Bexley Life June/July 2021

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A busy Summer around the area?

Welcome to the June/July 2021 edition of Bexley Life Magazine the bimonthly lifestyle magazine for Bexley Borough and the surrounding areas.

With much of the Borough now back ‘functioning to a certain extent’, just what is going on around the Borough and what should we all look forward to doing over the coming Summer months?

Hopefully we are now through the worst and we can all enjoy some fun and sunshine!

Bexley Life is still reflecting everything that is happening LARGE STOCKS Bexley FOR FAST, FRE and the effects that our ‘adapting’ is having on local E SA VEIVER30 DEL Y % businesses and residents.

Inside you will find stories and articles for the season, many of the type you’d expect to see and others representing the differences in the current climate.

So, we would like to welcome you to this edition of Bexley Life and hope we all stay safe and healthy.

If you have any news, reviews, product launches or absolutely anything else of interest across the local market, please email it through to me at info@bljournals.plus.com for future consideration in our forthcoming issues.

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The next stage of consultation into the future of Bexley’s Children’s Centres started last month and will run until 11 July.

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The first part of the consultation took place last year as part of a wider savings consultation. More than 3,700 residents took part in the survey. As a result, the Council has now moved to a second stage that proposes a new model for the centres.

Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Cllr Philip Read said: “Following the feedback we received from our residents last year we have carried out very extensive analysis into the needs of our families with under-fives. In the light of the helpful opinions expressed we have looked again at where there was most need in the borough and at all available Centre buildings and how they were being used.

As a result of that work and by thinking innovatively, we have developed a new model. The new model will provide a greater choice of services and venues for those families that need it the most while still meeting our budgetary requirements. We believe it right that we should take those services as close as possible to those who need it most and the increased number of possible locations being proposed would help us do that.

I know from the first stage of the consultation the strength of feeling that local families have for our children’s centres. I hope that everyone who uses, works or has some connection with the centres will take part and let us have their say.”

The new model would see a dedicated in-house Children’s Centre team who will provide targeted support to children and their families, running sessions in the Children Centres and other Lvenues across the Borough.

This team would be in addition to the existing services already provided by Health Visitors and Midwives. The Children’s Centre team will sit beside the existing Family Wellbeing Service.

The proposals would see more services run from Children’s Centre buildings as well as from venues across the Borough, including, libraries, leisure centres and community buildings. This will give families more choice and allow them to be able to access services nearer to their homes. If the proposal is agreed the number of venues offering Children’s Centre services across the borough will rise from 20 to 29. www.bexley.gov.uk

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B R I E F

EDITORIAL

Children’s Centre consultation

CAR CHARGING POINTS

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Arthur Peaches Editor Tel 01322 352648 Email: info@bljournals.plus.com

SALES & PROMOTIONS David Peters Publisher Tel 01322 352648 Email: info@bljournals.plus.com Dennis Smith Advertisement Manager Tel 01322 352648 Email info@bljournals.plus.com

PUBLISHING COMPANY BL Journals, 3 Biddenden Way, Istead Rise, Gravesend, Kent DA13 9DE Tel 01322 352648 Email info@bljournals.plus.com @bexleylife Although every effort is made assure the accuracy of the content of this magazine, Bexley Life and it’s Publishers can accept no responsibility for such.

All contents of the publication are copyright and remain the sole property of the publishing company.

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Much deserved ‘Civic Recognition’ for Barry Recently Barry Saunders of the Welling Town Business Association, Demon Inkorporation and Sixty Shades Darker, was honoured by the Mayor of Bexley with a much deserved ‘Civic Recognition of Outstanding Achievement Award’.

Barry was obviously delighted and commented: “ This award means a lot, but I am in no means alone in what we do within Welling.”

“There are people I work alongside and, without them, much of what we do would not be possible - so this I share with them all.”

“Sue Formolli, who nominated me for this award, and without whom Welling would have been a lost cause a long time ago.”

Ilana Mickonyte, by my side always, walking the streets in the rain visiting all businesses to help bring the community together. Without her, what we do and what we have achieved would not have been possible.”

“CC Events UK, working with me to bring the market to Welling. These guys have shown what Welling can be and have given us all the drive to push forward and bring much more to our town.”

