Trading Standards Scam Alert – Prize Draw

Household CCTV systems may need to be registered.

News from Bromley Neighbourhood Watch

Following a ruling by the European Court of Justice, the UK Information Commissioner (ICO) has ruled that household CCTV systems that film beyond the boundary of the property, such as the street, must now be registered? The ICO has implemented this with an annual fee per household of £35 and details of households that register their systems will appear on a searchable Public Register. For full details, go to the ICO website at: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/cctv

In one London Ward, household CCTV covering the street has been submitted to the Police and has directly led to over 100 arrests for burglary and other serious offences in the past 5 years. As a result, a group of Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators in Hillingdon have started an on-line petition to encourage the ICO to waive the registration fee. Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network has taken up the challenge and is inviting Coordinators across England and Wales to sign the petition. Naturally, Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association supports this action. The Petition can be found here:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/122236

Trading Standards Scam Alert – Rogue Builder

Copers Cope Police Newsletter May 2016

Street Surgery

Our next surgeries are on the following dates:

Wednesday 25th May between 4 pm & 5 pm Waitrose Southend Road
Wednesday 29th June between 12 pm & 1 pm Waitrose Southend Road
Saturday 30th July between 4 pm & 5 pm Waitrose Southend Road
Tuesday 23rd August between 12 pm & 1 pm Waitrose Southend Road
Wednesday 28th September between 1 pm & 2 pm Waitrose Southend Road

Come and talk to your local Officers and discuss your concerns and for crime prevention information.

MetTrace

The Met have come up with an operation called MetTrace an initiative to help residents make their homes more secure by providing smartwater forensic marking equipment.
The equipment allows residents to mark valuable property such as jewellery, mobile phones, electrical items and bikes.

The plan is 1 in 7 London homes will have been visited and introduced to MetTrace by 2018 with a planned 440,000 kits to be distributed over the three year project.
100% conviction rate if found with stolen SmartWatered property.

Each kit is unique to your home.
Bromley Police have a team currently visiting homes across the borough and hopefully will be in the Beckenham area in the future.

Crime

Our ward priorities are:

Burglary
Motor vehicle crime
Robbery – personal property

Our promises are:

ASB related to alcohol
Shoplifting
Traffic

Reported Burglary and Motor Vehicle Crimes for April

There has been several residential and non residential burglaries in the Copers Cope ward.

Two residential burglaries occurred in Oakwood Avenue and three non residential burglaries occurred in The Drive.

There has also been a few thefts from motor vehicles, work vehicles again are being targeted by suspects.

Contact

If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk

St George’s Festival for Beckenham 2016 – Friday 17th to Sunday 26th June with two warm ups 4th June Fairport Convention 11th June London Welsh Male Voice Choir

High Street Update May 2016

The long empty shop between Pizza Express and Nandos is to become a TaxAssist Accountancy. Sad news is that Frock Follies is due to close at the end of May. The overdue works at Southend Road, Albemarle Road, Rectory Road and High Street appear to be starting lots of fresh chalk marks have appeared on the pavement.

Market On The Green Tomorrow – See You There!

10am to 4pm, Sat 14th May 2016, Beckenham Green

Check out the stalls, food, entertainment and stage line up below. Never miss a market get on the mailing list.

Entertainment

Free have-a-go sports activities for the kids courtesy of TeachSport Bromley, Bottons Family Funfair with new Race-o-Rama ride, face painting by Tiger Dragon Butterfly, Sand Art from KME and pottery painting from the Catford Modellers.

Have-a-go Sports courtesy of TeachSport Bromley

10:00 to 11.30 – multi sports games & obstacle courses
11.30 to 13:00 – football games
13:00 onwards – mixed sport games for adults and children

Live On Stage

11:00 – SuperGirl (look-a-like) dance party by Brilliant Birthdays
11:30 – Penge Certitude Community Choir
12:00 – BREAK
12: 15 – Gary Guitar
12:45 – Taekwondo display from TeachSport Bromley
13:15 – BREAK
13:30 – Donna Jones sings Soul & Mowtown
14:00 – Churchfields Community Choir
14:15 – BREAK
14:30 – Irish Dancing from Balgowan Primary School
15:00 – Donna Jones sings hits from the shows

