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"I'm always trying to make things better. I can't help it, it's who I am. I also love being in a community, and I love where I live. For over 15 years I’ve been part of Barnet Society who really have been marvellous: they’re always supporting me and bringing information to my attention which has led to many a community initiative being born. Back in 2008 I didn't like that the High Street was dirty and lots of the shops were looking sad, so along with a great local architect called Judith Clouston we were able to help create a Town Centre Strategy Board, and we started bringing businesses and the community together to improve things. We decluttered the High Street, had events, managed to do up 6 shop fronts, and put up several awnings. It was small but it was a start. We came up with a whole shopping list of ideas, and quite a few of those have been ticked off now. In 2013 we were constituted as The Chipping Barnet Town Team, and together we work hard to improve our High Street, give everyone a voice and get things done.
"I think projects power me, starting something new. I've also got a very short attention span. My Town Team colleague Bob says I have 'the patience of a chocolate teapot' and it's true – I'm very easily bored, so I like to have lots of things on the go. During the pandemic I became a First Responder, phoning people and supporting them, and joined the Barnet COVID Carers group where we share information and recommendations from the Barnet Health Authority and Council. I also got food for food banks, and I used Zoom to carry on with all my committee meetings and to help home-educate one of my 3 grandchildren too. Through Love Barnet, which I set up in 2011, we raised printed banners promoting a 'digital High Street', and our website evolved to become a mine of information about local businesses so people could know where to go for what they needed. We've also recently secured funding from the GLA's 'High Street for All' project to help revive our local economy post-COVID, which is brilliant. It does take a lot of persistence, but I'm passionate about bringing back a sense of pride and value, and I feel so happy when we've helped people get something they wouldn't otherwise have had."
"I'm always trying to make things better. I can't help it, it's who I am. I also love being in a community, and I love where I live. For over 15 years I’ve been part of Barnet Society who really have been marvellous: they’re always supporting me and bringing information to my attention which has led to many a community initiative being born. Back in 2008 I didn't like that the High Street was dirty and lots of the shops were looking sad, so along with a great local architect called Judith Clouston we were able to help create a Town Centre Strategy Board, and we started bringing businesses and the community together to improve things. We decluttered the High Street, had events, managed to do up 6 shop fronts, and put up several awnings. It was small but it was a start. We came up with a whole shopping list of ideas, and quite a few of those have been ticked off now. In 2013 we were constituted as The Chipping Barnet Town Team, and together we work hard to improve our High Street, give everyone a voice and get things done.
"I think projects power me, starting something new. I've also got a very short attention span. My Town Team colleague Bob says I have 'the patience of a chocolate teapot' and it's true – I'm very easily bored, so I like to have lots of things on the go. During the pandemic I became a First Responder, phoning people and supporting them, and joined the Barnet COVID Carers group where we share information and recommendations from the Barnet Health Authority and Council. I also got food for food banks, and I used Zoom to carry on with all my committee meetings and to help home-educate one of my 3 grandchildren too. Through Love Barnet, which I set up in 2011, we raised printed banners promoting a 'digital High Street', and our website evolved to become a mine of information about local businesses so people could know where to go for what they needed. We've also recently secured funding from the GLA's 'High Street for All' project to help revive our local economy post-COVID, which is brilliant. It does take a lot of persistence, but I'm passionate about bringing back a sense of pride and value, and I feel so happy when we've helped people get something they wouldn't otherwise have had."
"I'm always trying to make things better. I can't help it, it's who I am. I also love being in a community, and I love where I live. For over 15 years I’ve been part of Barnet Society who really have been marvellous: they’re always supporting me and bringing information to my attention which has led to many a community initiative being born. Back in 2008 I didn't like that the High Street was dirty and lots of the shops were looking sad, so along with a great local architect called Judith Clouston we were able to help create a Town Centre Strategy Board, and we started bringing businesses and the community together to improve things. We decluttered the High Street, had events, managed to do up 6 shop fronts, and put up several awnings. It was small but it was a start. We came up with a whole shopping list of ideas, and quite a few of those have been ticked off now. In 2013 we were constituted as The Chipping Barnet Town Team, and together we work hard to improve our High Street, give everyone a voice and get things done.