Noticeboard

BANK HOLIDAY RECYCLING AND WASTE COLLECTION DAYS Check your collection at bromley.gov.uk/wastenews

PANTS FOR HEROES

BP3 Underwear is giving away 100 free pairs of BP3 Pants to key worker heroes including NHS staff, supermarket workers, care workers, the police, volunteers, cleaners etc.. You can nominate a woman who is going the extra mile by sending an email to sales@bp3underwear.com

share local news 8 Life in... Orpington May 2020 lifeinmagazines.co.uk

VE Day 75th Anniversary

Celebrations STAY AT HOME STREET PARTY Friday 8th May 2020

Decorate your house red, white and blue and enjoy a picnic in your front garden (at a safe distance) 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. Useful Contacts Bromley Council: To report a wide range of issues visit www.bromley.gov.uk/report FixMyStreet: To report issues that need the attention of Bromley Council such as potholes, broken street lighting, dumped rubbish etc, visit www.fixmystreet.com Trading Standards: Report rogue traders on 07903 852090 Official police security website: www.securedbydesign.com Action Fraud - UK Fraud and internet crime reporting: www.actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 1232040 Childline: 0800 1111

Samaritans: 116 123 Domestic Violence Hotline: 0808 2000 247 Mind: 0300 123 3393

Age UK: 0800 169 6565 La Leche League: 0345 1202918 (for mums struggling to get formula milk)

JOIN OTHERS TO SUPPORT THE MAYPOLE PROJECT DURING COVID-19 It now faces a devastating loss of funds, with all fundraising events being cancelled or postponed for the foreseeable future and volunteers unable to collect on the streets. To a local, independent charity that receives no government funding, your support is everything. The charity is at risk of closing and has set up an emergency appeal where they are encouraging members of the public to donate. You could even set up your own socialdistancing friendly challenge like The Maypole Project supporter, Michael Storie, who run a half marathon on his treadmill and raise over £1000 in the process. The Maypole Project, supports families and children with complex medical needs and urgently appeals for your support as it faces the risk of closure during these troubling times of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can dionate to The Maypole project here https://www.themaypoleproject.co.uk/fundraise/gifts/

Classic Newsreels about Orpington and the Surrounding Area

Dr Paw Paw has launched a new initiative for Front-Line Staff. The company is offering two free balms to NHS workers (they just need to cover postage.) NHS staff are suffering from sore and cracked hands from the hand washing and hand sanitizer and the balms help to hydrate, soothe and nourish lips and skin. If you have any friends or family or know any front-line workers that could also benefit from this see drpawpaw.com/frontline

Balm beauty

As well as making a wide variety of films including dramas, documentaries and comedies, for over 30 years Orpington Video & Film Makers (OVFM) has been filming in and around Orpington to produce a newsreel of the previous year’s events to include in our Spring Show. To try to relieve any boredom you may be feeling during the lockdown we have made our two oldest newsreels available and we hope these will interest and entertain you. Look back at events such as The Great Storm of 1987 as captured by our members or the end of the red telephone box in 1988; see how the shops in the area have changed and watch out in case you recognise people, perhaps yourself, in any of the scenes.

To join in this activity click https://www.ovfm.org.uk/ovfm-classic-newsreels/

CROFTON ROMAN VILLA NEWS

Due to the current coronavirus outbreak, we have have taken the decision not to open at present. Please keep an eye on our website, Twitter and Facebook for up to date information on our new opening date. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you you all well and hope to see you as soon as possible. Stay safe. Website: www.karu.org.uk/crofton_ roman_villa.html. Twitter: @CroftonVilla. Email: crofton.roman.villa@gmail.com

MEALS FOR THE NHS

THREE CHEERS FOR MILLIE!

A small group of tech workers and entrepreneurs in London (who worked at companies like Spotify, Deliveroo and McKinsey) have teamed up to launch Meals For The NHS. The new group is raising money to deliver free meals to frontline NHS heroes, whilst supporting local restaurants in the process that might have otherwise shut down. They need donations and sponsorship! An average meal costs £5, so £500 will feed up to 100 hungry, tired (and amazing) hospital staff. The project has 27 hospitals on its waiting list so needs to raise funds quickly. The money will go directly to the local businesses who are preparing and delivering the food to the hospitals, who may otherwise have had to go out of business during the current crisis. For details see mealsforthenhs.com

Plastic is not fantastic

Tesco has announced that it will replace plasticwrapped multipacks with plastic-free multibuys on tinned food, eliminating 350 tonnes of plastic from the environment every year. The change applies to both the supermarket’s own brand products and branded products, like Heinz Beans. The move contributes to the food giant’s commitment to remove 1bn pieces of plastic from its own brand products by the end of 2020.

