Our Clubhouse has a long history. It began life as the changing rooms for the Crystal Palace Park Concert Bowl (there is a short video about the history of the concert bowl/platform here) .
In 1997 when new permanent concert facilities were built the changing rooms were bought by the allotment with funds raised from members, dismantled and moved to our allotment site.
With the help of volunteers and with the Council the building was re-erected and became our Clubhouse.
It has seen hundreds of community events since it was officially re-opened by the Mayor of Bromley in April 1999.
It has now been the centre for member and community events for over 20 years – not bad for a wooden building constructed in 1962 as temporary changing rooms!
The Clubhouse has been used by generations of allotment members, the wider Bromley allotment community, bee keepers and local residents and community groups.
Untold cups of tea and slices of cake have been consumed at events, meetings, birthdays, wedding and funeral receptions.
In 2019 it was renamed The Tom Douglas Clubhouse in honour of our former Secretary who was instrumental in securing the building for the site and contributed so much to support our allotment and allotments in Bromley.
Whilst our Clubhouse has been maintained by our members, it is now in need of refurbishment.
Our refurbishment plans include:
- improving the accessibility
- recladding the exterior
- installing insulation and new double glazed windows
- relining the interior
- replacing the recycled 1980s domestic kitchens.
- installing new energy efficient heating and hot water.
This will make it a brighter and welcoming space for use by our members and the wider community.
We are currently fundraising to refurbish the building to ensure it can continue to be the heart of our allotment community for future.
Watch this space for future fundraising activities and news of the project.