The Orpington 1st Magazine Winter/Spring 2023

THE momentous occasion will see a weekend of celebrations taking place across the UK, with an extra bank holiday on Monday 8th May.

Taking place at Westminster Abbey and conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside The Queen Consort.

Buckingham Palace has said the Coronation will “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.”

At the time of writing, further details are yet to be revealed. However, Orpington 1st can announce that there will be a screening of this historic event in Orpington’s Market Square, with entertainment and a British Makers Market. More details to follow!

Visit Orpington 1st’s homepage and subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest town centre news, events, and offers... just scan the QR code and scroll down!”

Coronation of King Charles III to be screened in Orpington

Buckingham Palace announced in October last year that the Coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday 6th May, 2023.

Photos from Orpington’s last Royal CelebrationQueen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

15,250 copies are printed of each edition of The Orpington 1st Magazine. 13,000 are delivered to homes across Orpington with a further 2,250 available to pick up at locations across the town centre. The magazine is also available to read online, sent to a subscriber base of 6,000, and promoted to a combined social media following of 13,500.

Orpington 1st Business Improvement District

01689 829 527 www.orpington1st.co.uk info@orpington1st.co.uk

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by Orpington 1st BID Executive Director, Chris Travers

WELCOME, readers old and new, to the latest edition of The Orpington 1st Magazine, and as we look forward to warmer days, we’re also taking a look back at how we ended 2022.

As usual, Orpington was well represented at the town’s Remembrance Day service. Occasions such as this really do show the best of our town, and on page 29 you can read about Orpington Royal British Legion’s fantastic fundraising effort for their 2022 poppy appeal.

The return of Light Up Orpington on November 20th saw thousands of families coming together to start the countdown to Christmas in a buzzing high street. Huge thanks to everyone who came and contributed to an

Drone photograph on cover by Steve Sangster.

electric atmosphere. If you missed it this time, turn to pages 8–13 for a photographic review.

The 2022 Orpington Santa Dash was the biggest yet, and another great community event. Turn to page 19 to get a flavour of festivities - or see if you can spot yourself as Santa.

Looking forward, if you have had a peek at page 3, you’ll know that we’re planning to screen the coronation of King Charles III in Market Square. Details to follow - from us and Buckingham Palace – but make sure the 6th May is in your diary for another royal celebration in Orpington.

Whilst there is some uncertainty about the UK economy, businesses are still seeing opportunity in

Orpington. Since our last edition we have welcomed several to the town centre - Mooboo Bubble Tea, Mexican-inspired Taco Bell, Gadget Exchange, cocktail and coffee bar Epicoo, Halo Hair, and Simply Sushi (check out an exclusive offer on page 22). Remember, there’s a comprehensive business directory on our website.

As always, thank you for continuing to support local businesses. We hope you enjoy this edition and wish you all the best for the months ahead.

Are you ULEZ Ready?

ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is expanding across all the London Boroughs from 29th August 2023. Are you ready for the financial impact this could have on you and your family if you have a noncompliant vehicle? Now more than ever, the thought of driving an all electric vehicle looks like an attractive prospect.

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with a buzz and a bang!

ORGANISED and funded by the town centre business community – Orpington 1st BID - and supported by Manak Solicitors and The Walnuts Shopping Centre, Light Up Orpington 2022 was the biggest yet.

The move of the yuletide extravaganza to a Sunday made for more Orpingtonians than ever enjoying proceedings and the high street was alight with festive spirit.

The south section of the high street was pedestrianised for the day to accommodate a huge increase in footfall, food and gift stalls, fairground rides and live entertainment. Compered by the dynamic delight Paul Evers, the main stage hosted a high-octane performance from The Renegade Blues Brothers, the brilliant barbershop of The Kentones,

Above and right: The mighty Dread Centre on stage.

Below: Santa’s a funny fella – sharing a joke with the deputy mayor

Orpington’s switch on event returned on Sunday 20th November, with thousands of families visiting a bustling town centre to start their Christmas countdown.

Left: all the fun of the fair.

Above:

brilliant

A

blizzard –fun times in Manak Solicitors’ snow globe.

