Disappointed campaigners spoke out about losing their community library in February.

More than 3,000 people signed up to the Save Friern Barnet Library campaign, but despite their attempts Barnet Council’s Cabinet ruled in favour of it closing on March 31.

Campaigner Heather Roseman said: “We feel robbed.”

In the same month Barnet Council gave Saracens Rugby Club the green light to take over Copthall Stadium. Cheers erupted as councillors voted in favour of Saracens' £18.5 million plan to turn the run-down athletics stadium into a 10,000-seater venue.

The new ground has since been renamed Allianz Park and will be used for up to 16 Saracens home matches a year.

In other news, a grieving woman returned from her mother’s funeral in Cricklewood to find burglars had ransacked the family home.

Jacqueline Henry, 50 returned to her house in Prayle Grove after attending her 75-year-old mother’s funeral at St Agnes Church.

She found thieves had stolen cash and jewellery belonging to her late mother Shirley Henry, who died of bowel cancer.

Jacqueline said: “I am devastated about losing my mother and about my 81-year-old father losing his wife. Now we have lost her belongings as well.”

In sport, Barnet footballer Mark Marshall failed a drugs test and was suspended from playing pending a disciplinary hearing. Marshall claimed to have unwittingly taken the substance in a supplement.