Life In Orpington July 2022

ISSUE 41 | JULY 2022

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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 one destination you've always wanted to visit?

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

O

ne of the perks of my job (aside from meeting such interesting people and researching and writing articles) is the fact that I get to learn something new every day. Who knew that you could BBQ watermelon? (Food & Drink feature), or that Kia has won ‘Car Brand of the Year’ in the Which? 2022 awards? (Shopping)

One thing you might like to learn more about this month is the plethora of events that Bromley Arts Festival is highlighting. There is literally something for everyone - turn to our special ‘What’s On’ middle section for more information to help plan your month.

Finally, we have to mention that we’re now ‘award-winning’ after receiving the ‘Community Media Company of The Year – London’ title from Prestige Awards. It’s wonderful to be acknowledged for the efforts that we put into making the magazines community focused. And our aim is that we continue to make your magazine as inspiring, engaging, entertaining and educational as we can.

We had a vision when we launched the Life In…Magazines range that we would deliver positive news only; we’re surrounded by doom and gloom on a daily basis, and we hoped that the monthly magazines would become a beacon of light for many. Judging by the number of letters, comments and social media tags that we receive, we’re on the right track. If you’ve got any ideas that you’d like to share or comments on this or any other issue, get in touch with us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Design: Nicky design@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Brazil

Accounts: James accounts@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Canada

Assistant Editor: Steve Niagara Falls

Distributor: Zeenat The Galápagos Islands

Distributor: Dawn

The Great Barrier Reef! Sealife in all its glory - I’d like to throw in a cage dive with great whites too!

Distributor: Tara The Almalfi Coast

Office Assistant: Isabelle

New York so I can go to Broadway!

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Lauretta Wright, Editor

If this is the first time you’ve received or picked up this magazine, you’ll find a list of stockists at the back to pick up next month’s issue. Or you can receive a postal copy through your letterbox for £24 a year (email hello@ lifeinmagazines.co.uk) or receive a digital issue at bit.ly/lifeinmagsdigital

contents Community

Lifestyle

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Write It, Say It, Message It History 5 Minutes With...

Noticeboard Mayor's Voice Lines From Linda What's On Pull-Out-And-Keep Bromley Arts Festival - What's On A Final Thought

Puzzle Page Health & Fitness Business Travel Shopping Relationships Food & Drink Pets

Work Experience: Olivia The Greek Island of Crete

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, Richard London, Len Kirby, Mary Cody-Cowdery, Ruth Mansell, Margaret Vos and Sarah Spencer-Adams If you’d like to become a ‘Friend’ of Life In...Orpington please email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with your contact details. It’s a great way to get out & about meeting people & increase your exercise.

Life In Orpington is published

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4 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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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

Star response

WIN

Jubilee joy I read that you were looking for photos of people celebrating the Platinum Jubilee. Here’s a photo of our group, the conservation workers of the rather aptly named Friends of Jubilee Country Park, at Petts Wood/Bickley raising our tea mugs to celebrate the occasion.

community the star response ( ) wins a £15 one4all gift card courtesy of The Bed Post (the-bedpost.co.uk). Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk UP TO HALF PRICE

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Life is for Living!

Growing old fearlessly that is my motto; not out on the town and getting blotto, waking up the next day and feeling grotto, not even dreaming of winning the lotto.

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A night at the pictures Following your report on Bromley Picturehouse, I decided to visit myself and was delighted to find myself entirely in agreement with every word of your excellent description. The whole experience was very reminiscent of yesteryear at ‘the pictures.’ The seats were extremely comfortable, the sound volume was just right and the auditorium (at least on this occasion) didn't have the sickly and overpowering aroma (or the noise) of popcorn so prevalent in other cinemas. And we had a free cuppa and biscuit - what more could one wish for?

Looking forward to your next issue.

David Tindall Thank you, David! We hope that you also managed to pick up a copy of Life In… in the foyer while you were waiting for your film to start :)

Bus stops V request stops In response to Maureen Perrin’s letter last month regarding bus tips. Whatever happened to ‘bus stop’ meaning the buses stop and request stops being those for which you hold out your hand or ring the bell? I’ve tested this out a lot. Because I am equidistant from two stops, I regularly stand at the door ready to get off at a ‘bus stop’ and it goes flying past…at least I know to ring the bell for the next stop! One driver once said to me “what? do you think I’m psychic?” I thought to myself ‘you do have internal mirrors.’ If the system has changed why do the stops retain the designation of request or stop?

Janet P. Great question Janet – we’ll endeavour to find out!

But living life to the full on this planet, whether in Welling, Maltese Islands or Thanet.

A free spirit I am and why not damn it, being stuck in life is not my sort of habit.

My family think I am rather eccentric, cause I don’t follow fashion, my clothes are ethnic, I love hugging trees and things esoteric.

If I morph into normal, call the paramedic.

Someone once asked, ‘Will you grow up Gel?’ No, cause adventure and spirit you cannot quell.

For a short duration on this planet we dwell, and life is for living, so what the hell!

I didn’t enter the pearly gates, but nearly.

I’m slowing down post heart attack, really!

Have my ups and downs but I’m not too weary, cause I have my three stents and love them dearly.

So, I’ll surely continue having lots of fun, and I’ll go through my to do list one by one.

My kids have stopped saying, ‘Don’t do that mum!’

Cause life is for living, it’s not a practise run.

Geraldine Ann Ford Would you like to submit a poem?

Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Green fingers I thought I'd share with you some photos from a garden clearance we completed yesterday and today - the enquiry which came from your lovely magazine!

Before

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Vernon Martins - www.easy-gardens.co.uk What a difference – the homeowner must have been delighted!

After

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 5

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History

Pam Preedy

The tale of three pillar boxes

Pillar box at the top of Cumberland Road near Westmoreland Road.

by PAM PREEDY, historian & author

Sometimes big changes to our lives come from solving simple problems.

Letters were at the heart of a revolution in communications. In 1840, Sir Rowland Hill proposed an adhesive stamp indicating the pre-payment of postage – the Penny Black. He thought this would double the number of letters sent – which it did. At first correspondents had to take their stamped letters to the Post Office or collection point.

The next change was to introduce post boxes or pillar boxes.

The first pillar box is believed to have been installed in the wall of the Wakefield Post Office in 1809. The pillar box was introduced in 1854 in the Channel Islands on the recommendation of Anthony Trollope and was originally painted sage green. By 1874 they had arrived in mainland Britain in the familiar red. They are now an established part of the street furniture that we hardly notice – especially nowadays when the art of letter writing is dying in favour of emails.

Take a closer look at the insignia on the front of the boxes and you can identify the monarch who was on the throne when a box was made. Near where I live in Bromley, there is a fairly rare example with E R on the front. Perhaps you would think it referred to Elizabeth Regina, but in fact her inscription would be E II R. It does, in fact, refer to Edward VIII. He only ruled for ten months before abdicating in favour of his brother George VI; consequently, very few of his post boxes were made.

One of his pillar boxes stands in Cumberland Road near the junction with Westmoreland Road. I see it most days and assumed that it had always stood there, but no, I am told that it used to stand further along Cumberland Road at its junction with St Mary’s Avenue. At this point, Cumberland Road and St Mary’s Avenue continues straight ahead. It can be a tricky and potentially dangerous spot especially when children are coming and going to Highfield Primary School.

Consequently, it was moved to its safer position. The Post Office has not left the residents of that area postbox-less; they have a square box on a post.

6 Life in... Orpington July 2022

The box pillar box that replaced the E VIII R when it was moved.

The George VI Pillar box opposite St Mary’s Church, Shortlands.

This is not the only one with a history. A friend noticed that a post box close to St Mary’s Church in St Mary’s Avenue, sported the letters G R. She had seen maps dating back to Victoria’s reign with a post box sited there. So why were the initials not V R? Then she remembered that one night in July 1944 a V1 flying bomb reduced the church to rubble – the church’s spire fell in one flat piece, flat on the floor, and children joked that they could walk up the tower without the aid of a steeplejack’s harness. The pillar box, so close to this devastating explosion, would surely have been damaged if not destroyed. Hence, it would have had to be replaced with one with the new insignia.

Pay a visit to Bromley Historic Collections on the 2nd floor of Bromley Central Library to learn more about Bromley Borough’s history.

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1964: The start of the round-the-world tour – from the left: Ian Matthews, Brian Gauntlet, Clive Matthews and Philip Walsh.

5 Minutes With…

Clive Matthews

Almost 60 years ago, four young Beckenham lads wondered what life was like outside the borough of Bromley and decided the only way to find out was to drive a Land Rover to India, and then take a boat to Australia. Instead of Bromley High Street, Norman Park and Hayes Common, they would soon be taking in Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, the Golden Temple at Amritsar and the Taj Mahal.

Clive Matthews, his brother Ian, and friends Philip ‘Pip’ Walsh and Brian Gauntlet were all in their early 20s when they had a farewell send-off in October 1964 at the old Greyhound pub in Beckenham. They finally arrived in Australia on 30th January 1965, having sailed close to Bali – a place that was to become very special to Clive in the future, as he reflects: “We’d made it but little did we know then that in just over a year we’d all be married and that 40 years later we’d all still be living in Melbourne.”

Clive married Benny in April 1966 and they had three daughters. He didn’t return to Britain until 1986. We caught 5 minutes (via email!) with him to find out a bit more about his amazing adventure…

What made you want to go on your incredible journey?

The four of us used to congregate at the old Greyhound Pub Mark 2. Along with 15 others we discussed travelling.

Eventually, just the four of us were left. We had been a little disillusioned by Britain as it was and being young wanted something else.

Do you still keep up with what’s happening in Beckenham and Bromley?

I am a member of Beckenham Appreciation Group and Bromley and Beckenham group, so I keep abreast of events. I do post there too.

Which schools did you go to?

