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Bridge House Publishing Celebration and Broadcasting News

December 20, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

One image created in Book Brush using a photo taken by Lynn Clement and a screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images from the Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event were taken by Debz Hobbs-Wyatt, Lynn Clement, and me, Allison Symes. One image from CFT archives. Two other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It’s a lovely way to finish my Chandler’s Ford Today posts for Christmas by sharing festive related writing news.

Tags: Allison Symes, am reading, am writing, Association of Christian Writers Flash Fiction group, author update, Bridge House Publishing Celebration event, Christmas story by Allison Symes, festive flash fiction, Friday Flash Fiction Christmas Competition, Hannah Kate, networking, North Manchester FM, Tact by Allison Symes, The Best of CafeLit 13, Theodore Bullfrog, Three Minute Santas flash fiction show

What I Look For In A Good Story

December 13, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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

Everyone has their own tastes in books and stories, of course. The publishing and literary world would not be so interesting and extensive if we all read the same thing. Genres would disappear and creative imagination would be limited to whatever it was we all read. But there are elements in books and stories which cross all genres. These are the things I look out for whenever I read any kind of story, regardless of its word count.

Tags: am reading, am writing, books, characters, flash fiction by Allison Symes, gripping reads, long fiction, plots, short fiction, stories

Becoming a Pilgrim of Hope – Christmas Message from Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2024

December 6, 2024 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

Written by Rev Deacon Paul Owen
St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church (part of the Catholic Parish of St Swithun Wells)
on behalf of Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford

We are well into December and our senses are full of the coming of Christmas. Whether it’s the Christmas lights springing up all over the area; the Christmas songs we hear all the time in shops or on the radio; the adverts on the TV encouraging us to buy more food and presents than we need. But this year, perhaps more so than in previous years, we prepare for Christmas in a world faced with difficult times. A world in which suffering, wars and political uncertainty are a greater threat than they have been for many years.

It got me thinking about what it is that is special for us as we approach another Christmas. What is it we look for at Christmas? For us Christians, this period of preparation for Christmas is called Advent. The central theme of Advent for all Christians is hope. But for each one of us, where do we find our hope this Christmas?
[Read more…] about Becoming a Pilgrim of Hope – Christmas Message from Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2024

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, Christmas, church, churches together, community, history, local interest, religion, tradition

A Right Cozy Christmas Crime with Wendy H Jones – Author Interview

December 6, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Wendy H Jones and Lynsey Adams from Reading Between The Lines Book Vlog for supplying book cover and poster/promo pictures. Many thanks to the other authors in A Right Cozy Christmas Crime for supplying their author head shots. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images or those supplied by Wendy H Jones/Lynsey Adams.

One of the joys of the Christmas season is having extra reading time! Okay, you may have to wait until after the big day itself but isn’t having new books to enjoy something to relish for that period between Christmas and New Year? It is for me!

Also, as we all know, books are perfect presents and easy to wrap or put in festive gift bags. But, of course, the lead up to the season is the biggest in the publishing world because of this. What I like is amongst the many new novels, there are plenty of anthologies coming out too.

Tags: A Right Cozy Christmas Crime, Alex Greyson, author interview, book blog tour, cozy crime, crime stories, crime story anthology, Dianne Ascroft, Gillian Duff, Gulia Fancelli Clifford, Linda Mather, Malice Domestic, Marti M Mcnair, Melicity Pope, Pauline Tait, Reading Between The Lines Book Vlog, Scott and Lawson Publishing, Sheena Macleod, short stories, Sisters in Crime, Sophy Smythe, Stella Oni, Sue Cook, Wendy H Jones

Wellie’s Gardening Tips for December 2024

December 1, 2024 By Wellie Leave a Comment

I was sitting down to write my garden piece for December and for whatever reason it came into my head to try and find 12 plants that represent the song Twelve days of Christmas…..So hear goes.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me……

First Day – a partridge in a pear tree – Pyrus communis (pear tree) I know an easy first one!

