Light and flight Festival in Finchley

 Yesterday, we went up to the light and flight festival at Finchley. It is in an amazing setting, a former office with a lake underneath. I had no idea what to expect. As regular readers will know, I was asked by Barnet Council to help them draw up and art and culture strategy in 2022, but they never bothered to read my suggestions and the art and culture team have not been in touch since, which is a shame given that I run the largest privately funded arts complex in the Borough. However, I am always keen to support art and culture in the Borough and was genuinely excited to see what they were doing. 

So what did I think? Firstly, the big takeaway was that it was packed. It was great to see lots of children getting engaged with the activities and the setting was amazing.  I was delighted to see one of the exhibits had a picture of the sixth form of Orange Hill Senior High School in 1979. Oddly, although all my mates were in the picture, I wasn't, but I circulated it on an alumni group and it created a small stir. It was also great to see the exhibits of posters from various gigs in the Borough. There were several posters for events Mill Hill Music Complex had sponsored back in the day. 

There is clearly an appetite for art and culture in the Borough as demonstrated by the large number of people there. Hats off to the organisers for getting the word out. I hope that this is just the start. 

I know that it is always easy to be critical of events and there is only so much that can be done, but it is a shame they didn't ask me for some assistance and advice. I have loads of memorabilia of local music many of my customers at Mill Hill Music Complex do as well. I also felt that it would've been great to have more live music provided by local bands and musicians. I'd happily of supplied a stack of stuff. It would have also been nice to see a reference to Mill Hill Music Festival and something about East Barnet Festival.

What frustrates me most about the "Art in Barnet" issue is that I stated that the very first thing they should do was set up a database of art resources and contacts in the Borough and makes sure everyone who can be is engaged. Events such as this should be used to signpost all of the great things going on. I saw nothing about The Bull Theatre, the local pubs that stage music, the local festivals that are still going. I am not saying this to criticise I am saying this because if it is addressed it will be better. 

But you have to start somewhere and it was great to see something being done.