Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th July 2009 …There’s something for children of all ages and young people at this year’s Dartford Festival. For the most competitive minded there is an array of competitions...   [Plus]

Saturday 18th & Sunday
19th July 2009
…There’s something for children of all ages and
young people at this year’s Dartford Festival.
For
the most competitive minded there is an array of
competitions including problem solving tasks and
exciting challenges to some great participation
games and activities.

All manner of magic will be happening at the
Marquee with the Dartford Town Centre Heritage Initiative there will be a series of delightful
‘line drawings’, taken from the photographic
archive of historical buildings and these will be
available for youngsters to children to colour in
with a prize given each day of the Festival for the
best effort.

Art for Arts Sake
The Dartford Arts Group will be encouraging
children to paint acrylic on canvas and kids will be
invited to join in and demonstrate your painting
prowess and top techniques!
Competition Crazy
From cup cake queens to painting perfect pictures,
Dartford Festival has a veritable treasure chest of
exciting competitions open to people of all ages
but some with a special emphasis for teenagers
under 18.
You don’t have to be a Dartford resident to enter either.
Download the competition
schedule at: www.
dartford.
gov.
uk/festival/competitions to get creatively competitive!
Showground Sensation …
Action packed fun and games can be enjoyed at
the Showground zone from giant inflatables,
Quad bikes, an exacting Army Assault Course to
Charlton Athletic, Dartford Football Club and
Goals who will be fielding a 5-a-side goal for a
chance to take part in a penalty shoot out against
the goal-keeper.
Pedal power gets a push with a
cycling skills showcase and workshop from Team
Darenth and all the young, talented Judo enthusiasts out there will get a chance to see a fantastic
demonstration of skills and prowess from the instructors of the Dartford Judo club too.

In the swim …
If ‘swim is your thing’ then why not register at the
Festival’s Scuba Doo stand (don’t forget to bring a
towel, swimming costume and t-shirt) then learn
to scuba dive at Fairfield Pool.

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July 2009
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
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FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Special
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TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
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258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
Dartford gives other
Councils a lead
Dartford Borough Council Leader Jeremy
Kite is to rein in the council’s refreshment
and hospitality budgets as part of his determination to see that the council absorb recessionary pressures rather than pass on higher
bills or reduce services for residents.

The budget used to fund a range of Member
and Mayoral services including refreshments
for meetings and the annual civic reception
was slashed as part of proposals announced at
the council’s budget meeting on Monday 2
March.

Cllr Jeremy Kite, Leader of Dartford Borough Council, says it is important for councillors to accept a fair share of the financial
pressures at a time when local families are
worried about their jobs,
“I’ve asked Civic Centre colleagues to save
£18,000 in the way we administer ourselves
and match some of the big savings I have
been able to make in the way my own office
runs.
”
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Advertise in our
classified section:
www.
topadz.
co.
uk
Young people will be able to
once again ‘jump-in’ to a Swanley pool party when the popular
event comes back to the town
next month.

The Jump-in’ pool party will be held at White
Oak Leisure Centre on Saturday 18 July from
6pm to 8pm, exclusively for 8 to 14 year olds.

There will be a DJ playing all the latest tunes,
cool lights, plenty of fun stuff in the pool, all for
just £5!
Tickets can be purchased in advance from White
Oak Leisure Centre or on the night.
Places are
limited and the last party sold out, so buy your
tickets early to avoid disappointment!
Young people will have the pool completely to
themselves at the event and the café at the
Leisure Centre will also be open with special offers for parents and guardians who want to stay.

Cllr Pat Bosley, Sevenoaks District Council
Cabinet member with responsibility for healthy
living, says: “These pool parties are a new initiative, we only started them this year, but they
have already proved a real hit.
Everyone who attends them has a lot of fun, so make sure you
get your ticket early to avoid disappointment!”
This initiative has been organised by Sevenoaks
District Council in partnership with Sencio
Community Leisure and is funded by NHS
West Kent as part of the National Choosing
Health agenda, which aims to make healthy
choices easier.

To book tickets in advance contact White Oak
Leisure Centre by calling 01322 662188, or for
more information on the event call Sevenoaks
District Council on 01732 227000.

YOUNG PEOPLE CAN MAKE A
SPLASH IN SWANLEY NEXT MONTH
Swanley residents welcome at Dartford Festival
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Tuesday 4th August
Sinatra, Dean Martin,
Nat King Cole, Elvis,
Robbie Williams,
Ricky Martin,
Freddie Mercury
A stylish, witty show
with authentic
Tributes – Hugely
Entertaining and
Danceable
FREE ENTERTAINMENT
FOR DINERS
(Usual Top Quality Menu)
Large Car Park at Rear
PAUL CANTARA
RETURNS WITH HIS
KINGS OF SWING &
LEGENDS SHOW   [Moins]

Police appeal The police are appealing for any information or witnesses to a collision in Orpington town centre on Saturday 31 May 2008. It occurred about 11:35 in Juglans Road, at the junction with Homefield...   [Plus]

Police appeal
The police are appealing for any information or
witnesses to a collision in Orpington town centre
on Saturday 31 May 2008.

It occurred about 11:35 in Juglans Road, at the
junction with Homefield
Rise.
A 55 year old man was crossing the road
when he was in collision with a blue Vauxhall
Zafira.

He was taken to Kings College Hospital suffering
from a head injury.
He sadly died on Monday 11
August 2008.

He has been formally identified as Michael
Joseph, of the St Mary Cray area.

A 14 year old boy who was in the car was also injured in the collision.
He received a minor leg injury and was not taken to hospital.

The incident is being investigated by the Collision Investigation Unit, based at Catford Traffic
Garage.
PS David Berry said: “It was a Saturday
morning in a busy shopping area.
I am appealing
for anyone who may have been traveling in a bus
or car, or walking in the area and saw anything of
the collision.
”
Anyone with any information is asked to
ring the incident room on 020 8285
1574, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

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CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
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FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Summer Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
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Cutting
the cost of
Summer repairs
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
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AT LOW PRICES
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Firefighter Richard Purvess (right) presented with his
long service award by Sir David Brewer Kt CMG,
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.

Blue Watch to Bay
Watch
Appearing as an extra in London’s Burning and
meeting Baywatch star David Hasselhoff have
gone hand in hand with fighting fires for Dartford’s Richard Purvess, during his 30 years with
London Fire Brigade.

At a special ceremony held at the Brigade’s training centre in Southwark Richard was presented
with a long service award to mark his three
decades as a firefighter.

For the majority of his career Richard was based
at Dockhead Fire Station where the TV series
London’s Burning was filmed.
As well as appearing as an extra in ten episodes he acted as a technical and health and safety advisor on the show.

He also met Bay Watch star David Hasselhoff
when he visited the station as part of a promotional tour for the US TV series.

Following 24 years at Dockhead, Richard transferred to Plumstead Fire Station and since 2005
he has worked in the Community Safety Team at
Greenwich
All empty offices
must pay rates!
Property consultant Peter Simons who owns
Prospect House and Tudor Cottages in Foots
Cray is furious with the government for
changing the law so that all empty offices must
now pay National Non-Domestic rates with
no exceptions.

He has written to Privy Councillor the
Rt.
Hon John Hutton who is the Secretary for
State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform asking him to explain how he is
supposed to finance the payment of rates when
there is at present no demand for small office
space.
Neither can he sell his property because
there is no market for such premises!
He is now questioning whether it is official
government policy to completely destroy small
businesses like his or have they not thought
through the consequences of their actions?
SCHOOLS CLUSTER
VISIT TO HOUSES OF
PARLIAMENT
The Swanley & District Schools Cluster Council went on a visit to the Houses of Parliament
recently and were seen off by the Mayor of
Swanley, Cllr Michael Mahy.

The young people, representatives from all
the primary and senior schools in and around
Swanley, enjoyed a fascinating insight into the
democratic process when they had a tour of the
Houses of Parliament including the House of
Lords and the Queen’s Robing Room.
They
then had a private meeting with local MP
Michael Fallon, when he spoke of his life as an
MP, followed by some very probing questions
from the children.

The Mayor said “I am delighted to know that
our local young people are learning why voting
is important and how to influence decision making, right from local to national level.
I understand that they really enjoyed their visit to the
seat of national politics, especially meeting their
MP.
” Get active
Bored at week-end and nights, well why not
join an organisation which does flying,
adventure training, sports etc.

Air Cadets 1227 (Sidcup) are holding a
recruitment night for 13-16 year olds on the
11th September.

For further details contact the Officer
Commanding Richard Turner on 07778
185457 or e-mail oc1227@btinternet.
com.

www.
kentwing.
org
WIN TICKETS
TO LEGOLAND!
Win £250worth of prizesSee Page 13
  [Moins]

Chronicle 40p Where Sold T h e Vo i c e o f S w a n l e y Swanley & Dartford Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE 26 Movies20 Motoring22 Theatre NOVEMBERwww. bexleychronicle. com...   [Plus]

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November 2008
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
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FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
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All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Reduced
business
rates!Charitable and non-profit making
organisations in the Sevenoaks district are
being reminded that they can claim an
important discount on their business rates.

Groups such as scout groups, village halls and
voluntary organisations, could all benefit
following a recent review of discretionary rate
relief by Sevenoaks District Council.

Discretionary rate relief is a percentage
reduction off of the business rates bill.
The
percentage can be variable, and every
application will need to be assessed before a
decision is made.

Businesses can also apply for two other types of
relief, rural rate relief, which applies to certain
types of village shops, and hardship relief,
which only applies in exceptional
circumstances to local businesses who provide
a service to the community and are suffering
financial hardship.

• For further details and an application form please
contact the Council’s Local Tax Team on 01732
227000.

Special
Creative
New Menu
(only available on
Wednesday)
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
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Last ditch appeal for hospital
It seems the Petition and the march to save
Queen Mary’s services by hundreds of
residents, local Mps and the London Mayor
himself has fallen on deaf ears so the Old
Bexley and Sidcup Conservative Parliamentary
Candidate James Brokenshire is now calling on
residents to write to Health Secretary Alan
Johnson about the need to save services at
Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup.
In the next
phase of the campaign to stop the loss of
maternity, accident and emergency and other
services, local Conservative campaigners were
asking shoppers in Sidcup High Street on
Saturday to sign letters of objection to be sent
to the Secretary of State.

It highlights the failures in the consultation
process over the plans, sets out some of the key
reasons to retain facilities at Queen Mary’s and
calls on the Department of Health to stop the
cuts at QMH.
The health reorganisation
proposals have now been referred to Mr
Johnson by the Joint Health Overview and
Scrutiny Committee and by Bexley Council.

The Secretary of State will have the final say on
whether the closure proposals should be
confirmed.

Commenting Mr Brokenshire said: “Now
that the decision on retaining key services
Queen Mary’s rests with the Health Secretary,
it makes sense to focus the campaign pressure
on Alan Johnson.
We need to make sure that
he gets an unequivocal message from local
residents that essential health services should
be kept at QMH.

“The cuts at QMH will have a damaging
effect on healthcare in Bexley and if they go
ahead risk being a slippery slope to closure of
the hospital altogether.
That’s why it’s so
important that everyone who feels strongly
about the future of Queen Mary’s writes to the
Health Secretary to ensure he appreciates the
significance of the decision he now has to
make.
”
Further copies of the letter can be obtained
from the Sidcup Barber Shop on Sidcup High
Street or from Old Bexley & Sidcup
Conservatives, Station Road, Sidcup.

Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Autumn Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Cutting
the cost of
Winter repairs
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
  [Moins]

Thirty nine voluntary community groups are set to benefit from grant funding of £229,085. Despite budget pressures the Council’s Community Grant Scheme will continue to help voluntary and community groups...   [Plus]

Thirty nine voluntary community groups are set to benefit
from grant funding of £229,085.

Despite budget pressures the Council’s Community Grant Scheme will continue to help voluntary and community groups whose services are
available to Sevenoaks District residents.

Thirty six local voluntary groups across the District will share between £100 and £21,300.
A variety of groups in Swanley and the northern
parishes will benefit including the following:
* Swanley and District Volunteer Centre will receive
£9,600 to develop and promote volunteering through the
recruitment, placement and support of volunteers.

* HAWK Youth Partnership Project who will get £8000
to work with young people in Hartley, Ash and WestKingsdown.

* North West Kent Council for Voluntary Service will
receive £1000 to provide information and support to voluntary groups in Swanley and the northern parishes.

Residents in Swanley are also set to benefit from
grants to the West Kent Independent Mediation
Service of £6,500.
Sports and arts activities across
the District will benefit from grants totalling
£18,700.

Due to the impact of the economic downturn, the
Council also set aside a contingency sum of £7,360
in the grant budget to help address this issue.

Any voluntary organisation will be able to bid for
a share of this fund to assist with the provision of
services connected with promoting employment,
providing training opportunities and debt advice.

Applications will be invited during the next three
months.

Cllr Elaine Bracken, the Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Community Grants
says: “The numerous voluntary groups across the
District provide a huge range of services to the
area’s most vulnerable residents, and I’m glad we
can make this contribution to help them continue
the important work them do.
”
Information on the Community Grant scheme is publicised on the Sevenoaks District Council’s website,
www.
sevenoaks.
gov.
uk/grants.

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CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
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FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Special
Creative
New Menu
(only available on
Wednesday)
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
Parking to Barking!
A new face in the District is taking the lead
when it comes to helping residents with their
animal issues.

Ann-Marie Milton was recently appointed
by Sevenoaks as their new Animal Welfare Officer after two years spent working for the Borough of Poole Council in a similar position.

She will have a number of duties including
collecting stray dogs and finding them new
homes, reuniting lost dogs with their owners
and investigating complaints about noisy or
dangerous dogs.

The Animal Welfare Officer also works
closely with local PCSOs, town and parish
council’s and other dog owners in the District
to be kept informed of dog owners who do not
clean up after their dogs.

Working with animals is quite a departure
from Ann-Marie’s previous job though, before
retraining as an Animal Welfare Officer she
was a parking Civil Enforcement Officer!
“Being an animal welfare officer is certainly
a bit different from being a parking warden”
admits Ann-Marie.
“Finding stray dogs new
homes and reuniting lost dogs with their owners is very fulfilling, and I’m really looking forward to getting out and about in the District,
meeting the dogs and their owners.
”
Ann-Marie also strongly recommends that
residents make use of the Council’s animal
micro-chipping service.
The process only takes
a few moments, is virtually pain-free and is
there for life.

A small micro-chip is implanted that contains a unique number that corresponds with
the dog’s address and owners contact details,
recorded at the same time the micro-chip is fitted.
The details are stored on a central database.

Got a story?
The Swanley & Dartford
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Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Shenton Dixon
returns with his
Strictly Soul Show
Amazing, brilliant
tributes by West End
show star Shenton
Dixon (the UK’s only
authentic Stevie
Wonder look-alike and
sound-alike) to George
Benson, Stevie Wonder
and Barry White.

Unmissable!
FREE ENTERTAINMENT
FOR DINERS
(Usual Top Quality Menu)
25th Anniversary
Celebration
Tuesday 5th May
Shenton Dixon
Swanley residents looking to
improve their fitness levels can
get walking and talking when a
new free health walk starts in
the town every Tuesday at 2pm,
starting and finishing at White
Oak Leisure Centre.

All ages and abilities are welcome to attend the
free walk, but it is aimed specifically at those
who are not used to walking or who are recovering from injury and want to get back into
physical activity.

