MILL HILL TODAY READ on www.issuu.com
APRIL 2018 www.mhtoday.co.uk Vol 2 Issue 4 Issue no. 9
TOWN SQUARE MARKETS MONTHLY SPECIALITY EVENTS FOR NEW SQUARE Starting 14 April for ‘Saturdays in the Square’
A specialty food and drink market located solely in Mill Hill Town Square. The organisers received many requests for more frequent market visits, and knowing the Mill Hill residents love good food, have extended the programme of markets to include Saturdays in the Square. So say good-bye to winter and enjoy spending some time in the Square with great food and drinks; it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with family and friends. The first Saturdays in the Square market will feature Mill Hill favourites such as woodfired pizza from Mangiamo Pizza, African food from Rose of Africa, seasonally-flavoured jams from Gorgeous Jams, Portuguese delicacies from Silmar’s Taste, artisan sourdough bread from Levain Bakery, coffee, teas and sweet treats from Mill Hill-based Coffee Mobile and more. The market will be open from 11am-4pm, perfect for lunch, tea-time, or just to bring home to enjoy throughout the weekend. For more information or to apply for a pitch at one of the markets, please contact Vibe Market at udenson@btinternet.com or borchardsara@gmail.com or visit www.udensoncaldbeck.co.uk/vibemarket. SEE THE STALLS INSIDE ON PAGE 4-5
BOB’S CAFE TO OPEN ON BROADWAY APRIL 10th Delisserie closed last month and is to be replaced by a legendary West London eatery - the much feted BOB’S CAFE which has a fantastic choice of menu and drinks. The Cafe is to open on TUESDAY 10 APRIL and so make sure you get along to find out what all the fuss is about! Good prices and you can find photos and menu examples on their website. Yet another fantastic restaurant opening on the Broadway and one which we think will prove to be very popular.
MILL HILL’S Monthly Newspaper FREE on-line Edition
Comment Published by : AMG The Broadway
EDITOR : The Community COPY EDITOR : John Gillett SPORTS EDITOR : Hugo Webster WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Richard Logue Hugo Webster Caroline Oliver Farhat Dar John Gillett Niamh Vibe Markets Sam Elliott Broadway News and Blog IMAGES : Caroline Oliver Broadway News Mill Hill Guide John Gillett Vibe Markets
Welcome to our 9th monthly edition. Thousands are reading this newspaper every month and we are pleased that many businesses and organisations are taking advertising.
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The Paper is a collaboration between local graphics company AMG and the Neighbourhood forum. All profits will go to the NW7hub to help staff the place where many community events for all ages are now taking place. Therefore, by advertising and writing for this your community newspaper you are also helping to sustain activities in the area.
T b t c m
Thank you for your comments. It is your newspaper therefore we want to hear from you. Use the contacts on the left and shoot us an email etc.
m H
Graphics : Broadway Design & Graphics
WEBSITE : www.mhtoday.co.uk TWITTER www.twitter.com/mhtoday1 BROADWAY NEWS SITE BLOG : www.millhillbroadway.co.uk TWITTER : www.twitter.com/millhillbwy MH NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM WEBSITE : http://millhillforum.org.uk/ TWITTER www.twitter.com/millhill_nf INSTAGRAM :https://www.instagram.com/ millhill_nf/ FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MillHillForum/ NEXT ISSUE : 30 APRIL 2018
ADVERTISING
The New Town Square comes to life from this month with furniture and then monthly events. Opening on Broadway in April is the first major restaurant opening of 2018 with BOB’s CAFE the popular artisan London chain bringing their popular offering to our High Street. We will cover this next month and urge you to go along and try them out and welcome them to our area.
E MAIL
Until next month please keep supporting all our local shopping centres and parks and amenities. Use it or lose it goes the phrase - never truer than in these difficult economic times. Enjoy your area !!
mailto:john@nw7hub.org.uk
ARTICLES FOR NEXT ISSUE SEND TO info@millhillbroadway.co.uk
We are non profit making. All proceeds will cover our online costs and any profits will go to NW7hub Charity.
CONTACT : John at
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NEWS
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
for Sunnydale Gardens & Beech Walk & Limes Avenue
I am the co-ordinator for the Neighbourhood Watch covering Sunnydale Gardens, Beech Walk and Limes Avenue. I receive a weekly report from the Metropolitan Police which I forward to all my members who are on email. Fortunately 95% of them have this facility.
