Life In Orpington February 2022

FR ISSUE 36 | FEBRUARY 2022

EE

THE SIMPLE TRICK THAT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY

ON PETROL

GLOBAL CONSUMER trends for 2022

Relationships: DATING WITH A Difference

A NEW

Local Hero

is named!

E AT A T IM E G A P E N O Y IT N COMMU IN S P IR IN G T H E

#BecauseCommunityMatters

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Welcome to Life In...ORPINGTON ...your local community magazine that has something to suit all tastes

The Team

Get to know us: What’s your idea of the perfect night in?

Editorial / Sales: Lauretta lauretta@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

A takeaway, playing Pictionary with the family then a great movie – oh and plenty of snacks!

Design: Nicky design@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

I

t seems fitting that we introduce a new feature on relationships in ‘the month of love’. Have a read on page 23 and discover a few alternative ideas for dating!

Also in this month’s issue we name a new local hero, offer life hack tips (including how to cope with a dental emergency) and explain how you might be sitting on a tech goldmine, plus so much more. In fact, we’d love to hear what you think of this month’s issue or one of the features – you could even win a prize for doing so like Ella has (p5) – email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Finally, I’d like to encourage all our readers to shop local where possible and help support our local businesses. They’ve been through a tough time the last couple of years and many are still trying to recover. With our support they have a fighting chance to get there. So have a good look at all the advertisers in this issue – it’s surprising who you might find to help you!

Until next month, have a great February!

PJs on, a takeaway curry, gin & tonic and a sci-fi film with my family.

Accounts: James accounts@lifeinmagazines.co.uk A few beers, listening to music and reading an historical novel.

Editorial Assistant: Steve

If it’s me and Bella it’s tikka masala takeaway & a rom com. If it’s me on my own it’s a big bag of crisps and a detective book.

Distributor: Zeenat

Snuggled up under a duvet with a hot water bottle, popcorn and olives watching something like Strictly Come Dancing and of course Dancing On Ice.

Distributor: Tara

A good few old-fashioned board games, a takeaway and a black-and-white film in my PJs – with best friends or my family.

Office Assistant: Isabelle

Lauretta Wright, Editor

A takeaway, watching something like Strictly Come Dancing and playing board games with family!

FSC® certified

Work Experience: Olivia

Recyclable FSC® Paper

100%

Life In…Orpington is printed using vegetable-based inks and we print on FSC® certified paper meaning that it has been sourced from sustainably managed forests and its site of origin is proven and traceable under certification from the Forest Stewardship Council. In addition, every tree felled for paper is replaced by significant growth of new trees in Forestry Commission managed forests.

contents - FEBRUARY 2022 Community

Lifestyle

5. Write It, Say It, Message It 4. History 8. Noticeboard 13. (Deputy) Mayor's Voice 13. Lines From Linda 14. What's On 19. Local Heroes...

42. Stockists 43. A Final Thought

16. Puzzle Page 20. Food & Drink 23. Relationships 26. Technology 29. Did You Know?

30. Shopping 33. Life Hacks 34. Health & Fitness 38. Business 41. Short Story

I would make my favourite meal, slip into my pyjamas, grab lots of blankets and put on my favourite movie.

Our Friends The following people have kindly volunteered to help distribute Life In...Orpington. A HUGE thank you to them for their time and generosity.

Elizabeth Adcock Mary Cody-Cowdery Josette Coulson Ruth Mansell Sarah Spencer-Adams

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Ad spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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February 2022 Life in... Orpington 3

community

History

Photo: Bromley Historic Collections

Pam Preedy

The Nash Paper Mill Strike

by PAM PREEDY, historian & author

The decade leading up to the First World War was a time of labour unrest, often referred to as ‘The Great Unrest.’

1914 was a particularly bad year with increasing industrial action and Orpington was not exempt from trouble.

In 1914, the workers of the Nash Paper Mill at St Paul’s Cray went on strike over pay and union membership.

Pay in the Nash works was low for everyone: the highest paid was Robert Marsden, Head Papermaker and actual Manager of the Mill, at £500 per year; the Sales and Purchasing Clerks earned only two or three pounds a week, as did the owner’s son, 21-year-old William Nash, who was to inherit the company after his father’s death.

Earnings of the Nash workers compared to labourers employed by Bromley Council Per week Workers in the Nash Mill

22 - 33 shillings

Labourers for Bromley Council

26 - 30 shillings plus overtime

The discontent caused by such unfavourable pay provided an opening for the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers to become involved and push for strike action.

In 1914, demands were received for increased wages and the unionisation of the mill. Unionisation would not only give the union power to deduct union dues from the pay, but also control over the engagement and dismissal of labour, thus keeping out non-union workers. A strike was threatened. Neighbouring mills had already capitulated to union demands, but William’s father was very sick and the Nash Mill gained a temporary reprieve. At the end of June, just three weeks after his father’s demise (7th June, 1914), a rise of two shillings a week was agreed, but the demand to become a ‘Union’ Mill was refused. A few days later the majority of the workers gave a week’s notice of a strike, but agreed to a meeting with William unaccompanied by union officials. Despite the agreement, the union officials, unhappy at being excluded from negotiations, marched a large contingent of trade-unionists down to the Nash Mills

4 Life in... Orpington February 2022

Paper Mill

and persuaded the majority of workers to down tools and strike then and there.

By the end of July, 1914, The Bromley & District Times reported that the strike was already three weeks old and police were guarding the premises. The presence of police may have been precautionary; equally there may already have been trouble from the unions. Some level of production did continue. One press was kept running by a few foremen, friends and other workers loyal to the company, but only for a few days as the job was impossible with so few. Apparently there was little or no personal ill-will in the dispute: a cricket match was organised with strikers versus non-strikers!

The dispute was finally overtaken by the declaration of war. When, on 5th August, 1914, William Nash, the new mill owner, re-joined the 4th (Territorial) Royal West Kent Regiment heading for India, Jubbulpore, he told his workforce that they must wait for his return before a decision about union membership could be agreed.

In support of the war effort the strike ended. The wage increase was paid and the question of union membership was left open.

As well as India, William’s war service took him to Persia where he conceived the idea of a profit-sharing scheme for all the mill employees. He wanted a fresh start after the war. On his return, he put into practice new financial arrangements and on 5th August, 1919 William Nash, Ltd. was incorporated with £100,000 in Ordinary Shares and, at the same time, a Profit Sharing Scheme was adopted involving all employees who had worked at least six months. Thus the unions were excluded and it satisfied all parties.

More information on the Nash Paper Mill can be found in W.S. Shears’ book, William Nash of St. Paul's Cray Papermakers (published 1950).

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Write It, Say It, Message It!

community the star response (

) wins a year’s magazine subscription (worth £24)

Got something to shout about? Maybe you want to respond to an article or want to spread the word about something locally?

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

WIN

Star response

Well done on the Emma Raducanu article in the last issue. I really enjoyed reading it and congratulations to Emma for being awarded Sports Personality of the Year. Also, thank you for raising awareness of mental health. It’s something so important to people and there shouldn’t be a stigma about this as you say – people shouldn’t suffer in silence.

Ella Cooper – sent via email

Thanks Ella and congrats – you’ve won a year’s magazine subscription! Send your comments and letters to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk for the chance to win a £15 App Store & iTunes voucher!

Life In… Orpington is free, but you can win a year’s magazine subscription to have it delivered directly to your door every month so you’ll never have to miss picking up an issue of your favourite community read!

See lifeinmagazines.co.uk

SPOTTED ON SOCIAL

A BIG shout out!

A huge thank you to the Go Ahead Group Bus Service as they have generously donated to our Lung Cancer support group – it’s our first ever donation and we’re thrilled.

Thank you to Anthony & Peter at Southeast Legacies for being the best bosses of 2021!

Thanks to my neighbour Harry for trimming the hedge on my side of the garden & clearing it up – we’re lucky to have you as neighbours!

Nicola Delobel, Every Breath

KelseyWills.89

Amanda N

Want to thank someone? Give them a BIG shout out!

Email your message to us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Poetry corner

What’s Your Take...?

We ask for your views on topics that matter. This month’s question:

Who would make the ideal celebrity neighbour – and why?

Jane S Alan Carr so I can invite him round – we’d have a great laugh!

Next month’s question…

What local event would you like to see introduced on an annual basis?

Dawn Reynolds Aquaman cos he's hot n I'm cold!

Terry Weir Alan Titchmarsh as he would give good pointers on the garden!

Tag us in @lifeinmags or email a short response to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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Middle Age

It’s easy to tell if you’re middle aged, So here’s a guide to use as a gauge, You walk upstairs and don’t know why, And forget people’s names even though you try.

You can’t be bothered to shave your legs, Your husband may ask or even beg!

And where is your backside as you look behind? As now to your horror it’s not defined.

The hair on your head has started to thin, but why is it sprouting from out of your chin?

You really don’t care what people think, which is handy really as you’ve turned to drink.

One minute you’re hot and then you’re cold, And no longer your bosoms your bra will hold, as they start heading south at a rate of knots, no longer so pert as they start to flop.

But we’re having a ball so it’s not all bad, As we think of the fun still that we still haven’t had!

Jackie Langridge

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 5

Y E L M BRO

H C N LAU

The Countdown Is On!

Life in... Bromley will feature all the things that you love – local heroes, puzzles, event listings, news you can use and plenty of interesting articles – from pets and eco news, to life hacks and home and garden, plus so much more.

And we’d LOVE your input!

• • • • •

Send us your comments, poems, pictures and letters Nominate a local hero Tell us who you’d like to thank for ‘A BIG Shout Out’ Write for us! A short story perhaps? or ‘A Final Thought’?

