The Orpington 1st Magazine Winter 2021

The

Magazine

Winter edition 2021 IN THIS ISSUE • • • • •

Meet Orpingtonian gold medallist Joe Choong Get your skates on for the Orpington Ice Rink Orpington Santa Dash Walnuts Regeneration Update Growing for Gold – Orpington wins London in Bloom

www.orpington1st.co.uk • 01689 829 527

Walnuts Regeneration Update On October 21st, residents and businesses were invited to attend a one-day exhibition to view Areli’s updated plans for regeneration of The Walnuts Shopping Centre.

H

UNDREDS of visitors attended the event at The Hope Centre (former M&Co unit) inside The Walnuts. As well as being able to view exhibition boards containing plans, CGIs, stats, and a range of information providing context to the challenges faced by town centres (also available at thewalnutsorpington.co.uk), visitors were able to speak directly with the project team to hear at first‑hand what the proposed scheme would deliver and to discuss their own thoughts and ideas.

The feedback forms completed showed that the majority of respondents remain supportive of the proposals, with a significant number welcoming the reduction in height as a major improvement.

Feedback gained from local businesses indicated support for the proposals, with business owners stressing the need for continued investment in the town to ensure it meets the needs of tomorrow’s customers.

Questions surrounding the amount of car parking and potential traffic were raised, and will be addressed in the planning application, with a need to demonstrate that there is sufficient capacity in the road network.

The proposed parking ratio must balance the policy requirements of the Greater London Authority and London Borough of Bromley.

The latest designs for the Leisure Centre and Saxon Day Centre were warmly received, with attendees particularly appreciative of the facilities being properly integrated into the heart of the town.

During the first week of November the development team were busy visiting local groups in the neighbouring wards, and following all the feedback, the next step will be the submission of the application in December.

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

3

Welcome...

by Orpington 1st BID Executive Director, Sharon Baldwin

O

UR golden summer continued well into the autumn with the town winning a much-coveted Gold Medal in this year’s London in Bloom competition, and being crowned best in class in the pan London BID (Business Improvement District) category.

The judges recognised the close partnership between the business and resident communities, and that spirit was also on display at the town’s Remembrance Service on November 14th.

Since our last edition of The Orpington 1st Magazine, local girl Emma Raducanu has celebrated her magnificent win at the US Open, becoming a global star, so it was great to see her back in Orpington supporting our high street.

We were also delighted to welcome back golden boy Joe Choong to catch up on life since winning Olympic Gold and you can read our full interview on page 7.

From celebrating real life heroes, we turned our attention to those on screen with a roving brass band, acrobats, and even a fire-eater entertaining the crowds who came to see the latest James Bond film, as part of the town’s food festival (page 27). Book your tickets to ODEON Orpington now for the next big film release - Spider-man returns to the big screen on December 17th.

15,250 copies are printed of each edition of The Orpington 1st Magazine. 14,000 are delivered to homes across Orpington with a further 1,250 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 over 12,000.

Orpington 1st Business Improvement District 01689 829 527 www.orpington1st.co.uk info@orpington1st.co.uk

Orpington1st If you would like to advertise in the next edition please contact us.

To help you organise your diary in the run-up to Christmas, as you book in visits to all your favourite restaurants, why not pick up a copy of the 2022 Orpington 1st Calendar (page 20). Be sure to highlight the date of the 2021 Santa Dash (page 13) and, another first for Orpington, an invitation to get your skates on for a trip to the first ever Orpington Ice Rink (page 39)!

Orpington businesses, big and small, are looking forward to welcoming you to town, so please do #ThinkLocal this Christmas, and we wish you a very happy and healthy new year.

Contents 3 6 16 20 22 24 25 27 34 36

Walnuts regeneration update Joe Choong: Orpingtonian gold Growing for gold: bloomin’ success Calendar competition results Protect your health this winter Budget delivers rates discount New business grants available Food festival retrospective Policing matters, with Sgt Alex Farmer Gareth Bacon MP: road to recovery The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

5

6

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

Orpingtonian Olympic Gold: Joe Choong

N

OW based in Bath, Joe makes frequent visits back to his hometown, and the Orpington 1st team were delighted to take the opportunity to sit down with the multi-talented and charming athlete to learn a bit about the man behind the medal.

We discussed his journey to Olympic Gold, from learning to swim at The Walnuts Leisure Centre, to his introduction to the Modern Pentathlon - a unique sport comprising Fencing, Swimming, Show Jumping, and Laser Run (Pistol Shooting and Cross-Country running).

Firstly, huge congratulations! The town is extremely proud to have an Olympic Gold Medalist. The pandemic has been challenging for so many of us in all sorts of ways. How was your build up to the Tokyo Olympics impacted by Covid?

Well, in 2019 I became world number one, and shortly after that, covid struck. It was difficult because I wasn’t able to take the usual next steps.

Training must have been difficult? Did you go into the Tokyo games thinking you had a really good chance to win gold?

