The Role of the Bedford Park Society
The Society’s main aim is to protect the character of the garden suburb, so it is 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
It was founded in 1963 by two local residents, architect Tom Affleck Greeves and Harry Taylor, following the demolition of some historic houses and unsympathetic developments in the neighbourhood. Backed by poet and conservation campaigner Sir John Betjeman, the Society’s first task was to have the buildings listed. This was achieved in 1967, following an exhibition organised by the Society (with the valuable assistance of the congregation of St Michael and All Angels) to draw attention to what by then had become an urgent problem. As a result over 350 houses, the former Stores (now offices), the Tabard Inn, the Club (now the London Buddhist Vihara), the Church of St Michael and 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. These areas have since been expanded to take in more non-listed houses. In 2001 Hounslow implemented an Article 4(2) Direction, which gives greater protection to the non-listed buildings in its conservation area. Ealing Council introduced an Article 4(2) Direction in 2008.
As an amenity group the Society seeks to encourage the sympathetic design of alterations and additions, and to ensure owners appreciate the importance of details such as 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, social gatherings, lectures 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, under its From Knowledge Comes Care initiative the Society provides a log book for every listed house in Bedford Park. Each book 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 Tom Greeves and essential reading for anyone interested in the area.
Our patron
Sir John Betjeman was succeeded as patron in 2001 by DONALD INSALL, CBE (pictured right), Britain's leading architect specialising in the conservation of historic buildings. His practice, a pioneer in this field, has 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 which 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.