Become a ‘Friend of Life In Magazines’ & volunteer as a local distributor We offer a range of advertising options – from super affordable £10 a month classified listings for micro businesses, to full page ad campaigns and bespoke packages for more established businesses.

Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk to find out more or see

We celebrate local people & encourage residents to shop local! #BecauseCommunityMatters

www.lifeinmagazines.co.uk 6 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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ADVERTORIAL

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February 2022 Life in... Orpington 7

community -

NOTICEBOARD

Every Breath

Every Breath is a newly form ed lung cancer support group based in the South East. It is the only lung cancer group in the whole of London and meets monthly, at Far nborough Village Hall, with the aim to provide a relaxed, supportive environment for anyone affe cted by lung cancer.

The group was founded by lung cancer patients and lung specialist nurse, Nicky de Lobel, from Princess Royal University Hospital. Nicky said: “The group’s aim is to imp rove awareness of lung cancer and their goa l is to push for an improvement in services and early diagnostics.

Sadly, lung cancer is the UK’s bigger cancer killer and more people lost the ir life to lung cancer in 2020 than to Covid. The UK lags behind other similar countries due to late presentation of the disease and we want to mak e it acceptable to talk about the risk of lung can cer and challenge the stigma of it just being rela ted to smoking. Many of our group have never smo ked at all.”

For more information call 01689 864713 or email support@everybr eath.org.uk

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le to hire at We have a small hall availab used for any be reasonable rates which can s. use of ber num

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Become a Friend!

ISSUE 36 | FEBRUA

RY 2022

FR

EE

THE SIMPLE TRICK THAT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY ON PETROL

The latest

GLOBAL CONSUMER trends

A NEW

Relationships: DATING WITH A Difference

Local Hero

is named!

INSPIRING THE COMMUNITY ONE PAGE AT A TIME #Beca useCo mmun

ityMa tters

Would you like to get out and about in your local community? Do you enjoy chatting with others? How about having a great reason to increase your steps? Now you can do all 3 by becoming a ‘Friend’ of Life In...Orpington magazine and volunteer as a local distributor.

If you are able to deliver a minimum of 100 magazines in your local area each month, please write to us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

8 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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community -

NOTICEBOARD

Charity spotlight: Safe Haven Animal Rescue Safe Haven Animal Rescue is a sma ll, non-

profit, family-run animal rescue cent re based in World’s End Lane, Green Street Gree n. It has a strict no-kill policy and takes in a huge range of animals - from horses, pigs, sheep and chickens, to cats, dogs, hamsters , rabbits and the odd tarantula! The charity has no paid staff, so all donations go directly towa rds the cost of caring for the rescue animals.

How you can help:

- Like the charity’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/animalrescue2017) - Make a donation via bank trans fer to Safe Haven Animal Rescue, Sort Code 60-05-29, Account num - Donate animal food (cat, dog, hors ber 22243232 e, chicken, pig, sheep), cat litter, equestrian equipment, building mate rials etc - Volunteer to help if you have som e spare time

Contact details: Angela 07376-06 1701 or Lorraine 07956-152859 Email: safehavenanimals@hotma il.com | Watch the video: https://y outu.be/Gnsvc9fEfkk

Football Rebooted

SUPPORTING LOCAL AUTHORS…

g nth’s introductory ‘Supportin Following on from last mo we e issu s nth’ mo this ue 35, p8), in Local Authors’ feature (Iss or in a range of auth ed lish pub a , son meet Raymond W Hud know ks include ‘So you think you specialist subjects. His boo pter’, Cha ut abo think you know about Freemasonry’, ‘So you sonry, ema ‘Fre and ’ nce Scie e ‘Freemasonry a Progressiv e Ray is also co-author of “Th whence did it take its rise?’ ntenance of mai and t roo A DN the es Jesus Gene”, which trac ites and the Cohens. the Jewish Race for the Lev one. emason and a very active Raymond says: "I am a Fre h oug alth and ns, igio Rel s and I lecture in Ancient Culture an abounding e hav I elf mys ious relig I’m not very actively eral. and its relation to life in gen fascination for the subject the tine stan Con ses, Jesus, I have written papers on Mo y other and Goliath fame) and man Great, King David (of David realise not do ple peo y ers. Man biblical and historical charact sonry from the ema Fre in with ers Ord y that there are man st of i, and I am a member of mo Craft right up to the Illuminat y Man ers.

Ord onic different Mas them. In fact, I belong to 72 n, Hindu, istia Chr er eith ies, stor are exemplifying religious plar, al such as The Knights Tem Jewish, or Islam or historic etc. I am also a tory His lish Eng of iod per The Anglo Saxon , subjects such as Spirituality specialist in various Esoteric y man and ism cian m, Rosicru Gematria, Astrology, Druidis other subjects.” nd’s books available on You can find all of Raymo ase author or know of one, ple Amazon. If you’re a local the chance to be for .uk s.co zine aga inm email hello@life featured.

share local

A new campaign called Football Re booted and launched by Da vid James has be en initiated locally by 14-yea r old Orpington resident, Louis David-Hooper. Th e idea behind th e campaign is to recycle one million pairs of fo otball boots (whether they be moulds, astros etc children within UK ) to give to schools, as well as abroad, for those who cann ot afford them. Th e programme will also aspire to save 136,000 to nnes of carbon in the process, wh ich is the equivale nt of taking around 7,000 ca rs off the road fo r a whole year!

Instead of the old boots being sent to a landfill and adding to th e greenhouse ga s emissions, these boots can be given a new home. The campaign will all ow children acro ss the country to continue playin g the sport they love, as well as helping child ren abroad cont inue their hobby.

Can you help Lo uis collect footba ll boots?

If you’ve got an y unused or unw anted football boots yo u can donate, pl ease email pippaben 9@aol.com

Feature on the

Community Noticeboard!

Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk A small fee applies - we have limited space for free charity listings.

news

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 9

community -

NOTICEBOARD

Cookery & Wellness Meditation Workshop

SPECIAL EVENT PLANNING A WEDDING?

EARCH UK

JOIN US AT CANCER RES ORPINGTON

SUNDAY 20TH FEBRUARY

10-4PM

DDING DRESSES, LARGE SELECTION OF WE SHOES & ACCESSORIES! On 2nd February, Naani Maa’s Kitch en, Powertalk UK and Newton Wood will be hosting a Cookery and Wellness Med itation Workshop. It takes place at Riple y Arts Centre in Bromley (BR1 2PX) from 6-9pm and a mindful holistic experience will be offered to relax, refresh, revive and restore atten dees.

Call 07508 822019 for details and to book.

IDS, GROOMS & OPTIONS FOR BRIDESMA O AVAILABLE. ALS DE BRI E TH MOTHER OF ILABLE, SEE LIGHT REFRESHEMENTS AVA !

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) and the Isle of Man (1103).

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Harry hits the jackpot!

In the December issue of Life In…Orpington, we ran the 12 Days of Giftmas to offer a mahoosive giveaway of prizes worth more than £500 donated by local businesses! Harry Thind (pictured), who also works in the borough (at Barclays Bromley), was the lucky winner and is delighted with her big win. She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win and really surprised as I never win anything!! Thank you very much it’s made my day!”

Thank you to all the businesses who donated: Tangent Office Resources, Churchill Theatre, The Social Surgery, Vida de la Mariposa, The Entertainer, Streetpinner, Liberty’s Fashion, CJ’s Pretty Little Bakes, Laura’s Larder, Newton Wood and Dr Paw Paw.

10 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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Come in to our branch or give us a call: Sales: 01689 768 531 Lettings: 01689 768 641 300 High Street, Orpington, BR6 0NF Andrewsonline.co.uk

At AA Cooper, we’re known as ‘the bathroom installation company’. Our expert team is ready to tackle your bathroom needs head on – from a leaking tap to an entire bathroom installation.

We pride ourselves on offering bespoke bathrooms as well as maintenance, repairs, fittings & refurbishment.

Call us for a quote on 01689-485007 or email

info@aacooper.co.uk www.aacooper.co.uk

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February 2022 Life in... Orpington 11

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12 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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community

(DEPUTY) MAYOR’S VOICE Covid continues to cast a shadow over local events and Mayoral engagements, but is nowhere near as bad as last year despite the rapid rise in Omicron cases. This is largely due to the Herculean efforts of local health professionals who have helped the borough to be one of the most highly vaccinated in South East London.

The Mayor and I continue to support local organisations wherever and whenever possible. If you would like to request a visit this can be done on the borough website: https://www.bromley.gov.uk/info/200140/ mayor/1467/contact_the_mayor_of_bromley The Mayor and I visited the Bromley Valley Gymnastics Gala 2021 on successive nights in mid-December. For most of the gymnasts it was their first performance since lockdown took away all competitions and events. In challenging circumstances, they performed some amazing routines. The evening included a wonderful tribute to Peter Cunningham, a founding father of the club who was lost to Covid (pre vaccines) and someone I have known personally for over 30 years. The coaches and staff have loyally stood by the club during a difficult year, and it is to be hoped that the club returns to helping children have positive experiences and achieve their potential.

Lines from Linda Ah yes, the month of love. But for me, the month of saying goodbye to trusted friends.

Over the years courting habits have seen so many changes. I am old enough to remember The Flintstones (the programme about cave people). Fred Flintstone used to pick Wilma Flintstone up and carry her over his shoulder (a bit like a fireman’s lift). Okay, so it was a cartoon, but who knows, in the Stone-Age, I am told, that was the way they wooed their women.

