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ποΈ Which local fire station opened in secret?
Published about 1 year agoΒ β’Β 8 min read
Welcome
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This week we've got 5 Top Toddler Activities and the secret fire station launch, plus some great event listings for you.
Weekly activities, story time, and even a garden to explore means that every visit sparks joy.
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2. Monkey Music, NW7 and N12.
Since 1993, Monkey Music has been harmonising early development with fun.
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Through a 5-stage curriculum that caters to different ages, children engage with music to boost their mental and emotional health.
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Classes are on Mondays and Tuesday mornings for different age groups (3 months+, 12 months +, 2-3 years). They are at Mill Hill East Church, and also at North Finchley Quaker House.
Suitable for ages 6 months to 4 years, these classes offer sensory exploration through arts, crafts, and messy play.
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It aids in developing key cognitive and motor skills. And it introduces basic scientific and mathematical concepts in a playful environment.
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4. Little Kickers, N3
Kickstart your childβs love for sports with Little Kickers, where football meets fun educational tactics.
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Little Kicks is their stream for 18 months to 2.5 years.
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Children are introduced to the basics of football (dribbling, striking, goal scoring etc).
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Sessions run at St Maryβs Church Hall, N3 on Friday mornings from 10:20 am to 11:05 am (and also in other locations around Finchley).
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5. Angel Swim, N3 and NW4
Make a splash with toddler swimming classes at Angel Swim.
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From basic flotation to independent swimming, these sessions enhance motor skills, coordination, and social interaction.
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Your toddler will be taken through 3 Key Stages as they learn to swim.
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So, take your pick and check these out with your toddler.π§
Events
KIDS
βLanaland Musical Classes - Rhythm n Tuesday | Tue, Jun. 18 | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | Free Church Hampstead Garden Suburb NW11 7AA | Β£10.40 | live music classes for years 0-4. includes parties, discos and lots of family fun.
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βMum2Mum Market | Sat, Jun. 22 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | Earlham Primary School, Earlham Grove, N22 5HJ. | Free entry | Hundreds of high quality, pre-loved bargains for bump, baby, and children 0-6 years old. From Nursery equipment, pushchairs, baby/children's clothes, toys, books (and everything in between) all in excellent condition and for a fraction of their high street prices.
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OLDER PEOPLE
βYour Money, Your Way - How to Manage Your Money In Later Life | Wed, Jun. 26 | 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm | The Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, N2 8LT | Free | An afternoon of useful talks and advice for money management in the current day and answer questions like: What is probate? Why make a will? How to spot a rogue trader? All over 55s welcome.
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ARTS
βEast Finchley Open - Artist Open House Weekend | Sat, Jun. 29 | 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Muswell Hill- East Finchley- Finchley Central | Free | 29th & 30th June and 6th & 7th July: all local artists in East Finchley - Muswell Hill - Finchley Central area open their houses to the public - 60 artists in 17 houses! | Insta.
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βKALLIN - Family Exhibition | Tue, Jul. 02 | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Burgh House, New End Square, Hampstead NW3 1LT | Free | This exhibition showcases art from four members of the same family: Jenny Kallin, Sophie Levi-Kallin, Hamish Kallin, and Phoebe Bowman.Their work includes textile landscapes, ink drawings, doll house sculptures, and mysterious figures, all of which are united by the sense of family connection.
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MUSIC
βMillfield Theatre - Karaoke Party | Sat, Jun. 22 | 7:00 pm to | Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 1PJ | Β£8 | A night of non-stop fun, amazing music, and delicious food! The DJ will be spinning all your favorite karaoke hits, and the kitchen will be serving up the best Caribbean food in town. Come on down and let loose! 18+ event
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βVerdi Requiem from North London Chorus | Sat, Jun. 22 | 7:30 pm | St James Church, Muswell Hill, N10 3DB | Β£25 | Attendees will be joined by conductor Chris Hopkins and a quartet of brilliant soloists for the summer performance of the Verdi Requiem, accompanied by Catherine Borner and the Meridian Sinfonia.
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SHOPPING
βN10 Creatives Muswell Hill | Sat, Jun. 22 | 10:30 am to 5:00 pm | St James Square N10 3HSβ | Free entrance | Discover great gifts, art, homewares, accessories and so much more all by local independent makers.
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COMMUNITY
βlook UP! | Thu, Jun. 20 | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | outside the artsdepot and Tally Ho | Free entry | Embrace the magic of the summer solstice in the heart of the Town Centre this summer. Come along to the grand finale of this event series, promising a fantastic night filled with dancers, delicious food and drinks and workshops, Food from Yinkasafroeats, African street food and Deli House. Performances by Bollyx and others.
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βChipping Barnet Food Bank - Digital skills and IT support | Sat, Jun. 22 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | 63 Somerset Rd, New Barnet, Barnet EN5 1RF | Free | This session is for giving help with computer, laptop and mobile phone issues, getting online support as well as support for Microsoft office programs.
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βBarnet Celebrates Windrush Day 2024 | Sat, Jun. 22 | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | Barnet Multi Cultural Community Centre Ltd Algernon Road, NW4 3TA | Free | 2024 is the 76th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks, bringing the first Caribbean passengers to Britain. The event will feature an exclusive showing of Barnet Windrush stories, inspiring discussions, uplifting music, Caribbean food and more.