Stalls and hot food

All Things Saucy – handmade sauces using fresh, natural ingredients from local sources.
Beadica – Vintage style beaded Jewellery and and-crafted flower pendants.
Blue Designs – fashion accessories.
Chillimamas – hot hot hot chilli sauce made in Bromley.
Daniel’s Fine Fruit Emporium – Kent fruits.
Deli Jerk – spicy jerk chicken with rice or in a wrap.
Dine Thyme – Kent made speciality pies and pastries.
DM Clothing – ladies scarfs and clothing.
Dulci Bella Marshmallows – Award winning gourmet marshmallows.
Eat’n’Mess Cakes – finest cupcakes from Sevenoaks.
Echoes of Velvet Soaping Company – luscious soaps.
Elle Jane Designs – hand made cards and notelets
Elvira’s Secret Pantry – free from artisan bakery based in South London, is dedicated to baking a variety of freshly homemade sweet and savoury treats that are gluten free, dairy free and yeast free.
Framerstamp – high quality framed stamps.
Grand Cru – Beckenham’s very own Fine Wine Merchant.
Hocus Pocus Magical Emporium – fair trade gifts.
Hornsby Designs – handmade wood crafts, chopping boards, trays, knife blocks.
Layhams Farm – locally sourced Kent produce from jars of honey, chutney and sauces to plants and seeds for your garden.
Marsh Produce – rare breed lamb & pork, beef, free range poultry, homemade burgers and sausage and now Kent cheese.
Mel Smith Designs – housewares with Mel’s modern-retro designs.
Mexican Gems – Mexican inspired jewellery.
Millbrook Pottery – Beckenham hand made pottery.
Nicki’s Mushrooms – wild/exoctic/dried mushrooms, truffle oil, butter, honey, cheese.
Nip from The Hip – fruit liqueurs made with locally sourced fruit.
Paula’s Delicious – Guyanan classics such as roti, curry goat & chicken, salt fish, rice.
Preserved Passions – made in Beckenham jams, chutneys and relishes.
Potash Cobnuts – Kent Cobnut produce.
Sapore Vero – Beckenham wood fired pizza
Sevenoaks Candles – Kentish artisan candles
Simply True -handmade adult and children’s jewellery.
St George’s Church – local church next to The Green.
Sweet Nostalgia Fudge – Kentish hand made fudge.
Taftugs Street Foods – gourmet burger van.
The Mobile Coffee Bean – gourmet coffee and tea.
The Chocolate Hut – Kent made cakes and treats.
Tiger Spring Tea – fine fresh loose tea.
Tutor Doctor – home tutoring for kids.
Tw0 Girls in Stitches – children’s clothes and textiles.
Ty Janick – authentic crepes and galettes.

The above information correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.

Subscribe to the Market On The Green mailing list.

Beautiful Guerilla Gardening in The Avenue Beckenham – well done whoever you are :-)

Invitation to the public consultation on the proposals for Eden Park High School, Thursday 19 May 2016

We would like to invite local residents, parents, businesses and all other interested parties to attend a follow-up public consultation regarding the proposed plans for the new secondary school in Beckenham, Eden Park High School at Balmoral Avenue.

Date: Thursday 19 May, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Introductions: 6:45pm and 7:45pm

Venue: Beckenham Public Hall, 4 Bromley Road, Beckenham, BR3 5JE

This exhibition, held on behalf of E21C, will provide an update on the planning application process and provide an opportunity to view and comment on the evolved proposals, following the feedback received at the previous exhibition on 9 March. Prior to submission to the London Borough of Bromley.

Members of the Trust and the project team will be on hand to answer any questions on the process at the event. The feedback received on the evening will be highly valued and will help to finalise the plans to be submitted for an outline planning application to the London Borough of Bromley.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Paul Murphy

CEO, E21C

http://www.e21c.co.uk/invitation-to-our-public-consultation-on-the-proposals-for-eden-park-high-school/

SuperGirl, Irish Dancing, Taekwondo, live singing talent and have-a-go sports at Market On The Green this Saturday 14 May 2016

An action packed day at Market On The Green this Saturday from 10am to 4pm on Beckenham Green.

Over 45 stalls of local produce and craft (a full list on our Market page) … many of our favourites are back plus a few new stalls to temp you.

There will be lots of entertainment, including free live performances on stage and have-a-go sports activities for the kids. There will also be a kids funfair, face painting, sand art, and pottery painting to keep the kids busy.

Hope to see you and the sunshine on Saturday.