Less well known is that the club provides exercise of a gentler kind for ‘oldies’, so if you need to get your limbs moving try the club’s facilities. They even provided a training room for AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington - a closely guarded Strictly Come Dancing secret!

Councillor Tony Owen

Another impressive event I attended was the final of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge at the Cambridge Theatre in London to hear a pupil from Chislehurst Girls School, who was among the 15 grand finalists from an initial entry of over 9,000.

She gave a stunning five-minute speech. It was an astonishing achievement to do so well, and she is a splendid role model for one so young.

Tony Owen Deputy Mayor 2021-22

I spend more time looking for the right match when it comes to coupling socks than I ever did when I was dating. Nobody I know breaks up with their partners as often as socks.

My washing machine is like the husband stealer of the century.

Two matching socks go in, yet only one comes out. I have renamed my machine Paul Daniels as it has the gift of making things disappear. I have a drawer full of lonely and unmatched socks.

Times have changed. That would be a definite no-no now. I can remember back in the 60s and 70s when it wasn’t the done thing for a I have a drawer There is a dating app that guarantees to find woman to make the first move. You had to your perfect match. I did think about joining. flutter your eyelashes in the direction of the full of lonely and (Oh no, I wouldn’t swap my hubby for the one you dreamed of, or ask a friend to drop unmatched world, or for Sock Shop shares), but then I a hint and wait, hoping they might make an realised I had 47 odd socks, so 47 membership socks approach. subscriptions to each find their match would

"

Nowadays, it is taken for granted that women can make the first move (and pay, or split the bill). Back in the 70s, on a first date, the guy opened doors, helped you with your coat and always paid the bill, then walked you to your front door. Okay, there were exceptions.

Life is much freer now, and for us women it has to be a good thing. I am glad I am a woman. However, when it comes to loving and losing in this day and age, I would hate to be a sock.

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cost a lot more than buying 47 new pairs of socks.

So, as I said earlier – this is the month when I finally say goodbye to trusted old friends – 47 of them.

And, going back to the Flintstone age, when I said life was easier. I rest my case. Cavemen and women were always barefooted. No one wore socks.

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

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 13

what's on - FEBRUARY 2022 community & charity Bereavement Café

Message the Facebook page for a call back Meets the last Thursday of every month

Orpington Village Hall, 311 High St, Orpington BR6 0NN Cost: Free Contact: www.facebook.com/bereavementcafe If you're struggling with the loss of a loved one, contact The Bereavement Cafe to talk with qualified bereavement counsellors. All are welcome.

Bromley Mencap Services

Contact: 020 8466 0790 Helpline open Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm Email support: enquiries@bromleymencap.org www.bromleymencap.org.uk Call for advice and a friendly voice. Please phone our helpline should you require any support or need advice.

Bromley Well

Monday - Saturday, 9am-5pm

Contact: 0808 278 7898 www.bromleywell.org.uk Email: spa@bromleywell.org.uk Bromley Well provides help for you to stay emotionally and physically well and to remain independent. Bromley Well run free workshops (but you need to be registered).

Drop-in Cuppa & Chat for Seniors (over 60s) See the website for 2022 dates

10am-12pm Cost: Free Contact: 07891 403161 Email: admin@potentialmecoaching.org.uk www.potentialmecoaching.org.uk We have a choice of table activities for you to enjoy while you chat such as adult colouring, board games, playing cards, dominoes, crochet, knitting, seasonal crafts.

Making friends and staying socially active is quite easy if you’re willing to venture out and try new things. Contact us for more information.

Forget-Me-Not Survivors Of Suicide Loss Meets the first Thursday of every month

7.45pm - 9.45pm Cost: Free Contact: Sandra - 07519 105354 Email: sosl.orpington@gmail.com www.survivorsofsuicideloss.org.uk Twitter: @ForgetMeNotSoSl Forget-Me-Not offers support for all those affected by suicide loss. The group is self-led and informal, where you can connect with other survivors.

U3A Orpington

Third Monday of the month at 2pm

Crofton Main Hall Cost: £12 a year Contact: 01689 819698 or email william.sear@gmail.com If retired/working part-time, why not join nearly 1,000 other members for access to 100 different activities.

Refreshments also provided.

14 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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

Orpington Folk Dance Group

1st and 3rd Thursdays every month between 11.45am-1.45pm

Farnborough Village Hall Cost: £25 per term (seven sessions) Contact: 01689 836407 or email janetmaile@ rocketmail.com This is a beginners' class and offers gentle exercise and a friendly group. No partner necessary.

Knitting Club

Knitting blankets, mittens & bonding hearts for Special Care Baby Units at PRUH and Kings College hospitals.

2pm-4pm on Wednesdays during term time Crofton Baptist Church, Orpington Contact: Lin Harewood 01689 877010 on Wednesdays Or email lincbc2020@outlook.com Anyone is welcome - you don’t have to be an experienced knitter. No need 2-aPly just come and make friends! We are knitters who natter so come and spin a yarn while you knit a yarn for a worthy cause. We won’t let reality get in the way of a good yarn!

EDUCATION Lipreading classes

Monday afternoons 2-4pm (term time only)

Poverest Centre, Bromley Adult Education College Cost: Approx £7 per class. Concessions available see https://baec.ac.uk Contact: Email lisa.cox@baec.ac.uk One in five people in the UK has hearing loss. It is the most common disability and lipreading classes can be a huge help to many.

HEALTH, FITNESS & MINDSET Cookery and Wellness Meditation Workshop Wednesday 2nd February

6pm-9pm Ripley Arts Centre, 24 Sundridge Ave, Bromley BR1 2PX Cost: £200 Contact: 07508 822019 Hosted by Naani Maa’s Kitchen, Powertalk UK and Newton Wood. Experience a mindful holistic experience that will guarantee to relax, refresh, revive and restore.

Attendees will be offered a speciality of wellness drinks and refreshments and take home a wellness bag.

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what's on - FEBRUARY 2022

Flin's Online & Live Fitness Classes See website for class dates & times

Cost: PAYG £5 - £8 Contact Fran: 07976 412027 www.flinsfitness.co.uk Online streaming plus live offerings - 40+ classes a week, early mornings, mid mornings and evenings, including weekend classes. Outdoor Boot Camp, Circuits, Strength, Cardio, Pilates, Zumba, Yoga, Total Body Lite, Box Fit and more: fitness for all! Mornings at Westcombe Park RFC, evenings at Tubbenden School.

Grace Rose Pilates

Monday: 7pm Tuesday: 9.45am Thursday: 5.30pm (Beginner) and 6.30pm

Christ Church Hall, Tudor Way, Petts Wood BR5 1LH Claim your FREE trial class at www.gracerosepilates.co.uk or contact 07913 912411 email gracerosepilates@hotmail.com Facebook: Grace Rose Pilates Classical & contemporary trained advanced Pilates teacher. Live classes. 1:1s available. Taught by a Body Control Pilates teacher, the benchmark for safe and effective teaching of the highest level. Reshape your body and balance your flexibility with strength; it's also a great way to release stress and tension. Perfect for athletes, beginners and especially recommended for those with back problems. Low back pain specialist. Beginners to advanced.

libraries Orpington

Contact: 01689 831551 Email: Orpington.library@gll.org www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary Open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm

Petts Wood

Contact: 01689 821607 Email: Pettswood.library@gll.org www.bromley.gov.uk/pettswoodlibrary Open Monday - Tuesday and Thursday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm

Southborough

Contact: 020 8467 0355 www.better.org.uk/library/london/bromley/ southborough-library Open Monday - Tuesday and Friday - Saturday from 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm

MUSIC & FESTIVALS Orpington Symphony Orchestra in Concert Saturday 19th March

7.30pm All Saints Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington BR6 0QD Cost: £10 adults, £5 children - tickets available at the door.

Contact: www.orpingtonsymphonyorchestra.co.uk Join Orpington Symphony Orchestra for for an uplifting concert under the baton of Emily Singh.

Programme: Mendelssohn - Hebrides Overture Niels Gade - Ein Sommertag per Landet Op 55 Gounod - Symphony No1 in D

theatre/ Performances Churchill Theatre, Bromley Contact: tickets@churchilltheatre.co.uk

Hairspray

7th-12th February

Various times Cost: From £30 Starring Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle, Norman Pace as Wilbur Turnblad and Alex Bourne as Edna Turnblad, this fun-filled, feel good show is bursting with show-stopping numbers, dazzling costumes and dizzying dance-routines that you can’t help but shimmy to.

Ed Byrne

Sunday 13th February

8pm Cost: £29.50 Join Ed Byrne as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has ANY traits that are worth passing on to his children. A TV household name, Ed has appeared on Live At The Apollo (Host, BBC), Mock The Week (BBC), The Pilgrimage (BBC), Top Gear (BBC) and QI (BBC).

Madama Butterfly

Monday 14th February

7.30pm Cost: From £24.50 Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results.

Please check websites for the latest library updates and opening times.

NEXT BOOKING DEADLINE:

shout about your event...

7TH FEBRUARY

To advertise call 07403 550068 or email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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

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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Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

@lifeinmags February 2022 Life in... Orpington 15

lifestyle - PUZZLE PAGE WIN a £15 App Store & iTunes Voucher!

Find the words below in the grid, all associated with going out Name: for a meal.

Words can run vertically, horizontally or _____________________________________________________ Date: _______ diagonally (and backwards or forwards). One of the words doesn’t appear in the grid – this is the winning word. Send the answer to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk or text 07403-550068 with your name, number and address.

