Bohemia Village Voice 81 (Dec 2011) by Alan Jeffries

Bohemia Village Voice Issue 81 Winter 2011-12

For bohemians

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BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Bohemia Village Voice 79, Bohemia Road, St Leonards, Sussex, TN37 6RJ 01424 430 460 www.bohemiavillage.com

Property-management company managing blocks of flats for freeholders & lessees who want to take over maintenance of their building by setting up ‘right-to-manage’ companies. Tel: 439786 Mob: 07974 444112 77 Bohemia Road, St Leonards, TN37 6RJ

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Summerfields House is set in peaceful parkland, yet only minutes from all the town’s amenities. Luxury ensuite rooms with complimentary beverage trays, toiletries, bath robes and free wi-fi. Rates are £45-£60 single occupancy; £65 to £90 double occupancy. Full English breakfast with many healthy alternatives. Secure private parking. Liz and Alfredo wait to welcome you in fluent English, Spanish, French or Italian!

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01424 718142 / 07710 729321 Summerfields House, Bohemia Road, Hastings, TN34 1EX BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

We warmly welcome Jonathan Broughton and Sara Young to the Voice. In a previous life Jonathan (picture) spent many years as a puppeteer and currently runs the St Leonard’s Writers group. He works at the Voice because ‘I find television incredibly boring and this was a little less so’. Sara (picture), an English Literature graduate from Exeter and self-confessed Hercule Poirot fan, was born in Bohemia and has lived here all her life. She says ‘I think the magazine is important as there’s a lot to say about Bohemia’. Next issue: Spring – to be published April 2012 Advertising deadline: Wed 29 Feb 2012

Advertisers in this issue ADVERTISER ............................ PAGE

1066 Homes (718566) ..................19 Al-Anon (02074 030888) ............18 Alexander School (424843) ........17 Arko Property (439786) ................3 Bedtime (715650) ........................16 Bexhill W/Colour (07528 350278) ....18 Bob Parsons (200135) ..................2 Bohemia Vill Voice (430460) ........29 Bohemia Vill Voice (430460) ........30 Cake Box (420872) ......................22 Claremont School ..........................6 Collective Legal (854561) ............22 Create Records (461045) ..............2 Crest House (436229) ................32 Crowhurst Centre (830204) ........24 Destiny's Healing (0781 611 9131) ..18 Duncan Frewyn (07513 005366) ....18 Elsinore Garage (440055) ..........20 Faye's Hair Salon (444442) ........17 George Stone (436166) ..............22 Gooch Upholstery (200301)..........17 Grooming Parl (07793 547715) ....17 Hastings Museum (451052)............8 Hastings Phil Choir (431442)........17 Hastings Pier Shop (435587) ......22 Hillcrest Garage (422157) ..........20 Horntye Park (716666) ................12

Imperial Motor Co (442200) ........13 James Caspian (714647) ............18 John McWilliams (465085) ..........22 K C Computers (714413) .......... 20 K J Anderson (446972) .............. 22 Kat's Fleece (kats-fleece.co.uk) ........13 Little Mill Bakery (421474) ..........19 Margaret Blurton (720621) ..........18 Mike Baker (717053) .................. 19 Neptune Computing (400424) ...... 2 Newman's Cleaning (465006) ....14 North Star (436576) ...................... 6 Opera South East (443316) ..........1 Outdoorsman (429343) .............. 24 Park Road Church (07799 1363) ....14 Pomegranate (429221).................. 8 Priory Meadow .............................. 5 Sellens French (446488) ............22 Sharon Simpson (0783 7688 240) ..12 Simon Leeves (444362) ..............22 Sin Bozkurt (07712 045936) ........14 St Matthew's (430262) ..................6 Stricklands (423348) ......................2 Summerfields House (718142) ......3 Tile Design (446613) ....................6 Tower House (427217) ................24 Trinity Wholefoods (430473) ........14 Vale Hardware (436950) ................2

Bohemia Village Voice Publisher/editor John Humphries (john@bohemiavillage.com). Assistant editor Jonathan Broughton (editor@bohemiavillage.com). Reporter Sara Young (editor@bohemiavillage.com) Proof-reader Nicholas Browne. Consultant editor Julian Beecroft. Website Alan Jeffries (mail@alanjeffries.co.uk). Advertising sales Mike Hayles (sales@bohemiavillage.com). Accounts Pam Brown (accounts@bohemiavillage.com). First published 2006. © John Humphries. Subscriptions by post for 3 issues: £3 (UK).

How to pay for advertisements or subscriptions

n Cheque please make out cheques to ‘Bohemia Village Voice’. n Cash please visit office to make cash payments. n BACS our bank details are: a/c name ‘Bohemia Village Voice’. A/c no: 71359843. Bank: HSBC. Sort code: 40-40-09.

Books The Swan, Hastings by David Russell (review by Jonathan Broughton) Following on from his successful book, The Pubs of Hastings and St Leonards 1800-2000, David Russell has turned his attention to a single licensed premises in Hastings, The Swan. This former coaching inn, hotel and public house occupied a site on the High Street in Hastings Old Town from around 1523 until its destruction by enemy action in 1943. Four centuries of social history passed by and through its doors, and David Russell has researched and documented many fascinating accounts of these times in great detail. The 18th century for example, when there were frequent conflicts between the English and the French in the Channel, saw The Swan as a salesroom for fast sailing cutters. The boats were launched from the beach when the shoreline was much closer to the town than it is today. In 1809, three French prisoners of war escaped, and booked into The Swan in disguise. Their good command of English and an inexhaustible

supply of funds raised no eyebrows, until late one night they were confronted by the pub dog as they tried to escape and make their way back to France. The Swan became an integral part of the Hastings community, in particular the use of its Assembly Room during the 19th century, when it hosted a market, a theatre, an election headquarters, an auction house, a lecture room, a ballroom, and a venue for the Hastings Flower Show. The book is illustrated with many photographs and pictures. The Swan was a Hastings institution, and David Russell’s book celebrates its memory in style. o The Swan, Hastings, 1523–1943, by David Russell, (ISBN 978-0-9562917-2-1) published by Lynne Russell, 2011, £8.50. 112 pages; 61 illustrations. Copies available from hastings.pubs@gmail.com Tel: 01424 200227.

New Poems That Small Birds Will Fall In Love With by John D Robinson (review by Sara Young) “THIS STATEMENT WRIT IN LIFE IN 2010 I ADVISE THAT DAY-DREAMING WILL BE MADE A COMPULSORY AGE-LONG ACTIVITY & THAT VODKA VISIONS BE OUT-NUMBERED IN APRIL’S DREAMING SKELETONS”

This extract from self-published local writer John D. Robinson’s collection of poetry New Poems That Small Birds Will Fall in Love With, echoes a continuation of genres and styles of writing from the early to mid-1900’s. The influence of both the Beat and Surrealist movements within Robinson’s poetry is obvious from the outset as can be seen from his free flowing, aesthetic and almost prophetic style. The printed collection includes 27 poems which jump

Ronnie Raven

o New Poems That Small Birds Will Fall In Love With by John D Robinson (ISBN 978-0-9553678-4-7). Price £10.40 pages. Published 2011 by Holy & Intoxicated Publications, 12, King Edward Close, Hastings, Sussex, TN34 2NP. johndrobinson@yahoo.co.uk

by Kay Al-Ghani (review by Sara Young)

