Life In Orpington August 2021

FR BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS

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ISSUE 30 . AUGUST 2021

How to prevent WFH burnout CELEBRATING LOCAL HEROES

The new ’cardening’ trend is here!

Keep your cool at night

AT A T IM E E G A P E N O Y C O M M U N IT E H T G IN IR P S IN www.lifeinmagazines.co.uk

JUST QUOTE 'LIFE IN MAGAZINE'

2 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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Welcome to Life in ORPINGTON... ...your local community magazine that has something to suit all tastes

The Team Get to know us:

What do you hope to achieve by the end of August?

Editorial / Sales: Lauretta lauretta@lifeinmagazines.co.uk To have read 3 more books.

Launching this magazine two-and-a-half years ago, I’ve learned many important lessons along the way. One in particular is that the sense of community in our towns and villages is still very much alive. I’ve seen this first-hand while distributing the magazine, stopping to chat with people in the street who’ll ask for a copy of the magazine or telling us to ‘keep up the great work’ and it’s wonderful to feel that we’re providing that service and helping support people. It’s also great to have conversations with local businesses and shop owners to find out what’s happening from their perspective and how they are adapting in order to survive. Please do support these local businesses where possible – we’ve lost many businesses during the pandemic, let’s try not to lose any more.

It seems that during the worst of the pandemic this sense of community really came into its own. Brits are great at sticking together – and helping one another when it comes to social uncertainty. Testament to that is this month’s Local Hero (page 6) featuring a wonderful lady who pulled out all the stops to help those most in need during lockdown.

Meanwhile, we’ve got everything from the new ‘Cardening’ trend to the best way to store chocolate in this month’s issue. Enjoy the summer holidays – whether you’re staying at home, enjoying a staycation or even managing to get abroad. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the issue – you can email me directly at lauretta@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Accounts: James accounts@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Complete the list of household jobs on my to-do list.

Distributor: Lynsey A successful harvest of potatoes and strawberries – both have an abundance of foliage & flowers so hoping for a good crop.

Distributor: Zeenat To have signed up six corporate companies to ensure productivity and happiness in all areas of their lives.

Distributor: Tara To have started my course on herbal medicine, contained my temper with the children and lost a stone!

Our Friends

Lauretta Wright, Editor

contents - AUGUST 2021 Community

Lifestyle

4.

5.

20.

Getting to know Orpington Write it, Say it, Message it - PRIZE GIVEAWAY 6. Local Heroes 9. Noticeboard 12. Lines From Linda 15. (Deputy) Mayor's Voice 17. What's on this Month 19. 5 Minutes With...

21. Book Review

Design: Nicky design@lifeinmagazines.co.uk To have my website up and running.

The following people have kindly volunteered to help distribute Life In Orpington. A HUGE thank you to them for their time and generosity.

Sarah Spencer-Adams

Puzzle Page - PRIZE GIVEAWAY 22. Ask The Experts 23. Did You know...

24. Health & Beauty 26. Pets Life In Orpington is published 27. Classifieds

by Luna Creative Media (Ltd) 29. Business 33. Short Story To advertise in Life In Orpington contact Lauretta on 34. Stockists 07403 550068 | hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk 35. A Final Thought

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 11TH AUG

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Heather Cole

If you’d like to become a ‘Friend’ of Life In Orpington and get out & about in your local community to deliver Life In Orpington (minimum 100 copies), please email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with your contact details.

It’s a great way to get out & about meeting people & increase your exercise.

@lifeinmags

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 3

community

Getting to know Orpington

Local History Corner The River Cray was the life blood of the towns of St Mary Cray and Orpington. It also brought prosperity to other towns along its length. In Roman times it formed as a stream in what is Orpington High St and Sevenoaks Road being contributed to by a network of smaller streams and water sources from the higher grounds area. The river was far wider and deeper than today and a story tells of a pageant carrying Queen Elizabeth I up to Orpington from the River Thames.

Crayfish were found in abundance in the River Cray. It is often debated whether the Crayfish got its name from the River Cray. The meaning of the word Cray is also debated.

Some say it is from the Saxon word ‘crecia’ meaning brook or rivulet or the Celtic word ‘crei’ meaning fresh or clean.

From the 1700s to the mid 1900s mills dominated the length of the river from Orpington to St Paul’s Cray (and beyond).

Here is a potted history of the most significant.

Nash’s Mill Nash’s Mill at St Paul’s Cray started as a corn mill but by the mid-1700s paper making had started. Nash was a big employer of the area and ran a successful business until the mid-1950s when the mill became a factory complex and by the mid-1980s had been demolished and replaced by light industrial units.

Joynsons Mill Joynsons Mill may be the most remembered in St Mary Cray as it lasted a very long time, was visible from miles around and employed many locals. It started off like most as a crop mill but became a paper mill by the late 1700s.

William Joynson took it over in the early 1800s and was run successfully until 1967.

Orpington Mill

Did you know?

The mills of the River Cray were used in the production of flour, tanning leather and paper production.

Joynsons produced the first paper to be used in bank notes and also the first vegetable parchment paper.

The source of the River Cray is the ponds at the Priory.

The first mill was Orpington, Colegate or Hodsolls Mill which stood near to Carlton Parade. An 18th Century mill stood at this site for nearly 200 years with its metal water wheel, grindstones and wooden frame and mill building. Orpington Mill also had a pond, supplied by the River Cray to maintain flow at the water wheel. The mill was demolished in the mid 1930s to make way for the housing in St Andrews Drive.

The Orpington History Organisation (OHO) www.orpington-history.org Facebook @OrpHistOrg

4 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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Write It, Say It, Message It!

Got something to shout about? Maybe you want to respond to an article or want to spread the word about something locally?

community the star response (

) wins a £10 voucher to spend on stationery at

Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk or text us on 07403 550068. You can also tag us in on social media @lifeinmags OFFICE RESOURCES

Star response When the Last Tree Falls Will you remember when the last tree falls?

When there will be an end to it all?

When climate change has made its final incision?

The powers that be finished their bad decisions.

Will you remember when the final ice cap melts?

No longer any stars upon orionbelt.

When nature's voice is completely silenced?

Britain no longer a proud, great island.

Will you remember the last bee sting?

Plague songs, no red roses ring.

The crunch will come some day soon.

Unless they bring us to Mars or moon.

Will you remember the last piece of green belt?

No longer sacrosanct. Or how it felt?

When nature and our love ones die?

The truth has now become a lie.

We meet with life and death the same.

But memories fade from where we came.

Utterances from the golden light.

Please wish Apocalypse goodnight.

Carol Fenwick

What novel idea would you introduce to deal with local traffic issues?

Linda Hall Publish the number of cyclists using the new cycle lanes on Crofton Road. I’d be interested to see if it has been cost-effective.

Craig Wood Make the High Street wider. Remember when it was wide enough for a central reservation outside Macs?

Sarah Spencer-Adams Austin Road has two crossroads and no clear road signs. The amount of crashes and nearmisses is ridiculous. The road is so long it’s used as a race track.

Next month’s question…

Should we give vaccinations to children for COVID-19?

Tag us in @lifeinmags or email a short response to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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Another great issue!

Really useful article on page 19 about noise!

Joanne Kelly

Fresh and pure as northern winds.

The truth; nature is our friend.

When we fall from grace like Adam and Eve? Love will win. We must just believe.

We ask for your views on topics that matter. This month’s question:

Tanya Heath Look into Chelsfield Lane going towards Chelsfield Village, Since doing the roundabout in Court Rd, the lane has become a racetrack and a short cut.

I suggest width restrictions and speed bumps.

0800 781

www.tangentoffice.com QUALIT Y BRANDED CLOTHING FOR YO

What’s Your Take...?

Barry Martin Make parking in the PRUH free or for a nominal fee for NHS staff, meaning that nearby residential roads are not inundated with people looking for free car parking spaces.