In Bath I have a communal garden with 16 other flats.

There’s a ten-metre space where we could put out a laser target and shoot. The other activity we could do was running – so I was only able to train in 2 of the 5 sports throughout the first lockdown. It was weird. As I said, in 2019 I was world number 1, I was medaling at most competitions. If the Olympics had been in 2020 as initially planned, I would have been full of confidence – but then we missed 18 months of competition. I had mixed results in 2021 season finishing 15th, 30th, and 1st. Then I missed the last two competitions because I got Covid and couldn’t travel to Egypt. Physically – I knew I was running and swimming fast, but I’d also had those mixed results. I still felt that if I performed well in fencing, I would be one of the strongest.

When we got to Tokyo, I was so excited just to be there, I was like a kid in as sweetshop! I think that made me just enjoy the experience and ultimately had a positive impact on my performance.

Born in Orpington in 1995, Joe Choong made sporting history this summer becoming the first British male to win Olympic Gold in the Modern Pentathlon.

His success at the Tokyo games came having earned the world no. 1 spot in 2019, just months before Covid struck.

How did you celebrate? You got given the gold medal – then what happens?

Well, I was knackered! When I got back, I was thinking about an early night. But then Tom who I’m living with now, the reserve athlete and one of my good friends was like “you are not going to sleep – we’re going to have a few drinks!” He dragged me downstairs and made me have fun – so it was a good night.”

The variety of events a Pentathlete needs to master is phenomenal. Were there events you were strong in early on, and those which you picked up later?

Yes, I don’t think anyone involved in the sport just happens to do all five.

>>

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

7

8

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

How did you balance sport and schooling growing up?

My brother and I swam at the same club, and we were at the same school, which helped, and my parents were a fantastic taxi service! They took me to the pool when I was 3, and have always been very encouraging. I would get up early to fit everything in and used any available time to squeeze in homework.

Did you ever have any other aspirations career wise as you were growing up?

I learned to swim at the age of three, at the Walnuts Leisure Centre, and I was there until I was 13-14, by which point I was a national level swimmer. I played a lot of rugby at school, and I did cross country to build up fitness for that. When I went to secondary school, at Whitgift in Croydon, the PE teacher was Kate Allenby, Modern Pentathlon Bronze medalist at Sydney 2000.

She had set up a Pentathlon Club – which I wasn’t actually a part of but that was where I first learned about the sport.

I did the Biathlon (running and swimming) which lots of schools enter, as part of a team, and it was there that I was scouted by Team GB for Pentathlon. Not many people can swim and run to a high standard – you’d be surprised how many swimmers are like penguins on the land!

No, not really. I remember watching the 2000 games in Sydney - seeing Steve Redgrave and Kelly Holmes, those are my first memories of the Olympics. I would have been 5. Ever since then I‘ve been really passionate about sport. I’ve never been one to plan ahead massively. I’ve got a very mathsy family – both parents are doctors. My grandparents on my mum’s side are both maths teachers so I always found maths quite easy at school, with support from my family.

And you studied Maths at Bath University?

Yes – that wasn’t quite so easy! That was a real step up.

I graduated in 2018. Bath has the national training centre for Pentathlon and at the time it ranked fourth for Maths, so it was not a difficult decision to go there. A beautiful city, too. I’d like to live somewhere a bit busier at some point - I think Orpington High Street might be longer than Bath city centre is wide. But whilst I’m an athlete, Bath is perfect for training. And having the links to London here in Orpington is really useful. >>

From that point I was taken to various talent camps, and I picked up shooting and fencing in year 9.

So, what about the equestrian aspect?

For a lot of people, myself included, that is the last thing you pick up. There’s a sport called pony club tetrathlon, which is big in the “horsey world” (which is not me at all!) It’s cross-country horse riding combined with running, swimming and shooting. Lots make the transfer from that to Pentathlon – so that and the school biathlon are the main routes into the sport.

Your brother Henry is a pentathlete, too?

Yes, he is 2 years younger but he was actually spotted before me as someone who could run and swim. He competed at the youth Olympics in Nanjing in 2014. We’re really competitive! We’ve often compared times and he’ll say “I’m faster than you when you were this age!”

So you must have very athletic genes, are your family all sporty?

My Dad, who is from Malaysia, grew up very much with a putting academia first mentality, which came from his father. When he was around 15, he went to Australia to study medicine and that was always the focus, but he was in sports teams for swimming, athletics, football and cricket. My Mum had trials for England netball.

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

9

10

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

What’s next for you regarding pentathlon now you’ve got the gold?

My brother went to Cambridge to study maths and obviously couldn’t train fulltime there, so my next goal is to try and help him come to Paris with me. Of course, it would be nice to defend my title at the same time, but I’d like to help him step up – he’s come back to Bath to train, having taken 5 years off. He’s very talented but needs to take it to the next level.

And there’s a new format being introduce for the Paris games?

