A very Merry Christmas to all our members

The Great British Library Betrayal

The great British library betrayal: Closures have brought national network to brink of ‘absolute disaster’, reveals official inquiry

Library services are on the brink of disaster and can only be saved if they become more like coffee shops with wi-fi, sofas and hot drinks, a report will recommend on Thursday.

A combination of funding cuts and declining attendance threatens the viability of the library network unless urgent action is taken, according to the Independent Library Report for England, which was commissioned by the Government.

“We’re at a critical moment for the libraries and if we’re not careful we could lose so many,” William Sieghart, who wrote the report, told The Independent. “I and a lot of people think it would be an absolute disaster.”


His report – which has been hailed as the last chance to halt a decline in which 324 libraries have closed since 2011 – recommends a complete “reinvigoration of the library network” for the 21st century, with every library in the country fitted with wi-fi to attract people who would otherwise spend time in cafés. A drive to make libraries truly digital could also lead to the creation of single national library card and catalogue, allowing readers to withdraw books across the country.

The complete article on the report can be viewed on the Independent website at:-
http://www.independent.co.uk/the-great-british-library-betrayal

Bromley  Council are consulting about options for the future of the Bromley Library Service which includes:

the development of community managed libraries
market testing the core library service
improving current library buildings

Surveys can be completed online or in your local library.

William Sieghart (born 1960) is a British philanthropist, entrepreneur, publisher and the founder of the Forward Prizes for Poetry. To find out more about him on Wikipedia click on :-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sieghart

You could become a Dementia Friend

Over 4000 people in Bromley live with dementia and improving the care and experience of those with the condition is a key priority for our Council.

We are supporting a national campaign running from 1- 21 December by the Alzheimer’s Society and Public Health England to encourage people to become Dementia Friends and find out how it affects people and the little things we can all do to help those living with the disease.  

Said Bromley Councillor Fortune, Chairman of the Health and Well-being Board:

“We are delighted to support this national campaign. As a Council we fund and work closely with those in the field and improving the care and experience of those living with dementia is a key priority. Dementia Friends is about learning a little bit more about the condition and turning that understanding  into action.”

If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend go to the Dementia Friends website, www.dementiafriends.org.uk.  You can watch a short video and register for a free pack of information.

PROPOSED RE-DEVELOPMENT OF 87-91 OAK TREE GARDENS

The following planning application has been made to Bromley Council to re-develop the site occupied by Nos 87, 89, 91 and 93 Oak Tree Gardens at the corner with Portland Road:

Redevelopment of land at rear of Nos. 87-93 Oak Tree Gardens to include demolition of No. 91 and retention of No. 89 with minor alterations to roof and Erection of eight 2 1/2 storey, 4 bedroom houses comprising of two terraces of 3 houses, one pair of semi-detached houses and one detached single garage; associated access, parking, landscaping, cycle storage, refuse and recycling provision.

LERA is opposing the application on the following grounds:

·       The additional pressures on the drainage and sewerage systems which are already struggling to cope with the existing houses on the Estate, and the increased risks of flooding; and

·       The increased traffic movements on an already busy and potentially dangerous corner.

You can view the planning application documents on the Council’s website – www.bromley.gov.uk. 

If you wish to object to the planning application, you must do this by TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER 2014.  You may register your objection in the Comments section on the website or by writing to Alison Prentice, Planning Department, London Borough of Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH.  The planning application reference is: 14/04443/FULL1.

If you would like to discuss this with a LERA representative, please contact:

Margaret Hearn  or Michelle Pike. Contact numbers are in the LERA Christmas Newsletter. 

Planning application to redevelop the land at the rear of 87 -93 Oak Tree Gardens

A Planning application has been submitted for the land at the rear of 87-93 Oak Tree Gardens.
The summary for the application reads as follows:-

14/04443/FULL1 | 
Redevelopment of land at rear of Nos. 87-93 Oak Tree Gardens to include demolition of No. 91 and retention of No. 89 with minor alterations to roof and Erection of eight 2 1/2 storey, 4 bedroom houses comprising of two terraces of 3 houses, one pair of semi detached houses and one detached single garage; associated access, parking, landscaping, cycle storage, refuse and recycling provision.

If you are likely to be affected by this redevelopment you can view the details of the plans in PDF format at the following webpage:-

https://searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk/onlineapplications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NF67LBBTJX000

If you wish to submit a comment to the planning officers you can do so by clicking on the second tab labelled "Comments". This should be done before 30th December 2014

Following consultation with some residents who would be affected by the development L.E.R.A. proposes to submit an objection to the application.