Drone photograph by Steve Sangster

with

and an array of great local acts. A second performance area at The Walnuts saw more live music and dance, including students of The Lucy Griffiths Dance & Theatre Academy.

Street stalls, rides, and activities were all busy, and cafes and restaurants were buzzing - with some reporting a 100% increase in earnings vs the previous week.

Manak Solicitors’ Virtual Reality Experience and snow globe and snow globe once again proved popular, as did The Walnuts’ Santa’s grotto. New for Light Up 22 was the inclusion of the Orpington Children’s Business Fair - the third such event to take place in the town, supported by Orpington 1st - with 40 young entrepreneurs launching 24 businesses, achieving over £3,000 revenue between them.

The unifying reggae lilt of the magnificent Dread Centre graced the headline slot at the main stage, before Deputy Mayor Cllr

a buzz and a bang!

The terrific trio behind ‘Donut Delights’ – winners of The Best Stand award at the third Orpington Children’s Business Fair.

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join the crowd in the countdown to the eagerly anticipated firework finale.

Martin Price, said, “It’s been another great day for Orpington with a fantastic atmosphere. The turnout has been incredible. A huge thank you to everyone for coming to enjoy Light Up Orpington, and for continuing to support local businesses – it’s their investment in the town that make these occasions possible.”

Light Up came two weeks before the Orpington Santa Dash, with more Santas than ever taking part in the festive fun run. Turn to page 19.

Christine Harris, Orpington 1st chair Martin Price, and Orpington ward councillors Kim Botting and Pauline Tunnicliffe assembled with Santa to

Orpington 1st’s Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok to see short films of Light Up Orpington 2022.

Bringing art to the heart of Orpington

From 11th–18th March, Orpington Art Club is holding a pop-up art exhibition in the town centre, supported by Orpington 1st, the second such event to be held by the group.

FOLLOWING a successful exhibition in December 2021, for four hours every day, visitors to The Walnuts Shopping Centre will be able to enjoy works of art by club members, with all pieces available to purchase.

Orpington Art Club has been established for sixty-eight years and meets twice a month at All Saints Church. As well as arranging practical evenings, demonstrations and workshops, during the summer months they organise days painting in the great outdoors in various locations of interest.

Renowned local artist and current chair, Sue Bradley, said “We’re delighted to be bringing our second pop up exhibition to the town centre and our members are really looking forward to displaying and selling their work. We’re a friendly group and new members of all abilities

are always welcome, so do pop in to find out more about the club if you’re an aspiring artist.”

The exhibition will be popping up in 24 The Walnuts, in between F Hinds and Julian Charles, 10:30am – 2:30pm, from Saturday 11th March – Saturday 18th March.

The Orpington Chorale

FOUNDED in 1961, The Orpington Chorale is a choir of over 50 voices, of all ages, ably led by Director Dom Wells.

With a large repertoire of sacred and secular choral music and traditional folk songs, the group perform 3 or 4 concerts in the local area each year.

The challenges of COVID meant

they were unable to celebrate their own diamond jubilee. But 2022 saw a return to business as usual and they were delighted to join the Knoll Residents’ Association in Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen, leading singing in St John’s URC Church and on Broomhill Common for the lighting of the beacon. Festive activity included leading carol singing at the

Christmas Tree Festival at Chislehurst Methodist Church in December.

Excited to be bringing music to the Orpington Community again, The Orpington Chorale is now looking forward to their next concert, Mozart Requiem and Coronation Mass, on Saturday 25 March 2023 at All Saints Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington.

Helen Priest (Chair), said “As a choir, we are hoping to engage with other music groups and more community events in the future. We are a friendly bunch and always welcome new members. Just come along to one of our rehearsals in All Saints’ Church at 7:30pm on a Wednesday evening in term time and listen - or join in. No voice test required!”

For more information, please visit www.orpingtonchorale.org.uk

Ho,

Ho, Ho-ly baubles that’s a lot of Santas!

On Sunday 4 December the Orpington

Santa Dash 2022 saw a record number taking part in the 2km festive funrun, organised by the town centre business community - Orpington 1st BID, and supported by Mytime Active.

