In December, London mayor Boris Johnson hailed a Jewish youth club as a “fantastic example of the community helping those in need” during a visit to Hendon.

The Conservative politician visited The Boys’ Clubhouse in Hendon Lane with Hendon MP Matthew Offord.

He said: “It’s fantastic. I’m very glad I came because the stuff I’ve seen is very impressive. It is clearly turning around the lives of people who need it.”

Also this month, The Mount School in Milespit Hill, Mill Hill, announced it would be closing as it struggled to deal with the “tough economic climate”.

It will merge with the Mill Hill Schools Foundation and all pupils at the £4,000-a-term school will be offered a place at Grimsdell, Belmont Hill or Mill Hill High from September, 2014.

This year’s Dancing Strictly for the North London Hospice was launched, with eleven couples entering the competition.

The competition, which lasts for seven weeks, sees amateur dancers battle it out to win a glitter ball trophy.

Also this month, more than 200 people signed a petition calling for Barnet Council to save the Castle pub in Finchley Rod, Childs Hill.

The historic pub dates back more than 200 years, but it has been left boarded up since it closed last year.

And Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, who lived in a care home in Barnet after being released from prison on medical grounds, died at the age of 84.