2006 12 web posts
Bohemia Village Voice
Edited and published by John L Humphries at 79, Bohemia Road, Bohemia Village, Sussex, TN37 6RJ. Tel. 01424 446759. e-mail: john@johnhumphries.f2s.com Proof reader John E Humphries. First published May 2006. © John… Read more
Bohemia Remembered part 5
In part 5 of extracts from his forthcoming book, Vic Chalcraft remembers some of the old street names – and the tollgate. Vehicle owners would have paid the toll-keeper to access the next stretch of road. The wood fence on the left (pictured) is… Read more
Puzzle Corner- Puzzle 44
This week’s puzzle – £10 prize This week’s puzzle is fairly simple: who was George Monger and what is his connexion with Bohemia? Please send answers to 79, Bohemia Road, Bohemia, Sussex, TN37 6RJ, by Saturday 3rd Feb 2007. The first correct… Read more
Puzzle Corner 43 – answer
The question posed in the last issue involved matching six house names with the streets in which they occurred. The answers are: 1) ‘Captain’s Cottage’ is in Newgate Road. 2) ‘Shirley House’ is in Clarence Road. ‘Lautrec’ is in Upper… Read more
Birds-eye-view of the village
This is a view of Bohemia that most of us will never see for real. Local aerial photographer David Bowie has taken a series of close-up shots of different areas in and around Bohemia. This shot of central Bohemia shows what a crowded community we… Read more
Plans
The following applications affecting properties in Bohemia have been received recently by HBC’s Planning Dept. Full details may be obtained from, and any objections may be lodged with, Hastings Borough Council’s Planning Dept at Century… Read more
News n Booze changes hands
It is understood that there are new owners at High Spirits off-licence and newsagents. The new proprietor is believed to be Sri Lankan Mr A Thivakaran. Perhaps he will let us know what the name of the shop will be: High Spirits or News & Booze… Read more
Post Office out of the question
News this week that the Dept of Trade & Industry is suggesting that two and a half to three thousand post offices may have to close in the next few years, doesn’t bode well for Bohemia getting its post office service back. Mr Masood Iqbal,… Read more
I was married in a Bohemian Castle
Part 2 of 8 St Peter’s Road resident and technical author Richard Slater recounts his days in Bohemia. . In this second part, Richard describes the 1960s world of computers he entered and how he became a computer engineer, a job which… Read more
Lidl Snub
Our local Lidl store has shown itself to be less than courteous to this newsletter. On October 12, 2006, a polite request was sent to the chairman of Lidl, Herr Dieter Schwarz, in Neckersulm, Germany, to leave copies of this newsletter for… Read more
I went to a party
I went to a party, And remembered what you said. You told me not to drink, Mum, So I had a Sprite instead. I felt proud of myself, The way you said I would, That I didnt drink and drive, Though some friends said I should. I made a healthy… Read more
Property for sale
Here is a round up of recently advertised property in the Bohemia area. Further info from the agents. Aldborough Road. 2-bed ground and first floor maisonette, gas ch, £119,950. (Just Property. 444100). Bohemia Road. 2-bed 2nd floor flat in… Read more
Arm and a leg for broken window
How much does it cost to repair a window? “An arm and a leg,” according to Kevin Miller, general manager of Horntye Park Sports Complex. A ‘Nationwide’ cherry-picker was used this week to remove a small pane of double… Read more
Bohemia Area Association
At the December committee meeting of the Bohemia Area Association, the fixed agenda item provoked a wide ranging discussion. Following an illustrated presentation by chairperson Peter Holland, all the members agreed that the proposal for a gyratory… Read more
Mel Fisher: 1, British Gas: 0
St Peter’s Road resident Mel Fisher has had a year long battle with British Gas – and it looks like she might have won. The cheeky company tried to foist an £800 gas bill on her, but Mel fought back and with the help of Energywatch,… Read more
Drip, drip, drip at Park Rd Church
Park Road Church’s new vestibule, opened in July this year has sprung a leak – several in fact. The £170,000 extension to the front of the church, made possible by a generous donation from the Mabel Whitworth fund, has found the recent… Read more
Chain takes over chemists
Our local chemists has been sold – to a chemists chain from Folkestone. “It happened on Friday 1st December,” said resident pharmacist, Stan Steadman, “I’m a bit cross with the previous owners for keeping us in the dark… Read more
Puzzle Corner – Puzzle 43
This week’s puzzle – £10 prize The task this week is to match six house names with the six roads they’re in. The house names are 1) Captain’s Cottage, 2) Shirley House, 3) Lautrec, 4) Hell’s Corner, 5)Mallards and 6) Dennison. The… Read more
