Barnet Council has launched a consultation on plans for a new play area at a popular park in Friern Barnet Halliwick Recreation Ground is set to see improved play facilities including a new play tower with slides and bridge An online survey has been launched asking residents to select their three favourite and least favourite pieces of equipment out of the 15 pieces that have been proposed The survey also gives an opportunity to say if there’s “anything missing” and whether the layout is likeable Funding to the sum of £150,000 was allocated to the project by the council’s east area committee and the Friends of Halliwick Recreation Ground are “securing the remaining funding” bringing the total budget to £200,000 The council said it has worked with the friend group on the proposals The council clarified that only the playground under the large tree would be refurbished while play equipment next to the tennis court “will remain unchanged” The deadline to complete the online survey is Sunday Two drop-in sessions where people can ask council staff and view plans is taking place at the playground from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesday The council said following the consultation it would review the outcomes to see if there’s “interest in changing” the facilities and will discuss the results with the friend group and play contractor Plans will then be agreed between the contractor and the council For more information on the consultation and to take the survey visit Halliwick Recreation Ground Friern Barnet – playground consultation | Engage Barnet Harrow Online is a company registered in England and Wales Sign up to Barnet First for weekly service updates and news into your inbox Barnet residents will have the chance to pay their respects to those who have died in conflicts around the world at Remembrance Day services across the borough this weekend Services and parades will take place in solemn commemoration this Sunday 10 November as well as on some other days around that date The Mayor will be attending Hendon War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday and will lay a wreath on behalf of the Mayoralty The Leader of the Council and opposition will be in attendance along with members of the Armed Forces said: “Remembrance Sunday is always a very moving and poignant day and it is important that we remember all those who gave their lives for our freedom in conflicts across the world People across the borough will join commemorations to pay their respects to the fallen The parade will form up at 10.15am at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Two minutes of silence will be observed at 11am Remembrance commemorations in the borough are listed below they will be happening on Remembrance Sunday 10 November The Town Hall will be illuminated in Red on Armistice Day 11 November Wreaths have been sent to Barnet’s twin towns for their Remembrance services on Armistice Day Follow us through our social channels to find out what we're doing Marks & Spencer has today (Wednesday 14th June) officially opened its incredible new M&S Food in the heart of Friern Barnet creating over 70 new jobs in the local area The M&S Friern Barnet team joined Store Manager Neil Conwell and Team Manager Eren Hassan at 9am for a ribbon cutting moment and to officially declare the store open to customers has worked at M&S for 20 years and said it had been ‘incredible’ to see the store come together in the past few weeks An inflatable Percy Pig™ outside the store also greeted customers in the queue The fresh market-style food store offers customers displays brimming with fresh produce sourced from M&S Select Farmers and Fresh Market Specials including Easy Peelers and Grapefruits An in-store bakery serves a selection of bread and pastries including M&S’ popular Collection Sourdough made through a traditional 30-hour process alongside barista-made coffee to go customers can find M&S’ signature cheese and charcuterie barges New York inspired dips and some of M&S brand-new confectionary treats including ‘Choc’ bar flavours 70% dark chocolate dusted almonds and Hazelnut & Milk Chocolate Nutty Clouds M&S Friern Barnet shoppers will be spoilt for choice Customers can also collect their online orders easily via the Click & Collect station and the store also has a Hot Chicken Counter offering whole BBQ and butter basted chickens Over 100 Remarksable Value products are available in-store – everyday staples prince benchmarked against key competitors and with an M&S quality point of difference – to deliver trusted value The new 18,000 sq ft store is one of nine new M&S Food stores opening across the UK this financial year – and part of an over £30m investment the retailer is making in its London stores M&S currently employs more than 13,000 colleagues across the capital The store also has timed LED lighting and fridge doors to reduce energy usage as part of M&S’ Plan A commitment and is partnering with two local charities via Neighbourly to redistribute any edible food surplus M&S Friern Barnet is located at Unit 6 Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays The Retail Park offers shoppers 2 hours free parking Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. United Kingdom Percy Pig stans and Colin the Caterpillar devotees The British icons could be coming to a town near you very soon as M&S is opening half a dozen new stores across the country.  