The walks will be led by trained walk leaders
and will last between 45 minutes and an hour,
depending the pace of the walkers.
New walkers
are requested to arrive a few minutes early to fill
out a short health questionnaire.

Buggies and wheelchairs are welcome at the
walk, and it is suggested people dress appropriately according to the weather, and sensible
comfortable footwear is a must.

Cllr Elaine Bracken, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for
healthy living, says: “Health walks have proved
very popular elsewhere across the District, with
over 100 people taking part on a health walk
each week, so I am delighted we have been able
to extend them to Swanley.
They are a great way
of meeting new people, as well as getting fitter.
”
• For more information about this walk, or any
other free walks in the District, ring Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000, e-mail healthyliving@sevenoaks.
gov.
uk or visit the health walks page
of the Council website,
www.
sevenoaks.
gov.
uk/healthwalks.

TAKE A WALK IN
SWANLEY!
Support for voluntary and community activities
Continued on back page
No3 The Slade
Plumstead Common
SE18 2NB
Tel: 0208 3161888   [Moins]

Young Volunteer of the Year The voluntary work of a number of young people from the Sevenoaks District was recognised recently at the second ever Young Volunteer of the Year award ceremony. The winner and two...   [Plus]

Young Volunteer
of the Year
The voluntary work of a number of young people
from the Sevenoaks District was recognised recently at the second ever Young Volunteer of the
Year award ceremony.

The winner and two runners up were presented
with their prizes at Sevenoaks District Council
Offices by the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Felicity Broomby.

The winner of the award was 16 year-old Sarah
Sturrock of Sevenoaks who was nominated for her
award by her mother.

Sarah received £100 in High Street vouchers for
herself, and a £200 cheque went to VSU Youth in
Action, to help them continue to support young
volunteers
Two runners up each received £50 in High
Street vouchers, with an £100 cheque going to the
organisation that nominated them.

The runners up were Edward Bankes, aged 16,
from Sevenoaks and Eleanor Selleck aged 18 from
Kemsing.

Eleanor Selleck was nominated by 2nd Kemsing
Guides where she has been volunteering for four
years, with her dedication helping the unit to
flourish.
She is also a volunteer at her local church
youth group.

Cllr Elaine Bracken, the Council’s Cabinet
Member with responsibility for young people’s issues, says: “Every single young person who attended the ceremony deserves enormous credit
for their dedication to helping others in their own
time, and for giving other people opportunities
they may not otherwise experience.
”
Residents of the District were invited to nominate young people for the award throughout
February and March using nomination forms
available from Sevenoaks District Council, town
and parish councils, libraries, community and
voluntary youth groups and schools and online
via the Council website.

The scheme was organised and funded by
Sevenoaks District Council to further recognise
and celebrate young people’s voluntary contributions and achievements.

Chronicle
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SAMARITANS
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Councillors v Officers
Sevenoaks District Council councillors and staff
had a wicket time, and stumped up money for a
good cause recently when they donned their
whites for their second ever charity cricket
match.

A Leader’s Select XI and a Chief Executive’s
Select XI did battle at the Vine Cricket Ground
with all the proceeds from the event going to
Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust the charity chosen
by the captain of the winning team.

The 20-over match proved to be a very close
run thing, with the Leader’s team batting first
and setting a total of 130 runs.
The game went
right down to the final ball of the game with the
Chief Executive’s team needing three runs to
win.

The task proved too much though and their
total of 128 was not quite enough, leaving the
councillors to claim victory for the second time.

Cllr Peter Fleming, “I always felt confident
that my team could retain our unbeaten record
even if it did go right down to the wire! It was a
great evening and the most important thing was
that we raised a bit of money for charity, and
everyone seemed to have a fantastic time.
”
Robin Hales, Chief Executive and captain of
the runners-up says: “I have to say that I, along
with everyone else who took part, thoroughly
enjoyed the game, with the exception of the result of course! The weather couldn’t have been
better and some money went to a good cause.
”
Sevenoaks Council targetted
Azalea Drive, the steps from
Station Approach to Azalea
Drive, Northview and Swanley post office from 10.
30am to
remove graffiti.

The council records incidents of graffiti
from the public and its partners, such as town
and parish councils.

These are prioritised, with racist and offensive graffiti made a high priority, then
passed to the Probation Service’s fully trained
and supervised graffiti removal team, which
visits Sevenoaks District two days a month.

The team includes people who are carrying
out Community Punishment Orders.

The graffiti is removed using the ‘Grimebuster 200’, a high-powered graffiti-removal
machine, which was bought jointly by
Sevenoaks District Council in partnership
with Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge
Wells Borough Councils.

Cleaning the graffiti is just one part of the
work to reduce the problem.
The Sevenoaks
District Community Safety Partnership
maintains a database of local graffiti tags, and
has recently registered with a national graffiti
database to enable images of tags and other
related information to be shared and offenders identified and prosecuted.

The Community Safety Partnership has
officially launched its new three year strategy
to control graffiti.

COUNCIL ATTACK GRAFFITI
Libarary Picture by Kent Photonews-Sidcup
Resident sought to keep
council standards high
Sevenoaks District Council is looking to appoint
an independent member of the public to its
Standards Committee to help ensure its
councillors work to the high ethical standards
expected of them by the public.

The Standards Committee aims to promote and
maintain high standards of conduct of elected and
other District Council members as well as town
and parish councillors.
It consists of six District
Councillors, three Parish Councillors and four
independent representatives.

The successful person would be expected to
attend three meetings a year, in addition to
monthly hearings, at the Council’s Sevenoaks
offices.
Travel expenses are paid.
Meetings take
place during the week beginning at 7pm, whilst
hearings will take place during normal office
hours.

Ideally applicants should be interested in public
sector issues and be able to reflect the views and
expectations of local people regarding the
behaviour of Councillors.

Anyone who has been a councillor or worked for
a council for the last five years or who is a close
Continued on back page
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
• Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting
FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Free Summer Check*
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Cutting
the cost of
Summer repairs
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
  [Moins]

Dartford Council supports Normandy Veterans Dartford Borough Council is to provide financial support to local veterans wishing to revisit the site of the D-day landings in 2009. The borough has several veterans...   [Plus]

Dartford Council supports
Normandy Veterans
Dartford Borough Council is to provide financial
support to local veterans wishing to revisit the site
of the D-day landings in 2009.

The borough has several veterans from the
Normandy landings and the grant will support a
return to the north France coast to commemorate
the 65th anniversary of the landings
The decision to offer support, through the Kent
branch of the Normandy Veterans Association,
follows the withdrawal of financial support by the
government for overseas visits after the 60th
anniversary in 2004.
Jeremy Kite, Leader of
Dartford Borough Council, says we should all
remember the sacrifices of past wars and
commemorate those who fought for our
freedoms.

“We’ve stepped in to support our veterans because
we find it completely unacceptable that
remembrance should have what seems to be a
‘best before date’.
The Normandy Veterans
Association does a marvellous job for our old
heroes and this is a small way in which we can
repay them.
”
Fatal collisionThe police are investigating a fatal collision on the
A20 London bound carriageway on Friday 7th
November 2008.

It happened near the McDonalds takeaway
restaurant on the Swanley by pass around 03.
00.
A
silver BMW was in collision with a green Ford
Escort, which was broken down and stationary at
the time.

Due to a previous collision in which a blue
Peugeot collided with the central reservation part
of the slip road was coned off.
The LAS attended
and took the 22 year old driver of the Escort to
Queen Mary’s hospital but he later died.

He has since been identified as Siddharta
Gauchan of Charlton Village.
A post mortem on
Monday 10 November at the Princess Royal
Hospital, Farnborough gave cause of death as
multiple injuries.

The driver and passenger of the BMW suffered
minor injuries and were seen by LAS but not
taken to hospital.

The 20 year old male driver of the BMW was
arrested at the scene and later bailed to return on
29 January ‘09 pending further investigation.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses to the
incident.
The number to ring with any
information is 020 8285 1574.

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26 Movies20 Motoring22 Theatre
DECEMBERwww.
bexleychronicle.
com
December 2008
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
• Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting
FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Gareth Johnson has accused the Government
of betraying the motorist when the new
Dartford Crossing charges came into force on
15th November.

As from that date local residents could apply
for a controversial ‘ discount’ scheme.
As there
is an initial fee for the discount Dart Tag, local
residents will only benefit if they make a large
number of crossings in a year.
It will not help
local residents who use the crossing just a few
times.

Gareth Johnson said: “ It is not a discount
scheme that is needed but the total scrapping
of the Dartford Crossing tolls.

The tolls were due to be scrapped in 2003
when the bridge had been paid for.
Instead,
local residents have had to endure the cost,
congestion and pollution.

Instead of changing the charging structure of
the tolls, the Government should have used
this opportunity to scrap them completely.
The
changes signify the completion of this
Government’s betrayal of the motorist in
Dartford.

Tolls have been scrapped on two bridges by
Gordon Brown’s Constituency as he felt it was
unfair for motorists to pay for the crossing
several times over! Well if it is unfair for
Gordon Brown’s constituents then why is it
OK for Dartford’s residents to still have to pay?
The tolls on the crossing are yet another form
of taxation levied, by this Government, on the
motorist and another example of this
Government making life just that bit harder for
us all.

The crossing is Dartford’s icon, but instead of
it improving our quality of life and opening up
the local area, it places a financial drain on local
businesses and residents, pollutes the
atmosphere and clogs up local roads.
It’s time
that we saw an end to the tolls on the Dartford
crossing”.

• Bexley Council made a half-hearted attempt to get
some relief for residents as did local MP David
Evennett and Derek Conway.
Readers will largely
have been unaware that a consultation process had
been organised and no results were published.
Ed
LABOUR BETRAY
MOTORISTS
DOUBLE GLAZING
REPAIRS
Free estimates • Free advice
New Double Glazed Windows
supplied at trade prices
PHONE FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
0208 302 8858/07932 670329
Misted &
Broken
Sealed
Units
Replaced
Window Hinges • Window Handles
• Window Locks • Door Locks
• Door Handles • Door Hinges
• Letterboxes • Spyholes
Stag Arts
Complex SavedSevenoaks District Council agreed to transfer
the Stag arts complex to Sevenoaks Town
Council as part of a long term lease agreement.

Following careful evaluation of the proposals,
the full Council decided to hand over the Stag
to Sevenoaks Town Council on a 25 year lease.

Initially Sevenoaks District Council will enter
into a short term lease allowing the Stag to open
early in the new year.
The long term lease will be
agreed thereafter.

Sevenoaks Town Council submitted a detailed
proposal and business plan to operate the Stag
that includes setting up an independent charity
to manage the complex based on the successful
model used by East Grinstead Town Council to
run the Chequer Mead Community Arts
Centre.
The current facilities would be retained
and no significant building works would be
necessary, minimising disruption to the arts
community.

The Town Council has said that it is looking at
the possibility of relocating its Tourist
Information Centre within the Stag.

Sevenoaks District Council would pay the
Town Council a grant of £100,000 a year for the
first five years of the lease agreement, £50,000
towards the running of the theatre and £50,000
towards youth outreach provision.

Cllr Elaine Bracken, the Council’s Cabinet
member with responsibility for the arts, says:
“Sevenoaks Town Council has put forward a
detailed proposal and business plan to reopen
the Stag early in 2009, which is great news for
the local arts community and for Sevenoaks.

They have a vision for a vibrant community
facility, but I would stress, if it is to succeed, the
whole community will need to give its backing
and support to the theatre and cinema
programme to ensure it remains viable in the
years to come.
”
Now taking
bookings for
Christmas
and New Year
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1978)
Moonlite
Entertainments
Chart Hits Party Night
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Wednesday 31st December
Dance the night away with attractive Top
Female DJ ‘KERRY’ spinning all
the UK’s favourite Chart Hits
from the 70’s to 2008
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR DINERS
Usual Top
Quality Menu
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
FROM MANAGEMENT & STAFF
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
FROM MANAGEMENT & STAFF
  [Moins]

Chronicle 40p Where Sold T h e Vo i c e o f S w a n l e y Swanley & Dartford Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE 26 Movies20 Motoring16 Sea Cadets JUNEwww. bexleychronicle....   [Plus]

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JUNEwww.
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com
June 2009
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
• Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting
FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Special
Creative
New Menu
(only available on
Wednesday)
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
Young people in the Swanley area look set to
benefit from improved play opportunities after
£80,000 worth of improvements were approved
for a play area.

Cherry Avenue play area will receive the money
following a successful funding bid from
Sevenoaks District Council, who own the play
area.

Of the total funding, £49,860.
80 will come from
Central Government’s ‘Children’s Plan’ with
Sevenoaks District Council providing the
remaining £30,000.

The renovated play area will be developed by the
Council in consultation with children, young
people and local residents.

The Council will also be working with Swanley
Town Council, West Kent Housing Association
and the ROSE (Residents of St.
Mary’s Estate)
resident group on the project which is hoped to
be completed by March 2010.

Cllr Pat Bosley, Sevenoaks District Council
Cabinet Member with responsibility for young
people, says: “Having good play facilities in the
District, where children can have fun and stay
fit, healthy and active is enormously important,
which is why this successful bid is such
wonderful news, not just for the Council but for
young people across the area.
”
In total just over £1.
1 million was awarded to
Kent County Council as part of Central
Government’s Children’s Plan, aimed at
improving the opportunities children and young
people have to access good quality public play
spaces in their local area.

Kent’s district and borough councils were then
invited to apply for a share of this funding to
develop their local play areas.

SWANLEY PLAY
AREA REFURBISHED
English Democrats
English Democrats
London EU
Candidates
1.
Roger Cooper
2.
Graham Dare
3.
Sati Chaggar
4.
Graham Wood
5.
Arvind Tailor
6.
Elaine Cheeseman
7.
David Stevens
8.
Janus Polenceus
South East EU
Candidates
1.
Steve Uncles
2.
David Knight
3.
Mike Tibby
4.
Sean Varnham
5.
Cllr.
Clive Maltby
6.
Laurence Williams
7.
Elizabeth Painter
8.
Gerald Lambourne
9.
John Griffiths
10.
George Herbert
“Putting England
First!” in the
Garden of England
The English Democrats Party is contesting 24
Kent County Council seats – at next month’s
local government elections.

Including six in Dartford, three in Gravesham,
seven in Tonbridge and Malling, seven in
Sevenoaks and two in Thanet
In the Dartford division the party led by Cllr
Mike Tibby is fighting to unseat the two
Conservative and four Labour incumbents.
Cllr
Tibby is a seasoned campaigner and is taking
nothing for granted, despite the growing
realisation of the disadvantages of being English
under a UK govt.

In the Gravesham division, Steve Foreman, is
campaigning to replace the single Conservative
and two Labour party Councillors, along with
Elizabeth Painter and Lisa Foreman.

In the Sevenoaks division, the party South East
Chairman is standing.
Steve Uncles is heading a
team of passionate people, including four
members of the “Snapes” family.
Steve is leading
a team campaigning for all the seats in the
division, of which only one is held by Labour.

Steve is also standing as the Lead Candidate for
the European Elections in the South East.

In Tonbridge and Malling, Laurence Williams
and his team are planning to unseat the
incumbent Liberal Democrat and the
Conservatives.

Laurence is the English Democrats County
Chairman for Kent.

