St Paul’s Cray councillor leaves Reform

Published Thursday 22 October 2026

Dean Miller remains a councillor as an independent, plus 15 half-term ideas and a say on Hewitts car-meet restrictions.

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St Paul’s Cray councillor leaves Reform

St Paul’s Cray councillor Dean Miller has left Reform UK following an ITV investigation. ITV reported that it filmed him making racist remarks about black children in Bromley. Miller told the broadcaster he was heavily medicated for a chronic pain condition at the time.

He remains a councillor: Bromley’s register lists him as an independent. His ward colleagues are Christopher Marlow and Will Rawles. Bromley Online reported the change on 18 October.

Have your say on Hewitts car-meet restrictions

Residents have until Friday 13 November to comment on extending restrictions at Hewitts Roundabout on Orpington By-Pass. Sevenoaks District Council introduced the Public Spaces Protection Order in March 2024 to tackle car meets and associated anti-social behaviour.

The consultation opened on 9 October. It asks whether the order should continue, whether its boundary should grow or shrink, and whether the prohibited behaviour should change. Councillors are due to consider responses in December; an extension has not yet been approved.

Dates For Your Diary

Thursday 29–Saturday 31 October · 7:45pm · £10

The 39 Steps in Farnborough Village

Farnborough Dramatic Society will stage Patrick Barlow’s comic spy adventure at Farnborough Village Hall, 65 High Street, from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October. Performances start at 7:45pm; tickets cost £10. Friday is sold out. Check Thursday and Saturday tickets.

Thursday 5 November · adults £7, children £5

Scouts and school fireworks at The Highway

The 3rd Orpington Scouts and Friends of The Highway will share the proceeds of a fireworks evening at The Highway Primary School. Gates open at 6pm and the display starts at 7pm, with refreshments and a licensed bar. Enter via Arundel Road only. Book fireworks tickets.

What's On

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October

Worm Weekend at Down House, Downe, 10am–3pm · normal admission applies. Explore Charles Darwin’s worm experiments and try hands-on earthworm sampling in the gardens at Down House, Luxted Road, Downe. The family activities run on both Saturday and Sunday and are included in normal admission; English Heritage members go free. Book Worm Weekend admission.

Saturday 24 October

Ceri James and The Red Flames, 7:30pm–10:30pm. Ceri James will bring indie folk rock to Orpington Liberal Club, 7 Station Road, with support from John Ashdown. Entry is free for club members or £1 for other guests, plus a cash collection for the performers. The bar takes cards only. See the live-music evening.

Sunday 25 October

Traditional Jewish crafts at Sadeh Farm, Crockenhill, 10:30am–4pm. Try scribing, candle making or wool spinning at Sadeh Farm, Skeet Hill Lane. Everyone is welcome, including beginners and children. The suggested donation is £15, with £10 extra for candle making; nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Stone carving is sold out. Bring a vegetarian lunch dish without cheese, wine or wine vinegar. Sign up for the craft day.

Monday 26 October

Help with the NHS App in Orpington, 2pm–4pm. ClearCommunityWeb will help you set up the NHS App and other systems such as MyChart, and build confidence using online GP services, at Orpington Methodist Church, 19 Sevenoaks Road. See the Monday support session.

Wednesday 28 October

Local musical company brings Young Frankenstein to Eltham, 7:30pm · run ends Saturday 31 October. Petts Wood, Orpington and Sidcup’s musical theatre company will perform Mel Brooks’ comedy at the Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road, Eltham. The run continues until Saturday 31 October, with evening performances at 7:30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2:30pm. See the show and booking information.

Roadworks and Transport

Replacement buses on the Bromley South route: On Saturday 24 October, buses will replace trains between Bromley South and Orpington. On Sunday 25 October, they will run between Beckenham Junction and Orpington. Sunday’s Victoria–Ramsgate, Dover Priory and Ashford International services via Maidstone East will divert away from Bromley South. Thameslink will also run replacement buses between London Bridge and Swanley on Sunday, except at Nunhead and Ravensbourne. Check the weekend rail arrangements.

Community Notices

Family-centre feedback closes tomorrow

Families using Bromley’s children and family centres, including Blenheim and Cotmandene, have until Friday 23 October to comment on their services and activities. The feedback will help shape future provision as the service moves towards Family Hubs. For an emailed or posted survey, call 020 8461 7259.

Walnuts and Crofton Halls collect Christmas gifts

You can leave donations for Bromley Brighter Beginnings’ Christmas for Every Child appeal at the Walnuts and Crofton Halls receptions. Collections run until Friday 6 November.

The charity needs new pyjamas for ages 0–11 without Christmas designs, pre-loved children’s Christmas jumpers and unused new gifts. Volunteers will put together age-appropriate hampers for families facing hardship. The collection bins will stay throughout the year, with the items needed changing.