Homelessness

 

Dr. Jones, who has worked on the Strand for more than twenty years, tells stories of people and animals on this street in the past and nowadays.

Strand Lines

This recording was made on 16th May 2011 at the Connection by Michael and "Stan" who both interviewed Stuart, AKA "Chelsea". Stuart's footprint together with the words "Jocks on tour" can be seen at stop 4 on the Rags and Riches walking tour. Stuart talks about coming to London, becoming a carer and ending up homeless. He also talks about his volunteering work with the Simon community and the importance of giving something back.

The Strand is my land; he said as he raised his hand, no its mine she says, as she clutches onto her handbag, Georgians, Victorians and Dukes have all ruled the famous area, during the good and the bad times. The groups of homeless people, who are sometimes forgotten, have also claimed it as their own.

Collage created by the Rags and Riches Walking Group with Lucy and Luce on 18th April 2011

Down and out

Sleeping rough

To survive on the streets

You have to be tough

Looked upon with contempt Read more »

My son Cosmo Davenport-Hines was an undergraduate studying English and film at King’s on the Strand from 2005 until 2008. His tutors there have told me that he was a brilliant pupil in his first two years. His zest, his piercing intuitions, his leadership among his contemporaries, his gentle percipience about people, the arresting and precise way he spoke, his wittiness – all these were for a time undiminished in seminars. He was an omnivorous reader, who found joy in many kinds of literature, from Shakespeare’s sonnets down to Bill Burroughs. Read more »

This postcard was sent to the Strandlines team by the reindeer in February 2011. Click on the image, then on the link 'Original', to see a larger version.

This was my second session leading the creative writing group at the Connection at St Martins.

The previous week I met Judith Chernaik, who, with poets, has selected poems for display on London's Underground. Over 300 poems have been displayed on the Tube since the 'Poems on the Underground' programme was launched in 1986. Judith kindly donated some 'Poems on the Underground' leaflets to the Strandlines project; hoping the poems enclosed might provide our communities with some inspiration for writing. Read more »