Missed refuse/recycling collections

I spoke with Mr Bosley, Waste Services Manager, today of the concerns in Downe and he convened a meeting this afternoon with the contractor's managers to discuss our issues. 

His response below is positive. He asked me to check that all Downe residents had received the letter notifying of changes in collection schedules. 

You can check here: 

http://www.bromley.gov.uk/info/524/household_waste_and_recycling/961/bin_collection_days

"Dear Ms Knight,

Thank you for your time today to discuss this matter at length on the phone. As you are aware, I have met with the contractor's managers this afternoon to discuss these issues and work toward an action plan, including some changes to the staffing of the recycling collection vehicle in order to improve the sustainable delivery of services at both your houses and those of your neighbours.

Regarding the omitted collections you mention in your email below, these have been arranged to be collected. I would like offer my assurance that we will strive to improve the collections and please contact me if you have any further comments or queries.

Yours sincerely,
John Bosley
Waste Services Manager

Bromley Council"

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Downe Mailing (189)

Roadworks in Downe Road from 3 August

Roadworks in Downe Road

(which may affect the bus timetable)

There will be roadworks next week on Downe Road, Downe close to the junction with Westerham Road/Leaves Green Road. There will be two-way lights in place from Monday 3 August 2015 to Wednesday 5 August 2015.

The lights will be manually controlled during the morning and evening peak hours to keep traffic flowing and hopefully minimise delays.

Source:

Ben Howard, Acting Traffic Officer

Transport & Highways | Environmental & Community Services London Borough of Bromley

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Downe Mailing (191)

Airport matters- letters from the voters

Increased operating hours at the airport

In brief:

-Flightpath Watch Survey

(contact us if you didn't receive a copy) 

-Letter or email of concern to Bromley council, from us all

-by key date: 9 September

quiz nights in Downe

Pit your wits- twice a week

Quiz Nights in Downe High Street

Thursdays

The Queen's Head pub

8.30pm-ish

Sundays 

The George and Dragon pub

9pm-ish

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Downe Mailing (188)

Downe High Street: theft from vehicle

From PCSO Dave Dennington:
Darwin Safer Neighbourhoods Team - details of a recently reported theft from vehicle:

​​​​​​​​​"Dear Local Resident
A theft from motor vehicle occurred between 8pm on 22 June and 6am on 23 June 2015 outside 5 High Street, Downe. We recommend that you review your vehicle security arrangements.

Airport concerns: Flightpath Watch update meeting tomorrow

Flightpath Watch 

Update Meeting

Monday 27 July

8 pm

Methodist Church Hall

Queensway

Petts Wood

(opposite Morrisons)

"Please drop us an email if you're able to join us:

info@flightpathwatch.co.uk

NOTE: This is an update meeting, not a repeat of the recent "awareness" meetings, so please do come along, even if you've attended a previous meeting. "

Flightpath Watch 

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Downe Mailing (187)

Waterloo evening - tickets available

Some tickets remaining . . .

Waterloo 200th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday 27 June 2015
7-7.30pm
Downe Village Hall

HS Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group AGM

NHS Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group

Annual General Meeting

Monday 21 September 2015

Bromley Central Library

"Dear Colleague, 

AGM – Date for your diary 

National Health Service (NHS) Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday 21 September from 5pm to 7pm at the Central Library in Bromley.   Everyone is welcome.  

Prior to the formal business of the AGM, we are holding a market place event which will provide information about some of our local services, initiatives and improvements made over the last year.   We would be delighted if you could join us.  Please do encourage your colleagues and partners to also come along and find out about the work that has been going on to improve health and services for people in Bromley.   

More details on the meeting will follow over the next few weeks – but for now please do note it in your diary.

Best wishes.

Trish Watts        

Communications and Engagement Manager

Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group

Internal: 66643

Mobile: 07736 614 927

Direct Line: 01689 866 643

Email: trishwatts@nhs.net

Website: http://www.bromleyccg.nhs.uk 

1st Floor Beckenham Beacon

379 Croydon Road

Beckenham

Kent

BR3 3QL

Follow us on Twitter @NHSBromley_CCG
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Downe Mailing (186)

. . . and from Cudham Mailing

1. Teas in Cudham Church tomorrow, Sunday 26 July

 We will be open between 3 and 5 pm, and look forward to welcoming you with a drink and a piece of home-made cake.

 All donations are put towards keeping our church in good repair

2. Black Labrador puppy for sale

Your last chance to have this beautiful puppy for £500 ono.

He is vet checked, wormed, flea treated, all vaccinations given and microchipped.

Ready for the big outdoors.

