New Italian

It's good to see a new restaurant has opened up where the old Greek restaurant used to be. I was a big fan of the Greek restaurant and was sorry to see it go. But I'm pleased to see the new restuarant is doing well. The first three nights appear to have been quite busy - I think the people in Coney Hall are quite supportive of a local restaurant. I haven't tried it out yet but I'll be sure to be in there soon...

Sky ride

It's the Sky ride (formerly Freewheel) on Sunday and it seems as though a number of families from Coney Hall are planning to go down to London to enjoy the festivities.
I joined a local Sky Ride this Sunday which started at the junction of Kingsway and Gates Green road. About twenty riders of various abilities made the trek up to Biggin Hill, on to Downe House, and then around to the Reptile House near Tatsfield and then back to Coney Hall.
Coney Hall is surrounded by some fantastic rides including lots of off road circuits.

Coney Hall Pub and Bar

Well it must have been over 6 months now and I've eaten at the new Coney pub on a few occasions. So far so good. Friendly service, a nice atmosphere, and good food which is superior and distinct enough from the usual pub fare. Coney Hall can consider itself quite lucky to have bagged such a good boozer within walking distance.
And now it seems there is also a bar on the way - The Dandelion - which is due to open in the former Anglo-Spanish property business premises. Fingers crossed it is as successful as the Coney.

Proposed Hotel at Biggin Hill Airport

If you've seen the article in the latest copy of the Newshopper you will be aware that a consultation is due to take place regarding the plans for a hotel at Biggin Hill airport.
The planned hotel is ostensibly for pilots and crew. In reality we will probably see the hotel struggling to be a viable business. The airport will then pressure the council into changing the lease to allow flights outside of it's current hours (i.e. night flying) and allowing fare-paying passengers.
The council will be held culpable by the local papers and Biggin Hill airport of allowing the hotel to fail adding to the pressure to change the lease. And then we'll be looking at a repeat of Stansted all over again.
If you're concerned about noise, pollution, increased traffic etc etc then let your local councillor know and perhaps consider supporting Flightpath and their work.

Playground

Congratulations to the Friends of Coney Hall Park who successfully lobbied for funding to install new apparatus in the play area. The playground has never been busier I've seen it since I moved here.
The play area is a real focus of the community for the many young families in the area.

Council inactivity

I made the effort to attend the monthly council meeting back in Jan as the Sustainable Communities Act was up for discussion.
Unfortunately, the council members were very dismissive of the act despite it's positive take up across many councils in the country. One councillor, who had previously championed himself as a councillor of the common man, made a derogatory remarks about the Act, despite the fact that it is plainly there to give the man on the street more say in the community.
The general consensus from the council was to wait and see what they could get out of it rather than what it could do for the people of Bromley.
Above all, it was a real eye opener watching important decisions being made (or not) on our behalf by a cabal of old fellas.