WIN

Workwear th

SCOUT PLEA This is a plea from an ageing Scouter about a real crisis of leadership for St Johns Scouts (8th Orpington) and Guides (4th Crofton). I am unashamedly playing the sympathy card here because unless we find two leaders for our Guides, two for our Explorers and a minimum of one for our Cubs, all three sections are likely to cease to exist at the end of the summer term. Having been a part of the 8th for almost 40 years now it breaks my heart to see us reach such a state of play. We can all play the too busy, working all hours or simply can’t see myself doing this card but if you have been a member (or a parent or relative) of either our Scout or Guide family at St Johns in any sort of capacity, could you ever forgive yourself if we had to deny our young people the experiences and adventure that you enjoyed?

Don’t let lack of experience put you off - we have leaders who will help out in the short term and guide you, as well as being there for backup. So, if you would like to give it a go why not drop us a message through our website at www.stjohnsurc.org.uk or contact me directly at hendersonj501@sky. com. Who knows it might be the best thing you ever did!

Jon Henderson, 8th Orpington Scout Group

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 5

community

Local Heroes...

Kathryn Bell

Sarah Spencer-Adams nominated Kathryn Bell for the work she did for NHS staff at PRUH. Sarah said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Kathryn Bell on behalf of all staff at the PRUH. At the start of the current lockdown Kathryn created a FB page & motivated the community to donate snacks and drinks for NHS staff. This was an invaluable gesture and much appreciated by all the hard working & exhausted staff. Kathryn coordinated the deliveries and even set up an Amazon account which made donation easier – and kept Kathryn very busy. On top of all this, Kathryn was home schooling her two young children, supporting her husband who works as a local bus driver and is the main carer for her 94-year old grandfather who has terminal cancer. On behalf of the staff at the PRUH, I would like to say a very well deserved thank you to Kathryn!”

How does it feel to be nominated by Sarah, Kathryn?

It has really taken me by surprise and I am very touched.

I’m just so glad that I was able to help in some way, but I couldn't have done it on my own - the community really pulled together and it was a team effort.

What inspired you to start raising funds and providing supplies for PRUH staff - and what have you managed to achieve?

I know several amazing people who work for the NHS and at our local PRUH hospital, and had spoken to them about the unbelievable struggles they faced when the pandemic first took hold; they were exhausted and morale was low. When we went into the January lockdown I really wanted to help, so I spoke with some of the people I knew and asked them what they needed. This is when I learnt that there was a regional supply shortage of scrubs and that the wellbeing hub could use some supplies of food and snacks for staff. I then decided to contact the administrator of a Facebook group that had been set up in the first wave, Orpington Covid 19 Mutual Aid, to see if they could support my idea. Unfortunately, the group was no longer running, so I decided to take it on myself. I started arranging local donations of items that NHS staff needed and used my house as a drop-off point. I also shared an Amazon Wishlist which I discovered was key, as many people didn't want to leave the house but still wanted to help. My home quickly became full of amazing donations, so I asked the local community for help transporting the items to and from the hospital and I needed another location that could store items too. This is when my amazing friend Nikki Heffernan, who owns Sprinkles in Orpington, stepped

in to help and also Raju, Anita and Kai from the Premier Store at Eldred Drive. We then organised the donations and deliveries between us. I also used the FB page to ask for help in getting scrubs made and it’s where I found the amazing Claire who owns Taylor and Able in Penge. She was then able to co-ordinate a team of sewers who could make the scrubs. They were then dropped off to my home address and an ICU ward sister collected the scrubs and distributed them through her team and to the HUB. It really was a team effort and the way the community pulled together was simply amazing. On the Facebook page I also received several referrals for people who needed prescriptions or shopping collecting because they were isolating, so I carried out these duties and also asked for others to help too.

How do you manage to juggle everything including motherhood?

My children actually got involved by sorting out all the donations and putting them into bags so they could get delivered easier. They enjoyed helping me and it gave them a sense of purpose too.

What does community spirit mean to you?

It’s a feeling of togetherness, where people look out for each other and care about each other’s wellbeing. It is certainly something that I have felt in these uncertain times.

What’s next for you?

Now things have eased I’m keeping the FB page but turning it into a mutual aid group - a place where people can still come for help if they haven't got family nearby and they need something or are struggling with food etc... or just need a chat.

Do you want to nominate a local hero?

Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

6 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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Scout’s honour!

4th Bromley (Holy Trin ity) Scout group is an exciting and fun place to make new friends and memo ries for a lifetime. We meet on Friday evenings: Be avers aged 6-8 at 5pm till 6.1 5, Cubs aged 8-10 at 6.30 till 7.45 and Scouts aged 11-14 at 8pm till 9.30.

Everyone welcome just get in contact on laura.evans94@goog lemail.com

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

u spare a tening and can yo Are you good at lis ment Café ve rea Be e Th month? few hours once a needs volunteers. t@yahoo.com arvey.lifecelebran eh ell Email mich

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NOTICEBOARD

A Charity Golf Day will be held at Chislehurst Golf Club on Friday 3rd September to raise much needed funds for The Primrose Centre.

It commences at 12 noon with coffee and bacon rolls with tee off at 1pm. The cost is £75 per person including golf and dinner (at 7pm) or £35 for dinner-only guests.

For details email maryspinks@primrosecentre.org.uk or call 01689 880218.

New car deck at PRUH

Designs for the new car parking facility at Princess Royal Unive rsity Hospital have ag ain been redesigned based on feedback received .

The redesign includes a single level steel fra me construction adjacen t to the urgent care cen tre entrance. The car parki ng deck will follow the existing slope of the land and will feature enhanced landscaping. It will pro vide an additional 90 car parking spaces and wil l include some electr ic charging points.

For details see www.k ch.nhs.uk/about/corpo rate/ ppi/have-your-say or you can share your vie ws by emailing consultation s@idplanning.co.uk

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 9

community -

NOTICEBOARD

Unbreakable Hero

BT revealed the inspirational stories uncovered in its . search to find the UK’s everyday ‘Unbreakable’ heroes ate The entries follow a call to action to the public to nomin to t interne the of power the those individuals who used make a difference during a unique and challenging year. g Sophie Ellis-Bextor teamed up with BT to help find unsun Steve was s winner al nation the of One wn. lockdo heroes of ated Cotterell of the Croft Poetry Club in Orpington, nomin the during gs meetin online ran Steve n.

by Jerry Dowle d lockdowns and gave members, who were inexperience to ence confid and tuition le valuab t, users of the interne expand their capability at an essential time. Well done Steve – and thoroughly deserved!

The High Street is goi ng to get busier as new developments come to fruition. Some will hate the new developments and som e will love it when it’s finished.

However, how can we escape whilst it’s all hap pening?

All Saints Church in Ba rk Hart Road has com e up with an OASIS of calm. You ’re invited to pop in for a socially distanced cup of tea or coffee on Wednesda ys from 10.45am- 11.45am to enjoy our lovely old chu rch and its green surroundings . All profits from drink sales go towards our Disaster Fund meaning that we can react immediately to any wo rld or local disaster wit h a wellneeded donation.

REASONS TO SHOP AT CO-O P

The Co-op has nomina ted The Chartwell Ca ncer Trust for 2020/21. Every £1 spent on Co-op brande d goods either in one of the sto res, any UK store or onl ine, 2p is automatically donate d to the charity. If you are not already a member, it cos ts just £1 to join and tak es moments to sign up. Me mbers also save money every time they shop too. Se e coop.co.uk/member ship or download the Co-op app: ww w.coop.co.uk /coop -app and select The Chart well Cancer Trust.

