Lost Dogs Found

We are glad to report that the two missing dogs have since been found and returned to their owners.

Happy New Year to all our Members

Bulb Planting with Friends of Chinbrook Meadows

Friends Of Chinbrook Meadows recently applied for free bulbs that were being offered by Taylors Bulbs of Holbeach in partnership with The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association and have received 3,000 bulbs to enhance Chinbrook Meadows. These include narcissi, snowdrops and grape hyacinth. Glendale are going to plant some for us before Christmas but the rest we would like to plant as a community event on Saturday 5th January, 11am – 12.30pm.  Please come along. We will meet at the pavilion. Bring trowels and bulb planters. Come back later in the year to admire your handiwork in flower.

However with all recent rain the path to the meadows are waterlogged (flooded)

So wellington boots are probably essential as water is draining from the embankments. These have now some green cover following last year's works by National Rail.

Nice to see the Quaggy full of water

Merry Christmas to all in the Links Estate

On behalf of the committee of LERA we wish you a peaceful and merry Christmas. If you have not had a chance to see the lights of this house in Portland Road here is a photo that does it little credit. If it ever stops raining do take a walk past it.

Click on the picture to see a larger image or click on the triangle below to watch a very short (6 seconds) movie

Christmas Services at St Andrews Church

Carols by candlelight

Sing carols in a warm, candlelit church on Christmas Eve at 11pm before the midnight Mass. Do join the congregation!

Monday 24th December 2012 at 11:00 PM for ½ hour

Christmas Midnight Mass

This is a Common Worship Sung Eucharist with hymns, carols and incense to celebrate the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago. The crib is blessed at this service.

Monday 24th December 2012 at 11:30 PM for 1 hour

Christmas Day Family Eucharist

This is an informal Family Eucharist for Christmas morning with a talk around the crib.

Tuesday 25th December 2012 at 10:00 AM for 50 minutes

   

Lessons and Carols within the Eucharist

This is a service of readings and carols within the Eucharist to celebrate Christmas but also looking forward to the New Year.

Sunday 30th December 2012 at 10:00 AM for 1 hour

    

Winter Vomiting Bug

Some of our family have contracted this unpleasant disease. Especially at this time of the year, when many families get together, this can be very distressing. NHS direct has the following advice:-

Norovirus, better known as the winter vomiting bug, is the most common stomach bug in the UK, affecting people of all ages.

The virus, which is highly contagious, causes vomiting and diarrhoea. As there is no specific cure, you have to let it run its course, but it should not last more than a couple of days. If you get norovirus, make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and practise good hygiene to help prevent it from spreading.

Read more about the symptoms of norovirus.

Norovirus can be unpleasant to experience, but it's not generally dangerous and most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, without having to see a doctor.

Between 600,000 and 1 million people in the UK catch norovirus every year. You may have heard of it as the “winter vomiting bug” because the illness is more common in winter. However, the virus can be caught at any time of the year.

What should I do?

If you have norovirus, the following steps should help ease your symptoms:

• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.
• If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest. 
• Stay at home and don't go to the doctor, because norovirus is contagious and there is nothing the doctor can do while you have it.
• However, contact your GP to seek advice if your symptoms last longer than a few days or if you already have a serious illness.

Extra care should be taken to prevent babies and small children who are vomiting or have diarrhoea from dehydrating, by giving them plenty of fluids. Babies and young children can still drink milk.

Read more about treating norovirus at this link.

Don't worry if you are pregnant and you get norovirus: there is no risk to your unborn child.

How to stop it spreading

The virus is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands. You can also catch it through contaminated food or drink or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects. Just 18 virus particles can cause the infection. Virus particles are very, very, very small.

The following measures should help prevent the virus from spreading further:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Do not share towels and flannels.
• Disinfect any surfaces that an infected person has touched. 

Read more about preventing norovirus at this link or view the short video at this link nhs.uk Norovirus .

Hope you avoid this awful condition and enjoy a happy Christmas.

Burnt Ash Library Reading Group January

The next meeting at Burnt Ash Library is on Thursday 3rd January at 2.15 pm and everyone is welcome.

The book to be discussed is:-

One Day by David Nicholls

15th July 1988. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows?

Every one is welcome.

For more details visit the library or contact the librarians on 020 8460 3405 or by email at burntash.library@bromley.gov.uk

For details of other activities at the Burnt Ash Library see the following link:-

http://www.bromley.gov.uk/directory_record/34386/burnt_ash_library

Lost Dogs and Artifice Burglaries

Lost Dogs

A couple from the Links Estate are looking for their two dogs which escaped from their garden in Leamington Avenue yesterday afternoon.