Ronnie Raven Recycles is the charming culmination of a mother and son partnership in writing and illustration. It is ideal for in-school learning and tackles the very important issue of recycling and global responsibility in a thoughtful, humorous and imaginative way. Also included are ideas for activities to ensure that children see how they can become a proactive part of the solution to the problem. Despite the text catering to an American audience, I was absolutely delighted not only to come across a direct reference to Bohemia Village and a character clearly based on our seagull residents, but also beautifully bold and colourful illustrations of coastal and suburban landscapes; this gives it a local and familiar feel. Haitham uses his illustrations and narrative to discuss openly issues faced by children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and speaks from a personal per4

from the page and demand attention, making bold statements; Robinson couples this with a magpie’s collection of imagery and themes, giving his writing a placeless and timeless feel. Effective when read from cover to cover, or dipped into – but definitely best read, as is traditional with this style of poetry, out loud and with plenty of force.

spective (he has a diagnosis of autism). Kay is a co-founder of the charity ‘Autism Train.’ Both local, both talented and both contributing a huge amount to local understanding of autism: it is incredibly pleasing to know that such an inspiring team exists in Hastings. o Ronnie Raven Recycles, size 11”x8½”, hardcover, 48 pages, 16 colour illustrations, ISBN 978-0-7643-3840-3. Published by Schiffer Books (USA) 2011, price $16.99. Can be purchased online from autismtrain.co.uk and from a number of online bookshops including Amazon and Waterstones. BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Life enhancing drawing A new art class is running year-round at the Ore Centre. Classes are led by artist David Drey. “They are for anyone who may be interested in an inspiring and accessible entry into the world of drawing – working indoors and outdoors with sketchbooks. We take the drawings back to the studio and work them up into larger A1 drawings. The original drawings become transformed into something quite unexpected in the process.” David believes that drawing offers a very special opportunity to explore the “inner lining” of experience, to enhance visual sensitivity to appearances and simply to enjoy expressing yourself in the company of others. “This can be life enhancing.” o Classes are open both to experienced artists and to complete beginners. Weds from 10am-12noon (£8), Ore Community Centre, 455 Old London Road. David Drey, tel: 440812, info@daviddrey.com [image shown by David Drey]

Friends of Claremont School [registered charity 10698711]

Christmas Bazaar – 3rd December Over 30 tables crammed with goodies, fun and games for all ages Santa’s Grotto from 1pm Tombolas and Super Raffle Hog and turkey roast, mulled wine and mince pies Come along and have some fun! Admission £1 Claremont School, Baldslow, St Leonards. TN37 7PW focs.committee@gmail.com

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BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Win! Win! Win!

Short story competition closes 31 Dec

Stoke up the fire, draw the curtains, and turn the lights down low. it’s story time. But not any old story; this one’s written by YOU! Will it be adventure, fantasy, science fiction, romance, historical, a thriller or (titter) erotic? Bohemia Village Voice is on a quest to find the next literary genius. Perhaps there may even be one in our local area. Tempted? We hope so. Need a little encouragement? (Cue deep booming voice) ‘The best short story will win £250.00!’ Really? ‘And that’s not all.’ (Deep intake of breath). ‘The second prize winner will win £100.00!’ I can’t believe it. ‘And -.’ Not another prize, this is too much. ‘The third prize winner will win £50.00!’ (Faint!) It’s simple: write your story, (no more than six hundred words please, the poor old judges need their sleep too), fill in the entry form on page 29, rob the piggy bank of three pounds, and send or take your masterpiece to the offices of the Bohemia Village Voice. It is much preferred that entries are sent as emails, but TYPED hard-copy entries are very welcome too. Make sure your entries reach us by December 31st 2011. Our wonderful supporters include: Bookman's Halt (Bohemia), Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, (Bohemia), Stables Theatre, Salmon's Bookshop

(White Rock), St Leonards Writers, The Roomz (Western Road), and Waterstones bookshop (Priory Meadow). RULES, etc: The entry fee is £3 per story. The competition is open to anyone of any age, living anywhere in the world. An application form must be completed by each entrant. There is a maximum story length of 600 words; there is no minimum length. Stories may be written in any style and on any theme. JUDGES The judging panel will include Cathy Walling (curator at Hastings Museum), Clive Linklater (Bookman's Halt), David Russell (local author), Diane Haberstroh (New York contributor for the Voice), Jonathan Broughton (St Leonards Writers), Julian Beecroft (art critic and author), Sara Young (Bohemia Village Voice), Nick Browne (author and proofreader for the Voice), Paul Rummery (Bohemia Book Fayre), Peter Winder (published short story author), William Third (technical writer and translator) and Jacky Hayles (teacher).

“I don't want to be on my own”

Ghosts at the Little Mill Bakery

don't want to be on my own – these words are thought to be spoken by a milkman called William. The story has it that he worked his horse-drawn milk-cart around St Leonards in the early 1900s. One morning, as he was doing his rounds, his foot caught on a stray rope. He lost his balance, crashed through the grate of a Victorian house in London Road, and hanged himself. The ground floor of that Victorian house is now the Little Mill Bakery . . .

But somehow, that feeling that 'something wasn't quite right,' persisted. One day, in the Cake Room, next door to the Fridge Room, one of the staff was preparing fondant, and couldn't find a spoon. She turned to look for one on the shelves behind her, when there was a loud crash. The fondant bowl had fallen over on the workbench, and a spoon had mysteriously appeared next to it and was spinning round and round in circles.

'There was a strange feeling in here,' explained Claire Hitchings as she led me downstairs into the fridge room at the front of the basement. 'Something wasn't quite right. It hit the pit of your stomach.'

'Right,' said Claire, 'enough's enough - that was when I called in a friend of mine, who is an excellent clairvoyant.' The clairvoyant immediately sensed a presence in the basement – in fact, she sensed two, possibly three. Claire left her alone in the Fridge Room.

Claire doesn't come across as someone who is easily spooked. She runs a thriving, award-winning business, with her husband Michael. She hasn't got time to worry about 'strange feelings,' or the mysterious disappearance of kitchen utensils, or the odd moments when she knows she has put something down in one place, only to find it in another. BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

'His name's William,' the clairvoyant explained when she re-appeared, and she told Claire about his shocking death. 'He keeps saying, 'I don't want to be on my own.' The clairvoyant assured Claire that she had done her best to ease his suffering. Jonathan Broughton 7

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

John & Thelma keep the magic alive John & Thelma Burgess have been collecting slides (they now have over 3,500) and giving shows for 25 years. Their ‘season’ runs from Autumn to Spring. “We don’t give shows in the summer, as to show the slides properly we need complete darkness”. John bought his first lantern in Bohemia - from the antique shop (no longer there) at the corner of Bohemia Road and Tower Road. It came with a box of 130 slides. “They were actual photographs from Egypt, John & Thelma in their attic projection room with double magic lantern many hand-coloured”, said John. “They’d apparently been by a London firm, W. Butcher & Sons in the early part used by a Glasgow mission as part of a nationwide of the 20th century. Magic lanterns were extremely fund-raising tour and were of amazing quality”. The popular; most middle income families would have attic of their Hastings home has been converted into owned one – they were the televisions of their day. a mini-exhibition area. When the Voice visited, a dou- They predated TV and cinema”. They are active ble lantern had been set up for us to see some of the members of the Magic Lantern Society and attend wonderful slides in their collection. They are heavily meetings in London, Bath and Birmingham. booked by local organisations to give their shows; John works the slides and lantern – Thelma does the o Victorian Magic Lantern Shows – presented by John & Thelma Burgess. Tel: 01424 423121. talking. John said, “Slides such as the Robinson Crusoe set (see story, which starts below) were made o The Magic Lantern Society – www.magiclantern.org.uk

Slides

Magic lanterns

A magic lantern is a device for This little box projecting an enlarged image of 3¼” x 3¼” of a slide onto a screen. The glass slides device was developed in the originally 1650s by Dutch physicist and cost 2/6d astronomer Christiaan (12½p). A Huygens. Originally candles or page of lecoil lamps were used as a light ture notes source. Limelight was invented was included. in the 1820s, the electric arc The slides would have been used in a lamp in the 1860s and later ‘magic lantern’. electric lamps.