“David Hunt and Wendy Guest, always there when needed, always there to take on the challenges we face.”

“And to all the business owners of Welling, without who there would be no town to fight for. Without whose backing we would not be able to push for a better future for us all” “Thank you all and I share this award with you all.”

Working to make our high street a better place Wellingtownbusiness@gmail.com

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Congratulations Barry

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Exclusive respite

offer to support

families looking

for care

Since May and during June and July this year, Avante Care & Support is offering families looking for care for their loved one an exclusive one week of free respite care, when a minimum of two weeks respite care is booked, at selected care homes across Kent, Bexley and Greenwich.

Avante Care & Support understand some of the challenges families can face when caring for an older person or someone living with dementia, this offer will support those families and provide a much needed break to them as well as their loved one.

Avante has been providing respite care for over 30 years and understands the benefits respite breaks can have for care givers and their loved ones. Our flexible respite care packages can help caregivers to recoup and recharge whilst their loved one is cared for in a safe, homely and welcoming environment.

Avante’s care homes provide good care and support, an array of daily activities, freshly prepared home cooked food and comfortable and relaxing facilities, making a respite break with Avante a pleasurable one.

The one-week free respite offer can be redeemed when you book a minimum of two weeks respite during May, June and July 2021 meaning your loved one can enjoy a 2-week respite stay and only pay for 1 week. Terms and conditions apply.

The respite break offer can be booked at the following homes: AMHERST COURT, Palmerston Road, Chatham, ME46LU BRIDGE HAVEN, Conyngham Lane, Bridge, nr Canterbury CT4 5JX CHAUCER HOUSE, 82 St Martins Hill, Littlebourne Road, Canterbury, CT1 1PS COURT REGIS, Milton Regis Sittingbourne, ME10 2HT PARKVIEW, 105 Woolwich Road, Bexleyheath London, DA7 4LP PILGRIMS VIEW, Roberts Road, Snodland, ME6 5HL WEYBOURNE, 1 Finchale Road, Abbey Wood, SE2 9AH For more information or to book a respite break please call Michael Chalk, Family Liaison Manager on 0800 206 1442 who will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

For more information on Avante Care & Support or to view a virtual tour of the homes please visit: www.avantecare.org.uk

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S T O R Y

Has the past year given you time to think about a career in fostering?

In 1997, Chrysalis Care was founded by former foster carers, Lynda and Lou Boden, who had a vision to transform the lives of children and young people, by providing foster care of the highest quality. Having fostered themselves for fifteen years, they understood that the decision to foster is not done in haste and that a supportive hand is needed every step of the way, on the fostering journey. After almost 24 years and 100’s of transformed lives later, this essential ingredient still remains.

Chrysalis Care have developed a family culture, maintaining an intimacy that spans the whole organisation, with two of the Boden daughters directing the company, drawing on their own experience of growing up in a fostering family and on their professions as a social worker and teacher/play therapist.

Many of the foster carers who were approved in those early days, still actively foster with Chrysalis Care, sharing the challenges faced over the past year or so, in providing safe and nurturing foster homes for children and young people across London, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Over the years, they have added to the foster carer family enabling the company to care for more children in need. In fact, Chrysalis welcomed some new foster carers in 2020, as people re-evaluated what they wanted to do with their lives and reconsidered their vocational options.

Children and young people need to be fostered for all sorts of reasons and come from a range of backgrounds, so a diverse group of foster carers is essential, which is why the quest for the best foster carers is never ending. Each fostering situation is unique, from children with disabilities, to parent and child placements, to teenagers and on both long and shortterm basis. Some fostering situations are so long term that they lead to foster carers seeing a child grow up, get married and become parents themselves! Others enable a child to be cared for whilst their parent is unable to, for instance if they require a hospital stay.

You don’t need to be married or even co-habiting and in fact, some children are better placed with a single foster carer and others will thrive in a two-parent household. Foster carers are all ages, as there is no upper age limit; as long as you are fit and healthy and ready to meet the needs of the child or young person, Chrysalis Care welcome your fostering enquiry.

It may be that you have a ‘colourful’ past of your own and in most instances, they can explore that with you and recognise the value in bringing rich experiences that may help you to understand some of the challenges faced by children, young people and families.

