Life In Orpington August 2019

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ISSUE 6 . AUGUST 2019

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LIVE, LOVE, LIFE... LOCALLY

Stress free travel tips

garden jobs for august what's on this summer

Burglary prevention

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ND ORPINGTO

AND AROU 'S ON GUIDE IN

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The Secret Between NHS Why should I join Denplan?

Vs Private Dental Care Can’t get an appointment at your NHS dentist? Fed up of delays?

NHS dentistry will cover you for your bare necessities with typical prices from £22.70/£62.10/£269.30 - not always money well spent! Don’t compromise on quality, especially when the price difference may be only marginal! We even have a 24/7 Emergency Line on 07306 519191 and we open evenings and weekends.

Worried about the quality of care?

Prices of NHS treatment may be based on the lower quality, budget materials and cheaper finishes. Treatment times are rushed and some materials such as white fillings are often not even covered by the NHS. But did you know, private treatment prices are no longer much more expensive that the NHS equivalent?

Worried about costs running away?

NHS fillings are the most common form of treatment costing you £62.10. At The DenCare Clinic we charge from £50. NHS check-ups are charged at £22.70 while we charge £35 and NHS dentures cost £269.30 and we charge from £375. Our treatments are available on 0% interest payment plans to help you spread costs.

Ask Us about DenPlan Options Today t: 01689 862 416 | m: 07306 519 191 DenPlan by SimplyHealth Professionals helps keep your costs down, available from only £15 per month - covering you for 2 routine check-ups, x-rays, 2 hygiene appointments & emergencies.

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2 Life in... Orpington August 2019

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lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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

Nicky

CONTENTS

With the school summer holidays now in full swing, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for great weather!

August 2019

This month we’ve introduced a new page (in place of our social media page), as we were increasingly receiving emails, texts and phone calls with your comments, suggestions and observations.

Our new page ‘Write It, Say It, Message It!’ is on page 7 – and the star comment, social media post or email sent to us has the chance to win a couple of cinema tickets to VUE.

Community News

Getting to know Orpington....................... 4 Write it, say it, message it........................ 7 Noticeboard.............................................. 8

In terms of competitions, we’re giving away a Picturehouse goodie bag (the new Art Deco cinema at 242 Bromley High Street is now open and we bagged a goody bag to give away). Sign up to our newsletter at tinyurl.com/lionewsletter before 10th August for your chance to win.

Charity watch......................................... 10 Orpington in focus.................................. 14

What’s On

On the Parenting Page (p26) we’re also giving away two prizes of magnetic bib clips, and for this month’s crossword you could win five packs of Native Wildflower Beebombs.

This month ............................................. 16

Lifestyle

Well done to last month’s winners: Ron Munro bagged themselves a handheld Nurokor MiTouch and accessories in our crossword puzzle - worth more than £500! @ellmansell won a Scrubba Wash Bag Mini by tagging us on social with their favourite holiday destination (Stockholm). Amanda Haynes won a family ticket to Christmas Tree Farm for finding the hidden animals. Liz Barrett, Ruth Mansell and Matthew McCormack each won a pair of tickets to this month’s Festival of Flight, while @blackfingernail won a pair of VUE tickets.

Business matters.................................... 20 Puzzle page - PRIZE GIVEAWAY........... 22 Health & beauty...................................... 24 Parenting................................................ 26 Home & garden...................................... 28 Travel...................................................... 30 Technology............................................. 32

Until next month, live, love, life….locally (and happy summer holidays!)

Eco news................................................ 34 A final thought........................................ 36

Nicky and Lauretta

Useful contacts...................................... 38

Nicky Grant and Lauretta Wright, Editors PS Life In Orpington will be delivered to a separate area next month. However, you can always read the digital version at lifeinmagazines.co.uk or pick up a copy at various locations in Orpington including cafés, libraries, train stations etc

Published by: Life In Magazines

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 12TH AUG To advertise in Life In Orpington contact Nicky or Lauretta

COVER IMAGE: Fab House, Orpington

GET TO KNOW US...

Nicky: Camping trips with the family Lauretta: A staycation in Margate lifeinmagazines.co.uk

07403 603569 or 07403 550068 hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

What's are you looking forward to this summer?

@lifeinmags August 2019 Life in... Orpington 3

Community News

GettingOrpington to know

Our article this month focusses on our new publication ‘Lost Orpington and Around’ our third book!

We have teamed up, again, with the UK based historical topics publisher, Amberley, who have several branded and themed series titles. The new series is ‘Lost’ where the book examines places and ways of life that are long forgotten. Amberley approached us in late 2018 to ask if we would author a new book and ‘Lost Orpington and Around’ was given the go-ahead! The book focusses on places within the former Orpington District and shows how much has changed and been lost in the area over the years.

How do you author and publish a book?

We wanted to share the process of authoring a book, from signing the contract through to receiving a first copy in your hand. This may inspire others to get involved and add further publications relating to Orpington and the surrounding area.

Firstly, you need to be knowledgeable and passionate about your topic and secondly there has to be a format to follow. The first was a given and for the second, Amberley has several established series that we could follow. In contrast to 2013 when we were asked to author ‘Around Orpington Through Time’, which was a well-established series, this time the series was new, and we only had two examples which, themselves, were new. The images and written content for the book were not too difficult to draft; the tricky bit was how to categorise the chapters. We chose to categorise by topic rather than by town or village, which we had done in the previous two publications. The High Street, emergency services, schools, pubs, entertainment, commerce etc. meant that 96 pages needed to be drafted with, typically, two images and two paragraphs per page. Approximately 180 items needed to be identified, researched and almost 28,000 words drafted. Work started in January 2019 and we submitted the first draft in mid-May. You can imagine a lot of review meetings and discussions on the progress of the book and countless emails back and forth to the publisher. There was also the small matter of engaging our friend, Lord Avebury, to author the introduction and a chapter on High Elms House and grounds. Even when the first draft was submitted we then entered the corrections process where the publisher sends back the various proofs and we checked for minor issues.

We were happy with the third and final proof that went to print on the 5th July.

Authoring the book is only one part of the project. Ensuring

4 Life in... Orpington August 2019

that people are aware of the book and where to buy it from was also vitally important. The OHO has a decent following online, but Amberley Publishing can bring significant influence in marketing and where the book will be stocked.

Why did we do it?

This is our third book (the first one being a best seller) and people often ask, whether it makes money? The short answer is; not as much as you think! The royalties are a small percentage of the sales of the book. The vast majority goes to the publisher. We wouldn’t be creating these books if financial gain was the primary objective. We would rather the books were widely available to everyone.

The enjoyment we get from doing it and seeing our books on shelves and online more than outweighs any financial reward.

Where do you get the book and further information?

Hopefully, by the time you read this, or near to it, the book will be available. It is due to hit the shops and online bookstores on 15th August.

Please visit the OHO website or Facebook page to see where the book is stocked, how you can order your copy and where book launches or signings are taking place.

The Orpington History Organisation www.orpington-history.org | Facebook @OrpHistOrg lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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6 Life in... Orpington August 2019

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Write It, Say It, Message It!

Community News

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them n, I am SO very proud of Dear Life In Orpingto Fitness Pilates class. ior we Sen up, my rm ut wa abo dio ow car s but we also have a I wanted to let you kn morning to do Pilate rn how to lea day Fri and h in eac bra up r et ou n me all - we steps to sharpe etches practice sequence of t and end up with str use hand weights, we e while lying on a ma cor r e, ou eas on dis rk g wo lun n s and illnesses like prevent falls and we the lly hard. have various limitation rea ple rk peo wo se the and ek All we n. h and relaxatio but they come eac ious forms of arthritis prove their wellbeing. osteoporosis and var iors to exercise and im sen for n atio have now pir ins be an e in a group, but they I really think they can very ing how they would cop inn and r beg the the ano in e d on rrie ing they were all wo and they all encourag ll we d to as ss rte cla sta all the y e sid y were younger - the formed friendship out were active when the e others to ple pir ins peo se can y the of the ne pe ho No I supportive. & Women alike. flexibility and slow ple of years ago. Men be exercise only a cou prove their balance and im , bile mo re mo inspiration and ng s bei are. They are my own take active steps toward matter what age they no s ces pro ive rat down the degene ome a senior citizen…. see myself when I bec that is how I want to alpilates.com) edi em w.r Pilates (ww “Thank you for pu Naama from Remedial tting together su ch a well crafted my volunteer Pe article about ter. You're both do ing a stellar job in life back into the breathing high street bring ing recognition to work hard and are tho se who too mo de We asked you… If you could introduce st to seek it for the Aaron Doe, Shop mselves.”