Robinson Crusoe

A thrilling magic lantern adventure . . .

A Hastings Old Town reader kindly loaned the ‘Voice’ a set of eight ‘Primus’ coloured magic lantern slides which he recently inherited. They were set number 611, ‘Robinson Crusoe’, originally priced at 2/6d, with lecture reading notes (extracts below and next two pages).

suppose you all the know the story of Robinson Crusoe? You will remember how he ran away from home and went to sea against the advice of his father. It was on his voyage to Guinea that his ship was wrecked on a desert island, where he lived for over 28 years. Crusoe was the

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

only survivor from the wreck, and after scrambling ashore he took refuge in a tree for the night to be out of reach of wild beasts, and next morning found that he could easily swim to the ship, which had been carried by the waves quite near to the shore . . . (Continued over . . . 9

Robinson Crusoe

1 Crusoe on the raft – he got on board and then constructed a raft, and was thus able in the course of several journeys to carry ashore quite a large stock of useful things: bread, rice, dried goats’ flesh, cheese, clothes, tools to work with, guns and powder and shot.

2 Milking the goats – one of the first things he discovered was that there were a number of goats on the island. Some of these he caught and in time he had quite a flock. He found them very useful: they supplied him with plenty of milk, he ate their flesh and made clothes from their skins when his own were worn out.

3 Dinner time – here you see Crusoe comfortably settled on the island. He is dining in his cave with his family around him, two cats and a dog, which he rescued from the ship; there’s a goat too. All these were dumb creatures it is true, but they were better for poor lonely Crusoe than no company at all.

4 Crusoe makes a boat – he cut down a big tree and as you see in the picture, hollowed it out with his adze until he had quite a fine canoe. It was a long and wearisome task. He rigged it out with a sail of goat skin and now was able to take trips round the island to catch fish and turtles.

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Robinson Crusoe

5 Footprint in the sand – Crusoe had been on the island for several years when one day he was very startled to see a footprint in the sand. Soon afterwards he came across the remains of a cannibal feast and for some time he was almost afraid to venture forth for fear of being captured and eaten up.

6 Man Friday – one day he saw five canoes with about thirty savages. They had some poor prisoners on whom they were going to feast. One of these escaped pursued by two savages. Crusoe rushed out and knocked down one the pursuers and shot the other. The one Crusoe had rescued was very grateful and became his devoted comrade. He called him Friday, as that was the day he found him.

7 Crusoe teaching Friday – one can imagine how delighted Crusoe was in having a companion after all those years of solitude. Crusoe taught him to be a good Christian and with this honest and gentle creature he spent several years very happily.

8 Crusoe sees a ship – at length deliverance came and Crusoe was returned to his native land. Friday, of course went with him and they had many more adventures together. To learn about these I can only tell you that you had better read all about them in the splendid book written by Daniel Defoe, The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. . . THE END . .

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Thrifting and upcycling Hastings resident and Brighton-trained horticulture student Lorna Watson (picture) is the Green Lady – “I am an artist, gardener, crafter and mum to a four-yearold. I love thrifting – (‘thrifting’ means you visit thrift stores which is a more glamorous, US, term for charity shops), swimming in the sea, cycling and upcycling – (‘upcycling’ is making new things from old things). Like today I made some roses from an old pair of pyjamas, a jumper and some fabric scraps”. Lorna learned gardening from her Lithuanian grandparents in Scotland who grew their own vegetables and had ‘a beautiful flower and rose garden’. o Many great photos including those of Summerfields Wood, the Bohemia Walled Garden and the Friary Gardens at her blog: http://thegreenladyhastings.blogspot.com

Diane Haberstroh writes from Bohemia, New York

Deer in the park

While I was walking in my local park (Connetquot State Park) in November, I met a man taking pictures of deer. He was very excited about seeing them. I told him if he came every weekend he would most likely see some deer. I also took a the picture above. He asked me if I ever see turkeys. I told him I haven’t seen them in years and when I did they would be over by the birdfeeders. He said he read about that and that the foxes had killed all or most of them.

MOBILE HAIRDRESSER Sharon Simpson-Beaney

Call 0783 7688 240 12

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Crafty Birds in a tiny cage isa Edwards (picture) opened ‘A Flock of Crafty Birds’ in May 2010. Her shop is easy to spot at 130 London Road as a lot of her stock is out on the pavement. Lisa has lived in St Leonards for five years and used to work in a well known DIY store, but disillusioned with their customer care, decided to branch out on her own.

She wanted to sell what people wanted, and encouraged by so many talented craftspeople in the area, she has filled her shop with locally crafted goods and anything else that takes her fancy, or that customers request. As a result, prices range from ten pence to five hundred pounds. There aren’t many shops like hers, in London Road or anywhere else, and she has capitalised on this with her range of eclectic merchandise. If you are looking for that unusual birthday or anniversary present, there’s a good chance that Lisa can help. “I realised that a lot of local people don’t drive”, she explained, “and I wanted to offer them

“The shop’s name came in a flash of inspiration. Shops are places where people gather, like birds do when they flock.” Even more remarkable, considering the limited space, are the workshops that she runs on Wednesdays. These include knitting, toy making, and at Christmas, wreath-making. Again, she is happy to work with customer requests and provide something specific that suits. She even finds time to do freelance work, designing interiors. You can be assured of a warm welcome and a warm drink in A Flock of Crafty Birds. And then marvel at the wonderful variety of wares on display.

Funeral and fake wake in Bohemia Sometime in the 1970s a group of regulars from the North Star, Bohemia decided to raise some money by organising a mock funeral procession and wake around Bohemia. top quality coffin made from best plywood was produced by the pub committee and a 'body' was organised. The funeral procession complete with suitably dressed pallbearers, proceeded from pub to pub around Bohemia. One snag was that the body, dressed as Dracula, kept sitting up to see where he was going. The whole cortege was preceded by a fine band of instrumentalists. Halfway along Bohemia Road the Gas Board had left a grave into which the coffin and corpse were reverently lowered and photographed. They were then exhumed and carried shoulder high along Bohemia Road to the first stop which was the Wheatsheaf. A fair amount was collected in this pub while the pallbearers, the corpse and the band took refreshment.

