Arts

Every photograph we take, every show we present, or every song and hymn that we sing, we bring inspiration, creativity and joy to the community. Our artists have taken risks. They have brought us wonder and beauty of nature.

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

Charlotte Mary Yonge in Eastleigh

September 30, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 12 Comments

Charlotte Mary Yonge? Who is she?

She is the woman represented by the new statue of a seated figure in the approach to Eastleigh Railway Station. Yes, but who is she?

Charlotte Mary Yonge is hardly known these days but she was a notable novelist in her time. [Read more…] about Charlotte Mary Yonge in Eastleigh

Tags: architecture, Charlotte Mary Yonge, culture, development, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, history, Hursley, John Keble, literature, local interest, news, Otterbourne, train station, writing

Event at the Hilt – Meet the Real Heroes: Doctor Prakash Amte and Doctor Manda Amte

September 6, 2015 By Janet Williams 2 Comments

The Hiltingbury Community Centre (The Hilt) will be hosting a unique event on Sunday September 13th 2015 at 2:00pm. Two distinguished guests from India will be sharing how their passionate, selfless medical work in a rural area has transformed thousands of lives.

The dedication of Dr. Prakash Amte and his wife, Dr. Mandakini Amte, and their story has been made into a moving film, The Real Hero. [Read more…] about Event at the Hilt – Meet the Real Heroes: Doctor Prakash Amte and Doctor Manda Amte

Tags: celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, entertainment, event, film, health, Hiltingbury, hospital, The Hilt

Hampshire Scouts Present ‘Stepping Out’

September 5, 2015 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Hampshire Scout Shows Unite!

For the first time in the history of Scouting in Hampshire, the creative talents of multiple districts will be brought together in collaboration for a one night only performance as Hampshire Scouts present ‘Stepping Out’. [Read more…] about Hampshire Scouts Present ‘Stepping Out’

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, Gang Show, Hampshire, local interest, scouting, social, Winchester

Richard Hardie’s Book Writing Fun at Chandler’s Ford Library

August 30, 2015 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Chandler’s Ford author Richard Hardie will be signing copies of his Young Adult novels, Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords, at Chandler’s Ford Library.

Richard Hardie will be hosting two sessions on Thursday, 29th October. The first one will be between 10.30 and 12 noon and is called Let’s Write A Book. This session is aimed at 10 to 12 year olds. [Read more…] about Richard Hardie’s Book Writing Fun at Chandler’s Ford Library

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

Gill James: Top Tips to Writers’ Networking

August 29, 2015 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

This post continues from yesterday’s article where Gill James shared some of her thoughts on life as a creative writing lecturer and author.

Gill gave me my first publishing credit via Alternative Renditions, a Bridge House anthology, and I have since had other work published online and in Limerick Nation and The Shamblelurklers Return. I’m currently working on a short story collection. [Read more…] about Gill James: Top Tips to Writers’ Networking

Tags: blogging, books, education, interview, publishing, reading, writing

Gill James: Teaching Writing

August 28, 2015 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Earlier this year, I posted my interview with Gill James who as author, creative writing lecturer and small publisher gave me my first break into publication with my short story, A Helping Hand, when it appeared in the Bridge House Publishing anthology, Alternative Renditions. [Read more…] about Gill James: Teaching Writing

Tags: blogging, books, education, interview, publishing, reading, writing

Best of Chandler’s Ford Today: Top 12 Theatre Reviews

August 26, 2015 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Chandler’s Ford Today has published nearly 800 posts in two and a half years.

Today’s summary post celebrates local theatre reviews written by Chandler’s Ford writers. [Read more…] about Best of Chandler’s Ford Today: Top 12 Theatre Reviews

Tags: arts and crafts, books, Centrestage Theatre, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford, community, education, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Thornden School, Winchester Road, writing

Genius, Madness and Serendipity

August 17, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick Leave a Comment

Some of you may recall an Antiques Roadshow of 1987. An elderly couple brought in a picture of a night scene in the desert with horses, palm trees and a group of travellers around a camp fire. [Read more…] about Genius, Madness and Serendipity

Tags: arts, history, museum, storytelling

My Top 10 Terry Pratchett Characters

August 14, 2015 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

What is the best thing about fiction for you? The plot? The characters?

For me, the characters are everything. The best plot in the world will fail unless it has the characters to “run” with it.

