Sloane House Nursing Home on Southend Road to expand
A planning application to expand Sloane House Nursing Home has been submitted. The proposal is to demolish existing garage/workshops and erect a two storey side and rear extension with front and rear dormer to northern wing and provision of new external stairs to rear and detached single storey workshop.
Further details can be found online under reference number 14/01421/FULL1.
Let local Councillors know what ‘Space for cycling’ is needed in Beckenham.
The London Cycling Campaign (LCC) have organised the ‘Space for Cycling’ campaign. Space for Cycling gives opportunity for local people to let their Councillors know for the upcoming local council elections on 22 May what is needed for safe cycling in our streets. Everyone who uses the streets are encouraged to participate, pedestrians, drivers and of course cyclists.
LCC have identified local high-priority measures that will help create safe Space for Cycling in every single electoral ward in London.
These measures range from making sure there are safe cycle routes to local schools, to installing protected cycle lanes on a busy street. You can find out what measures are planned for Beckenham at the link below.
Chicken and Pizza Takeaway to replace hairdressers on the bridge
An application has been submitted for change of use from a retail unit to a takeaway for the hairdressers next to Kaplan Kebabs on the bridge.
Further details can be found online under reference 14/01232/FULL2.
Long closed shop may become a Kids Cafe
The furniture shop at 416 Croydon Road next to Tescos Metro has a planning application to become a cafe with a children’s play area aimed at the under 5s. Fingers crossed it doesn’t lie closed for much longer.
Further details can be found online under reference 14/01264/FULL1.
Don’t worry about the weather, come along to Market On The Green, on Beckenham Green today
10am to 4pm, Saturday 10th May, Beckenham Green
Spring Fair on Beckenham Green.
Stalls and hot food:
- All Things Saucy – handmade sauces using fresh, natural ingredients from local sources.
- Botanicals in Coloured Pencil – hand painted cards, totes and t-shirts.
- Cafe Santiago – fresh brewed coffee and teas with organic milk.
- Colonel Toms – Gumbo and Cornbread with added Jazz and Soul
Collections by Hayley – beautiful Jewellery made with love in Whitstable. - Dine Thyme – speciality pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and more.
- Eatnmess Cakes – finest cupcakes from Sevenoaks.
- Framerstamp – high quality, attractive, inexpensive framed stamp designs with each stamp a work of art in itself.
- Godmersham Game– top quality game including wild venison, oven-ready game, burgers, sausages.
- Hemings Bakehouse – made in Kent artisan breads.
- Howards of Kent – locally produced fruit vodka.
- Karen O’Reilly Cards and Crafts – handmade cards, small picture albums, bags, knitted items, crochet items, wedding stationery, small floor cushions.
- Layhams Farm – locally sourced Kent produce from jars of honey, chutney and sauces to plants and seeds for your garden.
- Little Woollie – Yarns from Drops, Jarol and Stylecraft for all your Crochet and Knitting needs.
- Nip from The Hip – fruit liqueurs made with locally sourced fruit.
- Marsh Produce – rare breed lamb & pork, beef, free range poultry, homemade burgers and sausage.
- Millbrook Pottery – handmade in Beckenham.
- Norbiton Cheese – fine British and European cheeses.
- Pretty Peculiar – retro handcrafted framed pictures.</li
- Potash
- <a style= Kentish cobnuts.’Sauced’ by Marina
– homemade Italian pasta sauces. - St Barnabus Church -promoting church & community activities.
- St George’s Church – promoting church & community activities including the church choir and St George’s Chamber Orchestra.
- Sandglass Fusion – fused glass art, gifts and homeware all handmade in Kent.
- Sweet Nostalgia Fudge – handmade fudge.
- Sylvia and Terry Fine Chocolates – handmade Kent Chocolates.
- The Chocolate Hut – handmade chocolate products and traditional sweets from Kent.
- Ty Janick – authentic crepes and galettes.
- Yumptious – Kent cupcakes, flapjacks, brownies, breadpudding, tarts (slices).