The two dogs are a Siberian Husky and a black and white Cocker Spaniel. Both are micro-chipped.  If you hear or see anything please email us at leracontact@gmail.com.

Artifice Burglaries


There have been four possibly linked burglaries in the Borough using the Water Board method of entry. A male asks to enter your house as there is a water leak down the road. He states that he has to turn your taps on. Whilst the (elderly) victim is distracted another suspect comes in and burgles your property. The suspects are white males, one aged 40-50 approximately 5'10, the other around 30 years, approximately 5'08, both wearing high visibility jackets.

Please be vigilant, spread the word where possible amongst your family, friends and neighbours. Please report any suspicious activity on the 101 number and 999 if burglary is being committed.


This may be completely unrelated but there have been a group of three men ringing on doorbells asking to talk about security and asking whether you have a burglar alarm.  They said they were from ADT but we don't know whether this was genuine or not.  You should not enter into discussion with them at all.  Just to let people know and beware.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Surgery

The next Plaistow and Sundridge Safer Neighbourhood Team Surgery will be held at the Brook Lane Community Church, Brook Lane, Downham on Friday 14th December from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Everyone is welcome to discuss any crime concerns they may have.

Gritter truck routes

The map shows gritting routes in the Links Estate area. The green dotted lines are for secondary routes and the red blobs show location of salt bins. Burnt Ash Lane seems to be primary route P4 but does not appear on the list of priority routes.

Anyone with a Twitter account can see when the lorries are sent out from @BromleySnow

Alternatively you can read the tweets on the Council website. It also includes advice on dealing with the wintry weather, details of school closures and waste collections during bad weather. Go to the webpage at :-

bromley.gov.uk/gritting

There are links on the page where you can suggest other routes to be gritted and to report damaged or missing salt bins.

Christmas Coffee at Burnt Ash Library

Christmas Coffee at Burnt Ash Library

Thursday 13th December 10.45 am to 12 Noon

The Parish Primary School will entertain us with Christmas songs and carols.

Come and join us - Every one is welcome.

For more details visit the library or contact the librarians on 020 8460 3405 or by email at burntash.library@bromley.gov.uk

For details of other activities at the Burnt Ash Library see the following link:-

http://www.bromley.gov.uk/directory_record/34386/burnt_ash_library

For more information about activities at the Parish Primary School see the following link:-

http://www.parishceschool.com/

Proposed changes to bus routes in Central Bromley

Transport for London (TfL) are working in partnership with the London Borough of Bromley to deliver significant changes to the area around Bromley North Village. There is currently a consultation process which is open until 21st December 2012. You can have your say either by collecting a survey document from Burnt Ash Library or using the link at the end of this post which has details of all the proposed changes, a map and on on line survey form to complete.

TfL are proposing changes to bus routes that currently serve East Street, Market Square and Widmore Road and also changes to bus stops around Market Square. The affected routes are :-

Route 138  Bromley North – Coney Hall

Route 269  Bromley North – Bexleyheath

Route 336  Catford – Locksbottom

Route 367  Bromley – Croydon

From Bromley North station, buses on routes 138, 336 and 367 would be rerouted along Tweedy Road direct to Kentish Way, instead of East Street and Widmore Road.

Route 269 would be rerouted from Bromley North station, along Tweedy Road direct into Widmore Road. It would no longer serve East Street or the western end of Widmore Road. The nearest bus stops to the High Street and Market Square would be at Bromley North station, or in Widmore Road at Kentish Way.

They are also proposing to make changes to some bus stops in the town centre. 

To have your say use the following link :-

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/bromley-north/consult_view

Events this week at St Andrew's Church

Bromley: St Andrew : Burnt Ash Lane, St Andrew's is on the northern edge of Rochester Diocese opposite the shops in Burnt Ash Lane, the road which goes to Grove Park Station. Parking is available at the church or behind the shops via Roslin Way., Bromley, Kent, BR1 5AF

Book Launch Saturday 8th December 10am to 12 Noon

In 1982 a short history of St Andrew's Parish by Andrew Martin was published as Not A Mile from Milk Street. The proceeds were in aid of the redecoration of the Church.
The author Andrew Martin will be in the church to sign copies. Tea and coffee will also be served.
The 'high street price' is now going to be £11.95 but anyone who comes on the day (but hasn't pre-ordered)  will get it for £9.95. The offer @ £7.95 for pre-publication orders made in the September issue of The Burning bush still stands.