Have-a-go Sports courtesy of TeachSport Bromley

10:00 to 11.30 – multi sports games & obstacle courses
11.30 to 13:00 – football games
13:00 onwards – mixed sport games for adults and children

Live On Stage

11:00 – SuperGirl (look-a-like) dance party by Brilliant Birthdays
11:30 – Penge Certitude Community Choir
12:00 – BREAK
12: 15 – Amazing local songtress Bianca Nicholas
12:45 – Taekwondo display from TeachSport Bromley
13:15 – BREAK
13:30 – Donna Jones sings Soul & Mowtown
14:00 – Churchfields Community Choir
14:15 – BREAK
14:30 – Irish Dancing from Balgowan Primary School
15:00 – Donna Jones sings hits from the shows

The above information correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.

Subscribe to the Market On The Green mailing list.

Post Office Official ‘Consultation’ Meeting – 4pm to 7pm, Tues 10 May 2016 Beckenham Methodist Church , Bromley Road

Post Office Ltd are undertaking a ‘consultation’ meeting with local people regarding their ‘plans’ for Beckenham Crown Post Office.

Date: Tuesday 10 May from 4pm to 7pm

Venue: Beckenham Methodist Church , Bromley Road, Beckenham BR3 5JE

We are not sure exactly what the Post Office plan to consult on as they advise that “the decision to change the branch to one that is operated by an agent [ie a franchise] rather than by us directly is not a matter for public consultation” and they have announced a 10 year deal with WH Smith to run Post Offices.

Post Office Ltd have confirmed that WH Smith in Beckenham will offer all the services currently offered by the Crown Post Office including passport and DVLA services. However we remain opposed to the Crown Post Office on the following basis:

Once franchised out Post Office Ltd have limited control. WH Smith can choose to stop providing certain services such as passport and DVLA services. If WH Smith moves out of the High Street in a few years Beckenham could be left without a Post Office.
The Beckenham branch of WH Smith is small and crowded, local people and businesses will likely receive an inferior service with less staff, less counters and less space.
Local feedback from Penge and Bromley residents that use franchised Post Offices in their towns have not been favourable, indicating the service in Crown Post Offices with specialised trained staff is better.
Beckenham is a busy Post Office with people travelling from far afield to use it, many people travel to Beckenham to use a ‘proper’ Post Office. If Beckenham is closed only one Crown Post Office will be left in the entire Bromley Borough (the Orpington branch).
There is concern that closure of a Crown Post Office will have a negative impact on the local economy, local footfall and retail trade falling if the Crown Post Office is closed.

If the Post Office in Rectory Road is not profitable we urge Post Office Ltd to consider moving to a smaller site (there are empty shops in Beckenham High Street) or co-locating in another store rather than give away the franchise to WH Smith. Why has the option of moving the Crown Post Office to a smaller site not been put out for consultation?

We encourage all local people opposed to the loss of a Crown Post Office in Beckenham to attend. Copers Cope Area Residents Association Committee will be attending the drop-in session at 6.30pm.

Further information about the consultation can be found at this link: Beckenham BR3 1AA – OF Proposal Letter

2 weeks to go until Market On The Green on Sat 14 May 2016

Beckenham’s Market On The Green has over 40 stalls selling local produce and craft and lots of yummy food for lunch – jerk chicken, gourmet burgers, wood fired pizza, pies, cakes, chocolate, artisan breads, handmade sauces and conserves, hand painted cards, handmade children’s and adult jewellery, Kent apple juice, locally produced fruit gin, plants and seeds, rare breed lamb & pork, free range poultry, fruit and veg, Kent strawberries, handmade fudge, pottery, ceramics, soaps, candles and gifts.

Entertainment

Our special guest this May is Supergirl (lookalike), she will be on stage entertaining the kids with a dance party at 11am. The free live entertainment continues with singers, 2 choirs (Churchfield’s Community Choir and Certitude Penge Community Choir), Irish Dancing from Balgowan Primary School, Taekwondo display by Teachsport Bromley.

Free have-a -go sports sessions will be running all day courtesy of the energetic coaches from Teachsport Bromley, come a long to try out some multi sport games, obstacle course and football games for adults and kids.

There will also be a funfair with new Ride’O’Rama ride for kids and adults by Bottons Family Funfair, face painting by Tiger Dragon Butterfly, Sand Art by KME crafts.

Check out the complete line up for the event at on our website and note that the above information was correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.

See you at the Market.

Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association

If you live in Beckenham become a member of your local residents’ association. It’s just £3 a year, this small subscription fee makes a huge difference to the success of the Association and helps us keep this not for profit market going. Find out more about the market and us on our website.

