Bromley Buzz

Episode 277: Cllr Graeme Casey - Spring catch-up in Priory Gardens, Orpington

Darren Weale  catches up with previous Bromley Buzz podcast guest (episode 143) Cllr Graeme Casey outside the Lopeto Cafe in Orpington's Priory Gardens, with vocal accompaniment from a Robin, geese, and passing park and cafe users. 
 
While enjoying Basque cheesecake and coffee, and ahead of the May 7th local elections, as usual we steer clear of politics, while encouraging listeners to vote, and refer to how the year is going for Graeme and his enjoyment of being on the Council planning sub-committees.
 
We are spreading the love! Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants, and London Biggin Hill Airport.

Episode 276: Cllr Gemma Turrell, Deputy Mayor Of Bromley - celebrating Bromley, classical cats, dinosaurs, and Beyoncé

Darren Weale and Zeenat Noorani talk with Cllr Gemma Turrell, Deputy Mayor of Bromley.
 
Gemma comes up with a great tagline for the borough - 'London living with a Kent lifestyle' and talks about her personal journey, her cats, boardgames, and her cool experiences as Deputy Mayor. She also reveals that the Bromley Buzz is her "number one podcast on Spotify"! 
The discussion ranges from Pokémon to Mount Everest, and Narnia to Florence. 
 
We are spreading the love!
Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants, and London Biggin Hill Airport.

Episode 275: Spark Festival and communities of connection

Darren Weale visits Bromley's Greener Cleaner Hub in The Glades shopping centre during the Spark Festival and speaks with Amber and Michaela from In Common, John Breech from the Hub's energy team - supported by UK Power Networks, and Charlotte from the Hub, who talks about the Hub's current and future activities that people can take part in. 
From a player coming on stage in a coffin, to coming away with awards, and many a mishap along the way, we hear about the Society, which is over 75 years old, and features members from 18 years of age to 'as old as you like'. With alumni including Nicholas Gasson from TV's Merlin, several members have gone on to professional careers. 
Local pub The Woodman is given due credit for its warmth and helpfulness and allowing items to disappear onto the FDS stage as props from time to time.
In between telling many a story from the decades, the three refer to the benefits of taking part in a theatre society, such as being in a long-established community, learning, and confidence. As Wendy says, 'No one will believe now I was really shy', and refers to being Bubbles Laverne and covered in balloons for a production!
We are spreading the love!
Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants and London Biggin Hill Airport.

Episode 274: News, events, Cllrs Thomas Turrell and Will Rowlands, and the Green Belt

Darren Weale and Zeenat Noorani talk about the latest news and events in Bromley, and as we look to share one or two items from our archive, we include an interview with Cllr Thomas Turrell - also London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley - and Cllr Will Rowlands, when Thomas was walking for charity and to celebrate the Green Belt last spring (2025). That was recorded at Scadbury Manor. Thank you to BBC Radio London's Eddie Nestor MBE for his contribution to the opening of the show.  
 
We are spreading the love!
Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants, and Ian Wood Property.

Episode 273: A rare zoological treat in Kent - Hemsley Conservation Centre

Darren Weale speaks with Henry, Operations Manager at Hemsley Conservation Centre in Kent.
From the beautiful, rare Golden Conures which can be heard at the start of the episode, to Tayra, Lemurs, Maned Wolves and Jaguarundi (one of only 2 pairs in the UK), Hemsley Conservation Centre is a publicly-open refuge for many animal species that are rare both in the wild and even in zoos.
The Centre loves its animals, and their personality and attitude, providing a range of direct experiences with some of the species, such as lemurs, sloths, bugs, porcupines, and spider monkeys. It has options for visitors including a 'junior zookeeper' experience.
Hemsley Conservation Centre enables people to see and learn about rare animals, keeping the species alive, and educating people on how to preserve environments. There is a lot to be seen and understood when visiting the Centre.  The Centre is also part of the Small Zoo Network.
Do enjoy the episode and Henry's animal stories and the quirks and habits that he shares. Better still, go to Hemsley Conservation Centre and see for yourself.   
We are spreading the love!
Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants and London Biggin Hill Airport.

Episode 272: Farnborough Dramatic Society - We wouldn't do it if it wasn't fun!

Darren Weale speaks with Wendy, Robin, and Nick from the Farnborough Dramatic Society in the dressing room.
From a player coming on stage in a coffin, to coming away with awards, and many a mishap along the way, we hear about the Society, which is over 75 years old, and features members from 18 years of age to 'as old as you like'. With alumni including Nicholas Gasson from TV's Merlin, several members have gone on to professional careers. 
Local pub The Woodman is given due credit for its warmth and helpfulness and allowing items to disappear onto the FDS stage as props from time to time.
In between telling many a story from the decades, the three refer to the benefits of taking part in a theatre society, such as being in a long-established community, learning, and confidence. As Wendy says, 'No one will believe now I was really shy', and refers to being Bubbles Laverne and covered in balloons for a production!
We are spreading the love!
Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants and London Biggin Hill Airport.

Episode 271: Farnborough Dramatic Society - Murder At Checkmate Manor preview

Darren Weale speaks with Wendy, Robin, and Nick from the Farnborough Dramatic Society in the dressing room ahead of their next production, Murder At Checkmate Manor, which runs between 19th and 21st February. Tickets here.
We are spreading the love!
Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants and London Biggin Hill Airport.

Episode 270: Kerry Barrett, author - Telling untold women's stories

Jacqui Weale speaks with author Kerry Barrett.  
We are spreading the love!
Do listen in and share the Buzz. You can find us on our website www.bromleybuzz.co.uk, where we feature local events here. We are also on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. The Bromley Buzz podcast is sponsored by Shampan restaurants and London Biggin Hill Airport.