Marks and Sparks announced that it would be investing £480 million into a string of ‘bigger and better’ shops over 2023 and 2024 Last year M&S opened 13 new stores across the UK and in the near future it’s opening a similarly admirable number of new outlets Six new M&S Food Halls are set to open and a further 11 are getting huge revamps.  Could your local area be getting a brand-new M&S? Here’s everything we know so far M&S’s new stores are all food halls These 11 Marks and Sparks shops are getting a revamp.  the retailer has brought new or renewed stores and food halls to: M&S has also spruced up and reopened stores in Camberley The revamped outlets will apparently feature a ‘brand-new produce section ambient and freezer sections twice the size and a larger bakery offering coffee to go’.  operations director at M&S said: ‘London has always been a special place for M&S growing from penny bazaars in the early 20th century into fresh Foodhalls like the one in Brixton we reopened last year ‘We serve thousands of customers in the capital across our full line offering in larger stores on Oxford Street to food on the move in train stations and we are always looking at what we can do next Our pipeline of stores demonstrates our continued investment in London and we will continue to bring the very best of M&S to customers from Brixton to Barnet for years to come.’ Stay in the loop: sign up to Out There our free newsletter about all the best stuff to do across the UK Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! About Us Contact us Evening Standard analysis of key seats in London for the July 4 General Election News | Politics Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Millions of voters across London went to the polls on July 4 to elect the new Government The Standard looked at key battleground seats in the capital and published an interactive map of the results HORNSEY AND FRIERN BARNET WINNER: CATHERINE WEST Top five candidates (in alphabetical order): Dawn Barnes - Liberal Democrats (6,099 votes) Catherine West - Labour (28,535 votes) Area: This constituency includes seven wards in Haringey including Alexandra Park I’m not sure if I’m in this constituency: Here’s how you can check Boundary changes impact (Thrasher and Rallings analysis): Despite significant boundary changes, the political make-up of this constituency has hardly changed, having been won by Labour in 2019 with around 57 per cent of the vote, with the Lib Dems on some 26 per cent, and Tories nearly 12 per cent. Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary Andy Donald revealed the new Members of Parliament for the Tottenham constituency David Lammy (LAB) was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Tottenham constituency Catherine West (LAB) was elected as the Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Friern Barnet Adam Small (LAB) received 3,767 votes.  Congratulations to all the candidates on their successful campaigns and to our dedicated staff for their hard work and commitment The number of votes for the St Ann’s by-election has been announced on Friday If you are passionate about the future of the borough and want to make a difference then think about getting involved in local politics Drivers are being urged to follow the regulations as penalty charges for parking and traffic violations are set rise across the capital for the first.. Bibi Khan MBE was among more than 50 inspirational women to attend a special International Women’s Day event at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday night.. Sign up to HPX now we'd like to know more about your visit today Unfortunately we are currently having issues connecting to our feedback service Over 3,000 homes in the N10 postcode area are without gas following water from a burst main entering the gas supply network on Sunday (12 January) The postcode straddles the Barnet and Haringey border but most of the affected properties are within the borough of Barnet has warned it will take at least a week for gas to be restored Cadent is also leading on the support for residents living without gas during the cold weather A customer support hub is in operation in Freehold Community Centre An emergency phone line is open 8am-8pm – 0800 389 8000 Cadent is providing electric heaters and hobs as well as food vouchers to residents on its Priority Services Register The council has an emergency response in place The council’s Adult Social Care and Children’s Services are liaising with Cadent to ensure that all vulnerable residents are being supported and to provide daily welfare visits.   Finchley Lido has offered the use of their showering facilities for affected residents during normal opening hours.  Barnet Homes and care providers in the area are also engaged and are responding to any urgent needs for additional support.  