In Thanet, the party has two candidates, Rayce
Knowles and Derrick Bradley-Young
Jalsha Celebrates
25th Anniversary
with Honour,
Spice and Soul
The Mayor of Bexley Councillor Nick O’Hare
and Mayoress Mrs Maria O’Hare were Guests
of Honour at the Jalsha Tandoori Restaurant in
Station Road, Sidcup on Tuesday 5th May,
when the venue celebrated its quarter century.

This was the second visit by their worships,
who were previously VIP Guests in their
capacities as Deputy Mayor and Deputy
Mayoress in September 2007 at one of the
restaurant’s charity evenings.

An enthusiastic dance party ensued, as Shenton
Dixon, a West End show star, performed his
usual amazingly authentic tributes in his
‘Strictly Soul’ Show to legends George
Benson complete with guitar, Louis Armstrong
on trumpet, the funky Stevie Wonder, and
Continued on back page
Laurence Williams
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Our delightful
attractive Top
Female Vocalist
with a great voice
returns to sing
at your table
the UK’s favourite
Chart Hits from the
60’s to 2008
FREE ENTERTAINMENT
FOR DINERS
(Usual Top Quality Menu)
Large Car Park at Rear
Dee Gaynor
Chart Hits
Summer Show
Tuesday 7th July   [Moins]

Chronicle 40p Where SoldT h e Vo i c e o f S w a n l e y Swanley & Dartford Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE 26 Movies20 Motoring16 Competition OCTOBERwww. bexleychronicle. com...   [Plus]

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Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
26 Movies20 Motoring16 Competition
OCTOBERwww.
bexleychronicle.
com
October 2008
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
• Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting
FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Autumn Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Cutting
the cost of
Winter repairs
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
Aldi New look store - see back page
Emma in the pink
Emma Goodrich of
Dartford beat cancer
of the lymph gland
twice.
Treatment
included a stem cell
transplant and a
bone marrow
transplant.
Emma
used her positive
mental attitude to
help her beat cancer, plus she taught spin
classes at Horizones even through her
treatment, defying her consultants, clients and
managers.
Emma was treated and is raising
funds for Darant Valley Hospital’s Cancer
Fighting Fun.

Emma runs a hair salon and also now a wig
shop in Swanley Kent for cancer suffers and
others requiring wigs.
In October 2008
Birchwood Park Golf Centre have a pink
balloon release with Mayor of Dartford and
Wonderbra model Tanya Rowe, plus local
school children.
Other events include George
Michael tribute night and charity auction.
The
month starts with a fitness launch at horizones
health & fitness club; BodyPump 67 launch,
Pink legs warmers circuit and the ultimate
workout with the eleven pink ladies of
Horizones.
The golf will be donateding all
ladies green fees to charity and all our staff will
be in pink, plus all the flags and tee’s will be
pink! BUY YOUR BALLOONS NOW
FROM BIRCHWOOD PARK GOLF
CENTRE, Birchwood Road, Wilmington,
Dartford, Kent, DA2 7HJ: 01322 664 500.

www.
horizones.
net for full details
Lose weight in Swanley?
Residents from the Swanley area who want to take
control of their lifestyle by balancing a healthy diet
with regular exercise can take advantage of a new,
free programme that launches this month.

The ‘Why Weight’ Plan is a 12 week programme,
open to residents of Sevenoaks District, and offers
weekly weigh-ins, advice on food and diet and
practical solutions to losing weight.

Each ‘Why Weight’ session also has an optional 30
minute motivational exercise class for all fitness
levels, and the continuing support and motivation
by ‘Why Weight’ dieticians throughout the 12
week programme will help participants manage
their weight effectively.

The ‘Why Weight’ Plan, which is already running
successfully at Edenbridge Leisure Centre, will
begin in September with a 12 week course at
White Oak Leisure Centre, Swanley.

If you are overweight and would like to sign up to
this free programme just speak to your GP,
practice nurse or any health professional.

Alternatively if you would prefer to contact a ‘Why
Weight’ dietician directly just call 01322 622132.

BENEFIT CHEAT GETS
COMMUNITY PUNISHMENTA New Ash Green woman who
falsely claimed benefits she was not
entitled to was sentenced to 100
hours of unpaid community work
at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court
earlier this week.

Mrs Claire Harvey, 36, of Penenden, New
Ash Green was found guilty of two charges
relating to offences under section 112 of the
Social Security Administration Act 1992 on
Tuesday (19 August).

An investigation, conducted by Sevenoaks
District Council, established that Mrs Harvey
had falsely claimed Housing Benefit and
Council Tax Benefit for a period during 2006
and 2007 by failing to declare to the relevant
benefit authorities that she was in paid work.

As a result of her actions Mrs Harvey
received £1,261.
90 in Housing Benefit and
£107.
81 in Council Tax Benefit which she
knew she was not entitled to.

At court, Mrs Harvey was sentenced to a
community order for a period of 12 months.

During this period, she is required to carry out
100 hours of unpaid community work.
Mrs
Harvey was also ordered to pay legal costs of
£450.

Sevenoaks District Council has taken
appropriate action to secure the repayment of
the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
debt.

• If the public wish to report any instances of
benefit fraud they can do so, in confidence, by
calling the Council’s 24 hour benefit fraud
hotline on 01732 227445.

Be prepared!
Residents are being urged to make sure they know
how to protect themselves in the event of a major
emergency.

Even though major emergencies are rare,
residents armed with knowledge about how to
best deal with an emergency situation are more
likely to fare well compared with those who are
less well informed.

Residents can find out how to prepare for an
emergency by logging onto
www.
sevenoaks.
gov.
uk/emergencyplanning.
The
pages on Sevenoaks District Council’s website
include practical advice for a range of emergency
scenarios, how to find out information during an
emergency and details of the local emergency
responders including councils, utility companies
and emergency services.

Cllr Keith Loney, Sevenoaks District Council’s
Cabinet member with responsibility for
emergency planning, says: “Whilst serious
emergencies are thankfully exceptional events,
there is a mounting body of evidence that suggests
you can markedly improve the protection of
people and property if you know what to do in
such a situation.
It’s easy to find out about what
to do in the event of an emergency and it could
make a difference between life or death.
Either log
onto the Council’s website or call HM
Government Preparing for Emergencies hotline.
”
Further information is available the
Government’s ‘Preparing for Emergencies’
website www.
preparingforemergencies.
gov.
uk or
the flooding pages on the Environment Agency’s
website www.
environment-agency.
gov.
uk/flood.

• The 70% of readers without Internet access can
receive a copy of the booklet ‘Preparing for
Emergencies What you need to know’ which is
available from HM Government by calling 020
7276 1234.

New look store
Special
Creative
New Menu
(only available on
Wednesday)
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
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AUGUSTwww.
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August 2009
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
• Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting
FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
Special
Creative
New Menu
(only available on
Wednesday)
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
Got a story?
The Swanley & Dartford
Chronicle wants it!
Email: newsdesk@bexleychronicle.
com
020 8302 6069
Advertise in our
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uk
Home Office
criticisedDartford Council have acknowledged being
among one of sixteen areas selected for special
action against anti-social behaviour but told the
Home Office they want real action not spin.

Leader Jeremy Kite said “ “We have been
telling government for some time that AntiSocial behaviour is a major problem here and
urging them to take a more robust line.
We
welcome today’s announcement but want to
see the detail.
We have been made promises
like this before only to find that the end result
is nowhere near as tough as the press-release
suggests.
Ministers have a habit of saying they
are tough on crime but then spend fortunes offering useless ‘touchy-feely’ initiatives that
criminals just laugh at.
At first glance, the announcement seems long on ’publicity’ and
short on enforcement but we will keep an
open mind.
Residents want to see action and
Police Officers need proper resources, freedom to get on with their jobs and the knowledge that the courts and authorities are going
to back them up with appropriate sentencing.
”
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Tuesday 1st
September
The Wild Boy Of
Rock And Ballads
– featuring all
Rod’s Top Chart Hits
An authentic, fast-moving,
inter-active show – be sure
to wear your dancing shoes!
FREE ENTERTAINMENT
FOR DINERS
(Usual Top Quality Menu)
Large Car Park at Rear
NEW TO THE JALSHA
PAUL METCALFE THE ROD STEWART
TRIBUTE SHOW
PAUL METCALFE IS
Electricity had still not been restored
to about 1,000 homes in south-east
London and Kent as a power cut
entered its fourth day, EDF Energy
says.

About 94,000 homes were re-connected to the
grid on the morning of August 16th after the
attempted theft of cables led to the problem.

Dartford, Crayford, Erith, Bexleyheath and
Orpington will lost power again for a time when
a new cable is attached.

EDF Energy said "small pockets" which remain
cut saw power restored later as the network
returned to normal.

The company also warned that homes in the
region will experience 20 minute interruptions
over the coming days as the grid stabilises.

Essential purposes only
Since the power cut began last Monday
afternoon, most areas received electricity for
three hours-a-day on rotation from mobile
generators, but as many as 10,000 homes could
not be brought into the loop, the company said.

A statement from EDF Energy said: "There may
be small pockets of people still experiencing
some interruption as we return the network to
normal operation.

"Customers should also check their property s
trip switches.
Temporary generators used by
customers can also be disconnected.
"
People who are being removed from mobile
generators and reconnected to the network may
also be among those who remain cut off from
the grid.

Earlier Bob Lane, EDF Energy s director of
network operations, said: "This was a major
incident that required a complex and difficult
solution.

"We have worked round the clock as quickly as
was safely possible and apologise for the
inconvenience this incident has caused.
"
More than 340 people were involved in the
response to the power cut, while the biggest ever
deployment of mobile generators in London s
history provided temporary supply.

Police are investigating the fire damage to power
cables on a bridge in Dartford.

Mr Lane added: "We will continue to work over
the next few days to return the network fully to
normal operation.

"During this period we would ask people to
continue to use power for essential purposes
only.
"
The company has said it is considering
compensation for affected homes.

But they are only forced to pay out to homes
without power for stretches of 18 hours at a
time.

The company has asked people who are still to
receive power supply to contact it on 0800 783
8866.

MASSIVE POWER CUTS
HIT DARTFORD
In the Zone - five weeks of
free family fun
Five weeks of free fun filled ‘In the Zone’ events
will be taking place at 23 locations across
Sevenoaks District over the school summer holidays.

Children up to the age of 12 can join in the fun
which will include, challenges with the Army
Cadet Force, Pavement Art and Jewellery Making,
Go Karting around an inflatable track and much
more, much more.

These free fun days, organised by Sevenoaks District Council,will run every weekday from now
until Friday 28 August from 11am to 3.
30pm.

Booking is not required.

It is advised that all children are supervised by a
parent or carer as the Youth Zone Team will not be
registering children or monitoring individual attendance.

Children under eight years old must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or carer at all
times.

Parents and carers attending this year’s ‘In the
Zone’ will also be able to have their say on the
Council’s budget for the coming year and housing
and benefit issues.

Cllr Pat Bosley, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for young people’s issues, says: “The ‘In the Zone’ programme
is a great way to get out in the sunshine with your
children.
It is a chance to relax and unwind and
have a really enjoyable day playing games, craft
making and trying out new activities”.

For more information go to the ‘In the Zone 2009’
page at www.
sevenoaks.
gov.
uk/inthezone or call
Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000.

Leaflets, including full details of where the Youth
Zone Team will be visiting, are available from the
District Council Offices and leisure centres, libraries and town and parish councils.

The Youth Zone Team and local press will be taking photos or filming events.
Parents or carers
who do not wish to have their children photographed or filmed should tell a member of staff
on arrival.

Call 0208 309 7529
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Summer Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Heavy Duty
Batteries for all
makes of
vehicle
in stock
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
Free musical
Beat bogus callers at free musical event Trickster being held at the Alexandria Suite,
Swanley council offices on Tuesday 22nd
September at 10-30am.

Sevenoaks Council are offering to pick up
residents over 60.
You must book in advance
though by calling 01732 227000   [Moins]

Local Conservatives have expressed their anger at the decision taken by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts to cut A&E and Maternity Services at Queen Mary’s Hospital and pledged to continue the fight to...   [Plus]

Local Conservatives have
expressed their anger at the
decision taken by the Joint
Committee of Primary Care
Trusts to cut A&E and Maternity
Services at Queen Mary’s
Hospital and pledged to continue
the fight to stop it from
happening.

Bexley Council Leader Teresa O Neill said, “I can
assure all Bexley residents that we will continue
to campaign to fight this dreadful decision.
Details
of our campaign will be released over the coming
weeks and I hope that all our residents will join us
in the fight to overturn the decision.
”
The campaign was welcomed by James Cleverly
who represents Bexley & Bromley on the London
Assembly,
“Boris Johnson and the Conservative Group on
the London Assembly fully support keeping these
services at Queen Mary’s.
”
James Brokenshire MP the Conservative
Parliamentary Candidate for Old Bexley & Sidcup
said “The whole process has been a sham.
The
decision to downgrade and cut services at the
hospital was clearly taken long ago and this process
has been nothing more than a rubber stamping
exercise.
We need to fight to keep high quality
facilities in Sidcup for Bexley residents.
”
David Evennett
Commenting on the announcement by the Joint
Committee of Primary Care Trusts that Option 2
of the A Picture of Health consultation had been
recommended, David Evennett, MP for
Bexleyheath and Crayford, said “This proposal is
the worst possible option for the people of Bexley,
with a reduction in choice and medical provision.

“I believe the decision has been taken for financial
and political reasons and I am very concerned
about the consequences for my constituents.
My
fear now is that Queen Mary’s Hospital will face
terminal decline”.

Deeply disappointed
It will be devastating for local people, if Queen
Mary s Hospital in Sidcup is downgraded to a
borough hospital, and it loses its emergency
services, including A&E, children s and maternity
department, under A Picture of Health proposals.

I have campaigned for Queen Mary s Hospital,
including marching alongside the thousands of
local people who want to retain the important
services it provides, and am committed in my
opposition to closure or downgrading of any
hospital services, unless equivalent or better ones
are already up and running.

I am deeply disappointed by these proposals and
will do everything I can to help the residents of
Bexley in their battle to keep the important
services provided by Queen Mary s.
I have already
stated that I will give evidence if the Government
refers the case to the independent reconfiguration
panel.

As Mayor of London, I believe that a key part of
tackling health inequalities is retaining vital
services that local communities can rely on.
If the
proposals go ahead and Queen Mary s loses these
services, it could set a precedent for the whole of
London, meaning some areas are more poorly
served than others.
This would not be progress
and we must do all we can to ensure it does not
happen.

Boris Johnson
Mayor of London
Derek Conway
Old Bexley & Sidcup MP Derek Conway has
fiercely condemned the consultation process by
the NHS London Board for the future of Queen
Mary’s Hospital.
He said, “There are no surprises
with this pre-ordained outcome.
The NHS
London Board was determined to go down the
route chosen and whatever the response, even if
hundreds of thousands had replied ‘no, not this’,
it would have made no difference.
This was a
sham and pointless consultation from the outset.

A sham public relations exercise on a misguided
plan that will leave pregnant women more at risk,
people with serious injuries and illnesses less
quickly treated”.

He added, “At the end of the process I very much
doubt any money will be saved.
Like all the great
NHS reform schemes we end up with lower
quality access, huge but distant centres of
‘excellence’ and the public in Bexley less well
served than before”.