Entertainment
The stalls, fair and mini tennis will run from 10am to 4pm. Live entertainment on the stage from 11am to 3pm, check out the line up below:
•11:00 Princess Elsa (lookalike) from the movie Frozen – song and dance for the kids
•11:30 Bianca Nichols – soulful vocalist
•12:00 Pastime Historical Dance – rowdy peasants
•13:00 Fundamentally Gospel – pop, soul, gospel and world music
•13:30 Kent Stage Academy – medley of songs from the musical “Godspell”
•14:00 Past time Historical Dance – rowdy peasants
•14:30 Fundamentally Gospel – pop, soul, gospel and world music
The above information correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.
Subscribe to the Market On The Green mailing list.
Want to know more about the £3.2 million pounds Town Centre Improvements?
Head over to Market On The Green this Saturday 10 May on Beckenham Green, where the Council and designers will be set up in an exhibition van to answer all your questions.

Free entertainment at Market On The Green next Saturday 10 May 2014
Come along to the Market on Saturday, buy some goodies, have some lunch and enjoy some free local entertainment between 11am and 3pm.
- Princess Elsa (lookalike) from the movie Frozen will be on stage at 11am for some high energy singing and dancing (courtesy of Brilliant Birthdays)
- Kids can join in with complimentary Mini Tennis sessions provided by Beckenham Cricket Club
- Pastime Historical Dance – humble but rowdy peasants from the 15th and 16th centuries.
- FUNdamentally Gospel – Beckenham pop, soul, gospel and world music choir.
- Bianca –talented and soulful solo artist
- Beckenham’s very own Kent Stage Academy perform a medley of songs from the musical “Godspell”.

Another Free School in Beckenham?
Ravensboure School are proposing to establish a new secondary school in the Beckenham area. There will be presentations tomorrow (Thursday 24th April and next Thursday 1st May) at the Beckenham Public Halls in Bromley Rd (opposite St George’s Church) from 6-00pm until 9-00pm. For more information, please go to www.thebeckenhamacademy.info
Demolition of large house on Albemarle Rd refused planning
The planning application to demolish 78 Albemarle Road (corner of Albemarle Road and Downs Bridge Road) and build a three storey block comprising of 9 x 2 bedroom flats has been refused on the grounds of over development.
Further details can be found online under reference 14/00644/FULL1.
Crystal Palace to redevelop Copers Cope road training ground
The Evening Standard report:
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis also revealed that Palace will start redeveloping the club’s training ground after securing survival. Work at their Beckenham base will begin in the summer as Palace look to establish themselves as a Premier League club.
Pulis added: “In four or five years, if it is managed properly, you will turn up here and it will be a different set-up. There is so much to be done at the club, from the ground to the training ground, the organisation, everything has got to change and step up a level. “I have spoken to [co-owner] Steve Parish and there are certain things that are going to happen almost immediately when the season finishes. “Everywhere needs upgrading. Every pitch is going to be resurfaced, for example. There is loads of work to be done”.
The full article can be found on the Evening Standards website: Tony Pulis plays down chances of winning award despite Crystal Palace heroics
Beckenham Chorale Concert, Sat 17 May 2014, St George’s Church, Beckenham

Winning Poems in the Beckenham Library Valentines Poetry Competition
Congratulations to 11 year old Jessica Lloyd and Mrs Dervish who won the the children’s and adult Beckenham Library Valentines Poetry Competition.
I Love You So Much Little Nephew
I love you so much little Nephew
But it feels like I never get to see you,
We may be separated in real life
Although I will never forget you,
You will be in my heart
Although not in sight.
We could be on different planets,
In separate worlds,
Or even different universes
You may not know it,
But you wiII be in my heart
Although not in my sight.
We are family, we both know that,
So we won’t always get along, that is fine with me,
But we try to work things out
Due to separation
So you will always be in my heart
Although not always in sight
I love you so much little Nephew
But it feels like I never get to see you,
We may be separated in real life
Although I will never forget you,
You will be in my heart
Although not in sight,
You will always be in my heart
Although not in sight.
