Two residents' associations working together across Beckenham on your behalf
Contact the Elderly groups offer companionship for people over 75 who live alone, are unable to get out and about without help and have lost touch with family and friends.
They currently have some vacancies for guests in their Bromley groups. If you would like to refer someone, this can be done online via their website www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk .
You can find out more about the group and how to get involved at www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/media/literature
The Copers Cope Area Residents Association recently attended a focus group for the proposals to change Beckenham Place Park. Whilst we appreciate the opportunity to get involved we are hugely disappointed that this is the first proper consultation on this project that started 2 years ago. Lewisham council submitted plans for the park and received inimical funding back in July 2014 with no local consultation in Beckenham.
The focus group was good meeting where local community groups got the opportunity to pass on the view of local people. The report from the meeting is below.
1 Introduction
A series of five discussion groups were held between 4th and 11th February 2016. Consultants CFP facilitated the sessions with support from Lewisham Council regeneration team members.
The discussion groups were attended by a total of 39 people.
This report is a short summary of the overall discussion across the five sessions.
2 Summary of Discussion
2.1 Awareness of Beckenham Place Park
There was a clear message that marketing & promotion of Beckenham Place Park and its offer was currently poor, both online and through other means. Addressing this shortfall was perceived to be relatively straightforward and should be a priority. This view was shared by existing users, golfers and less frequent visitors. There were comments that ‘Beckenham Place Park was one of the best kept secrets’ in SE London.
Many participants, particularly those that visit the park less frequently, suggested that the park is perceived to be ‘a private space’. This perception is underpinned by poor signage and unwelcoming entrances, impermeable boundaries and the relative dominance of the golf course.
Access from the east is very important for many people. Those accessing the park from the east typically considered access to be reasonable and thought that golf impacted less on the landscape and placed fewer restrictions on their movement around the park.
There were a number of suggestions that the park should be more visible and that improvements should be made to the Beckenham Hill boundary.
2.2 Character of the Park
Most participants agreed that the park is valued because of its open space, woodland and as a place to escape the surrounding urban development offering respite from the daily pressures of urban living. These qualities give Beckenham Place Park its special character and strong feelings were expressed that these characteristics should be preserved.
2.3 Access
Access into the park is perceived to be generally good with a number of entrances at regular intervals linking to residential areas and public transport points. The entrances were typically felt to be relatively unwelcoming and that this had consistently been identified through previous surveys. Poor signage was also regularly mentioned.
Public transport, with 2 railway stations in close proximity to the park, was considered to be good. Navigation from Beckenham Hill Station could be improved and there was a suggestion that temporary signage could be used to encourage new visitors and build confidence. The Green Chain links were also considered a strength.
The proposals to create a better path network with circular routes was supported in principle by the majority of respondents. However, some existing users and golfers felt this could be achieved by working around the golf course.
There was some concern over the details of the path proposals and suggestions that materials used should be sympathetic and in keeping with the character of the park, particularly in the less formal areas. The self-binding gravel materials used for the eastern path following the Ravensbourne elicited some positive comments. Improved disabled / inclusive access was widely supported.
Improved access for cyclists was generally supported although some participants raised concerns over shared access paths with respect to potential user conflicts.
There was a general consensus that further vehicular access points into the park were not required. Some Beckenham residents living very close to the park had strong opinions about any further vehicle access into (and out of) the park from the south, even for limited periods only. These concerns derive from the issue of unadopted highways maintained by residents and also increased traffic and associated disturbance.
At one discussion group there was a suggestion for a further railway crossing point (bridge) for pedestrians, which would aid circulation and connect the common to the woodland.
2.4 Interpretation
There was support for interpretative materials at the Homesteads and in other key areas of the park. There was a strong preference for the interpretive materials to cover the wider local history and heritage, setting the park in a wider context.
There were also high levels of support for way marked trails to encourage exploration.
2.5 Buildings
There was universal support for the restoration of the buildings within the park, particularly the Mansion, Homesteads & associated buildings and the Gardeners Cottage. Future uses of the Foxgrove Club were more mixed. These was support for the re-use of the building but Beckenham residents in particular raised some concerns over the types of use and any vehicular access requirements.
Many respondents appeared to recognise the need to restore and conserve the Mansion and considered this to be the highest priority within the park. There was a strong preference for use of the Mansion, which would allow greater public access. Weddings and private hire uses were supported if this would help derive income to sustain the building. Use of the Mansion as restaurant and training venue for catering and the hospitality industry received some support. Other suggestions included using the building as a museum or art gallery.
