Welcome

This week we've got 3 Finchley sporting legends - including Wimbeldon, way back when - North London's new beach, and a deep dive in local secret Our Yard at Clitterhouse Farm.

We may have a new government, and a new local MP, but you've still got the same fabulous Finchley Now; weekly news, events and insights, with a good-vibes angle.

🎾🥊🏉 3 Finchley Sporting Legends

In Finchley, we have been quietly cultivating champions across different sports disciplines.

We wanted to spotlight 3 local legends whose extraordinary talents have placed Finchley on the map in the world of sports:

1: Dora Boothby: Pioneering Tennis Star

Turning back the clock to the early 20th century, Finchley’s own Dora Boothby was making waves on the grass courts of Wimbledon.

She won the Ladies’ Singles title in 1909. As well as being a skilled tennis player, Boothby was also a badminton champion. She secured the Mixed Doubles at the All England Championships the same year.

Her pioneering spirit in an era when women in sports were rarely in the spotlight is a beacon of inspiration for young athletes.

2: Derek Chisora: Finchley's Heavyweight Hero

Derek Chisora’s story is one of undeniable resilience and determination.

Born in Zimbabwe and moving to Finchley as a teenager, Chisora took up boxing at 19 at Finchley ABC. He was at the same club that nurtured heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

He won the ABA super-heavyweight title in 2006 and challenged for the WBC heavyweight title. Chisora has consistently demonstrated the fierce spirit of a champion.

He is ranked among the world's top 10 heavyweights since 2013.

3: Rosie Galligan: Rugby's Rising Star

More recently, Rosie Galligan flies Finchley’s flag.

She emerged from local fields (born in Finchley) to the grand stages of international rugby.

Galligan’s journey includes representing England in the Six Nations and overcoming significant adversity, including a life-threatening bout of meningitis and severe injuries.

Her resilience shows that setbacks can set the stage for comebacks.

These stories of Derek, Dora, and Rosie are narratives of overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and setting new benchmarks. 🎾🥊🏉

Events

OLDER PEOPLE

ARTS

Retreat: the UK’s first climate refugees | Mon, Jul. 08 | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | The Grove Atrium Middlesex University The Burroughs, NW4 4BT | Free | An exhibition of artwork/research surrounding the village of Fairbourne, North Wales. A collaboration between artist Georgia Clemson - exhibiting abstract photographic prints responding to the changing coastline - and Landscape Architect Daniel Shaw.

Brent Cross Town's - The Maze | Tue, Jul. 09 | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Claremont Park, Brent Cross Town, NW2 1AJ | Free | Come and explore this vibrant and joyful artwork, and watch it evolve in real time as three celebrated female artists create unique pieces as additions to the work on specific days. the entire maze is open till 29th September.

Sound Bath with Reiki - Rest, Restore and Heal | Thu, Jul. 11 | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Finchley Youth Theatre, 142 High Road, N2 9ED | £27.80 | Lay down and deeply relax to the healing sounds of the gong, Tibetan bowls and 432hz magical crystal bowls. Whilst you lay in bliss, you will receive 1:1 hands-on reiki healing. Teas will be offered post event.

NATURE

Highgate Horticultural Society Summer Flower Show | Sat, Jul. 13 | 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm | United Reformed Church, South Grove, Highgate, N6 6BA | Free entry | Enjoy a myriad of activities such as Plant and Produce stalls, a Raffle, Homemade Teas and an auction of donated exhibits.

SPORTS

The North Face Climb Festival | Fri, Jul. 12 | 10:30 am | Canary Wharf Harbor, E14 5GX, UK | £85 | Get ready to watch the very best climbers from around the world race in a head-to-head competition held over deep water. There'll be DJ sets, local eats, freestanding boulders and famous guests. The climbing event of the summer - worth leaving Finchley.

5-A-Side Football Tournament | Sat, Jul. 13 | 1:30 pm | The Arsenal Hub, 56 Benwell Rd, N7 7BY | TBA | Islington's Very Own Euros. The Spear Islington Inaugural Indoor Football Tournament is here, Whether you're a seasoned pro or just looking to show off your questionable dance moves, this is the event for you.

Give It A Go | Sun, Jul. 14 | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | The Bandstand Hampstead Heath, NW5 1QR | Free | Enjoy a fun day of healthy sporting activities at Hampstead heath like football, tennis, athletics, table tennis as well as wellbeing activities like nature crafts and wildlife interpretation all free.

COMMUNITY

Stand Up To Homelessness | Mon, Jul. 15 | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | 1a Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EE | £21 | Bringing the best comedians in London together to raise funds for the best charity in London! Felicity Ward (patron for Homeless Action in Barnet) MCs her hilarious friends Michelle De Swarte, Kerry Godliman, Fatiha El Ghorri, Celya AB and more to be announced. Worth leaving Finchley.

THEATRE

Rabbit Hole | Mon, Jul. 15 | 7:30 pm to 9:45 pm | Incognito Theatre Holly Park Road N11 3HB | £12 | Becca and Howie Corbett are a happy suburban couple with everything they could possibly want, when a life-shattering event turns their world upside down. This is a compelling and beautifully written play, filled with a distinctive wit and grace, in which grief eventually gives way to love and hope.