Yes, basically everything will be squished up a little bit, and there’s a qualifying system, so instead of a final of 36 there will be 2 semi-finals of 18/12 then the last in the final.

So that will be even more challenging for the athletes?

Yes, an extra day of competition. There are still details to be sorted out. I have taken a bit of time off training to focus on fencing. I won’t go to the first few World Cups this year but it will be a good opportunity to watch from the sidelines, and step back in once there’s a stronger idea of how to approach the new format.

How about now – what do you do for fun outside the sport?

Over lockdown I built my own computer – I’ve always been into technology and enjoyed gaming, so I decided to research the components of a computer and learn how to put it all together. Bit geeky - but I love it! And it works! I also designed my own website.

So, no time for TV? I’m half-way through Squid Games on Netflix!

How has life changed for you since winning Gold, have you been inundated with sponsorship requests?

All the funding is front loaded, so it’s not the case that you get a reward as such for getting gold. It’s definitely not a fast track to being a millionaire, as some people seem to think! Now that I am the Olympic champion, I would really like to make the most of the opportunity, improve awareness of the sport, and push the boundaries of what Pentathletes can usually achieve. I think it’s a very cool sport – it’s really interesting seeing how it unfolds over the course of a competition.

There should be lots of business opportunity shouldn’t there. Because basically you are like James Bond!

I got invited to the premiere actually – and came out thinking, do you know what – I could do some of that!

So you’d like some local companies to take up the opportunity.... I understand you’ve been getting out into the community a lot already?

It would be fantastic to work with a local company and be able to represent them, too. I’ve visited several schools to do assemblies or lead team building classes in PE lessons, whatever suits each school. There’s been a big demand for that since returning from Tokyo and it’s something that I enjoy, too.

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

11

Trusted to care Award winning care homes Our highly trained care home teams are specialists in residential, nursing, dementia and respite care, so whatever your needs and personal preferences, we’re here to help you and your family at every step of the journey.

If you’re considering care for yourself or a loved one, call 01689 769193 or email dorothy.ayonmike@careuk.com

Foxbridge House care home Orpington, Kent BR6 7FB careuk.com/foxbridge-house

12

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

Adults £7 Under 15s £5 Under 3s Free

A fun, festive, 2km run starting in Priory Gardens and finishing in Orpington’s Market Square.

On Sunday 5th December, join hundreds of santas to run, jog, or walk your way round the beautiful Priory Gardens in the annual Orpington Santa Dash.

Sunday 5th December 2021 10:30am at Priory Gardens

The perfect way for you and your family to get active this Christmas.

#ThinkLocal

TO BOOK YOUR PLACE, GO TO WWW.ORPINGTON1ST.CO.UK The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

13

Your waste is Your responsibility Help us stop fly-tipping and keep your area clean

Illegal n g ca dumpin in a result

7

£400pot

on-the-s fine!

To report fly-tipping visit bromley.gov.uk/envirocrime 14

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

Ambitious Learning Tuition Helping Children Succeed

Offering dependable 11 plus and grammar school tuition in Orpington and surrounding areas.

Our experienced tutors are standing by to deliver exceptional teaching services for 11 plus students. All our tutors are fully assessed via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We provide tutoring on an individual basis, or in groups of no more than ten students, or virtually via our online platform.

At Ambitious Learning Tuition, we target highly selective grammar schools.

We have an excellent success rate with many children gaining admission into the best grammar schools in the country, including St Olave’s and Newstead Woods, and private schools like City of London and Eltham College.

Please contact us to discuss your child’s needs.

104 High Street, Orpington, BR6 0JY info@ambitiouslearningtuition.co.uk

020 8115 7933

www.ambitiouslearningtuition.co.uk

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

15

Growing For Gold!

Orpington’s business community has been recognised for its outstanding horticultural and environmental efforts across the town centre, taking a gold medal and first place in the Business Improvement District (BID) category of the London in Bloom awards.

E

STABLISHED in the 1960s, London in Bloom aims to encourage care for our environment, maintain our precious green spaces, and make a positive impact on people’s lives. Evidence suggests that well managed and attractive places do much to increase the economic well-being of town centres, and the last eighteen months have seen many people place even greater importance on green and attractive outdoor spaces.

Orpington 1st BID - which works on behalf of 350 businesses to improve Orpington town centre as a place to live, work, and visit – was awarded first place, having

16

previously achieved Silver in 2018, and Silver Gilt in 2019 and 2020. The expert judging panel were particularly impressed with the BID’s approach to community involvement.

Along with the technicolour flower towers installed across the high street, a comprehensive programme of environmental improvements saw the BID team work with the local authority neighbourhood officer on graffiti, chewing-gum, and fly tipping removal, as well as collaborating with other partners from resident and business groups on a variety of community engagement projects.

Two Pallet Parks, outside the town’s leisure centre and on the high street, breathed life and colour into concrete spaces, providing green and pleasant areas in which to sit and relax surrounded by additional planting. The pop-up parklets also hosted a range of activities and entertainment throughout the summer.