NEWS IN SHORT
PIZZA COMING
The famous DOMINOS Pizza are going to be taking over the The information I receive lists the incidents perpetrated in this area, containing old Lloyds Bank bulletins relating to car thefts, and home and garden thefts, also frauds that try site at the end of to entice one to give private information relating to ones private life, bank and Broadway. credit card details. This can include the villains posing asuniformed officials, meter readers, charity collectors and various other disguises. A much needed use of this buildHopefully this will alert householders to be extra vigilant and can assist police ing and will draw to cut crime. If you live in one of these roads and are not already a member of much business the scheme, please contact me on from Mill Hill Circus in coming my email address - haroldnewman@hotmail.com years. HAROLD NEWMAN MBE
up jump
RAD ballet tap streetdance •
•
at Mill Hill Music Complex also at The Venue O2 Centre NW3, UCL Academy NW3 and Saint Christina’s School NW8
erna @ jumpup.co.uk 07946 581933
www.jumpup.co.uk
NEWS NEW FACEBOOK PUBLIC GROUP FOR MILL HILL Launched in March the INSIDE MILL HILL GROUP is now the largest public group for Mill Hill on Facebook. Run without any interference from businesses it is independent and wants everyone to join. You can advertise once on a Thursday your business or service but the rest of the time the group is sharing news and photos of Mill Hilll. Encourage your friends to join. On TWITTER the largest Mill Hill account in MILL HILL BROADWAY with over 3,000 followers and growing fast every day. If you join this group then you will see retweets from all the major organisations and businesses in Mill Hill who tag this account. On INSTAGRAM the MILL HILL BROADWAY account is also linked in to all local businesses and organisations and has nearly 300 members. On BLOGGER the MILL HILL BROADWAY NEWS account has up to 13,000 views a month and provides a detailed news service for the area. On FACEBOOK the NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM has a large group of over 2,000 that discusses issues to do with planning and events in the area. Also join the NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM MAILING LIST which gives you a monthly mailout to your inbox with the latest issues facing the area and the NW7Hub news. http://www.facebook.com/nw7hub http://www.nw7hub.org.uk/
THE NEW SATURDAY MARKET
Favourites including the incredible PIZZA car from Mangiamo plus the best pastries in London from Fala Portugues, as well as fudge jams and REAL BREAD on Broadway as well as much more. Make sure you come to the first event and bring your shopping bags !
Save the dates for the following markets and festivals on Mill Hill Broadway: 4-5 May
Mill Hill Spring Market
29-30 June
Mill Hill Summer Festival
14 July
Saturdays in the Square Food and Drink Market
21-22 September
Mill Hill Autumn Market
13 October
Saturdays in the Square Food and Drink Market
2-3 November
‘France at Home’ French Market
30 November – 1 December
Mill Hill Christmas Lights Switch On and Market
NEWS Neighbourhood Forum NEWS Round-up
Mill Hill Litter Pickers Next Date
The Mill Hill Litter Pickers will be out again on Saturday 7th April at 11.00am meeting initially in the Daws Lane Car Park before descending on a deserving area which needs their attention. Feel free to join them. If everybody did a little bit of litter picking regularly Mill Hill would look much nicer for all.
Town Square Progress
During April you will see the planters & the seating installed! We apologise for the delay some of which has been caused by the unusually cold weather that most plants do not thrive in. No vehicles are allowed on the Town Square! The following sign, with or without words underneath, means that no vehicles are allowed in the area with the exception of cycles that are wheeled & not ridden.
NW7 Hub - New Design
The penalty for ignoring the sign is as follows: A TS50 means that the driver did not legally obey the traffic sign. The driver can be fined up to a maximum of £1,000 and will receive an automatic three-point penalty on their licence.
Early in April we will have the Plans for the new NW7hub in Daws Lane. This is a site in the Green Belt, in Mill Hill Park (see photo above right ) and Barnet Council have transferred the asset to our Charity. The new building is being designed to fit well in this residential street and to maximise views over the Park. It will be twice the size of the existing NW7hub premises in Hartley Avenue where the plans will be on display. There will be a 6 week “consultation” period where your comments will be well received. The scheme will then be examined by an independent expert. There will then be a Referendum (no nothing to do with Brexit) run by Barnet Council during which everyone on the electoral role in NW7 will be able to vote for or against the designs. It is the first time this process known as “the Community Right to Build” has been used in Barnet, so do please watch this space!
BY JOHN GILLETT
Other Planning Matters: Three applications are of most interest this month: Naturally Pentavia Retail Park still looms over Mill Hill like a Concrete Cloud! The Mayor Of London has now published his views of the Scheme which in conclusion say: 62 London Plan and draft London Plan policies on housing, affordable housing, town centres, retail, community uses, design, energy and transport are relevant to this application. The proposals do not comply with the London Plan and draft London Plan. The following changes, however, might lead to the application becoming compliant: • Principle of development: The principle of the residential-led redevelopment of the site is supported, subject to addressing access issues and concerns about the DMR rent levels. • Build to Rent Housing: The scheme provides 35% affordable housing by habitable rooms, all of which are DMR, an intermediate tenure, which accords with draft London Plan Policy H13. The DMR is proposed to be 80% of the market rent; this is unacceptable. Paragraph 4.7.4 of the draft London Plan is clear that 80% of market rent is not ‘genuinely affordable’ in London; the proposed rent levels must be revised to provide a range of affordable rents below 80%, including London Living Rent. All BTR and DMR homes must be held in a 15-year covenant, with an appropriate clawback mechanism; this must be secured within any S106. • Design: The site is isolated by the roads that enclose it, the M1 to the immediate west and the A1 to the immediate east. The success of the scheme is dependent on its pedestrian links to its surroundings; the applicant must consider alternate pedestrian route configurations and create a clear, legible entrance into the site for pedestrians. • Energy: Legible ‘BRUKL’ sheets must be provided for assessment. The applicant must provide a plan to illustrate the heat network connections, including confirming that all domestic and non-domestic uses will be connected. • Noise: Noise mitigation must be secured by condition. • Air quality: Air quality mitigation measures must be secured by condition. • Transport: Further pedestrian and cycle access details must be provided. Financial contributions towards a bus route, a Travel Plan, a Delivery and Servicing Plan, a Construction Logistics Plan and a Construction Traffic Management Plan must be secured. DMR = Discount Market Rent BTR = Build to Rent BRUKL = Building Regulations UK part L (air quality) You can read the Mayor’s Full report at http://millhillforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/GLA-3756a-Stage-1-Letter-and-Report.pdf The Barnet Local Plan should provide protection from anything being built in this location that is over 4-5 storeys high but clearly the Developers believe they can ride roughshod over such regulations. The Mayor of London does not support as above a retail led development which rules out continued use as a Retail or Leisure Park! Lloyds Bank to become a Domino’s Pizza – see application to change from Class 2 (Bank) to Class use 5 (Take-away) Application 18/1288/FUL refers. Click on link below: https://publicaccess.barnet.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=P4TD94JIM8G00 Quite apart from the fact that we already have 3 places to buy Pizza within 100 yards of this site (Not a planning issue bizarrely) a Take-away Pizza store at this site near the end of our High Street will detract from the Street-Scene, bring noise late into the night, more rubbish and potentially anti-social behaviour. It will be untenable for those who live in the flat above. We do not want more bikes taking up car parking spaces on the Broadway and the façade of the building is a landmark at the gateway to our Town Centre so it should not be changed. You are welcome to comment to the Council on this application at the link above.
