Finchley Community Magazine May/June 2021 Issue 7

o mmunity C F I N C H L E Y

YO U R

F R E E

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W W W. F I N C H L E Y C O M M U N I T Y.W I X S I T E . C O M / F C M A G

M AG A Z I N E

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

ISSUE 7

SAVING COLLEGE FARM Can you support the campaign?

LOCAL INSPIRATION Music is life SUZIE COLLIER Arts & Culture ARTSDEPOT Tackling food waste THE FELIX PROJECT

BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER

victoria park finchley market

Finchley foodies An exciting new venture: Finchley’s own outdoor market

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ictoria Park Finchley Market opens for business on 6 June and will take place every Sunday from 10am-3pm around the Ballards Lane entrance to Victoria Park.

The market will provide an evolving range of produce direct from farmers and independent producers as well as a small number of street food traders and makers of arts and craft. Initially, there will be 40 stallholders and it is hoped that this number will increase to up to 60 by 2022.

Confirmed producers so far include condiments, cordials and provisions creator Silk Road Oil, organic produce from Leicestershire-based Pick’s Farm, Italian-inspired delicacies by Made from Scratch including a delicious range of pasta, pasta sauces and antipasti, fresh loaves from Artisan Provisions, the Grimsby Fishmonger and macarons from J’s Cakes. There will be oysters and fizz, beer and spirits,

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as well as some brand-new businesses that are establishing within the community, including Harvest Fresh.

We hope that the market will be a highly valued destination for local people, not only to do their weekly shop but also to provide a focal point for the community. The range of producers will develop with the seasons as well as from the feedback we receive. Our website: www.thespreadfood.com/ victoriapark is up and running and you can also go to @thespreadfood on social media channels, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out more about participating producers.

We are also keen for local residents who have a business or business idea that they want to establish and develop at Victoria Park Finchley Market to get in touch so that they can trade at the market.

You can email trade@thespreadfood.com to discuss your ideas. n www.thespreadfood.com/victoriapark

editors letter

H Community FI N C H L E Y

YOU R

FRE E

LO CA L

M AGA ZINE

CREATIVE EDITOR Nicola Harrison MY VOLUNTEER SUB-EDITORS Diane Langleben Eamonn Rafferty

F R O N T COV E R I M AG E : R I C H A R D CO O K E / I L LU S T R AT I O N / L AU R E N R E B B E C K

DESIGNER Richard Cooke PRINTER JG Bryson of East Finchley

Special thanks to: My Rich for being totally and unwaveringly awesome in his support and creativity My wonderfully kind volunteer sub-editor Diane My fabulous friend and business coach Zuzana My Dad for knowing I would love creating this My Mum for just always believing in me My Rosa for inspiring me

ello friends!

Welcome to the seventh issue of Finchley Community Magazine.

We have all been waiting for May to arrive ― finally our world has become more open.

We can all enjoy warmer weather, good company and lovely picnics! The simple pleasures in life are by far the best. We are taking a well-deserved break over the summer but we’ll be back for our September/October issue. We wish you all a very happy summer!

As always, a very big thank you to the wonderful article contributors and repeat advertisers who are so supportive of our magazine. Do you know someone who is doing great things in our community? Is there something you would like to see featured in our magazine? We are always open to suggestions ― please do get in touch with us and if you love what we do, please follow us across our social media.

Our magazine is free, and in order for us to flourish, we rely upon advertising. Please do tell your family, friends, work colleagues and local community about us. If you are a local business, why not consider advertising with us?

Nicola

nicola.fcmag@gmail.com

www.finchleycommunity.wixsite.com/fcmag facebook.com/fcm.nicola twitter.com/@NicolaFCmag @instagram.com/finchleycommunitymagazine

Finchley Community 3

The property market: where does it stand now?

Edward Kay, Squires Estates, shares his thoughts on whether now it is a good time to make a move

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he property market opened up in May 2020 and since then there has been a surge in demand. During the past year, most people have spent more time at home than ever before; maybe they have realised they want more room and some form of outside space whether that be a garden, for example, or a balcony.

Furthermore, more and more people are working from home and many are realising that there is no need for a daily commute. If people decide to remain working from home after lockdown eases, or even reduce the days on which they travel to work, they may well decide to move further out where prices are lower and a bigger property is more affordable.

Naturally, this has meant houses, in particular, are sought after. At first, there was a good balance of supply and demand, but we are now seeing demand greatly outstrip supply. This has resulted in a sharp rise in overall property prices with “best bids” scenarios and some houses selling for over the asking price.

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Demand for flats has been slightly cooler, mainly because of the number of flats currently available. Typically, though, anything with outside space doesn’t remain on the market for long.

With plenty of help out there for buyers including the government’s stamp duty holiday, Help to Buy scheme, the mortgage guarantee scheme and all-time low interest rates, now is still a very good time to buy your next home.

If you are currently looking to buy or sell a property, please feel free to get in touch with one of our offices and we would be delighted to help.

Edward Kay is one of the directors of Squires Estates. In 2004 he set up Squires Estates with his business partner Adam Redhouse. They both live locally and have children at local schools and can be contacted at edward@squiresestates.co.uk Squires Estates have branches in Finchley, Hendon and Mill Hill. Please visit www. squiresestates.co.uk for more information.

contents

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14 28 Contents Victoria Park market

Barnet Parent Carer Forum

Music is life

Young Barnet Foundation

Stephens House & Gardens

Eating seasonally

Artsdepot: The Snail & the Whale

Community kindness

2 Organised by The Spread 6 Musician, Suzie Collier 10 Location, location, location!

14 Head of marketing, Helen Draper

Harriet’s High Street

16 Actress, Harriet Thorpe

Saving College Farm 20 Action needed

Raising respectful boys & boundaried girls

24 Founders of The Family Space, Susie Davis & Suzanne Haslett

30 Chair, Tal Berman-Howarth

32 Keep Active 4 Barnet campaign 34 Nutritionist, Thalia Pellegrini 36 The Dollisbrookers, Jeffrey Newman

Spanners with Manners

38 London’s first all-female mechanics

Pottering About

40 Ceramicist, Noriko Nagoaka

Being Authentic

42 Business Coach, Zuzana Taylor

Happy Birthday FCM!

46 Subeditor, Diane Langleben

Community kindness 28 The Felix Project

Finchley Community 5

6 Finchley Community

suzie collier

Music is life Local musician, Suzie Collier, shares her story

© M O N I K A S . JA K U B OW S K A / @ M S J P H OTO S

F

inchley is a wonderful place to call home. It is full of birdsong, trees, open spaces, and as lockdown relaxes, vibrant streets bursting with diversity. I am no stranger to north London, having been brought up in the Barnet area. Finchley seemed a good place to go next; it was still within easy reach of my dad, and close enough both to my work at the Royal Academy of Music, and to concert venues.

I am a violinist and am lucky enough to be surrounded by fellow musicians who also live in the area.

Finchley seems to be bursting with music. When performing life resumes, take a look at how many folks you see carrying instrument cases to the station. You’ll be surprised at how many of us there are!

My fascination with performance and communicating musical ideas started early. Brought up by violinist parents, I was encouraged to play the violin from the age of two and throughout my childhood enjoyed

many opportunities to perform including in the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music where my mum was a teacher and I was a pupil until the age of 16, and later at the Royal Academy of Music where my dad taught, and I studied as an undergraduate. While I was still a student there, I was given my first job as a violin teacher at the Junior Academy, where I still work now.

As well as my work at the Royal Academy of Music, I also taught at the Latymer School in Edmonton, where I discovered a huge love of conducting.

Directing the chamber orchestra there gave me a thirst to communicate in this way, and consequently, I started two chamber orchestras at Junior Academy, and have since directed string orchestras on courses around the world.

When my children attended St Mary’s Primary School, I wanted to work with all the pupils to bring them a musical experience each one of them could be part of, so together we made a fund-raising CD called The Rhythm of Finchley Community 7

Life, featuring every child from nursery to year 6 singing and playing together.

Then, when my children went to Mill Hill County High School, I offered to work with all the string players there to create a chamber orchestra, as well as with singers to build a barbershop group. From that point, things snowballed and before I knew it, I was teaching music to years 7-13, and working there two days a week, which I did for ten years until my youngest left the school.