This year’s entry also celebrated the town’s Safer Space Planters – initially used to assist pedestrians in maintaining social distancing, then repurposed to delineate

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

hospitality business’s outdoor dining areas. Shop window vinyls featuring photos of the high street flower displays ensured that even empty premises were looking blooming marvellous.

Orpington 1st Executive Director, Sharon Baldwin, said, “Town centres are for everyone and the spirit of our entry this year was about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, bringing together a range of resources and skills and adding a huge amount of passion and creativity.

“A programme of continuous improvement started over 5 years ago has developed into something transformational and I would like to thank everyone who has been part of this achievement.

Special thanks go to Mark Crawley from LBB who has always supported our enthusiasm and ambition in making Orpington the best it can be.”

Green fingered Friends of Priory Gardens working hard to keep our park looking its best

Orpington 1st Wins Prestigious London in Bloom Award

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

17

18

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

Watch Repairs

Polishing

Workshop

If your watch is not keeping proper time or has stopped running altogether, we can perform a movement service to bring it back to running condition.

Regardless of your needs, we’re ready to help.

Every watch sent to us for polishing is personally examined and handled by one of our highly qualified technicians. If you want to experience your timepiece restored to its maximum shine, call or write us today.

Located in a secure office suíte we have full access to every major watch manufacturer and parts supplier. With two master watchmakers, and a great customer service team, we are ready to exceed your expectations.

info@technowatch.co.uk

|

020 7581 8400

|

223 High Street, Orpington BR6 0NZ

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

19

T

HE annual competition invites keen photographers to send in photos taken anywhere in a BR5 or BR6 postcode location, with selected entries chosen to appear in the Orpington 1st calendar.

Congratulations go to Adrian Rowley whose photograph Nuthatch in the Nesthole, taken in Goddington Park, was selected by the judges as this year’s winning entry. The panel were impressed with the stunning clarity with which this small bird and its surroundings were captured.

Interestingly, the nuthatch is a resident bird seldom travelling far from the mature woodlands where they hatch, so it is great to know that they are living with us in Orpington!

Adrian said “I was in the park doing some landscape photography when I spotted the Nuthatch out of the corner of my eye. I popped back home to get a bigger lens and

‘Orpington Santa Dash’ in Market Square ‘Peaceful in Priory Gardens’

by Wen Fung

Town’s 2022

‘Pickin’ Pumpkins’

by Laura Williams taken at Hewitts Farm 20

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

thankfully it was still there on my return. I was able to get around 40 shots and this one was my favourite.”

Adrian wins £100 to spend in an Orpington town centre restaurant of his choice, plus the honour of having his photo pride of place on the front of the calendar.

Photographs from Anand Balaji, Lizzie Davies, Edison De La Pena, Wen Fung, and Laura Williams have also been selected for the calendar, so many congratulations to them too.

Orpington 1st Executive Director, Sharon Baldwin, said “The competition was designed to encourage us to take a fresh look at our surroundings and yet again Orpingtonians have succeeded in capturing some outstanding and inspiring shots. With the town’s wildlife taking centre stage this year, it is clear that Orpington’s unique environment with its winning

‘Nuthatch in the Nesthole’

by Adrian Rowley taken at Goddington Park

Calendar competition winner announced The winner of this year’s Orpington Photography Competition has been announced and the Orpington calendar for 2022 is now available. combination of town and country, makes it a very special and attractive place to live.”

The 2022 calendars are available from Orpington library in exchange for donations to Bromley Homeless.

“A big thank you to everyone who submitted their photos, we have had a fantastic response this year and once again, the quality and variety was very impressive.”

‘Trail of Light’ by Edison De La Pena taken on Orpington High Street

‘We Are Family’ by Lizzie Davies taken at Priory Gardens

Selected entries from the photography competition appear in the Orpington Calendar 2022 alongside shots from town centre events.

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

21

care for Bromley residents. A new winter health leaflet has been produced and will be distributed to all households in December. The leaflet provides some top tips for keeping well and information on where to go when you are poorly.

r e t n i W

TOGETHER THROUGH

in Bromley

Please help your health and care services in Bromley this winter by taking care of yourself and using the most appropriate service when you need it.

GET HEALTH ADVICE AND SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT

SELF-CARE: If you have a cough or cold, hangover, graze, or an upset stomach you can treat the symptoms at home – in fact, staying at home and getting plenty of rest is the best place for you.

This leaflet provides important information to help you keep well over winter. Please keep it safe so you can refer to it when you need it.

PHARMACY: Pharmacists are

highly skilled and qualified healthcare professionals who are on hand in the community to answer questions about common health problems. You don’t need an appointment, and many are open late. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse, or other healthcare professional.

