The History of Abbeyfield Orpington

The Abbeyfield Orpington Society is an autonomous Society owning four houses in Tower Road, Orpington, situated within easy reach of the town centre. These houses currently have a total capacity for twenty one residents.

Abbeyfield in Orpington started in 1963 with retired Judge Sir Cyril Haines KBE as Chairman. Sinclair House at 10 Tower Road, our first property, was opened in 1964.

Subsequently in 1970, when a second house was opened at 22 Tower Road, it was named after chairman Sir Cyril Haines.

This was followed in 1976 when Warman House was opened at 18 Tower Road. This was named after our then President Mr Bill Warman.


                                    
                                           
Our fourth house is at 24 Tower Road and was acquired in August 1977. This house is called “Mary Jones House” after Mrs Jones who had been an active member of Abbeyfield since its inception. Mrs Jones has also been called “Mrs Orpington” because of her many charitable activities in Orpington. She was awarded the M.B.E. for her work.

All the houses were built around 1903 during the Edwardian era. They are sturdy substantial properties that have been properly maintained. The gardens are well established and there are benches and seats for the residents' comfort.

                             
Our first chairman Sir Cyril Haines was succeeded in 1979 by Colonel F W Timms, an officer from the Indian Army and a successful local entrepreneur.

Colonel Timms oversaw the purchase and development of Mary Jones House and was chairman for eight years.

In 1987 Colonel Timms was replaced as chairman by Mr Bryan Hildrew, who was the chief executive of Lloyds Register of Shipping.

Bryan remained as chairman for eighteen years and was succeeded, in 2005 by local businesswoman Mrs Diana Campbell.

                                                       
 
Diana Campbell has been involved with Abbeyfield since 1982 and despite stepping down as Chairman in 2009 remains on the Executive Committee. The current Chairman is Stephen Houghton.