Super weather! Super party!

The street party was, once again, an outstanding success. The day started in the morning with football in the park for younger residents. Despite the heat, this was a successful and popular event. While this was going on, the gazebos started to appear at the allotment end of the road. Maybe people were keen to get them up before the England World Cup football game; maybe we’re getting like those who put their towels out early on the sunloungers!

The party proper started about 6.30 in the evening, although preparations had been going on for days or weeks beforehand. Many thanks to Lynne Simpson and Jane Wiseman for organising it all. Thanks to Lynne’s family for trialling various brands of burgers etc. Thanks to Eric Sullivan for setting up the lights and band shelter. Thanks to all involved in any way. It was a great evening.

Station Shrubbery

The last newsletter called for volunteers for a working party to dig up two large beds opposite the station entrance, edge them with railway sleepers, fill them with topsoil and plant them up. Over 20 people turned out to help and the work was completed in half a day. Many thanks to all who worked so hard, including young George Harding from no. 45, who took control of the hose and was most helpful filling the planting holes with water! Thanks also to all those who donated extra plants and to the architects firm at The Studio who made a generous donation of money towards the project.

We knew that these beds would provide less than ideal growing conditions, facing north and being very dry and shaded under trees. Plants were carefully selected for such conditions and many are doing well. However, the prolonged drought has made things even more difficult and some of the plants have not survived. More planting is planned, and if anyone has anything suitable they want to get rid of out of their garden please contact Caroline Worsley (see back cover.)

Also on this day two dead trees were removed. Within the roots of one of them stag beetle grubs were found. These giant insects, although relatively common in our area, are somewhat rare in the UK, so the [large] grubs were replaced in the tree stump which was then reburied in one of the new beds.

Road Works

The main work at the Plawsfield Road entrance has been done. Bromley Council paid for the work on Beckenham Road; the Residents’ Association funded the rest of the project, with money raised through the Annual Road Charge. It is hoped that the dangerous practice of parking on the corner will now be impossible.

The infilling of the extended pavement and completion of the work will be put forward in the next budget. Many thanks to Jim Clarke and Tom Davies for extensive liaison with Bromley Council and with the contractors over this project.

Volunteers needed – Could it be YOU?

Regular weed control and maintenance of the planters and planted areas have made a big contribution to the improvement of our environment. The weekly litter collection is now much easier, (if you would like to join the rota, please contact Sue Drury at no.37). Graffiti, however, continues to be a problem. We are advised that painting out of graffiti as soon as possible is the best way to discourage this type of vandalism.

What we need is a volunteer to do this; someone who can keep an eye open for new ‘attacks’ and paint them out quickly. We have supplies of paint.

If you feel you could volunteer for this, please make yourself known to David Thompson or any committee member (see back cover).

Annual General Meeting

The AGM will take place at Alexandra Infants School on Friday 6^th October at 8pm. Papers will be distributed to residents before the date. If you are interested in joining the committee make sure to complete the relevant paperwork before the meeting.

Planning matters

We live in a Conservation Area. The purpose of the Conservation Area is to protect and enhance the particular architecture and environment of our road. There are stringent controls on what is allowed and not allowed in terms of changes to our driveways and front gardens, fences, trees and the exterior of our houses. Detailed explanations are available on our website www.barnmead.co.uk and guidance may also be sought from the Planning and Conservation Departments of Bromley Council.

Planning Permission or Conservation Consent is required for many projects. Some residents have found to their cost that work done without permission can prove expensive to have undone. This also applies to work undertaken by previous owners. If you are planning any work on your driveway and front garden, fences, trees or the exterior of your house and are in any doubt then seek advice.

Trade Directory

The first edition of the Trade Directory is nearing publication. If you have not yet given your recommendations for plumbers, IT specialists, local restaurants etc, please get them to Andy Coleman at no.58 or Rod Murdison at no.28 by 10^th August.

STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS!! STOP PRESS!!!

Free Dog Walking

My name is Sarah and I am a great dog-lover. We don’t have a dog of our own but if you need any help with walking your dog anytime, we have lots of dog-walking experience and would be happy to help (no charge, and my mum will come too). Please contact me on 020 8778 3983

Sarah Kelly, age 9, no.44