During the 1980s, The Review was produced in a smaller format and was edited by Hazel Leonard, who is still a member. The front cover used to carry a pen sketch of a local view or building by the noted local artist Tony Goodchild. He produced these pictures for about five years. He found they were very easy to draw, and he often gave them away.
Tony has kindly given WBRA this newly drawn sketch of the old cottage hospital, now part of Beckenham Beacon.
The old cottage hospital now part of Beckenham Beacon
He has sketched and painted in water colours many churches all over the country, where they are often used in making notelets for the church to sell to raise funds.
Tony has lived in West Wickham since 1961, but he was originally an Elmers End boy. He went to Marian Vian School until he was 15, and then for two years at Beckenham School of Art, which was next to Beckenham Library until it was destroyed by an asonist. He then worked for a company off Fleet Street which produced art work for many different publications. After National Service in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps he was in advertising until made redundant. An opening was offered to him as artst in residence at Grove Park Hospital, where he enjoyed teaching Art, Calligraphy and Woodwork.
Tony is now 80 and still painting, especially historic buildings all over Europe while on holiday with his wife, Barbara. He has been a member of West Wickham Art Club for 50 years, and is also a member of Beckenham and Bromley National Trust, producing front cover illustrations of historic buildings for the Trust Newsletter.
Alan Freeman