Thank you and goodbye… for now

It’s almost exactly a year since the ChislehurstNews blog flickered to life.  It was a bit of an experiment: to create a website for BR7 and join the ranks of hyperlocal websites that have sprung up across London.

Supported by our Twitter feed we have blogged on a wide range of subjects – politics, music, the arts, public services, crime, local talent; many issues that affect the people of Chislehurst.

The site has always remained unashamedly an amateur affair – run and written locally. But, unfortunately, the site has reached the end of the road… for now. While we have a loyal readers who log on and contribute to the various debates we host, the site has become increasingly time-consuming for just one person to manage and write, which is all done in his spare time.

For now, this will be the last post.

BUT, if you are a keen or aspiring local blogger, who would like to take on running and writing for the site on its principles as not-for-profit facility for the community, and inject new ideas and life into it, then we are keen to hear from you.

Please email us at: chislehurstnews@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you for reading.

Chislehurst Rocks – a retrospective

This short video by local film maker John Cheetham captures the energy of the first Chislehurst Rocks music festival, held at the end of September.

Enjoy the festival… and see you in October

This year's Chislehurst Festival will include Japanese and Korean culture

ChislehurstNews is taking a short break. We will be back posting articles and tweeting at the beginning of October, when this blog will approach its first birthday. We hope you’ve enjoyed the ride.

The Chislehurst Festival (17 September – 1 October) will run while we are off. We highly recommend it. For two weeks there will be over 40 separate events. It’ll include the Chislehurst Rocks music festival; classical music; jazz; cabaret; comedy; Japanese and Korean culture; theatre; the Big Draw, international food fare; a dog show; cricket; tennis; dance; running; karate, photography; fine art; children’s events; walks; wine tasting; a country fair, and more.

The second festival to be held in Chislehurst, it is a  visible sign that the community in BR7 is strong. Check out the festival website for a full listing of events.

Cookery school closure leaves a sour taste

Mr Burke has started rustling up refunds on customers' pre-paid vouchers

UPDATED 13/10/11: A Chislehurst cookery school run by a Michelin star chef has shut down.

Smashing Pans, at 1 Pond Path, was run by  Keith Burke and sold £145 vouchers through its website.

The Smashing Pans website has now closed and in a letter to customers Mr  Burke said that he was attempting to relocate in Borough Market.

Many customers were initially worried that they would not get their money back. But after contacting Mr Burke directly (see the comments section on this article), Mr Burke has sent out refund cheques.

Is this the last band to have gigged in Chislehurst Caves?

11.53 as featured in the Kentish Times (l-r) Pete Chavasse, Tim Wates, Mags, Lee Berwick

Was this the last band to play live in Chislehrust Caves? Help us find out.

The Caves have a rich history as a venue for live  music, with The Who, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin gracing  the caverns before they closed as a music venue.

It is widely reported that the last live gigs were in the late 1970s. But we’ve been contacted by ‘Mags’, the former member of  Bromley band 11.53, who played a gig in the Caves on 9 January 1981.

Bromley Council fails geography test

* Updated, with London versus Kent poll *

The clue is in the name: ‘The London Borough of Bromley’. Despite this our council seems to believe that Chislehurst is in Kent rather than London, judging by the letters its has sent out to residents this week urging them to register to vote.

While some residents still like to think that they live in the Garden of England,  Chislehurst became part of Greater London in 1965. But tell us what you think. If you live in BR7 are you a Londoner or from Kent? Vote in our new poll.

The golden hour, captured

The best photographs are usually unplanned; fleeting moments recorded on camera. Cycling along Watt’s Lane in Chislehurst, local resident Alex Cooper did just this as he captured the beauty of the golden hour as the sun set. Send your photos to: chislehurstnews@yahoo.co.uk

BR7 and social media: what’s in it for you

On Wednesday we railed against ad agencies capitalising on the riots through social media. Today local resident and communications expert Karen Wisdom outlines genuine local social networks and dispels  myths

Over recent months, social media has come of age as an effective way to bring people and communities together, particularly in the face of the recent rioting and looting in our neighbouring communities. Social media has been widely used to break news ahead of the national media and link communities together and support each other.

But while some of us are active across these social media platforms, others have still to appreciate this fast-evolving means of communication, or haven’t a clue where to start with it all.

London riots: the ad men move in

The arrival of the advertising industry, capitalising on the London riots, is unwelcome and unsavory

The strength of a community can be measured by how quickly it gets back to normal after a major shock. One week after the civil unrest that gripped parts of London, normal day-to-day life has largely returned: shops are open, people are travelling about and the politicians are back on holiday after their brief visit to Westminster.

The daily rhythm of city is restored; the London community has showed its strength. This has been driven in part by business. Retailers have worked to re-stock and open, hoping to maintain their crucial turnover and margin targets. And the building trade has worked overtime – and made a good profit – to repair London’s scarred streetscape. Capitalism has cashed-in and helped to get the capital back on its feet.

But as the builders leave a new trade has moved in: the advertising industry.

Chislehurst rocked by calm

Chislehurst ablaze... with flowering geraniums

“Chislehurst High Street was just hit about half an hour ago by rioters and looters.”

“Chislehurst riots! They’ve taken down Pizza Express!”

“Trouble in Chislehurst High Street… really scary.”

If you were to believe everything you read on social networking sites today you’d think that Chislehurst was under siege, gripped by rioting and looting like neighbouring towns such as Lewisham.

But as this picture taken earlier evening proves, Chislehurst is anything but.