Latest news with #Barnet


BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
What's it like going to school on the Harry Potter set
While many children dream of going to school at Hogwarts, for a lucky few, it is a has begun on a new Harry Potter TV reboot at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, and a temporary school has been built so hundreds of child actors can keep up with real lessons while pretending to learn magical Miles, who doubled for Emma Watson's Hermione in the original films, remembers wearing her Hogwarts uniform while having lessons on said: "We're all there with full hair and makeup. At one point, Hermione has cuts from the Whomping Willow, you'll just be like sitting in your class with a fake nose bleed and a lip wound." As child actors were only allowed to film for four hours, doubles were used to capture shots where they were seen from behind or far the three leads had private lessons, other members of the supporting cast attended classrooms down the corridor from the dressing young actors would attend the school for most of the academic year, as they might be needed at any Year 6 and Year 9, the young actress only went to her normal school in Barnet, north London, for 15 said: "To get your license to work, your school has to be on board with you having that time off and working... Which actually at first my school weren't that happy with me doing."Initially, her school only released her for 30 of the 180 days Warner Bros had requested for filming, but Mrs Miles' parents fought for her to have the opportunity. Due to their filming schedule, children had lessons at different times, but every child on set had to spend a minimum of three hours a day in recalled: "Assistant directors will be checking how many hours you've done because if you haven't hit your three, then you're going to have to go back into school for like half an hour before you can go down to set."But say you've done your hours and they're like 'no we don't need you again for another hour,' you'll carry on schooling."Lessons were monitored by runners who tracked each half-hour a child spent in lessons or on breaks, she explained. Class sizes were small, and Mrs Miles remembers there being about seven pupils at most on busy days, much smaller than the potential 600 students at the school being used for the reboot."You could be in with anybody," she said. "It wasn't a set a set class, if that makes sense."She'd often find herself sharing lessons with young stars of the film, such as Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis or Alfred student had an independent curriculum, and teachers from their original schools would tell the tutors on set what each child needed to be Miles said: "They wouldn't stand at the front and be like 'this is what we're doing today'. They would individually give you their attention and set you on your task, so we'd all be doing different work." She praised her teachers who kept lessons engaging and added: "They really tried to make sure we had fun and we were doing all the things that we should be doing, which I think was probably really hard for them. "They were really understanding of the fact that we were also working, which is quite weird, having a group of like 10, 11, 12-year-olds who are also working full-time. "If you're at school, you're there nine to three, but if you're filming, you're there a lot longer. I think they were really understanding with the wide range of emotions you feel as a child working on a film set." Now, a new group of children are heading to the same film studio to shoot a new version of the JK Rowling books, including 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin as the title Miles, who now lives only a short drive away in St Albans, advised any young actors joining the wizarding world to "enjoy it"."It's really a once-in-a-lifetime thing working on something like Harry Potter- well, it might not be now," she laughed."But it's a really unique experience, and it's kind of weird because when you're in it, it just becomes normal life. "When you come out the other side, you look back at it and you're like 'wow, that was so amazing,' the things we got to do, the different experiences and all the incredibly talented people, which sort of goes over your head as a child."The best thing about being a child is you just take it all in for what it is, but I think really just enjoy it, make the most of every opportunity that you have there." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
23yo new signing excited to make his mark at Arsenal
Noni Madueke is eager to get started at Arsenal after completing his move from Chelsea, bringing with him a wealth of Premier League experience and an exciting attacking threat. The 23-year-old winger, who was born and raised in Barnet, has signed a long-term deal with the Gunners. His instinct, he says, played a major part in his decision to join Arsenal, and he's confident that this move will help him progress both professionally and personally. Commenting on his decision, Madueke explained: 'I'm somebody who goes with my gut feeling a lot of the time, and I feel like it's steered me in the right direction so far. I think it's going to be a great success, and I'm really happy to be here.' He also mentioned the personal satisfaction of returning home to be closer to his family, adding, 'It's great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know my mum misses me in the house!' The England international is looking forward to contributing to the squad's ambitions in the upcoming season, believing the team has a clear identity and plenty of potential. 