meet every 2nd Friday at St Mark's Hall, Westmoreland Road at 2PM

GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS

Bromley Forum has taken some of the concerns of Bromley’s older people to two of the Borough’s elected representatives.

Jacqui Lait MP met our officers on the day of the House of Commons debate on Iraq – it was good of her to meet us on such an important day, reports secretary Virginia James. An interesting discussion took place on safety and security for older people. She agreed that there was a lack of police on the streets but that things were improving slowly. Other areas discussed were the costs of residential care and older people having to sell their homes in order to pay for care; after care when leaving hospital and the reduction in benefits while staying in hospital. (Since our meeting, the reduction in pensions and benefits for long stay patients has been finally abolished, after 12 years campaigning by the National Pensioners’ Convention).

Jacqui Lait expressed great interest in all the issues raised by the Forum and, following the meeting, wrote to ask that she be kept in touch with our concerns.

With the advent of the London Mayor and Greater London Authority, all London issues can now be tackled better. It was time, therefore, to meet our GLA representative Robert Neill (shared with Bexley). He met with several members of our committee, writes secretary Virginia James,  and told us he consulted Mayor Ken Livingstone on several matters concerning transport in London. These included car parking, trains and trams. The existing tram service to Beckenham will be extended to Penge, it is hoped in 2008. Better access for the disabled and older people was another current issue.

Security and police protection was an issue for Bromley where there was a current shortage of police – partly due to retirement (some police officers retire at 50). Police were needed with a community outlook to become part of the local community and be seen in cafes, restaurants, shops, locally as well as in Bromley High Street.

Among other matters discussed were waste rubbish dumping, parking problems and heavy traffic.

After the meeting, Robert Neill wrote to the secretary to say he had appreciated the meeting and would be happy to return.

Meetings will be arranged with Bromley Primary Care Trust and with a Bromley Councillor. Meanwhile, come to one of our meetings and tell us about the problems faced by older people in the borough – or write to the secretary.

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PENSIONERS PARLIAMENT

This annual event attracts upwards of 3000 pensioners from all over Britain. Tony Carter will be Bromley Forum’s representative but anyone can go. If you fancy a stimulating and informative three days with a visit to Blackpool, contact Pensioners’ Parliament, NPC 9 Arkwright Road, London NW3 6AB for booking form.

RECORD ATTENDANCE AT BROMLEY FORUM’S 10^th AGM

The Forum’s Annual General Meeting took place at Community House had a record attendance of 73 members and was followed by a scrumptious tea in the café to celebrate the Forum’s tenth anniversary. A large cake decorated with the Forum’s logo was ceremonially cut by Lynn Strother, the new director of the Greater London Forum for the Elderly. All officers and committee members were nominated to serve for a further year and Sybil Daley volunteered to be the membership secretary which will greatly help our treasurer, Gladys Stewart, who agreed to remain in office for a further year. However, Jean Atchinson gave 12 months’ notice of her retirement from the Chair as she will be moving away from the Bromley area in 2004.

-MORE MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS PLEASE

Our treasurer, after several years in this exacting job, has passed on membership work to Sybil Daley, 37 Aylesbury Road, Bromley BR2 0QP. Give her a good welcome by sending in some new members’ details. We really need your support to keep up the good fight. Still £10 for organisations, £2 for individuals.  Subscriptions to Gladys Stewart please, at 4 Graham Court, Cooden Close, Bromley BR1 3TT. Tel 020 8460 5982

(If you or your organisation is hard up, please have a word with Gladys. Special arrangements available.)

PS If the new arrangements are too complicated, just send to either – we’ll sort it out.

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Better Government for Older People

Not all work – Forum Friday Socials

Bromley Forum holds a social meeting on the second Friday of each month at 2pm in St Marks Church Hall, Westmoreland Road (near Bromley South station and buses). Next meetings 9 June, 11 July. We also have two outings planned. Our last was to Chislehurst Caves and our next is to the Geoffrey Museum (rooms from different periods and much else) in June (date to be confirmed). Everybody is most welcome to join our social meetings: for further details please contact either Gladys Stewart on 8460.5982 or Jean Atchinson on 8777.2763.

PENSIONS

A single pensioner is now £28 a week worse off because in 1980 the Government broke the link between pensions increases and wages increases. A pensioner who retired in 1986 has lost £13,400. The national organisation, Help the Aged has now joined the campaign waged for many years by the National Pensioners’ Convention. The Forum is planning a meeting on pensions – watch out for details.