News, comment and features

Enfield Council's Journeys & Places team have begun to engage with residents and businesses about the development of the Southgate Masterplan Vision - a longer-term plan of enhancements to the public realm and transport facilities aimed at encouraging active travel, improving the everyday experience of Southgate and creating a more vibrant, greener and healthier town centre. Two engagement events are scheduled and an online survey is available.

Wear A Gorilla Suit Day, National Double Cheeseburger Day, Peanut Butter Day... Does anyone take these seriously? And if someone did set out to celebrate a 'Day' every day for a year, what effect would it have on them? Local author Dan Brotzel set himself that very challenge, and found that the experiment had unexpected consequences...

The 'Go Slow' Cycling Project, currently raising funds via a crowdfunder, is designed to allow participants to take as long as they need, at minimal cost, on their personal journey towards switching to a healthier and more environmentally sustainable mode of transport.

Every year Anne Nicholls organises collection of toiletries to add to food bags handed out at Christmas by local food bank charities and refuges. This year, could you help with some everyday toiletries, and perhaps a little luxury to donate to someone in need for Christmas?

Watch a recording of the recent webinar Front Gardens on the Frontline, with information about the problems caused by paving over front gardens, which include residential flooding, hotter cities, and loss of vitally important pollinating insects.

A public briefing on the planned incorporation of the North Middlesex Hospital into the Royal Free London group will be held in Enfield Town on 20th November.

Incorrect charging and disposal of electronic devices with lithium ion batteries has led to an increase in dangerous fires.

This Friday afternoon you're invited to grab your knitting needles and join a communal crafting session in the Broomfield Park clubhouse.

Climate change is making our cities hotter, to the point where vulnerable people are dying from the heat, while associated heavy downpours are causing more flooding of streets and homes and leading to sewage overflows polluting our rivers. So what can we, as individuals, do to help? CPRE London say that we can start by taking the apparently trivial step of restoring front gardens that have been paved over. Join an online talk on Thursday to find out more.

It's just over a year since newcomer to PG Anja Porter set up Broomfield Park Running Club, which this spring she broadened out to become Broomfield Park Active Club. In this article Anja outlines BPAC's evolution from a focus on fitness towards all-round sociability, both outdoors (regular walks and runs) and indoors (the club's pub evenings alternate between the Fox and the Cherry Tree).

In September Barnet-based Noah's Ark Children's Hospice won an Investing in Volunteers award from the UK Volunteering Forum (UKVF) in recognition of its excellence in managing and developing its pool of 163 volunteers.

With poverty still a serious problem both nationally and locally, two Enfield-based charities are seeking volunteers to help distribute food to the hungry.