Life In Magazines

🖌️ Learn to draw and paint with expert guidance in a relaxed Bromley art class. Join today at The Seasons Art Class Bromley!

Give them a call on 0208 3183589 for more information.

Some of the busiest people in the world are small business owners, working long hours while still managing to make time for their family - even if it means bringing their work with them. Let's help support them where possible! ✅

When you support a small business, you're supporting a dream 🙌🏼

It's a great feeling when you're welcomed like a family member when visiting your favourite local business. Here’s to the small business owners who treat every customer this way - we salute you!

Here's an idea... Support the local businesses who support the area where you live, work and play 💡

Introducing our latest Beckenham cover stars – Sue Rivas and Angela Himus, the duo behind Books in the Park 📚🌳

Sue and Angela are part of the team who bring Books in the Park to life each year – the much-loved festival at Beckenham Place Park where stories, nature and community come together.

The idea began back in June 2023, when fellow volunteer Frances Fuller mentioned it to Angela over a tea break – by April 2024, the very first festival was underway.

It's grown into a joyful one-day celebration for all ages, with author talks, writing workshops, walks, scavenger hunts, a pop-up bookshop and food market – all set against the beautiful backdrop of Beckenham Place Park.

Behind the scenes it's very much a year-round effort, from securing dates and booking partners to building relationships with sponsors, stallholders and volunteers. "We're incredibly grateful for their support – without our sponsors, the festival simply wouldn't be possible."

Speaking about what they hope people take away from the day, Sue and Angela told us: "To have been entertained, inspired and informed by the authors they've heard… and by hosting the event in the park, we hope they'll have seen all it has to offer – and come back."

A brilliant example of volunteers giving their time to bring people together and celebrate everything Beckenham has to offer.

Read more in this month's '5 Mins With…'.

Know a business or individual who goes above and beyond for the community? Why not nominate them for Business Personality of The Year for this year's ABBBAs?

📸 Cover photo by Andrew Turnbull Photography

It can make a big difference to a small business and it won't cost you a penny!

Introducing our Bromley August cover star – Scott Cloud, founder of S Cloud Electrical Services 🔌🏠

Scott was born and raised in Beckenham, growing up around the building trade on site with his dad during school holidays. After years working on heavy plant machinery, he wanted more of a challenge – an electrical subcontracting role came up in 2014, and he knew straight away it was what he was meant to do.

He worked through all his qualifications, earned his JIB Gold Card, and by 2019 had built up enough of a client base to go out on his own with S Cloud Electrical Services. He's now a fully qualified electrician and NICEIC Approved Contractor, assessed every year to maintain that high standard.

Scott's speciality is the small domestic jobs many tradespeople don't want to take on, plus expert fault-finding – "People struggle to find reliable electricians for little tasks, so I made that my niche."

Speaking about what community means to him, Scott said: "Trust and good service… I work for a lot of older people, and it genuinely matters to me that they feel safe, respected and not taken advantage of. Word-of-mouth is huge locally, and I love that people recommend me because they know my quality work and high standards."

A brilliant example of pride in your trade, honest service and real community spirit.

Read more in this month's 'Behind The Business'.

Know a business that goes above and beyond for the community? Why not nominate them for Business Personality of The Year for this year's ABBBAs? See www.the-abbbas.co.uk

Small business owners are at the heart of every community. They create jobs & help the local economy. They give back by sponsoring teams, donating prizes and supporting charities. Plus they inspire us to follow our dreams 💭

A bit of a long shot but who recalls The Great Storm of 1987?

Our resident historian, Pam Preedy, is writing all about it in next month's magazines and is calling for any old photos of the storm...

Please share them with us along with your name for a photo credit.

Thank you 🙏