Year 2015 has just flown by.
In the past year, we produced 320 posts, sharing local stories, news, and events with the community.
This ‘community’ is not restricted to Chandler’s Ford. We have readers and writers from Australia.
We want to connect with people through this website, and we have done so in the past 2 years and 9 months, making local people more aware of what’s around us, and getting people to discuss and debate on topical subjects.
Diving into Chandler’s Ford history
In the past year, Chandler’s Ford Today dived into the past of Chandler’s Ford.
We have produced 4 remarkable history series on Chandler’s Ford:
- Martin Napier: Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s
- Doug Clews: My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (sent from Australia)
- Peter David Shuttler: My Memories of Chandler’s Ford in the 1930s and 1940s (sent from Australia)
- Andy Vining: History Of Hiltonbury Farmhouse
More surprisingly, Chandler’s Ford Library contacted us and our writer Martin Napier was invited to share his memories with the public in the library in November.
Hazel Bateman went along and shared her review about Martin’s interactive Local History Talk.
Chandler’s Ford Library found gems on this website.
Chandler’s Ford Library made contact with Richard Hardie through our website, and organised successful writing workshops and a book signing event with Richard during the October half term, inspiring local children.
My son and his friends took part and were inspired. He later wrote a review of his workshop with Richard.
I couldn’t hide my pride when I realised we made that special connection with our readers, and generated local events through our writings.
We made good things happen.
Credit to our team and our readers
Choosing the ‘best’ posts from 320 brilliant posts is a difficult task. Almost impossible.
Chippy Minton’s quirky sense of humour and sharp observations made for some exceptional posts this year.
Chippy Minton’s reviews of local concerts and theatre performances are top class and his articles such as The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾, and Alive with the Sound of Music were reblogged by Thornden Hall on its website.
You can read our Top 12 Theatre Reviews.
Mike Sedgwick loves gliding, history, gardening, writing, and keep us up-to-date with local burglaries and traffic problems, and dangers on our footpath.
History enthusiasts love his find in the good and the bad of Fryern Arcade. Mike also revealed some interesting facts of Charlotte Mary Yonge in Eastleigh.
Allison Symes conducted a series of interviews for Chandler’s Ford Today, including her in-depth interview with Lyn Darbyshire MBE, former Scouting District Commissioner, about In the Gang Show.
Allison and I enjoyed an evening of theatre at Thornden Hall in October, and she wrote a remarkable review of The Importance of Being Earnest.
Her review was so well received that Thornden Hall republished the post on its website.
One of our most-read posts on Chandler’s Ford Today is Sir Terry Pratchett 1948-2015: an Appreciation from Chandler’s Ford. Allison Symes and Richard Hardie paid tribute to our finest and well-loved writer.
To all the contributors whose posts we published this year, thank you. Thank you for choosing Chandler’s Ford Today as your ideal platform to share the word.
Of course I want to thank our faithful readers in particular.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on social media, in emails, comments, and in person (such as a rather strange stare or a quiet smile and a nod at the supermarket. I know you recognised me.)
Now, let’s ignite your 2016 with our varied posts in 2015:
About “How to…”
Want to connect better online? Check out simple blogging tips here. I’ll add more tips for you this year, to help you blog and write better.
Need gardening tips? Wellie is here to help you every month.
Writing, networking and publishing
Want to publish a book? But how? Is it possible?
Allison Symes opened our eyes into the world of small publishers, interviewed local writers, and shared with us top tips to writers’ networking.
We get to support these local writers and publishers, and know that it is possible for you to fulfil your dreams as a published writer.
News and politics we saw
Chandler’s Ford may appear like a dull place where nothing remarkable or ridiculous could possibly happen.
How wrong!
In January 2015, the peace of Chandler’s Ford was somehow shattered, when Chandler’s Ford became the centre of media attention.
A Muslim group hired the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church to hold a meeting, yet the meeting attracted the attention of some groups. Disruptions and threats of violence on Winchester Road occurred, policed was called, and an arrest was made.
Reverend Peter Cornick shared with us the dramatic day in the history of Chandler’s Ford regarding the Muslim conference in the church, and inspired us to be a good neighbour in the community and to challenge injustice.
