A week of events to celebrate 300 years from Huguenot Mansion to Venue 28 – from Admiral Brett & Lady Byron to Enid & Carey Blyton and David Bowie. The Clock House District, the cultural heart of Beckenham, is centred on Venue 28, formerly the Beckenham Technical Institute where in 1901 “there arrived outside the gates of a new school in Beckenham the glistening horses, the shining harness, the polished coaches, the smart coachmen, bearing the dignified guests dressed in a manner befitting the Edwardians for the official opening ceremony”. Check out the schedule of events below.
Saturday April 30th
- Bricklayers Arms – 3pm: Start point for Procession to Bowie’s Bandstand in Croydon Road Rec.
- Methodist Chapel, Clock House Road (opposite Railway Station) 5 pm: ‘Who do you think you are?’ Talk by Roy Hanscombe, from Wakefield, about his grandfather Bert Hanscombe (a dustman from Churchfields Road) who survived the horrors of WW1 and was honoured by unveiling the Beckenham War Memorial in 1921.
- Methodist Chapel, Clock House Road (opposite Railway Station) 7.45 pm: Magic, Music, and Music Hall An evening with Sarah (Magic Circle), Melanie Jones Soprano & Christian Strover, and the Clock House Wind Ensemble (leader Graham Clayden).
Monday May 2nd
- Rare Interiors Gallery 249 Beckenham Road (020 3581 5674), Art Exhibition
Tuesday May 3rd
- Venue 28 10 am: Walking with the Famous led by historian, Cliff Watkins: Starts at 10am, returning at 12 noon to Venue 28 for light lunch. Walk resumes at 1 pm. Numbers limited.
Wednesday May 4th
- Beckenham Library 6.30 pm: Talk by local author, Mike Uden
Thursday May 5th
- Venue 28 2pm: Cliff hangers! Talk by Lena Kroger about her teaching in Venue 28 when the building was used by Bromley Adult Education.
Friday May 6th
- Venue 28 2pm: Balgowan School and Beckenham Baths : Happy Memories. Talk by old boys Jack Hilton and David Johnson
- Alhambra Project: 2a Balgowan Road Open Days –mornings 10 to 1pm May 6th & 7th.
- Belleberry Gallery 7pm: Art Exhibition (020 8658 2568)
- Beckenham Library Exhibition: Carey’s Aunt & Enid’s Nephew
Saturday May 7th
- Baptist Church, Elm Road (opposite the Beckenham Library) 7pm: Concert by Beckenham Junior Choir & Youth Voices and soloists. It is hoped to display in the Baptist Church, the Clock House District Information Panel, designed by the West Beckenham Residents Association (WBRA), to be located between the Library and Venue 28.
In Beckenham Library all week are two quizzes. One by Graham Clayden, based his original wood engraving limited edition print of the skyline used as the Festival Logo. The other is a set of “Twenty Questions” prepared by Cliff Watkins. The answers to both quizzes will be available in Beckenham Library from May 6th.
Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA) 