Valerie Sheldon cutting the ribbon at Thornton’s Corner
Valerie Sheldon, granddaughter of Thomas Thornton, cut the ribbon to “unveil” one of two new town signs for Beckenham on 6 July. This sign is on the corner, known as Thornton’s Corner, where the High Street turns towards the cinema. The second new sign is on the roundabout at the War Memorial.
The Town Crier points to the new sign at the War Memorial
Thomas Thornton was a local business man who published the Beckenham Journal, ran a stationers shop on the corner opposite the sign, and was a leading citizen of Beckenham. Thomas secured the use of the land around Kelsey Manor as a public park – now Kelsey Park, which celebrated its 100th birthday in May (see below).
The new signs are part of a programme to re-invigorate Beckenham High Street. There are now three signs guiding us through the High Street from the well established one at Beckenham Green, past Thornton’s corner and round to the War Memorial roundabout. The works will include new street furniture, better signage, de-cluttering and general cleaning and tidying, as well as a heritage trail which will be published shortly. The works are funded by Bromley Council, and were developed by a working group which included representatives of West Beckenham Residents’ Association.
Some members of the working group which drew up the plans for High Street improvements.
An exhibition stand was stationed outside Sainsbury’s explaining the work that will be undertaken in the next few months.
Exhibition stand explaining the improvement work