Good Morning! 

Welcome to February 3rd!

It’s the first Monday of the month, and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – less than two weeks to go! Gentlemen, anything booked yet? The pressure’s on, and I’m hoping you’ve got your A-game ready. 💐

On a brighter note (literally), have you noticed the days getting longer? The sun’s setting after 5pm now, but don’t let that fool you – the cold is still very much here. ❄️

Today’s newsletter is packed with updates and some Valentine’s-themed events to get you in the spirit. Here’s what’s on the agenda:

• More Buses on North London Routes

• Enfield Honours Holocaust Memorial Day

• Enfield’s Selby Urban Village Gets the Green Light!

• Kingfisher House: House of the Week

• La Vida Café & Bistro: Our Food Gem

Let’s dive in! 🚀

MEME OF THE DAY

NEWS AT A GLANCE

North London Buses Just Got Better: Faster, More Frequent, and Ready to Roll!

If you’ve spotted more buses on your usual routes lately, there’s a good reason! Starting in February, three key North London bus routes – the 121, W4, and W6 – are seeing increased frequencies and extended operating hours to make your commute smoother and more reliable.

Here’s what’s changing:

• Route 121 (Enfield Island Village to Turnpike Lane): Buses will now run every 10 minutes instead of every 15 minutes on Sundays from 9am to 7.30pm.

• Route W4 (Palmers Green to Tottenham Hale): Early morning services will now run every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, and every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes on Sundays. Plus, Sunday services will start an hour earlier, and the last buses will run 45 minutes later every day.

• Route W6 (Southgate Station to Edmonton Green Station): Early morning and evening services will now run every 15 minutes instead of every 20-30 minutes, making it easier to catch a bus before 7.15am on weekdays, before 7am on Saturdays, and before 9am on Sundays.

These changes come on top of recent improvements to Route 329 (Enfield Town to Turnpike Lane), which now runs every 8-9 minutes during early mornings instead of every 10-12 minutes.

According to Bob Blitz, TfL’s bus network planning manager, these updates are part of ongoing efforts to meet customer demand and provide affordable, sustainable transport options. TfL is also working closely with local councils to ensure these changes reflect the needs of the community.

The extended hours and increased frequencies aim to improve late-night connections between buses and rail or tube services at key stations like Edmonton Green, Palmers Green, and Southgate.

So, if your commute feels a little easier these days, you can thank TfL’s latest improvements! For full details on updated timetables, visit TfL’s website or check their app.

Enfield Honours Holocaust Memorial Day

Enfield Council recently commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday, 27 January, with a poignant ceremony at the Dugdale Arts Centre (DAC). The event marked two significant anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

The ceremony began with a heartfelt presentation titled ‘For a Better Future’ by pupils from Wolfson Hillel Primary School, aligning with the 2025 Holocaust Memorial Day theme. Speeches were delivered by local religious leaders, including Rabbi Emanuel Levy, Rabbi Rich, Rabbi Shindler, and Marija Hamza from the Roma Support Group.

Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council, emphasised the importance of remembering history’s darkest chapters, honouring victims and survivors, and committing to a future rooted in respect, tolerance, and peace.

Residents are invited to visit the Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition at the Museum of Enfield in DAC, featuring 15 new acquisitions on loan from the Jewish Museum London. The display explores the story of Grete Rudkin, a Kindertransport refugee, and her adoptive mother, Olive Rudkin. Olive’s poem, ‘To A Child Refugee in a Foreign Land,’ is also on display for the first time. The exhibition runs until Saturday, 1 March, and entry is free.

To learn more about this moving event and the exhibition, click the button below.

New Banking Hub Opens in Enfield – Have You Used It Yet?

Great news for Enfield residents! A brand-new banking hub has opened at the Ordnance Unity Centre Library on Hertford Road, brought to you by Cash Access UK – an organisation dedicated to keeping access to cash and banking services alive nationwide.

Officially launched on 17 January by Enfield Council Leader Cllr Ergin Erbil and MP Feryal Clark, this hub is here to make your banking life easier. Whether you need to deposit cheques, pay bills, or handle everyday cash transactions, the hub offers a convenient counter service run by the Post Office. Plus, it features a Community Banker service, where you can chat with representatives from major high street banks for more complex queries on their designated days. This is why it matters;

• 🏦 Accessibility: For those who prefer face-to-face banking or have accessibility needs, this hub ensures no one is left behind.

• 💳 Cash Access: In a world moving toward digital payments, the hub safeguards access to cash for those who rely on it.

• 🏠 Community Support: It’s a lifeline for residents and small businesses needing in-person banking services, especially as many local bank branches have closed.

Cllr Erbil highlighted the importance of personal banking services, saying, “This temporary hub ensures face-to-face cash and banking solutions, with exceptional support for customers, five days a week.”

While the hub is currently operating from the library as a temporary location, plans are underway to find a permanent home. Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, shared, “We’re grateful for the library’s support and look forward to sharing news about the hub’s permanent location soon.”

For residents, it’s a chance to handle banking needs locally without traveling far. For businesses, it’s a reliable way to manage cash deposits and access essential services.

So, Enfield – have you visited the new banking hub yet? Let us know how it’s helping you! Whether it’s saving you time, solving a banking headache, or simply making life easier, we’d love to hear your stories.

Enfield’s Selby Urban Village Gets the Green Light!

Enfield Council has approved exciting plans for a transformative new community hub and sports facilities to replace the outdated Selby Centre. The project, named The Selby Urban Village, will be built on Bull Lane Playing Fields and promises to bring a host of benefits to the area.

