Life In Orpington July 2024

As thoughts turn to the summer holidays, we highlight some great money-saving holiday tips in this month’s travel feature – from the best time to fly, to how to save money at the airport. Talking of flying abroad, our in-depth Health and Beauty feature explores the rise of medical tourism and, in particular, the trend in Brits flocking to Turkey for dental care.

On the community front, we chat with Bromley’s Mayoral Attendant and Mace Bearer, Peter Dunn, to find out more about the important role he plays. Plus, we highlight another wonderful local hero. If you know a local resident who deserves to be put on a pedestal for all the good that they do, email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk so that we can celebrate them with all our readers.

July is a great month for embracing the beauty of the great outdoors and appreciating what we have on our doorsteps. If you need some inspiration, it’s National Parks Week this month – an initiative that raises awareness about the importance of national parks and encourages outdoor activities. Whether you’re walking, jogging, skateboarding or cycling, there’s something great about being outdoors (especially when the sun is shining of course!)

Until next month, enjoy your July!

THE TEAM

Editorial: Lauretta Wright lauretta@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Seeing family & friends

Sales: Michelle Simpson sales@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Chocolate

Office & Editorial Assistant: Tori Howe

Design: Nicky Grant design@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Listening to music

Reuniting with three if my oldest friends who live across the globe in Oregon on a girls holiday Accounts: Helen Jordan accounts@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Thank you to our distributors:

Work Experience: Carter Rogers

Finishing a book by my favourite author

Dawn B, Greg, Dawn W, Rob, Jack, Kelly, Tara, Malin, Megan, Sam, Penny, Thomas, Dylan, Terri, Pamela, Lorraine, Tom, Lucy, Arinna, Conor, Tilly and Rosie.

Our Friends: A HUGE thank you to the following volunteers who commit their time to helping contribute to this magazine or help with distribution: Richard London, Len Kirby, Elizabeth Adcock, Mary Cody-Cowdery, Ruth Mansell, Pam Preedy, Indira Richards, Joy Hodgkinson, Sarah Spencer-Adams & Annabel Tyndall. If you would like to volunteer please email: hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Lauretta Wright, Editor

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?

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

WINNER

Star response:

Boxing clever

Hi, my name is William and I have got Down's Syndrome. I am a 27-year-old and I have joined 2BX Boxing Club in Petts Wood, where I have met a lot of friends. I used to be chubby, but since boxing I have lost a lot of weight. The staff motivated me and gave me a passion for fitness. Thanks to Darren and all the staff at the boxing club. I give all a big thumbs up.

William Ely

We’re delighted to hear that you’ve made new friends and reached new goals in the process – well done William and to the boxing club for motivating you too! As our Star Response this month, you’ve won a £15 One4All Gift Card courtesy of The Bed Post – we hope you enjoy spending it!

Blue badge blues

I am a disabled man of 72, who was issued with a penalty charge notice on 31st January 2024 despite having a blue badge. After writing to them about the notice, I heard nothing from Bromley Council. The statutory 56 days then passed and I eventually received a letter stating that they have revived the photographic evidence and will not change their decision. Who is correct please?

Andrew B

We passed your letter on to the council Andrew. We imagine that each case is considered on an individual process, but we haven’t yet received a reply for us to publish. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you!

Keen Kath

I love my Life In...magazine as it is informative, interesting and I like doing the puzzles.

Kath G

Thanks for the feedback Kath! Readers can email their thoughts, learning lessons and suggestions to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk or call us on 020 3488 9959.

Losing weight

I stood on the scales this morning I know they can’t be right

They say I weigh just the same

As I did last night

I will try again at lunchtime

And maybe after tea I really want to lose some weight

So how hard can it be?

I counted all my calories

Even weighed my glass of wine

I had a bacon sandwich

And cut off the fat and rind

I put a chart on the wall

To record my weight each day

The others did not help much I threw five of them away

I only had one sausage I usually have two I would have liked some baked-beans

But salad will have to do

I bought myself a slimming book It gave me some advice

It said I would lose lots of weight ONE POUND WOULD BE NICE

Maureen Hillier

WE…

We enjoyed a visit to the new Smoque Health Kitchen in Locksbottom to enjoy healthy treats. The venue recently catered for a local secondary school.

We love receiving your thoughts, ideas, feedback, general comments and pictures! You can email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk or text 07403–550068. Remember to include your name and email with the subject line ‘Write It, Say It, Message It’. In doing so, you agreed to your comments and pictures being published. Every month (courtesy of The Bed Post), the Star Response ( ) receives a £15 One4all digital gift card.

History

Fighting fires in Bromley

by PAM PREEDY

In the centre cabinet of the Museum of Bromley on the 1st floor of the library building you will find an odd-looking device. It is large, made of wood and has small wooden wheels. On either side some rails that can be moved up and down. It is a long way from the bright and shiny red equivalent today. It is a Victorian fire engine, referred to in the documents as the “engine.”

The Vestry was a committee for the local secular and ecclesiastical government of a parish which originally met in the vestry or sacristy of the parish church. It provided the fire engine for the use of the public, but provided no staff. Between 1820 and the 1860s Robert Sutton serviced the “engine” and exercised it every second month with the help of the paupers at the workhouse. When a fire broke out to haystacks on fire, the ‘brigade’ managed to put out the fire and save the farmhouse, but three stacks were destroyed valued at £700. When the home of Joseph Glover’s, Homefield Villa, Bromley Common suffered a fire in 1864 there was a call for a bigger and better brigade to protect his life and property. Bromley’s volunteer ‘fire brigade’ was considered to be “a crowd of roughs.”

In May 1867, the first election was held in Bromley for the Local Government Board. Shortly after the election questions were raised on the state of the firefighting equipment and volunteers. They found that the engine was unfit for use and was being repaired by Mr Brister. In 1868 there was a fire. It caused a furore and argument raged about who was responsible for taking the engine out; Mr Brister who still had it in his yard or Mr Bateman, who was under contract to manage the engine. Meanwhile, the engine was mounted by as many “roughs” as could get on it and

protested when ordered off. At last the engine set off, but “had the misfortune” to lose a wheel on St Paul’s Cray Common. The wheel could not be found at night, but was brought to Bromley the next morning with hints that the lynch pin had been deliberately removed. The wreckage lay by the roadside – a laughing stock for all.

The formation of a new Volunteer Fire Brigade under an experienced manager was discussed by the board. A month later a steam-engine appeared at The Bell and went off to demonstrate its pumping capacity from a pond by Mason’s Hill. With the creation of a Fire Brigade, Mr Lownds, the proprietor of the White Hart, offered temporary accommodation of a coach house and a ready supply of horses. On Saturday 14th August 1886, a great parade and fanfare was attended by the Volunteers in smart new uniforms, preceded by the Freelands Band, accompanied by the Chislehurst Brigade. They went as far as Hayesford where “Holiday makers” inspected the engine. They returned to the White Hart where they joined the St Mary Cray Brigade for dinner, speeches and merriment.

