The morning after the night before

Lewsiahm 8.20am, Tuesday. Pic: ChislehurstNews

“It’s like the f***ing Planet of the Apes around here. Bring in the Army, that’s what I say, bring ‘em in now.” A burly man in his 40s stomps through Lewisham town centre this morning surveying the carcasses of burnt out cars.  He’s angry at what he sees in his town following last night’s riot and he is sharing his views with anyone who will listen. Further down the street towards Lee High Road – the scene of last night’s standoff between the police and a large crowd – a couple in their 20s walk with brushes in hand planning to do their bit to sweep glass from the pavement. Welcome to the morning after the night before.

The riot on our doorstep

pic: ChislehurstNews

6.35pm, Monday. Lee High Road. Lewisham: 15 policemen are lined up on the south side of the street dressed in riot gear – full-face helmets, shields and truncheons. A large group of mainly young people are packed on the pavement on the north side, staring and shouting at the police across the road.

MP accuses “lefty” National Trust of “smear campaign”

Neill lambasts National Trust

The MP for Chislehurst has launched an extraordinary attack on the organisation that manages many of Chislehurst’s green spaces, accusing it of running a  “smear campaign”.

The National Trust manages Hawkwood and Petts Wood estates which together cover 138 hectares of woods, fields and farmland. According to Bob Neill MP  the National Trust is running “a carefully choreographed smear campaign by left-wingers” and is picking a fight with the Government” in an attempt to “justify [its] own existence”.

Biggin Hill airport expansion: It’s decision day déjà vu

Locals don't want any more of this (pic: Dean West)

** News update 9.30pm: Bromley council has rejected the revised application **

Four months after Bromley Council rejected an application by Biggin Hill to extend the airport, councillors will meet again tonight to consider yet another expansion proposal.

After the council rejected its original application citing strong opposition from local residents, the airport operator has watered down its plans, proposing to extend flight times in the mornings and evenings for the Olympics.

The new plans have met with significant local opposition, with 60 per cent of the 1741 respondents to a council consultation coming out against the proposals. This includes a number of residents of Chislehurst – as well as charity Chislehurst Society – which sits beneath the Biggin Hill flight path.

Petts Wood in the picture

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Here is a new set of stunning black and white photographs of Petts Wood. They were shot by Karen Bullock of Karmin Photography and show the beauty of the local countryside in monochrome along with contrasting shots of the railway and footbridge. Click here for more of Karmin’s photographs.

The forgotten manuscript heading for the bestseller list

Albert: "crackers or brilliant"

A book manuscript that lay forgotten in a cupboard for more than 20 years is today a fast-selling worldwide novel with Barack Obama reportedly owning a copy.

This is the story of ‘Chameleon 2012 (Tentacle),’ a political thriller based on the London Olympic Games. “It’s gone worldwide after just a few weeks. The pre-sold paperback is flying off the shelves in countries as far apart as China and India as Amazon, Waterstones and others try to keep up with the demand,” says author David Albert who lives in Chislehurst.

David, who is now working on a follow up, came late to writing. The majority of his career was spent as a stockbroker and international banker working for the Bank of Tokyo and Paribas.

There’s something in the air …

The amazing ‘Sky Orchestra’ hovered over Chislehurst this evening paying beautiful music to delighted residents.

Sky Orchestra is a suite of seven hot air balloons that are flying 500 ft over the capital playing live music.

This evening’s performance was to celebrate a year to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Sky Orchestra was created by artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones and will fly every morning and evening, finishing on Wednesday with a party in Trafalgar Square.

pic c/o LIFT Festival.

Race for speed ace’s cig case

Sir Malcolm's inscribed cigarette case

A small piece of Chislehurst’s history is to go under the hammer. The cigarette case owned by one-time world land speed record holder and Chislehurst resident Sir Malcolm Campbell will be auctioned in September.

The souvenir has attracted significant attention from collectors as the case contains signatures of Sir Malcolm’s engineers. The racer was so keen on the case that he also had the words ‘If found, return to M Campbell, Chislehurst, Kent, Reward will be given’ inscribed.

Look out for Hollywood’s A-list on Chislehurst Common

A gaggle of Hollywood A-listers – including Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro and Sienna Miller – will appear on Chislehurst Common at the end of the month as part of a fundraising drive.

Okay, so they won’t appear in person, but instead on the screen of an open-air cinema that will show the 2007 film Stardust, which they  star in.

The cinema will be on the playing fields of Chislehurst C of E Primary, School Road on 30 July with the reels rolling at twilight.

Proceeds from the screening will go towards wider fundraising to ensure that Chislehurst Common remains under the management of local people.

Rec ‘n’ Roll: Dozen acts signed for music festival

White Gospel - one of the acts confirmed for the festival (pic: Paul McLean)

Twelve acts are confirmed for Chislehurst’s first open air music festival.

‘Chislehurst Rocks’ will be held on 24 September on the Recreation Ground, as part of the ever-growing Chislehurst Festival.