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Janet Williams

About Janet Williams

I created Chandler's Ford Today. I use this website to share our passions and inspiring stories, to build a connected community. We inform, educate and enlighten. We share resources.

Platinum Jubilee Flower Festival at St Martin in the Wood Church

June 26, 2022 By Janet Williams 2 Comments

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.

Roy Lancaster and his wife Sue officially opened the Platinum Jubilee Flower Festival. Image from Chandler's Ford Parish Church.
Roy Lancaster and his wife Sue officially opened the Platinum Jubilee Flower Festival. Image from Chandler’s Ford Parish Church.
[Read more…] about Platinum Jubilee Flower Festival at St Martin in the Wood Church

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Tags: celebrations, Chandler's Ford Parish Council, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crafts, event, Hiltingbury, local interest, Queen's Platinum Jubilee, religion, St Martin in the Woods, St. Martin

The Chameleons – The Dragon of Wantley Till 30th April 2022. Don’t Miss This Show!

April 29, 2022 By Janet Williams 1 Comment

Showing: 22nd - 30th April 2022

You really don’t want to miss this show. There are still 3 shows till Saturday.

Showing: 22nd - 30th April 2022
Showing: 22nd – 30th April 2022

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!

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, comedy, drama, event, Hursley Road, Ritchie Memorial Hall

A Walk on a Beautiful Sunny Day – Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

March 20, 2022 By Janet Williams 2 Comments

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

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?

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

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

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Tags: days out, gardens, Hampshire, history, nature, recommendations, review, Romsey, signs of spring, spring, travel, walking

A Poem by John Roedel – “In the face of war, I’m so small – yet, love is so big.”

March 4, 2022 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay

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.

I can’t make the
world be peaceful
I can’t stall tanks
from roaring down streets
I can’t prevent children
from having to hide in bunkers
I can’t convince the news to
stop turning war into a video game
I can’t silence the sound of bombs
tearing neighborhoods apart
I can’t transform a guided missile
into a bouquet of flowers
I can’t make a warmonger
have an ounce of empathy

[Read more…] about A Poem by John Roedel – “In the face of war, I’m so small – yet, love is so big.”

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Tags: creative writing, good neighbours, hope, poetry

Year of the Tiger – Celebrating Friendship

January 31, 2022 By Janet Williams 4 Comments

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 Allison Symes, had coffee with Mike Sedgwick at Dovetail Cafe, and on Saturday, I had a Chinese New Year meal with chippy minton and his wife Annie in Eastleigh. Of course I also saw chippy’s unique gnome in his front garden.

 

gnome restoration 11
Chippy’s treasured gnome

 

Our New Year meal
Our New Year meal

[Read more…] about Year of the Tiger – Celebrating Friendship

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Tags: Chinese, Chinese New Year, community, culture, entertainment, music, tradition

Should Real Tigers be Used as Props?

January 24, 2022 By Janet Williams 2 Comments

Should real tigers be used in commercial adverts?

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.

Should real tigers be used in commercial adverts?
Should real tigers be used in commercial adverts?

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?

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Tags: Chinese, Chinese New Year, community, culture, entertainment, event, history, tradition

A Story about Tiger

January 23, 2022 By Janet Williams 7 Comments

Image of a tiger by JL G from Pixabay.

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.

Image of a tiger by JL G from Pixabay.
Image credit: Image of a tiger by JL G from Pixabay.

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

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Tags: Chinese, Chinese New Year, community, culture, entertainment, event, history, tradition

Dovetail Café at the Methodist Church: now open 9.30 to 12noon Tuesday to Friday and from 10-12noon on Saturdays

June 28, 2021 By Janet Williams 1 Comment

Dovetail Centre at the Chandler's Ford Methodist Church is an accessible, open community centre.

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’.

 

 

Dovetail Cafe at the Methodist Church in Chandler's Ford
Dovetail Cafe at the Methodist Church in Chandler’s Ford

What has changed?

[Read more…] about Dovetail Café at the Methodist Church: now open 9.30 to 12noon Tuesday to Friday and from 10-12noon on Saturdays

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, church, community, Dovetail Centre, event, local interest, Methodist Church, news, Winchester Road

Suki Asian Shop Open – Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford

June 26, 2021 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Suki Asian Store in Chandler's Ford has just opened.

Today I visited the newly opened Suki Asian Shop on Winchester Road. I’m quite impressed.

Suki Asian Store in Chandler's Ford has just opened.
Suki Asian Shop in Chandler’s Ford has just opened.
Suki Asian Store, Winchester Road, Chandler's Ford.
Suki Asian Store, Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford.

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

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Tags: celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, culture, diversity, food, local businesses, local interest, Winchester Road

Shops Reopening – Support Local Businesses in Chandler’s Ford

June 14, 2020 By Janet Williams 13 Comments

Excellent trainers from Up & Running

Yesterday I drove past the Fryern Arcade, and could see lots of people outside Costa Coffee.

Chandler's Ford Central Precinct: Keep Safe
Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct: Keep Safe

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.

Up and Running - running specialist at Chandler's Ford Central Precinct.
Up and Running – running specialist at Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct.

