Bexley magazine summer 2018

HEALTH

Ageing Well

GROWTH

Sidcup cinema and library

ENVIRONMENT Small change big difference

COMMUNITY Erith summer fun

Summer

Bexley

Latest news and information from your Council

MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

Helping hands

Your new Councillors Become a local tourist 602063 BEX MAG Summer 2018 Pgs 1-11.indd 1

Summer at Danson Watersports 12/06/2018 15:29:17

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Inside your magazine 5

11

Election result

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First off I’d like to thank all the residents that came out in May to vote, putting their faith in us for another four years. Once again we had a comfortable majority and we are grateful for the level of trust this shows local people have in the good job we have done so far for Bexley.

Summer Reading Challenge

18 12

Small change, big difference

Welcome Summer has come around again and along with the longer evenings and – hopefully – better weather we have much to celebrate.

Music at Lesnes

A weekend in Bexley

Your community 18-19

What’s on 26-27

Your local health service 23

Services 29

Local Information 25

Local organisations 30

Front cover - Good Gym Bexley members at one of their regular meetings. Find out more on page 7.

If you would like to know more about the services the Council provides, or would like either a translation of this document or the information in a different format, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 020 8303 7777, quoting reference: 602063/02.18 London Borough of Bexley, Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 7AT • Phone: 020 8303 7777 Website: www.bexley.gov.uk • Email: communications@bexley.gov.uk • Distributed free of charge to every property in the borough • Editorial: Bexley Communications Team. Designed and produced by: Bexley Graphics.

London Borough of Bexley does not accept responsibility for goods or services offered by advertisers

We have less Councillors now as a result of last year’s boundary review.

This was something we promised our residents we would do. We now have 45 Councillors instead of 63 and 17 wards instead of the previous 21. You can see who represents you on pages 16 and 17 of the magazine. These changes will save Bexley Council Taxpayers £200,000 a year.

Our time knocking on residents’ doors before the election gave us a lot to think about. We have hit the ground running with a new mandate that has been developed as a direct result of some of those conversations.

So many people across the borough talked to us about their strength of feeling for their local community. We know that there are small armies of people all across our borough that help each other and the community on a daily basis. Throughout this magazine there are real life examples illustrated by some colourful ‘helping hands’. On page 7 I invite you to join a conversation about how we can help support more of this kind of activity and how it will help us all.

We want to play our part and make sure that as a Council we can continue to support our local groups, such as the amazing GoodGym Bexley that we have featured on our front page.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Magazine and that you have a sunny and safe summer.

Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE Leader of the Council

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news

New Sidcup cinema and library plans take a step forward Sidcup is on track to gain a new cinema and see a landmark site back in use. The Council is working with ArtHouse, an established operator of a popular small cinema, on a proposal for a three-screen cinema that could be co-located with a modern library on the site of the town’s former Blockbuster store.

“The scheme is another element in our plan to ensure the town prospers in the future.”

“The relocated library will continue to provide the wide range of existing programmes and events alongside its core services, including its book selection, PCs and meeting rooms.”

Cllr Peter Craske, Cabinet Member for Places

“These are exciting plans for Sidcup and our local economy.

If Sidcup Library is co-located with the cinema, the current library site would be available for redevelopment, subject to planning approval. In the usual way details of this would be shared in full with local people throughout.”

Cllr Louie French, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth

Exciting future for Sidcup Manor House Manor House Sidcup is set to move to the next stage of its history. The Council is working with a commercial partner to develop the local landmark as a boutique hotel and spa.

The proposal will involve significant investment in a scheme that is appropriate to the building, its location and the history of the area.

It would also strengthen the local economy and create new jobs for local people.

The Council hopes to be able to share more details of the scheme shortly. The final scheme will be subject to planning approval, with the opportunity for interested parties to review the plans and have their say.

Abbey Wood Station Work to improve the street and public areas on the flyover outside Abbey Wood Station, which the Council started last year is in the final stages.

There is now much improved public space around the concourse entrance to the new station and better pedestrian, cycling and vehicle access. The flyover now has footpaths on both sides providing step-free access to the main entrance and the bus stops outside.

Further improvement works are planned for the Felixstowe Road and Gayton Road areas around the station. They will create a villagestyle feel in the area and will start to be opened up for full use before the opening of the first stage of the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) service in December. Initially Elizabeth line trains will run between Abbey Wood and Paddington via Canary Wharf, the City and the West End. The full route will open in December 2019, with direct trains from Abbey Wood to Paddington, Heathrow or Reading.

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Results of local elections The Conservatives retained control of the Council as a result of the local elections on 3 May.

34 Conservative

The elections were the first contested following the recent review of local government boundaries in Bexley, which saw the number of Councillors reduce from 63 to 45 and the number of Wards from 21 to 17.

The Conservatives gained 34 seats on the Council and Labour 11.

Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE was once again elected to be Leader of the Council.

The names and Wards of all Councillors elected on 3 May are set out on pages 16 and 17.

You can see the full results of the elections at www.bexley.gov.uk/democracy

11 Labour

New Council – new Cabinet Cllr Peter Craske Cabinet Member for Places

Cllr Brad Smith Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services

Cllr Alex Sawyer Cabinet Member for Communities

Cllr Louie French Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth

Cllr John Fuller Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE Leader of the Council

Cllr Philp Read Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

Cllr David Leaf Cabinet Member for Resources

Former Councillors 24 Councillors who served from 2014 to 2018 either decided not to stand for re-election or were not elected on 3 May. They included a number of former Mayors and former Cabinet Members and between them had given nearly 120 years of service to the borough.

They were: Roy Ashmole, Chris

Beazley, Aileen Beckwith, Brian Beckwith, Derry Begho, Edward Boateng, Alan Deadman, Ross Downing, Maxine Fothergill, David Hurt, John Husband, Rob Leitch, Gill MacDonald, Howard Marriner, Don Massey, Sharon Massey, Colin McGannon, Séan Newman, Abena Oppong-Asare, Ray Sams, Lynn Smith, Colin Tandy, John Waters and John Wilkinson.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE said; “I’d like to give my thanks to all those who are no longer on the Council for their commitment to the borough and to their constituents. Their service to local people over the last four years and longer in many cases, is much appreciated and I hope that they will continue to play a role in our community.”

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news

Sign up your good cause Local community groups, clubs, associations and organisations are invited to register with the Bexley Community Lottery – due to be launched this year.

Step onto the housing ladder

How it works

The Council is setting up the lottery in partnership with Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) to provide a way to raise funds for local good causes.

Tickets will go on sale later in the year and those registered will be informed when the date for the first draw is announced.

None of the money raised will go to the Council. The Bexley Community Lottery is being established to support the Council’s aim of building a stronger community.

If you’re involved in running a good cause, apply online at https://www. bexleycommunitylottery.co.uk/ good-causes. There are no set up costs or administration fees.

All you need to do is fill in a simple form and, once we have checked everything over, we’ll set your good cause up with its own lottery page to share with your supporters.

After that, just encourage your supporters to sign up to play the lottery once it is launched.

You will keep 50% of all ticket sales for your good cause and your funds will be sent direct to your account every month.

Shared ownership is an increasingly popular way of getting a first step onto the housing ladder.

Schemes allow buyers to purchase a percentage share of a property and pay rent on the remainder, which gives you a degree of ownership on a property from the start. If your financial situation changes over time, you can buy further shares and, if you wish, you could buy the property outright.

To find out more about shared ownership opportunities in Bexley visit london.gov.uk/homes.

The London Home Show is a great place to go for more information on shared ownership and other affordable ways of getting your first home. Hosted by Share to Buy, it’s free to attend and takes place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster on Saturday 22 September.

To find out more, visit www.sharetobuy. com/events/london-home-show/

Bexley’s new Mayor Brian Bishop has become the London Borough of Bexley’s 55th Mayor. His wife, Christine Bishop, is Mayoress.

The couple were married in 1974 and have two children and five grandchildren.

Born in 1953, Brian’s early childhood was spent in and around Clapham. When Brian was seven, his family purchased a greengrocers in Shoreditch, where he regularly helped out over the years. A former scout,

Brian’s passions also include DIY and football.

First elected as a Councillor in 2010 in Colyers Ward, Brian was re-elected in 2014 and in May for the Barnehurst Ward.

Brian’s current employment as an information systems and operations analyst will be put on hold while he takes on the “biggest role of his career” as the Mayor of Bexley.

Christine sees her role as Mayoress as a continuation of her public service across the borough, both previously as a senior care support worker with the Crossroads charity and as a local ‘Brown Owl’ and Guider.

The new Mayor of Bexley, The Mayor’s chosen Cllr Brian Bishop causes are those who suffer with mental John Davey is Deputy health issues and Mayor and John’s wife, children with autism.

Marilyn, Deputy Mayoress.

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Helping hands Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, Leader of the Council People’s willingness to help others is one of the reasons our borough is such a great place to live.

There are literally thousands of local people helping others in big and small ways, either on their own initiative, or through community, voluntary or charitable groups.

It may involve getting shopping for a neighbour, or giving them a lift into town, planting spring bulbs in a grass verge, picking up litter, running a brownie group or sports team, or fundraising for a local good cause.

Their work makes a massive difference to the lives of individuals and local communities.

We already work in partnership with some of these people.

We provide them with tools, information and other practical support. We want to know what more we can do to help others follow their example.

Devoting time to support other people or your community has all sorts of benefits. We know that it is good for the people who do it, as well as those they help.

We want to play our part in encouraging and supporting more of this activity and we would like to hear from you how we can help you make a difference in your community.

I and my Cabinet colleagues will be spreading the message and listening to your ideas. We will also be working to shine a light on some of the great work people are doing and the good that it does.

Older people often talk fondly of a time when it was more normal for neighbours and friends to help each other. I think it’s more common now than some people think, but we need to let more people know about the difference it can make.

Helping others will bring people of all ages and backgrounds closer together and help to ensure that our communities are good places to live.

