Bohemia Village Voice No. 34. Saturday 26 August 2006.
Your free local newsletter - anything and everything to do with Bohemia
CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL
POST OFFICE
Giant pencils to keep kids in
No buyers for Post Office
A painter puts the final touches to Christchurch School’s novelty fence
Children returning to Christchurch School next month are in for a surprise. Latest addition to the playground facilities at the Church of England Primary school in Woodland Vale Road, is a new play area bounded by a wall of giant coloured pencils. Earlier this week,
painters from the firm ‘Sector UK’ of Hove were putting the final touches to the fence and the rubberised area it encloses. Sector UK of Hove, fencing services - domestic security and equestrian. 01273 500588. 130 Vale Avenue Patcham, BN1 8YF.
NEW BUSINESS
Mick’s rainy day opening ‘Mick’s’ key-cutting service has opened on schedule on Monday of this week, in London Road. Mick not only cuts keys, but sells watch batteries and a wide selection of handbags. Despite the rain, by lunchtime on his first day, Mick had had a steady stream of customers through his door. Did Mick know that there are now
three shops which cut keys in Bohemia? “Yes, but mine is the only one where you would know that - everyone can see the keys through the window. Hastings Locksmiths looks like it just sells safes, and Bohemia Lighting looks like it only sells lights,” said Mick. Mick’s. Opposite Buchanan Gardens, London Road.
The premises formerly used as our Post Office in Bohemia Road are still for sale - at £170,000. They are described by agents Rush, Witt & Wilson as “A mixed commercial, residential investment opportunity comprising a lock-up shop and a three bedroom maisonette situated in a good secondary location.” The sizes of the bedrooms are stated as 12'6 x 12'3, 12'4 x 10'6 and 9'2 x 5'4. The reception room is 18'1 x 12'9. All that is left of the Post Office is the red paint and the lonely pillar box. The premises were used for a few months by John of Furniture Corner earliPost Office earlier this week er this year. All enquiries, please contact Rush Witt & Wilson - Hastings on 01424 442443 E-mail: hastings@rushwittwilson.co.uk
ST PETER’S ROAD
House ‘sold’ No 34, St Peter’s Road, has been ‘sold’, subject to contract. The buyer is in ‘no hurry’ to take possession, which is handy, as sellers, Brian and Jacky Scales haven’t yet found a new place to live - they’ve made an offer, two offers, in fact, on a bungalow, but no agreement has yet been reached about the price. “If necessary, we’ll move into rented accommodation, until we find a place, as we do really want to move,” said Jacky. The figure agreed for no. 34 is believed to be close to the asking price of £285,000. Rush Witt & Wilson , 442443 Email: hastings@rushwittwilson.co.uk
St Peter’s Road property - ‘sold’
SPRING STREET
Three town houses in ‘quiet backwater’ on sale at £160,000 ea. ‘For Sale’ signs appeared on Monday of this week on the three town houses being built in Spring Street. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 or ‘Spring Villas’ as we must get used to calling them, in Spring Street off Tower Road are being marketed by Abbey Gate of Battle. The properties are described in estate agent-ese as “A new development of three town houses in a quiet backwater near to the heart of St Leonards. The properties are due for com-
pletion in the autumn of 2006 and comprise: living room/dining room; kitchen; cloakroom; two first floor bedrooms; bathroom; master bedroom with en suite shower room; courtyard gardens; gas central heating.” The asking prices for each property is £159,950. Abbey Gate Property, 12 - 13 High Street, Battle, Sussex, TN32 0AE. Tel: 01424 772477. Fax: 01424 775327. E-mail: mail@abbeygate.co.uk Spring Villas town houses - new development in Spring Street
Page 2
Bohemia Village Voice No. 34. Saturday 26 August 2006.