I attended Balgowan and Churchfield primaries, then moved to Alexandra High in Penge. Subsequently, I passed an exam to attend Springhill College, London Lane Bromley (now Bromley College).

What did you do for entertainment back then?

The Greyhound Pub was the gathering place from where we organised activities like car rallies, hitch hiking challenges and camping weekends. I went to the White Hart Pub in Bromley most Tuesdays for Jazz evenings.

You had planned to go back to Britain – what do you think you would have done had you returned?

Despite our round-the-world plan, we all soon found girlfriends and had good jobs. Conditions in Australia were brilliant and bosses called me "Clive" not just "Matthews".

We soon abandoned the rest of our journey.

How often do you come back to England?

I did not return to UK until 22 years after arriving in Australia. Since then, I have been a regular visitor on nine occasions.

Do you miss anything about Beckenham/ Bromley?

I miss lots but mostly the lovely pubs, the friendliness within and the focal point of social life. I also miss the countryside, villages, different accents as you journeyed across Britain. And of course, my parents and young brother Rod, who lives in Cardiff.

What happened to the Land Rover you travelled in (‘The Greyhound’)?

‘Greyhound’, our faithful motor, was sold once we decided to remain in Australia. The new owner was going to go to London with it, but we never saw it again.

The Ashes – Australia or England?

The Ashes, always England!

What advice would you give to someone today who is in their early 20s and has got ‘itchy feet’?

Nearly 60 years later and we’re still in touch – from the left: Ian Matthews, Brian Gauntlet, Philip Walsh, Clive Matthews

8 Life in... Orpington July 2022

I would advise every young person to take time out, travel and see how others live. Our lives are relatively short but now the world is open, technology has made travel so much easier than in my day, so when you are young just do it. Certainly, I have prospered as a person because of that decision in 1963.

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NOTICEBOARD

nted Bereavement counsellorsonwa the last Café, held The monthly Bereavement 30am-1.15pm), is (11. nth mo h eac of Thursday counsellors to offer nt eme seeking qualified bereav every month. For details their voluntary assistance avementcafe or email ere m/b see facebook.co nt@yahoo.com michelleharvey.lifecelebra

Caught speeding

40 YEARS & COUNTING

This September will see the U3A ’s 40th anniversary.

The group was initially set up by three friends in Cambridge with inspiration take n from the French model. Today the U3A is global and has its biggest presence in China. In the UK ther e are around 500,000 members across 1,000 groups, with Orpington welcoming 1,000 members preCovid. If you are retired or have the time why not join us? We have 80 widely varied interest groups, whi ch include Bridge, IT, philosophy and walking. Our mon thly meetings feature a topical public speaker, plus the chance to meet other members and potential friends over refreshments.

Membership is just £12 a year.

If interested, call the Membership Secretary on 07732 005819 or visit u3aorpington.org.uk

PIB (People In Business) recently held a charity Speed Networking event at the Bromley Court Hotel to help raise funds for the MumMum Foundation and The Chartwell Cancer Trust. Just under £400 was raised as the ticket money was kindly fund matched by Southeast Legacies.

Best known for his role on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, the King of Ballroom Anton Du Bek e will star in this year’s Churchill Thea tre 3D family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, running througho ut December 2022. Tickets can be booked at churchilltheatre.co.uk

London neighbours

Richard Wraith from Wesh.uk has developed The London Neighbours Project, whose

• Develop a positive community within each London borough • Encourage residents in each borough to get to know each other • Promote the use of local businesses through community engagement • Reduce social isolation and loneliness for residents through engagement

10 Life in... Orpington July 2022

aim is five-fold: • Share all the good news that is in your borough and safety alerts

Residents can join their respective forums online and discuss topics and issues that are important to them.

Richard initially developed the platform to offer everyone a voice in their community and as a means of preventing loneliness.

For more information visit https://neighbours.london/

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TI CK ET UP GR AD E GI VE AWAY & £100 BA R SP EN D!

POPPY APPEAL

Live (taking place in Orpington’s In our final giveaway with Priory August), we’re giving one lucky 6th rday Satu Priory Gardens on on their Priory Live tickets to ade reader the chance to win an upgr day-long event. For your chance VIP plus £100 bar spend for the rylive.co.uk and enter the code prio at ts to win, just purchase ticke the prize draw.

‘LifeInMags’ to be entered into

Do you have a couple of hours a week to spare?

Do you enjoy meeting people?

Would you like to help the Roy al British Legion?

a sponsors. *Shared competition with other medi ://bit.ly/lifeincomps https see s T&C' n etitio comp full For

The Locksbottom and Farnboro ugh branch of the Royal British Legion are seeking volunteers to help on our stall in Sainsburys, Lock sbottom, during the Poppy Appeal fortnight start ing in October 2022. We are a small, friendly team and we welcome newcomers to help us collect donations for the traditional paper poppies as well as other RBL-licensed merchandise. All dona tions generate funds to help our current serving armed forces, and ex-servicemen and women and their families.

For more information, please cont act Catherine Melia (Deputy Poppy Area Organise r) by email at RBLPoppies@gmail.com

FESTIVAL THEATRE AT HEVER CASTLE

Family, music & comedy

Festival Theatre at Hever Castle in Edenbridge has a number of events coming up this month including the family show, Rapunz el, on 27th July at 2pm. Other events include plays, opera, speakers, music and comedy even ts – visit the What’s On section to discover wha t’s coming up.

To book see heverfestival.co.uk or call 07379-488477

Local legend

NOTICEBOARD

by Olivia Bridgen

tell us Bromley borough resident, Hamdi Faragalla, wrote to us to n to about her neighbour, Irina Tiselita Tomsa, who ran a half maratho who was raise money for AVUK, a charity that helps her son David, Irina shares diagnosed with severe hearing loss at just two weeks old. given… with us more about AVUK and the help it and others have on Irina!

Q: First of all, congratulations on completing the half marath manage you did money much how Did you do any training for it and to raise for the charity? n and I did three months of training. This was my first half maratho I did it in under two hours and raised over £800. n – and how did you discover Q: Can you provide some background on David’s conditio AVUK? test, we thought perhaps Two weeks after he was born, David failed his new-born hearing hearing loss. severe with ed diagnos was he twice it failing after he was too little, but only did David Not . surgery implant r cochlea Just before he was one year-old he had his to develop his speech, ability his affected it , sounds and voices hearing in y had difficult for help, when I found the language and social skills. It was when I was looking online ended them. charity, ‘Auditory Verbal Therapy’. A deaf specialist also recomm how has this impacted on Q: What help has the charity provided over the years and David? and social skills, They focus on helping David’s speech, language development David is now 11, routine. daily our into rate incorpo while providing us with tools to English and he’s very outgoing and has a good sense of humour. He speaks Feature on the David would not Romanian and has big dreams for his future. Without AVUK Community Noticeboard! have thrived the way he did.

Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk A small fee applies - we have limited For further information about AVUK call 01869 325000, space for free charity listings. email info@avuk.org or see avuk.org/contact

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July 2022 Life in... Orpington 11

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NOTICEBOARD

en 2022 Music in the Gardgar den (Gardenview,

opening her Freda Davis BEM will be ular Hill TN16 3HL) for her pop gin Big d, 6 Edward Roa (2pm-5pm) July 3rd day Sun on nt Music in the Garden eve ure CC. The afternoon will feat to raise money for the NSP ts will be men esh refr t ligh and ans a number of musici of ll art exhibition and a range available, as well as a sma en. ard asg fred see s. For details stalls selling cards and gift NGS on open again as part of the co.uk The garden will be delights l sica mu re mo 4pm), with Sunday 24th July (12pm Choir. k Roc on ingt Orp the g includin

Bromley Arts Festival aims to celebrate every arts eve nt in the London borough throug hout July. To date, more than 100 dat es have been registered, including theatre, dance, comedy, music, art and poetr y. From the 1st July with Breaki ng The Code debuting at Bromley’s Little Theatre, to the 31s t with Magpie Dances presenting Glo bal Moves and Groove s - A Festival of Dance and Culture, the re’s something for eve ryone. The aim is to bring people near and far together to celebr ate the diverse and exciting arts events that Bromley offers yea r-round.

For more information , turn to the special What’s On list ings for Bromley Arts Festival in this issue or see bromleyartsfestival.co m

Win annual family membership to Kent Life Heritage Farm

reader Kent Life Heritage Farm is giving one lucky annual an win to ce chan the s azine of Life In…Mag a 28is Life family membership worth £125! Kent ted in situa ction attra r acre working farm and visito the tells it year, the t ghou throu Maidstone, Kent. Open day out ly fami fun a ides prov and story ing Kent farm als, indoor discovering more than 200 farmyard anim ens and gard ish Kent and s, and outdoor play area the wide re explo to able be will er winn orchards. The animal from range of activities available at the farm s. show ing excit and ing encounters to paddle boat the to er For your chance to win, send your answ es.co.uk with following question to hello@lifeinmagazin ion’: petit com Life t ‘Ken the subject line see at ors visit can als anim yard farm y How man ?

Park Kent Life Heritage Farm (a) More than 100 (b) More than 200 (c) More than 500.

For details see kentlife.org.uk/ plan-your-visit/membership

Charity spotlight

Name of charity: Greener & Cleaner Location: We have a community Hub based

in the Upper Mall in The Glades.

What serv

ice do you provide? We support Bromley residents to find out more about what they can do to help sust ain and protect our environment. We run workshops from our Hub rang ing from mindfulness to eco crafting and have a very active Facebook grou p where members share tips on ever from creating wildlife ponds in back ything gardens to using less electricity and gas at home. We also have education faith groups that support schools and and local faith communities on their green journey.

Who is it available to? Everyone!