WIN

GOING OUT FOR A MEAL

APPETISER Appetiser Chinese CHINESE Coffee DESSERT Dessert

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16 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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Neuter your Cat for £5

Do you live in our Bromley area (BR1 - 5 or SE20, SE23 & SE26) and would like some help to get your cat neutered? We are offering you the chance to have your cat neutered for just £5.

My name is Michelle, and I am passionate about what I do.

I work locally as a Celebrant, in and around Orpington. Having been an Orpington resident for most of my life, I feel it is important to work closely with the community that I live in, and as a result of that, I have also co-founded The Bereavement Café in Orpington.

For more information please contact Bromley Cats Protection on :

020 8650 5556 www.cats.org.uk/bromley/contact-us

So, my role as a Celebrant is to work with families who have lost a loved one and help them create a unique and fitting ceremony, to help them say goodbye.

But I have also introduced something called, “Remember Me” and that is to help people document their wishes before they die. This is a really simple way of instructing your loved ones with what you want, when that time comes. We can discuss everything from music choices, your life story, colours, themes, and have it all recorded safely, so that when the time comes your family members aren’t left scratching their heads trying to work out what you would have wanted.

Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) SC037711 (Scotland) NEU_2343

If you have any questions about anything please do not hesitate to contact me at michelleharvey.lifecelebrant@yahoo.com

SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES

New Year New Home!

I’m Claire, your local property expert.

Please say hello if you see me out and about in the local area and reach out on any property matters you may wish to discuss.

I will deliver a bespoke, personal, friendly service to all existing and new clients from start to finish, focussing on the client not the competition. lifeinmagazines.co.uk

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 17

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18 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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Local Heroes...

Patricia Latter

COMMUNITY

Patricia Latter

Samantha Nemeth nominated Patricia Latter as an inspirational local author.

Samantha said: “Trish is such an inspiration for me. She has managed to write and self-publish five books with the sixth on the way. Having read them all I can thoroughly recommend them! In addition, Trish does voluntary work at Down House and also organises our Saturday morning adult ballet class.

She’s a true example of following your passion, living life to the full and giving back to the community!”

Congratulations on being nominated by Samantha, Patricia. How do you feel and can you give us a bit of background about yourself?

I think she has a sense of humour! I absolutely don’t qualify as any kind of hero. I have been lucky enough to take early retirement and devote my time to activities I really enjoy. I volunteer one day a week in the garden at Down House, Charles Darwin’s home. The garden volunteers do whatever is needed - which means a lot of weeding and general tidying. But we also have the opportunity to talk to visitors about the garden and about Darwin’s life in Downe village.

The place has been described as “Britain’s Galapagos”: where Darwin developed from being a naturalist making observations, to become a scientist, testing his hypothesis.

For example, we maintain the experimental beds which feature some of the plants he studied. He demonstrated that artificial selection of a trait, such as flower colour, could serve as a model of the longer-term natural selection which drives evolution. I have always worked alongside biological scientists, so Darwin is a personal local hero for me.

The volunteers couldn’t work during lockdown, but the garden still managed impressive wins at the London in Bloom awards, thanks to our amazing head gardener. I am hoping that next year the garden will be even more impressive. (It is never intended to be perfectly neat: the Darwins didn’t follow the Victorian mania for carpet bedding.) The kitchen garden may be able to return to full production, so the visitors will be able to see a larger range of fruit and vegetables from heritage varieties being grown organically, and buy some in the shop.

Is the local area important to you in other ways?

It has provided inspiration for something which fills much of my time. My professional role involved a lot of factual writing, and now I write fiction for fun. I have five selfpublished novels - available through Amazon as e-books and printed paperbacks. Almost all include nods to the local area, and the two most recent are gentle satires featuring a thinly disguised Petts Wood as the garden suburb of ‘Hazelden Forest’. The location will return in my next - a murder mystery - involving restaurants in “The Square” near “Elmwood” station. I must make the disclaimer that I am certain not one of my neighbours is as superstitious nor as murderous as those portrayed in the books.

What is it you love most about our local area?

The trees. The limes in Farnborough, where I grew up, provided the idea for a short story which was a prizewinner. The National Trust woodlands at Petts Wood have inspired other scenes in my stories. I also love that the Orpington area gives such easy access to London, with all that offers, but retains a feeling of the surrounding countryside.

Have you been involved in other community activities?

I was pleased to help with the “For the Love of Scrubs” project, near the start of lockdown last year. I think I eventually became quite good at trouser pockets. I have always enjoyed dressmaking (dating from impoverished teenage years when new clothes were needed for parties).

My other regular community activity is to organise (but not to teach) an adult ballet group. When we couldn’t meet up last year, our teachers switched and adapted our classes for Zoom. One of our group members even arranged for our after-class social “ballet teatime” to continue via Zoom. We are now back to live, in-person classes - so I can attempt to pirouette without crashing into furniture. I came to ballet - to dance rather than just watch - in my 50s, and I’m still pretty useless. However, it is a fascinating discipline and hugely enjoyable, thanks to inspirational teachers and impressive classmates who have become very good friends.

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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

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

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 19

lifestyle

Food & Drink VALENTINE’S DESSERT SORTED!

Chocolate crepes with strawberries and Chantilly cream 5. Heat up a frying pan, brush some butter on the pan, pour a ladle of the mix in the pan and swirl the pan to ensure the mix covers the full surface of the pan.

6. Crepes should cook quickly, only about a minute on the first side and less than 30 seconds on the other side.

7. Don't add too much batter mix to the pan. You want just enough chocolate crepe batter so that it covers the bottom of the pan.

8. Allow crepes to cool, in the meantime make the filling.

9. Pour cold double cream into your mixing bowl and whisk it at high speed. Keep on whisking until it is thick enough that it doesn’t collapse when you lift up the whisk. Add the sugar and vanilla and give the cream one final short whisk. Cut the strawberries and gently fold them into the cream.

10. Take one crepe and gently spread the filling mix on the crepe and fold in quarters. Repeat several times, place on a plate and dust with icing sugar.

12 crepes 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• • • •

400 ml milk 50g butter 50g brown sugar 100g flour

• • • •

3 large eggs 2 teaspoon vanilla ½ tsp salt 40g cocoa powder

Filling: • 100g double cream • 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 20g icing sugar • punnet of strawberries

Directions: 1. Melt the butter.

2. Place milk, eggs, vanilla, salt, sugar, melted butter in a blender and pulse for several seconds.

3. Add flour and cocoa powder in the mix and blend till smooth. Ensure you scrape the sides into the mix.

4. The mix should be smooth with no lumps; rest the mix for 20 minutes.

This delicious recipe was provided by Liv-In Chef - see www.livinchef.com

TOP 10 USES FOR

CO F F E E

1. Flavour your food: Ground coffee beans can be

7. Enrich your compost bin: Coffee is rich in nitrogen

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

added to any dry rub for flavouring food. Just add a couple of tablespoons to your dry rub for a smokier flavour for meats, such as chicken, pork, and lamb.

Add to baking: Coffee makes a great addition to cakes and other sweet treats. It’s a particularly good accompaniment to chocolate and of course we can’t forget the popular coffee and walnut cake.

Unclog your drains: This is a cheaper alternative to expensive drain cleaners and has the same results!

Pour half a cup, along with dishwasher salt, into your drains. Then pour a full kettle of boiling water down the drain. It’s as simple as that and no chemicals are needed.

Clean your hands: You can use wet coffee grounds to effectively remove odour by rubbing them on your fingers, then rinsing. It can be used after cutting vegetables, garlic or anything that leaves a strong smell.

Repel insects: Coffee’s properties make it a great natural insect repellent. Just sprinkle some into the cracks in walls or anywhere you don’t want insects.

Exfoliate your skin: Coffee grounds work well as a face scrub because their texture helps exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. Gently massage ground coffee into your skin and rinse.

20 Life in... Orpington February 2022

which is a great addition to your compost bin. For an extra potent mix, add one part coffee, one part leaves and one part freshly mown grass. Mix together then add to the pile.

8. Protect your dog from fleas: A good alternative to a chemical flea repellent. Rub coffee grounds into your dog's fur after giving them a bath then rinse. It will also make your dog smell nice - if you like the smell of coffee!

9. Give your flowers a special glow: Coffee grounds will reduce the pH level of the soil around your plants, which can bring out their colour. Just be sure that your plants aren’t in need of more acidity. Blueberry bushes would hate coffee grounds.

10. Cleanse your palette for perfumes: Sniffing coffee beans between smelling scents will make it possible to smell each perfume like it’s the first one.

This way you won’t experience scent overload.

Alex Ion, spokesperson for Brewsmartly.com, said: “Coffee can be used in many different ways. The reason these options are preferable is because using coffee avoids the harsh chemicals that many detergents, soaps, and insect repellents contain. By looking to more natural alternatives like coffee we are supporting a more environmentally friendly future.”

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Our warm, welcoming deli in the heart of Farnborough Village aims to serve the local community with food that caters for their every whim; from our quality charcuterie selection, to our delicious cheeses and artisan bread. * Hot Salt Beef bagels * Private catering * Fresh coffee * Seasonal fruit & vegetables * Cheese & meat graze boards Pop in for a visit soon – we’re open from 7am-3pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat & 8am-2pm Sun www.nannysmithsdeli.com

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nannysmith_deli

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 21

MONDAY

THURSDAY

Orpington 5.30pm and 7pm Toni 07841 366244

St Paul’s Cray 9.30am Beverley 07500 232416

TUESDAY

Orpington 9.30am Michelle 07927 134103

Petts wood 9am and 10.30am Debra 07986 969404 Farnborough village 9am, 10.30am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm Bev 07931 109756

Orpington 5pm and 7pm Michelle 07927 134103

FRIDAY

Orpington 5.30pm and 7.30pm Debra 07986 969404

Orpington 9.30am Michelle 07927 134103

WEDNESDAY

SATURDAY

Biggin Hill 10am and 6pm Sophie 07929 365228

Bromley 8.30am and 10am Katie 07496 730008

St Paul’s Cray 5pm and 7pm Beverley 07500 232416

Orpington 8.30am and 10am Toni 07841 366244

22 Life in... Orpington February 2022

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Relationships

lifestyle

by STEVE TOLMIE

DATING WITH A DIFFERENCE

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, love is in the air. Maybe you’re looking for a new romance and need an idea for a date that is a bit different?

