https://thefinch.news/ Independent local news for Finchley and Barnet. en-gb https://thefinch.news/article/reflections-on-belfast https://thefinch.news/article/reflections-on-belfast Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:51:33 GMT Opinion The Finch team reflects on the Public Interest News Foundation's Local News Forum in Belfast and what it means for independent local news in Finchley. https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-and-finchley-back-to-winning-ways-with-a-convincing-2-0-victory-over-ram https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-and-finchley-back-to-winning-ways-with-a-convincing-2-0-victory-over-ram Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:41:12 GMT Sport Wingate & Finchley return to winning ways with a 2-0 home win over promotion-chasing Ramsgate at Summers Lane, North Finchley. https://thefinch.news/article/sexual-assault-protest-held-outside-mcdonalds-hq https://thefinch.news/article/sexual-assault-protest-held-outside-mcdonalds-hq Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:57:56 GMT News Campaigners from the Bakers' Union and End Not Defend protested outside McDonald's UK headquarters in East Finchley, calling for tougher protections against workplace sexual harassment. https://thefinch.news/article/former-editor-of-the-observer-joins-the-finch-as-editorial-advisor https://thefinch.news/article/former-editor-of-the-observer-joins-the-finch-as-editorial-advisor Thu, 15 Oct 2026 20:59:48 GMT Opinion Paul Webster, former editor of The Observer, joins The Finch as Editorial Advisor and explains why independent local news matters for Finchley and Barnet. https://thefinch.news/article/business-handed-3500-fine-for-high-street-sign https://thefinch.news/article/business-handed-3500-fine-for-high-street-sign Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:41:35 GMT News Chicken Hub on Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, was prosecuted by Barnet Council and fined £3,500 after placing a promotional sign on the pavement. https://thefinch.news/article/barnet-remove-ex-grenfell-housing-boss-after-community-campaign https://thefinch.news/article/barnet-remove-ex-grenfell-housing-boss-after-community-campaign Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:29:42 GMT News Barnet Council acts after a community campaign over the appointment of a former Grenfell Tower housing director to a senior housing role. https://thefinch.news/article/largest-budget-gap-of-all-london-councils-driven-by-legally-binding-services https://thefinch.news/article/largest-budget-gap-of-all-london-councils-driven-by-legally-binding-services Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:58:40 GMT News Barnet faces London's biggest council budget gap — £200m by 2029 — driven by adult social care for the capital's oldest population and temporary housing. https://thefinch.news/article/nourishing-calm-supporting-mental-wellbeing-in-finchley https://thefinch.news/article/nourishing-calm-supporting-mental-wellbeing-in-finchley Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:06:41 GMT Food & Drink How anxiety shows up in the body and mind, and practical, nourishing ways to support your mental wellbeing — local advice for Finchley residents. https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-finchley-win-7500-despite-fa-cup-exit https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-finchley-win-7500-despite-fa-cup-exit Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:49:35 GMT Sport Wingate & Finchley's joint-best FA Cup run ends 3-1 to Bedford Town in the replay at the Maurice Rebak Stadium — but the Blues bank £7,500 in prize money. https://thefinch.news/article/council-considering-council-tax-rises-to-close-200m-budget-gap https://thefinch.news/article/council-considering-council-tax-rises-to-close-200m-budget-gap Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:49 GMT News Barnet Council is considering raising council tax towards the national average to tackle a £200m budget gap by 2029. What it could mean for Band D homes. https://thefinch.news/article/unrooted-local-artists-exhibition-explored-feelings-of-identity-and-belonging https://thefinch.news/article/unrooted-local-artists-exhibition-explored-feelings-of-identity-and-belonging Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:38:31 GMT Culture Local artist Oli Gots' Unrooted exhibition at the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley, explored identity and belonging as a "double immigrant" from Ukraine. https://thefinch.news/article/finchley-dads-create-viral-word-game-played-by-thousands-worldwide https://thefinch.news/article/finchley-dads-create-viral-word-game-played-by-thousands-worldwide Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:41:41 GMT Community Finchley brothers-in-law Stuart Miller and Matt Robinson created Griddable, a four-by-four word grid game now played by 4,000 people a week