'It's already a great team with a clear identity and I can't wait to bring my style to the team and help the boys take that next step,' said Madueke, who is determined to help Arsenal compete for honours across all competitions. On his expectations for the season ahead, Madueke is determined to push the team towards winning titles. 'To win all the competitions we're in, I feel like we're definitely capable of doing that. And also to help the team in every way I can and grow as a player, but also as a person,' he added. Madueke's versatility is one of his standout qualities. Known for being a threat from both the left and right flanks, he has the ability to pose significant problems for opposition defenders. His direct approach, always aiming to beat his man, makes him a constant danger. 'I try and be a dual threat from the left and from the right. Of course, it's a little different when I play on the left or when I play on the right, but it doesn't really matter to me where I play,' he said. 'I only really have one thought in my mind when I get the ball to feet or in space, it is just to line up the full-back and go past him.' During his time at Chelsea, Madueke was known for his dribbling and ball-carrying ability, ranking among the best in the Premier League for progressive carries and non-penalty expected goals (xG). He averaged 6.1 carries per 90 minutes, which placed him among the top players in the league, and his ability to make a difference in the final third is reflected in his 3.5 shots per game, level with Bukayo Saka and Mo Salah and only behind Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Matheus Cunha. His flair and incisiveness have caused problems for many defences, and he is likely to be a key player for Mikel Arteta moving forward. 'I'm very happy, very excited to get to work,' Madueke said, reflecting his eagerness to integrate into the squad and contribute immediately. 'I've spoken to Dec [Declan Rice], Myles [Myles Lewis-Skelly], Bukayo [Saka], and even Jurrien [Timber] as well, and they all say amazing things about the club and the culture here, how warm it is and how much of a family it is. I'm really happy to be a part of the Arsenal family now.' The winger, who netted 11 goals across all competitions last season, will bring a new dynamic to Arsenal's attacking line, adding another layer of creativity and speed. His dribbling and shot-taking ability are exactly what Arteta needs as the team looks to challenge for domestic and European titles. With his work ethic and a proven track record in the Premier League, Madueke is expected to be a crucial part of the Gunners' squad for years to come.


BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hugill agrees to Barnet loan move
Young striker Joe Hugill has agreed a loan deal with League Two newboys was part of Manchester United's FA Youth Cup-winning squad in 2022 and scored at Ibrox 12 months ago in a pre-season win at Glasgow has made it onto the first-team bench but is yet to make a senior appearance and has spent the past 18 months on loan at Burton, Wigan and Carlisle Durham-born forward still has 12 months left on his present United deal but there is the option to extend by a further are looking to make an impact after returning to the Football League after a seven-year absence and open their campaign in the EFL Cup against Newport on 29 July.


The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Humble Noni Madueke moving back in with parents as former Tottenham academy ace completes divisive £52m Arsenal transfer
NEVER has an Arsenal signing divided the fanbase quite so passionately. But for all the uproar, former Tottenham academy kid Noni Madueke views this move as a beautiful homecoming - quite literally - and one he intends to use to prove the thousands of doubters wrong. 7 7 The Gunners view this deal — £48million up front with £4m in add-ons on a five-year deal — as a no-brainer. Boss Mikel Arteta has long admired Madueke, 23, for his versatility off both wings, the dynamic dribbling style, the speed and bravery on the ball. There are still some people to convince. Over 5,000 fans signed the petition #NoToMadueke when talks between Arsenal and Chelsea became more advanced. Not that it will dampen his excitement to be back where it all began in North London: born in Barnet, schooled in St Albans and at Spurs from 12 to 17. Madueke said: 'It's great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know mum misses me in the house! I'm really proud.' Many see it as a gamble and make-or-break moment — but Madueke is no stranger to that. It was bold to leave Spurs for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven as a teenager in June 2018 — rejecting Manchester United to test himself abroad and moving to the small town of Wintelre with his mother. And it is a calculated risk to join a title-chasing side that will prove tough to break in to under Arteta — a young coach under immense pressure to deliver amid a five-year trophy drought. But Madueke said: 'I'm somebody who goes with my gut a lot and it's steered me in the right direction so far. 'So I don't think it's going to be any different here. Man Utd vs Arsenal fan battle: 'Odegaard's streets ahead of bottle job Fernandes' | Stoppage Time 7 7 'I think it's going to be a great success and I'm really happy to be here. 