Or perhaps you’re in a relationship and feel that you should check if you have any habits that are getting on the nerves of your partner because you don’t feel brave enough to ask! Whatever your relationship status, we hope these lists can help smooth the path of true love for you…

FIRST DATES Are you hooked on TV’s First Dates? Maybe you think being greeted by Fred Siriex and shown to your table would be the way to get a romance off the ground?

Perhaps you should think again. The most successful first dates these days don’t seem to involve going to a restaurant and sharing a starter or trying to work out the wine list. According to a survey conducted by golfsupport. com an activity date is more likely to secure that vital second date than a meal in a restaurant. Instead of a tetea-tete at a chain restaurant, which gives you a 44% chance of a follow-up, perhaps you could try some of the following

(with chances of meeting again in brackets): • Golf-related venues (85% - must be the snazzy trousers?)

• Ping Pong (81% - ah, memories of the youth club) • Picnic (78% - but not in February, surely?!)

• Bowling (65% - must be the shoes!)

• Rock climbing (59% - gives a new meaning to a relationship being on the rocks) Even a game of snooker or pool seems to be better than sitting embarrassed at a table while someone tries to sell you a single red rose. According to the survey, one of the main reasons why activity dates are more successful is because there are no awkward silences; in fact 83% of the respondents said that the conversation flows more naturally due to the nature of the date – assuming you aren’t out of breath from climbing boulders or trying to knock down the skittles!

Do you have a story about a first date that you’d like to share? (And let’s be honest: the disasters are more fun, aren’t they?) We’d love to hear it – why not contact us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk and we’ll feature them in an upcoming issue.

MOST ANNOYING BATHROOM HABITS Nobody’s perfect, so even in the happiest of relationships each partner is likely to have some annoying habits. And if there’s one place where annoying habits are going to show up, it’s the bathroom. Are you feeling brave enough to check these lists (compiled by showerstoyou.co.uk) and see how many you are ‘guilty’ of? Try to be honest!

THE 3 MOST ANNOYING MALE HABITS 1. Not replacing the toilet roll 2. Leaving the toilet seat up 3. Not cleaning the sink after shaving

THE 3 MOST ANNOYING FEMALE HABITS 1. Cluttering the bathroom with products 2. Leaving hair in the sink and drain 3. Leaving make-up or fake tan stains everywhere

THE 3 MOST ANNOYING HABITS BOTH DO 1. Leaving the bathroom door open while using the toilet 2. Leaving toothpaste residue scattered about 3. Dumping towels on the bathroom floor So, before you set out on your Valentine’s date, make sure your towel is folded nicely on the rail, check the cap is on the toothpaste and – men… what is the loo seat doing?

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 23

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GARDEN TIDY-UP? GARDEN CLEARANCE?

LET US DO ALL THE HARD WORK! Based in Bromley and with over 30-years of experience, Easy Gardens are experts at undertaking garden clearances and ongoing maintenance.

From small suburban gardens to country mansions, no job is too big or too small.

FREE QUOTATIONS We always love to visit a customer's garden in the first instance to walk around and understand your exact requirements, after which we will provide a detailed written quotation of the work that has been agreed.

Very often, we can arrange to complete the work within 2-3 days of your instruction.

We pride ourselves on delivering a very professional and competitive service and look forward to your call!

Call us on: 07878 938 265

enquiries@easy-gardens.co.uk • www.easy-gardens.co.uk 24 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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Foster Denovo is a multi-award-winning firm of financial advisers that provides financial advice to individuals and families.

Our local financial advisers based at our office in Bromley, specialise in providing financial advice in the following areas.

• • • • • • • •

Financial planning Trust and estate planning Savings and investments Retirement planning Pension options at retirement Mortgages Protection Small business solutions

Working in partnership with your local Foster Denovo financial adviser can help you make the right financial planning choices.

Why Foster Denovo?

Our advisers are friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable and our priority is to help our clients achieve their immediate financial planning needs and longer-term financial aspirations.

For a fee free, no obligation initial meeting to discuss your immediate or long-term financial planning requirements, please:

call John Winters or Sharon Cain on 01689 868 163 or 07767 818 665 or email john.winters@fosterdenovo.com or sharon.cain@fosterdenovo.com.

Website: www.fosterdenovo.com

Devonshire House, 29-31 Elmfield Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1LT.

If you seek advice there may be a fee involved, full details will be provided prior to any work undertaken. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate taxation and trust advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount invested. Accessing pension benefits early may impact on levels of retirement income and your entitlement to certain means tested benefits and is not suitable for everyone.

You should seek advice to understand your options at retirement.

Foster Denovo Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Registered Office: Ruxley House, 2 Hamm Moor Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2SA. Telephone: 01932 870 720 Email: info@fosterdenovo.com Website: www.fosterdenovo.com lifeinmagazines.co.uk

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 25

lifestyle

Technology

by STEVE TOLMIE

CHECK YOUR TECH – ARE YOU SITTING ON A GOLD MINE?

Did you know that UK households are hoarding up to 184 million pieces of unwanted tech, that could be worth almost £7 billion? Uswitch.com has revealed the amazing amounts of old kit that we Brits are reluctant to recycle or resell.

Ru Bhikha, the company’s telecoms expert, said: “Millions of us are hoarding old, unwanted tech that could be worth a small fortune to its owner, or recycled to reuse the precious metals inside. Mobile phones, laptops, games consoles, cameras and TVs all hold a lot of value and can be exchanged for cash with minimal effort.”

However, despite the ease with which we could trade our old phones, laptops or TVs on sites like eBay, it seems that we have plenty of reasons and excuses not to do so.

If you’re still hanging on to a fax machine or even a video recorder because they ‘might come in handy one day’, or you can’t part with your first mobile because it brings back happy memories, then you’ll probably find the following research results rather interesting: • One in seven have a gadget over ten years old, with nearly a million still storing a fax machine and close to four million having a video player • A fifth of people (19%) say they are holding onto old devices due to concerns over personal data, and one in six (17%) for sentimental reasons • Homes have 35 million old mobile phones stashed away

•

•

worth more than £1 billion if sold or traded-in Consumers have received £285 for an iPhone X when selling on auction sites like eBay, but only £162 from trade-ins with some mobile providers Apple devices hold their value best, with an iPhone falling just 38% in a year, compared to 71% for once top-end Samsung devices

So, if you’re one of the estimated 15% of the population who have held on to an old gadget for over ten years because you don’t know what to do with it, why not consider selling it on or even recycling?

Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, the organisation behind the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, says, “Discarded electricals are one of the fastest-growing sources of waste. Many everyday electricals such as mobile phones, TVs, laptops and baby monitors contain small amounts of precious metals that can be extracted and given new life if they are recycled.

“Recycling your old tech is not only good for the environment, but there is also a huge amount of value in unwanted electricals. If you’re having a clear-out, remember that anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled.

You can find your nearest recycling or donation drop off point by visiting the recycle your electricals website.”

Bromley borough’s recycling sites can be found at bit.ly/recyclingsitesbromley

£1.5m tech fund for UK Space industry

The UK Space Agency has announced new funding to support ambitious plans for the exploration of space. Proposals could include ideas such as the utilisation of resources beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the use of nuclear power in space or the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Sue Horne, Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency, said: “The UK has provided expertise and equipment to some of the most high-profile space missions of recent times. This funding will help our world-class space sector kickstart new technological successes, allowing us to explore our solar system further.”

26 Life in... Orpington February 2022

WEBSITE AUTHORITY Q: I have my own website, but want to include links to other sites. Is there an ideal number of links I should try to use?

A: Your website has X amount of trust. It’s called “Domain Authority” and each page has “Page Authority” too. Having outbound links gives some of that authority away, much like a recommendation carries weight, so the idea is to only have outbound links to things that are relevant and worthy of it, and in as few numbers as possible.

As a rule of thumb, you should have one or two outbound links, per page maximum, and in context.

Richard Wraith, My Local IT Guy

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Did You Know?

lifestyle

The ’bits and bobs’ drawer

A study of 2,000 adults from Energizer found that more than half of us (55%) keep a ‘drawer of stuff’ in the kitchen, while a quarter have their ‘bits and bobs’ drawer in the front room and, that despite 25% of us frequently searching our drawers for long-lost items, just 14% of us always find what we need.

Other findings from the survey revealed that 52% of respondents confess to finding a good old rummage through their drawer ‘therapeutic’, while 39% confess to being territorial over the drawer and its contents.