If we succeed, we will all be winners!

Join the conversation…

If you would like to join the conversation, please email stronger. communities@ bexley.gov.uk, write to the Council at the address below or engage with us on Twitter (@ LBofBexley) or Facebook.

Helping hands • Befriending • Bexley Good Gym • Community litter pickers • Friends of parks and rivers groups • Library volunteers • London Green Points scheme

• Neighbourhood Watch Members • Salt wardens • School governors • School reading volunteers • Street pastors • Summer Reading Scheme • Volunteering

Good Gym Bexley Good Gym Bexley’s runners are paired with an isolated older member of the community who they run to see each week for a social visit.

The older people are known as Good Gym ‘coaches’ because they help keep runners motivated to keep up their exercise Timothy Dickson, Trainer, GoodGym Bexley says: “Visiting an older person as part of our weekly run can make a huge difference.

Over 1 million older people are always or often lonely, going for weeks without seeing friends or family. Good Gym can help increase wellbeing and happiness, and hopefully go some way to decrease loneliness and isolation”.

Find out more here www.goodgym.org/areas/bexley

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news Experienced MD for BexleyCo Plans to deliver the borough’s plans for growth recently received a boost, with the appointment of Huw Lewis as the Managing Director of BexleyCo, the Council’s wholly owned development company.

Huw is an experienced senior manager with over 27 years’ experience of a wide range of projects both in the UK and internationally.

Over the 12-year lifetime of its Business Plan, BexleyCo expects to invest an estimated £630m to help the borough grow sustainably and achieve attractive returns to the Council, on top of its wider social and economic contributions.

Its initial plans include developing more than 2,500 quality homes, alongside other important community facilities.

Huw Lewis

Rent it Right Following a recent consultation, Bexley took the decision earlier this year to introduce a selective licensing scheme covering four areas l Thamesmead North l Abbey Wood/Lower Belvedere l Erith l Manor Road The selective licensing scheme will apply to all privately rented properties, including Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that are not covered by the current mandatory licensing scheme because of the number of people they house.

Details of the selective licensing scheme can be found online at www.bexley.gov.uk/rentitright This includes maps of the areas and a property search.

Early bird offer Landlords have been able to apply for a selective licence since 1 July and an early bird discount will be in place until the 31 December 2018. The scheme will start on 1 October for a five year period.

New legislation

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Find out more Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/rentitright email rentitright@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 3045 3456.

In February the government introduced new legislation relating to HMO licensing which will come into force on 1 October. The new legislation will extend mandatory HMO licensing to include all HMOs where there are five or more people.

The legislation means that all licence holders and managers or landlords of properties like these must be accredited with Bexley’s Rent it Right Scheme.

ST RS A

Landlords who are accredited with the scheme at the time of applying for a selective property licence will receive a £50 discount.

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Stars in your eyes!

If you have received outstanding service from someone who works for the Council, please nominate them for Bexley’s 2018 Staff Thanks and Recognition Scheme (STARS).

STARS is the Council’s way of recognising the hard work, dedication and achievement of staff who have helped to make the borough a better place to work and live.

To nominate, visit www.bexley.gov.uk/staffstars or pick up a nomination form from reception at the Civic Offices or your local library.

Nominations open on Monday 16 July and close on Friday 14 September.

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Your town centre news Keeping you safe

Easy way to pay

Bexleyheath BID has launched a new shop radio scheme that will include over 70 businesses.

Contactless card payment is now accepted at the Broadway Shopping Centre Car Park and Broadway Square Car Park. There is no extra fee or minimum spend and a receipt will be issued by the machine if required.

This scheme will allow businesses to liaise with the BID funded Town Centre police officers, as well as link to the newly installed CCTV cameras in the Broadway Shopping Centre.

The Shopping Centre’s customer support team now wear body cams as part of improved security, which also includes state-of-the-art CCTV. Centre manager, Rai Holdstock, said: “I am sure visitors and businesses will be pleased with these changes and the team are confident the new equipment will help them do their job better.”

Tony Garratt, Bexleyheath BID Manager said: “The safety and security of our businesses, and all those that use Bexleyheath, has always been fundamental to the town’s success. It is important that we all talk to each other to help Bexleyheath remain a safe place to enjoy.”

To find out more about the work of the Bexleyheath BID visit www.bexleyheathbid.co.uk

Plastic free Sidcup Sidcup Partners launched their ‘Plastic free Sidcup’ project last month giving away reusable cups and shopping bags. The Partners will be working with the Council, businesses and schools to look at ways to reduce plastic waste in the town centre. They hope to be able to offer cost-effective alternatives to plastic in response to a business survey.

For more information visit https://sidcuppartners.co.uk

Proud to support fostering Bexley’s Fostering Team out and about during Fostering Fortnight

Today, in the United Kingdom, more than 65,000 children are living with almost 55,000 foster families.

It has been estimated that nationally a further 8,100 foster families are needed in the next 12 months alone, in order to ensure

that all fostered children can live with the right family for them.

Bexley is no different and there are local children and young people that need you!

Foster carers can be single, married, gay or straight. They can own or rent their home.

They may have a young family, an empty nest or have no children. They need a spare room, dedication, and the skills it takes to care for and support a child who cannot live with their own family, whether short or long-term. There are many different kinds of foster carers. Right now Bexley is looking for people to become foster carers for older children. We are also looking for ‘parent and child’ foster carers, this is a specialist type of fostering

where a young parent, usually a mother and baby, comes to stay at a time when they need extra support.

The Council provide a comprehensive training package and help throughout the application process. Once you become a foster carer, training continues and a network of local carers are always on hand to provide peer support.

If you have ever thought about fostering or helping children please get in contact and make a difference to a child’s life.

To find out more email fostering@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 3045 4400 for a chat, or follow the team on Twitter @FosteringBexley

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caring

Small change, big difference This summer, London Borough of Bexley is launching the Small Change, Big Difference campaign to help our residents –

1 Eat healthier food 2 Waste less food 3 Recycle more of the inedible bits These three things will not only help the environment, but will also help residents save money Thanks to our residents, we have been the best borough for recycling for the last 13 years….so now we’ve also set our sights on tackling food.

We want you to join us!

GOOD GRUB FESTIVAL

Saturday 14 July 1 - 4.30pm Hurst Community Centre Grounds, Hurst Road Bexley DA5 3LH

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Free tasters from street food stalls

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Free cookery demonstrations & workshops make your own pizza & summer bites

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Free activity sessions - kickboxing, circuit training & Bollywood dancing

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Free goodie bags

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Live music

Full details and tickets available at goodgrubfestival.eventbrite.co.uk

www.smallchangebigdifference.london

Food for thought When it comes to eating healthily, reducing the amount of food we waste, and recycling what’s left over, it only takes a tiny change to make a big impact. If everyone in Bexley recycled one banana skin today we could turn that into enough energy to charge 463,994 mobile phones.

There are loads of Small Change, Big Difference activities planned in Bexley for this summer. Here’s what to look out for: l Our campaign kicked off in June and runs until the end of August. Keep an eye out for posters displayed across the borough and social media ads which will share tips and small changes you can make. l Join us for an afternoon of food and fun at our Good Grub Festival on Saturday 14 July, from 1 - 4.30pm at Hurst Community Centre grounds, Hurst Road, Bexley, DA5 3LH. l Come along to the festival for food stalls, cookery workshops and demonstrations as well as tips for eating healthily and using leftover food to create tasty dishes. Or, if you’re looking for a more relaxed afternoon, just chill out and listen to the live music instead. Get your

Fire safety checks With the first anniversary of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire recently in the news, we would like to reassure Bexley residents about important work that has taken place to minimise fire risk in the borough.

A series of fire safety visits have been carried out to high rise and high risk properties.

These include visits to property blocks managed by agents, care homes and temporary accommodation. Properties with external cladding have also been checked.

A strong focus has been placed on fire resistance, alarm and detection systems, regular checks, evacuation plans and management training.

High and medium risk properties will continue to be visited over the coming months.

For more on fire safety in the home visit www.bexley.gov.uk/ firesafety

tickets for our Good Grub Festival here: www.goodgrubfestival. eventbrite.co.uk Book your place for our festival workshops in advance as places are strictly limited. There will also be ‘taster’ kick-boxing, circuit training and Bollywood dancing sessions.

Look out for us and our smoothie bike at pop-up events around the borough where the Waste and Recycling Team will be handing out FREE smoothies, as well as offering advice about food waste recycling and how you can make use of your left over food.

Send in your favourite recipe that utilise the top 10 household wasted foods; Potatoes, Bread, Pork/ham/ bacon, Poultry (chicken/turkey/duck), Carrots, Cake, Apple, Breakfast Cereal, Lettuce, Yoghurt.

The winning recipe will be selected on imaginative use of left overs, a good range of ingredients and having a healthy twist that appeals to a wide audience and is simple and quick to make.

Please send your recipe to wasteteam@bexley.gov.uk by 22 July.

Jobs and opportunities You will be amazed at the range of professions on offer at the Council.

From Social Workers in Adults and Children’s services to planners, programme managers and educational psychologists.

Visit our website to view our latest opportunities. www.bexley.gov.uk/services/jobsand-careers Sign up for our regular opportunities e-newsletter at www.bexley.gov.uk/ newsupdates

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community

We are excited to be working with Beano in their 80th anniversary year to present Mischief Makers, the Summer Reading Challenge 2018.

©DC Thomson Ltd (2018)

The Challenge is produced

by The Reading Agency and delivered by libraries every year during the school summer holidays.

Children are challenged to read six books of their choice over the summer.

They’ll collect cards and rewards along the way, and receive a medal and certificate when they

complete the challenge.

From 14 July to 8 September, children of all ages and reading abilities are invited to explore a map of Beanotown to find the mysterious buried treasure and become ultimate mischief makers.

