Good food and even better conversation – catching up with Danny Maher

Good food and even better conversation – catching up with Danny Maher, Chair of Cricklewood Town Team, reflecting on an incredible 16-year journey.

From the birth of CTT and the 2012 Outer London Fund project, to our local festivals and events, Danny’s vision has helped shape the vibrant community we see today – including a thriving Broadway full of great restaurants, street food, independent shops and (soon to be arriving Waitrose).

Thank you, Danny, for your dedication to making Cricklewood a place where people love to live, eat, and gather.

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Cricklewood Achieving Together – Powered by Its People

It has been genuinely uplifting to see the wave of positive news emerging from Cricklewood. There is a growing sense of momentum and, importantly, a renewed belief in what this community can achieve together.

From the vibrant mural under the bridge to the exciting news of Waitrose coming to the area, Cricklewood is beginning to come together in a way many of us have long hoped for. The market, the station, the bridge and new developments are no longer disconnected — they are forming a place people can see, use and believe in.

What is most important to say, however, is that none of this is by chance. This progress is the result of local people — their commitment, ideas, persistence and belief in Cricklewood.

Since 2010, often behind the scenes, Cricklewood Town Team (CTT), alongside a wide network of community partners, has worked to support grassroots action, bring people together, and keep momentum going, even when change felt slow. Some of this work is visible, much of it is not — but it is the collective effort of local people that has created the conditions for the positive change we are now seeing. This is what long-term community action looks like.

Over the years, this community effort has led to many tangible achievements we can be proud of. These include the removal of 19 derelict and unsightly phone boxes, regular community litter picks helping to improve the local environment, and ongoing work to make Cricklewood a cleaner, safer and more welcoming place. There are many more examples of what has been achieved together, and we encourage people to explore these at www.cricklewood.net.

We are also grateful to Barnet, Brent and Camden Councils for the funding and support they have provided over the years, which has helped enable this work to continue and grow. Their contribution has been important — but it is the energy, commitment and collaboration of local people that has driven progress.

CTT was set up to represent the many voices of Cricklewood and to help shape a shared vision for the town centre. That principle remains at the heart of everything we do. It is especially encouraging to see stronger connections forming right across the community — from the Dell and Mapesbury to the Cottages, Clitterhouse Farm, the Cricklewood Station Partnership and beyond — alongside the continued support of the Cricklewood & Mapesbury, Childs Hill and Fortune Green Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

This growing network reflects something powerful: people choosing to work together for the good of the area.

The strength of Cricklewood Town Team has always been its people. Residents, businesses, partners and volunteers have all played their part over many years, providing the continuity, local knowledge and determination needed to keep things moving forward. This success belongs to them.

We at Cricklewood Town Team are incredibly proud of what is being achieved — not because of any single organisation, but because of the community effort that sits behind it all.

Looking ahead, there is still much more we want to do together. We are keen to expand our programme of events, particularly music and cultural activities that celebrate Cricklewood’s rich diversity — including the Irish and West Indian communities that are such an important part of our local identity. Our aim is to secure funding so these events can remain free and open to everyone.

We will continue to strengthen partnerships, support local leadership, and ensure that regeneration genuinely benefits the people who live and work here.

The changes we are now seeing are the result of years of collaboration, care and belief from local people. It is something we can all be proud of — and a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together.

Danny Maher
Chair CTT.

Destination Cricklewood

Bridge tunnel signage in Cricklewood Lane has been refreshed with colourful artwork. The theme matches the recently-installed artwork on nearby bridge parapets at the bus depot on the Edgware Road in Cricklewood. The design reflects the many types of leaves seen around the green areas of Cricklewood and in many of our road names. 

This is a community-led project to enhance the local environment for residents and passersby alike. By focusing on themes of art and nature, we hope that people accessing our neighbourhood through different entry-points get the impression of Cricklewood as a nice place to live, work and shop.

The original tunnel signage was installed by the Cricklewood Town Team over 10 years ago with permission from Network Rail and is regularly cleaned by residents. However, water ingress and graffiti eroded the paintwork, which has now been restored.

“This project was funded by High Street and Places (HS&P) Capital Grant Fund. Cricklewood Town Team commissioned Wood Street Walls to deliver the artwork, working with stakeholders Barnet Council and Network Rail. The project was supported by JJ Rhatigan & Company, B&Q, Leyland SDM in Cricklewood.”

Success! Over 31 Bikes Revived at Our Dr Bike Event

The sun shone on Oaklands for our Dr Bike event on 18 April. The bike mechanics were kept busy repairing, restoring and checking over 31 bikes of all sizes and types. 

Residents of Cricklewood were very appreciative of the skills of the mechanics, who also advised on tips to keep their bike roadworthy.

We were pleased to organise this event once again for the local community. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who brought their bikes down, and to Brent Together Towards Zero for funding this initiative and supporting our mission for a greener, more active Cricklewood.

We were pleased to organise this event once again for the local community. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who brought their bikes down, and to Brent Together Towards Zero for funding this initiative and supporting our mission for a greener, more active Cricklewood.

“It was rewarding to see so many bikes leaving in much better condition than they arrived. Whether it was a quick brake adjustment or a full chain service, every bike made a difference.”

Dr Bike – Get Your Bike Road-Ready for Spring

Spring is officially here, and there’s no better time to get back on two wheels! Whether your bike has been tucked away for the winter or you’re a daily commuter, the Cricklewood Town Team is here to help you ride safely.

Join us on Saturday, 18th April, from 12 pm to 4 pm for our popular Dr Bike session. Located on Oaklands Road (just by the Post Office), professional mechanics will be on hand to give your bicycle a free safety check-over.

This initiative is proudly organised by the Cricklewood Town Team and supported by Brent Together Towards Zero, helping our community move towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Cleaner, Safer and Healthier Cricklewood

We’re delighted to share that the Cricklewood Town Team, with the support of Cllr. Tariq Dar, has successfully secured the removal of the long‑abandoned and filthy BT phone box on the corner of Oaklands Road and Olive Road. After years of persistent requests to BT, we have finally cleared away what had become a hotspot for fly‑tipping, urination, illicit advertising  and other antisocial behaviour. This small but important victory reflects the pride our team takes in working for a Cricklewood we can all be proud of — a neighbourhood that is cleaner, safer, healthier, and more welcoming for everyone. This removal means that since 2012 we have managed to organise the removal of 18 dilapadated and unused phone boxes. We also warmly welcome local businesses who share our vision and want to work with us to achieve these goals. Together, we can continue building a Cricklewood that thrives.

Thank you to all residents who raised concerns and supported this effort. Together, we are making a real difference.