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PotentialMe C.I.C Connect Me Digital Skills Project Digital Skills Training & Coaching

Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am - 2pm Cost: Free Contact Fiona - 07891 403161 Email: potentialmecic@gmail.com

Weekly online digital skills training & coaching project funded by Clarion Futures for: Parents & Carers who would like to build their confidence in applying for jobs online and receive support with any anxieties or barriers with preparing to return to employment and; Older people (50yrs +) who would like to learn how to use their digital tablets and mobile phones to stay in touch with friends, family and join community activities and groups online. Learn how to video call, use online meeting platforms and online service portals to help combat loneliness and social isolation. Contact Fiona for more information.

RIP Tony Page

Remembering our lovely friend Tony Page who sadly passed away in January. We met Tony whilst Lauretta was having chemo at the PRUH; Tony was having treatment for Myeloma, a type of blood cancer and campaigned heavily to raise awareness of this. In fact, he wrote an article in the December 2019 issue of Life In Orpington on this. Tony was always so upbeat and optimistic, and could often be heard saying ‘It is what it is, so I’ll just get on with it’. Rest in peace Tony - you were a wonderful man, taken too early and we miss you.

Locksbottom’s Up!

How do you like the idea of a late summer (family-friendly) Beer Festival in Locksbottom? Local resident, Andrew Muckle, is looking at organising the event with the help of some local volunteers. If you’re interested – either as a local resident or business – and would like to get involved, please email locksbottomsup@mail.com

Feature on the Community Noticeboard!

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.

A tailored approach to accountancy

FREE Making Tax Digital Webinar

Email to register: bacon@perry-company.co.uk

At Perrys Chartered Accountants we o er our clients an exceptional service and are proud of our industry knowledge, qualifi cations and experience. Why not join us for our next webinar for all the latest information and advice on Making Tax Digital.

• Accounts • Tax Planning • Corporate Finance • Wills & Probate • Making Tax Digital • Company Secretarial Work • VAT Legislation • Tax Allowance • Inheritance Tax • Statutory Audit

To arrange a FREE consultation please visit our website

perrysaccountants.co.uk

Orpington

01689 823175

Mayfair

020 7408 4442

Tunbridge Wells

01892 543900

City

020 7256 9339

Wrotham

01732 882488

West Malling

01732 870032

Historic Dockyard Chatham

01634 245900

LEARN SOMETHING NEW!

If you’re retired or work part-time and have been curtailed by the lockdown, Orpington U3A has plenty to offer! Using Zoom (online video), local residents can enjoy monthly talks (the group recently enjoyed a ‘Travels In China’ guest speaker) and many of the 100 groups offered are still active and very vibrant. Join the friendly group, which has around 1,000 members to learn, discuss and socialise – visit www.u3aorpington.org.uk or email chair@u3aorpington.org.uk

EASTER SERVICE

The Parish of All Saints in Orpington has outlined its Easter services, subject to government lockdowns. However, all services will be streamed for those unable to attend in person.

28th March: Palm Sunday - 9.30am procession of palms & sung holy communion with choir. 1st April: Maundy Thursday - 8pm service with sung holy communion & choir. 2nd April: Good Friday meditation - 12pm-2pm meditation; 2pm - last hour worship. 4th April: Easter Day 6am vigil followed by breakfast, 8am service from the Book of Common Prayer, 9.30am sung holy communion with choir, 3.30pm choral evensong. For more information call 01689 824624 or see www.allsaintsorpington.org. uk and www.facebook.com/AllSaintsOrpington/

7, 49 or 490? When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother or sister who sinned against him, Jesus replied, “I tell you, not seven times but seventy seven times”. How do we begin to think about this, both on a personal case by case basis to the international stage? Peter was probably thinking just this when Jesus answered his question. And yet, recall that Jesus tells us there is only one way to become truly victorious with our enemies, and that is to make them our friends—to bless them, pray for them and return their evil with good. What Jesus is suggesting is, of course, nonsense; nonsense—unless we truly believe that Jesus is God’s human face; unless we believe that he died and was resurrected for the entire world, not simply the Christian one; nonsense—unless we realise that returning good for evil derails the cycle of violence which yields a great surplus of hate and opens up a space for creativity: beginning again. We can look to the Lord’s Prayer, which was what Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him how to pray: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”. Beyond making enemies friends, forgiveness brings another gift: it sets us free from the past and opens us to a future of hope. This is the foundation of rejoicing in all circumstances. “For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” This is the surest footing on which can can stand, and on which we—the communion of saints—can grow, go forth and walk into the stature that God wills for us. The Revd George M. Rogers, Vicar, The Parish of All Saints

Poetry corner

TROUBLED TIMES

by Maureen Hillier

When all these troubled times have past And the world is right again Let’s hope some good will come From all this grief and pain Let’s remember how on Thursdays We stood outside our door Waving to our neighbours Something we have never done before We all had so much patience When standing in a queue If their shelves were empty Then we would just make do People in isolation Perhaps we have never met We would phone to ask what they might need Then leave their order on the step

The short time we were given Just to exercise How precious were those moments With our family by our side Our gardens so well tended Many flowers will grow The Joy and happiness summer brings So many will never know They will never see the sun Or the blossom on the trees Or smell the fragrance of a rose Swaying in the breeze So as in time our memories fade Please keep them in your mind And make this world a better place Than the one they left behind