NEWS Neighbourhood Forum Other Planning Matters: Continued St. Vincent’s School, The Ridgeway, NW7 1EJ - Application 18/1518/FUL Improvements to school grounds to create level areas to be used for outdoor sports, horticultural activities, informal recreation and general outdoor education and play. https://publicaccess.barnet.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=P5BAVPJIMMT00 While parents of children at the school and teachers, may support the scheme, few live nearby. Local people who live in Woodcote Avenue are very much against this scheme which varies little from the previous one that the Council refused. They are worried the 30,000 Sq metres of landfill will cause flooding and perhaps even slip down the hill into their properties if not properly retained. The Ridgeway is always busy and this application calls for 2500 Lorry movements (or is it 5000 counting in & out) to bring soil from St Johns Wood over 16 weeks. That’s 156 lorries per week or 31 a day. This site is in Green Belt in the Mill Hill Conservation Area and it is a SINC (Site of Interest for Nature Conservation). We do not understand why the apparently much needed additional sports fields are not located close to the School buildings (to the top left of the picture) and their woodland farm located at the bottom of the site which would not require as much if any landfill. Of course, Landfill can be very lucrative hence the attraction of the scheme to the school, but not to local residents who care about the disruption to wildlife habitats, the Conservation area, and of course the inevitable traffic congestion. In the application, the Construction Management Plan suggests a wholly unacceptable alternative route for their lorries from Apex Corner, down Highwood Hill to the Ridgeway. There are properties in the village that simply cannot withstand such traffic movements. This needs to be removed and if approved the project must have a “Banksman” who will direct traffic to turn right down Bittacy Hill after unloading and will not accept loads from lorries approaching the site from the left.
SHOPWATCH
Following recent incidents, we are suggesting to all shop-owners that SHOPWATCH should be implemented in our Town Centre and similarly in the other shopping centres around Mill Hill. A Shopwatch scheme[1] in the United Kingdom is a partnership where retailers unify as an independent group[2] to pre-empt theft in retail premises. The Shopwatch organisation works closely with local authorities and intends to reduce retail crime and antisocial behaviour and to help make shopping areas safer for customers and staff. Law enforcement supports the Shopwatch, as it works in concert with public safety campaigns, and retail crime reduction initiatives. Watch out for such signs (tailored to Mill Hill) as they appear in shop-windows
BY JOHN GILLETT
OWL – Online Watch Link Have you all registered for OWL? Do so without delay at this link http://www.owl.co.uk/
Dates for your diaries - Markets / Festivals etc The Public Meeting of the Mill Hill Neighbourhood Forum will be held on 16th and 17th May with the AGM for MHNF on 16th May. The venue is the NW7hub in the Library Building, Hartley Avenue NW72HX and the meeting starts at 7.30pm. Attendees should register for the day they wish to attend at host@ nw7hub.org.uk
Do save the dates for the following markets and festivals on Mill Hill Broadway: 4-5 May
Mill Hill Spring Market
29-30 June
Mill Hill Summer Festival
14 July
Saturdays in the Square Food and Drink Market
21-22 September
Mill Hill Autumn Market
13 October
Saturdays in the Square Food and Drink Market
2-3 November
‘France at Home’ French Market
30 November – 1 December
Mill Hill Christmas Lights Switch-on and Festiv
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THE BOYFRIEND Mill Hill Musical Theatre Company BY FARHAT DAR FOR MILL HILL TODAY We need to have, we plead to have… The Boy Friend! The curtain goes up this month on Mill Hill Musical Theatre Company’s special two-night staging for its patrons of all-time classic The Boy Friend! On Friday 13 & Saturday 14 April at 7.30pm, the lights will have been set, the scenery will be in place, musical director Margaret Dewar’s fingers will be poised above the piano keys, and the cast will be in fine voice in readiness to put on Sandy Wilson’s muchloved musical at Hartley Hall, Flower Lane, NW7 2JA. Written in the 1950s, as an affectionate send-up of bubbly, light-hearted song-and-dance shows of the 1920s, The Boy Friend is charming, witty and fun – and one of the best British musicals of all time. You won’t want to miss it. The story centres on the love lives of the teachers and pupils at Madame Dubonnet’s finishing school on the French Riviera, a refined establishment for the daughters of well-heeled British families. Its charming young pupils, with anything but their studies on their minds, burst into song at the least provocation – and forbidden boyfriends are forever popping through the French windows to flirt and sing along. Polly Browne is too rich to be allowed a beau, as there are too many fortune-hunters around – but oh how she longs for a handsome young man of her own. But she falls in love with delivery boy Tony… what will her father say? With a fantastic array of catchy, up-beat songs, including I Could Be Happy With You, Sur Le Plage, Won’t You Charleston With Me? and title tune The Boy Friend, you’ll be sure to leave the show with a smile on your face. The Boy Friend stars Kim Llewellyn as Polly, Rob Brown as Tony, Barbara Shapiro as Madame Dubonnet, Georgia Dove as Maisie, Matthew Shaw as Bobby, John Lanigan-O’Keeffe as Percival Browne, Clare Shah as Hortense, Nigel Kelly as Lord Brockhurst and Chris Hubbard as Lady Brockhurst.