Classic Film Club St Andrews Church, Burnt Ash Lane 11th December

 It's a Wonderful Life 1946

Starring  James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore 

Director Frank Capra

An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

Thursday 11th December 2014

 Doors open at 6.45pm film show at 7.00pm

Cost - a £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

Burnt Ash Library Christmas Stories and Craft

Future Proposals for Bromley Library Service

The council are consulting about options for the future of the Bromley Library Service which includes:

• the development of community managed libraries
• market testing the core library service
• improving current library buildings

Surveys can be completed online or in your local library.

The council are consulting about the future of the library services as we must make further budget savings of more than £60 million from a budget of £206 million over the next four years and we are looking carefully at the future of every council service.

You can complete the survey at Bromley Library Survey

Please complete the survey to let us know your views. The consultation will run from Monday 1 December 2014 until Monday 2 February 2015.

It is important that all LERA members complete the survey. All of the three options proposed will mean a much worse service being provided at Burnt Ash or more likely lead to its its closure.

Burnt Ash Library Christmas coffee morning reminder

Library service consultation given the go ahead

Proposals to consult on the future of Bromley’s library service were given the go ahead by a Scrutiny Committee.

The proposals were discussed at a meeting of the Renewal and Recreation PDS (Policy Development Scrutiny) Committee earlier this week. The recommendation allows for consultation on options for Community Management at the six community libraries in the borough and market testing for the management of the core service. The news follows a review of the library service which includes these options to modernise the service and make improvements, while making significant savings and protecting the core service.

Consultation will take place with library users and staff on the development of Community Management options at the borough’s Community Libraries which are Burnt Ash, Hayes, Mottingham, Shortlands, Southborough and St Paul’s Cray. This option would enable these libraries to remain open and tailored to the needs of the local community, despite the current financial restraints faced. The results of the consultation will be considered in Spring 2015.

Consultation will also be undertaken on market testing to outsource the core service in order to protect the service, keeping libraries open, while making savings. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the core library service will be subject to a full outsourcing market testing exercise, which will be taken in line with any decisions taken regarding the Community Library management options.

The full report containing the proposals can be downloaded by clicking on item 7b on the following Bromley web page :-
http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=4791&Ver=4

There is no mention of what happens if there is no local community group willing to provide the volunteers to run it. In that case it seems likely that Burnt Ash library will be closed.

The library is due to be fitted with machines to issue books using the RFID chips fitted to most books. Books without the chips are being sold off at the moment at two for 25p or 5 for 50p. There is a table of these books in the entrance to the library. The book are in good condition.

St Andrew's Christmas Fayre(!) 29th November

Burnt Ash Library Coffee Morning

Waste and Collection Calendar December 2014 to May 2015

The waste and collection calendar for December 2014 to May 2015 has now been added to the list under pages on the right but can also be viewed with this link waste and collection calendar

A small change to the layout means that the the weeks shaded green are now the ones when we put out the green boxes. Possibly using the netting available to LERA members by visiting the LERA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/lerabromley/. You can join the group by requesting to join from that page.

Burnt Ash Primary School in top 200 State Primary Schools

Burnt Ash Primary School was one of only three Bromley state primary schools named in the Sunday Times Parent Power in the top 200 state primary schools list.

The school has recently changed its logo (shown left) and has also changed it's website which can be seen at http://www.burntash.bromley.sch.uk/

For all Twitter members the Headteacher also publishes regular tweets at https://twitter.com/BurntAshSchool


FOBA (Friends of Burnt Ash), the Parent and Teacher Association is holding this year's Christmas fair on Friday 5th December from 3.30pm till 5.30pm in the school halls.

They are looking for good quality teddy bears and people to wash and wrap them.

If you are an existing parent and would like to rent a stall or help at the event please contact Carol, Zoe or Ann-Marie in the playground or via the school office email  admin@burntash.bromley.sch.uk

Christmas celebrations around Bromley

Bromley town centre will host live entertainment in Market Square from 12pm on Sunday 30 November, with a special appearance by the stars of the Sleeping Beauty pantomime. MyTime Active’s Santa Dash, with hundreds of participants in Santa costumes running through the town centre will kick off at 2pm. The traditional Christmas parade with Santa, and live reindeer will begin at 4.45pm, followed by the lights switch on at 5pm, with a magical snow and glitter shower.There will also be a life size Nativity scene, festive stalls and traditional rides. 

