Have you heard of the Speak Their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt?
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight ‘Speak Their Name’ Suicide Memorial Quilt is a beautiful ongoing piece of art, created with love in memory of people lost to suicide by their bereaved friends and family. This project has been inspired by the quilts made in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire.
After 6 years’ research, Chandler’s Ford resident Sohail Husain has published this remarkable book – Beyond Beliefs.
Beyond Beliefs is an incredible true story of a German refugee, an Indian migrant and the families left behind.
Now you can Meet the Author Sohail Husain, on Monday 24th June, at Dovetail Cafe at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, from 2pm to 4pm.
This epic memoir recounts the compelling and extraordinary tale of Sohail’s parents and grandparents, whose lives were engulfed by four momentous events of the 20th century: the First World War, the Great Depression, the Partition of India and the Holocaust.
His parents were separated by birthplace, race, faith, language and age, but their common experience of unimaginable loss and upheaval ultimately brought them together in London.
Their love story was complicated and unconventional, but enduring. It is a testament to human spirit overcoming tragedy and adversity. [Read more…] about Beyond Beliefs by Sohail Husain: The Incredible True Story of a German Refugee, an Indian Migrant and the Families Left Behind
Once again Fryern Funtasia was held during the May Bank Holiday Monday, at Fryern Recreation Ground. Did you have a good time? Yes we did despite the rain.
You can imagine the organisation of this event was a mammoth task and it was so wonderful to see so many people and animals, and so many stalls, games, and activities.
Some children sang some songs about the ‘sunshine’ and don’t we love these children from Fryern schools?
Thanks to Chandler’s Ford Parish Council and Event sponsors – TMT Legal Services are supporting this year’s event, along with
National Lottery Community Fund,
Infinity Playgrounds,
Dripool Ltd,
Vitaplay
and A&A.
(Source – Chandler’s Ford Parish Council)
Below are some photos taken before the rain. Let’s start with some animals –
Have you been to Fryern Funtasia today? I hope you have enjoyed this event. This morning I went to Fryern Recreation Ground for a quick visit and this place has brought back some very fond memories. I used to go there with some of my friends and our children, but now our children have left home and my friends were elsewhere, so it did feel quite different and I even felt a tiny bit meloncholic. However it was wonderful to see some friendly faces, beutiful owls, really fluffy dogs, and lots of happy children. It was very lovely to see many local groups such as Scouts, Girlguiding, Boys’ Brigade, Lions Club, Stroke support group, Churches Together….. local businesses such as Peter Green and Gair Gas and many others.
A group of us took the train to London last Sunday Morning, the day before the Queen’s funeral. We were very lucky that day as the train ran very smoothly. We bought the Super Off-Peak Return tickets, and it cost £25 for each of us. The direct train (The South Western Railway) ran from Eastleigh to London Waterloo. The train was fairly empty and we even had a whole carriage to ourselves. We all felt rather excited about this adventure as it was our first trip to London since the pandemic. Well I guess you might be asking, ‘How was the Queue?’ We didn’t go to London for ‘that’ queue, however we did see the queue of the queue of the queue and it was quite remarkable.
[Read more…] about A Special Trip to London Before the Queen’s Funeral
Did you know there is a Community Food Larder in Chandler’s Ford? It is located by the front door to the Hall of the Methodist Church facing Winchester Road. There are basic food and toiletries for anyone who just need a bit of help.
The cupboard is unlocked, and is open 24/7. If you need anything, or if you know of anyone who may need some help, please come to the larder and help yourself.
This morning I saw several church members fill up the larder, so I took a few photographs to show you what’s inside.
[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford – Community Food Larder is Open to All
Did you go and see the Platinum Jubilee Flower Festival at St Martin in the Wood Church last week? I’m glad I did. I went there at the weekend and was amazed by the talent in our parish. Members from the parish church have taken such a lot of effort to create a memorable, beautiful week, and have spread joy in the community.
Roy Lancaster and his wife Sue officially opened the event on the 21st of June.
You really don’t want to miss this show. There are still 3 shows till Saturday.
Allison Symes and my family and friends watched this on Thursday night. Amazing show; amazing music; funny and warm; lots of surprises. I last checked the website Chameleon Theatre Company and there are still some tickets left. Some of you may want to grab the tickets and I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time.
The pantomime has been moved from January to April due to Covid. This brilliant show is really worth waiting for. [Read more…] about The Chameleons – The Dragon of Wantley Till 30th April 2022. Don’t Miss This Show!
Have you been to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens recently? We went for an afternoon walk this afternoon with Chippy and his wife Annie. They also did a 10k run in Eastleigh this morning. Wondering how many steps they have done today?
