1934 -The former offices
of the Orpington Urban
District Council.
1st April 1934 - Orpington
Urban District Council was
created from a number of local
councils as part of the Kent
Review of Order Act. In 1965
Orpington Urban District
Council is abolished and is
transferred from Kent to
London under the London
Borough of Bromley (a
grouping of the Boroughs of
Beckenham, Bromley, part of
Chislehurst and Sidcup and
the Urban District Councils of
Penge and Orpington. The
LLB was to become the
largest of the 32 London
Boroughs.
Urban District Council was
created from a number of local
councils as part of the Kent
Review of Order Act. In 1965
Orpington Urban District
Council is abolished and is
transferred from Kent to
London under the London
Borough of Bromley (a
grouping of the Boroughs of
Beckenham, Bromley, part of
Chislehurst and Sidcup and
the Urban District Councils of
Penge and Orpington. The
LLB was to become the
largest of the 32 London
Boroughs.
Circa 1950 - Orpington
Secondary Modern (for
boys), Charterhouse
Road
Later to became Charterhouse
Secondary School (it has
since been demolished and a
houses built in its place).
Some of the trees in the area
of housing that replaced it
were planted when the school
was opened in 1936. This was
Orpington’s first secondary
modern.
Secondary School (it has
since been demolished and a
houses built in its place).
Some of the trees in the area
of housing that replaced it
were planted when the school
was opened in 1936. This was
Orpington’s first secondary
modern.
1962 - Winner - Eric
Lubbock March 1962
Having joined the Liberal Party
in 1960 and become a
councillor the following year,
Lubbock won a sensational
by-election victory at
Orpington on 15 March 1962,
with a majority of 7,855. This
was a swing of nearly 22%
from the Conservatives and
brought the number of Liberal
MPs to seven.
in 1960 and become a
councillor the following year,
Lubbock won a sensational
by-election victory at
Orpington on 15 March 1962,
with a majority of 7,855. This
was a swing of nearly 22%
from the Conservatives and
brought the number of Liberal
MPs to seven.
1956 - The Orpington
Urban District Council
Civic Heraldry Granted
30th July 1956.
The blue and white wave
represents the River Cray,
which has its source in the
District, and the mural crowns
symbolise the urban
development in the northern
and central parts of the
District. The sword and chain
are derived from the badge of
the famous Royal Air Force
Station at Biggin Hill. The
green border represents the
Green Belt around London,
and symbolises the rural
character of the extensive
eastern and southern parts of
the District, which lie within the
Belt.
The white horse, previously
used as an emblem by the
Council, is from the arms of the
Kent County Council, and the
mural crown from the shield,
symbol of civic government,
makes the crest distinctive to
Orpington.
represents the River Cray,
which has its source in the
District, and the mural crowns
symbolise the urban
development in the northern
and central parts of the
District. The sword and chain
are derived from the badge of
the famous Royal Air Force
Station at Biggin Hill. The
green border represents the
Green Belt around London,
and symbolises the rural
character of the extensive
eastern and southern parts of
the District, which lie within the
Belt.
The white horse, previously
used as an emblem by the
Council, is from the arms of the
Kent County Council, and the
mural crown from the shield,
symbol of civic government,
makes the crest distinctive to
Orpington.
1963 - Flyer - Eric Lubbock
March
1962 - Eric Lubbock
March
1967 - Midfield Primary
School
Midfield Primary School was
one of the first in the Cray
Valley. It is still functioning to
this day.
one of the first in the Cray
Valley. It is still functioning to
this day.
1967 - St. Olave's
Grammar School
Founded in 1571 by Queen
Elizabeth I, in Southwark, as
St. Olave’s and St. Saviour’s,
St Olave’s moved to a state of
the art school in Orpington in
1967. Current School Website
Elizabeth I, in Southwark, as
St. Olave’s and St. Saviour’s,
St Olave’s moved to a state of
the art school in Orpington in
1967. Current School Website
The Council
Municipal
From a small Manor Village, Orpington has become a very big town within the largest of the London Boroughs in a relatively short time.
Orpington managed its own civil matters from Saxon times through to 1965*. From Lords of the Manor, Parish Councils to its own
Mayor, there are many tell tall signs of a once strong and effective Orpington and Urban District Council (OUDC). During the time of the
OUDC (1934-1965) Orpington expanded beyond imagination. This was the time of the suburn. Along with the residential housing many
valuable local services were set up by the OUDC.
Orpington has had its share of political interest over the years. Its a ‘safe’ conservative seat but once back in the 1960s a shock win by
the Liberal Party and a man called Eric Lubbock (now Baron Avebury) put Orpington in the news and the term ‘Orpington Man’ was
born!
* For some time Orpington was the responsibility of the Bromley Rural Disctric Council.
Orpington managed its own civil matters from Saxon times through to 1965*. From Lords of the Manor, Parish Councils to its own
Mayor, there are many tell tall signs of a once strong and effective Orpington and Urban District Council (OUDC). During the time of the
OUDC (1934-1965) Orpington expanded beyond imagination. This was the time of the suburn. Along with the residential housing many
valuable local services were set up by the OUDC.
Orpington has had its share of political interest over the years. Its a ‘safe’ conservative seat but once back in the 1960s a shock win by
the Liberal Party and a man called Eric Lubbock (now Baron Avebury) put Orpington in the news and the term ‘Orpington Man’ was
born!
* For some time Orpington was the responsibility of the Bromley Rural Disctric Council.
Politics
Education
National Services
Orpington ‘Board’ School - Chislehurst Road
The Orpington Board School, later to be Chislehurst Road School was Orpington’s first and proper school for all. There were two
schools here. A infant and junior school. The school was built by the Orpington Parish ‘School Board’ as an act of parliament in 1870
demanded all Parishes to have a school for all. Previously education in Orpington was either privately funded or give by the Lord of the
Manor. Most children went to work at a very early age. The School opened in 1882 and was the pride of the then Village for many
years. The school closed in the late 1980’s just after the colour photos below. In later years the School also hosted the towns School
Dentist!
schools here. A infant and junior school. The school was built by the Orpington Parish ‘School Board’ as an act of parliament in 1870
demanded all Parishes to have a school for all. Previously education in Orpington was either privately funded or give by the Lord of the
Manor. Most children went to work at a very early age. The School opened in 1882 and was the pride of the then Village for many
years. The school closed in the late 1980’s just after the colour photos below. In later years the School also hosted the towns School
Dentist!