During that time, I was able to explore what I believe to be some of the most fundamental questions that educating young people encourages us to ask 8 Finchley Community

ourselves: how to enable each student to fulfil their potential, how to encourage them to experiment with ideas, how to create an atmosphere which engenders creativity, and ultimately, how to empower them to know that with some gentle encouragement, they already know the answers to many of the questions they ask.

This invaluable experience has led me to explore these ideas further, and during lockdown, I have not only continued my violin teaching ― a wonderful challenge ― but have also widened my teaching practice to meet people virtually from all around the world, who are seeking a way forward

© N E V I L L E B LO O M

music is life

suzie collier

in their careers, or perhaps want to explore how to optimise performance or how to allow their creative spark to develop. I learn easily as much as they do in the lessons and feel continuously fed by the students I meet.

I am overjoyed that my three children all have such a deep love of music: my daughter Sophie is a structural engineer by trade but is also a superb folk fiddler; Ella is a student of modern languages, but is also an accomplished classical double bass player who is much sought after in her university community; Jacob lives, breathes and creates music all the time. He is a professional musician who runs his entire career out of our Finchley home. Jacob has been working incredibly hard during this lockdown time to bring music to the world from his music room, and he has just become the first British artist to win a Grammy for each of his first four albums. He has an enormous world tour to look forward to next year, when hopefully he will be able to perform to live audiences once again. We feel very supported by our community; our wonderful neighbours say that they love hearing music of any kind floating from the house.

Over many years, I have been able to travel to far-off climes to play in various orchestras, and more recently, have visited Jacob on tour and performed with him too. One of the things we most enjoy doing together is playing, whether improvising or bringing life to a well-loved tune of old. We regularly post on social media and share our music-making! One of our performance highlights was in 2018, when Jacob had his own Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.

I was able to play in the orchestra as well as featuring on his song ‘Once You’.

So many local friends came along to support us; it was truly special.

We are very close as a family and love exploring Finchley and its environs together on foot. This lockdown time has been a real eye-opener for us, as we have discovered new open spaces, new roads, and new places to be, as well as spending more time singing and playing music together.

We are indebted to lovely Finchley, for being such an inspiration to us past, present and future. n www.susancollier.co.uk Instagram: @suziecollier Twitter: @suzie_collier Finchley Community 9

setting the scene

Location, Location,

LOCATION! Stephens House & Gardens has been the setting for many scenes on film and television.

Malcolm Godfrey, general manager, tells us more

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here, all in one location, could you find a London club with John Hamm from Mad Men having a meeting, see Robson Green and a vicar investigating the flat of a murdered film projectionist, or a midwife nun being dropped off at Saint Anne’s Tuberculosis Sanatorium by a doctor, be present at a wedding where the bride jilts her husband for another woman, meet Frank Skinner running Chesterwood Auctions, run into a hapless reporter from the Jewish Enquirer, or witness murder and mayhem in a 1980s’ art gallery at Argyle Manor?

The answer is Avenue House at Stephens House and Gardens, the location for:

➻

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stephens house & gardens

The Gallery

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setting the scene • John Hamm appearing in an episode of Toast of London

The Gallery

• Robson Green in Series 5 of Grantchester • The cast of Call the Midwife from Series 2 • Joe Solomon’s short film Eve • Frank Skinner in Rotters for Sky Arts • Scenes from Hapless directed by local award-winning director and producer Gary Sinyor • Our most recent starring role as Argyle Manor in The Gallery directed by Paul Raschid which was filmed in February and March, this year.

Stephens House & Gardens has also popped up on the Disney Channel and in ‘talking heads’ interviews for documentaries with the BBC and others. Being a house of historic interest with extensive landscaped gardens and relatively close to central London makes it a prime location for film and television productions whether big or small. There is also the ability of a ‘closed set’, which directors particularly like if they are shooting something they want to surprise their audience with, have a special guest star or wish to avoid the unexpected in a shot.

Unless you have actually been actively involved in this amazing industry you are probably unaware of the complexity of making even a very short piece to camera.

There is the build of the set and then dressing it with props with space for the lights and cameras. Places have to be found for the crew, including those responsible 12 Finchley Community

Rotters

for hair, make-up and catering. Having so much space, Stephens House & Gardens is an ideal location for the unit base which supports any production. Two or three minutes on screen can take two or three days of work and involves many people.

The most recent appearance in The Gallery was particularly involved; not only was most of the production filmed within the house and gardens, dressing and resetting the various rooms into a variety of fictitious locations, but it is an interactive film set in two time periods, 1981 and 2021. Being interactive means

stephens house & gardens

Robson Green in Grantchester

John Hamm in Toast of London

that many of the scenes had to be filmed with three or four options and potential outcomes.

In addition, the unit base and all the catering for 40 cast and crew was on site.

This lasted over seven weeks and on one day there were an additional 40 extras for a crowd scene. Over the middle weekend of the shoot, the main rooms of the house had to be transformed in appearance by 40 years. Hostages, bombs, explosions, guns

and a variety of anarchists all made for a highly involved piece of work. We look forward to viewing the finished film later this year.

In addition to hosting the larger more commercial productions, we have been delighted to support some local, young, up-and-coming film makers to produce short films to showcase at film festivals.

Hopefully, we will help to put them on a path to greater things such as for local writer and director, Ketan Majmudar. His most recent offering, The Writ, was shot mainly in the gardens.

I have had a vast experience of providing venues as a film location. I previously managed filming at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich hosting productions starring some big names in the film industry including Jackie Chan, Kate Hudson, Angelina Jolie, Albert Finney and Vanessa Redgrave. I have overseen the location for films such as The Mummy Returns, Shanghai Knights, Gathering Storm, Four Feathers and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider to name but a few.

Not only does hiring out the house and gardens provide our charity with much needed commercial income to enable us to keep the gardens open free of charge to the public, it also provides additional interest for our visitors and those who hire the venue for events realising they are actually on a film set and walking in the footsteps of the actors. n www.stephenshouseandgardens.com Finchley Community 13

artsdepot

Our local arts centre begins live performance with a production of The Snail and the Whale. Helen Draper discusses the play with its director, Toby Mitchell Helen: Can you describe how Tall Stories Theatre Company adapted the story?

Toby: We had loved Julia Donaldson

and Axel Scheffler’s fantastic story about the snail and the whale for years, but we couldn’t work out how to tell that story on stage, with those two very different (and different sized!) characters. Then we read an article about parents working abroad recording stories to send to their children back home, which gave us the idea of telling the story with a young daughter (representing the snail) who desperately wants to go around the world with her seafaring father (the whale). Then, it was a question of fitting the two stories together seamlessly and clearly, so the audience knows where they are within each one.

Helen: Were the book’s authors involved in your process, if at all?

Toby: This is the fourth Donaldson/

Scheffler book we’ve adapted; we love their brilliant stories. When we first had the idea for how to adapt the book, we spoke to Julia about it, and while she wasn’t sure how the two stories would fit together, she trusted us to work it out. She also came up with the idea of using live music. Meanwhile, Axel’s 14 Finchley Community

fantastic pictures inspired many scenes in the show, like the ninja crabs and the penguins. Both Julia and Axel have seen the show and enjoyed it.

Helen: The Snail and the Whale has been performed in many places. What’s the process like of moving a show around like that? How does it change in each city?

Or is there a point where the whole thing is really set in stone?

Toby: The show has played all around the

UK, as well as worldwide. It’s broadly the same in each place, but it’s never “set in stone.” As with any truly live show ― and especially live shows for family audiences ― it changes each time, depending on how the audience reacts.

Helen: Can you tell us which character is a favourite?

Toby: My favourite is the chief penguin

because he’s so grumpy, but he loves it when the audience joins in with him.

Helen: If a young person told you they want to be a theatre director when they grow up, what advice would you give?

Toby: Watch a lot of theatre! Read books

and scripts. Think about how you would make characters and scenes come alive visually on stage. Above all, remember that theatre is different from film and television because it is live. Actors and audience are in a room together experiencing a story. How does that affect the way you would tell it?