To see the show, you must be a patron of Mill Hill Musical Theatre Company (tickets are not available on the door). Becoming a patron is easy. Simply contact MHMTC’s Patrons’ Secretary, Sharon Brandelli on 020 8449 4943 / sharon.brandelli@hotmail.com. The annual patron’s subscription is £15 for adults and £9 for under 16s. Once you’ve become a patron, you can see the show for free. Just let Sharon know (by Wednesday 11 April), which night you would like to attend. As well as seeing the show, you’ll be served a light supper during the interval! You’ll also get a discount on the gala nights of our October production, plus invitations to our very popular quiz nights. We do hope you’ll become a MHMTC patron and come and see The Boy Friend! The Boy Friend • Friday 13 and Saturday 14 April 2018 at 7.30pm • Hartley Hall, Flower Lane, Mill Hill, London NW7 2JA • To attend, contact Patrons Secretary Sharon Brandelli on 020 8449 4943 / Sharon.brandelli@hotmail.com
MONTHLY FEATURE |Working on Broadway Have you ever wondered when you buy your coffee in one of the great coffee cafes on the Broadway what it is like to work in one ? We are pleased and grateful to Niamh for writing for us to tell us about her day ! This is her fourth installement If you work in Mill Hill please let us know about your day !
Unfiltered News : GETTING A GRIP Mill Hill café worker, Niamh, discovers that entering the world of work and adulthood is not all it’s cracked up to be.
Riding into work, down Mill Hill Broadway, on a scooter, isn’t exactly how I pictured rolling into my adult life. To clarify, I’m not talking about a moped, nor an electric scooter you may have seen suits gliding on along the city streets. I’m referring to an unbranded, rusted, clattering, wake the neighbours up at the crack of dawn, smash your shins into, use your foot as a break, kind of bad boy. As a child I had a very specific vision of life at eighteen. Who doesn’t? I thought that eighteen meant a car, and therefore, road trips, a 24-hour gym membership and ventures to 24-hour food chains. Everything had to be available to me 24-hours a day, because time would no longer control my life. There would be no more bed-times, home-times or play-times. No more timetables, timelines or term-times. But, apparently, it means driving lessons, insurance, buying a car and road tax; four things that were conveniently omitted from American chick flicks. Eighteen also thrust me into the world of overpriced bus travel. And therefore, just as easily as Will Hunting, in ‘Good Will Hunting’, avoided an overpriced education at Harvard by opting for late fees at a public library, I ditched four wheels for two. Now, the response my two-wheeled companion earns me, varies greatly. Some customers from the café undoubtedly re-evaluate my age as I exit the workplace with a scooter. As soon as I set a hand on it I seem to become unprofessional in their eyes. They share glances amongst each other, questioning how a five-year-old just served them. ‘It must be her little sister’s’; their looks assure each other. If I keep a straight face they’ll believe it, if I smile, they won’t. Or is it the other way round? My friends point out that I have legs and that, therefore, there is no reason to ‘commit social suicide on a daily basis’. My colleagues joke about the absence of my hi-vis jacket, helmet and knee pads. Others seem to think that I am confident because I don’t care what they think. Well, since when has caring what people think halved your journey time? And to be honest, I find joy in doing something that the style conscious wouldn’t dream of doing so, as long as I am on wheels I will be happy, even if the wheels aren’t air pressured and there aren’t four of them. Niamh
mh today February 2017 www.mhtoday.co.uk
www.millhillbroadway.co.uk www.millhillforum.org.uk
COMMUNITY In community news this month we are pleased to share the latest developments at our local community centre THE NWhub. See the ads on this page and opposite to Monday see daily activities - many of them free of charge or with a Baby and Toddler Toys and Tales very small cover charge.
