José Ascaso had been riding his chestnut mare most of the day and was beginning to feel tired. Together, they had made good progress deep into the Pyrenean valley alongside Rio Ara. His plan was to spend the night in Broto, a small mountain town, and ride on into Ordesa Gorge the next day. The valley had become steep and narrow with the mountains rising to 6000 feet on both sides. He hoped to spot the Lammergeier, it is known to fly in the gorge. It is a large vulture with a wingspan of almost 3 metres and weighing up to 7 Kg. It feeds on bone after the other vultures have taken the flesh of dead animals. [Read more…] about Exclusive – Chandler’s Ford man found in Pyrenees
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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 16)
Grasshoper Warbler; the value of mentors; a singing nightingale elicits bittersweet emotions; a desire to give comfort to others in time of need; quite a lot of orchids, and Dad gets his athletics colours.
Book 5
On April 27th 1948:
An entomological friend of Barry’s came down from Bradford today to go with him for Scarlet Tiger caterpillars. He remarked upon the wealth of blossom on the flowering trees and shrubs down here and said that Spring in the south seemed a good three weeks in advance of Yorkshire… Nightingales were singing all along the banks of the river [Itchen] and a Grasshopper Warbler was also heard.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 16)
From Weymouth to Chandler’s Ford
Geoff and Vicki are travelling to all 2,563 railway stations in Great Britain. So far they have visited 459 stations, including Chandler’s Ford station (see the video at the end of this post).
All The Stations is a project to travel to ALL the national railway stations in Britain in just three months, and to create an online documentary film about the journey. [Read more…] about From Weymouth to Chandler’s Ford
Why Children’s Fiction Matters by Allison Symes
When interviewing other writers for Chandler’s Ford Today, I love discovering who their favourite authors are. I end up making a mental note of all those writers they mention whom I’ve not read and whose works I must get around to investigating further. One thing that has often struck me, and also with interviews I’ve read in Writing Magazine and so on, is the importance of children’s fiction.
Now I owe my love of reading to my late mother who read widely and well fiction wise (almost everything from H.G. Wells to P.G. Wodehouse to Jane Austen to Terry Brooks to Daphne Du Maurier to Charles Dickens (amongst many others). [Read more…] about Why Children’s Fiction Matters by Allison Symes
Should the HCA (Hiltingbury Community Association) host a Eurovision Party in 2018?
Should The HCA (Hiltingbury Community Association) host a Eurovision Party in 2018?
The HCA is thinking of hosting a Eurovision party next year. Cheap (or even free) entry, bar, optional costumes…
Would you go? Please vote on the poll here:
Should The HCA (Hiltingbury Community Association) host a Eurovision Party in 2018? (poll 9746435) [Read more…] about Should the HCA (Hiltingbury Community Association) host a Eurovision Party in 2018?
Hiltingbury Tennis Club Update
Note: The original post was published in May 2016. This is an updated post.
You may recall that in February last year I brought you news of the newly refurbished tennis courts at Hiltingbury Recreation ground. The final touches were done and they now look magnificent and Chandler’s Ford is lucky to have such great facilities.
Hiltingbury Tennis Club goes from strength to strength with new members joining our friendly and welcoming atmosphere. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Tennis Club Update
General Election 2017 Candidates Announced (Winchester; Eastleigh)
General Election: Thursday 8th June 2017
Blog post by chippy minton: General Election 2017 [Read more…] about General Election 2017 Candidates Announced (Winchester; Eastleigh)
The Art of the Book Review by Allison Symes
What does the average author, with a book “out there”, want from their readers? Well, we obviously want you to enjoy what we’ve written but what we would appreciate are reviews on blogs, certain famous online retailers, Goodreads and so on. Why?
Book reviews are a lifeline for writers. Reviews help spread the word about the book. Given every writer must be prepared to do their own publicity, (even the big publishers save their efforts and budgets for the blockbusting author, everyone else has to “hit the campaign trail” for themselves), reviews give a helping hand. [Read more…] about The Art of the Book Review by Allison Symes
Answer: Why the Helicopter Circling Round in Chandler’s Ford Last Night
Last night many of you in many parts of Chandler’s Ford heard a police helicopter circling round for quite some time.
I think the answer is in this tweet, by National Police Air Service (NPAS).
“Assist with search for a vulnerable missing person.” [Read more…] about Answer: Why the Helicopter Circling Round in Chandler’s Ford Last Night
Some Changes at The Central Precinct and Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford
I shared some news from The Central Precinct in the past before.