Dennis, Gnasher and friends will help them solve clues and collect stickers, having lots of fun and adventures along the way.

As well as shelves of books to borrow, Bexley Libraries also offer free online resources including comics and graphic novels to read on your computer, phone or tablet. There are also free e-books for children and e-audio books.

Find your local library at www.bexley.gov.uk/ libraries To find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit www. readingagency.org.uk/ summerreadingchallenge

Time to play out We’ve teamed up with London Play to support residents to set up their own Play Streets events. Play Streets is a scheme designed to bring people together for a few hours, allowing children to play outside safely in their local area.

We’re helping residents who are interested in becoming Play Street Co-ordinators, to share the idea with neighbours, encourage local support

and work together to organise the day.

We’ll also be supporting residents with applications for temporary road closures for a few hours, as a one off or as regularly as each month.

This is to reduce traffic during events to make sure everyone stays safe, whilst still providing access for residents.

Not all streets will be suitable for the scheme, for example, some cannot

be closed to through traffic, and some may not have sufficient support from the majority of residents on the street.

London Play is an organisation which aims for the capital’s children to have even more free and better play opportunities near to where they live.

They have already run the Play Streets scheme in a number of other London boroughs.

Councillor Alex Sawyer, Cabinet Member for Communities said: “We know that outdoor play also has a lot of benefits to children’s physical health and emotional wellbeing, which is why Play Streets is a key part of Bexley’s commitment to building ‘strong and resilient communities’.

It is also a good opportunity for neighbours to come together.”

For more information about Play Streets email Catherine@londonplay. org.uk

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explore

Become a ‘Bexley tourist’ for the weekend Ever thought of spending your weekend exploring Bexley?

As well as all our parks and open spaces, town centres full of great shops and our brilliant leisure centres, we have a number of fantastic heritage sites that are well worth a visit. So pop in to one of the site cafés or pack your sandwiches and flask, set out over the summer and take a look at what we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep.

Saturday am

Midday

Lesnes Abbey Open and free to visit at any time Explore the medieval ruins of Lesnes Abbey with its ornamental gardens set within 88 hectares of park and ancient woodland. A recreation area provides a playground and outdoor gym and numerous self-guided trails and woodland walks are available.

Refreshment kiosk on site (closed Mondays).

Red House - Open Wednesday Sunday: House 11am - 5pm Red House, owned by the National Trust, a glimpse into the life of William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement. The house gives a unique view of William Morris’ earliest designs and decorative schemes.

Guided tour only between 11am and 1pm. General admission from 1.30pm space permitting.

Café on site.

Saturday pm Hall Place & Gardens Open daily 10am- 5pm Imagine life in Tudor times as you explore the 500-year-old house on the banks of the River Cray. Stroll through the formal landscaped gardens, explore the tropical glasshouse and relax in the parkland. You can also visit the tropical butterfly house and get to know our resident owls. Café on site.

Sunday am Danson House Open Sundays only 10am to 4pm Take a tour of Danson House, a beautiful Grade I listed Palladian villa set within Danson Park and explore the grand rooms of the principal floor as well as the Victorian basement kitchen. Café on site.

Sunday pm Crossness Engines Tour times vary, see www.crossness.org.uk/visit.html Hidden in Thamesmead is Crossness Pumping Station built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in 1865. The pumping station is a Grade 1 Listed building and features some of the most spectacular ornamental Victorian cast ironwork found in the world today.

Bexley’s Tourist Information Centre based at Central Library, Townley Road, Bexleyheath has a wealth of information on what to do in the borough. Find out what undiscovered treasures you may find or visit www.bexley.gov.uk/ services/visitor-attractions

Discover Danson Give yourself the chance to experience that “I did it!“ feeling, learn something new or brush up on forgotten skills this summer.

Whether it is dinghy sailing or kayaking, we can give you the buzz of learning a new activity, meeting new people and enjoying the great outdoors on your doorstep.

Danson Watersports Centre can arrange 1:1 lessons, group sessions or courses to fit with your busy schedule. You do not need to be super fit or have any equipment and we will take you through it step-by-step and get you on the water.

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Or you can join us on the new `Discover You` programme that starts on Monday 11 June, 6pm to 8pm with our new Adult Night. Come along on Mondays when it suits you or set yourself a challenge and commit to the eight-week programme and take a sailing award. Not sure if it is for you?

The first session is free - so why not try it out and see. What else would you being doing?

Find out about all the activities offered at Danson Watersports Centre including courses, birthday parties, mini ships and more at www.bexley.gov.uk/watersports or contact the team on 020 8303 2828 or email watersports@bexley.gov.uk

12/06/2018 14:42:37

healthy choices Bexley food businesses offering healthy choices Our Public Health and Environmental Health teams have been encouraging more food businesses in Bexley to sign up to the Healthier Catering Commitment.

The voluntary scheme offers an award to businesses that can demonstrate offering healthier options to their customers: by changing their menu, offering smaller portions, or using different ingredients or cooking methods. Here are the latest businesses that have signed up and are now offering healthier options for you to enjoylThe Kitchen, High Street,

Sidcup

l Tulip Café & Restaurant,

Station Road, Sidcup l Coffee Mill & Kitchen, Melucci’s Italian Delicatessen and Ferrari’s, Bexley High Street l Assos Restaurant, Crayford l Gaggle Nursery, Lower Station Road, Crayford l Chupitos, Upper Wickham Lane, Welling For a list of all businesses in Bexley that have made the commitment visit www.bexley.gov.uk and search for ‘Healthier Catering Commitment’.

Diabetes support Type 2 Diabetes is a lifelong common condition that causes high levels of sugar in the blood. It increases the risk of getting serious eye, heart and nerve problems.

There is a lot you can do to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, including eating well, exercise and losing weight.

In Bexley there are weight management programmes and Diabetes prevention programmes. Contact your GP to check if you’re eligible. NHS Choices and Diabetes UK can also provide information about the condition and how to prevent it.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as excessive thirst, needing to urinate excessively and tiredness, seek advice from your GP.

Ernie on ageing well in Bexley Ernest (Ernie) Whitcomb was born on 2 April 1918, and has lived in Bexley for 70 years. He moved to Welling in 1948 after leaving the army. “I’ve always enjoyed living in Bexley and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” he says.

100 year old Ernie says the secret to living a long life and ageing well is keeping active.

Ernie has devoted most of his life to his love of cycling.

Coming from a family of cycling enthusiasts, Ernie owned a small bike shop in Deptford for many years making bike frames.

Ernie also volunteered as a Road Safety Officer in Bexley teaching children road safety skills and carrying out cycling proficiency tests at weekends.

His late wife Lily, who lived to see her 100th birthday, also enjoyed cycling.

Ernie travels to a day centre in Sidcup twice a week where he enjoys entertainment and tea with friends. “They’re like gold to me there. There are around 20 of us who meet up. They all make me sing a song for them!” he says. “You only have one life and I’m always looking to do something.”

Ernie is visited by carers four times a day at his home.

“They’re very good to me” he says.

Ernie says the message he would give to young people is to always keep active and to treat others as you wish to be treated.

To find out more about Ageing Well in Bexley visit www. bexley.gov.uk/ageingwell

Ernie on his 100th Birthday with son Barry

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community Summertime - don’t make break-ins more easy Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA) pride themselves on being the largest crime fighting voluntary group in the borough. They worked with the police and the Council to help achieve a reduction in burglary from pre-Christmas to February 2018, and to the lower levels of spring.

Statistics confirm that for every three burglaries in the borough two are in areas not covered by the Neighbourhood Watch, confirming that criminals are aware that residents in our roads can be relied on to spot suspicious activity quickly.

Visit our stands at one of the community events below or find out more at www.bexleywatch.org.uk

Saturday 7 July - Erith Park Family Fun Day, 1pm-6pm Saturday 14 July - Slade Green (Whitehall Lane) Big Local Summer Celebration, 10am-3pm Saturday 4 August - Bexleyheath Broadway Summer Festival, 10am-5pm

CARERS’ CORNER

A carer’s journey

By Debbie, a Bexley Carer My husband John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 15 years ago. With the help of our consultant we approached all the changes together and with positivity.

In 2013 John had broken his femur; he spent two days on morphine and underwent a long operation.

This brought on memory issues and John had to learn to walk again. We worked together on daily exercises and attending memory clinics. We had to adjust but it was still a good life.

In 2015 John was rushed to hospital with sepsis. He lost mobility and the only way that John could return home was with a care package.

It was then I decided to make a Memory Book so our support workers could get to know the real John.

He loved it and it was also a great conversation starter.

It was hard to make the decision when it was time for help but we never looked back. Our support workers became our friends. I lost John in 2017 but I know that his last couple of years were the best they could have been.

Talk to Debbie on Thursday 19 July at 10am and 2pm at the Carers’ Support (Bexley) offices in Sidcup about how she made her Memory Book. Call 020 8302 8011 or email jennym@carerssupport.org

Staying put Our homes become more important as we age and our needs change and not having suitable housing can impact our wellbeing and quality of life.

Our Bexley Staying Put service can help you to remain living at home independently, whether that’s in your own home or through downsizing or moving to a more suitable home.

Get information and advice on l Repairs and adaptations to your home l Grants and loans l Handyperson services for small repairs and adaptations at a competitive hourly rate l Bexley’s Home Fit Scheme lease your existing home to the Council for a guaranteed monthly income and move into more suitable accommodation l Selling your home and renting an apartment in an Assisted Living Scheme where there is care and support at hand Call 020 8303 7777 and ask for the Bexley Staying Put team for more information.

The search for Bexley’s best care workers Do you know a care worker, volunteer or organisation in home care, community care, residential care or learning disability services that goes the extra mile for the people they support? Give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for Bexley’s new Caring at its Best Awards. Anyone can nominate, whether you’re a resident, neighbour, relative, colleague or an employer! Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/caringatitsbest and nominate by Tuesday 31 July.

