Author: Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA)

Residents Association covering central and northern Beckenham. Founded in 1939 to protect and promote the interests of residents in matters of local concern

Closure of Beckenham Public Toilets looms, again- Have your say.

Local residents successfully campaigned  against the Council’s proposed closure of Beckenham’s public toilets in 2010. Unfortunately the closure is back on the agenda again and the future of Beckenham’s public convenience will be discussed at the Environmental Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee next year (Tuesday 20th Jan 2015).

The Council has already closed most conveniences elsewhere in the borough. Only Beckenham, West Wickham, Bromley Town and Penge remain. Penge is currently being considered by the Council for closure, with a final decision expected next week.

In place of public conveniences the Council are running the “Community Toilets” scheme, where local businesses  are paid to allow members of the public to use their facilities  ordinarily reserved for patrons.  Bromley Council have already introduced the “Community Toilets” scheme in Beckenham and have been paying for this alongside the public toilets for a number of years.  We have over the years received a number of complaints about the “Community Toilets”  not being up to scratch or not being accessible. The public toilets have been well maintained and well used.

If you value having public conveniences in the town centre let the Chair of the Environmental Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee, the Portfolio Holder  and our local councillors know. You can write to them at Bromley Civic Centre, BR1 3UH or email as per the details below.

  • Cllr William Huntington-Thresher (Chair of the Environment PDS Committee) – email: william@ocat.co.uk
  • Cllr Colin Smith (Executive Portfolio-Holder for the Environment) – email: colin.smith@bromley.gov.uk
  • Copers Cope Ward Councillors – emails: michael.tickner@bromley.gov.uk, russell.mellor@bromley.gov.uk, stephen.wells@bromley.gov.uk

One week to go until Christmas On The Green and the biggest procession yet – 12-6pm Sat 29 Nov 2014

Saturday 29 November will be jam packed with entertainment in Beckenham. Fair, music and festive refreshments on The Green, carol singers and free Mince Pies in the High Street, a Marching Band leading the Copers Cope Residents’ Association Candlelit Procession through the town and the big Christmas Light Switch On and sing-a-long finale.

Check out the Christmas On The Green web page for further information and timings.

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Celebrating the Union Concert – 7.45pm Sat 6 Dec 2014, St George’s Church

Celebrating the Union – a concert of universally appealing British Music – Saturday 06th December 2014 7.45pm

  • Henry Purcell Overture and Rondeau from Abdelazar Suite Z 570
  • Joan Trimble Suite for Strings (1951 unpublished, loaned from Ulster Orchestra)
  • Gareth Walters Divertimento for Strings (1960 Welsh)
  • Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry Lady Radnor’s Suite in F
  • Sir Alexander Campbell MacKenzie Benedictus (1888) Op 37 No 3 arr. for violin and strings Dominic Moore
  • Country Gardens (In an English Country Garden) – Percy Grainger, arr. Dominic Moore
  • Irish Tune from County Derry Percy Grainger, arr. Barry Ould
  • Suo Gan (Sleep My Baby) arr. Dominic Moore

Ulster Orchestra

The planning of this concert comes at a time when one of our great symphony orchestras, the Ulster Orchestra is fighting for survival. We would like to show our support for this wonderful orchestra, if you would also like to show your support please click this petition link and add your name to the petition there.

Book in advance from The Beckenham Bookshop and St. George’s Church Office (Monday to Friday until 3.30pm). Best seats will be reserved for pre-concert sales. Tickets also available on-line at www.sgco.co.uk and on the door.

Controversial Shortlands School Gets Planning Consent

pengeandcatorcouncillors's avatarPenge and Cator Councillors

The Harris organisation have got planning consent for a new two form entry primary school on the site of the former care home for the elderly at Kingswood House in Shortlands.  The site is located at the junction of Kingswood Rd, Mays Hill Rd, Queen Anne Avenue and Valley Rd.   People living near to the site and Shortlands Residents Association were forced to ask freedom of information questions to get details of the planned scheme from Bromley Tories.

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Bromley Council Update Newsletter Autumn 2014

In this edition you will find information on how residents in the borough can make senior councillors aware of their views as they reach the difficult decisions  that have to be made about the budget for 2015/16 and beyond. The Council has to save more than £60 million over the next four years from an annual net budget of just over £200 million.

Bromley Council Update

3 weeks to go until Christmas On The Green, Sat 29 Nov 2014

Beckenham celebrates the arrival of the festive season with a day of live entertainment, funfair, hot food and drinks, the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association Annual Candlelit Procession, Christmas Lights Switch On and a community sing-a-long. Look out for Father Christmas, Nanny Christmas, Mrs & Mrs Becks and a large walking Candy Cane. This year, as well as some amazing entertainment on The Green, we have the Haverettes All Girls Marching Band leading the Procession and performing in the High Street.  See more on the Christmas On The Green page.