HASTINGS MUSEUM
Page 2
HORNTYE PARK
A dream marriage in an Indian Newell post lost - and bounces in to take over palace - in Bohemia Be different - get married - in an Indian palace without leaving Bohemia. The ‘palace’ is the Durbar Hall at Hastings Museum which is now a licensed venue for civic marriage ceremonies. Originally built as the centre piece of an Indian palace for the Indian & Colonial The magnificent Durbar Hall - on hire for Exhibition of 1886, the weddings building is on two floors superb & the grounds outside the with a lantern roof. Museum can also be used. There is The Museum is currently closed for refurbishment and will, hopefully, parking for approximately 30 cars reopen in May 2007. Although the outside the building & further space hire fee has yet to be confirmed, it in nearby Cambridge & Falaise will probably be in the region of roads. Music is provided by the hir£225-250. The hirer is required to ers. The museum is unable to offer complete a booking form, which can toast or reception facilities. All bookbe obtained by contacting the muse- ings are handled by Jennifer Handley who meets with the hirers to discuss um. the availability of dates, their The Durbar Hall is used for cererequirements and arrange a final monies and seats approximately 60 meeting to discuss their plans for the people. It is carved in Hindu & 'big day'. Muslim style in teak & deodar cedar. Weddings are held on the ground If you require any additional floor where there is seating for up to information, please contact Jen 70 people. Access to the Durbar Hall Handley, Museum Administrative is via the main entrance to the Officer, Hastings Museum and Art Hastings Museum & through the Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Long Gallery where historic paint- Road, Hastings, TN34 1ET. Tel: +44 ings of the town are on display. (0)1424 451152. Fax: +44 (0)1424 Opportunities for photography are 451133. Website: www.hmag.org.uk Direct line to Jen: 01424 781166.
Ball
Horntye months. There's Park's general nothing on the manager, Rob computer sysNewell and tem. Now it's a his assistant matter of trying have gone, to get everything and it seems on the system, they won’t be get the invoices m i s s e d . out, get the credActing manitors sorted out, ager John and try to find Ball (picured) out where we said "We are are. I've got to hoping to sort every replace them invoice from as soon as every company possible. to make sure it's Final interon the system. Acting manager John Ball, busy sortviews on Has John got ing out invoices on Tuesday Thursday of any help? "Kate, this week, so hopefully we'll make a the night time bar supervisor, who decision then.” John was clearly not does the accounts for a firm in impressed with either of the departed Bexhill, has kindly agreed to come in staff. "As far as the general manager, of an evening to help out." Rob Newell is concerned, he's gone. Isn’t John supposed to be working He left about the end of July. He did- part-time? "I've been coming back, n't do what he was asked to do. He to try to move things along, and that's spent too much time on the schools' been going alright." John has worked project and nothing else. He tried to 160 hours in the last three weeks, and develop that side of it and has he was only supposed to have been allowed the whole business just to doing 15 hours a week. "My wife is implode. And now I'm trying to get it not very impressed," says John, with back again. He never controlled his a wry smile. "I'm also covering for assistant, who should have been Ami (Ami Wallis, receptionist) entering everything onto the system." who's in Cyprus for two weeks." What is John doing? "Everything's in Horntye Park 01424 716666. John such a mess. The invoices haven't Ball, general manager. been sent out for two and a half
SERIAL
Vie de Bohème - how the Bohemian Club was formed (Part 13 of 24) Under each name were written the biggest sum that could be borrowed, in view of that person’s state of fortune; the times at which he was in funds; and the hours of meals, with notes on the sort of meal usually provided. Besides this table, Schaunard had a little file of accounts, kept in perfect order, in which he noted , to the smallest detail, the sums lent him. He did not wish to encumber himself beyond a certain figure, which was still at the end of the pen of a Norman uncle to whom he was heir. As soon as he owed an individual twenty francs, Schaunard closed his account and settled it in a lump, even if this meant borrowing from people to whom he owed less. In this fashion, he always maintained a certain credit, which he called his ‘floating debt’. And since it was known that he always paid back as soon as his personal resources allowed, people were willing to oblige him when they could.
On this occasion, then, ever since leaving his room at eleven in the morning, Schaunard had been trying to assemble the necessary seventyfive francs. But he had collected altogether only one solitary crown - the result of the united efforts of the letters M, V and R on his famous list. The rest of the alphabet, owing rent like himself, had been entirely unable to oblige. At six o’clock a violent appetite rang the dinner-bell in his stomach. He happened to be at the Barrière du Maine, where the letter U lived; so he went up to visit the letter U, where he kept a napkin ring, whenever there were any napkins. “Where do you wish to go, sir?” asked the janitor, stopping him in the
passage. “To Monsieur U.” “He’s not in.” “Is madame U in?” “She’s not in, either. They told me to tell a friend of theirs, who’d be visiting them this evening, that they were dining out. In fact, if it’s you they were expecting, here’s the address they left.” The janitor showed Schaunard a scrap of paper, on which his friend U had written: Gone to dine with Schaunard, Rue --, No --. Come and join us. “The farcical tricks of coincidence!” Schaunard reflected, as he went away. He remembered that he was within a few yards of a little pot-house where he had once or twice eaten at no great cost, and directed his steps to this establish-
ment, which is on the Chaussée du Maine and whose name, Mother Cadet’s, is well known in Low Bohemia. It is an eating-and-drinking house, whose regular customers are carters from the Route d’Orleans, women singers from Montparnasse and male stars from the Bobino music hall. In the warmer months, art students from the numerous studios round the Luxembourg, unpublished men-ofletters and hacks employed by mysterious periodicals come in droves to Mother Cadet’s, which is famous for its rabbit-stew, its genuine choucroute and a watery white wine with a flavour of musket-flints. [To be continued …] [Vie de Bohème by Henry Mürger, a vivid portrait of the ‘Bohemian’ life of the artistic quarter of Paris in the nineteenth century was originally published (by Michel Lévy) in 1851. The extract above is taken from a translation by Norman Cameron, published by Hamish Hamilton. The illustration is by Dodi Masterman.]