Helen: What, would you say, is the core message to take away from the show?

How do you hope kids and families leave feeling?

Toby: The message of Julia’s story is that

small things can achieve big things and to love stories and use your imagination. As the dad says, a good story can take you all around the world, without even leaving your room. We hope kids and families will leave feeling energised ― and ready to go

home to make dens, tell stories and sing songs! n The Snail and the Whale is a play with music for everyone aged four and up. There will be socially distanced performances from Saturday 29 May until Friday 4 June. Relaxed performances are taking place on Wednesday 2 June and BSL interpreted performances on Thursday 3 June. To book visit www. artsdepot.co.uk or call the box office on 0208 369 5454.

Helen Draper is head of marketing and public relations officer for artsdepot.

She would like to thank the New Victory Theater, New York, for their assistance with this interview.

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HARRIET’S HIGH STREET If there is one good thing that has happened in the past year, it has been to appreciate our local shops.

Harriet Thorpe spotlights some more of her favourites

harriet thorpe

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pring’s arrival, always a joy, is infinitely more potent with meaning this year. Our trees and shrubs bursting with blossoms and buds are heralds, not only of newly fecund crops and longer, warmer nights, but also our renewed ability to gather with friends and loved ones (sensible social-distancing measures still observed, of course) after this long winter hibernation.

If you plan to celebrate with a picnic in one of our glorious green spaces such as Cherry Tree Wood, there is no better purveyor of delicious fresh produce and mouth-watering snacks than Tony’s Continental situated in the High Road, East Finchley. It is a greengrocers and artisanal deli, and nothing less than an East Finchley institution.

Family-owned and run since its establishment in 1971 by its eponymous owner, Tony’s has a devoted local fanbase who choose it over megastore competitors for its focus on quality. Michael handselects their produce from the market every morning, and the shop stocks goods from around the world. The team offers a personal touch that is appreciated by the customers, with some who are third generation.

Tony himself has a life story of cinematic proportions. Arriving alone in the UK from his native Cyprus at the age of 15, he started out as an apprentice cobbler with a Covent Garden shoemaker that provided footwear to stars of film, music and theatre. Tony made shoes for the Beatles, Nancy Sinatra, Bing Crosby, the Four Tops, Richard Harris, Benny Hill and Tom Jones, to name a few. His acquisition of the High Road storefront a few years later

Harriet at Bottle ‘n’ Jars

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returned the site to its original purpose as a greengrocer after some years’ hiatus as a corn chandler and a toyshop.

Today, the shop is run by Tony’s son Chris and daughter Helen, and their spouses Kim and Michael (of morning market fame): but Tony is known frequently to drop in and inspect the running of things, ensuring the standards of service and quality which he installed ― no doubt inherited from his years serving showbiz royalty ― are being upheld!

The delightful return of picnics and other outdoor social events notwithstanding, our beloved pets’ steadfast companionship was a true comfort throughout the winter’s privations. When it comes to buying basics, treats and toys for our household’s furry 18 Finchley Community

familiars (two ageing cats called Nellie and Pepper, and Alby the rambunctious young Cavapoo), my go-to pet emporium for the past 30 years has always been Broadway Pet Stores in Muswell Hill. Run

by Nigel, Sue and Tim Wheatley, the aisles are chock-a-block with every item the discerning animal owner could need. Yet alongside these goods the Wheatleys offer something of inestimably greater value to us pet parents: the all-round knowledge and wisdom that only many years of experience in a specialised field can supply.

Broadway Pet Stores has occupied its location on the corner of Muswell Hill’s fashionable Broadway since at least 1930.

Nigel began there in 1969, going full-time in 1973. Both Nigel and Sue hail from long lines of retailers, with haberdashers,

harriet thorpe

bakers, confectioners, greengrocers, and even a Savile Row tailor in their immediate families. Another multi-generational business, their son Tim joined up in 2000, and brings not only modernising zeal to this time-honoured shop, but also a third generation of Wheatleys into line: his adorable toddler Farai is getting his training in early, frequently dropping in to survey proceedings and delight customers!

Abutting these local legends is an everchanging array of exciting new businesses entering the bustle and competition for high-street acclaim: no newcomer shows more promise and irresistible appeal than the gleaming new Bottles ‘n’ Jars just south of East Finchley tube station. The enterprise is a collaboration between wine expert Bert Blaize and the well-known Hexagon Classics car showroom. It is a luxury food and wine shop occupying part of the site, with all the sleek, timeless glamour the location suggests. Bottles ‘n’ Jars takes its wine seriously, offering hundreds of options selected from around the world by Blaize’s expert hand. The curious but less experienced among us

needn’t worry, either: Blaize and his team are there with advice and suggestions to help choose the ideal bottle for any occasion.

Accompanying this oenophile’s paradise is an equally indulgent array of culinary delights. Local and international delicacies such as salted caramel figs from Spain, squid ink fideo noodles from Italy, cheese from Tottenham and gin from Highgate glint irresistibly from the shelves. They are underscored by the inviting aromas of bread supplied fresh by a neighbourhood bakery, and coffee from renowned roasters Notes, who offer customers exclusive Bottles ‘n Jars blends to brew at home.

On entering Tony’s Continental and Bottles ‘n’ Jars, I instantly want everything: and so does my dog when he enters Broadway Pet Store! But, as with so much of life, what lingers in the mind and warms the heart for much longer than the things we buy are the people that make the places we love. Our local shops are meeting places for the community, with news, gossip and personal stories traded along with the goods and services on offer. May we have wisdom enough to remember to keep these connections strong as we reconnect with the wider world in the months ahead. n Harriet Thorpe is an actress who has enjoyed a successful film, television and stage career. Best known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous, The Brittas Empire, French & Saunders, and West End musicals such as Wicked, Mamma Mia and Les Misérables, she can be seen four times weekly on the Wonderbirds online talk show; she will soon be appearing in the new series of ITV’s Endeavour and Doctors for BBC One. Finchley Community 19

xxxxx

SAVING COLLEGE FARM

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saving college farm

Can you help save College Farm?

A local group wants your support for their campaign so that the community can visit once again

© R I C H A R D CO O K E

M

ost Finchley residents will be familiar with College Farm, situated close to Henleys Corner.

Its history goes back to 1868 when George Barham, founder of Express Dairies, leased Sheephouse Farm, a property of about 39 hectares (97 acres). In 1882/83 he had it rebuilt

by Fredrick Chancellor as a model dairy farm, renaming it College Farm after the nearby Christ’s College.

In 1898, College Farm was the scene of the “Finchley Murder”, when the head cowman, Thomas Webb, was shot dead. The case was investigated by Scotland Yard but Thomas’s killer was never identified.

By the 1900s the company believed that the farm was not viable as a real farm; it was adapted to become a visitor attraction in 1909, buying out the lease on the property of the farm buildings, and retaining a few of the adjacent fields from the original estate.

By the 1930s the residue of the farm was surrounded by houses, and was open to the public, with tea rooms and an exhibition of objects related to the dairy industry. In the 1950s and 1960s cows were grazed and milked on the

site by Express Dairies. In 1973, Express Dairies left the site, and the dairy museum was broken up.

In 1974, the Department of the Environment purchased the estate with the intention of giving it to the London Borough of Barnet in exchange for open land at Henlys Corner intended for a flyover, which was never built. In 1976, the farm was leased by Chris and Jane Ower, who ran it as a popular local attraction from 1980 until February 2001, when the site had to be closed because of restrictions caused by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

College Farm Trust

In 2004, Chris set up the College Farm Trust with some local residents and friends. Its aim was to preserve this historic farm for public education and enjoyment. However, it seems that the Trust’s aims have changed, and the present trustees want to build houses on the farm. The way in which the College Farm Trust has been managed in recent years has raised several concerns and it seems that it has no wish to see the farm open to the public again with farm animals as the main attraction. The Trust was removed Finchley Community 21

help the campaign Spike Milligan, patron of College Farm Trust

Four-wheeled milk van, 1940s

The listed buildings in 1996 when the farm was open to the public

Chris and Jane with Nicknack and Paddywack, 1980s

22 Finchley Community

from the Charity Commission register in 2018 because it was not operating but it would be wonderful to be reinstated because the farm is has a Grade II listed silo and is a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.