The proposals for the Homesteads and suggested functions of cafe, toilets & educational use were well supported. Arts and craft based activities within the curtilage of the Homesteads was supported as were small scale fairs and similar events.
Conversion of the Gardeners Cottage for use as a volunteer base was well supported and the development of volunteer programmes was welcomed.
The Lodges were considered to be visually significant buildings and there were some creative solutions offered to illuminate these to signify the entrances and raise awareness of the park.
2.6 General landscape
Support for the landscape proposals was more mixed, with many more frequent users and golfers opposing any plans that would impact upon the golf course. The Mayor of Lewisham was due to take a decision on the golf course a few days after the last discussion group. The potential closure of the golf course was of great concern to many of the participants and naturally there was some resistance to the landscape proposals that proposed reuse of the land occupied by the golf course.
The current play provision was generally considered to be poor. There was support for introducing more adventurous play provision within the park. The Old Bromley Road entrance and current play location was seen as being an important area for locating key facilities (including refreshments and toilets), providing accessible spaces close to where many people live. There was support for locating any BMX provision in this area. There was also some support for an outdoor gym and trim trail type equipment.
The re-creation of the lake and wetland area was not well supported by many existing users, to a large degree because of the impact on the golf course. Whilst some participants supported the concept, concerns were raised over the technical viability, maintenance requirements and management issues such as those related to Canada Geese. Other people were more positive and thought it would be a positive additional to the landscape, both visually and as a potential facility for water sports and swimming.
Restoration of the walled garden and the use of the space for community food growing was well supported and the space was currently felt to be under-used. Similarly measures to improve the pleasure grounds were well supported. There were some calls for the tennis courts to be retained and upgraded.
Greater use of the park for a range of events and activities was broadly supported. Larger events generated a more mixed reaction with Beckenham residents concerned over the implications of larger events with respect to access (pedestrian and vehicular), noise nuisance and litter. Many Beckenham residents felt the proposed events area was inappropriate and located too close to residential properties. Acoustic events and classical music events were more positively received than those relating to amplified music. Outdoor theatre and cinema were generally well supported. The backdrop of the Mansion was seen as providing a special setting for events.
There appeared to be some concern that over frequency of events with the perception that large-scale events would occur frequently.
2.7 Biodiversity & woodlands
All measures to support biodiversity and sustain the woodlands would appear to be well supported. The woodland and semi-natural character of the park is seen as a major strength and an important characteristic. Measures to restrict desire lines and manage access in the woodlands were requested by some participants.
Some existing users were concerned over the loss of trees on the golf course should this area be restored and some participants placed significant emphasis on the value of the mature silver birch.
3 Summary
Overall the discussion group process provided a useful platform to discuss Beckenham Place Park, current use of the space and to talk about the opportunities for the future. The vast majority of respondents spoke very positively about the semi-natural character of the space and how this should be understood and conserved. Some participants agreed the park is under-used and there was wider acceptance that marketing and promotion is poor.
Proposals to restore and enhance the buildings were widely supported across all participants. The Mansion was seen by many to be the main priority for investment across the park although proposals to restore the Homesteads (and the proposed uses) were typically well supported. The proposals for the landscape restoration were more mixed, which to a large degree, was a result of some participants opposing the closure of the golf course. However, many of the proposals were also widely supported with many participants excited by the opportunities to introduce new facilities and activities.
The discussion groups have also demonstrated that there is a high level of interest in the proposals for the future of Beckenham Place Park and there should be significant interest in the next stages of consultation.
ButlerDsigns hand painting Beckenham’s new alleyway signs funded by Mayors High Street fund. The Copers Cope Residents’ Association was successful in securing £20k of funds on behalf of the Town Centre Team.
Beckenham is one of 42 post offices that are under threat of closure. The Post Office is currently considering the closure of the Post Office on Rectory Road and selling the franchise to a local shop. In Bromley the Post Office was moved into WH Smith, however it has been mentioned that WH Smith in Beckenham may not be interested hosting a Post Office counter in their small High Street store. Our Association will be lobbying to retain a post office service in Beckenham Town Centre.
Bromley Council have no influence in the Post Office’s decision to close the branch on Rectory Road. Should the worst happen we will be expecting the Council to protect the iconic art deco building. Local Councillors have confirmed they support retaining the building.
Currently there is a petition against closure in the Post office itself. Local people can also write to the Post Office and the regulating body OffComm to voice their concerns.
A representative from the Post Office workers union will be attending the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association public meeting at 8pm 30 March 2016, Beckenham Public Halls to provide information about the closure and how local people may oppose it. We hope you can come along.
