In 2012, to mark the 120th anniversary of the opening of Brockwell Park, the Herne Hill Society and the Friends of Brockwell Park are working to re-instate the bust of Thomas Lynn Bristowe to the park.
In 1888 Lambeth Vestry obtained consent to make a new public park on the east side of Brixton Hill. When it became apparent that the Brockwell Estate would come on the market, Thomas Lynn Bristowe (Norwood’s first Member of Parliament) led a campaign to buy it. In 1891, with contributions from local authorities and the community, it was bought and became Brockwell Park.
The park was opened in 1892 by Lord Rosebery, but Mr Bristowe collapsed and died at the opening ceremony. In 1893 a memorial to Thomas Lynn Bristowe was erected.
It stood in the park, near the Herne Hill entrance, where it remained until 1958 when it was taken down as part of a redesign of this part of the park. Fortunately, the bust was saved and given to the Bristowe family, for reasons that are still a mystery. As we reported on 19 August 2010, it has been located and the Bristowe family have kindly given permission for us to bring it back to Brockwell Park.
Although the bust appears to be in decent condition, an expert opinion on how best to conserve it is being sought. A possible site for the bust will have to be agreed with stakeholders, including London Borough of Lambeth. And - finally - money for the project will have to be found. But we are confident that the bust of Thomas Lynn Bristowe will soon be back in the Brockwell Park: as a reminder of who it was we must thank for the park.
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