This month, we remember Harley Atkinson, one of our vice-presidents, who has sadly died. So many of us will miss him and we offer sincere sympathy to Robbie and the whole family. We will be sharing an appreciation of Harley’s valued contribution to Highgate in the Spring edition of buzz.
As we reflect on the impact of respected members like Harley, we look ahead to a full calendar of events. Whether you are interested in poetry, music, the UK climate policy or one of our regular events, there is something to engage and inspire. We are also delighted to welcome back Alice Lascelles for another of her popular cocktail tastings - this time celebrating the martini.
Read on for all the details, and we hope to see you at one of our events soon.
Best wishes
Andrew Sulston
Chair
As mentioned in our mid-January newsletter, one of our vice-presidents Harley Atkinson sadly died on Monday 6th January. We will be including an appreciation of Harley in the Spring buzz, and there is a memory book placed in the entrance to 10A South Grove.
The funeral service will be at 12 noon on Wednesday 5th February at St Marylebone Crematorium, with a reception afterwards at Muswell Hill Golf Club.
We are asked to let Harley's family know likely numbers, and if you have not already done so please email Andrew Sulston (chair@highgatesociety.com) to indicate if you are attending and if you can offer (or need) a car share
NEWS
What’s Next for Archway Campus?
The Save Campus Joint Action Group - a coalition of the Highgate Society, local Archway and Highgate groups and Archway residents - has submitted a detailed 45-page objection to the Seven Capital’s proposed Archway Campus scheme.
This document outlines how the current plans breach numerous national, London and local planning policies and also includes photo montages of the visual impact of the tower on the surrounding area (pages 12 – 19). Furthermore, it highlights that the level of affordable housing promised is far lower than claimed and that 75% of the affordable housing is studios and 1 bed flats which do not meet the need for family housing
The Community Projects group is pleased to announce the unveiling of the new defibrillator at the Highgate Group Medical Practice on North Hill at 1pm on Wednesday 26th February. Cllr Scott Emery as ward councillor will cut the ribbon and representatives of the Medical Practice will attend the unveiling. We raised funds for the new defibrillator and cabinet through a Just Giving appeal to which many of you generously responded. The defibrillator is on the Church Road side of the surgery and all are welcome.
New board and card games group
We will hold a first meeting of a board and card games group at 7:30-9:30 pm on Thursday 27th February at 10A South Grove. Bring along your favourite game. Any queries to chair@highgatesociety.com
50-50 club draw result
The 2024 Draw for the 50-50 Club was conducted at the Society’s premises at 10A South Grove on Saturday, January 4, 2025. A total of £580 was awarded in prizes, with an equal amount donated to the Highgate Society to support its valuable work.
Congratulations to the Winners! And thank you to all who participated and continue to support the 50-50 Club. Your support is greatly appreciated.
The 50-50 Club is a prize draw with half of the funds raised distributed as prizes and the other half added to the Society's funds. For more information and how to participate, click here.
Ballet classes
One of our members is a dance professional and would like to start Gentle Adult Ballet classes at 10A South Grove. For expressions of interest and to know more please contact chair@highgatesociety.com
EVENTS
UK climate policy: what do we need to do?
Wednesday 12th February 2025
6.45 for 7.00 pm
10A South Grove N6 6BS
Entry £7.50 (including a glass of wine)
Dr Alex Lehmann, local resident, academic, and formerly EBRD Lead Economist, will introduce and lead a discussion.
This is the first 2025 talk organised by the Highgate Society Sustainable Living Group. Future events include 'Sustainable gardens for nature' (20th March) and 'Heat pumps uncovered: a sustainable solution for your home' ( 8th May).
Betjeman's debt to Highgate - how a poet conservationist was born?
Wednesday 19th February
7.00 for 7.30 pm
10A South Grove N6 6BS and on Zoom
Entry £7.50 including a glass of wine (£3 on Zoom)
John Betjeman, Poet Laureate from 1972 to 1984, lived his early life in Highgate, having been baptised in St Anne’s Church, attending Byron House and Highgate School..
