Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2014 Chandler’s Ford

I went to Hiltingbury Extravaganza this afternoon with my teenage son. It was a beautiful day. Hiltingbury was buzzing with excitement.

I took some photos to show you some interesting people and stalls that I saw today.

Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2014 was organised by the Hiltingbury Community Association and the Hilt Community Centre. The event was sponsored by Jonathan Rees.

How to set up an Extravaganza?

Theatres: The Chameleons and Plaza Theatre

I had a good chat with members from The Chameleon Theatre Company.

The Chameleons are promoting their next production The Ladykillers. If you haven’t bought the tickets yet, you’ve got to be quick as the Chameleons’ shows are extremely popular. The Ladykillers is directed by Liz Strevens. The strong cast includes Marilyn Dunbar, Matthew Meehan, Nick Coleman, Dave Wilkins, Geoff Dodsworth, James Hook and Tom Pinnock.

I met Matthew and Kevin from Plaza Theatre in Romsey (Winchester Road, Romsey SO51 8JA). Their upcoming performances include Private Lives, Unset Boulevard, Wayne Fontana in Concert, and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

One Community

I later met Jean Roberts-Jones, chief executive of One Community. One Community is the Council of Voluntary Service (CVS) for the Eastleigh area. Its services include Dial-A-Ride, Shopmobility, The Carers Centre, and the day-to-day running of Eastleigh Museum.

Eye-Spy book Victorian Eastleigh

I also bought a little Eye-Spy book about Victorian Eastleigh. This picture book is rich in information about Victorian Eastleigh, for just £2. It’s an endearing pocket book suitable for adults and children. I think it’s a great book as gift or a stocking filler at Christmas.

For example, you’ll learn about boot-scrapers from Eye-Spy.

“Look at the doorway right of The Point where you can find the last pair of Victorian boot-scrapers.”

The Rotary Club

I also met Mike Scrivener and Ian Phillips from The Rotary Club of Chandler’s Ford & Itchen Valley. Mike leads the Community Service team and Ian leads the International team this year.

The Rotary Club’s motto is Service above Self.  Locally the Rotary Club membes have helped Macmillan Nurses, Arthritis Care, Stroke support group, Eastleigh Carers, Shepherds Down School, and many others. Overseas they have supplied disaster boxes to many countries and have worked with the Bill Gates Foundation to eliminate Polio worldwide and many other projects.

The members meet on Monday evenings at the Potters Heron Hotel at 19.15, and invite a range of speakers to some of their meetings.

Local crafters and artists

I met Cathy Board from Made, Do and Mend Crafts (MDM Crafts). Cathy sells personalised decorations. Cathy is also an independent Phoenix Traders selling greetings cards, gift wrap and stationery items.

I met Samantha Oldham from Oh Sew Sammy. Samantha is from Otterbourne. She sells personalised hand made items.

I met writer Nick Parkins and artist Helen Buick. Helen Buick is also a college teacher and a choreographer. She was selling original painted wooden items and glassware.

Music

Fin and Mike are the masters of fashion. Mike is a talented musician from a local school in Chandler’s Ford. He is a member of the band called Maverick.

Shamrock Keys is a Hampshire based six piece Irish Band. They played traditional favorites with popular reels and jigs to the audience, who relaxed on the grass under the glorious sunshine. The music they played included Paddy Works on the Railway, Courting in the Kitchen, Home Boys Home, Father O’ Flynn / Donnybrook Fair, The Holy Ground, The Galway Girl, Whiskey in the Jar, the Irish Rover, and Sally Mac Lenane.

Youngsters from Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre (CPYT) entertained the crowd throughout the afternoon. Their performance of the songs from Les Misérables was engaging.

David Tripp played easy listening cool jazz music. Rather soothing. I first met David at the Fryern Funtasia last year.

Paul McCarthy Fairground Organ

Dave Clothier from Southampton lured in the crowds with his 22 keyless McCarthy Fairground Organ named Endurance, built in 2013 by his great friend Paul McCarthy in Basingstoke.

Paul McCarthy is a technology teacher in Winchester and I used to work with him. This afternoon, I was very pleased to see a McCarthy organ in Chandler’s Ford. In the world of fairground organ, Paul McCarthy is renowned around the world as a great mechanical fairground organ builder. The hypnotic music from his fairground organ had the power of nostalgia.

You could hear McCarthy’s music here in this short Youtube clip – this one was playing at Twyford Waterworks in December last year.

Two years ago, I met Paul McCarthy at a summer fayre in Winchester and he showed me his fairground organ. He explained to me the construction of the organ and how he and his family helped cut every single music note for the organ. I touched the beautiful organ and played the music.

Local Honey from Hiltingbury

I met Beyers van Niekerk, a vet from Chandler’s Ford Veterinary Surgery. Beyers was selling honey that he produced from his garden. The honey Beyers sells is called Hiltingbury Honey, made from 18 Oakwood Road in Chandler’s Ford. Each jar is £4.50 or two for £8. You could also buy the honey from his surgery in Chandler’s Ford too (47A Winchester Road SO53 2GF).

Wendy Blackman sells Forever aloe vera products with her mum Jackie. I met Wendy on the local social media site Streetlife. Wendy has just moved to Chandler’s Ford last year and it’s the first time she took part in a community event in Hiltingbury and she really had a good time.

Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford ran a little craft stall for children. I saw the Reverend Dr Ian Bird, vicar of the parish church of Chandler’s Ford, busily chatting to people.

Vintage cars

There were a few vintage cars on Hiltingbury Recreation Ground too. One of them was a Vauxhall Victor, Type F Series 2, registered on the 1st of July 1960. It cost £894.1.7d including purchase tax, heater, delivery and 4 gallons of petrol.

Of course there were more stalls and interesting features this afternoon in Hiltingbury. I’ll try to share a few more pictures with you soon.

What did you like most about the Hiltingbury Extravaganza this year? Do share your experience with us.

If you didn’t go, I hope you’ve enjoyed this summary and feel the joy.

Let’s enjoy the highlights of The Hiltingbury Extravaganza: Sunday 14 September 2014, by Chapelgate Films.