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a new local law, what would it be and why? Here’s what some of you said….

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And the winner is @theblackfingernail

ra Hello! My name is Laura and I’m a full-time mum of 2 boys and a fully qualifie d professional makeup artist who last year underw ent the ‘Look Good Feel Better’ (cancer support cha rity) training. Their schedule clashed with the school run unfortunately so I was unable to get involve d but I’m not giving up!! I want to work voluntar ily to impart my love and knowledge of makeup to those who will benefit from it the most – women fighting cancer. I am availab le between 9am and 3pm Monday to Frid ay and can come to any lady who’d like to learn about the produc ts, colours, textures and app lication techniques that will work best for them. I am happy to share all that I know, answer any que stions and recommend the best products (for any budget) to make brave ladies look and, as a result, feel a bit better.

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Congratulations, the Vue cinema tickets are on their way to you!

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Got something to shout about? Maybe you want to respond to a particular 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 (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) @lifeinmags Competitions are open to Bromley Borough residents

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Community News - NOTICEBOARD FORGET-ME-NOT

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t for all Forget-Me-Not offers suppor . The loss ide those affected by suic where l, rma info and -led self group is ivors. surv er oth you can connect with 354 Contact: Sandra - 07519 105 il.com Email: sosl.orpington@gma .org.uk www.survivorsofsuicideloss Sl Twitter: @ForgetMeNotSo

#GOLDILOCKS

New children’s bo ok, #Goldilocks, a modern day adaptation of a sto ry time classic has been launched to teach kids to be nic e on social media and how to use it responsibly. Vodafon e will be donating a copy of the book to every UK prima ry school. For detai ls and to downloa PDF version see ww da w.vodafone.co.uk/d igitalparenting

G STREETS igning IN IV L Y E L M O BR ents campa a group of resid

Streets is which Bromley Living ighbourhoods, r, low-traffic ne te ie r air. It is qu ne r, ea fe cl sa d r fo king, cycling an al w r ie th eryday al ev r he charity fo encourage Streets”, the UK ng ne, ivi Ju “L in to ld he ed t, at affili inaugural even s p’ ou Library, gr l e ra Th walking. omley Cent 70 people to Br an ents th sid e re or , m rs llo ed ci welcom omley coun Br g in ud oups, cl gr in s re with attendee , local pressu representatives and ol ns ho tio sc sa , ni ns ga io associat e transport or bl na ai st tween su be , p es e relationshi national chariti sed included th l’s us ci sc un di Co cs y pi le To lems, Brom residents. rhoods and health prob ou ity hb al ig qu r Ne ai fic or af po Low Tr sitive impact of t. Bromley policies, the po ity engagemen un m m co of e nc rta to work on po ts im en e sid th re d an r interested fo g in ok lo is s Living Street the campaign. the next part of s.org.uk http://bromleyl e se n io at rm fo in For more

Dementia-Friendly Screenings

As part of its commitment to be dem entiafriendly, Picturehouse has launched monthly dementia-friendly screenings at cinem as across the country. Also open to the gene ral public, the screenings are enhanced to suit the needs of people living with dementia: the light s are left on low, there are no adverts or traile rs and the audience is allowed to move around – or sing along to any musical numbers! – shou ld they wish to. Free tea, coffee and biscu its are served for half an hour before the film to give people the chance to meet and socialise with others, and to familiarise themselves with the cinem a space.

Tickets are sold at a reduced price , with a free place for accompanying carers. For details on Bromley listings see http://bit.ly/2x u8UNB

Bromley Home Library Service: This is a free service available for any resident of Bromley who is unable to reach and use their local library. Volunteers from the Royal Voluntary Service will visit you with your choice of books. Please contact your local Library for information.

Feature on the

Community Noticeboard!

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8 Life in... Orpington August 2019

cal new share lo

Free community and charity events are listed free of charge or there is fee of £20. email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with the details lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Community News - NOTICEBOARD Pop-up Palette Park Valley P rim attempte ary School in B ro d the Gu inness W mley Record title for The Lon orld of Pom gest Lin Poms o e n Friday Langley 5 th July a Park Sc t hool for They att Boys. empted this rec eng

agemen ord as a t challen awarene ge to rais community ss for th e funds e Ch an The scho ol have ra artwell Cancer T d rust. is CCT so e d o v e far! r £1 the evide Guinness are no ,800 for w review nce and hopefully in record s oon! will decla g re the

Petts Wood train station in Bloom Michael Gould has worked at Petts Wood train station for 15 years and has been developing the station garden for several years. He has a lot of support from the local community offering their gardening knowledge and contributions of plants. The garden has recently entered into South East in Bloom... Good luck Michael and your team!

MIND Support

AC Wilgar, a local plumbing and heating comp any based in Orpington, has launched a new partnership with Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich Mind in a bid to raise over £5,000 for the chari ty via fundraising events and activities with its staff and customers. BLG Mind works alongside people with mental health needs and dementia, to improve their quality of life. For details or to get involved see https ://tinyurl.com/yy4n4rfv lifeinmagazines.co.uk

To celebrate Orpington’s recent Palette Park installation (an idea created by Orpington 1st), Orpington Village Hall (OVH) held its debut al fresco garden themed Art Workshop last month. Marketing and fundraising events manager of OVH, Louise Lancaster, enlisted the help of students from both Darrick Wood Junior and senior schools to demonstrate how the new area could be utilised by the community. Passers-by, (young & old!) had the opportunity to draw/paint/colour flowers and garden insects and pin their works to display their talents & help decorate the palettes.

WATCH NOTICEBOARD Community News - CHARITY

Raising Awareness….

Do you accept donations?

We accept donations of cash, cheques, credit card and online via our website. We also receive donations through Paypal, Amazon and easy fundraising – as well as other online platforms eg virginmoneygiving.com/justgiving. com and Facebook.

What service do you provide:

The Chartwell Cancer Trust supports cancer and leukaemia patients, both adults and children, across the Bromley Borough, Lambeth, Southwark and beyond in South East London and Kent. Support includes funding for additional medical staff, capital projects, equipment and training in our local areas, toys and games, as well as funding local childhood cancer support groups in Bromley, Croydon and South London. In 2005, our first fundraising was to cover the cost of an extra Health Care Assistant in the Chartwell Unit in The Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, Kent (The PRUH).

We have since grown into a charity providing a range of support for NHS services not only in The PRUH, but the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, Croydon University Hospital, King’s College Hospital, Guy’s Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital. We also have two pop up charity shops based in Brixton and in Croydon University Hospital.

Who is it available to?

Cancer and leukaemia patients, adults, children and oncology families in our local areas.

How are you funded?

We rely solely on fundraising support through our events, sponsored events, patrons, legacies and donations.

Supporters also organise their own fundraising events or choose to support us as their charity of the year, advertise in our magazine, donate goods/items for sale in our charity shops.

Time For Flowers

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Do you run any events?

We run a varied range of events throughout the year.

There is something for everyone to enjoy, attend or take part in. We have exhilarating challenges from climbing, skydiving, wing-walking, running, walking and boatracing. We also organise gala nights and balls, theatre and quiz nights, exclusive black-tie dinners at the House of Commons and VIP days including our hospitality event at Biggin Hill’s Festival of Flight in August.

Are you looking for volunteers?

Yes, we are always looking for volunteers to help as marshals, bucket collecting and manning our stalls, as well as helping in our charity shops in Croydon and Brixton.

How else can people help?