The most common items found in odds-and-ends drawers include: 1. Pens/pencils 2. Batteries 3. Sticky tape 4. Measuring tape 5. Scissors 6. Blu tack 7. Superglue 8. Paper clips 9. Screwdriver 10. Torch 11. Phone chargers

12. Unspecified wires and cables 13. Safety pins 14. Spare keys 15. Envelopes 16. Instruction manuals 17. Adaptors 18. Keys to locks you no

longer use/have 19. Lighters 20. Takeaway menus

21. Matches 22. Cable ties 23. Coins 24. Receipts 25. Leaflets 26. Sunglasses 27. Padlocks 28. Hand sanitiser 29. Lint roller 30. Screen wipes

Mandatory cat microchipping With more than 10.8 million pet cats in the UK and as many as 2.8 million of them unchipped, it’s often difficult to reunite them with their owners if they get lost or stolen. Under its Action Plan for Animal Welfare plan, the government is to introduce compulsory cat microchipping, whereby owners will be required to microchip their feline companions by the time they reach 20 weeks of age or risk a fine of up to £500. The government's Action Plan for Animal Welfare also includes measures to ban exporting live animals for slaughter, the keeping of primates as pets and importing hunting trophies.

STRESSED? TRY HANGING OUT IN THE KITCHEN! A study by Magnet looked into the role of the kitchen when it comes to our happiness and wellbeing and found that 60% of the population agree that spending time in the kitchen makes them happy. The study also revealed that: • One in three use compartmentalised living for a happier, more mindful home. This is where separate zones of an area are created using split- levels, furnishings or different flooring to break up the room for different uses. Even open-plan kitchens and living areas work just as well.

• 71% agreed that compartmentalised living has become more important since the pandemic.

• Listening to music in the kitchen was voted above cooking for improving wellbeing Whilst we’re now spending more time at home than in previous years, mindfulness and wellbeing within the home are rising trends that are impacting the way we design our homes. That means that after a hard day’s work, or a particularly stressful Zoom meeting, a quick ten minutes in the kitchen could make all the difference.

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The world’s most expensive hotel room…

At $175,000 a night, the Lover’s Deep Luxury Submarine Hotel in St Lucia, is the most expensive hotel in the world. The five-star accommodation is beneath the waves where you can stay in a submarine which includes a private captain, chef and butler. A stay also includes use of helicopter transfers, beach landings and Champagne-soaked breakfasts.

Merchant Cash Advance

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 29

lifestyle

Shopping

PREDICTED GLOBAL CONSUMER TRENDS Mintel has announced three trends set to impact global consumer markets in 2022.

From technology that predicts the success of potential romances, to brands tackling COVID-19 survivor’s guilt and eco-anxiety. This year’s big trends include: In Control

In times of uncertainty, consumers crave a sense of control over their lives. Brands can deliver the information and options that consumers need to feel like they’re in the driver’s seat. Simon Moriarty, director of Mintel Trends, EMEA, said: “Consumers need clarity, transparency, flexibility and options to make decisions that suit their individual changing needs and circumstances. Brands will need to work harder to deliver reliable information, and the race for the fastest delivery will evolve to focus on being more flexible to fit around consumers’ schedules.

Consumers’ desire to know potential outcomes will manifest in the development of predictive technologies that can anticipate adverse events. From diseases to likely death dates to relationship outcomes using compatibility profiles, technology will evolve to grant consumers the power to plan with peace of mind.”

Enjoyment Everywhere

Having endured lockdown, consumers are eager to break

out of their confines and explore, play and embrace novel experiences. Moriarty said: “Consumers are seeking sources of joy as the continuing pandemic and other local and global crises have caused anxiety and stress. Many may feel ‘survivor’s guilt’ and, as a result, brands are recognising the importance of uplifting people by giving them permission to feel happiness once again. As brand interactions through campaigns, apps and transactions take on more and more gamified elements in response to consumer interest, expect to also see pushback against it and the instant gratification it offers. This tendency will rise from consumers taking a more mindful approach to pleasure and enjoyment.”

Ethics Check

While many brands have made their voices heard on controversial topics, consumers want to see measurable progress against their goals. Moriarty said: “Consumer demand for, and expectations of, brands’ ethical commitments are evolving. They have moved beyond simply wanting brands to ‘be ethical’ and are demanding to see measurable, transparent and consistent actions from those they choose to support. Consumers will look beyond a brand’s achievements and strengths; businesses will need to be transparent about their weaknesses, too, where and why they fail and how they plan to address these issues in future.”

5 things to do when shopping online The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has issued top tips to help consumers stay safe when shopping on social media platforms. This comes as a new IPO study reveals that deviant social media influencers can exert significant influence over purchasing decisions. Here’s what to do: 1) The Seller. Do they look official? Have you bought from this seller before? Is the website or platform well known? Does the seller have a returns policy? If you are in doubt, look for a proper online review, not just recommendations from influencers to buy the item.

2) Making Payments. Always beware of retailers asking for payment to be made via bank transfer. Well known credit card providers like Visa or Mastercard, and services like PayPal offer protection to buyers if the goods don’t arrive or are proven to be counterfeit.

30 Life in... Orpington February 2022

3) Your Instincts. Always trust your instincts. Does the item on offer look and feel like an authentic product?

Sellers of counterfeits often make spelling mistakes in their descriptions and sometimes on the products themselves, which is an obvious warning sign.

4) Safety Markings. The safety standards of counterfeit items are poor and can be unsafe, especially when they are shipped from abroad. Do items - especially toys - have EU and UK safety markings? Always check for the correct age restrictions and hazard warnings on the packaging.

5) The Price. Whether buying online or in person, always think about the price. Scammers often sell counterfeit goods at discounted prices to make you drop your guard.

If the item is significantly cheaper than you’d expect, that’s a good reason for alarm bells to ring.

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February 2022 Life in... Orpington 31

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A BETTER WAY TO BE REMEMBERED...

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Combined with an exemplary level of service and a serene natural setting extending to over 14 acres of private gardens and natural woodland, Brightwater Memorial Park is the ideal location to create your legacy.

You can now reserve your final resting place at Brightwater Memorial Park. For more information please visit our website at www.brightwater.group or email: info@brightwater.group | 01689 850880

32 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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15

Life Hacks

lifestyle

THE SIMPLE TRICK THAT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY ON PETROL Did you know that the simple trick of keeping your windows clean can help you save money on petrol? Motorists will either crank up the heating or put on the air-con to help clear the frost or condensation from their windows, but this increases fuel and energy consumption. In fact, blasting the air-conditioning can add up to 10% to fuel consumption according to Uswitch, and is especially apparent at lower speeds.

Here are some other ideas from Uswitch on how to save money on fuel: Keep your tyres inflated

If your tyres are under-inflated your car’s engine will have to work harder to get them turning properly, which means you’ll use more fuel. Check your tyre pressure once a month; being under-inflated by 6psi can increase your fuel consumption by 1%. On the flip side, correctly inflated tyres can improve your mileage per tank by up to 3%.

Clear out your boot

The heavier the vehicle, the more energy it needs to get moving. Extra weight also increases a vehicle's rolling resistance, which is a force that resists forward motion as the wheels roll over the road. This means all that extra weight is actually dragging you back!

Don’t wait to warm up

If you let your car engine warm up before hitting the road, you could be damaging your car, not to mention the environment. If it takes you 10 minutes to warm up your car, you're losing petrol at a rate of 2p-3p every minute. Alongside this, leaving your car to warm up whilst stationary actually reduces the life of the car’s engine as it strips away oil from the cylinders and pistons.

Stick to the speed limit

Breaking speed limits adds to your carbon footprint. Over 15 million people in the UK are guilty of busting the 70mph limit, adding 890,000 tons of carbon emissions each year.

Not only will driving slower help you become a greener driver, it will also save you money on fuel. Drive at 70mph and you’ll use up to 9% more than at 60mph, and up to 15% more than at 50mph. Pushing it up to 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph.

Avoid sharp braking

Harsh braking is said to use up to 30% more fuel and damage your brakes over time, which means you could also save yourself a small fortune by taking more caution when out on the road. As braking sharply often results in traffic slowing to a near stop due to the delayed reaction of drivers behind, by observing the three or four cars ahead, it becomes easier to anticipate and judge the necessary speed.

HOW TO…COPE WITH A DENTAL EMERGENCY Firstly, it’s important to understand whether or not the situation is an emergency or not.

Issues such as a lost filling, dull toothache, mild sensitivity or a small chip in a tooth can all be treated at a later date.

Examples of more serious issues which would constitute an emergency include gums that won’t stop bleeding, extreme tooth sensitivity or toothache causing constant pain, a tooth that has been knocked out or swollen cheeks/ gums and general extreme pain from swelling or possible

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infection. Should you experience any of the above, try calling your dentist in the first instance as they may have set up a helpline to offer advice and if symptoms continue, call the NHS help service on 111. Here are a few things you can do at home to try and ease the situation: • If a tooth is knocked out, place it in a glass of milk until it can be treated (the milk helps keep an acid-alkali ratio meaning the tooth won’t swell) • If safe to do so, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help reduce the immediate pain • Hold an ice pack (or a pack of frozen veg) on areas of swelling • Dissolve salt in warm water and swish around the mouth for 60 seconds to help remove bacteria and clear infection • Rinsing for 30 seconds with a hydrogen peroxide solution will also act as an antibacterial mouthwash for pain and inflammation • Dab a small amount of clove oil on the affected area to help reduce pain Dr Richard Marques BDS

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 33

lifestyle

Health & Fitness

A STEP CLOSER: LIFE-SAVING ADRENALINE AUTO-INJECTORS IN PUBLIC PLACES The chance for adults and children suffering from life-threatening allergic reactions to get life-saving shots of adrenaline in public places, such as restaurants and entertainment venues, has come a step closer as a result of a report published by the government’s independent advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM).

A public consultation will be needed before a decision can

be made on the wider availability of adrenaline auto injectors (AAIs) in public places, along with legislative change.

