Chislehurst to get another school

Bullers Wood School for Bigger Boys?

Here at Village News we are so pleased to have only daughters! With two single sex girl's state secondary schools but no boys' in Chislehurst, parents with sons who wish to have a single-sex education have to "compromise" or go further afield.

This is set to change, however.

Bullers Wood School for Girls is shortly to be making an application to set up a new free school - Bullers Wood School for Boys. It is intended that it will be a thriving comprehensive providing an academic education for boys within the Village News area. If the application is successful, Bullers Wood School for Boys will be a 11 to 16 year olds' four-form entry with a shared sixth form with the girls. (The sixth form already admits boys).

It is intended that the school will open in September 2016. This means that any boys who are in year 4 during academic year 2013/14 will be eligible. Anyone interested in registering an interest in securing a place for their child should head to http://www.bullerswood.bromley.sch.uk/?page_id=7308 to complete the survey.

There will be an Information Evening on Thursday, 10th July at 7.30pm at Bullers Wood School, St Nicolas Lane, Chislehurst, BR7 5LJ. There will be no on-site parking.
 
Bullers Wood School for Girls is one of twenty-four groups of teachers, parents and charities to have so far successfully applied for a place on a national Development Programme designed to provide tailored support for groups that want to set up new free schools.

So where's the school going to be? Village News has learnt that it will be sited on part of the large "underused" playing fields at Bullers Wood.
 
Nick Cross, Headteacher, said,

"As part of the application process, we will be consulting with all stakeholders, with our existing parents and carers foremost in our minds. The staff and Governors at Bullers Wood School for Girls are fully committed to ensuring that standards remain as high as ever. There will be significant benefits to our existing students at the Bullers Wood School through collaboration with an outstanding boys' school."

Except, maybe, that we'll be getting fatter kids?

© www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Marks & Spencer arrives in Chislehurst - and not a library in sight. Part II

No, it's not going to be Lidl for the Library, at least not yet.

Village News has been in contact with Marks and Spencer about the slow / no progress on the plans to redevelop Chislehurst Library which include an M & S Simply Food. A spokesman told us,

"M & S is very much intending to have a Simply Food in Chislehurst Library and they are at present going through the planning logistics. They hope to have more news in the autumn."

By which time Percy Pig will be very well established in his latest home in Perry Street.
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Marks & Spencer arrives in Chislehurst - and not a library in sight.

Closed since March, the BP petrol station on Perry Street was not due to open until 16thJuly, but such has been the clamour for Percy Pig that it has reopened one month early - TODAY - and with it Chislehurst's first Marks & Spencer.

Whilst we wait with baited breath to find out what happens to Chislehurst Library, M & S has been quietly planning its own revolution and we now have "M&S Simply Food at BP" with The Cook Menu and Simply Fuller Longer ranges alongside sandwiches, salads, snacks and drinks, everyday essentials and a range of decent wines.

Our 'old' cashiers have returned (with a few new ones) and if you're quick you may get a free hessian shopping bag alongside 10% and 25% discount vouchers for weeks one (this week), two and four. Week three's going to be interesting. Spend £5 and you'll get a free packet of Percy Pigs. The relevant dates for Percy are 2nd - 8th July. Let's see if we can eat M&S out of Percy Pigs! Mind you, given the number of girls from Beaverwood School in there this afternoon, we'd better be quick.

So is it Lidl for the Library now?

What's good: Well - it's M & S; Percy Pig; 3 pizzas for £10; toilets; Wild Bean cafe remains; open 24 hours.
What's not so good: The car wash has disappeared (still, the toilets are more useful).


© www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Chislehurst’s underground war story will be told

The story of ammunition workers who toiled in a subterranean maze of north west Kent tunnels during the First World War will be told, thanks to a grant of £9,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Chislehurst Caves, a 22 mile long series of tunnels carved beneath the chalk downs were pressed into service to store ammunition from Woolwich Arsenal during the 1914-18 war. A new bus route transported workers to the site and a narrow gauge railway was laid to access the deepest part of the caves. The men themselves were exposed to many hazards, apart from the danger of explosions they suffered burns and jaundice caused by the chemicals in the munitions

Although the caves have been open to the public for many years the main emphasis is on the use of the caves during the Second World War as a mass air raid shelter. Using the HLF grant volunteers from the Chislehurst Society will research the First World War history gaining access to files held at the National Archives. They will use their discoveries to create a documentary, some of which will be filmed in First World War sections of the caves that are currently not on the existing visitor itinerary.

