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Lilies on the Land Performed by the Chameleons – a Review

July 29, 2023 By Gopi Chandroth 3 Comments

Albert Camus once said, ‘Impulses are the most sacred of human emotions.” On Wednesday this week, my good friend Janet offered me a free ticket for Thursday evening’s show of Lilies on the Land by The Lions Part at the Chameleon, Chandler’s Ford. On an impulse, I accepted it. I am glad I did.

The advertisement for the play stated, ‘A humorous look at wartime life, based on the real lives of the Women’s Land Army’ (WLA). After the show, I came away with the feeling that the blurb did not do full justice to the director and the all-women cast who put on a show par excellence.

“We shall fight on the beaches …” Churchill’s famous wartime speech set the tone for the evening. Dressed in costumes of wartime England, the WLA girls conveyed the ambience with skill. The sombreness of war was never downplayed, yet they managed to have us splitting our sides with clever and witty dialogues, narrating and bringing to life personal anecdotes. [Read more…] about Lilies on the Land Performed by the Chameleons – a Review

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Tags: amateur theatre, Chameleon Theatre, Chameleon Theatre Group, creative arts, drama, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Welcome to Writers’ Narrative Magazine – Interview with Wendy H Jones

July 28, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to all at Writers’ Narrative for sending me their fabulous author photos. Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for the publicity shots for Writers’ Narrative magazine. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images, one taken directly from Pixabay, and one of Wendy’s shots adapted in Book Brush for the Feature Image. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

I mentioned in my most recent round-up of what I’ve been up to, writing wise, Mom’s Favorite Reads had come to an end but a new monthly online magazine, Writers’ Narrative, was coming out. I’m pleased to say the first issue of this (the August 2023) edition has just been released (25th July 2023). A free subscribe link is included below.

The same editorial team, including me, is on board for Writers’ Narrative and its editor in chief is Wendy H Jones. It is a magazine by writers for writers.

Wendy H Jones
Sheena Macleod
Eileen Rolland
Maressa Mortimer
Pauline Tait
Allison Symes – my author head shot.

[Read more…] about Welcome to Writers’ Narrative Magazine – Interview with Wendy H Jones

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Tags: Allison Symes, author interview, bringing a new online magazine to life, creative writing, editorial team, Eileen Rolland, fiction, Maressa Mortimer, non-fiction, online magazines, Pauline Tait, Sheena Macleod, Wendy H Jones, Writers' Narrative magazine, writing articles, writing tips

Winchester United Nations

July 24, 2023 By Mike Sedgwick 8 Comments

NHS logo

At 4.30 am on a Sunday, as the sky was lightening, an ambulance with me on board rocked and bumped from our house en route to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester. A sudden fever and collapse caused Madam some alarm, and fortunately for me, her 999 call brought the ambulance within 30 minutes.

‘We’ve got to strap you in, by law,’ explained the ex-soldier paramedic. No need, I thought. But the potholes and ambulance suspension showed it was necessary.

Embed from Getty Images

The RHCH was quiet at dawn on a Sunday, and I was soon in a bed.

‘What’s been happening to you?’ asked Dr Hemeda as he looked me over. I asked him where he qualified. ‘Ein Shams, Cairo. We’ll get you x-rayed.’ We chatted about Ein Shams, as I have lectured there a few times. It is the oldest of Cairo’s Universities and the Centre for Muslim Studies. On my first visit there, I took a bottle of Whisky for my host but thought better of it and kept it in my bag. [Read more…] about Winchester United Nations

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Tags: community, health, kindness, NHS, storytelling, Winchester

Websites – Why A Writer Needs One

July 21, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

One key aspect to marketing for any writer is the author website. It is the writer’s “shop window” to the outside world.

The good news is they don’t have to be “all bells and whistles”. They do need to be interesting, varied, and updated regularly. There needs to be material on the website which will draw people back to it time and time again.