How are you funded? We receive fund ing from individuals who’ve been kind enough to donate to us, trust and also statutory funding. s, grants

Do

you accept donations? Yes, we have a Paypal account where people can paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/4 make financial donations - see 456033

Do

you run any events? We run workshop s at our Community Hub – to find out what’s going on follow our Facebook page at facebook.com/The HubGreenerCleaner

Are you looking for voluntee

rs? Always. Our Hub is run by voluntee rs and we also always welcome volu who are willing to help with the runn nteers ing of the charity – from helping with fundraising, to PR and marketing support.

How else can people help? By joinin g our Facebook group.

Contact details: For more information see greenerandcleaner.co.uk or ema il greenerandcleaneruk@gmail.com

12 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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Postbox Toppers mystery solved!

community -

Thanks to Mary Cody-Cowdery (a ‘Friend of Life In…Magazines’ who helps with distribution and keeps her eyes open and ears to the ground when it comes to local news), we were able to get in touch with one of the amazing people who make the ‘toppers’ for the local postboxes. Sheila Adby lives in Orpington and runs an afternoon tea business with a friend. She began making the toppers last year…

Q: How did it all begin Sheila?

I joined a Facebook page - Random Acts of Crochet Kindness, where people crochet small items and leave them out for people to find. I was impressed by the postbox toppers I saw so I decided to give it a go.

Q: Are they knitted or crocheted or a bit of both?

I crochet, but I have included a few knitted items that friends have made for me. I get inspired by other people’s toppers or from magazines.

Q: How long does it take to make them?

The base takes a couple of evenings to crochet. The items on it can take a matter of days or even weeks to complete.

I’ve made about ten toppers so far. The box I regularly cover is near Crofton school, but I have placed others in Orpington high street and Carlton Parade, Orpington.

NOTICEBOARD

them to be placed; in fact, they enjoy seeing them. The rule is that they must not prevent people from using the postbox.

Q: What response have you had to the toppers and has this inspired other people to knit or crochet?

I’ve received a lot of great feedback. I’ve now started a ‘drop in’ crochet session once a month in Orpington to teach people to crochet or help people with their crochet projects.

Q: It must be frustrating when the toppers are taken?

It is absolutely sickening when a topper gets stolen or has things removed from it. My first topper was stolen just 48 hours after I placed it. My remembrance topper near Orpington war memorial was stolen just before Remembrance Day which really upset me. I’ve had four stolen and three had pieces removed from them.

Q: What’s next in the pipeline – any new projects?

I’m currently making blankets for Ukrainian refugees with the help of a lot of people crocheting or knitting squares.

I will continue making toppers especially for outside schools as I know they make people smile.

Q: Did you have to get permission from the Royal Mail?

I don’t have permission as such. Royal Mail are happy for

Accessible Petts Wood Station

Photo - Network Rail.

first time is underway.

A major £10.8 million scheme to make Petts Wood station fully accessible for the

by Network delivered and scheme All for Access The work, funded by the Department for Transport’s new lifts. four offer will and year next autumn in complete to due is Nuttall, BAM Rail and its partners do more for to wanting always “We’re said: , Southeastern’s Passenger Services director, David Wornham who people to difference huge a make will DfT the by Wood Petts at t investmen our passengers and this be will station the year, next installed use this key station on our network. When the four new lifts are fully .” completed project the seeing to forward looking we’re and people, of more accessible to a wider group

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community

MAYOR’S VOICE A new Mayor has been appointed for Bromley – and it’s a name you might recognise. That’s because from 2020-2021, Cllr Hannah Gray was previously Mayor of Bromley, and not only did she have to face the challenges a new role presents, she had to do so under lockdown conditions. Her goal back then was to respectfully ‘modernise the Mayoralty’ - a goal she executed brilliantly, upping everyone’s game when it came to the use of technology, social media and all things digital. Now she’s back, we sat down with Cllr Gray, your new Mayor of Bromley, to discover what’s next on her agenda…

Q: Huge congratulations on your new appointment Madam Mayor. How does it feel to be back and what range of emotions have you gone through?

A: Well, I had to stop twice when giving my acceptance speech as I was overcome with emotion. I feel such elation and pride. It’s a great honour to be given the chance - the second time that they have trusted me to do what I do. A phrase that springs to mind is ‘Love what you do, and do what you love.’ Luckily, I have the privilege of doing what I love and loving what I do.

Q In terms of your focus for the coming year, what are your plans?

A: We had tremendous success stories in my previous year, and I need to find out how they are doing. I’m very passionate about our start-up businesses in the borough and, as the previous Small Business Champion, I still intend to help our small businesses and charities and support all of the fabulous work that people are doing.

Q: Since your appointment (at the time of interview, it was the day before), what have you been up to?

A: I’ve just been over to the Ukraine Hub, which is open on Thursdays here in the Council. It’s for both the Ukrainian families and for people in the borough that are taking families in. They can find out about schooling, grants, youth clubs, the DWP, NHS, doctors, dentists...

The Hub is also running regular coffee mornings to bring people together which is wonderful. The Ukrainian families, which we have the privilege of looking after, are going to enhance our wonderful borough with their diversity. I watched as the children, who can’t speak a word of English, found ways of communicating at the coffee morning and were being invited to birthday parties of children they had just met - the unity is fantastic.

14 Life in... Orpington July 2022

Q: Now that there are no Covid restrictions, what are you looking forward to that you couldn’t do before?

A:

I’m going to thoroughly enjoy going out to schools, handing out certificates, hopefully inspiring young people, supporting business and charities in person and not on Zoom.

I’m also going to continue with the podcasts, keep up with our social media and use of all forms of communication so we can support people and shine a light on their great achievements.

Q: Who are your chosen charities this year?

A ‘Every Breath’ was originally set up by two friends of mine, Emma and Nick, and has already given tremendous support to people with lung cancer. It developed out of their own personal experience and is a charity for local people, so the money raised will be spent locally. The next one is a project called ‘Leaving Care’ who have set up a Come Dine With Us lunch club for children leaving care. The club will allow the children to get together, cook and experiment with different recipes, based here in the grounds of the Civic Centre in Bromley. We have already had people from local restaurants volunteering their help and providing ingredients, it’s wonderful. We’re also looking at hosting a big event for Ukrainian families and host families, hopefully this summer.

Q What have you learned from your previous post as Mayor – and what’s the best thing about being Mayor of Bromley?

A I made so many tremendous connections so I’m looking forward to continuing to work with those people – and meet others too. My acceptance speech was based on People, Passion and Progress; people in the borough are amazing and we have a fantastic community which pulls together. For example, we want to see a place of reflection for people who have lost someone through the Covid virus, so I’m going to push for that.

It will be somewhere uplifting and tranquil and we want them to know the borough hasn’t forgotten them. We started up the #ProudofBromley again and we should all be so proud of our wonderful borough.

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Lines from Linda The flags, bunting and home-made cakes have been celebrated, and, as I write this, I know we are all still celebrating in red, white and blue, the 70 glorious years of our wonderful Queen’s reign.

the list as having contributed.

Job done – or so we thought.

Because, much to her horror, when my friend rushed in, first in the queue, the cake was nowhere in sight.

The next week was the town’s street party. My friend and I took our seats at the line of put-together tables, but not before scanning the whole row to check for any sight of my shameful cake. To our relief, it wasn’t there.

My face is fully red as I remember my disaster and embarrassment of the 1977 Jubilee year. I was a young actress working in repertory theatre, which meant rehearsing a play all day, playing a different one at night and learning lines for another one in tea-breaks.

Our relief faded as the woman who ran the Town’s The announcement from the lady that ran the Woman’s Guild walked in holding my cake. It looked Town’s Women’s Guild that we all had to make great from the outside and received many, ‘Oohs a cake for the church bazaar Jubilee sale, and Ah’s, and questions of, ‘Doesn’t it look left me reeling. I had neither the time nor So, I glued five pretty,’ and ‘Who made that? any idea of how to make a cake. Then I cardboard toilet-roll remembered I once had to make a prop holders together, discreetly No one spoke. I was the colour of a tomato.

Then the Town’s Woman leader beamed. cake for a pantomime I’d been in a few attached them to a cake Obviously deciding this could be a chance of years before, and it had taken minimum base, covered the rolls praise and glory, ‘I did,’ she announced. I was time. So, I glued five cardboard toilet -roll in baking parchment and surprised her nose didn’t grow as she spoke. holders together, discreetly attached them cleverly set about My friend and I did an extremely slow head turn to a cake base, covered the rolls in baking icing my work. to each other. parchment and cleverly set about icing my

"

work. (I could do icing, I once had done a course, and it took me no time at all). I decorated the cake with corgis and flags and it was ready to go. It certainly looked the business.

I left it in the church hall and scarpered. The plan was that my friend would be there when they opened the door for the sale, and would rush in and buy it, and no one would be any the wiser, except we had our name ticked from

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Then someone handed her a knife and said, ‘It looks too beautiful to eat, Marcia.’ Relief once again ran through my shaking veins. Until someone else said, ‘But we will anyway. You cut the first slice Marcia.’ My friend and I made a very quick and quiet exit.

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

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 15

16 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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lifestyle - PUZZLE PAGE

WIN A PAIR OF CINEMA TICKETS

To help celebrate Bromley Arts Festival this month, we’ve made up a competition crossword on the theme of arts and performing. Fill in the answers to the clues in the grid and then re-arrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out ame: _____________________________________________________ Date: _______ the first name of one of the most famous female characters in English plays. This name is the winning word. Send the Across answer to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk or text 07403 550068 7. Which TV legend wrote and with your name and address. starred in 'Dinnerladies'?(8, 4)

WIN

JULY COMPETITION 1 2 3 4

5

6

7 8 9 10

11

10. What is the name of a building where you can go and look at paintings? (7) 11. What do audiences shout at the end of a performance when they want to see or hear more? (6) 12. Which singer had a Number One with 'Wuthering Heights'? (4, 4) 14. Who is considered to be England's greatest playwright? (11)

Down 1. Which famous dance for two originated in Argentina?(5) 12 13 2. What sort of books did Agatha Christie write? (7) 3. Which actress played 'M' 14 in the James Bond films? (4, 5) 4. Which famous musical starred Olivia Newton John and John Travolta? (6) 5. What is the first name of the Beatle, Mr McCartney? (4) sponsored by 6. What type of dance did Billy Elliot excel at? (6) 8. Can you fill in the blank: 'There's @BromleyPicturehouse no business like ----business'?