It includes: USE THE RIGHT SERVICE VACCINATIONS STAY WELL THIS WINTER PHARMACY USE YOUR GP TEAM NHS 111 KEEP YOUR CHILD WELL RS WINTER CHECKLIST AND IMPORTANT NUMBE

GENERAL PRACTICE TEAM:

Your GP practice team includes GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacist, paramedic, physiotherapist, and you may be seen by any of them as appropriate.

Because of Covid-19, there have been changes to the way appointments at your practice are provided. You can request a consultation online or may receive a consultation by phone or video call. If the doctor advises you should be seen face to face because of your clinical need, please do attend the appointment arranged for you.

Instead of phoning your GP practice, you can sign up to use free online services. You can then book or cancel appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and look at your records online. Speak to your practice to get started. Your practice will get you the right help quickly if it is urgent. This may include an appointment out of hours or at another local NHS service.

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2021

Don’t Let Winter Win Protect Yourself Today

W

ITH winter just around the corner, taking good care of yourself is even more important. Darker days and a drop in temperature can affect our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Viruses spread more easily, and the cold and damp weather can aggravate existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to respiratory infections.

There is lots you can do to help yourself. Eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, getting plenty of good quality sleep and doing activities that make you happy can all help. So can getting your Covid-19 and flu vaccination and continuing with frequent handwashing, ventilation, wearing face masks in indoor public spaces and social distancing.

Bromley health and care organisations are working closely together as ONE BROMLEY to provide joined up

22

NHS 111: Use NHS 111 to check out your symptoms

and seek further advice. Visit www.111.nhs.uk first or if you don’t have the internet, call 111 to speak to a trained advisor. The service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

A&E: Call 999 if you or someone else is seriously ill or hurt and their life is in danger or head straight to A&E.

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

B ST YOUR IMMUNITY THIS WINTER

WITH THE FLU VACCINE COVID-19 BOOSTER Flu and COVID-19 can both be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter. If you’re over 50, you are eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster.

Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Get protected. nhs.uk/wintervaccinations More information on how to keep well over winter is available at www.nhs.uk The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

23

Better for Business

BUDGET 2021 DELIVERS 50% BUSINESS RATES DISCOUNT FOR SHOPS, GYMS, AND RESTAURANTS

B

USINESS groups have expressed disappointment at a missed opportunity to overhaul business tax and fix a broken rates system, following the chancellor’s statement.

In his autumn budget Rishi Sunak announced that businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will be given a one year 50% discount on business rates, subject to a maximum of £110,000 per business.

During 2022-23, pubs, music venues, cinemas, restaurants, hotels, theatres, and gyms will all benefit.

Alongside the Small Business Rates Relief, the chancellor said the measures mean more than 90% of all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will see a discount of at least 50%, adding that apart from the Covid reliefs, this is the biggest single-year cut to business rates in 30 years.

Whilst the temporary discount

24

is welcome and will provide some much needed for support to the High Street, the announcements fall short of the fundamental reform which Business Improvement Districts across the country have long called for, and which was promised in the government’s 2019 manifesto.

Revaluations will be more frequent, taking place every three years from 2023, which should make for a more responsive system, and the planned increase in the rates multiplier for next year has been cancelled.

But the new 50% discount will not help all high street businesses, the current multiplier is still too high, and regarding the proposed online sales tax - which could raise revenue to fund a reduction in business rates - the chancellor said only that the Treasury will continue to consider the arguments for and against it following yet more consultation.

The chancellor said: “While the The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

government plans to bring forward several substantive changes to improve the system, we see little value in ripping the system up and starting afresh as has been suggested by a small minority,” claiming that the review into business rates reaffirmed the importance of this tax.

Bricks and mortar retailers continue to operate on an uneven playing field. Of the £7.9bn that was raised through retail business rates between 2019 and 2020, just over five per cent was raised from online retailers, which then represented approximately 25 per cent of sales.

We hope that wider reform will follow, which sees online retail pay its fair share and means high streets aren’t left to shoulder so much of the tax burden. Orpington 1st will continue to lobby to that end and we are pleased to have the support of Gareth Bacon MP.

Orpington 1st BID Manager Chris Travers chris.travers@orpington1st.co.uk

NEW BUSINESS GRANTS

B

ROMLEY Council has approved the second phase of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) to support local businesses in recovery and growth following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Orpington businesses are encouraged to apply for these four new schemes. If eligible, businesses are able to apply for more than one grant.

Full details and grant application guidance, which contains important information on how each application will be assessed, is available via orpington1st.co.uk and at bromley.gov.uk

BUSINESS GROWTH SCHEME Providing businesses with grants to assist with business growth, recognising that in many cases Covid-19 has stifled growth that would have otherwise taken place.

All types of business types that are based in the London Borough of Bromley are encouraged to apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £25,000 by 31 January 2022. To be eligible for this grant you will be required to complete an application form along with a 2000 word business proposal detailing your business growth project.

grant, including self-employed artists and performers. Applications are open for grants between £2000 and £20,000. The deadline for applying is 31 January 2022. Successful applicants will have completed an application form and submitted a 2000 word proposal detailing your planned event which must take place in a Bromley borough town centre between 1 November 2021 and 30 September 2022.

