Although unfortunately we do have another vacant shop in the High Street as Thomas Cook closed their Beckenham branch last week, with the support of you loyal locals we remain well below the national average, with 9 empty shops, of which 3 are under offer and one has a firm enquiry.

The introduction of 4G (mobile technology) over the summer may affect the television signals for people who watch Freeview television.

If you know someone who is over 75 years old, registered disabled or registered blind or partially sighted free help is available to them if their Freeview television is affected.

Residents may receive a postcard in the mail if Freeview signals are expected to be affected by the 4G switch on.  Some residents may also receive a small black box to rectify  signal problems.

If your elderly or disabled neighbour has received a black box through the post or has a distorted television picture or sound, they can call 0333 31 31 800 for help.

More information about the switch over can be found at the link below.

4G Rollout

 

Naming of Thornton’s Corner, and Beckenham’s New Town Signs – 

All are welcome to join dignitaries, guests and residents when the crossroad at Manor Road & High Street is officially given the name Thornton’s Corner after Beckenham campaigner Tom Thornton – Saturday 6 July, 10am corner of High Street and Manor Rd, next to The Beckenham.

After a short ceremony in front of the newly installed Beckenham Town Sign the Town Crier will lead the walk to the War Memorial for the installing of the second new Town Sign… and to mark Thornton’s publication of the Beckenham Journal, our High Street fish & chip shop, The Big Catch, will be handing out free ‘newspaper’ cones of chips between 10.30am -11am and 2pm and 2.30 while stocks last.

The new Town Signs are the first of the planned improvements for the High Street with more to come over the summer months.

Find out more about Tom Thornton at the link below.

Tom Thornton

Check out the newsletter below.

Newsletter

 

Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe is celebrating its 1st anniversary on
Beckenham High Street this Saturday, 29th June, with giveaway treats
plus a sweet 10% off everything.

Saturday June 15th 2013 2 to 5 p.m.

Bring a picnic and help The Friends of Kelsey Park celebrate. There will be bands and choirs, free entry and many children’s activities which will make this day a joyous and memorable occasion.

The park we know and enjoy today was opened almost 100 years ago in 1913, but its history can be traced back as far as the 12th century when the Kelsey area was owned by the Lord of the Manor of Beckenham.

For more information follow the link below.

Friends of Kelsey Park

Do you live in or near Bromley? Have you and your family lived here for long? And do you love your garden? We are making a BBC Four TV documentary about the suburban garden and are looking for people who have a special connection with their area and lots of memories of being in the garden. Maybe your parents moved to the area from the City of London when you were a child, or perhaps you moved here when you started having your family. Maybe you remember the Anderson shelter in your garden, or you have just fitted your garden with a sunken trampoline for the kids. Any stories are very welcome. Please contact ASAP, or by the 14^th June 2013.

Email Susie@wingspanproductions.co.uk or call 0207 428 8719

The larvae, or caterpillars, of Oak processionary moth (OPM) are a pest because they pose a threat to oak trees and to human and animal health. OPM caterpillars can strip whole oak trees bare of leaves, leaving them vulnerable to attack by other pests and diseases, and less able to withstand adverse environmental factors such as drought and flood. The caterpillars have thousands of tiny hairs contain an urticating, or irritating, substance called thaumetopoein, from which the species derives part of its scientific name. Contact with the hairs can cause itching skin rashes and, less commonly, sore throats, breathing difficulties and eye problems. This can happen if people or animals touch the caterpillars or their nests, or if the hairs are blown about by the wind. Further information about OPM can be found on the Forestry Commission website:

Oak Processionary Moth

Last July a significant outbreak of OPM was discovered in the grounds of Royal Bethlem Hospital, at the Shirley end of Beckenham, in Monks Orchard Road. 4000 nests were removed from the Bethlem site alone. Within 24 hours Bromley tree officers also discovered 3 infected trees situated on Council property, and the nests were removed. Fortunately the number of local infected oaks has not risen as yet. However it is at this time of year that the grey hairy caterpillars are most likely to be seen ‘processing’ in their hundreds one behind the other on branches or along the ground.

