Chandler's Ford Today

Janet Williams

Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

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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.

Eastleigh Borough Council recognised Audrey’s excellent community work, and her contribution for the people in Eastleigh Borough and Brazil.

Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour
Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

Today I met Audrey again, and she showed me a handwritten letter sent to her in June 1942 by Clementine Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill, a cross-bench life peeress in her own right. Clementine Churchill was described as “a keen promoter of social and humanitarian causes” in this National Trust article by Eamonn Gearon.

Why did Clementine Churchill send Audrey Steele this ‘thank you’ letter? The letter was dated June 1942, sent from 10 Downing Street, Whitehall.

Audrey told me during the war she knitted scarves and mittens for the North Sea convoy.

Here is the 2-page A5 sized letter from Clementine Churchill:

Handwritten letter from Clementine Churchill to Audrey Steele in June 1942. Part 1.
Handwritten letter from Clementine Churchill to Audrey Steele in June 1942. Part 1.

[Read more…] about Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

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

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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.

Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour
Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour. Image credit: Eastleigh Borough Council.

Eastleigh Borough Council recognised the excellent community work of two local residents, Sri Kandiah and Audrey Steele. The Council conferred them with a Citizen of Honour award at the annual Mayor making meeting on the 9th of May this year. [Read more…] about Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

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

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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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An Ordinary life – Iris’ Incredible Freezer Books

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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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Fryern Funtasia 6th May 2019 in Chandler’s Ford

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Once again I spent the May Bank Holiday at Fryern Funtasia yesterday – as I did every single year in the past few years.

I really love the traditional open-space event, where I met up with a few old friends there, and soaked up some local news (or gossips) from just walking about. [Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia 6th May 2019 in Chandler’s Ford

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Charles Baynham in Chandler’s Ford

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Last weekend I bought some minced pork and local eggs from Charles Baynham, our finest butchers in Chandler’s ford.

I used the minced pork to make some Chinese dumplings for the Chinese New Year (yes it’s the Year of the Pig, as I heard you asked!)

Charles Baynham has run this friendly, traditional butcher for 40 years in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Charles Baynham in Chandler’s Ford

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Why am I Talking about Selwood’s Christmas Tree in January?

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Dear readers, please be assured that I’m not mad. It’s only January and I’m talking about Selwood’s Christmas tree – their bright, stunning tree that gives us a glimmer of hope on those endless cold, dark evenings.

While I processed a backlog of my Chandler’s Ford Today emails today, I came across an email from Richard Bright​, the owner of Selwood. [Read more…] about Why am I Talking about Selwood’s Christmas Tree in January?

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A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford

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Yesterday morning I took the 7.14 train from Chandler’s Ford to London Waterloo. The return ticket (including London Underground all zones) cost £90.

Ideally I should have taken the 6.06 train, but I wasn’t feeling safe to get to the station so early by myself. Recently I’ve heard of news about people being mugged in Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford, so was a bit more concerned. I considered driving to the station, buying tickets from the machine near the platform, but …. what if someone jumped out from nowhere and I was on my own? I also considered driving to Southampton Airport Parkway but parking would have cost £15 per day. [Read more…] about A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Chandler’s Ford Today

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Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all our writers, readers, contributors, and friends ……

It’s a brief message – I want to thank you all for writing, reading, commenting, and sharing our articles. [Read more…] about Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Chandler’s Ford Today

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Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 45th Christmas Market 2018

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As the government is in Brexit turmoil (‘near Civil War’, according to the BBC), we’re bringing you some stability here from Chandler’s Ford for a change.

The annual Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market brings the sort of stability, unity, and friendship that we all need at times of crisis. Last weekend I went to the market, as I had done so for many years, and felt warmth, joy, and a genuine sense of hope for the future. [Read more…] about Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 45th Christmas Market 2018

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Chandler’s Ford War Memorial – In Loving Memory of William Joseph Tosdevine

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I walked past Chandler’s Ford war memorial this morning and saw this wreath:

In loving memory of my great great grandfather

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial – In Loving Memory of William Joseph Tosdevine

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Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2018

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There was a rainbow in the morning and the rain stopped for the Remembrance parade and services.