BUSINESS START‑UP DURING COVID SCHEME To support the recovery of the local economy, grants of up to £10,000 are available to start-up businesses.

This grant funding programme targets businesses that set up during the pandemic and were severely impacted by the restrictions on businesses during this time. For the purposes of this grant a start-up business is defined as a business that started after the 1st January 2020.

GRANT FOR OCCUPYING A VACANT UNIT This business expansion scheme will provide grants to existing businesses to assist with the set up costs associated with occupying a vacant unit, helping a variety of businesses that will drive footfall, offer employment, and support the recovery of the local economy.

Applications are open for grants between £25,000 and £50,000. The deadline for applying is 31 December 2021, however, grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. All types of businesses from any sector are eligible to apply. Those interested should complete an application form and submit a 2000 word statement detailing your proposal.

CULTURAL GRANT SCHEME Designed to support town centres through cultural activities. Cultural and creative organisations are encouraged to apply for this The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

25

At ODEON Orpington from December 17 26

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

Orpington Food Fest Returns

R

ESIDENTS of Orpington and beyond were invited to experience the Flavours of Orpington for the return of the town’s food festival - a week-long celebration of the town’s thriving food and drink scene from 27th September - 3rd October, organised by Orpington 1st.

A festival brochure, available online and delivered to surrounding homes, was full of fabulous and exclusive offers from participating venues, providing the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to taste new dishes and sample new places. Customers certainly came out in force to support businesses with some restaurants reporting a 30% increase on the previous week. >>

Right: Churches Together cooking up a storm for the Sunday Social BBQ Below: The roving brass band met with approval from guests at Robust Restaurant

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

27

The quality and variety on offer in the town’s hospitality sector - whether it’s a morning coffee or a late-night cocktail, a quick lunch or fine dining have all contributed to establishing Orpington as a destination for foodies, with the some of the latest additions to the town’s array of restaurants receiving excellent reviews, alongside established eateries.

On Friday evening, coinciding with the launch of Daniel Craig’s last outing as James Bond in No Time To Die at ODEON Orpington, the high street welcomed a variety of street performers to mark the occasion in suitable style. Cinema goers and dinner guests were treated to a melange of pop and punk favourites - and even the James Bond theme - played by a traditional New Orleans style horn section,

28

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

Above: Roving band Das Brass made appearances across the high street to surprise diners, as well as serenading cinema goers.

Right: Community sprit shone through at the Sunday Social.

accompanied by astonishing acrobatics, and even some fire eating.

The celebrations ended aptly enough on Harvest Festival with a superb Sunday Social in Market Square.

Hosted in partnership with Churches Together Orpington, a free BBQ fed hundreds of visitors eating with family and friends, or sharing a table with a strangers, it was tremendous to see the community coming together in such numbers. >>

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

29

Valentine & Turner FUNERAL DIRECTORS LTD

Independent Family Owned & Run

ORPINGTON’S MULTI-AWARD WINNING FAMILY FUNERAL HOME

All are welcome to our Annual Memorial Christmas Service 7pm on Friday 10th December at All Saints Church, Orpington BR6 0QD

Our Family Caring for Your Family Every Step of the Way H Modern Service with Traditional Values

H 24 Hour Helpline

H Family Orientated and Personal Service

H After Care (The Bereavement Café)

H Bespoke, “Have it Your Way” Service

H Pre-paid Funeral Plans

H Horse Drawn/Personalised Vehicle Option

H Repatriation Specialists

H Free Home Consultation

H Memorial Consultants

H Flowers

H Printing

Head Office: 262 High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 0NB 01689 798 448 info@valentineandturner.com REGIONAL WINNER

www.valentineandturner.com

30

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

Games and activities kept the younger ones busy whilst the stage hosted live music, courtesy of Churches Together. The sun shone until the final note was sung, when the heavens opened to a downpour, only to make way for a magnificent rainbow over Orpington.

Orpington 1st BID Manager, Chris Travers, said: “Flavours of Orpington is a great celebration of the choice and quality on offer here. It’s great to see so many continuing to support our local restaurants, so a big thank you to everyone involved, particularly Churches Together Orpington for their partnership.”

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

31

/LEHUW\èV LV D ORFDObLQGHSHQGHQW ERXWLTXH MXVWbRII WKH KLJK VWUHHW QH[W WR /OR\GV %DQN :LWK ,WDOLDQ IDVKLRQ LQFOXGLQJ VLONV LQ PDQ\ FRORXUV DQG VW\OHV WKLV ERXWLTXH KDV D UDQJH RI FORWKLQJ WR VXLW DOO <RX ZLOO DOVR Ć QG EDJV MHZHOOHU\ JLIWV DQG PRUH DORQJVLGH RWKHU SURGXFWV IURP VPDOO ORFDO EXVLQHVVHV RQ WKH VKHOYHV ZKLFK PDNH WKLVbERXWLTXH XQLTXH

/LVD &ODUN

2ZQHU 0DQDJHU

/,%(57<è6 %HDXWLIXO FORWKHV IRU HYHU\ ZRPDQ

7KH :DOQXWV 2USLQJWRQ /LEHUW\V)DVKLRQ OLEHUW\VIDVKLRQ[ 32

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

“Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly”

Creating a positive, caring and inspiring environment in which to support children in realising their full potential.

