Bexley Magazine - Summer 2022

Bexley Latest news and information from your Council

Magazine Summer 2022

Join us in opposing the Mayor of London’s ULEZ proposals Deadline 29 July 2022

Belvedere Erith Welling

BEXLEY

Crayford

Sidcup

Your New Councillors Help with the cost of living Local information – community news - what’s on

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Help to find work Do you have a mild mental health condition or a disability?

If yes, then Bexley Business & Employment (BBE) can help you realise your potential and find the right job for you. We will get to know you and identify your skills, support needs and job aspirations so that we can provide you with the appropriate support to achieve your employment goals.

For more information regarding our employment programmes, please contact us on 020 3045 3800 or email contactus@bexleybe.co.uk or visit our website here: www.bexley.gov.uk/bbe

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We will help you to: z improve your health and wellbeing z develop your work skills and gain experience z create a CV and complete job applications z boost your confidence and do well at interview z find a job that is right for you or explore self-employment z succeed and progress in your new job As well as employment support, we can help you to access accredited training, mental health services, drug and alcohol support, debt advice, and housing support.

Bexley Business & Employment London Borough of Bexley

News

Inside

your magazine Welcome

4 New Mayor

7 ULEZ

8 Barnehurst Golf Course

11 Summer Reading Challenge

16-17 Your Councillors

Six things 22 Local information 25 What’s on 26 -27

All our yesterdays 28 Services 29 Local organisations 30

If you would like to know more about the services the Council provides, or would like either a translation of this document or the information in a different format, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 020 8303 7777, quoting reference: 602063/6.22 London Borough of Bexley, Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath DA6 7AT Phone: 020 8303 7777 • Website: www.bexley.gov.uk • Email: communications@bexley.gov.uk Distributed free of charge to every property in the borough

Thank you to everyone who took part in the elections in May and for the opportunity to serve the borough for another four years.

We will continue to work hard to build a better Borough for all our residents.

As you will see from the cover, the Mayor of London is consulting on a plan to extend the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone).

This will have a dramatic effect on many road users in Bexley and Kent, so please read what it means and have your say before the closing date of 29 July.

One of the reasons we oppose the proposal is the impact on people on lower incomes. On page 20 you will find information on the help that is available to people in the borough who are struggling because of the rising cost of living. Please share it with friends or family if you think they will find it helpful.

In May, the Elizabeth Line finally opened, bringing faster and more frequent service from Abbey Wood to Canary Wharf, central London and Paddington. As you can read on page 4, we’ve taken the opportunity to remind the government that extending the line to Ebbsfleet would create much needed opportunities for people and businesses across Bexley and north Kent.

Have a good summer.

Editorial: Bexley Communications Team. Designed and produced by: Bexley Graphics.

London Borough of Bexley does not accept responsibility for goods or services offered by advertisers.

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news

Elizabeth Line cuts journey times into central London The Elizabeth Line opened on Tuesday 24 May, improving transport links, cutting journey times, providing extra capacity, and transforming accessibility with spacious new stations and walk-through trains.

It is currently operating 12 trains an hour between Abbey Wood and Paddington from Monday to Saturday 06:30 to 23:00.

Work continues in engineering hours and on Sundays to allow a series of

testing and software updates to prepare for more intensive services from the autumn.

Customers travelling to Reading or Heathrow currently need to change at Paddington.

The new railway has reduced the travel time from Abbey Wood to Canary Wharf to only 11 minutes, rather than the current 30 minutes. Travelling to Paddington will take 29 minutes rather than the 55 minutes it took before the line opened.

Work continues at Bond Street Elizabeth Line station, which is expected to open later this year.

Changes have been made to 14 bus routes to improve links to Elizabeth Line stations in east and south-east London, including the 180, 469 and 472.

The 180 now runs between North Greenwich and Erith via Church Manorway. If you live in Abbey Wood, Belvedere or Erith you can now travel directly via public transport to jobs at companies with warehouses at Church Manorway, including Tesco and Ocado.

Services on the Elizabeth Line www.tfl.gov.uk/elizabeth-line Improved 180 bus service www.tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/180 Information on all bus services in London - www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses

Nick O’Hare is Bexley’s new Mayor Cllr Nick O’Hare, who represents Blendon and Penhill Ward, has been elected the Borough’s new Mayor, for the second time.

His daughter and the new Mayoress is Ms Natalie Ford.

Nick is a proud member of Bexley’s Greek community.

He moved to England at the age of 13. He secured a three-year apprenticeship as a hairdresser, eventually saving enough money to open his own hairdresser’s salon. He moved his business to Welling in 1985.

Nick married his wife Maria in 1981. He taught her hairdressing and the couple have worked together for many years. They have

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two daughters, Natalie and Leah.

Nick gained a teaching degree at the age of 50, fulfilling a long-held ambition.

The Mayor appointed Cllr Rags Sandhu as Deputy Mayor and his wife Mrs Bal Sandhu as Deputy Mayoress.

The Mayor and Mayoress will be working to raise funds for ‘Avenue’, a specialist charity providing support services for people with autism, learning disability and acquired brain injury.

news

Council election results The Conservatives retained control of the Council following the Borough elections on Thursday 5 May. When the counting of votes was completed, the state of the parties was X Conservative - 33 (-1) X Labour - 12 (+1) X Other – 0

Share of newly won seats

Conservative Party = 33 Labour Party = 12

The full results of the elections are available on the Council’s website - www.bexley.gov.uk/ election2022

“The residents of Bexley have shown their faith in us.

Our priority now is to build back Bexley even better!”

Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE Leader of the Council Councillor O’Neill thanked the following former Councillors who did not seek re-election for their service to the borough and its residents.

Sybil Camsey • Val Clark • Alan Downing • Joe Ferreira • Louie French • John Fuller • Danny Hackett • Brenda Langstead • Eileen Pallen • Dave Putson • Alex Sawyer • Brad Smith • Adam Wildman The new Council met for the first time on 25 May, when Councillor Nick O’Hare was elected Mayor and Councillor Rags Sandhu Deputy Mayor.

You can read more about the new Mayor on page 4.

Payment of energy rebate Earlier this month the Council finished making paying the oneoff £150 energy rebate to around 74,000 residents.

Practical issues meant that the payments were made in two groups, with later payment to people who needed to be paid by cheque or those whose bank details did not match the details on their Council Tax account.

If you believe you are eligible for the payment but have not received your payment please email energyrebate@bexley. gov.uk.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the payments are available online www.bexley.gov.uk/ energyrebate If you have difficulty managing your cheque payment, please use the form on this web page to ask for help.

New Cabinet X Leader, Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE X Deputy Leader/ Cabinet Member for Resources Councillor David Leaf X Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Councillor Melvin Seymour X Cabinet Member for Children Councillor Philip Read X Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing Councillor Sue Gower MBE X Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Richard Diment X Cabinet Member for Growth Councillor Cafer Munur X Cabinet Member for Place Councillor Peter Craske You can find details of upcoming Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings on page 25.

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news

Night markets in Bexleyheath Get your weekend off to the perfect start this summer by visiting one of Bexleyheath’s new night markets starting from Friday 24 June.

City Freedom for the Leader of the Council The Leader of the Council, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, was granted the Freedom of the City of London earlier this year for her outstanding services to local government.

The Freedom recognised her critical importance in shaping the capital’s recovery from Covid-19.

Cllr O’Neill said: “It was an honour to be recognised by the City of London Corporation.

The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone and there are many people who deserve to be recognised for their contributions. The work we carried out to support the recovery of the capital was demanding, but it was a privilege to play a part in helping the capital through such challenging times. Receiving the Freedom of the City is especially meaningful to me because I worked in finance in the City for many years before I became Leader of the Council”.

Cllr O’Neill received the honour at the Guildhall, in the heart of the City in April.

Cllr O’Neill receiving the Freedom of the City of London

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Five market events will take place on the last Friday of each month on the following: 24 June, 29 July, 26 August, 30 September and 28 October.

The night markets will run between 6pm and 10pm in the pedestrianised area of the Broadway, Bexleyheath.

You’ll be able to discover delicious and affordable street food, local artisan products, craft beers, cocktails and more. There will be fun activities for the kids to enjoy while you relax into your weekend.

Traders will offer a range of specialist products and traditional items. Three of the market’s stalls will feature products from young

SHOAPL LO C

entrepreneurs in the Borough, which will be managed in conjunction with expert partners.

The Council and our local partners - including the Bexleyheath Business Improvement District (BID) - have secured funding from the Mayor of London’s High Streets for All Challenge. The monthly night markets are part of a collaborative initiative to test new approaches to revitalise Bexleyheath town centre.

Find out more at wwwbexleyheath nightmarket.com

Keeping Bexley cleaner and greener We know how much local people value our green and open spaces and the importance of creating a cleaner and greener borough.