worldwide. https://thefinch.news/article/great-north-leisure-park-great-crested-newts-the-best-chance-we-have-says-group- https://thefinch.news/article/great-north-leisure-park-great-crested-newts-the-best-chance-we-have-says-group- Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:54:29 GMT News Campaigners fighting to save North Finchley's Great North Leisure Park say protected great crested newts at Glebelands are their best legal chance. https://thefinch.news/article/north-finchley-bank-closes-doors-for-the-last-time https://thefinch.news/article/north-finchley-bank-closes-doors-for-the-last-time Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:37:11 GMT Community Halifax's North Finchley branch on the High Road has closed for good, taking away over-the-counter banking and the local cashpoint. What happens next. https://thefinch.news/article/tfl-warned-10-years-before-tragic-death-of-teenage-girl https://thefinch.news/article/tfl-warned-10-years-before-tragic-death-of-teenage-girl Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:47:35 GMT News Transport for London rejected proposals from concerned residents about traffic safety a decade before a teenager was tragically killed on her way to school. https://thefinch.news/article/car-crash-in-highgate-eyewitness-says-woman-killed-instantly https://thefinch.news/article/car-crash-in-highgate-eyewitness-says-woman-killed-instantly Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:16:25 GMT News A 16-year-old girl died after being struck on a zebra crossing outside St Michael’s Primary School in Highgate. Police arrested a 68-year-old man. https://thefinch.news/article/exclusive-failing-finchley-food-hygiene https://thefinch.news/article/exclusive-failing-finchley-food-hygiene Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:09:29 GMT News Food Standards Agency data shows Finchley restaurants and takeaways are almost 10 times more likely to have a poor hygiene rating than businesses in neighbouring areas. https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-match-record-with-fa-cup-replay-win https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-match-record-with-fa-cup-replay-win Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:27:32 GMT Sport Wingate and Finchley secured a remarkable upset yesterday (22 September), defeating Hemel Hempstead FC 2-1 in the FA Cup second qualifying round replay, making it to the third round for the first time since 1999. https://thefinch.news/article/tim-westwood-faces-two-new-charges-after-pleading-not-guilty-to-sexual-assault-i https://thefinch.news/article/tim-westwood-faces-two-new-charges-after-pleading-not-guilty-to-sexual-assault-i Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:19:56 GMT News Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood now faces 17 charges, including two new assault charges, after denying sexually assaulting a woman in Finchley in 2016. https://thefinch.news/article/finchley-choir-with-99-year-old-member-proving-age-is-just-a-number https://thefinch.news/article/finchley-choir-with-99-year-old-member-proving-age-is-just-a-number Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:48:45 GMT Community Kay, 99, sings with the Memory Lane Singers, a Barnet choir rehearsing in Finchley Central that has performed in local care homes for 33 years. https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-defy-odds-to-secure-fa-cup-replay https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-defy-odds-to-secure-fa-cup-replay Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:35:07 GMT Sport A last-minute Scott Kashket penalty earned Wingate & Finchley a draw at Hemel Hempstead, setting up an FA Cup qualifying replay in North Finchley. https://thefinch.news/article/from-summers-lane-to-the-fa-cup-spotlight-wingate-finchleys-community-mission https://thefinch.news/article/from-summers-lane-to-the-fa-cup-spotlight-wingate-finchleys-community-mission Sat, 19 Sep 2026 14:52:01 GMT Sport Wingate & Finchley face one of their biggest tests of the season today when they travel to National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup. https://thefinch.news/article/finchley-society-pays-tribute-to-founding-member-and-former-chairman https://thefinch.news/article/finchley-society-pays-tribute-to-founding-member-and-former-chairman Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:36:37 GMT News The Finchley Society has paid tribute to its President, former chairman, and founding member, David Smith, who has died aged 87. https://thefinch.news/article/this-sounds-dodgy-as-hell-residents-pack-finchley-church-amid-development-uncert https://thefinch.news/article/this-sounds-dodgy-as-hell-residents-pack-finchley-church-amid-development-uncert Thu, 17 Sep 2026 17:10:47 GMT News Over 50 residents met at All Saints Church, East Finchley, to question the Cherry Tree Quarter development, Park House sale and loss of protected trees. https://thefinch.news/article/i-wish-we-had-a-place-in-wembley-like-this-artist-hails-artsdepots-importance-as https://thefinch.news/article/i-wish-we-had-a-place-in-wembley-like-this-artist-hails-artsdepots-importance-as Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:18:54 