Clock house festival – Saturday, 30th April to 7th May 2016

A week of events to celebrate 300 years from Huguenot Mansion to Venue 28 – from Admiral Brett & Lady Byron to Enid & Carey Blyton and David Bowie. The Clock House District, the cultural heart of Beckenham, is centred on Venue 28, formerly the Beckenham Technical Institute where in 1901 “there arrived outside the gates of a new school in Beckenham the glistening horses, the shining harness, the polished coaches, the smart coachmen, bearing the dignified guests dressed in a manner befitting the Edwardians for the official opening ceremony”. Check out the schedule of events below.

Saturday April 30^th

Bricklayers Arms – 3pm: Start point for Procession to Bowie’s Bandstand in Croydon Road Rec.
Methodist Chapel, Clock House Road (opposite Railway Station) 5 pm: ‘Who do you think you are?’ Talk by Roy Hanscombe, from Wakefield, about his grandfather Bert Hanscombe (a dustman from Churchfields Road) who survived the horrors of WW1 and was honoured by unveiling the Beckenham War Memorial in 1921.
Methodist Chapel, Clock House Road (opposite Railway Station) 7.45 pm: Magic, Music, and Music Hall An evening with Sarah (Magic Circle), Melanie Jones Soprano & Christian Strover, and the Clock House Wind Ensemble (leader Graham Clayden).

Monday May 2^nd

Rare Interiors Gallery 249 Beckenham Road (020 3581 5674), Art Exhibition

Tuesday May 3^rd

Venue 28 10 am: Walking with the Famous led by historian, Cliff Watkins: Starts at 10am, returning at 12 noon to Venue 28 for light lunch. Walk resumes at 1 pm. Numbers limited.

Wednesday May 4^th

Beckenham Library 6.30 pm: Talk by local author, Mike Uden

Thursday May 5^th

Venue 28 2pm: Cliff hangers! Talk by Lena Kroger about her teaching in Venue 28 when the building was used by Bromley Adult Education.

Friday May 6^th

Venue 28 2pm: Balgowan School and Beckenham Baths : Happy Memories. Talk by old boys Jack Hilton and David Johnson
Alhambra Project: 2a Balgowan Road Open Days –mornings 10 to 1pm May 6th & 7th.
Belleberry Gallery 7pm: Art Exhibition (020 8658 2568)
Beckenham Library Exhibition: Carey’s Aunt & Enid’s Nephew

Saturday May 7^th

Baptist Church, Elm Road (opposite the Beckenham Library) 7pm: Concert by Beckenham Junior Choir & Youth Voices and soloists. It is hoped to display in the Baptist Church, the Clock House District Information Panel, designed by the West Beckenham Residents Association (WBRA), to be located between the Library and Venue 28.

In Beckenham Library all week are two quizzes. One by Graham Clayden, based his original wood engraving limited edition print of the skyline used as the Festival Logo. The other is a set of “Twenty Questions” prepared by Cliff Watkins. The answers to both quizzes will be available in Beckenham Library from May 6^th.

Scam warning – fake calls from Bank

Copers Cope Police advise of the following scam:

There has been a few reported crimes where unknown persons claim to be calling from the victims bank.

Please if you receive a call from anyone claiming to be from your bank DO NOT give any of your card details, pin numbers.
Your bank will never ask for these details.

Please do not fall victim to these people. Email coperscope.snt@met.police.uk Phone 0208 721 2772 http://www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods In an emergency always dial 999

Save Beckenham Post Office Demo Today 10am 16 April – Post Office Press Release confirms 10 year deal with WH Smith

Post Office Ltd plan to close Beckenham’s Crown Post Office and replace it with a downgraded franchise (most likely in the small WH Smith on the High Street). Local people are campaigning to Save Beckenham Crown Post Office.

Sign this petition to retain a ‘Crown’ Post Office in Beckenham.
Read the Post Office Ltd press release confirming a 10 year deal with WH Smith.
Attend the demonstration at 10am today (16 April) outside Rectory Road Post Office.

SIGN THE PETITION – www.change.org/p/baroness-neville-rolfe-minister-for-postal-affairs-save-beckenham-crown-post-office

Why Beckenham’s ‘Crown’ Post Office must be saved

Crown Post Offices offer more services than franchised branches. DVLA, Passport and Border Agency services are only provided by Crown Post Offices.
Once franchised out Post Office Ltd have limited control. If the franchise sells up in a few years Beckenham could be left without a Post Office.
The most likely store to take on the franchise is WH Smith. The Beckenham branch of WH Smith is small and crowded, local people and businesses will likely receive an inferior service with less staff, less counters and less space.
Beckenham is a busy Post Office with people travelling from far afield to use it. If Beckenham is closed only one Crown Post Office will be left in the entire Bromley Borough (the Orpington branch). Bromley is geographically the largest borough in London, it deserves 2 Crown Post Offices, one in Beckenham to the North and another in Orpington to the South.
There is mounting evidence that closure of a Crown Post Office has a severe negative impact on the local economy. Local footfall and retail trade in a town centre nosedive once a Crown Post Office is closed. TfL and Bromley Council are spending £4.7 million to boost Beckenham Town Centre, there may be little gain if footfall significantly decreases due to the closure of the Crown Post Office.