The whole ensemble then reformed at the back of the pub and marched off along Cornfield Terrace, knocking on Bohemia Short Story Competition Open to All £250 first prize Closing date 31 Dec See page 29

by Jonathan Broughton

something different that they didn’t have to travel miles to find”. She does a brisk trade with foreign students too, who like to buy presents for their families back home. The shop is tiny, not an inch of space is left unfilled. Furniture is one of her best sellers, and if she hasn’t the desired piece in stock she will happily undertake a furniture search.

by David Russell

doors along the way. On reaching the Tower in Tower Road, a second pub collection was made. A third call was made at the Dripping Spring for yet more refreshment and another collection. On returning to the North Star the wake continued into the afternoon. At its end one mourner was so overcome with grief and sustenance that he found it impossible to walk home, so he was placed in the coffin and carried shoulder high along Bohemia, through Silverhill and down Battle Road to his home. On arrival, the coffin with body in it was stood upright at his front door, the knocker knocked, and when his wife opened the door the body slid out of the coffin and lay prostrate on the passage floor. Her comments are not printable. The proceeds from this event gave fifty-odd old age pensioners a trip to Beachy Head with sherry and chocolates before returning to a slap-up tea. o Grateful acknowledgment to Frank Holdman, (landlord of the North Star, 1974-77) and to Vic Chalcraft, one of the ‘pallbearers’.

KATS-FLEECE For hand-crafted gifts. Fleece materials. Moda fabrics for quilting. See our full range at:

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BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Celebrate Christmas with

PARK ROAD METHODIST CHURCH

Bohemia

Short Story Competition Open to All

£250 first prize

St. Leonards-on-Sea

Sunday 11th Dec 10.15am Childrens Nativity Service Sunday 18th December 10.15am Morning Service 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight Saturday 24th December 4pm Crib Service with Christingle 11.30pm Midnight Service

Christmas Day Christ is born among us! 10.30am Christmas Morning Service

Closing date 31 Dec See page 29

Professional Dry Cleaning by

Newmans

Stain Removal Laundry Service Cleaning Tokens Accepted

Tel 01424 465006 62 Bohemia Road, St Leonards

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

In short ‘VOICE’ WINDOW – Helen Grant and Meg O’Hara-Williams kindly created our office autumn window display of clogs, logs, pine cones and step-ladders. Meg is the proprietortress of Bell’s Bicycles in the High Street, Old Town and both ladies love dressing windows. Helen collects clogs . . . if you’ve got a spare pair. BACK ISSUES of the Bohemia Village Voice are free to collect from our office, or we’ll be pleased to send them by post on receipt of a stamped, addressed envelope. Our contact details, page 3. TINA HARMAN – following the untimely passing away of their neighbour Tina Harman in April/May of this year, St.Peter’s Road residents contributed to a collection in her memory raising £200 (writes Bill Third). In consultation with the family, a cheque for this amount was donated to St Michael's Hospice. Celia Pyke-Lees, chief executive, extended her sincere condolences and said, '"We rely very heavily on voluntary contributions and our own fundraising activities to support our work looking after patients from our local community, and your donation helps us continue our services. I am truly appreciative. Christina's name will be inscribed in our 'In Memoriam' book which is held in our reception room." Tina's friends and neighbours on St Peter’s Road have at least one tangible reminder of her they can enjoy every day: she had been instrumental in choosing the pleasing shade of green of the new perimeter fence at Christchurch School. BOHEMIA WALLED GARDEN – reports wonderful support from the Grey Owl Society. A £200 donation was used to build an open shelter: its sloping roof protects members from the elements and rainwater is collected in 2 linked barrels. “As we have no piped water on site, this water will be very much needed in Spring & Summer”, says Sue Thomson. “It is very satisfying to have formed a friendship with another local green-minded group”. WHY OH WHY? – asks Mrs Jo Hunter of St Peter's Road – do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet Coke? Why do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds in the road and put our useless junk in the garage? Why does Tesco make sick people walk all the way to the rear of the store for their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front? Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavour, and dishwashing liquid made with real BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

lemons? You know that indestructible black box that is used on planes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff? Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'? Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called ‘rush hour’? Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? HORNTYE PARK – our local sports centre presents the Blues Bro. Show (picture) on Fri 16th Dec 2011. Featured acts include Soul Xpress and EG Riley’s Soul Experience; tickets are £8 (£10 on the door). All profits to local charities, principally St Michael’s Hospice. Information: 716666, website: www.horntyepark.org LIFE is a coin – you can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once. UNDER 5s – this group at Park Road Church has been providing child care for 2–5 year-olds for 26 years. There are currently ten members of staff. Children play (picture) in the church hall and are taken on walks to the shops and park. Current fees are £8.85 for each 2½-hour session. Session times are on Mon, Wed, Thur, and Fri. Nichola Spice, manager, Park Rd Methodist Church, Upper Park Road, St Leonards. 01424 443030. 07939 628021. parkroadunderfives@hotmail.com THE ROOMZ – from November 2011 will no longer open with the same frequency as a Cafe/Bar. But the Recording Studio and Rehearsal Rooms will continue to operate as normal and The Roomz (in Western Road) is still available for hire as a venue. Caz Sanigar says “We are working to redefine The Roomz as more of a social centre offering various services to the community, (one of them being a day centre for those suffering with Dementia)”. Caz: 721564 and 07800 843323. www.theroomz.org.uk SANTA ON SEA – lights go on AT 5.30pm in St Leonard’s Warrior Square on 2nd December with carol singers, roast chestnuts and late opening. Competitions such as ‘Spot the Stranger’ will run until 17th December when prizes will be given along with a ‘laser display, singing and Christmas merriment’. Info: Matthew: sba1066@gmail.com and www.santaonsea.co.uk also Caroline at ‘With Love From’ in Norman Road. 15

Economies, Quirks & Foibles By Hastings resident Albert Hall One’s style of driving is by far the most significant factor in saving fuel. The choice between high acceleration, maximum speed and heavy braking as opposed to a minimalist approach makes a huge difference, reducing not only fuel consumption, but engine, tyre and passenger wear, danger to others and lost no-claim discounts. A driver’s choice of a route can also make a significant difference. Hill-climbing in a car is expensive. If this is not obvious, then find a very shallow slope and try, using only your own muscle-power to push your car uphill. If this exercise is all too energetic, then don’t expect your engine to do it without a lot of fuel. To save all that fuel, just don’t drive it up any hills – or if you must, then think carefully about your optimum route, by crossing as few geographic contours as possible.

2: Cars & Contours

presenting the least amount of hill climbing is along The Ridge to Harrow Lane, thence to Bohemia Road. Would this be a more fuel efficient route? I believe so and hope to demonstrate it. Watch this space. DIRECT ROUTE

MOST ECONOMICAL ROUTE?

EXAMPLE how might you travel from the B & Q store (B on maps) to the Bohemia Village Voice office (A on maps)? The most direct route (3.1 miles, upper picture) would take you, via Old London Road and Priory Road down to Alexandra Park, along Braybrooke Road, and so to Bohemia via Priory Avenue. But this route crosses the maximum number of contours (you go up or over more hills than necessary). The alternative route (4.8 miles, lower picture)

The North Star Inn 10% discount [Drawing courtesy David Russell]

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Beautiful New Refurbishment - Delicious Menu - New Smoking Area and always a friendly welcome WEDNESDAY is Curry Night, 7-10pm THURSDAY Free Pool SUNDAY Alternate Sundays Pub Quiz l Food: Lunch and Dinner Tues - Sat Clarence Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 6SD

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The Bohemians – Don Ray and Frank Jenkins Don Ray (left) and Frank Jenkins at St Peter’s Church, Bohemia. Don had attended St Peter’s since he was a small boy and Frank had been organist for over 40 years. The sham marriages scandal hit national headlines in 2009 and the church closed in January 2010. The last ever service was held on

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BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

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Puzzle Corner

by John Merriman

Panagram can you find three different 7-letter words, all anagrams of each other? The clues are: 1) US singer and actor; nickname ‘Ol 2 Blue Eyes’. 2) A skilled workman, 3 craftsman. 3) A Russian empress. 1