Today I took some photos from a few shop windows to keep you up to date with the changes in our local area. [Read more…] about Some Changes at The Central Precinct and Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford
Recommendation: Royal South Hants Minor Injuries Unit
I just want to sing the praises of the Royal South Hants Minor Injuries Unit.
My husband and I have had cause to use this service 3 times in the last year. Two weeks ago I fell over on the pavement near my house and injured my arm. I could not straighten it. After taking the granddaughters home to Sholing, we visited this unit. [Read more…] about Recommendation: Royal South Hants Minor Injuries Unit
Highlights of Fairtrade Fashion Show at St. Martin in the Wood Church: May 2017
I attended the Fairtrade Fashion Show last Friday at St. Martin in the Wood Church in Hiltingbury. It was a fun and relaxed fashion show, with lots of Fairtrade items for sale.
Fairtrade Fashion Show was organised by local fairtraders, Tricia Urquhart, and Heather Dibb (minus one arm). [Read more…] about Highlights of Fairtrade Fashion Show at St. Martin in the Wood Church: May 2017
Festivals
This is the time of year for festivals. After the self-imposed misery of Lent, it starts with Easter. When is Easter? Bishop’s secretaries throughout the land are kept busy answering that question.
Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or soonest after March 21st, the Spring Equinox. So now you know for all time. The earliest Easter Sunday will be on March 22nd but that will not happen until 2285 so you need not worry about it. The latest possible is April 25th and that will be in 2038. [Read more…] about Festivals
Review – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes
I saw A Comedy Trio by The Chameleon Theatre Group on 27th April 2017. Despite feeling miserable due to a heavy cold, (I am not the world’s best patient!), I am glad to say the production made me laugh and I went home feeling considerably better in spirit, at least, than when I arrived! Now there’s a review for you…
Many thanks, as ever, to Lionel Elliott for supplying CFT with the pictures. [Read more…] about Review – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes
May 2017 Events in Chandler’s Ford
This is a reminder that two great events will be taking place in Chandler’s Ford tomorrow (Friday 5th May 2017).
One is Fairtrade Fashion Show at St. Martin in the Wood Church: Friday 5th May 7.30pm – 9.30pm. [Read more…] about May 2017 Events in Chandler’s Ford
Gardening Tips for May from Wellie
Summer is approaching but don’t be tempted to put out summer bedding until the risk of frosts are over, and make sure they have been hardened off before planting out.
Dahlias can be planted out at the end of the month. Stake any herbaceous plants that will flop over or be damaged by high winds. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for May from Wellie
Stroke Association and Rotary International Help Conquer Stroke in Chandler’s Ford
The Stroke Association and Rotary International are joining forces to help raise awareness of one of the biggest risk factors for stroke: high blood pressure.
They are inviting residents in Chandler’s Ford to take a moment to have a free blood pressure test on Wednesday 10th May between 10am and 5pm at Chandler’s Ford Library. [Read more…] about Stroke Association and Rotary International Help Conquer Stroke in Chandler’s Ford
Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 1 May 2017
The Fryern Funtasia is a community event organised by local volunteers and businesses, with the support of the Chandler’s Ford Parish Council. The Fryern Funtasia has become one of the most popular local community events in recent years, and it is in its 6th year.
Today the event was officially opened by the Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Des Scott. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 1 May 2017
Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 15)
Flies everywhere; Tiger Moths; Moldy Warp; return of the Hedgehog; Gran the tennis star; avoiding the agonies of a guided tour; Cuckoos and Cowslips.
By April 13th 1948 many summer migrant birds (Cuckoos, Wood Warblers, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers) have been recorded in the local woods, and Gran is ecstatic about her lovely England in Spring. The weather has been warm, she notes on the 12th:
In the Park Road garden this afternoon there was a positive plague of flies, swarming everywhere, the gutters and front of the house black with them in parts, and all warm places like the edges of the frames, water-tap, shed doors and the grid over the water-cock were thickly covered. D.D.T. did not seem to deter them for long.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 15)
Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company
I thoroughly enjoyed the comedies I watched last Thursday, performed by Chameleon Theatre Company at Ritchie Memorial Hall in Chandler’s Ford. In this post, I will focus on one of the comedies, The House of Fog, by Peter Brammer.
The play The House of Fog was a really funny mockery of a horror movie, with an extra layer of comedy added due to the fourth wall aspect.
[Read more…] about Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company