Sunday 18th August

​Bandstand Concert - Green Chain Quartet | Sun, Aug. 18 | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Golders Hill Park Bandstand West Heath Avenue, NW11 7QP | Free | Why not come to the Golders Hill Park Bandstand to enjoy FREE music on a Sunday afternoon. This week's performance is by Green Chain Quartet playing jazz.

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SPORTS

Saturday 17th August

​Yoga For Women - Brent Cross Town | Sat, Aug. 17 | 8:30 am to 10:00 am | Visitor Pavilion 145 Claremont Road NW2 1FE | Free | Take a moment to prioritise your wellbeing at a morning yoga class surrounded by trees in the light-bathed ground floor of the Visitor Pavillion. For adults and teens 16+. running till the 31st of August,

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Sunday 18th August

​Summer Events: Beat the Goalie with Brent Cross Football Academy | Sun, Aug. 18 | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Claremont Park Cabin Brent Cross Town NW2 1AJ | Free | Every Sunday afternoon over the summer holidays, Brent Cross Football Academy is holding kids ‘beat the goalie’ sessions in Claremont Park. Whether you’re a total beginner or a football fanatic, come down, have fun and hone your skills.

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COMMUNITY

Thursday 15th August

​Inclusive Sensory Walking Group - | Thu, Aug. 15 | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | New Barnet Leisure Centre. Victoria Recreation Ground, EN4 9BS | Free | One hour session; 30 minutes walking, plus yoga exercises; breathing, stretching and meditation. After the session the participants can enjoy the fully accessible playground or the outdoor gym. The activity is accessible for wheelchairs users. Carers, families and friends are welcome.

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​Lunchtime Lecture: The Vulcan and the Cold War | Thu, Aug. 15 | 12:00 pm to | RAF Museum London, Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL | Free | Julian Grenfell will explore the role the Avro Vulcan Plane played in the Cold War. This talk will be hosted in-person at the RAF Museum’s London site and virtually via Crowdcast.

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THEATRE

Friday 16th August

​Collindale Barnet Folk Club presents Skinner & T'witch | Fri, Aug. 16 | 8:00 pm | The Bull Theatre, Barnet, EN5 5SJ | £6.00 | A Leeds based duo performing folk, flamenco and theatre style songs, with driving rhythms, intense harmonies and inspiring lyrics. Together with their usual great range of floor spots.

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Saturday 17th August

​Hamlet at Kenwood | Sat, Aug. 17 | 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm | Kenwood House NW3 7JR | £18 | The Lord Chamberlain’s Men present their 20th birthday tour of Hamlet in the open air in front of Kenwood House, with an all male cast, Elizabethan costumes, music and dance. Bring sunscreen!

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NATURE

Sunday 8th September

​Islington Grow Show | Sun, Sep. 08 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | The Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park N5 1PH | Free | Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new grower, you are welcomed to showcase your harvest and share it with the Islington gardening community. No experience, no problem – this event is all about celebrating the joy of gardening and learning from each other. Come along to meet the Islington gardening and food growing communities.

Events - Book Ahead

Monday 9th September

​Happy Circus | Mon, Sep. 09 | 1:30 pm to 8:45 pm | Whitings Hill Primary School, Whitings Road, EN52QY | £12 single ticket, £44 family ticket | The Circus is coming to Barnet! Whitings Hill School PTA have organised the circus to come to town. Everyone welcome to enjoy an unforgetable experience.

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Thursday 12th September

​David Broza | Thu, Sep. 12 | 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Artsdepot, N12 0GA | £55 | The David Broza Solo show with guitar is arriving in London following the successful North American tour! VIP ticket holders will have a chance to meet and greet David Broza alongside a cocktail reception after the show. Handful of tickets remaining.

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Sunday 15th September

​Little Red Riding Could | Sun, Sep. 15 | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | North Finchley, N12 0GA | from £12 | Little Red Riding Hood is no longer little, she no longer wears a hood and she wants to be called by her real name. She’s questioning everything. And so are Mother, the Woodcutter and even the Wolf! A playful and mischievous retelling of the familiar fairy tale, with original songs and signature Roustabout silliness, that dares you to step off the path and write your own story. What would you do if you could?

Local Lowdown

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North Finchley

• Community Spirit. In the aftermath of last Wednesday’s protests in North Finchley, a group of local individuals has coordinated a community patchwork quilt project, took part in a mosque solidarity visit, a fundraiser for a welcome lunch for asylum seekers and has plans for more coordinated local activities. Watch this space.

Swimming

• Tiny Dippers. Swim Farmhouse, N3, is right near College Farm and offers swim lessons for babies/kids in a private home. They’ve just released a few extra swim slots for the Autumn Term. The pool is 32degrees in a peaceful environment. More info.

Transport

• Tube Transformation. TfL is advancing plans to make 12 additional Tube stations step-free, starting with Alperton, Arnos Grove, and Eastcote. Design work is underway, with feasibility studies planned for seven more stations, including our very own East Finchley and Tooting Broadway. The goal is 50% step-free stations by 2030.

Art

• Feline Farewell. A new Banksy artwork of a stretching cat appeared in Cricklewood, near Lidl on Saturday. It was removed soon after being revealed; the billboard's owner plans to donate it to an art gallery. A local said “you would wait for a lifetime for a Banksy to come into our neighbourhood. Cricklewood’s on the map.”

Meadow Magic

• ​Heath Hands, in collaboration with the City of London Corporation, is restoring grasslands around Parliament Hill into vibrant wildflower meadows. The Wildflower Meadow Appeal seeks donations to expand and maintain these efforts, enhancing biodiversity and offering educational opportunities for the community.

Finchleyite: Lord George Sanger

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​George Sanger was a titan of Victorian showbiz. And his life’s final act was as dramatic as any circus spectacle he ever engineered.

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George was born into a fairground family and built up an illustrious career where he was renowned across Britain.

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After decades of dazzling audiences, Sanger chose East Finchley's Park Farm as his retirement retreat in 1904.

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He lived in the farmhouse, but also used it as a sanctuary for his circus - rehearsing and training animals there.

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Sanger’s retirement was brief but impactful. He organised a final, lucrative tour before auctioning off his circus empire at Park Farm.

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His life ended in a dramatic turn when he was apparently murdered by a disgruntled employee. Although questions remained about what actually happened around his death.

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His plaque is there on East End Road to remind us of Finchley's history.

Editors' Note - From Sasha

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The sun's shining and I'm having a good orchid day. Not generally green fingered, but I've got the internet.

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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