Happy New Year - but for too many people it will be another hungry year
Wishing all PGC readers a Happy New Year. May you all be able to afford all the food you need and to keep your home at a safe temperature.
But let's not forget that for many people in Palmers Green, the wider borough and throughout the UK, the signs are that, despite the change of governing party, in 2025 their income will again be insufficient for them to afford to eat properly and heat their homes to a safe temperature. The shameful situation whereby many people are dependent on food banks in one of the world's richest countries will continue.
My personal view is that the current government, like all its predecessors since at least 2010, is pursuing deeply misguided policies that will not solve widespread poverty and misery, when effective and affordable alternatives exist. But this is not the place to dive into discussions of politics or economics. Instead, I want to take this opportunity to remind readers of the wonderful work being done by a charity set up by a local resident: Cooking Champions.
The UK today is a land of food banks, and Cooking Champions share some of their characteristics. But they are so much more. Their purpose is "improving the physical and mental wellbeing of the local community and further afield". At their community kitchen they cook meals from scratch, providing a varied, imaginative and nutritious menu, either delivered to customers or served at their convivial lunches in Ponders End. They teach cooking skills to both children and adults. Since their launch at the height of the pandemic in 2020 they have cooked more than 58.000 meals, never missing a week.
In 2024 alone they made 8057 meals, delivered 9684 bags of food, worked in collaboration with more than twenty schools and community groups, and fed more than 2700 visitors to their community kitchen. They have achieved this without any support from government or from the council.
They have "big plans" for 2025 focusing on three charitable aims - food support, education and training, but "as with many small charities our main aim is to still be here this time next year".
You too can help ensure that they are here this time next year, by volunteering, donating or just spreading the word.
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PG Action Team renews call to oppose new gambling venue in Green Lanes
The Palmers Green Action Team is calling on residents to oppose renewed attempts to obtain planning permission to convert a former bank into gambling venue. The deadline for objecting is 15th January.
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Improvements to local bus services beginning this month and next
There will be frequency enhancements to local bus services 121, 329, W6 and W4 beginning next week or on 1st February. The biggest improvements will be to the W6 evening service.
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Our borough, as reflected in the council's performance scorecard
Karl Brown picks out some of the good, bad and indifferent marks in Enfield Council's most recent quarterly performance scorecard.
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Quarterly survey of residents' policing priorities for Palmers Green ward
Jenny Arkwright, the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for Palmers Green ward, has sent a link to the January 2025 virtual ward panel survey, designed to discover what types of crime and anti-social behaviour most concern the ward's residents and businesses.
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Have your say and help develop and improve volunteering in London
Whether you're a volunteer or not, your input into an anonymous survey will help develop the London Vision & Action Plan for Volunteering.
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Is starting a business right for you? Join this webinar to help find out...
On Tuesday 14th January Enterprise Enfield are running a free introductory webinar is for anyone thinking of starting a business and located in a north London borough.
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...And if you're a woman who wants to set up her own business, here's six months of free help to get you started!
A new free RSA Trust-funded Inspiring Women Start Up Programme course begins in February, aimed at empowering women in Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest to develop their idea and start a business. A mix of in-person and online events.
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Also this week...
Rodents in Palmers Green (around New River)?
Reported elsewhere...
The Enfield 500 residents’ advisory and consultation group for council tenants and leaseholders
Worrying number of motorists driving on Britain’s roads with sub-standard vision
18-year study of 82,297 adults finds cycle commuting halves chance of early death
Climate crisis exposed people to extra six weeks of dangerous heat in 2024
Piccadilly line closures for new trains planned for 2025
Researchers call for recognition of tire particles as a distinct environmental threat
UK patients unable to get dental care after ‘eye-watering’ rise in private fees
The world-changing Climate Change Act: a legacy in jeopardy?
'We're stepping in to help kids eat': Schools forced to dip into their own budgets to feed pupils
Installation of lifts at Seven Sisters Station "paused"
Appeal after woman sexually assaulted on Victoria line train
How secure is Britain’s food supply?
London’s housing emergency: The shocking, rising costs of homelessness
‘It’s an absolute crisis’: Someone falls into homelessness in London every seven and a half minutes
Boroughs’ finances ‘stuck in survival mode’
What is driving the winter flu crisis in England?
North London’s majestic Albert Road gasholder could be demolished and turned into homes
How do we keep hope alive in 2025 when so many people are going hungry?
Admissions for vitamin or iron deficiencies up by more than 10% year on year and as much as tenfold on 1998-99
How secure is Britain’s food supply?
Extreme heat is now making cities unliveable. How can we survive it?
Insight into the life of the Enfield beavers
Latest from Enfield Dispatch
Drug dealer from New Southgate jailed for five years
Post office, pub and memorial garden among sites added to Enfield Local Heritage List
North London ‘soap queens’ to be celebrated at Millfield Theatre
Knighthood for philanthropist ‘instrumental’ to growth of local children’s hospice
Fresh appeal for blood donors in London as stocks run low
New incinerator ‘will meet government standards’
Former police station ‘unlawfully occupied’ as council takes enforcement action
Police officer admits causing death by dangerous driving in Southbury
School students reach summit of achievement
Enfield’s diversity celebrated at London New Year’s Day Parade
Palmers Green left with just two banks as Halifax confirms closure
Fall in homelessness spending helps ease financial pressure at Enfield Civic Centre
Notice warning park users of ‘small entry fee’ confirmed as fake
‘Beginning of a new chapter’ as North Mid merges with Royal Free
Wildlife expert slams council ‘failure’ to protect Whitewebbs
Something to shout about
New constituency, new challenges
Creating safe havens across Enfield
The new rock of Town’s defence
North London NHS bosses say new ten-year plan must be ‘bold’
Park litter pickers pick up prestigious prize
Local crime awareness platform’s closure criticised by London Assembly
Two families forced to live in hotels for combined 74 weeks paid £13k compensation
Celebrating North London volunteers with compassion for their neighbours
Government funding boost for Enfield welcomed by local Labour politicians
Council ordered to fix woodland footpath after Environment Agency finds ‘inappropriate waste’
Waste authority rejects latest call to halt Edmonton incinerator rebuild
Clifford denies murdering three women
New London project to help migrants report abuse and exploitation
‘Warm spaces’ across Enfield offer escape from cold weather
Consultations and surveys
Dates shown are deadlines for responding
School streets: Eversley Primary & Merryhills Primary (Enfield Council 12/1/2025)
Draft North London Joint Waste Strategy (North London Waste Authority 23/1/2025)
Draft London Vision and Action Plan for Volunteering (Works4U 24/1/2025)
Tell us about your GP website (North Central London Integrated Care Board 31/1/2025)
Proposed changes to housing allocation scheme (Enfield Council 2/2/2025)
Proposal to charge for chaperone licences (Enfield Council 5/2/2025)
Consultation on proposed withdrawal of children's centre services at Hazelwood and Raynham schools (Enfield Council 7/2/2025)
Talkies Community Cinema
Thursday 6 February
Dugdale Arts Centre
Saturday 22 February
Waterhouse Hall
Thursday 6 March
Dugdale Arts Centre
Event flyers
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For more details of the events and notices below, click/tap on the flyers
Recycling information
Long life milk
Long life juice/ squash
Tinned fruit
Tinned meat and Fish
Tinned vegetables and potatoes
Christmas food: stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy
Christmas sweets, cakes, biscuits, puddings, mince pies
Christmas savoury snacks
Christmas crackers (that you pull)
Baby items: Nappies (4,5&6), milk, food
Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toilet roll, washing powder
Notices and appeals
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