Allison Symes

Producing a Local Legend: Sir Bevis of Hampton

March 4, 2016 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

I love history. Always have done. Always will do. I suppose this is because history is another form of storytelling. It tells the story of where we come from.

I believe there is a great deal of truth in the saying that a nation which forgets its history is destined to relive it.

Stories can be told in many ways to reach differing audiences and this is true for history too. I’ve recently heard of a new comic book (Blood and Valour) and play (The Legends of Sir Bevis) about local mythical medieval hero, Sir Bevis of Hampton. [Read more…] about Producing a Local Legend: Sir Bevis of Hampton

Tags: arts and crafts, books, communication, culture, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, entertainment, event, Hampshire, history, local businesses, storytelling, theatre, writing

National Theatre Live in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Areas

February 26, 2016 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

In recent months it has been a great joy to watch three National Theatre Live productions at Thornden Hall – The Importance of Being Earnest with David Suchet as Lady Bracknell, Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, and Shakespeare’s glorious comedy As You Like It, which we just watched last night.

I’m glad to report there is not one but three nearby venues in Eastleigh borough which show National Theatre Live productions – Thornden Hall, The Point, Eastleigh and, a little further out at Hedge End, The Berry Theatre. [Read more…] about National Theatre Live in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Areas

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, local interest, National Theatre Live, review, social, The Point, theatre, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road

Revamping Fleming Park. Fancy Swimming alongside a Local Fiction Writer?

February 19, 2016 By Allison Symes 10 Comments

The planned revamp of Fleming Park sounds very interesting and I am pleased they are keeping the current pool open while work is underway on the new one.

I’m also pleased the plan includes keeping free car parking. I use the bus to get to Fleming Park for my twice weekly swims there so perhaps this is not relevant for me but I believe free parking is the way forward to encourage people to visit the centre. [Read more…] about Revamping Fleming Park. Fancy Swimming alongside a Local Fiction Writer?

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, development, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fleming Park, health, local interest, reading, sports, writing

How Have Your Reading Habits Changed?

February 12, 2016 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

The natural follow up to my recent post about favourite forms of writing is about my favourite forms of reading in all its forms – non-fiction, fiction, poetry, books, magazines, e-books, newspapers.

It also takes a brief look at reading habits given it is not just a question of print media any more for sources of reading material. [Read more…] about How Have Your Reading Habits Changed?

Tags: blogging, books, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, event, hobby, library, literature, local interest, reading, storytelling, writing

Winter – Ugliness and Beauty in Chandler’s Ford

February 5, 2016 By Allison Symes 3 Comments

I must admit winter is not my favourite season, much as I enjoy Christmas. Aside from the cold and the storms, the nights draw in that much earlier which limits the evening walks my better half and I can enjoy with the dog.

We love walking Mabel along The Monarch’s Way and the bridleways around that area (though right now it would be more accurately called The Muddy Way). [Read more…] about Winter – Ugliness and Beauty in Chandler’s Ford

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, Chandler’s Ford community, community, dog, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, local interest, nature, pets, storytelling, walking

Writing, Blogging, Social Media…What’s Your Favourite Forms of Writing?

January 29, 2016 By Allison Symes 22 Comments

What are your favourite forms of writing? Fiction? Non-fiction? Poetry?

Do you ever think when you pick up a pen or put fingers to keyboard we are all following a tradition going back thousands of years? Or appreciate how important writing, in all its forms, is for cultural reasons? Or how dangerous writing can be? [Read more…] about Writing, Blogging, Social Media…What’s Your Favourite Forms of Writing?

Tags: blogging, books, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, community, education, history, library, literature, publishing, reading, writing

The Magic of Words: David Bowie and Alan Rickman

January 22, 2016 By Allison Symes 7 Comments

I’ve found one side benefit of being a writer is that I appreciate words more than I did before I wrote seriously. Writing short stories, novels and blog posts such as this have all given me a greater appreciation of how other writers work. But it also makes me aware there are several ways to work with words.

It is ironic then that two of my heroes, who worked with words albeit in different ways, should both recently have died of cancer at 69. [Read more…] about The Magic of Words: David Bowie and Alan Rickman

Tags: arts and crafts, culture, entertainment, film, music, review, theatre, writing

Sharing the Joy of Libraries

January 16, 2016 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

I love the word serendipity. It has a lovely meaning and a great sound.

This post, I think, can be thought of as being a case of serendipity.

I was planning a post about the joy of libraries for some time and then read Mike’s wonderful article from Sri Lanka about renovating the school library, which confirmed to me I should go ahead with this now. [Read more…] about Sharing the Joy of Libraries

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, Hampshire, Hampshire County Council, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, review, writing

Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

January 8, 2016 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

I went to see the National Theatre’s production of Hamlet at Thornden Hall in October 2015 with Janet Williams and her son Ben.

Benedict Cumberbatch was superb in the title role.

I love the idea of being able to watch West End productions without having the hassle of going there. I’ve never been to a West End production and if I had the time to go there, possibly with an overnight stay, I should imagine that would be a wonderful experience. [Read more…] about Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, entertainment, event, local interest, National Theatre Live, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road, writing

10 Wishes for Chandler’s Ford for 2016

January 1, 2016 By Allison Symes 3 Comments

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. They usually mean giving up alcohol, which is not a huge problem for me as I don’t drink much, or chocolate and that is where I do run into difficulties!

However, I thought I would list some things I would love to see in 2016, all of which would benefit Chandler’s Ford and its residents.

