The following places are offering a warm welcome to everyone this winter – no obligation to join in activities or spend any money:

• Jacksons Lane Warm Space, 269a Archway Road, N6 4AA, 10am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sundays.
• Holly Lodge Community Centre Warm Welcome, 30 Makepeace Avenue, N6 6HL, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-4pm.
• Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG, Tuesdays 3.30- 7.30pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Community festival funding in Camden

Applications are now open for grants between £200 and £2000 to organise a community event in 2023. Find out more and make an application here.

Highgate Festival returns from 10-18 June, kicking off with the Fair in the Square. As well as our usual venues and organisations, we are inviting groups and individuals to put on events, exhibitions, walks etc that celebrate the unusual, hidden creativity and passions of Highgate locals – past and present. Please email info@highgatefestival.org with your ideas. Deadline is 28th April, so get in touch a.s.a.p.

Permission granted for five houses on Highgate Hill

Artform developers have been given planning permission by Islington Council for 5 new houses on Highgate Hill next to the Brendan the Navigator pub. More details on the architects bureau de change website.

Dockless bikes in Haringey

Have your say on dockless bikes in Haringey in a consultation that runs from Monday 23 January to Sunday 19 February. You can find the survey and interactive map here. 

Biodiversity updates

Youth Nature Wellbeing Project on Hampstead Heath 
Heath Hands is launching a pilot project inviting young people aged 13-16 who struggle with school attendance to take part in nature activities on Hampstead Heath. The new project aims to promote mental wellbeing and practical skills through a combination of hands-on conservation work, nature art activities and forest-school style experiences. Sessions will run in February/March 2023. Learn more here.

New Nature Interpretation Centre appeal
Heath Hands is turning a room at the Kenwood Dairy into a new nature interpretation centre to provide information and activities about the wildlife and nature of the Kenwood Estate. The aim is to create a resource centre to help engage visitors and new audiences about the natural heritage of the Estate and we are fundraising to help support this work. Find out more and support the project here.

And finally, how’s this for an idea for helping wildlife cross our main roads?!

They have 30 of these Ecoduct bridges in the Netherlands. Please let us know about any other bright ideas you have for biodiversity corridors in Highgate.

Alicia Pivaro
Chair, Highgate Neighbourhood Forum