News, comment and features

Despite being part of a big city, we're certainly not short of green space in Palmers Green and around.  Broomfield Park, Arnos Park and Grovelands Park immediately spring to mind, but the smaller patches of green are also very important.  Firs Farm Playing Fields is an excellent example of a smaller, but very attractive "green lung".  Like the bigger parks, it now has its own "Friends", a group being set up by local resident Toni Guiver.  The Friends of Firs Farm have their.......

The new Neighbourhood Watch that was set up to cover Park Avenue and New River Crescent was formally registered with ourwatch.org.uk in June.  It has its own Facebook page for communication between residents of these two streets. Pamela Ramatohul, the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, is inviting anyone living in Park Avenue, New River Crescent or adjacent and neighbouring roads to join the Facebook Group.  You can go straight to the page by clicking here or type in 'Neighbourhood.......

This year's Autumn Shed at Chickenshed runs from 27th to 31st October and is suitable for 5 to 12-year olds (Year 1 and upwards).  The cost is £130 (50% discount for siblings).  Hours are 10am to 4pm. Participants at this week-long event will explore and develop a wide range of performance skills through workshops that involve drama, dance, singing and story-making. Parents and friends will be invited in on the final afternoon to see a performance. Everyone is welcome regardless.......

The latest addition to our Community Directory is the Enfield Veg Co, whose mission is to provide us with locally grown, super-fresh organic vegetables, which it delivers once a weed to four pick-up points, one of which is in Palmers Green - Baskerville's Tea Shop.  We'll let them introduce themselves. Introducing the Enfield Veg Co. Enfield Veg Co. is a local, organic veg bag delivery scheme run by Forty Hall Farm in north Enfield. The Farm is part of Capel Manor College. When you sign.......

Enfield Council has publlshed information about changes to how the Enfield Residents' Priority Fund (ERPF) will operate over the next year.  The criteria for assessing applications have changed and emphasis is being placed on tackling deprivation in the ward in question. During 2013/14 one of the most notable uses of the ERPF was to fund the erection of the new clock at Palmers Green Triangle.  If the "addressing deprivation" is to be more rigidly imposed in future, it seems unlikely.......

Ahead of their quarterly open meeting next week, the Friends of Broomfield Park are celebrating their favourite green space's two Gold awards in this year's Enfield in Bloom competition. The Park won Gold in the Best Maintained Park category, while one of its most interesting features, the Broomfield Community Orchard, won Gold in the Innovative Growing Space category.  Another Broomfield Park attraction, the Broomfield Conservatory, was awarded Bronze for its Exceptional Horticultural.......

Enfield Carers Centre has contacted Palmers Green Community asking for help from our readers for its Best Breakfast Campaign, which will take place in October.  A good opportunity for those of us who are fortunate enough not to have carer responsibilities (at the moment anyway) to help this organisation provide its invaluable support to those who need it. Dear Friends in Palmers Green, Many of our registered carers live in N13 so it’s great to see that community spirit in N13 is live.......

The newest addition to our Community Directory is Studio 306, which is a community interest company based in the Chocolate Factory, Wood Green.  Studio 306 helps people to recover from mental health problems by empowering them to use their creativity.  Specialised tutors teach them, helping them to rediscover forgotten skills, learn new ones and boost their confidence in four creative disciplines: ceramics - produced using stoneware slip and earthenware clay and featuring bright and.......

Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, the locally based charity that helps look after very sick children and their families, is organising an event with a difference this Hallowe'en - a Pumpkin Plod in which people of all ages can participate. The Plod, on the afternoon of 25th October, starts and finishes at the delightful Waterlow Park, half way up Highgate Hill (famous for Dick Whittington). Start the day at 2pm with Hallowe'en themed activities before plodding through the streets of Highgate,.......

Symphonic Tots - Mondays at Baskervilles Weekly 40 min classes cover all areas of the early years foundation stage. Class sizes are small to maintain quality and interaction with every child and carer, chance to try a small instrument and develop active listening skills. Quality percussion kits for each child, orchestral instruments are introduced by Marianne and her team of professional musicians throughout the course, alongside live Cello & Kodaly Method musical training. Symphonic Tots.......

Wow, what a wonderful Festival!  Thanks to the brilliant team of organisers and helpers, stallholders and the public, who turned up in droves and joined in the fun (especially the dancing). The Festival organisers estimate a turn out of nearly 10,000, ranging from babes in arms to those of us who are enjoying our "third age" and truly reflecting our diverse community. A new feature this year was the Community Friendship Zone, organised in conjunction with the Ruth Winston Centre. Yvonne.......

Just up the road in Winchmore Hill the N21 Festival people are planning this December's St Nicholas Fair, to take place on Winchmore Hill Green on 13th December.  This is a big event and needs help - both money and people.  See below. The N21 team have been busy throughout the summer planning the N21 St Nicholas Festival which is to be held on The Green on the 13th December 2014 from 11.00-19.00  Our thoughts and dreams ... There will also be an ice-rink, an amazing grotto,.......