[Read more…] about Websites – Why A Writer Needs One

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Tags: am reading, am writing, author websites, blogs, marketing, website materials, why authors need websites

Review: Book Fair at The Hilt

July 14, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-
A huge thank you to Janet Williams for taking pictures of me at this event. Many thanks to Richard Hardie for taking some of me too. Always tricky doing your own for things like this! Many thanks to Vie Portland for the Book Fair poster image. Other photos are from me, Allison Symes.  A real co-operative effort on the picture front this week! Some images created in Book Brush using one of my photos.

It was fabulous taking part in the Book Fair at the Hilt on 8th July. It was great to catch up with authors I know and to meet up with others for the first time. I was delighted there was a great turn out for this inaugural event.

The organisers counted 125 (and there were more. The organisers were sometimes supervising talks by some of the writers so literally could not count everyone!). I hope this bodes well for there being future events like this.

[Read more…] about Review: Book Fair at The Hilt

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Tags: am reading, am writing, author event, Book Fair at The Hilt, book signings, books, creative writing, Vie Portland, volunteers, writer talks

Taking Part in the Book Fair at The Hilt – 8th July 2023

July 7, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Vie Portland for supplying the Book Fair poster. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Photo of me signing books at Chandler’s Ford Railway Station were taken by Janet Williams on my phone. Thanks, Janet. Many thanks to Jen Wilson for taking the shot of my signing my first book for Val Penny – this was back in 2017. Seems a world away now!
And I would like to say the much missed Fiona Park, whom I knew from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, took the picture of me signing books there with my handbag slung across my shoulder. Fiona was a lovely soul and she left this world far too early.

Facebook – Events page for the Book Fair

I’m so pleased to be taking part in the Book Fair at The Hilt tomorrow, 8th July 2023. There is, of course, the obvious reason of being an author with books to sell. But the best reason is it is fantastic to see book fairs up and running again after the pandemic. It is even better having one right on our doorstep, pretty much. The books are coming to you, folks!

[Read more…] about Taking Part in the Book Fair at The Hilt – 8th July 2023

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Tags: Allison Symes, am reading, am writing, author book signing, author events, Book Fair at The Hilt, books on your doorstep, local authors, networking, supporting local authors

July Gardening Tips by Wellie

July 2, 2023 By Wellie Leave a Comment

July is the month to really enjoy your garden, and to make a note of what might need splitting or moving in the Autumn. It can be very dry this month so prioritising this job should be top of your agenda followed by dead heading to keep your display of flowering plants looking great for longer.

Butterfly and flower image by rycky21 via Pixabay
Butterfly and flower image by rycky21 via Pixabay

If tall perennials are flopping a bit, put some stakes around them to help them and tie in and train any new growth on climbing plants. Give your beds, pots and baskets a feed which will help them to stay looking lush and healthy for longer. Prune early-summer flowering shrubs, such as Philadelphus, once they have finished flowering. Cut back flowered growth to a strong lower shoot and thin out up to a fifth of old, woody stems. [Read more…] about July Gardening Tips by Wellie

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, gardening, gardening tips, hobby, how-to, nature

A Parish Newsletter from Days Gone By

July 2, 2023 By Christine Clark 5 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to see the original of the St Boniface Monthly Parish Paper of March 1943. I was only allowed to handle it wearing gloves and then only briefly. Fortunately, its owner was kind enough to send me a scan of it, which I have read avidly, delighting in a piece of our parish history.

I imagine this was the forerunner of the parish magazine. It is just 4 pages, sized something near A5 (although in old imperial sizing, of course) and is priced 1d. There is a lot in it of interest to present-day readers.

The original of the St Boniface Monthly Parish Paper of March 1943.
The original of the St Boniface Monthly Parish Paper of March 1943.

It starts with an inspirational motto from Psalm 127 and then lists the names of the Vicar (Rev. Harold Fryer), churchwardens, PCC secretary and treasurer. It then outlines the Sunday services for the month. There are three services each Sunday with 8am Holy Communion and Evensong every Sunday, and Sung Eucharist and Mattins alternate Sundays.
The letter from the Vicar is next, where he encourages people to prepare for Lent. He also outlines his plans to change the schedule of Sunday services. [Read more…] about A Parish Newsletter from Days Gone By

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, church, history, local interest, memory, St. Boniface Church

Event News: The Book Fair, The Hilt, Chandler’s Ford

July 1, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit:-
A huge thanks to Vie Portland for supplying the poster for The Book Fair. (Look out for it in the area. I’ve seen it in the Post Office window!).