We have captured some photos to share with our readers today. [Read more…] about A Walk on a Beautiful Sunny Day – Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Recently a friend shared this poem by John Roedel. What an incredible poem. It moves me so deeply.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, I hope this poem gives you hope and comfort.
In the face of war, we feel helpless. We can’t do many things. Yet we can love. We can become a force of peace in the world. Thank you John Roedel for this beautiful, eloquent poem.
[Read more…] about A Poem by John Roedel – “In the face of war, I’m so small – yet, love is so big.”
For those of you who celebrate Chinese New Year, I wish you good luck, happiness and health in the New Year.
In the past two weeks I had afternoon tea with gnome in his front garden.
[Read more…] about Year of the Tiger – Celebrating Friendship
Gucci has used real tigers in their recent adverts celebrating the Year of the Tiger. It seems the tigers have been trained or tamed to be used as props, accessories, and friendly pets. These adverts really have reminded me of the adorable tiger and his friendship with the little girl Sophie, in The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr.
In the commercial adverts, actual tigers roamed the scenes, and joined a group of friends for high tea, in various spaces of a luxurious, retro-style hotel. See this report. [Read more…] about Should Real Tigers be Used as Props?
As the Lunar New Year (Tuesday, 1 February 2022) is just around the corner, I thought I would share little stories about tiger as it’s going to the the Year of the Tiger.
In the west, the tigers I’m most familiar with are Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, and Hobbes, Calvin’s stuffed tiger and best friend. These are friendly tigers.
The tigers in the Chinese context seem to be mighty and ferocious. They are not there to ‘be kind’ or friendly.
Here is a widely known story between a fox and a tiger in the idiom 狐假虎威（hú jiǎ hǔ wēi): [Read more…] about A Story about Tiger
Updated 11.12.2021
The Dovetail Café at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church is now open 9.30 to 12noon Tuesday to Friday and from 10-12noon on Saturdays.
I was there last Saturday and really felt life has started to feel a bit ‘normal’.
Today I visited the newly opened Suki Asian Shop on Winchester Road. I’m quite impressed.
I asked the young lady Annabelle what ‘Suki’ meant. She told me it meant ‘customers’ in the Philippines. She told me her mum Jemelle ran the shop. [Read more…] about Suki Asian Shop Open – Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford
Yesterday I drove past the Fryern Arcade, and could see lots of people outside Costa Coffee.
At the Central Precinct, I also saw a tent outside Up & Running running shop. I was quite pleased, so went to check if my trainers had arrived. I had ordered a pair of trainers a week before lockdown, so have been waiting for the shop to reopen.
[Read more…] about Shops Reopening – Support Local Businesses in Chandler’s Ford
Have you heard of the Curious Café in Chandler’s Ford?
It’s open most Friday evenings at the Dovetail Centre, at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, on Winchester Road.
The Curious Café offers an informal atmosphere where you can relax, have a chat, and maybe engage in something curious.
[Read more…] about Welcome to Curious Café – Friday from 6.30pm at Dovetail Centre
The joint charities Christmas Market in Chandler’s Ford last weekend didn’t disappoint. The market is now in its 46th year, but the passion never seems to fade over time. You see the same people running the market, and you see familiar faces supporting their chosen charities and informing people about the work that they do, and why they need your donation and support. More and more visitors come to the market each year as the market is such a beautiful Chandler’s Ford Christmas tradition.
I like the warmth and friendliness of the market so much that I go there each year to see old friends, and meet friends for coffee at Dovetail Café afterwards. It’s the sort of market where you have no chance of breaking the bank, and you can buy affordable thoughtful little gifts, stocking fillers, some nice pens and notebooks, little torches, storybooks, toys, and some really good quality Christmas cards.
The market this year was opened by former Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Jane Welsh. The Joint Charities Annual Christmas Market was held at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church Hall. These were the charities that took part.
[Read more…] about Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 46th Christmas Market 2019
Many people in Chandler’s Ford marked Remembrance Sunday today by observing a two-minute silence at 11am.
Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography captured some photographs of the parade on Hursley Road, and the service this morning at the Chandler’s Ford war memorial, at St. Boniface Church, and has kindly shared these with the Chandler’s Ford community.
[Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2019
The Fairtrade shopping evening at St Martin in the Wood Church in Hiltingbury last Friday was successful and enjoyable. Many people attended and had an opportunity to buy a variety of high quality fairtrade products to support disadvantaged producers and workers in the developing world.
Fairtrade events encourage us to be ethical consumers and raise awareness of trade justice.
[Read more…] about Fairtrade Shopping Evening 2019 – Buy Fairtrade and Make a Difference