(4) @Bromley_PH ross 14. Who is considered to be 5. What is the first name of9. Which Dutch artist painted England's greatest playwright? the Beatle, Mr McCartney? (4) 'Sunflowers' and was the subject Which TV legend wrote (11) 6. What type of dance did d starred in 'Dinnerladies'? of a song by Don McLean? (3, 4) Billy to Elliot excel at? (6) 4) We’ve teamed up Down with Bromley Picturehouse give one 13. What is the name of the stand 8. Can you fill in the blank: . What is the name of a 1. Which famous dance for luckyyou winner a pair cinemain tickets of like ---- that artists use when they are 'There'sanofilm business ilding where can go and twoof originated Argentina?to watch painting? (5) business'? (4) ok at paintings? (7) (5)

WIN

their choice.

. What do audiences shout 2. What sort of books did the end of a performance Agatha Christie write? (7) For details see hen they want to see or hearwww.picturehouses.com 3. Which actress played 'M' ore? (6) in the James Bond films? (4, 5) . WhichThis singer a is ahad monthly competition, open tomusical residents in 4. Which famous mber One with 'Wuthering starred Olivia Newton John and Bromley borough only.

Ts & Cs apply. ights'? (4, 4) John Travolta? (6)

9. Which Dutch artist painted 'Sunflowers' and was the subject of a song by Don Text or email your answer, McLean? (3, 4) 13. What is the name of thewith your full name, telephone along the stand that artists use when number and postal address to they are painting? (5)

Last month’s answer - BALMORAL All competition winners are listed on our website. Competitions are open to Bromley Borough residents only. For competition terms and conditions see https://bit.ly/lifeincomps lifeinmagazines.co.uk

hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk 07403 550068

BY 16TH JULY

for your chance to win!

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 17

lifestyle

Health & Fitness

NEW TEN-YEAR PLAN FOR DEMENTIA A new ten-year plan to tackle dementia and boost funding into research will be published later this year, announced by Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid.

Speaking at the Alzheimer’s Society Conference 2022, Javid confirmed that the ten-year plan will focus on how new medicines and emerging science and technology can be harnessed to improve outcomes for dementia patients across the country.

Record NHS funding will help reduce the COVID backlog of dementia diagnoses, with 30,000 people facing delays during the pandemic. This will ensure timely support for the more than 900,000 believed to be living with dementia in the UK.

The plan will also focus on supporting people with their specific health and care needs while living with dementia.

The prediction is one million people will be living with dementia by 2025 and 1.6 million by 2040.

The government has already committed £375 million into research on neurodegenerative diseases over the next five years and the Health and Social Care Secretary has committed to working across government to boost this further. It’s estimated that up to 40% of dementia is considered potentially preventable. What is good for the heart is also good for the brain, which is why the strategy will also include actions to tackle high blood pressure, physical inactivity, alcohol and obesity, and to promote healthy eating.

HOW TO…DO A BURPEE (CORRECTLY)

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Step 2

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Fran from Flin’s Fitness says: “The dreaded burpee! As with many exercises, there are a myriad of variations, but in its basic form, Step 1 will be a controlled forward drop to the floor, if possible touching the chest to the floor. However, often it's performed with placing just hands to the floor. Step 2 is a hop back to plank position on hands and toes (or in the case of the full burpee, body is flat to the floor). Step 3 - hop back in and jump up to standing start position again (a full burpee is pushing up from the floor into the plank and then hop in and jump up). Why? I hear you cry! The burpee is a full body ‘compound’ exercise; it works pretty much everything, bringing an intensity to your workouts which is hard to beat - enjoy!"

FEELING FRESH RINGANA is a pioneering Austrian company in the fresh skin care and food supplement industry.

With sustainability at the heart of what the company stands for, products are vegan, microplastic-free, contain no synthetic preservatives and can be shipped to 34 countries.

As an example, the FRESH skin care set rich (suitable for dry skin) costs €153 and consists of a cleanser, tonic calm, anti-wrinkle serum, cream rich and an organic cotton hand towel. We tested the kit and here’s what we found:

18 Life in... Orpington July 2022

Packaging: Unfussy, simple packaging means that the products look great in any bathroom and reinforces the message of the company’s sustainability measures.

Scent: A subtle yet fresh scent that evoked memories of calming spas and forests. Very pleasant.

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Results: We noticed a visible improvement in both the texture of our skin and its elasticity after first use. After a few days, our once dry skin felt nourished and more supple.

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July 2022 Life in... Orpington 19

THE NURSE-LED HOME CARE PROVIDER

At Compassion Homecare we provide the very best in home care We would all like to continue to enjoy independent living within the comfort of our own home. Our qualified staff can help you with those day to day tasks that you are finding harder to cope with.

DAILY CARE, LIVE-IN CARE OR RESPITE CARE Our careers can help you with: • Help with getting up or going to bed • Washing, showering and bathing • Assistance with medication • Getting to social outings and meeting up with friends • Preparing and cooking meals • Overnight and respite care • Cleaning, housework and shopping • Laundry and Ironing • Or just popping in for a chat if you’d like some company

We know how big a step having home care is so we offer a free home care assessment to help you decide what is best for you. Please give us a call.

01689 825155

1st Floor, East Wing, Priory Buildings, Church Hill, Orpington, Kent BR6 0HH 20 Life in... Orpington July 2022

www.compassionhomecare.co.uk

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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

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.

Colour Dash

Sunday 3rd July, from 9.30am

Swanley Park Cost: £17 – adult, £43 – family, £12 - 11-16yrs, £5.50 under 11yrs Contact: 01322 668501 or email fundraising@ wearebeams.org.uk or book now at www.wearebeams.org.uk It’s back! Join We Are Beams at the Colour Dash on Sunday 3rd July! You can walk, run or jog around the beautiful Swanley Park during this family-friendly rainbow coloured 5k run. Wear a white T-shirt on the day or wear fancy dress if you prefer. Tackle the course on your own or with family and friends as we throw coloured powder at you from each 1km station. The course is wheelchair accessible with a shorter 2.5K route too, but please be prepared to get messy! All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting disabled children and their families.

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.

Music in the Garden 2022 Sunday 3rd July, 2pm-5pm

Gardenview, 6 Edward Road, Biggin Hill, TN16 3HL Cost: £10 (includes a free hot drink with slice of cake & raffle ticket) Children go free.

Contact: 07958 534074 or email freda@fredasgarden. co.uk or see www.fredasgarden.co.uk Enjoy an afternoon of music in this beautiful award-winning garden in Biggin Hill, in aid of the NSPCC, with entertainment from local crooner Pete Sinclair, the London Concert Chorus and other soloists. Refreshments available.

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what's on 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!

Pratts Bottom Women’s Institute

Meets the first Thursday of every month 2pm - 4pm

Pratts Bottom Village Hall Email prattsbottom@wkfwi.org.uk or just come along The WI provides women with fun and friendship plus the chance to learn new skills, get involved in the community and take part in a wide range of activities. Our monthly meetings often have a speaker and within our group we have a Quilting Club, Art Club, Book Club and a Lunch Club. You can be assured of a warm welcome.

U3A Orpington

Third Monday of the month at 2pm

Crofton Main Hall Cost: £12 a year Contact: chair@u3aorpington.org.uk or 01689 859045 If retired/working part-time, why not join nearly 1,000 other members for access to over 95 different activities.

Refreshments also provided.

HEALTH, FITNESS & MINDSET 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.

Mel Crisp Yoga

Monday at 9.30am and Wednesday at 9.45am

(for 1 hour) Orpington Village Hall Hatha Yoga classes mixed ability and beginners welcome.

Tuesday evening 6.50pm

Christ Church URC, Petts Wood.

Vinyasa Flow Class mixed ability and beginners welcome.

Cost: PAYG £12, Block Payment Classes £60 for 6 consecutive classes. First PAYG class is half price.

Contact: Mel on 07504 855 424. Email melcrisp41@icloud.com www.melcrispyoga.com First class is free when mentioning Life In Orpington magazine

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 21

22 Life in... Orpington July 2022

THUR

11

Three Sisters,Bromley Little Youth Theatre

12

TUE

Dreamboats & Petticoats, Churchill Theatre

MON

WED

06

FRI

Opera In Conversation with James Hay, Ripley Arts Centre

13

Dreamboats & Petticoats, Churchill Theatre

03 SAT 09 SUN 10

SUN

PU -A LLND OU -K T EE P

SAT

SUN

Discover Bromley’s Heritage Walks, Bromley Civic Society Between a Man and a Woman, Bromley Little Theatre

Bethlem Gallery presents Clay Links Bromley, Emmanuel Church Opera at the Castle, Kentish Opera Open Mic Night, Railway Tavern The Long Weekend, Churchill Theatre

Bethlem Gallery presents Clay Links Bromley, Emmanuel Church Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre King Arthur: Henry Purcell, The Allegri Singers Summer Musical Celebration, South London Singers The Last Quiz Night on Earth, The Matchbox Theatre Discovery Day, Bromley Little Theatre The Long Weekend, Churchill Theatre

Ziggy Stardust’s Family Fun Day, Location TBC Three Sisters,

Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre The Last Quiz Night on Earth, The Matchbox Theatre The Long Weekend, Churchill Theatre

WED

08

FRI

07

Dreamboats & Petticoats, Churchill Theatre

Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre Whitney Queen of the Night, Churchill Theatre Open Mic Night, Bitter End Bar

Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre

Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre Calling Planet Earth, Churchill Theatre Comedy Round Mine, Churchill Lounge

05

TUE

04

MON

02

Garden Party, Bromley Youth Music Trust Penge Chamber Choir, The Bridge House Theatre To Be Frank, Churchill Theatre Open Mic Night, Railway Tavern

Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre The Last Quiz Night on Earth, The Matchbox Theatre Sally Ironmonger & Brian Carter, Orpington Folk Club Live and Unreleased, ArtsTrain The Long Weekend, Churchill Theatre

Discover Bromley’s Heritage Walks, Bromley Civic Society Rainforest Workshop, St Mark’s Church Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre Dangerous Corner, Theatre 62 Penge Poets, Bluebell Cafe

THURS

SAT

Don’t forget to visit www.bromleyartsfestival.com for more!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

what’s on.