Working with our grounds maintenance contractor Tivoli, we’ve invested in new machinery, increased the size of the workforce and provided more jobs for local people. Around 70% of Tivoli’s staff live locally and they have put a new employee training programme in place.

This year they helped us plant 60,000 more daffodils, as well as creating a training programme for our volunteer Friends of Groups.

The Tivoli crews are off to a great start this season and you’ll see them around the borough on their new machinery maintaining: X 105 parks and open spaces

X over 61 thousand square metres of hedges

X 4 cemeteries

Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/ friends-group

X over 87 thousand square metres of shrub beds

X 56 hectares of grass highway verges They also collected 1,180 tonnes of dog waste from poo bins around the borough over the last year.

Grass verges are litter picked and cut, with particular attention paid to identifying areas that can be left for wildflower development.

Some highway verge cuts involve a 3-day road closure and the cut itself can take 5 days to complete.

You can help us make the Borough even cleaner and greener by volunteering to help maintain our public areas.

news

Have your say on plans to Deadline for comments: 29 July extend ULEZ Transport for London launched a consultation on 20 May seeking your views on the Mayor of London’s proposal to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across Greater London, including all of Bexley.

The London-wide ULEZ would begin on 29 August 2023.

Sadiq Khan has also asked TfL to develop a longer-term smart road user charging system to address air pollution and traffic congestion in London. The consultation asks for views on charging drivers for using roads in the capital in the future.

How the expanded ULEZ would work The daily charge for driving a non-compliant car, smaller van, motorbike or similar vehicles in the ULEZ is currently £12.50. Noncompliant vehicles are older diesel or petrol vehicles. The change may affect the owners of more than 100,000 vehicles in outer London – and around 21,000 in Bexley alone The Mayor is proposing to increase the penalty for driving a non-compliant vehicle in the ULEZ by £20 to £180, or £90 if paid within 14 days.

What is road user charging?

This could involve varying charges depending on the length and reason for the journey as well as the route, the time of day it is taken and the type of vehicle used. Such a complex charging system would rely on new technology to enable the tracking of drivers or vehicles and raises many challenges, including putting a system in place and safeguarding privacy.

About the consultation TfL have produced a short video, consultation brochure and an Integrated Impact Assessment about the proposal.

Greater London Authority (GLA) boundary

ENFIELD

Proposed new ULEZ area for 2023

Current ULEZ area from 2021 BARNET HARROW

WALTHAM FOREST

HARINGEY

REDBRIDGE HAVERING

BRENT

CAMDEN

ISLINGTON

HACKNEY

Congestion Charge Zone

HILLINGDON

ON GT A IN SE H NS EL KE & CH SMIT ER AM MM LH HA & FU

HOUNSLOW

LAMBETH RICHMOND UPON THAMES

KINGSTON UPON THAMES

WANDSWORTH

NEWHAM

SUTTON

BEXLEY LEWISHAM

Current ULEZ area from 2021 Proposed new ULEZ area for 2023

BROMLEY CROYDON

How the ULEZ will expand to cover all of London

Greater London Authority (GLA) boundary Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright 2022

Please have your say By visiting the Have Your Say website.

Calling TfL on 0343 222 1155.

Emailing cleanairyourview@tfl.gov.uk

X Bexley has a high level of car ownership due to the lack of modern public transport links serving the borough.

X Bexley is one of only two London boroughs with no Underground stations, no access to the DLR, no trams and no rapid bus services.

X The ULEZ charge is a regressive tax, disadvantaging lower income families who cannot afford to pay the charge or buy ULEZ compliant vehicles.

X It also puts further pressure on household finances, when energy, food and other prices are rising.

X Key workers in industries such as health and the care sector who rely on their cars to visit patients will be unfairly penalised.

X It will also put an extra burden on small businesses.

X Non-compliant vehicles are likely to be bought by people in areas outside the ULEZ, where they will continue to impact on air quality and climate change.

X We believe there are more effective ways to address air quality

GREENWICH

MERTON

Congestion Charge Zone

BARKING & DAGENHAM

TOWER HAMLETS

SOUTH WARK

CITY OF WESTMINSTER

EALING

CITY OF LONDON

Why the Council opposes the proposal

Read the Mayor of London’s case for extending the ULEZ at https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov. uk/cleanair

X The ULEZ charge will deter people from outside the capital who wish to drive into London to work, shop to see family, friends or visitor attractions.

Check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant. https://tfl.gov.uk/ modes/driving/check-yourvehicle/

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Barnehurst Golf Club opens

Barnehurst Golf Club and it’s newly refurbished driving range opened at the end of May. Since taking over Barnehurst Golf Club, International Leisure Group, the owners of American Golf and the new operator, have invested to bring the site back to its former glory.

The site boasts a newly refurbished 15 bay Toptracer Driving Range, 9-hole golf course, Il Corso Sports Lounge & Restaurant, outdoor terrace, 40-person function and meeting room, plus a new golf academy which will be one of the site’s flagship locations.

The fully licensed Il Corso Sports Lounge and Restaurant with stunning views across the golf course opened at the end of April and is already getting rave reviews.

As American Golf’s first municipal

site, Barnehurst Golf Club will extend the brand’s vision to make golf accessible to everyone. They are already working to introduce schools and clubs to the wider enjoyment of golf.

A big focus for the club will be supporting people to get into golf through the Justin Rose Academy, featuring a private teaching room with Trackman technology. ‘Get into golf‘ sessions will start in June for families, children, and ladies, with the first taster sessions being free.

Membership enquiries can be made www.americangolf.co.uk/ driving-range/barnehurst or by dropping into the Club.

You can follow Barnehurst Golf Club on Facebook and Instagram.

Weddings at Hall Place & Gardens

Say ‘I do’ within a stunning historic house in the heart of Kent.

Hall Place & Gardens offer numerous locations for you to take your vows, from the spectacular private North Courtyard, to their idyllic indoor ceremony spaces steeped in history.

The magnificent Great Hall and rustic Tudor Kitchen are beautiful spaces to celebrate with delicious and creative dining choices.

Both elaborate and intimate celebrations are welcomed at Hall Place, with their experienced team ready to guide you through the planning of your dream day.

Visit www.hallplace.org. uk/weddings to request more information and arrange a viewing.

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Hall Place railway update The Railway at Hall Place and Gardens is nearly here!

The Welling District Model engineering society (WDMES) are getting back on track and we are looking forward to their new railway opening soon.

Please keep an eye on the Hall Place Website and social media for the further information and opening dates. Once complete the railway will be open on Sundays from 12.30 – 4pm until the end September.

WDMES is a volunteer run society. If you would be interested in joining them please visit wdmes.co.uk/contact www.hallplace.org.uk

Learn local at the LECB The Learning & Enterprise College Bexley (LECB) has been offering adult education in Bexley for over 50 years.

Did you know that the College was found to be ‘good’ by Ofsted in 2020?

As the new curriculum is launched this month, now is the perfect time to check out your

Vocational Studies X Adult Health and Social Care X Business and Administration X Childcare and Education Settings X Counselling X Financial Industries X First Aid X Horticulture X Retail and Commercial Industries

Essential Skills X ESOL X English X Maths

local college, see what’s on offer and sign up.

Community Learning X Community outreach X Family Learning X Courses for Adults with Disabilities

X Languages (French and Spanish) X We offer a curriculum to help students with learning difficulties, disabilities and autism to develop their skills to become independent and flourish in life.

There are also opportunities for some students to move into volunteering or supported employment These are just an example of some of what the College has on offer - there is so much more.

Call our friendly LECB team on 020 3045 5176 or email enquiries@lecb.ac.uk and find the right course for you.

Our next open day is on Saturday 2 July 10am–2pm.

Pop along and see what we have offer

X Health and wellbeing X Employability X Creative Arts

New libraries update Sidcup Storyhouse Work is still ongoing on the Sidcup Storyhouse - the new library and cinema in Sidcup. The shell and inside core work is almost complete and we are working closely with our architects DRDH to finalise the library furniture fit-out.

The Really Local Group will be fitting out and running the exciting new independent three-screen cinema in the new development.

The Nest, Thamesmead We are currently hard at work constructing the library interior at The Nest. The Community space and Peabody office space located above the library is already open for business.

Both libraries will provide community activities and are part of developments that will provide new homes.

Keep an eye on the Bexley Libraries website at www.bexley. gov.uk/libraries for details of a special launch programme of events at both libraries.

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wellbeing

New process for travel concessions Inspire Community Trust (Inspire) administer three concessionary travel schemes on the Council’s behalf: X Blue Badge parking X Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass X Taxi-card applications in Bexley You can now apply for the schemes online using these links: X Blue Badge - www.gov.uk/ apply-blue-badge

X Disabled Freedom Pass https://bexley-freedompass. egovhub.net/FreedomPass/ launch X Taxi card applications www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/ services/taxicard All the questions in the application must be completed, including details of medical conditions, to ensure they can process your application without delay.

