River investigation, vintage market and rail changes
Published Thursday 16 July 2026
Plan for weekend train changes, browse 50 vintage traders and find girls’ football trials as the River Pool investigation continues.
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Top Updates
River Pool fish deaths remain under investigation
An investigation continues after very large numbers of fish, including critically endangered European eels, died along a 3km stretch of the River Pool from Cator Park to its confluence with the Ravensbourne. The cause had not been identified when checked on Wednesday. The Environment Agency’s latest published advice is to keep people and animals out of the affected stretch; drinking water has not been affected. Read the latest investigation update.
Charing Cross and Waterloo East close this weekend
No Southeastern trains will call at Charing Cross or Waterloo East on Saturday 18 or Sunday 19 July during a major railway upgrade. Hayes line trains through Clock House, Elmers End and New Beckenham will run to and from London Bridge via Lewisham. Other affected services will be diverted to and from Blackfriars, and Victoria to Orpington trains via Bromley South will run every 30 minutes rather than every 15. Check the weekend service plan before travelling.
Fifty vintage traders come to the Mansion
So Last Century brings its free Vintage Market at the Mansion to Beckenham Place Park on Sunday 19 July, from 10am to 5pm. Fifty traders will fill the Mansion and the area outside with furniture, homeware, records, books, fashion, prints and more. The park’s food market runs alongside it with about 15 hot-food stalls. Parking is limited and expensive, so the organisers recommend walking, cycling or public transport.
Girls’ football trials at Goals Beckenham
Beckenham Town Junior Football Club is holding girls’ team trials at Goals Beckenham on Saturday 18 July, from 9.15am to 10.30am. They are for players currently in school Years 5 and 6 who want to play at under-12 level next season. Registration details are on the club’s post.
Dates For Your Diary
Saturday 25 July · from 11am
Last call for Beckenham Place Park orienteering
Dartford Orienteers’ summer-series event has courses for beginners, children and experienced runners, ranging from 2.2km to 5.8km. Registration opens at 10.30am and starts run from 11am to 12.30pm. Enter by midnight on Sunday 19 July to be guaranteed a map; later entries cost extra and depend on maps being available.
Saturday 15 August · 11am-4pm
Beckenham Fire Station open day
Meet local firefighters, see a fire engine and pick up safety advice at Beckenham Fire Station’s family open day on Beckenham Road. This year’s theme is road traffic safety, with activities running through the afternoon.
What's On
Friday 17 July
Violin and organ recital at St George’s, 12.30-1pm. Anne Hubble on violin and Richard Mander on organ give a half-hour lunchtime recital at St George’s Church.
Saturday 18 July
Piano recital with Isabella Briggs, 11am-noon. Pianist Isabella Briggs gives a Saturday morning recital at St George’s Church.
Beckenham host Canterbury at Foxgrove Road, Noon. Beckenham Cricket Club’s first team face Canterbury in the Kent Cricket League Championship. Play starts at noon; see the club’s fixtures list for match details.
Trevor Levy on the decks, 3-8pm. Trevor Levy brings five hours of soulful and wide-ranging music to the Homestead Cafe courtyard in Beckenham Place Park. See the Trevor Levy listing.
Sunday 19 July
Jam in the Park at the Homestead, 3-9pm. Musicians of all levels can join the Homestead Cafe’s free open courtyard jam. Bring an instrument to play or come along to listen.
Roadworks and Transport
Plaistow Lane and Bourdon Road: Plaistow Lane remains closed through Saturday 18 July for council works. Bourdon Road is also closed, with works scheduled to continue until Monday 17 August.
Croydon Road and Oak Grove Road: Multi-way signals are planned on Croydon Road over the weekend, followed by two-way signals from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 July. Oak Grove Road is due to close for the same four days.
Ravensbourne Avenue and Valeswood Road: Thames Water plans multi-way signals on both roads from Monday 20 July. The Valeswood Road works are due to finish on Friday 24 July, while those on Ravensbourne Avenue continue until Sunday 2 August.
Hayes Lane and Letchworth Drive: Multi-way signals remain on Hayes Lane for gas works until Friday 31 July. Letchworth Drive stays closed until Monday 27 July.
Kangley Bridge Road: Two-way signals remain in place for Thames Water works until Sunday 2 August, affecting journeys towards Lower Sydenham.