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Plastic picking revolution!

Plastic litter dropped on the floor in a busy town centre can easily be blown into our rivers, which eventually join the sea.

In Bexley there are 570 street litter bins, two reuse and recycling centres, weekly recycling collections for residents and businesses and various recycling points.

Despite this, more than 3,000 tonnes of litter was

removed from Bexley’s streets in 2017.

That’s why we’re asking you to make the pledge to pick up at least one piece of plastic litter a week from our streets.

Make the pledge at www.localgreenpoints. com/doitforbexley And don’t forget to share how you #DoitforBexley on social media.

Local residents removed 1,380 plastic bottles from the Thames foreshore in Erith in aid of World Earth Day in April

A summer of fun in Erith Following the success of the Lighthouse and the recent Greater Erith Spring Trail, the Council and its local partners are currently putting together a programme of summer events to take place in and around Erith’s pier.

The aim is to encourage people into the town centre, to connect with the river, to support local businesses and create pop-up events that residents and visitors can enjoy. One of the events planned is a new street food night – Erith Kitchen at which residents will be

able to sample a range of culinary delights.

For more information go to www.greatererith.com and follow us on Facebook and twitter@GreaterErith Erith-based arts organisation The Exchange are also planning a host of family activities for summer and autumn this year, including Thames Trails and Craft Challenges.

Keep an eye on their website for more details www.theexchangeerith. com

The Erith Lighthouse project – Summer 2017

Be aware: Oak Processionary Moths Oak trees in Danson Park, East Wickham Open Space, Monks Farm Allotment and Sidcup Place that were affected by Oak Processionary Moths have now been treated

by Advanced Tree

Services Ltd ahead of schedule.

If you discover any more nests and caterpillars in the borough, do not touch and report it immediately.

Call 020 8303 7777 or email trees@bexley. gov.uk. Caterpillar hairs

can cause people and animals: l Severe irritation l Rashes l Sore throats l Breathing difficulties l Eye problems

Consult your GP, pharmacist or vet if you or your pet suffer any allergic reaction. For more information visit www.bexley.gov. uk/opm

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Councillors

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You can search for the name of your local Ward Councillors on the Council’s website using your home post code.

Visit http://democracy.bexley. gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx

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your community

Abbey Wood • Belvedere • Thamesmead • Barnehurst Sidcup • Crayford • Slade Green • Erith • Northumberl

local news from your

Abbey Acoustics II at Lesnes Abbey

neighbourhood

Radio 2 Folk Award winners Josienne and Ben are headlining Abbey Acoustics II on Sunday 15 July. Supporting acts include Jess Morgan and multiple Ivor Novello Award winner and Grammy nominee Iain Archer. There’ll also be fun and games for children. Glass is not permitted on site, so bring refreshments in a nonglass container. Free tickets are available online. £3 suggested donation at the gate.

Visit facebook.com/lesnesabbey or www.visitlesnes.com for more information

Open House Bexley 2018 SATURDAY 22 AND SUNDAY 23 SEPTEMBER Hall Place Saturday and Sunday – tours at 10 and 11am Must be pre-booked Lamorbey House Rose Bruford College Saturday 10am-3pm Danson House Sunday only 10am-4pm Lesnes Abbey Lesnes and Thamesmead Architectural Tour Sunday 2pm Crossness Engines Sunday 23 September 10:30am-1pm and 2pm-4:30pm Tickets only available at www.crossness.org.uk Note: the Beam Engine

House containing the decorative ironwork and engines will not be open.

Shuttle service from Abbey Wood Station at 10:15, 11:30, 1:45 and 2:30 The Carnegie Building Erith Free tours every hour from 10am until 2pm on both days.

Red House Free entry 11am-5pm (entry by guided tour only 11am-1.30pm) From 1.30pm onwards visit the ‘Muse to Maker’ Exhibition, shining a light on the women associated with Red House. Join Pre-Raphaelite author Kirsty Stonell-Walker at

1.30pm and 3.30pm for a talk and book signing for her new book ‘PreRaphaelite Girl Gang’ Thamesmead’s Landscapes and hidden spaces A two-hour walk through Thamesmead’s landscapes, including some less well-known hidden spaces. 2pm on both days. Meet at south-east corner of Southmere Lake (adjacent to SE2 9UR) on square.

teams include Charlton Athletic Women’s FC Open: 8am-6:30pm last entry 6pm Saturday and Sunday For more information on Open House visit www.openhouse london.org.uk

Sporting Club Thamesmead Outdoor multi-use games area and cafe-bar with panoramic views over parkland and pitches - home

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Barnehurst • Bexleyheath • Blackfen • Foots Cray • orthumberland Heath • Falconwood • Welling

your community

The Under 14 team after their regional final win

ws ur

Crayford team bring medals home

hood

On the road to Wembley Slade Green Knights community football club, took three coaches full of young players and their siblings to Wembley Stadium to watch the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea Ladies last month.

Over 140 children went along from the club, many of them experiencing a live football match for the very first time.

Slade Green Knights’ first season has been very successful, seeing an extra Under 7 team created due to demand, the existing Under 7 team promoted and the Under 14 team winning a regional final!

The club are looking for volunteers, coaches, new players and especially sponsors. Find out more by emailing sladegreenknightsfc@ gmail.com

Andrew Callard, the man behind Europa Weightlifting Club based at the Europa Gym in Crayford, helped the national team pick up a mammoth haul of medals at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Club members Emily Godley won gold, Zoe Smith, Sarah Davies and Jack Oliver secured silver medals and Owen Boxall picked up bronze.

Andrew Callard himself won bronze, silver and gold in three successive Commonwealth Games, as well as competing at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

To find out more about the Europa Weightlifting Club email andrew@ aecallard.co.uk or call 07970684102.

For more information on Europa Gym visit www.europagymcentre.com

Thamesmead anniversary

The much-loved Thamesmead Festival returns to the iconic shores of Southmere Lake on the 14 July. This year London’s New Town celebrates a rather special birthday…

This July marks 50 years since the Gooch family took their place in local history as the first ever residents of Thamesmead. They were followed over the decades by new families and communities from all over the world.

That same vibrant community has come together to put on a fun-packed one-day festival showcasing exceptional local talent, great music, a truly spectacular community carnival and plenty of delicious food and drink.

Bring all the family and enjoy a great day out in Thamesmead.

Thamesmead’s 50th Birthday Party.

Saturday 14 July, Southmere Lake and Park.

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all our yesterdays

A walk in the park Bexley’s Local Studies and Archives have been doing extra research recently about Danson Park, as they prepare walking tours ready for the summer.

Someone once described the history of Danson Park to us as being: “A posh person’s paradise and then a people’s’ park”, and that seems to sum it up quite neatly!

We know a lot about Danson’s early history and some of its previous owners: John Styleman of Bexley almshouses fame; John Boyd, the rich but unhappy owner of the magnificent mansion, and Bexley’s own Mr Bean - Alfred Bean, the railway entrepreneur who developed much of the area.

But in 1924 the park was purchased by the then Bexley Urban District Council for £16,000 and soon developed into the public park that we know and love today.

One of the park’s most admired sights is the Charter Oak – one of ‘The Great Trees of London’. It takes its name from Bexley’s Charter to become a Municipal Borough, which was presented by Lord Cornwallis underneath the Oak in 1937, amid much civic pageantry. It’s the Charter Oak which you can see on Bexley’s Coat of Arms today.

During the war, Danson was the site of a barrage balloon defence, an anti-aircraft gun battery, as well as the place where thousands of local children later enjoyed ‘holidays at home’.

Later still, many more Bexley youngsters lovingly recalled their times at Danson, boating, fishing, riding model trains, climbing trees, or swimming in the open air pool.

One such youngster was Strictly’s Len Goodman, who came here a lot in the 1950s and wrote about it fondly in his autobiography recalling a trip to the outdoor pool at Danson Park…He loved it there.

“I went against my mother’s wishes, taking a half-crown from an old biscuit tin she kept, but got my comeuppance when I ran along the side of the pool, slid on an ice-cream tub lid and crashed into a wall … Blood gushing everywhere! A loudspeaker announcement followed, and I was taken to hospital for stitches by a kind gentleman, who later took me home to my mother”.

Princess Mary Viscountess Lascelles at opening ceremony 1925

Charter ceremony: Joyce Woodward presenting bouquet to Charter Mayoress. Sept 1937

WWII barrage balloon in1939

Danson Boating Lake With Old Boat House 1960

Bexley Local Studies Centre have some wonderful resources about Danson Park. Call in and take a look. They are on the first floor of the Central Library in Bexleyheath. www.facebook.com/BexleyArchives @BexleyArchives or email archives@bexley.gov.uk Opening Of Danson Swimming Pool

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6

ways to learn more

1

Learning & Enterprise College Learning & Enterprise and develop different hobbies.

College offers a range With a large range of different of courses for both courses spanning from Art, DIY, educational and vocational Horticulture and Business there purposes for adults over the is something for everyone to try. age of 19. Their courses can Check out Learning & Enterprise help with more than just career College’s website to learn more progression, they can also provide www.thelearningcentrebexley. the chance to learn new skills ac.uk

2

Libraries Find out what educational courses your local libraries can provide, you might be shocked about what you could learn! Many libraries within the borough can teach you basic and advanced computer literacy; you can also take part in the flexible ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) course to gain an accredited IT qualification. You can

find a whole lot more on the library services website where they provide suggestions on where you can find free online interactive learning courses at https://arena. yourlondonlibrary.net/web/ bexley/learning

3

BVSC Do you want to build your leadership skills, develop knowledge on how social media can be used for outcomes or to learn about health and safety essentials?

Bexley Voluntary Service Council hosts a number of free workshops that will help you develop these skills and more.