Chris Ower, the tenant of College Farm, recently won a court case against his landlords, the College Farm Trust, after a three-day trial at the County Court in Central London. The Judge ruled that Mr Ower occupied College Farm, Finchley, London as a protected agricultural tenant.

After winning the case, Mr Ower said: “I would dearly love to open the farm again, but all the building repairs would need investment and approval from the landlords. The Trust needs trustees with a genuine concern to preserve the farm and hopefully get back the charitable status. Then we can move forward with a future for College Farm”.

Mr Ower, together with his family, have worked tirelessly to preserve this historic farm for the community.

The beautiful buildings on the 10-

saving college farm

The Tea House, 1920s

acre site are in bad disrepair. The whole structure of the listed buildings is at risk, unless repaired. Despite the trustees being made aware of dilapidations, they have not visited College Farm for several years. Sadly, the farm is not a safe place for the public to visit while the buildings are in this condition. The trustees clearly are not fulfilling their aims to manage and conserve College Farm, in particular, its environmental, historical and architectural heritage.

Chris and Jane Ower have won this recent battle, but not the war.

The current trustees do not have the best interests of the farm in mind for the future and we need to change this. Chris and Jane over the years,

have managed to save College Farm from being sold for development through enormous public support from local people. n Before Barnet Council would allow public access, the buildings need to be made safe. The Owers need your support at this crucial time. We simply ask if you could register your support for the Ower family on our new Facebook page. We can then keep everyone informed about how we plan to progress from here. Why not visit www.savingcollegefarm.co.uk, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @savingCF or email: savingcollegefarm@gmail.com for further information.

Our farm is counting on YOU! Finchley Community 23

family wellbeing

R A I S I N G R E S P E CT F U L B OYS A N D B O U N DA R I E D G I R L S Susie Davis and Suzanne Haslett, founders of The Family Space, discuss a topic that has been much in the news recently

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the family space

© I S TO C K

I

f surviving 12 months of parenting through a pandemic wasn’t enough, we’ve also had existential issues to confront in our families. These include how we talk to our children about race and how we think, feel and what we ultimately do about the simple lack of equality that the pandemic has exposed.

Now we have gender-based violence and attitudes to confront.

This isn’t new. None of it is. But, in the same way that the tragic murder of George Floyd fuelled the Black Lives Matter movement, the terrible murder in the UK of Sarah Everard leaves society reeling and wondering “what needs to change?”. If the mere thought of how to address this with your children leaves you running for cover or reaching for a drink, then read on. We’ll try to make this easier for you.

Let’s be clear: it’s not just about our boys; we need to work with our girls too. We’re great believers at The Family Space that we can’t stop life happening to our children, nor would we want to, but we can scaffold them.

So much of the work we need to do as parents centres around self-esteem for both genders. Being quietly confident of who they are, rendering them less inclined to look to their peers for validation. For boys we also need to support them to become emotionally conscious citizens

and we need to address the avalanche of online pornographic content that is so easily accessible to them. Similarly, with our girls, we need to raise them with a strong sense of self and the knowledge and experience that their opinions count. And for all our children, we need to raise them to call out the bad behaviour of others with confidence, so that they don’t become bystanders. This is especially important for boys who may not be the protagonists but may default to being reluctant enablers.

Our boys are raised with a backdrop of toxic masculinity, whether we fully realise it or not. The term “toxic masculinity” was first used by (male) psychologist Shepherd Bliss in the 1980s. It is the definition of masculine traits which include an “avoidance of emotional expression”, the “over-aspiration for physical, sexual and intellectual dominance” and the “systemic devaluation of women’s opinions, body and sense of self”.

Our boys need the same freedoms to express their emotions and be who they are that we afford our girls. They need acceptance and approval from a young age. As parents, we need to hold their tender feelings so they will notice, respect and hold those of others. We do this by allowing all feelings; however, this doesn’t mean we condone all behaviour.

For our boys who, for example, become overwhelmed with frustration and act out in a less than desirable way towards someone else, we need to “connect before we correct”. Acknowledge what may have been going on for them, validate their feelings and then, when you are both calm, address the behaviour by problem-solving collaboratively with them. Possibly, you Finchley Community 25

family wellbeing could tell them that you’ve noticed that And let’s just talk briefly here about the when they are frustrated, they behave in a digital world, which is a key player in the certain way. You could ask them to think struggles we are encountering. about what they could do instead.

Gone are the days of the adults around Some of you will read this and have children being their dominant influence; reservations about the suggested action. But growing up is now largely done at school, it works ― for all ages ― research proves and children receive much of their learning it. Validating feelings first is so important. from their peers and the internet. This Get their brains back into balance and then means we have to work harder in the address the behaviour. background. Digital devices have become The influence of pornography on boys is their third parent, spending more time with one of the most concerning them than we do. Opting elements of the teenage out of this digital world is years and the transition to not an option either as it’s a Remember manhood. An Australian vital part of children’s lives that the power today and will continue to report in 2019 revealed that 53% of boys had viewed Instead, we need to focus of influence is be. porn by the age of 13. The on creating responsible stronger than digital citizens. We need figures and content only get more concerning as they to influence our children the influence grow older. It normalises to do good in the digital of power” aggression, violence and world and be good role dominance as part of a models, and we do this sexual relationship, whereas through connection and exactly the opposite should be true. The communication, not through control and report also showed that exposure to internet criticism (as it is so easy to do). Start the pornography is associated with greater conversations early. We say “little and often” acceptance of stereotyped and sexist notions and don’t demonise technology or we lose about gender and sexual roles, including them, it is such a big part of their world. women as sex objects.

How we talk to our children, how we Maggie Dent (Australian counsellor listen to them, and what we focus on and “champion of boys”) says: “We must influences not only how they navigate adopt the compassionate intention to the digital world, but also and most teach a different, more healthy reality importantly how they view themselves. that is founded on a healthy respect Research shows that we need to adopt for both genders and human diversity. an attitude of being a “mentor” to our We need to deconstruct these pressures children in the digital world, not a “limiter” to conform to toxic masculinity and (which creates secrecy and rebellion) or replace them with a sense of inclusion an “enabler” (which is dangerous for their and focus on the greater good so that wellbeing and sense of propriety). our boys don’t have to shut down For our daughters, research shows a sharp their hearts”. drop in self-esteem from age 10 through

“

26 Finchley Community

the family space adolescence. During this period, there is a really strong need to belong. Girls start paying attention to the views of peers to inform their identity, and they do a lot of measuring up, and comparing themselves to their peers. Melissa Hood (author of Real Parenting for Real Kids) says, “girls are socially attuned, conscious and aware of the feelings of people around them. This is a skill but it is also a vulnerability because they can get really worried about belonging, being ok, being one of the gang.” This can lead them to worry about speaking out.

We need to talk to them about this. Teach our girls to pay attention to their instincts and their gut. How they feel in their bodies gives them a really good guide. And, as Rosalind Wiseman (author of Queen Bees and Wannabees) says, even role play with them gives ways of handling and responding to the detrimental behaviour of others around them. We need to think through the possible eventualities of calling out inappropriate behaviours jointly and look at them head on. The more our girls are prepared, the less they fear. Let’s help them to have positive experiences of calling things out. Why don’t you talk to their schools and other parents?

Studies have shown that the greatest threat to girls’ mental health comes from media messages. The digital world sends the message to girls that their looks are the most important thing about them, their body is never good enough and sex is what you exchange for love and affection. As parents, it is so important to make sure our daughters are getting plenty of affirmation at home about their qualities and strengths, so they are not so driven to look for approval in their peer group or compare themselves to the highlight reels on social media. They need to know that they are appreciated and

valued by us if they are to value themselves, and others. And they need to know that their bodies are strong and know that their mothers appreciate their own bodies for more than how they look.

And the pressure is on fathers too. Steve Biddulph is the author of Raising Boys and Raising Girls. He states that fathers are the key to girls’ self-esteem and that our boys need to know what a good man looks like to become one. Dads: you must honour your boys’ feelings and express your own, and value your girls for their strength of character and opinions, not their looks or submissive tendencies.