EVENT NEWS –

 

THE BOOK FAIR AT THE HILT,

CHANDLER’S FORD

 

Am thrilled to say there will be a Book Fair at The Hilt, Chandler’s Ford on Saturday 8th July from 1.00 to 5.00 pm. Many local authors are taking part including Richard Hardie and myself. Do come along and say hello.

Good news: the event is free.

However, if you pre-book a ticket, your name will put into a raffle and you could win a £10 voucher to spend with one of the authors at the event (free book basically!).

For more on that, please go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hiltingburycommunityassociation/931076?fbclid=IwAR2hmxcL5Zp4pgkZd_ozaMn4U1QrGLHF37oW5oA-zNEUdpnEDMdHthfYmMU

There is also an event page on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/events/1179799816030117/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

Hope to see you there!

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Read interviews with Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes: Part 1 and Part 2.

Read blog posts by Allison Symes published on Chandler’s Ford Today.

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Tags: am reading, am writing, authors, book event, Book Fair, Book Fair at The Hilt, book signings, local authors

Author Interview: Gail Aldwin and The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell

June 30, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Gail Aldwin for supplying splendid author/book cover photos and the cover reveal mini video. All other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

It is with pleasure I welcome Gail Aldwin back to Chandler’s Ford Today. Gail is a prolific writer. As well as writing her coming of age novels including the lovely This Much Huxley Knows, Gail has written flash fiction. Her book, Paisley Shirt, was published by Chapeltown Books.

Gail has had pieces on CafeLit. Her latest book, The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell, takes a different direction. This psychological suspense novel will be published by Bloodhound Books on 3rd July. Gail will be holding a Twitter book launch (which is something I’ve not come across before and want to know more about!).

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Gail Aldwin and The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell

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Tags: am reading, am writing, book launch, changing writing directions, dual timelines in a novel, Gail Aldwin, outlining, psychological suspense, The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell, Twitter book launch, writing journey

Part 2 – Francesca Tyer – Author Interview

June 23, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is great to welcome back Francesca Tyer for Part 2 of her interview. Francesca is part of the Authors Reach stable and is the author of The Firestone, The Seastone, and, shortly to be launched, The Earthstone.

There is so much hard work behind writing any book, yet alone a series, and given most authors spend so much of their time at their desks, it is great to get away from that for a while to have an enjoyable discussion about writing and to spread the news about our latest works.

So welcome back to Chandler’s Ford Today, Francesca. Now to pick up from where we left off last week.

[Read more…] about Part 2 – Francesca Tyer – Author Interview

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Tags: Authors Reach, book launch, creative writing, fantasy, fiction, Francesca Tyer, marketing, networking, outlining, The Earthstone, The Firestone, The Seastone, workshops, YA

Author Interview – Francesca Tyer – Part 1

June 16, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is with great pleasure I welcome back Francesca Tyer to Chandler’s Ford Today. Francesca is one of many authors who are part of the Authors Reach stable (the driving creative force behind that is Richard Hardie, author of Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords).

[Read more…] about Author Interview – Francesca Tyer – Part 1

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Tags: author interview, Authors Reach, book launch, Francesca Tyer, The Earthstone, The Firestone, The Seastone

Val Penny – Author Interview and News Update

June 9, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Val Penny for supplying author and book cover pictures and some wonderful shots of Edinburgh. Photos connected to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It is with great pleasure I welcome Scottish crime writer, Val Penny, back to Chandler’s Ford Today.

Naturally, she has been busy since we last spoke and is now on the Committee for The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick as well.

Committee service is voluntary, but it can be rewarding. Most writers like to give back in some way. This is one way to do just that. The school couldn’t run without its volunteers.

So over to Val with the questions.

