Downe News
The Queen’s Head
The Residents’ Association wrote to Punch Taverns Chief Executive Giles Thorley recently, expressing concern at the prolonged closure of the pub and enquiring what they had in mind for the pub’s future.
We have received a reply stating it is not their intention, at present, to dispose of the freehold of the site and they are aware of the potential of the pub and its importance in the village. They are currently working to recruit a suitable replacement which evidently can be difficult at times.
They hope to re-open the pub again soon, even on a temporary basis, and they are also considering the option of investing and refurbishing the site when a new tenant is identified.
Giles Thorley concluded by assuring us they are not in the business of closing pubs, except in exceptional circumstances, for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Derek Powell
Chairman
Road Closure
In order that BT can carry out repair works the following restrictions will be imposed:-
North End Lane will be closed to through traffic between Mill Lane and High Street, Downe and displaced traffic will be diverted via Shire Lane, New Road Hill and Rookery Road.
The Temporary Traffic Order commences on:-
Sunday 23rd August 2009 FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS
Downe Village Conservation Area Statement
A Conservation Area Statement for Downe has been written by The London Borough of Bromley Conservation Team. This document will replace the current Supplementary Planning Guidance and has been written in accordance with English Heritage guidance. It will be used by planners in assessing planning applications in the area and also gives useful advice to residents on conservation areas issues.
The document is available at the following locations: Bromley Civic Centre ( Planning Reception), Bromley, Orpington and Biggin Hill libraries and http://www.bromley.gov.uk/environment/conservation_urban_design
The document will be on display in the DOWNE VILLAGE HALL
ON WEDNESDAY 1st JULY 2009 from 7pm – 9pm
Council staff will be present to answer questions about the document.
If you would like to make a submission regarding the document, you should do so in writing to the following address by 3rd August 2009.
Robert Buckley
Planning Strategy & Heritage
London Borough of Bromley
Civic Centre
Stockwell Close
BROMLEY BR1 3UH
A Civic Service to commemorate the Bi-Centenary of Charles Darwin's Birth.
A service was held on Sunday 15th February to commemorate the
Bi-centenary of the birth of Charles Darwin. The service was held in
the Parish Church of St. Mary's, Downe.
The Bishop of Rochester, The Right Rev. Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, The Archdeacon of Bromley and Bexley and the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Denise Reddin attended.
Twenty Members of the Darwin family were among the one hundred and twenty in attendance including parishioners of Cudham and Downe.
The Service was conducted by the Rev. Eric Heselwood and The Bishop gave the Sermon. The service was followed by a Reception and tea in the Village Hall. Photos depicting Downe and the surrounding area through the years were exhibited and much appreciated by those present.
Many thanks go to all who helped to make this occasion so special.
DOWNE VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOTICE
The Annual General Meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee will be held on Monday 16th March 2009 at 8pm in the Village Hall.
All villagers are welcome to attend and ask questions of the Trustees
N Cutmore
Co-Chairman
13th February 2009
Lambs and Snow in Downe!
Click here to see photos of the lambs born the day before the snow
Click here for photos of Snowy Downe.
Exhibition - Old Photographs of Downe Village
A very enjoyable afternoon was spent pouring over old photographs
of Downe Village. Despite the appalling weather, over a 100 people attended the exhibition and a great deal of historical and amusing information exchanged. Some former residents of the village came
from as far away as Bexhill on Sea. Thanks must go to Brenda
Powell for the vast amount of work she put in to the exhibition very
ably assisted by her husband Derek.
Darwin Safer Neighbourhood Team - Saddle Marking
The Darwin Safer Neighbourhood Team recently organised the first
session of saddle marking. Following the receipt of a Safer
Neighbourhood Development Grant of £4,646 and the subsequent
purchase of two leather branding machines, saddle marking is now
taking place in the Darwin Ward. Twenty eight saddles have been
marked in the Cudham area and more are due to be marked in the Darwin Ward in the next few weeks.
The branding machine stamps a mark into the leather and each saddle is given a unique reference number and registered on a police computer. If the police then stop a person with equestrian equipment, and they are suspicious as to ownership, then a check can be made. Branding equestrian equipment helps to identify stolen goods, if recovered, and then returned to the rightful owner..
If you live in the Darwin Ward and have a saddle you would like branded, please get in touch with the Darwin Safer Neighbourhood Team on :
020 8721 2603. For more information click here.
Fly-Tipping
A number of incidents of fly-tipping have occurred in this area in
the last couple of weeks. Approximately 60 tyres were dumped in
the entrance to Twenty Acre Shaw where Luxted Road and Single
Street meet.
If you see anything suspicious, as well as notifying the police, please also contact the Envirocrime Enforcement Officer at Bromley Council. Please note details of unusual vans or anyone acting suspiciously. Anything that may be useful in possibly identifying the fly-tipping culprits should be passed on to the Police and the Envirocrime Enforcement Officer.
Police 020-8721-2603
LBB Envirocrime Enforcement Officer 020-8313-4833
Please do ring if you see anything suspicious
