Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA)
Two residents' associations working together across Beckenham on your behalf
What wonderful support from Beckenham at Christmas Market On The Green, you made it a special afternoon.
A big thank you to all the volunteers, entertainers and stallholders for participating in the event, and thank you to all those that attended.
Beckenham Green was packed for the light switch on. Check out the clip below.
There will be a Santa’s Grotto from 1pm courtesy of the Beckenham Rotary Club and Peppa Pig (lookalike) will be making a guest appearance at the market.
See our Market page for a full listing on what is happening at Market On The Green.
See you on Saturday.
If you have an American Express card you can register it for the American Express “Small Business Saturday” promotion running on 7 December 2013. You can get back £5 if you spend £10 or more in a participating local small shops. For Register your card at: Amex Shop Small
Here are some of our shops listed as participating on the Amex Shop Small website:
Bianca Nicholas from Beckenham, needs support to win the John Lewis ‘Reworked’ Christmas TV commercial that will put one aspiring musician on Christmas Day TV.
Check out her competition entry on YouTube, it has got over 12,000 views already. It would be amazing if we could get it to 20,000+ and help Bianca win.
Somewhere Only We Know (Cover) – John Lewis Reworked Competition Entry – Bianca Nicholas
You can see Bianca live this weekend, she is performing at 2pm at our Market On The Green. Click here for further details about this weekends Christmas Market.
Check out the Newsletter below.
The Friends of Croydon Road Recreation plan to approach the Heritage Lottery Fund, in conjunction with The London Borough of Bromley, with a bid for funding to restore the Bandstand in the Recreation Ground.
To raise the significant sums required, they need to demonstrate to potential funders that the public have been consulted and that they support any proposal. The London Borough of Bromley have produced a survey, the results of which will be used to support an application, in the first instance, to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the structure and improve this public facility.
You can complete they survey below, it will only take a few minutes of your time.
Thursday 5th December THE MINCE PIE TRAIL. Meet on mansion steps 1.30pm. A short walk around the park with a mince pie and a soft drink to keep the cold at bay.
About The Friends Events. All events are free, but any donations to funds are much appreciated. Most last about 1-2 hours, but you can join in for as long or as little as you like. It is advisable to wear stout walking shoes as the paths do get very muddy. Walkers are individually responsible for their own safety during our events. Minors are welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, if kept under control. Walk leaders always carry water and a mobile phone.
Find our more at the link below.
Come along and enjoy the entertainment at our Christmas Market On The Green. As well as the local produce and craft stalls, there will be a fun fair, a beautiful Snow Fairy Stilt-Walker, Nanny Christmas and of course Father Christmas. The stage will be buzzing between 12 noon and 6pm with the following acts:
Don’t forget the ‘George to George’ Candlelit Procession at 4.30pm and the Christmas Light Switch on at 5.15pm. See you there.
Check out the most recent edition of Update Newsletter below.
The 7th of December is shaping up to be a festive day in Beckenham. Father Christmas is coming to Beckenham for the day and he is bringing Nanny Christmas too. There will be a funfair for the kids and a Christmassy Market for the adults, plus live entertainment all day. Expect some Christmas Carols and welcome The Candy Girls from the October Market are back as well. At 4.30pm we will all head off on a Candlelit Procession with pretty little festive lanterns (250 to give away), look out for the jazz band, the Fairy Stilt-Walkers and other characters. At 5.15pm there will be much fanfare as the town’s Christmas lights are switched on.
Hope you can join us on Beckenham Green (by St George’s Church) between 12 noon and 6pm.
At the Council Development Control Meeting on 21 November 2013 the redevelopment of Kent County Cricket Ground received planning consent.
Click on the link below to view some lovely footage of Beckenham when it was ‘flourishing and fashionable’ in 1935.
Beckenham (Kent) Charter Day Celebrations, 28th October 1935 (Universal 35mm reel)
Set against the backdrop of contemporary London, Bromley and Beckenham, Three Days is a funny, warm, romantic, feel-good British independent short film. It tells the story of two very different people, Sophie and James, who find themselves conflicted about their growing attraction to each other.
To support the film’s ongoing development and find out more follow the link below:
Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood advise that Bromley Borough has been hit with a large number of catalytic converter thefts. The main vehicles that have been identified are Ford Galaxys, VW Sharans and Seat Alhambra. This however doesn’t mean they wont target others.