Chandler’s Ford Hustings and GE2015 result
There was a huge turnout for the hustings in Chandler’s Ford. We shared the recording of the hustings, credit to Eastleigh News.
Closure of HSBC Chandler’s Ford Branch. Do Bank Branches Still Matter?
HSBC closed its Chandler’s Ford branch at the Central Precinct in November.
People would always associate the bank with the armed robbery in 1997, and another robbery in 2011.
Wessex Cancer Trust: New Charity Shop in Chandler’s Ford
Wessex Cancer Trust’s new charity shop at The Mall becomes the 4th charity shop in Chandler’s Ford.
All about friendship and community
We shared what makes Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh town interesting and remarkable, and how people are connected through arts, markets, and crafts.
We see how people are actively engaging in our community events.
- Beacon Café at St. Boniface Church – You are Invited
- Christmas at Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market 2015
- Uplifting: Chandler’s Ford 42nd Joint Charities Christmas Market 2015
- Eastleigh’s Christmas Lights Switch on – 21st November 2015
- Show You Care – Chandler’s Ford Fairtrade Autumn Market
- Hope Eastleigh 2015 Highlights
- A Very Eastleigh Festival: Mardi Gras and Vintage Market 2015
- Chandler’s Ford Age Concern Centre: Upcoming Craft and Gift Markets
- The Hiltingbury Extrav 2015
- High Jinks at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2015
- Build a Community We Are Proud of: Fryern Funtasia 4th May 2015
Recently, Roger Clark shared movingly how when a curtain closes another one opens.
From January 2016, the well-loved Movies at the Hilt moves to Thornden Hall. Local movie lovers can continue enjoy high quality movies at this great venue.
Valuable resources
Eastleigh Lions have many great social projects. These are interesting and useful ones.
If your new year wishes include being a volunteer, then you may find some inspiration from Eastleigh’s Celebrate Volunteers Exhibition last year.
In Chandler’s Ford, where are defibrillators located?
Nigel Moorse is the driving force behind making the defibrillator happen at Methodist Church, and this article is resource-rich, so don’t miss it.
Fun visits
Our writers shared their day trips around Hampshire (and beyond) to delight you.
- Cecily Casey: The Splendour Of Chelsea Flower Show 2015
- Chippy Minton: Days Out: Blashford Lakes
- Chippy Minton: Delightful Hut Wood – Have You Been Yet?
- Allison Symes: Hidden Hampshire: The Monarch’s Way
- Mike Sedgwick: Visit to Marwell Zoo and Animal Conservation
- Allison Symes: The Doctor Who Experience
Funniest posts
Sometimes we published some posts which might appear ‘trivial’ or odd.
Well, we’re good at informing and entertaining at the same time.
Nothing is too trivial on Chandler’s Ford Today.
The funniest posts are:
- Chippy Minton: What Has Happened to Oakmount Road?
- Chippy Minton: Running a Raffle? Read This.
- Glastonbury: Caption Competition (Photographer: Roger Clark)
We’re going to be bringing you more stories, news, and event updates in 2016.
We’re doing our best to make this site useful and relevant to you, our readers.
Looking forward to 2016
We’ve got tutorials, stories, history, events, and comments to help you connect with us and the community.
We make meaningful connections.
And it’s all free of charge.
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Great summary, Janet. Many thanks for all the hard work you do behind the scenes to ensure CFT “happens”.
Great stuff, Janet. I feel overawed. It is going to be difficult to do better this year but I am sure you will get us to rise to the challenge.
Just keep writing, I suppose. Looking back, if I had known the workload, I might not have started the whole ‘experiment’ with running a website.
Now we have somehow managed to run a site with interesting and passionate people (without having to know about coding), it’s just wonderful. This is a success story. Now I’ve known truly amazing people that I wouldn’t have met before.
I’m not worried about the quantity of posts, but we do all care about the quality of posts, and the stories / information that we share.
Just keep it up and do the best we can. Keep writing.
I have contributed very little to this website apart from my support and admiration for the interest and information it has provided me with. Janet you are brilliant! Looking forward to reading more in 2016 and maybe contributing further. Happy New Year all x
Let’s have a great start in 2016! Tell us news from Brownhill Road and Eastleigh Lions. Can’t wait!