RAF Museum exhibition brings local people together to explore Barnet’s unique heritage
New exhibition celebrates Barnet’s people, places and stories through art, postcards and augmented reality, with a special day of free family activities on 21 November.
The Royal Air Force Museum London is celebrating the rich history and vibrant communities of Barnet with a new exhibition that brings together aviation heritage, local memories and contemporary art.
From Barnet With Love, running from 30 October 2026 to 22 February 2027, explores the borough’s past, present and future through a collection of postcards created by local residents, alongside historic images and innovative augmented reality technology.
The exhibition is part of Light + Flight, a borough-wide cultural programme presented by Art in Barnet, Barnet Council’s arts and culture initiative, celebrating the area’s heritage, creativity and communities.
Created by multimedia artist Emma Tominey, From Barnet With Love takes its inspiration from a remarkable moment in aviation history. In September 1911, aviator Gustav Hamel flew the first official British air mail service from Hendon Aerodrome to Windsor, carrying commemorative postcards and letters as part of celebration of the coronation of King George V. The historic 20-mile flight took just 18 minutes and marked an important milestone in the development of aviation and communication.
Now, 115 years later, the humble postcard has become the inspiration for a new community-led project, capturing what life in Barnet means to the people who call it home.
Working with schools, community groups, libraries and residents across the borough, Emma Tominey has invited people of all ages to share their memories, experiences and hopes for Barnet through drawing, collage and creative writing.
Inspired by historic postcards from the Barnet Local Studies Archive, participants have explored how their neighbourhoods have changed over time, reflecting on the people, places and experiences that make their communities special.
The resulting exhibition at the RAF Museum brings these contributions together, creating a colourful snapshot of contemporary life in Barnet while celebrating the borough’s rich heritage.
A highlight of the exhibition is a series of augmented reality postcards that combine historic scenes of Barnet with drawings, words and images created by local residents, alongside contributions from Middlesex University students. Through animation and digital technology, these postcards bring the past and present together, offering visitors a fresh perspective on familiar places and the stories behind them.
Grace Ries, Head of Exhibitions and Interpretation, RAF Museum: “From the pioneering days of air mail at Hendon to the stories being shared by Barnet residents today, this exhibition is a wonderful reminder of how our local history connects us all.
“We’re delighted to be working with Barnet Council and artist Emma Tominey to celebrate the people and communities that make Barnet such a special place. By bringing together aviation heritage, personal memories and contemporary creativity, From Barnet With Love offers visitors a fascinating new way to explore the borough’s past and present.”
Emma Tominey, Artist & Creative Producer: “From Barnet with Love has been such a rewarding project to lead because it has been shaped by the people of Barnet at every stage. I’ve loved hearing people’s memories, discovering the places that matter to them and seeing how something as simple as a postcard can open up conversations about home, identity and belonging.
Working with local communities alongside the incredible archive collections at Barnet Local Studies Archive and the RAF Museum allowed us to create a bridge between Barnet’s past and the borough as it is experienced today. What has been particularly special is seeing so many different voices, ages and experiences come together to create a new record of Barnet, one made from personal stories, everyday places and the things people value about where they live.
For me, the project is ultimately about connection: between people, between generations and between past and present. I hope the postcards and artworks we’ve created together give people a sense of pride in their own stories and remind us that local history isn’t just something we inherit, it’s something we are all continually creating.”
A special day of free family activities
As part of the exhibition, the RAF Museum will host a special day of free activities on Saturday 21 November, from 10.00am to 3.30pm, inviting visitors of all ages to get creative and become part of the story.
Taking place across Hangars 1 and 2, the day will feature hands-on workshops where visitors can design and send their own postcards, sharing their personal memories and experiences of Barnet.
There will also be live music from young performers at Barnet Education Arts Trust (BEAT), storytelling sessions and activities exploring the fascinating history of flight and communication.
Families can discover the worlds of stamp collecting, Morse code and semaphore, alongside a special family trail, making it an engaging day out for all ages.
The activity day forms part of the second festival weekend of Light + Flight, which brings together the RAF Museum and artsdepot for a celebration of Barnet’s cultural heritage and creativity on 21–22 November.
The wider Light + Flight programme culminates in two weekends of free events, beginning on 14–15 November at Finchley Lakeside with exhibitions, live music, performances, installations and creative workshops.
Light + Flight is presented by Art in Barnet and supported by a Cultural Impact Award, part of the Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture programme, with additional support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.
