Cyclists are invited to participate in a London Assembly consultation on cycle safety. The survey asks if cyclists felt more or less safe over the past year and for views on what should be done to make cycling safer. The survey, which will be used at the Assembly’s transport committee meeting at City Hall on December 10th, can be accessed at the link below.

Cycling in London

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:

• Alexia Hair Studio
• Antonios Grooming
• Beckenham Off Licence
• Branded
• Chas Normam Cameras
• Chom Chom
• Ellis & Edwards Opticians
• Furley and Baker
• Ice Clinic
• Jumping Bean
• La Rascasse
• Mae Ping
• Nene Resturant & Bar
• Patricks
• Pierluigis Resturant
• Regal Dry Cleaners
• Sea Salt
• The Curry Cottage
• Villagers Fine Sausages

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.

Bandstand Survey

Check out the most recent edition of Update Newsletter below.

Newsletter

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:

Three Days

 

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.

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.

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

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.

Starting on Tuesday 01 October 2013 Beckenham Sainsbury’s will refund 50p (1 hour) worth of parking when you spend £10 instore. The new tickets issued at their
Village Way car park will be in two parts, one for proof of parking and the other is a coupon to bring into store.

Sainsbury’s in Beckenham has 265 parking spaces so plenty of room for shoppers wishing to take advantage of the refundable parking.

Check out their article about the Bowie inspired Memory of a Free Festival on next Sunday at Croydon Rd Recreation Ground to raise money to restore the bandstand.

Independent Arts & Entertainment Section