[Read more…] about Val Penny – Author Interview and News Update

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Tags: am reading, am writing, author news, classes, creative writing, crime fiction, detective series, fiction, publication news, Spellbound Books, The Writers' Summer School, Val Penny, workshops

Lilies on the Land – Chameleon Theatre Company – Thursday 27 Jul – Saturday 29 Jul 2023

June 4, 2023 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

The Chameleon Theatre Company is an amateur dramatic group based in Chandlers’ Ford. It was established in 1965, and they stage four productions each year – three plays and a pantomime.

The next production is Lilies on the Land. Box Office is open.

[Read more…] about Lilies on the Land – Chameleon Theatre Company – Thursday 27 Jul – Saturday 29 Jul 2023

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, comedy, drama, event, Hursley Road, Ritchie Memorial Hall

June Gardening Tips by Wellie

June 4, 2023 By Wellie Leave a Comment

Harvest early peas, and prepare for a late sowing to get an autumn crop. Thin fruit, especially apples and plums for bigger fruit,less biennial bearing and fewer broken branches. Sow lettuces and radishes to fill in any gaps between slower maturing vegetables such as brassicas. Net soft fruit bushes to stop the birds taking the fruit. Sow overwintering carrots, such as Autumn King’. Plant out leeks when they are pencil thick. Make a deep hole with a dibber and drop the leek into the hole, if the roots are very long they can be trimmed to roughly 2cm, do not push the soil around the plant, just pour water into the hole and let the earth fall around the plant.

[Read more…] about June Gardening Tips by Wellie

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To Outline or Not To Outline

June 2, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit:   Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

Writers can fall into two categories – the planners and the pantsers. One lot plan out their writing while the other prefer to write “by the seat of their pants” so to speak. They get to their desk and just write.

But you can be both. Some writers will want to plan out, say, a novel, but don’t worry about doing this for their shorter forms of writing. I do both too. How does this work?

[Read more…] about To Outline or Not To Outline

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River Hamble Country Park

May 29, 2023 By chippy minton 3 Comments

River Hamble Country Park

Despite having lived in the area for over 50 years between us, Mrs Chippy and I had never been to River Hamble Country Park until we took part in a running even there earlier this month.

The run took us on a delightful route through woods and alongside the river (and up a few hills), and this was enough to whet our appetite for a return visit for some less strenuous exercise.  So, this was the venue for today’s Bank Holiday walk.  And the park lived up to our expectations. [Read more…] about River Hamble Country Park

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Tags: getting out and about, Hampshire countryside, outdoor exercise, walks

Local Author News: Allison Symes – Spring 2023 Round Up

May 26, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-
Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Photos from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes, or by kind colleagues using my phone!

It has been a busy few months since my last round up and that was only back in March!

Mind you, this is how it is supposed to be! The writing life is not a static one. Nor it is meant to be. So what has been going on writing wise for me recently?

[Read more…] about Local Author News: Allison Symes – Spring 2023 Round Up

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Tags: Allison Symes, am writing, author news, author newsletter, creative writing, feedback, flash fiction, Friday Flash Fiction, Hiltingbury Book Fair, publication news, The Writers' Summer School, workshops, Writers' Narrative

The Joys and Pitfalls of Writing Research

May 19, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit:   Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image from CFT archives.

Every writer has to carry out some research regardless of whether they write fiction or not. As I mentioned in my History in Stories post last week, the need for research crops up in every fictional genre. It perhaps is a more obvious need for the non-fiction writer.

[Read more…] about The Joys and Pitfalls of Writing Research

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Tags: am reading, am writing, crediting sources, fiction, joys of writing research, non-fiction, pitfalls of writing research, research

History in Stories

May 12, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credit:  Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image from the CFT archives.

The Coronation of King Charles III is the latest chapter in the story of kings and queens throughout our history. It was that thought which made me think of this topic for this week’s post. History turns up in fiction, as well as in non-fiction.

[Read more…] about History in Stories

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Tags: am reading, am writing, cosy crime, historical fiction, history in other genres, history in stories, telling details. sagas, writing research
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