Page 3
Bohemia Village Voice No. 34. Saturday 26 August 2006.
Page 3
STREET LITTER
RON BEAUCHAMP
When will the back streets see a street cleaner?
Art show in preparation
Concerned by the sight of our unswept streets, Local Councillor Vivienne Bond has been asking the Council when our back streets will see a cleaner. On Tuesday of this week, Vivienne contacted Richard Homewood at Hastings Borough Council to protest: “Once again I feel I must ask when the back streets of Bohemia will see a street cleaner? I have been at home for the last 4 weeks and every time the rubbish is collected some of the bags split. The men do pick up what they can quickly but the streets really do now need a good sweep. I go out and clear up the mess in my street but we cannot expect the general public to do this. Bohemia Road is reported to me as being cleaned most days by a machine but as I drive along it I am aware that there is litter all over the place. Can I possibly meet or have the name of the Supervisor for this area so as I can get some reassurances about what is happening in the Gensing ward?” The next day, Richard Homewood
replied, revealing that, so concerned is he about the problem, he’s been photographing the evidence. He said “I can personally concur with your views. I regularly use the Bohemia area every morning and lunchtime. I have got into the habit of routinely photographing problems with torn open sacks, litter etc. in the area and yesterday I sent in five reports to the refuse and recycling line which were passed on to the contractor. Today I have followed up three of these where the level of response has been unsatisfactory, particularly in relation to clearing up spillages after collecting refuse which is specifically mentioned in the new contract.” On Thursday, Vivienne says: “I am about to put the flags out. There are two men in my street clearing up the rubbish , how's that for a response. I trust they are doing all of the area.” Richard Homewood, Executive Director, Environment & Safety, HBC, 01424 783200. Vivienne Bond, Lib Dem Councillor for Gensing Ward. 01424 781035.
CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL
School floods After heavy rains on Thursday morning and afternoon, the playground at Christchurch School in Woodland Vale Road, Bohemia, became flooded. The low lying play area looked more like a shallow lake
than a playground. What a shame the school children are on holiday they’d have found a hundred ways of enjoying the water. Christchurch School, Woodland Vale Road. Tel. 01424 422953.
An art exhibition is being put togeth- seven days. A full colour catalogue er for Ron will be available at Beauchamp, who the exhibition. died five years ago, The coloured pasaged 70 in St tel picture, shown Leonards. Ron had above, is titled moved down from ‘Hic!’ and is dated London just three March 1989, size years previously and 42 by 30cm. All left a number of the paintings will paintings, photobe available for graphs and drawings sale, and all profits which are only now will go to one of being collected, sortRon’s favourite cat ed and catalogued charities. ready for the exhibi- Coloured pastel work by the John Humphries tion. The show is late Ron Beauchamp 01424 446759. expected to take place in the autumn, at 79, Bohemia Road and will run for BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE
Vic asks “What’s it for?” Long term Bohemia resident, Vic Chalcraft, 80, of Aldborough Road, asks “What’s the Bohemia Village Voice for? What’s it achieve? Who gets to read it? Only people on the internet.” In answer, publisher and editor John Humphries replies: “The Bohemia Village Voice is a local newsletter, containing local news about the people, businesses , organisations and events of Bohemia. It is not trying to compete with the Hastings Observer, but is attempting to be a useful and interesting aspect of life in this part of town. I am very keen to see the people behind the stories to have their say and to appear as real people, not just names. These are early days, and the format of the newsletter hasn’t yet had time to settle down. It is still evolving.” “What has it achieved?” Vic asks. “I’d like to think that the stories covered so far, do have an interest for
people living in Bohemia. It’s nice to know what’s going on in one’s locality, and I think the Voice carries stories which wouldn’t be covered by the Observer for instance.” And who gets to read it? “Well, it has to be said that not many people at present. The current circulation is less than 100, including the printed version. I am looking at ways of increasing the readership, and the obvious way is to print off copies and deliver them directly to people’s homes. At present, I am trying to find people who would be prepared to deliver copies in their street or area. Once we have a respectable circulation, it should be easier to obtain advertising. And with advertising revenue, the whole project becomes a more realistic venture.” Do you have views about Bohemia Village Voice? We’d love to hear. Contact details: page 4.
