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
www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk
 

The Bromley in Bloom prize-winning Japanese and cottage gardens

The Bromley in Bloom prize-winning Japanese and cottage gardens at 9 Norlands Crescent, Chislehurst are open for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 7th June from 1pm to 5pm. £3. Cream tea £2.50. The NGS supports Macmillan and Marie Curie cancer care charities.
 
Seven gardens in the Norlands Community in Chislehurst will be open for St Christopher's Bromley Hospice on Sunday 8 June from 12 noon until 5pm.  Entrance and map £5 at 14 Norlands Crescent. Music, barbecue, tea and cakes, strawberries and Pimms available at different locations as well as plant, book, gift, and toy stalls.

The Norlands Community Open Gardens Spectacular comprises:

• 9 and 11 Norlands Crescent (open garden, plants stall and music)
• 16 Norlands Crescent (open garden and barbeque)
• 20 Norlands Crescent (raffle and home-made produce)
• 21 Norlands Crescent (books sale)
• 40 Norlands Crescent (open garden)
• 66 Norlands Crescent (open garden)
• 14 Paget Gardens (toys sale)
• 16 Paget Gardens (open garden)
• 24 Paget Gardens (open garden)
• 26 Paget Gardens (teas)
• 15 Sheridan Crescent (open garden)
• 8 Cromlix Close (open garden)

Here at Village News we'll be wanting a drink after that lot!

See you there!

http://www.stchristophers.org.uk/fundraising/event/2014/open-gardens-2014-the-norlands-community-open-gardens-spectacular-chislehurst
www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Rush Pond bursts its bank

Just when we thought it was all over, the rain returns for a rerun of the wet weather that we had during the winter. However, with the ground already saturated, the Rush Pond bore hole must be feeling rather overworked.

The formation of River Ashfield as Rush Pond bursts its bank

Today the pond decided enough was enough. With the continued heavy rain, the overflow pipe that feeds the lower Prickend Pond was unable to keep up with the volume of water coming its way and so the water has decided to take a different route – straight over the bank of Rush Pond that borders Ashfield Lane.

Then River Ashfield immediately bursts its bank

When the borehole was installed, those responsible said that it “...enabled a constant level of water to be maintained for the benefit of wildlife and residents alike.”

Well, the ducks obviously aren’t complaining as can be seen from the photo above but I expect that the residents of the house that has now had to be sandbagged would dispute the “constant level of water claim”.

Roll on summer!

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Bromley Council elections: Results as they're declared for Village News area on Twitter

A full report will appear shortly.

In the meantime go to Twitter @BR7BR5BR1News

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Biggin Hill comes to Chislehurst

The retiring vicars of Chislehurst

Retiring Rev Canon Michael Adams

Anyone returning to Chislehurst later this year, after just a four year absence, will not find things as they left it, so far as vicars or rector of the three Anglican churches are concerned.

First, there was a change at St Nicholas. Rev. Simon Burton-Jones went off to become Archdeacon of Rochester. Then Rev. Bill Beer retired as vicar of The Annunciation. Now Rev. Canon Michael Adams, vicar of Christ Church is about to retire.

Simon Burton-Jones only just about got his feet under the desk, or his hands on the church keys, when he was off, but Beer and Adams are different cases altogether. Beer had been at The Annunciation since 1985, Adam has been at Christ Church since 1992.

In announcing his retirement, Adams, whose last Sunday will be on 28th September, said, "The time has come to make way for someone younger to lead the church.We [Adams and his family] will look back with thanksgiving on all that God has done during that time...and our prayer is that he will call the next leader of his choice to take the church into the next generation. There are exciting times ahead for Christ Church!"

Presumably not because Adams is retiring.

Here at Village News we wish him and his wife well in his retirement. We visited Christ Church last year when there was an open day to celebrate the refurbishment of the main church building which included pulling out the pews and putting in some comfy chairs. It was all very welcoming.

The question is therefore, not who's going to be the next vicar, but which is going to be the next church to dump its pews, St Nicholas or The Annunciation?

Which do you think? Leave your comments below.

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Bear Grylls visits Village News Scouts

Chief Scout and international adventurer Bear Grylls took to the air last weekend when, as part of his tour across the South East and London, he met up with and inspired hundreds of Scouts. This was the final leg of Bear’s tour of the UK, completed during his time as Chief Scout as part of his mission to inspire more adults to volunteer for Scouting. Bear visited eleven separate events in the South East and London over the course of the weekend, illustrating the diversity and variety involved in Scouting, an organisation offering over 200 activities to young people and adult volunteers.

Bear visited Frylands Wood Scout Activity Centre where he met Scouts from Bromley District, including Chislehurst, Petts Wood and Bickley, who were taking part in a "I'm a Scout, get me out of here!" themed weekend adventure camp competition. He joined in on activities which included making frameworks to light fires on to then carry around on an assault course. He gave the scouts the opportunities to ask him questions and used the time to say thank you to all existing adult volunteers who help deliver adventure and the benefits of Scouting to communities throughout the South East of England and London.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls and Steve Backshall with Scouts from Bromley District

He encouraged one team of frameworkers that the best way to get good, wet mud was to urinate on it! This team went on to win the "I'm the Scout..." competition, no doubt as a result of Bear's words of encouragement.

This series of events is part of Bear’s mission to encourage more adults to volunteer for Scouting as there are nearly 700 young people on the waiting list in South East London and over 40,000 across the UK. Shame on us all. There are not enough adult volunteers to accommodate the current demand of young people wanting to join Scouting, which is the largest co-educational youth movement in the country. Recent figures have shown that UK membership of The Scout Association has reached the 550,000 mark.

From breaking down barriers between generations to preparing young people for employment, Scouting makes a real difference to young people up and down the country. Membership of the movement is an opportunity that The Scout Association wants to extend to as many people as possible.