5

00 DASHERS of all ages and abilities signed up to take part in this year’s event, with Orpingtonians welcoming partakers beyond the Borough of Bromley to paint the town red.

On a cold Sunday morning, participants gathered at the main gates of the Priory for a seasonally appropriate mass warm up - expertly conducted by Sarah of The Walnuts Leisure Centre - before compere extraordinaire Paul Evers got Saint Nicks under starters orders.

Right: A bird’s eye view as Santas begin to gather in Orpington’s beautiful Priory Gardenscourtesy of Steve Sangster

Above: Walnuts Leisure Centre’s Sarah Elston getting the Santas into gear.

Below and right: Mixed emotions at the start line.

A sea of Santas made their way around Orpington’s glorious Grade II listed Priory Gardens, along the high street, and across the finish line in Market Square – some in double quick timewhere volunteers from Rotary Satellite in Orpington were on hand to present all dashers with well-earned souvenir medals and some welcome hydration, accompanied by the sound of Christmas hits and cheers from well-wishers.

A strong contingent from local charity The Maypole Project saw team members take part alongside some of the families they support.

Maypole’s Fundraising Assistant Luke Stebbings, said, “The Santa Dash allowed us to not only bring families together in the Christmas Spirit, but also raise a significant amount to fund the lifeline of

Top: Team Maypole at the start line

Above: Regular Dasher Tyler Eaton (pictured with Nan, Lynda) raised almost £200 in sponsorship for gym equipment at his school Darrick Wood.

support we offer. The funds raised will go straight into providing more therapy sessions, activity days and workshops for children and families who desperately need it. Thank you, Orpington 1st, for making this possible.”

Local business owner, Orpington

1st Director, and regular dasher Gary Valentine-Fuller (pictured top left with his youngest daughter Scarlett) said,”A big thank you to all our dashers for bringing festive spirit abound to the town centre this morning. It’s been great to see so many smiling Santas across the high

street before and after the event, too.

“The Orpington Santa Dash is a great opportunity for those of all ages and abilities to come together for a fun, healthy community event, and Orpington’s businesses are proud to deliver it.”

Left: Santa’s such a big head. Centre: Roaring to go.

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Better for Business

Orpington 1st BID welcomes town centre policing uplift

FOLLOWING persistent lobbying from Orpington 1st Business Improvement District (BID) for an increased police presence, Orpington’s Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) has been increased from four active officers to seven.

SNTs are groups of Met Police officers dedicated to serving communities, working closely with local partners to decide policing priorities in respective wards. The SNT for the Orpington ward - which now consists of 1 Sergeant, 5 PCs, and 1 PCSO - has a focus on Orpington High Street, recognising the important role town centres play in communities, the impact of business crime, and the level of antisocial behaviour that can occur in higher footfall areas.

Orpington 1st BID Executive Director Chris Travers said, “We’re pleased that the Met have responded to the calls of our business community, and we look forward to further developing our Business Crime Reduction Partnership.”

Met Police Inspector Stuart Baker, said “The Met is committed to strengthening neighbourhood policing, and the uplift in officers for the Orpington ward will increase the policing presence within the high street, deterring and responding to crime and providing reassurance to the community at large. We value our ongoing partnership with Orpington 1st BID, and officers will continue to work closely with businesses to gather intelligence, and to identify and target offenders.”

The pressure on resources over the last decade has meant officers are often called to incidents beyond their patch. As other Met roles across the capital are filled, fewer abstractions are anticipated, and businesses and residents should expect to see more officers on the beat over the coming weeks.

Indeed, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has pledged an increased focus on community policing, saying, “We will have the strongest ever neighbourhood policing. Community policing is the Met’s foundation – we are a local police service.”

Orpington 1st BID Businesses are eligible for free membership to Orpington Businesses Against Crime (OBAC), providing access to the secure online information sharing system and mobile phone app.

Businesses which have not yet signed are encouraged to do so.

Contact Orpington 1st on 01689 829 527 or info@orpington1st.co.uk

Photo (l-r) PCSO Matt Lane, PC Ryan Kressinger, Orpington 1st Executive Director Chris Travers, Sgt Alex Farmer, PC Gary Wolfe, PC Victoria Mason, PC Andrea Chittenden.