At the Chandler’s Ford war memorial, a crowd of hundreds – from veterans to youth groups, families, and people of different ethnic groups – all gathered to pay their respects.

Hursley Road looked like this in 1918 (peace day celebration), and 1989. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2018

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Little Free Library on Desborough Road in Eastleigh

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Summer seems to have gone. According to the BBC, there’ll be rain for many parts tonight, torrential in places. Squally winds in the south. UK flood warnings have been issued.

This morning, however, I saw something heartwarming on my way to work.

Walking past Desborough Road in Eastleigh this morning, I stopped at a house, which has a mini free library in the front garden. [Read more…] about Little Free Library on Desborough Road in Eastleigh

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Eastleigh Remembers – Truly Memorable

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Eastleigh is marking the 100th anniversary year of the end of the first world war today. The event pays tribute to Eastleigh’s role in the First World War.

In Eastleigh this afternoon, I visited a re-enactment of a field hospital, some vintage military vehicles, and have seen great displays by charities and businesses, such as Hampshire Scouts, One Community, Defense Medical Welfare Service, British Legion, Eastleigh and District Local History Society, Eastleigh Gurkha Nepalese Association, Royal Air Forces Association, the Rotary Club, Air Cadets, Peter Green, and local author Paul Nolan. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Remembers – Truly Memorable

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A Walk for Adam – from Chandler’s Ford to Winchester Cathedral

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This morning we joined our friends Mike and Alison Standing, together with Deborah Hockney (Alison’s sister) and her family on A Walk for Adam.

The walk aims to raise awareness of the high level of suicide that occurs in our society, especially amongst younger men, which seems to get hidden from view from the general public.

The 40-mile walk started from Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church this morning, and will spread over 4 days. Today we completed our first day’s walk and arrived at Winchester Cathedral. Friends and families will continue the rest of the journey over the next 3 days. [Read more…] about A Walk for Adam – from Chandler’s Ford to Winchester Cathedral

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WW2 RAF Navigator Frank Damerell Remembers His Beloved Mosquito

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In 2016, I published an article about our 92-year-old War Veteran Frank Damerell from Chandler’s Ford.

Frank Damerell was a Night Fighter Navigator. The aircraft was the well-known Mosquito.

Recently, Frank was interviewed on BBC Radio Solent, talking about his Mosquito missions in World War Two on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show.

Click the image to listen to Frank Damerell – the WW2 RAF Navigator remembering his beloved Mosquito (3 minutes’ long). [Read more…] about WW2 RAF Navigator Frank Damerell Remembers His Beloved Mosquito

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A Great Community Event: Fryern Funtasia 2018

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Today’s Fryern Funtasia in Chandler’s Ford was fun, as usual, and it was very well managed. Congratulations! I heard a few children fainted due to heat, but hope they have had some rest and are now feeling better. The organisers deserve our praise – they have put in so much effort to make sure everything ran so smoothly. [Read more…] about A Great Community Event: Fryern Funtasia 2018

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Ask Chandler’s Ford Today: We’re Relocating to Chandler’s Ford…

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Due to our good reputation over nearly 5 years, Chandler’s Ford Today community website receives a lot of emails from readers each week (such as missing cats and where to find a butcher).

Today we decide to start an Advice Column on Chandler’s Ford Today. There must be some Agony aunts and Agony uncles out there (i.e. YOU). [Read more…] about Ask Chandler’s Ford Today: We’re Relocating to Chandler’s Ford…

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Dovetail Art Project with Revd David Hollingsworth

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A while back, the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church was busy collecting signatures of people in the Church and its community. Visitors to carol services, customers in the Dovetail Café, and all the groups who use the premises were being invited to sign in charcoal or chalk on special paper.

These names have now been turned into a work of art by an artist, Rev David Hollingsworth, who is skilled at community works of art. [Read more…] about Dovetail Art Project with Revd David Hollingsworth

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