From Monty Python’s reunion to a 7 ft-reticulated python that haunted Hampstead Heath Ladies’ Ponds, life has been busy in Hampstead and Highgate over the past year. Enjoy the Ham&High’s top 10 most read stories of 2013.
1. EXCLUSIVE: South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone brought Monty Python back together
The original British comedy troupe, Monty Python, was reunited thanks to American comedy duo Matt Stone and Trey Parker, revealed member Terry Jones, 71, in November.
The pair, who also created smash-hit musical The Book of Mormon, “approached us and suggested we should get together and do something,” said Highgate resident Mr Jones.
And so the Python’s plan to reunite on stage for the first time in 30 years was born.
Read the full story here
2. The secret history of north London’s ‘ghost’ Tube stations
The 150th anniversary of the London Underground was as much a celebration of the old as it was of the new in January this year – and among the relics of the Tube’s past are a number of local forgotten ‘ghost’ stations.
They may be invisible to most busy commuters but the long-abandoned South Kentish Town, North End, York Road and Marlborough Road stations, have some fascinating stories to tell…
Read the full story here
3. Hampstead shoppers slam Tesco after organic porridge oats disappear from store
Residents slated the supermarket for cutting organic food - including the hearty porridge oat – and replacing it with junk food in October.
Tesco Express in Heath Street - Hampstead Village’s only major supermarket - put fizzy drinks and ready-made sandwiches centre stage, hiding away what little organic food was on offer.
Read the full story here
4. Highgate tortoise who defied Hitler comes back from the dead
A 72-year-old tortoise, named Adolf in honour of his surviving a Nazi bomb dropped on Woodside Avenue, Highgate, in 1942, was thought to have met his maker when he was caught outside in the snow in April. It turned out he was just hibernating.
This is the second close shave for Adolf, whose owner took a chunk out of his shell and set him on fire accidently, when Adolf was asleep beneath a bonfire.
Read the full story here
5. Days of disruption after train derails at Camden Road Station
A derailed freight train at Camden Road Station led to days of agony for commuters in October.
A carriage came off the rails and a container fell off the train at 3am, causing serious damage to overhead power lines but no injuries.
Read the full story here
6. Meet your new lecturer, students – Kevin Spacey comes to Regent’s College
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been imparting his wisdom to aspiring thespians at Regent’s College since February.
The students lucked out after Mr Spacey’s charitable foundation partnered with the college to offer scholarships for its Acting and Global Theatre course.
Read the full story here
7. Python found lurking by ladies swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath
A 7ft python was discovered lurking in the undergrowth near Kenwood Ladies’ Pond by a swimmer in June, after legions of ladies hadn’t batted an eyelid at the dead snake’s carcass.
The world’s longest breed of snake, and an excellent swimmer, was buried in woodland after no one claimed it for a pet.
Read the full story here
8. Fake bomb detectors located Madeleine McCann, Hampstead Garden Suburb man tells Old Bailey
A Hampstead Garden Suburb salesman told the Old Bailey in June that he believed a phony bomb detector device was able to “triangulate” Madeleine McCann’s location by walking in three metre circles in London.
He used a photograph of her to programme the Alpha 6, which he said indicated that she was “in Ireland or somewhere in the middle or northern Europe”. Simon Sherrard, 50, of Hill Rise, was subsequently cleared of fraud.
Read the full story here
9. Giant rat discovered under Highgate dishwasher as bins overflow onto streets
Piped piper of Haringey? Adrian Whitaker and his wife were horrified to find a giant rat under their dishwasher after they heard the snap of a tiny £1 mouse trap in May.
The dazed rodent’s body measured the length of 6ft 5in-tall Mr Whitaker’s forearm.
The couple think the rat was a result of overflowing bins after the council changed to fortnightly waste collections.
Read the full story here
10. Camden school friends interrogated and imprisoned on volunteer trip to Israel
Two former students of Camden School for Girls were interrogated for five hours and thrown into a cell by Israeli police after stepping off the plane to volunteer in November.
Their laptops, mobile phones and suitcases were trawled, before they were locked in cells for almost 12 hours without any sustenance.
The friends were then marched onto a plane and deported back to Britain.
Read the full story here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here