Month: October 2013

Police message – Warning of increase in doorstep crime over the last week

The Police have recorded an increase in doorstep crime over the last week. There have been incidents of residents being approached by cold callers offering to clean out guttering, repair/maintain roofing etc, resulting in inflated prices being charged, and occasionally the resident has felt intimidated into agreeing further work.

With the bad weather over the last couple of days, there may be opportunist cold callers offering to sweep up leaves, take away trees, etc and the official advice is not to accept offers of help from callers, unless they are known to you. Also be reminded that the council will always have ID, and drive liveried vehicles.

There have also been victims of telephone fraud in the borough, where the resident has been pursuaded to give over their pin numbers, and handed their credit/debit cards to persons impersonating Police officers.

The Police will NEVER ask for your credit/card details, either on the ‘phone or in person.

If you are unsure who the caller is, engage your security door chain before you open the door. If you see anyone suspicious, and it is happening now, please ring 999, if you have recently had suspicious activity in your road, then please report it to ring 101.

TONIGHT – Residents’ Forum and Open Meeting – 8pm Weds 30 Oct 2013 Beckenham Public Halls

Our Association is holding a joint open meeting with the West Beckenham Residents’ Association. Between our associations we cover the whole of Beckenham and so have invited a panel of councillors from every ward to take your questions. James Cleverly our London Assembly Member will also be on the panel.

Come along and direct your concerns to the panel. Join us from 7.45pm, at the Beckenham Public Halls, Bromley Road, Beckenham.

We look forward to seeing you there.

2013 Beckenham Residents Meeting

Cafe applies for Alcohol Licence and extended hours

A licensing application has been lodged for Raggios Cafe 42A High Street Beckenham BR3 1AY to sell alcohol onsite till 11pm and play recorded music.

Further information can be found online on the Council’s website at the link below.

https://searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk/onlineapplications/licencingApplicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MV0W39BT0D700

Have your say – Residents’ Forum and Open Meeting – 8pm Weds 30 Oct 2013 Beckenham Public Halls

Our Association is holding a joint Open Meeting with the West Beckenham Residents’ Association. Between our associations we cover the whole of Beckenham and so have invited a panel of councillors from every Ward to take your questions. James Cleverly our London Assembly Member will also be on the panel.

Come along and direct your concerns to the panel. Join us from 7.45pm, at the Beckenham Public Halls, Bromley Road, Beckenham. 

We look forward to seeing you there.

2013 Beckenham Residents Meeting

Junction Road Improvements (High Street & Southend Road)

Residents will be pleased to know a scheme to improve the junction at High Street, Southend Road, Albemarle Road and Rectory Road has been approved by the Council and will be funded by TfL.

The reworking of the junction will give HGVs a larger turning space when turning from Rectory Road over the Bridge to stop them mounting the pavement (making is safer for pedestrians) and getting stuck in the junction (making it safer for pedestrians to cross and avoiding traffic congestion). Currently the design does not widen the pavement outside the Locksmiths which is too narrow, although the bollards and dumbbells will be removed. We raised the blind corner by the Locksmiths with the Council and also whether the pavement will be levelled and resurfaced along this stretch. They have agreed to look at this in the final detailed design, but noted the more the pavement is widened the less space for HGV turning.  We will keep you updated.

The report and design can be viewed at the links below.

Map of Junction Improvements

Report on Junction Improvements

 

ITV1 Martin Lewis Money Show in Beckenham

The ITV1 Martin Lewis Money Show is filming in the Bromley area this week for a piece on car and home insurance.

Martin is looking for local residents who would be interested in saving money on their car and home insurance. His team of financial researchers would find the best deal using Martin’s expert tips. “We would then use them as a case study to help viewers in a similar situation.

Last year we were able to save one family a significant amount of money on their car insurance we’d love to do this again for someone!”

Anyone interested they should contact Becky Colls on 02071574368 or 07798925985.

Next Weekend – Market On The Green and Heritage Trail Launch – Sat 19 Oct 2013

Lots of free things to do around Beckenham Town Centre on Saturday 19 October.