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ELECTRIC CAR GIVEe EAWlecAY tric Car

launched th Auto Trader has ar, it’ll be ch month for a ye ea e er Giveaway, wh w ne electric aw with a brandrunning a prize dr fer a different of ll wi Each month s. ab gr r fo up r ca and variety of show the range a Mustang car as its prize to ing lud the market, inc on rs ca ric ct ele ult Twizy. ectric and a Rena Mach-E, MINI El To enter see /giveaway o.uk/cars/electric r.c de tra www.auto

10 Life in... Orpington August 2021

SAY WHAT? Do you wear a hearing aid but still find it difficult to follow conve rsations? Maybe a lipreading class could help? We have a few spaces ava ilable to start in September 2021 at Bromley Adult Education College in Poverest Road.

Contact lisa.cox@ba ec.ac.uk for more information.

Feature on the

Community Noticeboard!

ws

ocal ne share l

for just £30. We aim to list charity and non-profit notices for free (space dependent), or we offer a 20% discount for a guaranteed listing.

Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with the details.

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THE NURSE-LED HOME CARE PROVIDER

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August 2021 Life in... Orpington 11

community

Lines from Linda

years to our very first date. It was at a barbeque. We were doing a play in Eastbourne at Rants, raves & musings from actress the time, and Brian and I were playing husband and wife. & author Linda Regan It was a hot August night and Normally, this month is holiday month, but I think I am right the cast decided to arrange for in saying a lot of us will be holidaying at home or not at a barbeque on the beach after the all this year. Lots of social events still to be had though, show. Brian asked if he could escort outside in our own gardens. I mean who doesn’t love a me. He was very attentive, brought my favourite tipple barbeque on a balmy summer evening, or what about and a packet of vegetarian sausages. Although we had hiring a marquee for a special event if our garden is been playing husband and wife in the play, it was clear, big enough. The trouble with me and being a crime at this event, that we both had deep feelings for each novelist is that every time I see a white tent in a other and were falling in love. This next moment, garden area, I don’t think, ah lovely someone I think will stay in my mind forever. Brian and I is getting married, or engaged, or having a had finished our meals. We were stood a little celebration, I immediately wonder who has away from the rest of the party. He looked Enjoy your been murdered! (They nearly always erect a at me, and I looked at him. Both staring into tent over a body when a murder is committed marquees and each other’s eyes. ‘I think I’d like to kiss you,’ outside, to preserve the evidence). he said with such gentle passion. ‘I’d like that,’ barbeques I answered shyly. As we leaned in for our first Barbeques are different. A glass of your ever kiss, a very large seagull fluttered noisily over favourite tipple in your hand. Breathing in the our heads, then hovered over Brian and opened his aroma of summer flowers and grilling sausages (in bowels and dropped a very large dollop of seagull poo on my case vegetarian). Barbeques remind me of my first date Brian’s head. I married him anyway. Enjoy your marquees with my husband, now 30 years ago. I am married to the and barbeques. actor Brian Murphy (still famous for his role as George in George and Mildred). People often ask me if he is like that For more about me and my crime novels see character in real life. The answer is no; he is charming and www.lindareganonline.co.uk a perfect and considerate hubby. I am now going back 30

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12 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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Foster Denovo is a multi-award-winning firm of financial advisers that provides financial advice to individuals and families.

Our local financial advisers based at our office in Bromley, specialise in providing financial advice in the following areas.

• • • • • • • •

Financial planning Trust and estate planning Savings and investments Retirement planning Pension options at retirement Mortgages Protection Small business solutions

Working in partnership with your local Foster Denovo financial adviser can help you make the right financial planning choices.

Why Foster Denovo?

Our advisers are friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable and our priority is to help our clients achieve their immediate financial planning needs and longer-term financial aspirations.

For a fee free, no obligation initial meeting to discuss your immediate or long-term financial planning requirements, please:

call John Winters or Sharon Cain on 01689 868 163 or 07767 818 665 or email john.winters@fosterdenovo.com or sharon.cain@fosterdenovo.com.

Website: www.fosterdenovo.com

Devonshire House, 29-31 Elmfield Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1LT.

If you seek advice there may be a fee involved, full details will be provided prior to any work undertaken. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate taxation and trust advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount invested. Accessing pension benefits early may impact on levels of retirement income and your entitlement to certain means tested benefits and is not suitable for everyone.

You should seek advice to understand your options at retirement.

Foster Denovo Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Registered Office: Ruxley House, 2 Hamm Moor Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2SA. Telephone: 01932 870 720 Email: info@fosterdenovo.com Website: www.fosterdenovo.com

14 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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community -

(DEPUTY) MAYOR’S VOICE

NOTICEBOARD Councillor Tony Owen

This column has been written for the past year by the previous Mayor, Councillor Hannah Gray.

She was enormously resourceful and inventive in demonstrating how much a ‘virtual’ Mayor can do for the community while adhering to social distancing restrictions. One of the duties of the Mayor is to chair meetings of the Full Council. The only meeting Hannah presided over other than via video was the annual meeting which ended her mayoral year! Whenever there was an easing of lockdown Councillor Gray was out and about in Orpington and other parts of the Borough supporting local businesses and charities.

The new Mayor, Councillor Russell L. Mellor, is now in his 32nd year as a Councillor and represents Copers Cope ward. His impressive CV can be found on the Mayoral pages of the Bromley Council website. I am very proud to have been asked to be his Deputy.

I moved to the Knoll area of Orpington in the early 80s and was first elected to be a Petts Wood & Knoll Councillor in 1989. I worked for 40 years for the Dutch company Philips in their electronic components businesses and retired as the Financial Controller of their worldwide set top box operation.

My main leisure interests are contract bridge (I am a trained bridge teacher and member of Orpington Bridge Club), popular music and world travel. I returned from an 18-day tour of India on 18th February 2020 just before the Covid pandemic spread worldwide.

The Mayor and I would like to devote our Mayoral year to helping recovery in every way we can. If you think your organisation or business would benefit from a formal visit to generate publicity or boost morale please contact the Mayor’s office (mayors.office@bromley.gov.uk or 020 8313 4906), and let us know.

I had the pleasure of introducing a virtual meeting to thank the 4,600 Borough volunteers who offered to help disadvantaged neighbours through the Covid lockdowns.

This was a fantastic communal effort and a reminder, if one were needed, of what makes this such a nice place to live.

The Mayor has visited Orpington Bowling Club and Mayoral visits are booked for the Petts Wood May Fayre (somewhat later this year!) and also the annual Petts Wood music festival renamed Petts Wood Calling.

Whether it is work, play or supporting charities we would like to do everything possible to boost the new ‘normal’ and get us all back to enjoying life again.

Councillor Tony Owen Deputy Mayor of Bromley 2021-22 You can get in touch with the Mayor’s office by email at mayors.office@bromley.gov.uk

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August 2021 Life in... Orpington 15

Nursery for children with special needs

Special needs children

ears Aged 2-5 y

Bubbly Nursery for Special Needs Children has been established for 2 years now and our focus is to: • Enabling children to meet their full potential • To be referred to specialised services when needed • To work closely with parents and discuss progress • To assess children using evidence based assessment tools • To support children transitioning to the right school with an Educational Health Care Plan if needed.

The team is made up of staff with health and educational backgrounds and we now have a minibus to pick up children from outside the borough.

Please click www.bubblyspecialneedsnursery.co.uk for testimonials. Please go to Instagram and view our beautiful pictures @bubbly_nursery A member of Early Years Alliance and a Registered Nurse

In the last 5 years house prices have increased by 9.4% in Orpington

If you’re thinking of selling, get Your Move on your side.

It pays to be with Your Move 16 Life in... Orpington August 2021

01689 872 926 your-move.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

what's on - AUGUST 2021 Your essential what's on guide for events, activities, clubs and much more in and around Orpington.

There's something for everyone!

We’re looking to hear about your news, notices and local events!

Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

We are knitting for the Intensive Care Baby Unit at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), Orpington.

Anyone is welcome to join - you don’t have to be an experienced knitter. Due to COVID-19 we are knitting at home. Contact Lin for more information.

