new book on 1960s Thames Valley scene (will include quotes from Eel Pie Island Dharma)

On 2020-06-18, at 12:37 PM, ANDREW HUMPHREYS wrote:
   
Hi Chris
I'm an author working on a book about the Richmond and Twickenham scene of the 1960s and '70s. It covers the whole Eel Pie Island, Crawdaddy, L'Auberge scene, from about 1956 (when L'Auberge opened and Eel pie started hosting jazz) to the demolition of the hotel in 1971. While the music is at the forefront of the story, I'm also keen to ground it in the alternative cultural landscape of the time – the arts labs, squats and commune. I've read Eel Pie Island Dharma, and I'd like to quote from it if may? It might also be fun to chat, if you're willing? Maybe Skype or Zoom or something similar? I've almost finished the first draft of the book and am now working on the final chapter, which cover the years of the commune, hence me getting in touch with you now. It will be published later this year.

I hope to hear from you.
Best wishes,
Andrew Humphreys



Hi Andrew,

Thanks for contacting me - it makes my day when someone expresses an interest in EPID and those long ago crazy days of the 1960s  ;  )-

You have my permission to quote whatever you wish from Eel Pie Island Dharma. Just make sure I and my publisher, Hidden Brook Press, are given credit. I've cc'ed my publisher, Tai Grove of Hidden Brook Press, on this so he's aware.

I've also cc'ed Weed, whose memoir of the commune is included in EPID. He may be an even better resource than I on the cultural history of the commune.

I've also cc'ed two Twickenham playwrights, Tom and Sam, who have completed a first draft of a movie script based on EPID.

Of course I'd be most willing to natter your ears off about my time on the island. I'm not the most techy of people, so I don't use skype or zoom - in fact I just have a very old-fashioned landline. Tom and Sam found a way to cheaply connect with me long distance, so that may be the best way to chat.

Have you read the hardcover book, Eel Pie Island, by Michele Whitby and Dan Van Der Vat?

Best wishes for your book - the Thames Valley scene was a very magickal time and place! 

peace,
Chris



Hi Chris
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly and with such positivity. To be sure I will fully credit your book and Hidden Brook Press, and hopefully some people who read my book might be directed to yours to find out more. I'd love to hear from Weed, and have him on my list of people to contact. Similarly, Tom and Sam, I'd be very curious to hear more about your project. I do know Michele's excellent book and I'm in touch with her – where mine differs is that it places Eel Pie in context and talks about what else was going on around the area, like the Richmond Arts Workshop (and its inspiration in the Drury Lane Arts Lab), the L'Auberge scene, the local art schools, and so on. I'll look into how to make cheap international phonecalls and get back to you shortly on that – it would be fascinating to chat.
More soon.