Our Nursery welcomes children from the age of 2.

We accept, 30 hour, top up, and 2 year old funding, with flexible sessions available.

A great transition opportunity for children who will be starting school with us.

Our School Values...

Buttermere Road, Orpington, BR5 3WD Tel: 01689 821993, Nursery 01689 873519 Email - admissions@st-paulscray.bromley.sch.uk

For more information and a virtual tour of the school and our facilities visit: The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021 33 www.stpaulscray.apat.org.uk

Policing Matters

I

A column by Sergeant Alex Farmer

HOPE you are well. Here is an update on some of the work your local Orpington Safer Neighbourhoods Team have been involved in since August.

In September, the team acted upon reports of homeless persons living in sheds in Knoll Rise. Through regular patrols of the area, officers were able to locate a male sleeping rough. After conducting a search, illegal drug paraphernalia and other items which were later confirmed as stolen, were recovered. The male has since been arrested for breaching court-imposed bail conditions.

As with any arrest, police are responsible for the detainee’s welfare while in their custody and so officers took steps to signpost the male to alternative accommodation to avoid him ending up back on the streets.

I’m pleased to report that by working closely with the owner, the location has been secured and we have seen a reduction in Anti-social behaviour (ASB) reported.

Last month your Safer Neighbourhood Team, along with the Met’s specialist Dog Support Unit (DSU) and with support from the RSPCA, executed a warrant

34

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

in the Orpington area under the Dangerous Dogs Act. This resulted in three dogs being assessed at the scene and their owner being invited to the police station for interview.

Suitable conditions have been imposed on the owner through the issue of an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.

The team have made several arrests recently for various offences.

The most recent being on Orpington High Street for shoplifting and racially aggravated public order.

Local officers also arrested a drink driver on Orpington high street after he was spotted by officers, sat stationary, in his vehicle in the middle of road, blocking traffic!

Unfortunately, the team have seen an increase in reports of antisocial behaviour at the south end of the high street. Police are working closely with the management of surrounding businesses to understand the problem in detail and will be looking at a variety of options to target those responsible.

We will also be carrying out an assessment of the local environment to see if changes can be made to

deter people from hanging around the area for long periods of time.

More recently, acting directly upon intelligence passed to us from the local community, the team worked alongside Cray Valley East and West Safer Neighbourhood Teams in executing a drugs warrant.

Illegal drugs supply has a significant detrimental impact upon our community and often targets those most vulnerable as end users. We rely on information passed to us to keep our community safe, so if you see or hear anything suspicious, please tell us!

In other news, in support of Hate Crime Awareness Week, the team set up stall inside the Walnuts Shopping Centre, where officers issued advice to members of the public as well as handing out T-shirts and badges to promote the Met’s commitment to stamping out hate in all its forms.

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 Lastly, we continue to conduct regular patrols of Priory Gardens, providing a visible deterrent to antisocial behaviour and reported attacks upon the wildlife.

I wish you well as we head into the winter months. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible, as the team and I patrol the ward.

Thank you for your continued support, stay safe, and may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

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.

CASH FOR YOUR GOLD • DISCOUNT JEWELLER Specialising in new and pre-owned jewellery & quality watches

• PAWNBROKERS Instant cash loans • REPAIRS Quality repairs for jewellery & watches • WATCH BATTERIES & STRAPS Fitted in-store • FIRST CLASS SERVICE Staffed by experts, not sales assistants

GEMINI

JO JOIN IN TH THE E

GOLD

RUSH!

SPECIALISING IN PRE-OWNED JEWELLERY & WATCHES 205 HIGH STREET ORPINGTON (OPPOSITE BOOTS) 01689 871570 WWW.GEMINIGOLD.CO.UK The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

BEST PRICES PAID IN ORPINGTON 35

Road to Recovery One year ago, our country was in the grip of the biggest recession in 300 years as we stayed at home to save lives. Today, we are recovering quickly, protected by a robust vaccine shield. Our plan is working; unemployment is falling, our economy is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, and the booster vaccination programme will keep Orpington open this winter.

H

OWEVER, there is no doubt that the road to recovery will be long and bumpy. We are not immune to problems in the global supply chain, and the pandemic is still raging in many parts of the world. Our national debt has also soared to £2.2 trillion as we borrowed to keep our country’s economy on lifesupport, protecting people’s livelihoods and businesses.