Call 0195920572457 for more information

3. National Gardens Scheme

The Blacksmiths Arms, Cudham

Monday 27 July  1 - 5 pm 

Admission by donation

Cream Teas available

Also open 

Thursday 6, Saturday 22 August

To subscribe to Cudham Mailing, contact :

cudhammailing@gmail.com

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Downe Mailing (185)

Around Downe - National Gardens Scheme

Visiting around Downe, tomorrow and coming weekends

A garden of interest in the National Gardens Scheme, in nearby Westerham Heights

Buckhurst Road

Westerham Hill

Kent

TN16 2HR

Teas, cakes, refreshments available.

Proceeds to local hospices. 

Visit the web site for more information: 

http://ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/Garden.aspx?id=31171

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Downe Mailing (184)

Superfast Broadband Update

"Following on from the last briefing on superfast broadband, one of the two companies involved – Gigaclear – have now started posting invitations to residents and businesses to register their interest.   I’m aware though, that not everyone has received a posting (I haven’t for example !!).

However, it is not necessary to receive anything through the post for you to register interest.  Can I therefore urge everyone to carry out this registration on the Gigaclear website.  Just go to:

www.gigaclear.com/registerme

then enter your postcode, then follow the subsequent registration instructions.   Don’t worry that the registration subsequently refers to “Cudham” – the area covered is Downe and Cudham.

Can I just stress this company needs a significant interest from us, in order for them to move to the next stage, so it is in all our interests to get as many registrations completed as we can.  Please urge your friends and neighbours to register -  even if they are unsure – this is not a commitment at this stage.   This is a great chance to get better broadband in our area and it seems when you take into account you may no longer need a BT phone line and thus no BT monthly line rental and no slow BT broadband (or other supplier) monthly cost, its looks like it might save everyone money.   Additionally, the London School of Economics say that fast internet availability can have a positive effect on house prices now (I've seen a figure of a 3% premium over black spot areas)

For information, Gigaclear would lay fibre optic cables underground in our area (under roads and fields etc).  Every property should be passed, and a junction in the road outside each property installed.  Service could then be supplied once the property is connected up to this junction.  Gigaclear also plan to hold public events in Downe and Cudham in the near future.

I have started a question and answer dialogue on the Downe website, and intend to update this regularly.  Please go to:

http://www.downe-kent.org.uk/#!latest-news/c1s8k

As usual, if you have any other questions, please contact me at:

sj.barnes@btopenworld.com "

Steve Barnes

Vice Chair

Downe Residents' Association 

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Downe Mailing (183)

Downe Defibrillator update

"The defibrillator (AED) has now been commissioned and I fitted it yesterday to the porch of the main door to the Queen’s Head pub. It is now ready for use should an emergency occur. I have arranged for two training sessions:

Tuesday 4 August and  Tuesday 15 September. Because of the summer holidays it has been quite difficult to tie up the training dates and this is why one has been booked for September.

The training will be carried out by Paul Pearman of the London Ambulance Service and will take approximately 90 minutes.

If you would like to be included in one of the training sessions please either email: downedefib@btinternet.com or ring me Dave Witherspoon on 01959 573157. Places are limited so please do get in touch if you are interested.

We have received a very generous donation from the customers at Holwood Farm Shop. We are very grateful for this donation as they have already purchased and received their AED and they promised they would help with ours. St Mary’s Church has very kindly offered to finance this initially, however, If you wish to make a donation, there are Gift Aid envelopes (please mark with 'defib') in the Church and cheques should be made payable to Downe PCC. 

I will obtain some AED location signs than can be displayed around the village so that everyone (including visitors) will now where our defibrillator is.’

Dave Witherspoon

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Downe Mailing (182)

Defibrillator in Downe

Defibrillator in Downe

Funding and training:

'Following  Downe Mailing 175, Dave Witherspoon’s initiative to provide a defibrillator in the centre of the village is  progressing well.

This unit is to be attached to the wall of the Queen’s Head Pub and has been funded by St Mary’s.

The Church is looking to raise contributions, preferably gift-aided, to meet this cost.  GiftAid envelopes are available in the Church.  We are grateful for the offer of a donation from Holwood Farm towards the village defibrillator.

Of course it is no good having the machinery without trained volunteers - so do contact Dave on downedefib@btinternet.com if you are interested in becoming a part of Downe’s life saving team.'

Sue King,

Church Warden,

For Dave Witherspoon

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Downe Mailing (182)

Downe Duck Race result

Downe Duck Race

An afternoon of family fun yesterday at the Downe Duck Race! 

The winner of the £250 prize was J. Dear, who backed lucky number 8 duck! It was almost a photo finish! 

The fun included throwing wet sponges at grandfathers in the stocks

and trying to get a hole in one in the crazy duck golf !