FESTIVALS community & charity Bereavement Café

Message the Facebook page for a call back

Cost: Free Contact: www.facebook.com/bereavementcafe If you're struggling with the loss of a loved one, contact The Bereavement Cafe to talk with qualified bereavement counsellors. All are welcome.

Bromley Mencap Services

Contact: 020 8466 0790 Helpline open Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm Email support: enquiries@bromleymencap/org www.bromleymencap.org.uk Call for advice and a friendly voice. We understand many disabled people and their families may be feeling anxious and worried during these difficult times. Please phone our helpline should you require any support or need advice during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bromley Well

Monday - Saturday, 9am-5pm

Contact: 0808 278 7898 Email: spa@bromleywell.org.uk www.bromleywell.org.uk Bromley Well provides help for you to stay emotionally and physically well and to remain independent. Bromley Well are running workshops which are free but you need to be registered as a Bromley Well service user. See website for details.

Forget-Me-Not Survivors Of Suicide Loss

Meet the first Thursday of every month

7.45pm - 9.45pm Cost: Free Contact: Sandra - 07519 105354 Email: sosl.orpington@gmail.com www.survivorsofsuicideloss.org.uk Twitter: @ForgetMeNotSoSl Forget-Me-Not offers support for all those affected by suicide loss. The group is self-led and informal, where you can connect with other survivors.

Knitting Club for the Intensive Care Baby Unit at the PRUH Knit from home

Contact: Lin Harewood 01689 877010 Email lincbc2020@outlook.com

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Petts Wood Calling Saturday 7th August

12pm at The Memorial Gardens, Petts Wood Tickets: www.pettswoodcalling.com This one-day charity music festival is brought to you by the organisers and crew who have run Petts Woodstock since 2014. The event will feature an outdoor 'dome' stage promising local musical talent and a large bar serving an array of beer, wine and spirits. Tickets cost £12.50 in advance, under 12s go free.

Priory Live Music Festival Saturday 7th August

Priory Gardens, Orpington mail: priorylivefestival@gmail.com Tickets: www.priorylive.co.uk Priory Live Orpington’s Music Festival, taking place at Priory Gardens in Orpington this August. There’ll be original music with acts including headliners Toploader, Secret Affair, Con Barclay, Hometown Show, 10 hours as well as comedy, poetry and talent on the BBC Upload Stage. World foods, a craft bar, rides and a creative makers market also feature.

Adults £15, Under 16s £8 and under 12s go free.

Kent Coffee Festival

Saturday 28 August & Sunday 29 August

The Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury Contact: www.kentcoffeefestival.co.uk If you’re looking for a fun day out for all the family this August bank holiday with a shot of coffee and culture thrown in then the new Kent Coffee Festival might just be for you! It will celebrate all things coffee, providing fresh inspiration, tips and ideas for coffee enthusiasts. Discounted tickets can be pre-booked online - adults £6, teens £4 and children under 12 go free.

mARKETS Orpington Market

Open Tuesday, Friday & Saturday

9am - 3pm Market Place, Orpington BR6 0TW Contact: 01689 832923 Email: info@orpingtonmarket.co.uk www.orpingtonmarket.co.uk A weekly market in the heart of Orpington (next to the Walnuts Shopping Centre) bringing together fresh produce, fashion, homeware & crafts. Stalls will be adhering to the 2m distancing rules. Please queue responsibly.

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 17

what's on - AUGUST 2021 libraries Orpington Library

Contact: 01689 831551 Email: Orpington.library@gll.org www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary Open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm

Petts Wood Library

Contact: 01689 821607 Email: Pettswood.library@gll.org www.better.org.uk/library/london/bromley Open Monday - Tuesday and Thursday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm

SOUTHBOROUGH Library

Contact: 020 8467 0355 www.better.org.uk/library/london/bromley/ southborough-library Open Monday - Tuesday and Friday - Saturday from 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm Please check websites for the latest library updates and opening times.

sports & nature Flin's Online & Live Outdoor Fitness Classes See website for class dates & times

Cost: PAYG £5 - £8 Contact Fran: 07976 412027 www.flinsfitness.co.uk Online streaming plus live offerings - 40+ classes a week, early mornings, mid mornings and evenings, including weekend classes. Body Conditioning, Strength, Cardio, Pilates, Yoga, Back2Basics beginners classes and more.

Come to our NEW OUTDOOR POD at Westcombe Park, or evenings at Tubbenden School.

Dr Bike Cycle Maintenance Session 9th August

Orpington War Memorial, 344 High St Orpington BR6 0NQ Time: 9am - 12pm Contact: LBB Road Safety Team (Event organiser) Tel: 020 8313 4546 | Email: road.safety@bromley.gov.uk www.bromley.gov.uk/DrBike Get a free MOT for your bike. The DR BIKE cycle mechanics will check your bike and fix minor faults such as brakes, chain, cables, gears and tyre pressure.

Sessions on 13th and 27th August will also be run at Norman Park at the same times.

THE NEXT COPY DEADLINE IS:

shout about your event...

11TH AUGUST

Contact Lauretta on 07403 550068 hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

A listing costs just £15. We aim to list school, church, charity, community service or non-profit events for free (space dependent), or we offer a 20% discount for a guaranteed listing.

Life In Orpington cannot be held responsible for any changes or cancellations of an event. We recommend you double check times, places & dates if attending an event listed.

@lifeinmags

Would you like a physiotherapist to visit or video call you at home?

Our team provides rehabilitation and Physiotherapy for Follow many different conditions. ing a

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Contact us on 07951 025208 to find out more www.jlinks.co.uk

18 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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5 Minutes with…

community `

Tony Romero

Tony Romero (real name Tony Lyons), is a Jazz singer who hit the big time in the 1960s before being pushed out of the industry by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Here we catch up with Tony to see how he’s helping small businesses and what he does to keep his Jazz passion alive…

What was the highlight of the swinging 60s for you?

You could say it was bittersweet. For years I’d been trying to get a record contract and eventually landed one with Decca Records and managed to get some classy gigs.

The biggest was a summer season in Blackpool with Max Wall and Ray Martine and it was wonderful. Then came the terrible disappointment; when you sign with a record company you’re effectively owned by them. They decide everything for you - from the promotional budget to what songs you record – and unfortunately the record I produced was a flop and I was overtaken in the charts by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Things could have turned out very different for me, but that’s life!

Who’s your favourite musician of all time?

Music is very much to do with mood and if you’re a real music lover which I am, nothing is more exciting than music. You go in and out of liking different music and genres, but mostly it has been jazz. The most staggering performance I witnessed live was Frank Sinatra, who to me is like some sort of god. He surrounded himself with the best in the business – he had a wonderful 50-year career and to see him live was terribly exciting.

Have you ever been star struck?

I suppose I haven’t really. I was at a casino in Monte Carlo once and found myself sitting next to Cary Grant – he was the Sinatra of the acting world. He even gave me one of his cigarettes and we spoke for a little while – he was terribly friendly.

What’s your business background and where did the idea of your latest networking venture, FWD, come from?

I’ve been everything from a hairdresser following in my father’s footsteps to owning a book shop, being in the gambling industry, dry cleaning and importing and exporting. I eventually went into the business that Friday Wind Down is now – communication. At the time it was called the Business Referral Exchange and we’d meet early for breakfast and help one another with referrals. It was pretty successful, starting out with one group and we ended up with 12. A friend of mine, Chandra Sharma, was also a member and when I retired last year, Chandra approached me to ask if I’d like to start up Friday Wind Down – and the rest they say, is history!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

John Ward, a musician and a great friend of mine, helped me in the last leg of my early show business career. He told me: “Don’t ever let the Decca thing happen to you again.

If you don’t like the music you’re singing or recording, just don’t do it.”

What do you like about Life In Orpington magazine – and what does community mean to you?

