Features
J. R. Booker - The Bard of Bozer
The website www.jrbooker.ukpoets.net includes a collection of humorous rhyming prose from J R Booker - The Bard of Bozer.
Although the verse is written in a unique fashion reflecting the local Chesterfield or North East Derbyshire dialect there are many similarities with the local Rotherham dialect - those in Sheffield and Barnsley having their own distinctive style. A number of subjects are covered in his poetry dating back to experiences in the early 1950s, through his school years and up to more recent events. The approach may occasionally be irreverant, certainly raising nostalgic memories, but the humour always shines through.
A Bolsover lad, John Booker spent his formative years in the shadow of the area’s main landmark the 17th century hilltop castle - the work of William Cavendish, grandson of the infamous Bess of Hardwick. He was the first member of his family to pass the 11 plus examination and follow an education based upon the Grammar School system. Truth is, he hated every minute of this experience as did many of his contempories at the time. The recent television programmes depicting the life and attitude of the education system bear more than a passing resemblance to true events.... Imagine a masculine young lad selected to be above his peers walking through the streets and council estates of a tough mining town dressed in his scarlet jacket and matching accessories - even a cute red cap.
Essentially he came through the experiences of an austere, post-war England carrying numerous good humoured memories of the hardships of the time. Despite a slight allowance for poetic licence his poems are largely based on true events which makes them even more poignant and meaningful.
For the benefit of any foreign visitors (or southerners) - there are many regional variations in dialect and accent throughout the UK. Aspects of the dialect in the Bolsover area of Derbyshire include the use of hard vowels and omitting the word the. The site includes a glossary/dictionary just in case you need a little help with translation
The Bard (right) on his wedding day - the good looking one on the left is his young brother Geoff.
Thanks to Andrew Neil Bridgewater for use of the black and white photos of Bolsover.
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