Special sections of these unseen tunnels will also highlight a unique series of carvings that munition workers made in the soft chalk to honour the memory of nurse Edith Cavell, who was captured and shot by the Germans in 1915.

Local schools and heritage groups have already expressed interest in learning more about this period in the history of the caves and the project will include a series of special subterranean events including talks and guided tours.

The Chislehurst Society’s Heritage Rep. Joanna Friel said: "Many local residents know of the Caves but have not visited for many years. We are honoured to be able to showcase the role of Chislehurst Caves as part of our commemoration of the First World War and look forward to a fascinating documentary.” 

Sue Bowers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: “This project will raise awareness of the role played by the Caves during the First World War and give people a rare opportunity to view the artistic achievements of the workers who toiled underground.” 

Bob Neill, MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, said: “Projects like this play an important role in our collective memory of the past, and I feel it is incredibly fitting that these local feats of human courage and endeavour be recognised in such a way in this centenary year. It is fantastic that the documentary will open up new areas to those that are currently on display, and I very much look forward to seeing the final results soon.”

Using money raised through the National Lottery, HLF aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, HLF invests in every part of our diverse heritage. It has supported over 36,000 projects with more than £6bn across the UK. HLF has already supported £52m of First World War related projects from across the United Kingdom and will continue to support as many applications as it can afford that want to commemorate the centenary.

  

www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on twitter @heritagelottery #understandingWW1

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

 

Petts Wood Operatic Society presents Stephen Schwartz’s GODSPELL!

Petts Wood Operatic Society presents Stephen Schwartz’s GODSPELL!

17th, 18th and 19th June at Babington House School, Chislehurst at 7:30pm and 21^st June at The Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks at 4pm and 8pm.

For Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Thurs 19th June at Babington House get your tickets by calling the Petts Wood Box Office on 07870 88 77 83 or send a cheque and an S.A.E. to:

46 Westbrooke Crescent, Welling, Kent DA16 1PU

Email: pwosdigital@gmail.com

There is no seat numbering system at Babington House so your ticket will entitle you to sit in any available seat in the auditorium. Doors will open 30 minutes before the performance.

The longest unoccupied Chislehurst high street property competition comes to an end.

FROM THIS...

For too long 45 High Street, Chislehurst otherwise know as Chislehurst Travel, has stood empty. It sadly holds the record for the high street property with the longest unbroken unoccupancy - of around a staggering fourteen years! After Chislehurst Travel closed, firstly interested tenants couldn't get agreement for the lease to be transferred, then the rent was too high. More recently Foxes Brasserie at number 43 next door closed. The owner claimed that he was being squeezed between the efficient chains such as Café Rouge and Zizzis, and the more upmarket Due Amici that had the address to go with it - Royal Parade.

Planning permission was granted allowing an extended A3 (food and drink) use at both 43 and 45 High Street. With that, the combined properties were offered on a 25 year lease at a rental in excess of £90,000. At that sort of figure we at Village News trust that there aren't too many around saying, "we don't want another restaurant," because, clearly, that sort of comment has helped keep the Chislehurst Travel property unoccupied since around the turn of the millennium. At a rent of £250 a day we aren't going to get too many fishmongers back any time soon.

Now, Village News learns, these two properties are going to become the next Côte Restaurant. Already there are fifty Côtes dotted around the country including, slightly nearer to home, Sevenoaks, Blackheath and Bluewater. Naturally, here at Village News, we are very excited by the prospect, having visited all of these three between our team. Hardly a chain - Café Rouge has, after all, over 120 branches - it will hopefully fill that gap that Foxes left when it closed, by offering authentic French cuisine at reasonable prices. At present Côte's two course lunch and early evening menu, at £9.95 for two courses, is very popular with the Village News staff, although we have to pay a £2 supplement for the steak frites. When we asked around our friends over the weekend there was genuine excitment at the news that Côte would be coming our way.

