The Role of the Society

The Bedford Park Society (registered charity)

Patron: Donald Insall, CBE President: Nigel Woolner Vice President: Martin Landy

Chairman of the Executive Committee: Peter Eversden Secretary: Peter Murray

The Role of the Society

The Society seeks to protect the amenities of the garden suburb and is therefore primarily interested in matters concerning the buildings, their setting, their maintenance and appropriate development sympathetic to their architectural and historic importance. The Society is not a residents’ association but is nevertheless keenly interested in community matters affecting the amenities of the suburb. Founded in 1963 following the demolition of some historic houses and unsympathetic development of the neighbourhood, the Society’s first task- to have the buildings listed- was achieved in 1967. An exhibition was organized by the Society (with the valuable assistance of the congregation of St Michael & All Angels) under the patronage of Sir John Betjeman to draw attention to what by then had become an urgent problem. As a result over 300 houses, the former Stores (now offices), the Tabard Inn, the Club (now the London Buddhist Vihara), the Church of St Michael & All Angels and its Parish Hall were all listed Grade II. The Church has since been raised to Grade II*.

Conservation Areas were declared by the boroughs of Ealing (1969) and Hounslow (1970), who administer the two halves of Bedford Park. In 2001 Hounslow implemented an Article 4(2) Direction, which gives greater protection to the non-listed buildings in its conservation area.

As an amenity group affiliated to the Civic Trust, the Society’s aim is to protect the character of the area, to encourage the sympathetic design of alterations and additions, and to ensure owners appreciate the importance of boundary fences and mature trees in keeping the character of the street scene.

All planning submissions for work in the area are referred by the boroughs to the Society, which can draw on considerable experience and expertise in architectural, planning, traffic and other matters, including technical advice concerning repairs and maintenance. This help is freely available to members, who are advised to contact the Society prior to making planning applications.

Membership of the Society is not confined to Bedford Park residents; we welcome anyone interested in maintaining our Victorian architectural heritage. Regular newsletters, meetings and other events keep members in touch, while local members can call on a network of street representatives for information and support. The Society’s website receives over 40,000 visits annually, mainly from overseas.

In addition, the Society provides under its From Knowledge Comes Care initiative a log book for every listed house in Bedford Park. It includes a history of the individual building, as well as general advice on maintenance and alterations. Other publications produced by the Society include: “Bedford Park, the first garden suburb” and “A Guide to Bedford Park in the form of Two Walks”, both by the Society’s co-founder Tom Affleck Greeves.

PICTURE: Peter Murray (Deputy Chairman &Secretary) with Peter Eversden (Chairman) at the 2001 AGM

Patron

Sir John Betjeman was succeeded as Patron in 2001 by DONALD INSALL, CBE, Britain's leading architect specialising in the conservation of historic buildings. His practice was a pioneer in the field and worked on some of the most prestigious restoration projects of recent years including the House of Lords' ceiling and Windsor Castle. In 1969 he undertook the national pilot study on conservation in Chester that became a model for strategies in the conservation of historic towns. Over the years he has been a powerful force in the conservation movement; he received the Europa Nostra Medal of Honour in 1983 and 1989. He has been a member of the Historic Buildings Council, the Royal Society of Arts Council, the Ancient Monuments Board, and the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission; he is a member of the architectural advisory committees for Canterbury and Southwark Cathedrals and is on the Council of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Executive Committee

President Nigel Woolner Dip Arch RIBA FRSA

Vice President Martin Landy

Chairman Peter Eversden chairman (at) bedfordpark.org

Deputy Chairman & Hon. Secretary Peter Murray secretary (at) bedfordpark.org

Hon. Treasurer Simon Baddeley

Membership Secretary Alyson Sich

Minutes Secretary vacant

Planning Carol Woolner planning (at) bedfordpark.org

Ted Holloway

Martin Landy

Environment Vacant secretary ( at) bedfordpark.org

Parking and Traffic Helen Jameson secretary( at) bedfordpark.org

Peter Eversden

Heathrow Michael Daley michael.daley (at) befordpark.org

Peter Eversden

Crime & Security Johanna Harrison secretary (at) bedfordpark.org

Michael Daley michael.daley (at) bedfordpark.org

Publications Peter Murray publications (at) bedfordpark.org

Michael Daley webmaster(at) bedfordpark.org

Social Events Johanna Harrison

Alyson Sich

Simon Baddeley

Trees Simon Hilliard

Open Spaces Peter Eversden

Liaison: Chiswick Protection Group Peter Eversden

Councillors (Hounslow) Helen Jameson

Councillors (Ealing) Peter Eversden

Michael Daley

London Forum Peter Eversden

St Michaels & All Angels Ted Holloway

Victorian Society Stephen Bradley

Back to top

Last revised: June 2007