please empty your brain below
I was a little shocked by the description of the old library in Orpington as "unsympathetic" but then I am extremely biased, having loved going to the place in the 1970s and 1980s as a child.

Of course, the architecture is indeed correctly described as unsympathetic as it does not attempt to meld with the "Priory" (perhaps the juxtaposition of styles serves to further enhance appreciation of the "Priory"), and the outside is not an architectural gem, even from a 1959 point of view. However, I always found the inside of the library rather lovely. When the library moved to new (and uglier) premises I assumed that the building would be pulled down to be replaced by something else but I am delighted this has never happened.

Mushroomcounter | 23.09.25 - 8:37 a.m. | #

Always enjoy these posts, thank you. We completely missed it this year, a combination of being away and then a broken toe.

Wendy C | 23.09.25 - 8:45 a.m. | #

I think that's the only occurrence of the phrase 'tour-resistant yoga stronghold' on the internet.

Marshwerg | 23.09.25 - 1:18 p.m. | #

Having lived in the estate I can confirm that there are significant maintenance problems (I think it also featured -- in not the best light -- in an early London Centric article). It's a lovely place though, very nice unit layouts. I'd actually be interested if someone still has the original floor plans as I can't seem to find those anywhere.

matthieu1221 | 23.09.25 - 2:15 p.m. | #

I have a book: “The book of Orpington”, which was written in 1982, but the language is from a much earlier era.
Even now, 60 years after Bromley (& Orpington) were merged into London, there’s still a group of people who vehemently assert that Orpington (& Bromley & Beckenham) are in Kent.

Southern Heights (Light Railway) | 24.09.25 - 7:28 a.m. | #

You managed far more than we did for HODs this year. Well done and thanks for the write-ups.

Re Orpington Library - it's by Seely & Paget, not Seely & Page. They were sometimes known as seal-it and patch-it.

dg writes: updated thanks

Old man of Kent | 24.09.25 - 7:47 a.m. | #

I really enjoy your Open House updates every year, and every year I think next year I'll be more organised. Oh well, I'll put it in the diary now for next year!

Steve B | 24.09.25 - 7:02 p.m. | #











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