[Read more…] about Shops Reopening – Support Local Businesses in Chandler’s Ford

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Tags: Bournemouth Road, Central Precinct, Chandler's Ford, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, local businesses, local interest, news

Welcome to Curious Café – Friday from 6.30pm at Dovetail Centre

February 9, 2020 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

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.

Curious Cafe at Dovetail Centre, Chandler's Ford Methodist Church
Curious Cafe at Dovetail Centre, Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church

[Read more…] about Welcome to Curious Café – Friday from 6.30pm at Dovetail Centre

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, church, community, Dovetail Centre, event, local interest, Methodist Church, Winchester Road

Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 46th Christmas Market 2019

November 16, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

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.

Former Eastleigh Mayor Cllr Jane Welsh opened the 46th Christmas Market run by Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee. (Left to right): Caroline Husain, Cllr Jane Welsh, and Val Milner, chairman of the Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee.
Former Eastleigh Mayor Cllr Jane Welsh (centre) opened the 46th Christmas Market run by Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee. (Left): Caroline Husain, and on the right, Val Milner, chairman of the Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee.

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.

46th Chandler's Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market
46th Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market

[Read more…] about Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 46th Christmas Market 2019

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, Christmas, church, community, Dovetail Centre, event, fundraising, good neighbours, inspiration, Joint Charities Annual Christmas Market, local interest, Methodist Church, Winchester Road

Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2019

November 10, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

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.

Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography
Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography
Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography
Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography
Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography
Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography
Traditional parade on Hursley Road. Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography
Traditional parade on Hursley Road. Remembrance Sunday 2019, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography

[Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2019

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, history, Hursley Road, local interest, memory, Remembrance Sunday, St. Boniface Church, war memorial, World War One

Fairtrade Shopping Evening 2019 – Buy Fairtrade and Make a Difference

November 10, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

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.

A lovely fairtrade shopping experience in Hiltingbury. Image by Debbie Pearce Photography
A lovely fairtrade shopping experience in Hiltingbury. Image by Debbie Pearce Photography

[Read more…] about Fairtrade Shopping Evening 2019 – Buy Fairtrade and Make a Difference

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Tags: campaign, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crafts, Eastleigh, education, event, Fairtrade, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, local interest, religion, St. Martin, Traidcraft

Chandler’s Ford Today – All about Chandler’s Ford

September 23, 2019 By Janet Williams 10 Comments

Earlier today we published a post about politics.

After careful consideration, we have decided to take down the post – as a result, all the comments linked to the post are removed as well as they were attached to the article.

Chandler’s Ford Today aims to be a local community site, where we share local stories, history, events, and non controversial issues. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Today – All about Chandler’s Ford

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Tags: Chandler's Ford

Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

June 2, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Audrey said despite difficulties, we have to keep going.

This is a community website about Chandler’s Ford, but today we’re going to touch upon the war, knitted scarves, Clementine Churchill, and the Russians – all in this short article. So please read on.

Last week we published an article about Audrey Steele, who at the age of 90 has recently been awarded the Citizen of Honour for the Borough of Eastleigh. [Read more…] about Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

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Tags: celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, church, community, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Baptist Church, Eastleigh Borough Council, fundraising, good neighbours, inspiration, local interest

Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

May 27, 2019 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

Audrey said despite difficulties, we have to keep going.

I’m delighted to have met 90-year-old Audrey Steele recently. Audrey Steele was awarded the Citizen of Honour for the Borough of Eastleigh early this month.

Audrey has recently celebrated her 90th birthday. This award recognises the voluntary work she has done for the people in Eastleigh Borough and Brazil. [Read more…] about Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

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Tags: celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, church, community, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Baptist Church, Eastleigh Borough Council, fundraising, good neighbours, inspiration, local interest

Specsavers Opticians and Audiologists – Now in Chandler’s Ford

May 25, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

This morning at the Fryern Arcade I was surprised to see that we now have a Specsavers in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Specsavers Opticians and Audiologists – Now in Chandler’s Ford

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Information, local businesses, local interest, news, Winchester Road

Eastleigh Mayor Attended the Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford – 17 May 2019

May 18, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

The Fairtrade Fashion Show took place last night (Friday 17th May 2019) at the St Martin in the Wood church in Hiltingbury.

Tricia Urquhart, with Heather Dibb and their local network have organised the Fairtrade Fashion Show in recent years. These events have been so successful, and they bring people together. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Mayor Attended the Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford – 17 May 2019

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Tags: campaign, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crafts, Eastleigh, education, event, Fairtrade, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, local interest, religion, St. Martin, Traidcraft

An Ordinary life – Iris’ Incredible Freezer Books

May 14, 2019 By Janet Williams 4 Comments

An ordinary life - Iris' incredible freezer books

About two weeks ago, I noticed this posting on a Facebook page called Chandler’s Ford Neighbours:

“Having a big clear out and I’ve found my Nan’s old freezer book! The first entry was July 1973 and the last was Feb 2006!

She kept her freezer so organised!

It’s fascinating looking at the prices of things over the years!” [Read more…] about An Ordinary life – Iris’ Incredible Freezer Books

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, family, history, local interest, memory, storytelling, tradition, writing
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Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

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Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

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History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

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Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

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Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

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History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

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