Cadent is leading on the emergency response so residents are asked to contact their emergency call centre for support: 8am-8pm – 0800 389 8000 Call: 0800 389 8000 – line is open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday Online updates: https://cadentgas.com/incidents/loss-of-gas-n10 If you smell gas – call 0800 111 999* immediately Please ask for ID before letting anyone into your home Please visit in person for other/specific enquiries to Cadent Gas Existing additional services in your local community: Free Hot Showers (availability is limited) Free Hot Food and Drinks (availability is limited) If you experience an electrical power cut then call UKPN’s helpline on 105 for assistance Mark Durrant - Liberal Democrats (2,614 votes) Dan Tomlinson - Labour (21,585 votes) Theresa Villiers - Conservatives (18,671 votes) I’m not sure if I’m in this constituency: Here’s how you can check Boundary changes impact: The seat is absorbing just under 12% of adjoining Hendon and a small portion of Finchley and Golders Green. Both areas voted Conservative in 2019 but are tipped to surf the projected Labour wave this time. Parishioners at St John’s Friern Barnet welcomed the Bishop of London on Sunday as part of a celebratory service of thanksgiving for Bible Sunday Tributes were made to Graham Gunn who after 44 years of teaching is retiring from the profession in December He has taught in Barnet schools since the 1980s and been Headteacher of St John’s since 2003 and was awarded the St Mellitus Medal for his lifelong service Graham reflected on the many changes in the world of education throughout his career and praised the countless dedicated staff governors and clergy for their continued support He added that it had been the greatest privilege to work with and care for the children he has taught and been responsible for and that he will cherish these wonderful memories throughout his retirement The service also marked 30 years of St John’s Parish Centre which was opened by the then-Bishop of London churchgoers would use the old Victorian vicarage and washing up was accommodated by local parishioners who lived nearby and could cart everything home to wash and has become home to a huge variety of activity groups ranging from Parish Play Group to Slimming World to dance classes and Junior Church  “It was a great joy to visit St John’s for Bible Sunday and to witness God’s work being carried out in Friern Barnet They are truly blessed to have had Graham at the helm for the past 20 years and I wish him all the best for his well-deserved retirement shelter and community of places like St John’s Parish Centre cannot be overstated and I applaud the work of the parish in creating such a valuable and welcoming space.” “We were delighted to welcome Bishop Sarah to celebrate with us I am really pleased to see the parish bouncing back after the pandemic while continuing to serve God and our community and bringing people together We are a genuinely welcoming and inclusive community where everybody is included and nobody is excluded.” ©2024 Diocese Of London | Manage Consent | Website WINNER: DAVID LAMMY David Lammy - Labour (23,066 votes) Hari Prabu - Liberal Democrats (1,928 votes) Attic Rahman - Conservatives (2,320 votes) Wards: Brownswood; Bruce Castle; Hermitage and Gardens; Northumberland Park; St Ann’s; Seven Sisters; South Tottenham; Tottenham Central; Tottenham Hale; West Green; Woodberry Down Boundary changes impact: The constituency is gaining segments from two neighbours - Hornsey and Friern Barnet, and Southgate and Wood Green - and losing a sliver, without any major impact on its voting mix. A centuries-old statue that towers over visitors in Friary Park was removed by Barnet Council for six months and has now been restored it to its original state The Peace statue has been removed for two months of restoration works The 11-foot bronze Grade II listed ‘Peace’ statue – which stands on top of 200 tonnes of Devon granite – was first installed in the beauty spot in March 1911 It had been donated by wealthy benefactor Sydney Simmons who paid for the purchase of the Friary Estate on the condition that it forever remain a public park The statue stood in Friary Park for more than a century without anyone realising it was of Queen Victoria until the Friern Barnet & District Local History Society discovered its true origins but the origins of its centrepiece Peace sculpture remained a mystery until a discovery by local historian Nick McKie three years ago Treasurer of the Friern Barnet & District Local History Society said: “My research began with the aggravating mystery of how ‘Peace’ came to our park without ceremony “Something like 10 years later and after much midnight oil we know her in intimate detail Apart from today’s workaday spear in place of her original dove-topped sceptre It was made as a memorial to the Great Exhibition by renowned sculptor Joseph Durham to be displayed in South Kensington as part of the 1862 International Exhibition the showpiece of the event was changed to a statue of Prince Albert after his sudden death in December 1861 The Peace statue then stood on its own in the neighbouring Royal Horticultural Society Gardens until they closed in 1881 It is not known what happened to the statue between 1881 and 1911 or how it ended up in the hands of Sydney Simmons Mr McKie said: “Where she was in-between remains a stubborn mystery I live in hope that interest in her present restoration will jog a memory somewhere.” It is known that Mr Simmons donated the statue to Friary Park in memory of Queen Victoria’s son The king’s death was just a day before the park opened His Majesty had been known as “The Peacemaker” after establishing good relations between Britain and Europe which included helping to establish the Entente Cordiale with France in 1904 revealed in 2019 that the statue had originally been designed as ‘Queen Victoria as Peace’ following an open competition for sculptors the statue originally held a rod of equity and mercy – on which a dove which had broken over time. It is thought that the spear represents ‘armed peace’ Barnet Council’s restoration works have reinstated the dove and the statue was returned to Friary Park in September 2022 The north London library was closed by Barnet council last April. The