What's On at the NW7hub & Mill Hill Library
10.15am—11.30am £3.50 per child Term You can use the cafe to work in fortime FREEonly if you buy a coffee
etc. and this is a quiet place with excellent tables - and if you want you can hire a business hub workspace for the Tuesday day or longer in rooms set apart from the public and with Book Club proper desks and chairs and other facilities. Go and have a Free look - it may surprise you that such a facility is available 2.30pm—3.30pm in Mill Hill. New pricing for the business hub is now happenMeets monthly .Contact the Library for future dates ing check the hub space website here :
Wednesday www.nw7hubspace.co.uk Baby Rhyme Time Free THE MILL HILL GUIDE IS 10.45am—11.15am AVAILABLE IN THE CAFE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COPY Term time only
Wednesday Conversation Cafe Free 10am—11.30am Term time only Practice speaking English Wednesday BUSINESS HUB Active Generation ( Over 50’s) 2.15pm—4.15pm FREE to work in the CAFE weekdays Weekly social afternoon featuring scrabble, art and FREE Wifi available£3.00 inc tea and cake guest speakers
( We ask that you buy some coffee etc) DESKS AVAILABLE Various Costs dependent on use
Thursday Over 50’s Coffee Morning Weekly 10am—12noon MEETINGS ROOMS Enjoy a chat over a coffee and biscuit Available for hire for your business meetings LECTURES/CONCERTS/SUB 100 THEATRE/ MUSIC PRODUCTIONS The whole Hub is available to hire with various Where spaces to promote events up to 100 seated for to find us: your music or dramaMill or comedy events Hartley Avenue NW7 2HX Hill Library,
Library: 020 8359 3830 mill.hill.library@barnet.gov.uk
NW7hub : 020 8906 3125 host@nw7hub.org.uk
WEB REVIEW | GAMING
Each month we look at different aspects of Games - Videos and much more on the web and cover local music and events with a twist ! This is the fun page for MH Today. Contact via the weblink below. CHANNELS TO LOOK OUT FOR ON YOU TUBE Read the review in the Arts Section and then visit STARSET online
STEAM
On the internet there are many gaming sites but one of the originals and largest is called Steam. You can buy most games through the site and you can create your own profile. It caters for platforms including PCs, Macs, Linux etc. and it is easy to use. LINK If you want to create Games then try Speed Tutor for UNITY 3D games engine.
LINK
To start playing you just create an account and download the app to your computer. Then you can shop for games and play them. Over 15 million were online when I wrote this review with over 5 million gaming ! It is an ideal place to start playing games or to find many indie games as well as mainstream games. http://store.steampowered. com/
TWITCH
This the world’s largest broadcast gaming platfom where you can watch every game on every platform. Now with Amazon Prime you can get free games each month to play as well. Another established site. Ideal for beginners and experienced gamers. Go and explore ! www.twitch.tv Apologies for no Drop Pink revew. The snow upset our travel plans. The gig was a great success.
FOLLOW SAMANTHA on THE WEB and TWITTER www.samelliottdesign.co.uk
FAMILY SEASON Summer and Winter 2018 at Mill Hill Library
Wizard of Oz Theatrical Experience Come join the great & powerful Oz for his interactive magic show!
Halloween Fun Day Fun day of scary face paints, spooky singing and monster mashing! Fairytale Ball Dance the day away with all your favourite fairytale characters!
Christmas Pantomime Brand new professional pantomime!
www.nw7creatives.com
THE SECOND ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY 14 APRIL Dont Miss this popuar event
LONDON ARTS HUB REVIEW Welcome to our new review centre here at MH TODAY covering the best shows and gigs in London so that you can get a flavour of what is hot out there. From Opera and Ballet to heavy rock we will cover it all and if you wish to review for us please send us your reviews and photos to the email address on Page 2. ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ROYAL BALLET GISELLE March 1 2018
ADLEPHI THEATRE KINKY BOOTS March 21 2018
This was the long awaited Natalia Ospipova and David Hallberg partnership arriving in London for two nights only in the classic ballet.
With songs written by Cyndi Lauper this was a musical which has gained rave reviews over the two years it has been on.
The place was literally buzzing with excitement despite the snow falling outside which gave it a Russian flavour.
This is not the original cast and we even had the understudy on for one of the lead parts yet this musical thrilled the sold out audience with its sheer theatricality and passion.
We were not to be disappointed because the two principals delighted the cheering audience in the first act with a masterclass of ballet. It was simply breathtaking. However, as the interval went over it was clear that something was wrong. Sadly David Hallberg had injured himself. So he was replaced at the interval. So we got another fine dancer for the second act. This was also stunning with Natalia Osipova drawing gasps with her incredible dancing. Surely she is the greatest danceer in the World right now and especially at this role of Giselle.
The story is about a Shoe Factory but follows the son of the owner. He makes friends when grown up with another son - without telling too much more the other son sings with his Angels who are all in drag - beautifully done and with incredible choreography. The story is very moving for a musical and the music is played and sung to a very high standard on s tage that moves seemlessly through the story scenes.
Probably one of the best musicals in the West End at present - so I would highly reccomend it to anyone. It has great music, great dance, great story If you ever get a chance to see this ballet then and you leave the theatre feeling much happier take it - and if you ever get a chance to see Natalia Osipova then also take it. If you love dance you will than when you went in. not be disappointed. There are ticket offers for around ÂŁ20 from many of the agents and the views are good from all seats in Thousands of happy ballet fans left the ROH back this lovely theatre. into the spring snow and knew that they had witnessed a very special evening of ballet. Dont miss this show ! It is booking until the end of the year.