On 1st March, 1869 there was a fire at a workshop and timber yard at Bromley Common. The Brigade arrived within 40 minutes and the blaze was under control within three hours and saved the property. The question was who should pay. The costs had mounted to £14.18s.9d (nearly £15, which was a lot of money in those days).

Mr Gill, victim of the fire, was uninsured, but the bill was settled in full. In January 1897 the Fire Brigade Committee agreed to buy a steam powered fire engine, to build an engine house with a stable and head Quarters. The crew were still to be volunteers. The new fire station was built in 1905 in South Street. During the years to 1904 the members were supplied with telephones, alarms, a new engine and new headquarters in South Street.

To purchase Pam’s book, Living Through The Great War: How The People of Bromley Faced The Challenges of War, you can email her at pampreedy@gmail.com

Pam Preedy

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING AT

The One Bromley Wellbeing Hub

To help Bromley residents improve their health and wellbeing we have set up the One Bromley Wellbeing Hub. Conveniently located in The Glades shopping centre, we provide a range of free resources, services and support to keep you healthy.

The One Bromley Wellbeing Hub offers the following free services:

Vital 5 checks by Mytime Active

Information, advice and support services by Bromley Well

NHS Health Checks by Bromley GP Alliance

Smokefree Bromley

Other health and wellbeing initiatives

One Bromley is a partnership of NHS, health, care and voluntary organisations, working together to improve health and wellbeing in Bromley. Find out more at www.selondonics.org/OneBromleyWellbeingHub www.selondonics.org/OneBromley

Where and when to find us:

The Glades, Unit 260, Upper Level, opposite M&S Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 6.30pm

community

MAYOR’S VOICE

It is my pleasure to introduce myself as your new Mayor of Bromley, which gives me the great honour of taking the borough and the Mayoralty into its 60th year!

Such an occasion will provide much opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved in Bromley over this time. As well as looking back, I am also keen to look forward at how we can build on these achievements, and at how the Mayor can best serve residents into the future.

As I serve as your Mayor, there are a number of priority areas I will be focusing on. First, I want to highlight some of the incredible work that takes place locally to advance science and technology. This work is so important for addressing the problems we all face and I know from my career in medicine that Bromley has much to offer in this regard, which I hope can be of inspiration.

I will also be promoting opportunities to improve health and wellbeing in Bromley throughout my time as Mayor.

Lines from Linda

And it’s summer. Well, I can only presume and hope it is, as I think I have mentioned before, I write this column a month ahead.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love summer – long light evenings, barbeques, beach days and dare I say SEAGULLS!

You may also know, from my past columns, I am a massive animal advocate. I fight against cruelty to any, and every species – with the exception of SEAGULLS! I wouldn’t hurt them, but they don’t need my help, they more than rule their chosen abode by all seaside resorts.

In my early years as an actress, I undertook many summer seasons in various coastal resorts around Britain. We used to do two shows every day, so I liked to lie in late in the mornings after rehearsals were over and the show was open. During one season, the seagull who lived on the roof above me, wasn’t having it. I had been leaving my toast crusts on the windowsill after my breakfast. This Sergeant seagull would swoop down as soon as this happened and woof the crusts in seconds. As the show opened and I started to lay in later, Sergeant seagull grew impatient and would stand on my sill, tapping noisily at the window and squawk continually until I woke up and toasted my breakfast and gave him the crusts. I met my husband, playing his wife in a play, in a summer season. We were great friends and slowly during the run,

Bromley has much to be proud of in terms of sporting achievements, with so many clubs and community groups to be a part of across the borough to help stay fit and healthy. In this Olympic year, I will encourage residents to get involved and move onwards and upwards together!

Having spent much of my life in London’s greenest borough, I am also eager to focus on the variety of ways we use our parks and green spaces, that are so important to our communities. As Mayor I will also do my best to continue enhancing community cohesion as I strive to be Mayor for all of Bromley.

Finally, I will be raising much-needed funds for my three chosen charities, which are Alzheimer’s Research UK, Bromley Youth Music Trust and Welcare in Bromley. I hope to see many of you at events to support these charities throughout the year, as well as at many other exciting engagements and I welcome any invites for upcoming events across the borough.

Cllr David Jefferys Mayor of Bromley (2024-2025)

Find out more and stay connected at www.bromley.gov.uk/mayor

we fell in love. We’d often share a bag of chips by the beach at lunchtime before the matinee. I say share, because we’d get a couple of chips eaten then down would swoop a battalion of gulls ready for war. I learned it best to drop the bag and leave them to it.

Sergeant seagull grew impatient and would stand on my sill, tapping noisily at the window

Hubby, of course, would try and hang on if he was holding the bag, much to the gulls’ annoyance. He even put them in his pocket on one occasion and made a run for it. One night he had asked me for a date. He booked a pretty, quaint, Italian restaurant and after the meal, being a gentleman, he said he’d walk me back to my flat. As we walked, one solitary seagull flew out of nowhere (I think it was the one that hubby hid his chips from). The seagull was squawking like an unbalanced hyena and drowning out our romantic chat. Next minute, he or she, hovered about six inches above Hubby’s head and opened his, or her, bowels. Have I mentioned hubby is bald?

So, next time anyone turns their noses up and says Englishmen are easy to spot at the coast as they more than often wear white handkerchiefs on their head, you can tell them not only is it protection but a flag of truce and bow of supremacy to the seagulls who rule our coastlines.

For more about me and my crime novels see www.lindareganonline.co.uk

Behind the Badge

INSIGHTS FROM THE SUPER

I have just returned from a very welcome two-week break with the family, so haven’t been around as much this month as usual. I wanted to give an insight this month in to some of the other, perhaps unseen things that I am focussing on in order to ensure we continue to provide the best local policing service we can.

In mid-June I had to present my report on policing in Bromley for the last year to the Public Protection and Enforcement Committee of the Local Authority, who scrutinise the activity of the Safer Bromley Partnership. This means your Councillors as elected officials are able to represent your views to me in person and hold me to account. I find this a rewarding process where through having a positive relationship, we can highlight the positives on what we are doing, but also have Councillors

be candid with me in areas we need to do better.

I am also working on some proposed changes as to how we use our systems in order to ensure we are fully focussed on the public’s priorities. This includes producing better information on crime and anti-social behaviour statistics to our communities, to enable them to set priorities and then recording those priorities more efficiently using our new IT system. This will ensure a problemoriented focus on the things you want us to prioritise, so we can log our actions, use effective data insight and report back the outcomes. This will replace a more fragmented approach and bring clear improvements. These may seem mundane and administrative, but are important details to continue to improve our local policing service. I will keep you informed on the progress.

Superintendent Luke Baldock Bromley Borough Neighbourhood Policing

Firefront line..

