The community has come together as never before in response to COVID-19 and the Highgate Festival this year is a wonderful celebration of this. There are over 50 amazing on-line events including music, talks, workshops, exhibitions by 12 local artists, films including Open Gardens and Allotments, competitions and walks and cycle routes to get you out and about. Many thanks to all the amazing community organisations, individuals and businesses who have made it all happen.

Some highlights:

Great Highgate Bake Off – Sat 20th 10am register / judging at 4pm with prizes – time to show off those baking skills. At 10A + live music in Pond Square from 11am. 

#BuildBackBetter Highgate Campaign Launch Sat 20th 5pm – join us to hear about how we can build a fairer society and protect the planet.

Black Lives Matter Talk – Monday 7.30pm – hear different voices from our local black community.

Pond Sq Community Plant Swap/Sale – Sat 27th 11am – please bring your plants to raise funds for the Harington Scheme.

Pink Plaques – new recipients announced for 2020 and a quiz for kids with prizes

Whitehall Green Walk-through Festival – visit Harbeton Road all Festival to learn all about how to combat climate change and what you can do.

And so much more, all on the Festival website.

Have your say on Haringey’s safety proposals

The Council wants to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle locally, shop on their local high street, reach their local green spaces, schools and NHS sites, all while maintaining social distancing and avoiding an unacceptable increase in car use and congestion. They would like your suggestions for new temporary cycle routes and low traffic neighbourhoods here

Parking permit consultation

Haringey are also consulting on their proposals to increase parking permit prices and introduce a surcharge for diesel vehicles. Have your say here.

They are re-introducing full parking enforcement from Monday 6 July. You can apply for a permit here. The Forum is chasing the Council on refunds for CPZ permit fees.

Camden proposals for Swains Lane

Camden Council have proposed changes to improve safety for cyclists on Swains Lane, allow pedestrians more room for physical distancing and counter its use as rat run for drivers trying to avoid congestion on Highgate West Hill and Dartmouth Park Hill. The proposals include banning right turns from Swains Lane into Bisham Gardens and South Grove. Bisham Gardens residents have asked that the right turn there should be ‘access only’ and others have expressed concern on the impact of these changes on Highgate West Hill and Dartmouth Park Hill. See the proposals here.

Stay safe and well!
Alicia Pivaro
Chair, Highgate Neighbourhood Forum