Do you prefer stand alone novels or a series? [Read more…] about My Top 10 Terry Pratchett Characters

Tags: arts and crafts, books, leisure, literature, reading, review, Terry Pratchett, writing

Top 10 Reasons to Love Books

August 7, 2015 By Allison Symes 17 Comments

I have loved books, especially fiction, since I was very young.

My mother taught me how to read but was told off for it by teachers when I started school because she hadn’t done it in the correct way. I think these days she’d probably be given a medal. Mind, with all the issues in the news recently, I sometimes wonder how any of us of a certain age ever made it through the 1970s! [Read more…] about Top 10 Reasons to Love Books

Tags: architecture, blogging, books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, leisure, literature, reading, review, writing

That’s Entertainment – Parkewood School of Dance

August 5, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

That most certainly was entertainment. A gala of dance at Thornden Hall on Sunday evening 26th July. [Read more…] about That’s Entertainment – Parkewood School of Dance

Tags: arts and crafts, community, entertainment, music, review, Thornden Hall

My Favourite Fairytales

July 31, 2015 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

When I was very young, my father gave me The Reader’s Digest of Fairy Tales. These were in two hardback volumes and contained the original versions of the classic stories.

I still have these books, which are bound up with tape to stop them falling apart, as I couldn’t tell you how often I read them. There are also wonderful illustrations of the characters. [Read more…] about My Favourite Fairytales

Tags: blogging, books, leisure, literature, reading, review, writing

Another Triumph for Chameleon Theatre Company

July 24, 2015 By Ray Fishman 1 Comment

This week my wife and I attended the latest offering by our local Chameleon Theatre Company. We also took along someone new to this form of entertainment as we were sure that she would be hooked as we are to this talented group.

We were not disappointed. [Read more…] about Another Triumph for Chameleon Theatre Company

Tags: arts and crafts, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, local interest, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

My Desert Island Books

July 24, 2015 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

There are many Radio 4 shows I love but I am especially fond of Desert Island Discs. My only problem with it is I would want to take at least 8 books with me to the fictional island, as well as the pieces of music. Since I can’t arrange that, I thought I would share what I love most about stories and list some of my favourites.

One of the first things I pack when getting ready for going on holiday is at least one good book (I also take The Good Book but that’s another matter!).

A good story, whether it is a full length novel or a shorter piece, stays with you long after you have finished reading it.

Writers are lucky here as if it is their story. They get the pleasure of writing it (and reading it first!).

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

The 10th Eastleigh Mela

July 23, 2015 By Cecily Casey Leave a Comment

Namaste Eastleigh!

The 10th Eastleigh Mela, held on Eastleigh Town Rec, took place on Sunday 19th July 2015.

This was my second year supporting the Mela and as before the event was a riot of colour, sound and wonderful smells! [Read more…] about The 10th Eastleigh Mela

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, good neighbours, Leigh Road, local interest, social, volunteering

The Writer’s Process – 25th July 2015

July 23, 2015 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Felicity Fair Thompson has sent me details of a writer’s talk this coming Saturday, 25th July 2015.

The details are below. I’m not able to go myself but thought I would post this in case other writers can do so. [Read more…] about The Writer’s Process – 25th July 2015

Tags: culture, event, writing

Review: Relatively Speaking – Chandler’s Ford Chameleon Theatre Company

July 22, 2015 By Ben Williams 4 Comments

Over the past month or so I have been helping out with the Chameleon Theatre Company, after seeing several of their shows.

I learnt how to work with the lights and sound effects for the show from Lionel Elliott and Rebecca Nye. Last Sunday I saw the full dress rehearsal as I will be unable to help during the actual show due to holiday-itis. So treat this review like a film review when the film critics go to see the show early. [Read more…] about Review: Relatively Speaking – Chandler’s Ford Chameleon Theatre Company

Tags: arts and crafts, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, local interest, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

July 21, 2015 By chippy minton 3 Comments

It must be slightly daunting when planning to perform a well-known and loved musical. Everyone knows the story. Everyone knows what the songs are supposed to sound like. Can we do it justice? No such qualms need to have worried the cast and crew of who treated audiences to a feast of entertainment with Thornden School’s summer production of The Sound of Music last week.

The production required a large cast of over 100 performers – [Read more…] about Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, education, entertainment, event, local interest, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Thornden School, Winchester Road

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