GMT Culture Wembley artist Richard Szerman praised the Artsdepot in North Finchley as the venue battles a near £90,000 shortfall in its latest accounts. https://thefinch.news/article/development-opposite-east-finchley-station-what-you-need-to-know https://thefinch.news/article/development-opposite-east-finchley-station-what-you-need-to-know Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:15:13 GMT News Barnet Council has sold the Park House site opposite East Finchley station to the developers behind Cherry Tree Quarter. Here is what is planned for the site. https://thefinch.news/article/nearly-3000-barnet-households-hit-by-missed-collections-after-wembley-waste-fire https://thefinch.news/article/nearly-3000-barnet-households-hit-by-missed-collections-after-wembley-waste-fire Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:48:36 GMT News Around 3,000 Barnet households missed bin and recycling collections after a major fire at the Wembley waste transfer station, the council has confirmed. https://thefinch.news/article/last-minute-goal-seals-wingate-victory-in-monday-night-thriller https://thefinch.news/article/last-minute-goal-seals-wingate-victory-in-monday-night-thriller Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:58:48 GMT Sport David Oupoh's last-minute winner sealed a 4-3 Wingate & Finchley victory at Aveley, lifting the Finchley club to 10th in the Isthmian Premier Division. https://thefinch.news/article/belly-dancing-open-day-brings-women-together-in-north-finchley https://thefinch.news/article/belly-dancing-open-day-brings-women-together-in-north-finchley Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:24:52 GMT Community Around 30 women of all ages joined a women-only belly dancing open day at a North Finchley dance studio on Saturday 12 September. https://thefinch.news/article/could-human-bridges-be-the-answer-to-barnets-jobs-crisis https://thefinch.news/article/could-human-bridges-be-the-answer-to-barnets-jobs-crisis Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:33:58 GMT Community A Barnet charity says "human bridges" between employers and people with mental health issues could ease the borough's jobs crisis. https://thefinch.news/article/local-group-oppose-tally-ho-redevelopment-proposals https://thefinch.news/article/local-group-oppose-tally-ho-redevelopment-proposals Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:01:34 GMT Community A North Finchley community group is opposing proposals to redevelop the Tally Ho Triangle, warning the plans could change the town centre and fail to deliver the homes residents need. https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-march-into-the-fa-cup-next-round-with-felixstowe-replay-win https://thefinch.news/article/wingate-march-into-the-fa-cup-next-round-with-felixstowe-replay-win Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:49:19 GMT Sport Wingate & Finchley beat Felixstowe & Walton United 2-0 in their replay to reach the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup. https://thefinch.news/article/three-month-manhunt-for-suspect-in-killing-of-19-year-old-finchley-woman-ends-wi https://thefinch.news/article/three-month-manhunt-for-suspect-in-killing-of-19-year-old-finchley-woman-ends-wi Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:18:27 GMT News Jamie Duncan, 21, has been arrested in Spain and charged with the murder of 19-year-old Israa Djeddou, shot in Dale Grove, Finchley, ending a three-month manhunt. https://thefinch.news/article/waitrose-finchley-reopens-after-multi-million-pound-refurbishment https://thefinch.news/article/waitrose-finchley-reopens-after-multi-million-pound-refurbishment Mon, 07 Sep 2026 14:30:38 GMT News The Ballards Lane Waitrose in Finchley reopened on Friday 4 September after a multi-million pound refurbishment, with MP Sarah Sackman attending. https://thefinch.news/article/match-report-missed-chances-halt-wingate-finchleys-fa-cup-progression-for-now https://thefinch.news/article/match-report-missed-chances-halt-wingate-finchleys-fa-cup-progression-for-now Sun, 06 Sep 2026 10:08:53 GMT Sport The Finch reports from Wingate & Finchley's FA Cup tie against Felixstowe. https://thefinch.news/article/football-the-way-its-meant-to-be https://thefinch.news/article/football-the-way-its-meant-to-be Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:59:34 GMT Opinion Something's stirring down at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, Finchley, and it smells like Brisket Burgers, Willy's Pies and a proper playoff push! https://thefinch.news/article/the-waylamps-of-barnet-pointless-art-or-an-invitation-to-explore https://thefinch.news/article/the-waylamps-of-barnet-pointless-art-or-an-invitation-to-explore Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:54:46 GMT Culture Barnet's curious Waylamp installations split opinion — pointless street art or an invitation to explore the borough's corners? https://thefinch.news/article/people-dont-feel-safe-walking-in-north-finchley-says-barnets-only-green-party-co