There has been quite a lot of changes at Fryern Hill. Banks have disappeared, shops are closing, businesses are moving elsewhere……Here are just a few examples.
Card Gallery
The former Barclays Bank
Changes at Fryern Hill
Community
Review: The Chameleon Theatre Group – Pinocchio
Image Credit:-
A huge thank you as ever to The Chameleons for kind permission to use their photos. One image adapted in Book Brush using a Chameleon photo. One screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes, from the Chameleons’ website re their next production.
It was a joy to see Pinocchio, staged by The Chameleon Theatre Group on Saturday, 28th January. There are many for whom pantomime is their first experience of live theatre. Funnily enough, it wasn’t for me. My kid sister and I tended to go and see the latest Disney releases at the old Gaumont, now of course The Mayflower in Southampton. Remember seeing Robin Hood and Cinderella there.
[Read more…] about Review: The Chameleon Theatre Group – Pinocchio
Classic Stories
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
What would you define as a classic story? Do you define it by age or by how often it can stand being re-read? Or do you define it by its word count where you have a story where you can’t imagine another word being added and/or words being taken out of it?).
Of course, your answer can be any of the above, maybe all of them! For me, though, the age of a story is irrelevant. If it is classic, it is because it is a fabulous tale, not because of its antiquity (or lack of same).
Author Interview: June Webber – Publication: Never Too Late
Image Credits:-
Many thanks to June Webber for supplying author pictures and book cover photos. The Best of CafeLit 11 images come from Bridge House Publishing so many thanks to them for those. Images from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images (with one image directly from Pixabay).
It is with great pleasure I welcome friend and fellow Swanwicker, June Webber, to Chandler’s Ford Today. June and I first met at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick back in 2016 when I was a “white badger” (first time attendee). June, Val Penny, and I regularly meet up on Zoom.
[Read more…] about Author Interview: June Webber – Publication: Never Too Late
Writing Pitfalls
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
The writing life is fun but being prepared for the roller coaster aspect of it is a good idea. Every writer has their ups and downs. It helps to know this. Going into the writing life with your eyes wide open also helps. It also helps, I think, to accept the following is true.
Diaries and Letters
Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos (with one image directly from Pixabay). Book cover images from Chapeltown Books.
Have you ever kept a diary? Did you use to/still do enjoy writing and receiving letters in the post? The answer to both those questions is yes from me.
I keep a diary to help me stay on track of what I write when (and to remind me to get my author newsletter out, note down workshop dates etc). I also keep, as part of the same diary, notes on how my writing is going and whether I was pleased or not with the previous day’s writing efforts.
Positives and Negatives
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
It’s almost impossible at this time of the old year to resist looking back and weighing up what kind of twelve months it has been. The days and months of the calendar never change (well, bar leap years I guess and even then only by one day!), yet our attitudes towards the passing of time can vary so much.
I must admit this year has struck me as a sad one. I’ve known several friends lose loved ones and I was deeply saddened by the death of the Queen. I was (and remain) saddened (and angered) at the war on Ukraine. So on the face of it, 2022 has not been a great year (and we thought 2020 was bad!).
What I find helps is remembering feeling like this is normal. Every year has its ups and downs though in some years, it is harder work to recall the positives!
Festive Flash and Other News
Image Credits:-
Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Many thanks to Hannah Kate from North Manchester FM for kind permission to use the Three Minute Santas photo. Book covers of Evergreen – an Anthology and The Best of CafeLit 11 are from Bridge House Publishing. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. The Merry Christmas image is from CFT archives.
My, how does the time fly! It’s time for some festive flash fiction and news about my writing year. It’s been a busy but fun one.
Mary’s Christmas Story – In Her Own Words
MARY’S STORY
Oh, I’m so tired. I’m glad I’m able to ride some of the time on Eysl, our donkey, though I do have to walk some of the time, to give him a rest too. I hope we’re nearly there. My back aches and I’ve had some pains – I wonder if that’s the baby coming. I haven’t mentioned those to Joseph – I don’t want to worry him. He’s already worrying about where we‘ll stay when we reach Bethlehem, what with so many people on the road going for the census, like us.
I’m tired and I’m afraid. I’m afraid of what people say about me being pregnant and unmarried. Afraid that the shame will mean we can’t find anywhere to sleep tonight. Afraid of what having the baby – the Son of God – will mean for the family. Will Joseph and I be able to have a normal family life? I’m afraid of what the future holds for us all.
I do love Joseph. I already did, when we got betrothed. But then when I had to tell him I was with child, I was sure he’d want to walk away. He told me he thought he might, but without making too much of a fuss. But he didn’t, he said he’d stand by me and the baby. He told me he had a dream where an angel told him to take me as his wife, that what I’d said was true – that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit, that it’ll be a boy and we’re to call him Jesus. And that he’ll save people from their sins. I’m not sure how that last bit works – but we’ll see. I wonder if it’s what the prophets foretold all those years ago. Could he be the Messiah? My little baby? [Read more…] about Mary’s Christmas Story – In Her Own Words
Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event 2022
Image Credits:-
Photos taken by me, Allison Symes. Many thanks to Lynn Clement for taking the image of me reading work. Other images created in Book Brush but using one of my photos.