LONDON ARTS
REVIEW ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ROYAL BALLET THE WINTERS TALE March 20 2018
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ROYAL OPERA CARMEN March 6 2018
This was the third run for this spectacular ballet based on the Shakespeare play.
CARMEN by Barrie Kosky upset many in the auditorium who wanted a traditional telling and costumes for this popular opera.
Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon ( Alices Adventures, An Amercian in Paris) and music by Joby Talbot ( Sing Movie, Alice ). The actions takes place over three acts and each one is completely different.,.
However, for sheer origiality this version is hard to beat. Staged on a huge set of steps the action is clear and has a narrator. The music and dancing was sensational.
The only problem was that the first two acts are put together and it lasts 2 hours before the interval Christopher Wheeldon’s choreogrpahy has a real which is quite a long time ! However, that apart heart and expression making him probably the the third act after the interval was so lively that greatest living ballet choreographer in the World at most audience member s could forgive that ! present. With some of the best known tunes to come from The first act is dark and edgy but the second has an opera and that have been used in adverts and on incredible set with a huge tree under which muradio for years there is a familiartity with Carmen sicians play a folk ensemble leading to a glorious that you instantly get. second act of dancing. The final act is the way in which the story is ended back in the darker places but this time with a happy ending. If you know the Shakespeare tale then you will find most of the story and characters are coevered in the ballet. It is a really tremendous telling of the story. The music is fabulous and gets better every time you see the ballet. Another success for the Royal Ballet and a ballet that should be popular for many decades to cone. Dont miss it next time it is on.
S HUB REVIEW
The story is a very interesting one. She is a gypsy girl who basically gets the men around her to become obsessed. It cant end well and it does not for her !! The good news if you missed it is that the Royal Opera are bringing it back for DECEMBER 2018 and again in JUNE 2019. So there are two chances to get tickets to see this show in all its glory. If you are a purist then dont bother but if you love theatricality and edgy theatre with great music then you will love it. Check the Royal Opera Website for booking dates for December and June, Tickets go on sale to friends from June. The public in July.
REVIEW O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMY STARSET March 23 2018
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ROYAL OPERA THE HOUSE OF THE LIVING DEAD March 8 & 11 2018
The long awaited first headline by the Sci Fi band Starset led to huge qs through the Angel shopping centre. The sell out crowd were to be rewarded by one of the most memorable gigs in London this century. Though unable to bring their full show to the venue the band with three members in Space suits which lit up and moved with the lighting rig and two classical violin/cellists set against video screens made for a spectacular show which defied catergorisation. The message is about technology and the future of mankind. Starset play almost continuously without much chat. The audience sang along to almost every song which came from their two albums TRANSMISSIONS and VESSELS. At times it felt like being in the future - or even some sort of theatrrical religous experience. The band call the gigs DEMONSTRATIONS and the set is scripted. It appealed to all the senses and the audeience simply went crazy. At one point I literally feared for my safety ! It was so crazy. After 17 songs finishing with the band’s anthem MY DEMONS the audience left the venue in a state of happy shock. To have been at this event was a privelege and something I will never forget.
This is a review of two nights at this amazing opera. The opening night and the following Saturday. Set in a Siberian prison the director had made the prison a modern one. Wthin the set of the prison the action unfoldeed relentlessly. We saw the prisoners recount their stories about the incidents that led them to end up in prison. It had a real resonance with today’s massive prison popution in the UK - where we lock people up more than anywhere else in the World except the USA. Punctuated by video based on Richard Foucalt;s writings it was clear the Director does not believe that prison is a good thing. The action on the stage echoed that as well. Janacek’s music was brilliantly played by the ROH orchestra under Mark Wigglesworth. The lead characters were amasing including favourites from the UK Willard White and Nicky Spence and several international stars. An incredible cast. This is the first of a series of Janacek operas at the ROH and next year sees Katya Kabana staged. If the quality is anytihing as good as this then it will be a must see production.
I just hope they return again soon to London and to a bigger venue - because after this they will need it !
EST. 1935
020 8959 0011 www.cosway.co.uk MILL HILL’S LEADING ESTATE AGENT
REVIEW ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL ORGAN RECITAL DANIEL COOK
LONDON COLISSEUM LA TRAVIATA MARCH 28
This was the third recital in this year’s series. The Durham organist formerly of Westminster Abbey and Southwark Cathedral played a very impressive set of pieces including Bach. The power of the Festival Hall organ and the sheer emotive playing that Daniel Cook provides when he plays made this concert easily the best one of the series so far. The last concert is at the end of April and for just £15 you can sit in the stalls seats with a fantastic view of the organ and enjoy its great power and colour.
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The popular opera got the Daniel Kramer treatment and was an exciting version of this great piece. Starting in a mirrored brothel moving to a strange country garden and then a part venue to a grave in a graveyard of candlelit beds this production demanded your attention. The music was fantastic and the cast excellent. The full house showed the public are enjoying this run. Catch it over the Easter holiday - some tickets still remain. It is fun and engaging and well worth a visit with tickets from £12.
