Changes Underway to Beckenham Primary Schools

Many of you will have noticed changes afoot at several primary schools recently – huge mobile cranes, fleets of lorries with pre-fabricated structures on board and a increase in people wearing hi-vis jackets and hard hats.

Worsley Bridge Primary School is having a brand new, two-storey wing built to allow it to increase in size from two to three-forms of entry.  Groundworks began towards the end of February and in March the first pre-fabricated units began to be craned into position.  The superstructure is now in place ready for cladding, fitting out and connection of services.  The completed building should be ready for the start of the new academic year in September.

Clare House Primary School is undergoing a more drastic change, to create a permanent two-form entry school.  While the children continue to be taught in the current building, a brand new, two-storey school building is being constructed on the old playing field.  Groundworks began in March and the first pre-fabricated structure was craned into place on the Mayday Bank Holiday.  Part of the new school building will be ready for occupation in September and the remainder complete by the Autumn Half-Term holiday.  A temporary hard play surface has been provided to allow the children to continue with games and sporting activities.  This will finally be replaced with hard and soft play areas.  Once the new building is complete, the old building will be demolished and replaced with a new, all-weather sports pitch and staff parking.

Bromley Road Primary School is in the process of a more modest change, due to the historical nature of the building and site restrictions.  The existing building is being refurbished internally allowing it to transform from the two-form entry infant school it once was into a one-form entry full primary.  The school is continuing to operate whilst the building works are being carried out, so complex sequencing and careful arrangements between the contractor and the school have been necessary.  Work started shortly after the Easter Holiday.  When complete in September, the school will provide teaching and learning facilities for older primary children and new outdoor sports and play areas.

Harris Primary Academy Beckenham recently secured planning permission for temporary buildings in the grounds of the Harris Academy Beckenham , while a permanent building is developed at the same site.  The new school, in its temporary accommodation, will provide two-forms of entry from this September.  Design proposals for the permanent Primary Academy building were submitted for planning approval in March, along with designs for a brand new Academy building to replace the existing one.

This time next week it will be Market on The Green, 16 May 2015 on Beckenham Green

It’s a packed day of entertainment, funfair, carnival games, pizza making masterclass and 40 local produce and craft stalls.  St George’s church next door is also holding an Arts & Crafts Fair and Church Tower Climb. Never miss a Market, get on the mailing list.

Entertainment

  • Children’s Carnival Games by Bromley Road School PTA
  • Bottons Family Funfair
  • Face painting by Tiger Dragon Butterfly

 Stage line up (11am to 3.30pm)

  • 11:00 – Bright Sparks – local Beckenham dance school.
  • 11:30 – Peter Green – Steam Punk Brit pop from London.
  • 12.00 – Break
  • 12:15 – Nomad Folk – Folk band from Penge.
  • 12:45 – Child Peters – Indie pop singer/songwriter from London.
  • 13:15 – R.A. Parade – stylish singer songwriter.
  • 13:45 – Break
  • 14:00 – Churchfields Primary School Choir singing pop.
  • 14:30 – Irish dancing by Balgowan primary school.
  • 15:00 – Peppa Pig (lookalike) party on stage (by Brilliant Birthdays).

Stalls:

  • All Things Saucy – handmade sauces using fresh, natural ingredients from local sources.
  • Botanicals in Coloured Pencil – hand painted cards, totes and t-shirts.
  • Cranbrook Conserves – jams and preserves made using traditional methods and recipes handmade in their cottage kitchen in Cranbrook Kent.
  • Conkers and Clay – local craft artists, ceramics and pottery, wood sculpture and turning.
  • DM Clothing -Hand-printed lace scarves,  hand-printed ponchos, dresses.
  • Deli Jerk – Caribbean jerk chicken.
  • Dine Thyme – speciality pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and more.
  • Eat’n’mess Cakes – finest cupcakes from Sevenoaks.
  • Framerstamp – high quality, attractive, inexpensive framed stamp designs with each stamp a work of art in itself.
  • Free From Deli – sandwiches, salads, soups, juices/smoothies, pastries.
  • Hemings Bakehouse – made in Kent artisan breads.
  • Hocus Pocus  – A Magical Emporium of Wonderful Curiosities!
  • KME Crafts – children’s craft activity – sand art pictures, children’s lucky dip and a 16-piece brain teaser
  • Howards of Kent – locally produced fruit vodka.
  • Layhams Farm – locally sourced Kent produce from jars of honey, chutney and sauces to plants and seeds for your garden.
  • Marsh Produce – rare breed lamb & pork, beef, free range poultry, homemade burgers and sausage.
  • Nip from The Hip – fruit liqueurs made with locally sourced fruit.
  • Oink Oink Catering – local Kent born and bred hog roast with home-made apple sauce.
  • Organically prepared – organic fruit and veg.
  • Potash Farm –  Kentish cobnuts.
  • Preserved Passions – Kentish chutneys and relishes.
  • Sapore Vero – Beckenham wood fired pizza.
  • ‘Sauced’ by Marina – homemade Italian pasta sauces.
  • Sevenoaks Candles – award winning Kentish handmade candles and soaps.
  • Simply True – handmade adult and children’s jewellery.
  • Sweet Nostalgia Fudge – handmade fudge.
  • Terre Verdi  – organic skincare.
  • The Mobile Coffee Bean – fresh brewed coffee and teas with organic milk.
  • Tiddly Pomme – Kentish juices and cider.
  • Tw0 Girls in Stitches – textiles.
  • Ty Janick – authentic crepes and galettes.
  • Yumptious – Kent cupcakes, flapjacks, brownies, bread pudding, tarts (slices).

The above information correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.

Church Motor Company Under Threat of Closure

An established Beckenham garage faces possible closure, following an attempt by the landlord to secure change of use for the building through the planning process.

Church Motor Company (CMC), situated in buildings off Bromley Road, next to Beckenham Methodist Church, employs four staff and has served the town’s car-owners for eleven years.  During that time it has built a reputation in Beckenham for high quality service, borne out by its broad base of local customers.  CMC’s mechanics are specialists of German and Italian cars although the company repairs and services any make of car.  It also has a sister site at Lewes Road in Bromley.

Beckenham Methodist Church, who own the building, made a planning application to change the use of the purpose-built garage workshop (use class B1[c]) to church use (use class D1) last year.  The church have stated they intend to use the space for storage, equipment and letting for community use.  Bromley Council refused the application, citing an unacceptable loss of a business unit as their principle reason.  The Church has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against that decision.  CMC and the garage are currently locked in a dispute over the lease, which is the subject of an ongoing court case.

CCARAs view is that local businesses such as CMC are essential to the vitality of Beckenham and everything must be done to support and protect them, as policy EMP5 of the Council’s Unitary Development Plan sets out.

If you think the closure of Church Motor Company would be a loss of a valuable asset to Beckenham, or otherwise, you can write directly to the Planning Inspectorate at  teamP7@pins.gsi.gov.uk  for the attention of Chris Nash, stating Reference no. APP/G5180/W/15/3005164

Details of the Planning Application and subsequent Appeal can be found on Bromley Council’s website under Planning Reference no.  14/01814/FULL

 

Kids Pizza Making Masterclass at Market On The Green

Local  pizzeria Sapore Vero is running a pizza making masterclass for 20 lucky kids on Saturday 16 May at Market On The Green.  Kids aged 6-1o (ish) can have a go at making their very own pizza.  Sapore Vero’s master pizza chef will be there to lend a hand and to cook the pizza’s in the wood fired oven.  Who will make the best pizza of the day?

There are 20 places available, 10 at 10am and 10 at 11am.  Parents can sign kids up from 9.30am at Sapore Vero’s stall on the morning of the market.

Entry is free (donations welcome) and the kids get to keep their pizza.

