mikeswuk's blog
end of an era
sad to see the permanent closure of the Barnet mat room, although glad to have attended the final session there. so many memories...
sad to see the permanent closure of the Barnet mat room, although glad to have attended the final session there. so many memories...
Squashlad (243 )
3/27/2023 10:05 PMAh, gutting! But very pleased that you were there Mike. 🤼♂️ ❤️
keenomega (3)
3/28/2023 12:29 PMthanks for the note about this... I'm a fan of venues
Rock Hard Pete (43)
3/28/2023 5:26 PMI am sad too that the venue has closed for ever. Glad to have been with you on that last day Mike. It was a large turnout with about fifteen men turning up. I was glad to see Andy looking well, though he is still quite ill. Just Walthamstow now.
Adam J (16)
3/28/2023 8:15 PMI think I've only been there 3 or 4 times and have good memories of the venue. Be a shame to see it close as it was one of the places where I felt free to be myself, and flirt/get jiggy with/wrestle men naked.
wrestle fun (49)
3/29/2023 2:08 PMSadly all good things come to an end at some point for one reason or another, going to miss Barnet. Barnet was a great wrestling venue where I've wrestled many times, it'll be sad to see it go as I have lots good memories meeting up there for wrestling matches with some great people. Its good to hear that there was a good turnout for the last group meet there. Andy is a great guy and was always really friendly and welcoming.
Ironbull (96)
3/29/2023 3:42 PMAnd Hendon before it...
surrey71 (21 )
3/29/2023 8:09 PMUsed Hendon a couple of times myself - some great memories (and one I’d rather forget!).
Andy was always welcoming - a real gent with such an interesting life - could’ve talked to him for hours!
As they say, nothing lasts forever but thanks Andy for what you’ve done & for being yourself!
devonwrestler (29 )
3/30/2023 1:13 AMYes, thanks so much Andy for all you have done for our community, so sad it now has to end. Living far from London and one thing and another I did not get to Barnet very often but those visits I did manage were nothing short of highlights of my life!
notcom (22 )
3/30/2023 2:21 PMAndy, thank you so much. Truly, Hendon was a highlight in many peoples' lives. Wonderful !
yonkerswrangler (202)
3/30/2023 4:45 PMi really wanted to get there too
wetspeedos (28 )
3/31/2023 2:16 PMI too am sad......Having just moved back to London last summer from Snowdonia where wrestling didn't happen regrettably this matroom is now closed. Best wishes to you Andy for your continued recovery and thank you for what you have done for the wrestling community during the time the matroom was open.
Centaur (62)
3/31/2023 4:14 PMIf my teeth here, Andy was a terrific host, thanks to the opponents I got the chance to manhandle!
Adam J (16)
4/01/2023 2:57 AM(In reply to this)
You're welcome 😀
london sub (40 )
4/01/2023 5:47 PMI've been to the barnet space many times. A shame its gone.
why did it have to close?
grappleian (36)
4/10/2023 2:20 PM(In reply to this)
Think it was the raising costs (such as rent electricity etc)
grappleian (36)
4/10/2023 2:26 PMIt is sad Mike, but costs going up didn't help, I've have been there a few time for wrestling and other events Andy did
I can only agree with comments said - Andy was welcoming and a friendly man, he did a lot for the community. Best wishes to Andy and thanks for all you did