A nativity sheep trail is also taking place in Bromley town centre from Friday 14 November until Sunday 21 December. Find all the sheep around Bromley’s Town Centre and be in with a chance of winning a prize draw. 

Bromley residents and shoppers will also be treated to the annual Christmas Charter Market in the High Street from Thursday 11 December. The market is open everyday from 9am until 5pm until Wednesday 24 December. There will be a diverse range of stalls offering gifts, crafts, jewellery, plants, fresh vegetables, preserves, English and German specialities and much more. 

For further information about Christmas celebrations in Bromley’s town centres visit www.bromley.gov.uk/christmas

For more details on the Santa Dash in Bromley town centre or to sign up, please visit www.mytimeleisure.co.uk/santadash

Remembrance Day – Sunday 9 November 2014

During the morning of Sunday 9 November, Remembrance Day Services will be held throughout the Borough.

Listed below are those in the local area at which the Council will be represented.  

Bromley

The Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor. Julian Benington and Mrs. Valerie Benington the Chief Executive Mr. Doug Patterson,  Bob Neill MP and the Representative Deputy Lieutenant, will attend the Service in Bromley Parish Church. Those attending the service are asked to arrive by 10:45am.  After the service, the Civic party will proceed to the War Memorial for the wreath laying ceremony.

Bickley

Councillor Colin Smith will represent the Borough, read a lesson and lay a wreath at St. George’s Parish Church, Bickley Park Road, Bickley, BR1 2BE, at the service at 10:30am.

Mottingham and Chislehurst North

Councillor David Cartwright will represent the Borough at the service at Mottingham War Memorial which commences at 10.45 am in the car park of the Porcupine Public House, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial.

Councillor Charles Rideout will represent the Borough at a service at St. Edward’s Church, St. Keverne Road, Mottingham, SE9 4AQ,which commences at 10:00am.

Plaistow and Sundridge

Councillor Michael Turner will represent the Borough at St. Andrew’s Church, 136 Burnt Ash Lane, BR1 5AF, at 10:00am.

Shortlands

Councillor David Jefferys will lay the wreath and Councillor Mary Cooke will do the reading on behalf of the Borough.  There will be a service at St. Mary’s Church, Kingswood Road, BR2 0HG, at 10:15am.  During the service the congregation will go to the War Memorial at approximately 10:45am to observe the silence and lay wreaths.

For a full list of services in Bromley click on the following link:-

remembrance_day_sunday_9_november_2014

Bromley Council Leader warns changes are inevitable

Bromley Council Leader Councillor Stephen Carr is telling residents that the Council has to make dramatic changes as it can no longer afford to do everything in the way it has done in the past.

He is calling for residents to take part in an online survey before 7 December so senior councillors are aware of residents’ priorities when difficult decisions have to be made about the budget for 2015/16 and beyond. The Council has to save more than £60 million over the next four years from an annual net budget of just over £200 million. This is in addition to substantial savings already made over the past few years. 

In an open letter to residents, Councillor Carr explained: “A much smaller council will mean we will all have to do things in a different way. Taking more responsibility within our families and communities so that those who need our services most will be able to get the help they need. It will inevitably come down to a combination of paying more council tax and ceasing to provide some services. Rest assured we continue to drive out inefficiencies and work to maximise our income as well as arguing strongly for a fairer government funding deal for our borough. We are proud of our robust financial management, but efficiencies alone will not bridge the budget gap we are anticipating over the next few years.”

As well as the online survey, there will be round table sessions with residents’ association chairmen and chairwomen and
public meetings:

Evening meeting:

7pm-8.30pm, Thursday 20 November – Orpington Methodist Church BR6 9JH

Daytime meeting:11am -12.30pm, Friday 28 November – Bromley Civic Centre BR1 3UH

Background information and the survey are atwww.bromley.gov.uk/OurbudgetYourviews

Bromley Council Budget and Spending Online Survey

Our budget, your views

As senior councillors set the budget for 2015-16 and beyond, they want your views on what you value most. 

We must make further budget savings of more than £60 million in the next four years. This is in addition to substantial savings already made, so there will be very difficult decisions to be made.

As more and more residents choose to communicate with us and access our services on the web, we are asking you to tell us your priorities through our online survey as we set the budget for 2015-16 and beyond.

Let us know what you think

Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey to let us know your views. You can do so at a time to suit you up until 7 December.