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If you are unable to submit your application online, visit the Living Solutions and Mobility Shop at 50 High Street, Sidcup DA14 6EH Monday-Friday between 9am to 5pm.

If you visit the shop for assistance you will need to bring along – X photo ID X paper bill no more than three months old showing your current address X disability benefit letter (e.g. PIP, DLA) X medical evidence Visit www.inspirecommunitytrust. org/blue-badge for more information on any of the schemes.

Call 01322 520560

You could foster with Bexley Did you spot our super hero posters and banners across the borough during Foster Care Fortnight?

During the fortnight our dedicated Fostering Team were out raising awareness about the huge need for many more fostering families for our most vulnerable Bexley children.

We need carers for children, teenagers, siblings and parents and babies. Just as no two children are the same, no two foster carers will be the same.

If you can provide a safe and nurturing family environment for our children and young people there are less hurdles than you may think

to becoming a foster carer.

We are interested in what you have to offer a child, rather than your marital status, ethnicity, sexuality, religious belief or whether you own a house or not. Having a pet will not prevent you from becoming a foster carer either.

Whether you are new to fostering or experienced, our friendly team will work closely with you to make that vital difference to a child or young person’s life.

We are proud that Ofsted rates our Children Services as ‘Outstanding’. We welcome new foster and existing carers from all backgrounds to join our team

Find out more and fill in our online form at www.bexley.gov.uk/ fostering-bexley or call our friendly team on 020 3045 4400 between Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Online Fostering Information Session

6pm to 7pm Thursday 21 July Call or email the team to book

Summer Reading Challenge 2022 The Summer Reading Challenge is run by the Reading Agency and offered from all Bexley Libraries.

This year’s theme - ‘Gadgeteers’ - is designed to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them. With resources and activities from the Science Museum Group, the Challenge focuses on inspiring children to see the science and innovation behind everyday objects, showing that reading and science are for everyone.

Children read six books of their choice over the summer holidays, collect cards and rewards along

the way, and receive a medal and certificate when they complete the challenge. There will be lots of fun activities to take part in too.

The challenge runs from 9 July to 10 September and is for children of all ages and reading abilities.

Come along and visit one of our wonderful local libraries and discover the amazing things going on this summer.

As well as shelves of wonderful books to borrow, why not try

some of our free eBooks and eAudiobooks for children, including ‘The Wimpy Kid’ and ‘Dork Diaries’.

Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/ bexley-libraries for more details.

Free in all Bexley Libraries

9 July 1 0 S e pte mber

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Bexley celebrates As the Magazine went to print, people across the borough were preparing to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

A wide range of celebrations were planned by local people, schools, businesses and community groups over the extended bank holiday weekend. We will feature photographs from them in the next issue of the Magazine, which will be out in September.

The Queen is the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth.

Thank you to the more than 200 people who submitted entries for our ‘Platinum Portrait’ competition.

Some of the winners are featured here.

Each wins a gift voucher kindly sponsored by Countrystyle Recycling.

The full list of winners is X Freya Owen X Anike Fashoyin, St Paul’s Slade Green CofE Primary School X Avneet Virdi, St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Bexleyheath

You can see all their prizewinning artwork on the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk/ platinum-jubilee and on the digital display boards inside Bexley libraries.

Avneet Virdi

X Daya Shiyani, Townley Grammar School X Katharina Papanca, Townley Grammar School X Sarah Frost

Daya Shiyani Sarah Frost

Anike Fashoyin

Freya Owen

Katharina Papanca

Wonderland in Lesnes!

Local resident and Les Miserables star Nancy Sullivan has raised funds to help bring professional theatre to Lesnes Abbey again this summer.

Nancy’s company ‘The Ruined Theatre’ is back for Summer 2022 to entertain Bexley residents.

From 4–14 August the beautiful Lesnes Abbey ruins will be transformed into an open-air theatre for a hilarious family friendly production of ‘Ally in Wonderland!’

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Pop along and join Ally as they explore Wonderland and meet some of its most infamous characters, such as The Mad Hatter, The Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit.

Tickets start at £6 and are available at www.theruined theatre.com

food waste

60% of food wasted in our homes Top 5 ways to cut down

Food waste is a global issue and every one of us has an essential role to play in working to reduce it.

Our food shop is one part of our day-to-day life where there are plenty of opportunities for making savings. And there’s an added bonus of shopping smarter: less food waste!

As part of our food waste reduction campaign, we are working with two food waste reduction apps: Olio and Kitche.

Olio is a platform for people to share any unwanted food and Kitche helps you to plan what is in your fridge and when it needs

to be eaten by.

Help fight food waste and download the apps today. www.bexley.gov.uk/ food-waste-bexley See below for your chance to win a £720 supermarket voucher from Kitche. That’s how much the average family spends on food that ends up in the bin each year!

Reduce-Recycle what’s left The best thing that can happen to food is that it makes it to our plates and is enjoyed However, some food waste is inevitable, so please ensure all unavoidable food waste is placed in your food waste box.

on food waste

1 Don’t over buy. Keep track of what you’ve bought and used. WRAP suggests taking a ‘shelfie’ – a photo of your fridge and cupboards to remind you of what’s there

2 Check the use by dates of fresh food

when you buy it. These are the dates to take notice of, rather than the best before dates. Only buy what you can use before it expires.

3 Plan. Think about what you’re going to cook and how you’ll use the leftovers.

4 Look for simple recipes to use up your leftovers. LFHW have some great ideas.

5 Love your freezer. For tips on what you

can freeze, including advice on freezing different kinds of fruit and veg, check out the LFHW A-Z guide to food storage www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

chers! of food vou 0 2 7 £ in W

Did you know the average Bexley household wastes £720 of food each year?

Enter our Bexley giveaway!

We are giving a lucky Bexley resident £720 worth of supermarket food vouchers – that’s how much the average family spends on food that ends up in the bin each year!

it, don’t ditch it!

Download our free Kitche app, designed to remind you what you have in your fridge and freezer so that you can reduce food waste and save money! Simply scan your supermarket receipt or add your shopping into the Kitche app, track what food you have at home, and find 1000s of recipes based on your ingredients. Let us help you to reduce home food waste and save money!

Get the FREE

app! Scan the QR code or visit the App store or Google play.

All you need to do is download the Kitche app and start using the awesome in-app features!

Competition ends 30th August.

Scan the QR code for T&C’s.

Scan me for more details on Kitche, our partnership with Bexley and our giveaway!

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community

OneBexley - here to support Launched in November last year, OneBexley is a partnership made up of eight local charities; commissioned by the Council.

They have come together to provide services to local residents – some of whom may be experiencing difficult times in their lives – and support them to maintain good health and wellbeing.

The partners carry out social care assessments for people working with individuals to identify things that are important to them, or that they may need help with and help to find options for tailored care and support.

The OneBexley partnership consists of X Age UK Bexley X Bexley Mencap X Bexley Voluntary Services Council (BVSC)

X Carers Support Bexley X Crossroads Care South East London X Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice X Inspire Community Trust X Mind in Bexley Jon Devlin Associate Director of Business Development & Partnerships at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice said: “Every person is different; we all have different interests, skills and things we need support with. At OneBexley, we will talk with you about what matters in your life and the things that are working well, as

well as talking about things you may need support with and how you can access that support.”

Bexley resident Brenda, has used the service and said: “It’s more one-to-one and personal. You don’t feel like you’re speaking to an organisation. You’re talking to a friend - and you can confide in friends.”

If you think that you might be eligible to receive support and you have previously accessed services from any of the partner charities, please contact them directly.

If you have not used any of these services before, please contact BVSC on 020 4530 6580 or email onebexleypathways@ bvsc.co.uk

Ukraine support

Learning Disability Week was 20- 26 June and is organised by the national charity Mencap.

The aim this year was to show how people with a learning disability are reconnecting with friends and their communities. It’s an opportunity to talk about the issues many people still face after the end of COVID-19 restrictions, like still having to isolate or dealing with poor mental health and anxiety.

Bexley Mencap have a range of all year round groups

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and services for people over 16 years old in Bexley with a learning disability. From singing to dance, tennis to social clubs there’s a lot to choose from, as well as support to help people live independently and for their carers.

Find out more at www.bexleymencap.org.uk/ ldweek2022 or call 020 8303 6336.

Bexley has been welcoming Ukrainian nationals through the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. A range of Council services are supporting hosts and Ukrainian guests.

In May, Bexley Voluntary Service, St John’s Church, Sidcup and the Sidcup BID organised a ‘Welcome to Bexley’ drop-in session for refugees who are new to the borough. This gave them the opportunity to find out about local services and support as well as to meet other refugees who had recently arrived in the borough.

Detailed information about the help and support available from the Council and partners, together with information for those who would like to help, is available on our website. www.bexley.gov.uk/ukraine

Healthy

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Start

The Healthy Start scheme is a Government funded programme that aims to help parents give their young children the best start in life by subsidising food shopping.