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βHeath Hands Community Fun Day | Sun, Jun. 23 | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Parliament Hill Bandstand, NW5 1QR | Free entry | Live music featuring Mad Dog Bites, art activities hosted by Dee McLean and Eugenia Alekseyev, nature-themed activities, Hula hooping with Cahula hoops. Plus, plenty more surprises.
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THEATRE
βWhen Death Comes Knocking | Tue, Jun. 18 | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | The Lion & Unicorn Theatre, 42-44 Gaisford St, NW5 2ED | Β£14 | Hannah and Dillon grow further apart in the wake of their mother's death. Weeks after the tragedy a strange young woman claiming to be "Death" rocks up at their doorstep begging the siblings to teach her how to live. Will Hannah and Dillon mend their relationship? Who is this strange woman? How does Death perceive us?
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βThe Importance of Being Ernest | Thu, Jun. 20 | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Stephens House & Gardens | Β£18.00, under 16 yrs Β£14.00 | Open air theatre. Wildeβs comic masterpiece gets the (critically-acclaimed) Pantaloons treatment in their anarchic take on the classic comedy of manners. This energetic and musical production infuses Wildeβs witty words with snappy new songs and frantically funny physical theatre,
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βGreat Expectations | Thu, Jun. 27 | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Stephens House & Gardens | Β£18.00, under 16 yrs Β£14.00 | Outdoor theatre on the main lawn. Quantum Theatre deliver high comedy and dark drama, as you follow Pipβs journey through adversity to discover the true nature of his βgreat expectationsβ.
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FOOD
βEast Finchley Farmers' Market | Fri, Jun. 21 | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | 82-92 Great North Road, N2 0NL | Free entry | The East Finchley market returns on Sundays. Look out for excellent meat and poultry, game in season, fish direct from our fishermen, honey, bread, fruit, cheese, pies, flowers, a big range of fresh veg and more.
Events - Book Ahead
Saturday 6th July
βBentham's Body Ensemble: Chamber Music concert | Sat, Jul. 6 | 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm | St Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church, N3 1TR | Free entry. Retiring collection for St Mary-at-Finchley Church and Churchyard Appeal | Finchley heritage venue hosts this outstanding trio playing an hour music for clarinet, cello and piano by Fanny Hensel, Vincent D'Indy and Daniel Schneider. The players are all connected in some way with UCL (University College London) - the body of UCL founder, Jeremy Bentham is kept in the box in the UCL cloisters.
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Monday 15th July
Finchley Cricket Club - Summer Cricket Camp | Mon, Jul. 15 | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | Finchley Cricket Club, East End Road, N3 2TA | Β£140 | This Holiday camp is a great way to get involved in cricket and includes fun and engaging warm-ups, batting, bowling and fielding skill activities and plenty of game based activities! | Email for booking.
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Sunday 14th July
βHampstead Clothes Market | Sun, Jul. 14 | Hampstead Community Centre , 78 Hampstead High Dtreet, NW3 1RE | free to attend | If you fancy some sustainable jewellery, accessories and of course fashion come take a look at the market every second Sunday of every month.
Local Lowdown
Hilary Tailor | Image from AM Heath Literary Agents
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Books
Pond prose. Crouch End author Hilary Tailor became a cold water swimmer to write Where Water Lies,set at Kenwood Ladies' Pond. This helped her complete the novel, leading to a new two-book contract. Her first book was The Vanishing Tide.
Cycling
Bike savvy. Barnet Council has installed three bike repair stands in High Barnet, New Barnet, and Whetstone. Funded by Β£16,000, these stands offer tools and pumps, encouraging cycling and reducing pollution. Councillor Ella Rose spearheaded this initiative to promote active travel.
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Coffee
Third time's the charm. Alex Stone is set to open a new Trade Made cafe on Swain's Lane this June. After two previous attempts, the stars have aligned next to Hampstead Heath. Expect specialty coffee, artisan sandwiches, and a touch of spirits, courtesy of a new alcohol license. A family affair, Trade Made keeps brewing success.
Consultation
Have your say. Closes tomorrow June 18, 2024. Barnet Council is consulting on proposed changes to its local plan for housing and industrial development for the next 12 years. The consultation covers housing, economy, transport, environment, and town centres. Comments can be made on modifications at engage.barnet.gov.uk.β
Transport
Colindale closure. The Northern Line will shut between Golders Green and Edgware for four weekends in June and July 2024 for Colindale station upgrades, impacting Brent Cross, Hendon Central, Colindale, Burnt Oak, and Edgware stations. Southbound services from Golders Green remain unaffected. High Barnet branch still a goer.
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110 Years Since Hendon Fire Station's 'Secret' Opening
Tucked away in The Burroughs, its inception was a silent affair.
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There was no local press buzzing around, and no commemorating plaque.
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At that time, Hendon was switching from horse-drawn fire engines to modern methods.
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Captain Adams was the station officer. He kept the brigade running with military precision. This was necessary because World War I loomed just months away.
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Hendon had kept a volunteer fire brigade since 1855. It was first housed at St Maryβs Church. These volunteers were summoned by a large bell in times of emergency.
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In 2014, a hundred years after opening, the station finally celebrated its centenary. It received the recognition it quietly gave up at the start.
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Today, Hendon Fire Station has two fire engines. It is staffed by three shifts of firefighters.
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They are ready to respond to any emergency.
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Editors' Note - From Sasha
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Greetings from Austriaβs second city, Graz.
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Brilliant evening in UNESCO World Heritage old city.
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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.
βAnd email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.
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Tessa Davis
Sasha Frieze
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Finchley Now
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