Being a parent is a tough gig but it is the most important one of our lives. Remember that the power of influence is stronger than the influence of power. And influence depends on connection, and connection in turn depends on positive communication.

Whenever you can, make deposits in their emotional bank accounts by letting them know that you value them, appreciate them and delight in them.

And lastly, dear fellow parents, good luck ― we are with you! n The Family Space runs courses and workshops, as well as private consultations.

Visit www.thefamilyspace.co.uk for further information. Instagram: @thefamilyspace

Finchley Community 27

community kindness

Food to remember Charity set up in memory of 14-year-old Felix Byam Shaw fighting hunger and food waste across the capital

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very day in London, almost two million people (including 400,000 children) do not have enough food to eat.

Meanwhile, each year the UK throws away 10 million tonnes of food. At the Felix Project, we believe it’s unacceptable for so many people to go hungry in one of the world’s richest cities – all while tonnes of good food is thrown away.

The Felix Project was set up in 2016 to tackle food waste and hunger in London.

Founded by entrepreneur Justin Byam Shaw in memory of his son Felix, who died in 2014 at the age of 14 from a rare form of meningitis, the charity has grown from a one-van operation to become the largest of its kind in the city.

How The Felix Project works The Felix Project works with supermarkets, manufacturers, wholesalers, farms, restaurants and many more, to rescue surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. That food is brought to its three depots in North, South and West London, where Felix volunteers sort through the fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and fish – making sure the food is in-date, safe and good quality before it is delivered 28 Finchley Community

to nearly one thousand food banks, schools, charities, social kitchens and COVID food hubs across the city.

In the borough of Barnet for instance, Felix supports schools and organisations like Bread N’ Butter, Barnet Hub, Totteridge Academy – by providing weekly deliveries filled with fresh, nutritious food.

One parent who was recently furloughed due to COVID-19, started receiving Felix food parcels from Totteridge Academy in January. They’ve said, “I can cook heathy meals for my child. The food from The Felix Project has helped us stay afloat.”

The COVID-19 pandemic deepens the hunger crisis in London Sadly, the COVID pandemic has only worsened the hunger crisis in the capital and one year on from the first UK lockdown, The Felix Project has never seen such a high demand. It has been working around the clock to scale operations threefold and help as many people as possible throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, Felix was able to deliver the equivalent of 21.1 million meals directly into boroughs across the city, up from 6.4 million the previous year. This meant that 8,339 tonnes of surplus food was rescued that would have otherwise have gone to

the felix project Volunteer Georgie on the Central London Route. Thomas Mulvihill, and a typical food crate

waste, feeding over 266,000 Londoners each week.

100 million meals target for London Although COVID restrictions have begun to ease and London has started to open back up, the hunger crisis is far from over, and the consequences of the pandemic will be felt for years to come.

A recent report by Food Foundation and King’s College London has revealed that the number of adults in Britain who are food insecure is estimated to have quadrupled already as a result of the pandemic.

This has been felt in the food banks Felix supports across the city, like the Ringcross Foodbank in North London. Thomas Mulvihill, who gets his food from Ringcross Foodbank every week, said: “I’ve been a decorator. A foster carer. Gardener. Then I got ill and couldn’t work. When I first came to the foodbank I was the 50th customer -

now 150 people queue up each day easily.”

The Felix Project is ready to meet this challenge and aims to deliver 38 million meals to Londoners in need this year, increasing that target to 100 million meals within the next 4 years.

In the coming months, Felix will open a fourth depot in East London in Summer 2021 – enabling it to rescue and deliver an additional 6.5 million meals this year alone, and reach London boroughs living in the greatest deprivation.

The Felix Project is aiming for a London where nobody goes hungry and good food is never wasted. And it intends to continue to fight both hunger and food waste in the capital until this vision is realised. n A donation of £30 allows us to deliver 61 meals for Londoners in need. If you’d like to support the work that The Felix Project is doing in Finchley and beyond – visit thefelixproject.org today.

Finchley Community 29

community kindness

A Voice for Special Needs Kids Tal Berman-Howarth, Chair of Barnet Parent Carer Forum

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y first child brought great joy and we fell instantly in love. However, gradually, as he missed milestone after milestone, it became clear that something was amiss. We struggled to be heard by GPs and it was a lonely, exhausting time for us. Then at last, someone listened to our concerns and he was referred for further assessment.

It would take five challenging years before we received a diagnosis, but we were in the Special Needs System.

Having a child with special needs was hard, but it was harder feeling alone with a system of support that, however well intended, was not easy to find, not joined up, sometimes intimidating and often complex.

When my son was six, I discovered something I wished I’d known before. I saw an invitation to an event for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

It was run by an independent group of volunteer parents called The Barnet Parent Carer Forum (BPCF).

These parents knew the key players at Barnet Local Authority (LA) and how to effectively get their child’s needs met in an EHCP. They were respectfully vocal and challenged the LA with confidence, because they knew their rights and the Children and Families Act of 2014. I wanted to learn from them.

30 Finchley Community

So I joined a network of parents who were dealing with similar challenges. I was inspired by BPCF’s mission to ensure that the voices of our children, young people and their families were heard, so that services in Barnet kept the child and family at the heart of all decisions. An important force for change.

I couldn’t change my son’s condition, but I could advocate for him and for others to get the support needed. Five years on, I am the new chairperson of the BPCF Steering Committee. A lot has changed and we’ve built a close relationship with LA who now actively seek our partnership in developing services and strategies.

We’ve moved from righting wrongs to collaborating from the outset.

BPCF is now in coproduction with the LA across education, health and social care to ensure, transparent, fair policies, strategies and services are created for all of our children to thrive. Our representation is currently at all levels, from Workstreams to Strategic and Board meetings. We have many requests for parent representation in a range of relevant areas and avenues for change. We are in such demand that we need more parents to come on board.

BPCF has led the ongoing transformation of short breaks; we are co-creating the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

barnet parent carer forum

© I S TO C K

“The more voices that we have, the more we can advocate for our children, young people and families” (CAHMS) transformation programme, strategies and pathways for ASD, Down Syndrome, and the SEND strategy which was published on 14 April 2021. We coproduce regular conferences, including the annual SEND Conference and Health conference coming up on 28 June 2021. (Join our mailing list for more info) BPCF members sit with equal voting status on the weekly Complex Needs Panel - the multi-disciplinary meeting where ECHP applications are reviewed, and school placements and funding are decided.

In short we need your participation.

We want to increase awareness among parent carers, and to expand our small voluntary steering group to reflect all disabilities and diversity of lived experiences. This way we can achieve even more significant wins for SEND families in Barnet.

So, join us if you are a parent of a SEND child. The more voices we have, the more we can advocate for our children, young people and families. Register free to become a member and join our mailing list via our website www.barnetpcf.org.uk.

As a member, you will receive information about courses, conferences, and events to support your family as well as surveys to find out your views and signposting to many useful organisations.

These surveys make a big impact on LA decision makers, so please fill them in.

If you want to be more involved, there are many ways you can do so. Members with limited time can attend a local authority workstream meeting roughly every half term and feed back to the Steering Committee. For those who want to fully participate in transforming the system, joining the Steering Committee is the next step. We offer training and guidance so don’t hold back.

Whatever your level of involvement, we mostly need your voice and your feedback.

You are the experts on the needs of your unique child and family.

The more stories and stumbling blocks we know, the more we can address the issues for SEND families. So please go to our website, www.barnetpcf.org.uk, complete our surveys, talk to us and join our forum. We work on a realistic and flexible volunteer basis around family commitments. n Barnet Parent Carer Forum is part of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) which comprises all Parent Carer Forums in England. We are part of the bigger picture, and can influence change nationwide, starting with Barnet.

Finchley Community 31

keep active 4 barnet

Actively involved The foundation’s #KeepActive4Barnet campaign is raising funds to help vulnerable young people across the borough while promoting better fitness

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We must unite as one community to create change for the children and young people of Barnet by keeping active, raising money and having fun!