2023 Revaluation sees rates decrease for many

MANY Orpington businesses will see a reduction in their rates bill as a result of the 2023 revaluation.

Following the chancellor’s announcement in the Autumn Statement that the 2023 revaluation would go ahead, new Rateable Values (RVs) - effective from April 1st 2023have now been published.

LOCAL business leaders began 2023 by coming together for a roundtable discussion with Orpington’s Member of Parliament Gareth Bacon.

Organised by Orpington 1st BID and hosted by local firm Clarkson Wright & Jakes Solicitors, the meeting was attended by a selection of Orpington business owners and senior personnel from key organisations representing a broad range of sectors.

Ahead of the Spring Budget, the meeting provided a forum in which to exchange ideas, discuss the challenges and opportunities facing local businesses, as well as looking at the broader economic landscape.

Subjects raised included business rates and corporation tax, business energy, planning, housing and regeneration, the impact of Brexit, challenges to recruitment, the role out of 5G, policing, and decarbonisation.

Gareth Bacon MP commented “We’re lucky to have a wide variety of impressive local businesses in Orpington town centre, and as Orpington’s MP, I want to help them succeed, grow and employ more people locally.

The average high street business has seen an RV decrease of 15%, with some shopping centre units dropping around 40%. This will mean a lower business rates bill for many Orpington businesses. Around 75% of town centre businesses’ RVs have reduced, with less than 10% increasing.

The Autumn statement also saw downwards transitional relief caps

abolished (meaning businesses should see the benefit of a decrease in RV straight away), and the business rates multiplier was frozen - keeping the small business multiplier and standard multiplier at 49.9p and 51.2p respectively.

All this together with the extension and increase of the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Relief to 75% for 2023/24 is good news for many (but not all) Orpington businesses.

Businesses can search for their new rateable value on the government’s rates valuation finder by entering their property’s postcode and clicking on their street address via www.gov.uk/ find-business-rates

Orpington 1st BID has long campaigned on the issue of Business Rates and whilst this is welcome news for many, we will still push for reform of what is an antiquated and unfair tax.

Businesses get around the table with Gareth Bacon MP

“It’s been a challenging time for local enterprises, from the pandemic to the energy crisis today. But I’m pleased the government’s unprecedented support from furlough to energy bill relief has kept them going.

“It was great to speak to a wide range of businesses about how we can grow Orpington’s economy and improve the town centre, much of which we have already delivered on, like additional police officers and energy bill support.

“I will take their ideas on what more we can do to support local businesses back to Westminster as part of my work delivering for Orpington.”

Orpington 1st BID Executive Director Chris Travers said, “The BID provides a strong voice for our business community, and we’re pleased to facilitate opportunities like this to ensure that voice is heard by our elected representatives. Thank you to Clarkson Wright & Jakes for their hospitality.”

“A massive thank you,” from Orpington’s Royal British Legion

Orpington & District Branch Royal British Legion have expressed their gratitude to Orpingtonians for the generosity shown in support of the 2022 Poppy Appeal.

FOUNDED by veterans on 15 May 1921bringing together four national organisations of ex-Servicemen that had established themselves after the First World War – the Royal British Legion (RBL) is still championing remembrance and providing support for the Armed Forces community in almost every aspect of daily life a century later.

The Poppy Appeal, the first of which was also held in 1921, is the RBL’s biggest fundraising campaign, held every year in November during the period of remembrance.

In the lead up to Remembrance Sunday, stalwart volunteers for the Orpington appeal are a familiar sight at The Walnuts Shopping Centre, Tesco Extra, and other locations across the town. The 2022 Orpington &

District Poppy Appeal raised an incredible £40,000 Orpington Poppy Appeal organiser Sue Catterall MBE, said, “a massive thank you to all Orpington & District residents from your local poppy team. We had a fantastic two weeks collecting your donations at Tesco, Walnuts Centre, Waitrose, St Mary Cray Station, Chelsfield Station – along with many local shops, pubs. Our local schools also did us proud.”

The RBL welcomes new members. Residents interested in joining can drop by the Orpington club at 5 Church Hill, Orpington, BR6 0HE. One of the friendly team will be glad to talk to you.

