The Noise
Back in 2004, an event called “Soul in the City” was held in various centres throughout the London area. For two weeks we hosted a team of volunteers, as young people came from all over the UK to clean up large areas of Burnt Oak. Some from our congregation joined them, working with other local churches and in partnership with Barnet Council
and the Metropolitan Police. We decided to
continue this effort the following year and the "Noise" was born. Since then, each May Bank Holiday weekend, the work continues with local volunteers getting involved. We have strong relationships with the Council, the Police and with residents in the area. This has enabled us to work together to build a better community to live in. Our aim as a church is to practically show the love of
God by providing social action weekends and free fundays for the residents to enjoy. We have had fantastic support from Barnet Homes, Burnt Oak Safer Neighbourhood Team and other local organisations and churches. Tesco, our local supermarket, has also generously provided packed lunches for the volunteers. If you would like to get involved, please email bocfyouth@aol.com or speak to Marcus. To read Amanda's comments, please head over to the CSV website.
The Noise 2014 - 10th Anniversary Celebration Funday
Our tenth anniversary Noise event took place on Bank Holiday Monday, 5th May and was a special funday with a live band, 2 bouncy castles, a free BBQ, Kidz Klub activities, "Rolling Base", face-painting, a cake stall, a jumble sale and a prayer area hosted by the Healing on the Streets team. Special thanks to "No Limits" band for the excellent music and for Chris and his team setting up the stage and PA. A lovely day was had by all and the weather was superb!
To see more pictures, please head over to our facebook page.
The Noise 2013
Our ninth annual Noise event returned to its normal position in the calendar, taking place over Bank Holiday weekend, 25-27th May. We continued to develop the "alley garden" and as in previous years, we helped residents with their gardens. On Monday 27th, we held the Funday with 2 bouncy castles, a free BBQ, Kidz Klub activities, a cake stall and a jumble sale. Despite some unseasonally chilly and wet weather during May, the Bank Holiday Weekend weekend was bathed in sunshine! Please click here for Press article.
The Noise 2012
Our eighth annual Noise event took a different direction for 2012. On the 4th August, volunteers from the church and the community got stuck into an overgrown area on the Estate and cleared away rubbish and weeds. Compost was laid and flowers were planted for the residents to start up a gardening club. Afterwards, we retired to the church to enjoy the Olympics on the big screen and to enjoy some well-deserved food! On the 11th August, we hosted a funday/sportsday, complete with gold medals and a barbeque. Organiser, Marcus Ottaviani said: "As always, our aim as the church is to practically show God's love to the North Road community by not only improving the area we live in but by also working together with residents, young people, the North Road Community Association, Police and Barnet Homes. It really is great working together with everyone from the estate and by getting the young kids and residents to participate encourages them to not only love their area but others too." Please click here for Press article.
The Noise 2011
In a bid to beat the inclement weather which we have frequently encountered at the beginning of May, the Noise was moved to the end of the month in 2011. Once again, litter was cleared from the estate and gardens were tidied up for the residents. Bank Holiday Monday saw another funday with games, a bouncy castle, an obstacle course, a free barbeque and a number of other stalls. Organiser, Amanda Ottaviani, said: "We hope to encourage the local young people and adults to participate in community work, giving them an increased awareness of the needs of their neighbours and getting everyone out and helping each other. The funday allows everyone to come together, reaping the benefits of the work that has been carried out and enjoying the Bank Holiday together."
The Noise 2010
Our sixth Noise follows the tried and tested pattern: Saturday and Sunday cleanup followed by the funday on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Noise 2009
Our local Newspaper, the Hendon and Finchley Times, quoted Burnt Oak Safer Neighbourhead Team's Sergeant Ken Mather: "The Noise event is something that we support and are involved in every year. It encourages the community to work together and gives people an opportunity to meet their neighbours. My officers will be working alongside other volunteers to give the estate a real spring clean which will be a boost to its residents and enhance community spirit in the area."
The Noise 2008
Another year of Bank Holiday Weekend cleanup and fun. Lots of people turned up for a wonderful funday on the Monday.
The Noise 2007
The regular “Noise” event, organised again by Burnt Oak Christian Fellowship, continues to go from strength to strength. Police officers from the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team, helpers from Barnet Homes and Open Heavens Church Edgware all lent a hand. Residents’ gardens were tidied up, flowers were planted in communal areas, graffiti was removed, parts of buildings were painted and litter was collected. Amanda Ottaviani, one of the organisers said: "The event is getting bigger and better each year. It is great to help residents improve their gardens and the area in which they live.”
The Noise 2006 and the "ITV Big Clean Up"
Our second Noise event, taking place over the early May Bank Holiday Weekend concluded with a funday on the Monday with a free barbeque, a bouncy castle and a number of stalls run by church members and volunteers. 2006 was also the year in which the TV cameras arrived in Burnt Oak as Burnt Oak Christian Fellowship alongside Barnet Homes, Barnet Council, CSV, army cadets, IGC and other local volunteers carried on in the footsteps of The Noise and made a big difference to some of the most deprived areas in Burnt Oak.
The Noise 2005
Following 2004's "Soul in the City", 2005 saw the start of the "Noise", a cleanup and funday running over the first Bank Holiday Weekend in May.
"Soul in the City" 2004
This is where it all began. BOCF hosted a group of volunteers who came to help clean up the area. Have a look at this local newspaper article.
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