Find out about free workshops at www.bvsc.co.uk/events/training

4

Bexley Deaf Centre If you want a fun and welcoming group to learn sign language with then check out Bexley Deaf Centre. Everyone, whatever their ability, is invited to learn sign language - and with classes for different levels you will never feel out of place. Contact

them by email info@ bexleydeafcentre.co.uk or telephone 01322 351122 to find out more about lessons

5

London South East Colleges London South East Colleges offer courses that help young people and adults to kick start their careers, improve their career prospects and achieve their ambitions. They offer hundreds of employment focused courses which provide recognised qualifications; there is also information and guidance into how to find and apply for apprenticeships. For more information visit www.LSEC.ac.uk or call 0300 303 2554

6

Bexley for business Take part in free workshops that will teach you all about new business innovations such as using virtual reality for marketing purposes. Bexley for business provides advice and guidance on new ways that businesses can use technology as well as providing networking opportunities. Keep up-to-date by following @bexley4business on twitter or by signing up to their email news alerts from their website www. bexleyforbusiness.co.uk

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Your Local Health Service Help yourself to better health this summer Thousands of patients in Bexley seek the advice of their GP throughout the year for advice on a number of ailments that could be managed with advice from a local pharmacist.

Local pharmacists can support patients with appropriate self-care advice and medicines, for a range of common summertime ailments such as: l Hayfever l Insect bites l Athletes foot l Sun safety l Diarrhoea l Indigestion and heartburn

l Antiperspirants

appointment, you can just walk in and see us.”

l Mild dry skin

To find a local pharmacy visit www.nhs.uk

l Travel sickness

Broadway pharmacist, Bipin Patel said: “You don’t always need to see a doctor for minor ailments such as hayfever, athletes foot, sore throats, coughs, colds and tummy troubles. Many patients assume that you need a prescription for minor ailments but you don’t. Many treatments are available to purchase from your local community pharmacist. These medicines are often cheaper than medicines on prescription.

“Most pharmacies in Bexley have consultation rooms for private consultations and are open until late and at weekends, plus you don’t need an

A range of summer health information on the following topics is available from NHS Choices: l How to cope in hot weather l Sunscreen and sun safety l UK insects that bite or sting l Summer feet tips l Safe swimming in the UK Visit www.nhs.uk/livewell to find out more.

Need to see a GP in the Find out more about local healthcare l Thursday 5 July l Wednesday 17 October Bexley CCG holds two evening or at the weekend? NHS meetings in public, and Patients registered with a GP practice in Bexley can benefit from an appointment with a GP on a weekday evening, weekends and bank holidays at two GP hubs: l Queen Mary’s Hospital, 8 to 8 hub, B Block,

Frognal Avenue, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6LT l Erith Hospital, 8 to 8 hub, Main Entrance, Hind Crescent, Erith, DA8 3EE Non-emergency appointments are available from 6.30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm weekends and bank holidays.

Booking is easy – patients should contact their GP practice in the usual way and ask for a weekday evening or weekend appointment.

Please note, this is not a walk-in service.

Patients unable to attend their appointment should cancel via their GP surgery or by using the following cancellation numbers to help ensure that the appointment slot can be made available to someone else: l Queen Mary’s Hospital: 020 8269 4120 l Erith Hospital: 01322 356 150

NHS Online Bexley – your GP at your fingertips

residents are encouraged to come along to these and find out more about local healthcare.

The governing body (the decision making board of NHS Bexley CCG) meetings take place on:

l Thursday 6 September

l Wednesday 12 December

l Thursday 1 November

For more information about these meetings (times, venues and meeting papers), please visit the CCG’s website: www.bexleyccg.nhs.uk/events

Primary care commissioning committee meetings, focusing on GP services, take place on: l Wednesday 27 June l Wednesday 22 August

Feedback from patients using NHS Online Bexley: “I am very satisfied as I got the answers I needed and I didn’t need to make an appointment with the GP.” “It is quick and reliable for people who have no time for a face-to-face appointment.”

“It was quick and allowed me to consult a doctor without needing to book an appointment.”

“I downloaded the app immediately after receiving the text notification. The app was extremely easy to use. What I liked the best is the turnaround time. I sent the request on Friday and received my response on Monday. Will definitely use again! Thank you!”

“It was quick and easy and I got the information I needed without taking time off work for an appointment and without taking up a full appointment slot which wouldn’t have been necessary.”

More than 6,000 patients registered with a Bexley GP have downloaded the NHS Online Bexley app, which is available from the App Store and Google Play.

NHS Online Bexley is a way for patients to get the care they need in a faster and more direct way.

Three key functions allow the user to get self-help advice and book an appointment or order prescriptions. Patients can also contact their GP online.

NHS Online Bexley is also available from Bexley GP practice websites.

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local information Council meetings All the meetings featured are held at the Civic Offices, Bexleyheath and take place at at 7.30pm.

7.30pm.

These These meetings meetings will will be be webcast webcast and and available at www.bexley.public-i.tv. available at www.bexley.public-i.tv.

A A full full list list of of meetings meetings is is published published on the Council’s website at on the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk/meetings. www.bexley.gov.uk/meetings.

Free access to the internet is available Free the internet is available at all access Bexley to libraries. at all Bexley libraries.

11 April – Public Cabinet Council 13 April meetings – Planning– Committee 26 April – Council 18 24 JulyMay -Council Annual Council 225AugustPlanning Committee Committee May – Planning

LOCAL MPS James Brokenshire MP Old Bexley and Sidcup Surgeries are by appointment only by calling the MP’s office on 020 7219 8400.

To contact James Brokenshire MP Write to: House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA Email: james.brokenshire.mp@ parliament.uk Telephone: 020 7219 8400

Sir David Evennett MP Bexleyheath and Crayford Surgeries are held on the first and third Friday of the month except August.

Venue: 17 Church Road, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4DD Time: 4pm until 6pm No appointment is necessary, but please do ring 020 7219 8403 in advance to

6 September- Planning Committee

YOUR COUNCILLORS THEATRES Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre Crayford 01322 526390 www.thegwt.org.uk Playhouse Theatre, Erith www.playhouse.org.uk 01322 350345 (Box Office)

Edward Alderton Theatre, Bexleyheath 020 8298 1269 Book online at www.edwardalderton.org or call 0333 666 3366 Old Barn Theatre & Theatre in the Round Rose Bruford College, Sidcup 020 8308 2616

The London Borough of Bexley is divided into 17 wards and has 45 councillors.

To find out which ward you live in, or for up-to-date details of how to contact your local Councillors or members of the Council’s Cabinet, please visit www.bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8303 7777

discuss your case when possible.

To contact David Evennett MP Write to: House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA Email: david.evennett.mp@ parliament.uk Telephone: 020 7219 8403 Fax: 020 7219 2163 Website: www.davidevennett.com Twitter: @davidevennett Facebook: fb.com/DavidAEvennett

To contact Teresa Pearce MP Write to: House of Commons, Westminister, London, SW1A 0AA Email: teresa.pearce.mp@ parliament.uk Telephone: 01322 342991

London Assembly Member Gareth Bacon AM (Bexley & Bromley)

Teresa Pearce MP Erith & Thamesmead Teresa Pearce MP holds four advice surgeries each month. Teresa’s surgeries are held on the first Saturday of the month in Thamesmead, the second Saturday of the month in Erith, the third Friday of the month in Northumberland Heath and the fourth Friday of the month in Abbey Wood.

All surgeries booked by prior appointment by calling Teresa’s office.

To contact Gareth Bacon write to: Gareth Bacon AM, Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA, call: 020 7983 6571, or E-mail: gareth.bacon@london. gov.uk

dayout?

Planning a

Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/ visitbexley

You can now search for the names of your local Ward Councillors on the Council’s website using your home post code.

Visit http://democracy.bexley. gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx

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what’s on ! July to September 2018 For a list of events throughout the borough, visit the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk/events Throughout the summer Bexleyheath & Barnehurst Bowls Club

doors open at 1.30pm

New or experienced bowlers welcome.

Suitable for all ages Phone: 07444 475 417 bbbowlsclub@gmail.com

Friday 6 July – 2pm Teddy Bears Picnic

Danson Park Bowls

Come along to a teddy bears’picnic for children aged two to four years old.

The events will be facilitated by international poet Francesca Beard.

Admission: Free Phone: 020 8303 7777 libraries@bexley.gov.uk

Russell Park, Long Lane, DA7 5AS

Looking for new members. All ages welcome to come along and give it a go. www.dansonparkbowls.co.uk

Summer Reading Challenge All Bexley Council libraries www.bexley.gov.uk/libraries

Bexley Parks Tennis League

Throughout summer www.localtennisleagues.com/bexleyparks

Sporting Club Thamesmead

Summer programme www.sportingclubthamesmead.co.uk/ summer-holiday-programme/

Crook Log, Erith and Sidcup Leisure Centres

Camp Adventure. Throughout summer holidays. www.leisurecentre.com

Europa Centre

Summer Holiday Gymnastics Classes Phone 01322 318888 Email info@europagymcentre.com

Until 2 September 10am to 5pm Brick City Exhibition

Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, Kent DA5 1PQ

Travel round the world in an exciting exhibition of architectural landmarks made from LEGO ® bricks. Entry to this miniature world is included in the admission ticket to the historic house. www.hallplace.org.uk Tickets will be available for sale on the day of your visit from the main house reception

Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July Medieval Weekend

Lesnes Abbey, Abbey Road, Abbey Wood, DA17 5DH

St Mary’s Church Hall, Bexley DA5 3LX

Chairman Mrs Pat Laughton 0208/302/9984

Sidcup Library, Hadlow Road, Sidcup, DA14 4AQ

Saturday 7 July 12pm - 6pm Erith Fun Day

Erith Recreation Ground (adjacent to the Leisure Centre, Avenue Road)

Come along for a fun community event for the whole family. Admission: Free Email: erithfunday@btinternet.com www.facebook.com/ events/908310702658228/

Saturday 7 July 7.30pm to 11pm Barn Dance

The Woodlands Farm Trust, 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, DA16 3RP

Join us for our Annual Barn Dance with live music from the fabulous ‘Skinners Rats’.