Mr.
Conway concluded, “The Borough of Bexley
deserves better from Labour Health Ministers and
their appointees who have ridden rough-shod
over the reasonable wishes of the residents of the
area”.

Chronicle 40p
Where
SoldT h e Vo i c e o f T h a m e s m e a d
Thamesmead & Erith
Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
26 Movies19 Motoring18 Weddings
AUGUSTwww.
bexleychronicle.
com
THE FRONT PAGENewsagents and Much More.
.
.
.
.
.

Newspapers Magazines,
Stationery, Confectionary,
Tobacco, Travel Passes,
Photocopy Fax Services
Full Post Office
Service Available
Unit 2 Joyce Dawson Way, Thamesmead Town Centre
Tel/Fax 020 8310 7119
August 2008
NHS & Private Dental Care
Vijay Vithani Dental Practice
12 Joyce Dawson Way Thamesmead Town SE28
Ring for details: 020 8311 9400
LATE NIGHT AND SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS ALSO AVAILABLE
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.
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TEETH WHITENING
Win for
Law CentreThamesmead Law Centre secures a negotiated settlement for a working parent in
dispute with their employer.

Since its move to Erith town centre
Thamesmead Law Centre has opened it’s
doors for 5 days a week and has established two
outreach sessions.

This week they settled a case involving a
large company in respect of a worker who felt
the employer was being unfair in it’s treatment
of them.
The worker was having severe problems with child care and was forced to take unpaid sick leave due to stress.
The Law Centre
negotiated a settlement that paid an undisclosed four figure sum with a good reference.

The worker, who cannot be named said “ I
was very stressed trying to juggle the kids and
work.
My employer was not very family
friendly.
I am very thankful that I contacted
Thamesmead Law Centre.
My adviser was
very approachable and discussed all my options
with me, he then guided me through the
process and helped to release some of my anxiety.
I am grateful to the adviser and Thamesmead Law Centre for all their help”.

Patrick McNamee the worker responsible
for employment cases said “this case was settled by way of a compromise agreement.
It is a
useful tool for ending the relationship between
employer and employee.
We were able to bring
the dispute to a speedy conclusion because of
such an agreement and it avoided any grievance hearing or lengthy employment tribunal
hearing.
”
Their employment sessions at the Law Centre are every Monday 10-12:30 at 4 Cross
Street (next to Starburger).
Information about
their other sessions are listed on the website
www.
tmlc.
org.
uk and by telephone 020 8311
0555.

FIGHT TO SAVE
QUEEN MARY’S
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
Amazing,
brilliant
tributes by
West End
show star
Shenton Dixon
(the UK’s only
authentic
Stevie Wonder
look-alike and
sound-alike)
to George
Benson,
Stevie Wonder
and Barry
White.
Unmissable!
(Est 1978)
Shenton Dixon
Strictly Soul
Show Tuesday
2nd September
Free entertainment for diners
(Usual top quality menu)
  [Moins]

Swanley CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists • Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days. 11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent...   [Plus]

Swanley
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
• Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting
FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
John Gary Edney [57], from East Hill, South
Darenth, Kent was arrested on 23 July 2009 and
charged with conspiracy to supply 1,554 kilos of
cocaine with an estimated street value in the region of 400 million Euros that was seized off the
coast of Dunlough Bay, Cork, Ireland in July
2007.
Alan Roger Wells [55], from Blenheim
Road, Sidcup, Kent was also arrested on 23 July
2009 and charged with conspiracy to supply 1,554
kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value in
the region of 400 million Euros that was seized
off the coast of Dunlough Bay, Cork, Ireland in
July 2007.

NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
Octoberwww.
bexleychronicle.
com
Your Local!
Chronicle 40p
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Wednesday)
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
& Dartford
16 St John Ambulace 20 Motoring 24 Movies
October 2009
Call 0208 309 7529
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
AUTUMN DEALS
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Heavy Duty
Batteries for all
makes of
vehicle
in stock
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
Reports that CCTV nationally
has not helped the police to
catch criminals is not true in the
case of Sevenoaks District
Council where their cameras
have assisted police in nearly 600
arrests since April 2007.

The 96 cameras that monitor Sevenoaks, Swanley, Westerham, Edenbridge and New Ash
Green, have already helped Police make 70 arrests in the period from April to July this year
Additionally Sevenoaks District Council’s
CCTV operators aided police with 272 arrests
last year (1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009), and
238 the year before, meaning that since April
2007 the cameras have assisted in an incredible
580 arrests.

In April this year the CCTV cameras
helped police with 27 arrests, including: Three females were arrested in Edenbridge
for a theft from a chemist after CCTV operators
located the suspects and informed the police.

Five arrests were made after a theft from a jewellers in Sevenoaks.
Two suspicious males made
off in a vehicle and were located by CCTV.

Their details and direction of travel were passed
to police who later stopped and arrested the occupants.

Other CCTV assisted arrests during April included a breach of anti-social behaviour order
conditions, theft of a motor vehicle, drink/driving offences, assaults and for going equipped to
commit crime.

May saw the cameras assist in 13 arrests, including: CCTV operators monitored a female driving a vehicle erratically in
London Road, Sevenoaks and informed police.

The female was stopped at Sevenoaks Rail Station, and became aggressive to police and refused a breath test.
The female was arrested for
driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs and
her passenger was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice.

A youth known to police for theft and anti-social
behaviour was monitored entering an off-licence in Swanley, and was then seen running
out with a bottle of wine.
A Swanley police patrol was informed via the Shopsafe radio system
and the youth was later apprehended and arrested for theft.

The CCTV Control room received information
from police reporting a break-in at a service station in Four Elms.
Vehicles involved were a red
VW Golf and a Ford Transit van.
CCTV operators reviewed recorded footage and observed a
red Golf enter Wellingtonia Way, Edenbridge at
3.
10am.
The police were informed and one male
was arrested.
Stolen items were recovered, and
the vehicle was seized.

Other CCTV assisted arrests during May included drink related offences, criminal damage
and a breach of bail conditions.

In June the cameras helped in 18 arrests, including: CCTV operators observed
Continued on back page
CCTV AIDS IN
600 ARRESTS
Green light
for Bonney
Way
Swanley residents can look forward to improvements to Bonney Way after the Council agreed
to sell the former playground to a landowner
who is planning to transform the site.

Sevenoaks District Council s Cabinet agreed at
its meeting last night (Thursday 24 September
2009) to sell the former playground to Bellway
Homes, who have planning permission to build
a number of new homes on the adjoining former hospital laundry site.

The land at Bonney Way will continue to be
open to the public and will become the responsibility of the developers or their subsequent site
managers.
Bellway Homes has said it is planning
to make significant improvements to the site by
landscaping it as part of their planning consent.

As part of the development of the old hospital
laundry site, Bellway Homes agreed to provide
more than £200,000 in funding for community
improvements including money earmarked
specifically for new play equipment in nearby
Swanley Park, which is owned by Swanley Town
Council.

Local men on drug charges
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Our most popular cabaret artiste returns
on Tuesday 3rd November
West End Show Star
SHENTON DIXON’s
Strictly Soul Show
Amazing, brilliant tributes to
Soul Legends
GEORGE BENSON,
LOUIS ARMSTRONG,
STEVIE WONDER
and BARRY WHITE.

Incredibly Accurate Looks,
Moves, and Vocal Ranges.

A Fantastic Party Night – For All Ages - Unmissable!
(Shenton Dixon is the UK’s only authentic
Stevie Wonder look-alike and sound-alike)
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR DINERS
Usual Top Quality Menu
LARGE CAR PARK AT REAR OF RESTAURANT
MAKE MONEY
THE EASY WAY!   [Moins]

Chronicle 40p Where Sold Sidcup www. bexleychronicle. com W. UDEN & SONS LTD FUNERAL DIRECTORS The Family Business that still offers a personal service. Est 1881 SIDCUP 64 High Street, DA14 6DS...   [Plus]

Chronicle 40p
Where
Sold
Sidcup
www.
bexleychronicle.
com
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
24 Movies
October
October 2009
Gold for Bexley table
tennis star
Joe Stotesbury, one of Bexley’s ‘Sporting Best’,
has taken gold at an international table tennis
tournament in Poland.

Joe skillfully played against a number of higher
ranked and more experienced players to take
gold in the singles and a silver in the team
event at the Polish International Open event
earlier this month.

A member of the Great Britain Paralympic
Table Tennis Squad, Joe is supported by ‘Sporting Best’, a partnership funding scheme between London Borough of Bexley and Coca
Cola Enterprises in Sidcup.

Call 0208 309 7529
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
AUTUMN DEALS
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Heavy Duty
Batteries for all
makes of
vehicle
in stock
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
GEORGE HIGGINS (SIDCUP) LTD.

75-77 and 83 Station Road Sidcup Tel: 020 8300 3161 www.
george-higgins.
co.
uk
SS16V SCROLL SAW
@ £99.
99
RPM75 BENCH TOP
MORTICER @ £149.
95
RPBG6 BENCH GRINDER
@ £49.
99
**RECORD POWER
AUTUMN DEALS**
Continued on back page
St John’s Pharmacy
Are you sixty and on medication? The successful
pharmacy in Sidcup high street is inviting those
on regular prescriptions to join their Over Sixties Club and enjoy discounts of up to 10% on
items sold in the pharmacy.

This practice can also arrange to collect your
prescriptions from your local doctor and have
them made up for you to collect so that you
don’t have to wait.

A visit to St.
John’s Pharmacy is well worth
while and they stock a wide range of items in addition to providing a prescription service.
Special
sweets for diabetics or those who prefer sugarless chocolates or mints.
They are located at 16,
High Street, Sidcup 020 8309 9000.

MAKE MONEY THE EASY WAY!
New fire engine
for Sidcup
Sidcup fire station now has a second fire engine to improve response times to fires and incidents in the area.
The additional vehicle will
mean more firefighters will be based at the station to cover the four-watch system.

The move is part of a programme to further
improve the Brigade’s overall response across
the capital by moving ten fire engines to different stations around London.
But before the
move to Sidcup from Greenwich fire station
could take place, extension works were needed
to accommodate the extra fire engine.

As well as room for an additional fire engine
the extended and refurbished station will have
additional resting and lecture facilities.
New
solar panels and water recycling facilities installed at the station will also help the Brigade
meet its own stringent energy targets.

Bexley Borough Commander Cyril O’Brien
said: “As well as helping to ensure the safety of
our residents in Sidcup and the surrounding
area the extra staff will increase the amount of
community safety work our firefighters can
carry out in the borough to prevent incidents
happening in the first place.
”
Jobs for builders
The empty job centre in Sidcup will become a
mix of residential and commercial units now
the planners have given the go ahead.

The committee reversed its previous decision
and accepted it.
The application was for three
commercial units and 14 flats and extending
from three storeys to four.
Inadequate parking,
refuse and bad stacking of flats i.
e.
living rooms
over bedrooms were all accepted!
BROKEN BUS
CAUSES CHAOSTraffic works in Faraday avenue and a broken
down bus (Wednesday 23rd September) on the
bridge at Foots Cray Lane opposite the cemetery
created one of Sidcup s worst traffic jams in a
decade.
Solid queues of traffic went back as far as
the town centre.

One driver told the Chronicle the bus blocked
the road for more than two hours delaying journeys that would normally take five minutes to
up to half an hour.
Ambulances and police on
emergency calls could not access many roads because of the weight of traffic.

Eltham • Bexley
STATION ROAD CHAOS SEE PAGE 8
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Our most popular cabaret artiste returns
on Tuesday 3rd November
West End Show Star
SHENTON DIXON’s
Strictly Soul Show
Amazing, brilliant tributes to
Soul Legends
GEORGE BENSON,
LOUIS ARMSTRONG,
STEVIE WONDER
and BARRY WHITE.

Incredibly Accurate Looks,
Moves, and Vocal Ranges.

A Fantastic Party Night – For All Ages - Unmissable!
(Shenton Dixon is the UK’s only authentic
Stevie Wonder look-alike and sound-alike)
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR DINERS
Usual Top Quality Menu
LARGE CAR PARK AT REAR OF RESTAURANT   [Moins]

£1. 1 million for new play areas John Austin MP has joined with Teresa Pearce, the Labour Party Parliamentary candidate in Erith & Thamesmead, in welcoming the news that work on new play areas across Bexley...   [Plus]

£1.
1 million for
new play areas
John Austin MP has joined with Teresa Pearce,
the Labour Party Parliamentary candidate in
Erith & Thamesmead, in welcoming the news
that work on new play areas across Bexley will
commence during the next few months.
This
follows the Government’s announcement that
it would supply over £1.
1 million to the London Borough of Bexley to build new play areas
and that £390,000 of this would be spent in the
Erith & Thamesmead constituency.

The funding will help to develop 25 play areas
across Bexley and forms part of the £235 million investment being made by the Labour
Government over the next two years to transform children’s play areas and make sure public spaces are more child friendly.

Bexley was originally due to receive the funding in April 2010.
However, as part of the government’s drive to get the country through the
economic downturn, over £400,000 of funding
NHS & Private Dental Care
Vijay Vithani Dental Practice
12 Joyce Dawson Way Thamesmead Town SE28
Ring for details: 020 8311 9400
GET READY FOR A REAL
SUMMER SMILE.
.
.
ASK US
ABOUT TEETH WHITENING
Erith& Thamesmead
www.
bexleychronicle.
com
Your Local!
Chronicle
40p
Where
Sold
THE FRONT PAGENewsagents and Much More.
.
.
.
.
.

Excellent selection of cards available,
Newspapers, Magazines, Stationery,
Confectionary, Tobacco, Travel Passes,
Photocopy & Fax Services
Full Post Office Services including
Currency, Travel Insurance, Road Tax
and Moneygram
Unit 2 Joyce Dawson Way, Thamesmead Town Centre
Tel/Fax 020 8310 7119
NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
16 St John Ambulace 20 Motoring 24 Movies
October
October 2009
MAKE
MONEY
THE EASY
WAY!
A Government quango has gone
against the wishes of local people in Belvedere and Erith and
given Veolia the greenlight to
expand their landfill site in
Rainham by 3.
6 million tonnes.

Local Councillor David Leaf attended the planning committee meeting of the London Thames
Gateway Development Corporation to outline
local concerns about the predicted 370% increase in odour and other environmental impacts, which will be felt in Erith and Belvedere.

Veolia had claimed that they needed the extra
landfill to recontour the site, but Leaf highlighted Veolia’s failure to consider alternatives to
achieve this without requiring additional landfill.
He also questioned the accuracy of Veolia’s
waste modelling.