Breaking the Code, Bromley Little Theatre Dangerous Corner, Theatre 62

01

FRI

July

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Between a Man and a Woman, Bromley Little Theatre

26

TUE

24

SUN

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 23

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Bowie Experience Open Mic Night, Churchill Theatre Railway Tavern

Singers & Musicians’ Night, Orpington Folk Club

29

FRI

London Grammar, Crystal Palace Bowl

Open Adult Ballet Class, St Swithun’s Church Hall

16

22

FRI

SUN

Jungle plus Special Guests, Crystal Palace Bowl Opera In Conversation with James Hay, Ripley Arts Centre

17

PLUS

ALL MONTH: An Ecology of Mind, Bethlem Gallery.

Open Wednesdays Saturdays.

PLUS

Over 14 eco-craft workshops at The Hub from Greener & Cleaner Bromley, The Glades.

PLUS

23

SAT

Opera In Conversation with James Hay, Ripley Arts Centre Great Expectations, Bromley Amphitheatre Ladies Down Under, Chelsfield Players An Evening Out with Andy Hamilton, Churchill Theatre The CASPA Masked Singer, Bromley Little Theatre Curtains, Petts Wood Operatic Society

Great Expectations, Bromley Amphitheatre Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party, Churchill Lounge FastLove, Churchill Theatre

Open Mic Night, Railway Tavern In the Spotlight, Beckenham Ballet Academy 7 1/2 Years - A One Man Musical, Churchill Studio

ts h fe he stiv al.com/t

The Bridge House Theatre, LOTS MORE Penge’s home for community EVENTS & creativity, hosts a year round programme of theatre, comedy, BEING poetry and all types of performance.

CONFIRMED Details to be announced.

Global Moves and Grooves, Magpie Dance Open Mic Night, Railway Tavern

30 31

SAT

Great Expectations, Bromley Amphitheatre Ladies Down Under, The Chelsfield Players Whitestar, Bromley Little Theatre The Chicago Blues Brothers, Churchill Theatre Close Up Magic, Churchill Studio Curtains, Petts Wood Operatic Society

20

WED

Bromley Little Youth Theatre Dreamboats & Petticoats, Churchill Theatre 7 1/2 Years - A One Man Musical, Churchill Studio

www.bromleyartsfestival.com

28

THUR

Three Sisters, Bromley Little Youth Theatre Dreamboats & Petticoats, Churchill Theatre 7 1/2 Years - A One Man Musical, Churchill Studio

Open Adult Ballet Class, St Swithun’s Church Hall Great Expectations, Bromley Amphitheatre Between a Man and a Woman, Bromley Little Theatre Open Mic Night, Bitter End Bar The Drifters, Churchill Theatre

15

THUR

19

TUE

Singers & Musicians’ Night, Orpington Folk Club Dreamboats & Petticoats, Churchill Theatre

Great Expectations, Bromley Amphitheatre Ladies Down Under, The Chelsfield Players Howerd’s End, Bromley Little Theatre Singers & Musicians’ Night, Orpington Folk Club Lost in Music, Churchill Theatre Curtains, Petts Wood Operatic Society Soul & Motown with Soultruck Dinner Dance, Churchill Lounge

18

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14

ub

lifeinmagazines.co.uk

ar www omley .br

what's on libraries Orpington

Contact: 01689 831551 Email: Orpington.library@gll.org www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary Open Monday & Thursday 9.30am - 7pm, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am - 5pm, Sunday closed

Petts Wood

Contact: 01689 821607 Email: Pettswood.library@gll.org www.bromley.gov.uk/pettswoodlibrary Open Monday, Tuesday & Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm, Thursday 9.30am - 7pm, Saturday 9.30am - 5pm, Wednesday & Sunday closed New Reading Group for Adults Interested in reading? Enjoy discussing books?

Join our NEW reading group Second Thursday of the month 5.30-6.30pm.

Booking essential-Limited spaces Tel: 01689 821607

Southborough

Contact: 020 8467 0355 www.better.org.uk/library/london/bromley/ southborough-library Open Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.30am - 1pm & 2pm - 5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm, Monday, Thursday & Sunday closed.

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

Music/Entertainment Orpington Keyboard Concert

26th July, 2.30pm-5pm (doors open 2pm)

Crofton Halls, York Rise, Orpington, BR6 8PR Cost: Entrance fees £10 for visitors, Members £8 Contact: Chairman John Parker, 07973 622905 or Secretary, 01689 837044 and Facebook page ‘Orpington Keyboard Club’, email johnparker2a@gmail. com or see www.OrganFax.co.uk/clubs/orpington We are back with a concert featuring Pete Shaw, playing the New KORG “NAUTILUS” and Pa4X Keyboards. The hall is air-conditioned, with free face masks and adequate seat spacing and hand sanitizers. There will be an interval at half-time and cash bar for drinks. Free parking available, plus wheelchair & disabled facilities. LIVE MUSIC to suit ALL TASTES!

shout about your event...

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.

24 Life in... Orpington July 2022

The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG Contact: www.heverfestival.co.uk or call the Box Office on 07379- 488477

Family Shows 22 July The Hug puppet show 2.30pm 27 July Rapunzel 2pm 29 July David Walliam's Awful Auntie 2.30pm

Music 23 July Grammy nominated jazz singer Stacey Kent 8pm 24 July The Simon & Garfunkel Story 8pm 31 July West End singers The Four D's 8pm

Comedy 28 July Grinstock Comedy Club with Nathan Caton headlining 8pm 29 July BBC Radio 4 hit The Skewer with Jon Holmes 8pm 30 July Solve-along-a Murder She Wrote 8pm

NETWORKING 1230 The Women’s Company Bromley 1st Thursday of each month

La Scala, Orpington 12.30pm-2pm followed by open networking Non-members £28 and members £18. This includes a complimentary delicious lunch, plus any workshops and speakers.

Contact: Email jgroundsell@1230.co.uk or call 07930756012 / 020 8650 8015 https://1230.co.uk/calendar/ As a leading businesswomen’s network, we provide on and off-line trading and business growth opportunities across the UK and overseas at local level. Our dynamic networking business helps businesswomen make the connections and find the support needed in business – from meeting locally to share experiences, to working together to grow business through regular vibrant, buzzy networking meetings.

Bromley Business Network

Hybrid meetings - Face-to-face (at Bromley Football Club) and online

Doors open at 6.30am every other Wednesday.

Cost: £23 in person or £12.50 online.

See bromleybusinessnetwork.co.uk Includes a full cooked breakfast, unlimited tea/coffee.

NEXT BOOKING DEADLINE:

8TH JULY

To advertise call 020 3488 9959 email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

@lifeinmags lifeinmagazines.co.uk

what's on theatre/ Performances Bromley Little Theatre

Bookings: www.bromleylittletheatre.org

Breaking The Code

1st-9th July, 7.45pm (main auditorium) This compassionate play is the story of Alan Turing, mathematician and father of computer science. Turing ‘broke the code’ in two ways: he cracked the German Enigma code during World War II and also shattered the English code of sexual discretion with his homosexuality.

A compelling piece of modern theatre that has certainly stood the test of time.

Between a Man and a Woman

17th-19th July, 7.45pm (main auditorium) A gripping, thrilling and heart-breaking story of domestic abuse. A fast-paced drama that questions if abuse is a learned behaviour or something that is within us? It gives us an insight into what happens behind closed doors and whether that is actually just between husband and wife or whether it involves a larger number of people.

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

Calling Planet Earth

Tickets from £28.50 Calling Planet Earth will take you on a journey through one of the greatest musical Era’s of All Time – The Electrifying 80’s. Performed by an incredible live band combined with stunning vocals and cast this is the must see show that simply defines a decade. Featuring songs from Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Tears for Fears and many more.

An Evening with Andy Hamilton Sat 23rd July

Tickets £24 7:30pm Join Andy Hamilton in an evening of comic reflection, reminiscence and revelation, as Andy looks back over his sixty-ish years on the planet and tries to answer some questions. Expect a hilarious and illuminating night out, yes out, with a master of comedy.

The Drifters Tue 19th July

Tickets £32 7:30pm The Drifters are back on tour in the UK performing all their classic hits including Saturday Night at the Movies, You’re More Than A Number, Come on Over to My Place, Under the Boardwalk, Kissin In The Back Row and many more!

6th July, 7:30pm

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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July 2022 Life in... Orpington 25

Free quotes Reliable service Tidy work Reasonably priced

Fault finding Extra sockets Testing & inspection Fuseboard upgrades

Do you find it difficult to get someone to come and do a small job?

Call: 01322 219 717 | Email: info@gbelectrical.com www.gbelectrical.com

ARE YOU A SMALL BUSINESS OR SOLE TRADER? Want to join a friendly network group which actually works for you and doesn’t cost a fortune?

