“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee. I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions.” Queen Elizabeth II

In June, Primrose Hill was one of those communities. The Primrose Hill Community Association organised a Royal Garden Party in Chalcot Square and street parties were held throughout our neighbourhood. Many happy memories were made, and a strong sense of community forged as we mingled with our neighbours. In our busy lives, we often don’t know the people we share a street with, and I was delighted to find some wonderful neighbours who I’ve walked past countless times but never got to know. I wish we could have a trestle table in the middle of the street, full of food and drink every week. There are some photographs of the Jubilee events here. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Queen herself dropped round for a cuppa; that was just a cardboard cut-out drummed up for the street party on Fitzroy Road.

After a long, hot summer which frazzled Primrose Hill, we’re now facing the cooler months. There are plenty of events scheduled, at the Primrose Hill Community Centre, the Primrose Hill Community library, and elsewhere, so I hope many of you will be out and about. However, there are going to be challenges for some, especially due to the cost of living crisis, so hopefully we can pull together and do our best to help those who are struggling.

And should things get really bad, we need to heed more words of wisdom from our late Queen: “When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”

You can pick up the latest edition of On The Hill at the Community Centre or Library, or read online here.