Picture Puzzle 42 – answer
Lise the Bohemian by Renoir. The question posed in the last issue was ‘Who painted the picture above and what is its connexion with Bohemia?’ The artist was French impressionist Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), and the connexion is its title, The… Read more
Bohemia Village Voice
Edited and published by John Humphries at 79, Bohemia Road, Bohemia Village, Sussex, TN37 6RJ. Tel. 01424 446759. E-mail john@johnhumphries.f2s.com Proof reader Valentine Torrington. First published May 2006. ©… Read more
Short story competition – entries pour in – well, one at least
First entry in our Ultra Short Story competition has arrived, and at just 31 words it is a very short story indeed. But, as author Vic Chalcraft claims, it does contain religion, poverty, love, class, suspense … and sex. The entire work is printed… Read more
Surviving Christmas
Can you spare time or money to help make sure the lonely and less well off have a good Christmas? ‘Surviving Christmas’ held at the YMCA on Dec 25, 26 and 27still needs volunteers – and/or funds. Contact Judith on… Read more
Ultra short story competition rules
Definition: an ultra short story is one with a maximum of 250 words; the stories can be on any subject. You can make as many different entries as you like. There is no restriction on theme or style. Stories must not have been published previously…. Read more
I was married in a Bohemian Castle
Part 1 of 8 St Peter’s Road resident and technical author Richard Slater recounts his days in Bohemia. . In this first part, he describes the world political situation he encountered on leaving university in 1963. When I graduated… Read more
Plans in the pipeline …
The following applications affecting properties in Bohemia have been received recently by HBC’s Planning Dept. Full details may be obtained from, and any objections may be lodged with, Hastings Borough Council’s Planning Dept at Century… Read more
Bohemia’s Schools Remembered
The National School in St Paul’s Road. Vic Chalcraft writes (Dec 2006) Children attending senior school could in some cases get school dinners but I can’t recall it happening in junior school, though we did have milk. Schooling was sound…. Read more
Gensing crime figures
How do Gensing crime figures compare to the rest of Hastings & St Leonards? From the beginning of October, up to November 27th, Bohemia Village Voice has been monitoring the crimes reported by Neighbourhood Watch by e-mail. During this period… Read more
Dee Jones’ 1986 Street Party
Dee Jones street party in July 1986. Were you one of the 78 people outside the North Star pub? Let us know using the numbered key. Use this numbered key to let us know if you or a friend were at the street party in July 1986. Newgate Road… Read more
Jim’s pop music history quest
Jim Proudfood – compiling a history of pop music. Jim wants your help. Jim Proudfoot, 43, of St Paul’s Road, is compiling a book of Hastings’ pop history over the last half a century and wants people who attended the various gigs to get in… Read more
2007 calendar
A complimentary 2007 Calendar should accompany this copy of Bohemia Village Voice. The picture of Bohemia was taken in October by St Leonards’ aerial photographer David Bowie. It is hoped to publish further views of Bohemia… Read more
Plans changed at Salisbury Yard
Amended plans for Salisbury Yard were approved by Hastings Council’s Planning Dept on November 8th. Permission to demolish the existing workshops and garages at Salisbury Yard and to erect five terraced houses and two commercial units was… Read more
Josephine Wilcox – Greetings from Oz
Josephine Wilcox writes (Dec 2006) Dear Sir, I would like to wish everyone in Bohemia Village a very happy Christmas . I am now a regular reader of the Bohemia Village Voice. I went to school some 50 years ago with the editor, John. We met up… Read more
Tony Beale says Hi from New Zealand
Dear Sir, Congratulations on your little newsletter, my cousin sent me a copy No 36, and I found it fascinating. I used to live in Clarence Road as a child before the war and I can well remember the alleyway at the back of the houses in Clarence… Read more
Mavis Hayward – Mystery Lady of Bohemia
“Mavis Hayward” writes (Dec 2006): Dear Sir, I would first like to thank you for your very entertaining publication you’re currently undertaking and I have to say that it is such a delight to read your Bohemia Village Voice every fortnight… Read more
The Bohemians Poetry Group
Edward Preston writes (Dec 2006) It must have been about 1975, when a new poetry group was established, known as ‘The Bohemians’. Initially, meetings were held at the Oliver Twist Tea Rooms, 63, Bohemia Road, (proprietor, Elizabeth… Read more
