Text taken from Liam Conlon's email. He seems pretty dissatisfied with the church's responses to him and particularly their refusal to answer his question about community use.

Last week, I met with Citygate Church, which purchased the Odeon site last year, alongside councillors representing Beckenham Town and Clock House wards, where the cinema and the church’s existing premises are located. Citygate presented its plans, including its intention to apply for a change of use to convert the site into a much larger place of worship.

During the meeting, I questioned and challenged several assumptions underpinning these plans, particularly the assessment of commercial viability for another cinema. I remain unconvinced that a sufficiently thorough assessment has been carried out, including a genuine effort to explore whether another cinema operator could take on the site.

I was also disappointed that Citygate would not agree to my request to set out in writing what it means by “community use” – including how frequently the space would be available, what activities would be permitted, and what guarantees local residents would have.

Hey

Any recommendations for fitness classes that are aimed at a more advanced level…. callisthenics, strength training, circuits, boxing….

I’m actually a trained personal trainer myself but I’m newish to the area, have young kids and I’m keen to find a community focused class that isn’t CrossFit or hyrox (no offence 😳)

Also I’m a woman xoxo

Hi all,

I have created a social networking group for people living in and around Bexley area - Bromley, Chiselhurst, Eltham, Orpington, Sidcup, Welling, Greenwich, Blackheath and others. The intention is for the people of bexley to mingle and do some fun social activities together- https://www.meetup.com/bexley-social-circle/

Our first couple events was a great success and but we have few more events coming up and details are below:

Wine, Jazz and Cheese (Blackheath) 13th Nov, Friday - https://www.meetup.com/bexley-social-circle/events/316948087/?eventOrigin=home_next_event_you_are_hosting

Pub quiz 20th oct - https://www.meetup.com/bexley-social-circle/events/316707750/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

If this is something you are keen on do sign up.

Just moved to SE26 and looking for clubs and social groups to join. Used to play five a side and love a pub quiz etc - anyone know any local groups to the area?

I need to find a trustworthy mechanics in Bromley, I have a mini that needs checking over.

I don’t mind travelling out of Bromley for a good one.

Currently looking for a family to volunteer for an infant observation in London.

Hello! My name is Gareth and I have been studying a course about infant development at the British Psychotherapy Foundation.  I have over 4 years of experience supporting children and alongside my studies, I currently work in NHS mental health services supporting children, young people and their families.

As part of my training, I am seeking to find a London based family, who would be willing for me to visit and observe their newborn baby from close to birth and up until their 2 year birthday.

The observations are typically for one hour, once a week, at a regular and convenient time for the first 2 years of your baby's life.  Of course there is a lot of flexibility and weeks where a visit may not always be appropriate.  This includes holidays, illness or any other circumstances that can be discussed throughout.

The purpose of my visits would simply be to quietly and non-judgementally observe your baby and their interactions in your home, in the completely ordinary circumstances of your day to day life.  I would be completely in the background, just listening to you and observing how your baby is behaving and communicating during that hour.  The observation would happen entirely at your comfort level, for example I could leave the room during breastfeeding if that is what you would prefer.  

Overall, this would help me learn deeply about the early development of infants and is a long established training component for child and adolescent psychotherapy training, which I am pursuing.  Previous families report to have found the experience of hosting an observer uniquely rewarding, therapeutic and enriching: a chance to notice more of the small details of their child's early life.

If this interests you, or you know someone who might be interested, please contact me at: [gcvinton@gmail.com](mailto:gcvinton@gmail.com) for more information or message me on here!  There would of course be no commitment until you had the details you needed, including a chance to meet with me beforehand if you would prefer.

I hold an enhanced DBS certificate and can provide a reference from the BPF.

Thank you!

Hi,
I’m moving to Bromley soon, around London Road, and am searching for a new gym. I know the virgin active there as I used that one many years ago but have read so many bad reviews lately. Should I go on a 12 month contract with them? I’d prefer to have a spa and reformer Pilates than going to a pure gym type of gym.
Any suggestions?

Hello,

I’m moving to Bromley soon, not every car from the Glades, around the London Road. I’m looking for a good NHS doctor and dentist to register. Any suggestions?

This is becoming a Mandala Effect story for me, as I strongly remember in the late 90s or early 00s someone boarded the 320 in Biggin Hill with a gun and asked to be taken to Bromley (where the bus was going anyway...)

