Religion and Groups The Church has had a massive part to play in the development of Orpington, Farnborough and the Cray Valley. All current towns and villages owe their success and development to the Parish Councils that ran them. Before the days of the ‘benefit state’ the Parish looked after the poor and less fortunate. Many leisure groups have formed in the area over the years and the Cray Valley and local Orpington Area boasts a healthy number of them, some of which have been formed for over a 100 years.