Friends of Priory Gardens

14/08/2026

GOVERNMENT ISSUES WILDFIRE ALERT

09/08/2026

PLAY IN THE PARK POP-UP
Tuesday 11th August, 10 am to 2 pm
Priory Gardens, High Street, Orpington, BR6 0JF

Come and enjoy free children's play equipment in Priory Gardens!

There will be a range of outdoor toys and games for children and families to use, encouraging active play, social interaction, and community engagement.

An event arranged by Bromley Council's Culture Team in partnership with Futures.

07/08/2026

BROMLEY BOROUGH PARKS & OPEN SPACES SURVEY 2026

about the state of the parks and open spaces in our borough in Bromley Council's annual survey, here: https://www.bromley.gov.uk/.../park-user-satisfaction-survey

Parks and open spaces are a non-statutory responsibility of the council, which means that despite their importance to our health and wellbeing, funding their upkeep and improvement is increasingly challenging for the council and its delivery partners.

Our borough is fortunate to have over 50 Friends groups (https://www.bromleyfriendsforum.org/friends.html) whose volunteers play a vital role in the care and improvement of our parks and green spaces.

22/07/2026

Bromley Council Consultation
BROMLEY DOG CONTROL PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION ORDER
on proposals for updating the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog controls, in support of responsible dog ownership, by completing the online questionnaire published here: https://www.bromley.gov.uk/news/article/1003/proposals-to-renew-dog-control-order

The four-week consultation period officially closes on Monday 27 July and residents, including parks visitors and others are being encouraged to respond to the online questionnaire designed to provide an endorsement of proposals, with little opportunity for residents to add comments or suggestions.

If you would like to make further comments and suggestions, we suggest contacting the relevant Portfolio Holder (and Farnborough & Crofton Ward Councillor) Angela Page via email to [email protected] and copy in your local ward councillors.

Information about the existing Dog Control Order can be found on the Bromley Council website, here: https://www.bromley.gov.uk/DogControl

An introductory video featuring Cllr Angela Page was published two years ago, here: https://youtu.be/YnVyRve3b-4?si=18ESlymXfZhb8k0T

One week remaining to have your say in the Dog Control Order consultation.

Share your views on proposals to renew Bromley’s Dog Control Order, including a proposal to prohibit dogs from entering cemeteries.

🗓 Consultation closes 27 July.

Find out more:
👉 bromley.gov.uk/Consultation

10/06/2026

Bromley Council
ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES PORTFOLIO PLAN 2026/27
https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/documents/s50128586/Portfolio%20Plan%20Appendix%20Revised.pdf

Following the local elections and appointments of new portfolio holders for Environment and Transport, Highways & Road Safety, the first meeting of the Environment & Community Services Policy Development & Scrutiny Committee will be on Wednesday 17 June 2026, 7.00 pm, at the Civic Centre.

Included in the meeting agenda - https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=127&MId=8300 - is the Portfolio Plan for 2026-27 (link above) and Performance Overview for Q4: Jan-Mar 2026 -https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/documents/s50128496/ECS%20PO%20Appendix.pdf

Notable mentions in the Performance overview include the "net loss of 466 street trees", and "exceptionally high numbers of KSI road casualties" in the earlier part of last year.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The agenda states that "Questions specifically seeking clarification of reports on the agenda should be received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on 11th June 2026." Members of the public may ask one question each up to a maximum of 50 words. If you choose to ask your question in person at the meeting, a supplementary question will be allowed. Otherwise a written response will be given. Email questions to the Committee Clerk: [email protected]

03/06/2026

VAN DRIVERS CAUSE DAMAGE IN PRIORY GARDENS
Once again vans are being driven around the historic Grade II listed park damaging paths and creating trip hazards, according to a recent report sent to Bromley Council.

We too have raised this issue with Bromley Council and idverde on numerous occasions, yet the bad driving habit continues unabated.

If you see something that needs fixing in Priory Gardens please report it via Bromley Council's service - fix.bromley.gov.uk - or scan the QR code below.