2 weeks to go until Market On The Green – Sat 16 May 2015

For our first Market On The Green in 2015 we have a great line up of free live entertainment from 11am to 3.30pm: punk brit pop from Peter Green, Penge favourite Nomad Folk,  indie pop from Child Peters, stylish singer songwriter R.A. Parade, Churchfields Primary School Choir singing pop, Irish dancing from Balgowan Primary School and finally our VIP…. Peppa Pig (lookalike by Brilliant Birthdays) has a party on stage.
40 market stalls selling local produce and craft including; handmade sauces and preserves, hand painted cards, handmade children’s and adult jewellery, Kent apple juice and cider, speciality pies, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, sandwiches and cakes, artisan breads, locally produced fruit gin, plants and seeds, rare breed lamb & pork, free range poultry, children’s toys, hand-painted scarves and ponchos, haberdashery and fabrics, adults and children’s clothing, candles, organic fruit and veg, Kent strawberries, handmade fudge and handmade fabric gifts. There will be carnival games by Bromley Road School, face painting by Tiger Dragon Butterfly, a Pizza Making Competition Sapore Vero and a children’s fun fair.
Wood fired pizza, hog roast, sweet & savoury galettes, jerk chicken and gourmet coffee available for lunch.
If you live in Beckenham become a member of your local residents’ association. It’s just £3 a year, this small subscription fee makes a huge difference to the success of the Association and helps us keep this not for profit market going.  Find out more about the market and us on our website. The above information correct at time of writing but may be subject to change. 
may_2015_A6_Postcard

Consultation results of the Bakerloo Extension to Beckenham

The consultation report is now available online, see the full report at  www.tfl.gov.uk/bakerloo-extension, and for feedback on  extending the Bakerloo to Beckenham Junction and Hayes see Chapter 9 of the report.

TfL find that a  small majority of 56% support extending the Bakerloo to Beckenham Junction and Hayes and have summarised the feedback as follows:

  • There were 14,022 closed responses to Question 15, where respondents were asked to state their level of support, ranging from strongly support to strongly oppose, for the proposal to terminate the line at Hayes and Beckenham Junction. A total of 56% either support or strongly support the option of terminating the line at Hayes and Beckenham Junction, while 11% either oppose or strongly oppose. Over 30% of respondents neither support nor oppose the proposal.
  • In total 3,453 respondents provided a valid response to Question 16, where respondents were asked to provide further views or comments. This equates to 25% of all Question 15 respondents. Of the 3,453 responses to Question 16, 62% stated that they either support or strongly support the proposal to terminate at Hayes and Beckenham Junction, while 21% either oppose or strongly oppose and 16% of respondents neither support nor oppose.
  • Of the supporting responses, the comment most frequently mentioned is that ‘the further the line goes, the better / better to go beyond Lewisham as it is already well served’ comment, as stated by 16% of respondents. The proposed extension to Hayes and Beckenham Junction is considered ‘much needed, useful and beneficial’ to 8% of respondents, while the lack of London Underground access in southeast London is also stated as a reason for support by 8% of respondents. The role of the extension in regeneration and attracting new business is stated by 8% of supportive respondents.
  • Of the comments opposing the Hayes and Beckenham Junction termini option, 17% do so because they perceive that the Bakerloo line definitely needs to go to Bromley, while 13% oppose the proposal if it means the loss of direct connections to London rail termini. Eight percent of respondents expressed that the line needs to go further than Hayes and Beckenham Junction.  
  • Of the respondents who neither support nor oppose, 9% stated that the line needs to reach Bromley in addition to Hayes, and that failure to do so would be a missed opportunitySee chapter 9 of the report for more information on the survey responses for Beckenham Junction and Hayes.

Baroque Concertos – ‘A taste of Italy’ – Sat 9th May 2015 7.45pm, St George’s Church

St George’s Chamber Orchestra (SGCO) presents Baroque Concertos – ‘A taste of Italy’ – Saturday 09th May 2015 7.45pm

  • Corelli Concerto Grosso Op.6 no.1 in D
  • Alessandro Scarlatti Concerto Grosso no.1 in F minor
  • Vivaldi Concerto for 2 violins ”per eco in lontano” RV 552
  • Albinoni Sinfonia in C Op.2 no.3
  • Locatelli Concerto Grosso in C minor Op.1 no.2
  • Vivaldi Concerto for Violin in Eb ‘La Tempesta di Mare’ RV 253
  • Solo Violin: Patrick Savage
  • Director and Solo Violin: 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 athttp://www.stgeorgesbeckenham.co.ukand on the door.

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

Friends of Beckenham Place Park events April to June 2015

Spring: April 1st – June 30th 2015

Events. All events are free and open to members and non-members alike. Donations welcome.