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

Author Interview: Introducing Hannah Retallick

November 29, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Hannah Retallick for supplying book cover, book launch, and author photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images or photos supplied by Hannah or are directly from PIxabay.

I am so pleased to welcome Hannah Retallick to Chandler’s Ford Today. Hannah, like me, is a Bridge House Publishing stalwart, and her debut short story collection, Something Very Human, has just been published by them. Hannah and I have been in many of the anthologies they have produced.

Hannah is an excellent flash fiction writer and has gained recognition in many international competitions, including receiving Highly Commended in the Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2022, winning the £2000 Edinburgh Award for Flash Fiction 2024 – the biggest flash prize in the UK – and being Highly Commended in the Bath Flash Fiction Award. All of these are highly prestigious in the flash fiction world.

Tags: author interview, book launch, Bridge House Publishing, debut story collection, flash fiction, Hannah Retallick, short form fiction, Something Very Human, writing journey, writing routine

Top Flash Fiction Writing Tips and the Benefits

November 22, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:- Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Many thanks to Penny Blackburn for taking the images of me at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick 2024. Many thanks to Gill James for taking the image of me reading at the 2023 Bridge House Publishing Celebration event (and it was a cold day!).

As some of you will know, I discovered flash fiction by accident. It is easily the happiest writing accident I have ever had/am likely to have and I’m grateful for it. Two published books later with a third accepted – well, it’s the kind of accident any writer would welcome.

CafeLit, with whom I’d been published for a while, issued a 100 word challenge and I gave it a go, discovered the form is addictive and I’ve not looked back.

Tags: Allison Symes, am writing, benefits of writing flash fiction, characters, creative writing, editing, flash fiction, flash fiction tips, marketing, tight writing, writing advice

Allison Symes – Author Update November 2024 – Book Fairs, Autumn Gatherings, Flash NANO and More

November 15, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Janet Williams for taking pictures of yours truly at The Hilt Book Fair. Other photos were taken by me, Allison Symes, as were all screenshots. Other images created in Book Brush using either my photos or Pixabay ones.

It’s been a busy time of late. As well as going to the Association of Christian Writers (ACW) Autumn Gathering event in Rugby, literally the following week I was at The Hilt, taking part in the Book Fair.

I was pleased to see this back and while it was quieter than last year, it was great to meet writers from last year, meet new authors, and have a good chat with those I’ve known for a while, including our own Richard Hardie who was promoting his new book, Remember Remember, the third in his Temporal Detective Agency series for YA readers. (I’ve not been a YA for some considerable time but still love books like these and see no reason why my age should preclude me from reading them!).

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Tags: Allison Symes, Association of Christian Writers, author update, Autumn Gathering, Book Fair at The Hilt. Flash NANO, Bridge House Publishing Celebration event, competition placing, editing, story judging, the writing life, writing events

Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 10th November 2024

November 12, 2024 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

The service for Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford was lead by the Rev’d Duncan Hollands. Flags represented the British Legion, Scouting and Guiding.

Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography has kindly shared unique photographs of the Remembrance Service at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial with the community. It was held at the St. Boniface Church. Thank you Debbie.

Remembrance Sunday Service at St Boniface Church, Chandler's Ford — Remembrance Sunday, Chandler’s Ford 2024

Tags: community, culture, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, history, Hursley Road, Information Chandler’s Ford community, local interest, memory, Remembrance Sunday, St. Boniface Church, war memorial

Review – The Chameleon Theatre Company – I’ll Be Back Before Midnight

November 8, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

A huge thank you to The Chameleon Theatre Company for supplying the photos from I’ll Be Back Before Midnight. Other images created in Book Brush using Chameleon images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

I joined Janet Williams for the performance of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight on Thursday, 24th October. The play (a thriller) is by Peter Colley and it was advertised as not being suitable for the under-12s. Spot on there but the play had a fantastic and strong storyline, a real whodunnit and whydunnit combined.

There were so many bluffs, double bluffs, you had to pay close attention but the storyline was so gripping, that wasn’t an issue.

