Bohemia Village Voice

Halloween Costumes at Cheap and Cheerful

BUSINESS IN BOHEMIA – we all know that the number of shops in Bohemia is steadily diminishing … or do we? The Voice decided last year to survey our shops and offices to find out. We compiled a list of the business use of property in Bohemia Road and London Road in October last year and again in October this year. The results are surprising … and encouraging. Although several businesses closed, others opened up and the overall effect was: no change. The actual figures are:  

 AREA  EMPTY SHOPS OFFICES TOTAL
 Bohemia Road  15 45 14 74 
 London Road  9 35 0 44 
 Total  24 80 14 118 
 Total (%)  20% 68% 12% 100%

DANE ROAD – planning permission was granted on 10 Oct 2008 by HBC Planning Dept to Belvedere Estates Ltd in relation to 27 Dane Road. The proposed work includes the demolition of the existing chalet bungalow and detached garage and redevelopment of the site to erect twelve flat units with associated amenity and car parking areas and site landscaping.
LONDON ROAD – a garden shed was broken into in London Road and three drills were stolen. One was a Spear and Jackson cordless drill, a rotary drill of  unknown make and a Kango hammer drill. To date (11 Nov) they have not been recovered. The incident happened sometime between Wed 5th and Thurs 6th November. If you can help contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting reference 859 of the 6th Nov.
BOHEMIA ROAD – planning permission was granted on 30 Sep to Mr D Nolan of 148 Bohemia Road. The original application had been amended from two, one-bedroom flats to one, 2-bed flat at the same address. The reasons given for granting the application were that ‘There will be no material harm to the neighbourhood in general or to adjoining residents in particular’.
BRITTANY ROAD – an application for planning consent was registered on 29 Oct for vertical slate hanging at second floor level beneath the slate elevation of a mansard roof at 2a Brittany Road. The applicant was Mr Morgans of Burgess Hill, West Sussex.
BOHEMIA ROAD – planning consent was refused on 29 September for conversion to a single dwelling house at 111 Bohemia Road. The premises are currently used by Opera South East. The applicant was the Magdalen & Lasher Charity of the Old Town, Hastings. Reason for refusal was given as ‘The proposal is in conflict with Hastings Local Planning 2004 and 2007, which seeks to resist the loss of a traditional shopfront or details of architectural or historic interest’.
ORGANIST – local resident Alexander Jonathan Bruce from Combermere Road became a professional organist in 1995 and has been the church organist at St Luke’s since 2002. He is available for weddings and other social occcasions. Tel: 425733.
BOHEMIA CLUB – about 20 people attended a party to mark the closing down of the Bohemia Club as a private members club recently. The event raised £97 for St Michael’s Hospice. The Bohemia Club had been running as a private members club for over a hundred years, still in the original premises. Treasurer Vic Chalcraft regretted the end of an era, but said, “It’s a sign of the times.” The club is now going to be run as a snooker club by Clifford Pearse, who owns Cliffords Automobiles, the garage beneath the Bohemia Club premises in Upper South Road.
HALLOWE’EN – ghouls, ghosties and witches  [picture] attended a  fancy-dress party at Cheap   and Cheerful on Friday 31st October. “About thirty-six children came, mostly with their mums,” said Alison Ansell, who arranged the event at her shop in Bohemia Road. “There wasn’t room in the shop for everyone, so lots of the mums stood outside.  All the curtains were twitching opposite and people saying, ‘What’s going on over there?’ ”  First prize for the best fancy dress was a gold skeleton, and there were also second and third prizes. The competition was judged by street bobby Andy Hubbard, who said, “All were scarily amazing, with the children showing a tremendous effort all round.” All the children were given sweets and treats to take home.
LONDON ROAD – outline planning permission was given on the 28th October for demolition of the existing houses and erection of 22 flats at 347-349 London Road. The applicant was Mr Rumary c/o CLM Planning, Bexhill. the reason given for approval was ‘Having regard to local plan policy and to all other material considerations and taking account of comments and objections from local residents (and other interested parties) the proposed development/use is considered to be acceptable in principle. There will be no material harm to the neighbourhood in general or to adjoining residents in particular’. 
SIX-A-SIDE FOOTBALL – a new 6-a-side football league is being formed in Hastings and our local street bobby Andy Hubbard is the man to contact if you want to know more. Hastings Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, youth organisations and Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club are launching the 6-a-side football invitation league for youngsters (male and female) aged between 12 and 14 and between 15 and 17 years old. The project is open to all and is planned to commence in January 2009 with matches being played on Friday evenings through to June 2009, with the season culminating in a tournament in July. Three teams will be selected and invited to participate in a tournament organised by Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club in August. o PCSO Andy Hubbard (0845 60 70 999 ext 21185, e-mail andrew.hubbard@sussex.pnn.police.uk
EASY BUILDERS – a building business opened at 72 Bohemia Road. Easy Builders & Sons offer ‘new builds, conversions, refurbishments, property maintenance, painting and decorating, kitchens, fascias and guttering’. Tel: 01424 721890 and 07532 292213.
ST MATTHEW’S GARDENS – the planning application made by Ms N Ahya of Epsom, Surrey to continue using the first floor of 11 St Matthew’s Gardens to provide out of school/holiday club for children 0-16 years was granted on 7th November. One of the conditions included: ‘Not more than 20 children between the ages of 4 and 16 years shall attend the clubs at any one time’.
SNAKE & SYDNEY – a hot, tasty dish ‘Snake & Sydney’ is being served at the Dripping Spring pub in Tower Road. Delicious, of course, but not much snake in it … or Sydney.
CHRISTMAS TREAT – local physiotherapist Margaret Blurton has many years’ experience at Bexhill Hospital outpatients, and can now offer hands-on treatments at your home for relief from neck, back, shoulder, knee pain etc, “wear & tear”, sports injuries, mobility issues.  Give a treat(ment) for Christmas!  Margaret: 07519 039969.
TOWER ROAD WEST – a planning application was registered 23 October for the removal of the existing rear conservatory and the rebuilding of a larger structure at 44 Tower Road West. The applicants were A Stoddart & Ms S Grant of the same address.
PARCEL DELIVERY SCAM – a card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call. If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072 396 655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk
SEDLESCOMBE ROAD NORTH – HBC’s Planning Dept granted permission on 3rd November for work at the garages, rear of 135 Sedlescombe Road North. The application, made by Mr P Newland was to widen the existing garage to link to an adjacent garage and to raise the level of the roof and extend the width.
FACTORY OUTLET – a new business, Factory Outlet (UK) Ltd, opened in November at 91 Bohemia Road selling adults’ shoes, ladies’ handbags, framed pictures, electronic items, gifts and other items. Tel: 429491.
TOWER ROAD – planning application was registered 27 October for change of use to a single private dwelling at 28 A/B Tower Road. The applicant was Mr John Anderson of the same address.
SEDLESCOMBE ROAD NORTH – planning permission was granted, 29 Sept to Mr Moreley in relation to 179 Sedlescombe Road North. The proposed work is a ground floor extension at rear of property.
SPRINGFIELD ROAD – planning permission was granted on 17 Oct for a proposed driveway at the front of the property and modification to the rear of the property. Reasons included ‘There will be no material harm to the neighbourhood in general or to adjoining residents in particular. The character and amenity of the Conservation area will not be adversely affected.’
THE GREEN – planning permission was granted 2nd October in relation to Flat 2, 26 The Green for replacement of 3 x ground floor windows in upvc to match the remainder of the windows. The applicant was Stan Small of Langham Estates, Robertsbridge.

Easy Builders

Margaret Blurton