You can qualify for the Healthy Start scheme if you are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under four years. You must be receiving benefits, or have a family annual income of £16,190 or less, or be under 18 and pregnant.

After you apply you will get a prepaid card which is topped up with funds every four weeks.

Your card is accepted at

supermarkets for purchases of: X Fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables X Fresh, dried and tinned pulses X Cow’s milk X Infant formula milk The Scheme provides: X £4.25 each week of pregnancy from 10 weeks

from birth to one year old X £4.25 each week for children between one and four years old X Free Healthy Start Vitamins from your Health Visitor For more information on how to apply for Healthy Start www.healthystart.nhs.uk

X £8.50 each week for children

Grab a jab

Have you had your FREE NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check looks at lowering the risk of developing conditions which could possibly be prevented, including diabetes, heart attack, kidney disease, hypertension, stroke and dementia.

What effects our heart also effects our brain, so we need to look after ourselves and spot signs earlier.

Visit www.nhs.uk/ conditions/nhs-health-check to find out more, or ask your GP about the programme.

There are lots of places in Bexley to get your COVID-19 vaccine, whether it’s your first, second or booster jab.

Find the nearest place to you at www.bexley.gov.uk/ covid-19-vaccines Getting the vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and people around you.

Whether it’s for seeing friends or family, going on holiday, getting back to school or university or just getting back to normality, don’t miss your vaccine.

If you’ve got questions visit www.nhsselvax.com or call the COVID helpline on 07828 499 044 and book a free confidential chat with a healthcare professional.

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tratS

yhtl

Bexley’s Councillors – and the Barnehurst

Belvedere

Bexleyheath

Blackfen & Lamorbey

Blendon & Penhill

Brian Bishop Conservative

Esther Amaning Labour

Bola Carew Conservative

Peter Craske Conservative

Howard Jackson Conservative

Daniel Francis Labour

Sue Gower MBE Conservative

Sally Hinkley Labour

Crayford

Crook Log

East Wickham

Patrick Adams Conservative

Geraldene Lucia-Hennis Conservative

Teresa O’Neill OBE Conservative Leader of the Council

Christine Catterall Conservative

James Hunt Conservative

David Leaf Conservative Deputy Leader

Felix Di Netimah Conservative

Chris Taylor Conservative

Steven Hall Conservative

Rags Sandhu Conservative

Cafer Munur Conservative

Nick O’Hare Conservative

Melvin Seymour Conservative

Janice Ward-Wilson Conservative

Caroline Newton Conservative

Longlands

Northumberland Heath

Sidcup

Slade Green & Northend

St. Mary’s & St James

Thamesmead East

West Heath

Andy Dourmoush Conservative

Baljeet Gill Labour

Cheryl Bacon Conservative

Stefano Borella Labour

Kurtis Christoforides Conservative

Zainab Asunramu Labour

John Davey Conservative

Lisa Moore Conservative

Wendy Perfect Labour

Richard Diment Conservative

Anna Day Labour

Cameron Smith Conservative

Larry Ferguson Labour

Philip Read Conservative

Mabel Ogundayo Labour

Peter Reader Conservative

June Slaughter Conservative

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areas they represent Erith

Falconwood & Welling

Nicola Taylor Labour

Nigel Betts Conservative

Thamesmead East Chris Ball Labour

Frazer Brooks Conservative

Belvedere Erith Andrew Curtois Conservative

West Heath

Northumberland Heath

East Wickham

Slade Green & Northend

Barnehurst Crook Log

Falconwood & Welling

Bexleyheath Crayford

Blackfen & Lamorbey

Blendon & Penhill

St Mary’s & St James

Longlands Sidcup

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connected communities

New Carers Information Hub A new free weekly information session for unpaid carers is now being run at the Central Library, Bexleyheath, every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm.

You can get help with questions about benefits, where to access support and services, signposting or just general guidance. All unpaid carers are welcome, even if you are not sure if you are a carer. There is no need to book.

It is run by local charities including Carers Support and Bexley Mencap. The hub will be in the main Library space, but a private room is also available.

Free training courses for Carers

Courses take place at Crayford Manor House, Mayplace Road East DA1 4HB

Coping with Stress Four sessions on the following Mondays: 13, 20, 27 June and 4 July, 2.30 to 4pm. Participants should attend all four sessions.

Activity ideas for People with Dementia Two sessions for each course and participants need to attend both sessions Mondays: 11 July and 18 July or 8 and 15 August or 12 and 19 September, 2.30 to 4.30pm.

Please call 020 8302 8011 or email jennym@carerssupport. org to book your place at either of these courses.

New Weekly Group Support Meetings from June A new group is planned for people living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia and their Carers at Wolsley House, Wolsley Close, Crayford DA1 4BE. If you would like to be kept updated contact joanne@ carerssupport.org or call 020 8302 8011 and we will get in touch with more details.

Courses for carers The London Fire Brigade have launched a new training video for: X Carers (formal and informal) X Clinicians X Social or Support Workers X Occupational or Physio Therapists X Other relevant professionals X Anyone providing a caring role in someone’s own home Find out more at www.london-fire.gov.uk/ safety/carers-and-support-workers

Summer safety tips

Now that summer is almost here, there are some simple steps to keep you and your property safe during the holiday season.

X As tempting as it may be to post a photo on social media of you lying on the sand or sipping a cocktail by the pool, wait until you return from your travels to share these moments.

X Your social media followers may include several people you don’t know. If your profile is public, anyone can access your accounts and get information on your travel plans, alerting potential burglars to your

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absence. Consider enlisting a friendly neighbour to help keep up appearances while you’re away. If they agree to look after the house, ask them to collect your post each day and perhaps park their car in your driveway. This makes it appear as though someone is home.

Don’t give criminals a chance while you enjoy your holiday.

Staying safe – where to go for help Bexley’s Community Safety team works with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour that presents a high level of threat, risk, or harm to individuals or the community.

The team do not lead on noise nuisance, civil neighbour disputes, parking, waste and recycling, CCTV or graffiti. If you would like to report these kinds of issues you can do this online at www.bexley. gov.uk/directory Anti-social behaviour or incidents can be reported online at www.bexley. gov.uk/ASBreport You should always call 999 in emergency situations when you need immediate help, for example, if a crime is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.

If you don’t need immediate help, you can call 101 or report an issue online at www.met.police.uk You can also report to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.

Bexley is committed to tackling Hate Crime and promoting equalities and tolerance. You can help by encouraging victims to report all Hate Crime incidents.

For information on reporting and advice visit www.bexley.gov.uk/ hate-crime

50 years of Pride Pride Month is celebrated annually in June and this year we are celebrating Pride 50 - the 50th anniversary of the first Pride event in the UK. Pride is all about being proud of who you are, no matter who you love. It gives us all an opportunity to educate about equality and bring people together in love and friendship while celebrating our differences.

While positive changes have improved the lives of LGBTQ+ people, more needs to be done.

Pride Month calls for people to remember how damaging homophobia was and still can be.

To show our support for our LGBTQ+ residents, friends and allies, the progress flag will be flying outside the Civic Offices, for Pride in London, at the beginning and end of June. www.prideinlondon.org

A year in the Old English Garden Now in their seventh year, the Friends of the Old English Garden have around 20 volunteers who attend each week to maintain the special garden in Danson Park.

Over the last year its volunteers planted over 2,000 bulbs and dozens of shrubs, along with four Silverleafed Cinerarias to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

They renovated an area behind the pond into a raised herb bed and prevented several insect infestations.

The group achieved Level 5 ‘Outstanding’ in London in Bloom’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category, along with a Gold Certificate of Achievement in Ruxley in Bloom’s ‘Best Community Garden’ category.

Find out more on the group’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/DansonParkOldEnglishGarden

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advertisement

Help with the cost of living Everyone is being affected by the rising cost of living. We know that some people are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Keep this useful information to hand so that you know where to go for help or advice You are not alone. There are a number of local organisations that can offer financial help and advice.

Worried about money?

Budgeting loans are available to people currently claiming Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit. Loans can be provided for items such as furniture and white goods. www.gov.uk/budgeting-helpbenefits The Greenwich and Bexley Credit Union is a savings and loans cooperative owned and run by its members. All profits are put back into the business or paid out to members as a dividend on savings. www.gbcreditunion.com If you are worried about your Council Tax payments don’t delay.

Get in touch as soon as possible to seek help and advice. Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/helprent-or-council-tax Are you claiming everything you are entitled to? www.gov.uk/benefits- calculators bexley.entitledto.co.uk/home www.bexleycab.org.uk

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Worried about debt?

Christians Against Poverty provide a free debt counselling service to everyone. They also offer a free money course and job clubs. https://capuk.org/ StepChange Debt Charity provides free debt advice through its telephone debt helpline and online debt remedy tool. www.stepchange.org/ Howwecanhelpyou Bexley Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities to help people resolve their legal, money, debt, benefit, employment, housing, consumer, discrimination and other issues. Advice is given in person, by email or phone. www.bexleycab.org.uk

Worried about food?