When you are on the edge of your seat, hoping everything will somehow work out the right way for one character, whom you believe is being set up cruelly to die (probably at their own hand or made to look that way), then you know the characters have gripped you and will not let go until the play ends. That is how it should be too.

Tags: amateur theatre, bluff and double bluff, drama, I'll Be Back Before Midnight, play, Ritchie Hall, The Chameleon Theatre Company, thriller

Speak Their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt – On Display at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church

November 3, 2024 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Have you heard of the Speak Their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt?

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight ‘Speak Their Name’ Suicide Memorial Quilt is a beautiful ongoing piece of art, created with love in memory of people lost to suicide by their bereaved friends and family. This project has been inspired by the quilts made in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire.

Speak their Names Quilt on Display in Chandler's Ford November 2024 — Speak their Names Quilt on Display in Chandler’s Ford November 2024

Marie Curie and Thornden Hall

November 3, 2024 By Ray Fishman Leave a Comment

The Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford Fundraising Group for Marie Curie were delighted to enter a partnership with Thornden Hall last year to raise much needed funds.

Volunteers collected at Movie Nights at Thornden Hall Arts Centre at Thornden School in Chandler’s Ford raising £809.47 in the last 12 months.

Thornden Presentation photo - Marie Curie — Thornden Presentation photo – Marie Curie

Photos show Neil Daykin, Manager and Nicolette Lock for Marie Curie at a presentation of our Certificate of thanks at a recent Movie Night. [Read more…]

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, event, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, Marie Curie, news

Wellie’s Gardening Tips for November 2024

November 3, 2024 By Wellie Leave a Comment

Prune roses to prevent wind-rock and this is also the time to prune most deciduous trees, but a lot of deciduous ornamental grasses can be left until the spring. Prune grapevines after leaf fall, but before the end of December to avoid ‘bleeding’ of sap. Prune Acer (maple) species now as well to avoid them bleeding from the cut stems once the sap rises in the spring.

Now is the ideal time to plant bare rooted plants.

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

Author Interview – Debz Hobbs-Wyatt – If Crows Could Talk – Part 2

November 1, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images are directly from Pixabay. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

Introduction – Part 2

It is a great pleasure to welcome Debz Hobbs-Wyatt back to Chandler’s Ford Today for Part 2 of an in-depth interview celebrating the launch of her new novel, If Crows Could Talk (Walela Books).

Part 1 from last week covered Debz’s writing journey and wonderful advice regarding agents and the writing life. She also discussed the small presses (both of us are connected to Bridge House Publishing). Link at the bottom of this section of the interview if you missed Part 1. Whatever stage of the writing life you find yourself at now, do check both parts of this interview out. Debz has shared lots of wonderful tips.

Tags: author interview, author library visits, Bridge House Publishing, Debz Hobbs-Wyatt, editing, If Crows Could Talk, marketing, novels, short stories, storytelling, supporting libraries, Walela Books

Author Interview: Debz Hobbs-Wyatt – If Crows Could Talk – Part 1

October 25, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images from a Bridge House Publishing event supplied by Paula Readman and me. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is a joy to welcome Debz Hobbs-Wyatt to Chandler’s Ford Today. I’ve known Debz for some time thanks to our mutual connections with Bridge House Publishing.

I’ve been on one side of the fence here, having had several stories in various BHP anthologies over the years. Debz has been on the other side of the fence with BHP founder, Gill James, and the two continue to work closely together. Indeed, I’m looking forward to meeting up again with Debz and Gill at the Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event in December.

Tags: author interview, Bridge House Publishing, characters, Debz Hobbs-Wyatt, Gill James, If Crows Could Talk, marketing, novels, resting your writing, short stories, the indie press, Walela Books, writing advice, writing journey, writing what you love

ACW Autumn Gathering and Supportive Writing Groups

October 18, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Photos from the Autumn Gathering and screenshots were taken by me, Allison Symes.

I was delighted to get to my first Association of Christian Writers in person event for a while on Saturday 12th October 2024. I went up as part of their Autumn Gathering held at Rugby Elim Church. It was a Friday night/all day Saturday event but I just went up by train on the Saturday.

