Two events in 1997 have irreversibly changed our lives -- the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and May's General Election that saw a Labour Government swept to power on a wave of optimism.

ALICIA VELLA and DON HUNTER (below) take stock of these momentous events and look at how they affected the people of Barnet as part of our special review of 1997.

The tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales in August shook the whole nation.

The country was locked in grief as people came to terms with the loss of the popular princess in the car crash in Paris.

Mourners queued outside her former Kensington Palace home to leave bouquets of flowers and cards expressing their sense of devastation. Others spent hours waiting patiently to sign books of condolence.

In Barnet flags flew at half mast and congregations in churches across the borough remembered the people's princess.

Diana's death was a particularly tragic loss for Southgate's Chicken Shed Theatre for whom Diana had been a fervent supporter.

For two years she had been a patron of the theatre company, which has pioneered work with performers with special needs.

Chicken Shed has helped to preserve the Princess's memory by contributing to the Diana Tribute album with their song I am in love with the world the sales of which have rocketed, boosting the Diana, Princess of Wales charity fund.

In an official statement members of the theatre company paid their respects: "Princess Diana was a unique, irreplaceable individual. She will be greatly missed by us all."

The swingometer could have spun off its axis on May 1.

Everybody thought Labour would win the General Election, but few dared to imagine such a phenomenal landslide.

In Barnet, only Sir Sydney Chapman retained his seat for the fifth time. He had to wait until 4am, after a recount, to be certain of his victory with a majority of 1,035 -- compared to 13,951 at the last election.

He said on the night: "I have always fought Chipping Barnet as if it is a marginal seat. Now it is."

Labour's greatest success was in Hendon, where long-serving MP Sir John Gorst lost his seat by more than 6,000 votes in a 16 per cent swing partly due to concerns about Edgware Hospital. Sir John admitted that he was confronted with the issue on every doorstep he canvassed.

Barnet councillor Rudi Vis became MP for Finchley & Golders Green with a 15 per cent swing, clocking up a 3,000 majority in the seat once occupied by Margaret Thatcher.

In Enfield Southgate Michael Portillo was left stunned by newcomer Stephen Twigg, who overturned the Tory majority of more than 15,000.

Mr Portillo had been considered as a firm favourite to win the seat right up to the night of the election.

In true blue Hertsmere, James Clappison held his seat for a second term, fending off Labour's candidate Beth Kelly with a majority down from over 18,000 to 3,075. At the last election five years ago he took over from former MP Cecil, now Lord, Parkinson who was duly put in charge of rejuvenating the Tory party after the election.

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