By Jessica Lloyd. Age 11
My Valentine
You opened the page
of my life and
like a book
that read the moment of
each feeling and
like a coloured silk thread
you spun a picture
that made a story
turn into love.
By Ms S Dervish
2 weeks to go – Market On The Green 10am to 4pm, Sat 10 May 2014, Beckenham Green
Our spring market is jam packed with over 38 stalls of local produce and craft. Some of our favourites have returned, All Things Saucy, Sauced by Marina, Dine Thyme pastries, Howards of Kent vodka, Nip from the Hip gin, Hemmings Bakehouse, Layhams Farm, Marsh Produce meats, Tiger Spring Tea and Norbiton Cheese.
New produce to the market are Potash Farms cobnuts (Kentish walnuts), Sweet Nostalgia Fudge, The Chocolate Hut, Eat’n’Mess Cakes, Sylvia and Terry Chocolates and Yumptious cakes and tarts.
For lunch why not try some soul food at Colonel Toms, hog roast at Oink Oink, venison burgers at Godmersham Game, or some sweet galettes at Ty Janick. Gourmet coffee available at Cafe Santiago.
There is a great selection of craft stalls, Beckenham made Millbrook Pottery, Little Woollies London crochet and knitting supplies, Pretty Peculiar retro handcrafted framed pictures, Framerstamp framed stamps, Botanicals in Pencil hand painted cards, Tara Jewels jewellery, Sandglass Fusion fused glass art, Sevenoaks Candle Co and Karen O’Reilly Cards and Craft.
There will be face painting by Tiger Spring Dragonfly and a children’s fun fair too.
Free entertainment 11am to 3pm on the stage:
-Clumsy Clown from Brilliant Birthdays returns for some high energy singing and dancing for the kids.
-Pastime Historical Dance – humble but rowdy peasants from the 15th and 16th centuries.
-FUNdamentally Gospel – Beckenham pop, soul, gospel and world music choir.
-A performance from Beckenham’s very own Kent Stage Academy
-Mr & Mrs Becks will be making an appearance.
If you live in Beckenham become a member of your local residents’ association. 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 us and the market on our website.
Hope to see you there.
Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association
The above information correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.
Beckenham Town Centre Improvements March/April 2014
The Beckenham Town Centre Team (TCT*) have presented the following list of suggested improvements to the Council led Working Group for the public realm improvements:
- Beckenham Green – Beckenham Green is a community meeting place akin to a European Town Square, recent events on The Green have been successful in creating community spirit and increased footfall on the High Street. The funding for the following amenities to be considered: Stage cover; water tap; storage shed; new refuse and dog litter bins to be placed considerately for events on the Green.
- Town Clocks – The cost of repairing the clocks has been obtained – request funding be allocated so the work can be undertaken this summer?
- Barclays Bank Planter – Barclays have indicated they will remove the planter, suggest this space be utilised as a community space (perhaps a sculpture?)
- Bus Shelters – location and style of bus shelters to be reviewed to maximise pedestrian space. The bus shelter outside Wimpy is set back from the kerb creating a bottleneck for pedestrians. The bus shelter outside Em & Lou’s (previously Raggios) could be moved along a few metres toward Marks and Spencer where the pavement is much wider. Request TfL consider different styles of shelter
- Improvement to High Street alleyways – request funds be allocated to clean, light, resurface, name and sign all the access ways to the High Street (including behind Sainsbury’s) The TCT are researching a list of potential names for each alleyway.
- Heritage water pump – The pump outside Haks Barbers to be restored.
- Trees – More trees to be planted throughout the Town Centre.
- War Memorial – Clean up, remove surrounding wall and landscape the roundabout to include at least one bench. Options for a direct crossing to the War Memorial should be investigated.
- Step-free-access to shops – 60% of shops in Town Centre currently are not step free, improvements should include making access to shops level wherever possible.