A huge thanks to all who came and joined in the fun- and to those who 'backed a duck' - a stunning £1281 was raised. 

A special thanks to Christmas Tree farm who kindly hosted the event. 

Look out for the next family fun event on Saturday 3 October - 'Family Race Night' in the Village Hall. 

Downe Village Club

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Downe Mailing (181)

Events this Saturday and Sunday

Events this weekend:

Craft market

Saturday 18 July 2015

10am - 4pm

Holwood Farm Shop

Gingham Goose craft market in the green barn.

Downe Duck Race

Sunday 19 July 2015

2pm

Christmas Tree Farm

Family fun!

£250 to the winner

Ducks available to 'buy' on the day or in The Queen's Head on Saturday

Event organised by Downe Village Club, raising money for Downe 'worthy causes'. 

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Downe Mailing (180)

Flightpath Watch - airport survey, Downe results

Airport Survey- Downe results 

Many thanks to those residents who took time to fill out a "Flightpath Watch" questionnaire recently on the proposal to increase operating hours for Biggin Hill airport.  All questionnaires have been added to the Flightpath Watch database.

In advance of Flightpath Watch results being communicated, I have collated and briefly analysed the results for Downe.  Communicating this to you has been approved by Flightpath Watch - albeit with the health warning that the official Flightpath Watch statistics may differ very slightly.

Biggin Hill Airport hours -  Downe Survey results (of 246 returns)  

Q1: Are you in favour of extended operating hours per week (an increase of 27%)?Yes/Don't know:  30/246                                    No:  205/246 (87.8%)        

Q2: Would you be happy with more jet aircraft over this area as a result of extending operation hours, knowing that the airport intends to use more of the larger type of aircraft?

Yes/Don't know:  23/246                                   No: 223/246  (90.6%)

Q3:  Do you think that last flights over this area at 11pm (probably 11.10pm) are a good idea?

Yes/Don't know:  23/246                                    No:  223/246   (90.6%)

Q4:  Do you think that first flights over this area at 6.30am (probably 6.20am) are a good idea?

Yes/Don't know:  42/246                                    No:  204/246  (82.9%)

Q5:  Do you think that people’s right to sleep should be protected by preventing extended hours?

Yes:  217/246  (88.2%)                      No/Don't know  29/246     

Q6:  Should special consideration be given to protecting children’s sleep by preventing extended hours?

Yes: 218/246  (88.6%)                                 No/Don't know 28/246

Q7: If you had a choice, do you think that Bromley Council should impose stricter noise controls (not ‘best efforts’) on the airport on the flight path over this area?

Yes: 227/246  (92.3%)                      No/Don't know 19/246

Control noise down the main flight path

Y =  175   (71.1%)

  

Exclude large aircraft like 737s and Airbus (or similar)    

Y = 223      (90.6%)

  

Move/change flight path   

Y = 80     (32.5%)

  

Restrict to the current levels   

Y = 200    (81.3%)

  

Reduce hours   

Y = 112       (45.5%)

  

Avoid the PRU hospital   

Y = 125      (50.8%)

If you live in Downe and did not receive a questionnaire and wish to participate by completing one, please contact me, via Downe Mailing.

Please visit the www.flightpathwatch.co.uk website for more information, where it suggests you can write to London Borough of Bromley to make your feelings clear.  

Steve Barnes

Downe Residents' Association 

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Downe Mailing (179)

Replacement and heritage lamp posts update

Replacement and heritage style lamp posts in Downe

The current financial position is:

A huge thanks to all those who have donated money for the installation of “heritage” posts so far.  To date we have raised £8,267 towards the total of  £13,878.   

This means we still need to raise £5,611 to completely fund the work.   

The village has paid what it owes Bromley Council, and to get the project rolling, a villager fronted the money and we are endeavouring to pay it back.

The current implementation position is:

Bromley Council have now started on the programme of replacing the old concrete street lights.  They have issued us with the following schedule – which is rather later that we were originally told.  Note that the heritage post replacement work seems to have been left till last.

1. Standard Road, Bellevue Road, Snodlands Close, Stalisfield Place, Mill Lane, High Elms Road - 

Installation of new columns started on site and main service plus removal of columns programmed for approx. start date week ending 20 July 2015

2. North End Lane, High Elms Road 

Approx. programme date week ending 26 July 2015

3. Green Hill West

Approx. programme date week ending 9 August 2015

4. Rookery Road

Approx. programme date week ending 23 August 2015

5. Luxted Road

Approx. programme date week ending 6 September 2015

Items 2, 3, 4 and 5 dates may be changed due to road closures and traffic management.  

Road closures will be for North End Road, Green Hill/West Hill, Rookery Road and Luxted Road as these roads are too narrow for other vehicles to pass by while carrying out the installation / connection works.

