Minutes:
Shared Lives – Kerry Spicer told the meeting that the purpose of Shared Lives is to provide homes which enable vulnerable adults to share in family and community life and which promote the strengths and abilities of each individual. The Scheme helps approved Shared Lives Carers (ordinary people from the local communities) to share their home and time with someone in need. The carers are fully supported by the Shared Lives team. If anyone feels they would be able to provide this support to a vulnerable adult and would like more information or an application form please contact a member of our team on 0208 461 7020 or alternatively entering Shared Lives into the search box on Bromley councils web page.
Grove Park Neighbourhood Forum Stephen Kenny told the assembly that the forum is working with a Aecom to map out opportunity sites within the boundary http://www.aecom.com
For more information about the Forum visit http://www.groveparkneighbourhoodforum.com/
Library update - Cllr Suzannah Clarke told the assembly that the front of the library has still not been painted. They do need some new volunteers and there will be a meeting with Eco- Communities to progress this and come up with an action plan. We will also be looking at the libraries future and how it can play a greater role within the community.
WG Grace and Grove Park – Local historian John King explained that as the 100th anniversary of W G Grace’s approached, it was important to remember that there was a big Grove Park dimension to Grace’s last years. It was Bristol where Grace spent much of his cricket career with the Gloucestershire Cricket Club and where he made his reputation. In 1899 he came to live to live with his family in Sydenham where he headed the London County Cricket Club. When the club ceased its activities in 1909, he moved to Mottingham, probably in October, to a large house, Fairmount, which still stands. It is at the higher section of Mottingham Lane and is easily recognisable by its bright blue plaque. Exactly why he chose Mottingham, may never be known.
In Mottingham there was already the well-established Eltham Cricket Club which dated back to 1863 with a ground at Chapel Farm which was less than a mile from Grace’s home. Not surprisingly he and his son Charles who was also an accomplished player, joined the club, their first match being on 28 May 1910 against Granville of Lee. In Grove Park there were at that period three cricket clubs – St.Augustine, Fairfield and Grove Park. The church’s club had been formed in 1910 while the Grove Park club had been formed in 1913. The grounds were on farmland in Marvels Lane near the Quaggy.
It was on 6 June 1914 that the Eltham Club received Grove Park at its Mottingham ground. The match was a draw. Grace’s penultimate match was on 25 July 1914 against the Grove Park club on the latter’s ground. It was not his last match but it was the last one in which he played an active part. Grace made 69 not out which was the highest score of the match - not bad for the oldest player at 66. And it was said he was knocked about by the fast Grove Park bowlers. The match was drawn. The 8th August, was Grace’s last match. It was at Mottingham, against Northbrook. But he did not take an active part in it in that he did not bat or bowl and may not even have touched the ball, there were few reports of this match in the press. On 24th May 1915 Grace was at Catford when there was a match between Catford and the Army Service Corps. He certainly did not play but he helped to collect money for the Red Cross. His last public appearance was probably at the YMCA Sports Ground in Grove Park Road on 21st August 1915. The event was a Sports Day of the Army Service Corps. Grace died on 23 October 1915, with his funeral at Beckenham’s cemetery at Elmers End. The W G Grace Community Centre in Lions Close is named after the Great Man.
Grove Park Stables – The owners are not engaging with us at present, but we are continuing to keep an eye on their plans as we remain suspicious. Unless they put in a planning application we are none the wiser.
Future Assembly meetings – Cllr Elliott encouraged the assembly to come up with ideas for future assembly meetings.
Streetlife– Cllr Moore reminded the assembly that Streetlife is an excellent tool to find out what is going on in Grove Park ward. It is free to sign-up and for more information attendees should visit www.streetlife.com.
Q What about parking on Parking on Pragnell Road?
A We are looking at this and are aware of the issues, there will be a consultation.
Q Is there an update on the Railway Bridge?
A This is a long journey with no timetable. Network Rail are working on it and Heidi Alexander MP is now involved. The Council may still go ahead with the regeneration, the problem is closing the track to do work on the bridge.
There being no other business Cllr Moore thanked everyone for coming along to the assembly and reminded attendees that the next meeting will be on Saturday 6 February 2016 at 10am at the WG Grace Centre. The meeting closed at 11.50am.