'I can't wait to bring my style and help the boys to take that next step. 'I want to win all the competitions we are in — we're capable of doing that — and grow not only as a player but as a person.' Supporters may still be lukewarm over his arrival but Madueke has already felt the love from the Gunners' squad. Declan Rice sent his Three Lions pal a personalised letter to read upon signing. The winger continued: 'They all say amazing things about the club, how warm it is and how much of a family it is.' Despite his age, Madueke's experience for club and country stood out for Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. After all, he already boasts 172 senior appearances for both PSV and Chelsea. 7 7 His injury record was also a factor — playing 2,049 Prem minutes last term. He leads the top-flight stats charts in progressive carries and dribbles ending in shots on goal, too. It is why Arteta feels Madueke is 'one of the most talented wide forwards in the Premier League'. Crucially, the left-footer will also offer depth and competition for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. And the Gunners new boy said: 'I try to be a dual threat from the left and right. 'I only have one thought in my mind when I get the ball — to line up the full-back and then go past him.' Fans' anger stems from the regularity at which the club have filled the pockets of Chelsea for their players over the years. Madueke is the seventh Blues star to arrive in six years, with last summer's failed loan of Raheem Sterling a particular sore point. It is perhaps helpful that Madueke will not be thrown in straight away, having been given a few weeks' rest after his Club World Cup efforts before joining up for training next month. And he added: 'I'm very excited to get to work. I'll go on holiday for a little bit now but I can't wait to get back and meet all the boys and train. 'I was saying it to all my friends walking around here, 'You don't even want to take the rest'. 'I know I have to for my body and stuff to heal but when I come back, I'll be raring to go.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal complete signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Noni Madueke on a five-year deal from Chelsea. The England international agreed personal terms with the Gunners after being impressed by Mikel Arteta's plans for his role, with a £52 million deal subsequently agreed between the clubs. Born in Barnet, Madueke spent time in both the Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur academies before joining Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven in 2018. The 23-year-old returned to England five years later, signing for Chelsea, where he netted 20 times in 92 appearances for the Blues across all competitions. The winger earned his first senior international cap in September 2024 against Finland, having previously represented England at U16, U17, U18, and U21 levels. Madueke most recently featured for Chelsea in the United States as they went on to win the inaugural Club World Cup with a convincing 3-0 win against Champions League winners PSG. He told 'I'm somebody who goes with my gut feeling a lot of the time and I feel like it's steered me in the right direction so far. 'So, I don't think it's going to be any different here. I think it's going to be a great success and I'm really happy to be here. 'I've just been relaxed, waiting for the green light and when I came in today, it all felt real. I'm really happy and really proud, so it's a great moment for me. It's great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know my mum misses me in the house! 'It's already a great team with a clear identity and I can't wait to bring my style to the team and try and help the boys as much as possible to take that next step.' Mikel Arteta added: 'We're all so happy to welcome Noni Madueke to the team. 'Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality. He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League. 'At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well. Having seen the quality of Noni's performances up close in recent seasons, we're really excited he is joining us. 'Noni joins our group with familiar England teammates and other players he knows. He will be made to feel at home straight away. His arrival will really improve our squad – we're all thrilled to have him here. From all of us, welcome Noni and welcome to your family.' Madueke is expected to provide vital cover for Bukayo Saka, who has already made over 300 professional appearances despite being only 23. However, he is more than capable of operating effectively as a left winger, a role he has occasionally filled at times last season. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old has been subject to abuse from many Arsenal fans who hold a negative stance on the signing, prompting him to deactivate comments on his Instagram page. Arsenal fans have expressed their distaste in signing players from their London rivals, with Madueke becoming the sixth player to make the switch from Chelsea in the past five years, following in the footsteps of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Jorginho and Willian. While the move has been heavily criticised by fans online, the acquisition is a smart one, bringing in a young, promising English winger who has already demonstrated significant potential for a rival Premier League club.