Fire Safety Outdoors

As we enter the summer months and hot periods of weather, the ground can be extremely dry. Grassland and parks will burn quickly when exposed to even the smallest of sparks. Here are some of our top tips to keep you safe:

Don’t drop cigarettes!

Cigarettes dropped on dry grass that have not been properly extinguished are very likely to cause a grass fire.   Even cigarettes thrown from a car window can start a fire. Many roads are banked by or near to grassland, and these can be easily set on fire by a cigarette when dried out.

Glass bottles:

It might sound strange, but glass left in the parks can start fires too. Left on or near dry grass, glass can magnify the sun and start a fire. Please pick them up and place in the bin.

BBQ safety:

• Don't have barbecues in parks and public spaces

• Never leave camp fires or barbecues unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them

• Position your barbecue on level ground and keep it well away from anything that may catch fire (sheds, fences, trees, tents etc.)

• Do not barbecue on balconies, the wind may carry smouldering ash towards nearby grassland

• If you’re barbecuing near dry grass have a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergency use

• Be aware that children, animals, balls or anything else may knock over barbecues, increasing the risk of grass fires, especially when in busy parks or public spaces

Our firefighters from across Bromley took part in a multiagency exercise at The Glades shopping centre earlier this year. This provided an opportunity for the London Fire Brigade to practice and develop our response to a major incident and how we work alongside other emergency services and organisations. This was a large-scale exercise with around 500 people taking part on the live play side, along with others within all agency control rooms. This is part of the role out of new training and equipment for firefighters to ensure we are fully prepared to provide the best possible response should we ever need to.

Chris Line, Borough Commander

London Borough of Bromley, London Fire Brigade

ACTIVITIES

Credo Ceramics: Ambient Support Creative Arts Project

9 or 10 week courses running every week day (except Wed), offering one morning and one afternoon session daily.

Ambient Creative Arts Studio, Cotmandene Crescent, Orpington, BR5 2RA

Cost: Courses are £76.50 for a 9-week course, or £85 for a 10-week course.

Contact: Email jehan.haddad@ambient.org.uk and to book visit ambientsupport.eventbrite.com

The award-winning Ambient Creative Arts Project, Credo, offers ceramics courses in the local community overseen by a professional ceramicist. The courses are for anyone that feels that they would benefit from exploring their creativity in a supportive environment, and is especially for those who have lived experience of mental ill-health. For more information visit www.ambient.org.uk

Flin's Online & Live Fitness Classes

See website for class dates & times

Cost: PAYG £5 – £8

Contact: Fran on 07976 412027

Online streaming plus live offerings, 40+ classes a week, early mornings, mid mornings and evenings including weekend classes. Box Fit, Total Body Conditioning, Yoga Mobility & Yoga Flow, Pilates, Zumba, Cross. Training, Back2Fit, Pump and more: fitness for all! Mornings at Westcombe Park RFC, evenings at Tubbenden School. I also offer a free monthly ‘Dance Because Nobody’s Watching’ event on the first Sunday of the month, 11am, at Tubbenden Junior School – all are welcome. See www.flinsfitness.co.uk for details.

Join the Big Bromley Brush Up Summer Spruce-up

Running until Wednesday 17th July

We’re inviting everyone, including individuals, community groups, schools, and businesses, to join an activity or event, or organise one themselves, that will make Bromley an even cleaner, greener, and safer place to live, work and visit (such as litter-picking sessions, river clean-ups and plant sales to raise funds for environmental projects).

For further details please visit: www.bromley.gov.uk/BigBromleyBrushUp

Mel Crisp Yoga

Tuesday evening 7pm at Christ Church URC, Petts

Wood - Vinyasa Flow Class (1hr)

Cost: PAYG £12 or 4 classes for £40. Tuesday at 8.15pm at Christ Church URC, Petts

Wood – Hatha Flow (45mins)

Cost: PAYG £9 or £30 for a block of 4 classes

Wednesday at 9.45am at Orpington Village HallHatha Yoga classes (1hr)

Mixed ability and beginners welcome at both classes.

Cost: PAYG £12, Block Payment Classes £40 for 4 consecutive classes. First PAYG class is free. Contact: Mel on 07504 855 424. Email melcrisp41@ icloud.com www.melcrispyoga.com

First class is FREE when mentioning Life In Orpington magazine

Mel has partnered with the Primrose Centre (based in the grounds of PRUH) to offer Yoga For Breast Cancer patients on Tuesdays 2pm-3pm. Once registered with the charity (see www.primrosecentre.org.uk) the class is free to attend. For those who have finished treatment and have returned to work, a four-week block booking costs £8 per class and runs on Wednesday evenings from 7pm-8pm.

what's on community & CHARITY

Rotary District E-Club - The Free Hub

Tuesday 30th July, 9.30am-midday

Orpington Methodist Church, Sevenoaks Way, BR6 9JH

Cost: Free

Contact: rotaryorpingtondistricteclub@gmail.com

Where Craft, Coffee, Cake and Chat are brought to you for free. Community coming together and making friends – all are welcome. For more information see www.orpingtondistrict-e-club.co.uk

u3a Orpington

3rd Monday of the month, 2pm

Crofton Main Hall, Orpington, BR6 8PR

Cost: £12 a year

Contact: Membersadmin@u3aorpington.org.uk  or call 07732 005819

If you are retired or working part-time, why not join nearly 1,000 other members for access to over 95 different activities. Refreshments are provided.

ConnectME - Digital Life skills for beginners over 50s

Tuesdays, 11.30am-1.30pm (term-time only)

Orpington Village Hall 311 High St, Orpington BR6 0NN

Cost: Free

Contact: fiona@potentialmecoaching.org.uk or call 07891 403161.

We offer free digital life skills coaching to beginners over 50 who need help using their smart phone, tablet or laptop, and/or accessing online services such as NHS/ GP, My Bromley etc. We offer individual sessions and  small group themed workshops. For details of forthcoming workshops please visit: potentialmecoaching.org.uk for more info.

Macular Society Bromley Support Group

1st Tuesday of every month (except January and August)

10am for tea/coffee & biscuits. Meeting starts at 10:30am, finishing at 12pm Bromley Town Church, 2 Ethelbert Road, Bromley, BR1 1JA

Cost: Free

Contact: No need to contact - just turn up and introduce yourself

We are a local support group for people suffering with Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Being diagnosed with AMD can be devastating, so we look to provide social interaction and mutual support to those affected. We have a variety of speakers and a mixed and diverse programme. No need to book - just come along and introduce yourself!

exhibitions, MARKETS & fairs

Bromley Mum2Mum Market

Saturday 13th July, 10am - 12pm Harris Academy Beckenham, Manor Way,

Beckenham, BR3 3SJ

Cost: Admission is £2 for adults and free entry for children

Contact: Email: Lucy@mum2mummarket.co.uk Buy quality second hand baby and children's clothes, toys and equipment at the biggest baby and children's nearly new sale in the borough! Come along for your chance to shop from thousands of bargains at a fraction of original prices.