Bexley foodbank receives donations of non-perishable and in-date food.

Care professionals, registered with the food bank, such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, citizen’s advice bureau and police, identify people in crisis and issues them with a foodbank voucher.

Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days of emergency food.

Bexley.foodbank.org.uk

Food Vouchers are available to help you buy fruit, vegetables and milk if you’re on a low income, pregnant or have a child under four years old.

See page 15 for more details. healthystart.nhs.uk

Worried about a home?

Shelter gives practical housing advice and support online, in person and by phone 365 days a year and helps with everything from mortgage arrears to finding a place to sleep. www.shelter.org.uk/ Kent Savers Credit Union promotes saving and provides members with loans at reasonable rates.

For people who are eligible, are homeless or threatened with homelessness, it can help secure properties by providing the deposit and rent in advance (one month) through a low interest loan. The property must be suitable and affordable and the loan repayments affordable.

Contact the Council’s Housing Options team by completing a housing support form at https:// mybexley.bexley.gov.uk/ service/housing_support_form Discretionary housing payments are a limited fund provided to the Council by the government each year. The fund allows the Council to provide additional assistance with rent in exceptional cases.

The scheme is purely discretionary. www.bexley.gov.uk/dhp

support Worried about childcare?

Free childcare hours The Government has a scheme for parents to access childcare if their children are two-years old or younger.

If your child is three or four-years old, you could still be eligible for 30 hours’ free help from an approved provider every term time week funded by the government. www.gov.uk/help-withchildcare-costs Parents are entitled to tax-free childcare for kids up to the age of 11 and can get cash from Universal Credit for children up to the age of 16.

Tax-free childcare is available to families where both parents are in work. Some people can claim up to £500 for each child every three months. www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit provides extra support for families where the government gives the claimant extra money towards paying for childcare. Claimants and their partner have to work at least 16 hours a week. www.gov.uk/universal-credit/ how-to-claim You can get Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child aged under 16, or if they are under 20 and in approved education or training. www.gov.uk/child-benefit

Landlord incentive scheme

Worried about energy bills?

Nearly 74,000 households in the borough in Council Tax Bands A to D should by now have received their energy rebates of £150. The Council has also been given some limited discretionary funding to assist vulnerable people with their energy bills and will be announcing its scheme shortly. www.bexley.gov. uk/services/council-tax As the magazine went to print the Government announced support available to help with rising energy bills and increases. www. gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-livingpayment advertisment

The Council offers cash payments to increase the supply of long-term private rented accommodation for residents in Bexley We offer landlords cash payments over one year in return for a 12-month assured shorthold tenancy (AST).

Further cash payments will be granted if the landlord maintains the tenancy for a further 12 months.

As part of the scheme cover is provided for rent arrears and damage to the property.

Landlords need to apply for formal accreditation with the Council.

Properties must have – X a carbon monoxide detector X Smoke alarms on each level X a heat detector

X a gas safety certificate X an energy performance certificate X a satisfactory electrical installation condition report Landlords must have proof of ownership, building insurance and be a fit and proper landlord.

Find out more about this and the other landlord incentive schemes offered under the Council’s Rent it Right scheme www.bexley. gov.uk/services/housing Or contact 020 8303 7777 and ask for the Housing Resettlement Team or email.

HousingResettlement Team@bexley.gov.uk

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6

ways into work

Our Bexley Business &

1 Employment service

helps people into work.

BBE have two offices based in Erith Hight Street.

The service is open to Bexley residents that are unemployed or seeking a job change to improve their career prospects. Visit our website at the address below or call 020 3045 3800.

BBE’s vacancy portal lists

2 local vacancies with

employers in and around Bexley. The BBE recruitment team work with many businesses in Bexley to help them fill their vacancies with local talent. Using the portal you can register with BBE and apply for local vacancies online. www.bexley.gov.uk/bbe

3 National Careers Service at the

LECB The National Careers Service visit the Learning and Enterprise College Bexley (LECB) once a week. Their experienced advisors can help you explore all of your options and choose the right course of action for you.

The careers information, advice and guidance team is part of the National Careers Service network and has Matrix accreditation so you can be sure of a high quality service.

You do not need to be a student of the College to access the service To find out more contact the team careers.advice@ lecb.ac.uk or call 020 3045 5176

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There are lots of ways into work in Bexley.

Our Bexley Business & Employment (BBE) service helped over 650 people move in to paid employment between April 2021 and March 2022.

During April we held our annual Apprenticeship event attended by over 400 people.

Find out more about the help on offer below and sign up to our ‘jobs and opportunities’ email newsletter at www.bexley.gov.uk/newsupdates

4 It’s natural to feel nervous before an

interview. Whether it’s a one-to-one interview or a group interview, it’s your opportunity to show an employer just how great you are and why they should employ you. Make an appointment with one of our BBE advisors on 020 3045 3800 or attend one of our interview workshops. www.bexley.gov.uk/bbe

5 Check out our handy

A–Z of things to do when job searching www.bexley.gov.uk/ bexley-businessemployment. If you need help with any of these hints and tips, call us on 020 3045 3800 or email us at the address below to arrange an appointment with an advisor.

6 Have a look at

apprenticeships – paid jobs with training. More apprenticeships are started by residents aged 25+ than any other age group: they’re not just for school leavers. And with training from GCSE to degree level, they can be a great way to start, learn, and turn a job into a career.

www.bexley.gov.uk/bbe www.bexley.gov.uk/apprenticeshipevent contactus@bexleybe.co.uk

support

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24

local information

Council meetings

These meetings will be webcast and available at www.bexley.public-i.tv A full calendar of meetings is published on the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk/meetings Reports and information on each of the Committees, including membership, are also available online.

12 July 7.30pm Public Cabinet 20 July 7.30pm Council 4 August 7pm Planning Committee 1 September 7pm Planning Committee

Sign up for our email updates www.bexley.gov.uk/newsupdates

LOCAL MPS Rt Hon Sir David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford

Louie French MP for Old Bexley & Sidcup

Surgeries will be on the first and third Friday on each month, excluding August, on an appointment only basis. Please call 0207 219 8403 to make an appointment.

To contact Louie French MP write to – House of Commons, Westminster London SW1A 0AA Email louie.french.mp@ parliament.uk

To contact Sir David Evennett MP Write to: House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA Email: david.evennett.mp@ parliament.uk Telephone: 020 7219 8403 Fax: 020 7219 2163 www.davidevennett.com Twitter: @davidevennett Facebook: fb.com/DavidAEvennett

Telephone 020 7219 5446 www.louiefrench.org.uk Any surgery requests should be emailed to louie. french.mp@parliament.uk including your name, full address and details of the issue you would like to raise.

Abena Oppong Asare, MP for Thamesmead and Erith To contact Abena Oppong Asare MP - Write to: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, Email: abena.oppongasare. mp@parliament.uk Telephone - 020 7219 3000 London Assembly Member Peter Fortune AM (Bexley and Bromley) To contact Peter Fortune E-mail: peter.fortune@ london.gov.uk

YOUR COUNCILLORS The London Borough of Bexley is divided into 17 wards and has 45 councillors.

To find out which ward you live in, or for up-to-date details of how to contact your local Councillors or members of the Council’s Cabinet, please visit

www.bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8303 7777 You can now search for the names of your local Ward Councillors on the Council’s website using your home post code.

Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/ councillors

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what’s on!

July - September 2022

Always check with the event venue before booking or travelling.

Sign up to our ‘what’s on’ email newsletter at www.bexley.gov.uk/newsupdates

Free cycling training

For adults living or working in Bexley www.bexley.gov.uk/cycling roadsafetyeducation@bexley. gov.uk

Love Crayford Market 10am to 3pm, recurring event

Waterside Gardens, Crayford DA1 4JJ

Every second Saturday of the month www.facebook.com/ LoveCrayford

Sidcup Producers Market

Days Lane, Sidcup DA15 8JR Tea and coffee available.

Learning and Education College Bexley (LECB) Open Day

Saturday 2 July, 10 am – 2pm

Find out more about the many courses on offer at the College.

Litter pick in Welling 12pm, Sunday 10 July

McDonald’s, 38 Bellegrove Road, Welling DA16 3PY Suitable for all ages. Litter picking equipment supplied.