Supporters can make one-off or regular donations, take part in a fundraising challenge, attend or sponsor one of our events, host an event, organise their own fundraising event, nominate us a charity of the year, advertise in our charity magazine, donate goods/item for our charity shops and raffle prizes for our events and partner with us.

The Chartwell Cancer Trust produces a free A4 ‘FUNdraising Magazine’ which shows how we raise money, how we spend the money and also gives us the chance to thank everyone that helps us. For more information visit www.chartwellcancertrust.co.uk, call 01959 570322 or email info@chartwellcancertrust.co.uk

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 13

Community News Orpington in Council news •

Focus

Changes to waste collection days to deliver greater efficiency and reliability of the service alongside an improved recycling service will go ahead this autumn in an effort to move towards sending virtually zero waste to landfill. As part of the changes, which are set to be rolled out in September, alongside a change in collection days, residents will be able to recycle batteries, small electrical items and textiles, including clothing as part of their door to door recycling services. Details about new services and collection days will be outlined to residents directly in the coming months. Weekly food waste collections with every other week collections of paper and non-recyclable refuse one week, and plastic, glass and tins the next, will also continue. For details see www.bromley.gov.uk/wastenews

• Motorists who leave their engine running whilst parked will soon be asked to stop doing so as part of a campaign to encourage drivers to stop ‘idling’. The anti-idling campaign is primarily being developed to offer advice and education, targeting those areas of greatest risk, around schools for instance, with schools and parents expected to support the initiative. The council’s campaign is part of a London wide campaign, with 27 London Boroughs taking up the campaign, with funding from the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund.

•

The political map of Bromley is set to change! In drawing up new boundaries, the commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Bromley. Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Bromley. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters. If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Bromley, then this consultation is for you. We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review, whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Bromley or just a small part of the council. Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in October.” Residents have until 2nd September to submit their views. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.

Transport news From 17th-18th August, buses replace trains between Orpington/Sevenoaks and Tonbridge. Additional services will run between London Charing Cross and Orpington. On Sunday, services will be diverted to run to/ from Orpington instead of Sevenoaks.

On 26th August buses replace trains between Lewisham and Orpington. Trains between Charing Cross and Sevenoaks/Orpington will not run. Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will be extended to run to Tonbridge.

Buses replace trains between Lewisham and Orpington on Saturday 31st August. Services between London Charing Cross to Hastings will be diverted between London Charing Cross and Orpington and will be re timed. Services between London Charing Cross and Sevenoaks and also between London Cannon Street and Orpington will not run. Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will be extended to Tonbridge.

14 Life in... Orpington August 2019

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Community News

Roadworks

POLICE UPDATES

Between 5th-7th August, Thames Water will be undertaking work in Goddington Lane, with the road expected to be closed in parts.

From 6th August – 1st September delays are expected on Starts Hill Road as SGN carries out works.

Between 6th August – 1st September, Bassetts Way will be closed due to SGN works.

Wellbrook Road will be closed until 9th August while SGN carries out works.

From 12th-16th August, Hilda Vale Road will be closed due to SGN works.

From 15th-21st August, Newstead Avenue will be closed due to BT roadworks. On the same dates, BT will be installing 30m of poly duct on Crofton Road (A232) and delays are likely due to road traffic controls.

For the whole of August SGN will be conducting works in Tubbenden Lane. The road will be closed and delays are likely.

KNOW THE FACTS: Keep your shed and garage secure

From 3rd-9th August, Towncourt Lane and Crofton Lane will have traffic control signals due to Thames Water roadworks.

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 15

what's on - AUGUST 2019 ARTS & CRAFTS

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

There's something for everyone!

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

Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

IndiGo Art Club

Tuesday 27th August - Inks and Zentangles Wednesday 28th August - Seascapes in Acrylic Paint 10am - 12pm St John’s URC, Lynwood Grove, Orpington BR6 0BG Cost: £14 (all materials provided) Contact: info@indigoartclub.com www.selen30.wixsite.com/indigoartclub Painting and Drawing club for children aged 9-16.

Come along and enjoy creating some impressive artwork in a fun and relaxed environment. All abilities welcome.

Brilliant Visions: Mescaline, Art, Psychiatry Exhibition Wednesdays until Saturday 31st August

Open Wed – Fri, and the first and last Sat of every month 10am – 5pm (last admission 4.30pm) Bethlem Museum of the Mind, Bethlem Royal Hospital Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham BR3 3BX Cost: Free Contact: www.museumofthemind.org.uk An exhibition of drawings and paintings by Surrealist artists who took part in the Guttman-Maclay mescaline experiments of the 1930s.

Craft & Chat

Every Monday

2pm - 3.45pm Petts Wood Library Cost: Free Contact: www.bromley.gov.uk/pettswoodlibrary Bring along a craft project that you are working on, talk to other like minded people and exchange tips and tricks.

Natty Knitters

Last Tuesday of the month

10.30am - 12pm Orpington Library Cost: Free Contact: www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary Share and develop your creative skills over a cuppa.

Crafty Crochet

First Wednesday of the month

10.30am - 12.30pm Orpington Library Cost: Free Contact: www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary All welcome, refreshments provided.

community & charity events Hard of Hearing Club

Every First Tuesday of the month

11am - 12pm Petts Wood Library, Frankswood Avenue BR5 1BP Cost: Free Contact: 01689 821607

16 Life in... Orpington August 2019

Email: pettswoodlibrary@gll.org Share experiences over a cup of coffee. The programme may include arts and crafts, games, quizzes, readings, talks, practising or learning basic sign language etc.

Bromley Friendship Centre

Every 2nd Wednesday of each month

1.30pm for 2pm 4th Floor Hall of Bromley Central Library Cost: Annual subscription £15 and monthly visits £2 Looking for a way to meet new friends? Regular activities include lunches, outings and theatre visits.

The Orpington & Chislehurst Centre How Your Communities Have Changed Thursday 22nd August

8pm Methodist Church, Sevenoaks Rd BR6 9JH Cost: members £3/non-members £4 Contact: 07717 170067 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ features/orpington-and-chislehurst-centre A voluntary association in support of the National Trust, meet monthly.

family & kids Space Chase Summer Reading Challenge School Summer Holidays

Most libraries in the borough will be taking part.

Cost: Free For children between the ages of 4- 11 years Contact: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk Take part in the challenge - when your summer holidays start, you can sign up for free at your local library.

Dress Up Days - Knole Park

Saturday 4th, Friday 10th, Saturday 18th and Friday 24th August

Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP Cost: Free (donations are gratefully received to help maintain our beautiful collection of costumes) Contact: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/whats-on Discover Knole’s historical costumes for all the family.

Pose for a family portrait in our giant Tudor picture frame.

Fun on Family Mondays - Knole Park Monday 6 August: Colours of Knole Park

Make a rainbow streamer or summery suncatcher.

Monday 13 August: Knole’s wild animals Create your own deer mask or animal puppet.

Monday 20 August: Knole’s royalty Make a pop-up card inspired by the architecture at Knole or crown yourself king or queen by making a regal headpiece.

Green Court, Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP 11am to 3pm Cost: £2 per child. Activities suitable for children over lifeinmagazines.co.uk

the age of five.

Contact: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/whats-on

Story Time at Orpington Library - Ages 7+ Thursday 8th August

Listen to children's stories and do a fun craft activity.

Thursday 22nd August

what's on - AUGUST 2019 Priory Live

Saturday 10th August

Listen to children's stories and do an alien craft activity.

10am - 11am Orpington Library Cost: Free Contact: 01689 831 551 www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary

11am - 3pm Priory Gardens, Church Hill, Orpington BR6 0HH Cost: Free Contact: info@priorylive.co.uk www.priorylive.co.uk A local music festival providing a platform for bands and solo artists that write and perform their own work.

Supporting some of the best unsigned acts for five years by offering a great stage to take their music to a fresh audience.

Story Time at Orpington Library - Ages up to 6

Closed Classic Car Rally in aid of St Christopher’s

10am - 11am Orpington Library Cost: Free Contact: 01689 831 551 www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary Listen to children's stories and do an alien craft activity.

