Barnet Labour doesn't know what art is!

 Barnet Labour recently launched its "There's Art in Barnet Campaign" (with your money). When I saw their offering, I nearly cried. How on earth could they get it so wrong? As someone who has spent their life trying to create a music scene in the London Borough of Barnet, this is a really painful debacle for me to watch unfold. When Labour were elected, their Leader Barry Rawlings asked me to help him draw up a Strategy. I did one for free. I took two weeks out of work and sent a draft to officers and councillors. I had not one comment back and eventually they all admitted that they hadn't bothered to read it. I have discussed this on the blog before. I also predicted what they would do. I said they'd bring in outside consultants, spending huge fees, to produce something that was completely useless and irrelevant. There is nothing I'd have preferred than to be proven wrong. But sadly, even the low expectations I had have not been met. 

So lets start with their video. I suggest you watch it, so you can get a flavour of what I'm talking about

If you make a video that asks the Question "Did you know there's Art in Barnet?", you'd think that there would be an answer to the question, with some examples. What do they give us? A bloke walking around the RAF Museum, which is a culturally important site, but its primary role is not as an arts venue. Now I am into music, I would have thought that the Council would use this opportunity (created with your cash), to look at genuine arts venues and examples of great art. 

As a musician, here's a list of venues I've personally played at in the Borough in the last three years.

2022

11th June, Mill Hill Music Festival, The Adam and Eve, Mill Hill

19th August, The Bohemia, Finchley

2023
17th February, The Edgware Services Club, Burnt Oak 
6th May, The Mill Hill Services Club
28th The Bull Theatre Centre, Barnet 

2024  
13th April, The Bull Theatre, Barnet

17th May, Mill Hill Music Complex Studios
29th June East Barnet Festival 
4th September, Mill Hill Music Complex Studios 

2025
12th April -The Builders Arms, Barnet

That's eight different venues, all of hich have regular live entertainment, including two local festivals. They are just the venues my band have played at. Theres plenty of others that I've been to, all of which I feature in my regular Friday Fun round up of local music. This week, we listed 26 gigs in the Borough. This is just a normal week in the London Borough of Barnet, but there is no mention of this in the video.

There are other forms of art apart from music. I am less well qualified to comment on these, but they are equally as important. We have some amazing public art in the Borough, which I was amazed to see was not featured. A great example is the Handley Page memorial Mural, that I made a video to celebrate the launch of in 2020 (just before Covid)

I also found it bizarre that there was no mention of Barnet's wonderful libraries. There are all manner of fascinating events at these. I was amazed that there was no mention of the Barnet Libraries literary festival in May.

Of course it is easy to moan and groan. I suppose you could say something is better than nothing, if we weren't paying through the nose for such sub standard rubbish, I may have kept my mouth shut. But that is not my style! So I am going to make Barnet an "Art in Barnet" video absolutely free. And if they like it they can have it. When it's done I'll give you all the opportunity to say which one you think is better. 

Updated 29/4/2025 - I had missed the fact that there is a whole swathe of "There's Art in Barnet" videos. Oddly, it seems Barnet Council thinks Tennis is Art?

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There's nothing going on in the Borough of Barnet!

 How many times have I heard this mantra? If I had a penny for everyone who'd said this I'd be a rich man. But is there any truth in it? Firstly, allow me a small diversion, to explain why I am asking the question. The new Leader of Barnet Council has asked me to help him draw up a cultural strategy with a view to a possible bid to putting together a bid for the London Borough of Culture. You may ask "How could a sleepy old Borough compete with the likes of Camden and Westminster, that have clubs, theatres, museums and all manner of other cultural assets galore.

Well lets start by saying what is the purpose of culture? It is the enrichment of people's lives. Whilst these Borough's have amazing places, when you actually look, the Borough of Barnet has an amazing cultural life. The difference is that it all operating on a hyper local level. In Mill Hill we have organisations such as the Pro Arte Choir, The Mill Hill Musical Theatre Company and The Mill Hill Music Festival that organise all manner of well attended shows. These are almost like hidden gems. The value they add in NW7 is amazing but how well known are they beyond the borders of the post code? Surely though a Borough of Culture bid should be firmly based in such groups that actually serve the community and are well established. We also have all manner of church choirs and other music groups, where ordianry people get the chance to make music and enjoy themselves on a regular basis. Such choirs are often a gateway to more serious musical endeavours, as people realise that they can do it and they get a big kick out of it. There are also some great secular local choirs such as the N12 Community Choir, who do a great selection of modern music. 

An ordinary NW7 resident probably has as many, if not more, opportunities to participate in such things as Camden or Westminster residents. We should never belittle such groups, Elvis Presley started off singing in a Church Choir. One of the greatest joys I've had was assisting St Pauls Church on the Ridgeway to stage a Concert by the London Community Gospel Choir. We also have the Hendon Band of The Salvation Army, who are absolutely amazing musicians. They have appeared many times at The Mill Hill Music Festival and are always brilliant. I'd urge anyone who has a love of singing to try a choir, even if you aren't that interested in the religious side. It is a great way to become a better singer. We are lucky to have these groups and I feel we should appreciate them far more than we do.

It is well worth keeping an eye on the Barnet Music Facebook page, that lists events. 

Being in the music industry, I know of quite a few music festivals in the Borough. I've been directly involved in programming three this year. The previously mentioned Mill Hill Music Festival, the East Barnet Festival and this weekend we have the amazing Barnet Summertime Festival. I was given the honour of programming the local heroes stage. This gives brilliant local musicians a great platform. I think it is one of the most exciting programmes you will see at any festival anywhere, with Soul, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Latin, Reggae and a whole host of other great music genres over two days. The acts on the mainstage are top notch artist. Please buy a ticket and go. 

There is far more to local culture than just music. If you are a writer then we have the amazing Greenacre writers group. They organise a writers festival, although like many things, covid has disrupted this. Then there is film, we have the amazing Phoenix Cinema, which to my mind is one of the best cinemas in the country.  We have the Arts Depot and the Bull Theatre that are superb artistic centres and have all manner of activities going on. The Arts Depot currently have a pretty damn good exhibition of work by local artists on currently.

Then there is the amazing regular programme of events at our local libraries.

Find out about #CreativeCommunitiesColindale, a great programme of free events specifically for the residents of Colindale. Check our website at https://t.co/47j618AnPH. Remember to check back at a later date as new events continue to be added! @BarnetCouncil @MillHillLibrary pic.twitter.com/FTJj6whcFC

— Barnet libraries (@BarnetLibraries) July 21, 2022

We also have great community pubs that host all manner of music and comedy. The Adam and Eve in Mill Hill has great comedy, there is an event tonight. This round up is not a comprehensive view, it was just a few things that came to mind, most of which I've had an involvement with at some time. I just wanted to make the point that when people say there's nothing going on in the Borough of Barnet, they are not looking very hard.

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