Illustration of the proposed village sign to be positioned on the Village Green at the junction of Jail Lane and Main Road, in the near future.
BIGGIN HILL & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Illustration of the proposed village sign
to be positioned on the Village Green at the junction of Jail Lane and Main Road, in the
near future.
Chairman: Mr J Moultrie, Tel: 01959 570360
Secretary: Mr R Pickford, Tel: 01959 572849
Membership Secretary: Mrs L Kemp, Tel: 01959 572875
History
The Association was formed in the mid 1940’s under the name Biggin Hill & District Ratepayer’s Association. This name was altered to Biggin Hill & District Ratepayers & Residents Association in October 1951, and finally, the name was later changed to Biggin Hill & District Residents Association as it was felt that all ratepayers were also residents.
The Objects of the Association
The objects of the Association, agreed at the formation, are virtually unchanged i.e.:
a) To promote the economical and efficient administration of local affairs.
b) To provide assistance to its members in matters appertaining to their position as residents and generally to uphold their position as such.
c) To promote interest in local affairs.
d) To endeavour to secure the election of suitable candidates to the various Local Governing Authorities in order to further the objects of the Association.
The Committee
The Association is managed by a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer, together with up to twelve others, all to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting in October. Originally, general meetings were held monthly, immediately preceded by a committee meeting; but now committee meetings are held monthly and general meetings bi-monthly. Although the population of Biggin Hill has increased considerably since the formation of the Association, membership of about 250 has hardly changed.
We have representatives on the Airport Consultative Committee, Road Safety, Police Liaison, and other bodies to speak on the residents behalf.
The Association once produced a news letter which had to cease due to problems with distribution, and also the advertisement regarding forthcoming meetings, in the Biggin Hill News had to be cancelled due to lack of funds.
The Association is sometimes accused of being too negative; objections are made against developments which are undesirable, but there are numerous examples of positive actions and results, some of which are as follows:
Positive Actions & Results
Some influence in the provision of Biggin Hill Library in Church Road
Campaigned successfully for the Bromley to Biggin Hill bus service to be extended into the valley and for a more frequent service
The notice board in Lebanon Gardens was provided by the Association with contributions from many organisations, after an attempt to have it constructed by students of Charles Darwin School was unsuccessful
As a result of continued pressure by the Association to get something done about the continued flooding at the junction of Rosehill Road and Sunningvale Avenue, an extensive surface drainage scheme along Sunningvale Avenue and Oaklands Lane was carried out, which has proved very successful
The Association supported the Westerham Interchange Group to prevent an interchange on the M25 at Westerham, as it was felt that this would create considerable traffic through Biggin Hill
Many members cleared the rubbish from the soakaway area at Norheads Lane prior to the Council creating a seating and planting area opposite the Roundways shops
Although unsuccessful in getting residential development at Norheads Farm rejected, the proposed number of houses was reduced from 20 to 12
The Association persuaded the Council to clear footpaths of rubbish and vegetation, i.e. from Sunningvale Avenue to Polesteeple Hill
A special meeting held in October 1990 held to discuss the Airport was extremely well attended. At this meeting proposals for opening hours to be from 6.30 to 22.00 hrs, increased helicopter movements from 1,200 to 1,800 per annum and no upper limit on jet movements, were rejected.
Village Sign on the corner of Jail Lane and Main Road.
| The Village Sign |  Click to see a larger picture of the village sign being unveiled |
The Residents Association have organised the design and manufacture of a village sign, as depicted here. It has been erected on Biggin Hill Green at the corner of Jail Lane and Main Road and was unveiled by the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Peter Ayres, together with the Mayoress on Saturday 31st October 1998. Despite torrential rain a hardy group of residents turned out for the ceremony.
The original suggestion came from Ken Addis, a local resident and Chairman of Community Care, at the Association's AGM in 1994. Ideas were developed by the pupils of Charles Darwin School, then through local questionnaires, via a Sub-Committee to the final design. The sign manufactured in mild steel, depicts the Spitfire and Hurricane, representing the important part Biggin Hill played in the Battle of Britain, St. Marks the moving church, the Cedar tree of Aperfield Road (which has subsequently become one of the Great Trees of London) and lastly the wildlife element namely the badger and fox.
Bromley Borough Council’s Urban Designer, Stewart Clark, was responsible for preparing working drawings and obtaining tender estimates and T. J. Systems & Solutions, in conjunction with Claymead Signs, were the manufacturers of the sign. The Association was responsible for half the cost of manufacture.
Joining the Association
New members are very welcome and the cost of membership only £4 per household (£2 for Senior Citizens).
Telephone: The Membership Secretary,
Mrs. Linda Kemp on 01959 572875
or: The Secretary Mr. Ron Pickford on 01959 572849
| Christmas Lights |  The Mayor, his Wife and Cllr Bob Shekyls with the
Chrismas Lights |