Anyway, we wish them well as they await the outcome of their drinks' licence application. Côte could not give Village News any definites as to when this their latest branch might open other than it being sometime in the autumn, or how many covers the restaurant will hold, but open it hopefully will and with a facade that is a vast improvement on what we see at present.

In the meantime, if you want some Travel, just "GO" across the road.

When we contacted Côte they told us,

"Located on the High Street in the heart of Chislehurst, Côte will serve classic brasserie dining from breakfast through to lunch and dinner, daily. Inspired by new trends in Paris, award-winning Côte is dedicated to serving authentic dishes with a modern twist, using high quality produce at great prices. On the menu, guests will always find brasserie favourites such as steak frites, tuna Niçoise and chargrilled corn-fed Breton chicken and, for dessert, Côte’s crème caramel and crème brûlee are much–loved house specialities. The extensive wine list displays an indepth knowledge and features wines from a variety of producers across France; yet is reasonably priced.

...TO THIS

“Robust French flavours, cheery continental vibes and brilliant value for money”
GOOD FOOD GUIDE
Seasonality and Côte’s commitment to sourcing high-quality ingredients results in a regularly changing specials menu, ensuring there is always something new to delight regular guests. There is also a weekday lunch and early evening menu providing outstanding value at £9.95 for two courses and £11.90 for three courses with dishes such as bread-crumbed calamari sautéed in garlic, lemon, parsley and butter and baked whole Camembert with garlic, rosemary and honey, baguette toasts and green salad; perfect for a quick lunch or relaxed dining.
“Côte is fantastic”
THE SUNDAY TIMES
Côte has quickly built a loyal fan base with regular guests as well as favourable reviews from the press. The restaurant team are passionately led by veterans Harald Samuelsson and Alex Scrimgeour who believe that Côte’s success "reflects our focus on what’s right for the guest – great food, a great time and at a great price.""

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk
www.cote-restaurants.co.uk

The Wizard of Oz comes to Chislehurst

Going to The Orbit? Don't try going in a big group

The Orbit, that funny red chain-linked sculpture that featured in the London Olympics, is now open to the public. "I didn't know you could go up it," was one comment we heard here at Village News.

The fact is that you can, and, with a magnificent view from the top, it is well worth a visit, if only to look down on the London Eye - which even costs more. You can take a lift up and walk down if you like. Unfortunately you cannot walk up it due to, we were told, those two perennial spoil sports - 'ealth 'n' safety - as, "if you have a heart attack on the way up it's very difficult for us to get to you." "It will be just as difficult if I have a heart attack on the way down." "Yes, but you expend more energy going up. There are 455 steps after all." "The Eiffel Tower has 1,665 but you can still walk up it."

We like it so much that we've added it to our "Out & About" section on www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk.

Whilst you're there you can also visit the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with plenty to see and do. Visit their respective websites, www.arcelormittalorbit.com and www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk for more information.

Being an Olympic legacy project there had to be an element of governmental nose-sticking-in to make sure that something doesn't work properly. Because the Olympic legacy involved trying to include the whole of the UK, if you try to book a ticket over the 'phone you end up speaking to someone in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. If you want to book a group ticket, they take your details, contact someone at the Orbit and get them to 'phone you back! We waited two days for a non-existent return 'phone call and were then told that their communications systems hadn't been working well that week. As if we needed telling! In the end "Newcastle" told us that we (24 of us) just needed to turn up, and speak to "xyz." "But how much will it cost us, with the group discount?" "I don't know - they'll tell you at the Orbit when you arrive."

Marks out of 10 for experience: 10 Brilliant. Don't use the onsite facilities though. Cross over the road to moka east cafe at The View Tube on Greenway. The best cafe in E15 (with its own great view.)
Marks out of 10 for booking: Not knowing the price until we arrived, sounds like Arthur Daley territory - surprised they didn't demand "cash only." 0
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