ABOUT US

Our founder and President, John Donovan, lived in Friern Barnet between 1966 and 1995.  He became concerned that nothing was being done to record and preserve the history of the area and, before long, there would be no-one left who remembered it.

He decided to start a local history society, and in late 1999 he gathered together a few like-minded people, and the Society was formed.  It had its first public meeting in September 2000, at the former Friern Barnet Town Hall, and by the end of that year had a membership of over 100.

It was named Friern Barnet “and District” as a reflection of its interest in its neighbouring areas of North Finchley, New Southgate, Whetstone and South Friern. The Society currently has over 180 members and we have regular public meetings throughout the year, plus ongoing projects, recorder groups and occasional conducted walks around the area. Our website includes a photo gallery containing over 2500 images.  Our archive of artefacts, books, documents, maps, photographs and other material has grown so large that we now have our own archive room at Avenue House, Finchley.

We are keen to be regarded as the main contact for people who want to know more about the Friern Barnet area, and its history.