Bedford Park Society Announces New Chair

Helen Jameson takes over from Peter Eversden

The Bedford Park Society has elected Helen Jameson as Chair in succession to Peter Eversden, who has stepped down after 19 years’ sterling work for the conservation area. He will remain as Deputy Chairman, and continue to be actively involved with the Infrastructure sub-committee.

Helen has lived in Bedford Park for 26 years, and been a committee member since 1998. She has been very active on traffic and transport issues, particularly the campaign against Heathrow’s third runway. In 2014 she negotiated the listing of the Tabard as an Asset of Community Value, and was part of the group which organised last year’s commemoration of Jonathan T Carr, founder of Bedford Park.

Helen was also on the working group which developed the concept for Society’s new sub-committee structure, which is designed to enable more people to become actively involved in the work of the Society, and she chairs the Infrastructure sub-committee.

Peter Eversden
Commenting on her new role, Helen says: “Bedford Park is such a lovely place to live, not only because of the historic buildings but also the sense of community. This is an exciting time of change for the Bedford Park Society, and Peter has left us a tremendous legacy on which to build. I look forward to continuing our vital role in preserving the character of Bedford Park whilst also driving forward our efforts to devote more time to broader community matters and to lobby on issues of importance to residents in a modern and responsive way. I very much look forward to working with the existing team and will be looking for ways to attract new volunteers to become involved with the Society.”

Helen praised Peter for the time and commitment he has given to Bedford Park and its community, and the many significant achievements of the Society under his leadership.
A passionate advocate for Bedford Park’s historic importance, he ensured the Society’s remit encompassed all aspects of the built environment and the streetscape. He has been a strong campaigner on issues ranging from the protracted negotiations with Ealing and Hounslow on their first CPZs and appropriate traffic management within Bedford Park, to battling for appropriate street lighting. He has campaigned against the expansion of Heathrow, and the imposition of wheelie bins in the conservation area.

A vocal advocate of green policies, he set up a survey of street trees in 2004 to encourage the planting of more. Awarded the MBE in the New Years honours list for 35 years of service to community engagement in planning for London, Peter has worked tirelessly to keep Bedford Park safe for future generations.

During his chairmanship the Society organised a ground-breaking “summit”, held in 2009, to bring together elected councillors, conservation experts and borough officials to discuss the issues facing Bedford Park. He was also a strong supporter of the Society’s initiative, led by Deputy Chairman Peter Murray, to research and create log books for each listed house.

Peter Eversden has built up a formidable knowledge of planning law and an extensive network of personal contacts as Chair of the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies. The Society will continue to benefit from his expertise as he will now become Deputy Chairman, and continue to be actively involved with the Infrastructure sub-committee.

June 2, 2016