Key features include:

• 🏢 A modern four-storey community centre.

• ⚽️ A 3G pitch, MUGA, cricket/football pitches, padel courts, and an outdoor gym.

• 🌿 Green spaces, food-growing areas, and wildlife zones.

• 🏡 202 social-rent homes (subject to Haringey Council approval).

Funded by a £20 million government grant, the project will provide improved facilities for over 100 local organizations, affordable housing, and better access to sports.

While work won’t begin until summer 2025, the wait promises to be worth it. Concerns remain about the affordability of the new sports facilities and the need for additional funding for a proposed sports centre. However, the project represents a significant step forward for the community, offering modern amenities, green spaces, and much-needed housing.

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

🏡 Enfield's House of the Week: Kingfisher House

📍 Rossendale Close, Enfield EN2 | £1,895,000

Step into luxury with this stunning 6-bedroom detached home in an exclusive gated development. Boasting 4 baths, 4 receptions, and a grand entrance with landscaped gardens, this property is designed for elegance and comfort.

Inside, discover a spacious through lounge with an inglenook fireplace, a modern kitchen/family room, and a TV/cinema room. Upstairs, the principal suite features a dressing room and a luxurious ensuite, while the second floor offers versatile space for a games room or additional bedrooms.

Outside, the beautifully landscaped rear garden is perfect for entertaining, complete with a bespoke bar, pergola, and a Garden Lodge ideal for a home gym.

Located in the sought-after Crews Hill area, this home combines privacy, luxury, and easy access to city life. Don’t miss this rare gem!

Council Tax Band H | Local Authority: Enfield

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT STATONS ESTATE AGENT

FOODIE GEM

La Vida Café & Bistro: Enfield’s Must-Visit Breakfast and Brunch Spot!

If you’re in Enfield Town and craving a delicious breakfast or brunch, La Vida is the place to be! This family-owned café and bistro, which opened in June 2022, is all about passion, quality, and bringing people together over great food.

Their menu is packed with high-quality, homemade dishes, including vegan and vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone. While checking the menu online might be a bit frustrating (the links don’t always work), trust us—it’s worth the visit.

And don’t forget the coffee! La Vida is a must-visit for coffee lovers in Enfield Town. Plus, with live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, it’s the perfect spot to start—or end—your day.

La Vida Café & Bistro

📍 Enfield Town

🍽️ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🎶 Live music weekends

☕ Your new go-to coffee spot!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coding in Minecraft: Enfield Edition!

Calling all Minecraft® masters! 🎮 Ready to level up your skills? Join us for an exciting workshop where you’ll learn how to code a virtual robot to do all the boring tasks in Minecraft® for you. Dig, farm, build, and more—let your robot do the work while you sit back and enjoy the game!

📅 When: Saturday, 8th February and 15th February, 3:00pm

📍 Where: Dugdale Arts Centre, 39 London Rd, Enfield EN2 6DS

💷 Cost: £15 per child (ages 7–12)

⏳ Duration: 2 hours of coding fun!

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! Perfect for young coders and Minecraft® fans alike.

👉 Book your spot now and let the coding adventures begin!

RISE Festival 2025

The RISE Festival is your chance to experience fresh, innovative theatre from the talented young voices of Chickenshed.

Rise – Inspire – Share – Elevate

This two-day festival in February showcases brand-new performances, including original writing, music, and stories rooted in lived experiences. Get ready to be inspired by the creativity and passion of these emerging artists.

Don’t miss the RISE Festival 2025, featuring a dynamic lineup of performances at Chickenshed! Highlights include:

• PRISM: Fri 14 Feb, 7pm | Sat 15 Feb, 2.15pm (40 mins)
  A fusion of art, music, and dance driven by audience interaction, with live original music.

• FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Fri 14 Feb, 7.45pm | Sat 15 Feb, 3.35pm (15 mins)
  A poignant spoken word and acting piece exploring grief and relationships.

Other performances:

• RULE BOOK TO SOCIETY (20 mins)

• THE UNOFFICIAL UK FIELD GUIDE (15 mins)

• BURN THE WITCH (30 mins)

• STRONG AND SHARP (25 mins, content warning: racism/violence)

• AN INTRODUCTION TO HIP HOP (20 mins)

• BREAKING THE SILENCE (45 mins)

Each piece runs between 20-45 mins. Check timings and book your spot for a weekend of creativity and inspiration!

📍 Performance Space, Chickenshed, Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 4PE

Give Me The Night 2025

📆 Date: 7th February 2025
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Venue: Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, Edmonton, London N18 1PJ
💷 Tickets: £34.50 & £32.50
🔗 More info & tickets: Millfield Theatre Website

Come Mek We Larf - Valentine’s Special 2025

📆 Date: 8th February 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, Edmonton, London N18 1PJ
💷 Tickets: £30 (plus booking fee)
🔗 More info & tickets: Millfield Theatre Website

WEATHER - ENFIELD TOWN ⛅️ 

Monday 3rd February

8°C 🌡️ 3°C | ⛅️ Sunny interval and gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:37 Sunset 16:53

Tuesday 4th February

9°C 🌡️ 2°C | 🌧️ Light rain and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:35 Sunset 16:54

Wednesday 5th February 

8°C 🌡️ 0°C | ☀️ Sunny and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 07:34 Sunset 16:56

Thursday 6th February

7°C 🌡️ 1°C | ⛅️ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:32 Sunset 16:58

Friday 7th February

5°C 🌡️ -1°C | ☁️ Light cloud and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:30 Sunset 17:00

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

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