  • Sunday 26th April BLUEBELL WALK – Meet at the Mansion steps 2.00 pm in partnership with Creekside Education Trust and led by Nick Bertrand. Will there be bluebells? Wednesday 20th May A WALK TO CHINBROOK MEADOWS Meet at the mansion steps 10.00am. This is a repeat of a walk from a few seasons ago, but this time the route will be different. There are buses and trains from Grove Park, but we intend to walk back to BPP via a different route for anyone keen to do a long walk.
  • SENSORY GARDEN WORKDAYS (sessions last about 2 hours), Dates 2nd Saturday of the month, 11th April, 9th May, 13th June. Meet 10.00am either at the mansion or go straight to the Sensory Garden. There will be work to suit everyone. Planting, weeding, hoeing, path maintenance and no previous skills are necessary. Tools, gloves and guidance provided. In the summer months there is more to do so there are often two sessions a month.

Beckenham Town Centre Improvement Presentation Tomorrow Night Weds 18 Mar 2015

Bromley Council and East Design Consultants will be presenting the scheme for the Beckenham Public Realm Improvements (previously shown at the LBB Working Group), talking through the results of the traffic modelling and explaining the next steps.  This presentation forms part of the official consultation for the project, we encourage local people to attend and take advantage of the Q&A session at the end.

The presentation will start after the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association AGM.

Hope to see you there at 8pm, Wed 18 March 2015, Beckenham Public Halls.

 

CCARA Residents Meeting mar 2015

Newsagent and Coffee Stall at Beckenham Junction to close

Users of Beckenham Junction station may be saddened to know of the planned closure of  the Newsagent and Coffee Stall at the station. The current owners of both have been there for many years, greeting the passengers. The below letter was posted up by one of the owners.  You can also provide feedback to Southeastern by using their on online enquiry form.

IMG_0441

Beckenham Town Centre Public Realm – Consultation Exercise

The following information has been provided by Bromley Council.

Consultation period

The consultation exercise will run from 2 to 27 March 2015.

Why are we consulting now?

We have reached an important stage in the design development of the Beckenham town centre public realm scheme. Having agreed a set of clear objectives for the scheme, we have developed concept designs to deliver these objectives. This process has involved input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Beckenham Town Centre Working Group.

We have now refined the concept designs to reflect the ideas and aspirations of people and businesses in Beckenham. We have recently developed a cost plan which shows what is affordable within the existing scheme budget. We have also undertaken a traffic modelling exercise on the proposed improvements to key junctions.

How can you get involved?

There are lots of ways for you get involved during the consultation period. We hope that you will be able to let us have your views at one of the following events or meetings:

  • Public exhibition – we are holding a public exhibition of the concept designs from 11:30 am to 8 pm on Thursday, 12 March 2015. The exhibition will be held at Citygate Church at 22 Rectory Road, Beckenham, BR3 1AA. A location plan is included at the end of this letter. The exhibition will be manned by staff from East Architects and from Bromley Council;
  • Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association AGM – East Architects and Bromley Council staff will be attending the AGM on 18 March 2015. There will be a presentation on the concept designs at 8:15 pm with an opportunity to ask questions afterwards; and

How can you let us have your views? 

 

There will be feedback forms available at the public exhibition on 12 March 2015.

 

If you would like to see the concept plans in advance of the public exhibition, you will be able to view these online at www.bromley.gov.uk/beckenhamimprovements

You can e-mail your views on the proposals to beckenhamimprovements@bromley.gov.uk

Town Centre Improvement Consultation and Copers Cope AGM – 8pm Weds 18 March 2015, Beckenham Public Halls

Our Annual General Meeting is at 8pm Wednesday 18th March 2015, Beckenham Public Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham.

 East Architects and Bromley Council staff will be attending as part of the official consultation of Beckenham’s Public Realm Improvement Scheme. There will be a presentation on the concept designs at 8:15pm with an opportunity to ask questions afterwards. Local Councillors and our MP are expected to attend. All local people welcome.

CCARA Residents Meeting mar 2015

Special Afternoon Tea for Beckenham Mothers at Nineteen Fourteas

For Mothers’ Day, 15th March, Nineteen Fourteas (at the High Street entrance to Sainsbury’s) is hosting a special Afternoon Tea for the mums of Beckenham. To show their appreciation, every mum that comes will receive a handmade gift.

Seatings: 12 noon – 2pm and 2.30 – 4.30pm, limited spaces so booking required. Pop in or call on 020 8663 3384.