It’s a wonderful magazine – so vibrant and I love that it celebrates all things community. To me, community is about warmth – that feeling you get when you go out locally and communicate with others. It’s also knowing that if anything happens, people will pool together quickly and easily.

To book Tony or for more information see tonyromero.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 19

lifestyle - PUZZLE PAGE WIN a £15 App Store & iTunes Voucher!

WIN

Find the words listed in the grid, all associated with summer.

Words can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally. One of the _________________________________ words doesn’t appear in the grid – this is the winning word. Date: ___________________ Send the answer to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk or text 07403-550068 with your name, number and address.

Untitled

B X H Y Y A C O C K T A I L S L X

K B K R A P R E T A W D E Y S R P

W A W S F I T B Z H M D E Q Z S O

M R G V D C I N C I P H F L D L R

J B B V A J U C A D T A H N U S S

Z E W L N F S F O X C A O L Q R N

S C I Q K I M J Y M I P L B M W R

U U N U F E I Y V D T N I R A D U

N E H L E U W D F W H O D K S U B

B T J J H V S T D Y M F A D P T N

A S M P A C A J X A A Q Y Y O Q U

T Z E D M V A W S W E W K G L N S

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W J W J T C O E K S E D Y J I A Q

F S S E R D N U S L C H B N L A D

L Y R V V G U H J W I E F D F V Z

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20 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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community `

BOOK REVIEW

Was it a page-turner or more a ‘dip-in, dip-out’ of book?

Louise Allen read Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Health by Dr Rachel V Gow, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, £16.99

It is definitely a dip-in, dip-out – a good reference guide you can keep referring back to.

Synopsis: Changing one's diet not only improves physical health, but benefits mood, behaviour and cognitive function at a fundamental level. This book highlights the link between nutrition and mental health and demonstrates the crucial role of diet in supporting individuals with ADHD. It also includes accessible tips and a chapter of recipes to promote brain health.

How easy was the book to digest? It is largely readable and pitched at the right level, but can be a bit technical in places if you don’t have a science background. There are lots of positive case studies included which gives you some confidence in what you are reading.

Did it offer practical, take-away information you can use? I liked the take-away summary points at the end of each chapter. The tone was helpful and not patronising or dictating at all. Although ADHD is the book’s main focus, I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in improving behaviour and concentration through nutrition.

What you liked: There are lots of contributions from people who have experience with ADHD which makes it feel relatable. It also cites very robust scientific evidence on the link between gut health and brain health and explains the role vitamin deficiencies and some food additives may play in behaviour. Thought-provoking stuff.

What could be better: I’ve worked in the field of nutrition for 20 years and don’t agree with the analogy of some foods being poison. Also, some of the recommended recipes are not at all realistic bone broth soup anyone?!

Useful information: It could do with a one-page annex with links to further information and diagrams to help decode the anatomy of the human brain. Don’t let that put you off though, it is very helpful and I will definitely be trying some of the suggested recipes - perhaps not the bone broth soup though!

Star rating (out of 5): 4 Would you like to be on our reader panel? We’ll ask you to share your views on community topics and take part in book reviews. Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

倀爀椀漀爀礀 䜀愀爀搀攀渀猀 伀爀瀀椀渀最琀漀渀 洀椀搀搀愀礀 ⴀ ㄀ 瀀洀

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䄀搀瘀愀渀挀攀 吀椀挀欀攀琀猀 ꌀ㄀㔀 漀渀 猀愀氀攀 渀漀眀 倀爀椀漀爀礀氀椀瘀攀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀 lifeinmagazines.co.uk

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 21

lifestyle

Ask The Experts

Q: We’ve got a family funeral arranged and there may be people who are abroad who want to watch the funeral- is there any way we can do that?

A:

Most funeral chapels and crematoria have the ability to film and live webcast a funeral service. If they haven’t, there are ways around this; we have contacts of people we can use where they can film the funeral service and it can be shared with those who you would like to show it to.

Michelle Harvey Life Celebrant

Crayford

Petts Woods

Sevenoaks

Sidcup

Q: I’m thinking about getting a new bed, but how do I know when’s the right time to buy and what should I look for given there’s so much choice?

A:

If you’re struggling to sleep it could be your mattress that needs an update. A supportive, comfortable and spacious sleeping arrangement will mean that you’re less likely to be disturbed and wake up - and therefore less likely to wake feeling tired or aching. You should be replacing your mattress every seven years; a seven-year-old mattress has seen 20,000 hours of wear and tear, not to mention all the sweat and dead skin cells we lose. In terms of choosing a new mattress, it’s best to try them out in store before you buy rather than buying online, as you’ll never know what it feels like. And when you’re trying it out, ask yourself if it offers the right level of support in terms of firmness/softness and if it feels comfortable. Size does matter, so aim to invest in the biggest mattress you can and consider investing in quality too.

David Cheeseman, The Bed Post

Q: What are the big fashion trends for summer?

A:

After a very difficult, dull, sad and stressful year I am happy to see so much colour for the summer to brighten not only our wardrobes but also our minds and hearts.

A pop of electric blue teamed with the white super stretch trousers or beautiful floaty silk trousers is a perfect look.

There are lots of coral, fushia and lime green in the collection of tops and trousers this year and we also have all these colours in our classic long silk dresses. So whether you choose a bright top, bottoms or both, be sure to brighten 2021 with a beautiful selection of colour!

Lisa Clark, Liberty’s Fashion

Q: My mum always insists on keeping chocolate in the fridge, but I’ve heard that it should be kept at room temperature – who’s right?

A: You’ll be pleased to hear you’re right on this. Putting chocolate in the

fridge will alter its texture and it won’t release the flavours it has at

room temperature. I realise that on hot, sticky days you might be

tempted to put it in the fridge, but a cool, dark cupboard is best.

You’re aiming for a temperature of around 15°C. If you’ve opened

the chocolate, then it’s also best to store it in an air-tight container as

it can absorb the odours of other foods around it, thereby affecting its taste.

Caroline Wolfe, Plume Desserts

22 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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Did You Know…

lifestyle

Heard of the new ‘Cardening’ trend?

KEEP YOUR COOL...

James Wilson, AKA The Sleep Geek, offers top tips for keeping cool…

Windows: During the day open windows on either side of the house. Get a nice airflow through and when direct sunlight is on a room ensure the blinds or curtains are closed.

Here’s an unusual trend that has started appearing on social media – the practice of planting plants in your car, known as ‘Cardening’. Bristol Street Motors found some of the wackiest ways that people have taken their plant-obsession to new levels by featuring them in their cars. However silly it might look, there are some benefits in keeping plants in your car (in a safe position!) including air purification and reducing stress levels; as the prominent colour in nature, green has been proven to be calming. Plants most likely to survive in a car are also the ones that need the least attending to such as Cacti, succulents, String of Pearls, palms and Snake plants. If you opt to pursue this unusual and potentially messy venture, it’s best to keep the plants located somewhere safe, where they cannot easily fall, cause a hindrance to the driver or damage your car – oh and we’d love to see your pictures too of course!

Leading the way Chislehurst Town Centre is set to introduce a new mixed-use health centre and library, located on Red Hill where the current library stands. While the new building takes shape, a temporary library will be provided nearby.

Planning permission will be submitted later this year and, if successful, construction is scheduled to commence in mid-2022.

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Bath: Have a warm bath or shower in the hour before bed, as this will slightly raise your core temperature and, as you get out of the bath or shower, your temperature will drop, which helps you feel sleepy.

Hot Water Bottle: Another great tip with a similar theme is to fill a hot water bottle with lukewarm water and place your bare feet on it. As above, it will raise your core temperature slightly and then it drops, helping your body prepare for sleep.

Mattress Material: Springs are the best option for temperature regulation, and on some occasions, filling made of natural materials like wool or silk can help.

