Using the Report It link on the Bromley Council Website

A public spirited member of our Estate from Ridgeway Drive noticed that the litter bin outside Rotunda Court, Burnt Ash Lane had gone missing. Having contacted the Council a new bin was supplied but this also disappeared- possibly through anti social behaviour but more likely for their metal content. On the grounds of economy, and having been contacted again by the same resident, a new litter bin has been speedily affixed to a nearby lamppost and secured by sturdy metal work.

Unfortunately it appears that the crew who clean the bins along the Burnt Ash parade of shops were not told that the bin had moved. It is evident from the picture above that the cleaning crew had not emptied the bin since at least Saturday 8th June. I recognised the bottle sticking out of the bin as I passed each day. Yesterday I used the report it link and used this picture as evidence. Today the bin has been emptied but unfortunately the cleaners missed the rubbish that had spilled out onto the ground. At least there was a reaction.

Although we from time to time complain about Council Services and quite where our Council tax goes, we should not overlook how hard the Council work on our behalf despite financial constraints.

If you notice Council property missing you can contact Street Services online, by phone, via Green Cards available from our local library or even by e mail to Street.Services@bromley.gov.uk.

Thank you to Tony Beskeen for the original information.

Try your hand at Short Mat Bowls

Short mat bowls is an indoor sport in which players attempt to score points by rolling a heavy ball along a fairly flat surface, to gain as many shots as possible by getting their bowls nearer to the jack than their opponents, and so outscore them. The game is a modern variation on lawn bowls, from which the game is derived.

Picture of a Short Mat Court at Romney Bowls Club
Why not try your hand at the game? You don't have to go all the way to Romney. A long established Short Mat Club meets at:-

Bromley and Downham Youth Centre

Valeswood Road

There is ample street parking outside and the 336 Bus along Rangefield Rd passes by the end of Valeswood Road.

From 1-4 every Friday

No equipment required just go along

For more details about the game visit the website of the English Short Mat Bowling Association at :- http://www.esmba.co.uk/index.html

Burglary in Ridgeway Drive Tuesday 21st May

Two men broke into a house in Ridgeway Drive yesterday evening. They smashed open the patio door at the rear of the house. They were disturbed by the owners returning home and, even though the police were on the scene very quickly, they managed to escape. The police later arrested two men and recovered property , including jewellery, taken during the burglary.

Bromley police are are targeting burglars in London. Their website contains advice and helpful steps you can take to protect your property. Follow this link to see the steps you can take to protect your home:-

http://content.met.police.uk/Site/crimepreventionbumblebee

Garden Bonfires

The recent dry weather has made it 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. Bag it up and take it to the Council dump where it will be turned into compost.

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)Put the fire out 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.

Free Esperanto Course

In Adult Learners' Week our thoughts turn to learning skills – whether for work or just for the fun of it. The Esperanto Association of Britain is offering a free postal or email course in the international language – marked by a network of voluntary tutors.

The free course is suitable for those who would like a quick taster, and gives an overview of the language in twelve bite-sized portions. Once the learner has received the first lesson, they simply return their answers. Then the tutor replies with guidance and the next lesson.

For details of the free course, contact: eab@esperanto-gb.org

Glass painting/Coffee morning Today at Burnt Ash Library

Glass painting/Coffee morning 

Coffee Morning with a talk by Sally Adcock about her glass painting hobby. There will be an opportunity to “have a go” All welcome, refreshments available. 

Burnt Ash library Thursday 16th May 11-12.15pm 

Adult Learners Week 18th-24th May at Bromley Central Library

Adult Learners’ Week is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to celebrate the benefits of lifelong learning. Whether you’re an individual looking at anything from improving your current job prospects to learning just for fun, or an organisation looking to help support adults with lifelong learning, Adult Learners’ Week is for you. Craft demonstrations at Bromley Central library Bromley Adult Education College will be doing a number of craft demonstrations at Bromley Central library throughout Adult Learners Week. All of the sessions (apart from woodcarving*) will take place on the 1st floor of the library in the Arts and Media space. They are demonstrations so anyone is welcome to turn up and see what each tutor is doing. Craft Date Time Embroidery Sat 18th May 10-12pm Woodcarving* Sat 18th May 1-3pm Beaded Jewellery Mon 20th May 10-12pm Cartoons Mon 20th May 1-3pm Painting without a brush Tue 21st May 10-12pm Lacemaking Tue 21st May 1-3pm Embroidery Wed 22nd May 10-12pm Sewing, Finishing touches Wed 22nd May pm Nail Art Thu 23rd May 10-12pm Watercolour Thu 23rd May 1-3pm Quilting Fri 24th May 10-12pm Cartoons Fri 24th May 1-3pm *Woodcarving will take place in Training Room 2