Bexley Life October/November 2020 by BL Journals

30th Anniversary 1989-2019

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

W E L C O M E

Heading into Autumn around the area... Welcome to the October/November 2020 edition of Bexley Life Magazine the bi-monthly lifestyle magazine for Bexley Borough and the surrounding areas. With Covid still lingering around the area, affecting us all in differing ways, we are all still greatly subject to change, adaptation and a general ‘take each day as it comes’ attitude. We should all be rightly proud of the manner in which the local area in general is coping and the way that local people are still helping each other through these ongoing strange times. Bexley Life is still reflecting Bexley SASAV VEE 20% 30% these changes and the effects they are having on local businesses and residents. Inside you will find stories and articles, some 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 wish a safe and very happy Summer period to you and your loved ones. 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 La Belle Cuisine info@bljournals.plus.com for future consideration in our forthcoming issues. 30th Anniversary 1989-2019 NEW OAK FURNITURupE RAN GE

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ISSUE 148

OCTOBER/N OVEMBER 2020

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EDITORIAL

Kent Wildlife Trust Online Course

This will be an introductory workshop on Thursday 12 November, from 10.30 to 12pm revolving around how to make your garden more wildlife friendly

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Online session, hosted by Maureen Rainey, Wild About Gardens Officer (joining instructions will be emailed to those booked in, two days before the event) The term Wilder Gardening doesn’t mean an untidy mess. A Wilder Garden is one which is attractive and beneficial to both people and wildlife. It is a proven fact that a managed garden can have much greater biodiversity than one which has been just left. During this online introductory workshop for gardeners of all abilities, those enroled will discuss a variety of ways in which we all can make our gardens nature friendly depending on the amount of time you have available, your budget and garden location. L Participant numbers will be restricted to enable maximum benefit from the discussion session. By the end of the workshop it is expected that participants will be able to recognise the basic principles of a nature friendly garden i.e. water, natural food and shelter; plus the need to create wildlife corridors The course is led by Maureen Rainey, Kent Wildlife Trust’s Wild About Gardens Officer This session is suitable for gardeners of all abilities, including beginners. Email: studydays@kentwildlife.org.uk www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

@bexleylife

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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Work starts at old Carnegie Library Following the success of a funding application earlier this year, work is set to start on the next part of the transformation of the Grade II listed former Carnegie Library in Erith. London Borough of Bexley and The Exchange secured National Lottery funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to complete work on the building earlier this year. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has committed £980,000 towards a £1.8m project that will transform the upper two floors of unused space into new community workshops for textiles, woodwork, print and ceramics. The main central hall will be refurbished for community-led activities, including markets, exhibitions, festivals, concerts and performances. A unique local garden will also be created by the award-winning garden designer Sarah Price, with much of the growing done by local school children and families. Cllr Louie French, Bexley’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth said: “Following the last few uncertain months, it is great to once again start work on our ambitious plans for Erith. The Old Carnegie Library is a great asset and the brilliant work The Exchange team and the Bookstore café have already done there has transformed it into a real community hub. “The team proved themselves to be an invaluable part of the local community during lockdown, setting up a food delivery service and providing support for those who needed it. Like the building itself, they are already a key part of the town.” Local Erith resident, Sarah Batten, Co Director of The Exchange commented: “At this very uncertain and challenging time for so many British towns - in which so many are fearful of losing their identity and sense of purpose - we are excited to be progressing with this next stage of works to the Old Library to give Erith something exciting to look forward to in the coming months and years. “The Exchange is building a new beating heart for Erith - one that all local people can get involved with - and that injects positive energy, skills and a genuine sense of pride and community into the area.” The work will be carried out by Dartford contractors GA Harpers. The works should be completed by early 2021. Find out more about the Greater Erith Programme at www.greatererith.com or follow Greater Erith on Facebook and Twitter. www.bexley.gov.uk