Why not get your family, friends and colleagues doing something active to raise money? You could enter a challenge event (like a run or cycle) and nominate Young Barnet Foundation as your chosen charity.

Or even join us on one of the limited challenge events that we have organised for our staff and partners!

Let’s work together to make our children and young people feel happier, fitter, healthier and safer, aiding their bounceback into post-lockdown life.

All the funds raised will support Young Barnet Foundation’s work to invest in children and young people, ensuring that they have opportunities for fun, growth, connection, success and celebration - helping today’s children become tomorrow’s confident, successful adults. n FOR MORE INFORMATION: youngbarnetfoundation.org.uk/get-involved instagram.com/youngbarnetfoundation facebook.com/YoungBarnetFoundation twitter.com/Young_Barnet

© I S TO C K

M

ore than 40 per cent of young people in Barnet feel their long-term mental health and wellbeing has been affected and that 38 per cent feel less secure than before the pandemic.

Also, back in May 2020, a survey by Barnet Children’s Service found that over half of the children in the borough were doing less exercise than before lockdown – a figure that has likely increased since then.

Young Barnet is leading the charge to address this with #KeepActive4Barnet, a campaign giving young people and their families the opportunity to get active and raise money at the same time.

Some ideas include a walk/run/cycle every day for a month, travelling the equivalent length of Barnet (from the Battle of Barnet monument in the north to Cricklewood station in the south, which is 9 miles or 19,000 steps.

What about completing the number of steps equivalent to the population of Barnet – 402,000?

Whether you raise £5, £50 or £500, every penny will help us to support the children and young people of Barnet.

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he new government-backed 95% mortgage scheme launched on 19 April 2021. High street lenders Lloyds, Santander, Barclays, HSBC, and NatWest have signed up. OGR Stock Denton’s residential conveyancing team are highly respected panel members with all four.

Studies show that 80% of renters are actively saving for a deposit and the ability to borrow up to 95% of the value on a property will ensure more people realise their dream of owning their own home.

How does the 95% mortgage scheme work?

With rents rising every year, the challenge is saving the deposit needed for a home.

During the pandemic, 95% mortgages virtually disappeared, putting a further barrier between ‘Generation Rent’ and home ownership. The low deposit scheme for properties purchased for £600,000 or less, means thousands more will be able to buy before the scheme ends in December 2021.

How OGR Stock Denton’s Conveyancing Lawyers can help you with the 95% government-backed mortgage scheme With years of experience in the residential property market, our Residential Conveyancing Solicitors will ensure your 95% mortgage application and property purchase transaction goes through smoothly. We will apply for all the necessary property searches and

carefully examine the title and explain any issues that may affect the property. As a full-service law firm, we can also assist you with other legal issues relating to your new home, for example drafting a Will or a Pre or Post-Nuptial Agreement.

Reacting to the news of the scheme, Michael Stock, head of our Property Department, says: “The Government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will provide the boost many prospective homebuyers need to get on the property ladder.

However, no property acquisition is without risk. It is essential to have an experienced Conveyancing Solicitor examine the mortgage offer and the details of the property to ensure the risk of falling into negative equity is mitigated.

“Most of our clients and their families remain with us long term because they appreciate that we take the time to get to know them and trust that they will be swiftly notified regarding any concerns around their property purchases.”

Whether you are buying a pre-existing home or a new build, our North Londonbased Property Lawyers will provide expert advice and ensure your interests are fully protected. n

By Ben Menahem. For further advice please email: bmenahem@ogrstockdenton.com or call on 020 8349 0321.

Finchley Community 33

eating seasonally

To every food there is a season . . .

Thalia Pellegrini, nutritional therapist, explains the benefits of eating according to the time of year

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n a world where food is flown from one side of the globe to the other, we are used to buying most fruit and vegetables all year round. Strawberries in November? No problem. Courgettes in February? Just head to your local supermarket. Convenient?

Absolutely. But there are also benefits to eating seasonally.

What is eating seasonally?

Simply put, eating seasonally means eating foods that are ready to harvest at the same time of year as you are eating them. This doesn’t necessarily mean eating locally. Local for us could mean the UK or local areas; foraging for blackberries or wild garlic can be done not too far from home. As a nutritionist and a foodie, I get excited when certain fruit and veg hit the shops and I know they’ll only be around for a few weeks. For example, I always search out Moro blood oranges from Spain in January and February.

Eating seasonally has many benefits. When a food is in abundance it tends to be cheaper. Plus, it may well taste better.

Ever felt cheated by tasteless strawberries in late autumn? Now think of a bowl of Kent strawberries in June. Pure joy. And are they healthier? Arguably, yes. The sooner a freshly picked food is eaten the less likely there is to be nutrient depletion caused over time. Finally, eating a diverse range of plant foods is certainly beneficial. It can be tempting to stick to what we know, which often means your supermarket trolley has the same five or six fruits or vegetables. Head to your local greengrocer and ask what’s seasonal ― and try something new each week.

Home Grown How about trying your hand at growing vegetables and fruit at home? Whether it’s a few pots on a balcony, a window box or a planter in the garden, you could be harvesting your own strawberries, radishes or cucumbers over the next few months.

Seeds can be bought online or at your local garden centre.

34 Finchley Community

Spring in the UK offers a plethora of seasonal options.

Here’s what to look out for in the next few months:

MAY • Rhubarb •L ettuce (lamb’s and curly) • Asparagus •J ersey royal new potatoes • Peas

JUNE • Fennel • Blackcurrants • Globe artichokes • Watercress • Strawberries

xxxx A taster of Thalia’s seasonal recipes to tempt your appetite!

Strawberry and rhubarb crisp (serves 4) • 185g rhubarb (diced) • 50g pecans (chopped) • 215g strawberries (sliced) • 35g ground almonds • ¼ orange (juiced) • 1g cinnamon • 80g maple syrup (divided) • 750mg sea salt • 15g spelt flour (divided) • 30ml coconut oil (melted)

1. Preheat the oven to 175ºC). Combine the rhubarb, strawberries, orange juice, half of the maple syrup and half of the coconut flour in a bowl and mix well.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the chopped hazelnuts, almond flour, cinnamon, sea salt and coconut oil with the remaining maple syrup and coconut flour until they are combined.

3. Lightly grease four ramekins, then divide the fruit mix between them. Crumble the pecan topping evenly over the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until topping is golden brown and bubbling.

4. Remove from oven and let cool for about five minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Thalia Pellegrini is a registered nutritional therapist (FdSc DipION BANT CNHC). Known as the Knackered Mums Nutritionist, she works with women to support health issues ranging from PMS to perimenopause. She creates bespoke nutrition plans that work for a mum’s busy lifestyle, whether she wants to improve her energy, lose weight or just have a better relationship with food. Follow her on Instagram @thaliapellegrini_ nutrition for recipes and health tips.

Thalia also runs a private Facebook group called the Nourished Mum Meet-Up, open to knackered mums looking for health tips, hacks and support. More information can be found at www.thaliapellegrini.com

Finchley Community 35

The DollisBrookers: turning a dream into a reality Jeffrey Newman explains the vision

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he DollisBrookers is a new group whose aim is to care for Dollis Brook from its source in Moat Mount until it joins Mutton Brook and becomes the start of the River Brent.

Group members comprise local residents including business owners, teachers, doctors and conservationists. The aim is to learn, act and influence ― not only each other, but also the wider public. One of the group is Feargal Sharkey, once the lead vocalist of the punk band, the Undertones. A keen angler, he is knowledgeable about rivers and lakes, and is supporting us, together with other local groups: the WelshHarpies and the SilkStreamers. Together we are part of the River Brent catchment area.

The need for the group

Since the pandemic and lockdown, the use and enjoyment of the Brook along its entire length has grown exponentially, and with it, sadly, litter and dog-fouling. The Council does not deal with this so we need to augment the heroic efforts of the Friends of Windsor Open Space.

Our real concern is the living health of the river and all that depends upon it: plants, insects, birds, fish, animals and, ultimately, us humans, who are made up of around 60% water and need it every day to sustain life.

And here the real issues become evident.