The councillor has been campaigning against
the application with Colin Bloom, the Conservative Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Erith and Thamesmead, and Erith
Councillor Bernard Clewes MBE, who said:
“I am bitterly disappointed that permission has
been granted to expand the site and the concerns
of local people have been ignored.
Local residents will be affected by this decision and unless the Secretary of State accepts our request
that this decision is called-in and a public inquiry held, the landfill site will expand.
”
Photo: iStock Picture Library
Continued on back page
RAINHAM LANDFILL
EXTENDED BY 3.
6
MILLION TONNES
Motorcyclist
accident in Erith
Police are appealing for information after a fatal
road traffic collision in Erith.
Police attended Burnett Road, close to the junction with Dayton
Drive, at 19.
00hrs on Friday the 28th August to
reports of a collision between a car and a motorcycle.
Police attended and found the 17 year old
motorcyclist Ian James of Hazel Road, Slade
Green suffering from head injuries.
He was taken
to Darent Valley hospital in Kent but was pronounced dead at 20.
00hrs The collision involved
a black Toyota MR2 coupe and a blue Yamaha motorcycle.
A 17 year old male was arrested at the
scene and was taken to a south London police station.
He has since been bailed till a future
date.
Officers from the Collision Investigation
Unit based at Catford Traffic Garage are investigating the incident.
Anyone who has information
about this collision is asked to call the Collision
Investigation Unit on 0208 285 1574   [Moins]

Crayford NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE www. bexleychronicle. com Your Local! Chronicle 40p Where Sold Special Creative New Menu (only available on Wednesday) TAKE AWAY...   [Plus]

Crayford
NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
www.
bexleychronicle.
com
Your Local!
Chronicle 40p
Where
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Special
Creative
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(only available on
Wednesday)
TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Telephone 020 8298 9233
258 Sherwood Park Avenue Sidcup.
Kent
16 St John Ambulace 20 Motoring 24 Movies
October
October 2009
Open day at
St Paulinus
The church will be open for visitors on ‘St.

Paulinus’Day’, Saturday, the 10th
October
between 10.
00am and 4.
00pm.
Admission free.

All are invited to view the building and enjoy its
architecture, stained glass and memorials, and to
appreciate its history since Norman times.

During the day slideshow history presentations
will be given and there will be opportunities to
climb the tower for a unique view of Crayford.

Visit the tower chamber for demonstrations of
bell-ringing and perhaps ‘have a go.
’
During your visit take advantage of interesting
and informative guided tours of one of the
largest churchyards in Kent where many of your
editors relatives and friends are buried!
Refreshments will be available – light lunches,
teas and coffee will be served in church and
there will be a barbeque in the churchyard.

It is hoped to have organ/string music around
lunchtime.
Stewards will be on duty to answer
any questions.
Do visit the church and enjoy ‘St.

Paulinus Day’
LAUGHING BUDDHA
CHINESE RESTAURANT
BOOK in advance SPECIAL DEALS
#
Call us now on 020 8303 6290 as this deal only lasts to 1st Oct 2009
NEW OPENING
TIMES:
MONDAY - THURSDAY
12.
00 noon - 12.
00am
FRIDAY - SATURDAY
12.
00 noon - 02.
00am
SUNDAY
12.
00 noon - 11.
30pm
198-200 BROADWAY, BEXLEYHEATH, KENT DA6 7BD
Tel: 020 8303 6290 Tel/Fax: 020 8301 5702
TERMS & CONDITIONS: # Customers must leave a non refundable deposit of £5 per person (to be deducted from final bill) # Birthday Gifts will be subject to availablity
Customers must ask for the booking deal discount at the time of making reservation
Book 2
weeks in
advance
and get
10% off
your bill
Book 4
weeks in
advance
and get
15% off
your bill
Celebrate
your Birthdays
with us and
receive a
complimentary
gift#
Call 0208 309 7529
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
AUTUMN DEALS
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Heavy Duty
Batteries for all
makes of
vehicle
in stock
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
Everyone of voting age living in
Crayford gets a chance to say
who they want to represent
them in the Council, but only
once every four years.
How can
you influence what happens in
your town at all other times?
Local people formed The Crayford Community & Business Forum in 2004.
It consists of
30 representatives of the community made up
of the following groups: non-retail, faith
groups, community groups, police, residents
association and, last but not least, local residents.

From these 30 people are elected a management committee, consisting of Chair Person(s),
Treasurer and Secretary.
The main aim of the
Forum is to enable the local community and
businesses to become better involved in decision-making on local issues, which includes the
regeneration of the Town.

The Forum’s Overall Objectives
To insure the highest standards of design for
any renewal or improvement and development
proposals for the town and surrounding area,
in accordance with the Crayford Town Centre
Strategy and Action Plan.

To express the views of all sections of the local
community on matters relating to any government funding of local regeneration initiatives
that may arise in the future.

To liaise with the Council on other issues affecting the local community and businesses.

To work with the Town Centre Manager on
the promotion of Crayford Town Centre.

To encourage investment in projects and participation in community activities that enhance
the quality of life of people living and working
in Crayford.

A VOICE FOR
CRAYFORD
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Our most popular cabaret artiste returns
on Tuesday 3rd November
West End Show Star
SHENTON DIXON’s
Strictly Soul Show
Amazing, brilliant tributes to
Soul Legends
GEORGE BENSON,
LOUIS ARMSTRONG,
STEVIE WONDER
and BARRY WHITE.

Incredibly Accurate Looks,
Moves, and Vocal Ranges.

A Fantastic Party Night – For All Ages - Unmissable!
(Shenton Dixon is the UK’s only authentic
Stevie Wonder look-alike and sound-alike)
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR DINERS
Usual Top Quality Menu
LARGE CAR PARK AT REAR OF RESTAURANT
Warning
about stolen
equipment
The Council has issued a safety warning after
thieves stole specialist asbestos removal equipment from the old changing rooms at Hall Place,
Bexley.

Specialist contractors are removing asbestos
from the building before it is demolished.
The
Council is warning local people not to buy the
stolen equipment if it is offered to them, because
it is contaminated with asbestos.

Thieves stole various items from the site during
the day on Tuesday and on Wednesday and
Thursday nights last week, despite the fact the
site is fenced off and all the equipment locked
away - and in some cases padlocked up overnight.

The stolen items included five specialist vacuum
cleaners and a ‘wash down’ boxed trailer, which
the contractors were using to decontaminate
themselves after working inside the building.

Each of the specialist vacuum cleaners is yellow
and cylindrical with a black top.
They were of
various sizes, but typically about 700mm high
and 400mm in diameter.
They operate from a
110V power supply and need a transformer to
work from mains power.

The ‘wash down’ trailer includes a special air
lock, a wash room/shower and generator.
The
thieves also stole a specialist reciprocating saw.

Anyone who is offered any of the stolen items is
asked to call the Metropolitan Police on 0300
123 1212, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800
555 111, or use the secure form on the
Crimestoppers’ website at www.
crimestoppersuk.
org
The old changing rooms have been replaced by
the new Hall Place pavilion, which opened in
April 2009.

200 readers will buy/sell a house this month
300 readers will buy a new bed this month
400 will buy a car
200 will buy new furniture
It pays to advertise - 01332 874731   [Moins]

Food stores fight for business News that the refurbished Morrison store in Welling is about to open will cause a mild heart flutter among smaller businesses in Welling. Tesco’s new store is taking shape...   [Plus]

Food stores fight
for business
News that the refurbished Morrison store in
Welling is about to open will cause a mild
heart flutter among smaller businesses in
Welling.
Tesco’s new store is taking shape
with its huge underground car park and massive retail area.
No opening date has been
fixed but it is expected to open in time to
catch the Christmas trade.

Another giant owned by the people is the
Co-Operative Group who paid £1.
56 billion
pounds for the Somerfield food stores.

A spokeswoman for the Group told the
Chronicle: “The Co-operative is planning to
revamp and convert the Somerfield store on
Station Road in Sidcup before the end of the
year, following The Co-operative Group’s acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket
chain.

“However a date for the work to begin has
not yet been finalised.

“We do not have a date scheduled for the revamp of the other Somerfield store on High
Street however The Co-operative Group
plans to rebrand all the Somerfield stores
over the next two years.
”
Bexleyheath
www.
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com
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October
October 2009
The Police are appealing for any
information or witnesses to a
robbery in Bexleyheath on Friday afternoon 21 August.

It happened inside the HSBC bank on The
Broadway, around 14:15 hrs.

A security guard entered the bank carrying a
cash box and deposited a bag of money from the
cash box into a security chute.
He left the bank
and returned a few minutes later with another
deposit.

Two men who had been waiting in a service
queue suddenly ran at the security guard; one
knocked him out of the way whilst the other
grabbed the cashbox.

Both men ran out of the bank through the front
door into The Broadway.

The guard, a man aged 57, was taken to hospital
suffering from shock and bruising.
He was later
released.

The suspects are described as a man of Asian appearance possibly in his mid 20s and a young
white man of around 16 years.

The robbery is being investigated by the Flying
Squad, based at Tower Bridge.

DS Darren Pryce said: “The bank is located on
The Broadway, a main shopping area in south
London.
It is also a place where people gather to
sit and chat or meet friends.
I am appealing for
anyone who was in the area on Friday 21 August
between 1400 and 1430 hrs.

“Did you see anyone running out of the HSBC
bank at speed and carrying a cashbox? Did you
see or hear anything suspicious?”
The number to ring with any information is 020
7232 6530 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to
remain anonymous.

BANK ROBBERS IN
BEXLEYHEATH
LAUGHING BUDDHA
CHINESE RESTAURANT
BOOK in advance SPECIAL DEALS
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198-200 BROADWAY, BEXLEYHEATH, KENT DA6 7BD
Tel: 020 8303 6290 Tel/Fax: 020 8301 5702
TERMS & CONDITIONS: # Customers must leave a non refundable deposit of £5 per person (to be deducted from final bill) # Birthday Gifts will be subject to availablity
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Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Our most popular cabaret artiste returns
on Tuesday 3rd November
West End Show Star
SHENTON DIXON’s
Strictly Soul Show
Amazing, brilliant tributes to
Soul Legends
GEORGE BENSON,
LOUIS ARMSTRONG,
STEVIE WONDER
and BARRY WHITE.

Incredibly Accurate Looks,
Moves, and Vocal Ranges.

A Fantastic Party Night – For All Ages - Unmissable!
(Shenton Dixon is the UK’s only authentic
Stevie Wonder look-alike and sound-alike)
Call 0208 309 7529
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
AUTUMN DEALS
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Heavy Duty
Batteries for all
makes of
vehicle
in stock
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR DINERS
Usual Top Quality Menu
LARGE CAR PARK AT REAR OF RESTAURANT
MAKE MONEY
THE EASY WAY!
60th birthday lunch
Bexley Conservative Ladies Luncheon Club celebrated their 60th Birthday (September 24) with a
special lunchl.
One hundred members attended.
The
guest speaker was Theresa Villiers MP Shadow Secretary of State for Transport and among the guests
were David Evennett MP and his wife Marilyn and
Cllr.
Colin Bloom(Bromley) Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Erith and Thamesmead.
Also present was one of the founding club members Winnie
Wolfe who still regularly attends the monthly
lunches.

David Evennett read out a letter to the Club that he
had received from the Rt.
Hon The Baroness
Thatcher.

Colin Bloom, Winnie Wolfe, Theresa Villiers MP, David Evennett MP and Club President Coral
Stirling-Webb   [Moins]

Local people, businesses and other stakeholders are being invited to have their say on the Draft Manor House Conservation and Management Plan. It will inform future decisions affecting the use, restoration,...   [Plus]

Local people, businesses and other
stakeholders are being invited to have
their say on the Draft Manor House
Conservation and Management Plan.

It will inform future decisions affecting the use,
restoration, maintenance and general management
of the prominent historic building, which forms
part of The Green, Sidcup, Conservation Area.

Prepared by the London Borough of Bexley, the
Draft Plan considers potential future uses for the
building, their compatibility with the historic
building and any risk of impacts on areas of significance.
It considers whether there is any potential for accommodating new development within
the site, in a form that is sensitive to and compatible with the historic building and its setting,
which could help to enable the restoration and
conservation of the Manor House.

Cllr Linda Bailey, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for
Regeneration and Housing, told the Chronicle:
“The Conservation and Management Plan will
guide the future use of the Manor House, while
safeguarding the listed structure and respecting its
location close to open spaces and residential areas.

I hope that everyone with an interest in this important feature of historic Sidcup will give their
views during the consultation.
”
“We’ve never been against incineration
of waste” said Cllr.
Gareth Bacon “we
simply didn’t want an incinerator in
our back yard and fought hard against
having one for sixteen years”!
Well now everything has come full circle and
Bexley Council having spent over £1m fighting
the incinerator project have signed a twenty five
year long contract with the owners Cory Environmental Ltd to burn up to 70,000 tonnes of
our waste which starts on the lst January 2011.

Thanks to a massive effort from residents our
rubbish is sorted and paper for example earns
the council up to £50 a ton.
Plastic bottles are
recycled now and glass is as well.

Council officer Mike Frizoni told the Chronicle
Bexley residents had achieved a remarkable
record recycling 50% of their waste well ahead
of the planned targets.

Despite the heavy local opposition from both
residents and politicians from both the Labour
and Conservative parties everyone now seems
to accept with good grace that it is the place for
Bexley to take their waste rather than the landfill site at Rainham.
Transporting up to 70,000
tonnes of waste will mean at least 14,000 extra
vehicle movements a year.
Access by road will
mainly be via the Bronze Age Way to Picardy
Manor Way then to Norman Road and the
marsh site of the incinerator.

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July 2009
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
GEORGE HIGGINS (SIDCUP) LTD.

75-77 and 83 Station Road Sidcup Tel: 020 8300 3161 www.
george-higgins.
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uk
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Location of incinerator
COUNCIL SIGN
INCINERATION CONTRACT
Future of Sidcup Manor House
Continued on back page
Got a story?
The Sidcup & Bexley Chronicle wants it!
Email: newsdesk@bexleychronicle.
com
020 8302 6069
Eighty year old
wins jackpot!
It was a special night at a local bingo club in
Bexleyheath when a lucky local player scooped
over £30,000 on the High 5 jackpot.

The winner, an unnamed 80 year old woman
from Woolwich was playing bingo with her
friend when she won the full house prize of
£6,500 - and was shocked to find she’d also hit
the High 5 jackpot, taking her winnings up to
over £33,000.

Duane Curtis, a spokesman for the club commented on the win: “The lady who won is a regular at a Woolwich club and decided to come to
Bexleyheath with her friend to play bingo in different
surroundings.

This enormous win follows the introduction
to the Bexleyheath club of the cutting edge
new High 5 game which offers a unique
chance for customers to play for a rollover
jackpot.
With better prize money and even
more chances to win, the linked High 5 game
heralds the future of UK bingo.

Bexley miss out of
teaching awards
Not one education professional in Bexley won
anything in this years Teaching Awards.

The nearest to Bexley was Greenwich where
Steve Agnew from Eltham Hill Technology for
Girls won The DCSF Award for Enterprise.
Perhaps next year!
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Tuesday 4th August
Sinatra, Dean Martin,
Nat King Cole, Elvis,
Robbie Williams,
Ricky Martin,
Freddie Mercury
A stylish, witty show
with authentic
Tributes – Hugely
Entertaining and
Danceable
FREE ENTERTAINMENT
FOR DINERS
(Usual Top Quality Menu)
Large Car Park at Rear
PAUL CANTARA
RETURNS WITH HIS
KINGS OF SWING &
LEGENDS SHOW   [Moins]

During June and July the London Borough of Bexley’s Enviro Crime Team prosecuted four people at Bexley Magistrates’ Court for offences relating to dumping household refuse, abandoning a vehicle and failure to...   [Plus]

During June and July the London Borough of
Bexley’s Enviro Crime Team prosecuted four
people at Bexley Magistrates’ Court for offences
relating to dumping household refuse, abandoning a vehicle and failure to pick up after a dog had
fouled.

