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RALLY ROUND FOR RUBY!

Jo (middle) met up with PCSOs Julia Smith and David Lillywhite to surprise Ruby

When Orpington resident Jo Cook heard that 97-year old Orpington resident Ruby had been burgled of £300, she started a Just Giving page to raise the money to give back to her. Within just 24 hours Jo had managed to raise £420 and joined PCSOs Julia Smith and David Lillywhite to present the money to Ruby, along with flowers, which were kindly donated by Waitrose Green St Green. Ruby was thrilled by people’s generosity and in a ‘thank you’ card given back to Jo for raising the money, Ruby said: “I thank you for all your kind thoughts – this has given me hope and happiness knowing that people care. A big thank you for the gift of money which I thought had gone forever – so kind of you all.” We’re sorry that you had to endure an awful experience Ruby and we hope that the money raised by Jo helps restores your faith in humanity and the community spirit in general. Do you have a story to share? Maybe you know someone who has gone out of their way to help someone? Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Want to help the NHS? If you’re looking to donate items to PRUH or Orpington hospitals, here’s a link to the emails you can use to get in touch… https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ news/public/news/view/31726

Living On Bereavement Service Living On Bereavement Service is offering phone and email support for bereaved families dealing with isolation or their grief, whether it is early days or further down the line. For more information call 07808 527677 or email admin@livingon.org.uk follow us on Instagram @livingonbereavement service

Feature on the Community Noticeboard! for just £30. We aim to list charity and non-profit notices for free (space dependent), or we offer a 20% discount for a guaranteed listing. Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with the details.

We are open for takeaways and home delivery. 20% Discount for collection orders or Free delivery on all orders over £25 (within a 3 mile radius)

01689 855579

354 Crofton Road, Locksbottom, Kent BR6 8NN info@thebankrestaurant.com www.thebankrestaurant.com

CELEBRATING GREAT WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC

FISH REHOMED

Harriet Buckingham Photography

Valentine and Turner were humbled to be awarded the Mayor's Commendation Award. “I thank you and your family for your dedication in serving the community during the Coronavirus pandemic. Your selflessness in putting yourselves at risk of infection to maintain the essential services is greatly appreciated. Long after this emergency is over I hope you will look back with pride and satisfaction on your family’s part in maintaining the vital fabric of our society.”

Do you need to rehome any fish? Local resident, Jo, has a natural lake in her garden and can provide a nice natural environment for any unwanted fish. Call 07793-085800.

Need to chat?

Cotmandene Community Resource Centre has a new m obile number for any local residents that need help and advice following the nationwide lockdown. Call 07572-890252.

RE-HOMING UNWANTED ITEMS There are many local freebeecyclers facebook groups in our local community - you would be amazed what you can successfully re-home to avoid landfill. Even when the charity shops are open, there are some items that they wouldn't be able to accept so it's worth checking out the following groups (plus it helps to build community spirit!) Petts wood - Petts Wood Freebeecyclers facebook.com/groups/pettswoodfreebeecyclers Bromley Common & Bickley - Bromley Common and Bickley Freebeecyclers https://bit.ly/30KBgmy St Mary Cray, Poverest, St Paul's Cray - Poverest, St Mary Cray and Surrounds Freebeecycler s https://bit.ly/2N0SPGU Orpington - Orpington Freebeecyclers https://bit.ly/37zSzb9 Downe Village - Downe village Zero Waste Group https://bit.ly/3e5FqJn Bromley freecycle https://groups.freecycle.org/group/BromleyUK/posts/all

Community News - NOTICEBOARD STOP BURNING, SAVE LIVES SMOKE from BONFIRES & household WOOD BURNERS puts extra pressure on OUR LUNGS & the NHS. Useful Contacts Bromley Council: To report a wide range of issues visit www.bromley.gov.uk/report FixMyStreet: To report issues that need the attention of Bromley Council such as potholes, broken street lighting, dumped rubbish etc, visit www.fixmystreet.com Trading Standards: Report rogue traders on 07903 852090 Official police security website: www.securedbydesign.com Action Fraud - UK Fraud and internet crime reporting: www.actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 1232040 Childline: 0800 1111 Let's PROTECT our vulnerable neighbours. STOP BURNING during this RESPIRATORY PANDEMIC. Samaritans: 116 123 Domestic Violence Hotline: 0808 2000 247 Mind: 0300 123 3393 Age UK: 0800 169 6565 La Leche League: 0345 1202918 (for mums struggling to get formula milk)

Classic Newsreels of Orpington and the Surrounding Area

Orpington Video & Film Makers (OVFM) has been filming in and around Orpington to produce a newsreel of the previous years' events. These newsreels have proved so popular that they have made more material available. To view the material please go to https://www.ovfm.org.uk/ovfm-classic-newsreels/ We would also like your help. Covid 19 and the lockdown will clearly be major events to include in our 2020 Newsreel to include in next year’s OVFM Spring Show but because of lockdown our members are unable to be out to do much filming. We would therefore like you to take films on your mobile phone, SLR camera or camcorder and send them to us so we can include as many as possible in the newsreel. These can be of anything related to Covid 19 and the lockdown e.g. empty high streets, queues outside food shops or chemists, clap for the NHS, family video calls or special activities you’ve set up in your home or garden. To fit with the film format will you please shoot in landscape format, i.e. holding your phones horizontally, if possible. The footage will probably be too much to send via email so please use any of the free file transfer systems such as WeTransfer to send films to info@ovfm.org.uk By sending your films you give permission to use all or part of them in producing OVFM films. We will be happy to acknowledge your contribution at the end of the film if you advise us that you would like this.

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. 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.

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

We at Gracious Care understand difficult situations. We deal with them all the time. Sometimes we need a little help to do even the basic things.

With the help of Gracious Care, our customers remain independent, giving their relatives peace of mind.

Call Christine on

01689 854747

for a free care assessment

www.graciouscare.co.uk