Councillors back Creswell Drive sports centre

Published Thursday 15 October 2026

Plan for 13 days without Beckenham trams from 24 October, plus a sewing-school move and a children’s Halloween party.

Top Updates

Councillors approve Creswell Drive sports centre against council planners’ advice

Councillors on Bromley’s planning sub-committee voted to approve the Creswell Drive sports centre on Thursday 8 October. The vote went against the council planning team’s recommendation to refuse the scheme beside South Eden Park Road, which we covered last week.

Beckenham trams stop for 13 days from 24 October

There will be no trams from Saturday 24 October to Thursday 5 November inclusive at any stop from East Croydon towards Beckenham Junction and Elmers End. Replacement bus T2 will follow the Beckenham branch; Southern trains will continue to serve Birkbeck except on Sundays. Check the latest TfL status.

Mansion sewing school moves to Kingswood House on 1 November

Know How You sewing school is leaving Beckenham Place Mansion after ten years. From Sunday 1 November, its new home will be Kingswood House, Seeley Drive, in West Dulwich, SE21 8QN. The school teaches children and adults, from beginners to more experienced makers.

Founder Jane Doxey recalls reopening after the pandemic and helping a student gain a place at the Royal School of Needlework in the Mansion’s farewell to the school.

Dates For Your Diary

Thursday 22 October · 7.30pm · £9.50 non-members

Watch Vermiglio at Langley Park FILMBOX

This Italian-language drama, with English subtitles, follows a deserter’s arrival in a mountain village during the Second World War. FILMBOX screens Vermiglio in Studio 609 at Langley Park School for Boys, BR3 3BP. Non-members can now book; the cinema normally admits ages 16 and over. The film runs for 1 hour 59 minutes.

Thursday 29 October · 5–7pm · £7 per child

Children’s Halloween disco at Beckenham Rugby Club

Beckenham RFC hosts a children’s Halloween party at its Balmoral Avenue clubhouse, with a disco, an entertainer and pizza for every pre-booked child. Fancy dress is encouraged. Book the Halloween party.

Saturday 7 November · gates 4.30pm

Book ahead for Beckenham Charity Fireworks

Croydon Road Recreation Ground hosts a quieter display at 6pm and the main fireworks at 7.30pm, with food, drink and a funfair. Including fees, tickets cost £19.08 for ages 14+, £6.36 for children aged 5–13, and £13.25 concessions; under-fives enter free with an adult. Tickets are online only, with none sold at the gate. Book Beckenham Charity Fireworks.

What's On

Thursday 15 October

Knit and natter at St Paul’s, 6.30–8pm · free; donations welcome. Beginners and experienced knitters and crocheters are welcome at St Paul’s Church Halls, Brackley Road. Tea, coffee and cake are provided. See the Knit & Natter session.

Friday 16 October

Luca Luciano’s clarinet recital at St George’s, 12.30–1pm · free, with a collection. Hear clarinettist Luca Luciano in a lunchtime recital at St George’s Church on Beckenham High Street. See the recital details.

Saturday 17 October

Ask experts about cholesterol at Azelia Hall, 10am–noon · free · registration required. HEART UK brings an expert panel, including a dietitian specialising in cholesterol and menopause, to 258 Croydon Road. The session includes questions, practical advice and cholesterol tests, subject to availability. Register for Understanding Cholesterol Together.

Build with Lego at Beckenham Library, 2–3pm · ages 5+ · booking required. Children aged five and over can join Lego Club at 22 Beckenham Road. Booking is essential; contact the library on 020 8650 7292 about places.

Sunday 18 October

Hear a full steelpan orchestra at Crystal Palace Bowl, 2–4pm · free · drop in. Endurance Steel Orchestra performs a free Sunday Sounds set on the Concert Platform in nearby Crystal Palace Park. No ticket is needed. See the steelpan performance details.

Planning Watch

House extensions will be decided by council planners: From Saturday 31 October, national rules will put house extensions and smaller housing and business applications in the hands of council planning staff. You will no longer be able to ask your councillor to bring those applications before a committee of elected councillors. For larger schemes that qualify for a hearing, Bromley’s local rules, approved by councillors on Monday 12 October, will give councillors three weeks to request one. The council’s planning chair and a senior planner will both have to agree.

Winter Gardens licence comments close on Friday: You have until Friday 16 October to comment. Winter Gardens has applied for a premises licence covering film screenings and alcohol consumed on site from 11am to 10pm during an annual November-to-January event at Beckenham Place Park. Read the application notice. Comments must reach licensing@lewisham.gov.uk by Friday 16 October and include your full name and postal address.