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

Kent Stage Academy of Performing Arts Beckenham presents A Night Before Christmas on Sunday 16th December 2012

  • A Night Before Christmas
  • Sunday 16th December 2012, 19:30, Beckenham Public Halls, 4 Bromley Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3  5JE
  • Tickets: £12.00 / £8:00 concessions. Available online from www.brookstreetproductions.co.uk or in person from Beckenham Public Halls. Call 020 8090 580 for further information.

Kent Stage Academy of Performing Arts (KSA), Beckenham-based musical theatre college, is delighted to announce that this year’s Christmas performance “A Night Before Christmas” will be in aid of The Breast of Bromley, a volunteer group for research charity Breast Cancer Campaign.

More information can be found on the KSA website

The Nutcracker (Live) 2012 (Royal Ballet) – Odeon Cinema Beckenham 13 Dec 2012

DID YOU KNOW THE ODEON IN BECKENHAM SCREENS LIVE PERFORMANCES?

Next is  The Nutcracker performed by the Royal Ballet on 13 December 2012.

From the very first notes of Tchaikovsky’s overture to The Nutcracker, a sense of mystery and magic pervades the theatre as Herr Drosselmeyer sets in train the events that will see his beloved nephew, Hans Peter, freed from the enchantment of the evil Mouse King by the resourceful Clara. Peter Wright’s classic production, first seen at Covent Garden in 1984, is an essential part of Christmas for audiences of all ages.

 

Book online

 

Report issues to Bromley Council at www.fixmystreet.com

Bromley Council have advised Residents’ Associations in the borough that the preferred way for residents to report problems to them is through a website called www.fixmystreet.com .

It is really simple….

  • You enter the nearby postcode, or street name and area
  • Then enter the details of the problem (you can check to see if some else has already reported the problem)
  • Upload a photo if you wish
  • The details are sent to Bromley Council
  • You can check the status of the problem online, the Council will advise what action they are taking

There are smart phone applications for www.fixmystreet.com to make it even easier to report issues. Not everyone has access to the internet or smart phones so why not offer to report issues online at www.fixmystreet.com on behalf of your neighbours.

See current issues reported in the Copers Cope Ward at the link below.

Last consultation meeting Today 2pm in Orpington – Future of South London NHS services

Mon 3 Dec at 2pm at Crofton Halls, Crofton Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 8PR.

Meeting held by Office of the Trust Special Administrator whose recommendations will affect Beckenham in the following ways.

The NHS Trust pulling out of the Beckenham Beacon by terminating the lease, discussions are already underway. What if anything will be put in its place? Residents may have to travel to Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough for services previously provided at the Beacon.

A recommendation to merge the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site with Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust will see Lewisham Hospital cease to have an A&E (this is the closest A&E for many Beckenham residents).

Lewisham Hospital has the closest A&E for many Beckenham residents. If the Minor Injury Unit at the Beacon is also closed the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough will be the closest hospital for urgent care. It is also recommended Orpington Hospital be sold off.

Take the shop local challenge…. see how much of your Christmas shopping you can do on our High Street

From major music electronics to the smallest stocking fillers, you’ll find it in your High Street.

Fantastic clothes shops whether they’ve been here for generations or are new on the block, hidden treasures in gift and specialist shops, a huge selection of toys with advice to guide you to just the right one, kitchen gadgets and Christmas essentials and luxuries, every chocolate and sweet you’ve ever dreamed of, books for everyone, and exquisite flowers, bouquets and decorations. If what you need isn’t in any of our wonderful independent shops, the stores are brimming with ideas – and when all else fails, there’s always vouchers from the numerous beauty, hair and nail salons, the Odeon cinema, and many of the shops, plus the timeless fail-safe book tokens from the book shop.

With the twinkling white Christmas lights to set the mood, and coffee shops and eating places to spoil you for choice, Christmas shopping in Beckenham will be a joy… Enjoy stress-free local shopping, support your High Street… and a Merry Christmas to all.

It’s been said before… “use it or lose it” – if we want to keep a thriving High Street we need to shop there.

Stables Green (R/O 86-94 High Street) Town Green Application Refused

APPLICATION TO REGISTER LAND BEHIND 94-98 AND 126 HIGH STREET, BECKENHAM AS A TOWN OR VILLAGE GREEN

Planning permission is given for construction of 3 blocks of 4 storey flats on the site, however, local residents backing on to the site formed Central Beckenham Resident’s Association and lodged an application for the site to be designated a ‘Town Green’.  If the Town Green application was successful it would have superseded any planning permission granted on the site.

