The Bromley Buzz podcast, which was founded in 2021, celebrated the first anniversary of its “Bromley BuzzUp” free, all-sector networking events on April 8.
The event was attended by councillor Jonathan Andrews, deputy mayor of Bromley, and mayoress Theresa Andrews.
Since its launch the podcast has grown and now more than 220 episodes have been aired.
It was founded by Darren Weale, with the help of co-presenters Zeenat Noorani and Sarah Marsh-Collings.
More than 200 people have been interviewed on the podcast, including four successive mayors of Bromley, all of the borough’s members of parliament, the late Holocaust survivor Ziggi Shipper, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke and Johannes Radebe, and Bromley Football Club’s current manager, Andy Woodman.
The “Bromley BuzzUp” meetings have been held at various locations, including Newman Flexible Workspace in Bromley town centre, the Bridge House Theatre in Penge, Westcombe Park Rugby Club, Biggin Hill Airport, Community House, and Lolli’s Sweet Shop.
Darren Weale said: “The BuzzUps were an idea long before they were started, because they take a good deal of time and effort to run.
“Bromley has a thriving business networking scene, but nothing else was bringing people together more widely.
“We wanted to change that.
“We have, and now people doing good things in Bromley in the arts, sport, business, charities, media, health, education, and more are regularly meeting up face to face and adding to the buzz here.”
The next Bromley BuzzUp will be at Bromley Youth Music Trust on May 13, and will be attended by Councillor Dr David Jefferys, mayor of Bromley.
The special guest will be Nick Oram, who has written about the iconic Spitfire aircraft.
The BuzzUp events often feature activities as well as short talks and time for attendees to chat with each other, which has led to some cross-sector collaborations.
The activities have included a paper aircraft making and longest throw competition at Biggin Hill Airport, artwork led by local artist Beci Ward, and ballet, led by Janet Lewis OBE, director of English Youth Ballet.
The participants reflect the variety of the podcast itself.
Mr Weale added: “We have more exciting plans for the Bromley Buzz and the BuzzUps, and we are grateful for the support of our sponsors in helping us to grow beyond the podcast itself.”
