Winsford Gardens

Stephen Gee started acquiring land here in 1930, which included the then properties fronting Croydon Road. It is believed that he built Winsford House in 1936 for his own residence and laid out his private gardens with ponds, rose arbours, trees, greenhouses and other outbuildings, which can be seen on the 1954 1/2500 Ordnance Survey map. Although the large houses fronting Croydon Road appeared to survive the World War II bombing that devastated parts of Penge, they were partially replaced from the 1960s by blocks of flats such as Benwick Court. Gee died in June 1956 and administration of his estate eventually passed to a Victor Lawson, who conveyed Winsford House and its gardens, together with 71-77 Croydon Road, to Bromley Council in March 1977. This is probably the date when the garden opened as a small public park, with the entrance from Croydon Road created when Burmarsh Court was built.

Winsford Gardens having become rather neglected, in 2011 the environmental charity British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) recruited local volunteers to restore and transform the gardens as a community space, establishing Penge Green Gym to undertake the task. BTCV originated in 1959 when Brigadier Armstrong was appointed by the Council for Nature to form the Conservation Corps in order to involve volunteers in practical conservation work. Its first project was at Box Hill in Surrey when among the 42 volunteers was David Bellamy, now the renowned environmental campaigner, broadcaster and botanist. Since the early days BTCV has gone from strength to strength, and in May 2012 was renamed The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).

In May 2013 Penge Green Gym was established as a community group independent of TCV and now manages Winsford Gardens, which has been transformed into an exciting, attractive community space and wildlife garden. Weekly work sessions have increased colour and vibrancy in the gardens; a sustainable food-growing space, herb garden and propagation area have been created and native wildflower meadows have been planted. Increased wildlife habitats have been created through constructing stag beetle loggeries, insect hotels and wood piles and an urban orchard and hedgerows have been planted. Recent projects include an interpretation board, some natural seating and a new children's play area. Where possible the volunteers use only natural, locally sourced and sustainable materials, and they have successfully encouraged the local community back into the gardens. More funds are being sought to create a bog garden, renovate the damaged willow dome and arch, and build a compostable toilet facility for volunteers.

Winsford Gardens is a beautiful and peaceful community environment and has won a number of awards. In 2012 Penge Green Gym received an environmental award from Bromley Council, and in 2013 Winsford Gardens received a Penge In Bloom award for the Most Interesting Residential / Community Area.