Coming up we have a Guerrilla Gardening discussion evening in 10A on Friday 3rd and we’ve featured some residents who have taken on looking after an old cattle trough. Thank you. On the 8th there is a talk about Highgate Cemetery’s planning for its future and then jazz on the 26th November. Fed up with the forlorn look of the Old Bus Stand we’ve organised a Christmas Market on 2nd December.
A bar is proposed for Upstairs at the Gatehouse, but we are pushing for robust conditions that give priority to theatre performances. Meanwhile, arrangements for workshops to consider Highgate School’s ambitious development plans are taking shape.
There is more below. Do make sure you scroll to the end!
NEWS
Upstairs at the Gatehouse: Bar Licence Needs Conditions
The Society successfully applied for the listing of the Theatre (including the auditorium, box office, green room and storage) as an Asset of Community Value, inhibiting any change of use. We are therefore disturbed that an application for a licence by the owners of the Gatehouse pub to open a bar in part of the theatre area has specified no conditions to ensure the first floor bar will not interfere with the operation of the theatre. It would make a mockery of the Asset of Community Value listing for a licence for a bar to be granted without such conditions. For more information click here.
Historic Church Road Trough Given New Use
Celia Davies from our Community Projects group recently wrote an article for the Ham & High about neglected cattle troughs. Why not look after these and plant bulbs for next Spring we asked? A group of three local residents responded to the call and we all met up for a great session on Saturday 28 October. Look out for the flowers in the Spring and let us know if you would like to take on any cattle troughs or other neglected areas near you. Please email the group on: Infrastructure@Highgatesociety.com. See also the “guerilla gardening evening” update below
The Old Garden Centre in Townsend Yard
Some long standing residents will remember Chris Southwood who bought the nursery in Townsend Yard in the early 1970`s and ran it as a garden centre until purchased by Colin Campel Preston. Chris now lives in Spain but still takes an interest in Highgate and has sent us some wonderful old videos. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeBWfdk6Ais and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-L42uzPmJM.
He says: “It what was a happy and creative time for me. When I bought this land it was derelict. Before my purchase many planning applications had been made, all rejected. So I am proud that I kept this land open as a thriving and attractive business set out with lawns and other areas where residents could wander and enjoy the views”
He made a positive difference to Highgate. The site is now Omved Gardens and if you get a chance to go to an event there, do take it up or go to one of their Open Days. See https://www.omvedgardens.com/.
If you have memories and old videos of Highgate do let us know and share the YouTube or other links with us.
Highgate School Planning Application Workshops
The Society has been working with the School to take forward plans for workshops to consider the School's planning applications. These are now likely to take place in the New Year and we hope will be facilitated by the Prince's Foundation. For details click here.
Notification of Licensing Applications
The Society has been concerned for some time that when there are applications for new licences – for pubs, restaurants, clubs or all-night food venues – local residents are not told. The only notification is by an A4 notice outside the premises, which can be easily missed, or not seen until it is too late to object. This is different from planning applications when neighbours are written to. We don’t think this is consistent with the community involvement to which both Councils are committed by their Constitutions.
We have made formal delegations to Camden and to Haringey about this. As we have previously reported, Camden have as a result introduced a process where residents and businesses can apply to be notified of any application for a licence in their ward. You can sign up for their licensing alerts at www.camden.gov.uk/licensing . Haringey have now said that they intend to introduce a similar arrangement, which will rely on new software which they hope to have in place by late 2024.
Christmas Day at Jacksons Lane
For 48 years Jacksons Lane has opened its doors on Christmas day to older adults who would otherwise be alone. This year they will be hosting 100 guests at an in-person event and delivering over 200 Christmas hampers to those in need. It’s a huge community effort and this year, with the impact of inflation and the cost of living crisis, they have asked for any help that you can give.
Joining the pay-what-you-can carol singing fundraiser on Wednesday 29 November
Saving the date to donate during Big Give week (28 November – 5 December) when every donation will be doubled to help us reach their target of £20K
Find out more information about the Jacksons Lane Christmas Day project here.
