Local information

LOCAL MPS

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. Public Cabinet 12 October, 7:30pm Planning Committee 14 October, 7pm Council 3 November, 7:30pm Public Cabinet 16 November, 7.30pm Planning Committee 18 November, 7pm

Rt Hon James Brokenshire, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup Surgeries are by appointment only and can be made by calling the MP’s office on 020 7219 8400. To contact James Brokenshire MP Write to: House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA Email: james.brokenshire. mp@parliament.uk Telephone: 020 7219 8400 Rt Hon Sir David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford 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 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

YOUR COUNCILLORS

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

The London Borough of Bexley is divided into 17 wards and has 45 councillors. ULEZ To find out which ward you live in, or for up-to-date details of how to contact your local expansion: Councillors or members of the Council’s Cabinet, please visit check your vehicle now

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

Visit tfl.gov.uk/ulez-2021

The Ultra-Low Emission Zone is expanding from 25 October 2021. Have you checked your vehicle?

Air pollution is not just a central London problem, with many areas still exceeding the legal limits for pollution across the city.

That is why, from 25 October 2021, TfL is expanding the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to create a single, larger zone up to just inside the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). The North and South Circular Roads themselves are not in the zone.

The ULEZ will continue to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends (except Christmas day).

A £12.50 charge applies when driving within and into the expanded zone.

Four out of five cars already meet the ULEZ emissions standards, but owners of the remaining older cars, motorcycles, lighter van and minibuses need to take action.

Check your vehicle meets the ULEZ emissions standards and view an interactive map of the zone online.

All events listed were correct at time of printing. 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

Cycling 1-1 training Various dates and locations Free One-to-one cycling sessions available for levels and abilities from age 7+. www.bexley.gov.uk/cycling roadsafetyeducation@ bexley.gov.uk

Welling Pop-up Market 10am to 3pm, recurring event Bellegrove Road, Welling Brought to you by CC Events, every Saturday five local small businesses have a pop-up stall on the high street. Stalls change each week. www.facebook.com/ wellingpopups Start-ups in London Libraries workshops 21, 23, 28 September Online Free Open to all London based aspiring entrepreneurs, the Start-ups in London Libraries programme of early-stage business support offers practical, jargon-free training and support to help you get your business idea of the ground. More dates to be added for October and November. www.bl.uk/business-andip-centre/start-ups-inlondon-libraries

Farmers Market at Hall Place 10am to 2pm, recurring event Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ - Free On the first Sunday and third Saturday of every month. Located outside the Visitor Centre. www.hallplace.org.uk Online Fostering Information Sessions Join our online information session and speak to a Bexley foster carer and a member of our fostering team to find out what it is like to foster. fostering@ bexley.gov.uk or call 020 3045 4400. 23 September, noon to 1pm 7 October, 6pm to 7pm 21 October, noon to 1pm 4 November, 6pm to 7pm 18 November, noon to 1pm

Online updates www.bexley.gov.uk/events @whatsoninbexley Crossness Pumping Station Family Open Day 10am to 4pm, 26 September, 24 October, 14 November Bazalgette Way, Abbey Wood SE2 9AQ Age 16 and over £15, age 5 to 15 £3, under 5s free An opportunity to explore this Grade I Listed industrial heritage site and see the magnificent Victorian beam engine in steam. There is a free ‘make and take” craft activity for families. www.crossness.org.uk

Halloween Garden Trail 10am to 4pm, 1 to 31 October Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ £2.50 per trail sheet, includes a free small prize. Suitable for family groups with children aged 3 to 10 years. Children must be always accompanied by an adult. Pay on the day or book online. www.hallplace.org.uk

SELMEC Meccano Show 2021 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, 9 October Falconwood Community Centre, Welling DA16 2PG £5 per person. Under 16s go free when accompanied by an adult. See working models all built from Meccano. Build your own model and enter it into our Creative Challenge for the chance to win a prize. Buy Meccano parts from our dealers. Win prizes in our raffle.www.selmec.org.uk

Bexley EcoFest 9 -16 October Find out about your community, health and wellbeing and the environment Interactive activities, webinars and demonstrations www.bexleyecofest.co.uk

Mum2mum Nearly New Market 10:30am, 16 October and 13 November Falconwood Community Centre, Welling DA16 2PG £2 on the door (kids free) Buy top quality pre-loved babies, children’s (0 to 6 years), maternity and pregnancy goods and equipment – all great brands in top condition. Free parking on-site. Free goodie bag for the first 100 buyers. Coffee and cake available. www.mum2mummarket. co.uk

October Continental Street Market 21 to 23 October Broadway, Bexleyheath DA6 7JN Popular attractions across the market include Little Chef Noodles, O’Donnell Moon Shine, No Name Distillery, Himalayan Salt Lamps, Gemstone Jewellery, Wiltshire Chilli Farm, Harpers Exotic Burgers, Hot

& Fresh Churros and many more fantastic gifts to treat yourself or your loved ones. www.enjoybexleyheath. co.uk/events

Landscape and Autumn Colour Photography Workshop 10am to 1pm, 24 October Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ £35, includes tea/coffee Join us around Hall Place to learn more about techniques for taking better landscape photographs and capturing autumn colour. No specialist equipment required. This workshop will be led by Pat Simmons, a Member of the Royal Photographic Society. Book in advance online. www.livinglensholidays. co.uk/workshops info@livinglensholidays.co.uk