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, said: “I was super excited to visit the Scouts in South East London. I met a lot of inspiring young people who play a positive part in the adventure that Scouting provides. One of my main objectives for the weekend was to encourage more adults to volunteer with the Scouts to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to join in the adventure that Scouting offers to all its participants. I’m so proud to be Chief Scout and it’s always humbling to see at first hand the adventures that our members are taking part in and their enthusiasm in making a difference.”

Bear was accompanied for the London leg of the adventure on Sunday by Steve Backshall, the BAFTA-winning British naturalist, writer and television presenter, best known for BBC TV’s Deadly 60 programme. He said: “The Scouting movement was a massive part of my childhood. My dad was a leader in my Troop we used to have camps in the woods around my home, and their ethos is deeply ingrained in me. Spending a weekend with the Chief Scout, and thousands of scouts from across London was a great adventure!”

Sandhya Dom, 13, a Scout from 14th Bromley, who was selected to meet Bear Grylls and Steve Backshall from the helicopter that delivered Bear and Steve to the campsite commented: “This weekend has been the most memorable thing I have ever done, meeting Bear Grylls and Steve Backshall has been a once in a life time experience. Scouting’s all about adventure, so there’s nothing better than having someone like Bear join in. I love being a Scout – it’s built up my confidence, helped me make loads of new friends and allowed me to try so many brilliant things I would have otherwise never been able to do.”

Jack Biddle, 20, a Scout leader from Bromley said, "The Scouts were so excited by Bear's surprise visit, it’s something I’m sure they’ll never forget! Scouting has done so much in my life so far, and the flexible volunteering makes it incredibly easy to join in the fun, I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking to give something back to their community, learn some life skills, or just have a good time, come along, and Join the Adventure! 

Before departing Bear and Steve allowed the scouts to ask them questions. Sandhya - one of the Scouts in the winning team - managed to ask Bear “What’s the most adventureous thing you’ve ever done?” His response was “ The jungle and swamps are hard...that's the stuff to watch out for.” Alasdair, another winning team member asked Bear, "If you could go back in time, what would you change?" Bear said, Quite a lot! But then advised scouts that whatever they did they should always have a back-up plan.

www.glsescouts.org.uk

www.scouts.org.uk

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Anyone for Tennis?!

Chislehurst Open Air Cinema returns in July

Come follow the yellow brick road…..

Chislehurst's Open Air Cinema returns this year with a screening of The Wizard of Oz, an all-time classic that has delighted audiences of all ages for over 75 years. 

Organisers are going all out to capture the magic of this iconic film with a fully-themed family event on Saturday 12th July, sponsored by JdM Estate Agents and The Chislehurst Society. 

Those who haven't seen the film will be captivated by the fantastical plot, the bizarre characters and catchy songs. The old hands will know most of the words and will be revelling in the nostalgia of it all. To add to the fun, the screening will be a remastered sing-a-long version of the film. Dressing up is non-essential but actively encouraged, even if it's just a token pair of red shoes! 

Wizard of Oz-themed crafts and activities will be on offer for your little Munchkins whilst the adults soak up the community spirit and enjoy live jazz music and fantasy-themed refreshments. There will be food and drink on sale, including a BBQ by Higgs Butchers.

Chislehurst's answer to Emerald City can be found just over the rainbow, on the area of the Common next to St Nicholas school on School Road (BR7 5PQ). If you get lost, you can follow the distinctively coloured road. Doors open at 7.30pm with the film starting at 8.45pm.

Tickets are slightly cheaper if you purchase them in advance online from Chislehurst, Petts Wood and Bickley VillageNews’ Shop here or by ringing 020 8468 7945. All major credit and debit cards accepted. They can also be purchased from JdM, 41 High Street or from Higgs Butchers, 17 Royal Parade. Prices: £10 for adults, £5 for children (aged 4-17).  Tickets will also be available on the day, £12.50 adults, £7.50 children.

Don't miss this singalong extravaganza which will go ahead whatever the weather. Remember to wrap up warm and bring something to sit on.

This is an event hosted by the community for the community which means ticket refunds will not be available if you get frightened by the witch. All profits will go to the Trustees of Chislehurst Commons, the charity that maintains and protects our precious green (emerald) spaces. 

For further information contact Donna Bompas on 020 8467 4745.

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk

Katy Haig gets her Medal!

BEN RICHARDSON PRESENTS KATY'S AWARD

Last November, here at Village News, we suggested that local resident and 14^th Bromley scout super hero, Katie Haig, deserved a medal for her quick thinking and actions in saving a bus driver’s life. We’ve had more visits to this news item than any other bar one - and the most comments - for good reason.

Village News is obviously read in some fairly influential places as word has filtered through to scouting’s High Command, or whatever it’s called, because last Sunday at Bromley Scout District’s annual St George’s Day parade at Bromley High School, Blackbrook Lane, Bickley, Katy received an award in the form of a medal, a badge (well, this is scouting after all!) and a certificate. The award was the Chief Scout’s [Bear Grylls] Commendation for Meritorious Conduct and was presented to her by Ben Richardson, the local County Commissioner in scouting.

The certificate reads, “In recognition of her quick thinking when the driver of the bus she was on pulled over and then collapsed, she put him in the recovery position and called the emergency services whilst offering reassurance until help arrived."

In the accompanying letter Bear Grylls wrote that Katy’s story, “...is an inspiration to so many, and personifies all that is best about Scouting. You are a shining example of bravery and courage, and your contribution and devotion to Scouting is such an inspiration to me and many others. You should be rightly proud.”

KATY & HER MEDAL

What do you think? Did Katy deserve her medal? We think so, do you? Leave your comments below.

www.chislehurstvillagenews.co.uk