Bring along your own food and drink, children over 12 years are welcome with a ticket and an adult.

Admission: Tickets £14 per person Phone: 020 8319 8900 admin@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org

Tuesday 10 July – 7pm to 9pm Furniture Upcycling Workshop Learning and Enterprise College Bexley, 5 Brampton Road, DA7 4EZ

Learn some simple furniture upcycling techniques such as painting, stencilling and decoupage. Admission: £5 per person Phone: 0203 045 5176

Friday 13 July - 2pm to 4pm Coffee Afternoon Sidcup Library, 1 Hadlow Rd, Sidcup DA14 4AA

Travel back in time to the Medieval Period and see combat, archery, dancing and a live tournament at our recreated medieval campsite. £2 suggested donation at the gate.

Phone: 07792 177803 Book at: www.visitlesnes.com

A group for people living well with Dementia and their carers. Come along and join us for a beverage and a chat and see what libraries have to offer.

Phone: 020 8303 7777

Thursday 5 July 10am to 12noon Painting the Place – Drawing Buildings

Slade Green (Whitehall Lane)

Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

A half-day session led by our own artist Anthony Nield. Watch a demonstration, followed by the opportunity for you to create your own drawing. Includes tea and coffee.Advance booking required, Admission: £10 per person Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

Thursday 5 July Old Bexley Floral Arrangement Society Pam Cantellow demonstration ‘This and That’ Meetings held at 2pm,

26

Saturday 14 July - 10am-3pm Big Local Summer Celebration Saturday 14 July – 1 to 4.30pm Bexley Good Grub Festival Hurst Community Centre, Hurst Road, Hurst Place, Bexley DA5 3LH

A food fair and fun festival at which you can sample a variety of food, enjoy free cookery demonstrations, take part in fun activities such as pizza making or join in free taster sessions such as kick boxing. Tickets must be pre booked at goodgrubfestival.eventbrite.co.uk and cost £5 however this will be fully refunded on entry to the event.

Saturday 14 July Thamesmead’s 50th Birthday Party

Come and celebrate everything about Thamesmead in this fun packed festival

day. We’ll showcasing local talent, bringing back some old Thamesmead traditions and reminiscing on the town over the ages.

Lisa.Drew@peabody.org.uk www.thamesmeadnow.org.uk

Sunday 15 July Abbey Acoustics II

Lesnes Abbey, Abbey Road, See page 18

Tuesday 17 July – 3pm to 4pm The Wonderful World of Bees in your Garden Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Maidstone Road, Sidcup, DA14 5BQ

Join David Rea, Vice Chair of Ruxley Beekeepers, as he shares his extensive knowledge of bees, beekeeping and honey making. This free talk includes a presentation, hands-on honey tasting.

Phone: 020 8300 0084 Book at:www.ruxley-manor.co.uk

Saturday 21 July Summer Ball

The Boathouse, Danson Park, Danson House, Bexleyheath, DA6 8HL

Phone: Tel: 0208 304 5566 Book at: www.dansonboathouse.com

Saturday 21 July to Sunday 5 August Lark in the Park Sidcup Place

Everyone is welcome to this fully inclusive event. Phone: 020 8309 6056 Book at: www.LarkSidcup.com

Sunday 22 July – 2pm (gate opens at 1pm) Belvedere Concert Band

Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Relax and enjoy the live music on the lawn. Bring a rug or low backed chair to sit on. Picnics welcome. Event weather dependent please check on the day.

Admission: £8 adults, under 16s free (must be accompanied) pay on the day.

Phone: 01322 526574

Wednesday 25 July – 2.30pm (doors open at 2pm) Walks & Talks – Festival of Archaeology Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Come along and listen to archaeologist Nathalie Cohen talk about the exciting Restoration project at Knole House and find out what they discovered in the process.

Advance booking required, Admission: £4.25 per person.

Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

Thursday 26 July 10am to 12pm Painting the place Drawing the landscape Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

A half-day session led by our own artist Anthony Nield. You will start with a demonstration, and then be given the opportunity to have a go at drawing some of our beautiful flora and fauna.

The glasshouse will be used if the weather is wet. Includes tea and coffee.

Advance booking required, Admission: £10 per person (advance booking required) Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

Friday 27 July – 11am Bexley Village Walk Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Join Archivist Oliver Wooller as he takes you on a walk from Hall Place to Bexley Village, stopping at various points to bring the history of the village and buildings alive.

Please meet in the Hall Place Visitor Centre.

Walk will begin and end at Hall Place and last approximately 90-120 mins. Ticket holders will receive a 10% discount for the Riverside Tearoom, for use on the day.

Admission: £4.25 Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

Friday 27 July 7pm till onwards Elvis Presley

Barnehurst Golf Course, Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, DA7 6JU

Elvis Presley Tribute Act at Barnehurst Golf Course. The show starts at 8pm; doors open at 7pm. Admission: £22 per person (includes buffet). Phone: 01322 523 746 Book at: www.mytimeactive.co.uk/ barnehurst/events

Saturday 29 July 11am to 3pm Solar Observing

Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Meet the Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society Dartford for this free drop in activity to learn how to safely observe the sun through special equipment. Admission: Free outside the visitor centre. Phone: 01322 526574

Monday 30 July to Friday 3 August – 10am, 11.30 & 2pm (one hour session) Animal Magic Hall Place, Bourne Road Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Bearded dragons, cute bunnies, mischievous meerkats, hungry chicks, pygmy hedgehogs and many, many more. Get up close and personal with all the amazing animals from Animal Magic.

Advance booking required, Admission: £6 children, £4 adults. All children must be accompanied by an adult Phone 01322 621238 to book tickets

Monday 30 July to Friday 3 August – 1pm to 4.30pm Spark in the Park St John’s Church, Danson Lane, Welling, DA16 2BQ

A week of activities for children, teens and families. Low cost refreshments are available. Phone: 020 8303 0551 www.stjohnswelling.org.uk

30 July – 11 August 10am - 6pm Bexley Art Group’s Exhibition

garden. Includes small free prize at the end.

Pick up your trail sheet from the historic house. Admission: £2.50 per trail (bring a pencil or buy one for 50p on the day) Phone: 01322 526574

Saturday 4 August - 10am-5pm Summer Festival

Bexleyheath Broadway

6, 7, 13,14, 15, 20 - 23 August 10am and 2pm (two hour sessions) Fairy School Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Calling all trainee fairies! An enchanting school where pupils enjoy storytelling, fairy cake decorating, dancing, crafts and other magical skills. Can you graduate this year as a woodland fairy? Perfect for three to nine year olds, boys and girls. Advance booking required, Admission: £10 per child, adults free. Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

Tuesday 7 August 3pm to 4pm Royal Gardens

Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Maidstone Road, Sidcup, DA14 5BQ

Join Jim Buttress as he takes you through humorous anecdotes and informative stories from his life as a royal gardener. Jim started working at a local nursery, moving on to the Greater London Council, and ended up with the Royal Parks in London, where he was responsible for Hyde Park, St James Park, Clarence House and Buckingham Palace.

Phone: 020 8300 0084 Book at: www.ruxley-manor.co.uk

Wednesday 8 August - Gates open 7pm, film starts approx.

8.30pm Open Air Cinema - Labyrinth Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

(1986, cert U, 100 mins) We have the 80’s cult classic “Labyrinth”, starring the late, great David Bowie as the goblin king and directed by Jim Henson.

A fun film that all ages will enjoy.

There will be a full bar and hot food available on site. Book in advance.

Admission: £15 adults, £10 children (plus booking fee) Phone: 0844 858 6767 Book at: www.lunacinema.com

Thursday 9 August - Gates open 7pm, film starts approx.

8.30pm Open Air Cinema - Moulin Rouge Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Members of the Bexley Art Group Annual Exhibition. Entrance is free.

(2001, cert 12,127 mins) Get ready to be transported to 1880’s Paris as we show Baz Luhrmann’s musical masterpiece, ‘Moulin Rouge!’ There will be a full bar and hot food available on site. Book in advance.

Admission: £15 adults, £10 children (plus booking fee)Phone: 0844 858 6767 Book at: www.lunacinema.com

Wednesday 1 August to 31 August – 10am to 4.30pm Summer Garden Trail

Thursday 9 August 5.30pm to 9.30pm Charity Toy and Train Fair

10am-4pm on Sunday and a late night opening each Wednesday until 8pm Freemantle Hall, Bexley

Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Complete the picture of Hall Place by copying the missing pieces hidden in the

Falconwood Community Centre, 32 Falconwood Parade, The Green, Welling, Kent, DA16 2PG

Online updates Friday 10 August - 2pm to 4pm Coffee Afternoon Sidcup Libary, 1 Hadlow Rd, Sidcup DA14 4AA

A group for people living well with Dementia and their carers. Come along and join us for a beverage and a chat and see what libraries have to offer.

Phone: 020 8303 7777

Friday 10 August 4.15pm to 5pm Thamesmead Teenage Reading Thamesmead Library, Binsey Walk, SE2 9TR

This is a reading group for young people where you decide what novels to read.

Discuss new authors, share book reviews, ideas for the group or even bring a favourite book to share with others.

Refreshments available. Admission: Free.

Phone: 020 8303 7777 libraries@bexley.gov.uk

11 August - 12 noon to 4pm Thamesmead Community Market Information Hub, Yarnton Way DA18 4BW

Crafts and food stalls including bath products, gifts, framed products, cakes, pastries, vegan food and Caribbean food

Thursday 16 August – 8pm Bat Walk Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Join us on a dusk walk through the gardens to hear and see these nocturnal creatures. Bat detector supplied! Followed by tea and cake. Dress for the weather and for walking over uneven ground.