HISTORY OF BOHEMIA
Gipsy teas and syllabub
Christchurch School playground is flooded on Thursday this week
Attempted burglary There was an attempted burglary on Thursday the 17th August between 9:50pm and 10:20pm. A window was broken at a premises in Upper Clarence Road , Bohemia, and an attempt was made to gain entry.
If anyone was in this area and heard or saw anything suspicious please can they contact Sussex Police on 08456 070 999 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number SH1/9867/06.
[From a ‘Hastings Observer, February 1966, article entitled ‘Bohemia For Gipsy Teas And Syllabub’, which explores the possibilities of how Bohemia got its name.] Miss Mary Redmayne, of 34, Marine Court, St Leonards, has written, “If there is one thoroughfare in Hastings which fascinates me, it is Bohemia Road. Was it, I wonder, named after the former kingdom of Bohemia, famous for its crystal chandeliers, delicately coloured table glass, and snow-storm letter weights, or in honour of Princess Anne, daughter of King Charles IV of Bohemia, who came to England in 1383 to marry King
(part 1 of 5)
Richard II? I should be very pleased if any of your readers could answer this question.” Inquiry at the Hastings Museum brought the view that neither suggestion was really likely as Hastings had no real link with either. Mr J. Mainwaring Baines, the curator, writes: “The first thing one does in trying to find the origin of a placename, is to try to find the earliest mentions of it, and also to trace the different spellings, for this may sometimes provide a valuable clue. The best known reference to Bohemia is in the first Hastings Guide, published by John Stell in 1794, for the benefit of visitors that
Page 4
Bohemia Village Voice No. 34. Saturday 26 August 2006. Gipsy teas and syllabub (from page 3)
Letters Bet Bet Bet
Blackberry pie
Dear Sir, In response to Councillor Bond’s letter in the last edition, I would like to point out that despite her objection on 'moral grounds' to the opening of Bet Bet Bet 24/7 which was voiced at the Hastings Planning Board meeting on February 1, the fact is that when Councillor Bond made her presentation to the board outlining the reasons for her concerns, she stated 'I know there is nothing I can do to stop this application on planning grounds, but I thought I had to say something'! It was the frivolous nature of her objection that I took issue with, which served no purpose other than to delay the commencement of our refurbishment, cost us a great deal of money and ensure that we missed the Cheltenham Festival which is THE biggest race meeting of the year. To take the moral high ground with any business that wishes to invest in the area is ridiculously short-sighted, or maybe Councillor Bond would prefer to see a whole string of boarded up empty shops. I agree that in an ideal world Bohemia Road would be full of shops that sell fish, meat, green grocery and a Post Office, but this is only going to happen if new investment regenerates the area. Maybe Councillor Bond should channel her energy into raising new investment rather than hindering businesses that are intent on moving into the area. It would also help if in future she could research applications thoroughly before raising objections, as she was under the impression that this business was owned by people from outside Hastings (it isn’t, our planning application was made by our development team in Liverpool), and that Aldridge & Trillwood was a long standing local business (owned and run from East Grinstead) !
Dear Sir, I was very pleased to see that you had drawn readers' attention to the free crop of blackberries. You mentioned blackberry pies, but, in my opinion they are invariably better as part of blackberry and apple pies. The apples should be Bramley, coarsely chopped and combined with the blackberries in about an equal quantity, with plenty of sugar and given a thick shortcrust pastry lid, brushed with milk or egg and sprinkled with sugar. Peter Winder Manningtree, Essex.