Tags: Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, community, Fryern Arcade, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, Hursley Road, library, local interest, review, road safety, train station, travel

Christmas Stories, Limericks and Traditions

December 24, 2015 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

Just for fun, I thought I would share a few Christmas linked short stories (the famous 100 worders) and limericks.

I also share a couple of my family traditions at Christmastime. [Read more…] about Christmas Stories, Limericks and Traditions

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christmas, Christmas 2015 in Chandler's Ford, church, community, concert, event, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, music, Romsey, social, storytelling, tradition, writing

My Year-End Review and Book Launch

December 18, 2015 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

I went to London on 5th December 2015 for the Bridge House Publishing/Cafelit joint book launch celebration. Naturally I left from Chandler’s Ford Station!

Though Bridge House published my first story in print, A Helping Hand in their Alternative Renditions anthology, this year I was going because my short story, The Magic Flute, is in The Best of Cafelit 4.

This was one of the books being launched, the other being Bridge House’s anthology for 2015 called Snowflakes. [Read more…] about My Year-End Review and Book Launch

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, literature, reading, review, travel, writing

Adventures of a Fantasy Author – Richard Hardie Interview Part 2

December 11, 2015 By Allison Symes 14 Comments

Further to last week’s post, when Chandler’s Ford author, Richard Hardie of the Temporal Detective Agency fame, shared what signings and other events have occupied him recently, this continuation shares some of his further news as well as tips for fellow writers.
[Read more…] about Adventures of a Fantasy Author – Richard Hardie Interview Part 2

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, event, interview, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

Further Adventures of a Fantasy Author

December 4, 2015 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

One of my earliest posts for Chandler’s Ford Today was an interview I conducted with local author, and fellow dog walker, Richard Hardie, who had not long released The Trouble With Swords, his second book in his Temporal Detective series and follow up to the marvellous Leap of Faith. [Read more…] about Further Adventures of a Fantasy Author

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, event, interview, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

Hampshire Historical Connections

November 6, 2015 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

I believe Hampshire may be unique as a county in having 3 cities within it – Southampton, Portsmouth and Winchester. As a result there are plenty of historical connections to our area, some of which make for excellent days out.

The fact we can directly access the Isle of Wight, and there are many historical connections there, gives us even more to see and do. [Read more…] about Hampshire Historical Connections

Tags: Chandler's Ford, days out, Hampshire, history, local interest, museum, recommendations, Southampton, travel, Winchester, Winchester Cathedral

Hidden Hampshire: The Monarch’s Way

October 30, 2015 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

Some of the fringe benefits of owning and walking a dog include getting to discover some beautiful areas of Hampshire. Some of these are on our doorstep in Chandler’s Ford. One of those is The Monarch’s Way, which is a short drive away, and takes you into some glorious countryside.

This post shares some of my thoughts on the walking and wildlife found in and around The Monarch’s Way. [Read more…] about Hidden Hampshire: The Monarch’s Way

Tags: adventure, Chandler's Ford, days out, dog, Hampshire, history, hobby, Hursley, nature, recommendations, review, travel, walking, wildlife

From Dancer to Writer: Felicity Fair Thompson

October 23, 2015 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Chandler’s Ford Today covers a wide spectrum of interests – from football to gliding, from local history to reviews of shows in nearby theatres and Thornden Hall. From memories of the Gang Show to news of the latest fundraising efforts by the Scouts and the Fairtrade events.

Naturally a blog like this will attract writers. People like Richard Hardie, whose young adult Temporal Detective Series (Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords), will be highlighted in Chandler’s Ford library next Thursday 29th October. People like Brenda Sedgwick whose first novel, Marriage, a Journey and a Dog, was out earlier this year. [Read more…] about From Dancer to Writer: Felicity Fair Thompson

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, history, interview, Isle of Wight, literature, reading, review, travel, war memorial, writing

Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall

October 15, 2015 By Allison Symes 12 Comments

Despite knowing Thornden well and visiting the Hall for numerous parents’ evenings, this was the first time I’d visited the Hall for a show.

The Importance of Being Earnest was being shown as a live broadcast of the performance taking place at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End. There was a short interview with the production’s director, Adrian Noble, and a further short piece with David Suchet, playing the unforgettable Lady Bracknell, before the performance. [Read more…] about Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, entertainment, event, local interest, National Theatre Live, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road

High Jinks at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2015

October 9, 2015 By Allison Symes 9 Comments

Some of the great joys of writing for Chandler’s Ford Today are in meeting new people and going to events that are new to me.

The recent Hiltingbury Extrav was the first I’d visited despite living in Chandler’s Ford for over 25 years. So I thought I would look back at it as we leave the summer season with its shows and fetes behind. (If anyone is in any doubt we are in autumn now, the recent wild weather should dispel that!). [Read more…] about High Jinks at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2015

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crafts, dog, entertainment, event, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Extravaganza, hobby, local interest, music, Ramalley Hall, scouting, social, The Hilt, theatre, Thornden Hall

Review: Station Walks Book

September 18, 2015 By Allison Symes 7 Comments

This post reviews Station Walks by Dr. Clare Diaper. I discovered this book thanks to an earlier Chandler’s Ford Today post and am glad to say it is a delight to read and a greater joy to use.

The book is supported by the Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership, My Journey and Transition Southampton. Their details are given at the front of the book. [Read more…] about Review: Station Walks Book

Tags: books, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, days out, Eastleigh, local interest, news, reading, recommendations, review, Southampton, Station Lane, Three Rivers, train station, travel, walking, writing

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