We’re taking the opportunity to brighten up the Old Bus Stand in the centre of Highgate Village with a Christmas Market on 2nd December. Do come along for some Christmas gifts, decorations, plants, festive drinks and food from our local businesses.
Other news
English Heritage is running a consultation on events at Kenwood House over the next six months. An open meeting is to be held at Kenwood on 6th November. For details click here.
Congratulations to the Highgate Neighbourhood Forum on its redesignation for a further five years by both Camden and Haringey boroughs. Highgate is one place but is divided between boroughs with the Camden / Haringey boundary running down Hampstead Lane, Highgate High Street and Highgate Hill. Planning and its enforcement is covered at the borough level and so there is a continuing risk of poor coordination between approaches in the Camden and Haringey parts of Highgate. However, the neighbourhood plan extends across both boroughs and provides a valuable if still imperfect framework for cooperation.
Looking for a fun way to make a difference in Highgate? Introducing the Highgate Society’s 50 50 Club. The 50 50 Club is a fundraising draw that benefits both its members and Highgate. By joining, you're not just entering a lottery – you're investing in Highgate's future. For full details click here.
EVENTS
Guerrilla Gardening Discussion Evening
Friday 3rd November
7.30 pm to 9.00 pm
10A South Grove N6 6BS
The Community Projects group is holding a guerrilla gardening discussion evening. If you have ever wondered what guerrilla gardening is or how it has its “roots” in the Civil War, then come along and find out. We will provide light refreshments (no charge) and talk through different ways to support the work (spade-wielding is only one of them). All are welcome.
Highgate Cemetery: Facing the Future
Wednesday 8th November
7.30 pm
10A South Grove London N6 6BS and on Zoom
Ian Dungavell, chief executive of the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust, will present the designs for the proposed works to the cemetery.
Entry £7.50 includes a complimentary glass of wine (£3.00 on Zoom).
For more details click here. To book click here.
Sunday Lunchtime Concert
Sheila Smart and Peter Michaels Jazz Duo
Sunday 26th November
12 noon
10A South Grove N6 6BS
Entry £15 to include a glass of Buck's Fizz
To book click here
Shirley, trained at the GSMD in London and in Paris, before moving to Jerusalem where she spent ten years soaking up the music tradition of north Africa. Peter is a multi instrumentalist and composer who has expanded his style to incorporate music from Brazil, India and the Middle East. They have been playing jazz together for over 8 years taking in a number of festivals and clubs such as Ronnie Scotts. Sample their music on YouTube here.
Highgate Watercolour Group Autumn Show
St Paul's Cathedral by Jacqueline Freeman
11th October to 6th November
Daily from 12 noon to 4.00 pm Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, London N6 5HG
Private view: 7.30 to 9.30 pm on 11th October. If anyone would like an invitation, please email the Watercolour Group at highgatewatercolour@gmail.com.
When planning your visit, due to occasional unscheduled closures at the last minute for other events, please check at www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk or phone them on 020 8348 8716. More information is at www.highgatewatercolour.org.uk.
More events
● The nextFrench Circle meeting will be on Wednesday 1st November at 7.30pm. The entry charge is £10 (cash only, on the door) and wine, juice and nibbles are provided.
● The next Coffee & Computers session will be on Monday 6th November at 10A South Grove. To receive notifications of sessions, email highgatecoffeeandcomputers@gmail.com.
●The Poetry Group has its next meeting on Tuesday 7th Novemberat 6.30 pm. The challenge for the month is 'to those we've lost/to those we love' £3 admission includes tea and biscuits. For more details contact Richard Downes at r.downes@yahoo.co.uk.
● The next Tidy-up event is on Saturday 11th November. Meet on Shepherds Hill outside the library. For more details click here.
The Harington Scheme is running its Christmas Fair and Open Day on Saturday 9th December. Details here.
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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.
