From 2 til 7, Winchmore Hill Green. Stalls, food, music, St Nicholas and snow. You’d be bonkers to miss it!
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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
- 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.
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.
When Grayson Perry produced his colourful and eccentric map of London, he marked Palmers Green with the words’ Joe Strummer lived here’. And indeed he did.
The days as a punk hero were long in the future when Joe Strummer, then simply John Mellor, public school educated diplomat’s son, moved into 18 Ash Grove with his friend Tymon Dogg. They christened the flat ‘vomit heights’ and proceeded to be riotous and not altogether considerate neighbours.
The writer Chris Salewicz knew Joe Strummer for over 25 years before his untimely death at the age of just 50 in 2002 and will be reading from his book Redemption Song, the definitive story of Joe Strummer and The Clash at the Big Green Bookshop next Tuesday, November 20th at 7pm. The event is free but donations are requested for refreshments. It’s a great opportunity to hear their fascinating story, and visit one of the best and most hardworking bookshops in North London.
For more about Joe Strummer in Palmers Green, click here
- Did you encounter Joe Strummer when he lived in Palmers Green (or remember seeing evidence of his occupation in Ash Grove)? Tell us more!
Also coming soon at the Big Green Bookshop
Gavin Esler 4 December, Peter Serafinowicz 27 November. (we used to live next door to Peter Serafinowicz and can reveal he plays the Beatles and Elvis very loud at 3 in the morning….grrr)
Nominations open this week for North London and Herts Newspaper’s Gannets Restaurant of the year. Last year the award was won by Winchmore Hill/Bush Hill Park’s Masala Lounge. But is it really the best restaurant in Enfield.…..?
Is it better, for example, than Palmers Green’s Sole D’Oro, in new hands for a year now, friendly staff and wonderful bread that they will let you pre order to take away and pass off as your own creation if you ask nicely!
Or Rimini, not quite as cosy since they moved up the road, and often packed, but still a treat.
Or Bistro du Coin over on Southgate Green, delicious French food in a cosy atmosphere, and a great recipe for baked goat’s cheese that needs to be reinstated into the menu right now (not PG I admit, but it’s a lovely place to go for a bit of a treat).
Or Aladdin’s on Hoppers Road, unpretentious tasty curries, including a beautiful gingery Tarka Dall, or the more exotic Taste of Raj and Dipali on Alderman’s Hill.
Or Makun Minum, the fiery Malaysian on Winchmore Hill Broadway.
Or Simal’s fresh and plentiful Turkish food, cooked right in front of you by the genial chef, with staff who will give you the odd free lesson in Turkish pronunciation?
Surely it can’t be better than breakfast or afternoon cake with a view of the park, at Baskerville’s tea shop, now a proper Palmers Green Institution? It certainly isn’t better than the much missed Bombay Spice, which never won and is now gone……
The Gannets are asking for restaurant and eatery nominations now, and then the public will be asked to vote. After that the Gannets will visit the top three incognito and decide on the winners.
The Gannets don’t seem to make it south that often. But nominate one of our local restaurants and maybe they will venture this way again sometime soon, and give some of our great local eateries some publicity.
Nominations with your name, address, nominated restaurant and location, and reason for your nomination in not more than 20 words to Gannets Awards, North London and Herts Newspapers, 187 Baker Street, Enfield EN1 3JT. No email address given, and unfortunately they don’t mention a closing date for nominations, so do it soon eh?