Hundreds of people indulged in a great day at the fourth Fryern Funtasia this afternoon at Fryern Recreation Ground.
Fryern Funtasia is a community-led event organised by local volunteers and local businesses, with support from Chandler’s Ford Parish Council.
Fryern Funtasia is a fusion of village fete with funfair atmosphere: pony rides, Go-Karts, circus tent, steam railway by Winchester Model and Engineering Society, Spider Mountain, Race Simulator, Falcon High, Bungee Trampoline, and many more.
The official opening of Fryern Funtasia 2015 by Deputy Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Jane Welsh, was followed by the crowing of the May Queen & King.
Beautiful music filled the air at the Fryern Recreation Ground.
Performances included our talented musicians from Chandler’s Ford Brass Band, Centrestage Production Youth Theatre, and Southampton Ukulele Jam.
Local school teachers and their pupils brought us beautiful dances and music.
Maypole dancing by Fryern School, Fryern School Choir, and street and folk dancing by Scantabout School were very enjoyable to watch. There were many proud parents and grandparents today.
It was great to see our local MP Steve Brine and Liberal Democrat Councillor Jackie Porter too.
Chandler’s Ford Councillor James Duguid told me that they were manning the stall with Sustrans, supported by the Parish Council, to increase awareness and to campaign for more dedicated Cycle paths around Chandler’s Ford, especially through to Hursley.
Chandler’s Ford photographer Alan Fry, of Alan Fry Photography, took stunning photographs this afternoon, which captured the essence of this beautiful event.
Chameleon Theatre Company
My son and I also had the pleasure of meeting members from Chameleon Theatre Company of Chandler’s Ford this afternoon.
They are (from left to right): Karol Cooper, Lisa Dunbar, Ellie Payne, Gillian Wilkins, Dave Wilkins, Marilyn Dunbar, Nick Coleman, and (Front row) Zara and Daisy Wilkins.
The Chameleons’ performances are always a treat. We’ve watched their recent performances, from The Ladykillers, The Wizard Of Oz, to Fawlty Towers.
Meeting these crazy people at Fryern Funtasia was a joy. Dave Wilkins, who played Basil at Fawlty Towers, now has met his young fan (my son) and seems to have become his role model.
The Chameleons have brought so much joy and creativity to the community. I hope you don’t miss their next performance Relatively Speaking, from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th July 2015.
The Rotary Club of Chandler’s Ford & Itchen Valley
I met Bob Jordon, President of the Rotary Club of Chandlers Ford & Itchen Valley.
I was very impressed by the high profile of fundraising for Nepal Disaster Appeal.
Bob was also promoting the popular Chandler’s Ford Itchen Walk, to be held on Sunday 7th June 2015.
“Raise money for your chosen community group, cause or charity by taking part in this sponsored walk.”
Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, Churches Together, Christian Aid
Christian Aid had a strong presence yesterday.
On one side of the field, Sara Goodhead and Sue Wakelin were busy selling donated scarves (£3 per silky scarf was such a good bargain).
At the sports court, an annual Chandler’s Ford inter-church football contest took place.
This was the first time such an inter-church football match took place at Fryern Funtasia.
The event raised £136.77 to kick off local fundraising for Christian Aid Week, which starts officially next Sunday, May 10.
Stephen Dominy and trustee of Christian Aid, Brian Ridsdale, were both present to support the games.
New – Messy Church by the Methodist Church
Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church has now launched a new Saturday service for families called Messy Church.
Chandler’s Ford Messy Church: Second Saturday of the month
Messy Church is held on the second Saturday of the month from 4pm to 6pm in the Dovetail Centre at the Methodist Church.
The dates for Summer 2015 are May 9th, June 13th & July 11th.
Chris Slatcher is very excited about this new Messy Church, and she invites you to join the Messy Church.
One Community
One Community, the Council of Voluntary Service (CVS) for the Eastleigh area, was rather busy.
One Community is an independent charity providing voluntary sector support, community development, day care, information and transport services in the borough of Eastleigh and beyond.
I met Jean Roberts-Jones, chief executive of One Community, and Julia Allan, Head of Voluntary Sector Support Team.
Apart from informing visitors of volunteering in the community, they were also promoting Eastleigh Museum, where One Community have an Information Centre.
Reporting Hate Crime
Are you a victim of your disability, gender identity, race, ethnicity or nationality, religion or belief, or sexual orientation?
Jean told me at Eastleigh Museum, people could also come to report Hate Crime.
If people feel they have been the target of Hate Crime, they could seek help at Eastleigh Museum, where they could report their problems with a member of staff.
Jean mentioned that this aims to help those vulnerable people who may not go to the Police, but they need support in the community.
Don’t know where you could use your time and talent to volunteer?
You can find out details from Volunteer Centre Eastleigh, which helps recruit volunteers and promotes volunteering.
Three Rivers
I had good conversations with Mark Miller, Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership officer, and Chairman Nick Farthing.
We discussed how to improve Chandler’s Ford train station.
Mark and Nick also shared new services in the area.
There is a new rail bus link from Romsey Rail Station through the lower Test Valley, which started on Sunday 3 May 2015.
The free bus service is operated by Test Valley Community Transport Services with volunteer drivers, and funded by Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, The National Trust Mottisfont, The Museum of Army Flying, and the Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership.
From Three Rivers – Rail Bus Link from Eastleigh Train Station to Marwell Zoo: Marwell Bus leaflet from March 2015 to 31 August 2015 First M1 (pdf).
Southampton Ukulele Jam and Centrestage Production Youth Theatre
Southampton Ukulele Jam and Centrestage Production Youth Theatre entertained visitors with upbeat songs and music.
Their positive energy throughout the afternoon was infectious.
The ethos of Southampton Ukulele Jam is that “everyone welcome, anyone can do it”. The group started in 2008, but now had attracted hundreds of enthusiasts.
Some of the members also participated in setting the new world record for the biggest ukulele ensemble at St Mary’s Football Stadium in Southampton in July last year.
Youngsters from Centrestage Youth Theatre sang and danced with boundless energy.
The youngsters were also promoting Archie Dobson’s War, to be performed at The Arch (Station Lane, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 4DD), from 28th – 30th May 2015.
Centrestage Youth Theatre will also be performing their new musical, Loserville, from Thursday 6th August to 8th August 2015, at The Point, Eastleigh.
Entertainment and local businesses
Children enjoyed an encounter with owls from Falconhigh.
I also came across some interesting businesses. The Soaphouse Co is recently set up by Ian Ladd, who makes soap from Otterbourne.
Jo Walker and Julie Myers were selling pet food with a home-delivery service, with a company called Oscar. I had never realised such business existed.
Fairtrade fashion
Finally, it was great to have bumped into Chandler’s Ford Councillor James Foulds too. I met him just a few weeks ago during the Fairtrade Fashion Show at St. Martins in the Wood Church.
Yesterday James wore the Fairtrade shirt that he wore during his catwalk. I thought you all can’t wait to see the shirt.
Update: 7th May 2015
Chandler’s Ford Parish Council seems to like this post.
A link to this post has now appeared on the Parish Council’s home page.
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