Admission: £10 adults, £8 for 8-16 year

visit www.bexley.gov.uk/events olds (advance booking required) Phone: 01322 621238

Sunday 19 August 11am to 3pm Solar Observing

Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Meet the Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society Dartford for this free drop in activity to learn how to safely observe the sun through special equipment. Admission: Free Outside the visitor centre. Phone: 01322 526574

Sunday 26 August Performance starts 2pm (gates open 1pm) Open Air Theatre The Reluctant Dragon Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Everyone knows St George has to do battle with the dragon, but what happens when the dragon simply won’t fight St George? In this delightful new adaptation by Michael Whitmore, Quantum Theatre presents Kenneth Grahame’s The Reluctant Dragon, an enchanting tale for all the family. Bring a rug or low backed chair to sit on.

Picnics are welcome, but hot drinks and refreshments will be for sale.

Admission: 12 adults, £10 concessions, £8 under 16s, 2 yrs and under free Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

Monday 27 August Annual Summer Bank Holiday Charity Show & Family Fun Day

@whatsoninbexley

Mount Mascal Stables Vicarage Road, Bexley, DA5 2AW

applies). Advanced booking required, Admission: £26.00 per person Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

020 8300 3947 www.mountmascalstables.co.uk

Thursday 6 September 1pm to 2.30pm Living Well with Dementia

Saturday 1 September 10.30am -6pm The Third Crossness Steampunk Convivial

Erith Library 100 Erith High Street, Erith, DA8 1SL

Steampunk shenanigans, family and children’s craft activity, stalls, refreshments and more. Adults £15, children 6-17 years old £8. Book at www.crossness.org.uk 020 8311 3711

Come and enjoy a friendly chat over tea and coffee and join in our activities.

Phone: 020 8303 7777 libraries@bexley.gov.uk

Tuesday 4 September 3pm to 4pm David Austin Roses

Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Maidstone Road, Sidcup, DA14 5BQ

Mike Sokolowski has vast experience having worked for the internationally acclaimed Rose Breeders and Growers, David Austin Roses. Phone: 020 8300 0084 Book at:www.ruxley-manor.co.uk

Thursday 6 September 10am to 3pm Painting the Place - Watercolours Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Artist Anthony Nield will help you understand the techniques behind watercolours. Complete your own masterpiece and pick up tips under the watchful eye of the expert. Join Anthony for an informal lunch in the café to discuss your day. Tea and coffee on arrival / tearoom lunch and hot drink (max value

Sunday 17 September - 2pm Mixed Netball Tournament

Sporting Club Thamesmead, Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, SE28 8NJ

Open to everyone aged 14+.

Admission: £1 per person Phone: 020 3828 4920 www.sportingclubthamesmead.co.uk

Tuesday 18 September – 7pm Bat Walk Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

Thursday 6 September 2pm, doors open at 1.30pm Old Bexley Floral Arrangement Society

Join us on a dusk walk through the gardens to hear and see these nocturnal creatures. Bat detector supplied! Followed by tea and cake. Dress for the weather and for walking over uneven ground.

Admission: £10 adults, £8 for 8-16 year olds (advance booking required) Phone: 01322 621238 to book tickets

9 September 12 noon to 4pm Thamesmead Community Market

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September London Open House weekend in Bexley

Elfleda Dew demonstration ‘Spectrum’ St Mary’s Church Hall, Bexley DA5 3LX

Information Hub, Yarnton Way DA18 4BW

Crafts and food stalls including bath products, gifts, framed products, cakes, pastries, vegan food and Caribbean food

Saturday 16 September 12pm Family Social Ride Sporting Club Thamesmead, Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, SE28 8NJ

Social rides for all the family. Please bring your bikes and helmet. Bikes available for hire, subject to availability.

Admission: Free Phone: 020 3828 4920 www.sportingclubthamesmead.co.uk

See page 18

Friday 28 September 7pm onwards Take That

Barnehurst Golf Course, Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, DA7 6JU

Take That Tribute Act at Barnehurst Golf Course. The show starts at 8pm; doors open at 7pm. Admission: £22 per person (includes buffet). Phone: 01322 523 746 www.mytimeactive.co.uk/barnehurst/ events

MOUNT MASCAL STABLES PONY FUN MINI MORNINGS 09:30am – 12noon £25 per child

A super fun and unique pony experience especially created and designed with little ones in mind. Meet and greet our lovely patient ponies, learn how we care for them, have a go at grooming and enjoy a ride. A refreshment and snack included along with a take home craft activity and rosette as a memory of the morning. Private groups welcome.

AGES 3-7 Ideal for Pre-schoolers Tuesdays during term time Monday – Friday school holidays

Vocational/Apprenticeships/ Access to HE/Degrees and more

020 8300 3947 familyfun@mountmascalstables.com www.mountmascalstables.com

London South East Colleges, Bexley 2 Walnut Tree Road, Erith, DA8 1RA studenthub@lsec.ac.uk 0300 303 2554

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a-z information Council news via email newsletters at www.bexley.gov.uk/news

www.bexley.gov.uk Register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Useful Council numbers

How do I?

Automated payments – 020 3045 5200

Contact the police when it is not an emergency on 101 or 0300 123 1212

Adoption and Fostering - 0800 783 7699 Bexley Local Offer - Special Educational Needs and Disability Support for 0-25 year olds - 020 3045 5677 Bexley Magazine - 020 3045 3605 Births, deaths and marriages - 03000 415252 registerofficebexley@kent.gov.uk Council Tax & Housing Benefits – 0345 302 2317 Emergency Out of Hours Service - 020 8303 7777 /

020 8303 7171 Home Library Service – 020 3045 4565 Housing advice - 020 3045 3400 Temporary Accommodation – 020 3045 3155/ 020 3045 3156 Parking Services - 020 3045 3000 Adults Social Services - Residential care – 020 3045 4900

100 + services online Seven days a week + 24 hours a day l Apply - Pay – Find - Report

Report a gas leak - 0800 111 999 Get health advice and reassurance -111 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Report a leak or burst pipe to Thames Water - 0800 714 614 (24 hour leakline) or #tweetaleak to @thameswater

Other useful contacts Domestic Violence – 0808 2000 247 Job centre plus – 0345 604 3719 Resources Plus - 020 3045 3800 Citizens Advice Bureaux – 01322 517150 Age UK information and advice – 0800 678 1174 For other enquires call 0800 169 8787 Bexley Voluntary Service Council – 01322 524682 Bexley Foodbank - 07932 431350 For all other Council services please call our automated switchboard on 020 8303 7777 to request the department you require

Worried about a child? Call 020 8303 7777 and ask for Safeguarding Children’s Services. In an emergency always call 999.

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local organisations Academy Photographic Group 07976 760488 Academy - United Judo Bexleyheath www.unitedjudo.com Active Horizons Youth 07833 477651/020 8310 5481 Adult Community Art Lessons @CleevePark www.sandiecamilleri.wixsite.com/ artlab 07931 824110 Age UK Bexley 020 8300 0883 Air Training Corps (Youth) Welling Sqdn - 020 8303 7379 Bexleyheath Sqdn - 01322 559056 Sidcup Sqdn - 020 8309 9926 Erith Sqdn - 01322 340749 Alzheimer’s Society Bexley Branch - 01322 524950/ 559308 Art Group Welling 07905 437840 Association of Bexley Charities ‘78 www.bexleych.wix.com/bexleycharities-78 Assyrian Community of Kent 01322 335479 Avante Community Support: Homecare 01322 344 980 107 (Bexleyheath) Army Cadet Force 07756 775294 Advocacy for All 0345 310 1812 Barnehurst Yoga Club-0771 222 6261 Barnehurst & Ivor Thomas Pool League davidleeds452@btinternet.com Belvedere Art Group-01322 556876 Bexley Borough Mummies 07572 473 272 Belvedere Community Forum and Centre 020 8311 5550 Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme 01322 311333 Bexley Active Retirement Club 020 8303 9675 Bexley African Caribbean Community Association 01322 332142 Bexley Archaeological Group 020 8300 1752 Bexley Art Group 01322 430681 Bexley Arts Trust 020 8303 8177 Bexley Bards Story Tellers 0771 222 6261 Bexley Blind bowlers club 020 8856 8954 Bexley Borough Pensioners Forum 01322 310507 Bexley Boys & Girls Hall 0208 858 5123 Bexley Centre for the Unemployed 020 8301 3187 Bexley Churches Housing Assoc. Ltd 020 3866 5999 Bexley Civic Society 020 8302 2443 Bexley Coin Club 0208 303 0510 Bexley Community Library Art Club 01322 836303/07446 480619 Bexley Cricket Club steventhomas.crawley@openreach.co.uk Bexley Croquet Club 020 8300 3172 / 01322 525975 Bexley & Dartford Cats Protection 01322 611911 Bexley & Sidcup Lions Club 07790 279683 Bexley Deaf Centre Fax/Minicom - 01322 351122

30

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Bexley Federation of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners (BFALG) 07470 468594 Bexley Football Club 0208 858 5123 Bexley Natural Environment Forum 01322 521 259 Bexley Down’s Syndrome Group www.bexleydownssyndrome.co.uk Bexley Heritage Trust Hall Place - 01322 526574 Bexley Historical Society 020 8309 5884 Bexley Ladies Keep Fit Club Hurst Community Centre Bexley & Lewisham Sea Cadets 020 8304 9448 Bexley Masters Swimming Club 07957 447432 Bexley Marquetry Group 01689 851702 Bexley Mencap 020 8303 6336 Bexley ME Support Group 020 8303 8553 Bexley Moorings Project www.bexleymoorings.co.uk Bexley Pain Group 020 8298 6287 Bexley Philatelic Society (Bexley Stamp Club) 01322 559210 Bexley Photography Chatter Community www.BexleyPhotographyChatter.co.uk Bexley Rotary Club raymorris1@hotmail.co.uk Bexley School of Dance www.bexleyschoolofdance.com Bexley SNAP 01322 359 475 Bexley Stop Smoking Service 0800 7832514 Bexley Talking Newspaper 01322 445293 Bexley Tinnitus Support Group 01322 525115 Bexley Twofold 020 8303 7777/020 3045 4920 Bexley Turkish Elderly Day Centre 020 8306 6736 Bexley Voice 07512 409936 Bexley Ukulele Group 07711 704033 Bexley WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) 020 8300 1845 Bexley Women’s Aid 020 8301 1536 Bexleyheath & District Club for Disabled 020 8303 4826 Bexleyheath & Barnehurst Bowls Club 01322 526932 or 0744 447 5417 Bexleyheath & Belvedere Hockey Club 07720 412547 Bexleyheath Photographic Society www.bexleyheathphotographicsociety. co.uk Bexleyheath Morning Townswomens Guild 020 8310 4537 Bexleyheath Gaming Club (Pokemon/Yugion) www.facebook.com/BexleyGamingClub Bexleyheath & Crayford Waterside Women’s Institute 020 8303 5158 Bexrose Gardening Society 01322 527 947 Bird College 020 8300 6004 Brampton Art Group 020 8303 9132

