Beckenham's Famous

The music, writing, art and achievements of some of Beckenham´s famous people of the last 250 years will be celebrated in a unique concert featuring the Beckenham Junior Choir, the Crystal Palace Band, the Christ Church Singers and the St George´s Players.

Contributing to the narration, acting and poetry readings will be members of five of Beckenham´s churches and other local artists and residents.

Some of the people of historical importance whose life and work will be featured include:

• Admiral Sir Piercy Brett (a hero of Anson´s 4 year world voyage which returned with the richest bounty ever won in the wars against Spain in the 18th century);
• the poet Walter de la Mare
• Staff Sergeant Bourne, a hero of Rourke´s Drift
• Enid Blyton
• Tom Thornton - publisher and eco-warrior
• the author Mrs Craik (John Halifax, Gentleman)
• Carey Blyton (Bananas in Pyjamas)

Together with some treasures from the musical archives of works by other Beckenham composers.

Regarding the first named of the "Beckenham´s Famous" being celebrated, if you saw the start of the new BBC series "The Ship" you will have seen an Admiral signing Captain Cook´s sealed orders; since then there has been an ongoing connection between Captain Cook and Beckenham ...... all to be revealed in a special Son et Lumiere presentation during the concert.

Of particular interest to members of Christ Church Beckenham, Christian Strover´s Singers will be performing the first performance in Beckenham of Carey Blyton´s Christ Church Carol.

Both Carey´s parents went to the church and Carey recalled the relief that he and his mother felt when the then vicar, Guy King, was the first to enter the shattered remains of their home in The Drive after a doodlbug landed in the summer of 1944.

Flyer

We have a copy of the official advert online, produced in the style of an 18th Century flyer, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the document.

Tickets:

Tickets are £3 each. Please contact:

Cliff Watkins, Beckenham Heritage Group

Tel 020 8650 7347

Email lace@clara.co.uk