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COUNCIL LEADER MAKES CASE FOR BELVEDERE AND ERITH TO JOIN THAMESLINK Bexley's Council Leader is pushing for ThamesLink rail services to stop at Belvedere and Erith, as well as the existing stops at Slade Green and Abbey Wood. The service runs between Rainham in Kent and Luton, with stops including London Bridge, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, St Pancras International and Luton Airport. Trains run twice an hour in each direction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thameslink is particularly important to Bexley because of the limited travel options available to our residents," said Councillor Teresa O'Neill OBE. "The infrastructure is in place and the change would be relatively easy to make. I have contacted Tom Moran, the managing director of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), to ask for the extra stops, explaining that they would create new opportunities and make life easier for local people." Councillor O'Neill also recently met with Jenny Saunders & Patrick Ledbury from GTR, to make the case for the extra stops. If GTR agree the proposal, the need to change the timetable means that it may take some time to implement. www.bexley.gov.uk

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Government backed

transport study launched

An important new study looking at transport improvements to support growth and regeneration in the corridor between Abbey Wood and Ebbsfleet has recently been launched. Funded by the Ministry for Housing and Local Government (MHCLG), who have pledged up to £4.85m, the work will be overseen by the C2E Partnership, comprising Kent County Council, the boroughs of Bexley, Dartford and Gravesham, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, The Thames Gateway Kent Partnership, the Greater London Authority and Network Rail. These organisations have been working since 2015 on proposals to improve transport links within the sub region to support much needed new homes and jobs and more sustainable travel patterns. In June 2018 the Partnership secured the backing of the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission. In response to the Growth Commission’s report, MHCLG committed funding to explore and build a business case for enhancing transport links in the area subject to suitable housing ambition. Since January, the Partnership has been engaging with government to develop the detailed scope of the study and procure the delivery team. All the main consultants are now in place and are about to launch a broad programme of research and analysis to detail the transport and development challenges within the area, identify possible transport improvement options, understand how these options can support further housing and jobs growth both within the study area and beyond and consider what potential mechanisms could help fund any improvements. The work will include analysis of a range of transport interventions, engagement with local stakeholders and two phases of public consultation, later this year and again in the new year. Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE, Leader of the London Borough of Bexley and Chairman of the Partnerships Local Authority Board said: “This is a really exciting moment for all those who have been pushing for improved public transport in this area and across the Thames Estuary for so long. We know that to get good growth you need to better connect people to jobs and services both locally and in the wider area. This study is a big step forward in understanding how we do that in a deliverable way that makes sense in a post Covid 19 world.” She went on to say: “There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment about the future of public transport and how people are likely to work and use cities. However, we are clear that there remains an imperative to bring forward new, high quality homes and jobs which can be accessed in safe, sustainable ways. This study will put the partnership in an excellent position to meet those challenges within the Abbey Wood to Ebbsfleet corridor, for the benefit of local residents and businesses, as well as the regional and national economy.” Lead consultants in the study will be Atkins/Jacobs, who will undertake the transport and growth analysis, and KPMG who will consider funding and finance options for any scheme. Ellis Walker, Client Director at Atkins, said: “Transport continues to be a key enabler for regional growth, and the Abbey Wood to Ebbsfleet Connectivity Study is a great opportunity to help secure a bright and exciting future for the region. Our team of experts at Atkins and Jacobs bring significant experience from other transport schemes and a wealth of local knowledge to help the region understand and unlock the potential of local transport investment.” Ian Clarke, engagement lead at KPMG, added: “The key to making a strong case to government for new transport improvements is to prove that they are essential in unlocking real benefits within the wider area, and that a proportion of these benefits can be captured fairly over time to help fund the scheme. In that way everyone wins. Our team has been at the forefront of work on developing innovative funding and financing mechanisms that relate to a broad range of beneficiary groups and engaging with local and regional government to deliver them.” The study is programmed to last approximately 15 months, ending in the Autumn of next year.