A public enquiry was held by QC Annabel Graham Paul in regard to the Town Green Application, were evidence was given by Central Beckenham Resident’s Association among others.  The outcome of the enquiry can be found at the link below.

Inspectors Report

On the recommendation of the Inspector Report, Bromley Council declined to register land behind 94-98 and 126 High Street, Beckenham as a town or village green. This means the development of 3 blocks of 4 storey flats on the site will likely go ahead

 

 

Bromley Police Bank Card Scam Warning

Bromley Police are reissuing their warning regarding frauds targeting the elderly and vulnerable after a recent increase in these offences across Bromley, with one resident losing her £26,000 life savings.

Elderly residents have been receiving unsolicited telephone calls from fraudsters purporting to be from the police fraud squad or their bank. The fraudster will state that there is an ongoing investigation into fraudulent payments on their bank account/card.
The person will be asked to ring the police/bank back using the phone number printed on the back of their bank card or by calling 999. This helps to convince the person that the call is genuine. However, the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though the person has dialled a number, the call does not go through. Instead they are unknowingly still connected with the fraudster.
The victim is asked to provide their full bank card details and key in their PIN so that their existing card can be “cancelled” and a new one “activated” or “authorised.” The fraudster will then explain that the bank will need to collect the card. The fraudster will then attend the person’s address or send an innocent courier company driver to collect the card. The fraudster, having obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN, then used the card to empty the victim’s bank account.

Fraudsters have also pretended to be from the police cold calling members of the public claiming to be from the Economic Crime Department and that the person’s bank account has been compromised by criminals. The fraudster suggests that the person should withdraw the money for collection by a police representative for safekeeping until the investigation was complete.

Detective Inspector Louise Knipe from Bromley Police said: “If you receive such a call end it immediately. The police will never ask you for any money, either to assist with an investigation, or for safekeeping. Your bank will never attend your home, your bank and the police will never collect your bank card, your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN. If you do receive any call that you are suspicious about, please speak with a younger family member or relative before giving out any details or withdrawing any money and also contact the police”.

Future of South London NHS services -Public Meeting Today 10am in Bromley

Mon 26 Nov at 10am, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley, Kent BR1 4JD

Meeting held by Office of the Trust Special Administrator whose recommendations will affect Beckenham in the following ways.

The NHS Trust pulling out of the Beckenham Beacon by terminating the lease, discussions are already underway. What if anything will be put in its place? Residents may have to travel to Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough for services previously provided at the Beacon.

A recommendation to merge the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site with Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust will see Lewisham Hospital cease to have an A&E (this is the closest A&E for many Beckenham residents).

Lewisham Hospital has the closest A&E for many Beckenham residents. If the Minor Injury Unit at the Beacon is also closed the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough will be the closest hospital for urgent care. It is also recommended Orpington Hospital be sold off.

Beckenham Beacon and other NHS services Consultation by Dec 13 2012

Respond to the consultation online at: www.tsa.nhs.uk/tell-us-what-you-think. If you cannot respond online,  please call freephone 0800 953 0110 or email tsaconsultation@nhs.net to request a hardcopy of the consultation response form to be posted to you.

Useful links

 

Old Zenith Windows shop front gets a clean up

Residents will be pleased that the old Zenith Windows shop front has received a make over.

Gone are the unsightly hoardings, in their place the windows now have smart posters promoting Beckenham.

Our Association, the West Beckenham RA, Beckenham Business Association and our Town Centre Manager all made representations to get the shop front tided tidied up.

We hope everyone agrees the site looks much better.

Council Meeting – More Tough Choices – Mon 19 Nov 7pm

Monday, 19 November at 7 – 8:30 pm, Citygate Church, Rectory Road, Beckenham, BR3 1AA

Public meeting – Have your say

With more than £30 million to be cut from the Council’s budget over the next four years in addition to similar savings in the last two years, there are more tough choices to be made. The Leader of Bromley Council, Stephen Carr is inviting those who live and work in the borough to join him and leading Councillors at one of the meetings to hear as many views as possible about the financial challenges faced and the future of the Council.

In an open letter to the people of Bromley, Councillor Carr said: “We are now at a stage where we cannot keep cutting then cutting again. Given the magnitude of savings and the financial pressures we face, we must be realistic as it is important that residents understand the pressures we are coming under locally as a result of significant change to Government legislation and funding streams.

