Welcome

This week we've got 3 local honey producers for you to check out.

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And happy birthday at the end of the week to Caroline Glasner, aspiring Finchley artist.

🐝 Sweetening Finchley With Honey

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As we hit the end of Official Summer, our local artisans are turning their humble efforts of bees into produce.

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And as Jewish New Year approaches, why not explore the sweet, sustainable world of local honey?

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Here are 3 local honey producers who are making the most of the local bees:

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1: Hendon Honey

​Hendon Honey started in 2019 and is owned and operated by Yoni and Abigail Carmel.

Their Hendon bees forage on a floral buffet from nearby gardens and parks. The resulting honey bursts with the essences of native and exotic flowers.

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A large jar sells for £9.50, offering a pure, unprocessed taste of local flora.

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2: Miel De Lucie

​Lucie Chaumeton bought her first beehive in 2015 and has not looked back since.

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Over the last few years, Lucie has expanded her East Finchley hives. She now donates all her profits to the Finchley Foodbank.

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Honey costs £10 for a large jar.

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3: Highgate Honey

What started as a single hive on a Highgate rooftop in 2013 has blossomed into multiple colonies across North London.

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​Highgate Honey's method involves extracting honey in small batches to highlight the unique taste and colour variations throughout the season.

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A large jar is priced at £14.

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This week, delve into the sweet narrative of Finchley's beekeepers. Each jar of honey brings a unique taste of our community to your table.

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So...sweeten your tea, make your honey cake, and enjoy a spoonful of locally harvested honey.🐝

Events

KIDS

Tuesday 17th September

Creative Dance Classes At Chipping Barnet Library | Tue, Sep. 17 | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Chipping Barnet Library, EN5 4QT | First class free |Physical exercises on a chair before moving freely to live music. Designed to engage your body and mind, and a great way to have fun, exercise, and unleash your creativity. For kids and grownups together, newcomers are especially welcome. Live music, come and give it a try | dare2dancecompanycic@gmail.com or call 07469731801.

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Saturday 21st September

​Under 5s day at Keats House | Sat, Sep. 21 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RR | £2.50 for adults, Free for kids | Keats House opens its doors to all under 5s. The house will be open to look round as usual, where you can discover the story of Keats and his poetry, with a few extras to keep the little ones busy, including toys, crafts, refreshments and space to relax!

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Saturday 5th October

​Chipping Barnet Library - Puzzle Swap | Sat, Oct. 05 | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | Chipping Barnet Library, EN5 4QT | Free | Don’t know what to do with puzzles you’ve completed? Why not bring them to the monthly puzzle swap. Pop in to drop off your old puzzles and pick up something new. Requirements for puzzles are: good condition, must have all the necessary pieces and must be in the original box with the picture of the puzzle.

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SPORT

Monday 16th September

Women Only fitness - Collindale Community Trust | Mon, Sep. 16 | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | The Concourse, Grahame Park, NW9 5XA | Free | Sessions for women and girls only. Includes cardio, core, dancing and boxercise | contact: brennan.cct@gmail.com

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Saturday 21st September

​Wingate & Finchley vs Chichester City | Sat, Sep. 21 | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Maurice Rebak Stadium, Summers Lane, N12 0PD | Adults £12, Concessions £8, 11-18 £5, U11s FREE | Wingate and Finchley have their first home match of September against recently promoted side Chichester City. Come along and support Finchley's local football club, now with London Brewing Co beers in the bar.

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OLDER PEOPLE

Thursday 19th September

Get Moving With Senior Dance Classes | Thu, Sep. 19 | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Wesley Hall, 9 Stapylton Rd, Barnet EN5 4JJ | First class is Free, £8 for continuing drop ins | Senior dance classes by Dare2dance, pay per session or whole term. First class free. Maga Judd, a dance teacher and choreographer, leads the sessions. | d2dcompanycic@gmail.com

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ARTS

Friday 20th September

​We are who we are / Be intentional | Fri, Sep. 20 | to | Exhibition wall, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA | Free | Immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and contemporary expression with the stunning collection of African art at Artsdepot. Each piece tells a unique story, capturing a moment in time and celebrating the rich heritage of Africa.

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MUSIC

Sunday 22nd September

​An Evening of Musical Theatre with Enchord A Cappella | Sun, Sep. 22 | 7:00 pm | Lauderdale House, N6 5HG | From £15 | Test Of Time Entertainment is proud to present an unforgettable evening of musical theatre with Enchord a cappella group. Enchord is coming to North London with an innovative programme of musical theatre classics and contemporary material.

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COMMUNITY

Sunday 22nd September

Community Street Market N2 | Sun, Sep. 22 | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Abbots Gardens, N2 0JQ | Free entry | Join in the Community street market for street BBQ food and check out all the artwork done by the finchley community. you can also enjoy baked treats, artisan marinades, personalised accessories, seccond hand book sales and so much more. 10% of all profits go to Finchley Foodbank.

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Friday 20th September

​Friday Night Funnies | Fri, Sep. 20 | 290 Chase Side, London N14 4PE | £13 | Chickenshed's comedy nights continue to light up with laughs, thanks to Resistance Comedy bringing in some of the finest comedy performers to grace our café performance space. Grab your drinks from the bar, enjoy some tasty snacks and strap-in for a night of funnies at this month's Friday Night Funnies.