Kerry Commane, 28, of Erith Road, Bexleyheath, was prosecuted in her absence on 21 July,
for two offences of leaving household refuse in
Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath.
She was fined £300
for each offence and ordered to pay the Council
costs of £125 for each offence totalling £850.

On 7 July, Glen Lawrence, 35, of Reddy Road,
Erith, was fined £100 and ordered to pay the
Council £100 costs after failing to pay a fixed
penalty notice issued after he failed to pick up after
his dog had fouled in the grounds of Hall Place,
Bexley.
He had pleaded guilty by post.

Also on 7 July, Joanne Unwin of Exeter Road,
Welling, was fined £200 and ordered to pay the
Council £200 costs in her absence, after magistrates heard that she had failed to pay a fixed
penalty notice for not picking up after her dog had
fouled in Olyffe Avenue, Welling.

Mrs Patricia Everts of Louise Road, London
E15, was fined £750 and ordered to pay the
Council £200 costs after failing to provide information following abandoning a vehicle.
The case
was heard in her absence on 9 June.

Cllr Gareth Bacon, Cabinet Member for the
Environment said: “The London Borough of
Bexley is proud of its environment and aims to
keep it attractive and pleasant for residents, workers and visitors alike.
We treat enviro crime offences seriously.
The diligent actions of our
officers and the success of these prosecutions not
only reassures local people that we are actively
tackling these matters, but sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate enviro crimes in our
borough.
”
The London Borough of Bexley makes strenuous efforts to make it as easy as possible for people to dispose of waste properly.
This includes the
provision of more than 200 designated dog waste
bins borough wide, the free local collection of unwanted vehicles (vehicle must be registered to a
local resident) as well as large reuse and recycling
centres at Maidstone Road, Foots Cray and
Thames Road, Crayford.
When the services offered are not used and the law flouted, Bexley will
prosecute to protect its environment.

Further information on the free vehicle collection service is available on freephone 0800
7834173.
The Council also offers a paid for Special Bulky Waste collection.
For further details
contact the London Borough of Bexley on 020
8303 7777 or visit the Council’s website at
www.
bexley.
gov.
uk
COUNCILLORS REFUSE
CHARITY IDEAAt the Bexley Borough Pensioners Forum General Meeting examples of Bexley Senior
Management Grades Salaries
and Councillors Allowances
was presented as followsEight bands with 69 officers, with salaries
ranging from £60,888 to £203,391per
annum.

Councillors Allowances - Out of 63
Councillors 35 claimed over the basic of
£9,077.
80 up to £34,000 (Leader) including 11 claiming £20,000+ 2007/2008!
The reaction of some members was gasps
of disbelief, no wonder, when many Pensioners are struggling to pay the high
Council Tax and generally make ends
meet, in many cases on incomes not much
above £10,000 per year, whereas Councillors Allowances are in ADDITION to
their income.

The members at the meeting then authorised the Secretary to write to the Leader
of the Council requesting that the senior
management grades voluntarily freeze
their salaries for 2009/2010 and that all
Councillors waive 50% of their allowances
for 2008/2009 and 2009/2010, the monies
saved approximately(£400,000) to go to
Charities within the Borough.

A reply has been received from the Leader,
I am sure you will not be surprised to hear
that the request has been denied,( Councillor O’Neill claimed £25,977.
23 as
Deputy Leader 2007/2008 does not think
that our suggestion would ALLEVIATE
the situation!
Enviro criminals caught!
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September 2008
L I C E N S E D B Y T H E P U B L I C C A R R I A G E O F F I C E
SIDCUP CARS24 Hour Service for:
AIRPORTS
LONG DISTANCE
LOCAL
SALOON
7/8 SEATER
EXECUTIVE
020 8300 8000 • 020 8300 3300***DRIVERS WANTED***
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
Top tribute and
cover artistes Sarah
Jayne and Andy
Crust
with tributes to
Patsy Cline and
Shania Twain, and
great songs
from Johnny Cash,
Dixie Chicks, John
Denver, The
Mavericks and more.

Bring your Stetsons
and cowboy boots
and join in with the
Line Dancing!
(Est 1978)
Free entertainment for diners
(Usual top quality menu)
Get active
Bored at week-end and nights, well why not
join an organisation which does flying,
adventure training, sports etc.

Air Cadets 1227 (Sidcup) are holding a
recruitment night for 13-16 year olds on the
11th September.

For further details contact the Officer
Commanding Richard Turner on 07778
185457 or e-mail oc1227@btinternet.
com.

www.
kentwing.
org
All empty offices
must pay rates!
Property consultant Peter Simons who owns
Prospect House and Tudor Cottages in Foots
Cray is furious with the government for
changing the law so that all empty offices must
now pay National Non-Domestic rates with
no exceptions.

He has written to Privy Councillor the
Rt.
Hon John Hutton who is the Secretary for
State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform asking him to explain how he is
supposed to finance the payment of rates when
there is at present no demand for small office
space.
Neither can he sell his property because
there is no market for such premises!
He is now questioning whether it is official
government policy to completely destroy small
businesses like his or have they not thought
through the consequences of their actions?
Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Summer Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Cutting
the cost of
Summer repairs
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
Got a story?
The Chronicle wants it!
Email: newsdesk@bexleychronicle.
com
020 8302 6069
Tuesday 7th October
Theme Show
WIN TICKETS
TO LEGOLAND!
  [Moins]

One of Sidcups respected resident associations is The Crescent Association who are up in arms about the way the council have failed to fully consult residents about the proposed reconfiguration of accommodation...   [Plus]

One of Sidcups respected resident
associations is The Crescent Association
who are up in arms about the way the
council have failed to fully consult
residents about the proposed
reconfiguration of accommodation and
day services for older people and adults
with learning disabilities at the Carlton
and Hoblands site.

They wrote to Cllr.
Sharon Massey comparing
her reaction to the recent decisions to change the
way Queen Mary’s hospital will operate in the
future and the consultation process she held in
contempt saying;
“We are truly puzzled as to why you and other
councillors are so shocked and horrified at such
actions when you are fully aware of exactly the
same actions being deployed by Bexley Council,
and sanctioned by Members.
The Council failed
to fully consult neighbours and the local
community and despite your recent claim that it
is the duty of councillors to represent the views
of the public of Bexley , this outcome very clearly
demonstrates the degree of contempt, exclusion
and discrimination shown on this occasion.
A
done deal .

One would have to question whether there are
legal implications concerning the Council s failure
to oversee the consultation exercise to ensure it is
true and meaningful on the basis of all opinions
and alternatives, as opposed to being on the basis
of a pre-judgement of the viability of certain
options.
Given the Council s justification by way
of their perverse definition of what constitutes a
neighbour , there may well be a case to answer.

According to Cllr.
Jackie Evans (Sidcup Ward)
Vice Chair Health & Adult Social Care, members
of the committee did not consider it appropriate
to call-in the decision and suspend its
progression!
A Briefing and Information Meeting organised
by the residents assocation was held at The
Carlton Centre, Carlton Road, Sidcup to provide
an update on the proposed changes.
The Chair of
the Crescent Association is Linda Waterman.
No
councillors turned up, and it was very evident
from the large turnout of local residents that
MCCH s previous formal consultation exercise
with the local community was virtually nonexistent.
No-one seemed to know anything about
the proposals prior to the meeting on 11th, and
the general consensus was that people are not
happy with what is being proposed, but are being
told tough, too late, you ll have your say at the
planning application stage.

I guess if our Listening Council don t ask, they
don t have to listen!
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October 2008
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Autumn Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Cutting
the cost of
Winter repairs
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
ST JOHN’S REACHES TARGETBy the time you read this article St John the
Evangelist Church, Sidcup, will have
embarked on the installation of a new lighting
system.

The mammoth fund raising for this project
has been very successful with the total of
£72,000.
00 having been all but reached.
It is
continuing, however, to cover any unforeseen
costs which may occur when the works are in
progress.
The great achievement of this is due,
not only to the generosity of the congregation,
but also to folk in and out of the area, many of
whom have had association with St.
John’s at
some time in their lives.

On a lovely sunny afternoon, 24th August,
Heather and Hugh lbbot opened their
beautiful garden.
There was a tombola stall, a
bring-and-buy table, delicious teas, cakes and
a raffle.
The proceeds were added to the
lighting fund.

At the end of September, a “Harvest Lunch”
will be held in the Church Hall.
“A
Quiz Evening” is scheduled for Saturday, lst
November, while on Saturday 7th
March, 2009, a “Celebration Concert” will
be performed in the church when the new
lights will be fully demonstrated.
Plans are well
under way for this very special event.

It is an exciting time! The lighting will
enhance the wonderful building for services,
when illumination can be selected as required,
while at the same time reduce the power used.

It will also provide a variety of options when
the church is employed for other events.
It is to
be hoped that many groups in the community
will now be encouraged to apply to stage their
presentations in this building, which seats
about six hundred people.

Should you require further details about any
of the events mentioned in this article, please
contact, The Church Administrator on 020
8309 0866
Our listening Council!
Drain covers stolen
Bexley council have painted drain covers to help
combat the increasing number of drain cover
thefts.

Apart from losing the metal covers there is
always a high risk of people slipping down flood
covered areas!
It has been reported that as many as almost
ninety covers have been stolen.
Churches and
schools are reporting metal losses and offices.

Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
Paul Cantara returns
with his KINGS OF
SWING & LEGENDS
SHOW
Tuesday 4th
November
Sinatra, Dean Martin,
Nat King Cole, Elvis,
Robbie Williams,
Ricky Martin, Freddie
Mercury
A stylish, witty show
with authentic
Tributes – Hugely
Entertaining and
Danceable
(Est 1978)
Free entertainment for diners
(Usual top quality menu)
Tuesday 4th
November
Jimmy Mizen minibus
We are pleased to report that the fund to raise
money to buy a minibus in the memory of
Jimmy Mizen has been successful.
It will be
used by the scout group operating from Our
Lady & Lourdes church.

Barry Mizen, Jimmys father said how grateful he
was to the people of Sidcup who have supported
the appeal so well.

Judicial Review Appeal
reaches £2,000
Campaigners for Independents to Save Queen
Mary’s Hospital are delighted with the
continuing response to their appeal to raise
£75,000 to fight the planned closures of Queen
Mary’s accident and emergency and other vital
services by means of a judicial review in the
High Court.

Party leader, Chiselhurst based John HemmingClark said that after just one month £2,000 has
already been raised, together with many letters
of support.

He said, “We are continuing to get a great
response to this appeal from people who live or
work in the area.

The most heart-warming letter to have been
received so far has come from a gentleman who
donated £40 from his war disablement pension
and who wrote, “We hope you obtain the
amount you require to take this matter, which is
so important to so many of us, to court.
” How
can you not be moved by such comments from
those who most need Queen Mary’s services?
We do have a long way still to go and I would
urge everyone to donate as much as they can to
ensure that this outrageous and preordained
decision can go before one of the highest courts
in the land.
”
Donations can be made online at
www.
faect.
org.
uk.
Cheques payable to ITS
QMH can be sent to Independents to Save
Queen Mary’s Hospital, 1a Holbrook Lane,
Chislehurst, BR7 6PE.

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SIDCUP CARS24 Hour Service for:
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  [Moins]

Chronicle 40p Where Sold Sidcup & Bexley T h e Vo i c e o f S i d c u p Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE 26 Movies20 Motoring22 Theatre DECEMBERwww. bexleychronicle. com December...   [Plus]

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T h e Vo i c e o f S i d c u p
Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
26 Movies20 Motoring22 Theatre
DECEMBERwww.
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December 2008
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
DOUBLE GLAZING
REPAIRS
Free estimates • Free advice
New Double Glazed Windows
supplied at trade prices
PHONE FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
0208 302 8858/07932 670329
Misted &
Broken
Sealed
Units
Replaced
Window Hinges • Window Handles
• Window Locks • Door Locks
• Door Handles • Door Hinges
• Letterboxes • Spyholes
Rizon, the Bahrain-based executive
jet company is bringing its unique
product offering to Europe.
It has
selected London Biggin Hill Airport,
UK as its operating base and parent
company Rizon Group Holdings has
secured an 80 year lease on land at the
airport where it is in the process of
constructing a new $20 million dollar,
13,000 sq m hangar and ramp area.

The build is advancing according to
schedule according to Rizon Group
Holdings CEO, William (Will) Curtis.

The Bahrain-based executive jet company is
positioning for some dramatic expansion over
the next 18 months.
A second Hawker 900XP
will join its existing fleet mid 2009.
Three
Bombardier Challenger 605’s are due to enter
service imminently, the first in December
2008, with the following two due in March
2009 and November 2009, respectively.

Rizon has also entered into a co-operative
deal with undisclosed partners to re-engineer
five CRJ200 airliners to a specification similar
to the Challenger 850.
“These versatile and
spacious aircraft, which are less than 10 years
old, will cost us well under $14 million ready
to enter service by September 2010,” says
Curtis.
“We see a high demand for cost
efficient group travel solutions and these
aircraft will be ideal, both in the GCC and
Europe.
” At least two of the aircraft will be
based at Rizon’s planned new London Biggin
Hill Airport, UK facility.

The converted CRJ’s will be equipped with
16 seats in a traditional mix of arm chair,
conference grouping and divan, with
exceptional baggage capacity and a maximum
range of 3,200nm.
With full seats and baggage
range is expected to be well over 2,200nm.

Fresh overhauls will be conducted on the
engines during overhaul and paint and interior
will be identical on all five aircraft.
A full
modern IFE system is to be included in the
specification, along with an Airshow 4000
system.

“Depreciation is likely to be minimal during
our tenure and we should be able to put these
aircraft, which will be more or less identical to
the Challenger 850, into service at a very
appealing price point,” says Curtis.

Rizon currently runs charter services in the
Middle East, a region which saw a 40% growth
in private aviation last year.
It also runs charter
services to Asia, China, India, Russia, Africa
and Europe.

At the end of December last year, Rizon
ushered in new ownership when the company
was acquired by Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad, a
Qatari national who is chairman of the Barwa
MORE AIRCRAFT
OVER SIDCUP
Continued on back page
Bring the children along to the high street in
Sidcup to meet Father Christmas and his helpers
on the 11th December.
He lands at about 11 am
if Santa Airways is on time.

He will be greeted by a live band playing at
various places long the high street with Christmas
carols being sung by the choir from Merton Court
school.
The French market opposite and
alongside the police station will be open from 9
am until late with a demonstration of exotic Arab
dancing at about 1-30 pm.

The Demelza Trust and Bexley Councils
Neighbourhood Team will be giving away gifts
from the stand in Nisbett Place alongside our
Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Look out for the
Bob Hope promotional squad who will be telling
visitors to the high street about their annual
pantomime and the Green Train which promotes
open green spaces in the borough and London.

On the 13th December readers can enjoy a
fantastic Hungarian Christmas Concert and carols
at St.
John’s church, Church Road, Sidcup.

Exceptional entertainment by the Sidcup
Symphony Orchestra.
Starts at 7-30 pm sharp.

Tickets from 020 8300 3268 then the following
day on the 14th December take the family to the
carol service at 4 pm also in St.
Johns church at
4pm.

Lots to see and do so make sure you visit the
high street on the 11th December.