To find out what is happening in Beckenham check out our most recent newsletter, found around town or online.
If you appreciate the work we do as volunteers passionate about local community please sign up. If you live in a block of flats in Beckenham it only costs £1.50 per flat if the whole block signs up. Do not delay, support us in supporting you, sign up today.
Trading Standards are warning residents to be on their guard for bogus builders following 2 attempts to scam residents. A 70 year old man reported he was cold called by a male who he described as aged about 40, overweight, over 5’9” tall who said he was from a company which was an off shoot of Dynorod. The man told the consumer there was a problem with sewers at the rear of his property and gained access to the back garden to check a manhole.
The man then produced a mobile phone and told the resident to speak to “the boss”. A man named David Pearce told him to check his toilets. On doing so, the consumer found one of the toilets was almost overflowing with clean water and there was a lot of toilet paper round the top of the bowl. At this point, the resident realised he was being scammed and told the man to leave. It was evident someone had gained access to his home while he was in the garden.
A second report came from Natwest in Bromley when a 78 year old Shortlands woman went into the branch looking to withdraw £5,800 for building work. When bank staff asked her about the work, the customer said she was stopped in the street by a man who said he was digging up the pavement in her street and needed to check her drains. She allowed him into her house to check the drains and on being asked to check her toilet she discovered it was blocked. The man said he needed to hire a machine to clear the blockage and asked for £5,800 in cash, which he said, would be refunded when the work was complete.
Trading Standards are urging residents to report any incidents of cold calling for property repairs and to keep a look out for any vulnerable neighbours.
Referrals may be made via the Trading Standards Rapid response Number on 07903 852090.
From Saturday 19 March there will be improvements to bus route 162, which runs between Beckenham Junction station and Eltham station. This is in order to improve reliability and meet increased customer demand.
The improvements will be as follows:
· During Monday to Friday daytimes and Saturday shopping hours, buses will run every 15 minutes (currently every 20 minutes)
· During Sunday shopping hours and on all evenings, buses will run every 20 minutes (currently every 30 minutes)
A new timetable will be introduced on all days of the week, with some journeys departing earlier or later. Details can be found on our Journey Planner.
The Festival will celebrate the heritage of the Clock House District which, for the last 120 years, has been the cultural and services heart of Beckenham. The District is centred on Venue 28 which stands on the exact location of the famous Clock House Mansion.
Within a half mile / ten minute walk are many fine buildings including homes, places of work, study and recreation of 50 notable national people including Julie Andrews, Enid and Carey Blyton, Rob Bonnet, David Bowie, , Admiral Brett, Harold Bride, Lady Byron and students of the Beckenham Technical and County Schools and the Beckenham School of Art.
Events planned are two concerts in the Methodist Church (April 30th) and the Baptist Church (May 7th), an Art Exhibition, heritage walks, and talks.
Two visitors taking part are Gary Higginson (to hear the first public performance of his composition “Inventions on a Theme by Carey Blyton” and Roy Hanscombe talking about his grandfather Bert Hanscombe (the dustman from Church Fields Road) who unveiled the Beckenham War Memorial in 1921 and Bert’s eight brothers who all survived the horrors of WW1.
The Festival will be concluded by the unveiling of a plaque/information panel about the Clock House District being designed by the West Beckenham Residents Association (WBRA.
For more information contact
Cliff Watkins, 020 8650 7347
cliffwatkins61@gmail.com
Our Annual General Meeting is at 8pm Wednesday 30th March 2015, Beckenham Public Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham.
Representative from the Post Office workers union (CWU) will provide information on the proposed closure of the Beckenham Post Office on Rectory Road. Bromley Council will be attending to provide an update on the TfL funded public realm improvement scheme for Beckenham Town Centre with an opportunity to ask questions afterwards. Local Councillors and our MP are expected to attend. All local people welcome.
Healthwatch Bromley and Lewisham is looking for your feedback on local podiatry services and would be grateful if you could complete their latest questionnaire around the current provision provided by Bromley Healthcare.
The questionnaire can be found by clicking here. TX and should take no more than five minutes to complete.
The deadline for responses is Thursday 24th March 2016.
Healthwatch would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the focus group being held on Monday 21st March, 14:00-16:00, here at Community House, South Street, BR1 1RH.
The focus group will give patients the opportunity to feedback more detailed information regarding their experience. If you are interested in attending or would like to know more about the session, please contact Stephanie on stephanie@healthwatchbromley.co.uk or call 020 8315 1906.
Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter.
The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope
Your team includes
Street Surgery
Our next surgeries are on the following date:
Come and talk to your local Officers and discuss your concerns and for crime prevention information.