Each and every Council service is now under the spotlight and we are asking some very fundamental questions about the future. What services would be better delivered through the private sector, through a social enterprise or the voluntary sector? Are there more services we could share with our neighbouring boroughs? Should we keep maintaining our parks and gardens? Should we keep all our libraries open? Should we keep the same level of youth provision? How do we meet the growing demand to support the most vulnerable in our community? And to ask you as taxpayers what tough choices you would make; is there an argument for a modest increase in council tax to pay for services? You have helped us make savings during the last two years. As your elected Councillors it is vital we continue to talk with you and listen to your views about your Council into the future.”

Programme for Beckenham’s Free Christmas Event – Sat 17 Nov 2012

George to George Candlelit Procession led by musicians

Meet at George Pub (beer garden) at 4.15 for a 4:30pm prompt start. Nanny Christmas and The Pearly King and Queen will be there too. The procession lead by a trio of musicians will arrive at The Green via St George’s Church at 5.00pm. Click here for more information about the Procession.

On The High Street

  • Pearly King of Bow Bells, Cheapside & Blackfriars
  • Pearly Queen Mum of Hackney
  • Nanny Christmas
  • Hula Hooper – Thornton Square 3.00 to 3.20
  • Jazz Trio – Thornton Square 3.25 – 3.45
  • Festive Busker – Sainsbury’s 3.00 – 6.00pm

Running order for Main Stage

  • 3 pm – The Spanish Choir from Harris Academy
  • 3.10 – Dance Company Studios present performances of Street Dancers, Dance Company Carpe Diem, Zumba, Piloxing and Kit & Joe.
  • 3.50 – Hula Hoop Extravaganza
  • 4.10 – Kent Academy of Performing Arts
  • 4.30 – Singer Fil Straughton
  • 5.00 – Candlelit Procession arrives at main stage
  • 5.05 – Pearly King of Bow Bells, Cheapside & Blackfriars & Pearly Queen Mum of Hackney, Father Christmas & Nanny Christmas
  • 5.10 – Gems Cheerleaders
  • 5.25 – St George’s Church Choir
  • 5.45 – Introduction of guests
  • 6.00 – Christmas Light Switch On and Special Effects (including cannon firing confetti, glitter into the air and strobe lighting).

Beckenham Green – stalls and attractions 3.00pm – 6.00pm

  • Bibby’s Bakery – cakes and crafts
  • Sweet Boutique – traditional sweets
  • Hop Box – Draught Beers
  • MyTime – Face painting, fitness advise and membership sales
  • Youth Bus – deck mixing and crafts
  • Jimmy Botton – children’s rides, Hot Chestnut stand and Candy floss stand

Event organised by Beckenham Town Centre Manager (Bromley Council). Candlelit Procession organised by Copers Cope Area Resident’s Association. Supported by the Beckenham Business Association.

Bromley Police Pick-pocket warning

Bromley Police are warning residents to be wary of pick-pockets, after a recent spate of offences in The Glades Shopping Centre and around Bromley Town Centre.

The victims in each case had withdrawn money from a cash point before beginning shopping. Whilst they were shopping they were approached by a man and woman, who claimed they had paint on their coat and pretended to be wiping it off. Whilst distracted one of the suspects would steal the victim’s wallet/purse.

The suspects are both described as being white, with eastern European accents. The male is believed to be in his 50’s.

Bromley Police would suggest taking following precautions whilst out shopping in order to avoid becoming the victim of a pick-pocket or purse-dipper:

• Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Keep it zipped up, and make sure your wallet or purse can’t be seen. Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
• When at a bar, restaurant or cafe keep your belongings safe. Keep bags where you can see them but out of reach of passers by. Use bag hooks under tables if they are available.
• If you use your mobile phone on the street be aware of your surroundings whilst you’re on the phone and after your call has ended.
• Spread your possessions about – keep your mobile phone separate from your purse, and your keys separate from your credit card.
• Beware when using cash dispensers. Criminals target people when using these machines.
• Cover up any expensive jewellery and, if you must carry other valuables, be discreet.

Anyone with any information should contact Bromley Police’s CID on 020 8284 8859 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Update on the Beckenham Beacon and other NHS services

Office of the Trust Special Administrator –  Clarification for Beckenham

After making enquiries about the future of the Beacon, the Office of the Trust Special Administrator (TSA)  contacted our Association to issue an official clarification to their draft recommendations regarding services in Beckenham.  Most importantly it advises that the Beacon will not close. The South London Healthcare Trust (SLHT) will no longer provide services at the Beacon and Bromley CCG will decide what services are to be provided there in the future. Please find a link to the clarification and other reports below.