Government Minister Lord Kamall said: “Access to adrenaline auto injectors is vital for many people in this country with potentially serious allergies. This report has opened up the possibility of life-saving adrenaline shots being available in public spaces such as restaurants, which would give people with serious allergies access to treatment they need most, no matter where they are.”

Top tips for

THE WHEEL OF LIFE SKILLS – WHAT’S YOURS?

a peaceful night’s sleep

• Avoid your phone and blue light one hour before bed to allow your mind to switch off • Have a warm bath with Newton Wood® Epsom salt crystals to reduce tension in your body • Stick to a regular bedtime to support your natural circadian rhythm

Did you know…? Epsom salt helps produce melatonin (the hormone known for supporting good quality sleep) – that’s why a Newton Wood bath before bed is a must for combatting insomnia and sleep struggles!

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Zeenat Noorani, Mindfulness Coach at Lift Each Other (LEO) Gym, helps members looks at eight general areas of their life - Health; Family and Friends; Relationships; Life Skills & Mindfulness; Recreation; Contribution to Society (Lifting Each Other); Business/Career and Finances. In an initial consultation, attendees are asked to score themselves in each of the categories to map out their ‘Life Skills Wheel’. From there, Zeenat identifies strengths and weaknesses for attendees to create goals to achieve in and out of sessions.

For details see lifteachother.co.uk or email zeenatnoorani@lifteachother.co.uk

COULD HOME PHYSIOTHERAPY BE FOR YOU? People that benefit from home physiotherapy assessment and treatment may include: • Those recovering from surgery, illness or a hospital stay • Those who have noticed a decline in their walking or ability to manage with everyday activities, like going up the stairs.

• Those who would like to be a little more active or access physiotherapy to improve their health.

JLinks Physiotherapy specialises in multi-conditions

34 Life in... Orpington February 2022

rehabilitation including: neurological physiotherapy, orthopaedic rehabilitation, balance and mobility disorders and post hospital or illness rehabilitation. JLinks Physiotherapy will spend the time to ensure their visits and treatment is tailored to your needs. They have a friendly team of physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants and a personal trainer who specialise in supporting people in their own homes. ​ Call them on 07951-025208 or see jlinks.co.uk to see how they can help.

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Would you like a physiotherapist to visit or video call you at home?

by Jude Greene-Steward

Our team provides rehabilitation and Physiotherapy for Follow many different conditions. ing a

ll govern m guidan ent ce.

Contact us on 07951 025208 to find out more www.jlinks.co.uk It’s a big world out there and we would like to help you explore it!

We are experts at finding the very best deals for your holidays, flights & tailor-made travel.

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February 2022 Life in... Orpington 35

36 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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ARE YOU A SMALL BUSINESS OR SOLE TRADER?

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We search all UK suppliers to obtain the best prices.

Contact Gail Gulvin: 07946 024449 www.smartswitchutilities.co.uk February 2022 Life in... Orpington 37

lifestyle

Business

5 tips for Zooming at home Virtual meetings, events, training and even job interviews have become an integral part of the ‘new normal’. It’s therefore increasingly important to convey yourself in the best way possible for your profession on Zoom calls and interactions. Interior designer, Benji Lewis, from Zoom That Room, shares his tips on how to set up your home backdrop to reflect confidence and professionalism for each meeting.

1.

Consider your backdrop carefully and make it appropriate for you – both professionally and personally. A patterned wallpaper background can set you up very well, but irrespective of the job you’re in, be mindful of the kind of pattern you choose.

2.

Large scrolling designs are great for disguising the fact that you might not have brushed your hair before the meeting and can be surprisingly forgiving, though do always bear in mind how the colours and pattern look to someone on the receiving end of the call.

Perhaps do a practice run with a friend who can offer

GOVERNMENT LEVELS PLAYING FIELD FOR SMES The government has published a ‘Selling To Government Guide’ to give small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) essential information on how to bid for and win government contracts. Some £50 billion worth of public contracts are available, including anything from supplying hospital equipment to providing public sector pensions, which are tendered each year. The guide includes advice on where business owners can look online for Government contract opportunities and also includes tips on how SMEs can make sure they are showcasing their strengths during the bidding process.

This will be backed up by online webinar sessions for small businesses.

For details see bit.ly/sellingtogovernment

Elmcroft Business Services has launched in Orpington. As a family business that started on the corner of Elmcroft Road, the company has more than 16 years’ experience in the office supplies sector and has been recognised for its community work and excellence in customer service by the BOSS Federation. The company’s core values are

38 Life in... Orpington February 2022

feedback on how you look, or alternatively take a video of yourself.

3.

Try to make the backdrop you choose feel appropriate for the job you’re in or the service you offer; a large bold patterned wallpaper is great for a creative but if your job involves advice, for example, in the legal profession, then consider a backdrop that is complementary to that. Bookcases (tidy of course) look effective, and ensuring that small ornaments have been removed from the shelves will make things look neater.

4. A structured design like brickwork looks smart as a background and is suitable for multiple job types.

5.

If you wish to use a wall with pictures hanging on it as your background, be mindful of how your head shape looks against those frames. A gallery wall can be very effective, however one or two undersized pictures can look underwhelming. A single statement piece of art looks neat and organised.

Every day I’m hustlin’

Research from Virgin StartUp has revealed that approximately two million (5%) people started a side project during last year’s lockdown. Wanting to be your own boss is amongst the main motivations for becoming self-employed (49%), alongside a better work-life balance (45%), disliking existing jobs (17%), and finding it hard to be managed (14%).

Care, Trust, Respect and Professionalism, with an emphasis on minimising carbon footprints. It offers a wide range of products made from recycled materials, including paper and card, to help its clients meet their own carbon-neutral targets. It also supplies bio and recycled packaging, Fairtrade tea and coffee, eco-friendly cleaning products and more.

For details see www.elmcroftbusiness.co.uk or call 0345-222 2444.

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Liberty’s is a local

independent boutique, located next to Lloyds Bank just off Orpington High Street.

We stock: Italian fashion including silks in many colours & styles A range of clothing to suit sizes from 6-8 up to 22-24 A wide range of clothing, bags, jewellery and gifts Other products from small local businesses on the shelves, which make this boutique unique!

LibertysFashion

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libertysfashionx

Lisa Clark

Owner & Manager

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 39

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS BUSINESS & NETWORKING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS (PIB) We are an fun, friendly and affordable small business network group, holding monthly meetings for members who have exclusivity in their field. Our groups include Bromley, Bexley and Southwark.

Email pibnetwork@outlook.com or see www.pib-network.com for more information.

PRODUCTIVITY POD If you’re a small business or sole trader and work alone – or just want some incentive to get your admin, accounts or social media done, join one of the Productivity Pod’s free sessions on Zoom! You continue to work with sound off but cameras ON & after the session you tell the others what you managed to get done in 2hrs!

Email productivitypod@post.com with your mobile number and name to register or for more details.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES AQUAKIDS

Aquakids - swimming lessons that last a lifetime.

Intensive lessons are now full - book in advance for April 2022. Monday - Friday. Check our social media and the website for the latest updates. www.aquakids.co.uk Facebook@aquakidsuk Twitter @Aquakidsuk Instagram @aquakids.uk

MY PARTY BOX.FUN

We provide sustainable party boxes that contain everything needed for children's parties.

Our aim is to provide stress-free planning while helping you to create magical memories! www.mypartybox.fun Tel: 0333 444 2017 Email: josette@mypartybox.fun

THE SUNDAY SESSIONS: ACTING

She Soars Productions hold monthly Sunday acting workshops for children aged 12-18. Our fun full-day workshops are led by industry professionals and previous guest workshop leaders include Casting Directors and Film and Theatre Directors. Check out our socials for the latest updates and visit our website to book in advance for 2022 dates!

Email: office@shesoarsproductions.com Instagram @shesoarsprodltd Facebook @SheSoarsProductionsLtd

4TH BROMLEY SCOUT’S 4th Bromley (Holy Trinity) Scout group is an exciting and fun place to make new friends and memories for a lifetime. We meet on Friday evenings: Beavers aged 6-8 at 5pm till 6.15, Cubs aged 8-10 at 6.30 till 7.45 and Scouts aged 11-14 at 8pm till 9.30.

Everyone welcome - just get in contact on laura.evans94@googlemail.com

To submit a classified listing please call 07403 550068 or email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Prices start from just £10 per month.

40 Life in... Orpington February 2022

JKA ORPINGTON SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB Based at Darrick Wood Senior School, the club was established by its current chief Instructor Graham Richardson in 1975. Class times are 7pm-8.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays.

See the website at www.jkaorpington.co.uk or email info@jkaorpington.co.uk

DESIGN & PRINT NICKY GRANT DESIGNS

I specialise in making your business look its best with creative graphic design - offering a personalised, professional and cost-effective service.

T 07855 585690 E nickygrantdesigns@gmail.com

VINTAGE SCRIBE Beautiful handcrafted invitations and cards for any special event. For that stylish, individual touch.

Call Vintage Scribe on 07716-837874

HEAlTH & BEAUTY GEO SPORTS MASSAGE

Qualified Physiotherapist and Sports Massage Therapist providing sports and pregnancy massage in the local area. Whether it is a specific injury or to alleviate general aches and pains, sports massage can benefit you.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact via Facebook: Geo Sports Massage, Instagram: geosportsmassage or Whatsapp: 07771 299123

SUBLIME BEAUTY

Mobile service for semi-permanent eyebrows, lips, eyeliner and collagen induction therapy. I am VTCT Level 4 Qualified - the highest accreditation in Semi-Permanent Makeup (Micropigmentation). Gift vouchers also available.