You will be thoroughly assessed by a qualified assessor and although this is in-depth, it will provide you with some useful insights about yourself and prepare you for the fostering journey ahead.

Perhaps you are already fostering, are thinking of fostering, are considering a change in vocation, are retired or have been made redundant and like to learn more about becoming a foster carer and if so, Chrysalis Care want to hear from you. Contact the team today or come along to one of the many forthcoming information sessions, where Chrysalis Care staff are ready to answer your fostering questions. After nearly 24 years, they have so much expertise to share, that there isn’t a question they cannot answer or assurance they cannot give.

As a Chrysalis Care foster carer, you receive 365/24 hour support, monthly supervision with a qualified social worker and access to on/offline training and support from the Chrysalis Care children's’ services department. You will become part of a valuable team, empowered to develop the skills, knowledge and resilience to become outstanding foster carers for children and young people aged 0-18 years, from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. Chrysalis Care foster carers often tell them that the choice to foster was one of the best of their lives!

Contact Chrysalis Care on 0208 2982800, email info@chrysaliscare.org or via website ‘Contact Us Chrysalis Care Fostering’.

Chrysalis Care look forward to guiding you through your new adventure. www.chrysaliscarefostering.org

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‘Our Teacher’s a Troll’

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Grab your family, your picnic blankets, and a sense of adventure because this summer the Ruined Theatre is bringing live theatre to the ruins of Lesnes Abbey with puppetry.

This summer the Ruined Theatre will turn Lesnes Abbey ruins into an open-air performance space for a family friendly production of ‘Our Teacher’s a Troll’ by Dennis Kelly, writer of ‘Matilda the Musical!’

‘Our Teacher’s a Troll’ is the story of two terrible twins with a talent for turmoil, who rule their school with mischief and pranks… That is, until the arrival of a new head teacher with green scaly skin, sharp gnarly fangs, and a long spiky tail! The play is set within the abbey ruins, using the fantastic 800-year old setting as a backdrop.

Audiences are encouraged to bring picnic rugs for seating so that they can settle in to enjoy an hour of high energy fun, mischief, and a hungry troll.

The play has been written by preeminent English playwright Dennis Kelly, and was first published in 2014. The Ruined Theatre’s production of Our Teacher’s a Troll is directed by Abbey Wood resident, director, and renowned West End Actress Nancy Sullivan. The Ruined Theatre Company was born out of Nancy’s awareness of how limited the access to quality theatre is in her local area of Abbey Wood and Thamesmead. As a professional actress and director from a working-class background, Nancy is passionate about ensuring that all demographics have access to the creative arts.

Formed in 2021, the Ruined Theatre company is working with Bexley Council and Peabody Housing Association to ensure that the Abbey Wood and Thamesmead area has access to affordable quality theatre. As part of this mission, the Ruined Theatre has committed to supplying subsidised ticket prices for residents who live within a 1.5km-radius of the Abbey and to ensuring that a portion of tickets for every performance in 2021 will be supplied free of charge to local families who would not be able to attend under normal circumstances.

Patrons of the theatre include: West End, TV, and film producer Jason Haigh Ellery ('Doctor Who'; 'Prisoner Zero'); novelist and playwright Jonathan Harvey ('Coronation Street'; 'Beautiful Thing'); Olivier Award-winning actor and area local David Thaxton (‘Les Miserables'; 'Phantom of the Opera'; 'Jesus Christ Superstar'); RSC and West End actor Baker Mukasa (‘Comedy of Errors’; ‘Winter’s Tale’; ‘Tina’). Sponsors include: Big Finish Productions; Sir Tim Rice; Alan Peterson, OBE; Harriet’s Trust; One Penny Theatre Company. The show has also received a grant from Arts Council England and the theatre is the recipient of a Thamesmead Community Grant.

Location: Lesnes Abbey Ruins: Abbey Rd, Belvedere DA17 5DH. Dates: 12 August - 22 August 2021 Times: 1pm on Tuesday - Sunday and additional 10am performance each Saturday and Sunday (relaxed performances available).