Separate Duvet/Sheet: A tip that is a real winner when it comes to helping us sleep cooler is to have a separate duvet or sheets from your partner. Sharing a duvet with a partner means that as well as your body heat you are also getting theirs as well, which can make you hotter.

Materials Your Bedding is Made With: We often perceive that high thread

count cotton bedding is luxurious and cool, but actually, the higher the thread count, the less airflow cotton bedding gives, meaning something like Egyptian cotton is not the best material in the summer. Try something like Bamboo, or a man-made fibre like SteadyBody to help your body breathe.

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 23

A ray of sunshine from Time For Flowers Gorgeous bouquets to suit every budget

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Health & Beauty

lifestyle

Five benefits of swimming with a club

by KERRY BARRETT, Orpington Ojays Swimming Club, (orpingtonojays.com) 1 You’ll get super fit Training with a swimming club means having great coaching and focused sessions. It’s hard work but it pays off and you’ll soon see the difference in your fitness. Club swimmers often go on to compete in other sports because swimming is such a good way to get fit.

2 You’ll make great friends Swimming is a very sociable sport and there is lots of time to chat and have fun among the hard work. Our swimmers and their families are good friends and support each other through the highs and the lows.

3 You might win some medals Club swimming is all about the competition. Taking part in galas can be daunting but learning how to deal with the

pressure of racing, and how to win and lose gracefully are great life lessons. And, best of all, you might come away with some shiny medals to show off.

4 You’ll learn a lot about yourself Swimming is the best of both worlds - an individual sport in a team environment. It’s a brilliant way to feel part of something, and still push yourself to achieve your own goals. The skills it teaches will be useful in every part of your life.

5 You’ll improve your mental health We all know that exercise gives you a good dose of endorphins and makes you happy. Swimming does that and it also gives you time away from the noise and chaos of everyday life. Ploughing up and down the pool has a meditative and calming effect, so it works your mind as well as your body. Perfect!

Put Your Best Foot Forward Sandal season is upon us, so it’s a great time to show your toes some love. Earthy Nails’ nail polishes are high-shine and long lasting, whilst also being vegan and cruelty-free. There’s a choice of 21 natural origin nail polishes costing from £7.99 each, available from www.earthynailpolish.com

www.flinsfitness.co.uk VISIT...

ess

sfitn The Pod @flin lifeinmagazines.co.uk

August 2021 Life in... Orpington 25

lifestyle

Pets...

10 Best Pet-Friendly Houseplants

Pet corner

Cute pet pictures – send yours to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Here’s Luna! She enjoys walks in the woods – usually across Farnborough fields – and loves watching the world go by from the front window.

Sarah Miller

1. Kentia Palm (Howea Forsteriana) 2. Calathea - Calathea Orbifolia 3. Calathea Zebrina 4. Zebra Plant 5. Calathea Flamestar 6. Cast Iron Plant - Aspidistra Elatior 7. Rattlesnake Plant - Calathea Lancifolia 8. Cardamom Tree - Elettaria Cardamomum 9. Areca Palm - Dypsis Lutescens 10. Pilea Pepermoides

This is my parent’s cat and his official title is Lord Percy as he is a pampered puss!

Tracey Hall

Pointlessplants.com

Neuter your Cat for £5

Do you live in our Bromley area (BR1 - 5 or SE20, SE23 & SE26) and would like some help to get your cat neutered? We are offering you the chance to have your cat neutered for just £5.

Here’s a few pics of my son and daughter-inlaw’s puppy, Frank.

Lindsey Jones

For more information please contact Bromley Cats Protection on :

Here’s Billy and Bertie in their poppy scarves.

020 8650 5556

Kevin Tomkins

www.cats.org.uk/bromley/contact-us

Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) SC037711 (Scotland) NEU_2343

Did you know…?

British people’s interest in getting a pet increased by 123% during the pandemic according to Google's statistics!

Picodi.com

26 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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CLASSIFIED LISTINGS BUSINESS & NETWORKING

DESIGN & PRINT

PRODUCTIVITY POD

NICKY GRANT DESIGNS

If you’re a small business or sole trader and work alone – or just want some incentive to get your admin, accounts or social media done, join one of the Productivity Pod’s free sessions on Zoom! You continue to work with sound off but cameras ON & after the session you tell the others what you managed to get done in 2hrs!

Email productivitypod@post.com with your mobile number and name to register or for more details.

CHILDREN'S CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES AQUAKIDS Get the kids ready for the October half-term with an Intensive swim week. Monday - Friday, 25th -29th October: 9 -11am at Bromley High. Check our social media and the website for the latest updates. www.aquakids.co.uk Facebook@aquakidsuk Twitter @Aquakidsuk Instagram @aquakids.uk

I specialise in making your business look its best with creative graphic design - offering a personalised, professional and cost-effective service.

T 07855 585690 E nickygrantdesigns@gmail.com

VINTAGE SCRIBE Beautiful handcrafted invitations and cards for any special event. For that stylish, individual touch.

Call Vintage Scribe on 07716-837874

HOBBIES THE CREATION STATION SEVENOAKS, BIGGIN HILL, HAYES AND ORPINGTON Providing award winning inspiring and imaginative arts and crafts sessions for all ages, parties, events activities and after school clubs. For more information and booking visit www.thecreationstation.co.uk/alix-purton or call Alix on 07906 078840 @TCSBeckenham

To submit a classified listing please call 07403 550068 or email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Prices start from just £10 per month.

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ADVERTORIAL

Selling Online?

Here’s what you need to know about taxes

If you own an e-commerce business, or you’re thinking about starting one, then there are special rules for operating. Here, Zoe Gibbons, partner and e-commerce specialist at Perrys Chartered Accountants, explains what you need to know about selling online.

Do online sellers have to pay tax?

Setting up as an online business is a great way to keep overheads to a minimum and benefit from flexible working arrangements. However, like any other business, an e-commerce business will be subject to paying taxes.

If you are self-employed, including as an online seller, then you’ll need to complete an annual self-assessment tax return to disclose any income and expenditure and submit it online to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you are selling items online and it is not part of a business activity, such as selling second-hand possessions on eBay, then you won’t need to pay tax. However, if you plan to do it regularly, this could count as a business even if you already have a job.

As of 2016, the Finance Act gave HMRC the authority to investigate selling sites of individuals who do not appear to be declaring income. This is assessed based on the following criteria: • Intention to make a profit as opposed to selling for fun or to raise emergency funds • Repetition of similar transactions over a short period of time • Borrowing money to fund transactions • Inability to prove items sold were pre-loved or used before being listed • Items sold at a fixed price in a similar way to other retailers • Limited time between purchase and selling of items • Modification of items in order to sell them for profit

How much can you sell online before paying tax?

The good news is HMRC currently allows £1,000 to be earned in sales before any tax is payable. However, even if you’re selling online on platforms such as eBay, Depop and Gumtree, and you’re not a registered business, once you pass the £1,000 earnings threshold you may be liable for tax as a self-employed individual.

What taxes do online businesses need to pay?

Depending on how your business is set up, the following taxes may apply: • Income Tax • Corporation Tax • National Insurance • VAT • Employers’ PAYE • Business rates

Is there an online sales tax?

In March 2020, HMRC introduced the Digital Services Tax – a 2% tax on the revenues of search engines, social media services and online marketplaces, which derive value from UK users. The majority of businesses affected by this tax are large multi-national enterprises, such as Amazon, Facebook and Google.

However, the UK Treasury is investigating options for introducing an online sales tax. Currently, it is considering a 2% online sales tax on e-commerce sellers and marketplaces, meaning e-commerce businesses might need to pay 2% of tax on their online sales to UK customers.

Do you pay taxes when selling online to other countries?

If you sell to customers who are overseas, then other considerations will apply. For example, your goods may require accompanying documentation and could be subject to customs duty and sales tax on arrival at their destination.

If you require any assistance regarding the information mentioned in this article, please contact your local Perrys office.

