The Ratepayer was our residents’ association newsletter between 1933-1937. Its front cover stated it was 100% non-political then, as it is now.
A collection of 25 issues, that originally belonged to Mrs C A Friend of 10 Pennine Drive, was donated to the Memories Local History Group, while holding activities funded by a Brent Cross Community Fund 2021 grant. These original issues are now part of Barnet’s Archive and will soon be publicly available online through Open Barnet Data – an amazing source of information!
It’s not possible to thank everyone involved in making our neighbourhood such a friendly and enjoyable place to live. But we are especially grateful:
To our wonderful local pharmacy, W. Price Chemist, in Pennine Parade, which is a linchpin of our community. They’re an invaluable asset to our neighbourhood, offering exceptional service that always exceeds expectations. Mr Patel and his team are truly dedicated to providing top-notch care.
To the local Baptist church for the endless hospitality it shows to the residents’ association.
As you may know, the proposed plans for Clitterhouse Playing Fields were unanimously approved by Barnet Council, despite 82% objections.
The application was then referred to the Secretary of State (SoS) because Sport England had objected. However, our MP did not want to get involved and the SoS did not call it in. An opportunity for some levelling-up in Cricklewood was lost.
Our Keep Clitterhouse Green campaign to protect the playing fields continues.
We are now crowdfunding to determine whether the application can be taken to judicial review. We think there are strong grounds but it is not for us to say. Money raised will pay for solicitors and a barrister to prepare a legal opinion so we can assess best way forward.
It would be great to have your support. You can donate via GoFundMe.
As you may know, the proposed plans for Clitterhouse Playing Fields were unanimously approved by Barnet Council, despite 82% objections.
The application was then referred to the Secretary of State (SoS) because Sport England had objected. However, our MP did not want to get involved and the SoS did not call it in. An opportunity for some levelling-up in Cricklewood was lost.
Our Keep Clitterhouse Green campaign to protect the playing fields continues.
We are now crowdfunding to determine whether the application can be taken to judicial review. We think there are strong grounds but it is not for us to say. Money raised will pay for solicitors and a barrister to prepare a legal opinion so we can assess best way forward.
It would be great to have your support. You can donate via GoFundMe.
For those that are not yet aware, the proposed plans for Clitterhouse Playing Fields were approved with conditions at Barnet’s last Strategic Planning Committee on 4 October.
The Keep Clitterhouse Green campaign achieved:
Noise barriers.
The inclusion of the South Entrance.
More flood mitigating measures.
1,000 free hours for community use of the pay-to-play facilities.
Recognition that there are serious concerns about the use of AstroTurf instead of natural grass.
We do not think these improvements go far enough.
GGERA, Brent Terrace Residents’ Association, residents’ groups from Swannell Way and Clitterhouse Estate and other nearby residents will continue to try to influence the development for the benefit of all.
Many thanks to Alan Dowsett and Chris Scivyer from the Handley Page Association and to Gary O’Keefe from the Victor Association for their exhibition and slide show at Clitterhouse Farm on 13 May in support of the Keep Clitterhouse Green campaign – to the tune of The Voice of Reason choir led by Ryan O’Riordan. Clitterhouse Playing Fields is all that remains from Handley Page’s former Cricklewood Aerodrome.
It’s been a busy summer at the farm garden with a great crop of tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, potatoes, etc.
Even though we are lacking the space, we desperately wanted to grow different varieties of pumpkins and squashes this year. The most obvious solution was to create an additional veg plot in the park, next to the Herb Garden: a Hügelbed – which is a no-dig raised bed, built with layers of wooden logs, branches, wood chips, horse manure (we went on a field trip to College Farm in Finchley 😊) covered with a mixture of compost and top soil.
There are many advantages to Hügelbeds:
They don’t need constant watering.
The buried wood stores rainwater and releases it slowly during drier times.
As the wood decays, it generates heat which could extend the growing season.
And no fertilizing is needed for years to come!
… Amazing!
Back in spring we were lucky enough to receive generous funding from the North London Waste Authority to roll out our Community Composting Project.
Thank you to everyone who has been dropping off their vegetable scraps with us over the last few months. It’s made a massive difference. We are currently collecting more than 60 kg of food waste each week.
We all know that food rotting in landfills is a major contributor to climate change. Composting waste is a simple way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the quality of soil at the same time.
If you would like to know more, please get in touch. Just email garden@clitterhouse.com or simply swing by on a Thursday or Saturday (between 11 am and 3 pm).
Last but not least, you might know that we celebrated our 10th Anniversary at Clitterhouse Farm a few weeks ago. It was a very special day filled with live music, delicious food, creative workshops and great community spirit.
A big thank you to our volunteers and to everyone who has supported us over the years. It means a lot. ❤️
Special thanks to Councillor Giulia Innocenti and to residents from The Vale for securing funding for this opportunity to beautify and improve the ecology of the green corridor in The Vale.