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Contact us: pibnetwork@outlook.com | 07984 179892 Facebook PIB Network | www.pib-network.com

26 Life in... Orpington July 2022

Receive a free, no obligation assessment & advice for your gas, electricity, broadband & mobile.

We’re a local point of contact offering London-based customer services.

Contact Gail Gulvin: 07946 024449 www.smartswitchutilities.co.uk

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Business

lifestyle

How to take time off from your business (when you ARE the business)

by LEE LAM, Founder and Managing Director, Your Startup Partner

There is a lot of freedom and flexibility when running your own business, but as any owner will tell you, you never fully get to switch off. Your brain constantly reminds you of the ever-growing tasks with the constant worry of “Well, if I don’t do it, who will?”

Never is this felt more than during the summer months, as children leave school for their summer breaks and you try to juggle keeping them amused with the demands of your business. And for many, you may have gone into selfemployment specifically to be able to enjoy this time with your children, being able to manage your own diary.

But it’s easy to fall into being controlled by your diary instead.

So how do you take a break and get some well-deserved rest and - most important - fun?

I have three different tips to help:

1. Build breaks in. If you try to get your work finished

ing! n n i w d r Awa

2. Prepare your customers – no-one expects you to be there 365 days of the year, but it can feel like it. Tell them your planned days off, and they can ask questions beforehand or know when they can expect a response to any that make come up during your downtime.

3. Tell other people. If you tell someone else that you are taking time off, you can use it to hold accountability – after all, do you want to admit that you haven’t taken the time off?

Try these tips and you can enjoy your time away from your business just that little bit more.

The winners of the 2022 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced celebrating the achievements of UK businesses. This year, 232 businesses representing every part of the UK and a range of sectors have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen as among the best in the country. They included World of Books, 4 Mental Health, The Edinburgh Remakery and Pearson Engineering.

8 reasons why networking is essential for your business

BY CHAS JORDAN, BROMLEY BUSINESS NETWORK

1. Brand awareness – you increase your exposure and boost your brand, making you front of mind when it comes to your industry.

2. Generate ideas – mixing with other business owners offers the chance to exchange ideas and share best practices.

3. Create new opportunities – you’ll be in the best place to hear first-hand about new announcements, appointments and opportunities.

4. Knowledge is power - the more people you talk to, the more you learn, meaning you’re giving your business the best chance of success.

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you will never get there. Running a business is constant and so you must factor in time away from your desk from the very beginning. To enjoy the sun, maybe you could schedule in a 30-minute coffee in the garden, or you use a 6pm dog walk as your daily ‘commute’ to transition between work and family. You will also be less likely to allow things to draw time away from you.

5. Confidence booster – speaking in front of a crowd can be daunting, but the more you show up, the more your confidence grows.

6. Making friends – Chas Jordan meeting like-minded people with shared interests offers the chance to make friends rather than just business acquaintances.

7. Support from above – mingling with authoritative individuals and people of influence can catapult your visibility, making you more noticeable.

8. Ask the expert – most events feature guest speakers, so you’ll learn something new, and have the opportunity to pick the brains of experts – a win-win!

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 27

lifestyle

Travel

TIPS & TRICKS TO SLASH HUNDREDS FROM HOLIDAY COSTS The cost of living crisis is impacting millions of people, but with Covid travel restrictions finally lifting, many people will still be hoping they can budget for a holiday this year. Which? has put together some top tips on how to slash hundreds from the cost of going away…

1. Stay longer - It’s worth browsing online comparison sites for longer stays in hotels, as the cumulative savings can be substantial.

2. Book directly with the hotel - Don’t be afraid to contact the hotel or B&B directly to book. Holidaymakers can often receive better rates or perks like free breakfasts or Champagne on arrival by booking directly.

3. Swap seats - For most airlines, passengers needn’t waste money by paying extra to sit together on the plane. A group of four people could expect to pay up to £192 to reserve standard seats together. However, of those surveyed, 95% of short-haul passengers who didn’t pay extra said they were given seats together anyway.

4. Book car hire in advance - Brokers have ramped up their prices lately meaning that the later customers book, the more they’ll pay. If you’re planning to travel during a peak time, it’s especially important that you book your car hire at least two months in advance.

5. Pay in local currency & use the right card Always pay in the local currency to avoid being hit with worse exchange rates and check to see if your bank charges a fee to use cards abroad.

6. Book at the right time - The best prices for hotels can usually be found around three months before travel, depending on the destination. The downside of booking last-minute is that customers could then be left with less choice, higher rates and less flexibility when it comes to cancellation policies.

7. Sign up to loyalty schemes It could be worth signing up to free loyalty schemes with hotel chains and booking websites to save money when booking trips away. Some supermarket reward schemes such as Tesco Clubcard and Nectar often have partnerships with attractions and accommodation.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EUROTUNNEL AND EUROSTAR Even though the Channel Tunnel linking the UK to mainland Europe has been open for 27 years, there still seems to be abundant confusion between the two popular train services that use it - Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and Eurostar. Not sure which is which, or how to choose between the two options? It really depends on where you want to go and how you want to travel. We clear up some myths…

Are they owned by the same company?

No - Eurostar uses Eurotunnel’s tunnel, and is one of their biggest customers. The Channel Tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world at 38km long.

Where to board?

Eurotunnel’s UK boarding point is in Folkestone, Kent.

Eurostar currently runs from St Pancras International, London.

Where can I go?

The main Eurostar routes go to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, with some seasonal routes and connections across France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle runs solely between Folkestone and Calais.

trip and allows for greater baggage allowances. Eurostar trains are for foot passengers only and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle carries freight and all forms of vehicle, including cars, motorbikes, campervans, caravans, coaches and lorries.

You cannot travel as a foot passenger on Eurotunnel, but you are able to take a bicycle.

Animals Only assistance dogs are allowed on Eurostar trains.

Eurotunnel allows you to travel with a pet for an additional cost of £22 each way (assistance dogs are exempt), providing you have the necessary paperwork.

Journey length Eurotunnel takes just 35 minutes between Folkestone and Calais. Eurostar takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach Paris from London.

Frequency

By foot or by vehicle?

Eurotunnel currently runs two- to three shuttle departures per hour. Eurostar currently runs a service from London every one to one-and-a-half hours.

Travelling on foot is great if you’re visiting a busy city for the weekend, but driving might be more suitable for a longer

For more information visit eurotunnel.com and eurostar.com

28 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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by Jude Greene-Steward

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.

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.

Call Jude Today 0208 331 5995

From cruises, safaris, snorkelling, trekking tours to city breaks and sand dunes, Disney World and the rest of the world.

jude@shore-travel.com www.shore-travel.co.uk

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

Property experts in Orpington

since 1964.

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

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July 2022 Life in... Orpington 29

LOCAL ROOFER ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING CARRIED OUT

A ray of sunshine from Time For Flowers Gorgeous bouquets to suit every budget

Call 01689 485044

• Free estimates • No job too small • All new work guaranteed

T: 01689 471001 M: 07956 516899 E: bernardcoleroofing@gmail.com

www.timeforflowerskent.co.uk 44b The Walnuts, Orpington BR6 0TW

BROADBAND/ PHONE SOCKETS

Mobile Beauty

by Lena

WHY PAY SERVICE PROVIDER PRICES FOR INTERNAL FAULTS?

* Manicure * Pedicure * Gel polish * Waxing * Eyelash/ Eyebrow tints

New phone/broadband extensions

10% off

Fault finding repairs/ improve broadband speeds

your first treatment

Call Lena to book your appointment on

G.NUGENT

0203 609 2417 or 07496 908 733

Cat 5 wiring Internal/external tidying/ re-rounting of cables prior to double glazing

07845 705900

D

E SUR

LY IN

FUL

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

libertysfashionx

Lisa Clark

Owner & Manager

30 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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lifestyle

Shopping The winning (Which?) brands of 2022 The winners of the annual Which? Awards have been announced, recognising and celebrating brands that go the extra mile for customers. This year, the judges looked closely at how brands have dealt with the cost of living crisis. Value for money, along with exemplary products and customer service, determined the companies worthy of the top prize. The latest awards also saw the launch of the first Which? Sustainability Champion honorary award, scooped up by a brand with ambitious plans to lower its carbon footprint. Here’s who won what…

Banking brand of the year: Starling Bank Why? For great customer service through their

Car brand of the year: Kia Why? Affordability, value for money and for its marketleading warranty.

Home technology brand of the year: Samsung Why? Value for money and reliability for regular security updates of its products.

Home entertainment brand of the year: LG Why? For its high-quality products.

Large kitchen appliance brand of the year:

communication, transparency of charges and ‘easy to use’ mobile banking app.

Insurance brand of the year: NFU Mutual Why? Exemplary service, demonstrated by its customer Retailer of the year: Richer Sounds Why? ‘Remarkable’ value for money and generous

Fairness for Customers. Was also named as a vulnerable consumer champion.

Kitchen and household products brand of the year: Kenwood Why? For efficiency and value for money.

Travel brand of the year: Jet2 Why? Excellent customer service and value for money

service and claims scores.

Why? Competitively priced deals, signing up to Ofcom's

Samsung Why? Reliability of its appliances.

Trusted Trader of the year: Inspiration Computers Why? Fantastic customer communications, high-quality servicing and great value for money.

product guarantees.

Sustainability Champion of the year: Exodus Travels Why? Reducing its carbon footprint and expanding its

Utilities brand of the year: Tesco Mobile

rail bookings so customers don't necessarily have to fly to their destination.

Top tip When you’re planning the weekly shop it can be tempting to stock your fridge/ freezer to capacity, however doing so can actually cause your electricity bill to hike unexpectedly. According to the Energy Saving Trust, fridges work best at three-quarters full as this allows the air to circulate freely - so aim for that and if needed fill empty space with bottles of tap water. This has the added benefit of meaning you don’t need to run the cold tap for extra time to get something cool to drink, saving water and possibly money too if you’re on a meter.