Sidcup lights up
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1978)
Moonlite
Entertainments
Chart Hits Party Night
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Wednesday 31st December
Dance the night away with attractive Top
Female DJ ‘KERRY’ spinning all
the UK’s favourite Chart Hits
from the 70’s to 2008
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR DINERS
Usual Top
Quality Menu
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
FROM MANAGEMENT & STAFF
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
FROM MANAGEMENT & STAFF
  [Moins]

Elderly residents who used to meet at the popular Pop in Parlour in Hadlow Road, Sidcup are angry that their Pop in Parlour is still boarded up after two years so much so they organised a Petition which has...   [Plus]

Elderly residents who used to meet at the
popular Pop in Parlour in Hadlow Road, Sidcup
are angry that their Pop in Parlour is still
boarded up after two years so much so they
organised a Petition which has been presented
to local charity Age Concern.

They say "it is now two years since we were
relocated through no fault of ours.

Building work was being done and the flats
refurbished and residents have moved in.

Where is the care in the community for the aged
in Sidcup? We need action now to have our
Parlour opened up and made ready for social
meetings again".

Beside the boarded Parlour In Hadlow Road,
Sidcup, Age Concern manage a Day Centre on
behalf of Bexley Council in their main building
which has also recently been refurbished by L &
Q Bexley Homes.

Director David Gannicott told the Chronicle so
far as he was concerned there was no problem
with L&Q and they were just awaiting the goahead from Bexley Councils building inspector
before the place could be reopened.

Now it seems a row has erupted behind the
scenes over changes needed by the Day Centre
who require some alterations made before they
can move their goods from the boarded up
Parlour to enable the members of the Pop in
Parlour to return.

Neither the Council or L&Q Bexley Homes can
agree who is to pay the £8,000 to pay for the
alterations at the Day Centre so the elderly
residents will have to continue using the
temporary accommodation at the top of Sidcup
Hill which they say they are very grateful for but
it is very inconvenient for many members who
no longer go to meetings.

Elderly at Heron Court
At the opposite end of Sidcup in the Longlands
Ward elderly residents say they are still being
hounded by L & Q Bexley Homes to move out
of Heron Court so that the site can be
redeveloped.

Over six months ago the Chronicle asked David
Gannicott at L & Q what the position was
regarding these residents who have slowly been
isolated and are now living on the island site
with up to fourteen perfectly good flats
surrounding them empty! Gannicott told us
that any resident who didn t want to move could
stay and the development would not go ahead!
Sadly the councils housing department seem
unwilling to face up to this successful housing
association and demand that the empty flats be
let.
Likewise, the three part-time conservative
councillors who represent the residents, Ken
McAndrew and Gareth Bacon who live in the
Ward and Michael Slaughter seem to be
unaware of the residents plight!
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June 2009
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
Jalsha Celebrates
25th Anniversary
with Honour,
Spice and Soul
The Mayor of Bexley Councillor Nick O’Hare
and Mayoress Mrs Maria O’Hare were Guests
of Honour at the Jalsha Tandoori Restaurant in
Station Road, Sidcup on Tuesday 5th May,
when the venue celebrated its quarter century.

This was the second visit by their worships,
who were previously VIP Guests in their
capacities as Deputy Mayor and Deputy
Mayoress in September 2007 at one of the
restaurant’s charity evenings.

An enthusiastic dance party ensued, as Shenton
Dixon, a West End show star, performed his
usual amazingly authentic tributes in his
‘Strictly Soul’ Show to legends George
Benson complete with guitar, Louis Armstrong
on trumpet, the funky Stevie Wonder, and
Continued on back page
Call 0208 309 7529
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Summer Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
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The Oval Fete
June 13th
Anybody interested
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please contact
Lessness
Batteries for
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High Quality
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Large ranges of diamond blades, bits and sharpeners
Diamond Drills
WHERE IS THE CARE FOR
ELDERLY IN SIDCUP?
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Our delightful
attractive Top
Female Vocalist
with a great voice
returns to sing
at your table
the UK’s favourite
Chart Hits from the
60’s to 2008
FREE ENTERTAINMENT
FOR DINERS
(Usual Top Quality Menu)
Large Car Park at Rear
Dee Gaynor
Chart Hits
Summer Show
Tuesday 7th July   [Moins]

In an unexpected u-turn, Sainsbury’s has dropped its appeal against a six week suspension of its licence to sell alcohol at 510 Blackfen Road, Sidcup. In January 2008, Bexley’s Licensing Sub Committee heard...   [Plus]

In an unexpected u-turn, Sainsbury’s has dropped
its appeal against a six week suspension of its licence to sell alcohol at 510 Blackfen Road, Sidcup.

In January 2008, Bexley’s Licensing Sub Committee heard how the Sainsbury Local had continually failed test purchases, with staff at the store
selling alcohol to children on four separate occasions.
This was despite staff having had the benefit of Sainsbury’s own in-house training, as well as
advice and guidance from Council and police.
As
a result, the store’s alcohol licence was suspended
for six weeks, with extra conditions imposed to
prevent further under-age sales taking place once
the licence is reinstated.

Despite representatives of Sainsbury’s accepting that there had been problems at the store, the
company decided to appeal the decision to Bexley
Magistrates.
A few days beforehand the store had
a change of heart and withdrew.
This means that
the original decision stands and the store cannot
sell alcohol for six weeks.

Cllr Mike Slaughter, Chairman of the Bexley’s
Licensing Committee, said: “I’m pleased Sainsbury’s has decided not to appeal the decision.

“The Council is well aware that it has a duty to
make proportionate and reasonable decisions.
The
fact that Sainsbury’s has withdrawn its appeal
demonstrates that the original decision was fair
and balanced.
”
Chief Inspector Steve Murrant of Bexley police
said: “It was apparent from the evidence that children were able to buy alcohol at the store and no
retailer, no matter how large, should be exempt
from the consequences of such actions.
However,
in accepting the Council’s decision, Sainsbury’s
have shown their willingness to work with the police and Council and this can only be a positive
step.
”
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26 Movies19 Motoring
24 Theatre
JULYwww.
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com
July 2008
L I C E N S E D B Y T H E P U B L I C C A R R I A G E O F F I C E
SIDCUP CARS24 Hour Service for:
AIRPORTS
LONG DISTANCE
LOCAL
SALOON
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EXECUTIVE
020 8300 8000 • 020 8300 3300***DRIVERS WANTED***
Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Free Summer Check*
on Alternators, Batteries
& Starter Motors
Cutting
the cost of
Summer repairs
Batteries for
every make of car
BRAKE DISCS
AND DISC PADS
AT LOW PRICES
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
The Metropolitan Police
Authority’s responsible for plans to
modernise their buildings have
confirmed that no police stations
with front counters are being
closed without another front
counter service replacing it.
Far
from retreating from communities
they are rolling out patrol bases to
improve their service to the public.

“The fact is that many of our officers and staff
continue to be working from unsuitable and
inadequate buildings that simply do not meet
the needs of policing London in the 21st century
or provide value in the use of resources.
This is
being improved by a rolling programme of work
which is being done with a high level of public
consultation specifically designed to ensure
modernisation is achieved in tandem with
bringing police closer to the public”.

Where patrol bases are in operation they are
welcomed by officers and staff because they
provide what they deserve - accessible modern
working conditions.

Comments about the estates strategy by Peter
Smyth (Met Police Federation) contrast starkly
with the day-to-day feedback from our officers
on the ground who consider the patrol bases to
be a great improvement.
The Daily Telegraph
conducted its own national survey on police
station opening times eighteen months ago and
found that the Met ‘has the highest number and
proportion of stations open around the clock’ in
comparison to other forces.

Sainsburys lose alcohol licence
Bexley white collar
workers to strike!
UNISON, the public sector trade union, has
sent ballot papers to its members on Bexley
Council calling for
strike action over a
2.
45% pay offer.

Heather Wakefield, Unison
spokesperson talking on behalf of
their Bexley members said: “Our
members working
in Bexley are disappointed and
angry.
Four years
of real pay cuts
have left them
choosing between putting food on the table or
heating their homes this winter.

“Costs of all the basics are running high.

Bread is up a massive 44%, petrol 21% and mortgage costs 8%, but for some members working
for Bexley Council this offer means a pitiful
£7.
50 per week.

“By voting for a strike, UNISON members
can send a clear message to the employers that
pay is an issue that will not go away.
The employers must realise that world-class public services cannot be run on empty stomachs!”
A variety of council workers covered by the
pay claim include care home and home care assistants, housing and environmental health officers, refuse collectors, librarians, nursery nurses,
lollipop ladies and school cooks.

Over half of those covered earn just £15,825
or less annually.
Seventy five per cent are
women.

IS SIDCUP POLICE STATION SAFE?
  [Moins]

Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner 169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527 (Est 1984) Our most glamorous and...   [Plus]

Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1984)
Our most glamorous
and sizzling inter-active
tribute show returns on
Tuesday 6th October the award–winning
JULIA MARTIN with a
NEW sensational show –
‘Simply.
.
.
Celine’
an amazingly accurate Tribute to
Celine Dion – the sparkling
costumes and most romantic,
popular songs; plus a
‘Steamy Windows’ Tribute
to Tina Turner featuring her funky
and danceable chart hits.

FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR DINERS
(Usual Top Quality Menu)
Large Car Park at Rear
A grim faced panel met an
equally grim and angry audience of residents from many
parts of Bexley to listen to why
around 80,000 households across
Bexley and Dartford were initially left without power on
Monday 21 July as a result of
damage to high voltage electrical supply cables when thieves
broke in to one of the EDF locations in Dartford.

The Chronicle listened to some harrowing stories from mothers with babies totally reliant on
electricity who had nowhere to heat milk or
food, elderly people in lifts and isolated in high
rise buildings.
Disabled people who couldn’t
charge batteries.
Loss of tropical fish in cold unaerated aquariums.
People stumbling in dark
stairways etc.

The police absented themselves from the panel
so one couldn’t find out what level crime had
climbed to during the blackout.

The French owned EDF spokespersons said
they would only pay a £50 goodwill payment to
those who applied for it, which brought angry
cries from the audience.
One person said he
would like to see everyone club together and
take a Class action against EDF.

EDF claimed that as the breakdown was not
their fault they didn’t have to pay compensation!
Ofgem refused to comment.
A spokesman said
they had to take care of 140,000 kilometres of
cable and it was impossible to have security at
every site! The Chronicle believes most of this
would be underground.

Nobody in the audience or on the panel asked
EDF about Health & Safety compliance nor
whether this important installation and others
like it were included on regular police patrols
or whether they engaged private security firms
to monitor them.
There was no CCTV on site.

Clearly the doors and padlocks were not of sufficient quality to keep intruders out so did EDF
fail in their duty of care to protect the public?
The Bexley Council leader Teresa O’Neill, said
she was proud of the work her councillors and
officers and the Red Cross had done through
the emergency.
Residents in Slade Green asked
why they hadn’t received any leaflets explaining
what had happened or been given advice, nor
had loud hailers been used to keep them informed! The Council web site offered no help!
EDF admitted they did nothing for nine hours
after the power failure and were slow to react
supplying generators.
One engineer in Slade
Green, it is claimed, took three hours to connect one generator to a sub-station because he
Continued on back page
Swanley
CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists
• Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting
FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days.
11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent
All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring
HERO for Swanley
Swanley has a new HERO in the form of
Sevenoaks council officer Mike Williams who
will be helping local residents get back into
work, assisting with housing problems and offering advice to overcome the recession.

Mike is the Council’s new Housing Energy Retraining Options officer or HERO for short.

The new HERO project, which began on 17
August, aims to help residents who are out of
work and facing problems such as potential
homelessness and debt.
The project is unique in
that it will look at an individual’s whole situation and offer tailored advice on housing, finance, retraining, applying for work and child
care to help them improve their situation.

Advice will also cover ways to maximise income,
including benefits, and the availability of grants
which could be used to help to start a new business or even improve home energy efficiency
and saving money.

Mike Williams will be available to meet with residents face-to-face at advice surgeries in Swanley,
.
To arrange a meeting call Mike on 01732
227386 or e-mail hero@sevenoaks.
gov.
uk.

Cllr Carol Clark, the Council’s Cabinet member
for Balanced Communities, says: “The HERO
Project provides a new and innovative way of
providing advice that considers the needs of the
whole person and empowers them to make their
own informed choices about their future.
This
important project promotes people’s progress to
independence by identifying real opportunities
to enable them to transform their lives.
”
Mike Williams, the Council’s HERO officer,
adds: “I’m looking forward to getting out and
about in the District helping residents affected
by the recession get back on their feet.
To
arrange an informal one to one chat, residents
can call simply call on 01732 227386 or e-mail
hero@sevenoaks.
gov.
uk.
I look forward to hearing from them.
”
NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
Septemberwww.
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TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE
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16 Army Cadet Force 22 Theatre 26 Movies
September 2009
DID EDF FAIL IN
DUTY OF CARE?
Call 0208 309 7529
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Summer Specials*
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John Austin to retireJohn Austin, Labour MP for Erith & Thamesmead, has informed his local constituency Labour Party that he will stand down at the next General Election. The announcement was made at a meeting of...   [Plus]

John Austin
to retireJohn Austin, Labour MP for Erith & Thamesmead, has informed his local constituency Labour
Party that he will stand down at the next General
Election.
The announcement was made at a meeting of the General Council of the Erith &
Thamesmead Constituency Labour Party held at
Abbey Wood Community Centre.

Jokingly, the MP, who has just celebrated his
64th birthday, had asked the meeting ‘Will you still
need me when I’m sixty four’.
The answer from a
stunned Party was “Yes” and tributes were paid by
many members.

John Austin who had been reselected unanimously by the Party’s Wards, sections and affiliated organisations after
the last
G e n e r a l
E l e c t i o n
told his
Party that
his decision
was for
purely personal reasons and
said:
“It is unlikely that
there will be
a General
Election before late
next year or 2010; in either case I will then be over
65, and 70 by the end of the next Parliament.
At
present I feel fit and well and I had thought of delaying a decision until I reach 65, but that would
have been unfair on the Party and risk the possibility of being so close to an election that there
might not be time for a full selection process if I
chose to stand down then.
Erith & Thamesmead
is one of the most challenging constituencies with
one of the highest levels of casework and whilst I
feel fit, active and enthusiastic now, I am not sure
that I will want to be working a 7 day, 70 hour
week when I am 70.

“Of course there will be some regrets but it has
been a great privilege to represent the area and I
am grateful for the good comradeship and support
I have received over the past 16 years as MP.
I will
not be slowing down during my remaining period
as MP.
It will be business as usual.

“The Party now has the chance to select a new
candidate who could be in post by the end of the
year and I will work and campaign with him or
her to ensure a Labour victory at the next election.
”
Austin a good public servant
Commenting on the announcement that
Thamesmead MP John Austin is to stand down,
Old Bexley & Sidcup MP Derek Conway said,
“Although John and I are from different political
perspectives, as an individual he has been a very
good MP, a hard-working parliamentarian and it
has been a pleasure to work with him in representing the Borough of Bexley.
”
Mr.
Conway was Vice-Chairman of the InterParliamentary Union during Mr.
Austin’s chairmanship and the two MPs from different parties
became friends.

When Mr.
Conway initiated a debate in the
Commons on the future of Queen Mary’s Hospital Mr.
Austin attended the Chamber and spoke
in support of his colleague and Borough neighbour.

