1970s

West Ham 1964 FA Cup Winners’ Bus Parade – Newly Discovered Home Movie (1)
While searching through some old cine-films we came across this footage of the West Ham 1964 FA Cup Winners’ Bus Parade. It was filmed by artist and amateur film-maker Ron Beauchamp who was a resident of Bohemia from 1998-2001. Most of the footage… Read more

Hastings Carnival 1976 – Newly Discovered Home Movie (1)
While searching through some old cine-films we found this footage of Hastings Carnival from 1976, filmed by Ron Beauchamp in 8mm Super-Scope. All of the footage is included in this video. There is no sound. Running time 7 minutes 30… Read more
Stella R Webb – On Becoming a Grandparent (1979)
ON BECOMING A GRANDPARENT First, you tell your friends and neighbours There’s to be a little one – Then there’s planning, knitting, buying, For – maybe – your first grandson. He’s arrived, and… Read more
Helen Holmes – A Phantasy (1979)
A PHANTASY The Sea, whose sister is the Moon, Reflects her beauty as her own; And spirits formed of shimmering light, Go dancing down the pathway bright That leads to where the sky and sea Meet in perfect harmony. They… Read more
Helen Holmes – The Lily Leaves (1979)
THE LILY LEAVES The moor-hen with Her dainty tread Goes walking on the lily-leaves, Which shining green Or russet red Seems like a land which fancy weaves. The water shades to inky-blue With silver bubbles… Read more
Kathleen Preston – The Way to Life (1979)
THE WAY TO LIFE Beyond the stars Past planet Mars Through outer space, Is a God, Saviour, Lord, Who we will have to face. He knows us all, And He will call Us to His Throne one day, What can… Read more
Louise Stuart – Indian Reverie
INDIAN REVERIE I gaze from my Verandah On a still and tropic morn, The garden shimmers in the heat, An Indian day is born. The HimalayanMountains, Cold, forbidding, free, Rule the far horizon In silent… Read more
Bohemian Bagatelle (1979)
Bohemian Bagatelle BOHEMIAN BAGATELLE A small collection gathered from the work of some members of the Bohemians Arts, Poetry & Social Club. Published around 1979. Original copy kindly supplied by Edward… Read more
Edward G Preston – Reflections on a Return Visit to the City
REFLECTIONS ON A RETURN VISIT TO THE CITY There’s something special about the City of London; Something nobody can put a name to; Something different about the atmosphere; But not really the atmosphere we… Read more
Mary Sarkar – Awakening (1979)
AWAKENING Body sleeps, Warmth seeps. Sun touches, Skin flinches; Cells waken, Sense makes them. Soul turns, Fire burns; Heart opens, Love… Read more
Elizabeth Preston – The Others (1979)
THE OTHERS People are different, we’re not all the same, Amongst us the cripples, the blind and the lame, We take special care, help them on their way As they move around, and we meet them each day. But… Read more
H Joan Chaplin – Moonsilver (1979)
MOONSILVER A night made of magic Moonsilver and gold, A night which prophets Had often foretold. The stars shining brightly In Heaven above Brought news to the earth That God is… Read more
Kathleen Preston – Metamorphosis (1979)
METAMORPHOSIS The heat is building up. It is so hot now, I can hardly bear the heat. I think I shall have to jump out of this great cone-shaped, trembling, boiling mountain. Now what’s happening? I am floating through the… Read more
Edward Preston – He’s Coming (1979)
HE’S COMING! We’re in the 1980s, and things are looking grim To nearly ev’rybody, ‘cept those who look for Him; For He’s coming very shortly, yes, He’s coming in the clouds. He’s coming, yes, He’s… Read more
Helen Holmes – Prelude (1979)
PRELUDE He stood in the market-place of a small country town, slowly adjusting the straps of his accordion, shabbily dressed and swarthy of face, a bright handkerchief tied around his neck, and an old felt hat pushed back off his… Read more
H Joan Chaplin – Youth Passes (1979)
YOUTH PASSES I saw a face to-day Which took me back in time, Back to my carefree youth, When hopes were high And love spun fine A cobweb thread of dreams. Spin on, spin on, Sisters of… Read more
Marjorie Cole – The Cat & I (1979)
THE CAT & I After the dinner-hour, and when my children have gone about their business, I am alone with the cat. At such a time I love the cat whole-heartedly because she does not chatter, and cannot record all passing… Read more
