Local Heritage

• We started with the campaign to save Danson Stables (our logo!) and Danson Mansion.
• We supported the restoration of Crossness Pumping Station.
• We research local historic industrial sites.
• We backed the Red House Trust and Friends who aimed to preserve William Morris's Bexleyheath house.

Local Environment

We actively campaign for:

• The protection of the Green Belt;
• The preservation of Foots Cray Meadows;
• The protection of Lesnes Abbey and Wood.

Local Recognition

• Our annual Charles Burr Award recognises significant improvements in the Borough.
• The annual Young Art in Bexley exhibition at Hall Place is open to all children who live or go to school in the Borough.
• We promote the designation of Conservation Areas throughout the Borough.
• We have been instrumental in getting statutory Listed status for other buildings e.g. Sidcup Place and Foster's Old School.

Significant Successes

• Crossness
• Danson Mansion & Stables
• Red House
• Eighty Oak Wood
• New Conservation Areas
• Obtained Statutory Listing for: Foster's School; Sidcup Place; 71 Danson Road
• Footpath Clearances; Footpath Signs; Tree Removals
• Trees & Planning Applications
• Wiliam Morris Memorial Plaque, Knee Hill
• Publication of Borough Walks
• Membership of Conservation Advisory Committee

The Society's Structure

• Planning, Conservation and Environment Committee
• Membership and Publicity Committee
• Social & Education Committee

Local Areas and Representatives

• Barnehurst & Northumberland Heath
• Belvedere & Lesnes
• Bexley, East
• Bexley, West
• Bexleyheath
• Crayford
• Erith
• Foots Cray & North Cray
• Lamorbey & Blackfen
• Sidcup, East
• Sidcup, West
• Slade Green & Northend
• Thamesmead
• Welling

• Arts Council of Bexley
• Bexley Voluntary Services Council
• Civic Trust
• Crossness Engines Trust
• Friends of Red House
• Kent Federation of Amenity Societies
• Kent History Federation
• London Forum of Civic & Amenity Societies
• London Green Belt Council
• Woodland Trust
• Woodlands Farm Trust

• The Bexley Council Conservation Advisory Committee
• The Bexley Heritage Trust
• The London Green Belt Council
• The Arts Council of Bexley
• The Borough's Town and Community Forums

The Society has been in existence for over 30 years. Its founding was triggered to save the Danson Stables from demolition. From that foundation developed other campaigns: to preserve Foots Cray Meadows, to protect the Green Belt, to save Danson Mansion. It has tried to raise environmental awareness by publishing walks, by interacting with schools with art and community projects, and by manning stalls at events of other societies. The Society keeps a constant watch on planning applications.

But today other associations have sprung up: some representing local forums through Council initiatives, others to campaign for single purposes. Most are unaware of the Civic Society and its influence on the Council over planning matters and its strong membership of the Conservation Advisory Committee. The Society welcomes local initiatives. There is much greater awareness of "green issues" today than when the Society was first formed. Is the Society therefore doomed to decline and ultimately die because of urgent grass roots campaigns? Not if the Society can maintain and increase its membership. Any new group should be encouraged to join the Civic Society. Its leaders should be asked to play a leading role in the Society once their particular campaign dies down.

The successful future of the Society depends on its members being involved in grass roots issues and local forums, and recruiting new and active members so that the Society acts as an umbrella organisation for all the environmental interests. To this extent this applies already. It must be developed further. If you think you can help or have an issue to raise please contact the Secretary whose name and address are on this web site.

Bexley Civic Society