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TEEN JOURNALING Faye Cox Coaching has launched a new ‘Confidence Boost Journal’ for tweens and teens, priced at £15.99. It has been designed to support young people through difficult years and promotes positivity, confidence and self-esteem using proven techniques to deal with big emotions. It also highlights how to develop a growth mindset so they can thrive both personally and academically.

For details or to purchase visit neartail. com/gb/fayecoxcoachingproducts and for details on Faye’s coaching see fayecoxcoaching.co.uk

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 31

lifestyle

Relationships

THE 8 FRIENDSHIPS YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE

by OLIVIA BRIDGEN Our friends are our chosen family; they share our highs and lows of life and we tend to choose different connections that offer something different to our lives.

So, in celebration of this month’s International Friendship Day (30th July), here’s the eight types of friends you need in your life…

1. The fun one: We all need a fun friend to lighten the mood. When you need a little push, they will get you out of your comfort zone as life is all about taking risks and having a good time.

2. A loveable know-it-all: Those who have all the answers, a sense of humour, love to be right and hate to be wrong. Even so, they don’t take themselves too seriously.

3. The polar opposite: They are the yin to your yang and you bring out the best in each other, balancing each other out and somehow gelling.

4. The listener: We all need that someone who will lend us their ears. They are there to let you vent out your worries, frustrations and other feelings without

the fear of being judged or misunderstood.

5. The parent figure: Their parent-like attitude is one of the many things that makes them different. They can be annoying at times, but they are the ones who truly care for you and are a natural protector.

6. The lifelong friend: Lifelong friends are rare but truly special. They are not necessarily someone you see or talk to every day, but they are there when it matters most – and when you need them, even at 3am in the morning.

7. The honest friend: Friendships should be built on trust and these friends reinforce the message that it’s important to have a strong value of honesty by showing truth out of love and respect.

8. The navigator: This is someone who inspires you, gives you advice without making you feel inadequate and keeps you headed in the right direction.

Have a think about the friends in your life. Let them know how much you appreciate them and that you wouldn’t be the same without them.

5 tips to help prioritise your family time

by Ian Childs, author of Your Own Personal Time Machine

with one stone. Be sure to make it fun, though!

3. Homework

Have you noticed how you somehow manage to get everything done the day before you go on holiday? You never don’t go on holiday. If you can make a holiday an immovable object in your diary, why not do the same for more family time? Here are five tips to help you find more family time and take full advantage of it.

While you shouldn’t do your kid’s homework for them, you can certainly take the time to help them. Homework is a great opportunity for you to get involved in stuff that’s important to them and build a stronger bond.

1. Time journal

2. Chore sharing

You can easily save a couple of hours by grocery shopping online. Hiring a gardener or a cleaner might seem expensive, but if it gets you back some alltoo-precious family time, who’s to say it’s not a good investment? The trick is not to think you’re saving money by doing these things yourself but that instead, you’re buying back some family time.

It may be far more effective for you to whiz around and do everything yourself, but by making chores an event that involves the entire family, you’ll be killing two birds

Ian Child is the author of ‘Your Own Personal Time Machine, a guide to getting your life back’, available exclusively from amazon.co.uk. in paperback and e-book.

Try keeping an hourly, high-level journal for a fortnight, and you’ll quickly realise where your time is going, as well as how much you’re actually spending with your family.

32 Life in... Orpington July 2022

4. Batch cooking Cooking twice as much doesn’t take twice as long.

Freeze the extra to gain time on another day. You can also batch cook with your kids for a double slam-dunk.

5. Outsourcing

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ADVERTORIAL

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July 2022 Life in... Orpington 33

JAPANESE RESTAURANT & BAR

PROSECCO BRUNCH £25 per person

LUNCH OFFER “Omakase”

unlimited prosecco for 2 hours

Six tasting courses £14 per person

12:30pm to 3:30pm

with a glass of bubbles

(last sitting)

12:30pm to 5:00pm Wednesday to Sunday

ZEN AFTERNOON TEA

£18 per person or £23 per person with Champagne (minimum of two) Over 18s. T&C’s Apply. Our Sushi and Konro Food Menu is available for takeaway via UberEats and Deliveroo.

For bookings and more information, please visit our website at

www.xeniarestaurantbar.com

34 Life in... Orpington July 2022

362 Crofton Rd, Locksbottom, BR6 8NN

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Food & Drink

lifestyle

LITTLE-KNOWN FOODS YOU CAN ACTUALLY BBQ

With barbecue weekends in full swing (weather permitting), now’s a good time to be a little experimental when it comes to al fresco dining.

The experts at AEG (aeg.co.uk/kitchen/cooling) have us covered by revealing food you didn’t realise you could BBQ…

and place on the BBQ for two to three minutes either side.

Pineapple

Yes, even cake can be grilled on the BBQ. Cut a pound cake into thick slices, butter both sides and grill until golden. The grill will give the cake a warm and soft interior, whilst caramelising the crust.

Pineapple can be grilled to create the perfect pudding. Start by grilling underripe pineapple to extract the delicious fruit juices, they will then caramelise over the hot grates, and this dish can be enjoyed either on its own or accompanied with another favourite, such as chicken or pizza.

Halloumi cheese Fans of halloumi cheese will be pleased to know of this tasty BBQ hack. The mild taste and thick texture means this dish is the perfect contender for BBQ grilling. Serve it on skewers to complement traditional BBQ dishes.

Watermelon This flavoursome fruit makes for an iconic summer dish when partnered with a feta salad. Cut the watermelon into chunks,

MAKE IT: LITTLE GEM CAESAR SALAD Good4U’s new Caesar Crumbles Salad Toppers are available from Tesco for £2 for 130g - an ideal accompaniment to this lovely salad recipe: Little gem lettuce Red endive Radishes 2 tbsp Good4U Caesar Crumbles Salad Toppers

Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients: • • • •

Perfect for those searching for a vegetarian option, just place the avocado on the grill for around five minutes until grill-lines start to form.

Cake

Tips & tricks •

Once meat is removed from a hot BBQ, it should be eaten or refrigerated within two hours. To ensure fast cooling, foods should be divided and stored in small, separate containers and kept airtight to preserve moisture. Once refrigerated, the food should be consumed within two to three days.

• Leftover BBQ food can be reheated in the oven, at an ideal temperature of 300-325°F. When heating, make sure the meat is covered so that moisture is retained, flipping the food regularly to ensure it is thoroughly cooked.

• • • •

2 tsp caper brine 1 tsp grainy dijon mustard 1-3 tablespoons warm water, to thin out dressing a bit to your liking Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Ingredients • • • •

Avocados

1/4 cup smooth runny tahini Juice from ½ a lemon 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tsp very finely chopped capers

1. Wash and cut the little gem in half. You can eat it as is or pop under the grill for few minutes. Pan frying works too 2. Try adding red endive for the colour 3. Thinly slice a few radishes and scatter over the little gem for some extra crunch 4. Mix all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Add salt and pepper generously 5. Drizzle all over with the dressing and top with a good handful of Caesar Crumbles. Add parmesan shavings if using, and black pepper

Cool product alert What if we told you that you can trick your brain into thinking you’re drinking something you’re not? A reusable water bottle called air up uses flavoured pods to provide a zero-calorie, zero sugar, zero additive way to drink 100% pure water which tastes flavoured. With 80% of flavour coming from our sense of smell, instead of taste, air up harnesses this clever bit of science, infusing every sip of water from your bottle with flavoured air.

Flavours range from Lime and Orange-Passionfruit to Cola and Iced Coffee. A Starter Set, which includes one bottle and two scent pods, costs from £29.95, while each additional pack of three pods (flavouring a minimum of 15 litres of water) then costs between £5.95 to £8.95, depending on the flavour. See uk.air-up.com

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July 2022 Life in... Orpington 35

RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE

J

FOR OUR A S NN U N U I A O

L

SUMMER PA RT Y Thursday 28th July 2022 between 2pm & 4pm at Edinburgh Lodge, Station Road, Orpington BR6 0SD

E N J O Y. . .

LIVE MUSIC | ICE CREAM | PIMM’S & FIZZ

Celebrate with Churchill Retirement Living come rain or shine! If we’re unlucky with the weather, we’ll carry on in the Owners’ Lounge.

If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to Nicola:

01689 769192 crl.co.uk/edinburgh-lodge edinburgh.lodge@crl.co.uk

36 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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COMING UP AT THE CHURCHILL THEATRE

WED 6 JULY

TUE 19 JULY

AN EVENING WITH

ANDY HAMILTON

SAT 23 JULY

SUN 24 JULY

BOOK NOW AT churchilltheatre.co.uk BOOK NOW AT 0343 310 0020 lifeinmagazines.co.uk

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 37

lifestyle

Pets

Eight things to consider before travelling with pets

Travelling can be unsettling for animals and there are many things to think about before setting off. Whether travelling by car, air, rail or sea, it's vital to check pets can be accommodated. Here, StressFreeCarRental.com have put together some key considerations for owners to think about before taking pets on a trip…

Suitability of the breed: If you’re thinking of flying, you may need to consider whether the animal you have will be okay being transported on a plane. Dog breeds like Lhasa Apsos, Pugs and Bull Terriers are not suited to flying, particularly those with snubbed-noses as this makes them sensitive to air changes. The same goes for snubbednosed cats including Himalayan and Persian Cats. The best option for these breeds is to consider travelling an alternative way, such as the Eurostar, Eurotunnel or ferry.

Animal documentation: Getting your pet passport

and animal health certificate are essential things you need before you travel.

Vaccinations: Just like with humans, your pet will need to be up-to-date with all their essential vaccinations before travelling. Making sure they have their booster jabs if they need them and rabies vaccinations are essential. Check with the country you’re travelling to, to check what their policies are, because each one will be different.