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Rotary Club supporting Erith community

The last six months have been testing times for everyone. We have all had to make changes to our lives and for the Rotary Club of Erith that meant that they had to suspend their weekly meetings and like so many others, move to the ‘virtual world’ to maintain contact.

One thing that didn’t change, was their resolve to support the local community. Using funds raised and contributions from individual members, the club were delighted to sponsor two major projects. The first was to present the Erith Riverside Shopping Centre with a Defibrillator. If it just saves one life, it will be well worth the investment. The second project was to raise funds to support our local St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and present them with ten new radios to replace their ageing equipment. Both of these were presented in a very brief ceremony at the Erith Riverside Shopping Centre by the club President Keith Wisdom, to Ryan Casey who manages the Shopping Centre and Dean Gardiner who leads the Erith St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. @bexleylife

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Avante Care & Support were recently delighted to have been shortlisted for the LaingBuisson small residential care award. The small residential care award is for excellence in residential or nursing care for older people, with a focus on innovation and engagement with service users. The prestigious awards will be presented at a high-profile Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday 19th November 2020 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. Stuart Cross, Managing Director, said “I am delighted Avante Care & Support has been shortlisted for the LaingBuisson small residential care award. Our staff have worked exceptionally hard to protect our residents and service users through the current pandemic, but they have never lost sight of our Vision - Communities where everyone has a vibrant and fulfilling life. To be a finalist for this award has reinforced the message to our staff just how amazing they are’. Avante Care & Support are looking forward to the award ceremony in November! www.avantecare.org.uk

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E N T E R T A I N M E N T

E A T I N G

O U T

Looking forward to a ‘different’ Christmas period... by James Haddrell, Artistic Director of Greenwich Theatre. At a time when theatres are only gradually returning to business, with socially distanced audiences, restrictions on bar sales and uncertainty around funding applications, venues around the country are facing the same question. To paraphrase The Sound Of Music – “how do you solve a problem like pantomime?” For many venues, including Greenwich Theatre, the annual pantomime is the cornerstone of the whole operation and the show sits at the heart of local festive celebrations. A family Christmas isn’t complete for many without a trip to the local theatre for a dose of festive entertainment - but the very nature of the shows, with elaborate sets and costumes, live music and large casts, special effects and pyrotechnics, mean that the high income is inherently linked to a large up-front expenditure. Spending that amount of money when you can only sell a third (at best) of the seats in the theatre simply isn’t viable, so the vast majority of pantomimes around the country have been postponed. So what do you do? Most theatres have simply transferred this year’s show to next Christmas so that anyone who has already booked can transfer their tickets and retain the same dates or seats next year. For us at Greenwich, that seems like a long time to wait for the annual treat, so we have worked with Andrew Pollard, Steve Markwick and the rest of the team to come up with a version of the show, The Queen Of Hearts, that can run at Easter 2021 instead - but we have also put together a package of festive theatrical entertainment for this year that I think will rival any plans anywhere else in the country. @bexleylife

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E N T E R T A I N M E N T

E A T I N G

O U T

At the heart of the programme I will be directing an all-new family show - a thrilling stage adaptation of the classic children’s novel The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase running through December, suitable for the whole family and presented with cast and audience all socially distanced. I had been concerned about a lack of atmosphere in a theatre where the audience have to spread out, but we reopened Greenwich Theatre last week with a performance of Steve Richards’ Rock n Roll Politics, and the audience of almost 100 people loved it - so atmosphere clearly won’t be a problem at Christmas. For those who can’t make it to the venue, we are also planning a unique online experience for families to take part in from home. We have decided that instead of just streaming the show, which does not really use the medium properly (anyone who has watched a play online during lockdown will know the limitations), we are going to create an all-new adventure that children at home will participate in - acting along with the performers, gathering together props and costumes in advance, and choosing the way the action moves during the live experience. During Christmas week we also welcome European Arts Company back to Greenwich with their solo adaptation of A Christmas Carol, recreating the readings of the novel that Dickens himself performed up and down the country. Finally, on 19 December we are also set to host a welcome return for Comedy Club 4 Kids, bringing some of the best live stand-up comedians together for a morning performance of family comedy. This year has undoubtedly been the hardest in our history. Greenwich Theatre has experienced challenges over the years, but they have always been specific - changes in funding levels, repair periods for the building, changes in personnel. This year has been different. Never knowing how long we would have to be closed, when audiences would be comfortable returning or how long government support packages would last have made it almost impossible to navigate a year in which we have lost an estimated £750,000. However, with the support of our audiences and an early emergency grant from Arts Council England, we now find ourselves able to open the doors again. We still have a long road back to full operation, but this ambitious festive season should help us reclaim our reputation as one of the most resilient and creative theatres in the country. www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