Photo (l-r) Veteran Peter Godsmark, Deputy Mayor Cllr Christine Harris, Orpington RBL President - Cllr Kim Botting, Veteran Don Priest, Poppy Appeal organiser - Sue Caterall MBE, RBL TLC Spokesperson - Pat Auld, Christine Blanchett and Corgis, Ladies Section Standard Bearer - Kelly Whitehead, Brenda Newman, and Hon. Treasurer - Lorraine McCowen.

London Fire Brigade in Bromley: Fire safety at home

London Fire Brigade Bromley Borough Commander Chris Line: “I’m privileged and honoured to be the Borough Commander here in Bromley. I look forward to working with the local community and our partners to make Bromley a safer place to live and work.”

so it is a good idea to know what to do. If a pan catches fire, there are four steps to take to stay safe:

• Do not tackle the fire yourself and do not try to move the pan.

• Never throw water over a fire as it could create a fireball.

• Turn off the heat, but only if it is safe to do so.

WE believe that the best way to keep Londoners safe from fire is to help you understand common risks and reduce them in your home. Here are some of our firefighters’ top tips to keep you safe:

Cooking: Even if you’re a very careful cook, accidents can happen,

• Leave the room, close the door, shout a warning to others, and call 999.

Candles: Although they create a warm glow, candles need handling with care. In 2020, over 200 fires in London were connected to candle use. That is why we recommend you swap your wax candles for ‘flameless’ candles such as LED tea lights.

Our online home fire safety checker tool allows you to carry out a thorough check of your home in only a few minutes. It’s simple and practical – giving you specific advice for your family and your home.

Check it out and see other safety tips on our website www.london-fire.gov. uk/home-fire-safety-checker, follow us on twitter @BromleyLFB, or call us free on 0800 028 4428 to arrange an in-person visit.

HELLO everyone, I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas; Happy New Year to you! Here is an update on some of the work your local Orpington Safer Neighbourhoods Team have been involved with over the winter period.

Earlier this month the Orpington team presented at the Bromley Beacon Academy, as part of their Safer Neighbourhood Ward Panel. There, together with ward panel members and other community partners, we set our policing priorities for the year ahead. This event is crucial in determining what the community wants its local policing team to focus on. It is also an opportunity for us to be held accountable for the work we do. We provide an overview of crime across the ward, inform them of good news stories and update residents of future events and operations.

Early in the new-year, a proactive operation was put in place on Orpington High Street, with officers patrolling in both uniform and plain clothes. This was in direct

response to an increase of anti-social behaviour in the high street, as well as Priory Gardens and Carlton Parade. We tend to see this increase in offending over the festive period with the darker evenings. These operations will continue in the coming months. We are committed to maintaining a regular presence in the high street; creating a hostile environment for those who choose to engage in ASB and criminality.

In an effort to increase visibility and enable us to be more accessible, the local police team have set up Police Surgeries in prominent locations within the high street footprint. This provides an opportunity for members of the community to meet their local policing team, and talk through any issues they wish to bring to the attention of Police. The meetings are held every fortnight in the public Library, and once a month in McDonald’s. This has proved very popular with the community and we continue to receive positive feedback. Please follow the team on social media to be kept updated of these and other local initiatives.

If you have read previous editions of my blog, you will remember I spoke about the theft of catalytic converters committed across the ward. This is a crime committed nationally, and is not isolated to London or the Orpington area. In response to this crime trend, your local policing team carry out regular patrols in hotspot areas. We also offer bespoke crime prevention advice to victims, and are regularly posting further advice on social media, to increase awareness of the issue, and protect residents.

I am pleased to report that three members of the team have now received training in the marking of catalytic converters. Our last event was held on 25 January at the Nugent Shopping Park, Cray Avenue. The marking of vehicles is designed to deter criminals and make the items easier to trace/identify if stolen.

Policing matters...

We will be advertising more events locally, and I would encourage you to come along to have your vehicle marked/registered. It’s worth mentioning that we see certain vehicle manufactures being targeted more so than others, namely Honda and Toyota vehicles, specifically hybrid models of the Jazz, Auris and Prius.