At the last meeting of the Working Group it was agreed to formally take forward:
- Beckenham Green stage cover
- Beckenham Green storage unit
- Beckenham Green water tap/utilities
- Beckenham Green replacement bins and dog litter bins
- Refurbishment of the heritage water pump outside Haks Barbers
- Repair of the town centre clocks
- Naming of the alleyways
It was noted that the following proposals from the TCT will be captured as part of the overall major scheme design:
- Location and style of bus shelters
- Trees
- War Memorial
- Consideration for step free access to shops.
It was noted that there were not enough funds to improve all the alleyways to the High Street, the Council Officers have identified the following as a priority:
- The Mews
- Covered entrance to Lidl
- Pedestrian entrance to Sainsbury’s
- Burrell Row alley
- Pedestrian alley to cinema car park
CCARA requested the designers look on the areas outside Barclays Bank, the Post Office, the Odeon car park exit on Rectory Road and the War Memorial as a significant focal point for improvements. This was agreed and the Council will ask the designers to work up some options for this gateway into the town centre.
If you have seen anything in other town centres you think would work well in Beckenham (for example materials, street furniture, landscaping, street art, etc) please send us a picture and we will pass them on to the designers. It would be great to get a mood board of ideas from local people.
The TCT are working on a list of potential names for all the alleyways which we will share for comment before it has been finalised.
Times Scales
- The £14k project to declutter the High Street of unnecessary street furniture and signage has been commissioned and will be taking place over the coming months.
- The redesign of the junction at Rectory Road, Albemarle Road and the High Street is due to take place in June/July 2014.
- The survey work and traffic modelling for the major scheme improvements should be finalised by July, the design work by September, the formal consultation on the final design should be in October/November 2014 and the scheme signed off in December/January. Work on the major improvements will not start until 2015.
To find out more about the scheme come along the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association’s Market On The Green when the Council and designers will be showcasing the project in an exhibition bus. The dates for the Markets are Saturdays 10 May, 12 July and 20 Sep 2014.
*The TCT is chaired by the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association and has representatives from the Beckenham Business Association, Beckenham Rotary Club, Beckenham Town Centre Manager, Bromley Cyclists, Bromley Road School, Bromley Mobility Forum, Churches Together, , Central Beckenham Residents’ Association Copers Cope Ward Police, Friends of Kelsey Park, The Beckenham Society, Waitrose Beckenham and the West Beckenham Residents’ Association.
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The Capricious Clarinet – 7.45pm Sat 10 May 2014, St George’s Church
The Capricious Clarinet with soloist Jon Carnac – Saturday 10th May 2014 7.45pm
Mozart Adagio and Fugue in C minor K546
Finzi Clarinet Concerto in C minor op 31
Elgar Lullaby from “Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands” op.27 (arr. Simon Baggs)
Elgar Elegy op.58
Elgar Woodland interlude from “Caractacus” op.35 (arr. Simon Baggs)
Grieg Holberg Suite op 40
Jon Carnac – SGCO Principal clarinet
Simon Baggs Guest conductor
Dominic Moore Leader
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.
Heron Watch – Sunday 6th April 11 am to 4 pm
Go along to Kelsey Park this Sunday to join in with Heron Watch.
Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday 19th April Kelsey Parj
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL FOR THIS tickets cannot be purchased on the day. Packs are available in the Information Centre and at the Mini Golf.
Places are strictly limited – to comply with Health and Safety requirements- so apply soon.
Digital Photography Workshop – Sat 3rd May 2014, Kelsey Park
There are places available on the Kelsey Park Digital Photography workshop. Learn how to take stunning photographs at the Park. The workshop is suitable for both beginners and those wanting to improve their photography.
Only six places are available so booking is essential. To book, visit Mark Monckton’s website at
http://www.markmonckton.co.uk/kelsey-park-workshop-2014.php
Bromley Police March 2014 Newsletter
Check out the most recent newsletter at the link below.