Complete the online survey

We will be reporting back through the Executive in January 2015 before the council tax rate is recommended to Full Council in February 2015.

Public meetings 

Join us at these public meeting so we can hear your views

• Orpington public meeting 20 November 2014
• Bromley public meeting 28 November 2014

Background information

• Letter from Leader of Bromley Council, Cllr Stephen Carr 
• Feedback from setting the budget 2014/15 
• Questions and answers about setting the budget 2015/16
• Expenditure and funding graphs comparing Bromley to other London Councils 
• Bromley's budget

Other ways to get involved

If you know family or friends who are not online at home, please tell them they can still let us know their views: 

• Visit a local library and ask for advice on how to fill in the survey
• Talk to your residents association - we plan to meet representatives
• Email: leader@bromley.gov.uk
• Attend a public meeting

Friends of Chinbrook Meadows Bulb Planting

Does your older persons Freedom Pass expire on 31 March 2015?

If your older persons Freedom Pass expires on 31 March 2015 you will receive a letter during November and December this year with your unique renewal number.

For the first time, you can renew online in a few simple steps.

Once you receive your letter, go to the renewal page of this site, enter your renewal number and follow the simple instructions to renew your pass. If you create an account by giving us your email address, you’ll also be able to track your renewal and will receive an email once your Freedom Pass has been sent in the post.

You cannot renew at the Post Office or over the telephone.

To ensure you receive your Freedom Pass by 31 March 2015, renew as soon as you receive your letter.

Renew your pass now
(after you receive your renewal letter)

I’m not very good with computers!
If you are not able to renew on the website yourself, ask a friend or family member to help, or visit your local library for assistance. It would be worthwhile contacting your library first to check what support is available and whether you need to make an appointment to use their computer.

What if I can’t go online?
Enclosed with the letter will be a form you can complete and return. If your name or address has changed, you will need to provide proof of your identity and address.

Remember: you must take action as soon as you receive your letter so that you receive your new pass before your current one expires.

- See more at: http://www.freedompass.org/older-persons-freedom-pass/renewing-your-pass

Firework displays

In the run up to Bonfire Night it is important to consider how to stay safe, whilst having fun. The Safer Bromley Partnership suggests that it is always best to attend an organised firework display.

If this is not possible the London Fire Brigade has some helpful advice for firework and bonfire safety.

Local displays click on the links for more information

• Norman Park - Firework Display and Family Funfair  1 November
• Beckenham Fireworks and Funfair 1 November
• Chislehurst Rotary Fireworks Display 1 November 
• Crystal Palace Park - Fireworks Display and Family Funfair 5 November
• Langley Park Girls School -Fireworks Musical Display 8 November

The minutes of the last meeting of 
THE PLAISTOW & SUNDRIDGE COMMUNITY ADVISORY PANEL, HELD AT BURNT ASH SCHOOL
ON THURSDAY, 23RD OCTOBER 2014 are available on the CAP website at :-

Community Advisory Panel

Bromley Library Home Library Service

Do you know about the Home Library Service? Mr Hartnoll didn't but now he knows there is a free service that can take books to him when he needs it. 'I like to get out but it's good to know it's there if I need it, especially in the cold winter months.'

For more information call 020 3045 4565, email: LibraryCommunityservices@bexley.gov.uk or see:
https://arena.yourlondonlibrary.net/web/bromley/home-library-service

Changes to Last Posting Times for the links Estate

LERA member Michael Dobbs has sent us the following message:-

This morning I posted some letters in the post box in Portland Road. It was only after posting them that I noticed a new collections plate showing revised collection times:

Monday to Friday: 9.00 am

It also states that there is a 4.00 pm or later collection time at the post box in New Street Hill

Saturday: 7.00 am

This is a considerable change to previous collections times - now you must ensure (if not an early riser) that you have items for posting placed in the Portland Road post box the night before. I wonder if this is the first step in eventually closing that post box, just leaving us with the one at the junction of New Street Hill / Oak Tree Gardens.

Regards, Michael

I have checked with Royal Mail and their website states that the changes are an "improvement" as shown below:-

What changes are taking place and why?

We are improving the level of public access to postboxes in areas of under-provision, by adding around 2,000 boxes to the 115,000 we currently have. 45,000 to 50,000 low-use boxes will move to ‘collection on delivery’ with the postman or woman emptying the box on their round, rather than providing a dedicated collection by van. No postboxes will be removed from service as a result of this initiative.

When is all the change happening?