The Association of Bexley Charities ’78 Grand Autumn Fair 9.45am-1pm - 30 October United Reformed Church, Geddes Place, Bexleyheath DA6 7DJ Entrance 50p (accompanied children free). Charity stalls selling Christmas gifts and cards; DVDs; jewellery; chutneys, jams, cakes; books; toys and model railway accessories Refreshments will be available. Wheelchair Access

Christmas Light Switch On 10am to 4pm, 13 November Broadway, Bexleyheath DA6 7JN Get into the Christmas spirit in Bexleyheath with a full day of live entertainment, as well as the annual Christmas lights switch on. More details to be confirmed in the coming months. www.enjoybexleyheath. co.uk/events What’s on at Lesnes Abbey Lesnes Abbey Woods, New Road SE2 0AX www.lesnesabbeywoods.org

Farmers and Craft Market 10am to 3pm, recurring event - Free Every second Sunday of every month. www.facebook.com/ lesnesabbeyfarmers market

Global Village World Music Event Noon to 5pm, 25 September Adults £6, children £3, family ticket £12 Come and enjoy an afternoon of world music and dance. There will be lots for all the family to enjoy including world music and dance, food from all corners of the globe, workshops, community showcases, henna and craft stalls, Arts in Transit van. Plus, find out how to get involved in your park and help shape its future. Book in advance online. www.lesnesabbeywoods. org/whats-on

Lesnes Abbey Proms 3pm to 6pm, 26 September Lesnes Abbey’s first ever Proms in partnership with Bexley Music. Relax in the Monk’s Garden and listen to performances from Bexley Music orchestras and choirs, followed by a performance by the English Baroque Choir. Suitable for all ages. Book in advance online. www.lesnesabbeywoods. org/whats-on

Fossil Digging 10am-3:30pm, 26 October £6 per child (5yrs to 12yrs) Come to Lesnes Abbey Woods Fossil Pit for the opportunity to find sharks teeth and other exciting finds. Book in advance online. www.lesnesabbeyevents. eventbrite.com Lesnes Abbey Woods Halloween Trail 10am-3:30pm, 28 October £6 per ticket Follow the trail, solve the clues along the way and claim your prize of a craft pack to take home materials to make your own decoration. For ages 6 to 12. www.lesnesabbeyevents. eventbrite.com

What’s on at The Exchange The Old Library, Walnut Tree Road, Erith DA8 2AE www.theexchangeerith.com

Jazz Sundays 2pm to 4pm, recurring event - £5 Organised by musician and local resident Matt Ward, Jazz Sunday is a regular feature on the fourth Sunday of the month. Grab a drink from The Bookstore and be entertained. The house band includes Matt, Conor Litten, Francisco Rojas and guests. Book online. www.theexchangeerith. com/ticket-booking

Theatre Box Performing Arts Academy 4:15pm to 7:30pm, recurring event Join Jade and the TBox team every Monday and Tuesday for performing arts workshops for young people. Musical theatre, drama, street dance and singing. www. theatreboxacademy.co.uk

Life Drawing 6:30pm to 8:30pm, recurring event £10, £8 concessions, booking not required Join local artist Colin Dyer every Thursday for lifedrawing sessions.

Saturday Print Workshop 11am to 1pm, from 2 October, recurring event - Free The Print Workshop reopens with a project to make Autumn/Winter Cards every Saturday for sale in The Bookstore. Led by Professional Printmaker Colin Dyer. Booking not required.

Old Library History Tours 2pm to 3pm, 3 October, 7 November Free Join local resident and blogger Hugh Neal for a History Tour of the Old Library. Find out about the significance of the building to the local area, and the characters involved in the making and running of the old library and museum. Book in advance online.

Life Drawing Exhibition 11am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday, 9 October to 5 December The work of the Life Drawing class participants will be on show at this constantly evolving exhibition displayed in the North Room at The Exchange.

Exchange Open Day + Craft Symposium 13 and 14 November Come and find out all about The Exchange and the Arts + Crafts Movement. You will find out what we and other craft organisations are doing, why we are doing it, and the impact craft has on society.

Taste Of South America 6:30pm to 10pm, 28 to 30 November Bookstore chef and Ecuadorian Elsie and teamed up with local resident Sandra Hall (who grew up in Mexico) to design a South American menu to tie in with the annual Day of the Dead celebrations. Booking essential.

New health project

Bexley Mencap is working with the NHS and a range of partners to make health care easier either face to face or online. They want to hear how the Annual Health Check is working for people with learning disabilities and aim to support local GP Practices

As a long-standing member of Bexley Mencap Blanche understands the barriers to healthcare many people face. She says:

“People with a learning disability don’t visit their doctor as often as other people even though they may have poorer health. They may be scared to go, not have support, or not understand the information they get. Having an Annual Health Check with your GP is important. It’s free, won’t hurt, and will help keep you healthy so ask about your appointment now” Contact: simon@ bexleymencap.org.uk or call 020 8303 6336 for a friendly chat.

Preparing for winter

It may not be bitterly cold yet, but it’s always good to be prepared. Here are some things you can do now to prepare for the autumn and winter ahead. X Book a jab – GPs can provide eligible people with free shingles vaccine and a free flu-jab. Pharmacies also provide flu jabs (charges apply). X Check your heating– if your radiators do not heat up fully, book an appointment with a Gas Safe registered engineer. Your home should be at least 18°C in cold months. X Stock up - have a supply of cold and flu medicines and long-life food items in case you are unable to go shopping. X Get added to the Priority Services

Register - older and disabled people can sign up with their supplier to get support with their energy supply. www.ofgem. gov.uk/energy-advice-households