For details see www.mum2mummarket.co.uk

FAMILY

Monkey Music classes for babies and toddlers aged 0-4

Every Thursday, 10.45am (1+2 years), 11.30am (0-12 months), 12.15pm (0-12 months)

LGA Dance Studio, 17 Homefield Rise, Orpington

BR6 0FE

Cost: £10.75 per class. First class is FREE.

Contact: Email: beckenham.orpington@ monkeymusic.co.uk or call 020 3750 2228

Monkey Music is an award-winning music class for babies and toddlers. It has a 4 stage, progressive curricula, written by professional musicians to nurture a lifetime of music for you and your family with classes for ages between 0 months and 4 years. For details see www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/beckenhamorpington

what's on

MUSIC, entertainment & FOOD

The Orpington Chorale Summer Concert

Saturday 13th July, 7.30pm-9.30pm

All Saints Parish Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington, BR6 0QD

Cost: £10 in advance, £12 on door. Unwaged & 18-25 £5. Under 18 free

Contact: Details at orpingtonchorale.org.uk

The Orpington Chorale are delighted to present a wide ranging summer concert featuring Rutter’s “Sprig of Thyme” arrangements of folk music from the British Isles. Also motets by Bruckner whose 200th anniversary is celebrated this year, plus Stanford, Ireland, Howells and Dove. For more information visit shorturl.at/swLUW

Into the Daylight – Jazz and Blues evening, Green Chain Quartet

4th July, 8pm

Daylight Inn, Station Square, Petts Wood, BR5 1LZ

Cost: £5 admission (supporting Bromley Food Bank, Ukraine Appeal & MSF - Doctors without Borders).

Contact: 01689 877402. Book a table or walk in: www.thedaylightinn.co.uk

The club is on the first Thursday of every month. For details see www.greenchainquartet.com

Please note that the club is closed in Augustnext gig 5th September.

Carefree Singers –

An Afternoon at the Musicals

Saturday 3rd August. Doors open at 2.30pm for a 3pm start. Runs until approximately 5pm.

Cost: £10 to include tea and cake. Free entrance for children under 12.

Theatre 62, Wickham Theatre Centre, Corkscrew Hill, West Wickham, BR4 9BA

Contact: Tickets to be booked in advance at christine.richards0025@gmail.com

Carefree Singers invite you to An Afternoon at the Musicals filled with music and mirth. All your favourite songs and more – there will be cake!

Bromley FC Charity Golf Day

31st July from 10am

Langley Park Golf Club, Barnfield Road, Beckenham, BR3 6SZ

Cost: £150 for 3 golfers (4th member auction on the day)

Contact: Call 020 8460 5291 (option 3)

A listing costs £15 or £60 for 6 months (£10 a month). Charities and non-profits are eligible for a 15% discount.

Join us for Bromley Football Club's official charity golf day filled with exciting golfing action and the chance to support our fantastic charity arm, Bromley Football Club's Community Trust. Start the day with delicious breakfast rolls at 10am, followed by an auction where you can bid for the 4th member of your team. With a shot-gun start at 12, enjoy a round of golf before unwinding at the barbecue with music.

For details see www.bromleyfc.co.uk

NETWORKING & business

Bromley Business Network

Wednesday 3rd, 17th & 31st July, 7am-9am

On Zoom or in person at Bromley Football Club (Hospitality Suite), Hayes Lane, BR2 9EF

Cost: £12.50 on Zoom or £23 in person

Contact: 07957 819008 or email hello@bromleybusinessnetwork.co.uk

We meet every other Wednesday from 7am-9.30am at Bromley Football Club. Attendance includes unlimited refreshments and a fully cooked breakfast buffet. Attendees can also Zoom into the meeting for £12, making it a hybrid meeting.

For details see bromleybusinessnetwork.co.uk

theatre & Performances

Churchill Theatre, Bromley

Contact: tickets@churchilltheatre.co.uk

Motown - How Sweet It Is

25th August, 7:30pm

Cost: Tickets £37.25

This stunning 100% live show combines first class music with the slickest choreography and an amazing band, to deliver truly outstanding performances for the best Motown experience you will ever have! This show will have you Dancing On The Ceiling, with songs from legendary artistes such as Lionel Richie, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five, The Isley Brothers, Edwin Starr and many more.

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. shout about your event...

NEXT BOOKING DEADLINE: 8TH JULY

To advertise call 020 3488 9959 email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis. @lifeinmags

Local Hero...

(Because not all heroes wear capes)

Margaret Wilmot

Pam Preedy nominated Margaret Wilmot, the verger at Biggin Hill Memorial Chapel, as a local hero. Pam said: “Margaret runs the Friends of Biggin Hill which takes care of much of the needs of the chapel, including the ‘the gate guardians’ (the Hurricane and Spitfire), paying the organist and the pianist for Sunday services and a myriad of needs for the church services. She also runs the Craft Club with a group of ladies who knit, crochet and sew to make items to sell and again, to raise money for the chapel. On top of this, she organises special events such as Veterans Day and Remembrance Day and her focus is on the wellbeing of the chapel and will defend its integrity like a Mother Hen.”

Congratulations on receiving a ‘Local Hero’ nomination from Pam! How did you feel when you heard she had nominated you?

I was very surprised to be nominated by Pam as I certainly don’t regard myself as a hero! I am delighted to have the opportunity to tell others about the beautiful RAF Chapel of Remembrance at Biggin Hill.

How did you become a verger at the Biggin Hill Memorial Chapel?

I attended Special Memorial Services for several years and then became a member of the regular congregation around ten years ago. A request went out seeking volunteers to help in the Garden of Remembrance, where RAF personnel ashes are interred. I applied and thus became involved in preparing the ground for burials. As time moved on, I began to organise and co-ordinate all services in the chapel with the Chaplain and became Verger.

What does your role involve and can you give some examples of the special events that you’ve organised and hosted there?

The chapel now has a Veterans Service on Armed Forces Sunday, commemorative services for those airmen whose names are engraved on the Reredos in the Chapel, funerals and memorials for all armed forces personnel and baptisms. Alongside my role as Verger, I am also a chapel guide since the site has been developed as a museum. The role enables me to share the history of the chapel with visitors and volunteers alike.

We hear that you also run Friends of Biggin Hill –can you explain more about that please?

Yes, I am Secretary of The Friends of St. George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance (FSGC). A proposal for a Friends group was put forward the main role was to care for the

Chapel and to ensure continuation of regular worship. As secretary of the team of six, I am responsible for all information going to members and to the public. I also arrange for monthly talks to take place in the chapel to raise money for RAF Charities. We also run a website and more information can be found at www.rafchapelbigginhill.com

Can you tell us about the craft club that you run and how you’ve helped raise money for charity?

The museum director approached me to make items to sell in the museum shop; it has since grown into a craft club to make different items made from fabrics and wools. The ten of us meet monthly on the second Thursday of each month at 2:30pm in the museum cafe.