In December, the Team were first on scene to a burglary in progress. Upon arrival of officers, suspects were found within the premises. They were detained and arrested for burglary. This was a fantastic result! I’d like to think that the speedy response of officers was due to them being in the right place at the right time, and most importantly, based locally within the community.

In January, a spate of overnight break-ins were reported by high street businesses. These were responded to by Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team. Good

a column by Sgt Alex Farmer

evidence was gathered and at the time of writing strong lines of enquiry are being followed. The Orpington SNT liaised with Orpington 1st BID and officers visited businesses across the town centre to offer advice and provide reassurance.

Lastly, and as a general plea, we rely on information passed to us to keep our community safe. If you see or hear anything suspicious, please tell us! You have my assurance that we will listen, and act.

That’s about it for now: I wish you well as we look forward to spring and some warmer weather. Please do approach us and say hello when you see us out patrolling the ward.

Thank you for your continued support and stay safe. Don’t forget, as well as the contacting us via the details to the right, you can also follow us on Nextdoor.co.uk

Alex

Orpington SNT

) 020 8721 2729

t @MPSOrpington

* SNMailbox.OrpingtonSNT@ met.police.uk

Petts Wood & Knoll SNT

) 020 8721 2609

t @MPSPettsWood

* SNMailbox-PettsWoodand KnollSNT@met.police.uk

Nearest police station: Bromley Police Station, High Street, Bromley BR1 1ER

t @met.police.uk

f Facebook.com/metpoliceuk

For crime prevention advice visit www.met.police.uk/ crimeprevention

To report a crime call 101 or visit www.met.police.uk

In an emergency always dial 999.

Orpington SNT (l-r) PCSO Matt Lane, PC Ryan Kressinger, Sgt Alex Farmer, PC Gary Wolfe, PC Victoria Mason, PC Andrea Chittenden.

Proud to be Carbon Neutral

AWARD-WINNING multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy calfordseaden has announced that they are a Carbon Neutral company. The innovative firm has eighty years of experience within their industry, with offices in London, Birmingham, Cambridge, Essex, and Hampshire - but their head office is right here in Orpington.

Carbon Neutrality, meaning a state of no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - especially as a result of carbon offsetting, is an important step towards the UK’s legal commitment to zero emissions by 2050, targeted in a bid to limit global warming.

Always at the forefront of industry advances, calfordseaden achieved carbon neutrality for the reporting period 1st January 2021 – 31st December 2021 through a combination of enhancing working practices and purchasing offset credits from independently certified projects. Supported by ISO Consultants (International Organization for Standardization), Blackmores UK Ltd, a detailed and impartial review of data was carried out to quantify the company’s environmental impact and verify this milestone achievement.

Managing Partner, Paul Miller, said “Consideration for the environment is important to our people, our culture and is at the core of our operations. By being conscious of the choices we make and their effects on the

environment, we are committed to continually seeking ways to reduce our carbon footprint to support the transition to a low-carbon sustainable future.”

There is growing recognition across sectors that going green is not just good for environment but can also be better for business. Indeed, the government’s recently published Net Zero Review, chaired by Chris Skidmore MP, emphasised the pro-business and pro-investment opportunity presented through leadership on climate change. The report calls for the UK to seize the historic opportunities from creating a green economy, making 129 recommendations “covering the length and breadth of our economy, so that people in every part of the country can reap the benefits of this both in their communities, and in their pockets”.

Learn more about calfordseaden at calfordseaden.com

Delivering for Orpington

There’s one issue on everyone’s minds: the cost of living. We have faced a turbulent time as a nation, from a pandemic to an energy crisis, but we are not alone. Many people feel the squeeze on our household budgets and income - and many other countries face the same challenges as us.

THERE is no quick fix to the economic shock of a once-in-a-century pandemic or an energy crisis fuelled by the war in Ukraine. But there’s a lot we can do to

get our economy back on track to create better-paid work and lower inflation, so that your income goes further. In this column, I want to update you on what I am doing as

your Member of Parliament to support families and businesses in Orpington.

First, I’m fighting the Mayor of London’s plans to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across Greater London from August this year. If the Mayor imposes this road tax on Orpington, it will cost you £12.50 a day to drive if you own an older car - and a £180 fine if you fail to pay.

