Dog rules renewed, TEDx Bromley and autumn wreaths

Published Thursday 1 October 2026

Check the renewed dog rules, explore Elmers End’s air-quality proposal and plan a weekend of talks, music and autumn making.

Top Updates

Bromley renews dog rules without cemetery ban

Bromley’s existing dog-control rules continue for another three years from Thursday 1 October. A proposed ban on dogs in cemeteries has not been adopted: you can still take your dog there on a lead.

Dogs must be on leads on public highways, at outdoor café seating, in cemeteries, allotments and nature reserves. One person needs a council licence to walk more than three dogs, and dogs remain excluded from designated places such as children’s play areas. Read the renewed dog-control rules.

Elmers End could lose pollution-hotspot designation

Bromley Council proposes removing Elmers End’s official status as a pollution hotspot in its draft air-quality plan for 2027–31. The draft gives no date for the change, and you can comment on the proposal until midnight on Sunday 18 October.

The council cites improvements in air quality across the borough as the reason for removing the designation. The wider plan also covers cleaner transport, electric-vehicle charging and engine idling.

Read the plan and have your say. The survey takes about 15 minutes.

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 10 October 2026 · 7.30pm · free

Hear piano duets at St Paul’s

Marion and John Blakely give a piano-duet recital at St Paul’s Church, followed by light refreshments. Entry is free, with donations invited for the church’s heating project. See the recital details.

Saturday 17 October 2026 · 11am · ticketed

Walk through Bethlem’s history

This one-hour guided walk around Bethlem Royal Hospital’s grounds explores what stood on the site before the hospital moved there in 1930. The walk starts at Bethlem Gallery on Monks Orchard Road. Strong footwear is recommended and advance booking is required. See the Bethlem History Walk and book.

What's On

Thursday 1 October

Sing with the Crib Notes parents’ choir, 1–2pm · £7 taster. Parents and carers can bring their little ones to a relaxed, non-auditioned choir session at Beckenham Place Mansion. The group sings pop, folk, world music, lullabies and sea shanties, and no choir experience is needed. See the Crib Notes Choir session.

Saturday 3 October

Help in St Paul’s community garden, 10am–noon · free. St Paul’s monthly gardening team meets in the church gardens on Brackley Road. Everyone is welcome to help care for this community green space. See the gardening-session details.

Ten speakers take the stage at TEDx Bromley, noon–5.30pm · ticketed. TEDx Bromley moves to Bromley High School for an afternoon of ten talks on the theme Defying Expectations, covering subjects including parenting, creativity and leaving university. Tickets include an evening after-party at the Royal Bell. See the speakers and buy tickets.

Black History Month community concert in Bromley, 4–6.30pm · from £10. Local musicians and community choirs perform at St Mary’s Church, 63 College Road, Bromley, to celebrate Black History Month. Tickets cost at least £10 per person, with refreshments included; proceeds support the church’s community services. See the community concert and book.

Sunday 4 October

Make an autumn wreath at the Mansion, 2.30–4.30pm · £62. Studio HOIME’s beginner-friendly workshop at Beckenham Place Mansion uses fresh foliage on a moss base to make a natural door wreath. The £62 ticket includes materials and refreshments. See the workshop and book.

Planning Watch

Rear extension proposed on Kings Hall Road: An application at 7 Kings Hall Road proposes removing the existing rear and part-conservatory extension and building a single-storey rear extension with a patio and privacy screening. Bromley Council received application 26/03755/HPA on Thursday 24 September. View the planning application.