Millie Harrison, 22, a personal assistant from Bromley, first signed up to become a donor for Germany company, DKMS in 2016 after visiting PricewaterhouseCoopers and speaking with the blood cancer charity at the pop up registry in the canteen. After her meeting with DKMS, Millie started thinking about her own family. What would happen if one of them received a diagnosis of blood cancer? Would her family members be able to donate to each other, or would they have to rely on a donation from selfless stranger? This thought inspired Millie to register with DKMS, never considering that she might actually be called as a donor. Once a person is on the register, you have a one in 800 chance of being asked to donate. Your chance of being selected depends on your age and sex. A young man, for example, aged 16-30, has a higher chance - one in 200 - of being asked to donate. Millie received a call last year; they needed her donation as a matter of urgency as the recipient was very ill. Millie was more than ready to donate, in fact she was very excited at the opportunity to save someone’s life. Millie says: “After receiving the call, my initial feeling was fear because I didn’t know much about the process. However, once it was all explained to me, I was so eager to get started. I underwent various blood tests to make sure I was a 100% match for the recipient. Once these were complete, I had a really short turn around because the patient was deteriorating quickly.” Millie is now ‘reserved’ for the same recipient for the next two years in case they need another donation. She wishes that person all the very best and has even sent them ‘get well soon’ card. Summarising the donation process in three words, Millie would describe it as: “Rewarding, amazing and unreal…an experience like no other.”

For more information on becoming a potential lifesaver visit dkms.org.uk

When you say goodbye to a loved one, it’s important that you get the right service that’s fitting to them.

My name’s Michelle and I’m passionate about being a life celebrant. The way I work is by gaining a better understanding of the life of a loved one so that I can present a ceremony that is both bespoke and unique. A ‘Remember Me’ package also offers the option to plan a service in advance.

My second passion is the community I’ve been part of for many years; I co-founded The Bereavement Café in Orpington to offer support to those who have lost loved ones. If you need to talk about any issues relating to the loss of a loved one, please know that I am here to support others.

You can contact me by email at michelleharvey.lifecelebrant@yahoo.com

SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES

Community News Local business group is welcoming guests ...online

Despite the current circumstances, there are still opportunities to meet and enjoy the company of new people and businesses. Our local BNI* Group usually meets at High Elms Golf Course and for the time-being, we’re meeting online via Zoom. Richard Nudd of QED Consulting Engineers, says “We meet at breakfast time every Thursday and we love having new people from local businesses and organisations join us to share what they do. We already have over twenty five members from a whole range of sectors and industries. If we can help or advise our guests, we will. Our motto is ‘givers gain’ and we live up to it.”

Telecoms World PLC has been in the industry of hosted telecoms for over 15 years and deal direct with leading manufacturers and distributors. We are extremely proud to provide an award-winning range of products and services for all sizes of business, backed up with a UK-based sales, order provisioning team and highly-commended customer support team. Sam Diamond Voice and Data Solutions

T: 0800 043 0800 D: 0345 459 4530 E: sam@telecomsworldplc.co.uk W: telecomsworldplc.co.uk We reach our customers through a network of independent members, working with people on a 1-2-1 basis to support and help people develop longterm sustainable lifestyle changes. We are committed to making a difference in their lives through good education and accountability. Message us now to start your personal health journey. Chris Cooke Nutritional Supplements

Independent Herbalife Member

M: 07872 509 395 E: chriscookehbl@gmail.com IG: @chriscookehbl W: chriscooke.goherbalife.com

You’ll meet people including Sam Diamond of Orpington-based business Telecoms World and nutrition expert Chris Cooke.

BNI Lightning Chapter

Currently meeting online on Thursday mornings 6.30-8.30am Usually meets at High Elms Golf Course, High Elms Road, Downe, Orpington, Kent BR6 7JL If you would like to visit us online please contact: Debbie Beaven on 07833 640938 or email debbiebeaven@bsandb.co.uk

What have our recent guests said? Claire Bromley of Claire Alexandra Designs says, “I’ve been to a few meetings at Lightning now.

They’re friendly people who are helping keep business local. I look forward to going back.” Lauretta Wright, Editor of Life In Orpington, adds, “I attended a meeting recently. If you’re with a local business which would like to get more work, get in touch with BNI Lightning and attend a meeting or two. You’ll have a great time. I couldn’t believe how much energy there was in the ‘room’ even at 6.30 in the morning! When I went at Easter, they were all wearing Easter ‘bonnets’.”