squatters entered the building through an open window in September, restocking shelves with donated books and acting as librarians with the backing of the local community. In December, despite recognising their right to protest a judge ruled that they were to be evicted following meetings between Barnet council and locals an agreement has been reached for the library to be run as a community facility by residents "With the council's One Barnet change programme making greater savings than initially predicted I am pleased that we no longer need to sell this building to support the library capital programme," said Barnet council leader Richard Cornelius "I've met with the trustees of the community library who are a very committed group of local residents and I'm looking forward to seeing the new community facility up and running Hampstead Garden Suburb already has a vibrant and popular community library and I would be delighted to see a similar success in Friern Barnet." The council has given library trustees a licence to be in the library legally for the next month after the squatters move out It is then set to award them a two-year lease to run the library as well as a grant of £25,000 and what Cornelius described as "other practical help" "There are a lot of very happy people here today," said activist and squatter Pete Phoenix speaking from a ceremony today where the library was set to be handed over by the squatters to the trustees of the newly formed Friern Barnet Community Library "It's been five months of direct action and local cooperation [and] we're very happy with a major victory." Phoenix said that although residents had been campaigning to save the library for two years and they were on the point of feeling 'that's it' "This is a triumph for the local community," said one of the trustees of the new community library And we were told the building would be 'marketed' We achieved this through constant campaigning and building a broad alliance including squatters local residents and library campaign groups." Residents are now looking to find at least 50 volunteers to help run the library and will continue to push the council for a paid librarian Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times News | London Detectives have issued an appeal after two men were injured in a stabbing in Barnet Police rushed to the junction of Parkhurst Road and Friern Barnet Road at 9.13pm on Thursday after reports of an attack An 18-year-old was taken to hospital after he was found at the scene with stab wounds to his stomach attended a north London hospital shortly after with a stab wounds which he is thought to have sustained in the same incident His condition was also assessed as not life-threatening Both men were later arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and remain in custody Detectives from the local policing team in Barnet have carried out a number of enquiries including visiting nearby properties and speaking to witnesses Furniture Village is to open a new store in London’s Staples Corner on Boxing Day The shop will replace the retailer’s current store in the area which is situated in Friern Barnet Spanning 16,920 square feet across two floors the store will offer merchandise that has been tailored to the needs of Furniture Village’s North London clientele including best-selling styles and ranges from Friern Barnet It will also feature the retailer’s latest store design which has been designed to enhance the customer experience said: “We are incredibly excited to open our newest Furniture Village store in Staples Corner Retail Park a popular shopping destination for furniture and homeware in North West London Our new store will showcase our beautiful and unique furniture and accessories for every room in the home with each piece hand-picked by our expert team of buyers and sourced from across the globe.’’ The shop will include dedicated spaces for brands such as Calligaris Harrison Spinks and Vispring and will also offer exclusive collections Harrison added: “We have a wonderful team in Friern Barnet and are delighted that they will be relocating with us to the new store We all look forward to welcoming customers through the doors on Boxing Day.’’ A reworking of the principles of 18th century landscape for today’s urban environment is the idea behind J&L Gibbons’ scheme for the former Friern Barnet sewage works since when it has been left derelict allowing regenerative ecology to take hold some of ecological importance including the bee orchid and golden dock There are three broad zones (open ruderal grassland; part shaded woodland; and dense woodland) through which human activity has created a network of informal paths Alongside these stolen cars have been dumped and left to rust The aim of the scheme is to build on the site’s seclusion retaining its abandoned cars as modern follies which will each have a picket fence border and band of foxgloves and lupins The spaces are treated in different ways with the upper area turned into allotment space for local residents and schools; the mid level have a quiet woodland spaces are covered in recycled brick rubble to create habitats for invertebrates and reptiles www.jlg-london.com Forgotten Spaces: All 20 shortlisted entries feature in a public exhibition at the National Theatre until 4 July www.nationaltheatre.org.uk this piece by Peter Blundell Jones and… One of the chief influences on the design of the National Gallery… Browse the Women in Architecture calendar and keep up to date with…