Crime
Our ward priorities are:
Our promises are:
February burglary and motor vehicle crimes
Unfortunately there has been 6 burglaries of a dwelling and 6 garage / shed burglaries non dwelling during the month of February. The majority have occurred in Flats in the area surrounding Copers Cope Road.
There has also been 4 reported thefts from motor vehicles. The majority of these crimes have been work vans or delivery vehicles where tools or parcels have been stolen.
We also had 3 criminal damage to vehicles these offences took place in Albemarle Road on the same evening. The suspect involved was seen by a resident and was soon arrested by local officers.
Beware of Dippers
The Copers Cope team have been visiting shops making staff and security guards aware that dipping offences have been taking place in the High Street and asking the stores to put up posters advising shoppers to keep their bags close to them and not left unattended on trolleys etc.
-It only takes a moment for a suspect to remove a purse or a wallet from an unattended bag.
-Please be aware of people around you, particularly if they are walking by you in close contact.
-Suspects often work in teams and may use distraction techniques to get to your property.
If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101
Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk
Find out more and have your say about the plans for a new secondary school on Balmoral Avenue.
E21C the trust behind the school are running the public meeting at 6.45pm 9th March at St George’s Church Hall on Albermarle Road. This meeting will be the first stage of the consultation process for the planned Beckenham Academy.
More info can be found at:
Lewisham Council has secured a Round 1 pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Parks for People programme. The Mayor of London has approved the HLF bid and the public golf course will close at some point.
Draft proposals for the restoration and regeneration of the park and buildings have been developed and The Council would like to hear your views about these plans. The comments received will be used to inform the next stages of planning the project.
The plans will be available at a series of exhibitions and events over the coming weeks. The events will be staffed by members of the project team who will be on hand to explain the proposals and to answer any questions you may have.
The programme of exhibitions is shown below.
These exhibitions are being run as drop in sessions, with the same plans and surveys available at each session. You do not need to confirm your attendance and these sessions are all open to the public. Therefore please pick a date, time and venue that is most convenient for you.
Further public consultation will be carried out later in Summer 2016 prior to the submission of the final proposals to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Enquiries about the project should be directed to Alison Taylor, Project Manager, Lewisham Council by email bpp@lewisham.gov.uk or on 0208 314 8758.
Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter.
The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope
Your team includes
Street Surgery
Our next surgeries are on the following dates:
Come and talk to your local Officers and discuss your concerns and for crime prevention information.
MetTrace
The Met have come up with an operation called MetTrace an initiative to help residents make their homes more secure by providing smartwater forensic marking equipment. The equipment allows residents to mark valuable property such as jewellery, mobile phones, electrical items and bikes.
The plan is 1 in 7 London homes will have been visited and introduced to MetTrace by 2018 with a planned 440,000 kits to be distributed over the three year project. 100% conviction rate if found with stolen SmartWatered property. Each kit is unique to your home. Bromley Police have a team currently visiting homes across the borough and hopefully will be in the Beckenham area in the future.
Crime
Our ward priorities are:
Our promises are:
January burglary and motor vehicle crimes
Unfortunately there had been several burglaries in the Beckenham area during the month of January this includes residential and non residential offences the worst affected areas for residential burglary has been in the Foxgrove Road area where there has been three reported offences.
There had also been a few thefts from motor vehicles in January with two offences occurring in Downs Hill Road.
On the 9th January the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team conducted a warrant at an address in Beckenham where a resident was arrested for procession of drugs.
On the 15th January the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team conducted another warrant this time in an address in Penge where two residents were arrested for procession with intent to supply. One of the residents tried to discard of some of their items by throwing them out of a rear window, unfortunately for them this was spotted by yours truly!
Pedal Cycles
We have had a few reported offences of pedal cycles being stolen from bike sheds. Some of these offences have occurred in communal bike sheds attached to flats. Please be aware and if possible look into any security improvements.
Please remember to lock your bikes and consider getting it security etched and registered.
The Bromley Safer Transport Team will be holding cycle marking events on the following dates:
4th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 11th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 18th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 25th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 3rd March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 10th March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 17th March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 24th March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 31st March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station
Up and coming events are advertised on:
http://www.met.police.uk/teams/transportse/bromley/
Further crime prevention information is available from http://www.met.police.uk/bromley and follow the link to Crime Prevention.
Neighbourhood Watch
Copers Cope ward would like to have a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator(s) on every street. If you know of anyone who wishes to take part please find information on http://www.bnwa.co.uk/
If you know anyone who has set up a neighbourhood watch please can you send me their e-mail address so I can send them our monthly news letter.