Orders can be e-mailed to Andrew at namfms@gmail.com

or andrew@andrewjmartin.co.uk

All the proceeds go towards the Hall Rebuilding Fund

Messy Church Crib Service Sunday 16th December at 4pm

At Messy Church this month we will be performing a simple nativity play and forming a crib tableau. We will sing carols, tell the story of Christmas have some food and do some crafts. We all enjoy it and hope you will too. It will last about an hour and a half.

Sunday 16th December 2012 at 4:00 PM for 1½ hours

Details of other Events, Services and further information can be found by clicking on the following link and then choosing the Services and Events Tab

http://www.achurchnearyou.com/bromley-st-andrew/

Borough Commander's Newsletter Dec 2012

The newsletter is too long to display here. It contains details of crime and scams within Bromley.

Click this link to  Download full Borough Commanders Newsletter as pdf

Classic Film Club St Andrews Hall, Burnt Ash Lane 10th December

Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980)

 Starring  Alec Guiness and Rick Stroder

Also starring Connie Booth and Patrick Stewart

Ceddie, Earl of Dorincourt's only grandson and heir lives in America with his mother. The Earl, getting old, asks them to come to England. Ceddie, now Lord Fauntleroy, is an adorable little fellow. The Earl, who at first was rather distant, becomes more en more fond of him. Then Minna shows up.

Monday 10th December

 Doors open at 6.45pm film show at 7.00pm

Cost £2 minimum donation per person is suggested to include refreshments at the interval.

For more information ring:-
Brian at James Harper 020 8464 0080
Rev'd Angela King      020 8313 3434
Rev'd Liz Davis           020 6460 4672

Why not come and enjoy a local evening out?

Book launch - Not a mile from Milk Street

Saturday 8th December 10am to 12 Noon

In 1982 a short history of St Andrew's Parish by Andrew Martin was published as Not A Mile from Milk Street. The proceeds were in aid of the redecoration of the Church.

Thirty years on  funds are needed to rebuild the Church Hall as St Andrew's Community Centre. Planning permission has now been granted and the project will be put to tender, but there is still a little way to go with the fundraising.

It is fortunate that Andrew Martin has revised and updated the book. It will include completely new chapters on the impact of the two world wars on the local area and information about those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

On Saturday 8th December the book will be launched at St Andrew's Church  between 10am and 12 noon. The author Andrew Martin will be in the church to sign copies. Tea and coffee will also be served.

The 'high street price' is now going to be £11.95 but anyone who comes on the day (but hasn't pre-ordered)  will get it for £9.95.

The offer @ £7.95 for pre-publication orders made in the September issue of The Burning bush still stands.

Orders can be e-mailed to Andrew at namfms@gmail.com or andrew@andrewjmartin.co.uk

All the proceeds go towards the Hall Rebuilding Fund

The book is in hardback and the offer price is a bargain, just check on Amazon. Why not pre-order your copy now and come and collect it on Saturday and meet the author.

What to do if you have been scammed

If you are scammed in the streets, as the lady in our previous post was, then follow her example and call the police. With other scams the police may not be first port of call.

An example is identity theft where a scammer uses your identity to open an account in your name and then uses it to borrow money or obtain goods fraudulently. The account provider may then send you a bill for the money. If you are subjected to such a demand then contact them to tell them. In a case reported in the Guardian Money the financial institution demanded a crime number but the police could not provide a crime number as the fraud had been committed against the financial institution not the person whose identity had been used. See the article in the Guardian Money section at:-  http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/nov/30/identity-theft-action-fraud-report

The best organisation to report it to is Action Fraud, which has been set up by the government. Their website is at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre. They provide a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime. If you've been scammed, ripped off or conned, there is something you can do about it - get in touch with them.
Action Fraud is not an emergency service - dial 999 if you are in immediate danger.

Even if you have not (yet) been scammed the website is worth visiting as it has a great deal of advice and information. It also has details of current types of scams and frauds to be aware of, together with information about hoax emails. An example is the following:-

Hoax email from PDS (Parcel Delivery Service)

Action Fraud is reminding everyone that a chain email circulating warning about a postal scam that could leave you £315 out of pocket - is a hoax [28 November]

The hoax email reads:

"Can you circulate this around especially as Xmas is fast approaching - it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam:

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).

DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655."

If you receive this email just delete it and do not to forward it to anyone.