Author: Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA)

Residents Association covering central and northern Beckenham. Founded in 1939 to protect and promote the interests of residents in matters of local concern

Carers Rights Day 29 Nov 2013 – Information to help carers know their rights and get support.

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.

Along the Ravensbourne Walk, Beckenham Place Park, 10 am Sat 23 Nov 2013

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

Building, roof and gutter repair scam warning

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.

Planning application to demolish 6 Manor Way and build 2 houses.

A planning application to demolish 6 Manor Way Beckenham BR3 3LJ and build 2 modern detached houses has been lodged.  Details can be found on Bromley Councils website at the link below:

6 Manor Way Beckenham BR3 3LJ

Any residents who wish to comment on the planning application may do so by email to planning@bromley.gov.uk (Reference: 13/02534/FULL1). Please ensure you quote the reference and provide your full name and address including your post code. Failure to provide these details will mean your comments will not be not accepted.

2 Beckenham Bus Routes in Most Crowded Top 10

The London Assembly’s Transport Committee recently published a report on highlighting how the Mayor and Transport for London’s proposals to increase capacity on the buses risk being seriously outpaced by rapid population growth. The report listed London’s top 10 most crowded bus routes. Beckenham’s 358 and 162 make the list, along with 2 more in the borough, Penge to London 176 and Bromley to Eltham 208. 4 out of 10 of London’s most crowded buses are in the London Borough of Bromley.

At our joint public meeting with West Beckenham Residents’ Association last week, we raised this with our London Assembly Rep James Cleverley. James said he would take this up with the Mayors Office when the bus routes contracts are renegotiated as this is the time changes can be made. We will keep you updated.

You can read the full report at the link below.

Bus Services in London October 2013

32 Church Avenue, Beckenham – Appeal lodged against refused application

A proposal to erect a detached two storey four bedroom house with associated car parking and replacement garage for No. 30 at land rear of 32 Church Avenue was refused by Bromley Council, details at the following link.

32 Church Avenue

There are fears that ‘backland’ development behind the houses on Church Road could change the scope of the high density development planned for the Rear of 86 to 94 High Street Beckenham and also set an unwelcome precedent for backland development in residential roads. 

Any residents who wish to comment on the appeal must do so by 25 November 2013. The appeal reference number is APP/G5180/A/13/2204226. Comments may be sent by email to TeamP7@pins.gsi.gov.uk, you must ensure that you provide your full name and address including your post code. Failure to provide these details will mean your comments will not be not accepted.

Beckenham’s Annual Remembrance Day Service – Sunday 10th November 2013

Beckenham Annual Remembrance Service and Parade will be held at Beckenham War Memorial on Sunday 10th November 2013 at 10.50 am.

The Parade will form up at 10.15 am in St George’s Road (adjacent to St George’s Church), to move off at 10.25 am to the War Memorial via Albemarle Road and Beckenham High Street to form up on the road around the Beckenham War Memorial roundabout. Following the Service, the Parade will re-form and march off to proceed to St George’s Road via the High Street, The Drive and Church Avenue, for the march past in Bromley Road outside St George’s Church and dispersal by the Mayoral Representative in St George’s Road Beckenham.

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.