REVIEW LONDON PRO ARTE CHOIR SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2017 ST MICHAEL's CHURCH, FLOWER LANE, MILL HILL DVORAK Mass in D POULENC Gloria The first concert of 2018 by the London Pro Arte Choir was an unfamiliar programme for many of the large audience which made their way to the lovely St Michael's Church in Mill Hill. However, an evening of thoughtful and beautiful music lay ahead. The audience faced East and the choir was set up in three blocks in front of the Choir Stalls. Accompanied only by the organ the programme started with introductions from the church's vicar Father Stephen who had been impressed with the rehearsal sounds which drifted into his window next door ! The two pieces both were sung in Latin and had a religious context which fitted with the venue and the Lenten season. The Dvorak Mass in D is more commonly found in Cathedral programmes and is not performed too often. This is a real shame because it is a lovely Mass setting. It was clear from the beginning that the Choir had understood how to sing this piece for maximum effect. Smooth textures and use of dynamics brought life to each part. The organ was played lightly and with excellent registrations. The whole effect was one of reverence and the audience responded warmly to the this. The Mass was divided into two by a solo organ piece by Bach. After the interval the much anticipated Gloria by Poulenc was performed. A stunning work which again does not get enough performances. This was the first time I had seen this without an orchestra but it allowed the text to shine. The choir again showed their sensitive side pulling out the quiet drama of the piece effectively. The solo soprano was taken by Augusta Hebbert and her voice shimmered in the acoustic of St Michael's with a fine clarity. The finishing Amens at the end left a period of silence before the audience gave a huge round of applause bringing back the Conductor Tom Winpenny, the soloist and organist to the stage a couple of times and having them presented with gifts as well. Mill Hill is lucky to have such an excellent choir on their doorstep who give a high standard of performance for less than ÂŁ15 and Under 18s going free. This concert showed that the choir is developing well under Tom Winpenny and is capable of taking on some unfamiliar and sensitive work in their repertoire. Their next concert is on June 16 " Feel the Spirit " with pieces by Rutter and Lauridson, and I would recommend that you go along and see for yourself. There are also some big plans for later in the year as the choir looks to bring in new members and we will bring you the details in the summer.
NEW DANCE & DRAMA CLASSES
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Presents
The Mad Hatter's Tea Party 6th, 7th & 8th April
ÂŁ7 per child
Meet Alice and the White Rabbit as they take you on their journey through the library to find the Mad Hatter's tea party. Finish the day with a wonderful show and a yummy slice of cake...if you can find the Mad Hatter that is!
WHAT’S ON local THE BOYFRIEND in APRIL Patrons Performance by MHMTC Mill Hill Music Theatre Company [MHMTC] will be performing a special show THE BOYFRIEND in early 2018 ( See advert on previous page ).
Send your events to info@millhillbroadway.co.uk
SEND US YOUR EVENT IT IS TOTALLY FREE TO BE LISTED HERE Send to info@millhillbroadway.co.uk
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MONTHLY
ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR SATURDAY 14 APRIL NW7HUB After an incredibly popular first event the Arts and Crafts Fair is back at the NW7Hub on 14 April. WIth several hundred attending last time we suggest you get there for the start at 2p.m ( the event goes until 5p.m) There were activities for families - the cafe was open for coffees and snacks. In addition there was badge making stalls - art stalls plus loads of things to buy and look at. Those who attended last time were really impressed and most said they would return. So spread the word and make sure you dont miss it this time. Please support the only Arts and Crafts Fair in Mill Hill and since we lost our Arts shops on the Broadway and the short lived crafts shop - this is the only way to enjoy your arts and crafts fix. ENTRY IS FREE !! Which is why it is so popular !! as well as the high quality and huge number of stalls OVER 30 at this one !!
DATE : First Thursday of month 7.30p.m The Chandos NW9 COMEDY CLUB FREE Laughter and great food. Dont miss ! www.chandosarms.co.uk
DATE 3rd Weds of month 7.45p.m Adam & Eve NW7 COMEDY CLUB £6 Top comedy and extensive food offering. Upstairs at the Adam & Eve presents award-winning comedians delivering a mixture of new material as well as tried and tested bits. 3rd Wednesday of the month Doors Open at 7:45pm Show - 8:00pm to 10:00pm Ticket Price: £ 6.00 (advance) / £7.50 (at the door) www.adamandevemillhill. co.uk
SEND US EVENTS AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE LAST FRIDAY OF MONTH Need to be accessible via Bus Routes or Thameslink from Mill Hill
WHAT’S ON West End etc. APRIL
BOOK AHEAD
2018 7.30p.m London Coliseum VARIOUS £12 - £105 now booking for La Traviata, The MArriage of Figaro and more. Check site www.eno.org
APRIL Various Dates ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MACBETH £9 - £195 Starry Verdi opera. Returns and Rush only. www.roh.org.uk
APRIL to MAY 7.30p.m ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MANON £4 - £115 Stunning ballet with beautiful music, A must see but selling fast. www.roh.org.uk
Travel to Blackfriars Station from Mill Hill Broadway direct. You can walk along the South Bank and within 15 minutes have access to the National Theatre, BFI, The Royal Festival Hall. Further down the road is the Young Vic and Union Theatres. It has great walks and views !