Answers on page 31

Puzzle Picture 81 Do you know where this Bohemian lychgate is located? A £10 voucher, kindly donated by Empress Art of Tower Road, is the prize for the first correct solution opened. Answers to the Bohemia Village Voice, 79, Bohemia Road, St Leonards, Sussex, TN37 6RJ or email editor@bohemiavillage.com

Puzzle Picture 80 the answer to our last picture puzzle was Cornfield Terrace. A £10 gift voucher has been sent to the winner, Mrs J Palmer of Church Road, St Leonards. A total of 16 entries were received and the winner was chosen using www.random.com

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Hundreds of people to walk about a bit In a few days, in the latest initiative, to get people moving like they have never moved before, people are to get up and walk about a bit (it says here). But they will only do this in aid of a good cause. And it will take a few days to find one, just as soon as they get out of their comfy chairs. In the meantime, people are invited to sponsor these other people who want to get up and walk about a bit, once they have the motivation. Please send a lot of money to these people, once you have located them, then tell us where they are, because we’re not sure they even exist. It looks like another publicity stunt to deprive us, and you, of our hard-earned money (that is, if we ever earned any). *** WIN A FREE HOLIDAY *** – simply enter a competition in another publication o Reprinted, with kind permission, from Paranoid Wiles, by John Merriman (pUBLISHED wHEN nO oNE iS lOOKING), available, price 30p, from The Roomz, Western Road. Paranoid Wiles is published from ethically recycled anxieties. © REEVERRBERRATION CORRPERRATIONN

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Home visits 18

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Nine at Jewellery show The Hastings Museum and Art Gallery’s current exhibition celebrates the work (picture) of nine local artists. Each artist has taken as their inspiration a room at the museum, and fashioned jewellery and random objects that reflect their personal response to that room. Some have chosen a well-known landmark, or a specific era, to inspire their work. For example, Wendy-Sarah Pacey designs wearable steel wire structures based on the images of the interior renovation of St Mary in the Castle. Jennifer Kidd makes talismanic jewellery and amulets, taking as her theme, day and night, the spirit world, and our world, and placing them, literally and figuratively, within the exhibits of the museum’s sub-Arctic room. o Artists: Susanne Freytag, Jennifer Kidd, Amy Madge, Jo McAllister, Wendy-Sarah Pacey, Jane Runchman, Paula Thittichai, Julie Tucker-Williams and Maxime Wareham. Rooms For Ideas runs at The Hastings Museum and Art Gallery until the 19th February 2012. Info: 451052.

Canada, coast-to-coast Remember Hastings’ lad Julian Beecroft (picture)? He went off to Canada in August to visit the locations where the highly regarded Group of Seven painters worked [‘Voice’ #80, August 2011]. Julian travelled coast-to-coast (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia), taking 5,000 photos along the way – part of his journey, Killarney Provincial Park – by canoe. This is the first time in decades that these pictures have visited the UK, so if you love landscape painting, the opportunity to see them at Dulwich Picture Gallery is not to be missed. The exhibition runs until 8th January. You might want to whet your appetite by visiting his extensive blog at www.dulwichonview.org.uk which includes many superb pictures (example by Tom Thomson, right) and a not-to-be-missed stunning video of Canadian landscapes.

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Local nature reserve is looking for ‘friends’ Summerfields’ is a beautiful site with its bluebell woodland, streams, ponds and history. It would look a sorry state without volunteers helping out. Derek Binns, says, “Why not become a 'Friend’ of Summerfield's Wood?” If you’re willing to spend a little time helping on ‘task days’ (picture) to Friends on ‘task day’ (L-R): Ken Giles, James Robus, Peter Dawson, Andrea Needham, Martin Jones, a nice person, Dominic Sabetian, Tim Barton and daughter, Anna Kretich improve this special o Friends of Summerfields’ Wood: Stuart or Julie on 01424 nature reserve, they’d love to hear from you. 451050. rangers@hastings.co.uk

Luke Garvey:

‘I don’t feel like I’m at a standstill.’

by Sara Young

hen I asked 22 year-old, local photographer Luke Garvey where he gets his inspiration from, he said “Life. It’s what I see that inspires me”. Looking at Garvey’s work it would be impossible to overlook the evidence of this, not only in the pictures themselves but in the way he manages to capture moments and details. It requires a good eye, also a genuine appreciation of one’s surroundings. When I met up with him, he had around five memory cards as well as his camera, and recalled moments where he has Swallowtail caterpillar – by Luke Garvey, photo taken using a Fujifilm Finepix HS10 actually had to get off buses prematurely on his This is also the case with the short films that Garvey way home, in order not to miss a photo opportunity. has made, something he is hoping to do more of. He finds a lot of subject matter within the town. He He is also responsible for script writing, editing, filmalso remains fascinated by the coastal landscape ing, music score, and in one case, animation – all of and the myriad of moods it can produce. which is predominantly self-taught: “I like to make a film my own, so I don’t do much research into how Looking around the exhibition with him, I got an similar films are made”. Luke became aware of his extremely laid back, yet detailed, picture by picture creative talent when he attended Bexhill College. account of how and when each photograph was produced. He has an indisputable and rare talent for Diagnosed with both ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome, both Luke and his amazingly supportive emphasising the extraordinary within the ordinary. mother Julia are aware of how lucky he has been to Garvey knows his photos with incredible intimacy, discover such a positive outlet. With three exhibiand takes almost an obsessive approach to every tions in 12 months, and an ever-developing talent, stage of their creation. For example, with his series Luke himself says: “I don’t feel like I’m at a standof photos of crystals he not only prepared the wood still”. I believe Luke is right. they were printed on, but helped with the printing.

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

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Sussex Heavies and Sussex Black “Even if you’re making a vegan cake, it should taste like a cake!” This is certainly the case with Shelley Feldman and her assistant Kevin Young’s veganfriendly creations, known as 1066 Cake Stand, which not only look like baking heaven, but taste like it too. Having tried both a Chocolate Cupcake and their signature Rose and Lemon Cake, (for the purposes of research of course) I can confirm that whether vegan, or not, there is something to tempt everyone. Shelley has been vegan since University, a lifestyle choice that ‘crept up’ on her. “Being a vegan is not the weirdest thing you can do anymore!” The nicest thing about 1066 Cake Stand is how flexible they are with their recipes; they work with customers, and that includes requests via Facebook, or one-to-one in person. Gluten-free, sugar-free, it’s all part of their ‘local and organic service’. Traditional Sussex recipes, such as Sussex Heavies (delicious scones made with fruit) and Sussex Black (scrumptious fruit cake made with with black treacle), line up beside everyday cakes for afternoon tea, celebration and wedding cakes. All the baking takes place in Shelley’s kitchen. The cakes are then sold at Trinity Wholefoods, The Roomz, Penbuckles, and on their stall at Hastings Market every Thursday; 10 am till 3pm. Customers

o Interested in having a stall at Hastings Market? Feel free to contact Shelley at hastingstcm@yahoo.co.uk

Let’s get to know each other . . . My name is Nicole Barrett and I am the Neighbourhoodwatch (NHW) Co-ordinator for St Peter’s Road, Tower Road and Cloudesley Road. volunteered for this job as I believe that complaining about a problem isn't going to make a difference. How can we expect things to get better if I am not willing to get involved myself?!

