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Newsletter for April 2016. see Events page for current and old newsletters links, as well as events for the coming months.News: Lottery bid plans consultation dates, time and venues click this link Survey: Here are the results of the Friends park user survey which closed in early December and has been sent to Lewisham Council and the Mayor, Sir Steve Bullock, hopefully the results will be considered when a decision is made regarding the Golf Course in BPP and other aspects of the Lottery funding plans for the park. Significantly the closure of the golf course is strongly disapproved of by users whether golfers or not. A new link click here for a young peoples survey Regretably there is not an adult focussed survey thus far. Park Lottery Bid, progress report in the newsletter. Lewisham Council have put an amended masterplan on their website see this and information on 'The Future ' page and in recent newsletters. We suggest that if you want to make written representations to the Council you write to Gavin Plaskitt, London Borough of Lewisham, Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 and if possible copy your letter to the Mayor, Sir Steve Bullock. Various surveys on Topography, environmental impact, species surveys etc are being carried out in preparation of the Stage 2 bid. A consultation process will begin soon so look out for information regarding this. Comments can still be made to Lewisham Council via bppfuture@lewisham.gov.uk Closure of the Golf Course proposed by the Lottery bid has prompted a Save Beckehham 18 campaign to prevent closure. search Google for it, there is an online petition, website, facebook and twitter presence. Closure of the course would deny more than 500 park users access to golf locally and this decision is based on the preference of about 60 people in a survey of people who dont use the park. Environment Agency flood alleviation scheme, Anxiety grows regarding progress, no news yet but see this pdf document. An announcement is expected soon regarding approval of the scheme. Some anxiety has been expressed that this scheme is not yet confirmed and that if it does not go ahead then one half of the park will be left without some resources. I wouldn't say 'investment' as there would be no financial return anyway, but the infrastructure of the Downham side of the park is being allowed to deteriorate on the assumption that the EA scheme will restore the play area, paths, demolish old buildings etc. We don't oppose the scheme in principal but want to see what's proposed and ensure that improvements are included without destroying this almost natural stretch of the Ravensbourne. More information on 'The Future' page link and recent newsletters. Lewisham Parks Forum a group made up of representatives of park Friends groups, for example Friends of: Chinbrook Meadows, Ladywell Fields, Telegraph Hill, Blythe Hill Fields, Hilly Fields, Sydenham Wells, Home Park, Mayow Park to mention a few. The Forum will address issues and problems arising in park use and management. See the Forum page and newsletters. Sensory Garden - Our volunteer team regularly undertake work once a month and often every 2 weeks in the growing season, and the park staff also carry out routine maintenance. Sensory Garden pdf A leaflet explaining the uses and design of the sensory garden. Volunteers welcome.Beckenham Place Nature Trail: the leaflet is on this link pdf file and on our pamphlets page via 'Events' page, or use this easy to print file for directions. Also a .kml file of waypoints which will work with smartphone, google earth and tablet map and gps apps to show the waypoints for the nature trail. Also, a .gpx file of the route so that you technofiles can have all the electronic aids available. I like the Maverick Android mapping app. Leaflets are still available in the visitor centre. We are working on a version that wont display upside down on a digital screen.Contact us at bpp.friends@ntlworld.comThe
Visitor Centre is
open 1.30 to 3.30
on Sunday afternoons.
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Beckenham Place Park | |
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Beckenham Place Park is the largest green space in Lewisham
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Type | public park |
Location | London, England |
Coordinates | 51°24′54″N 0°01′13″WCoordinates: 51°24′54″N 0°01′13″W |
Area | 96 hectares (237 acres) |
Created | 1927 (golf course 1929) |
Operated by | London Borough of Lewisham |
Status | Open year round |
Website | lewisham |
Beckenham Place Park is a large park located in Beckenham in the London Borough of Lewisham. It lies close to the border with London Borough of Bromley. It includes an 18-hole public (municipal) golf course. The Palladian-style former mansion that gave the park its name now serves as an information centre and golf course clubhouse and cafe.
Beckenham Manor has medieval origins and is mentioned in the Domesday Book as belonging to the Bishop of Bayeux. In the 17th century, the whole estate was owned by Walter St John, with manorial rights passing to the noted Quaker and MP John Cator in 1773.[1] Records show John Cator acquired land here as early as 1757 and built his house by 1762. His father-in-law, botanist Peter Collinson, visited in September 1762, commenting:
Cator, reputed to be friends with Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, introduced many exotic tree species and a lake, which is now dry. Even today, there are reputed to be 60 species of tree on the estate. Cator built the mansion that stands today.[1]
The mansion remained with the Cator family until the 20th century, although inhabited by tenants for most of the 19th century – including a boys school and sanitorium in the early 20th century – before being bought by London County Council in 1927. When the golf course (established in 1907) became in 1929 the first municipally owned course in England (and also reputedly the busiest). The mansion was retained as a clubhouse. During World War II, the park became a prisoner of war camp and defensive measures including anti-aircraft battery and barrage balloons were installed.[1]
The park was later managed by the Greater London Council, then by Lewisham borough council from 1972. In 1995 after boundary changes the park is entirely within the Borough of Lewisham – formerly falling within two boroughs according to boundary markers which can still be seen in Summerhouse Hill Wood.[1]
Beckenham Place Park is Lewisham's largest green space, extending to 96 hectares (237 acres), and including a wide range of facilities, including ball court, football pitches, tennis court and sensory garden. The par 69 pay-as-you-play course offers golf tuition from a PGA golf pro and also clubhouse facilities in the Grade II* listed mansion.[3]
A railway bisects the park and the only routes joining both parts are the bridge north of woodland called the Ash Plantation or by leaving and re-entering the park in the vicinity of Ravensbourne railway station. Hence, the railway effectively divides the park into west and east sides.
Beckenham Place Park is considered one of the finest wildlife sites in the borough, containing ancient woodland as well as a variety of other habitats.[3] Notable trees include oak, wild service tree, sweet chestnut and an ancient Turkey oak tree (reputedly the second oldest in Britain), that survived an arson attack in the 1990s but succombed to wind, old age and vandalism in 2002. There is also an old mulberry tree near the 18th hole of the golf course.[1]
It is a Local Nature Reserve[4] and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation[5] It is also part of the Green Chain Walk and Capital Ring.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
Post-Covid we have changed many things – the frequency and type of meetings – with more emphasis on volunteering, fun, fellowship and getting more involved with local issues
moreThe latest news from Ravensbourne RC
moreOur biggest fund raiser is our annual Xmas collection
moreThis fund is raised from our Xmas collections both from around the streets with our Santa sleigh and static collections at Sainsburys in Sydenham and Homebase in Bellingham – as It is collected locally we aim to also distribute it locally in the boroughs
moreRavensbourne Rotary Club are organizing and coordinating the Bromley Area collections for the first time this year The money collected at this time of year goes to providing help and support to serving and ex-Service men and women and their dependents
moreThe Ravensbourne Rotary club has raised over £11,300 over the Xmas period – and had a great time giving it away!
moreThe Community Grants fund where smaller grant to a number of organizations where £300 - £500 will really help out.
moreCarers UK provides a range of information and support for unpaid carers including
moreBetween October and December 2020, the 8 Rotary Clubs in the London Borough of Bromley worked together to offer free new online learning opportunities to local people in Bromley who were unemployed or who felt at risk of unemployment
moreThe Origins of the Ravensbourne Club
more