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Art and Culture Comedy Community Food History Music Palmers Green Uncategorized

That was November in Palmers Green – a round up of events in the last month

Well, November seemed to go by in a whoosh. We confess to have been a little remiss on the posting front, so here’s an opportunity to catch up on all the news in PG…..

The Woodman reopened on 1 December following much local campaigning and bothering of Marstons. Its had a lick of paint but otherwise is just the same. Welcome back, and just in time for Christmas too…..

The Christmas lights were switched on at the Triangle to the ‘woos’ and ‘ahhs’ of Hazelwood School’s children, teachers and parents, and gave a public outing to MP David Burrowes impressive Movember face furniture. PGJITN was inexplicably humming YMCA for the rest of the day. Apparently the new look Burrowes rendered David Cameron speechless in the Commons, to the point where the PM forgot Mr Burrowes’ question.  The ‘mo’ has not met with approval in the Burrowes household however so you may already be too late to witness the whiskers first hand. Its all for charity, in aid of men’s health and in particular the fight against prostate cancer, so please donate.

The Talkies Community Cinema presented the latest of its pop up cinema nights at Baskervilles couple of Fridays ago, with the film of Jonathan Safran Foer’s book Everything is Illuminated playing to a packed audience. The next showing  is Baz Luhrman’s Strictly Ballroom at the Fox on 30 January – book now if you want tickets, its selling fast. Talkies are looking for some new venues so if you’ve any suggestions, please get in touch with David Williamson via their facebook page or the Talkies website www.talkies.org.uk. Its a really brilliant initiative, so please support it if you can.

Our neighbours in Winchmore Hill published a new hardback book of images of the area, past and present, following on from the fantastic exhibition at this summer’s Fancy Fair. If you would like to get your hands on one, the official launch is next week at the Queens Head from 7 and all are welcome…..

Winter is  time for the shivers, and sure enough there were spooky goings on in Enfield. First of all Lazy Hound Productions staked out the Hop Poles. Then North London Paranormal Investigations spent some nervous hours in Enfield Fire Station. A NPLI film is in development. And closer to home, Joe Studman repeats his Darker Side of Winchmore Hill walk as part of the St Nicholas Fair events. Not to be missed but also not for the faint hearted. Wrap up warm and have some sturdy footwear.

Also this month we also learned that….

Joe Strummer was once a Palmers Green resident with his mate Tymonn Dogg, living in a house in Ash Grove they renamed ‘Vomit Heights’…. Ally Pally was subject of a £16 million bid to the Heritage Lottery fund, which, if successful, will restore the old TV studios, the Victorian Theatre, and the East entrance.  And Alexandra Palace Park won a Green Flag Award and was voted one of the best in the UK (and second best in London)…..Fionn Wilson and Gosia Stasiewicz’ Space Art Gallery on Southgate High Street have fixed up a programme of exhibitions which spans well into 2014. The roster is truly amazing, so it should be a wonderful addition to local life, and attract visitors from much further afield. The gallery opens in December, with an exhibition of Fionn’s own work.

Finally, a last reminder that if you were planning a Sunday trip up town to see the Christmas lights and do some shopping you will need to do some serious planning – pretty much no direct trains to Kings Cross until Christmas on a Sunday, unless you get up early. If this is news to you, its probably because there has been virtually no information from First Capital Connect, including nothing at all in PG station – bravo chaps! – and just at the point where we are renewing our season tickets and feeling particularly begrudging.

But why not stay closer to home anyway, and attend one of the local fairs, events and bazaars happening in December. Winchmore Hill’s St Nicholas Fair on the Green from 2 til 7pm looks set to be fantastic. Snow, carriage rides, stalls and mulled wine and  encounters with St Nicholas are all promised. And if you havent bought your Christmas Cards yet, there are some excellent options locally. Palmers Green’s Art Cove cards, available online or from Annita at the station kiosk, feature local artists. Local photographer, architect and urban designer Richard Crutchleys London Letters cards are also on sale at various local events, online and through Baskervilles. There is also still plenty of time to buy your charity cards at the United Reformed Church.

On into December then. May your tinsel sparkle and the needles stay on your tree.

Merry Christmas!

Sue, Palmers Green Jewel in the North

  • If there is a topic you would like to write about, why not get in touch, especially if its about history and people? We would love to hear from you. There is a huge knowledge about Palmers Green out there … lets try and put it all together.

Coming soon

Friday 7 December  Ricky Grover at the Electric Mouse Comedy Club at the Fox.

Saturday 8 December St Nicholas Fair Winchmore Hill Green. Following on from the summer’s fantastic Winchmore Hill Festival: this!

