Refurbished Chislehurst Library now welcoming visitors Raising the green flag at Lewisham Park

Chislehurst Library is now open to the public following the completion of extensive refurbishment work, with over 1,000 visitors being welcomed into the space to enjoy the new facilities.

Chislehurst is the fifth library to reopen as part of the £11 million initiative to modernise libraries across Bromley through repair works and replacement of fixtures and fittings that have reached the end of their useful life.

Both existing and new library members gathered to celebrate the improved facilities which include a new roof installation, replacement of all windows, a new heating system, and an accessible public toilet. Children are also welcomed into their own space which has been redecorated with a bright mural which focuses on Chislehurst.

The renovated facilities are already attracting more visitors with over 60 new library members joining the library since Chislehurst library opened. There has also been over 1,700 library visits and 1,800 library books borrowed in just over a week of the library’s reopening, underlining how busy and popular the space is.

Leading the celebrations and officially reopening the library was the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Jonathan Andrews, who said, “It was a great pleasure to reopen this much-loved library, and it is fantastic to see further investments made into our libraries across the borough. It is also exciting to know that we are welcoming more visitors into these newly refurbished libraries, with over 60 new members so far at Chislehurst alone.”

Rebecca Gediking, Head of Libraries for GLL, said: “We were really delighted to host author Cerrie Burnell, formerly of CBeebies fame, who brought some magic and sparkle to the launch of the newly refurbished Chislehurst Library. Cerrie read from her book, ‘Unicorn Seekers: Map of Lost Unicorns’ and told us how to spot a unicorn! It was a really magical event.”

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “We are making rapid progress on delivering these improvements and repairs across our much-loved library network. By making this investment now, we are able to reduce our future maintenance costs, while ensuring our libraries are equipped for years to come to deliver the high-quality services that residents deserve.”

The completion of Chislehurst’s refurbishment follows Burnt Ash, Beckenham, Southborough and St Paul’s Cray libraries, in addition to the major works at West Wickham Library. Orpington and Mottingham libraries will be the next to reopen following their closures for refurbishment earlier this year.

Lewisham Park has officially joined the ranks of the UK’s best green spaces – and the community came out to celebrate!

Brenda Dacres, the Mayor of Lewisham, Cllr Laura Cunningham and Cllr Liz Johnston-Franklin, Ladywell Ward Councillors, Year 6 pupils from St Mary’s Primary School, Glendale, and residents from Lewisham Park (Crescent) Residents’ Association, helped raise the park’s very first Green Flag Award, marking a proud moment for the borough. This brings Lewisham’s total number of Green Flag parks to 24.

The Green Flag Award is the cherry on top of a successful few years for Lewisham Park recently, with a £167,000 investment from Section 106 and NCIL funds to upgrade the popular park with a new playground. The playground, upgraded in December 2023, is both sustainable and inclusive. Equipment includes a You and Me swing, a timber agility trail, a basket swing for all abilities, sound, light and touch play panels, bug magnifiers and a new sensory path. There is also a climbing frame with two towers, a bridge and spider net plus a fairy tale throne.

To make sure older children (aged eight to 12) have just as much fun, the Residents’ Association helped design a new Trim Trail, funded by the Mayor’s Greening Fund, encouraging active play and physical challenge.

The park’s old municipal signs have been replaced with two new interpretation panels, also funded by the Mayor’s Greening Fund. Designed with input from residents, the signs tell the story of Lewisham Park’s journey from private gardens to public green space in 1965. They highlight seasonal beauty like cherry blossoms in spring and golden leaves in autumn, as well as the commemorative rose beds planted for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Alison Munro, Chair of the Lewisham Park (Crescent) Residents’ Association said: “Over the last 12 years, Lewisham Park has been transformed into a beautiful park. It is much-loved by the local community. The Green Flag is the icing on the cake. It tells everyone that we now have one of the best parks in the country.”

And finally