10am to 2pm, recurring event

Meet the Dinosaurs

First Friday of the month www.facebook.com/ TheProducersMarkets

Clocktower, Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath DA6 7JN

Abbey Wood Village Market

Crossness Pumping Station Family Open Day

Nisbett Walk, Sidcup DA14 6BT

10:30am to 3:30pm, recurring event

Abbey Arms Car Park, Wilton Road SE2 9R First Saturday of the month www.facebook.com/ AWVMarket

Danson House Producers Market

10am to 3pm, recurring event

Danson House, Danson Park DA6 8HL Fourth Sunday of the month www.facebook.com/ theproducersmarkets

Age UK Fit Move Class 10:30am 12pm, Mondays

Belvedere Community Centre, Mitchell Close, Belvedere, DA17 6AA Call 020 8300 0883 to book

Age UK Tai Chi Class

2:30pm to 3:30pm, Tuesdays

Belvedere Community Centre, Mitchell Close, Belvedere, DA17 6AA Call 020 8300 0883 to book

Age UK Sidcup Befriending Café

10am to 1pm, Thursdays

The Holy Redeemer Church,

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10:30am to 4pm, Saturday 16 July

10:30am to 4pm, 17 July, 21 August, 18 September

Bazalgette Way, Abbey Wood SE2 9AQ 16+ £12, 5 to 15 £4, under 5s free Timings are subject to change, always check website www.crossness.org.uk

Online Fostering Information Session 6pm to 7pm Thursday 21 July

Book in advance

fostering@bexley.gov.uk

020 3045 4400

Strongman Qualifier South East 11am to 3pm, Saturday 23 July

Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath DA6 7JN

Night markets in Bexleyheath

6pm to 10pm, 29 July, 26 August, 30 September, and 28 October

Broadway, Bexleyheath

www.bexleyheathnightmarket. com

The Secret Garden Live at Danson House 1.30pm -3pm Sunday, 31 July 2022

Adult £18 / Child £12 / Family £55 (2 Adults + 2 Children Family-friendly, dance adaptation of the best-selling novel thelittleboxoffice.com/ newcreationscollective/event/ view/138515

The Tale of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny at Danson House Sunday, 7 August 2022 2:30pm-4:30pm

Join Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures in Mr Mcgragor’s garden in a delightful new adaptation

www.quantumtheatre.co.uk/ event-details/danson-house-2

Stunt Bike Saturday 11am to 4pm, Saturday 6 August

Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath DA6 7JN Featuring the RPM Bike Trials Display Team

Blackfen Summer Fayre 11am to 5pm, Saturday 13 August

thelunacinema.com/venue/ danson-house

Sidcup Fringe Festival TBC September 2022

Wellbeing festival aimed at families www.sidcuppartners.co.uk

Summer Reading Challenge 2022

9 July to 10 September

Available in all Bexley libraries and open to children of all ages and reading abilities. www.bexley.gov.uk/bexleylibraries

Sidcup Businesses Networking Event

Thursday 15 September

108 Main Rd, Sidcup DA14 6NE Register an interest in exhibiting at Business Connect.

Help raise the profile of local businesses. Register online. www.sidcuppartners.co.uk

Mum2mum Nearly New Market

10:30am to 12:30pm, Saturday 17 September

Falconwood Community Centre, 31–39 Falconwood Parade, Welling DA16 2PG £2 on the door (kids free)

www.mum2mummarket.co.uk

Leave it out Day

www.thamesmeadnow.org.uk

What’s on at Hall Place & Gardens

Falconwood Community Centre, The Green, Welling DA16 2PG Adults £1.50, accompanied children free. Free parking

Tickets from £17.50 Booking and details at www.

Meet Chase, Marshall, Skye and the rest of the team

www.discoverwelling.co.uk/ leave-it-out-day

Southmere Park, Hartslock Drive SE2 9XA

Tuesday, 26 July — 9pm

Wednesday, 27 July — 9pm

11am, Saturday 27 August

12pm to 7pm, 20 August

Toy and Train Fair

Dirty Dancing

Clocktower, Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath DA6 7JN

10am to 5pm, Blackfen Community Library, Blackfen Road, Sidcup DA15 9LU Sunday 18 September www.blackfencommunity People will leave things they no library.org longer want on their driveway or front garden, clearly marked, Thamesmead Festival for you to take. Register online

The Luna Cinema at Danson House

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Meet the PAW Patrol

5:30pm to 9:30pm, Thursday 25 August

mail@johnsalt.plus.com

020 8310 5018

Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ www.hallplace.org.uk

01322 526574

Farmer’s Market

10am to 2pm, recurring event

Free entry. First Sunday and third Saturday of each month

Online updates Painting the Place – Pen and Wash/ Watercolour Art Workshop

Painting the Place – A Kentish Landscape Art Workshop

£32 per person, advance booking online. Learn the basic techniques. Tea/coffee on arrival and Tearoom lunch (maximum value applies).

£32 per person, advance booking online. How to go about planning and executing a sketch, up to completion with watercolour washes. Tea/ coffee on arrival and Tearoom lunch (maximum value applies).

10am to 3pm, 1 July 2022

Tree Walk

11am, Friday 8 July

£4.60 per person, advance booking online. Enjoy a fascinating stroll with our Estates Manager

On Her Majesty’s service in Bexley – The Macebearer and the Deputy Lieutenant

2:30pm (doors open at 2:15pm), Wednesday 13 July

£10 (glass of bubbly included), advance booking online

Peter Rabbit Open Air Theatre

2pm (gates open at 1pm), Sunday 17 July

£14 adults, £10 under 16s, £45 family (2 adults, 3 children). Book tickets in advance online.

Mythical Beasts Imagination Trail 10am to 4:30pm, 1 to 31 August

Find the posters hidden around the gardens. £2.50 per trail sheet plus a small prize.

Bring your own pencil or buy one for 50p. Pay on the day.

Solar Observing 11am to 3pm, 7 and 20 August

Meet the Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society for this free drop-in activity.

Bat Walks

Adults only walk 8:30pm (meet at 8.15pm) Thursday 25 August Family walk - 8.30pm (meet at 8.15pm) Wednesday 31 August

Adults £14. 10 to 16-year-olds £10.

Advance booking online Dusk walk through the gardens. Bat detector supplied! Tea and cake.

10am to 3pm, Friday 9 September

Belvedere Concert Band 2pm, Sunday 11 September

Bring a rug or low backed chair to sit on. Picnics welcome.

Weather dependent. Please check on the day. Donations welcome.

What’s on at The Exchange

The Old Library, Walnut Tree Road, Erith DA8 1RS. www.theexchangeerith.com

01322 341144

BBQ Season at The Bookstore

2, 16, 30 July and 13, 27 August

BBQ food and local produce inspired by the Middle East, the Caribbean and South Asia for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans

Elaine Everest: An author talk 2pm to 3:30pm, Saturday 2 July

Local author Elaine Everest discusses her books Free, no booking required

Plant Doctor Drop-in 5pm to 8pm, 7 July and 11 August

Free, no booking required

Old Library History Tour 3pm to 4pm, 9 July and 13 August

Free. Booking required via website

Wool + Wine at The Bookstore

7pm to 9pm, Saturday 9 July

Enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink and join in the chat while helping knit and crochet squares for blankets.

Free, no booking required

www.bexley.gov.uk/events YoHa Open Day

3pm to 7pm, 21 July and 25 August

Exhibition with artist duo Graham Harwood and Matsuko Yokokoji of items found in Erith Free, no booking required

No Frills Theatre presents Twinkle 8pm to 9:15pm, Thursday 21 July

£10, booking required online Robert Walsh, founding member of ‘Out and Out’, the LGBTQ+ theatre company, in a one-man revenge comedy

ERITH MADE: Origami Boats

12pm to 3pm, Tuesday 26 July

Free, no booking required

ERITH MADE: Wildlife Garden with Men in Sheds 12pm to 3pm, Thursday 28 July

Join the Men in Sheds team painting hand cut animals and insects for our garden

No Frills Theatre presents The Anorak 8pm to 9:30pm, Thursday 28 July

£10, booking required via website. Based on a true event massacre in Montreal in the 1980s

Instagram Workshop 10am to 11:30am, Saturday 30 July

£15, booking required via our website

Lauriann’s STEM Club

12pm to 3pm, 13 August Help with GCSE subject choices, CV writing and STEM careers advice

Terrarium Workshop

1:30 to 3:30pm 13 August

£25, book online. Bring a glass vessel from home.

Plants provided.

ERITH MADE: Rosette Making

12pm to 3pm, 20 August

@whatsoninbexley Karaoke at The Bookstore 7pm to 9:30pm, 20 August

A night of good tunes, and delicious craft cocktails Free, no booking required

ERITH MADE

10 to 11 September

A celebration of Erith, its people, local businesses, and charities. Full programme coming soon.

The Urban Worm Workshop

12pm to 2pm, 11 September

£6 Book online

Tea Dance in the ‘Town Square’

2pm to 5pm, 11 September

Carnegie Ensemble at St John’s Church

7pm to 9pm, 11 September

£12 (£10 Concessions), book online The Carnegie Ensemble perform a programme of string quartets by Haydn, Moeran and Ravel

Craft Market

11am to 3pm, 18 September

Quiz at The Bookstore

7pm to 9pm, 24 September

£5 per person, book online Prize for the winning team.