The Mayor doesn’t understand that places like Orpington rely on cars because we do not have the same public transport connections as central London. Nor do we have the same pollution problem. Transport for London’s own analysis reveals that ULEZ expansion will have little to no impact on air quality in outer London.

A column by Gareth Bacon MP

Gareth meets with local business leaders for a roundtable discussion organised by Orpington 1st BID

Over 80 per cent of Orpington households own a car, which includes over 50 per cent of households earning as little as £10,000 a year. The Mayor’s road tax could cost people up to £4,500 a year if they use their car every day to get to work, the shops, or visit family and friends.

Few can afford the Mayor’s road tax. That’s why I am doing all I can to stop it, including organising a letter signed by 28 Members of Parliament demanding that he cancels ULEZ expansion, discussing the issue with government ministers, and speaking out against the charge in Parliament and on the media.

Second, I’ve met with Orpington businesses to hear their views on the challenges facing local enterprises in our town centre. I want to help them thrive so they can create more, better-paid jobs and invest in our community. They raised several issues, which I will take back to Parliament.

Third, one issue businesses raised was policing in Orpington. I am delighted to report that the government is on track to recruit 20,000 additional police officers, taking police numbers to a record level in Greater London. Due to this recruitment drive, we now have more police on the beat in Orpington’s town centre, with a Sergeant, five

officers, and one police community support officer.

Finally, ahead of the upcoming budget, I met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss pressures facing Orpington families and businesses and how we can grow the capital’s economy. I welcome the

laser focus he and the Prime Minister have brought to ensuring economic stability and driving down inflation. I made the point that we need to unleash businesses and make the UK more competitive to grow our economy, so we can lower taxes and invest in our public services.

Orpington is a brilliant place to live, work and do business, and I’m confident it will continue to thrive. I’m proud that the government protected people’s livelihoods during the pandemic and is now shielding families and businesses from Vladimir Putin’s energy warfare through the energy price guarantee.

There’s a lot more to do. But as your MP, I am doing all I can to: stop the Mayor’s ULEZ expansion from taking a sledgehammer to household budgets and businesses; support local enterprises and secure more police officers; and raise Orpington’s concerns directly with senior government ministers to ensure your voice is heard in Westminster.

Surgery Details

I hold regular surgeries to meet constituents, hear their concerns and offer support. If you would like to attend one of my surgery sessions, please get in touch with Judi Ellis at 01689 603 652 to book an appointment.”

PHOTO: ERIC RUSH

Gareth meets the Chancellor to discuss the Spring Statement

Orpington May Queen calls for new recruits

ALOCAL community group setup some seventy-four years ago to keep up May Day traditions is inviting local children to be part of celebrations for 2023.

With Spring fast approaching, planning for this year’s crowning ceremony is well underway and Orpington May Queen are calling for more budding dancers to get involved.

Through the Easter holidays, the Orpington May Queen group will learn several traditional Maypole and barn dances using the same steps and music as children three quarters of a century before them. The dances will then be performed on crowning day in Orpington’s Priory Gardens, 2pm on 29th April, as well as local fetes and fayres over the summer.

said, “Orpington May Queen is a wonderful seasonal activity for any child who loves to dress up and dance. We are looking for boys and girls aged 5-11 years old to learn a range of traditional Maypole dances during the Easter Holidays, attend the crowing, and take part in a few local events where we showcase the dances we have learnt.”

As is tradition, this year’s May Queen Lola Brooks’ selected charity will be supported by the group’s fundraising activities. Lola has chosen SMIRA, who support children and young adults with selective mutism, something Lola was diagnosed with when she was 3 years old. Last year, £500 was raised for the charity ‘Hope for Hallie’.”

Parents whose children might like to join Orpington May Queen can email orpmayqueen@gmail.com or visit

Thought to have roots in Roman Britain - where soldiers celebrated the arrival of spring by dancing around decorated trees to thank the goddess Flora - or perhaps in the Celtic festival Beltane, where a tree would be selected, stripped of its branches, then decorated with flower garlands - the earliest reference to a maypole appeared

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