  • Take a miniature version of the Heritage trail and get a goodie bag.
  • Meet Mr and Mrs Becks from our town sign, Charlie Chaplin and other historical characters.
  • Check out a vintage fire engine parked outside the old fire station.
  • Pick up some free toffee apples and marshmallows (while stocks last).
  • See a Punch and Judy Show outside Sainsbury’s forecourt.
  • Enjoy some free entertainment on Beckenham Green: 1920-40’s Saxophone Quartet from Beckenham, Andrews Sisters Tribute, David Bowie Tribute.
  • Visit the Ponies on Beckenham Green – yes there will be real ponies, they’ll even be doing a trick show. Kids can ride the Ponies too, although there is a charge for this.

There will also be lots of great hot food, produce and craft to buy from 10am at the Market, plus vintage fair rides for the kids. Check out the market page to see which stalls are confirmed so far.

At 11am the Heritage Trail will be officially opened and there will be a Tree Planting Ceremony to mark the launch of the trail and commemorate lives lost in the 1944 bombing on the site of The Green.

Market & Heritage Trail

The Best Night of the Proms – St Paul’s Church Beckenham 7.30pm Sat 26 Oct 2013

The Best Night of the Proms featuring the Lewisham Concert Band and the St Paul’s Concert Choir

On Saturday 26 October at 7.30pm. Doors open 7.00pm, Encore 9.30pm

Flags, wine and soft drinks for sale.

Raising money for Help for Heroes and St Paul’s Church Away Weekend.

Tickets £8 available after church services, phone 020 8658 7702, and on the door. St Paul’s Church, Beckenham, Brackley Rd Beckenham, Kent BR3 1RB

SGCO Anniversary Concert – 7.45pm Sat 12th Oct 2013, St George’s Church

The SGCO’s next concert is at 7.45 pm Saturday 12 October at St George’s Church, Beckenham.

Anniversary Concert – opening our 10th Season 

  • SGCO OctHandel Concerto Grosso in A minor op.6 no.4
  • Marcello Oboe Concerto in C minor
  • Vivaldi Autumn from the 4 Seasons
  • Mozart Divertimento in F K138
  • Puccini Crisantemi
  • Bach Concerto for violin and oboe in C minor BWV 1060
  • Owen Dennis SGCO Principal oboe
  • Dominic Moore Violin – Musical Director SGCO

Book in advance from The Beckenham Bookshop and St. George’s Church Office (Monday to Friday until 3.30pm). Best seats will be reserved for pre-concert sales. Tickets also available on-line at http://www.stgeorgesbeckenham.co.ukand on the door.

St. George’s Church is on the corner of High Street and Bromley Road Beckenham BR3 1AX.

Council confirm 100% Housing Association Flats at Stables Green / Rear of 86-94 High Street

Bromley Council (LBB) has confirmed that the development behind Pierluigi’s restaurant  will provide  28 x Affordable Rent and 16 Shared Ownership. There will be ZERO for private sale. This is a far cry from the planning permission granted that was based on 5 x Affordable Rent, 10 Shared Ownership and 29 for private sale.

Following the granting of planning permission, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has funded the developer L&Q  to provide 100% social housing.  We wrote to the GLA to ask the rationale for changing the accommodation mix that had previously been assessed and agreed between the Council and Developer, to ask why they did not seek feedback from the local community as the changes represent a significant change to the development; and to note local objection to 100% social housing and none for private sale.  Our Cllrs also objected to 100% social housing.

Due to strong opposition Richard Blakeway, the Deputy Mayor of Housing for the GLA,  met with LBB Council. LBB also objected to the site being used solely for social housing, but the GLA were committed to the social housing scheme. LBB also suggested 100% Shared Ownership for the site but this was not supported by the GLA. LBB were able to negotiate a better mix between Affordable Rent and Shared Ownership (the original social housing proposal was 37 Affordable Rent  and 7 x Shared Ownership, the current proposal has 16 Shared Ownership the rest Affordable Rent).

Despite local opposition the GLA did not support any private sale units in this development.  A site of 50% social housing and 50% private sale or even 34% private sale, 33% Affordable Rent and 33% Social Housing would offer a more diverse accommodation mix.

Residents wishing to comment further may wish to contact one or more of the following:

  • The Mayor’s Office by email mayor@london.gov.uk  or post Mayor’s Office, GLA,  City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA
  • James Cleverly (Bromley and Bexley London Assembly Member) by email james.cleverly@london.gov.uk or post GLA, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA
  • Bob Stewart MP by email bob.stewart.mp@parliament.uk or post Parliament Office, Bob Stewart DSO MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

Please ensure you state your name, address and post code in your correspondence to ensure your objections are registered.