Orpington

www.perrysaccountants.co.uk 28 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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Business

lifestyle

How to prevent WFH burnout

Adapting to a new Work From Home (WFH) life has taken its toll on many people; not having a clear separation in time and space between work, households and family can leave many people feeling exhausted. So, with the help of Martina Ratto, Cognitive Scientist at Beingwell, here’s some tips to avoid burnout…

1. Cut back - as our schedules fill up quickly, it’s a good idea to check in and notice any overly demanding or unnecessary pressure building up in our day-to-day.

So swap meetings for a phone call where possible or ask to meet for a social coffee to discuss work plans instead.

2. Get outside - getting fresh air on a coffee or lunch

break, either for a walk, a quick workout or jog, will help reset and refresh your brain, meaning we’ll manage tasks better.

3. Eat well - eat a balanced, nourishing diet if things

are feeling stressful. We often reach for sugary, carby,

Did you know…?

Bromley experienced a 182% rise in claims for unemployment benefit last year – the highest of any London Borough. This prompted action by Bromley’s eight Rotary clubs and the creation of the Rotary Work Club, an initiative founded by the club’s Christine Atkinson. The Rotary Work Club offers a course of weekly online learning opportunities to people who are out of a job or feel they are at risk of unemployment – a growing audience that is usually neglected, but which is just as important in mental health terms. It doesn’t promise a job, but instead offers free, independent, practical guidance and support.

greasy foods when we’re tired, but fresh foods in our diet actually provide protection for the brain from harmful toxins and help us maintain good executive functioning.

4. Sleep well - rather than focusing on a bed time,

focus on a wake up time and make it consistent. It helps set our body clock and helps us naturally feel sleepy around the time we want to go to bed.

5. Relax - make time for you, alone, make time for

things you enjoy, make time to relax. Whether you prefer a hot soak, a circuit workout or painting in the garden, do something to take your mind away from all the pressures of life, and focus on the moment, finding peace and some clarity. Just 10 minutes a day will help manage those pesky emotional roller coasters that burnout can bring.

Solve it: payment terms Smaller businesses often get caught out by larger customers who do not pay on time, causing real cashflow problems, says Lee Lam from The UK’s Startup Partner. But what to do?

There’s no magic wand says Lee, but you can manage the problem rather than try to resolve it. Ideas could include taking a deposit upon agreement, being aware of their contractual payment terms and perhaps establish invoice-based lines of credit. Finally, know your numbers; the more you know your cashflow across the quarter or half year, the better you will be able to see any potential problems.

For more information email start@the-usp.co.uk or see www.the-usp.co.uk

Start Up Bromley Bromley Council has launched ‘Start Up Bromley’ for entrepreneurs and new business owners, in partnership with the British Library’s Business & IP Centre.

The scheme is free to join and offers access to resources for businesses owners to help imagine, start or develop their business. Users will have access to free workspace, PCs and meeting rooms in Bromley Central and Orpington Libraries, both of which operate late opening times until 7pm. The facilities will also serve as a base for one-to-one business support, workshops, webinars, demonstrations, presentations and talks. Co-working space will provide opportunities for start-ups to collaborate, exchange ideas and learn best practice.

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August 2021 Life in... Orpington 29

by Jude Greene-Steward

It's all about the self care...

We at Gracious Care understand difficult situations. We deal with them all the time.

Sometimes we need a little help to do even the basic things.

Why not treat yourself and a friend to an indulgent Spa Break?

With the help of Gracious Care, our customers remain independent, giving their relatives peace of mind.

Prices start from £89pp* and include an overnight stay for two in a double room with breakfast and access to all spa facilities. Base in Kent. Upgrades also available. *Subject to availability & terms and conditions 0208 331 5995 | 07958 602110 jude@shore-travel.com | www.shore-travel.co.uk

30 Life in... Orpington August 2021

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August 2021 Life in... Orpington 31

My name is Michelle, and I am passionate about what I do.

I work locally as a Celebrant, in and around Orpington. Having been an Orpington resident for most of my life, I feel it is important to work closely with the community that I live in, and as a result of that, I have also co-founded The Bereavement Café in Orpington.

So, my role as a Celebrant is to work with families who have lost a loved one and help them create a unique and fitting ceremony, to help them say goodbye.

But I have also introduced something called, “Remember Me” and that is to help people document their wishes before they die. This is a really simple way of instructing your loved ones with what you want, when that time comes. We can discuss everything from music choices, your life story, colours, themes, and have it all recorded safely, so that when the time comes your family members aren’t left scratching their heads trying to work out what you would have wanted.

If you have any questions about anything please do not hesitate to contact me at michelleharvey.lifecelebrant@yahoo.com

SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES

Liberty’s is a local

independent boutique, located next to Lloyds Bank just off Orpington High Street.

We stock: Italian fashion including silks in many colours & styles A range of clothing to suit sizes from 6-8 up to 22-24 A wide range of clothing, bags, jewellery and gifts Other products from small local businesses on the shelves, which make this boutique unique!

LibertysFashion

32 Life in... Orpington August 2021

libertysfashionx

Lisa Clark Owner & Manager

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Short Story

lifestyle

KIDNAPPED

by DIANA ELVIN Slowly, slowly, into the room round the half-open door without a sound, holding the gun steady. There must be no doubt in anybody’s mind about my willingness to shoot.

“I don’t think so. They’d need a cast iron excuse for letting you go. My guess is that they’ll think it safer to cut and run – just disappear.”

I could see the slumped figure tied to a chair and, at the table, two men playing cards.

“Dad – wouldn’t cough up?” She was right, of course! “No negotiations” he had insisted. “It only encourages these scums. When they find I won’t pay they’ll soon let her go.”

“Undo her,” I ordered. They swung round, amazed and afraid.

“Undo her,” I repeated, my voice steady, my limbs miraculously no longer trembling.

“Hang on,” one said. “Best not to do anything rash.” I pointed the gun at his head and looked into his eyes, letting the anger in mine burn fiercely.

“Nothing rash,” I agreed. “Everything carefully planned.”

If they had used their mobiles to summon help or taken the risk of attacking me what would I have done? But they quickly undid the cords that bound my sister, keeping a wary eye on me and on the gun. They were just the hired help, of course, not the brains of the outfit, certainly not the ones expecting to furnish a lifetime of easy living out of this escapade. Why risk getting shot for a pittance?

They used Sara as a shield, dragging her, for she’d been tied up so long she could not stand, let alone walk, but they kept her between themselves and the gun. Sara moaned and I felt her pain as though it was my own.

In the doorway they dropped her and ran, zigzagging to avoid the expected shower of bullets. If only they knew.

My car was by the door. “Get in,” I ordered Sara and somehow she pulled herself on board while I kept the gun trained on the thugs. I slammed the door and shot away.

“They’ll follow us,” she was gasping with pain and shock, could barely speak.

“They can’t.”

“He thinks that giving in to kidnappers is a mistake. He agreed my way was better.” I hadn’t actually told him, not knowing which of his personal staff had been the betrayer and afraid he would let something slip. Sara’s abduction had needed inside information although my father wouldn’t admit this. But they had known exactly when and where to waylay her.

However, he had strong principles as well as being immensely rich and would not give in to them.

“He would have paid up, of course he would,” I reassured her. Possibly I was right. Everybody has their breaking point beyond which principles cease to seem so important. I just hadn’t wanted to wait and see.

At the hospital entrance I leant on the horn, praying for help.

I found I was shaking so much that I couldn’t possibly have moved under my own steam. It had been five days of secret hunting for clues before I worked out where she was and how to get her out, during which time I had hardly slept or eaten. Now reaction set in.

Help came running and, seeing the state of us, and realising who we were – our faces familiar from a lifetime of publicity – rushed to get us safely inside and under police protection.

Reluctantly I handed over my gun.

Startled eyes met mine. “You rescued her with this?” the policeman asked incredulously.