11am - 3pm Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Kent, TN14 7NN Cost: Free Contact: www.stchristophers.org.uk/event Do you like your vintage cars? Come and get a bit nostalgic with a range of cars on display (this is a prearranged display, so unfortunately you cannot turn up with your car on the day). Pop along and enjoy a wander around these beautiful cars.

Listen to children's stories and do a glittery craft activity.

Wednesday 28th August

Wednesday 14th and Tuesday 20th August

Horrible Habits & Costumes through the ages Every Wednesday in August

Sessions start at 10.30am (Lasts up to two hours, the Villa shuts at 3.30pm with last entry at 3pm).

Crofton Roman Villa, BR6 8AF Cost: £4.00 per child, adult carer free Contact: www.cka.org.uk/crofton-villa.htm Find out about horrible habits through the ages from the Celts to the Victorians! You can choose to make a mask and get an information sheet from your favourite period in history to take home. Or you can make a collage picture from your favourite period in history. For up to 11 year olds. No booking needed. Children to be accompanied.

Lego Club

First and second Saturday of the month

10.30am - 11.30am Orpington Library Contact: 01689 831551 www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary Inventive building fun with Lego bricks - build something fantastic. For children aged eight-11.

FESTIVALS, fetes & fairs Petts Woodstock 2019

Saturday 3rd August 2019

12pm - 11.59pm Petts Wood Memorial Hall & Gardens, BR5 1LA Cost: £12 (in advance) or £15 on the door. Children under 12 go free.

Contact: enquiries@pettswoodstock.com www.pettswoodstock.com One day music festival - this community event features 16 top local bands performing on two stages - one inside, one outside. Raising money for five local charities! Remember no pets or alcohol can be brought into the event. lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Saturday 10th August

Biggin Hill Festival of Flight

Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th August

Gates Open: 8.30am Flying Display 12.30 to 5.30pm Biggin Hill Airport, Main Road, Biggin Hill, TN16 3BH Cost: See website for details (Advance Tickets only) Contact: www.yourairport.co.uk/airshow2019/ The world-famous Festival of Flight here at London Biggin Hill Airport returns on the 17th & 18th August with awe inspiring displays. Come and join us to witness the return of the RAF Typhoon Jet Fighter, Breitling Jet Team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Twelve multi aircraft teams, a total of 49 aircraft will take to the skies at London’s only air show.

history John Ruskin's Orpington Connections: Allen, Lubbock & Darwin

Thursday 8th August - Monday 30th September

Bromley Central Library Cost: Free Contact: 020 3931 0900 www.bromley.gov.uk/centrallibrary An exhibition celebrating John Ruskin's bicentennial year, looking at his connections with the local area based on his associations with three residents: George Allen, Sir John Lubbock and Charles Darwin. The exhibits are drawn from Allen's archive in conjunction with Bromley Council's Lubbock Collection, the collection at Down House, and supplemented by the archive of The Orpington History Organisation.

August 2019 Life in... Orpington 17

what's on - AUGUST 2019 mARKETS Chislehurst Farmers Market Sunday 18th August

10am - 2pm Hornbrook House Car Park, High Street, Chislehurst, BR7 5AB Cost: Free Contact: 07775 736116 www.myfarmersmarket.co.uk Seasonal fruit and vegetables, chocolates, alcoholic drinks, bread, meat, cheese, preserves, sauces and much more.

Food & Produce Market (Keep it Local Events) Saturday 24th August

9am - 1pm Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Kent, TN14 7NN Cost: Free Contact: www.coolings.co.uk Organised by the Keep it Local team, there will be all your regular favourite stalls as well as some additional producers selling fresh, locally sourced or locally made foods.

music, dance & film Bromley Mid Summer Movies Thursday 8th August:

4pm – Slumdog Millionaire (R) 7.30pm - Bohemian Rhapsody (12A)

Friday 9th August 10am - 101 Dalmations (with Glenn Close) (U)

1pm - Star Wars: The Last Jedi (12) 7.30pm - A Star is Born (15)

Saturday 10th August

10am - Coco (PG)

1pm - Mary Poppins Returns (U)

7.30pm - People's choice (public vote) Queen's Gardens, Kentish Way, Bromley BR1 3EA Cost: Free Contact: enquiries@yourbromley.com www.yourbromley.com For the third year running Bromley’s Queen’s Gardens will play host to a free three-day outdoor cinema screening of a selection of movies.

Live Music Afternoon Tuesday 27th August

2.30pm - 5pm (Doors Open 2pm) Crofton Halls, Crofton Road, Orpington, BR6 8PR (Next to Train & Bus Station) Cost: £10, (First Visit; £5.00) Members £8 Contact: John Parker; 01689 876800 or Geraldine Knight; 01689 837044 Email: JohnParker2A@Gmail.com www.organfax/clubs/orpington Orpington Keyboard Club welcomes you to an afternoon of live music! Come, relax and be entertained by Mike Hall and witness the marvels of modern technology, with

18 Life in... Orpington August 2019

close-up video presentation onto a large projection screen of the Artiste and his amazing instrument! Free parking, disabled facilities, refreshments and raffle during interval.

sports, outdoors & NATURE Wheelchair Walk for the residents of Southmore Court Monday 5th August

10.30am at Southmore Court 437 Southborough Lane, Bromley BR2 8BQ, next to St James School Cost: Free Contact: 07840 542261 if you are able to help. www.jubileecountrypark.btck.co.uk Volunteers are required to push the wheelchairs and to chat to our guests.

Full Moon Mums Mindful Walk Sunday 18th August

10am - 11am Crofton Wood - Park in Petts Wood Recreation Ground BR5 1DP and meet by the Crofton Woods sign just inside the entrance to the woods.

Cost: Free https://www.facebook.com/events/381848865777412/ A laid back walk just for mums, so that they can have this as true me time and hold space for ourselves and others.

Bromley Tennis Centre Summer Activities Monday 22nd July - Friday 23rd August

10am – 5pm (Mon - Fri) Bromley Tennis Centre, Avebury Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SA Cost: £30 per day (individual session prices also available) Contact: 01689 880407 info@bromleytenniscentre.co.uk www.bromleytenniscentre.co.uk/holiday-parties If you're not jetting off to a luxurious hot country this summer, the coaches at BTC would love all kids (aged 3 – 14) to join them in the British sunshine for tennis camps, multi-sport activity and more.

Dolphin Model Boat Club Sunday 11th August

10am to 12:30pm Boating pond by the Poverest Road/Kent Road junction on the Cray Avenue (A224), BR5 4AB. Cost: Free Contact: David 01689 850723 or Paul 01322 615980 www.dolphinmodelboatclub.com Come and watch DMBC members sailing a wide variety of model boats.

Look for Butterflies in Jubilee Park Monday 12th August

11am - Meet at Tent Peg Lane car park, off Crest View Drive, Petts Wood BR5 1BY Jubilee Country Park picnic area from Tent Peg Lane BR5 1BY Cost: Free. Suitable for all ages.

Contact: 07733 004248 lifeinmagazines.co.uk

www.jubileecountrypark.btck.co.uk Join Andrew Harby, Community Manager with idverde, on a walk around the park looking for butterflies such as Common Blues, Speckled Woods and many more.

Open Gardens – West Wickham Allotments Sunday 18th August

11am - 3pm Hawes Lane, West Wickham, BR4 9AF Cost: £1 entry for adults, free for children Contact: www.stchristophers.org.uk/event A huge range of fruit and veg being grown in the 200+ plots. The allotment is home to several bee hives and a wildlife pond in a tranquil part of West Wickham.

A Walk in the Park at Dusk

what's on - AUGUST 2019 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk/Online/tickets From the team that brought you last year’s spectacular Bugsy Malone, The Churchill Theatre is delighted to announce that this summer their Youth Production will be Shrek The Musical. Come and join an action packed journey filled with fairtytale folk, talking animals, a dragon and of course an ogre or two.

