Poverest homes, cider and Sunday rail changes
Published Thursday 13 August 2026
See what the Poverest decision means, plan Sunday’s rail journey and pick from a lively week of local events.
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42 affordable homes approved for Poverest Road
Bromley Council has approved 42 affordable homes on the Poverest Adult Education Centre site, including family-sized homes and five wheelchair-accessible properties. The scheme can proceed only after a consultation, expected in September, on the centre’s proposed closure and where adult education courses would move. Read the Poverest Road decision.
Cider festival fills three days in Orpington
Orpington Liberal Club’s festival runs from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August with traditional and contemporary ciders from local and further-afield producers. It opens 5:30pm-10:30pm on Friday, 12:30pm-10pm on Saturday and 12:30pm-5pm on Sunday. Entry is free for club and CAMRA members and £1 for everyone else; payments are by card only. See the cider-festival details.
Charing Cross closure reaches its final weekend
There are no trains to London Charing Cross or Waterloo East through Sunday 16 August. Southeastern services are using other London terminals and Sunday has extra changes, including replacement buses between Lewisham and Orpington. Check the final days of the closure before travelling.
Dates For Your Diary
Thursday 20 August, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Gatherly board games, coffee and connection
Gather around shared tables at Cheeky Goat Coffee, 103a Queensway, Petts Wood, for a relaxed board-game afternoon. Everyone is welcome, whether you come with family or friends or on your own; most games are best suited to ages 8 and over. Tickets are £10 and include access to the games, help learning the rules and one hot drink. Book the Gatherly pop-up.
Saturday 22 August, 2pm
Crofton Woods summer walk
Join a free, all-ages stroll to identify trees, birds and woodland wildlife, with a chance of seeing Purple Hairstreak and White Admiral butterflies. Meet at Petts Wood Recreation Ground car park off Eynsford Close, BR5 1DP; contact the organisers to reserve a place. See the summer-walk details.
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, 2pm-5pm
Scadbury Moated Manor open weekend
Follow a self-guided trail around a site that is normally closed to the public, taking in the archaeological excavations and foundations of the Tudor kitchens and great hall. Entry is free, with donations welcome, and last admission is at 4:30pm. Plan a visit to Scadbury Moated Manor.
What's On
Saturday 15 August
Orpington parkrun at Goddington Park, 9am. Walk, jog or run the free weekly 5k at Goddington Park. Register before your first visit and bring a scannable barcode for a timed result; the mixed grass and gravel course can be uneven. Check the course and travel details.
Unorfadox and The CBGBs, 7pm-11pm. Catch a live music night at Orpington Liberal Club. Tickets are £5 on the door; the club opens at 6:30pm, and non-members also pay £1 club entry. The bar takes card payments only. See the band-night details.
Tuesday 18 August
Grand Ole Orpy singaround, 7pm-9:45pm. Join the acoustic session as a performer, jam along with others or simply listen. Admission is £3 and the Orpington Liberal Club bar opens at 6:15pm. See the singaround details.
Roadworks and Transport
Southlands Grove closed through Monday: Southlands Grove is scheduled to stay closed until late on Monday 17 August for Thames Water work.
Laxey Road closure runs into Wednesday: Laxey Road is scheduled to remain closed until late on Wednesday 19 August for gas-network work.
Southborough Lane signals through Monday: Two-way signals are planned on Southborough Lane from Thursday 13 until late on Monday 17 August for Thames Water work.
The Landway closes from Monday: The Landway is scheduled to close from Monday 17 August until late on Friday 18 September for gas-network work. Check the Bromley roadworks map before setting out.
Planning Watch
Oak crown reduction proposed on Monks Way: An application for 10 Monks Way proposes reducing the south-west crown of a protected oak tree by up to three metres, back to previous pruning points. View application 26/03160/TPO.
Leyland cypress removal proposed in Farnborough: A conservation-area tree notice for Whitethorns, 41 Park Avenue, proposes felling a Leyland cypress on the rear boundary to ground level. View application 26/03176/TCA.