A Crown Post Office is an essential service required by local residents, by local businesses and for the vibrancy of Beckenham Town Centre. The Crown Post Office must be retained for our community.

Beckenham Place Park events April to June 2016

All events are free and open to members and non-members alike. Donations welcome. More details at www.beckenhamplaceparkfriends.org.uk

Sunday April 24th Bluebell Walk
Meet 2.00pm at the Mansion. Nick Bertram
(Creekside Education Trust) will lead. If no bluebells, knowledgeable Nick will keep your attention with all manner of information. This walk is dedicated to Roy Ramsey who died 20 years ago and fought diligently to protect this park.

Thursday May 5th Bat Walk
Meet Crab Hill entrance near Ravensbourne rail station at 8.15pm The weather is always a factor in the bat sightings, but by May it will hopefully be warm and dry.

Sunday May 15th Beating the Bounds
Meet at the Mansion 1.30pm. Walk around the perimeter of the park as part of this ancient tradition.

Sunday June 12th AGM
In the mansion 2.00pm. There is a need to elect a new Chairperson as the present Chairman needs to retire after decades of working for the Friends. A new newsletter editor would be good too!

SENSORY GARDEN WORKDAYS
Saturdays 9th April, 14th May, 11th June (About 2 hour sessions) Meet at the Mansion 10.am or in the garden. Routine garden work, something for everyone. Tools and instruction provided.

Save Beckenham ‘Crown’ Post Office Demonstration 10am Sat 16 April 2016

Sign the petition here. Download a PDF of the poster to display and share here.

Beckenham Town Centre Working Group March 2016

The minutes and supporting documents from the last meeting can be found at:

March 2016

Our association was most vocal on the Council’s inaction to pursue an Article 4 Direction for Beckenham Town Centre to remove the permitted development right to convert offices to residential without planning consent. Most office space has now gone in the High Street, the lack of employment in Beckenham will have an adverse affect on the local economy and the vibrancy of our town.

We also suggested that the paving samples be laid elsewhere in the High Street, outside Zizzi’s is a dark spot and it is hard to visualise how the paving will look along the whole High Street.

In regard to new street lamps we noted that along the main high street pedestrian space is an issue and that the most compact slim line lamp columns should be installed and where possible lights should be installed on buildings.

Petition to Save Beckenham ‘Crown’ Post Office

Post Office Ltd plan to close Beckenham’s Crown Post Office and replace it with a downgraded franchise. Sign this petition to retain a ‘Crown’ Post Office in Beckenham.

www.change.org/p/baroness-neville-rolfe-minister-for-postal-affairs-save-beckenham-crown-post-office

Why Beckenham’s ‘Crown’ Post Office must be saved

Crown Post Offices offer more services than franchised branches. DVLA, Passport and Border Agency services are only provided by Crown Post Offices.
Once franchised out Post Office Ltd have limited control. If the franchise sells up in a few years Beckenham could be left without a Post Office.
The most likely store to take on the franchise is WH Smith. The Beckenham branch of WH Smith is small and crowded, local people and businesses will likely receive an inferior service with less staff, less counters and less space.
Beckenham is a busy Post Office with people travelling from far afield to use it. If Beckenham is closed only one Crown Post Office will be left in the entire Bromley Borough (the Orpington branch). Bromley is geographically the largest borough in London, it deserves 2 Crown Post Offices, one in Beckenham to the North and another in Orpington to the South.
There is mounting evidence that closure of a Crown Post Office has a severe negative impact on the local economy. Local footfall and retail trade in a town centre nosedive once a Crown Post Office is closed. TfL and Bromley Council are spending £4.7 million to boost Beckenham Town Centre, there may be little gain if footfall significantly decreases due to the closure of the Crown Post Office.

A Crown Post Office is an essential service required by local residents, by local businesses and for the vibrancy of Beckenham Town Centre. The Crown Post Office must be retained for our community.