main content London Borough of Bromley 40th anniversary

It was 40 years ago on 1 April 1965 that the London Borough of Bromley was created out of the then boroughs of Beckenham and Bromley and urban district councils of Chislehurst (and Sidcup), Orpington and Penge.  After many years of being part of Kent Council, these five newly combined areas would become part of the area to be covered by a Greater London Council.

The changes provoked much discussion locally but, in due course, the five areas buried their differences and the relevant Act was passed.  However, they couldn’t agree on a name, and eventually the Privy Council ruled that it was to be ‘Bromley’.  The borough remains physically much as it is today, with one major exception.  Knockholt continued its resistance to the changes and was successful in 1968 in being returned to Kent as part of Sevenoaks District Council.

The Council is marking this 40th anniversary in a number of ways, starting with an exhibition in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre.  The exhibition, co-ordinated by the former Mayor Of Bromley, Cllr Mrs Anne Manning, will include displays of much of the borough’s historical items, such as Mayoral insignia, robes, charters, coats of arms as well as details of how the change came about in 1965 and how things have developed over the subsequent years.  The Mayor said: “Many of these items rarely see the light of day and it is an excellent opportunity for residents to come along and view them.”  The exhibition will be open on Friday 1 April and Saturday 2 April from 10am to 4pm.  There will be no entry charge.

The following weekend will see a special Morning Service at Bromley Parish Church at 10.30am (behind the former Allders).  It will be a combined Civic and Family Eucharist Service and, again, anyone is welcome to attend.

Details of any further events will be announced in due course.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Jolanta Giudici, The Mayor’s Office on 020 8313 4433 or e-mail:  jolanta.giudici@bromley.gov.uk