How can anyone reading this help?

We are looking for volunteers to help in the Garden of Remembrance and for the craft club. FSGC co-opt people to help with small projects that only require a couple hours every three months.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

My spare time is spent with my five grandchildren and two daughters. I also like to travel around the country to meet with friends, to read and embroider.

Finally, what does community mean to you?

Community means everything to me. We all touch someone’s life at some point, regardless of age or ability. The people that I have met at the chapel all have a past that informs and shapes our future.

A special ‘Thank You’ to Time For Flowers for sponsoring the bouquets and plants for our Local Heroes.

Margaret receiving her bouquet from Sue at Time For

Nominate a local hero – it could be a friend, neighbour, local business or a member of your family! Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Flowers

View of the Chapel

Summer Fair at DW Infant School!

Darrick Wood Infant School is hosting its Summer Fair on Saturday 13th July from 12pm till 3pm, organised by FODWIS (the parent teacher association). The day will welcome family and friends with a variety of fun and entertainment including • Market Stalls • Food and drinks • Bouncy Castle • Games • Performances

To attend, visit Darrick Wood Infant School, Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington, BR6 8ER. Entry is £2 and kids under 16 go free. Wristbands for rides: £5 in advance, £6 on the door. For details email fodwisdarrickwood@gmail.com

5 ideas to try in July...

1. Start a garden or balcony herb garden for fresh, homegrown produce.

2. Try out new recipes for refreshing summer drinks and meals.

3. Plan a day trip to the beach for some sun and relaxation.

4. Set aside time for self-care activities like yoga, meditation or pampering.

5. Start a summer reading list and schedule a quiet time to enjoy your books.

World

Emoji Day

Community

World Emoji Day, celebrated annually on 17th July, is a fun occasion dedicated to all things emoji. It was founded by Jeremy Burge, the creator of Emojipedia, back in 2014. The date was chosen because the calendar emoji ( ��) typically shows July 17th. This day is all about celebrating the ubiquitous symbols that have revolutionised the way we communicate in the digital age, adding flair and emotion to our messages, emails and social media posts.

On World Emoji Day, there are usually announcements about new emoji releases, fun social media activities and even events. It's a day where emoji enthusiasts, tech companies and everyday users come together to appreciate these tiny icons.

As for the new emojis set to be released in 2025, details are still a bit under wraps. However, rumour has it that the Unicode Consortium, the organisation responsible for approving emojis, may unveil seven new emojis that include a face with bags under the eyes, a fingerprint, a leafless tree, a root vegetable, a harp, a shovel and a splatter – watch this space!

Thank you to local illustrator, Sam Richards, for his illustration on this month’s World Emoji Day. You can follow Sam on social media @samricharts2.

Doctor Dolittle

In our May issue, we ran a competition with The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle to win a family ticket to The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle by answering the question: which author created Dr Dolittle? The answer was Hugh Lofting and a huge congratulations to local resident, Emma Burt, who was chosen randomly as the competition winner.

heverfestival.co.uk

Noticeboard

Time to book a holiday?

Whether you’re looking for a cruise, fly and flop holiday or a staycation this year, The Holiday Village can help. They are ABTA P6710 and ATOL bonded and provide 100% consumer protection. They also have access to thousands of deals for any type of holiday.

Follow them on Facebook @VashTheHolidayVillage or Instagram @vashholidayvillage for inspiration, or if you’re looking for a holiday quote, email Vash at vash@theholidayvillage.co.uk or call 0330 8807812.

Credo Creative

The award-winning community arts project, Credo, which has been making life-changing impacts on people’s mental wellbeing in Bromley for almost three decades, will run its summer course from 22nd July. The programme gives people the opportunity to explore their potential and express themselves creatively through the medium of ceramics in a warm and supportive environment.

Run by national charity Ambient Support and overseen by a professional ceramicist, the nineand ten-week courses are for anyone who feels they would benefit from an improved sense of mental wellbeing and especially for those who have lived experience of mental ill-health. Sessions last for two hours and give participants an opportunity to reduce loneliness by meeting new people and helping to build new social and support networks. They are available to people in the Bromley area and operate from Ambient’s Creative Arts Studio, Cotmandene Crescent, Orpington.

F details see eventbrite.co.uk/o/ambientsupport-32064897021

Unleash your inner tiger!

Children’s author and illustrator (and local Bromley borough resident) Allison Parkinson is inviting everyone to unleash their inner tigers with her new card game: ROAR!

Based on the traditional game of snap, the rules are simple – players must growl or roar to win! Fun for all ages, each pack contains 49 cards featuring full colour illustrations from Allison’s Zarif the Tiger picture book trilogy: Tiger Tale, Tiger’s Eye and Tiger Roar. The pack is ideal for holidays, parties, games nights and gifts. It will have the whole family roaring with laughter, but be warned – it will get very noisy!

With International Day of the Tiger on July 29, there’s never been a better time to ROAR!

To get your paws on a pack, and find out more about Allison’s books, visit her website: www.tigerseyebooks.co.uk

JUST FOR ORPINGTON RESIDENTS! Allison has kindly offered to give away a pack for free to one lucky resident. To be in the draw, just send an email to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with the subject line ‘Roar’ and your details (name, address and telephone number) by 31st July.

Welcome

Holly!

Holly Norris has been chosen as this year’s Resident Judge for the Above and Beyond Bromley Business Awards (The ABBBAs). Holly is 25 and has always lived in the borough. She is a trainee accountant, the fundraising coordinator for Petts Wood Playgroup and the supporters’ coach organiser for Bromley FC. When Holly’s not working or at Bromley FC, she loves cooking, reading and watching Grey's Anatomy. She said: “I'm very excited to be working alongside the other judges to recognise the work that Bromley businesses do throughout the borough.”

For more information about this year’s ABBBAs, to purchase tickets or to submit an entry or nominate someone to win an award visit www.the-abbbas.co.uk

community NOTICEBOARD

PERSON-CENTRED CARE AT FOXBRIDGE HOUSE

At Care UK’s Foxbridge House care home in Orpington, you can live each day your way. With our stunning café, hair and beauty salon, cinema, and bar, we have everything you’ll need under one roof to enable you to continue enjoying a fulfilling lifestyle.

We recognise the importance of staying connected to local life. We’re often visited by local schools, societies, and faith groups, who love to join in with our busy activities schedule.

To find out more about Foxbridge House, call 01689 768640

Heat protection

by CATHERINE WINDUST

As we move from spring to summer and the weather starts to heat up a little, there are circumstances where we experience extreme heat and we need to protect ourselves, our community and our businesses.

The Heat-health alert service is provided by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in partnership with the Met Office from June to September based on an impact based alert system (Green, Yellow, Amber and Red).