Our rivers are being used by the water 36 Finchley Community

companies as a convenient means to transport waste such as sewage, wet wipes and plastics to the sea. The recently released figures are staggering. Not a single river in England is classified as of good quality. According to a recent report in The Guardian, water companies released raw sewage into rivers more than 400,000 times last year.

Recently, MPs on the Environment Audit Committee were told: “The water sector is an ‘industry that seems frankly out of control’, which operates systems ‘designed to obfuscate and confuse’ and regulators are ‘failing the public at every level’.”

Nor do Barnet Council and Capita have our environment high on their agenda as evidenced by the extensive redevelopments along the Mill Hill edge of the green belt.

In particular, they are reluctant to divulge information about the effluent from the old National Institute for Medical Research building into the adjoining fields, Folly Brook, Darlands and Dollis Brook.

The DollisBrookers look forward to a time when Barnet’s water flow into the River Brent will once again be pure, with sticklebacks swimming in it as they did 40 years ago.

Together we can turn a nostalgic dream into realisable hope. n For further information, please contact Jeffrey Newman at jeffrey@jnewman.org.uk or Tony Sarchet at tonsarch9@gmail.com

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all-female garage

KEEPING THE WHEELS TURNING

S PA N N E RS W I T H M A N N E RS I S LO N D O N ’S F I RST A L L- F E M A L E G A R AG E 38

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panners with Manners was founded in 2019 by Laura Kennedy, who had 19 years’ experience in the trade. The team to date consists of Siobhan, Laura’s fiancée and SwM’s manager, mechanics Liz, Megan and Natasha and Casey, their marketing manager. And not forgetting the two garage dogs!

Laura started her career at Porsche, subsequently working on a range of car and commercial models.

Working for so many years in such a male-dominated environment, having to deal with rampant sexism, Laura decided to create Spanners. The aim was to make a space that was warm and welcoming for customers. She wanted to make sure female and LGBTQI people could confidently bring their cars in knowing they wouldn’t get ripped off, “pink taxed” or confused with mechanical jargon!

The team does podcasts and social videos, sharing their story with organisations like the Women’s Equality Party Barnet and at the beginning of 2021 featured in Mini’s Global #biglove TV advert.

What inspired you to start your business? Laura wanted to create a space

that she would have wanted to work in when she was a young apprentice herself.

Somewhere that was fair, welcoming, employees were respected and everyone had a good time along the way. Spanners came from years of feeling like a minority in a man’s world, and she decided to do something about it. Now she welcomes different customers through the doors and always takes the time to talk and engage with the community. Not just as their mechanic, but as a friend.

Your proudest moments in the business? The proudest moment has to

be winning “Small Brand Of The Year” at the Rainbow Honours in 2019. Rainbow is an LGBTQ award scheme that shines a light on unsung everyday heroes within the community. It celebrates those who strive to make the workplace better for LGBTQ employees. As a queen couple and owners of SwM, Laura & Siobhan, were overwhelmed to receive it and celebrated in style!

What do you like about living in Finchley and what does community mean to you? Both Siobhan & Laura grew

up on council estates around London, so to them a real sense of community is really what makes where you live a good place.

Without community there’s very little.

It’s about looking after each other, having each others backs when you’re down or in trouble and celebrating each other when the times are good.

This is why Spanners opened in Finchley as there was a real sense of community spirit here. Everyone is kind, supportive and if you need help, someone is there for you! And at Spanners we always expect that level of respect and love back too. n FOR MORE INFORMATION Instagram @spannerswithmanners Give us a call on 020 7018 2992 Email: Spannerswithmanners@gmail.com Finchley Community 39

ceramicist

Pottering about Q&A with ceramicist Noriko Nagoaka What inspired you to start creating and selling ceramics?

I am a very curious person and if something suddenly interests me, I always endeavour to try it hands on. When I was young, I wanted to be a fashion designer and was always doodling on the back of paper or notebooks. The creativity involved in making something from nothing excites me very much, and I always desired to work in a creative field since I was a child. In Japan, I worked in two or three jobs at the same time, and was too busy to really think about being creative.

After settling in London, I had bit more time for myself, so I started taking courses in various subjects, trying to find what I wanted to do. During my first ceramics course I knew then that I wanted to focus on it and develop myself further.

All of my ceramics design is inspired by nature. In Japan we always try to find some balance with nature and it is a big part of our lives day to day, so I try to reflect that in my work.

40 Finchley Community

I began developing my own style of ceramics, inspired by the natural world found in Japan and Canada (where I often travel), using a layered glaze style and gravity, to create my individually unique pieces. Trees, ocean scenery, mountains, waterfalls, and animals, all inspire me.

Every day I explore finding new forms, sizes, weight and colours to express within my ceramics.

I am deeply influenced and inspired by the Japanese master potter Mr Shoji Hamada. His spontaneous designs and clean forms are what I strive to achieve in my own work.

What is the process of creating your work and how long does it take?

From beginning to end the process takes around 10 to 14 days. I usually throw on the potters wheel (if it is a plate, I usually use a mould) and trim the next day after drying. The first firing is at 950c degrees and then I apply glaze before the final firing at 1260c degrees.

noriko nagoaka Each of my pieces is unique, slightly different to each other, even though I try to make them in exactly the same way. Bisque pieces (fired once in the kiln at 900c degrees) are a completely blank canvas for me. I love the process of making shapes (the first stage) and then equally I enjoy glazing, the last but most important process.

What do you like about living in Finchley and what does community mean to you?

Everything you need is easily accessible by foot, I don’t need to drive anywhere. I play tennis often and love to play at Victoria Park weekly. I met many local and longstanding good friends though tennis. Having a good local community is essential for me.

How can people buy your beautiful work and do you offer classes?

I have an Etsy shop online, accessible via http://www.norikonagaoka.com/ and I sell my works at some retail shops in London, the V&A Museum Shop, and in other shops now around the world. Please follow me on Instagram @noriko_nagaoka.

I do take students and I teach one-toone, or one-to-two at my studio in North Finchley. I take orders on commission as well. I am planning on holding an open studio soon, so please check my Instagram for the date and time. In May you can find me at some craft fairs, the next is Handmade in Highgate on the 21st-23rd, and the Independent Ceramics Market at Abney Public Hall, Stoke Newington on the 22nd. On 4th-6th June I will have an open studio. n FOR MORE INFORMATION Email: norikonagaoka@gmail.com

I am originally from Osaka, Japan, where I studied nutrition and worked as a dietitian, and personal trainer. In 2003, I travelled to the UK to study English in Hastings. After settling in the UK, I worked in various roles at Japanese companies in London.

In 2014 I enrolled in an evening course in ceramics-making at the Working Men’s College in London. After two years of study there, I took a smaller group course at Ricky Grimes’s studio. After that, I joined the Turning Earth studio as a parttime ceramicist.

During summer of 2019, I wanted to develop my skills on the technical side of the firing process, so I started working as an assistant for Jo Davis in her studio as a part-time volunteer. Later that year, I set up my own studio in my back garden in North Finchley.

being authentic

The real deal - how being authentic is key to success Zuzana Taylor explains

W

e live in a society where it’s very easy to present polished and edited versions of ourselves — that ‘perfect’ shot on Instagram or gushing post on Facebook — only showing the best parts of our lives.

To be truly authentic, we need to go past that superficial level and look within ourselves to find our true self. This is how people connect with people and how they connect with your business.

It’s about connecting with your thoughts, beliefs, values and goals and allowing these to come through in how you lead your life.

Questions to ask yourself to connect with your authentic self: What are my true desires?

What are my real values?

What are my beliefs?

What do I want to achieve?

Am I being my true self?

values align. By opening up to people, you create greater connections with your ideal clients, so they get to know you better, then start to like you and trust you. People buy from businesses they trust.

And, as a consumer, by choosing and being loyal to authentic businesses, people are also saying something about their personal authenticity.

SO, HOW DO YOU SHOW AUTHENTICITY IN BUSINESS? TELL YOUR STORY!

Origin story - this is your own story, how you came to set up your business, who you are, where you want to go, what your values are. This is your chance to shine, showing your uniqueness.

Product Story - if your business is product based this is your opportunity to tell people why you created it, what problem is it trying to solve, what hurdles did you face bringing your product to life?