TfL confirm proposals for Sunday Service on 352 and 354 from September 2015

The  Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association and West Beckenham Residents’ Association have been in contact with James Cleverly’s Office (Greater London Authority) for many months lobbying for a Sunday service on the 352 and 354.  Mr Cleverly’s Office has provided us confirmation from Peter Bradley, TfL’s Head of Consultation, that TFL “Have recently awarded new contracts for the operation of routes 352 and 354.  As part of the contract award and subject to the outcome of formal consultation (which will commence in May 2015), we are proposing that both routes will run on Sundays and Public Holidays, with a provisional start date of September 2015”.

This is great news for Beckenham bus users. We will let you know when the consultation is available for local people to comment.

 

Beckenham Toilets will close as part of £11.6m cuts – Council Tax to rise 1.2% – local people object at Council meeting on 23 Feb 2015

Despite objections from the Copers Cope Residents’ Association, West Beckenham Residents’ Association, the Beckenham Business Association, The Beckenham Society, 80 direct objections from residents and a petition of over 700 local residents, 7 out of 8 Bromley Council Executives (including one from Beckenham) voted to close the Beckenham public toilets and offer the building for sale or demolish it.

At the same meeting the Council agreed to increase Council Tax by 1.2% (£16 a year for a Band D property). The Council could have increased Council Tax by up to 2% to avoid some of the £11.6 million of cuts planned. Local people have told us they would be happy to pay increased Council Tax to retain basic services, such as public toilets.

Our members have highlighted the following areas affected by budget cuts, no doubt there are many more affecting Borough residents.

The Council also plan to increase parking charges.

London councils are able to increase Council Tax by up to 2% each year. Should Bromley Council be increasing Council Tax at 2% to retain services local people want and are willing to pay for?  If you think so contact your local Councillors. We have checked back and note that the Council applied the following increases to Council  Tax over the last 4 years; 2011/12 =0%, 2012/13 = 0%, 2013/14  1.89%, 2014/15  = 0%.
Services have been cut over this period and many more to come to balance the books.

Bromley Council will vote on the final budget at a full Council Meeting,  7pm February 23 2015, Bromley Civic Centre, Bromley BR1 3UH.  The News Shopper advises local residents will be lobbying the meeting to  protest against the cuts and call for the budget to be rejected. More information can be found below.

 

 

SGCO String Quartet – 7.45pm Sat 7 Mar 2015, St George’s Church

St George’s Chamber Orchestra (SGCO) String Quartet – Saturday 7th March 2015 7.45pm

Beethoven String Quartet Op.18 no.5 in A

Shostakovich Elegy and Polka

Schubert String Quartet No 14 in D Minor, ‘Death and the Maiden’ D 810

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.ukand on the door.

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

200 year old London Plane Tree on The Avenue to be felled.

In September 2012 the Copers Cope Residents’ Association assisted in getting the beautiful Plane Tree on The Avenue under a Tree Protection Order. Unfortunately Bromley Council gave permission for the tree to be felled on the 5th of February 2015.

The tree is suspected of contributing to subsidence under a nearby house. Local people have fought hard to ensure that there is conclusive evidence that the tree is actually the cause of the subsidence. There have been numerous technical reports by the  house insurer’s consultants over the last few years, none of which have been conclusive. Even the Council’s own independent report does not recommend felling the tree, stating that the findings of the insurer’s consultant reports are inconclusive and incomplete.  It recommended that three courses of action are undertaken before further consideration is given to the removal of the Plane Tree:  1. Shrubbery close to the house is removed;  2. Drains are tested and repaired if found to be defective;  3. Monitoring is continued for one year.

We are gravely disappointed that the Council chose not to follow its own professional consultant’s advice, instead recommending consent to be granted for the removal of this tree based on the insurer’s reports.

Heritage trees are an intrinsic part of the character of many roads in Northern Beckenham.  Because of the detrimental effect the felling of a healthy tree has on the character of the area it should be an action of last resort.

The Council report can be found at the link below.

Consent to remove a London Plane tree on land adjacent to No.76b The Avenue, Beckenham

Beckenham’s Heritage Trees have been under threat in recent years, with a number lost due to development or subsidence claims such as this. Not all our heritage trees are under a Tree Preservation Order, whereby you must apply to the Council to fell or pollard them, and the ones that are not covered by a TPO are more at risk. If you have an old or mature tree in your road why not contact the Council to see if it is covered by a Tree Preservation Order and if not whether it should be.  You can do this online at the link below.

Tree Protection Orders