To sign up for Severe Weather Alerts visit https://bit.ly/4avhjjP

SUPPORTING LOCAL AUTHORS…

Orpington's Walnuts Leisure Centre revamped

Orpington’s Walnuts Leisure Centre will receive a major facelift early next year, thanks to a £29 million investment, which is also being used to improve the facilities at West Wickham Leisure Centre.

The comprehensive refurbishment will enhance the centre’s existing services and introduce new, cutting-edge facilities, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the community’s leisure provision. Significant investment comes from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which has allocated £6.1 million for zero-carbon boiler systems and air source heat pumps. This eco-friendly upgrade will help make the centre more sustainable and reduce running costs.

In addition to these green improvements, visitors can expect a full refurbishment of the main pool, improved changing rooms with new showers and lockers, and the addition of pool pods and Changing Places facilities to enhance accessibility. A reconfigured competition-length pool will also be introduced, catering to local swimming clubs and supporting Bromley as a regional sports hub.

The refurbishment at the Walnuts will follow a phased approach, allowing the pool to remain open as long as possible. The pool will close in summer 2025 for final works and will reopen by March 2026.

Rosie Wilby is an award-winning comedian who has appeared on various radio and TV shows and lives in Bromley South. Her second book, The Breakup Monologues, is published by Bloomsbury and came out in hardback in 2021, with a new paperback edition launched last year. It’s also available as an audiobook narrated by Rosie. The book followed an awardwinning podcast of the same name, where fellow comedians share their best and worst breakup stories.

Rosie said: “My book is aimed at anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and wants to understand why it feels so very terrible, learn about the science of recovery and have a good old chuckle along the way. Following the two non-fiction books, I’m currently writing my first novel – a first draft of which has been longlisted in a competition, so fingers crossed!”

Rosie’s book costs £6.99 on Amazon. It is also available at all other good bookshops for the recommended retail price of £10.99.

If you’re a local author or know of one, email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk for the chance to be featured.

5 Minutes With

Peter Dunn

Peter Dunn took over as the full-time attendant and Macebearer 18 months ago, although he had been second in command since the summer of 2016. His position holds significant importance in local governance and ceremonial functions by supporting the Mayor during official events. We sat down with Peter to discover what’s involved...

Hi Peter! First of all, how did you get involved in your role and what's your background?

Well, I was an actor for 30 years, but you always have to have a backup because acting is tough. So, one of the things I fell into was passenger transport for social services and I found it very rewarding. Through those connections I got asked if I’d like to be on the team that drives the Mayor and that was back in 2016. Immediately I thought this is fun because it's about meeting people but it also has that theatrical element to it. As of two years ago, I have been the lead driver and I absolutely love it. We've got a fantastic team here in the Mayor’s office and it’s a real pleasure to do what I do.

Can you tell us what the Mayoral Attendant and Mace Bearer’s role entails?

There are a number of elements to the job. First and foremost, you drive the Mayor and Mayoress to engagements and look after the car, but you’re also there to facilitate and ensure that any protocol is being followed, that the Mayor is comfortable and everything is working smoothly. That said, you also get to enjoy the engagements and one of the great joys to me is meeting so many different people, all with different stories doing extraordinary things – from charities to resident’s associations and the launch of new businesses, it’s great. The second element is the security of the Chains of Office, we always joke that we can always get another Mayor, but we can’t get another set of chains!’ They are kept in a large safe deep in the Civic Centre, so I have to make sure that the Chains are always returned. Other roles include taking photos for social media as it’s important for the residents of the Bromley Borough to see what the Mayor is up to.

How many engagements do you attend typically each week?

It’s at least 10. In the summer, we can attend five or six a day though and I have to ensure those are on time. With the Jubilee and the Coronation, we went to something like 125 Street parties, all the way from Biggin Hill right across to Penge. I have to say, that was a great highlight for me going around all the street parties and seeing the fun!

Can you tell us more about the mace bearing side of things?

Originally the mace was a weapon going way back even before the Middle Ages. If you had somebody of wealth or rank they would effectively have a bodyguard who’d walk in front of them with a club, probably with a metal head on the top possibly with spikes in case anyone tried to get to their employer. As time went on people started thinking it would be rather nice to decorate the mace and personalise it, so it became more ceremonial. It is a symbol of the Monarch and ours has a replica of the King Edward crown. The Mayor, as first citizen of the Borough, is the direct representative of the King. At major civic occasions I will walk in front holding the mace and have to rap three times on the door frame before I announce the Mayor. It’s probably not quite as heavy as you might think as it has a wooden shaft and the metal is actually silver that has been gilded.

When you’re not busy working, what do you enjoy doing?

I have an allotment and when I go through the gates it’s like I enter another world. It's peaceful and it's just me and the soil. I live in a little estate of cottages with lovely neighbours in Penge. We've got our own music group where I do a bit of percussion and singing and we get together every couple of weeks and bash out some songs, usually ending up in the pub! My wife and I also enjoy travelling; as were both actors for many years, we’d be too worried to travel and miss out on work, so we’re trying to make up for it now.

Finally, how can someone invite the Mayor to attend an event?

Send an email invite to the Mayor’s office. We love going out to things and we cover a very wide range, so send it and see!

For more information see www.bromley.gov.uk/mayorbromley/contact-mayor-bromley

Puzzle

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution so that we can have cleaner streets, oceans and communities. The movement has inspired over 120 million participants across 177 countries. Just by making a small change we can collectively make a huge difference to our communities. You can choose to refuse single-use plastics in July (and beyond!). To mark Plastic Free July, the theme for this month’s quiz is all about sustainability and the environment.

The Prize

Bromley Picturehouse is giving away a Regional Membership card for the winner.

Benefits are numerous and include…

5 free tickets

£3 off film tickets

Fill in the answers to the clues below then write down the letters in the shaded squares (from top to bottom and left to right) to reveal something associated with the environment. Send the answer to hello at life and magazines.co.uk with the subject line June puzzle or Text (07403) 550068 with your full name, telephone number and address.

Across

2. A clean energy source harnessed from the sun

5. A fast-growing, sustainable plant used in a variety of eco-friendly products

7. Vehicle that uses two different power sources, often electric and petrol

9. A collective term for harmful substances released into the environment

10. A farming method that avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilisers

11. A potent greenhouse gas often released from livestock and landfills

12. The using up of a resource

13. Able to be reused or recycled

Down

1. The practice of using food waste Instead of sending it to landfill

3. Something being released, especially pollution

4. Power source harnessed from flowing water

6. A community space where individuals can grow their own food

8. Eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap for food storage

May winner: Lynda Poyroo

June prize word: Gary Barlow

No booking fees

10% off all food and drink

Priority booking on many popular films and events

Great discounts at a range of National partners

Sustainability

Strictly one entry per person. All competition winners are listed on our website. Competitions are open to Bromley Borough residents only. For competition terms and conditions see https://bit.ly/lifeincomps

Join the fun & stay in the loop! By participating in our monthly puzzles, you're in for a treat! You'll automatically be added to our database to receive our fantastic monthly newsletter, complete with digital issues straight to your inbox. We love keeping our community engaged and informed. If you ever fancy opting out, just give us a shout. Happy puzzling!

