News
BYMT Adult Choir Concert: Duruflé Requiem
02 March 2026
BYMT Adult Choir performs Duruflé Requiem and Motets on Sunday 15 March at 7pm in Bromley Parish Church. To book tickets and for further information visit BYMT website.
34 Foxgrove Road
01 March 2026
The fence and gate have been refused retrospective planning permission due to:
"The proposed boundary treatment, by reason of its height, design and materials represents a harsh, visually intrusive and discordant form of development, harmful to the character and appearance of the street scene and the setting of the Locally Listed Buildings (non-designated heritage asset), and is detrimental to the visual amenities of the area in general."
Residents are advised to check whether planning permission is needed before building anything. RVR is able to offer guidance to members.
Waitrose Tower at Bromley South is Shelved
26 February 2026
The John Lewis Partnership has abandoned plans to build rental properties in Bromley, as well as in West Ealing and Reading. It has closed its build-to-rent property business blaming higher costs and caution in the property market.
Bethlem Museum of the Mind Visit Amendment
25 February 2026
There will be a RVR group visit to Bethlem Museum of the Mind on Friday 20th March starting at 10:30am, and not 11:00 as previously stated.
There are still some places available, so if you are interested in gong please email the Vice Chairman:
vicechairman.rvr@outlook.com
RVR Website Upgrade
25 February 2026
The Ravensbourne Valley Residents website has been transferred to a more up to date platform. If you find any errors or have suggestions for improvement please email the webmaster: webmaster.rvr@outlook.com. (We know some of the links are currently not working, and are fixing them.)
We would also be grateful for any nice photographs of the area that could be used to decorate the website.
Beckenham Chorale Concert
24 February 2026
Beckenham Chorale are giving a concert on Saturday 21 March 2026 at 7pm at St. George's Church, Beckenham BR3 1AX.
To book tickets and for further information, visit their website: https://www.beckenhamchorale.org.uk/
Dee Janes Retirement from Shortlands Station
24 February 2026
RVR and Shortlands Residents Association have set up a crowdfund: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/clive-lees to buy Dee Janes a retirement gift.
Many will know her through her role in the station ticket office but more importantly through her remarkable contribution to our community. Her contribution, which is well worth a read, is fully detailed on the JustGiving page.
Spray Foam Insulation Installation and Removal Scams
04 February 2026
Bromley Trading Standards have issued an alert about spray foam insulation scams. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and say no to cold callers.
Shortlands And Park Langley Safer Neighbourhood Ward Meeting
03 February 2026
There will a Shortlands and Park Langley Ward Open Panel meeting on Tuesday 24 February at 7.30pm in the Friends Room at St Mary’s Church, 39 Kingswood Road. BR2 0HG.
The speaker is Graeme Preston from Bromley Trading Standards, who will be talking about doorstop scams and giving advice on how to deal with this type of crime.
Residents are invited to come and join in with the discussion on local issues on crime, help set our ward priorities, meet our local SN Police Team and attending local Councillors. Afterwards enjoy refreshments and nibbles for informal chat with everyone attending.
Queensmead Recreation Ground: River Ravensbourne Restoration Proposal
02 February 2026
Thames 21 has published an update on its website regarding its proposal to transfer the river to a more natural state.
Litter Pick in Shortlands Village
31 January 2026
Councillor Gemma Turrell will be leading a litter pick in Shortlands Village on Saturday 21 February starting at 10.00am in the Station Ticket-Hall, where equipment and bags will be available.
Bethlem Museum of the Mind Visit
31 January 2026
There will be a RVR group visit to Bethlem Museum of the Mind on Friday 20th March starting at 11:00am.
Please let the Vice Chairman know if you are interested in attending by Friday 6th February 2026.
Email: vicechairman.rvr@outlook.com
Bike Marking at Panagua Bikes
26 January 2026
The Met Police who will be doing free bike marking on Saturday 7th February at Panagua Bikes 50 Hayes Street, Bromley, BR2 7LD.
Residents can have their pedal bikes marked and/or registered, in order to assist with future investigations should they be victims of crime in the future.
Shortlands Library
22 January 2026
The recent appearance of cracks in a rear wall at Shortlands Library has prompted the closure of the library for safety reasons and further investigation work. https://www.bromley.gov.uk/news/article/931/wall-cracking-at-shortlands-library-prompts-closure-for-safety-reasons
Front Garden Sheds
22 January 2026
Please note sheds over one metre in front gardens need planning permission. An appeal against an enforcement notice for a shed to be taken down in Queensmead Road has been dismissed.
Bromley Symphony Orchestra
14 January 2026
Bromley Symphony Orchestra’s next concert is on Saturday 24th January at 7:30pm at Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts. To book tickets and for further information visit the Bromley Symphony Orchestra website https://www.bromleysymphony.org/
David Bowie's Childhoood Home
14 January 2026
David Bowie’s childhood home at 4 Plaistow Grove, Bromley, where he lived from 1955 to 1967, from the ages of 8 to 20 has been bought by Heritage of London Trust with the intention of restoring it to its 1960s appearance, and opening it to the public.
Litter Picking Session
10 January 2026
The next Litter Picking session is on Tuesday 17th February. We shall be meeting at 10am outside Ravensbourne Station. All are welcome. If you have any questions please contact Nigel Foster, Street Friends Coordinator.
January's Members' Meeting
09 January 2026
Interesting and well attended (despite the rain) meeting last night. Thank you to Lydia Lewinson from Bromley Homeless, Cecilia Willat from Fair Trade, and Dee Janes who is retiring in February from Shortlands Station, for their interesting talks. Dee said she has received an offer for the Shortlands mural under the bridge to be repainted as thank you to her for her sterling work while she was at Shortlands. Thank you also to Councillors Michael Tickner and Gemma Turrell for their updates including that that a traffic island is being considered for Crab Hill and that the playground equipment in Queensmead had been repaired.