News, comment and features

Photographs of two beautiful plants that are flowering now in Broomfield Conservatory. On the left, an Epiphyllum. Below, a Gloriosa Vine. The Conservatory is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2.30 to 4.30pm.  (Please note, it will not be open on 3rd and 10th June because of work to install the former toilet railings from the Triangle.) Iqbal from the Friends of Broomfield Park's Conservatory Group comments:  "Gloriosa superba is the national flower.......

This year's State of London Debate will be held at the O2 in Greenwich on 23rd June. his event happens just once a year and follows the publication of the Mayor's Annual Report.  It's the biggest live platform for Londoners to let the Mayor know exactly what they think.  Topics up for discussion include: Transport and environment Housing Policing and community saftety Growing London's economy Education Entry is free but tickets will probably go fast. More details on the.......

Between 14 and 25? Want to get hands-on experience in a working theatre? Then Young Creators could be for you - it's free. Young Creators is a professional development programme which offers young people vocational training and practical work experience in a variety of theatre skills. Course options: creative musicianship & vocal development | music technology, programming & recording | stage lighting | writing & devising | devising & performing | directing | choreography.......

Efforts are continuing to obtain the funds needed to restore Broomfield House.  In preparation for a probable public consultation exercise later in the year, a model of the house dating from 1951 (the model, that is - the house is rather older!) is to go on show.  It is hoped that a Conservation Management Plan for the whole of Broomfield Park, currently in development, will enable the Broomfield House Trust and Enfield Council to make a second, successful, bid for Heritage Lottery.......

In a letter published in last weekend's Observer, the Chairman of the Local Government Association makes a strong plea for the government to suspend its programme of reductions in funding of local government.  Councillor David Sparks writes that "Local authorities have made £20bn savings since 2010 following reductions in government funding of 40%. Councils have worked hard to shield residents from the impact. However, efficiencies cannot be remade or buildings resold. Further local.......

We've written before about how North London Samaritans would like to restore the "Tin Tabernacle" at Bowes Park and use it to run their live-saving services.  Now the insurance company Aviva has included it in the Aviva Community Fund.  You can register with the Community Fund and will be given ten votes to distribute as you choose between the 3000+ projects. Depending on how many votes it collects, the Shaftesbury Hall Refurbishment Project (to use its official title) could receive.......

After reading a couple of newspaper articles suggesting that the new Culture Secretary might wish to relax the regulations concerning Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals in betting shops, I today sent him the following open letter. Dear Mr Burrowes, Could I start by congratulating you on your success in last week's election. I'm writing to you in response to recent newspaper reports which suggest that the newly appointed Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, might wish to bring in legislation.......

The Save the Green Dragon Campaign is reporting that its demonstration outside the Civic Centre on Wednesday went well - they estimate that about 150 protesters turned out.  They were able to deliver an open letter (see below) to the new Mayor, Councillor Patricia Ekechi, and to the many councillors who were there to witness her induction into office. Two local MPs were among the supporters - David Burrowes (Enfield Southgate) and Joan Ryan (Enfield North).  As a result of their.......

One of the most notable institutions in Palmers Green is the Ruth Winston Centre.  In essence, it's a club for older people, but not the kind of club where you sit round dozing in armchairs reading copies of The Times.  Quite the reverse - it's a place where people do things.  The aim is to help people remain active, maintain mobility, and live a full life by providing opportunities to make and meet friends, learn a new skill or hobby, keep fit, have lunch in a convivial.......

The Save the Green Dragon Campaign is urging concerned members of the public to take part in a demonstration at 6pm on Wednesday, set to coincide with the signing in of a new Mayor of Enfield.  Support for the campaign has been expressed by, among others, the Mayor of London. Publication of correspondence between local councillors and a PR company has increased suspicions that the current and former owners have deliberately acted with a view to developing the site for housing or mixed.......

The free classes and lectures in the Enfield Thinks programme continue to deal with a very wide range of subject matter.  Among the subjects coming in the near future are: local history local railway history running a small business the housing crisis in Enfield and across London holiday destinations the politics of happiness first aid arboriculture human rights in Russia and Ukraine science and engineering.........

Children's International Voices of Enfield were one of the choirs featured on Radio 3's The Choir programme on 28th April.  You can listen to a clip of the choir in action along with commentary from singers Tom, Joe and Genevieve. Made up of six choirs with members from the ages of 4 to 18, they have been running for twenty years. You can hear extracts of two pieces composed by their patron, John Rutter. The Children's Voices are currently rehearsing for a concert at Palmers Green.......