You can join The Friends of
Croydon Road Recreation Ground by following this link Paddling Pool status update The paddling pool is currently out of action due to a blocked drain Bench Action Day 2!
Beautiful
day for our second “Bench Action Day” of the
year Restoration of the Bandstand - August 2023 Update
Personalised Bandstand Brick Inscriptions that will be installed on the circular path around the bandstand
London Borough of Bromley have now halted sales of bricks until after the restoration works have completed. You will still be able to purchase tickets for the launch party and/or donate to the project whilst the works are underway, and further purchases of bricks will be possible once the works have been completed. Visit https://www.bromley.gov.uk/bowiebandstand for more information. Bandstand restoration begins! Restoration works on the much loved and historic Bandstand is getting underway.
The £220k project includes refurbishing all areas of the bandstand, including its intricate ironwork and perimeter fencing, and will restore the original colour scheme of dark brown and buff. The plans also include landscaping improvements, a brick pathway of personalised bricks, rainwater dispersal materials added to the roof, new bandstand signage, and upgraded lighting that can be used for performances. Restoration specialists A.F.Starr Limited have been awarded the contract to restore the Grade II listed Edwardian bandstand, where David Bowie famously performed, with the news also following recent planning approval and listed building consent at the council's Plans Sub-Committee No.4. In conjunction with this, the Friends of Croydon Road Recreation Ground has been awarded funds from the Platinum Jubilee Parks Fund to replace outdated signage for the park. The signage will look to improve accessibility and identify multiple recreational activities on offer such as mini tennis, basketball and bowling. These signs will also pinpoint park users to other forms of leisure activities, such as the bowls club, quieter points of gathering, as well as looking to advertise other recreational activities beneficial for health (e.g. walking trails), including special events that the Bandstand will host once works are complete. It is envisaged that the works will commence at the beginning of July 2023 and be completed this winter. The bandstand will remain closed whilst these works are undertaken. Chris Phillips, Chairman of the Friends of Croydon Road Recreation Ground says "After our ten-year campaign to raise awareness of the significance of this unique Grade II listed bandstand, I am absolutely delighted with the news. I am grateful to the wide range of people who have contributed time and money to help fundraise for the project, and to idverde and Bromley council. We still have other plans to improve our park and would be delighted to hear from local residents who may want to join our Friends group in support as well." In conjunction with this, the Friends of Croydon Road Recreation Ground has been awarded funds from the Platinum Jubilee Parks Fund to replace outdated signage for the park. The signage will look to improve accessibility and identify multiple recreational activities on offer such as mini tennis, basketball and bowling. These signs will also pinpoint park users to other forms of leisure activities, such as the bowls club, quieter points of gathering, as well as looking to advertise other recreational activities beneficial for health (e.g. walking trails), including special events that the Bandstand will host once works are complete. More details can be found on The London Borough of Bromley's website Heritage of London Trust Proud Places project visits the Bandstand In mid May 2023 we welcomed students from local schools to the Beckenham Bowie bandstand as part of the Heritage of London Trust grant awarded to the restoration project. Their Proud Places engagement programme inspires young people to be proud of their local spaces. Pictures from the visit can be found on the News page
We are pleased to report that the
proposals for restoration were granted Bowie Bandstand, Croydon Road
Recreation Ground Bromley Council has now issued the
following timetable,
Gate Lodge and adjacent Gateway to
Croydon Road Recreation Ground
HISTORIC ENGLAND HAS STATED THE FOLLOWING REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION The gate lodge and gateway to Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Beckenham, built in 1890 to 1891, are recommended for listing at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Architectural interest: A late Victorian gate lodge forming a strong architectural composition alongside the gateway at the entrance to the park, including wooden verandas, a circular bay window for the supervision of the park covered by an elegant ogee dome, and a pyramidal roof rising to a tall central chimney stack; The lodge survives relatively well and compares favourably to listed lodges of the period. Historic interest: For the historic association with the wider expansion of the public park movement in the late 19th century, following the Public Health Act (1875), when parks developed in suburbs and small towns for recreation and as an expression of civic pride. Group value: As a component of a fine late Victorian and Edwardian ensemble alongside the Grade II-listed (2019) Bowie Bandstand (1905), which is also associated with the 1969 Summer Growth Festival and David Bowie’s rise to fame after performing in the park, adjacent to housing of the same period.
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