Being authentic in business is about building loyalty and trust. People want to feel they areStephens being told theHouse truth and &seeGardens has been the setting the real people behind the business. They Maker Story - this is linked to the product for many scenes on film and television. Malcolm will buy into a product if they feel their story and is an opportunity to showcase

Godfrey, general manager, tells us more

42 Finchley Community

zuzana taylor the people behind it — who makes it, what drives them to do this, what processes are used to ‘make’ the product?

KNOW YOUR VALUES

As a business you will have a set of values that drives the way you operate and how you present yourself to the world. What are those values? Where did they come from? How do they create connections with clients/customers?

BE CONSISTENT

Have a strong mission statement, be active on social media, have coordinated branding - this shows a cohesive, considered presentation of you and your business.

mistake. Communication is key and, if done in an authentic way, can turn a problem into an opportunity. This will help build trust and show people you are open and honest.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

This is similar to the ‘treat others how you expect to be treated’ mantra. Model the behaviour you expect from others, for example, follow up when you say you will, listen carefully to what you’re being told/ asked, take responsibility, show up on your social media - these are all part of the dayto-day running of a business but it’s how you do them that matters.

REPUTATION

BE RESPONSIVE

People buy into people and testimonials from real people are a powerful tool. Share any other awards you may have been nominated for/won and any professional organisations you are a member of - all of these go towards showing you and your business as being reliable and trustworthy.

SAY HOW YOU FEEL

When you know who you are really are, everything will start flowing naturally.

You are what makes you unique and that is how you will start attracting your ideal clients. People will see your genuine true self and that will help you to stand out in an already busy space. n

In today’s connected society, there is no excuse for not getting back to a client! However you communicate (email, text, messenger) be sincere and always answer questions honestly, even if it’s less than positive.

Don’t be frightened to say no to something or express your concerns about an idea/ suggestion. We often feel pressured into taking on more than we can cope with or always agreeing with clients because we want to please them. By showing a less than perfect side to ourselves, we are creating the opportunity for a two-way open dialogue.

ADMIT TO MISTAKES

We’ve all been there - we’re only human after all. Don’t try to hide or cover up something you’ve done wrong. Look for solutions and be upfront - own your

Zuzana Taylor has lived in Finchley for 20 years, with her husband and two children.

She is a transformational business and mindset coach. Her passion is to help ambitious mothers to build profitable businesses and find the confidence to make a bigger impact and live a life on their terms. www.zuzanataylor.com Finchley Community 43

advertorial

How to create a community on social media

H

ow can a business develop repeat customers who are happy, engaged and who will recommend your goods or services? One of the best ways to do that is to cultivate a community, and social media can play an important role in achieving that goal.

Social media is called ‘social’ for a reason!

Simply posting something and hoping people will respond is not going to get you very far.

Create visual, interesting content with your audience in mind, respond to comments and direct messages (DMs), interact with existing and potential customers, take the time to research similar businesses to connect with and you will reap the rewards.

in London), we shared images of their art in our account and spent time engaging with their posts. As founders, we showed up on video to talk about the project and show the people behind it.

Creating a community on social media also means being generous with your interaction on other accounts. Showing support for other local businesses can be a real benefit to them and you – you help spread the word and share recommendations which helps them out and people will value your support and likely reciprocate. Collaborate rather than compete!

It can feel like an

Your aim should be to provide value for your audience. Be generous in sharing your knowledge, experience and enthusiasm and perhaps most importantly, be yourself! People gain trust from authentic interaction and people like to buy from people, to know the face behind a business and to hear your story.

As an example, I set up Artists Walk with local artist Rosha Nutt last winter during lockdown. We invited artists and creatives to show artwork from their home windows at a time when galleries were closed. Anyone could enjoy an art trail in their area using an interactive map. Our Instagram grew to 2000 followers in three months – we were clear on our audience (artists and art lovers

overwhelming task to get yourself out there and make real connections.

Identifying goals for your social media presence is always the best place to start, as well as understanding who your ideal audience is – with these two factors determined, it is so much easier to create content that fits.

I specialise in social media consulting for artists and creative clients, with a particular focus on Instagram, but have also worked with small businesses in Finchley and North London to help them establish a plan, create content and build a community. n

44 Finchley Community

Do get in touch if you would like some help or direction with your social media.

Holly Collier: hollycollier@gmail.com

Our main goal is to introduce Computer Coding and Robotics to both children and grownups in a simple, fun and interesting way We run school clubs: “Game Design Club” for Infant and Junior Schools “Robo Club” for Junior Schools During school holidays we run “STAR Activites” for kids aged between 8 and 14 years old.

We offer tailored computing and robotic courses for children, teens and adults, school assemblies, and workshops for school staff & children.

For more information, please feel free to contact us 077 4849 3383 info@eassistant.co.uk www.eAssistant.co.uk Facebook @eAssistant

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happy birthday

Happy Birthday Finchley Community Magazine!

Diane Langleben looks back over the past year

I

t is hard to believe that Finchley Community Magazine is now celebrating its first birthday. At the beginning of 2020, just before the pandemic hit, I was approached by a friend to see if I would be interested in helping edit a new magazine in a voluntary capacity.

It turned out that Nicola, who has a background in the world of books, had long dreamt about publishing her own magazine focusing on community. Together with her equally talented husband, Richard, she needed someone to look after the words while they concentrated on the design and networking side.

46 Finchley Community

The first issue was published online last May; I was so impressed with the high quality of the magazine and the local characters and amenities it was highlighting. In the beginning there were fewer than a dozen articles and each issue has attracted more and more contributors so that by 2021, that number had doubled.

What is so impressive about FCM is that it puts Finchley in the limelight. Our local patch has never been thought of as one of the more” glamorous” London places. Perhaps the only thing that people remember is that Finchley was once represented in parliament by the first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.

finchley community magazine Barnet can’t compete with the Royal the planet, and there are plenty of examples Boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea highlighted by FCM such as the article or Greenwich; we are not as ‘trendy’ as written by Ann Inglis urging us to say no to Islington or Camden where the media plastic or by Nikki Sender Glantz who writes folk hang out. However, what we can be about how she will fill customers’ containers proud of, and what FCM highlights, are with the goods she sells. all the wonderful things being done in For me, a real pleasure is reading the and for the community in our neck of the articles written by Harriet Thorpe. She woods. Allow me to remind you of some talks so lovingly about some of the local of the wonderful endeavours that FCM shops which are her particular favourites. has featured and which I find impressive.

Those selling things to eat and drink There are so many people living locally feature prominently and I look forward who are making a real to visiting those that this difference in the lives popular actress recommends. of others, such as those Of course, man does not “We can be working tirelessly live by bread alone and over proud of all the collecting food to pass on the months we have featured wonderful things some talented local artists to those who are in need, especially in these difficult such as Sonia Elizabeth, who being done for times. Sometimes it is in our very first the community appeared individuals who have been issue. Her work can’t help in our neck of inspired to set up a local put a smile on your face. initiative, such as Food There was also the article the woods” Bank Aid set up by Naomi featuring Judy Wiseman, Russell, or those who are whose speciality is making involved with a local branch of a national sculptures from body parts. And what about organisation such as Grange Big Local. music? Well, the hills and streets around The articles I have read about such here are certainly alive with the sound, operations are truly inspiring. whether it be singing with a choir or reading Our magazine has a strong emphasis about the talented singer and songwriter, on family too. Several contributors have Ilana Sheli or the amazing Collier family. written about the problems that can arise Recently, I read an excellent book that I in families and suggest ways of tackling can thoroughly recommend: And Now For them. In this issue, for example, the article The Good News . . . To the Future With Love by about the Family Space should be read by all Ruby Wax. She wrote it during the pandemic families with older children. and community features strongly. One of the Environment also features strongly. We themes running through the book is the green have had articles in praise of our local green shoots that are there if you look for them. spaces, and those about how to make sure Well, I think that Finchley has more than they are conserved for the pleasure of all its share of green shoots building a strong who visit them. Of course, we are all now community and for that, we should be proud aware of how we must do our bit to save of the people who are making change. n Finchley Community 47

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