Breathtaking dishonesty and hypocrisy from Barnet Labour over Church Farmhouse Museum

 My attention was drawn to an article in the Evening Standard, stating that Barnet's Labour council are auction off the building that used to house Church Farmhouse Musuem. I immediately sent this email to several senior Barnet Labour councillors.

From: roger tichborne  

To: cllr.b.rawlings@barnet.gov.uk; cllr.a.clarke@barnet.gov.uk; cllr.a.schneiderman@barnet.gov.uk 

Sent: Tuesday, October 28th 2025, 14:35 

Subject: Church Farmhouse Museum
 

Dear Senior Labour Councillors,

In 2014 Andrew Dismore said the following when the Barnet Tories closed Church Farmhouse Museum 

“This is the inevitable consequence of the Conservative Council’s closure of the museum, and after over 3 years, their inability to find someone to take it on. Their so-called negotiations with Middlesex University are going nowhere, as it is clear they are not really interested in taking over this historic listed building because  its uses are so limited. An empty unused building like this is an open invitation  for thieves. The Council has been and is spending thousands on security at the former Museum, for little  good it does;  and Boris Johnson’s cuts in the police service haven’t helped either.The Council should be ashamed of themselves. they will have to replace the missing flags at no doubt considerable expense to the council taxpayers of Barnet, but it is difficult to see  how new stones will be able to replicate the appearance of the stolen old ones. Conservative Barnet could not care less about our Borough’s history and historic buildings”. 

https://barneteye.blogspot.com/2014/05/church-farmhouse-museum-national.html

I note that the Labour Adminstration is planning to sell it by auction. Do we now conclude that Labour are as bad as the Tories. I find it heartbreaking that the Labour Party is seemingly just as bad as the party I worked so hard to get kicked out. Before I launch a campaign on my blog to shame your adminstration, I am writing privately asking you to reconsider. I would appreciate a response. This is an important community asset. Dismore was right in 2014. 

I have cc'd Gerrard Roots, former curator. A staunch Labour supporter, who is deeply upset with the turn of events. I have also copied local author and historian Mark Amies. Both are taking a keen interest in this matter.

Regards

Roger Tichborne

It may, or may not surprise you to learn that none of the listed councillors could be bothered responding. Out of fairness, I have given them a week to reply. I had private messages of support from both of the other people mentioned. I have arranged to meet with former curator, Gerrard Roots to discuss further. A video showing the appalling state of the building and detailing the history is being compiled. On the day the Barnet Tories closed the building, I made this video with Gerard.

At the time, Barnet Labour promised that they "would be different and would respect the heritage of Barnet". These words were completely hollow. I believe the auction is being held later in November. Our Labour Council still has time to reconsider (although I doubt they care at all).

Former Labour Assembly member Andrew Dismore's criticism of the Barnet Tories does sound rather hypocritical and dishonest now, doesn't it? There is still time for Barnet Labour to change their mind, but the fact they can't even be bothered to respond to emails is not encouraging, is it?

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