BCS talk: From the Vestry to the Palace – Thurs 21 March

This talk will cover the story of local government in Bromley; the buildings, the architecture and what the future might hold.

In 1858 when the railway came to Bromley, the borough was run by the Parish Vestry, and election to that body was restricted to residents who paid more than the qualifying amount of tithes.   The parish’s tithes were ‘commuted’ to their value in Pound, Shilling and Pence, and paid to the Bishop (who was also Lord of the Manor).

At the turn of the 20th century, the town progressed to having a local board to run the area (the building for this purpose is still on East Street) with a town constable and beadle.

In 1907 the town had grown again, and became a local authority, building itself the ornate building on tweedy road.   This included a council chamber.  In 1937 it had to be extended, and the town hall extension, including a new council chamber, was added on the Widmore Road side.

Then in 1982 Bromley became a London Borough, and the council offices moved to the old Bishops Palace, which had been Stockwell College, for training teachers.

Now the plan (see Site F) is to sell most of this site, so our palace is due to become a hotel and much of the remainder housing… so where next?

.

from the vestry to the palace (and where next?) – Peter’s talk on Thursday

The talk will take place at the Parish rooms, Church Road, Bromley BR2 0EG

Thursday 21 March 2019 at 7.30pm

For more information, please see our flyer.