Noticeboard

The Elderberry Café is trialling new opening times and will now be open from 9:30 am until 2 pm, serving hot soup and a roll from 12 noon each week on a Wednesday. The café will also be acting as a warm space, so please invite anyone along who might benefit from this. For more information call 01689 850697 or email elderberrycafe@stpaulscrofton.org.uk Parish Church of St Paul's, Crofton Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 8JE Office: 01689 850697 Email: office@stpaulscrofton.org.uk

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR BROMLEY

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that Bromley town centre is to become one of the capital’s new Night Time Enterprise Zones with the aim of increasing accessibility to the centre in the evenings. Bromley hope to use funding from the scheme for projects including later library opening hours and night markets as well as new lighting to make the pedestrianised high street more welcoming. Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, “I am absolutely delighted that Bromley has been selected to become a new Night Time Enterprise Zone. Bromley Town has long acted as a central hub for our residents due to its extensive retail and entertainment offerings and following the pandemic, demand for things to do locally has been increasing, giving us a golden opportunity”.

Tennis courts across the borough to be refurbished

Ten courts will be refurbished across four sites in Bromley as part of efforts to get more residents of all ages playing tennis by improving access to better facilities. The initiative will mean more residents can book well maintained tennis courts and access affordable coaching and tennis activity in Bromley. This is hoped to encourage more residents to join in as improved courts are delivered in Church House Gardens, Coney Hall Recreation Ground, Goddington Park and Poverest Park. The initiative is being delivered in partnership with grant funders the LTA and will also see some free access to tennis provided on all sites at set times, including a ‘Parkrun for tennis’ type offer at selected venues.

Tea and coffee to be served in libraries

Tea and coffee will soon be served in libraries as part of a complimentary welcome to library visitors. As library visitor numbers continue to increase following a decline in numbers during the pandemic, tea and coffee will soon be served periodically as part of providing a warm welcome to library visitors. In addition to information signposting, library staff will continue to be on hand to support the range of library users, from people looking to study, conduct business, join in the many activities in the library, borrow books and dvds and generally enjoy all the wonderful facilities the libraries have to offer in the comfort of a warm place this winter. Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, “How we use libraries has changed over the years, with our services continuing to evolve but I am pleased that through all of this, our libraries have continued to provide a warm welcome. The introduction of tea and coffee further enhances the library service and underlines the libraries’ unrivalled position as warm places in our community to work, study and engage in stimulating activities xx this winter. I want to thank GLL, our library service provider, for their support in seeking to develop and enhance these important community facilities." Rebecca Gediking GLL’s Head of Libraries, Archives and Museums for Bromley said, “Libraries are here to serve all people of all ages and at all stages of life, where people seek out information both for leisure and pleasure reasons but also in difficult situations as well. The introduction of tea and coffee is very much part of our thinking, not just in the winter period but hopefully beyond this too, that when you visit a library, you will receive a warm welcome.” Statistics show that over 95% of borough residents live within 1.5 miles of a library. A full list of the locations of libraries across the Borough can be found on the Council’s website. To find out what’s on in Bromley’s libraries, visit the Better website www.better.org.uk. Residents who are seeking advice on support that may be available are reminded that they can also visit the Council’s website www.bromley.gov.uk/ SupportingResidents.

community NOTICEBOARD A NEW MOVE FOR BROMLEY COUNCIL?

A proposal to move the Council’s headquarters from its current location in Stockwell Close has been approved.

The Executive Committee’s decision agreed in principle to purchase the modern purpose-built office accommodation at Churchill Court, currently the home of Direct Line Group. The move is projected to save currently an estimated £17 million taking into account the saving from not undertaking refurbishments works at the exiting civic centre site combined with the disposal receipt which would be generated from the sale of the Civic Centre site. There is also potential for reduced running and energy costs and providing a future income stream in rent from other organisations. As part of the negotiations, discussions with Direct Line Group include leasing back a section of the building for their Bromley office. Councillor Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council, said: “Whilst leaving our current home is a real wrench and tinged with considerable sadness for those of us who have been there a while, this move is of its time given the well-publicised pressures on local governments' finances and the opportunities it presents in terms of integrating our services more efficiently. At a time when intense funding pressures facing the Council continue to build, we remain absolutely determined to continue providing first class services to Bromley residents and this decision will feature prominently in helping us to deliver that ambition.” The proposed purchase of Direct Line Group’s offices, which remains subject to contract, would support a modern and efficient style of working and support the Council’s financial position. It is envisaged that the proposal would see the council relocating in the early part of 2024, with the proposal subject to ratification at the next Council meeting. The greenspace around the Civic Centre would continue to be accessible to park visitors, with the anticipated proceeds of the sale of the buildings helping fund the purchase of the new HQ site.

New Biggin Hill facility to create over 100 jobs In loving memory of Aleksandra…

London Biggin Hill Airport has confirmed that Bombardier, a world leading manufacturer of business jets, celebrated the opening of its new service facility at the airport recently. The expansion of the Canadian manufacturer’s European presence at London Biggin Hill will create more than 100 new jobs by the end of 2023. The Bromley-based airport is focussed on becoming a world-class business aviation centre of excellence in manufacturing and engineering. This includes investing in the airport estate and infrastructure to create job opportunities for Bromley residents, training opportunities for local young people and providing an economic boost to the region. I’ve known Alex since I was four years old. We were in the same class at Infant and Junior school and she was my oldest friend. Alex sadly passed away from Chordoma cancer on 3rd November 2022 aged 15. I want to raise funds to get Alex a bench next to her grave so we could sit close to her. It would mean so much to me and her family. The cost of the bench is £820. If anyone can help, the funding link is https://gofund.me/2564fc2a Thank you. From Fran, Aleksandra’s friend

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SOUTH OF ENGLAND CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY 28th JANUARY 2023 First race at 11:00 a.m.

The South of England Athletic Association will be holding the Southern Cross Country Championships in Beckenham Place Park on 28th January 2023. This is a major fixture on the athletics calendar and is generally attended by thousands of athletes from all over the South of England from Cornwall to Norfolk. We would love to see the local community support this event, so why not come along and perhaps catch a glimpse of an Olympian or two. If any local organisations can help with volunteers, we would be very interested to hear from you. Lunch and travel expenses are provided, so come along and be part of this historic event that has been running since the 19th Century.

Please contact the SEAA on competitions@seaa.org.uk.

SUPPORTING LOCAL AUTHORS…

This month’s local author is Annabel Lovick, whose first novel, The Other Half of Me, tells of one family’s journey through heartbreak. The story depicts an idyllic family life, ripped apart by betrayal, forcing Sophie, the main character, on an emotional rollercoaster, returning her to her hometown of Bromford. Uplifting and therapeutic, Sophie finds out that sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams you never knew you had. Says Annabel, “My aim was to create an inspirational story, exploring the emotional overwhelm of heartbreak. There is always a way forward, but it takes courage and will to succeed and to demonstrate to our children what a good divorce looks like! It was inspired by my own story and as a Divorce and Breakup Recovery Coach – it feeds in perfectly to what I teach my clients on their journeys!”

Where can we buy the book?

The Other Half of Me is available now on Amazon as Kindle eBook and Paperback: https://amzn.to/3WQ1zC8

To find out more about Annabel’s work and available coaching programs please contact her by email, annabel@lovicklifecoach.co.uk or her website, www.lovicklifecoach.co.uk