https://thefinch.news/article/people-dont-feel-safe-walking-in-north-finchley-says-barnets-only-green-party-co Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:39:01 GMT News Met Police data shows antisocial behaviour in North Finchley rose 30% in July year-on-year. Barnet Green councillor Charli Thompson says Finchley residents no longer feel safe walking the streets. https://thefinch.news/article/how-wingate-finchley-is-developing-footballers https://thefinch.news/article/how-wingate-finchley-is-developing-footballers Sun, 30 Aug 2026 09:19:39 GMT Sport Inside Wingate & Finchley FC's youth setup, where coach Jonny Georgiou is sending players to Arsenal, Crystal Palace and US pro football. https://thefinch.news/article/three-teenagers-plead-guilty-to-golders-green-arson-attack https://thefinch.news/article/three-teenagers-plead-guilty-to-golders-green-arson-attack Fri, 28 Aug 2026 16:03:07 GMT News Three teenagers and a fourth man have pleaded guilty over the Golders Green arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances, the Old Bailey heard. https://thefinch.news/article/former-christs-college-finchley-teacher-found-guilty-of-child-sexual-abuse https://thefinch.news/article/former-christs-college-finchley-teacher-found-guilty-of-child-sexual-abuse Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:07:28 GMT News Sally-Anne Bowen, 65, a former chemistry teacher at Christ's College Finchley, has been found guilty of seven counts of indecent assault on pupils. https://thefinch.news/article/match-report-walking-in-a-wingate-wonderland https://thefinch.news/article/match-report-walking-in-a-wingate-wonderland Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:36:45 GMT Sport Wingate & Finchley found their first victory of the campaign, edging out promotion-chasing Dulwich Hamlet thanks to a second-half strike from Anointed Chukwu. https://thefinch.news/article/an-interview-with-uk-pub-landlords-of-the-year https://thefinch.news/article/an-interview-with-uk-pub-landlords-of-the-year Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:04:11 GMT Community Award winning local landlords spoke with The Finch this week, about the journey to being named “UK Landlords of the Year.” https://thefinch.news/article/muswell-hill-woman-found-under-mattress-sentenced-for-savage-knife-attack https://thefinch.news/article/muswell-hill-woman-found-under-mattress-sentenced-for-savage-knife-attack Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:30:14 GMT News A woman, found hiding under a bed in Muswell Hill, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a “savage knife attack.” https://thefinch.news/article/forget-wimbledon-local-tennis-club-served-up-a-finals-day-of-its-own https://thefinch.news/article/forget-wimbledon-local-tennis-club-served-up-a-finals-day-of-its-own Sun, 16 Aug 2026 08:59:53 GMT Sport Every summer, Stormont holds its own knockout tournament, featuring junior, singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions. Like Wimbledon, it culminates in a Finals Day at the beginning of July. https://thefinch.news/article/fats-not-fiction-the-fats-you-actually-need-in-your-diet https://thefinch.news/article/fats-not-fiction-the-fats-you-actually-need-in-your-diet Sun, 16 Aug 2026 08:55:59 GMT Food & Drink Fat, you need it. As much as you need protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals. But a lot of us in Finchley are scared of fat and strip it out completely. Fat is often not the problem, the type of fat is. https://thefinch.news/article/how-a-finchley-synagogue-is-supporting-refugees https://thefinch.news/article/how-a-finchley-synagogue-is-supporting-refugees Sun, 16 Aug 2026 08:53:35 GMT Community Following Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) becoming the recipients of the first Synagogue of Sanctuary Award last month, they spoke with The Finch on how they plan to continue helping their community going forward. https://thefinch.news/article/pharmacy-closing-at-finchley-memorial-hospital https://thefinch.news/article/pharmacy-closing-at-finchley-memorial-hospital Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:44:08 GMT News Fairview Pharmacy at Finchley Memorial Hospital is set to close on 30th August as its contract expires. https://thefinch.news/article/one-womans-campaign-to-save-the-post-office https://thefinch.news/article/one-womans-campaign-to-save-the-post-office Sun, 09 Aug 2026 09:16:39 GMT Community The Morrisons daily in Finchley Church End is under threat of closure. It is still unclear whether it will close completely or whether the post office services will continue under different ownership. https://thefinch.news/article/waitrose-ms-and-morrisons-all-candidates-for-east-finchley-budgens https://thefinch.news/article/waitrose-ms-and-morrisons-all-candidates-for-east-finchley-budgens Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:31:58 GMT News In an exclusive interview with *The Finch*, Budgens’ East Finchley store manager, Ripon Shaha, said owners are seeking a “big name” supplier that could result in a storefront change and lower prices.