First and foremost, being in the NHW is no extra work, there is no form filling, no hour-long meetings and no patrolling of the streets. However it does involve saying "Hi!" to your neighbours, sharing things that we have seen or heard, reporting incidents and simply talking to each other. A co-ordinator ensures that information reaches all other scheme members and encourages others to report any problems. We are not here to replace the police; residents simply talk to one another and share information. This might involve the odd cuppa. Issues raised by the group can be taken to the council and the police. The more members a scheme has, the easier it is to get the council and the police to listen. As an example, last year a number of cars were damaged in St Peter’s Road. When my own car was damaged I reported it to the police and was astonished to find that my report was the only one. Through NHW, BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

by Sara Young

can place an order and collect from the stall, or make arrangements for delivery. Shelley is also Chairwoman of Hastings Market Traders. Hastings Council stepped back from running Hastings Market with the ultimatum that it either close down or the traders run it themselves. They chose to run it themShelley Feldman selves and Shelley is at Hastings Market very positive about its future. “The market is attracting an exciting and diverse range of traders. For example, The Visionary Soap Company launched here. Running the market feels like regeneration. Being autonomous gives the traders a say on the quality of the goods on offer. And I think that’s a good thing.”

by Nicole Barrett

a further two residents reported their damage. I then took this information to the next Neighbourhood Policing Panel and within one week, unmarked police cars and patrols arrived and helped tackle the problem. As a group we can change our neighbourhood and meet some pretty amazing people along the way. So the answer is simple: come on, let’s get to know each other.

Nicole Barrett

Residents of St Peter’s Road, Tower Road and Cloudesley Road can contact Nicole directly on nicole.barrett@web.de or 07734 453 031. 23

Guest Accommodation Now open to non-residents for • Private functions, celebrations and funeral teas • Small meeting room for hire For a bespoke tailored service contact Carol 01424 427217 www.towerhouse1066.co.uk

Wishing all readers a Happy Christmas & New Year

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

The scandal of the ‘Hastings Rarities’ n the wall of No.15 Silchester Road, St Leonards, hangs a blue plaque (picture) commemorating the life of gunsmith and taxidermist George Bristow. A blue plaque generally signifies an acknowledgment of some special achievement. In many cases it is a lasting reminder of fame. In Mr. Bristow’s case, it may be a lasting reminder of infamy. George Bristow lived from 1863 to 1947. Between 1892 and 1930 he stuffed and mounted five hundred and ninety-four rare birds. Examples include, the Moustached Warbler, which breeds in Southern Asia and North Africa, the Slender-Billed Curlew, which inhabits the peat bogs of Siberia, and the Glossy Ibis which is found in Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean regions of the Americas. The definition of a rare bird is one that is not normally seen in a particular area, but is thought to be there naturally, and not escaped from an aviary or a private collection. Mr. Bristow’s remarkable ability to spot and shoot such an extraordinary selection of unusual birds made him a much soughtafter supplier to collectors. And how amazing that these exotic specimens George Bristow – outside should be flying around 15 Silchester Road in 1945 East Sussex. Then, in 1962, the British Birds journal published a detailed account of their investigations into the ‘Hastings Rarities.’ The birds were a fraud. They were real, but not one of them had flapped over British soil. British Birds didn’t point the finger at George Bristow, but the newspapers weren’t so coy. It was a national scandal. Why had he done it? The obvious explanation was money. A taxidermist at the turn of the 20th century might earn ninepence for a Meadow Pipit; five pounds for a Red-Throated Pipit. Imagine the thrill of owning a Pratincole from Asia that had mysteriously alighted at Pevensey Sluice. There was big money to be made from locally caught rare birds. And the collectors enjoyed the prestige of seeing their specimens catalogued in the official British List, which details the first sightings of alien birds on Britain’s shores. So how had he done it? During the 1800s, trade goods transported from one continent to another had to

by Jonathan Broughton

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

A Slender-billed Curlew – on view at Hastings Museum

endure long sea voyages. Perishable goods suffered, especially if they arrived late. But by the end of the century, investment in commercial refrigeration aboard ships made transporting perishables possible, and profitable. Birds, procured for George Bristow by a person or persons unknown, were shipped across the oceans in refrigerated holds. They arrived in St Leonards frozen, but in as perfect condition as the day they were shot. Calculations suggest that Mr. Bristow earned around seven thousand pounds from this fraudulent trade. It was an ingenious scam that was never detected during his lifetime. However since 1962, sophisticated technology in the tagging and tracking of birds has revealed surprising results. Many of George Bristow’s ‘rarities’ have indeed appeared, alive and well, in locations all across Great Britain. Often they The ‘Rarities’ on display at are migrating and have Hastings Museum stopped to feed and rest. Night Heron Squacco Heron Some birds spend the Little Bittern Winter here. On this eviEastern Little Bustard Ferruginous Duck dence, and subsequent good Sociable Plover record keeping, many of Killdeer the species dropped from Great Snipe Slender-billed Curlew the British List because of Collared Pratincole Mr Bristow’s activities, Slender-billed Nutcracker have been readmitted.It Wallcreeper Isabelline Wheatear seems unlikely that quite so White-spotted Bluethroat many ‘rarities’ turned up in Red-spotted Bluethroat East Sussex during George Tawny Pipit Great Grey Shrike Bristow’s lifetime, but his Lesser Grey Shrike skills as a taxidermist canRose-coloured Starling not be denied, and evidence Pine Grosbeak Two-barred Crossbill of his work can still be seen Red-footed Falcon today in The Hastings Ivory Gull Museum and Art Gallery in White-winged Black Tern Whiskered Tern Bohemia Road. Gull-billed Tern Justification enough perGolden Oriole haps, for a blue plaque in Indian Golden Oriole Glossy Ibis Silchester Road. 25

Bohemia Walled Garden . . . 2 years on

Walled Garden member Daniella and her children in a vegetable patch

The Bohemia Walled Garden was ‘adopted’ two years ago by a group of local volunteers determined to bring it back into useful service. In August this year the Voice was kindly invited to have a look at the wonderful progress made by the Bohemia Walled Garden Association. We were kindly shown around by Bob Hart and Sue Thomson. All the pictures are by Sin Boskurt (unless otherwise stated). he first thing that strikes a visitor to the walled garden is how neat and tidy everything looks. Such a change from just two short years ago: all the scrub, brush and weeds have gone (well, most of them) and have been replaced with lawns, flower beds, vegetable patches, a beehive, composters, sheds and . . . scarecrows. It’s a wonderful tribute to what hard work, boundless enthusiasm and dogged determination can achieve. Congratulations to Sue, Bob and the team.

COMPOSTERS There are many different designs of composters around the garden (example below). A special composter uses comfrey leaves which are grown in the garden. A mysterious ‘green cone’ which looks like an upturned bucket, is in fact a composter which will tackle cooked food – when we opened it for a look, a hundred flies flew out. There’s a wormery which consists of a small stack of plastic trays: the worms live on kitchen waste and old (cont. p 28)

LAWN The walled garden now boasts a very pleasant lawn; it is used as a greetings area near the entrance and for social events and can accommodate a large marquee. A lot of very hard work went into preparing the lawn area: it was a mass of tangled brambles and young oak, sycamore & birch trees. Once cleared of vegetation, the ground had to be dug over several times to rid the soil of weeds & tangled roots. It was then levelled with spades and rakes … and finally strewn with grass seed. Among the many plants spotted on our tour were giant (12ft) sunflowers, sweet corn, spinach, poppy, rudbeckia, cosmos, beetroot and chard, rhubarb, squash, strawberries and oregano. 26

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Bohemia Walled Garden

St Paul’s School and St Mary, Star of the Sea both use the garden: each has a 30m2 plot. We counted no less than six scarecrows in the garden – most are made by children and give the garden a friendly feel. Although no crows were seen, Sue Thomson says “Unfortunately the scarecrows have not kept the pigeons out”.

