Urban75 Home About Offline BrixtonBuzz Contact

Bromley Area News and Gossip

Even though most of it is technically in Lewisham, a really interesting piece on the history and politics of the Downham estate...
http://municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/the-downham-estate-the-joy-of-having-your-own-patch/

"One now elderly resident recalls how her mother (‘mad on flowers…a real garden lover’, incidentally):
used to go to a community centre on the estate at Valeswood Road where she belonged to the Cooperative Women’s Guild, the Tenants League, the Gramophone Society and the Women’s Labour Party…No self-respecting inhabitant of Downham would support anything but the Labour Party then."

gated.jpg

The wall across Valeswood Road at its junction with Alexandra Crescent prevented ‘vulgar’ people from the Downham estate using it as a shortcut to Bromley town centre.
 
Last edited:
ska invita said:
Even though most of it is technically in Lewisham, a really interesting piece on the history and politics of the Downham estate...
Click to expand...

:)

nice piece, although surprised it didn't mention trams - the London County Council did what would now be called 'joined up planning' with many of its estates being planned with tram routes through them (the tram lines followed what's now the 136 bus to Grove Park) - and the trams offering 'workman' fares in the early morning.

downham-way-01588-750.jpg


(post 1945 picture of tram at the west end of Downham Way just about to turn right on to Bromley Road - this was the 'change pit' where trams changed over between running on the 'conduit' current collector and the overhead wire.)
 
Maggot said:
Hey, ska invita , there's a roots, reggae and ska night at the Bricklayers this Friday! I have to work, but might be able to pop in on my way home.
Click to expand...
its a sign! a miracle no less! i'll almost definitely pop down for a look see...will be in touch - would be nice to say hello. well spotted maggot ;)
 
Just been looking up Downham Tavern which ive never spotted before - the only pub on the 30,000 people Downham Estate
2346123.jpg

according to this its been shut for 18months which seems to have reopened last month
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1...8_months_set_to_reopen_in_time_for_World_Cup/

The Downham Tavern shut down last year following police raids in which 20 people were arrested for offences involving drugs and firearm possession.
:hmm:
Now new manager Julia Edwards, 50, is moving in after local lads Tommy Noone, 66, and his sons bought the lease on a non-tied tenancy.
Ms Edwards said she and the team want to give something back to Downham and hopes to dispel the pub’s bad public image.
She explained: "We want people to know that it’s going to be a nice community pub, somewhere where people can come in and have a drink and some food".

"We’re having it painted, outdoor paving is being put in, and there’s a florist doing outdoor plants.
"It was a really rough old place. We’re going to be doing things differently - that’s what we’re trying to portray. We’re not going to accept any bad behaviour.
 
Last edited:
Talking of pubs, the Railway at Bromley North is being worked on and is gonna re-open soon. Don't know when.

Also the Elephants from the Elephant Parade are in the Glades at the moment.
 
went for a walk around Beckenham Place Park today - didnt realise how huge it is! Very lovely it is, especially down by the Ravensbourne.

But the big news is that the park has won 4.6 million from the lottery to redo some of the bits. Theres a consultation process going on i think, but from what I gather they want to kick out the golf club bit (hooray!) and rewild the bit over by the river as well as install some things to protect from flooding and also some kind of event space was mentioned.

Cant find a link other than one saying that the money has been awarded.
 
The Downham Tavern periodically gets shut down. I was there (at the adjacent sports centre) last time it got raided - never seen so many cop cars for something like that! It's been done up really nicely now... amazing amazing flowers. good luck to them.

Beckenham Place Park golf club... both my father and brother play there because it's the only cheapish public golf club for miles. There are plenty of swanky members only places around but very few for the common man and from the stories I hear, you get all sorts playing there. So, as a non-golf player I'd be happy for it to be just parkland but it's a shame for those players. I'll ask him about it.. he's just about to retire in his mid-70s with the aim of propping up the bar there a bit more I imagine...
 
I had noticed there are a lot of golf course around the area but didnt realise this was the only one for proles. Supposedly it used to be used by hundreds of people but now averages 45 people a day (not that bad tbh) < could be council propaganda to push it through....

Golf looks like fun and all but id rather seen the land used for wildlife
 
ska invita said:
I had noticed there are a lot of golf course around the area but didnt realise this was the only one for proles. Supposedly it used to be used by hundreds of people but now averages 45 people a day (not that bad tbh) < could be council propaganda to push it through....

Golf looks like fun and all but id rather seen the land used for wildlife
Click to expand...

(((Falconwood)))

EVERYONE cuts their teeth on the 9 hole there.

Once had an EPIC session as a young 'un at BPP sitting on one of the greens nicking all the incoming balls and running off getting chased by people in buggies.
 
i think its an 18 hole! I've a vague memory of another cheaper gold course toward Chiselhurst but that may be me misremembering
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BigMoaner
Free parking in Shoreditch Area on a Sat
Replies
2
Views
187
spitfire
spitfire
Epona
  • Sticky
Newham News and Events
Replies
17
Views
883
Epona
Epona
ash
Restaurant London Bridge area
2
Replies
43
Views
2K
Epona
Epona
editor
Are there any decent/interesting/quirky pubs in and around Canary Wharf?
Replies
25
Views
594
cesare
cesare
Helen Back
Where can we find a household rubbish removal service in West London that will take away heavy kitchen stuff from indoors and upstairs?
Replies
2
Views
177
Helen Back
Helen Back
Back
Top Bottom