It has been suggested that a simple solution would be for vans to no longer drive in the park.

Alternatively, revert to using a more appropriate utility vehicle in Priory Gardens such as the Club Car Turf2 Carryall (pictured) used by park keepers 15 years ago - clubcar.com

Meanwhile, since construction of a faceless archive warehouse started in Priory Gardens on 8 May, we have seen many more and considerably larger vehicles entering the park from the High Street.

We are calling on Bromley Council, idverde, Ward Security and others to show respect for our historic park, take proper care when visiting and put an end to their bad driving habits.

22/05/2026

NEW COMMUNITY POLICE CAR FOR ORPINGTON
A new community police car was officially launched on 19 May, funded jointly by the Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board and Orpington 1st Business Improvement District.

The investment strengthens the partnership approach to community safety across the borough, supporting local officers in their work to protect businesses, residents, and visitors. The new vehicle will be deployed for town‑centre patrols, business engagement, and rapid response within the Orpington area.

Representatives from the Metropolitan Police, the Safer Neighbourhood Board, and Orpington 1st attended the launch, marking a shared commitment to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and well‑supported town centre.

Orpington 1st and the Safer Neighbourhood Board thanked Orpington SNT Sgt Luke Giles for his instrumental role in driving the project forward and ensuring the new vehicle could be delivered for the benefit of the community.

Sharon Baldwin, Chair of the Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board and former Chief Executive of Orpington 1st, said:
“Today’s launch demonstrates what can be achieved when local partners work together with a shared commitment to community safety. The Safer Neighbourhood Board is proud to support the funding of this new police vehicle, which will strengthen visibility, improve response times, and provide reassurance to residents and businesses across the borough. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on day‑to‑day policing in the town.”

A spokesperson for the Orpington 1st BID Board said:
“Ensuring Orpington remains a safe and welcoming place is central to the BID’s mission. This joint investment reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting local policing and strengthening the partnership approach that underpins a thriving town centre. We are pleased to play our part in delivering a resource that will benefit businesses, visitors, and the wider community.”

The vehicle will begin operational patrols immediately following the launch.

https://orpington1st.co.uk/news/a-new-community-police-car-was-officially-launched-funded-jointly-by-the-bromley-safer-neighbourhood-board-and-orpington-1st-bid-t

22/05/2026

Met Engage
WALK & TALK IN PRIORY GARDENS
with the Local Police Team
Saturday 23rd May 2026, 3.00 to 4.00 pm
Meet outside

Join a patrol of Priory Gardens with the Local Police Team and other like-minded people interested in the protection of wildlife in and around the park, with an opportunity to discuss any other concerns about antisocial behaviour that you may have.

Antisocial behaviour can come in many forms and can require support from more organisations than just the police. There are 13 different types of antisocial behaviour that the police may be able to help with, including abandoned vehicles, littering or drugs paraphernalia, and street drinking. A full list of what the police categorise as antisocial behaviour is available here - https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/what-is-antisocial-behaviour/

13/05/2026

PRIORY GARDENS IN BLOOM
The Arts & Crafts and Italianate style garden rooms in the historic heart of Orpington are carefully curated by our volunteer gardeners, who keep the spirit of the last private owners' Arts & Crafts and Italianate style garden rooms alive.

If fresh air, healthy exercise and good company appeals to you too, please consider joining our friendly gardening community which meets on Monday mornings from 10 am to 1 pm (except bank holidays) in the formal gardens next to The Priory.

13/05/2026

Channel 4 -
KEVIN MCCLOUD'S LISTED BRITAIN
New series starts Wednesday 13th May 2026, 9.00 pm
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/kevin-mcclouds-listed-britain

"Who rewrites our history? Who decides which bits of our heritage we keep, and which bits we demolish and destroy? And how do we, as communities and individuals, fight to champion and preserve the things we love in a world where, if we don’t, the likelihood is it will probably disappear?"



https://youtu.be/JVXUCpVqzlw?si=fqqHCCJGCiwnoR4H

Kevin McCloud uncovers the stories behind the buildings Britain has chosen to protect