Mr.
Conway added, “I wish John and Sylvia a
long and healthy retirement.
He has been a public servant for a very long time and the residents of
the Borough should be grateful for his tireless endeavours on their behalf.
”
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THE FRONT PAGENewsagents and Much More.
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.
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.

Newspapers Magazines,
Stationery, Confectionary,
Tobacco, Travel Passes,
Photocopy Fax Services
Full Post Office
Service Available
Unit 2 Joyce Dawson Way, Thamesmead Town Centre
Tel/Fax 020 8310 7119
September 2008
NHS & Private Dental Care
Vijay Vithani Dental Practice
12 Joyce Dawson Way Thamesmead Town SE28
Ring for details: 020 8311 9400
LATE NIGHT AND SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS ALSO AVAILABLE
GET READY FOR A REAL
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ASK US
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER ON
TEETH WHITENING
All empty offices
must pay rates!
Property consultant Peter Simons who owns
Prospect House and Tudor Cottages in Foots
Cray is furious with the government for
changing the law so that all empty offices must
now pay National Non-Domestic rates with
no exceptions.

He has written to Privy Councillor the
Rt.
Hon John Hutton who is the Secretary for
State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform asking him to explain how he is
supposed to finance the payment of rates when
there is at present no demand for small office
space.
Neither can he sell his property because
there is no market for such premises!
He is now questioning whether it is official
government policy to completely destroy small
businesses like his or have they not thought
through the consequences of their actions?
BLUE BADGE CHEATSTwo Greenwich residents have
been successfully prosecuted
for Blue Badge Fraud.

In two separate cases, a 31-year old man
from Plumstead and a 44-year-old woman
from Eltham both received fines for illegal use
of a Blue Badge.

Possessing a Blue Badge enables people with
disabilities who travel as drivers or passengers
to park in almost all parking spaces across the
borough for free.

In the first case, the 31-year old man from
Plumstead was seen on two separate occasions
to have displayed a Blue Badge in the windscreen of his vehicle enabling him to park
without charge at Woolwich Arsenal station
whilst he boarded a train to his job in London.

Enquiries by Greenwich Council’s awardwinning Corporate Anti Fraud Team identified
that the man was not the lawful owner of the
Blue Badge and that it actually belonged to a
disabled relative.

As a result, the Blue Badge was seized and
following an interview under caution regarding the offence, the man admitted to not having a disability and therefore having no legal
right to use the badge.
He also accepted that he
was evading parking charges by doing so.

He appeared at Woolwich Magistrates Court
on 4 August 2008 where he pleaded guilty to
both offences and received fines totalling £300
and an order to pay costs of £124.

On the very same day, the 44-year-old
woman from Eltham, Westhorne Avenue, SE9,
was fined a total of £100 and ordered to pay
costs of £100 following a guilty plea to a charge
of falsely displaying a Blue Badge whilst parked
in Bexleyheath.

The woman admitted that the badge belonged to a relative who had not been present
at the time it was displayed and that she herself
had no disability.

Residents have played a big part in helping
to detect fraud and can continue to help, by
contacting the ‘blow the whistle’ hotline on
0800 169 6975 or emailing fraud@greenwich.
gov.
uk.

Mead win friendlies
THAMESMEAD TOWN complete an unbeaten
run of pre-season friendlies.

Goals from Pedro Knight and new signing Nick
Smith ensured a solid win in a competitively
fought friendly against Blue Square South team,
Fisher Athletic.

Individual errors by Slade Green enabled Mead to
win 4-1 at Bayliss Avenue.

The friendly saw Mead lift the inaugural “Chopper Trophy.
” The trophy is in memory of Neil
“Chopper” Harris, who played for both Thamesmead and Slade Green, who sadly passed away
earlier this year.

Both clubs have agreed that the match will be
played each year at alternate grounds.

Mead met Ryman Premier League Margate and
held them to a 1-1 draw, thanks to a second half
goal from new forward, Peter Smith.

For more information, visit www.
thamesmeadtownfc.
co.
uk
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
Top tribute and
cover artistes Sarah
Jayne and Andy
Crust
with tributes to
Patsy Cline and
Shania Twain, and
great songs
from Johnny Cash,
Dixie Chicks, John
Denver, The
Mavericks and more.

Bring your Stetsons
and cowboy boots
and join in with the
Line Dancing!
(Est 1978)
Free entertainment for diners
(Usual top quality menu)
Tuesday 7th October
Theme Show
WIN TICKETS
TO LEGOLAND!
  [Moins]

Sidcup Christmas Lights Bexley Council have done Sidcup town centre proud providing them with brand new lights to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Although they are now in place they will not be switched on...   [Plus]

Sidcup
Christmas
Lights
Bexley Council have done Sidcup town centre
proud providing them with brand new lights to
celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
Although
they are now in place they will not be switched
on until the 21st November and stay on until the
6th January.

The Sidcup Rotary Club are providing their
sleigh and Father Christmas at Nisbett Place
from 11am until 7pm on the llth December and
the popular Merton Court school choir will be
singing carols from approximately 11am until
1pm (weather permitting) which readers are
invited to join in on the day.
Barry Mizen from
Balloons 2U in the High Street is providing
balloons which will be given away free to
children visiting the High Street with their
parents on the 11th December and various shops
will be offering mince pies and sweets and staying
open until 7pm.

The piazza opposite the police station will have
a special day long French market offering many
items you could only buy in France.
The
Brunomart offers excellent value for money so do
go along on the 11th December and join other
Sidcup residents making the best of a pleasant
pre-Christmas market and day of celebration.

Other entertainment is being organised to make
the day really special so make sure you bring the
family to Sidcup High Street on December llth
and November 21st to see the lights switched on
just before it gets dark.

If you fancy having your face painted or buying
that special gift Sidcup High Street will have
something to offer including excellent lunchtime
meals and evening dinners in some long standing
restaurants and bars.

Chronicle 40p
Where
Sold
Sidcup & Bexley
T h e Vo i c e o f S i d c u p
Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
26 Movies20 Motoring22 Theatre
NOVEMBERwww.
bexleychronicle.
com
November 2008
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
SIDCUP
64 High Street, DA14 6DS
020 8300 2002
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill,
Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell
Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned
Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner
169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA
Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527
(Est 1978)
8pm Dinner with Cabaret £30 per head (£15 nonrefundable deposit per head) If you are celebrating
a special event we will be happy to announce it
To book, call 020 8300 2527
L I C E N S E D B Y T H E P U B L I C C A R R I A G E O F F I C E
SIDCUP CARS24 Hour Service for:
AIRPORTS
LONG DISTANCE
LOCAL
SALOON
7/8 SEATER
EXECUTIVE
020 8300 8000 • 020 8300 3300***DRIVERS WANTED***
Thursday 4th
December 2008
Gary Glen
Christmas Show
Thursday 4th December 2008
There are 36,000 Elvis
impersonators world-wide.

England’s Gary Glen is the
most famous with his tribute
to Elvis, The King of Rock ‘n’
Roll.
No videoing please,
cameras welcome.
(DVDs of
this evening or any previous
shows can be purchased
from the video man for £10
inc.
p&p)
Gary Glen, the Management
and Staff wish everyone a
Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year
DOUBLE GLAZING
REPAIRS
Free estimates • Free advice
New Double Glazed Windows
supplied at trade prices
PHONE FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
0208 302 8858/07932 670329
Misted &
Broken
Sealed
Units
Replaced
Window Hinges • Window Handles
• Window Locks • Door Locks
• Door Handles • Door Hinges
• Letterboxes • Spyholes
Book in to any restaurant in
Old Bexley village and I
guarantee you will not finish
your meal without the
background wail of police cars.

Crime is now so bad in Bexley village that
the traders have produced a petition to have
CCTV in the High Street and Bourne Road.

The petition has the backing of local MP
Derek Conway and Old Bexley & Sidcup
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate
Duncan Borrowman who told the Chronicle
“As a daily user of the village I have listened to
many traders complain about the constant
break-ins and vandalism to their businesses.

They have not surprisingly finally decided
‘enough is enough’ and have joined together to
launch a petition for the village to be covered
by CCTV, I fully support them in this.
Small
hard working businesses don’t need to be
spending every morning worrying if
their premises are going to be broken into or
vandalised, nor do they need to be paying rising
insurance premiums in the present financial
climate”.

The Petition is being co-ordinated by
Graham at Pilkington’s jewellers - 01322
521664.

BEXLEY VILLAGE
TRADERS FED UP!
France comes to
Sidcup
The piazza opposite Sidcup police station will be
transformed into a French style boulevard
between 10am - 4pm on Thursday the 11th
December when Brunomart’s French &
Continental market visits the town.

The market offers the diversity and speciality
of traditional French & Continental products,
including an excellent selection of cheeses,
olives, charcuterie, bread and patisserie.
Other
delicious products include Soupe de poisson and
confit de canard and for the sweeter tooth there
are crepes with gorgeous toppings such as Grand
Marnier or chocolate.
Also on sale are
household wares such as French African Crafts,
earthenware, Leather Goods, hand woven
baskets, lovely costume jewellery and much
more.

It should be a great day out so come along and
soak up the convivial Christmas atmosphere and
even practice your French with the friendly
stallholders.

Got a story?
The Bexleyheath,
Welling & Crayford
Chronicle wants it!
Email: newsdesk@bexleychronicle.
com
020 8302 6069
  [Moins]

Greenwich has one of the highest ranking mortality rates in London for asbestos related disease. Between 1981 and 2005 there were a total of 119 asbestos related deaths in Greenwich placing the borough in the top...   [Plus]

Greenwich has one of the highest ranking
mortality rates in London for asbestos related
disease.
Between 1981 and 2005 there were a total
of 119 asbestos related deaths in Greenwich
placing the borough in the top five for asbestos
hotspots in London.
In the same period there
were 104 deaths in Lewisham, ranking it ninth
overall for mortality from asbestos.

To tackle the rising death rate from asbestosrelated diseases, the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) has launched a campaign, Asbestos: The
Hidden Killer, which is running throughout
October and November 2008 to educate today’s
tradesmen about the danger that asbestos presents
to them.

Figures issued by the Health and Safety
Executive have revealed that every week, 20
tradesmen die from asbestos-related diseases, and
this number is set to increase.

Steve Coldrick, Disease Reduction Director at
the HSE explained why a major campaign has
been launched to raise awareness of the real risk
that tradesmen face, “Exposure to asbestos is the
biggest single cause of work-related deaths, with
around 4,000 people a year dying from asbestosrelated disease.
The overall number of deaths is
rising because a large number of workers who
have already been exposed to asbestos dust
around 40 years ago will go on to develop
mesothelioma, a terminal cancer or other asbestos
related diseases.
”
Tom King, 64, is one tradesman who, after
exposure to asbestos through his work as a
carpenter in Greenwich, contracted
mesothelioma, a form of cancer.
His family were
devastated.
His son, Russell, said: “It’s a family
business that we run, and so my dad’s such a big,
central part of our lives and his illness has affected
the family massively.
”
Even today asbestos presents a real and relevant
risk to plumbers, joiners, electricians and many
other maintenance workers.
Asbestos may be
present in any building constructed or refurbished
before the year 2000, and it is estimated that
around 500,000 non-domestic buildings could
contain asbestos.
These buildings all need repair
and maintenance work from time to time and
when the asbestos fibres are disturbed e.
g.
by
drilling or cutting, they are likely to be inhaled as
a deadly dust.

1,000 (25%) of the 4,000 now dying each year
are tradesmen and while the number of deaths in
traditional industries has plateaued, deaths in
trades continue to rise.

Jill Morrell, Head of Public Affairs at the British
Lung Foundation said, “Sadly, for many who have
been exposed to asbestos dust it’s too late asbestos-related diseases have a long latency and
therefore creating awareness for the future is very
important.
”
Chronicle
Blackfen & Eltham
December 2008 T h e Vo i c e o f B l a c k f e n & E l t h a m
40p
Where
Sold
Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE
DECEMBERwww.
bexleychronicle.
com 26 Movies20 Motoring22 Theatre
W.
UDEN & SONS LTD
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
The Family Business that still offers
a personal service.
Est 1881
ELTHAM
51-53 Passey Place, SE9 5DA
020 8850 2868
*24 Hour Service
Branches also at: Petts Wood, Biggin Hill, Dulwich,
Forest Hill, Sidcup, New Cross & Camberwell
Council
stunned by
bridge decision
Greenwich Council has reacted with shock to
the news that the Mayor of London has
scrapped the proposed Thames Gateway
Bridge.

Cllr Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich
Council, said: “The cancellation of the
Thames Gateway Bridge despite the
overwhelming support of Londoners and
London boroughs which would have benefited
from the crossing is a truly shocking position
for a Mayor of London to take.

Of particular regret is that the Mayor has
elected to avoid any discussion about these
schemes with Council leaders directly affected
by his decision.
Letters have gone unanswered
and meetings when arranged are routinely
cancelled without explanation.

Continued on back page
Gareth Johnson has accused the Government of
betraying the motorist when the new Dartford
Crossing charges came into force on 15th
November.

As from that date local residents could apply for
a controversial ‘ discount’ scheme.
As there is an
initial fee for the discount Dart Tag, local
residents will only benefit if they make a large
number of crossings in a year.
It will not help
local residents who use the crossing just a few
times.

Gareth Johnson said: “ It is not a discount
scheme that is needed but the total scrapping of
the Dartford Crossing tolls.

The tolls were due to be scrapped in 2003 when
the bridge had been paid for.
Instead, local
residents have had to endure the cost, congestion
and pollution.

Instead of changing the charging structure of the
tolls, the Government should have used this
opportunity to scrap them completely.
The
changes signify the completion of this
Government’s betrayal of the motorist in
Dartford.

Tolls have been scrapped on two bridges by
Gordon Brown’s Constituency as he felt it was
unfair for motorists to pay for the crossing
several times over! Well if it is unfair for Gordon
Brown’s constituents then why is it OK for
Dartford’s residents to still have to pay?
The tolls on the crossing are yet another form of
taxation levied, by this Government, on the
motorist and another example of this
Government making life just that bit harder for
us all.

The crossing is Dartford’s icon, but instead of it
improving our quality of life and opening up the
local area, it places a financial drain on local
businesses and residents, pollutes the
atmosphere and clogs up local roads.
It’s time
that we saw an end to the tolls on the Dartford
crossing”.

• Bexley Council made a half-hearted attempt to get
some relief for residents as did local MP David Evennett
and Derek Conway.
Readers will largely have been
unaware that a consultation process had been organised
and no results were published.
Ed
LABOUR BETRAY
MOTORISTS
Asbestos death rate high in Greenwich
Call free 0800 163 186
53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER
5 Lessness Ave.
, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH
*Winter Specials*
on Alternators, Batteries
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Heavy Duty
Batteries for all
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58-60 Well Hall Road SE9 6SH
Tel: 020 8850 1357 Fax: 020 8859 6043
Email: info@alans-of-eltham.
co.
uk Web: www.
alans-of-eltham.
co.
uk
Mattresses
New Beds, Divans
New Wardrobes
New Pine
Tables & Chairs
• Second Hand Furniture
• House Clearances
• Removals
• Landlord Furnishing
Gemini Metal Bed
Frame Double
only £109
Oakridge 2 Door
Wardrobe only £280
Oakridge 3+2 Drawer
Chest only £159
Pamela Single Pine Bed
only £79
Sheraton Double Bed
Frame only £249
  [Moins]