What’s on at Lesnes Abbey

Lesnes Abbey Woods, New Road SE2 0AX

www.lesnesabbeywoods.org www.facebook.com/ lesnesabbey

Lesnes Abbey Farmers Market

10am to 3pm, recurring event www.facebook.com/ LesnesAbbeyFarmersMarket

Ally in Wonderland – Outdoor Theatre

1pm to 3pm, 4 to 14 August 10am on Sundays and Saturday 13 August

Discounted tickets for local residents. Book online.

Make rosettes for the dogs taking part in the E’Ruff’s Dog Show on 10 September Free, no booking required

27

all our yesterdays

It’s celebration time in Bexley Following the wonderful celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, our Local Studies and Archives Team have gone through the archive to find out how the borough celebrated the coronation!

The initial proclamation was declared at St James’ Palace on 6 February, while the Queen was still in Kenya. She returned two days later to accept her oath and make her own personal declaration.

Celebrations were held up and down the country and across the Commonwealth following the coronation on 2 June 1953, at Westminster Abbey. The coronation was held over a year after the Queen’s ascension to allow for a traditional period of mourning following the death of George VI. Celebrations in Bexley included street and house decoration, children’s sports days and, of course, street parties.

The Queen’s coronation is the only

British coronation to be fully televised. 27 million people in the UK - out of the 36 million population - watched the ceremony on television and millions more listened on the radio.

An official souvenir program for the coronation

Ref PHLS/91/31 Proclamation of Accession of Queen Elizabeth II Welling 1952

Ref PHLS/92/36 – the judging of the fancy dress competition at Brixham Road, Welling, 1953

Ref PHLS/92/15 Coronation decorations at Midfield Parade, Barnehurst 1953

Ref PHLS/92/9 A Prize winning decorated house in Warren Road, Bexleyheath 1953

Ref PHLS/92/34 – Street party held in Betsham Road, Erith 1953

40th anniversary of the Falklands War Throughout the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, the Royal British Legion (RBL) will be commemorating the service and sacrifice of all those involved.

RBL’s activity began on the 40th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War on 2 April and culminated in a national event to commemorate the end of the conflict on 14 June.

Local members of the RBL held their own events, including a short service of

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Commemoration and Remembrance at the Bexleyheath War Memorial on 14 June, where wreaths were laid by the Mayor and the Borough’s Deputy Lieutenant.

A major service of remembrance is planned for 3pm to 4pm Saturday 25 June at St John

the Evangelist Church, Church Road, Sidcup. All are welcome to attend.

30,000 sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen and merchant mariners took part in the Falklands War along with many civilians who supported the war effort. The RBL’s commemorations will honour and remember

this great collective contribution as well as the sacrifice of the 255 British personnel who sadly lost their lives. www.britishlegion. org.uk/get-involved/ remembrance/ remembrance-events/ falklands

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www.bexley.gov.uk

Council news via email newsletters at www.bexley.gov.uk/newsupdates Register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Useful Council numbers

How do I?

Automated payments – 020 3045 5200

Contact the police when it is not an emergency on 101 or 0300 123 1212

Adoption and Fostering - 0800 783 7699 Bexley Local Offer - Special Educational Needs and Disability Support for 0-25 year olds - 020 3045 5677 Bexley Magazine - 020 8303 7777 and ask for Communications Births, deaths and marriages - 03000 415252 registerofficebexley@kent.gov.uk Council Tax & Housing Benefits – 0345 302 2317 Emergency Out of Hours Service - 020 8303 7777 /

020 8303 7171 Home Library Service – 020 3045 4565 Housing advice - 020 3045 3400 Temporary Accommodation – 020 3045 3155/ 020 3045 3156 Parking Services - 020 3045 3000 Adults Social Services - Residential care – 020 3045 5159

100 + services online Seven days a week + 24 hours a day l Apply - Pay – Find - Report

Report a gas leak - 0800 111 999 Get health advice and reassurance -111 www.111.nhs.uk Report a leak or burst pipe to Thames Water - 0800 714 614 (24 hour leakline) or #tweetaleak to @thameswater

Other useful contacts Domestic Violence – 0808 2000 247 Job centre plus – 0345 604 3719 Resources Plus - 020 3045 3800 Citizens Advice Bexley – 0808 2505 709 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-3.30pm) Age UK information and advice – 0800 678 1174 For other enquires call 0800 169 8787 Bexley Voluntary Service Council – 01322 524682 Bexley Foodbank - 07932 431350 For all other Council services please call our automated switchboard on 020 8303 7777 to request the department you require

Worried about a child? Call 020 8303 7777 and ask for Safeguarding Children’s Services. In an emergency always call 999.

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local organisations Academy Photographic Group 07976 760488 Academy - United Judo Bexleyheath www.unitedjudo.com Active Horizons Youth 07833 477651/020 8310 5481 Adult Community Art Lessons @CleevePark www.sandiecamilleri.wixsite.com/artlab 07931 824110 Age UK Bexley - 020 8300 0883 Air Training Corps (Youth) Welling Sqdn - 020 8303 7379 Bexleyheath Sqdn - 01322 559056 Sidcup Sqdn - 020 8309 9926 Erith Sqdn - 01322 340749 Alzheimer’s Society Bexley Branch - 01322 524950/ 559308 Association of Bexley Charities ‘78 www.bexleych.wix.com/bexleycharities-78 Assyrian Community of Kent 01322 335479 Avante Community Support: Homecare 01322 344 980 107 (Bexleyheath) Army Cadet Force 07756 775294 Advocacy for All 0345 310 1812 Barnehurst Yoga Club 0771 222 6261 Barnehurst & Ivor Thomas Pool League davidleeds452@btinternet.com Belvedere Art Group 01322 556876 Belvedere Over 50s Keep Fit 0208 311 5550 Belvedere Social Bowls Club 01322 435 149 Bexley Borough Mummies 07572 473 272 Belvedere Community Forum and Centre 020 8311 5550 Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme 01322 311333 Bexley Active Retirement Club 020 8303 9675 Bexley African Caribbean Community Association (BACCA) 07946 497 731 Bexley Archaeological Group 020 8300 1752 Bexley Art Group 01322 430681 Bexley Arts Trust 020 8303 8177 Bexley Athletics Club 01322 342485 / info@bexleyac.org.uk www.bexleyac.org.uk Bexley Bards Story Tellers 0771 222 6261 Bexley visually impaired bowls club 020 8304 8409 Bexley Book Binding Group 07504 610 682 Bexley Borough Pensioners Forum 01322 527097 Bexley Boys & Girls Hall 020 8858 5123 Bexley Centre for the Unemployed 020 8301 3187 Bexley Churches Housing Assoc. Ltd 020 3866 5999 Bexley Civic Society secretary@bexleycivicsociety.org.uk Bexley Coin Club 0208 303 0510 Bexley Community Library Art Club 01322 836303/07446 480619 Bexley Cricket Club steventhomas.crawley@openreach.co.uk Bexley Croquet Club 01322 287581 / 01322 525975 Bexley & District Cats Protection 07880 471333 Bexley & Sidcup Lions Club 07790 279683 Bexley Deaf Centre 01322 351122

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Bexley Federation of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners (BFALG) 07470 468594 Bexley Football Club 020 8858 5123 Bexley Natural Environment Forum 01322 521 259 Bexley Down’s Syndrome Group www.bexleydownssyndrome.co.uk Bexley Heritage Trust Hall Place - 01322 526574 Bexley Historical Society secretary@bexleyhistoricalsociety.org.uk Bexley Ladies Keep Fit Club Hurst Community Centre Bexley & Lewisham Sea Cadets 020 8304 9448 Bexley Masters Swimming Club 07957 447432 Bexley Marquetry Group 01689 851702 Bexley Mencap 020 8303 6336 Bexley ME Support Group 020 8303 8553 Bexley Moorings Project www.bexleymoorings.co.uk Bexley Music Society 020 8306 2152 Bexley Pain Group 020 8298 6287 Bexley Park Bowls Club selkent01@hotmail.com Bexley Photography Chatter Community www.BexleyPhotographyChatter.co.uk Bexley Rotary Club bexleyrotaryclub@gmail.com Bexley Rugby Football Club www.bexleyrugby.co.uk 07791 127331 Bexley SNAP 01322 359 475 Bexley Stop Smoking Service 0800 7832514 Bexley Talking Newspaper 01322 445293 Bexley Tinnitus Support Group 01322 525115 Bexley Twofold 020 8303 7777/020 3045 4920 Bexley Turkish Elderly Day Centre 020 8306 6736 Bexley Voice - 07512 409936 Bexley Volunteer Centre 01322 524682 Bexley Ukulele Group 07711 704033 Bexley WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) 020 8300 1845 Bexley Women’s Aid - 020 8301 1536 Bexley Village Women’s Institute 01322 554544 Bexleyheath & District Club for Disabled - 020 8303 4826 Bexleyheath & Barnehurst Bowls Club 01322 526932 or 0744 447 5417 Bexleyheath & Belvedere Hockey Club 07720 412547 Bexleyheath Photographic Society https://bexleyheathphotographicsociety. zenfolio.com Bexleyheath Morning Townswomens Guild 020 8310 4537 Bexleyheath Gaming Club (Pokémon/Yu-Gi-Oh!) www.facebook.com/BexleyGamingClub Bexleyheath & Crayford Waterside Women’s Institute 01322 449066 Bexrose Gardening Society 01322 449066 Bird College - 020 8300 6004 Box Therapy www.boxtherapy.online Brampton Art Group - 020 8303 9132 The Boys’ Brigade & Girls Assoc 020 8304 9669 Bridge Club at VCD Crayford 01322 446625 / 07955 470762 Bridge Mental Health 020 8298 9677