Steve Jackson, Chairman of the Betjeman Society, says “There were many influences on John Betjeman’s early development but Highgate was important to him and the environment of Highgate around him and I would like to explore this”
Wednesday 12th March
7.00 for 7.30 pm
10A South Grove N6 6BS and on Zoom
Entry £7.50 including a glass of wine (£3.00 on Zoom)
Join Olga Petrouchenko for a talk on the history of English perfumery from the 18th Century to our days. Discover the exciting origins of old English brands like Floris, Atkinson’s, Penhaligon’s, and Grossmith. There will be an opportunity to try some vintage fragrances together with delicious creations of modern English houses like Ormonde Jayne, Gallivant Stories, and Angela Flanders. Get a whiff of history!
Martini - the ultimate cocktail tasting with Alice Lascelles
Thursday March 13th
7.30 pm
10A South Grove N6 6BS
Entry £32 including welcome cocktail, Martini tasters and snacks.
Award-winning Financial Times columnist, Alice Lascelles returns to the Highgate Society to host one of her hugely popular Cocktail Tastings – this time focussing on Martini. For full details click here
To book click here. Places are limited so early purchase is advised and there will be no ticket sales on the night.
Sunday lunchtime concert: Viola Lenzi and Isabella Gori
Sunday 23rd March
12 noon (doors open 11.45 am)
10A South Grove N6 6BS
Entry £15 (including a glass of Buck's Fizz)
Pianists Viola Lenzi and Isabella Gori will be combining forces on the Highgate Society piano to play us some four-handed jazz and folk inspired music.
Think Gershwin, Greig and Dvořák - Slavonic dances, Norwegian dances, Rhapsody in Blue and three Gershwin preludes. A colourful tapestry for dance, culture and virtuosity!
● The next meeting of the Poets Group will be on Tuesday 4th February at 6.30 pm at 10A. Challenges are: Planets (up there); earliest memories; and/or going home. £5 entry includes coffee and biscuits. For more information contact Richard Downes at r.downes@yahoo.co.uk.
● The French Circle will meet on Wednesday, 5th February at 7.30 in 10A South Grove. " We will celebrate "La Fête de la Saint Valentin", that is - LOVE!! Those planning to come are asked to bring with them a short text in French focused on love. We will all read aloud our text and explain to the assembled company, in French, why we have chosen it and how it fits in to the time and place of its origin. Wine, juice and nibbles will be provided. Entry is £10, cash only please as we do not have our own bank account." For more information contactfrenchcirclehighgate@gmail.com.
● Coffee & Computers will have its next session at 10A South Grove on Monday 3rd Februaryat 10.30 to 12.30. It helps if you arrive at the start of the session. To receive notifications of sessions, email highgatecoffeeandcomputers@gmail.com.
● The next two litter picking events will take place on February 15th, meeting outside the library on Shepherds Hill and March 15th at the junction of Wood Lane and Queen’s Wood Road. We meet at 9.30 am and work for an hour. Gloves, bags, litter pickers high viz tabards are supplied. New people are always welcome. infrastructure@highgatesociety.com.
Save the date
Thursday 20th March 'Sustainable gardens for nature' Jeska Harrington-Gould
Wednesday16th April ‘To sea or not to sea – a Cruise could be the answer" John and Katie Plews
Thursday 8th May 'Heat pumps uncovered: a sustainable solution for your home' Gary Woodward
Wednesday14th May "Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties", Leigh Turner
Sunday 25th May - Sunday lunchtime concert: William Jack (jazz cellist)
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who you think would find it interesting. They can sign up to receive it regularly by followingthislink.
To access past issues of this newsletter visit the News page of the Highgate Society web site.
Disclaimer:
The Highgate Society is an unincorporated association established for the public benefit. It endeavours to ensure that the information it provides as a free service is correct but does not warrant that it is accurate or complete. Nothing in this correspondence constitutes professional or legal advice and may not be relied on as such. In no event will the Society be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation indirect or consequential loss or damage or any damage whatsoever arising from any objections, criticism, advice and information it provides.