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Nominate a family in the area in need of a free holiday Do you know a family, NHS or frontline worker in your area that has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and needs a break? As part of the nation’s emotional and wellbeing recovery from the pandemic, the national charity YHA (England & Wales) wants to give away free holidays to families in your area. The breaks have been funded from donations from members of the public to YHA’s Project90 appeal which was launched as part of the youth hostelling charity’s 90th anniversary celebrations. Donations to date will enable YHA to fund a total of 400 much-needed family breaks across England and Wales. Conscious that fewer people can now afford a break because of the pandemic, YHA particularly wants to hear from families that have been financially impacted in the crisis and are in need of some quality family time together. Family time together on holiday is more important than ever. In a survey* conducted by the 90 year old charity, it was found that more than three quarters (77%) of parents believe that an annual family holiday is important in order to spend more time with their family (78%), however 12% of survey respondents had not been able to take a family holiday at all in the last three years. While the free breaks are being rolled out, fundraising for YHA’s Project90 campaign continues. YHA hopes to raise a further £120,000 to give breaks to 500 more families in need of rest, recuperation or spending quality time away together. The breaks are available at YHA’s network of youth hostels in England and Wales in both coastal and rural locations. The 153-strong network of youth hostels, which were closed during lockdown, re-opened on the 17 July with a pledge from the charity to play a key role in the recovery of society by helping people reconnect with each other, the outdoors, nature, culture and heritage. James Blake, Chief Executive of YHA (England & Wales) explained: “The pandemic has put enormous financial and emotional strain on many people and has left a number of NHS and frontline workers and families suffering hardship. A break away together can make all the difference to these families and be an important part of their wellbeing recovery. It will give them valuable time together to reconnect in the outdoors as well as have fun in the process. “I very much hope that people will get in touch with us and either put themselves forward for a break or nominate a family that they feel would benefit from spending some quality time together.” If you know of a family that would benefit from a short break away, let YHA know at https://getinvolved.yha.org.uk/breaks-for-key-workers/ To donate to YHA’s Project90 campaign and help it reach even more families, please visit getinvolved.yha.org.uk/fundraising/appeals/project90/

@bexleylife

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Bexley businesses benefit from £63m in grants and Business Rate relief

Now that the deadline for applying for grants has passed, Bexley says it has helped give nearly £63m in grants and Business Rates relief to businesses affected by the pandemic on behalf of the government. Bexley has distributed £31.4m of grants to 2,530 small businesses and those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, to help deal with the adverse impacts of Covid-19. Almost 2,000 businesses have received relief from Business Rates amounting to £29.9m - and 34 nurseries £0.5m. Bexley has also paid more than £1m so far under the government’s Discretionary Business Grants Scheme for small businesses. The Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor David Leaf said: “The level of support the Government has provided in grants and business rate relief is significant and will make a difference to many businesses across the Borough. We have worked hard to get this financial support out to eligible businesses as quickly as possible and I would like to thank the staff who pulled out all the stops to make this happen.” Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Councillor Louie French added: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the borough and we hope that the hard work we put in has helped them through what we know has been a very difficult period.”

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