Tags: Association of Christian Writers, Autumn Gathering, encouragement for writers, networking, Paul Kerensa, supporting authors, what to look for in a writing group, workshops, writing groups

BOOK FAIR AT THE HILT – SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2024

October 16, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Vie Portland for providing the poster for the Book Fair. One image created in Book Brush using the poster.

BOOK FAIR AT THE HILT 2024

I’m delighted to say the Book Fair is back at The Hilt, Chandler’s Ford, this Saturday 19th October from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

Entry is free, there will be a wide range of books available from our talented local authors, so do come along. You could even start your Christmas book buying early, assuming you haven’t already of course!

There will be talks from some of the authors too.

Come and say hello and hopefully go home with books, knowing your seasonal present list has now had some items ticked off it!

See you there.

Allison Symes

At the Book Fair in 2023 – hopefully see you at this year’s one on 19th October 2024.

Tags: author talks, Book Fair at The Hilt, books, fiction, local authors, local book event, non-fiction

Meeting Miriam Drori: Loyalty and the Learner

October 11, 2024 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:- Many thanks to Lynsey Adams from Reading Between The Lines Vlog and to Miriam Drori for supplying author/poster photos, book cover pictures, and to Miriam specifically for images relating to the world of her stories with additional information given in the captions. One image taken as a screenshot from Miriam’s website. Other images were created in Book Brush using either Pixabay images or photos provided by Miriam/Lynsey. Screenshots were taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is with great pleasure I welcome Miriam Drori to Chandler’s Ford Today. Miriam and I met at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick in August and it was lovely to chat in person. We took part in the Open Prose Mic Night there.

Tags: blog tours, book launches, book marketing, creative writing, crime fiction, Jerusalem Murder Mystery Series, Loyalty and the Learner, Miriam Drori, The Writers' Summer School - Swanwick, the writing life, writing crime, writing routines

Wellie’s Gardening Tips for October 2024

October 4, 2024 By Wellie Leave a Comment

The temperatures are now dropping and the nights are drawing in, so it is important to get as many jobs done in the garden before it gets too cold. Wallflowers can be planted now. Continue planting spring flowering bulbs. Cut back herbaceous perennials that have died down.

Split and divide older clumps of overgrown perennials. Prune [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for October 2024

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

Story Inspiring TV and Its Music

October 4, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Videos from YouTube. Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes. One image directly from Pixabay.

In my recent post about Books, Movies, and Music, which was a joy to write, I focused on the link between classical music and films/stories on which the movies are based. For this post, I thought I’d take a look at those stories which have inspired wonderful TV series, with superb themes bringing them to life musically.

Tags: Agatha Christie, Colin Dexter, crime, Doctor Who, Elizabeth Beresford, Enid Blyton, Hercule Poirot, Inspector Morse, Jane Marple, John Le Carre, Michael Bond, Paddington, reading leading to TV series, Reverend W Awdry, sagas, science fiction, stories and TV, stories inspiring TV and its music, The Famous Five, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Wombles, Thomas The Tank Engine, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, TV encouraging reading

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Many thanks to Hannah Retallick for supplying book cover, book launch, and author photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images or photos supplied by Hannah or are directly from PIxabay.

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Many thanks to Janet Williams for taking pictures of yours truly at The Hilt Book Fair. Other photos were taken by me, Allison Symes, as were all screenshots. Other images created in Book Brush using either my photos or Pixabay ones.

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A huge thank you to The Chameleon Theatre Company for supplying the photos from I’ll Be Back Before Midnight. Other images created in Book Brush using Chameleon images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images are directly from Pixabay. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

Introduction – Part 2

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Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images from a Bridge House Publishing event supplied by Paula Readman and me. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Photos from the Autumn Gathering and screenshots were taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Many thanks to Vie Portland for providing the poster for the Book Fair. One image created in Book Brush using the poster.

BOOK FAIR AT THE HILT 2024

Allison Symes

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Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Videos from YouTube. Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes. One image directly from Pixabay.

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