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IT’S 8:01 ON FRIDAY MORNING
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Half-term made for a quieter commute into the City this week. The clocks going back mean we’re now travelling home in the dark, but there’s a silver lining: Halloween is this weekend, and some houses have really gone to town with the decorations. Stay safe and have fun trick-or-treating tomorrow night.
🎟️ For our Season Ticket Holders, we’ve just posted a roundup of November’s upcoming events in the Community Forum.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
This week, we highlight a Lime Street coffee spot that trades espresso for something stronger after 4pm. Closer to home, Camden Place has added a second talk on how Chislehurst got its château, Bromley Little Theatre is holding open auditions for Come From Away, and St Nicholas has a Christmas concert for St Christopher’s Hospice. There’s good news at Hither Green station, and a new grocer has opened on Royal Parade.
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🏙️ IN THE CITY
Another coffee spot to highlight this week, which I nipped into right before a meeting. Red Lion Coffee is right in the heart of the insurance district in the City on Lime Street, overlooking the famous Lloyd’s building. Space inside for a couple of tables, and also tables outside to prop yourself up on. Someone has also gone to town covering the coffee machine in travel magnets. Coffee is from the excellent Allpress brewed in Dalston. Drop in after 4:00 pm, and you can swap your coffee for something a little stronger.
🏘️ IN CHISLEHURST
Camden Place: The Making of Chislehurst’s Château
Camden Place has added a second afternoon talk after the original session sold out. Royal Palaces curator Alice Blows will reveal how the historic Chislehurst house acquired its remarkable French interiors—and whether its lavish transformation was partly intended to create a sanctuary for the exiled Napoleon III. The additional talk takes place on Wednesday 18 November at 4pm.
WHEN: Wednesday 18 November 2026, 4–5pm
WHERE: Camden Place, Chislehurst Golf Club, Camden Park Road
DETAILS: Come From Away open auditions
Come From Away open auditions
Fancy joining the cast of Come From Away? Bromley Little Theatre has revised the open-audition date for its December 2027 production, with try-outs now running from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 21 February. Auditions are open to everyone, with callbacks the following Saturday. Check BLT’s website for the full audition notice before taking flight.
WHEN: Sunday 21 February 2027, 11am–5pm; callbacks Saturday 28 February, 2–6pm
WHERE: Bromley Little Theatre, North Street, Bromley
DETAILS: Audition Schedule
Christmas with St Christopher’s
St Nicholas Church will be filled with festive music on Sunday 13 December for a special Christmas concert supporting St Christopher’s Hospice. Expect seasonal readings, audience carols and plenty of community spirit, followed by festive refreshments. The concert begins at 4pm, with tickets priced from free to £15.
WHEN: Sunday 13 December 2026, 4–5.30pm
WHERE: St Nicholas Church, Church Lane
DETAILS: St Christopher’s Hospice
🚂 THE COMMUTE
A Big Improvement at Hither Green
Anyone travelling through Hither Green might have noticed a rather substantial new addition to the station. A new footbridge connecting all platforms opened earlier this month as part of a £28 million accessibility upgrade. The improvements don't stop there, with four new lifts, upgraded entrances, additional passenger information screens and other facilities still to come. Better still, the project is running ahead of schedule, with completion now expected in spring 2027. Once finished, Hither Green will offer step-free access from street level to every platform for the first time. A welcome improvement to one of southeast London's busiest railway connections.
👂 HEARD ON THE PLATFORM
Did you know there’s a new grocer on Royal Parade? The Green Patch opened recently and is offering a carefully curated product list with high-quality organic food. It seems they will also be selling items under their own label ‘The Batch’ at some point in the near future.
Welcome to Chislehurst; we hope the venture thrives!
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Simon
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