In The Night Garden

Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 August Tuesday - 1pm & 4pm

Wednesday - Saturday 10am & 1pm

8pm at Blackbrook Lane car park, BR2 8AY Cost: Free Contact: 07733 004248 www.jubileecountrypark.btck.co.uk Senior Community Manager with idverde, will talk about nocturnal animals then take us on a walk around the Park to hear the sounds of dusk.

Churchill Theatre, Bromley Cost: Tickets from £18.50, Under 16s tickets from £16.50 Contact: tickets@churchilltheatre.co.uk www.churchilltheatre.co.uk/Online/tickets Join Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends at In The Night Garden Live for a brand new show on their first ever UK theatre tour in 2019. You’ll see all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with fullsize costumes, magical puppets and enchanting music.

Bromley Ramblers: Walking for Health

Cabaret

Tuesday 20th August

Every Wednesday

2pm (for 1 hour) Darrick & Newstead Woods & Tugmutton Common Meet outside the cricket pavilion Tugmutton Common Cost: Free Contact: Sam Walsham: samwalsham@hotmail.com www.walkingforhealth.org.uk Walks are led by trained volunteer leaders and provide a friendly and sociable atmosphere. No booking needed, but if it is your first visit please arrive ten minutes before.

This Mum Runs

Sunday mornings - 8am at High Elms (BEECHE car

park)

Wednesday evenings - 7:30pm at Tubbenden Park Cost: Free www.facebook.com/groups/thismumrunslondon Friendly group of mums meeting twice a week for social, chatty runs. All abilities welcome.

theatre Shrek The Musical

Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th August

7.30pm, Sat Mat 2.30pm Churchill Theatre, Bromley Cost: Tickets from £19.00, Under 18s £14.50, Family ticket (4) available Contact: tickets@churchilltheatre.co.uk

Wednesday 28th - Saturday 31st August

7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday Mat 2.30pm Churchill Theatre, Bromley Cost: Tickets from £29.00 Contact: tickets@churchilltheatre.co.uk www.churchilltheatre.co.uk/Online/tickets Bill Kenwright presents the multi-award winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical Cabaret, starring John Partridge (Eastenders, A Chorus Line, Chicago), Kara Lily Hayworth (Cilla The Musical) and Anita Harris (Cats, Carry On Doctor). Cabaret features the iconic songs Money Makes The World Go Round, Maybe This Time, Cabaret and more.

The Wind in the Willows Thursday 25 July at 8pm Friday 26 July at 8pm Saturday 27 July at 4pm Saturday 27 July at 8pm

Chelsfield Village Hall, Bucks Cross Road, Chelsfield BR6 7RL (opposite the 5 Bells) Cost: £8.50 (No booking fee) Contact: 07816 505 448 www.ticketsource.co.uk/chelsfieldplayers The Chelsfield Players present 'The Wind in the Willows'

by Kenneth Grahame adapted by Mike Kenny. Will Badger, Ratty and Mole keep Toad out of trouble? Will the weasels be evicted from Toad Hall? Stolen cars, prison breaks and a cross-dressing amphibian make for a fun family show. Poop-poop.

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12TH AUGUST

From just £10 per listing. We list school, church, charity, community service or non-profit events for free.

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.

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Contact Nicky or Lauretta on 07403 603569 or 07403 550068 hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk @lifeinmags August 2019 Life in... Orpington 19

lifestyle

Business Matters

Businesses working together A new group called ‘Movers & Shakers’ has been established by newly appointed ‘Small Business Champion’, Cllr Hannah Gray in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses representative, Chandra Sharma, to encourage collaboration between local businesses, networking groups, Bromley Council, BIDs, the SE Chamber and local rotary clubs. Councillor Gray’s role is a liaison role between the businesses of Bromley and the council, working with key partners. The group discussed ways of supporting Small Business Saturday (SBS), BIDS involvement in SBS and a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to give small businesses the opportunity to tender for larger council contracts. For more information email chandra@tangentoffice.com

Small business?

Check out these upcoming business networking events..

NetWalking in Beckenham Wednesday 14th August, 12.30pm - 1.30pm+ at Beckenham Place Park (meet at the mansion) Email maria@acornsandoaks.uk or see https://acornsandoaks.uk/netwalking/

12:30 The Women’s Company Thursday 1st August, 12:30pm - 2pm at Scala Restaurant, 132 High Street, Orpington Email jgroundsell@1230.co.uk or see https://1230.co.uk/

PIB – People In Business Friday 6th September, 9.30am-10.30am at Chelsfield Lakes Golf Club Tuesday 17th September, 8am-9.30am at the Orpington Café and Record Store Email pibnetwork@outlook.com or see www.pibnetwork.co.uk

Ladies Who Latte

Help for your business!

by LORRAINE MCQUILLAN Town Centres & BID Development Manager To help you find information, guidance and contact details about services relevant to your business, a dedicated business section is available on the Bromley Council website: www.bromley.gov.uk/ business There is a range of support for both new startup businesses and existing businesses, opportunities to attend free seminars and workshops, along with a brand new calendar promoting upcoming networking events.

A bi-monthly e-newsletter is produced providing information on news and events relating to doing business in Bromley. To sign up to the e-newsletter or for more information on any of the other council initiatives please visit the website or email business@ bromley.gov.uk.

If you run a business in one of the four large town centres – Bromley, Orpington, Beckenham or Penge, please contact the Business Improvement District (BID) Manager to find out how they could support your business. For more information visit the websites: www.yourbromley.com, www.orpington1st.co.uk, www.beckenhamtogether.co.uk and www.pengese20.co.uk

20 Life in... Orpington August 2019

Wednesday 28th August, 10.00am - 12pm at Mrs B’s South Street Cafe in the Community Centre on South Street, Bromley.

Email jane@essential-woman.com or see www.ladieswholatte.com

BR1Networking Wednesday 11th September, 9.45am11.30am at Stonehenge Café (upstairs), 161 High Street, Bromley Email michellerichardsphotography@gmail.com or see http://bit.ly/324PxZr

FSB Orpington – Lunchtime Curry & Networking Wednesday 14th August, 12pm – 2.30pm at Masala Dabbas restaurant, High Street, Orpington Email chandra@tangentoffice.com or see http://bit.ly/2KUPZnB

BUSINESS TIP “Your database is the gold-dust of your business. Treat it and the people in it, with respect.”

Jackie Groundsell, 12.30 The Women’s Company

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 21

lifestyle - PUZZLE PAGE

SAVE THE BEES!

WIN

WIN 5 PACKS OF NATIVE WILDFLOWER BEEBOMBS WORTH £29.99

august Crossword Across 2. How do bees help with the growth of some of our favourite foods? (11) 4. Harvest some mature apricots (4) 6. What Cornish word for bumblebee is a character in Harry Potter stories? (10) 10. Who was Prime Minister when Britain joined the European Union? (6,5) 12. What was sold for the first time in Britain on 31st August 1900 (4-4) 13. These electrical items first appeared in London on 3rd August 1926 (7,6) 15. What do Scouts celebrate on 1st August? (5,3)

Complete the crossword and reveal the anagram in the shaded squares to reveal something you often check August before you go out.

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(7) 8. Vegetable included in the goods we deliver (5) 15 9. What are the only insects that produce food eaten by humans? (4) 11. Which country is regarded as the primary practitioner of theAcross game of Not with onlythe do growth you winofthis month the bees do(11) too!

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22 Life in... Orpington August 2019

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Sometimes it’s all about the simple things in life; cosy surroundings, great company and decent grub. And that’s what we strive to offer.

If simple, tasty food is on your menu of choice (all seasonal and all freshly made), then pop over to our traditional country pub in Downe to sample our mouthwatering mains.

We simply make stuff that tastes good.

Call us on 01689 889030 to ask about our specials or to book a table. www.georgeanddragondowne.com ER T CONSID , WHY NO S? N O IZ R O H T S ON THE OR PRIVATE EVEN F ER CLIME M N R E A D R W A H G WIT UT OUR HIRING O lifeinmagazines.co.uk

August 2019 Life in... Orpington 23

lifestyle

Health & Beauty Quick pick-me-up

If you’re off on a family picnic, a woodland walk or hitting the beach, then why not try one of The Protein Ball Co's selection of bitesize protein balls – the ideal pick-me-up.

