The London Borough of Bromley is celebrating its 60th anniversary throughout 2025 and encourages residents, businesses and partners to mark the occasion and become part of this collective celebration of the borough’s history.
A programme of activities is being delivered by the council, primarily through the borough’s much-loved library network.
Guided walks, Library Lates activities and an interactive art trail are amongst the celebrations taking place. Residents are also invited to come together at any of a number of Bromley 60th birthday parties being held across libraries, just as many do at library coffee mornings on a regular basis.
| When? | Where? | Who? | What? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saturday 29 March 10am to 3pm |
Bromley Town Centre | Quest Soul Theatre / Creative Junction |
Interactive Art Trail |
Suggested donation £2 |
|
Sunday 30 March 1pm to 2:30pm |
High Elms Country Park | BEECHE |
Bioblitz Day - 60 for 60 |
£7 per child |
| Throughout April, during library opening hours | Central Library | Bromley libraries event |
'The Formation of Borough 19' Exhibition |
Free |
|
Thursday 3 April 11:30am |
St Pauls Cray Library | Bromley libraries event |
Talk and Virtual Walk: ‘A History of Bromley in 5 Buildings’ |
Free |
|
Friday 4 April at 11:30am and Wednesday 16 April at 5:30pm |
Mottingham Library | Bromley libraries event |
Talk and Virtual Walk: ‘A History of Bromley in 5 Buildings’ |
Free |
|
Saturday 5 April 2pm to 3:30pm |
Penge Gate entrance to Crystal Palace Park | Penge Heritage Trail |
Penge Heritage Trail - Guided Walk |
£6.13 booking required |
|
Wednesday 23 April 6pm to 9pm |
Central Library | Bromley libraries event |
Library Lates Zine Workshop Whether through poetry, prose, collage or crayon, a simple sheet of A4 paper can become a ‘Zine’ to carry memories and stories. Either take home your Zines to look back on later or donate these to become part of local history through the Bromley Historic Collection. |
Free |
|
Saturday 3 May 10am to 4pm |
Bromley Town Centre | Bromley Civic Society |
Broom Day! Exhibition |
Free |
Birthday parties for Bromley
Come together with fellow residents in our libraries to celebrate Bromley’s 60th birthday, and enjoy light refreshments and friendly conversation, just as many do at library coffee mornings on a regular basis. These welcoming events are taking place at:
- Mottingham Library, Friday 4 April, 2:30pm
- Petts Wood Library, Saturday 5 April, 11am to 12pm
- Chislehurst Library, Saturday 12 April, 10am to 1pm
- Orpington Library, Wednesday 16 April, 10am to 11:30am
- Central Library, Thursday 24 April, 10:30am to 11:30am
- Shortlands Library, Monday 28 April, 2:15 to 3:15pm
Find all the details of library activities for Bromley’s 60th.
Schools dress up like it’s 1965
Across the borough, schools are being encouraged to celebrate the 60th anniversary in their preferred way, including being invited to hold a non-uniform day where students dress up like it’s 1965 and learn more about what life was like back when Bromley was formed. Alternatively, some schools may be holding a ‘green day’, where students are encouraged to wear green items to celebrate Bromley’s green identity, with over 160 parks and open green spaces across the borough. The fun is not limited to schools and other groups are also encouraged to hold their own celebrations and please do share these, including any nice photos, with us at culture@bromley.gov.uk.
A children’s art competition is also being held, with schools invited to design an A4 60th birthday card for Bromley, or perhaps design a birthday cake for Bromley on an A4 sheet instead. Entries can be submitted collectively to the school’s local Bromley library or sent by post to: Bromley Civic Centre, 2 Westmoreland Road, Culture and Regeneration, Floor 3, Bromley, BR1 1AS
Join Bromley Scouts for Bromley’s 60th
Bromley Scouts are launching a ‘60 in 60’ initiative, aiming to recruit 60 volunteers this year to celebrate Bromley’s 60th anniversary. Whether you can spare the occasional evening to lend a hand or are prepared to join the adventure on one of their camps, get in touch to find out more and after the necessary checks, you could soon be helping your local group! Those with skills, hobbies or an interesting job that could help or be shared with a local group are especially sought.
Bromley Scout District is the largest in the United Kingdom with over 3000 active young people enjoying activities each week, which is made possible thanks to the contribution of many volunteers across the borough. There are many more young people keen to join the fun and more volunteers will help give more young people across the borough the chance to get structured activities that provide them with key skills for life.
Find out more at Bromley Scouts.
There are plenty of further opportunities for volunteering across the borough.
Bromley Y turns 60
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of local charity Bromley Y, who provide support for thousands of children, young people and their families. Those with past involvement with Bromley Y are encouraged to share their stories. A JustGiving campaign for Bromley Y’s charitable arm is also underway, which residents can support.
Town centre walks
Five town centre walks are being delivered for Bromley’s 60th anniversary, to celebrate the history of Bromley and the five towns that came together to form the borough. The first of these is now available and takes residents from Penge through to Beckenham.
Bromley’s history
On 1 April 1965, the London Borough of Bromley was formed as five towns or districts (Bromley, Beckenham, Chislehurst, Orpington and Penge) came together to create one local authority, which coincided with the formation of the other London boroughs across the capital.
Mayor’s 50 mile walk
The Mayor of Bromley will lead commemorations as the first citizen of the borough. As well as joining festivities around the borough, the Mayor has completed a 50 mile walking challenge around the boundary of the borough for Bromley’s 60th anniversary, while also raising money for his charities and encouraging residents to get out and explore the borough.
Find out more about The Mayor’s 60th anniversary walks.
Mayor’s tree planting for Bromley’s 60th
As Bromley approaches its 60th anniversary date on 1 April, the Mayor has completed a special tree planting to mark the occasion.
The tree was planted at Cyphers Gate in Beckenham, the site of past Mayoral tree plantings, including for Her Late Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.
Resident groups, businesses and partners that are interested in holding their own events or activities for the 60th anniversary are encouraged to get in touch and share their plans, which can also be displayed on this page, so residents can find out more and get involved.