Visit The South Bank
July 13th -September Various/ Daily ROYAL ALBERT HALL South Kensington Promming £6 Various The World’s cheapest top classical concerts. Book online on the day at 9a.m for £7,25 or join the Q from about 5p.m www.bbc.co.uk/proms
June/July 2018 7.30p.m Young Vic Theatre The Cut From £10 - £40 FUN HOME The brilliant Broadway hit comes to London www.youngvic.org
MILL HILL PRESERVATION SOCIETY is delighted to support the valuable work of the Neighbourhood Forum To see how we fight to maintain the green spaces and unique character of Mill Hill visit our website www.mhps.org.uk Join us and help us try to keep Mill Hill a pleasant place to live contact@mhps.og.uk 020 8906 0769 Mill Hill Preservation Society
SPORT
MILL HILL VILLAGE SPORTS CLUB FAMILY FUN DAY & FETE
This is the first of the big events being held to celebrate the Club’s 150th Anniversary this year. It is taking place on 6th May at the Club. Burtonhole Lane, Mill Hill, NW7 1AS. On offer are a number of thrilling inflatable rides and adventures for ‘kids’ of all ages! Plus FREE ENTRY AND FREE PARKING! Traditional Fete and Funfair activities Petting Zoo Football and Cricket based games Competitions Wide range of Stalls Cake Sale Face painting Good selection of Food choices Icy Rolls, Candy floss and Popcorn Specialist Coffees, Pancakes and Waffles Bar Open throughout Silent Auction Big Raffle Proceeds in aid of the Club and of air charity Partner Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Sport at Mill Hill Village With Winter refusing to give way to Spring, there have been lots of weather related fixture cancellations in recent weeks. Mill Hill Village’s two Football teams are both well placed in their respective divisions and both harbour hopes of securing a promotion spot as the Season run-in looms large. Cricket activities are currently confined to indoor practice sessions. These take place on Monday evenings for the Juniors and Wednesday evening for the Adults, both at Mill Hill School Sports Centre. The Outdoor season gets underway in the second half of April. Get in touch via any of the websites, email or social media details provided if you or any of your family would like to get involved. We cater for any age, 6 to 60! Recruitment for our next generation of Club Cricketers is in full swing, under the ECB All Stars Cricket banner. Mill Hill Village CC are a delivery centre for the All Stars programme, giving 5 to 8 years a fantastic first experience of Cricket. Sign up your child via the following link : - http://allstarscricket.co.uk/millhillvillage
Mill Hill Village Sports Club in the Community We were delighted to be invited by our Charity Partners, to the formal laying of the first brick, in construction of the Ark. It will be the first children's hospice building in North and Central London. It was great to see so many other community Groups also there, in support of this wonderful Charity. Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice provides clinical, practical and emotional support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families living in North and Central London and Hertsmere. At the moment this means providing Hospice-at-Home support to over 160 children with no children’s hospice building, with many spending large amounts of time in hospital beds. Which is why construction has begun on ‘The Ark’, a purpose built hospice where children and families can spend their precious moments. Based in Barnet on green-belt land, The Ark will be built on a 7.5 hectare plot of land and is designed to encourage engagement with the local landscape, with a light filled central atrium and glazed entrances to the building. The new hospice building will be 2,200 meters squared allowing onsite care for 450 children with expert end of life care, respite support, essential therapies and activities for the children and their families. If you would like to donate, please visit : https://www.buildingtheark.org.uk/give-an-hour/ @NoahsArkChildrensHospice #GiveAnHour
Our Junior Football Academy is also open to newcomers. Get in touch, or just come along on Saturday mornings from 9am.
SPORT by Hugo Webster
MILL HILL RUGBY CLUB Celebrating 80 Years
The recap: A touch time in the latter part of the rugby season, the 1st & 2nd XV have come in 2nd a couple of times after an unwelcome break to the season due to fixtures not being fulfilled by others which has stifled momentum. The sides look to now come in 2nd and 3rd in their respective leagues – which would still be a fantastic achievement which reflects the hard work and commitment put in by so many. With just a couple of games to go before the end of the regular season we can promise we’ll do our very best in representing Mill Hill and finishing on a high. Feel free to come down and show your support! We will soon be focusing on our tour to Romania where we will have two fixtures. Watch this space! What’s new? Women’s Rugby has officially launched! The 1st meet/ training session will take place Thursday 29th March at Mill Hill RFC 7:30pm-9pm. We’ll also have a Saturday ‘Pitch up and play’ on the 7th April to boost recruitment. All are welcome, all abilities from ages 17+ , this is a totally new side so we want to introduce rugby to as many as possible! What’s going on? On Saturday 7th April we’ll be hosting a family fun day with Barnet Mencap who we’ve been working closely with, it’s a totally free event, open to all, so we hope to see lots of you there! On May the 12th we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we’ll celebrate conjunction with our end of season dinner, on this occasion we are welcoming all to attend – get in contact for details! Questions from the community – We’d love to know if there’re any burning questions anyone from the community has for us, we’re open to hear ideas, concerns, queries, and would love to know what more we as a club can do for Mill Hill and the wider community.
Did you know? The well-loved Adam & Eve pub was where, after many drinks, Mill Hill Rugby Club was formed 80 years ago!
Website: www.millhillrfc.co.uk Facebook:\ www.facebook.com/millhillrugby Twitter: @MillHillRFC Google maps: MILL HILL RUGBY CLUB