Packed with 100% natural ingredients, clean proteins, with no added sugar, the protein balls are high in fibre and are gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly. They’re available from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Holland & Barratt and Amazon and have an RRP of £1.99 per 45g bag. See www.theproteinballco.com

7 health benefits to drinking more water 1. It helps maximise physical performance: losing as little as 2% of your body's water content can significantly impair physical performance.

increases the volume of urine passing through the kidneys, which dilutes the concentration of minerals, so they are less likely to crystallize and form clumps.

2.

6.

Water helps prevent hangovers: a good way to reduce hangovers is to drink a glass of water between drinks, and to have at least one big glass of water before going to bed.

7.

It can help with weight loss: In two studies, drinking half a litre of water was shown to increase metabolism by 24-30% for up to one-and-a-half hours. The timing is important too - drinking water half an hour before meals is most effective. It can make you feel more full, so that you consume fewer calories.

Hydration has a major effect on energy levels and brain function: mild dehydration (fluid loss of 1-3%) can impair energy levels and mood, and lead to major reductions in memory and brain performance.

3. It may help to prevent and treat headaches: this is especially true in people who are dehydrated.

4. Drinking more water may help relieve constipation: low water consumption appears to be a risk factor for constipation in both young and elderly individuals.

5. It can help treat kidney stones: higher fluid intake

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lifestyle

LOSING WEIGHT...

Losing weight will happen if you exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet. It is important to fuel your body with the right foods that fight disease, slow the ageing process, increase metabolism and help you to function optimally. It’s important to understand where your calories come from as eating the right food fuels your body to work to its optimal capacity. Food triggers hormonal responses that control metabolic processes such as the amount of fat burned or fat stored. Eating the right foods will increase the body’s ability to burn fat and decrease weight. It’s good to have a rough idea of your calorie count. For example, protein is naturally low in calories and assists in suppressing hunger, making you feel full faster and for longer. Starchy foods such as bread, pasta and cereals that are processed and refined cause you to overeat; these foods are full of calories and low in nutrient value and can lead to increased body fat, weight gain and general compromises to your health. Therefore our body functions optimally when we eat nutritious, unrefined whole foods, naturally grown not processed or refined.

The Fitness Link, Orpington (with references from Shin Ohtake – The Lean Body Diet).

IT’S A FACT Following a vegan diet is on the rise and 2019 is set to follow the trend with 2.2 million people in the UK expected to take up veganism by the end of the year.

The UK is one of the fastest growing vegan markets, launching more vegan products than any other nation in the world.

Robert Dyas

PUCKER UP

Blistex has launched an ‘Ultra Lip Balm’ featuring a high SPF 50 protection. It’s infused with a hydrating blend of conditioners and antioxidants, including Vitamins C & E to keep your lips moisturised all day and costs £2.99. Meanwhile, look out for Astral’s new range of body washes and moisturisers to give extra care in hot summer months, with prices starting from £2.99.

soulistic therapy Reflexology & rejuvenating facial treatments in Orpington, specialising in maternity & hot stone reflexology.

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@soulistictherapy

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 25

lifestyle

Parenting Here’s an idea!

Now you can transform any fabric or paper napkin into a bib with the B’Clip from Baby To Love. It’s ideal for mealtimes, painting, playing with clay and other messy activities and is made from a 100% waterproof food-grade rubber that is easy to wash and clean. Suitable for babies from six months, the Magnetic Soft Silicone B’Clip is available in different colours from babytolove.co.uk/product/bclip-grey and retails at £9.95.

FED UP OF LEAKING WATER BOTTLES?

But wait! We’re giving two away! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @LifeInMags and tag us in with your favourite parenting tip by 10th August for the chance to win! We’ll use your parenting tips in next month’s issue!

HOW TO GET YOUR KIDS TO DO CHORES This social media post from Don’t Forget To Breathe made us smile – it’s one way of getting the tweens/teens helping more around the home!

Try this!

Out for a walk with the kids?

They’ll love the ‘find the object’ game. One adult goes ahead to take a close-up picture of an object on the route. The rest of the team then has to try and find the object when they reach the area.

Key terms that many parents don’t understand – do you?

• Compensating • Digraph • Partitioning • Comprehension • Long multiplication • Phonics Screening Test • SATs • CATs test • Key Stages • National Curriculum and School Curriculum • Academisation • Number bonds What school words or abbreviations don't you understand? Write to us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk to let us know.

26 Life in... Orpington August 2019

We’ve all had to contend with soggy notes and homework in book bags left by leaking water bottles. But help is now at hand in the form of BPA free water bottles from ION8. The bottles are spill proof and leak proof and retail at £15.99 for an ION8 Quench 1,000ml water bottle from www.leakproof.co.uk. We put Quench to the test and we can safely say the book bags have remained dry. It also comes with a hand strap to keep it secure if you’re fastening it to the outside of a bag.

CLUED UP? New research from Explore Learning has revealed that UK parents are in the dark when it comes to their child's schooling.

64% of parents say they feel out of the loop, while nearly half (47%) say they can’t make head nor tail of their child’s school report. A massive 91% of parents feel that today’s teaching methods are unnecessarily complicated while 89% of British parents say that the way the education system has changed in recent years has confused them. lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 27

lifestyle

Home & Garden

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING CANDLES

Two important factors are what the candle wax is made from and what the fragrance is made from. A lot of candles on the market have essential oils but that does not mean they are all natural. Candles that are made from paraffin wax can emit potentially hazardous chemicals that are carcinogenic – known to cause cancer in some people. Burning or melting paraffin wax can release numerous toxins in the environment.

Inhaling petrochemicals that are derived from paraffin wax can cause damage to the brain, lung and central

CONVENTIONAL CLEANING DANGERS

nervous system, and can cause developmental difficulties. So, when we burn candles which are made from paraffin wax, we are releasing harmful toxins into our environment which we then breathe back in.

A candle that is not made of natural wax can cause greater damage than inhaling second-hand smoke from smoking. Thinking about fragrances in a candle, synthetic fragrances found in many candles can disrupt the endocrine system affecting hormonal health and can trigger weight gain and set you to have potential health concerns decades later. Essential oils on the other hand, are made from organic oils and there is no danger from these as they remodulate themselves and work in a friendly way once inhaled in our body and have a therapeutic benefit to the nasal cavity.

by CAROLINE WERGE, Eco-domestics.com

Monique Hart, spa expert & founder of The Hart Spa.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT ADD VALUE TO A PROPERTY The dangers that conventional cleaners pose to our health have been in the spotlight in recent years. When we spray cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals like phthalates or sodium hydroxide, they linger on our surfaces and in the air much longer than expected. And we then breathe in these chemicals and absorb them into our skin. Did you know that chemicals found in conventional cleaning products have been linked to cancers, asthma, decreased fertility and many other serious health conditions?

Even charities such as Breast Cancer UK are starting to warn people of the dangers of toxic cleaning products. But there are alternatives! Natural disinfectants such as white vinegar and powerful essential oils can keep your home just as clean without risking your health. We all try to keep our homes clean to protect our families from disease and illness, but few of us realise that the products we turn to and trust can expose us to far more serious dangers.

For more information on the benefits of ‘green cleaning’ see www.eco-domestics.com/why-green-clean

28 Life in... Orpington August 2019

√ Giving the entire house a fresh lick of paint can add more than £7,000 to its value. √ A kitchen renovation stands to add the most value to a property equating to a whopping £12,442.87. √ Adding an extension to the loft and the kitchen will equally provide the greatest return on value - an extra £23,754.57. √ Adding a bedroom can increase a property’s value by £25,338.21.

Sellhousefast.uk

GARDEN CHECKLIST FOR AUGUST 1. Watch ponds, fountains and birdbaths. With the warmer weather they’ll need topping up more frequently.

2. Dead-head perennials and bedding plants to encourage them to continue flowering into autumn.

3. Trim hedges – and save time clearing up the clippings by spreading out a plastic sheet to catch them.

4. Keep on top of the weeds as they’ll be growing much quicker.

5. Water pot plants daily, as well as vegetable and fruit plants. lifeinmagazines.co.uk

lifestyle

Keep it visible!