Rob Prior Bet Bet Bet 24/7. Bohemia Road
Bohemia Village Voice Edited and published by John Humphries at 33, St Peter’s Road, Bohemia Village, Sussex, England, TN37 6JQ. Telephone: 01424 446759. Mobile: 07891 634377. E-mail: john@johnhumphries.f2s.com Proof reader: Valentine Torrington. Items for inclusion: please send to the editor. To begin receiving this newsletter: please send an e-mail to John Humphries with the message “Please subscribe me to Bohemia Village
Page 4
Apple Dump Dear Sir, The following recipe for Apple Dump(ling?) is a 19th. century one from Fairford in Gloucestershire, and is taken from Gloucestershire & Avon Life, Februrary 1978. To make a good pudding, take heed to your cousin Take two penn'orth of eggs when a shilling a dozen And of the same fruit which Eve had once chosen, Well pared and well chopped, at least half a dozen. Six ounces of bread, give your uncle the crust, The crumbs must be grated as small as the dust. Four ounces of sugar won't make it too sweet, Some spice, also nutmeg, will make it complete, Six ounces of currants from stones you must sort, Least they break up your teeth and spoil all the sport, Take four ounces of suet well chopped it must be, The mixture now ready, quite good you will see. Three hours let it boil without hurry or flutter, Then serve it up
with sugar and butter.
were coming in increasing numbers to try the sea-bathing and other delights of this comparatively new found seaside resort. Among other attractions, the author mentioned possible walks and expeditions in the district, and wrote: ‘The road to Hollington Corner, as it is called, lies over the white rock to the right, when you enter a pleasant lane, and pass by a farmhouse on the right called Bohemia, occupied by Mr Foster, and famous for plenty of fine cream; on which account it is much frequented in the summer by tea and syllabub (see note below) parties.’ ” [To be continued ...] Syllabub was a popular dessert in seventeenth, eighteenth and early nineteenth century England. It was popular for celebrations, special occasions and holidays due to its festive appearance. Many original recipes survive with various modes of preparation. Generally Syllabub was made with a mixture of whipped cream, whipped egg whites, white wine, sugar, lemon juice and zest of lemon.
Grapevine SH Tackle Fishing tackle shop ‘SH Tackle’ has a photograph of the outside of the shop taken in 1902 and it is said to show ‘an almost identical’ shop front to that existing today. Owner Bert is reported to claim that even a piece of corrugated cardboard above the door is still there. 79, Bohemia Road Internal work at this property progresses on schedule. A new partition, indoor loo, and plumbing and electrical work is being undertaken at the shop which housed Hastings Locksmiths for many years.
Builders, Dovetails Construction of St Leonards are expected to finish work on the listed building early next month. Newgate Road Numbers 35 and 37 Newgate Road have applied to put up garages at the end of their properties with access from Aldborough Road! Right opposite a certain Councillor’s house: it is another issue Vivienne Bond will have to get involved with. She says “It could be the beginning of a war around here as we will lose parking space to the houses that we pay rates for in our road.”
Puzzle Corner
Answer to last week’s puzzle: The two beautiful stained glass windows, featured last week and shown below, are to be found in the porch at St Peter’s Church.
Q. Who do you imagine this fine looking famous local gent to be? Answer next week. No clues - it’s too easy.
Shelagh Davy Clarence Road [Anyone want to try this one?]
Voice.” To cease receiving this newsletter: please send an e-mail to John Humphries, with the message “Please unsubscribe me from Bohemia Village Voice.” Circulation figures for August 5 issue: e-mail version: 63, printed version: 7, total circulation: 70. First published in May 2006. © 2006 John Humphries. Next issue: Saturday 2 September 2006. Please note that the deadline for all items for inclusion, is 5:00pm Thursday 31 August.
The quantity of white wine added would determine the consistency qualifying whether the mixture would be a creamy dessert or a popular punch. White wine could be substituted with apple cider or other alcoholic beverages. One could always detect the drinker of the beverage by the thick white mustache left behind. The following modern adaptation will make a Syllabub Dessert Parfait. For a punch add more wine until you have achieved the desired consistency. Ingredients: 2 cups of whipped cream, ½ cup of white sugar, 1/8 cup of white wine, 1/8 cup of freshly-squeezed lemon juice and zest of lemon, grated nutmeg, sprig of mint, lemon slice. Method:Whip cream until thick in a chilled bowl. When the cream begins to thicken, add the sugar, white wine, lemon juice and zest of lemon. Continue to whip until thick. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Spoon the mixture into footed parfait glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint, a slice of lemon and a sprinkle of grated nutmeg. Serves ten.
Who is this chap?