The driver radioed ahead and stopped outside the police station (the old one on Widmore Rd) where it was boarded by armed police.

There used to be videos on the news story on YouTube, which I can no longer find, and my search skills can't seem to track down any reference to this event at all now.

Please tell me I haven't imagined this whole thing.

Hey!

We are thinking of moving to Bromley but I’m a bit worried about the quality of hospitals and medical services. Has anyone experienced how are the A&E waiting times and services? Are there any urgent care be it public or private?

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!

Examples could include things like Becky Park, The Tav, The Hill or Brommers (never mind how common they are)...

Hi all,

Anyone live on Windsor Drive (Orpington/Chelsfield) and able to share what it is like living there? Is it noisy? Do you often hear sirens? Are your neighbours friendly?

I noticed that some of the houses have large driveways + front lawns. Are the front lawns part of the the freehold?

Should be on youtube soon
Not sure if youll get this bit 😆
Great talks
👏

Hi all — my wife and I are looking at houses around St Johns Road and a couple of nearby streets in Petts Wood. We have two young children, so I'd love some honest local takes before we go further.

A few things on my mind:

- Commute: How reliable is Petts Wood station into town at peak times (London Bridge / Cannon St / Charing Cross)? Any regular cancellations or overcrowding issues I should know about?

- Day-to-day life: What's the area actually like to live in — shops, pubs, food options, community feel? I've heard "villagey but sleepy" — is the sleepy part a problem or a plus?

- GPs: How easy is it to get registered and actually seen? Any practices to aim for or avoid around there?

- Parks: What are the green spaces like for young kids — playgrounds, decent walks, or do you end up driving elsewhere?

- Crime: Any issues with car theft or break-ins around that part of Petts Wood?

- Safety at night: How safe does it feel walking around after dark — both the residential streets and the walk back from the station? Well-lit, or quite deserted?

- St Mary Cray proximity: The streets we're looking at (around St Johns Road, Towncourt Lane and nearby) aren't far from St Mary Cray — do the two areas feel quite separate, or does it spill over at all?

- Anything else a buyer should know — good or bad — before committing to the area?

Thanks in advance!

We’re looking for a small number of men aged 25–45, particularly those living in South London, to take part in a 60-minute discussion to help shape a new research project we’re developing with colleagues at London South Bank University.

The research will evaluate Steeev, a platform we’re developing to help men build and maintain meaningful friendships and social connections.

Before we start the research, we want to hear directly from the people it is intended to be relevant to. This is known as Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), but essentially it means we’d like your views and experiences to help us make the research better.

We’re interested in talking about friendship, social connection and loneliness among men aged 25–45, particularly how friendships can change when life changes.

That might include moving to a new area, changing jobs, becoming a parent, working from home more, going through a relationship breakdown, or simply finding that friendships become harder to maintain as life gets busier.

You don’t need to have experienced loneliness or consider yourself lonely. We’re interested in a range of experiences and perspectives.

We’re currently looking at holding the session on either:

Wednesday 7 October at 2:00 pm
or
Friday 9 October at 2:00 pm

The session will last approximately 60 minutes and will be held [online via Microsoft Teams / in person – confirm as appropriate].

Participants will receive a £20 voucher as a thank-you for their time and contribution.

If you’re 25–45 and interested in taking part, please [DM me / comment below / contact details].

We’re not trying to sell you anything, and you don’t need any particular knowledge or experience. We simply want to hear what men in this age group actually think before we design the research around them.

Bromley House Clearance helping Local Residents and Businesses www.bromleyhouseclearance.co.uk

Stop the cult centre from closing our cinema

Got a hanking for some mexican food after having some incredible mexican in Manchester over the summer. I have yet to find anywhere in our borough though.

Hi all,

I have created a social networking group for people living in and around Bexley - Bromley, Chiselhurst, Orpington, Sidcup, Welling, Greenwich, Blackheath and otherr. Our first event is all sold out but we have few more events coming up and details are below:

Sunday roast, 4th oct from 1pm in Bromley- https://www.meetup.com/bexley-social-circle/events/316735853/?eventOrigin=home_next_event_you_are_hosting

Trail walk + lunch (High elms Orpington) 17th Oct - https://www.meetup.com/bexley-social-circle/events/316642174/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

Pub quiz 20th oct - https://www.meetup.com/bexley-social-circle/events/316707750/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

If this is something you are keen on do sign up or DM me :)