As we emerge from the pandemic, the Government is committed to helping people meet the cost of living, delivering stronger public services, and

36

getting our public finances back on track. The Chancellor’s Autumn Budget will support families and businesses through the postpandemic turbulence as we return to normality. I want to focus this column on a few measures which I think will help Orpington’s recovery.

Orpington’s High Street will benefit from the Chancellor’s decision to offer retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses a 50 per cent discount on their business rate bills, up to £110,000 per business. That means that up to 90 per cent of pubs, gyms, cinemas, restaurants, and hotels will see their business rates halve, saving them £7 billion.

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

The Chancellor has also frozen business rates which itself is a tax cut worth £4.6 billion. Combined, this is the biggest cut to business rates in thirty years.

However, I will continue to push the Government to review the business rates system entirely.

The tax is outdated and in dire need of reform. In the wake of the pandemic, we have a golden opportunity to create a level playing field between online and high street retailers, cut the tax bill for many small businesses and turbocharge local economies. It is an issue I will continue to raise in Parliament and champion on behalf of Orpington

Surgery Details Pending police advice, surgeries are cancelled until further notice.

Please get in touch with me by email or by calling my office until my regular surgeries resume.

If you need help urgently, please call Cllr. Judith Ellis on 01689 603652.

PHOTO: ERIC RUSH

1st and local businesses. I am, however, encouraged by the Government’s commitment to consult on proposals for an Online Sales Tax. I would recommend all businesses to contribute when this is opened.

The lowest paid in Orpington will see a pay rise, with the Budget increasing the National Living Wage to £9.50 per hour, providing an annual salary increase of £1,000 for more than 2 million people. The Universal Credit taper rate will also be reduced to give the lowest-income families in the country a tax cut worth £2.2 billion as they return to work.

Fuel duty will be frozen for the twelfth year in a row to reduce the cost of living, providing motorists with a £1.5 billion tax cut. Orpington’s pubs will benefit from the cut to beer duty which will save British pubs £100 million next year and cut the cost of a pint by 3 pence. All alcohol duties will be frozen for the third year, saving people £500 million a year.

Finally, we are investing in public services to deliver on our manifesto

Please do keep in touch in the following ways: • www.garethbacon.com • gareth.bacon.mp@parliament.uk

For updates on local issues, follow Gareth on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, and sign up to his monthly newsletter at www.garethbacon.com/sign-up

GarethBaconMP

garethbaconmp

A column by Gareth Bacon MP promises. The NHS budget will increase by £44 billion to tackle the Covid backlog of cases and ensure patients get the quality of care they deserve. Schools will receive £18.7 billion by 2024, worth over £1,500 per pupil, to deliver quality education and help children catch up after the pandemic disrupted their learning. And we have recruited more than half the 20,000 additional police officers we promised to hire. An extra 11,053 officers are on the beat across the country, and I am pushing the Metropolitan Police to get Orpington’s fair share of the 1,819 new officers in Greater London.

These measures will help families and businesses across Orpington, but we will soon need to address the nation’s debt. We could afford unprecedented steps to save lives and protect jobs during the pandemic only because we had

spent a decade strengthening our public finances. We will need to cut our national debt in the coming years, so that we ensure our country

The Orpington 1st Magazine • Winter 2021

stays resilient to external shocks.

A strong recovery will be critical to this, and this Budget will cement that recovery.

37

Distinctive fireplaces to warm your home

Offering a wide range of traditional gas and electric models, as well as odourless biofuels - an eco-friendly alternative to polluting fossil fuels, providing a real flame effect with no need for a chimney.

Authorised stockists of Dimplex, Enviro-flame, Charlton Jenrick, Nu‑Flame Gas Fires, and Magiglo custom made gas burners, our products range from traditional classic designs, to bespoke contemporary fireplaces, including home entertainment housing.

Our team are on hand to offer advice 7 days a week and we provide in-house technical advice and a full installation service.

We look forward to welcoming you to our showroom to take a look around and discuss your options.

Unit 14 The Walnuts Shopping Centre High Street, Orpington BR6 0TW

01689 872 182 · 07900 676 712 fireplaceconcepts.co.uk sales@fireplaceconcepts.co.uk

)5((

253L1*721

,&( 5L1.

WALNUTS LEISURE CENTRE TERRACE Saturday 4 December 2021 to Sunday 2 January 2022 To book, visit orpington1st.co.uk Brought to you by

In partnership with

Orpington Ice Rink is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund

Supported by

#ThinkLocal

If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that family matters most!

We’re here to support you to do what’s best for you and your family.

We have over 40 years’ experience helping families make positive decisions for themselves and their children.

• Cohabitation and Pre-Nuptial Arrangements • Child Arrangements • Divorce and Separation • Financial Settlements • Child Abduction 217–219 High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 0NZ T H O M A S D U N T O N SOLICITORS

01689 822554

family@thomasdunton.co.uk

www.thomasdunton.co.uk Thomas Dunton Solicitors LLP is a limited liability partnership. Reg. No. OC432925.

ESTABLISHED 1978