We started making changes in September 2014 (October in Scotland). We fixed a notification label to all boxes that are going to be ‘Collected on Delivery’ at least four weeks before the planned changes. New box plates should start to appear throughout the Autumn as the changes are rolled out. These will show the new collection times and the location of alternative, later-collection boxes.

There is more information at the Royal Mail Website at:- royalmail.com/postboxes-faqs

Carriageway Resurfacing for Leamington Avenue

Members in Leamington Avenue should have received this notice from the contractors, Conway. The letter was sent to me as a Pdf which cannot be loaded on Blogger so I have scanned it instead.

Click on the image to enlarge it

Petition to extend the Bromley North Shuttle

Residents are backing a campaign calling for trains to run from Bromley North station into central London once more. More than 400 people have signed a petition campaigning for the mainline train service to be reinstated so it runs to London Bridge, Charing Cross or Cannon Street.

A shuttle service from Bromley North calling at Sundridge Park currently offers around three trains an hour to and from Grove Park station where commuters must change for connections to London. Bromley North trains called at central London stations until 1990 when services were withdrawn following congestion at London Bridge.

Campaign leader Mario Giannini said the line must be reinstated to accommodate the growing number of professionals moving into the borough. The 46-year-old, of Howard Road, said: "Lots of transport improvements have been made in the surrounding boroughs over the last few years and Bromley feels left out.

"We are not asking for an expensive, brand new rail system. Why can’t we just use the train tacks we have already got?"

Services also run from Bromley North station to central London when engineering works are being carried out at Bromley South. Mr Giannini added: "The shuttle service is now outdated and irrelevant. We must have our direct train service from Bromley North back if we are to compete with the rest of the capital."

He wants the government to put pressure on train providers to reinstate the line. A spokesman for Network Rail and Southeastern said: "We know that people don't want to have to change trains on their journeys and we are always looking to improve services, and take the pressure off Bromley South.

"Bromley North trains would have to run into central London through London Bridge, which is one of the most congested parts of the railway network.

"For instance, 151 trains pass through there between 8am-9am every week day. In addition, direct Bromley North trains would have to cut across the paths of other trains at Grove Park, which is also very busy.

"At this point, we cannot squeeze another train in without negatively impacting on other services."

The spokesman said they would review the situation in 2018 after the Thameslink programme is completed. The £6.5 billion rail project is expected to free up more capacity at London Bridge station.

To sign the petition visit: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/69602

To see the full article published in the Newsshopper click on the following link

newsshopper.co.uk/news

Reminder about Garden Bonfires

At this time of year particularly it is very tempting to have garden bonfires. These may be a nuisance to neighbours and spoil their enjoyment of their gardens. To avoid your neighbours complaining to Environmental Health you should follow the following guidelines. The London Borough of Bromley may take into account, when investigating any complaints concerning bonfires, whether the guidelines and in particular the minimum standards have been followed.

Guidelines

1) Compost as much garden rubbish as possible and burn only when there is no reasonable alternative method of disposal.

2) Avoid lighting fires in unsuitable weather conditions. Smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening.

3) Avoid burning at weekends and on Bank Holidays, especially on warm days, when other people wish to enjoy their gardens.

4)  Garden refuse should be dry before burning and care must be taken to add material to the fire in small quantities only. Sudden heaping of large amounts of rubbish on the fire produces large quantities of smoke. The golden rule is to feed the fire little and often.

Minimum standards of care and conduct

1) Site the bonfire as far away from neighbours' premises as possible.

2)  Do not light a fire when weather conditions will cause problems. The fire should be lit only when the wind is light and steady in a direction which would cause the least annoyance - and never when the wind is blowing towards neighbouring houses.

3) Extinguish the fire if it is causing, or is likely to cause, any nuisance to adjacent residents.

4) Never add household rubbish, plastic or rubber materials to the fire, or use sump oil to set it alight.

5) Bonfires should never be left unattended. Do not allow the fire to smoulder; douse it properly with soil or water.

Bakerloo line extension consultation

A public consultation on the proposed extension of the Tube’s Bakerloo line is to be launched this week.

Transport for London has drawn up options for extending the line from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham, with one route serving Old Kent Road and an alternative running via Camberwell and Peckham.

Michèle Dix, TfL’s Managing Director of Planning, has also said the line could be connected with the rail line to Hayes “which would mean existing rail services would no longer operate on this line, but the Bakerloo line would operate instead.”