Ticket Prices: £5 - £15 www.theruinedtheatre.com

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What’s on at The

Beaverwood

Thursday 24th June, 19:30 - 23:00 - The Beached Boys After closely following information from the government The Beaverwood are delighted to announce that Band Nights at The Beaverwood are returning from Thursday, 24th June with ‘The Beached Boys’ The Beached Boys 2 set Summer show celebrates sun, surf, beaches, parties and great music! ‘Little Deuce Coup’, ‘Barbara Ann’, ‚‘Fun Fun Fun’, ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘Sloop John B’, ‘God Only Knows’, ’I Get Around’, ‘Surfin Safari’, ‘Don’t Worry baby’, ‘Kokomo’, ‘Break Away’, ‘Help Me Rhonda’, ‘Wipe Out’, ‘Do It Again’, ‘Sail On Sailor’.

The Beached Boys feature the superb four part harmony vocalists that Jeff Beck and Elton John have used for their own respective albums, who also appeared live with original Beach Boys David Marks!

The Beaverwood, Beaverwood Rd, Chislehurst BR7 6HF www.thebeaverwood.com

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Paul McGann joins reopening show at Greenwich Theatre

by James Haddrell, Artistic Director of Greenwich Theatre.

Bad Nights and Odd Days - four short plays by Caryl Churchill Greenwich Theatre, 23 June-10 July It seems, with the government vaccination programme on schedule and the spread of COVID-19 dramatically slowed, that theatre is on the return. The questions for all of us in the industry therefore, the questions that we always have to ask but which seem even more potent now are ‘what are people going to want to watch - and who is going to come?’

We know that there are people who will remain nervous about public gatherings for some time to come.

At the same time we know that there are theatregoers, just as there are cinemagoers, music lovers, sports fans and restaurant regulars, who will be so keen to get back to doing what they love that they will book for whatever is on offer. The challenge, as always, is to appeal to those who are undecided.

As we reopen the doors at Greenwich Theatre, I am convinced that what we choose to present on stage has to represent a pure love of theatre itself, a show that reminds people what an evening in the theatre can do, but finding a single play that does that is far from easy. As a result, we have teamed up with Caryl Churchill one of the country’s most celebrated, lauded, influential playwrights to offer an evening of not one but four short plays, all very different in content, all quietly incredible in nature

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- four theatre visits in one.

The oldest of the four plays, Abortive, first presented on BBC radio in 1971 and now celebrating its 50th anniversary with this new stage production, puts a privileged relationship under a microscope (and a scalpel) as a wealthy couple struggle to handle the aftermath of a shocking event - and offer a glimpse of their own guilt in bringing it about. Seagulls is ostensibly a play about an ordinary woman who discovers that she has telekinetic abilities, leaving her job as a sales assistant and embarking on a tour to share her gift.

Three More Sleepless Nights is a study of the relationships where we say too much, those where we say too little, and the outcome when those two worlds collide. Finally Not Not Not Not Not Enough Oxygen is a frightening vision of the near future where the air outside is contaminated, oxygen has become a commodity and the right to parenthood is regulated by government.

I think a lot of theatre programmers will consider the reopening of venues as a moment for comedy or escapism, a moment to cheer up a nation that has suffered unimaginably. I can see the sense in that, and am certainly looking forward to a lot of the shows that have been announced around the capital, but for me this is the time to celebrate theatre’s survival by delving into some of the most incredible writing of the last hundred years. There are certainly laughs to be found in this collection, but at its best theatre can shine a light on the part of your life, your mind or your heart that you’ve hidden away or denied or maybe not even realised is there.

For this unique line-up of plays we have a stellar cast including Paul McGann, Kerrie Taylor, Gracy Goldman, Dan Gaisford, Bonnie Baddoo and Verna Vyas. Between them these six astonishing actors promise to bring these unforgettable plays to life and demonstrate just why Caryl Churchill has come to occupy such a significant position in this country’s theatrical landscape. www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

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The return of great comedy evenings at Bexley Park With the world gradually getting back to a level of normality, top-drawer comedy is finally back at Bexley Park. Friday 25th June sees Phil Nichol as the headliner and Friday 30th July has Arthur Smith headlining.

PHIL NICHOL is a truly unique performer. An acclaimed actor, award winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician, there is no end to his talent! His skill as an improviser whether it be musical, comedy or straight is unparalleled.

Phil has appeared on The Graham Norton Show, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Altitude Festival , Annually Retentive, The World Stands Up, Comedy Shuffle, Glastonbury and many more.