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THEATRE

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Sunday 22nd September

​Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers | Sun, Sep. 22 | 11:00 am | Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA | from £12 | All around the world Roald Dahlʼs words are disappearing, not only from books but children’s minds too! Now only a secret organisation known as the Ancient Guild of TaleTenders can save the stories – and they need your help… Get Lost and Found and The Roald Dahl Story Company presents Roald Dahl and Imagination Seekers. for ages 5 and up.

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Sunday 29 September

​Bye Bye Baby 2024 | Sun, Sep. 29 | 7:30 pm | Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, N18 1PJ | £28.50 | Bye Bye Baby is a jaw-dropping tribute to the musical phenomenon ‘Jersey Boys’ and the timeless, iconic music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Incredible four part harmonies, roof raising falsetto and energetic and stylish choreography, all backed by their excellent 4-piece band. Includes over 30 of Valli’s greatest hits including Sherry, December ’63 (Oh What A Night), Grease, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Beggin’, Working My Way Back To You, and many more.

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Sunday 13 October

​You've Got A Friend | Sun, Oct. 13 | 8:00 pm | Waterlow Park Highgate Hill N6 5HG | £12 | You’ve Got A Friend’ is a celebration of the music of two iconic songwriters and performers, Carole King and James Taylor. Join Rebecca Turner, Michael Goulding, Tony Hammond and Howard Tibble as they take you on a journey of their music and greatest hits, complemented by backstage stories and anecdotes.

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Events - Book Ahead

Saturday 21st September

​How The Light Gets In | Sat, Sep. 21 | to Sun Sep 22 | Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR | £158 | Join mind-expanding debates, deep-diving talks and music performances, Hear world-leading thinkers and vibrant artists on Hampstead Heath for a weekend of cutting-edge culture. Join speakers including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, icon of historical fiction Philippa Gregory, and famous neuroscientist Sam Harris, alongside entertainment from Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor and Taskmaster star Desiree Burch for a festival weekend like no other.

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Saturday 12th October

​Leon The Magician: Table Tennis is Magic! | Sat, Oct. 12 | 7:30 pm | The Bull Theatre, EN 5 5SJ | £15 | Enjoy a night of magic, illusion, table tennis exhibitions, stunts, humour, mind trickery, audience participation and live sound as Leon is back where it all started at his local Bull Theatre in Barnet.

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Saturday 26th October

​Spine Chilling Cellars and Garden Ghost Hunt | Sat, Oct. 26 | 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm | Stephens House & Gardens | £5.00 | Opening up the spine chilling Cellars! You can also spot the ghosts in the trees and claim your prize. Start your hunt anytime between 13.00 and 15.30 closes at 16.00.

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Sunday 27th October

​Halloween in the Gardens | Sun, Oct. 27 | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Stephens House & Gardens | £10.75 | Visit the Spine Chilling Cellars, join the Spooky Garden Spectre Hunt & marvel at the moves of the Fire Artist.

Local Lowdown

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Nature

• Terrapin Tourist. A Red-Eared Terrapin, originally from the Mississippi, was spotted in Camden Lock. Likely a former pet, these invasive species thrive in UK waters. Though the Canal and River Trust says breeding is unlikely, climate change could change that. Terrapins have been removed from local ponds in recent years.

Rubbish

• Skip Free. Barnet's community skip service lets residents dispose of up to 3 large household items for free every 3 months. Available from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm on listed dates, proof of residency (Council Tax or Utility Bill) is required. Coming to Gordon Rd, Holders Hill Drive, Avondale Road and Dollis Avenue soon.

Security

• Mosque Shield. Sadiq Khan has announced £10,000 funding for security training sessions for mosques across London, following nationwide violence and hate crimes targeting Muslims. Led by Faith Associates and supported by the Met Police, the sessions provide practical advice on security, hate crime, and online safety to mosque leaders.

Rain

• Rain Blooms. Barnet's interactive rain gardens, planted in May, thrive despite unpredictable summer weather. Located in Colney Hatch Lane and The Vale/George Crescent, they're chosen for their resilience, the shrubs and flowers brighten the area while reducing localised flooding. These hardy plants support local wildlife habitats, boost biodiversity, contributing to a healthier environment.

Buses

• Routes Revived. Transport for London (TfL) has found a new operator for eight scrapped bus routes in north London. Full service resumed on routes 327, 389, 399, 549, and W9 last month, with reduced service on routes 217, 298, and 299. Previous operator Sullivan Buses withdrew due to financial issues.

Finchley History: The Cosmo Restaurant

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The next time you’re on Finchley Road, take a moment to look up.

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A blue plaque marks the former home of ​The Cosmo Restaurant​, once a haven for Jewish refugees escaping Nazi persecution.

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Opening its doors in 1937, The Cosmo served food. But it also offered familiarity and solace to those who had fled from Vienna, Berlin, and beyond.

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Known for its goulash, Wiener schnitzel, and apple strudel, the café became a gathering spot for conversations in Hungarian, German, Yiddish, and more.

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The café’s dining room was also filled with discussions of psychoanalysis, led by patrons ​like Sigmund Freud​, who lived nearby.

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While The Cosmo closed its doors in 1998, its legacy remains alive with a blue plaque, preserving its role in helping refugees rebuild their lives in north London.

Editors' Note - From Tessa

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The Davis Family decided to start fostering dogs, and we've become very attached to our first foster dog, Oscar.

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He's an absolute sweetheart. Loves cuddles, plays fetch like a legend, and enjoys bringing us various bits of footwear.

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This week it looks like he will be having a Meet & Greet with his potential new adopters. We will be sad to see him go!

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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