Councillor Turrell Praises Fantastic Range of Jubilee Celebrations Across Hayes, Coney Hall and Keston Village

Councillor Thomas Turrell and his wife Gemma attended a range of celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the long weekend.

First up on Thursday was the Beacon lighting on Hayes Common, organised by the Hayes (Kent) Village Association. On Friday Councillor Turrell attended the Keston Village Jubilee Celebrations, organised by the Keston Village Residents Association before heading to Coney Hall for street parties on Cherry Tree Walk and Monarch Close. Both organised by local residents.

On Saturday Councillor Turrell and his wife Gemma were invited to the street party on Harvest Bank Road which was organised by local people and attended by residents of both Harvest Bank Road and Hartfield Crescent. Councillor Turrell and Gemma were asked to judge the Pet Parade and named Strawberry the tortoise as “Most Jubilee Pet”. Councillor Turrell was also shown the artwork done by local children to celebrate the jubilee, which he has enquired about getting displayed in either the Civic Centre or Bromley Central Library.

The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Hannah Gray and her Deputy Mayor, Cllr Christine Harris, also visited a range of celebrations both in Hayes & Coney Hall Ward and across the borough – attending over 120 events. In Hayes & Coney Hall the Mayor attended street parties on George Lane, Cherry Tree Walk, Constance Crescent, Lime Tree Walk, Harvest Bank Road, Hambro Avenue as well as the celebrations on Keston Common.

Councillor Turrell said:

“Thank you to all the residents and Associations which organised such a great range of celebrations to celebrate this historic occasion. It was great to see the way communities came together to celebrate and I am grateful for the invitations I received to attend. I loved meeting so many residents and joining in with the celebrations. As a pet-owners ourselves, Gemma and I were delighted to be asked to judge the Pet Parade on Harvest Bank Road, which was a real highlight of the weekend for us. Congratulations again to Strawberry the tortoise.

My sincere thanks to both residents and organisations such as the Hayes (Kent) Residents Association and Keston Village Residents Association, whom without their efforts and months of planning these events would not have happened. This weekend has not just been a celebration of one person, but a massive display of the community spirit that makes this area so special.  

My thanks also to the Mayor, Hannah Gray and Deputy Mayor, Christine Harris for their work this weekend. Both of them, and their consorts, made such a marathon effort to get round so many of the celebrations this weekend to show their appreciation to residents for organising such a fantastic range of events”.  

Removal of Donated Play Equipment at Coney Hall Rec Ground Suspended

A notice to remove the donated play equipment at Coney Hall Recreation Ground has been suspended following an intervention from Hayes & Coney Hall Ward Councillor, Thomas Turrell.

Football goals and basketball hoops were anonymously to one of the three tennis courts at the ground and have proven to be really popular with local children and parents. However, following a complaint, a two-week notice was issued for the removal of the equipment. A move which angered many local parents.

Councillor Turrell contacted the relevant Officers at the Council to ask:

• The removal be suspended so that discussions could take place about a long-term solution can take place,
• That Officers meet with him at the Recreation Ground to access the options, such as a new home for equipment further away from properties,
• That the football nets on the Recreation Ground be reinstated.

The Council responded to say that they had agreed with Idverde, who manage the parks, to suspend the notice and would meet with Councillor Turrell. Regarding the football nets on the ground, these were put away by the club which trains there as the season is now over.

Welcoming the Council’s decision to suspend removal, Councillor Turrell said:

“This is great news for local kids and parents. We have had some amazing weather recently and it is really positive to hear that local children have bene enjoying this equipment, enjoying the recreation ground and making such good use of the wonderful open spaces we have locally. I fully appreciate that equipment donated by a resident is not a long-term fix, that is why I am now speaking with the friends group and council officers to look at a proper long-term solution so that future generations can also enjoy this space”.

Anti-Social Behaviour in Husseywell Park

Councillor Thomas Turrell has contacted the Hayes & Coney Hall Safer Neighbourhood Team to ask them to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour from some people in the park during the evenings.

The reported behaviour includes throwing items at the ducks and becoming confrontational and aggressive if challenged by other park users.

Councillor Turrell commented:

“I am really appalled by the reports of this behaviour and will be working the Safer Neighbourhood team to ensure this is stopped. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic range of local parks and opens spaces across Hayes, Keston Village and Coney Hall as this shouldn’t be spoilt. However, these aren’t just for us to enjoy and people need to respect the wildlife that we share these spaces with so I am deeply concerned by reports of items being thrown at the ducks, especially during this time of year”.

Station Approach Wall Repairs

Photo of the damaged wall taken by Councillor Turrell on the 20th May

Photo of the wall, after loose bricks were removed taken by Councillor Turrell on the 2nd June

Councillor Andrew Lee and Thomas Turrell have been chasing a timeframe for the repairs to a damaged section of the central reservation on Station Approach in Hayes.

Councillor Turrell contacted officers in May and since then the loose bricks have been removed from the site. This was confirmed by Councillor Lee. Councillors are still working on establishing a timeframe for these repairs to take place so the flower bed can be restored.

The timeframe table will be published as soon as possible.

Hayes Line Railway Works

Network Rail have given notice of works being carried out to stabilise the railway on the Hayes Line, with engineers working to install a new wall to prevent material from falling onto the track.

The works will be carried out between May and June, with the main works will main works taking place adjacent to Hawes Down Junior School playing fields.

The letter which has been sent to residents within a 500-metre radius of the works is attached to provide more information.

hawes-down-school-residents-letter-may-22Download