Bridging the Gap for Autism 020 8300 5444 / 07557 278 215 British Army Association 01322 449175 British Polio Fellowship (North West Kent Branch) 020 8304 1694 Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) 01727 867201 Cancer Research UK - local fund raising 020 8302 3964 Chislehurst & Sidcup Ballet Club 07746719258 Care Matters UK Ltd - 01322 522440 Carers’ Support Bexley 020 8302 8011 Chislehurst & Sidcup Ballet Club 07746 719258 The Compassionate Friends Child Bereavement Support www.tcf.org.uk Connexions Prospects 020 3045 5555 Contact the Elderly 020 8303 4723 County Gate Lodge www.countygatelodge-freemasons.co.uk Cray Cottage Bowls Club Erith - 07971 053484 Crayford & District Men’s Probus Club 020 8304 2802 Crayford Camera Club 01322 438808 Crayford Judo Club 01322 631108 Crayford Manor House Historical Society 01322 551279 Crayford Women’s Institute 01322 557229 The Crossness Engines Trust www.crossness.org.uk Crossroads Care South East London 01322 336086 Cruse Bereavment Care - 020 8304 5245 Danson Park Bowls Club 07751068274 Danson Youth Trust 020 8303 6052 Darent Cray National Trust Association 01474 705402 Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group 07775 305110 Dimbleby Macmillian Cancer Support Guys at Queen Mary’s hospital 020 7188 0771 East Wickham Open Space Conservation Volunteers www.facebook.com/eastwickham conservationvolunteers Erith & Belvedere Local History Society 01322 337893/01322 332717 Erith & District Swimming Club edsc@edsc.org.uk Erith & District Synchronised Swimming Squads synchro@edsc.org.uk Erith & Thamesmead CAP Debt Centre 07576 315994 Erith Model Railway Society www.erithmrs.ukmodelshops.co.uk Erith Nemesis Martial Arts Gym 01322 335076 Erith Veterans Club Ltd - 01322 342137 Erith Veterans Club Singers 01322 553078 Evergreen Care Bexley www.evergreencarebexley.org Feel Good Co-Operative - 07908 034081 Friends of Danson Park - 07596 657763 Friends of Foots Cray Meadows www.footscraymeadows.org Friends of the Red House 01322 865186

To add your organisation to this list, or to update your contact details please e-mail communications@bexley.gov.uk or telephone 020 8303 7777 and ask for Communications

Friends of the Shuttle www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheShuttle Family Action 020 8310 6570 Geddes Place Widows Group 01322 521754 Haven - Gay & Lesbian Social Group 01322 287356 / 07804 808581 Headway South East London/ North West Kent 020 8319 7148 Healthwatch Bexley 020 8304 9344 Helio Mirror Bowls Club www.russellparkbowls.co.uk/helio-mirror Hill Park Autistic Trust 01322 334318 Holy Trinity Lamorbey Social Club 07903 565502 Hurst Horticultural & Garden Society 020 8306 2202 Imago 07710 847812 www.imago.community Insight Bexley 07824 999581 Inspire Community Trust 020 3045 5100 Irish Community Services in Greenwich, Bexley & Lewisham 020 8854 4466 Jlinks Physiotherapy 07951 025208 Kingfisher Bowls C lub 020 8302 8830 Lamorbey Park Archers www.lamorbeyparkarchers.club Lamorbey & Sidcup Local History Society 020 8302 0059 Lamorbey Park Cricket Club 07741 193133 Lesnes Abbey Woods Conservation Volunteers www.facebook.com/ LesnesAbbeyConservationVolunteers London Borough of Bexley Retired Employees Assoc 020 8300 5526/020 8303 0606 Macular Society Bexley Support Group 020 8856 8954 Manor House Bowls Club 020 8310 3648 07305 093876 Mayplace Art & Crafts Group 01322 529972 The Meeting Place Wed 9.30am - 1.30pm St John Fisher Church Hall Meridian Canoe Club - 07801 549601 MIND In Bexley 020 8303 5816 MND Association - 01322 228169 Multiple Sclerosis Society 020 8306 7050 New Sidcup / Eagles / Bexley Badminton Club www.eaglesandsidcup.com NFOP (National Federation of Occupational Pensioners) 020 8298 7074 Norfolk Women’s Club (Sidcup) 07765 428569 North West Kent Family History Society www.nwkfhs.org.uk North Kent Philatelic Society 07947 859016 North Kent Scottish Association Wednesday evenings at Barnehurst Golf Club Old Bexley Floral Arrangement Society 020 8302 9984 Parkinson’s Disease Society - 020 8306 5973 The Practical Photographic Group 020 8304 6561 Rainbows, Guide or Ranger Groups 020 8301 1200/01322 294516 Re-Instate Community Hub 01322 438155 Remap, London South Disability 07780 366130 The Rendevous Club for over 50’s 01322 287356/020 8859 2035 Red Robins Singing for Health 07900 205862

Royal Airforces Assoc 020 8303 5158 Royal Artillery Association Sidcup Branch 020 8306 1992 Royal Naval Association (Sidcup Branch) 07932 767105 Serenade Singers mcwhitford@gmail.com St John Ambulance Sidcup - 0844 770 4800 Erith - 07974 219471 St Michaels Ladies Club Welling 020 8306 1146 Samaritans 020 8301 1010 Shopmobility Scheme 020 8301 5237 Sidcup Art Club - 020 8302 5390 Sidcup Bowls Club - 07977 145039 Sidcup Chess Club www.sidcupchessclub.org.uk Sidcup Cricket Club 07411 177680 Sidcup Debt Advice 020 8269 8621 Sidcup & District Caledonian Association Scottish Country Dancing 020 8856 4522 Sidcup & District Motor Cycle Club 01634 201268 Sidcup and District University of the Third Age 020 8850 2046 Sidcup Jazz Club 01322 442442 Sidcup Jazz Record Club 01689 835805 Sidcup Literary & Scientific Society 020 8300 8647 Sidcup Musical Productions 020 8304 9150 / 020 8300 1392 Sidcup Pentanque Club - based at Sidcup Recreation Club 07825 934694 Sidcup Symphony Orchestra 01322 552710 Signpost Community - Drug & Alcohol Team 01322 357940 SmileyArk Kids Club 07956 263531 Smyth Lodge Care home (Sidcup) 03333 218599 The Scout Association 0845 094 6368 or 0845 300 1818 Speakability Sidcup 080 8808 9572 SSAFA - the Armed Forces Charity 020 8639 0495 Stillbirth & Neonatal Death 07951 454682 St John Ambulance Crayford Sidcup 0844 770 4800 St Mary’s (Welling)Players 020 8303 8933/ 07866 259302 Sunrise Frognal House Residental Care Home (Sidcup) 020 8302 2600 Trust Thamesmead 020 3828 4900 The Link Thamesmead 020 3828 4950 Sporting Club Thamesmead 020 3828 4920 Thames Innovation Centre 020 8320 1000 Thamesmead Running Club 07944 282611 Trefoil Guild - Invicta (Welling) 020 8304 8409 / 01689 811116 United Nations Assoc (Bexley) 01322 335 479 University of the Third Age Abbey Wood & Thamesmead 020 8311 4797 University of the Third Age Bexley 07946 377898 Veterans Club of Bexley - 020 8304 2815 Victim Support (Bexley) 020 7277 1433/ 020 8698 4583 Volunteers Information Service (VIS) 01322 335 479 Welling Art Group - 07905 437 840 Welling Being Link - 07895 143939 Welling U3A - University of the Third Age 020 8311 5295 or 07710 324717 Women’s Aid Helpline - 020 8301 1536

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Parkinsons

Appliance Services Ltd 07766 607251 020 8301 1618 / 020 8303 6950 Repairs/Sales/Service Washing machines, Dishwashers, Cookers, Ovens, Tumble Dryers, Storage Heaters etc Fast Friendly Service Formerly of Lion Road, Bexleyheath

Foster with Bexley

Give a child a better future 020 3045 4400 www.bexley.gov.uk/fostering

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