WINNER - Scotsman Fringe First Award 2011 WINNER - IF.COM Eddie Award 2006 (previously The Perrier, now known as the Edinburgh Comedy Award) WINNER - Time Out Best Comedy Performer 1998 CHORTLE BEST HEADLINER - Nominee - 2002, 2006 & 2010 "Attacks his material with all the restraint of a Tasmanian Devil in a foghorn factory" -The Times As always there's a great supporting lineup direct from the London Comedy Circuit.

Show contains adult humour so be prepared for some naughty jokes and strong language ARTHUR SMITH - COMEDIAN • COMPERE • BROADCASTER • PLAYWRIGHT This grumpy old man par excellence presents the BBC Radio 4 show 'Excess Baggage' and has written four plays including 'An Evening With Gary Lineker' and 'Live Bed Show'.

His stand-up topics range from vigorous yodelling to mediaeval literature via death by drink. His delivery is relaxed and sardonic, but his shows are a surprising, dark and witty treat. He's also one of the many 'Grumpy Old Men' that appear on BBC 2's hit show.

"The funniest and most honest comic of his generation" - The List As always there's a great supporting line up direct from the London Comedy Circuit.

Show contains adult humour so be prepared for some naughty jokes and strong language Book early for the best seats for both shows!

For more information visit: www.houseofstandup.co.uk/dartford/ ALL SHOWS ARE SUBJECT TO COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES AND GOVERNMENT ADVICE AT THE TIME.

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“STRUGGLING TO MAKE HENS MEET?”

ARE YOU MISHEARING THINGS? RNID LAUNCHES FREE 3-MINUTE ONLINE HEARING CHECK

RNID, the national charity making life fully inclusive for deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus, is today launching a new free online hearing check that only takes 3 minutes to make life fully inclusive for millions of people.

The charity is asking the nation to check their hearing with a campaign centred around common and often humorous misunderstandings people have when struggling to hear clearly. On average, people wait 10 years before seeking help for their hearing loss. In this time, they can face increasing social isolation and barriers to communication that seriously affect their happiness and wellbeing. Chances are, you’ve probably noticed a loved one turning up the volume on the TV or friends that struggle to join in conversations in noisy environments, and because of Chris Worboys this RNID has launched the free online hearing check to help people spot hearing loss and seek support sooner.

The free online hearing check has been designed with audiology experts and takes just three minutes to complete. It measures how well you can hear a voice saying three randomly generated numbers over background noises and will give people instant results.

While it’s not designed to replace a full hearing test conducted by an audiologist, it will recommend the next steps to take with a personalised certificate that they can take to their GP to discuss next steps.

The hearing check is the first offering from the charity’s new digital service, which seeks to provide relevant information and support to people at the right time so, no matter what life event someone may be experiencing, they can access vital information and support from RNID and partner organisations.

Chris Worboys, 59, who has hearing loss said; “I delayed getting my hearing checked for over a year because I was so busy at work and I never found the time to see my GP or be referred to audiology. Even with having a daughter with a severe hearing loss, I put it off so that I could just focus on work and pushed myself through the problems. When I eventually got round to it, they confirmed a mild hearing loss, and I was given hearing aids. I wish I had got this checked earlier as it would have meant that I wouldn’t have struggled to hear colleagues at work so much. I have been with my daughter to all her hearing checks so I knew what to expect and I could always hear the sounds when she couldn’t. If there had been an online hearing check such as the new RNID one, I would have been able to check my hearing, BRIAN’s BUSINESS NETWORKING and this might have prompted me to go to my GP sooner.”

Michael Wilkinson, Digital Director at RNID said; “During the pandemic, many people started to recognise they may have hearing loss. With the introduction of face coverings and social distancing it has made many people realise just how much they have relied on visual cues to understand conversations. Our research has shown that during lockdown 58% of people have faced challenges communicating in retail settings and for 61% of people, workplace changes have made it harder to do their job. This is a huge amount of people, therefore we have created this tool as the first step in helping people to live a fuller life. We hope that people find this tool really useful and it helps @BriansBN them get the support they need at an earlier stage.”

To find out more information about the BriansBusinessNetworking hearing check visit the website: https://rnid.org.uk/information-andsupport/take-online-hearing-check/ www.bbnetworking.co.uk

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