The Swanley & Dartford Chronicle September 2008

Police appeal The police are appealing for any information or witnesses to a collision in Orpington town centre on Saturday 31 May 2008. It occurred about 11:35 in Juglans Road, at the junction with Homefield Rise. A 55 year old man was crossing the road when he was in collision with a blue Vauxhall Zafira. He was taken to Kings College Hospital suffering from a head injury. He sadly died on Monday 11 August 2008. He has been formally identified as Michael Joseph, of the St Mary Cray area. A 14 year old boy who was in the car was also injured in the collision. He received a minor leg injury and was not taken to hospital. The incident is being investigated by the Collision Investigation Unit, based at Catford Traffic Garage. PS David Berry said: “It was a Saturday morning in a busy shopping area. I am appealing for anyone who may have been traveling in a bus or car, or walking in the area and saw anything of the collision. ” Anyone with any information is asked to ring the incident room on 020 8285 1574, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous. Chronicle 40p Where SoldT h e Vo i c e o f S w a n l e y Swanley & Dartford Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE 26 Movies20 Motoring16 Competition SEPTEMBERwww. bexleychronicle. com September 2008 CARROLL CARPETSDomestic & Commercial Flooring Specialists • Competitive Rates • Free estimates • Free Fitting FREEPHONE 0800 317452New Showroom open 6 days. 11-13 Station Road, Swanley, Kent All types of Carpets• Vinyl • Laminates • Wood Flooring Call free 0800 163 186 53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER 5 Lessness Ave. , Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH *Summer Specials* on Alternators, Batteries & Starter Motors Cutting the cost of Summer repairs Batteries for every make of car BRAKE DISCS AND DISC PADS AT LOW PRICES Got a story? The Swanley & Dartford Chronicle wants it! Email: newsdesk@bexleychronicle. com 020 8302 6069 Firefighter Richard Purvess (right) presented with his long service award by Sir David Brewer Kt CMG, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London. Blue Watch to Bay Watch Appearing as an extra in London’s Burning and meeting Baywatch star David Hasselhoff have gone hand in hand with fighting fires for Dartford’s Richard Purvess, during his 30 years with London Fire Brigade. At a special ceremony held at the Brigade’s training centre in Southwark Richard was presented with a long service award to mark his three decades as a firefighter. For the majority of his career Richard was based at Dockhead Fire Station where the TV series London’s Burning was filmed. As well as appearing as an extra in ten episodes he acted as a technical and health and safety advisor on the show. He also met Bay Watch star David Hasselhoff when he visited the station as part of a promotional tour for the US TV series. Following 24 years at Dockhead, Richard transferred to Plumstead Fire Station and since 2005 he has worked in the Community Safety Team at Greenwich All empty offices must pay rates! Property consultant Peter Simons who owns Prospect House and Tudor Cottages in Foots Cray is furious with the government for changing the law so that all empty offices must now pay National Non-Domestic rates with no exceptions. He has written to Privy Councillor the Rt. Hon John Hutton who is the Secretary for State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform asking him to explain how he is supposed to finance the payment of rates when there is at present no demand for small office space. Neither can he sell his property because there is no market for such premises! He is now questioning whether it is official government policy to completely destroy small businesses like his or have they not thought through the consequences of their actions? SCHOOLS CLUSTER VISIT TO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT The Swanley & District Schools Cluster Council went on a visit to the Houses of Parliament recently and were seen off by the Mayor of Swanley, Cllr Michael Mahy. The young people, representatives from all the primary and senior schools in and around Swanley, enjoyed a fascinating insight into the democratic process when they had a tour of the Houses of Parliament including the House of Lords and the Queen’s Robing Room. They then had a private meeting with local MP Michael Fallon, when he spoke of his life as an MP, followed by some very probing questions from the children. The Mayor said “I am delighted to know that our local young people are learning why voting is important and how to influence decision making, right from local to national level. I understand that they really enjoyed their visit to the seat of national politics, especially meeting their MP. ” Get active Bored at week-end and nights, well why not join an organisation which does flying, adventure training, sports etc. Air Cadets 1227 (Sidcup) are holding a recruitment night for 13-16 year olds on the 11th September. For further details contact the Officer Commanding Richard Turner on 07778 185457 or e-mail oc1227@btinternet. com. www. kentwing. org WIN TICKETS TO LEGOLAND! Win £250worth of prizesSee Page 13