“You must admit it’s a very good replica. The kidnappers didn’t get such a close-up. It cost enough – more than the real thing I should imagine – and it’s not so easy to get one of those in this country, in secret, in a hurry when you don’t know who to ask.”

She looked at me with admiration. “You shot their tyres!”

“Let the air out – slower but quieter. Didn’t want to give them He looked at me in frank admiration which did a great deal any warning.” for my ego. “Wow!” he said. “You’re really cool.” Then he

undid all the good he’d done by adding “…for a woman.”

“They’ll r-ring for help – and waylay us somewhere.” Her voice was shrill with fear.

Would you like to submit a short story? Send your idea to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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August 2021 Life in... Orpington 33

Next month...

stockists

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Our usual stockists include most cafes, dental surgeries, barbers, hairdressers, doctors etc in and around Orpington. Below are some of our main stockists. *These shops/establishments have a floor standing unit or counter top stand, so there’s plenty of magazines to go around. We appreciate your support.

• Crofton Halls • Fab House* • Cherry Lodge Golf Club • Iceland* • Foal Farm • Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe • The Lookout Coffee Shop • Orpington Health & Wellbeing Centre • Orpington IT Centre • Chelsfield Railway Station* • Orpington Library* • Orpington Railway Station • Orpington Village Hall • Christmas Tree Farm • Tangent Office Resources • George & Dragon Pub • Tesco* • The Walnuts Shopping Centre* • Valentine & Turner* • VTB Mobility

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• High Elms Country Park • High Elms Golf Club • One One Seven • The Café @ Farnborough Village • The Post Office

• Co-op Food (Crescent Way)

Locksbottom

St Paul’s Cray

• Darrick Wood Swimming Pool • Lidl* • PRUH (canteen)* • Sainsbury’s* • The Bank Restaurant

Orpington

• Co-op Food (Carlton Parade)

• Co-op Food (Cotmandene Crescent) • Cotmandene Community Resource Centre • Family Shopper (Cotmandene Crescent) • Best Kebab & Pizza (Cotmandene Crescent)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO STOCK LIFE IN ORPINGTON MAGAZINE? Contact us to request a stand 07403 550068 hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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Coming up in the next Issue of Life In Orpington…

• • • •

NEW: Money Savers Let’s celebrate Zero Waste Week Home & garden tips & tricks Getting ready for uni

Petts Wood

• Arabica Coffee House • Morrisons • Iceland* • Petts Wood Library • Petts Wood Railway Station* • Royal British Legion • Southeast Legacies

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Life In Orpington is published

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NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 11TH AUG Contact Lauretta on

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Life in Orpington is printed every month and is distribution to residents via household deliveries and businesses. It has a monthly readership of over 15,000 people including the digital edition.

Copyright: All text, images and design in Life In Orpington are subject to copyright, 2021.

Competitions: In the event of any dispute regarding the Rules and all other matters relating to a Competition, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into. For full terms & conditions see www.lifeinmagazines.co.uk Disclaimer: Luna Creative Media Ltd assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

The information contained about each individual, event or organisation has been provided by such individual, event organisers or organisation without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editors of Luna Creative Media Ltd. Therefore, Luna Creative Media Ltd carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content in this magazine without the written permission of the editors is strictly prohibited. © 2021 Luna Creative Media Ltd. All rights reserved.

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A Final Thought…

lifestyle

Human doings vs Human beings

by SAMANTHA DHOLAKIA

We hear about the importance of well-being so often, but what does this really mean and what is truly needed to be well?

The concept of well-being can seem fluffy, or even overwhelming, leading to many questions around what we should be doing as parents, or within education. But are these thoughts precisely the issue? And when did we become so focussed on the doing and so removed from the being? When did we transition from human beings to human doings?

One of the largest contributors to happiness is progress. We love making progress; creating, building, doing things that give a sense of purpose or accomplishment – simply because it makes us feel good through that wonderful hit of dopamine.

Yet within our education system, homes and society as a whole, it is often the achievement alone that we celebrate, rather than progression itself. If we are overlooking the small gains, it begs the questions, what happens to our happiness when we are not achieving our desired outcomes?

In today’s fast-paced world, where everything is a click away, I see wellbeing as the art of slowing down and appreciating the steps to success no matter how big or small they may be - our progress!

That’s not to say we need lower expectations, rather that we turn them into appreciations.

With over 15 years’ experience in education as a teacher, deputy head and consultant trainer, and now as a parent, certified NLP practitioner, executive coach and mentor and the founder of SPD Tuition and Coaching, I have seen the results of this on wellbeing many times. Big humans or small, when we acknowledge our progress, it not only builds confidence but also the resilience needed for tougher times. I have come to understand, most importantly, that so much of our productivity, performance and achievement is a direct result of confidence and is enhanced through effective communication. This idea has been consistently reinforced through my in-school and family support programmes, where I’ve seen children go from ‘low attainment’ to ‘high attainment’ in the space of 12 weeks.

ownership of what we want to achieve, setting goals, planning and acknowledging the steps needed, hugely impacts our internal motivation and commitment. It allows us to experience true progress and therefore true happiness. Doing this for ourselves and our children takes practise, presence and patience and it takes shifts in our language, expression and mindset.

Slowing down and appreciating when things have gone ‘wrong’ can be challenging; after all, we’re so used to focussing on the ‘positives’ and ultimately stating failure as a negative that we must fix. Through this we are developing a society that fears failure rather than letting it be, leading to action avoidance and preventing us from making progress.

What then can be done to support wellbeing, and in turn society as a whole?

Managing our thoughts and emotions: learning strategies and tools that allow us to start each day with a lower stress base, remain present and respond rather than reacting with explosions of emotions and uncontrolled actions. Modelling this to our children hugely impacts their understanding of the world and ultimately their stress levels. Through this ‘being’ we are able to lessen our buffering, such as excessive use of alcohol, cigarettes or phone usage, and screen time for our children.

With more time in the present, we are able to truly listen rather than waiting to speak, which aids communication, minimises multitasking and lowers the stress chemical cortisol, increasing productivity and energy and providing opportunities to plan down time activities such reading, exercising or listening to music.

So, I encourage you to start shifting approach!

Celebrating efforts that lead to failure and success alike can provide the opportunity to prioritise being and create purposeful doing, creating a community that is empathetic, encouraging and emotionally conscious.

The more confident we feel within ourselves, the more engaged we become and the more we are likely to succeed.

So, what does this have to do with wellbeing? Taking

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August 2021 Life in... Orpington 35

Caring Dental

19 Station Square Petts Wood 01689 664600

Quality care in every way Having been a local dentist in Petts Wood for over 20 years, I would love to welcome you and your family to our beautiful, new dental practice on Station Square, Petts Wood.

With bespoke, modern facilities and a team of friendly dentists, hygienists and specialists, we can provide all your treatment needs under one roof. We look forward to seeing you!

Dr Chris Prange and the Caring Dental team “Fabulous new practice & such a welcoming friendly team...”

“I was so impressed with the high level of care and service...”

• Check-ups and hygienist visits • Fillings, crowns and bridges • Dedicated implant centre • Specialist periodontal (gum) care and endodontic (root filling) care • Specialist oral surgery / extractions

5.0 For more reviews, google Caring Dental Petts Wood

• Teeth whitening & cosmetic dentistry • Invisalign teeth straightening • The latest digital X-rays & 3D scans • Denplan or pay-as-you-go private • Fund treatment with 0% finance • Sedation for nervous patients

Pop in for information, or call us on 01689 664600 To book online visit www.caringdental.co.uk Scan the code to visit our website

19 Station Square | Petts Wood | Orpington | BR5 1LY E: info@caringdental.co.uk Connect with us on social media:

W: www.caringdental.co.uk @CaringDentalPettsWood

T: 01689 664600 caringdental_pettswood lifeinmagazines.co.uk