Sally Hick rents a small plot, even though she’s got a house with a garden “It’s just so much easier to grow stuff here – my garden at home is shaded, here everything just shoots up. I try to get here at least once a week”. There are about 40 individual plots, from 7 to 20 square metres. Users pay £1 per square metre per year. The members of the BWGA have their own patch which is worked by anyone and everyone for the benefit of the group. Unfortunately, at present, there are no spaces left; but there is a waiting list. Money from plot rents is used to pay the insurance, etc.

The slave trade

Squash

Poppy

Lesley Bruce in vegetable During a Heritage Open Day, patch. Courgettes, runner a pirate scarecrow decided beans, strawberries, onions, to give up his pole for a bit of pole-dancing and have a sweetcorn, yellow vine tomawhirl with a BWGA member, toes, red tomatoes, squash, beetroot and round beans Michel Guille. were all seen on our vist. [photo: Vanessa Saunders] BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

he walled garden (writes Bob Hart) was originally used mainly as a fruit garden with vegetables being grown in a separate area above the garden, nearer the original house. I believe there used to be greenhouses near the present Horntye Park Sports Centre’s all-weather pitch. On the inside of the walled garden are a huge number of metal eyes and even some remaining wire – used for training fruit-bearing bushes. The Brisco family was connected with Summerfields and Bohemia House. They were very wealthy, their money coming from the slave trade: Wastel Brisco had 500 registered slaves, all working on sugar plantations at St Kitts in the Caribbean. The Brisco family originally had a family seat at Crofton Hall, Thursby in Cumberland that was owned without a sale for 500 years. The junior branch of the family came to Sussex, and Bohemia House (Summerfields House) at Bohemia & Coghurst Hall at Ivy House Lane, were their estates in this area. This branch of the Brisco family passed on without issue and several are buried at Church-in-theWood. Other Brisco family, up to the 9th Baronet, became farmers in New Zealand and the USA. Unlike other wealthy families, like Brassey & North, they did not contribute to the quality of life of local people and the number of legal disputes recorded must have taken up a lot of time. The closure of the footpath from the town to the house and an erection of a wall to keep out the riff-raff was typical. One of the last to survive was Sarah Brisco who did make a number of small bequests of a few thousand pounds to local charitable organisations out of her £161,507 gross estate in 1901.

Bohemia Walled Garden (from p 26)

newspaper, producing a liquid manure which drips down to a collecting tray at the bottom. The liquid is spread on the garden as fertilizer. There are several wooden composters and a few plastic ones. There’s also a large wire cage for fallen leaves. The composting site/paraphernalia was paid for by a £500 grant from the ESCC, to support responsible use of natural resources and recycling. URINAL Bob is keen to see a simple urinal established in the southeast corner of the garden (the prevaIling wind is westerly). “It’ll be simplicity itself”, says Bob, “a pile of straw behind a plain privacy screen; men will pee directly onto the straw, women can use ‘pee-mates’, like the ones used at festivals”. Periodically straw is added to the compost material. Sue added “Initially we had wanted a composting toilet, which would require considerable planning & expense. Then we considered the straw bale option. Our most recent idea is to have a screen and simply use a bucket. This way every user would be responsible for themselves, by emptying the liquid contents directly onto some composting vegetation. Although the straw is good in principle, it requires some member to remove it & position it onto the compost. Any volunteers?” After a lively committee meeting in August, a compromise was reached: there will be both a bale of straw and a bucket – what a relief. WALLS A large hole has been bricked up by HBC, but a missing section of wall in the south-east corner has not yet been attended to. The cost of repair of the wall, requiring 10,000 bricks, is estimated as at least £70,000 including VAT and a contingency sum. This section is thought to have been brought down in 1987 by a fallen tree, during the great storm. The temporary ‘Heras’ fencing seems to be doing a good job, keeping out those who have no business in the garden. Bob: “About a year ago, some vandals broke in and stole a few tools and scarecrows – now the fence has been strengthened and we don’t keep any tools or anything of value on the site”.

BWGA secretary Sue John Humphries (left) and BWGA chairman Bob Hart. Thomson collecting beans The Bohemia Walled Garden Association Membership of the BWGA is free. Sue Thomson (bohemiawga@yahoo.co.uk), Bob Hart (01424 720993. 07712 591315. bob.hart@yahoo.co.uk). Bohemia Walled Garden Association, c/o Bohemia Village Voice, 79, Bohemia Road, St Leonards, Sussex, TN37 6RJ. www.bohemiawga.weebly.com 28

Anne B weeding. Note the reed screen in the corner: this hides a working beehive. The bees have been given this sheltered spot in the corner, which is not too hot or exposed to winds. The screen forces the bees to fly up & out, above the heads of people. Sisters Rebecca and Leonie Nolan look after the bees.

Chris M carrying water. This can be collected from a pond conveniently situated just outside the entrance to the garden. There are also a couple of sheds in the garden and run-off from these is collected in a pair of large tanks.

Daniella (left) with Chris M. Note the new section of specially made moulded coping stones replaced by Booker & Best (commissioned by HBC). Without the coping stones, the wall quickly becomes damaged through rain. BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

Bohemia Village Voice Grand Bohemia 2011

Short Story Competition

£250 first prize £100 second prize. £50 third prize

Closing date 31st December 2011 Open to all. 600 words max. £3 per entry Supported by

Bookman’s Halt SALMONS BOOKSHOP

St Leonards Writers

Bohemia Village Voice, 79, Bohemia Road, St Leonards, Sussex, TN37 6JQ 01424 430460 www.bohemiavillage.com editor@bohemiavillage.com You can also download this poster and entry form from our website: www.bohemiavillage.com

Bohemia Village Voice Short Story Competition 2011

Entry Form

To: Short Story Competition, Bohemia Village Voice, 79, Bohemia Road, St Leonards, Sussex, TN37 6JQ Closing date: 31 Dec 2011 o (please tick) I am making payment of £3 per entry. o I agree to have my story/stories published by the Bohemia Village Voice in its printed magazine, in an anthology (if published) and on the Bohemia Village Voice website. o In order that my work may be judged anonymously, I have ensured that my name and contact details do not appear anywhere on my printed submission(s) or email version(s). o The story/stories I have entered has/have not been previously published. o It is/they are all my own work and is/are less than 600 words. I understand stories may be on any subject and written in any style. o I have read and agree to abide by the rules and requirements as printed below. Name Address

Postcode Telephone number(s) email Title of entry Signed Payment enclosed

Date Method of payment

Please see below for methods of payment.