The Secret Garden | Sun, Jul. 14 | 2:00 pm | Stephens House and Gardens, N3 3QE | £18.00 | Join Mary, Colin, and Dickon as they tell you the story of their favourite place in the world - The Secret Garden. A brand new re-imagining of the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett book brought to you by The Plandits.

MUSIC

Alexandra Palace Park - Kaleidoscope Festival | Sat, Jul. 13 | 1:00 pm to late | Alexandra Park and Palace, N22 7AY | £70.30 maximum | A packed programme featuring Soul II Soul, The Go! Team and Huey Morgan of Fun Lovin’ Criminals fame, Mr. Scruff, Ally Pally local Erol Alkan, electronic duo X-Press 2 and garage legends Artful Dodger taking over the DJ decks. All ready to entertain thousands, outside and inside, at London’s most beautiful festival site.

Finchley Chamber Choir And The Finchley Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven | Sat, Jul. 13 | 7:30 pm | Trinity Church, N12 7NN | £18 | This concert features Beethoven's ‘Erotica’ Symphony and Mass in C major. These joint concerts are always a special treat for our audience members as you get to see two wonderful established musical groups collaborating with beautiful harmony. Email tickets@finchleysymphony.org

Events - Book Ahead

Tuesday 23rd July

Business Breakfast Briefing – Sustainability Support | Tue, Jul. 23 | 9:00 am to 10:45 am | Brent Cross Town Pavilion, NW2 1FE | Free | At this Barnet Breakfast Briefing you'll hear from the council leadership about what the council's targets means for you as business owners and the benefits of becoming more sustainable. You'll have the chance to meet with organisations from Barnet and beyond providing free advice and support for businesses to become more sustainable.

Thursday 25th July

Non Stop Camps | Thu, Jul. 25 | Moss Hall Junior School Nether Street, N3 1NR | From £106 | Non Stop Camps run in the school holidays for all children aged 5-12 years old. The Multi Sports & Football/Dance camps keep your children active and safe and having lots of fun.

Saturday 3rd August

Storycubes: Design And Write Your Own Story | Sat, Aug. 03 | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | East Finchley Library, N2 9BB | Free | A craft and creative writing session for budding young writers. Design and create story cubes to use for story writing. Suitable for children 6-12 years old.

Local Lowdown

The beach at JW3 — Grab your sunnies | Image from JW3

Sandcastles

Sun's out, sand's out. Finchley Road brings the beach inland again. From now to September 1st, the JW3 piazza transforms into a kid-friendly beach haven. New this year, a retractable roof ensures fun regardless of rain or shine. Grab a deckchair and dive into summer vibes right on your doorstep.

Wildlife

Buzz buzz. Hampstead Heath was alive with fluttering wings for National Insect Week. Swing by the Nature Interpretation Centre at the Dairy in Kenwood this Saturday at 1:00 pm to dive deeper into our local critters. Discover the wild side of our green spaces.

Broadband

Fibre frenzy. More than 765,000 London homes and businesses will receive full fibre broadband in 41 new locations. These include Barnet, Hampstead, Hendon, Golders Green and Muswell Hill. Residents must order to connect once available. Openreach’s project aims to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 25 million UK homes and businesses by 2026.

The Tube

Commute smart. Did you know some local stations like Hampstead (Zone 2/3) and Hendon Central (Zone 3/4) are set in two zones? This means you could be saving on your Tube fare. Traveling from Zone 6 to Hampstead? Pay for a Zone 3-6 fare instead of a Zone 2-6 fare. And if you're travelling from Zone 1 to Hampstead, you'll pay for a Zone 1-2 fare.

Art

Art attack. High Barnet’s landmarks, like the parish church and Tudor Hall, got a creative facelift during a London Festival of Architecture workshop. The workshop was led by local art teacher Heather Ellis. Residents reimagined familiar scenes into dramatic visions.

Our Yard At Clitterhouse Farm

Tucked away in north Cricklewood, Our Yard at Clitterhouse Farm is a well-kept secret.

Since 2013, this social enterprise has been revitalising the historic farm buildings. It has tranformed them into a hub of activities that promote economic, social, and environmental well-being.

It offers a rich array of events from yoga sessions to art workshops and children’s activities, and has something for everyone.

The vibrant night markets are a favourite, featuring live music, fine dining experiences, and a chance to indulge in craft cocktails and homemade cakes.

One standout feature is Potter's Pocket, led by the talented Hannah Milsom. This pottery studio offers tailored classes for all skill levels, making art accessible.

Our Yard thrives on word-of-mouth and community support. They even have plans to expand and enhance their offerings.

They are running a Watercolour Painting Workshop on 13th July at 11:00. Check it out.

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Editors' Note - From Sasha

Just back from a family christening in St Margaret's Church, King's Lynn Minster. Day trip to Lynn, but totally worth it for the family vibes, cousins and cake.

interior of Kings Lynn Minster norman church — King's Lynn Minster

Also, the architectural heritage including the original Norman church at its heart. Been around since 1101. The Minster sits on the Saturday Marketplace, which has been around since 1104. The Church is even older than Finchley's oldest church, St-Mary-at-Finchley, with its 1270s mentions.

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.

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

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

Tessa Davis

Sasha Frieze

Finchley Now

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