Comfortable carriers: One of the most important parts of the travelling process is making sure your pet is comfortable, which will make the transition as relaxing for them as possible.

This means getting a comfortable carrier that is big enough or making sure the area they’re travelling in is suitable for a long journey.

Cost: As well as vet fees, there are other fees that will need to be taken into account. For example, if arrangements need to be made for someone to pick them up or the extra costs for flights and ferries. Transporting pets can be an expensive process.

Age of your pet: Some older animals may find the experience stressful, whereas others may not be able to adjust to the climate of a new location so always keep the best interests of your pet in mind.

Some animals may get lost: Make sure your pet has a collar and are microchipped in case they go missing. Or have a tracking device fitted so you can keep tabs on their whereabouts is a good idea.

Pet travel insurance Pets will need travel insurance. This makes sure that the worst is covered, such as if your pet gets lost, or an injury occurs.

Neuter your Cat for £5

Do you live in our Bromley area (BR1 - 4 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.

For more information please contact Bromley Cats Protection on :

07776667852 w w w. c a t s . o r g . u k / b r o m l e y / contact-us Email:

neutering@bromley. cats.org.uk Reg Charity

Pet-proof your summer garden

Did you know that some summer blooms can be dangerous to pets? Pet owners need to be careful of what plants are brought into the garden. The creative community hub at DIYS.com sought to find out the most toxic summer plants pet owners should avoid planting in their gardens - pay attention!

The Autumn Crocus – Can cause severe vomiting, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure.

Azalea – Eating even a few leaves can result in vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive drooling.

Cyclamen – If ingested, cyclamen can cause severe vomiting and even death.

Lilies – There are dangerous and benign lilies and it’s important to know the difference, so do some research on this before you plant or uproot them.

203644 (England and Wales) SC037711 (Scotland) NEU_2343

Oleander – Leaves and flowers are extremely toxic if ingested and can cause severe vomiting. In worst cases, it can slow the heart rate and can even cause death.

Daffodils – Ingestion of the bulb, plant or flower can cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and even possible cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression.

Lily of the Valley – Can cause symptoms similar to digitalis (foxglove) ingestion. These include vomiting, diarrhoea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias and possibly seizures.

38 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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lifestyle

Your pet pics...

This is our rescue pup Toby, who has just turned two.

He loves exploring all the wonderful woodlands and parks in the borough and making loads of dog friends.

He is playful and cheeky, with a case of selective hearing, but is a secret big softie who loves cuddles.

Emily Davies

This is Cookie, a kind-natured cat who likes to sneak up on you in the bath! Cookie is very much a home cat - I think he thinks he is human!

He loves a cuddle - we wouldn't be without him.

Louise Knight

My girl Margo is almost two. A happy go lucky Cockapoo. Loves everyone but has no idea about personal space!

Eloise Hinton

Idris is Persian and very loving and clingy – and follows Suri (his Aunty) everywhere!

Jin Nailedit

This is Boo. She’s an eight-year-old Bengal/ Ragdoll cross and a typical cat. She sleeps most of the day apart from mealtimes and will only let you stroke her if she wants you to!

Julia Sims

This is Ruby our English Bulldog the best breed on the planet! She’s so lovely, we couldn’t love her more. She loves a tummy rub.

Lesley Plumb

This is our gorgeous Scout. He is a four-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and likes nothing more than cuddles, walks in woods and food!

He is extremely affectionate and loves everybody!

Emma Donovan

This is our Great Dane, Tucker. He comes to our shop every day, so he’s a working dog who loves meeting people and especially other dogs.

Julia Reed

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Here’s Arlo, a 17-month old Tibetan Terrier who loves life. His favourite things to do are running like crazy on beaches or playing with sticks in parks. He’s so gentle, and a little bit of a chicken!

Laura Graham Godenho

Here’s Charleigh, who is one. She is a feisty but affectionate kitten and loves to play with Lola. She was gifted as we unfortunately lost her brother from another litter and she is the spitting image of him.

Samiie Broye

Cute pet pictures – send yours to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 39

40 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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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

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FAYE COX COACHING & THERAPY

Affordable Integrated Coaching and Therapy for Teens and Parents. Creating a deeper connection through better communication. We also offer Purpose & Progression sessions for 14-16 year olds, as well as a ‘Needs Audit’ for both parents and Teens.

For more information email faye@fayecoxcoaching. co.uk or send a message to 07968 381793.

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 To submit a classified listing please call 020 3488 9958 or email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk Prices start from just £10 per month.

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our expert local installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

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July 2022 Life in... Orpington 41

BRIGHTWATER M E M O R I A L

P A R K

a better way to be remembered...

At Brightwater Memorial Park we provide a contemporary final resting place for families who wish to inter the ashes of their loved ones. Our unique, above ground burial facility offers niches for cremated remains, each set behind a stylish stone tablet. Each niche also includes a bespoke, handmade Urn and name plaque. Call us to find out more or pay us a visit.

Old Hill, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6BN 01689 850 880 www.brightwater.group • info@brightwater.group

Next month...

FR ISSUE 42 | AUGUST 2022

EE

THE NATION’S

FAVOURITE PRANKS

20 FREE (OR AFFORDABLE) THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDS

Save Money on eating out

• Arrive at the airport stress-free • 20 FREE (or affordable) things to do with the kids • The nation’s favourite pranks • Save money on eating out

NEXT BOOKING DEADLINE:

8TH JULY

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Print run: 7,000 copies every month Estimated readership: 17,800 including digital

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Copyright: All text, images and design in Life In...Orpington are subject to copyright, 2022.

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Disclaimer: Luna Creative Media Ltd assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organisation has been provided by such individual, event organisers or organisation without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editors of Luna Creative Media Ltd. Therefore, Luna Creative Media Ltd carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content in this magazine without the written permission of the editors is strictly prohibited. © 2022 Luna Creative Media Ltd. All rights reserved.

Life In Orpington is available at over 50 pick up locations. For a full list of these see www.lifeinmagazines.co.uk.

The main stand locations are Chelsfield Railway Station | Family Shopper (Cotmandene Crescent) | Lidl Locksbottom | Iceland – Petts Wood & Orpington | Tesco Orpington | Valentine & Tuner (Orpington High St) | Nugent Shopping Centre (HITIO Gym) | The Walnuts Shopping Centre | Walnuts Leisure Centre | Morrisons Petts Wood | Petts Wood Railway Station. For a postal copy (£24 a year) email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

42 Life in... Orpington July 2022

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A Final Thought…

COMMUNITY

Lipreading classes old and new

by LISA COX

Did you know that lipreading classes have been available in London for over 100 years?

We are all aware of the horrific injuries sustained during the terrible days of the First World War, but one little documented injury common among returning soldiers was total or partial hearing loss caused by shell fire. Soldiers found it was difficult or impossible to pick up the threads of their former life, including employment and relationships, when they couldn’t hear.

A group of individuals set about trying to rehabilitate soldiers with hearing loss. They came up with a programme of lipreading classes which were held in central London.

These classes were the foundation stone of an institution now known as The CityLit, a world class adult learning centre situated in Holborn. Thousands of classes in every type of subject are held there – and it all started with lipreading classes 100 years ago.

When I qualified as a lipreading tutor, I was lucky enough to be offered a teaching post at CityLit but what I really wanted to do was to bring the benefit of these classes to people with hearing loss local to my home in Orpington. I was delighted when Bromley Adult Education supported me in providing classes in Poverest Road. We have a huge shortage of classes in the UK with a very high demand, so to have them on our doorstep is an amazing opportunity.

Those lipreading teachers in London carried on classes through much adversity. During the Second World War they even carried on classes in the London Underground during air raids. When Covid caused my classes to close during parts of 2020 and 2021, I was determined not to let the side down. I didn’t want classes to close on my watch. So, I set about teaching lipreading online.

At a first glance, it seemed that it would be impossible to deliver online classes. Anyone with hearing loss will know that video calls and hearing loss are not a match made in heaven. Aside from my class (and me!) learning the new technology, hearing loss can make it very tricky to follow a video call. I set about finding ways to make video calls accessible for people with hearing loss.

My lipreading groups are now back to meeting face-to-face every week. Thanks to our huge, airy classroom in Poverest Road and Covid-secure measures overseen by Bromley

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Council, we were able to meet up again as soon as schools re-opened. We have enjoyed meeting up each week during a time when social interaction has been limited.

I don’t think any of us would choose online learning over face-to-face classes, but our online lessons provided some unexpected benefits. First of all, it provided us with some much-needed fun once a week. We had some real laughs during our online lessons. It was lovely to see some familiar faces, even if they were in square boxes! Secondly, it gave a new dimension to our lipreading practice. Lipreading from a screen turned out to be useful real-life practice. But it gave us all a most unexpected third benefit; it taught us how to access video calls with hearing loss. As a result, we could use our new skills to chat more easily with friends and family online.

Here are my top tips for video calls when you have hearing loss:

• Most hearing aids have the technology to be linked to the audio on your phone/ computer – sound can be streamed directly to your hearing aids • The bigger the speaker the better the sound quality • Use a video platform with auto captions – Google Meet is free • Zoom captions can be turned on by the host on the pro version • Zoom captions are available on the free version for people with hearing loss • The government ‘Access to Work Scheme’ will help financially with captioning for work calls or streaming equipment for hearing aids • Ensure other people on your call speak one at a time and mute when they are not talking • Use the chat function to clarify

This year has been a reminder to me that there is always something new to learn about living with hearing loss and that is why lipreading groups can be so helpful.

If you’d like to find out more about lipreading and managing hearing loss classes, please contact me on lisa.cox@baec.ac.uk

July 2022 Life in... Orpington 43

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