Kathleen Preston – Trees (1979)
TREES The Silver Birch is dainty, She has a satin bark, And in the summertime She’s the home of the Lark. The leaves are small and plentiful, Scattered along the twigs, They grow so… Read more
H Joan Chaplin – Remembrance Sunday (1979)
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Do you still recall John, Tony, Paul? Those playmates of our youth, Now gone to seek Eternal Truth. We may forget awhile, Or spare a tear – or smile When thoughts of olden days Recall… Read more
Mary Sarkar – Captive (1979)
CAPTIVE I lie captive to your beauty, My mothwing joy flutters, Pinned forever to your love. If I turn my back upon you, As a moth can to the sun, You will burn me into being And bury me in light… Read more
Marjorie Cole – Rye For Children (published 1979)
RYE FOR CHILDREN, 1950 This is the place to be inquisitively young Where mill bewitched with arms upflung A great square window-space inhabits Day in, day out, And every quarter hour about The jolly little… Read more
Penny Griggs – Avalanche (1979)
AVALANCHE The sun shone brightly all evening, Brightly in the month of June. It hid behind a large white cloud, Only to re-appear as the moon. The last people had come in After their go on the… Read more
Elizabeth Preston – Blessings (1979)
BLESSINGS The trees, the flowers, the raindrops, The sun upon the sea, The waves, the sands, the starlit sky, Are beautiful to me. The snow upon the branches Of winter’s leafless trees, The… Read more
Joan Blakelock – I Shall Remember (1979)
I SHALL REMEMBER I shall remember One summer’s day. In a bleak December With skies of grey; I shall close my eyes And again behold The lovely radiance Of blue and gold. Shimmer of… Read more
Pamela Chitty – I am (1979)
I AM I am the fox that runs on the hill, I am the hounds that bay for the kill. I am the babe unborn in the womb, I am the crumbling bones in the tomb. I am the past, the future, the… Read more
Louise Stuart – The Sunday School Treat (1979)
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT Father never went to Church, but he insisted that the rest of the family did! This was no hardship to me, but my brothers and sisters often rebelled. One pleasure we had each year was the Sunday School… Read more
Louise Stuart – If I cannot see (1979)
IF I CANNOT SEE I may never see again The beauty of a woodland glen, The azure blue of summer skies, The softness of my Mother’s eyes, The beauty of a swallow’s wing, The wonder of the days of Spring, Sunshine… Read more
Joan Buchan – Greet the Day (1979)
GREET THE DAY While dew is on the grass My heavy eyelids open to the day, I hear the seagulls mewing in the morning And welcome them, for I too greet the dawn, I am not alone, for well I know, That He is with me,… Read more
Elizabeth Preston – Contemplation (1979)
CONTEMPLATION If I should die before this day is done, Before once more, the rising of the sun, If I should sleep, and from this life depart, Is everything at peace within my heart? Would I, on going from here,… Read more

Bohemia Bookshop
Photographs of Bohemia Bookshop at 116 Bohemia Road, Bohemia – kindly supplied by Joyce Letchford, July 2008. In the early 1900s, number 116 was a public house ‘Hearts of Oak’. 1. Before new roof and new upstairs windows (1970). 2. Frank… Read more

Bohemia Road 1905 and 1974
Photographs of Bohemia Road, Bohemia – kindly supplied by Joyce Letchford in July 2008. The photographs are as below. The notes were supplied by Joyce Letchford. 1. Bohemia Road – about 1905. Greetings card manufactured by Edward Southey Photo… Read more

Alexandra Park 1970 – 1972
Photographs kindly supplied by Joyce Letchford, July 2008. 1. By the lakes, 1970. 2. By the lakes, May 1971. 3. Bluebell woods, Park Road, May 1972. 4. View of Park Road, 1972. ‘Beginnings of a fascination for trees. Kept me in… Read more

Butler’s Emporium 1971
Photograph of Butler’s Emporium, Bohemia – kindly supplied by Joyce Letchford in July 2008. Mrs Butler and her sister are to be seen at the side of the shop in Salisbury Road. The photograph was taken in Jan 1971. Butler’s Emporium, Bohemia… Read more