Vehicle that uses

Either text or email your answer, along with your full name, telephone number and postal address to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk 07403 550068 BY 16TH JULY for your chance to win!

10. A farming method that avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilisers 11. A potent greenhouse gas often released from livestock and landfills

12. The using up of a resource

3. Something being released, especially pollut

4. Power source harnesse from flowing water

6. A community space where individuals can gro their own food

8 Eco friendly alternativ

A WINNING SMILE FOR LESS? Health & Beauty

In recent years, an interesting trend has emerged in the realm of healthcare – medical tourism. And at the forefront of this phenomenon is a surprising destination: Turkey. Traditionally known for its rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, Turkey has swiftly become a hotspot for Brits seeking dental treatments and winning smiles.

The price is right

If you’ve ever had a root canal treatment, implants or crowns, you’ll know that procedures can be exorbitantly expensive in the UK. According to Dentistry.co.uk, a quarter of Brits have delayed dental care due to cost alone. Research by the Oral Health Foundation found that in the last two years, the number of Brits sacrificing dental visits to keep their bank balance in check has more than doubled. So, it’s little surprise that many of us look to Turkey for significant cost savings.

A dental implant in the UK can cost upwards of £2,000 to £3,000 per tooth. In Turkey, the same procedure can be obtained for as little as £500 to £1,000 per tooth. Similarly, teeth whitening treatments, which can cost around £300 to £700 in the UK, are available in Turkey for as little as £100 to £200.

Quality without compromise

Despite the lower costs, it’s important to do your research to ensure quality care if you’re considering dental work. Many reputable clinics, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir cater specifically to international patients, offering personalised care and English-speaking staff. Reputable clinics also adhere to rigorous international standards and regulations, ensuring patient safety and satisfaction. Brits often choose Turkey for its holistic experience, where patients can combine dental appointments with a relaxing holiday, exploring Turkey's enchanting attractions, culinary delights and rich cultural heritage. Many clinics also provide comprehensive packages that include accommodation, airport transfers and assistance with travel arrangements.

Case examples

We visited Baron Dental Clinic in the Side-Manavgat region after the clinic was recommended to us (and after doing our own research). We spoke with one patient, 64-year-old John from London. He said: “I was initially apprehensive about getting dental work abroad, but the cost savings were too tempting to ignore. The treatment has exceeded all my expectations. The staff were incredibly attentive, the facilities were state-of-the-art, and my new smile is nothing short of transformative.”

We also spoke with Pia who helps refer people to the clinic. She told us that she is proud to work with Baron because of their reputation: “If necessary, they (Baron) will discourage and turn away people who don’t need dental treatment. I’m mostly talking about young people who have nothing wrong with their teeth. Instead of having composites or crowns, there are other ways of making smiles nicer such as teeth whitening, and Baron won’t perform any unnecessary treatments.”

Our own treatment with crown fitting at the clinic (with Dt. Cengiz KARA) was impeccable. We were assigned a personal advisor and felt looked after every step of the way. It was great to go out of season – we travelled in February and the fair weather meant we were still in shorts and t-shirts. The dentists are highly skilled and the practice offers cutting-edge technology with its own Dental Laboratory. They also use some of the best materials available in dentistry (e.g., Zirconia for crowns). While the allure of dental tourism in Turkey is undeniable, it's essential that you are aware of potential risks and exercise caution. Researching reputable clinics, verifying credentials and reading patient reviews are crucial steps in ensuring a safe and successful experience.

What you should know

• Do your research thoroughly if considering treatment abroad. Look at the dentist’s qualifications, investigate their aftercare and warranty and learn about the dental treatment process and planning. Read reviews and check the clinic’s emergency services.

• We stayed at Side Star Elegance (sidestarhotels. com/elegance/tr), which was a 5-minute walk to the clinic and offers affordable all-inclusive prices. Baron offers free transfers for patients and can arrange holiday packages too.

• Baron Dental Clinic is offering 5% off all treatments for readers. Quote ‘LifeInMags5' for a discount off treatment. For a quote (please note that quotes exclude travel to Turkey, accommodation and prescriptions), contact Adem via WhatsApp on +90 533 473 31 07, email consult@barondentalclinic.com or see www.barondentalclinic.com/en

Did You Know?

DO YOU FEEL THE POWER OF THE GLADIATORS?

Gladiators has been revealed as the UK’s most popular game show, according to new research carried out by online casino site, Playcasino.com

A list of game shows from the earliest released to the most recent was devised using IMDB and analysed by combining the game show with other related terms to determine their average monthly search volume.   Gladiators received 295,738 average monthly searches. Now presented by Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney, the sports entertainment game show marked its third revival in January 2024 following its second reboot in 2008 and original series in 1992. The BBC One show soared in popularity and is the channel’s biggest entertainment launch for nearly a decade after reaching 10 million views in 28 days post launch. A second series of the show has been confirmed.

10

of the most Googled health questions

1. How do I cure blood pressure in 3 minutes?

2. How many calories should I eat in a day?

3. How do I get rid of thrush?

4. How do I get rid of impetigo in 24 hours?

5 How do I flush alcohol from my urine?

6. How to treat tonsillitis?

7. How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system?

8. How do I calculate how many calories I need to eat?

9. How do I lower cholesterol without taking medication?

10. How do diabetics get rid of yeast infections?

Source: Spire Healthcare

London Gatwick has cut carbon emissions from its diesel vehicles by 90% by swapping the fuel for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The switch means London Gatwick will save more than 950 tonnes of carbon emissions per annum.

In second place is Channel 4’s Countdown with 90,969 monthly searches on average. Currently presented by Colin Murray and assisted by Rachel Riley, the numerical and lexical show includes contestants trying to outsmart their opponents and its popularity has only increased since its original release in 1982. 4

The third most loved game show of all time is The Chase with an average monthly search volume of 82,410. The ITV show, which premiered in 2009, is presented by Bradley Walsh in which contestants from the public answer a series of questions against a professional quiz master in the hope of winning a cash prize. The biggest ever solo prize to be won by a public competitor was £75,000 in 2022.

The rest of the top ten included Deal or No Deal, Pointless, Who Wants to be a Millionaire Catchphrase, Tipping Point, Mastermind and University Challenge.

4 facts you might not know about Hepatitis

by HENRY CODRINGTON

With World Hepatitis Day on 28th July, here are some fascinating facts about the disease that affects the liver…

1. Almost 90% of people living with viral hepatitis are unaware that they have it.

2. There are 5 different types, A, B, C, D and E. Each type is caused by a different virus.

3. World Hepatitis Day is on the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg who discovered the hepatitis B virus, developed a test and vaccine.

