About

The Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association (CCARA) founded in 1935 and the West Beckenham Residents’ Association founded in 1945 are the longest serving, largest residents’ associations (RAs) in Beckenham. The two associations work collaboratively for the betterment of Beckenham and refer to each other as sister RAs. In recent years the Chairs (Chloe-Jane Ross for CCARA and Marie Pender for WBRA) have sought closer working and pooling of resources to enable both organisations to do more to utilise the skills and experience of each others committee – like the sharing of this website. Also see the notice boards outside the Odeon cinema near the War Memorial and outside M&S opposite St George’s Church. 

What to the RAs do?

Each RA has a committee of volunteers from the community who actively monitor issues in the local area, respond to members’ concerns and take them forward with the relevant authorities (such as Bromley Council, local Police, TfL, Southeastern and elected representatives (our MP and Councillors, although the RAs are not party political). Both RAs represent members on a whole raft of issues including planning, licensing, health, council spending, policing, heritage, town centre improvement and more. They also hold community events, work on initiatives with other local groups, and participate in Council working groups and meetings.

Find out more about each Association below.

Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association (CCARA)

Covering central and northern Beckenham (Beckenham and Copers Cope Ward), the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association (CCARA) was founded in 1935 to ‘protect and promote the interests of residents on matters of local concern’.

The CCARA is non party-political. Is open to anyone living in or near Beckenham to join. It covers a wide range is issues on behalf of local people. If you use Beckenham High Street or enjoy our Market On The Green please give us your support and become a member.

CCARA Committee

  • Chloe-Jane Ross (Chair)
  • Alan Old (Planning)
  • Stephen Parkin (Vice Chair)
  • Myra Jeffries (Secretary)
  • Robert Jeffries (Treasurer)
  • Ben Soule (Membership)
  • Marsha Berg (Town Centre and Policing)
  • Rosemary Willsher (Transport)
  • Jen Mc Arthur (Streets and active travel)
  • Dee Hetherington (Health)
Contacts
Email: chairman@coperscope.org.uk

Map of Copers Cope Area

https://streets.openalfa.co.uk/copers-cope-ward

West Beckenham Residents’ Association (WBRA)

The West Beckenham Residents’ Association (WBRA) was formed in 1945 just after the Second World War as the Kent and Manor House Ratepayers Association. Even in the mid 1940s, it was, in fact, a revival of a previous ratepayers’ organisation that existed before the First World War.

WBRA covers an area of about five square miles in the Beckenham addresses in the wards of Clock House,  Penge and Cator, and Kelsey and Eden Park. Each of these wards is represented by three councillors.

  • Janet Ambrose (President)
  • Marie Pender (Chair)
  • Stafford Bunce (Treasurer)
  • Eileen Penfold (Secretary)
  • Sue Woodward (Review)
  • Arnjali Rowe
  • Diana Davidson

For more information, or contributions for the Express Review, email   info@westbeckenhamra.org