Due to the high value of the precious metals contained in a vehicles exhaust system, thieves are stealing catalytic converters. A catalytic converter could cost over £1000 to replace. It is easier for a thief to slide underneath a vehicle with a high ground clearance. Other vehicles commonly targeted include Mercedes Sprinters/Ford Rangers/Mitsubishi vans/4x4s. It takes a thief less than 2 minutes to unscrew the securing bolts or cut the exhaust and remove a converter.
Crime Prevention advice
Please be vigilant in your neighbourhood and report any suspicious activity straight away to your local neighbourhood team on 101 or if you believe a crime is in progress call 999. If you would like to pass on information but wish to remain anonymous then call Crimestoppers on 0800-500-111
The Harmonious & Humorous Horn – Saturday 30th November 2013 7.45pm
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.
Lloyds Bank, High Street Beckenham was robbed this morning. We understand that no-one was hurt. The branch is shut (nearest alternatives Market Square, Bromley or West Wickham). A reward of £25,000 being offered for information. The Police can be contacted on 101.
INFORMATION EVENT TO HELP CARERS IN THE BOROUGH KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND GET SUPPORT
Thousands of people looking after sick or disabled relatives at home may be missing out on vital benefits and support.
The 14th annual National Carers Rights Day organised by Carers UK will take place on Friday 29th November 2013. The theme this year is “rights, advice, support”. A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, parent, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage otherwise owing to physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.
To promote this year’s campaign, Carers Bromley has organised a drop-in information event on 29th November from 10am to 2pm at the Verrall Hall, Bromley United Reformed Church, Widmore Road, Bromley BR1 1RY. All unpaid carers are invited to drop in, meet other carers and enjoy a free coffee and cake.
Carers Support Advisers will be on hand to offer you support, information and guidance regarding your caring role. In addition, representatives from a number of partner organisations (including Wellers Solicitors, the Department for Works and Pensions, Oxleas NHS Trust, Bromley Healthcare, plus many more!) will also be available to provide you with information and answer your queries.
There will be a a free raffle where you will have the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, such as free one week gym and swim passes with Bromley MyTime, a free acupuncture session worth £45, plus more!
To view the flyer for this event, please use this link:
Carers Rights Day Flyer
For more information, please contact our Respite Manager, Graham Skingley on 01689 888963 or email graham.skingley@carersbromley.org.uk.
Saturday 23rd November ALONG THE RAVENSBOURNE
Meet 10.00am at Crab Hill entrance, near Ravensbourne rail station.
About The Friends Events. All events are free, but any donations to funds are much appreciated. Most last about 1-2 hours, but you can join in for as long or as little as you like. It is advisable to wear stout walking shoes as the paths do get very muddy. Walkers are individually responsible for their own safety during our events. Minors are welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, if kept under control. Walk leaders always carry water and a mobile phone.
Find our more at the link below.
Friends of Beckenham Place Park
Thursday 5thDecember THE MINCE PIE TRAIL
Meet on mansion steps 1.30pm. A short walk around the park with a
mince pie and a soft drink to keep the cold at bay.
About The Friends Events. All our events are free, but any donations to funds
are much appreciated. Most last about 1-2 hours, but you can join in for as long or as
little as you like. It is advisable to wear stout walking shoes as the paths do get very
muddy. Walkers are individually responsible for their own safety during our events.
Minors are welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are
welcome, if kept under control. Walk leaders always carry water and a mobile phone
Save the date in your calendar and join in with the town Christmas celebrations…. a Christmassy Market, Candlelit Procession, town Christmas Light Switch On. Details will be added to the market page as confirmed.
Trading Standards are asking residents to look out for itinerant traders who are cold calling residents offering roof and guttering repairs. There are believed to be up to four cases of bogus building scams involving elderly consumers. In each case the victim was persuaded to hand over large sums of cash for supposed deposits for the hire of equipment allegedly needed to continue with the repairs. The equipment has been described as dehumidifiers, specialist equipment to support roof joists and chimney supports. None of the work was necessary. The equipment does not exist.
The descriptions are vague other than they are white males, in some cases with Irish and south London accents. On one occasion one of the men was described as being very big, around 18 stones. On three occasions a white van was used and the men were wearing high viz waistcoats. In two cases scaffolding was erected to give the impression work was being carried out.
Trading Standards and Police are investigating the links between these offences but in the meantime if you spot any neighbours having any work done which was not planned, or you just want us to check them out then please call the trading standards rapid response number 07903 852 090.
Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA) 