If you want to see the full plan, go to the following page on the Downe website:

www.downe-kent.org.uk/#!ministries/c1jxp

Steve Barnes

Vice chair

Downe Residents' Association

14 July 2015

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Downe Mailing (178)

Notice of road works: Crofton Lane

Road works with temporary lights scheduled to start 27.7.15 - Pound Court Drive and Crofton Lane

(You may use this route to Orpington station) 

The detail:

"The works are located between Pound Court Drive and Crofton Lane. The works are going to be managed mostly under two-way lights, turning to a three-way set up when they reach the junction of Pound Court Drive.

They are proposing to start works on Monday 27 July 2015 for a six week period and have agreed to working extended hours (07:00-19:00) and also Saturdays to allow them to get ahead with works. The temporary lights are to be manually controlled during the peak times to help ease congestion during the morning and evening rush hours. I’ve made it clear to SGN that we will not be allowing them any extensions and that the traffic lights must be down before the start of September when the schools go back.

Works are likely to continue in September but will be within the footway only and will have no effect on the traffic flow.

SGN are in the process of making advanced warning signs and these are expected to be displayed by Wednesday/Thursday this week (signs being displayed in each direction on Crofton Road, as well as Crofton Lane and Pound Court Drive). "

Source:

Ben Howard

(via Councillor Scoates)

Acting Traffic Officer

Transport & Highways | Environmental & Community Services London Borough of Bromley

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Downe Mailing (176)

Defibrillators for Downe

More on defibrillators* for Downe . . . 

From:

Oliver Mercer

Holwood Farm Shop

"As the area surrounding our farm shop can be quite isolated, we felt it was important to try and get a defibrillator into the community so that potentially lifesaving treatment could be that little bit nearer. Thanks to generous donations from our customers, we have now raised the funds for the defibrillator, and are liaising with the London Ambulance Service to have the unit fitted and our staff trained in order to help if such a situation arose. 

We’ve been working closely with Dave Witherspoon as well as the ambulance service to look at possibly arranging for more defibrillators to be located in and around the village. A meeting was held last month in the village and everyone present agreed that it is a worthwhile investment for the community. Due to our customers' great generosity we will shortly be able to make a donation to the village to help with the costs for the next unit and help to train as many Downe residents as possible with the potentially life saving skills. 

The detail: 

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, blood is no longer being pumped around their body, and the longer they go without emergency life support the harder it is to restart their heart. 

A defibrillator* is a machine used to deliver an electric shock to the patient’s heart during cardiac arrest to normalise the heart rhythm and along with CPR** can be the difference between life and death. 

** cardiopulmonary resuscitation 

For further information contact Oliver@holwoodfarm.co.uk 

Oliver Mercer 

oliver@holwoodfarm.co.uk / 07985 700311

Holwood Farm Shop 

01689 638381 

Yellow Barn, New Road Hill, Keston

Kent, BR2 6AB 

www.holwoodfarm.co.uk

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Downe Mailing (175)

Flightpath Watch meeting tomorrow -14 July

"Two important dates for THIS week, to help stop a 27% increase in airport operating hours..

Downe Primary school fete today - reminder

Reminder:
School fete today:

Downe Primary School
Summer Fete

Downe Duck Race

Secure sponsorship of your ducks (£3 each) today at Downe Primary School fete
-open until 4.15pm
See below

Downe Duck Race
Sunday 19 July
2pm
Christmas Tree Farm
(picnic area)

Family fun- fastest duck wins a fortune! - £250

Berry's Green Road closure - advance warning

'Berrys Green Road, Cudham will be closed to through traffic from Monday 20 July to until Tuesday 28 July by Southern Gas Networks (SGN) whilst they install a new gas supply. Displaced traffic will be diverted via New Barn Lane, Cudham Lane, Church Hill, Berrys Hill.

Knockstock Music Festival, 11July

. . . and if you have capacity after the Downe Primary School fete, then take a look at this:

KnockStock Music Festival
Saturday 11 July
12:30 - 10:30pm
Knockholt Recreation ground TN14 7LG

Jazz evening

Jazz evening
Sunday 12 July
7pm
Wildwood Barn Theatre Club
The Garden Cottage
Cudham Road
Downe
BR6 7LF

"You told us “they MUST return” - your wish is our command

WildWood Barn Theatre Club
invites you to welcome back:

Downe Bank on the One Show, 7July

The One Show
BBC One
Tuesday 7 July
7pm

'Downe Bank on the One Show'

Downe Primary summer fete, Saturday 11 July

Downe Primary School
Summer Fete

'Good family fun'
Bands and performers, events, stalls, raffle, games, BBQ, beer tent