DID YOU KNOW...

The average Brits’ dream garden is 48 feet long, south facing – and contains a vegetable plot and a hot tub.

B&Q

The Met says that high fences, trees, walls and bushes all serve to make it easier for a burglar to get close to a home unnoticed, and provide somewhere to hide while carrying out a burglary or theft from the property. Instead their suggested tips include…

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• •

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Lower fences at the front around one-metre high are preferable to high fences as they allow for a clear view over them and don’t provide cover for anyone hiding.

At the rear and sides taller fencing is recommended to prevent easy access.

Trellis, thorny plants, or a suitable anti-climb topping such as plastic spikes make it difficult for anyone climbing over a fence or gate.

Planting prickly or barbed shrubbery along boundaries and fence lines acts as an effective natural barrier.

Gravel driveways and paths will make sure you hear anyone approach.

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In our opinion this is suitable as an investment or starter home. The property is offered with NO CHAIN and the current owner has carried out many recent improvements. Benefits include 2 parking spaces to the front, gas central heating, smart technology HIVE heating, double glazing, new flooring, first floor bathroom/wc and built in wardrobe. EPC Band C.

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 29

lifestyle

WHAT EMBARASSES US ABOUT FELLOW BRITS ABROAD...

Travel

5 top tips for stress free travel this summer 1. Plan your journey: If you’re travelling by plane, try to

pick flights that are convenient for you and won’t leave you rushing. Remember, if you are earlier there is always lots to do at the airport to keep you busy, so it is better to get there and relax than arrive late and in a rush.

2. Be prepared: From packing early and having packing

check lists, to ensuring you have only the bare essentials in your hand luggage to save you time at security, preparation is the traveller’s friend.

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• •

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Excessive drinking – 49% Being ignorant of the hosts culture - 46% Constantly wearing football shirts - 32% Talking loudly all the time - 31% Thinking that as you’re from the same city, you should become friends - 22% Talking about Brexit - 21% Getting to the pool early to bag a lounger - 21% Getting sunburnt - 18% Strong regional accents - 14% Eating dinner early - 8%

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3. Relax and breathe: Tune into your inner positive playlist

with a good book or your favourite tunes on your trip.

Consider meditation, mindfulness or breathing exercises to help you unwind.

4. Think ahead to the destination: Make sure you have

RIDE ON TIME

all your paperwork to hand and that you have thought through check-in times for your accommodation. The last thing you want to be doing is wandering around aimlessly instead of settling yourself in.

5. Be flexible: Even the best laid plans can go awry, so try to

tap into your inner control and roll with the punches.

There’s not much you can do about delays or cancellations, instead try to relax and make the best out of it. It’s also okay if you don’t get around to seeing everything you planned to, just let the day unwind in front of you and enjoy the experience with your friends or family.

RESCUE Remedy

FARE SAVER

TRAVEL TIP “Check your passport, most countries require six months on the date of return!”

Loco2’s new split-ticketing feature ‘Pricehack’ has launched to offer the best Christine Watanabe, Go possible price for each leg of Travel Chislehurst a train journey. Using intricate technology, it gives train travellers the chance to gain up to 50% cheaper GB train tickets, compared with tickets that haven’t been pricehacked. See http://bit.ly/2XjxD1s 30 Life in... Orpington August 2019

The country with the most expensive taxi fare is Switzerland – at £20.25 for 5km, whilst the cheapest is in Egypt – for just 0.75 pence for the same distance. In Britain, we can expect to pay £9 for the privilege of a 3-mile ride: the eighth most expensive fare.

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Orpington Life July edition.qxp_Layout 1 02/07/2019 11:45 Page 1

Exciting things are happening here at Go Travel and we wanted to share the important news with you. All of our stores are now ultra-modern and have been professionally designed and decorated to reflect our brand and personality as well as to create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for staff and visitors alike. Please pop in to see us, we would love to talk to you about your next adventure. You can even enjoy a nice glass of wine whilst you do it!

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Well travelled and knowledgeable, our staff pride themselves in providing a dedicated and personal service for every holiday. Better still we are Independent which gives us access to a wide range of tour operators, hotels & airlines in order to get the best rates.

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 31

lifestyle

Technology

Get charged

Fonesalesman, the company that first made iPhones compatible with wireless charging, has launched its latest wireless model the QiStone2.

It can charge an iPhone XS three times over and can also charge three devices at the same time!

We tried out the new device and discovered that with an 8000 mAh capacity it charged our iPhones in double quick time. We also particularly loved the wireless charging capability, eliminating the need for cables. The QiStone2 can be purchased on Amazon retailing at £34.99.

SMART TECH WE WISH EXISTED! A OnePoll study recently revealed the top 30 desired smart home additions…the only question is, what would be your top choice?

1. A toilet which cleans itself 2. A carpet which cleans itself 3. A multi-shelf oven which can cook separate items of foods at different

temperatures at the same time 4. Control heated flooring throughout the house 5. An oven which turns itself off when sensing dinner is cooked 6. An oven which suggests appropriate cooking times 7. A wardrobe which cleans, irons, folds your clothes and puts everything away

colour co-ordinated 8. Boil the kettle by voice request 9. Bins which empty themselves 10. Vacuum cleaner which runs when the house is empty 11. Open the curtains / blinds by voice request 12. A bin to tell you what you can recycle and what you can't 13. Music system which lowers the volume of the music in response to the

telephone ringing / someone knocking at the door 14. Fridge being able to tell what food has run out and create a shopping list 15. Lights to switch off automatically when you fall asleep 16. TV/tablet to switch off automatically when you fall asleep 17. A bed which makes the sheets with a click of a button 18. Hairdryer which can dry hair in under two minutes 19. Fridge which tells you how long your food will stay fresh for 20. Windows which change colour - hence no need for curtains 21. A gadget which can stop the other half snoring 22. Microwave which monitors food temperature 23. Floor lighting which moves with your step - so you can navigate the room in

the dark without waking a partner 24. Robot butler to change the bed sheets 25. Monitor to tell you the weather forecast when you open your curtains 26. Smart meter to tell you when your house needs a clean and where 27. A bath which creates the optimum temperature based on your mood 28. Drawers that can pair socks together - no more odd socks 29. A machine which hangs up the clothes you throw on the floor 30. A machine to feed your pet automatically Got a suggestion of your own? Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

32 Life in... Orpington August 2019

DID YOU KNOW? Brits have an average of £600 worth of smart tech in their homes!

MoneySavingHeroes.co.uk

HEADS UP! Facebook is creating a new global currency called Libra.

The new digital token could not only be used to send funds instantly through Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger, but also to make online purchases with retail websites with the benefit of lower fees than those offered by standard banks and credit card services.

Companies including Visa, Mastercard and PayPal have already backed the move, which we could see implemented as early as 2020. lifeinmagazines.co.uk

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

August 2019 Life in... Orpington 33

lifestyle

Eco News

Greener & Cleaner Bromley (& Beyond) hosts Schools Eco Ideas Swap Shop

THE NEW THREE RS SHOULD BE REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE Call for primary school National Curriculum to include climate change As Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner calls for climate change to be included in the National Curriculum, a leading education company, PlanBee, made up of former school teachers, says the subject should be taught from the start of primary school.

Currently, teaching climate change is restricted to chemistry and geography when children are aged 11-14, but PlanBee has called for children to be taught the subject much earlier.

‘It is the single biggest issue affecting children's futures,’ said PlanBee’s Oli Ryan, a former primary school teacher.

‘It looms over everything else, and we have a responsibility to prepare children from a young age as best we can.’

PlanBee has developed an entire primary school curriculum focussing on climate change and what children can do about it, including ‘the new Three Rs’: reduce, reuse, recycle. Children are tasked with finding ways to reduce waste by working together to reduce what is sent to landfill.

Eco Shopping Bee Bombs

97% of native British Wildflower habitat has been lost since World War 2.