Email simone@sublimebeauty.co.uk or see www.sublimebeauty.co.uk

HOBBIES THE CREATION STATION SEVENOAKS, BIGGIN HILL, HAYES AND ORPINGTON

Providing award winning inspiring and imaginative arts and crafts sessions for all ages, parties, events, activities and after school clubs. For more information and booking visit www.thecreationstation.co.uk/alix-purton or call Alix on 07906 078840 @TCSBeckenham on social media

PETS TOP KNOT TOYS

We make safe toys for dogs using traditional Royal Navy knotting methods and, where appropriate, the dying trade of ‘whipping & splicing’ is used. We also offer a range of accessories, household essentials & gifts including dog leads, Monkey-Fist knot toys and doorstops.

See @top_knot_toys on Instagram or email top-knot23@outlook.com

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Short Story

lifestyle

THE RESCUER

by DIANA ELVIN

At the door she yelled “Go away!”

“Aw, Suzy,” he said, pleading, “It’s been a long, hard day.”

“It’s been a long, hard day here as well and I’m not having all my cleaning undone by whatever is hiding under your jacket.”

He could see the table sparkling with their best glass and china surrounding an elegant vase of flowers. He realised he must have forgotten something important.

“Oh Dan you might try, just sometimes – aaah!” Horrified, she watched as a dirty head appeared from under Dan’s jacket. “What on earth’s that?”

“I don’t know. Some sort of monkey I think. Certainly shouldn’t have been living in a bedsit. Left behind by squatters. I realise it can’t stay, I’ll find somewhere else, but I just don’t know where at the moment. I thought perhaps….”

“No! Mother is coming to tea. She will not be expecting to find us playing host to a very grubby gorilla.”

“How could I have forgotten? OK, we’re going. It’s just that we’re both so hungry. I didn’t know what to get for – whatever it is.”

The creature solved that by leaping across the room and grabbing a banana from the artistically arranged fruit dish.

Chewing, it tossed the peel away and reached for another, leaving a trail of dirty footprints.

“Now you know.”

Dan scooped it up. “We’re on our way. It all looks lovely.”

“We’d look lovely all the time if you didn’t keep bringing your work home.”

“We’re going. I’m just not sure where at the moment, not having had to rehome one of these before.” For a moment Suzy weakened. Then she remembered her mother and thrust a sandwich at him. “See you soon.”

She cleaned the table and opened the window to dispel the mingled smells of dirt and disinfectant.

home strays which made a mess and took up a lot of time.

Her mother expected a spotless house and elaborate meal whenever she called.

When her mother left, Suzy decided she must get out of the house so walked to the park.

A woman with a dog passed by. The dog skidded to a halt then flung its muddy self joyfully against Suzy. The woman apologised profusely then took a closer look and exclaimed, “It’s Suzy isn’t it? No wonder Bonny was so pleased to see you. So am I. We can never thank you enough - you and your wonderful husband. But I expect it’s you that does most of the caring and clearing up? Why, whatever’s the matter?” for tears were running down Suzy’s cheeks.

“Nobody ever said that,” she gulped at last.

“Said what?”

“That it’s tough on me. That I matter.”

“Oh my dear, I’m so sorry. Do come home with us. The least I can do is give you a stiff drink.”

In Carol’s comfortable home, relaxed by gin, Suzy explained how unappreciated she felt by both husband and mother.

“Shall I tell you what to do?

“Can you?”

“Sure. We can all tell other people what to do. It’s only our own problems we find insurmountable.”

“Go on then. I feel better already.”

“I’m just repaying a debt." She looked lovingly at the dog she had lost and only got back because Dan had taken it home, dirty and distraught and Suzy had calmed, cleaned and fed it until the owners were found. “I think Bonny would have gone berserk if she’d had to go to the dog pound. So, tell your mother she is welcome but must accept your home as she finds it, with or without animals or mess. Remind your husband when she is due (write out a big notice) and ask him to back you to the hilt. But please go on taking in the waifs and strays he finds through his job. We’ll help in any way we can.”

The bell rang. Hoping for a double-glazing salesman or religious preacher, Suzy went slowly to answer it.

“Won’t you husband mind?”

“There you are at last, darling. I thought perhaps your bell wasn’t working.” Her mother, dressed and made up as though visiting royalty, swept in.

“Not when I explain. He’s as pleased as I am to get Bonny back. We kept falling out after she disappeared, blaming each other. It was awful. You saved our marriage, it’s only fair we should help with yours.”

“Good gracious, wherever is that cold draught coming from?

And the funny smell.”

Not “Hello dear, how are you?” thought Suzy wistfully.

Didn’t anybody care how she felt? Dan was always bringing

Suzie felt much better. Dan would go on bringing livestock home and her mother would go on criticising. But what she and Dan did was worthwhile and with Carol’s help she could cope.

Would you like to submit a short story? Send your idea to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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February 2022 Life in... Orpington 41

stockists

Next month...

FR

Biggin Hill

• Cherry Lodge Golf Club • Foal Farm • The Lookout Coffee Shop

chelsfield

• Chelsfield Railway Station*

Downe

• Christmas Tree Farm • George & Dragon Pub • Holwood Farm • The Queen’s Head

Farnborough village/surrounds

• Change of Horses • FAB Cycle Services • High Elms Country Park Café • High Elms Golf Club • Nanny Smith’s Deli • The BEECHE Centre, High Elms • The Café @ Farnborough Village • The Post Office • The Woodman

Petts Wood

St MARY’s Cray

• Co-op Food (Crescent Way) • The Rose & Crown

Locksbottom

St Paul’s Cray

• Darrick Wood Swimming Pool • Hus Barbers • Lidl* • PRUH* • The Whyte Lyon

Orpington

• Co-op Food (Carlton Parade)

siness Women In Bu #BreakTheBias

• Best Kebab & Pizza (Cotmandene Crescent) • Co-op Food (Cotmandene Crescent) • Cotmandene Community Resource Centre • Family Shopper (Cotmandene Crescent)*

• St Paul’s Cray library

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42 Life in... Orpington February 2022

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Coming up in the next Issue of Life In...Orpington…

• • • •

Mother’s Day gifts – from local businesses!

Women In Business #BreakTheBias 6 ways to spoil your pooch Meet this month’s local hero!

• Arabica Coffee House • Morrisons* • Iceland* • Petts Wood Library • Petts Wood Railway Station* • Royal British Legion • Southeast Legacies • Croft Tea Room • Pavilion Hotel • St Andrew's Church • St Mary's Church

Green St Green

ISSUE 37 | MAR

• Crofton Halls • Fab House* • Iceland* • Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe • Orpington Health & Wellbeing Centre • Orpington IT Centre • Orpington Library* • Orpington Railway Station • Orpington Village Hall • Tesco* • The Nugent Shopping Centre* • The Walnuts Shopping Centre* • Valentine & Turner* • VTB Mobility

EE

CH 2022

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A Final Thought…

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Lifelong learners: born or created?

by SAMANTHA DHOLAKIA

How many of us loved learning as a young child?

I believe the answer to this is…. all of us. However, what we probably did not love so much were the expectations and demands that came alongside it. As children we are born with the innate ability to fail and try again without hesitation. We are born with the desire to explore, test and challenge the world around us. As we grow, we then develop and hone our skills.

There are many things I loved about my years as a teacher: watching those WOW moments, planning those awe and wonder lessons, listening to the inspired and curious ideas of the children as they worked out what they thought and believed.

However, across my 16 years as a teacher, leader, deputy head, consultant and teacher trainer, I learned that the most valuable skill set of any learning experience is that of confidence and resilience.

In those early years our children seem full of positivity around their capabilities, happily sharing all they feel they are good at. However, as they grow this can change. They can become more aware of themselves, and those around them, comparing themselves and developing their inner voice and limiting beliefs…. all by the age of 7!

Nowadays as a mum, certified executive parental coach, NLP practitioner and educational consultant, I am even more aware of these stages. Watching my son enter each stage of development and purposely choosing the language and parental approaches I take is certainly a challenge.

But it is one of great importance!

But what is a lifelong learner?

I define lifelong learning as the continued, selfmotivated quest for knowledge either for personal or professional development.

The best news is, as parents, there are many opportunities open to us that allow us to model this to our children.

What we do, they see, and what they see, they do…

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So, what happens?

I believe it is down to two simple but vital things: language and perception!

The truth is, lifelong learners are born but not often preserved, protected and maintained. As a society we often focus on where things are going wrong, whilst encouraging comparison and the desire for perfection.

And often in our parenting this is mirrored, often catching ourselves asking ‘what’s wrong?’ or ‘How could you make it better?’.

So how do we make a change and nurture those young minds in sustaining that innate desire to learn?

Communication truly is key; sharing what you know and engaging with our children in everyday conversations about things that have interested you encourages curiosity.

Questions such as ‘‘what if?’ and ‘what happens when?’ can get your child thinking critically and can spark further conversations.

So, I leave you with this: 8 top characteristics that you can nurture and strengthen within your child to support them in becoming a lifelong learner: • Encourage and model reading a lot • Explore different courses and activities to spark excitement and curiosity • Encourage them to seek new opportunities • Embrace change together

• Allow them to explore natural curiosity • Be open to new perspectives they may have • Support them in setting their own goals and share your own • Celebrate progress, no matter how small

For more information on how to support your child or young person in developing their lifelong learning skills, email us at spdtuitionandcoaching@gmail.com.

You will also find resources, strategies and tools to support your children and family over at our free parent support group on Facebook Calming the Chaos.

February 2022 Life in... Orpington 43

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