A further option allows for the line to be extended to Beckenham Junction to connect with the Tramlink or Bromley town centre.

The consultation will run from Tuesday 30th September until 7 December 2014 and will be available available at www.tfl.gov.uk/bakerloo-extension.

LERA members may also want to sign a petition in favour of the extension by following the link below :-

http://bakerlooextension.wordpress.com/petition/

Access to academic research available in libraries

Thousands of academic journal articles are now available to read free of charge in Bromley libraries.

The initiative, run in partnership with Access to Research, allows library users to access a wide range of academic articles and research in public libraries free of charge online. Disciplines include health, history, politics engineering, social sciences and more.

“The library is a great place to start when researching subjects of interest or studying and the opportunity to access academic journals will add to this enormously. Why not call into your local library, get online and see for yourself how easy it is to find articles from leading journals and academics” said Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal and Recreation.

The Access to Research project is a collaboration between libraries and publishers who have made journal content available for free across UK libraries under the initiative. It will provide online licensed access to over 8,000 journals and more than 10 million journal articles and conference proceedings through library computers. 

The access is available in any Bromley library via the PCs. 

Find out more about the project at

https://arena.yourlondonlibrary.net/web/bromley/online-resources

or http://www.accesstoresearch.org.uk/

Are you a Facebook fan?

For our members who like using social networks, you'll be pleased to know that LERA has launched a Facebook group. LERA's Newsletter and website are already popular with members for sharing news and information about local issues.

We hope our Facebook group will provide another way for members to exchange views and report concerns about matters affecting the Estate. This is a closed group open only to members.

To be invited to join, log in to Facebook and type Links Estate Residents' Association Community Group. This will take you to the opening page and you can then click on the green box labelled "Join Group" or follow this link  https://www.facebook.com/groups/lerabromley/

Roslin Way Allotments Open day

The Roslin Way allotments will hold its annual open day on Saturday 13th September from 10.00AM. There will be a range of fresh vegetables and fruit on sale grown by plot holders. There is also a chance to buy plants and cut flowers and garden tools and Bric-a-brac. Tea, coffee and biscuits will also be available. If you are interested in applying for a plot come and talk to the members and have a walk round to see the sort of things tha are grown. There is a short waiting list for plots.

Minutes of the LERA AGM 30th April 2014

The minutes are available by clicking on the link on the right hand window or by clicking on this link:-

http://leralink.blogspot.co.uk/p/minutes-of-lera-agm.html

Crime Summit 27th September 2014

Burnt Ash Library Coffee Morning and talk 21st August

Discover Art Awards at Burnt Ash Library 11th September

Are you aged 8-12 years old? Interested in Art? Come and join in some free fun creative activities at Burnt Ash Library in September and achieve your Arts Award.For more information and to secure your place call Burnt Ash Library on 020 8460 3405

Mottingham Library Coffee Morning 13th August

Chinbrook Dog Show 31st August 2014

About the Dog show. - (A statement from their website)

The Chinbrook Dog Show was set up in 2012 by our Chairman, as a small experimental community project to organise and administer a dog show and Family Fun Day within Chinbrook Meadows. As it was a first attempt, it was deliberately kept low key in order to gauge interest, if any, from the community. What occurred exceeded all expectations, with more than 150 dogs and their owners taking part. Some even came from as far away as Worthing, Walthamstow and Enfield!

South East Dog Rescue was the chosen charity for the first 2 years. The success of the show led to the formation of the Chinbrook Dog Show Management Committee, consisting of an elected Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. These officers plus an additional 4 members make up the Executive Committee.

Our group is a non-profit organisation. All monies raised – outside operational costs and expenses – will be donated to a local dog-related charity or rescue centre that operate a non-destruct policy.

In 2013, we made the decision to expand the Dog Show into a Fun Day for all the family, not just exclusively centre around dog owners, as we felt there was nothing else similar within the Grove Park area. Some of the local businesses were very supportive and helped contribute towards our costs.

We included a family funfair and a number of local community groups, such as the Territorial Army, joined in the fun. Sadly the weather took a turn for the worse, with a few heavy showers during the mid afternoon. This didn’t dampen our spirits, and we still managed to raise £1200 for South East Dog Rescue.

For this year’s show on 31 August 2014, we wanted to go bigger and better, and planning started the day after the 2013 show. We don’t want to give away too much, but we are getting really excited!

For more details of events, categories and an entry form for your dog go to the website at :-
                                           
                                                     Chinbrook Dog Show