4. Alcohol abuse can cause alcoholic hepatitis.

Travel lifestyle

MONEY-SAVING SUMMER HOLIDAY TIPS

If you’re looking to hot-trot it abroad this summer, there are means and ways of saving money – from when to fly, to tips and tricks for everyday savings. Howden Insurance has compiled some of the best…

Fly mid-week to save money

Tuesday is the cheapest day to book a flight, but for domestic flights, between Monday and Wednesday is your best bet for getting a great deal. For international flights, Wednesday and Thursday are the cheapest days to book, with potential savings of up to 20%. Airfare can be prone to slight fluctuations depending on how close the flight is to the time of booking, so it is important to keep a constant eye out for any offers or deals that might occur. However, booking in advance is more likely to be a money-saving guarantee.

Book extras early

Expenses that may not seem an initial priority when booking your summer holiday may turn out to be the ones that cost the most. Airport parking is much cheaper to book in advance as opposed to paying on the day. Luggage will also be more expensive to add on at the airport, and you can end up paying almost double the price if you don’t organise it prior to your departure date.

Book towards the end of summer

Flights are available to purchase for about a year in advance and prices are guaranteed to change throughout the 12 months; they tend to spike closer to the time, so booking at least six months before you intend to go on holiday is recommended, especially if you are planning a long-haul flight. Prices in summer are more than likely to reach an all-time high in June and become less expensive in August, so if you have the flexibility to book later in summer, the end of August is your best bet if you want to save some money whilst still getting a healthy dose of vitamin D and sunshine.

Compare reviews, prices and inclusions

It is easy to browse for places to stay abroad and select the cheapest one, but there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration; you don’t have to spend a fortune on a five-star hotel to guarantee good quality and a great stay. Always research by comparing reviews to their prices, as cheaper hotels can have just as good recommendations as much more expensive ones. Also, all-inclusive may seem more appealing when it comes to saving money, but some hotels can be misleading in what exactly that entails, so check the fine print.

Bring your own food

It’s useful to remember that even small adjustments can save you the most money; Prices for food and beverages in the airport or on the plane can be very high, so instead of spending a fortune on the journey to your chosen destination, pack yourself some snacks and put the money you save toward your holiday spending.

Insure as soon as you book

The best time to buy travel insurance is directly after booking the holiday – although the price of insurance doesn’t vary too much over time, the value does. Purchasing as soon as reservations are made means you’ll have more options to choose from, including ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ which is a great benefit to have in case your holiday cannot go ahead. Depending on whether you are looking for just a single trip cover or planning multiple trips this year, the cancellation benefits from your chosen policy will begin as soon as your insurance plan comes into effect, meaning you can reap the benefits up until and during your holiday.

One for the hand luggage

Next time you’re packing for a trip away, pop this little beauty into your hand luggage. Kit & Kin’s magic salve is ideal for chapped lips and dry skin – great for when you’re on the move. The company is a sustainable family brand cofounded by Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Magic Salve retails for £9.99. For details see kitandkin.com

5 Mins with…the Co-founder & CEO of Splash Damage

20 ways to simplify your life

What’s on locally – plan your August diary!

Too hot to bake? Make our delicious banoffee fridge cake!

Plus so much more!

Print run: 7,000 copies every month

Estimated readership: 18,000+ including digital

Copyright: All text, images and design in Life In...Orpington are subject to copyright, 2024. 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 https://bit.ly/lifeincomps

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.

© 2024 Luna Creative Media Ltd. All rights reserved.

Life In Orpington is available at over 50 pick up locations. For a full list of these see www.lifeinmagazines.co.uk. Main stand locations: Chelsfield Railway Station | Family Shopper (Cotmandene Crescent) | Lidl Locksbottom & Sevenoaks Way | Aldi Sevenoaks Way | Iceland – Petts Wood | Nugent Shopping Centre (M&S Café) | The Walnuts Shopping Centre |Walnuts Leisure Centre | Morrisons Petts Wood | Petts Wood Railway Station. For a postal copy (£24 a year) email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Orpington

2024

A Final Thought…

Walk this way

by JENNIE RANDALL

Do you enjoy getting outdoors exploring both the countryside and town? Do you want to get fitter whilst making new friends at the same time?

We hear a great deal these days about the benefits of walking for both physical and mental health. We all know it’s really good for us, but how do you go about taking the first steps, literally, to getting into walking? Finding motivation isn’t always easy, finding excuses is. Excuses such as “I’m hopeless at map-reading, I’d get lost”, “It’s not safe to walk alone”, “It’s expensive joining a rambling club”, “I can’t think of anywhere to walk to” are just a few that I’ve heard! Is that what you’re thinking? I used to think that too - until I discovered EnBro.

If you’ve not heard of EnBro before, it’s a fantastic rambling group that was set up in Bromley over 40 years ago that’s open to all adults aged 18 or over. (Assistance dogs are welcome too). EnBro walks range from short, gentle strolls ideal for those getting into walking for the first time, to medium length walks of a few miles, right through to more strenuous rambles for the more adventurous. If you join, you’ll have access to a full programme of some 350 volunteer-led walks both locally and further afield. For almost all of the walks there’s no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day. Therefore, if your plans or the weather change at the last minute, you’re not committed to attend. Details of mileage and the sort of terrain to be covered are given in the programme. Many walks are circular, others linear. Some walks may have a special theme, for example looking at the historical or literary

connections of a locality or maybe en route will pause to take in viewpoints or features in the landscape. Other walks may be done in sections over a period of weeks or months to cover a particularly notable route. An example of this is the Pilgrims Way, which we walked in the summer months a few years ago.

So, what about all those excuses I mentioned earlier? Well, with EnBro there’s no need to be able to map-read, the walk leader does that and they always check the route out in advance so there’s no danger of getting lost! You won’t have to find somewhere to walk – in fact you’ll be spoilt for choice with such a varied programme of walks. You won’t have to walk alone either, you’ll be in a group, so you’re quite safe too. We’re a friendly bunch and you’ll always find people to chat to and a great deal of interesting conversation. There’s often lots of laughter too! So, how much does all this cost you may be thinking? You may be surprised to discover that it’s only £7 for an annual subscription. For this, you’ll receive, on a quarterly basis, a full schedule of walks for members and also details of occasional social events which members are welcome to attend. There is information too about discounts available exclusively to EnBro members from various local outdoor shops.

If you’re interested but would like to try a walk or two before actually joining our group, just pick up a copy of the current EnBro Free Walks Programme at any Bromley Borough library. The walks in that leaflet (for which there is no charge), are just a very small sample of the very large number of walks you’ll have access to if you become a member of EnBro.

For more information visit www.enbro.org.uk, email membership@enbro.org.uk or call 07840-542261.

Do you have a passion for something – a hobby or cause that you want to raise awareness of? Perhaps you just want to share your (positive or inspiring) thoughts on a subject or life in general? Send your idea to hello@ lifeinmagazines.co.uk with the subject line ‘Final Thought.’