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Steve Allen

Chandler’s Ford Community Produce & Craft Market – Saturday 11th March 2023

March 5, 2023 By Steve Allen 2 Comments

Chandler’s Ford Community Produce & Craft Market is back.

Saturday 11 th March 2023 10am to 1 pm
At the Brownhill Community Centre (Age Concern Hall) behind the Co-op, Fryern Arcade

Free entry. Lots of local crafters and producers. There will also be two Ukrainian crafters selling their exquisite products.

Woodwork
Soap
Wax melts
Honey
Marmalades
Chutneys
Jams
Books (local Authors)
Doggy bits
Flowers (orders for Mother’s Day)
Cards
Gifts for every occasion

Come and drop in and see us

Your local crafters and producers

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Community Produce & Craft Market – Saturday 11th March 2023

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Tags: Age Concern Centre, arts and crafts, Brownhill Road, Chandler’s Ford community, community, craft fair, crafts, event, Fryern Arcade, hobby, local businesses, local interest

Chandler’s Ford Community Produce and Craft Market Saturday 03 December 2022

November 20, 2022 By Steve Allen 1 Comment

Chandler's Ford community produce and craft market

Chandler’s Ford Community Produce and Craft Market: Saturday 03 December 2022

The market was started by myself and my wife in October 2015. The reason for opening a market in Chandler’s Ford was firstly to provide a outlet for local crafters and producers to sell their wares. Secondly we were appalled by the cost of other markets stall fees.

Chandler's Ford community produce and craft market
Chandler’s Ford community produce and craft market

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Community Produce and Craft Market Saturday 03 December 2022

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Tags: Age Concern Centre, arts and crafts, Brownhill Road, Chandler’s Ford community, community, craft fair, crafts, event, Fryern Arcade, hobby, local businesses, local interest

The Itchen Navigation Allbrook to Brambridge

January 8, 2022 By Steve Allen 5 Comments

Nature photo by Steve Allen

By Steve Allen and Derek Johnson

We have been walking this part of the navigation for many years and in our opinion this 30-minute stroll has capture the river and canal in it entirety.

After making your way to Twyford Road and finding the track down to the canal you turn left, which takes you down past properties on the left bank, which dip their toes into the water edge. Look out for the signs of the kingfisher as they look for food. These bird are very elusive so you must have a keen eye to catch them perched on branches as they fish. Or you may see the distinctive turquoise rear as they fly past you at great speed.

Nature photo by Steve Allen
Nature photo by Steve Allen

The view opens out on the right. At this stage, just pause a while to see if you can watch many spices of birds going about their daily life. Some say a small blot on the landscape is Nuttall Construction but I feel this gives a sense of what the canal was used for in years gone by.

Passing under the railway bridge you emerge to meadow land on the right. High on the first pylon it has been known to see up to seven cormorants surveying their territory. In the meadows deer and geese can be seen grazing.

Cormorant image by winterseitler via Pixabay
Cormorant image by winterseitler via Pixabay

After crossing the road, stop a while to look at the lock, check the depth by looking at the ledge on the other bank. At this time the water is high above and we encounter flooding as we progress. As we wonder through the canopy of trees, just be aware of the river and watch for ripples on the waters edge, as this is a sure sign of the water vole as she make her way through the reed beds to her riverbank home.

New growth is starting to show along the edges of the canal; new life is about to begin.

On the left the meadow land opens out in the foreground; the reeds are growing. If you just stand awhile you may hear the distinctive sound of the reed warblers as he tries to encourage a mate to his domain. He loves to climb up the reeds to have a look at you before he flies away. Most odd.

View from the Brambridge walk
View from the Brambridge walk

Depending upon the rainfall, the canal can be clear as crystal. ThIs is a good time to watch the water surface as life is in great abundance on or below the surface.

Many a time I have stopped for a while to take in the peace and tranquility of the canal with its changing moods. Once you are up by the sliuce gates you will see the canal and river side by side, both trying to race one another as they make their through the Itchen Valley.

 Nature image by Steve Allen

Lurking in the deep waters is a predator the river barracuda the pike – we have named her Jaws and have seen her in action taking a grayling or two. The heron and egret find this stretch of the river good hunting grounds. As we cross a wooden footbridge we come to the end of our stroll at Brambridge garden centre on the right. We can be found sitting outside under the canopy having a pot of tea and medium cappuccino and a nice ice buns.

THIS IS THE LIFE – ENJOY ONE OF GOD’S PIECE OF HEAVEN.

Brambridge Itchen walk nature

Brambridge walk (Image by Janet)
Brambridge walk (Image by Janet)

By Steve Allen and Derek Johnson

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Tags: adventure, days out, Eastleigh, family, health, Itchen, leisure, memories, travel, walking

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