Wildflower habitats are where bees and butterflies live. With Beebombs you can re-create these lost habitats and to help bring back the bees.

You can buy your Beebombs at www.beebombs.com or see our crossword on page 22 for your chance to win 5 packs of Native Wildflower Beebombs worth £29.99

34 Life in... Orpington August 2019

The lessons also challenge children to take action to help Britain's bee population survive and thrive at school and at home.

In ‘Children know best!’, they generate their own ideas for ways in which they can teach adults to make more ecofriendly decisions in their daily lives.

‘These ideas will help them to make a real difference, to have a positive impact, improving the lives of others around the world and to protect the planet, too,’ said Oli.

On 9th July, 35 schools sent delegates to meet up and swap inspiring examples of how they were working to reduce their environmental impact and getting the kids involved too!

Examples of work with food waste, re-greening, anti-idling, Eco Schools and Terracycle came up repeatedly and schools also shared dynamic and inspiring plans for expanding upon existing efforts.

The Plan Bee curriculum covers seven key climate change topics: 1. Ethical trading 2. Fulfilled lives 3. Ecosystems 4. Climate change 5. Water scarcity 6. Biodiversity 7. Finite planet Oli said: ‘Teaching children about issues directly related to climate change should go hand in hand with learning about ethical trading, and the harm caused by unchecked, rampant consumerism.'

For more on PlanBee, visit

www.planbee.com The Humble Brush

Made from 100% biodegradable bamboo, this toothbrush is a must for any eco-conscious family trying to reduce their plastic use!

Plus for every Humble product purchased, a proportion is donated to the Humble Smile Foundation, a cause dedicated to providing urgent oral health care to those at risk of losing their smile.

You can buy your Humble Brush at www.boots.com/search/humble

G&C members donated wine and cupcakes and The Cafe at Farnborough Village supplied summer gin cocktails for 80 people. It was a wonderful night of people working together to make a practical difference to the wellbeing of our community and the planet their pupils will inherit.

To find out more visit G&C at: Facebook & Instagram: greenerandcleaneruk Twitter: GreenercleanerB

Do you have some local Eco news?

Send us an email at:

hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with the details

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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lifestyle

A Final Thought…

Orpington on fire!

by JEROME KALAN

Most of us will know from articles that appear in the traditional media space, on social media or other sources, that people seem to pay more attention to bad news than good news. So it’s really refreshing when you hear people get excited about things in their lives that many of us take for granted. Orpington is just such a thing!

Loving life in Orpington

When my wife and I moved here almost 12 years ago, we didn’t have a clue about anything to do with Orpington. We lived north of the river, but wanted to move somewhere that was more open and green (I’m originally from Cape Town in South Africa and I’m used to more open space). We had house hunted across a broad spectrum of areas until we found the home we currently live in. My wife simply said to me, “You’ll know when I’ve found the place I like.” And that’s how it was… in Orpington!

Actually, we thought we’d be here for around five years before transitioning to somewhere else. But, more than a decade later, here we still are… and we’re grateful for this place. And we love living here. Yes, in Orpington.

We had found it slightly disconcerting that people, were rather non-committal about Orpington when we asked what the town and the local area surrounding it was like.

Despite this, we liked what we saw and the property prices gave us more “bang for our buck” in comparison with properties closer to London.

When we moved in, we only knew one work colleague who lived locally. And now? Well, I could easily list 200 or more people that we’ve come to know on a first name basis.

Look online and search for Orpington, and you find the most negative, awful things posted by people who seem intent on putting down this lovely area. Well, I have worked out that people with this outlook are likely losers who are never going to be satisfied no matter what. And I bet this last statement is going to stir up a fair amount of reaction.

More recently, I heard a friend of mine describe Orpington as a sleepy place on the edge of a buzzy big city that people only use as a base for commuting into London or heading out into the Kent countryside or further afield on the weekends.

Not true! There’s so much to appreciate about where we live.

Count your blessings

I am a big fan of the simple concept of taking time out to count your blessings.

Blessing number one – Most people I talk to don’t realise that Orpington is part of the biggest and greenest borough in London, with the smallest population. Meaning we have more space per head (green space, at that!) than anywhere else in Greater London. That’s something to be grateful for.

36 Life in... Orpington August 2019

Blessing number two – There is a community feel about this place. People talk to each other. We have the privilege of having made friends with many of the neighbours in our street and in the streets surrounding ours. Together we’ve shared meals in our homes, gone out for a curry night (at least once every year), held a cheese-’n-wine evening at a local primary school, held several annual summer picnics and we’ve even camped with a fairly big group of some neighbours at the other end of our street (more than once).

Blessing number three – People look out for each other. I remember us being on a plane back from a holiday abroad on a cold New Year’s Eve. It was icy and snowy and the pipe to our outside tap burst. We only found out afterwards, but my neighbour, whom we had scarcely known just after moving in, got up at 4 in the morning, in the freezing cold and darkness, and together with a friend of his, popped over to ours and fixed that tap. What amazing people! And they have not been the exception. We have encountered and got to know many more incredible people like these – in Orpington!

There are so many more blessings about living here...if we just took the time to start counting them.

Talk up the place

Some of us may be all that I have described above. We are grateful for where we live and the many good things about it. In fact, gratitude goes a long way. It helps us start to become more outward-looking, rather than being sucked into a mire of inward-focussed misery and bitterness. And sure, nothing is perfect. We are realistic enough to know that there is a lot that can be done to make our town and its surrounding areas even better. But, we simply don’t talk it up as much as we probably should.

So, here is the challenge – Talk up the place! Let’s put to rest the naysayers who can’t find it in themselves to say anything worthwhile about their home. The next time you encounter someone who has nothing good to say, why not ask them why. I mean, I think we should genuinely listen to people who may have legitimate concerns about things that are not as they are supposed to be. However, we have to also challenge them to find out what they are doing to make things better. We can all make a difference.

It’s easy to blame the government, local MPs, the council, the local businesses, or whomever or whatever else may come to mind for the issues in our local area. Or we can all do the simple thing of counting our blessings and sharing it with others. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a community that is on fire? Where people fire each other up to see things differently about the place we live. Try it out… Next time you have an opportunity, try making a difference – Say something really positive to someone about Orpington.

To respond to Jerome’s article or to share your views email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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August 2019 Life in... Orpington 37

useful contacts

Next Month...

FRE

Local numbers

Ward Councillors Cllr William Huntington-Thresher Bromley Council william.huntington-thresher@bromley.gov.uk T: 020 8464 3333 T: 07733-116799 www.bromley.gov.uk Cllr Pauline Tunnicliffe Citizen’s Advice Bureau - Bromley pauline.tunnicliffe@bromley.gov.uk T: 0300 330 9039 T: 01689 857407 Cllr Kim Botting FixMyStreet Kim.botting@bromley.gov.uk Report issues for Bromley Council's attention (potholes, broken street lighting, T: 07947-714394 rubbish etc) www.fixmystreet.com Hospitals Princess Royal University Hospital T: 01689 863000 www.pruh.kch.nhs.uk Orpington Hospital T: 01689 863000 NHS T: 111 Late night pharmacies Tesco Pharmacy Orpington T: 0345 0269567

Alcoholics anonymous T: 0800 917 7650 E: help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Childline T: 0800 1111 Crime Stoppers T: 0800 555 111 Debt Helpline T: 0808 808 4000 Dementia (UK) T: 0845 257 9406

Leisure Centres Darrick Wood Pool T: 01689 857 021

Domestic Violence T: 0808 200 0247 (24-hours)

Libraries Orpington T: 01689 831551 www.bromley.gov.uk/OrpingtonLibrary E: orpington.library@GLL.ORG

.. LOCALLY

LIVE, LOVE, LIFE.

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National numbers

Sainsbury's Pallant Way T: 01689 857042

The Walnuts Leisure Centre T: 01689 870 533

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Coming up in the august Issue of Life In Orpington…

NT UR ESSE

YO

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Win a reflexology treatment & tickets to The Baby Show Dates for your diary: school open days Cut water bills the savvy way Cabin baggage allowances cheatsheet

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