History

The house was built in 1899 for Robert Whyte junior, his wife Margaret and their four musically accomplished daughters Marjorie, Dorothy, Jessie and Joyce.

The Whyte Quartet was formed and the gifted musicians played many concerts as well as entertaining the troops during the two world wars.

In 1919, following the death of Robert Whyte jnr., the family began to fulfil his plans of building a private Music Room and by 1925 the work was completed. Designed by architect Evelyn Hellicar to hold eighty guests, this intimate room was based on a Georgian Salon at Hampton Court Palace.

Today visitors can still see the single bricks carved with the Whyte’s initials laid by the family as the new walls began to rise.

In the musical world the family was well connected and visits by distinquished visitors – Sir Adrian Boult, Clifford Curzon, Paul Tortelier, Isabelle Baillie amongst them – were frequent.

When the house became vacant, after the death of Dorothy Whyte in 1968, the newly formed (1965) Bromley Arts Council approached the remaining Whyte family seeking to purchase the house and grounds to be used as an Arts centre. The family was extremely enthusiastic and the property was sold to the Arts Council under most generous terms.

As an Arts Centre Ripley continued to welcome well-known figures. In 1980 Peter O’Toole read a tribute to the memory of Lady Ackroyd (Joyce Whyte), and Dame Sybil Thorndyke gave a memorable Gala performance in the Music Room when she was in her eighties!! But there were also others who were soon to make their name – Julian lloyd Webber, Cliff Richard, James Galway, David Bowie, Emma Johnson…

Ripley Arts Centre now attracts over 18000 visitors a year from the community and further a field and we are proud to continue to offer a wide variety of arts activities, in addition to the classical musical concerts that began with the history of the house itself.

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS AND WORLD CINEMA



The Ghost (2010) – 22nd November 2011

22nd November 2011. The Ghost (2010); Director: Roman Polanski; Cert 15 This award winning thriller ...

Whistle Down the Wind – 20th December 2011

Xmas Special includes a short film, raffle and mince pies!!! 20th December 2011. Whistle Down the Wi...

Marisa Saunders – 22nd November to 23rd December 2011

Marisa Saunders Visions of Sugar-Plums (ring to View) 22nd November to 23rd December 2011 Open eve: ...

George Fifield – 22nd November to 23rd December 2011

George Fifield (Ring to view ) Landscapes of Britain - the four seasons 22nd November to 23rd Decemb...

Francis McQueen – 22nd November to 23rd December 2011

Francis McQueen ( New Gallery Space) OSTENDIT ANIMAM: He shows the soul 22nd November to 23rd Decemb...

John Morgan – 4th Jan to 27th Jan 2011

CLEARINGS Photographs by John Morgan 4th Jan to 27th Jan 2011 Open eve: 4th Jan 7-9pm The exhibition...

Charles Darwin School – 4th Jan to 27th Jan 2011

Charles Darwin School -"Creative Explosion" Please ring to view 020 8464 5816 4th Jan to 27th Jan 20...

Hayes School Art Show – 10th Jan to 27th Jan 2011

Hayes School Art Show 10th Jan to 27th Jan 2011 Open eve: 18th Jan 7-9pm Please ring to view 020 846...

Theo Mendez – 31st January to 24th February

Theo Mendez - "Abstraction in Colour" 31st January to 24th February Open eve 1st Feb 7-9pm A collect...

Colin Fifield and Ray Marshall – 31st January to 24th February

Colin Fifield and Ray Marshall – Waterscapes - Please ring to view 020 8464 5816 31st January to 24t...

Barbara Grainger – 31st January to 24th February

Barbara Grainger: Wild Places and Quiet Places - Please ring to view 020 8464 5816 31st January to 2...

Graham Clarke – 28th Feb to 30th March 2012

Graham Clarke: “ Bromley Boy is Back" 28th Feb to 30th March 2012 Open eve 28th February 7-9pm Pleas...

Jason Clarke – 28th Feb to 30th March 2012

Jason Clarke - "Home Territory" Please ring to view 020 8464 5816 28th Feb to 30th March 2012 Open e...

Jacqueline Glanvile – 3rd April to 27th April 2011

Jacqueline Glanvile , ECLECTIC COLLECTION 3rd April to 27th April 2011 I enjoy portraying my Caribbe...

Claudia Hazzard – 3rd April to 27th April

Claudia Hazzard - Landscapes of Britain and Canada 3rd April to 27th April Open eve 3rd April 7-9pm ...

Geoffrey Leeson – 3rd April to 27th April

THE SHIPPING FORECAST - Please ring to view 020 8464 5816 A new series of paintings by Geoffrey Lees...

The African Queen – 24th January 2012

24th January 2012 The African Queen (1951); Director: John Huston. Cert. PG Set in Africa during the...

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – 21st February 2012

21st February 2012 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1967); Director: Mike Nichols. Cert. 15 This powe...

Not Here to be Loved – 20th March 2012

20th March 2012 Not Here to be Loved (2005); Director: Stephane Brize. Cert. 15; French (sub-titles)...

Accident – 24th April 2012

24th April 2012 Accident (1967); Director: Harold Pinter. Cert. 12 Set amongst the spires of Oxford,...

Bromley Arts Council, Ripley Arts Centre, 24 Sundridge Avenue, Bromley BR1 2PX - Tel: 020 8464 5816 Fax: 020 8464 5816 Email: enquiries@bromleyarts.com

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