The Bromley/Croydon OPM outbreak is being managed separately from other outbreaks in west London and elsewhere. The policy here is eradication while we still have a realistic chance of success. The Forestry Commission is currently co-ordinating a programme of chemical treatment to all infected trees in the London area and those within a 50 metre buffer zone of them. Specialist contractors are working around the clock in order to treat all the infected trees within the short window of opportunity in the caterpillars life cycle when the chemical is effective. The chemical, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), is derived from a micro-organism which occurs naturally in soil. It has been selected because it only affects a small range of species, namely just certain types of caterpillars. It is harmless to humans and animals such as dogs, cats and farm animals.

Please check any local oak trees that you know of. If you find or suspect OPM on a tree DO NOT TOUCH IT or go near it, please report it immediately.  The contact details for reporting OPM are as follows:

• If oak is on public land – 020 8464 3333 Extn 3225 Julian Fowgies, Bromley Council
• If oak is on private land – 0131 314 6414 Forestry Commission Plant Health Section

The SGCO’s next concert is at 7.45 pm Saturday 29 June at St George’s Church, Beckenham.

Presenting the Alexander Piano & SGCO String Quartets

• Mozart Piano Quartet no.2 in Eb K493
• Brahms Piano Quartet no.3 in C minor Op.60
• Schubert String Quartet no.12 in C minor, ‘Quartettsatz’ D703
• David Alexander – Piano
• Peter Graham – Violin SGCO
• Miriam Eisele – Viola SGCO
• Ben Rogerson – Cello SGCO
• 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.

In April Beckenham got a new Town Centre Manager (TCM), well an old-new TCM. Cheryl Curr worked as Beckenham’s TCM back in 2002 before moving to Orpington. During her time there Cheryl worked with the businesses in Orpington to achieve a positive ballot so they could become a Business Improvement District. On this achievement Cheryl said, “I was pleased that during my time in Orpington we developed a real feeling of community, no one can achieve much on their own, I like working as part of a team.” We welcome Cheryl and very much look forward to working collaboratively.

Cheryl went to school at Cator Park Girls, she was married in Beckenham Methodist church in 1979 and has four children. Before Bromley Council, Cheryl had worked for Marks and Spencer for 25 years in a variety of management positions at head office and stores across the South East of England.

Currently Cheryl is Chairman of the Bromley Business Education Partnership steering group. She has been on the NSPCC committee for Beckenham for several years and has been a school governor at Highfield infants and Leesons primary.

We bid farewell to Tina Slater who Cheryl replaces. Our Association would like to thank Tina for all her support, especially in helping us get the Olympic Torch Run, George to George Candlelit Procession and Christmas events off the ground last year.

Check out the most recent newsletter.

Newsletter

Beckenham Junior Choir (ages 6-11) and Beckenham Youth Voices (age 11-16)

Saturday, 11 May 2013 3.30 to 5.00p.m. rehearsal and 7.00 p.m. concert at St. Barnabas, Beckenham.

More information can be found at www.beckenhamjuniorchoir.co.uk

There are 11 empty units up and down the High Street and Croydon Road – representing a vacancy rate of around 4.89% and although we have had an increase in empty units over the past six weeks, our High Street figures are still well below the national average of 14%.

Jazz –  new lease being negotiated, details not available at present time.

Fireplace shop adjacent to War Memorial – new lease agreed with “Vanilla”, a pavement café/restaurant/bar.

Zenith Windows – new lease being negotiated, details not available at present time.

The Children Society charity shop, Thomsons Travel and Blockbusters  – are empty, nothing known regarding any new lessees.

Chessington’s garage – is rumoured to be reopening as another garage,  the lease is not being advertised, no further details known. 

Fireworks shop (ex Greggs) – having work done on interior, no further details known.

PopUp Shops

Rather than shops remaining empty we would like to see them utilised as PopUp Shops until permanent tenants can be found.  If  you have contact details, or the name of the  landlord or owner, of any of the vacant units, we’d be grateful if you could let us know so we may approach them regarding putting a PopUp Shop in their premises.