The History of Bedford House

Bedford House Community Association

established 1946

Bedford House Community Association – BHCA – Origins

A Brief History 1946 to 2013, by Ian Purser (written in 2013)

The Association came into existence in late 1946, the date of the first meeting – at Pelly House – being December 6th. Of the group of local enthusiasts behind it, perhaps the most notable was Walter Spradbery.  A painter and noted poster artist for London Transport, Spradbery and his wife Dorothy d’Orsay were central figures in the cultural life of the area, staging plays, operas and classical concerts in the grounds of their house ‘The Wilderness’. Post-war, without the many resources for entertainment and education available today, it was felt that Buckhurst Hill needed its own centre for cultural activities.  Spradbery wrote of his famous series of posters depicting London in the Blitz, the Proud City, that they were intended to convey “the sense that havoc is itself passing and with new days come new hopes”.  The founding of the Association was itself an expression of that hope and belief in the reconstruction of the country through the community spirit engendered during the war. As much an instigator of the community association as Spradbery was its first Secretary, Eric Southwell. The left-wing philosophy which lay behind his belief in collective action and association within the community was viewed with suspicion by some of the others involved, but he had Spradbery’s support, and the combination of these two contrasting but determined figures was instrumental in establishing the Association, which in 1949 was able to elect its first President, Mr. C. Linder, J.P. Various local bodies were soon affiliating to the new Association, including political parties, the British Legion, and such sadly vanished groups as the Women’s Co-operative Guild, the Folk Dance Society, and the Rabbit and Poultry Club. Classes and activities initially took place in a variety of venues such as Pelly House, the Drill Hall, St. Elizabeth’s Hall, and Buckhurst Hill Hall in Queens Road.  The latter was considered as a permanent base, but this was forestalled by Essex County Council’s plan to convert it into the branch library it still is today.

Other possibilities considered as a permanent home were the Albert Road School and the British Restaurant, but the search finally alighted on Bedford House in Westbury Road, a large, detached house with extensive grounds that was built in the early 1900s. Originally a family residence, by the outbreak of WWII it was standing empty and was requisitioned for the duration as a billet for troops (including, apparently the Scots Guards). Empty again at the war’s end, and for some reason owned by the Ministry of Health, in January 1949 its sale was authorised by this Ministry to Essex County Council, who then leased it for a peppercorn rent to the Association.  By September 1949, after much renovation of the building, BHCA was finally meeting in its new home. Through the post-war years the Association developed as a lively social centre, providing a meeting-place for local groups, and regularly putting on fêtes, fairs, and concerts. Although it acted as a social Centre, from the first day the Association emphasized the role of adult education, particularly in the arts and crafts – the legacy, perhaps, of Walter E. Spradbery’s involvement. In this it differed from many other community associations which concentrated on social and sporting activities and facilities. This emphasis on education was to prove crucial in the future to its continued existence. One of the Association’s outstanding – and longest serving – tutors was noted local artist Vivian Bewick, from the family of Thomas Bewick, the famous 19th century engraver of birds and animals. It was Vivian Bewick who in 1952 designed, and with his students executed, a series of murals in Bedford House.  Some are long gone, but those which survive around the stairs and landing depict in a delightfully naïve style the local area and its history. Over the years they deteriorated, but in a 1992 ECC financed their restoration, and the newly renovated murals were “unveiled” in the presence of the now elderly but delighted artist himself.  Vivian retired from Bedford House in 1978.

Over the years BHCA grew and developed, in 1970 building its own hall attached to Bedford House. This enabled an expansion in physical classes such as exercise and fitness classes, and also various kinds of dancing including at different times Tap, Ballroom and Belly. But, with a pottery studio new established, the arts and crafts remained the core of BHCA classes, and it began to hold an annual summer exhibition of students’ work. This is still a major event in the BHCA’s events calendar, demonstrating the range and quality of work produced by members. With the post-war expansion of education and emphasis on its importance, ECC increasingly provided advice and support, culminating in 3 part-time county staff – a Warden and two Deputy Wardens – being installed to devise and administer the education programme. The classes, however, remained financed and controlled by BHCA itself, a fact which would later determine its continued survival. This survival came under increasing threat as the 1980s and 1990s saw local authorities all over the country being restricted financially by central government, and scaling down their commitment to, and support of, community associations. Those in Essex, as elsewhere, began having to contemplate cutting many of their activities, or even closing altogether. In 1994 a spirited campaign of publicity and support-gathering, led by then Warden Jeanne Croxon and Chairwoman Phyllis Eales, averted any immediate threat, with ECC’s decision to maintain its support in the form of the 3 Wardens being heavily influenced by Bedford House’s role as, in effect, a small adult-education college, rather than a sports and social facility. However, continued restructuring and funding cuts within ECC made it likely that the reprieve was only temporary, and so it proved. After being put under the line-management of the Principal of Wansfell College, when the institution was itself closed the 3 Wardens at BHCA were made redundant by the council at the end of 2002. BHCA, however, was given a renewed peppercorn lease by Essex, and this combined with its own control of the financing of its classes, meant that it was secure and able to carry on, and in a position to re-employ 2 of the Wardens as Course Cooordinators to continue to administer the education programme. Now, in 2013 and after more than 65 years as a fully independent, self-supporting registered charity, BHCA looks forward to keep providing what we now call “life-long learning”, with the aim of continuing to do so for many more years.

 Ian Purser, BHCA Joint Course Coordinator, 2013

A Brief History 2013 to 2021

In 2017 it was decided to change the legal entity from a member led organisation to a standard charity with CIO status.  This change was implemented in 2018 by the Chairman, Tony Oliva, and the name was changed from Buckhurst Hill Community Association to Bedford House Community Association.  A board of 12 trustees was set up and the first Centre Manager was appointed. BHCA is now, in 2021/22, run by a Centre Manager who oversees an Administration Office of 3 Administrators, a Finance Officer, an in-house Caretaker, as well as the teaching staff of 20+ tutors.  All staff work part-time and work hours for the 27+ staff total less than 5 FTEs (Full Time Equivalent) including tutors. BHCA is bustling with activity and operates 5-7 days per week, 13 hours per day, depending on the events programme. BHCA is open all year round and run approximately 35 courses every week and a further 20 weekend workshops during the academic year, attended by over 300 students every year (post-Covid).  A turnover of £200,000 is budgeted for 2021/22 after a financially difficult year during the Covid pandemic. 

 BHCA, now celebrating its 75th year, has come a long way since 1946. Arts and Crafts still accounts for two thirds of BHCA’s activities and Physical activities for one third. We hire out space to other regular training providers, and occasionally to one-off hirers such as children’s parties. In its 75th year BHCA is proud to continue to support the community through adult education, improving the quality of life.

Lykke Leszczynski, CEO, 2021/22

Visit the digitalised Art Exhibition by Vivian Bewick, one of the founding artists. You can find the exhibition on our website.

We look forward to welcoming you online or in person.