Panel Members
We are looking for local residents to join our ward panel. There are 4 meetings a year and panel members help decide on the wards promises and discuss local issues.
If you would like to have your say on how your local community is policed please contact us for details.
Local Information
If there is any information you would like to share with the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team and residents of Beckenham in relation to crime then please e-mail us using the address on the bottom of this letter.
Thank you for your time reading this letter, if we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us and we will get back to you as soon as possible and we will be more than happy to help.
If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101
Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk
It has come to the charity’s attention that some groups of young people have been approaching members of the public for cash donations in TackleAfrica’s name on Bromley streets and doorsteps. These people are not representing TackleAfrica and money they raise does not go to the charity.
The charity TackleAfrica trains African coaches to use fun, interactive football drills with the young people in their clubs and communities. The charity does this because many young people in Africa love football, but their location and their age means they’re most at risk of contracting HIV.
Please note that TackleAfrica never advises or condones public, street or doorstep cash-collecting from fundraisers taking part in Football Marathons or other TackleAfrica events/fundraising activity.
Cash-collecting from the public is a licensable activity, and the charity would never advise or condone that young people approach strangers for sponsorship for ethical and safety reasons.
If you are approached in this way, please report the activity through the Action Fraud website: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or helpline 0300 123 2040, inform your local police or community support officer, or call the police non-emergency number 101.
If you have concerns or would like more information please contact info@tackleafrica.org.
Volunteers needed for Food Bank at Holy Trinity Church Lennards Road Beckenham/Penge. The Food Bank is held 3 times per week, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and more volunteers are needed. The commitment would not be for all those times, once a month would be helpful. If you would like to join you can sign up via the website, http://www.livingwell.life , where you can also see what else they do. Donations of food and basic toiletries are needed, the Food Bank relies totally on donations.
As part of the TfL public realm improvement project the paving in the High Street will be upgraded. The current plan is to have cobble style paving at Kelsey square and different paving along the rest of the High Street.
The Council have laid a sample of the main paving for High Street outside Zizzi’s for local comment. A board giving more information about the paving is due to go up soon. Please send your feedback to beckenhamimprovements@bromley.gov.uk and copy us in at chairman@coperscope.org.uk. Or by mail to: Regeneration and Transformation, Strategy and Renewal, Room P49, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH
The Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team have been made aware of elderly local residents receiving a phone call from a company claiming to help people who suffer from arthritis and other medical conditions.
The company then goes on to say that a representative works locally out of Beckenham hospital, a Mr Bell, checks have been made and it appears that there is no Mr Bell at Beckenham hospital. This company then attempts to arrange an appointment at the residents address.
If you receive or know of anyone who has received a call similar to this please contact us.
Call 0208 721 2772
Email coperscope.snt@met.police.uk http://www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods In an emergency always dial 999
Local pressure has prevailed and Beckenham will retain its Town Centre Manager (TCM) for 12 months longer. Beckenham and Penge were set to lose their Town Centre Managers at the end of March, see our previous post.
The Beckenham Town Centre Team and Penge Town Centre Teams turned up in force at the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee on Tuesday 26 January 2016 where the fate of the remaining Town Centre Manager for the whole borough was to be decided. Representatives from our Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association, West Beckenham Residents’ Association, Beckenham Business Association and the Penge Town team sat in the public gallery. Having previously written to all the Councillors on the committee as well as all local councillors we were pleased that the points we raised were put forward.
The committee was split, however there was enough support from three Councillors (Cllrs Auld, Michaels, & Wilkins) in agreement with us that a Town Centre Manager (TCM) must be retained during the feasibility and planning for a Business Improvement District (BID) and any transition period to a successful BID. Cllr Wilkins counter proposed for the TCM to be retained for 12 months, this proposal was carried and we are pleased to announce that subsequently the portfolio holder has agreed to retain the TCM for 12 months and find alternative funding for an officer to take the BID forward. The decision can viewed at the link below.
R&R Town Centre Management Decision
We would like to thank Cllrs Auld, Michaels, and Wilkins, make special mention of Cllr Brooks from Penge and Cator who made an in person representation to the committee on behalf of both Penge and Beckenham and Cllr Morgan the portfolio holder.
12 months is most definitely an improvement on the previous proposal of no TCM, however we would have preferred a commitment to keep the TCM in place until day one of the BID as happened in both Orpington and Bromley. We will continue to monitor the progress of the BID and TfL public realm improvements. If in 12 months time neither have progressed we may well need to lobby to retain our TCM for longer.
Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA) 