NHS Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (Bromley CCG, also currently known as Bromley PCT) and the Beacon

We invited Dr Collins (Director of Health Care System Reform) to attend our joint public meeting with West Beckenham Residents’ Association (attended by 100 residents, Councillors, London Assembly Member, Bob Stewart, MP and Jim Dowd, MP) on 7 Nov 2012 to find out what Bromley CCG intends to do at the Beacon if and when the SLHT pull out.
Mr Collins advised that currently his organisation commissions care at the Beacon. The Bromley CCG currently contract the SLHT to provide most of the services available at the Beacon.  If the SLHT pulls out of the site then Bromley CCG will need to find another provider for the services.  Mr Collins stated that he did not expect that one day the SLHT would just pull out completely and services stop, but that there would be a transition period.  He also advised that he did not expect services at the Beacon to be dropped, however he did note that the way some services are currently provided may change.  Our MP, Bob Stewart, pressed Mr Collins on this point and Mr Collins affirmed that the Beacon would not lose services, but that there may also be an opportunity to  increase services offered at the Beacon, particularly because the SLHT  has been under-using 45% of the space. The idea of Intermediate Care Beds being provided was raised, and Mr Collins said it could be considered as there was a review about such services coming up.
However, with no firm proposals or commitment to what will be provided at the Beacon in the future it is difficult for residents to comment on the TSA’s consultation. Below is a link to a list (taken from the Beacon website) of all the services currently provided by SLHT at the Beacon. As well as making further suggestions to add to this list, there are many questions we should be raising, for instance, should the TSA be ensuring the future of services at the Beacon,  rather than just recommending the SLHT pull out?

BEACON – services provided by SLHT

Future of the Princess Royal Hospital (PRU)

The TSA recommends that the PRU go into partnership with Kings College Hospital (a well respected hospital). However, if this is not possible the running of the PRU will go out to tender.  Jim Dowd, MP (Lewisham West), spoke to the TSA about this and it appears that Kings College Hospital will get first refusal on running the PRU. If they do not wish to take it on, then someone else will need to be found.  The TSA’s recommendations do not seem to safeguard health services provided out of the PRU,  they merely seem to recommend two options for offloading it from the SLHT. Do we need further assurances about the future of the PRU and the services it provides?

Lewisham Hospital

The TSA advise that when Lewisham’s A&E is closed the majority of patients can still be seen at Lewisham’s Urgent Care Centre.  If you need an A&E is the PRU close enough? If not you may wish to join the campaign to keep Lewisham A&E open, see below.  Do not forget to mention Lewisham A&E when you respond to the TSA consultation.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/lewisham-hospital/

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/41027

What residents should do

  1. Share this information with your neighbours, friends and family affected.  Not everyone has internet access, why not invite them in to show them the documents, and  help/encourage them to respond to the consultation online or by snail mail. The SLHT going into administration is causing the biggest shake up of healthcare provision in South London for decades, it’s important we all have our say.
  2. Respond the the TSA consultation by 13 December 2012. Not sure what to say… Our MP Bob Stewart suggested  that residents should just tell the TSA what they want. What healthcare services do you want at The Beacon, The PRU and Lewisham Hospital? What concerns do you have? Responses to the consultation do not need to be more complicated than that.  Respond to the consultation: www.tsa.nhs.uk/tell-us-what-you-think. If you cannot respond online,  please call freephone 0800 953 0110 or email tsaconsultation@nhs.net to request a hardcopy of the consultation response form to be posted to you.
  3. Attend the TSAs Public Meeting in Bromley, closest one is on Mon 26 Nov at 10am, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley, Kent BR1 4JD. Or Thurs 22 Nov at 7pm at Crofton Halls, Crofton Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 8PR. Or Mon 3 Dec at 2pm at Crofton Halls, Crofton Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 8PR.
  4. Write to the Bromley CCG should you have any concerns about future commissioning of services at the Beacon. Bromley CCG, Bassetts House. Broadwater Gardens, Orpington BR6 7UA.

String Serenade Concert – 7.45pm 17 November 2012, St George’s Church Beckenham

The SGCO’s next concert is on Saturday 17th November at St George’s Church, Beckenham. We will be playing string serenades by Tchaikovsky and Mozart (Eine Kleine). The orchestra will be directed by Dominic Moore who will also play a violin concerto by Bach.

The St. George’s Chamber Orchestra (SGCO) was founded in 2004 as the new professional orchestra for the South East, established in order to give local music lovers the opportunity to hear orchestral concerts of the highest standard on their doorstep. All the SGCO’s members play regularly with the famous London orchestras such as the London Symphony, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. Further information can be found on their website:

http://www.sgco.co.uk/