This year we are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the Queen. To mark the occasion, we have chosen an assortment of memories and local pictures from our archive.
* Silver Jubilee marked 25 years in 1977,
* Golden Jubilee marked 50 years in 2002,
* Diamond Jubilee marked 75 years 2012
Some pictures of what Bromley was like in the 1950s:
When there was money for park keepers and for formal flower beds in the parks, a small image belonging to W-CarruthersWhen Graham Farish still made model railways in Homesdale RoadWhen Dunns were still in their rebuilt shop in Market Square, selling up-market furniture.This purports to be from the 1950s, but quite possibly it never was.Mr Waltham overturned his dustcart under the bridge on Homesdale Road (he never lived it down, we are told)There were mail trains from Bromley North (thx Bromley Gloss)The Old National School, a listed building, had not been knocked down in a hurry for the new Methodist Church (Cuwoods collection/BBLHS)The Gaumont Cinema closed in 1961, but the decorative top to the tower was added laterTimes of childhood adventures. Not sure who to credit this picture to. Looking lovely – Library Gardens in 1957Church House Gardens had it’s unique thatched island bandstand… who was to know we’d get through 2 more in ERII’s reign…
And then there was the 1960s:
A beautiful planting in the Broadway, and Harrison & Gibson being rebuilt after the fireWhen Bromley had a class wall, to keep the folks from the Corporation of London estate outBefore Harrison and Gibson had the fire that resulted in the current building.What the Terrace in Church House Gardens looked like when it was planted1967 and the 51st Parallel UFO hoaxBromley’s council and planners embraced brutalism. Another monstrosity by Owen Luder.The Hither Green Rail accidentThe River Ravensbourne flooded, and has since been banished to a culvertWhen the former Arts & Science building was used as a libraryPostmen wore dustcoats and suits, the sorting office on Sherman RoadIn 1964 Bromley Young Communists lead the way.. somewhere. Photo by Tony Boxall. Importers was a much-loved institution on the High Street (now rebuilt as Burger King)Richmel Crompton, Latin mistress at Bromley High School and author of Just William signing books at the opening of Beckenham Library
Browse our old photos, in 
from being dominated by tower blocks: Look here and email our ward councillors about:
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