Rules and requirements 1. Prizes first prize will be £250, second prize £100 and third prize £50. No competitor may win more than one prize. Prizes will be sent by post to the winning entrants early in 2012. The list of prize-winners will be displayed on our website and published in the Bohemia Village Voice. 2. Entry fee there is an entry fee of £3 for each story submitted. Authors may enter as many stories as they like. Should the total entry fees received exceed the total prize money, the balance will be donated to the Bohemia Walled Garden Association. 3. Closing date for receipt of entries is 31st December 2011. 4. Submission postal copies will be accepted but it is much preferred that entries be sent as emails (editor@bohemiavillag.com). Each submission must be accompanied by an entry form. The competition is open to anyone, of any age, from anywhere in the world (except anyone employed by the Bohemia Village Voice). Entrants’ names should only appear on the entry form and not anywhere on their stories/manuscripts. The stories/manuscripts should be free of all personal information about the author – this includes name, age and address. The maximum length of submissions is 600 words. There is no minimum length. Stories may be on any subject and are welcome in any style. Entries will not be returned – please keep a copy. No corrections or alterations can be made after receipt. Online entries will be acknowledged by email. 5. Postal entries will only be accepted as printed typescripts, in any style of layout. Please send to The Short Story Competition 2011, Bohemia Village Voice, 79, Bohemia Road, St Leonards, Sussex, TN37 6JQ. If you require acknowledgement of receipt of your postal entry then please enclose a stamped addressed postcard marked ‘Acknowledgement’.

For office use p

6. Disqualification entry implies an acceptance of all the Bohemia Village Voice Short Story Competition rules. Entries that fail to comply with the rules and requirements will be disqualified. Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must not have been previously published or broadcast or placed in another writing competition. Any entry found to have been plagiarised will be disqualified. 7. Cancellation any entrant wishing to withdraw a story from the competition before the closing date of 31st December 2011 will receive a full refund. 8. Judging early in 2012 copies of all entries will be submitted to a panel of judges chosen by the Bohemia Village Voice. The stories will be marked with a number only ensuring that the authorship will be unknown to the judges. The judges’ decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries. 9. Publishing all entrants give permission to have their work published in the Bohemia Village Voice magazine or any anthology of short stories published by the Bohemia Village Voice, in both print and online formats. Authors will retain worldwide copyright on their work. 10. Payment may be made by any of these methods: o CHEQUE please make our cheques to ‘Bohemia Village Voice’. o CASH please call at our office to make cash payments. Payment by o BACS our bank details are: a/c name ‘Bohemia Village Voice’. A/c no: 71359843. Bank: HSBC. Sort code: 40-40-09.

You can also download the poster and this entry form from our website: www.bohemiavillage.com

Letters

Bohemia Village Voice 79 Bohemia Road St Leonards Sussex TN37 6RJ (editor@bohemiavillage.com)

St Leonards Spa Town

Dear Sir – with reference to your item on ‘St Leonards Spa Town’ [issue 78, Aug 2010], this was quite a significant picture [right] for me - as it is where I was married! When St Leonards Parish Church was destroyed by a V1 flying bomb on July 29th 1944, the congregation had to find somewhere to meet, and the following day a service was held in the ballroom of Marine Court. A collection was taken to start a re-building fund. The amount given was £7.8s.9d !! From there to the church primary school in Mercatoria and from there to the building in West Hill Road, which was converted into our ‘emergency church’. My wife and I were married there on Sat 25 July 1954. Finally from there to the newly-built church on the Marina in St Leonards. . Richard Harrison, St Leonards.

Ron’s House Dear Sir – re the demolition [last year] of the little house built between Silverstone Court and the old dancing school in London Road. It is a story of one man’s perseverance and endeavour. Ron Haffenden lived with his family in Aldborough Road. His main interest was gardening, with his father. They acquired the plot between London Road and Upper Clarence Road and gardened it. Ron used to talk about building a bungalow on the site with his dad – but we thought it was only talk. After his parents died he started collecting the materials and tools he thought he would need and storing them in the garage-cumshed on the site. A small cement mixer was the biggest piece of equipment he used on the whole project. He started casting blocks, some of which when tested for strength exceeded all expectations. As it was a two-level site, he had to build a large retaining wall between the garden and where the house was to be built. Next it was digging out the footings – all done on his own with pick and shovel. Then he offered to rewire my house – which he did on his own. This was obviously to learn the electrics he needed for his own project. Slowly the walls went up to first floor level and then that floor was laid, enabling him to continue building without scaffolding. Many of his materials were recycled: a girder came from the Silverhill Picture House and the fine front door from a shop at the Harrow. In fact, the only things to my knowledge he didn’t make, other than doors, were the window frames and staircase. When it came to the roof, this was one of the strongest, and to my mind finest, on any house in Hastings. He had little knowledge about joinery, so he borrowed building encylopedias from me, read it up, BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12

and then built the roof! In all the time of this building, Ron still did the garden and tended his greenhouse. Sadly he didn’t live to a ripe old age, but he did have several happy years in what we shall always know as Ron’s House. It seemed to take most of the ‘70s to build. Sadly it is now no more, a memorial to one man’s effort – destroyed by developers. Vic Chalcraft, Aldborough Road.

Group of Seven Dear Sir – I know about the Group of Seven artists [‘Voice’ Aug 2011] because for the last 8 years I have been going out to Canada to go with my brother into the ‘wilderness’ camping and canoeing. The joke with my family is that I’m doing my Grey Owl bit. But in truth, once you get out onto the lakes and rivers it is marvellous. Algonquin National Park is the nearest to Toronto and very accessible. At the portage store you can hire all camping equipment, maps, etc – they even pack food for however many days you want! I will certainly go to the exhibition later this year. Colin Payne, St Catherine’s Close, St Leonards.

Not another takeaway place? Dear Sir – I’m referring to the opening of yet another fast food outlet. Who keeps these places going with their business? We certainly don’t! Doesn’t anyone do any cooking around here? Why can’t someone tell Bohemia residents that we are just about to have a John Lewis or similar? Always the cheap and dreggy shops and takeaways! As if we haven’t just had to digest the coming of depressing Asda. Oh well, maybe I should just give in to these places, stop feeding my children healthy food and get a Chinese every night – then at least we’d fit in with the rest of Hastings and St Leonards and be massively obese! Oh that reminds me, I must `jack my job in’ and ‘sign on’ instead! OK, this may sound a little negative towards our area – but it isn’t such a bad place really, it just becomes worse when we constantly add more tat! Do we not want to attract a more diverse type than just ‘chavs’? Imogen Pybus, St Peter’s Road.

Sooty We the undersigned wish to protest about Sooty’s appointment as editor [Sooty was guest editor of our last issue]. Why was this job not advertised giving all bears the opportunity to apply for the post? (Signed) Paddington Bear, Rupert Bear, Teddy Bear, Pooh Bear, Yogi Bear, Fozzie Bear, Koala Bear, Biffo the Bear, Grizzly Bear, Polar Bear, The Three Bears. Sooty couldn’t bear being away from show business and is currently doing a panto season. – Ed. Panagram answers 1. Sinatra. 2. Artisan. 3. Tsarina 31

Crest House Charming Residential Care Home Crest House Care Home has been privately owned and managed by mother-and-daughter team Jo and Lisa since 1987. Our philosophy at Crest House is to create an environment in which residents feel at home. We offer care, comfort, respect and dignity within an environment that is safe and believe in family values and individual choice. l Single & double rooms – all rooms with en-suite facilities l Passenger lift to all floors l External wheelchair access l Two Victorian conservatories l Short-term (respite) care l Visiting chiropodist, optician & hairdresser l Arranged activities and entertainment l A good quality outcome for all awarded by the Care Quality Commission

l Your local neighbourhood care home l Telephone in all rooms l Short-term care available l Dedicated and trained staff l Under same management since 1987 l Home-cooked excellent meals l Special diets accommodated l Preferred provider to East Sussex Social Services

Contact Jo Crawford or Lisa Willard on: 01424 436229 St Matthew’s Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0TN 32

BOHEMIA VILLAGE VOICE 81 – WINTER 2011-12