The Boys’ Brigade & Girls Assoc 020 8304 9669 Bridge Mental Health 020 8298 9677 Bridging the Gap South East 020 8300 5444 British Army Association 01322 449175 British Polio Fellowship (North West Kent Branch) 020 8304 1694 Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) 01727 867201 Cancer Research UK - local fund raising 020 8302 3964 Care Matters UK Ltd - 01322 522440 Carers’ Support Bexley 020 8302 8011 Chislehurst & Sidcup Ballet Club gillian.heyward@gmail.com The Compassionate Friends Child Bereavement Support www.tcf.org.uk Connexions Prospects 020 3045 5555 Contact the Elderly 020 8303 4723 County Gate Lodge www.cgl7849.org Crayford & District Men’s Probus Club 020 8304 2802 Crayford Art Group 020 8303 4656 Crayford Camera Club 01322 438808 Crayford Judo Club 01322 631108 Crayford Manor House Historical Society 01322 551279 Crayford Town Archive 07800 992931 Crayford Women’s Institute 01322 557229 The Crossness Engines Trust www.crossness.org.uk Crossroads Care South East London www.crossroadscaresoutheastlondon. org.uk Cruse Bereavment Care 020 8304 5245 Danson Youth Trust 020 8303 6052 Darent Cray National Trust Association 01474 705402 Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group 07775 305110 Douglas Macmillan Cancer Information Service 020 8308 3295 Duplicate Bridge Club at VCD Crayford 020 8303 1402 / 07955 470762 East Wickham Open Space Conservation Volunteers www.eastwickham.org.uk Erith & Belvedere Local History Society 01322 337893/01322 437925 Erith & District Swimming Club edsc@edsc.org.uk Erith & District Synchronised Swimming Squads synchro@edsc.org.uk Erith Model Railway Society www.erithmrs.ukmodelshops.co.uk Erith Nemesis Martial Arts Gym 01322 335076 Erith Veterans Club Singers 01322 553078 Evergreen Care Bexley www.evergreencarebexley.org Feel Good Co-Operative 07908 034081

To add your organisation to this list, or to update your contact details please e-mail communications@bexley.gov.uk or telephone 020 3045 3605 Friends of Danson Park 020 8311 1351 Friends of the Earth - Bexley www.foe.co.uk/bexley Friends of Foots Cray Meadows www.footscraymeadows.org Friends of the Red House 01322 865186 Friends of the Shuttle www.friendsoftheshuttle.org Family Action 020 8310 6570 Geddes Place Widows Group 01322 521754 Guide Dogs for the Blind - Bexley 0845 3727415 Haven - Gay & Lesbian Social Group 01322 287356 / 07804 808581 Headway South East London/ North West Kent 020 8319 7148 Healthwatch Bexley 020 8304 9344 Hill Park Autistic Trust 01322 334318 Holy Trinity Lamorbey Social Club 07903 565502 Hurst Horticultural & Garden Society 020 8306 2202 Imago 07710 847812 www.imago.community Insight Bexley 07824 999581 Inspire Community Trust 020 3045 5100 Irish Community Services in Greenwich ,Bexley & Lewisham 020 8854 4466 Kingfisher Bowls C lub 020 8302 8830 Lamorbey Park Archers www.lamorbeyparkarchers.co.uk Lamorbey & Sidcup Local History Society 020 8302 0059 Lamorbey Park Cricket Club 07741 193133 Lesnes Abbey Woods Conservation Volunteers www.lacv.btik.com London Borough of Bexley Retired Employees Assoc 020 8300 5526/020 8303 0606 Macular Society Bexley Support Group 020 8856 8954 Manor House Bowls Club 01322 400031 07960 862249 The Meeting Place Wed 9.30am - 1.30pm St John Fisher Church Hall Meridian Canoe Club 07801 549601 MIND In Bexley 020 8303 5816 MND Association 01322 228169 Multiple Sclerosis Society 020 8306 7050 North Kent Scottish Association Wednesday evenings at Barnehurst Golf Club Old Bexley Floral Arrangement Society 020 8302 9984 Old Bexley Music Society 020 8306 0353 Parkinson’s Disease Society 020 8306 5973 The Practical Photographic Group 020 8304 6561 Rainbows, Guide or Ranger Groups 020 8301 1200/01322 294516 The Rendevous Club for over 50’s 01322 287356/020 8859 2035

Royal Airforces Assoc 020 8303 5158 Royal Artillery Association Sidcup Branch 020 8306 1992 Royal Naval Association (Sidcup Branch) 07932 767105 Serenade Singers mcwhitford@gmail.com St John Ambulance Sidcup - 0844 770 4800 Erith - 07974 219471 St Michaels Ladies Club Welling 020 8306 1146 Samaritans 020 8301 1010 Shopmobility Scheme 020 8301 5237 Sidcup Art Club - 020 8302 5390 Sidcup Chess Club www.sidcupchessclub.org.uk Sidcup & District Caledonian Association Scottish Country Dancing 020 8856 4522 Sidcup & District Motor Cycle Club 01634 201268 Sidcup and District University of the Third Age 020 8850 2046 Sidcup Jazz Club 01322 442442 Sidcup Jazz Record Club 01689 835805 Sidcup Literary & Scientific Society 020 8300 8647 Sidcup Philatelic Society 020 8300 9627 Sidcup Symphony Orchestra 01322 552710 Signpost Community Drug & Alcohol Team 01322 357940 SmileyArk Kids Club 07956 263531 The Scout Association 0845 094 6368 or 0845 300 1818 Speakability Sidcup 080 8808 9572 SSAFA - the Armed Forces Charity 020 8639 0495 Stillbirth & Neonatal Death 07951 454682 St John Ambulance Crayford Sidcup 0844 770 4800 St Mary’s (Welling)Players 020 8303 8933/ 07866 259302 Trust Thamesmead 020 3828 4900 The Link Thamesmead 020 3828 4950 Sporting Club Thamesmead 020 3828 4920 Thames Innovation Centre 020 8320 1000 Trefoil Guild - Invicta (Welling) 020 8304 8409 / 01689 811116 United Nations Assoc (Bexley) 01322 335 479 University of the Third Age Abbey Wood & Thamesmead 020 8311 4797 University of the Third Age Bexley 01322 556876 Veterans Club of Bexley 020 8304 2815 Victim Support (Bexley) 020 7277 1433/ 020 8698 4583 Volunteers Information Service (VIS) 01322 335 479 Welling Being Link - 07895 143939 Welling University of the Third Age 020 8304 4130 Women’s Aid Helpline 020 8301 1536

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Recruiting Now Carewatch provides home care services to vulnerable people in the Bexley Borough so they can continue living at home.

“We’re looking to recruit people who are compassionate, considerate and wish to make a real difference to the lives of our customers.

You may be looking for a few hours’ work each week or up to 30 hours each week, providing personal care and practical “ I like working for Carewatch support to our customers, full training and as it’s like one big extended support will be given every step of the way.” family where everyone looks out for each other and support is always at hand.”

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS and use of own car is required for working purposes.

If you would like a rewarding job in care, please call or email:

020 8303 3330 info@carewatchbexley.com

As an employer we treat everybody equally.

LANDLORDS – PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED

gps lettings

Fresh thinking

is what enables us to achieve the best price for your property

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Appliance Services Ltd 07766 607251 020 8301 1618 / 020 8303 6950 Repairs/Sales/Service Washing machines, Dishwashers, Cookers, Ovens, Tumble Dryers, Storage Heaters etc Fast Friendly Service Formerly of Lion Road, Bexleyheath

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Blazing Fires:Blazing Fires

15/5/09

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Blazing Fires ● Modern & Traditional Fireplaces ● Wide Selection on Display ● Site Survey & Fitting Service ● Friendly Advice

020 8850 4887 257 Eltham High Street Eltham, London SE9 1TY

MOUNT MASCAL STABLES HORSEMANSHIP FOR ALL

Achieve your personal goals - enjoy your individual experience Equestrian fun, excitement & interest for all ages & abilities Riding School & Livery Yard Professional Qualified Staff 1st timer l Nervous Novice Junior Rider l Rusty Returner Horse Owner l Seasoned Competitor 2 Indoor Arenas l 1 Outdoor Arena Private off-road riding in the Garden of England Pony Club Centre l British Riding Club Clinics l Lessons l Hacking Dressage l Show Jumping Cross Country Course Shows l Competitions l Events Parties l Holidays l Vouchers l Gifts ABRS l BHS l NVQ Training l Volunteering (YELA & Duke of Edinburgh) High value tailored services & first class facilities across our 70 acre site

Annual Summer Bank Holiday Charity Show & Family Fun Day - Monday 27 August 2018

www.mountmascalstables.co.uk 020 8300 3947 Vicarage Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 2AW Established & owned by the Window family since 1966 mountmascal @mountmascal

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