Saturday 8 December North London Symphony Orchestra perform at the United Reformed Church 7.45 pm  – Wagner, Mahler and Franck

Sunday 23 December Candle lit carol service at St John’s – 9 lessons and carols 6.30

Sunday 30 December Floating Lanterns on the Boating Pond, Broomfield Park

3-6 January 2013 The LIttle Mermaid panto at the Intimate Theatre, Acorn Theatre Company

5-9 March 2013 Anything goes at the Intimate Theatre, presented by Finchley and Friern Barnet Operatic Society

8-9 June 2013 – Open Studios and Art Trail weekend, Southgate and Palmers Green

We got our tree by Gordon Barker – one of the great cards available from Art Cove
Categories
Community History Palmers Green

The Woodman revived!

The Woodman on Bourne Hill is to reopen under new management.

Banners went up outside the pub a few days ago. PGJITN hopes that the traditional feel of the pub will be retained, there will be nice beer, a fine Sunday lunch and that the new tenants will be able to develop a positive relationship with owners Marstons.

Welcome back!

Categories
Planning and open spaces

Ally Pally confirmed as one on the nation’s favourite spaces

Alexandra Palace has come fourth in the the People’s Choice awards for the  UK’s favourite green spaces – and no 2 in London.

The accolade was part of the annual Green Flag awards, run by Keep Britain Tidy. Ally Pally received more than 7000 votes, competing with over 1400 parks across the UK .

The park celebrates its 150th anniversary next year.

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Uncategorized

Ally Pally in £16.8 million bid for regeneration and restoration

Ally Pally as it could look if the bid is successful

The Alexandra Trust Board has submitted a bid to Heritage Lottery fund this month for ambitious plans to to develop and restore Alexandra Palace.

The 16.8 million bid focuses on the Victorian Theatre, BBC  Studios and restoration of the East Court, as part of wider plans over the coming years o restore the park and buildings.

The Trust say that investment is badly needed because of the palace’s derelict state – currently about 40% of the total area is estimated to be derelict or unusable.  A masterplan has been developed by Farrells with the aim of preserving the site and maximising its cultural, community and educational potential.

The palace is considered to be the birthplace of television. On 2 November 1935, the BBC began broadcasting the worlds first regular high definition television service from the converted east wing. The location was chosen because of Ally Pally’s elevated position though by all accounts the building was in a poor state then, with the sky viewable in places through the damaged ceiling. Though television was suspended in the war, the studios had a secret role in jamming radio signals to Germany’s Luftwaffe. The studios continued in use until the 1980s, first as the home of BBC news, and then latterly as the home of Open University broadcasts until the OU’s relocation to Miilton Keynes.

The Victorian theatre was built in 1875 and over the last 137 years has been variously used  not only for its original purpose but as a Belgian refugee camp, a German internment facility, cinema and BBC prop store . The theatre includes a projection box at the back is thought to be one of the oldest in London. Those who have visited on open house day will attest to the wonderfulness of the building, and its slight spookiness.

There should be news on whether the bid has been successful in April next year.

Categories
Community

Festive Palmers Green – a calendar of local events in the run up to Christmas

24 November Christmas Bazaar at the Ruth Winston Centre from 10 am

23-25 November Hatfield House Christmas Frost Fair

1 December St Monica’s Christmas Fair  – from 10 til 4. Meet Father Christmas!

2 December Hazelwood Schools Christmas Fair – the next stop for Father Christmas on his tour of Palmers Green, and a roller disco

1&2 December Alexandra Palace Christmas Fair – Two days of Christmas stuff. I doubt that Father Christmas can also be here, as he has a diary clash

8 December St Nicholas Fair on Winchmore Hill Green – from 2 til 7. Stalls, music, children’s activities, merriment, horses, reindeer, snow and St Nicholas.

now til 11 December Cards for Good causes pop up short at the United Reformed Church, Burford Gardens. This is the 19th year for the annual pop up offering shoppers the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities, as well as a variety of Christmas goods. The shop, staffed by local volunteers, is open from 10 am – 4 pm Monday to Saturday until Tuesday 11 December

3-6 January Christmas panto at the Intimate Theatre – the Little Mermaid. Call 0208 807 1810 to book

  • What have we missed from our events listing? Email us!
Categories
History Palmers Green Uncategorized Winchmore Hill

New book celebrates the history of Winchmore Hill

A fascinating collection of historic photos of Winchmore Hill collected together as part this summer’s N21 festival is now available in book form.

“Journey through Winchmore Hill, Past & Present”, gives a unique pictorial comparison between old and present day images and is accompanied by descriptive text extracts from Henrietta Cresswell’s book, “Memories of a Lost Village”, the full text of which is included. Its also packed full of little known facts about the area – Did you know, for example, that Winchmore Hill could have been a fashionable health spa or that smuggled goods were once sold on The Green?

The hardback book will have a limited edition of 200, and contains 160 full colour pages, with foil blocking on the cover, printed endpapers and two bookmark ribbons.

The book receives its official launch on Tuesday 4 December at the Queens Head, starting from 7 – all are welcome. You can also get your copy at Saturday 8 December’s St Nicholas Fair on Winchmore Hill Green, about which more soon, or order online at www.N21.net/pastandpresent info@N21.net.

Better get yours quickly – before they sell out.