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Beckenham’s Remembrance Day Service Sunday 9 November 2014

Beckenham’s Annual Remembrance Day Service will be held at Beckenham War Memorial on Sunday 9th November 2014 at 10.50 am.

The Parade will form up at 10.15 am in St George’s Road (adjacent to St George’s Church), to move off at 10.25 am to the War Memorial via Albermarle Road and Beckenham High Street to form up on the road around the Beckenham War Memorial roundabout. Following the Service, the Parade will re-form and march off to return to St George’s Road via the High Street, The Drive, and Church Avenue for the march past in Bromley Road outside St George’s Church and dispersal by the Mayoral Representative in St George’s Road Beckenham.

Wednesday 5th November 2014 Silent Walk in Beckenham Place Park

Meet at the Mansion at 1.00pm. This could be described as a listening walk, as there are so many different sounds that go unnoticed on our usual rambles around the park chatting away nineteen to the dozen. An unusual walk which has been enjoyed in the past. We sit for a few moments at the end to reveal just how many things we’ve heard.

For more information check out www.beckenhamplaceparkfriends.org.uk

 

Harris Academy Bromley, Lennard Road – Building Project

If you’re passing Harris Academy Bromley  (the old Cator Park Girls’ School) over the next few weeks you will notice the beginning of a large building  project.  A seven-phase building programme to provide a new science block, sports hall, and revamp the interior of the whole Academy, will keep the school functioning throughout the 2½ year project. The early works phase (all internal) will start in November, and outer blocks will be stripped out March/June. The listed frontage will be left unchanged.

The contractors will work between 8am & 6pm on weekdays, and 8am-1pm on some Saturdays. Dust, noise and vibration levels will be constantly monitored and controlled. A regular newsletter will be issued by Kier, and photos and progress will be updated on the Academy website.

The work should be completed by April 2017. Any queries can be directed to Project Manager Ron Francis, ron.francis@kier.co.uk

St George’s Chamber Orchestra 10th Birthday Concert – 7.45pm Sat 1 Nov 2014, St George’s Church Beckenham

10th Birthday Concert – Welcoming back founding conductor Madeleine Venner – Saturday 01st November 2014 7.45pm

  • Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte Overture K588
  • Beethoven Romance No 2 in F Op 50
  • Wagner Siegfried Idyll WWV 103
  • Interval
  • Beethoven Symphony No. 1 in C major Op. 21
  • Conductor Madeleine Venner
  • Leader Dominic Moore

Find out more about the SGCO at http://sgco.co.uk/

Book in advance from The Beckenham Bookshop and St. George’s Church Office (Monday to Friday until 3.30pm). Best seats will be reserved for pre-concert sales. Tickets also available on-line at http://www.stgeorgesbeckenham.co.uk and on the door.

St. George’s Church is on the corner of High Street and Bromley Road Beckenham BR3 1AX.

Bakerloo to Beckenham? A survey of local people.

Beckenham residents will be the most affected by a Bakerloo Line extension to Hayes with 5 stations (New Beckenham, Clock House, Elmers End, Eden Park and Beckenham Junction) included in the proposal. Our survey seeks your feedback so our Residents’ Associations can ensure Bromley Council’s response to Transport for London (TfL) reflects the views of the people of Beckenham.  Bromley Council, Lewisham Council and Southwark Council will all be lobbying TfL and the Mayor to get the best outcome for their residents. We want to be sure Beckenham is heard.
You should also complete the official TfL consultation located online at
www.tfl.gov.uk/bakerloo-extension

 

Sunday Bus Service on 352 and 354 Routes – Sign the Petition

In the 21st century in London there are bus routes that do not operate on Sunday or Public Holidays.

The 352 bus runs from Bell Green Sainsbury’s in Sydenham to Bromley North Station, via Beckenham High Street. It travels between 3 retail destinations through the quieter residential roads of Northern Beckenham, Eden Park and West Wickham that are not served by any other means.  The 354  bus runs from Bromley North, Ravensbourne, Beckenham High Street, Copers Cope, Clock House, Birbeck, Anerley, Penge West through some quiter residential roads.

The contracts for both bus services will be up for renewal in the next 12 months, sign the  following petitions to request TfL provide a modern bus service for Beckenham.

Beckenham wide Residents’ Meeting Tonight – Bakerloo Extension Discussion – 8pm Beckenham Public Halls

Have your say!  Our annual Open Meeting with the West Beckenham Residents’ Association starts at 8pm at the Beckenham Public Halls. We expect the Bakerloo extension to be a big topic for the evening, come along and raise any issue directly with our local Councillors.  A panel of councillors from every Ward will take your questions.