It is always a joy to get to go to the Bridge House Publishing celebration event and it is equally lovely to blog for Chandler’s Ford Today about it! This year it was held at the Theodore Bullfrog pub in London. They do have some great pub names (and if you can think of any you’ve come across, do share them in the comments). It is an especial pleasure to go since Covid-19 has put paid to previous planned get togethers. It was by no means certain this year’s event would go ahead either due to other outside events beyond BHP’s control.
But we made it and it was lovely to get into a cosily warm pub, given it was bitter out. (Coldest places on the planet must include railway stations. They make for very good wind tunnels… brrr… and I’d nominate Southampton Airport Parkway as one of the worst there).
[Read more…] about Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event 2022
Deadly Traditions – Interview with Wendy H Jones
Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for supplying author and book cover pictures. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.
It is lovely to welcome Wendy H Jones back to Chandler’s Ford Today with news of her latest publication. It is another departure from Wendy’s usual line of work too. This time, Wendy has a short story in Deadly Traditions, which is a crime and Christmas anthology.
[Read more…] about Deadly Traditions – Interview with Wendy H Jones
“Seconds” – Interview with Val Penny
Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Val Penny for supplying author and book pics and images of Edinburgh. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. The photo of Val Penny about to run a workshop at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick was taken by me, Allison Symes. Other photos from Swanwick were taken by me or by kind writer friends using my phone!
I’m delighted to say Scottish crime writer, Val Penny, has excellent news to share with regard to her Hunter’s Revenge. Its second edition was published on 30th November 2022 by Spellbound Books.
To find out more about Val’s DI Hunter Wilson do go to her book page on her website
There is also a buy link at geni.us/a13c
Christmas Angels – Churches Together in Chandler‘s Ford
Belief in angels is common to many religions, and some recent research also shows some atheists admitting to believing in them. They are important in the Islamic tradition as well as Jewish and Christian faiths. Angels feature in popular culture, films, songs, and street art including works of Banksy. Some people believe in ‘guardian angels’ and others think of them more as messengers from God.
At this time of year Christians think of the angels who brought messages to Mary and to Joseph, and those witnessed by shepherds; first a single angel bringing the good news of the birth of Jesus and then many, singing of peace on earth.
In these unsettled times, news of joy and peace are much needed and so Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford have combined to bring a little joy into our community this Christmas through the knitted angels that you will find popping up around the streets and public places in mid-December. [Read more…] about Christmas Angels – Churches Together in Chandler‘s Ford
Crossing Paths with Jenny Sanders – Flash Fiction, Devotionals, and Short Stories- Part 2
Image Credits: Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for author and book cover pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.
It was a joy to welcome Jenny Sanders to Chandler’s Ford Today last week. She and I have crossed paths many times thanks to our connections via the Association of Christian Writers, online magazine Mom’s Favorite Reads, and flash fiction.
This week, Jenny tells us more about her writing journey, including how she discovered flash fiction, and shares her thoughts on the most challenging aspects of creating a story or an article. Plenty to learn from here so, once more, over to Jenny.
Hiltingbury Polish Dependants’ Hostel in Chandler’s Ford
By Pawel Basisty
My name is Pawel Basisty and I’m member of Friends of Polish Veterans Association in Southampton. Our organisation is trying to make sure that our army veterans and important history dates are not forgotten but celebrated. Often we take part in the same events as British Legion.
This time we will celebrate the unveiling of the commemorative plaque for 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Hiltingbury Polish Dependants’ Hostel in Chandler’s Ford.
[Read more…] about Hiltingbury Polish Dependants’ Hostel in Chandler’s Ford
Crossing Paths with Jenny Sanders – Part 1
Image Credits:
Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for supplying author, book, and other pictures. Other images have been created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Some images are directly from Pixabay. Photos from the ACW Golden Jubilee weekend were taken by me, Allison Symes.
One of the great joys of the writing life is meeting and befriending other writers. You learn from each other. You talk with others who understand the drive to write and who have their fair share of the ups and downs of trying to get work published. Often you’ll come across the same writer in different ways and this is true for me with regard to Jenny Sanders, my interviewee.
[Read more…] about Crossing Paths with Jenny Sanders – Part 1
PHOTOS: Remembrance Sunday Tribute in Chandler’s Ford 2022
Local people in Chandler’s Ford have come together to honour those who served and to remember their sacrifice. Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography has kindly shared some photographs of the Remembrance Service at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial with the community. She has captured pictures of the parade on Hursley Road and the service at St. Boniface Church. Thank you Debbie.
[Read more…] about PHOTOS: Remembrance Sunday Tribute in Chandler’s Ford 2022
Remembrance Day Service at the Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford 2022
On Remembrance Sunday, many people gathered to remember those who have given their lives to protect our freedom.
Representatives from Scout groups across Chandler’s Ford, together with other local community groups, laid wreaths and attended a service of remembrance today at the parish church of Chandler’s Ford.
The service was held in conjunction with the Royal British Legion and the Borough of Eastleigh. It was led by the Rev Hayley Richens and the Rev Penny Thatcher.
[Read more…] about Remembrance Day Service at the Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford 2022
Nativity Experience returns – 19 to 24 November
After a two-year break caused by the Covid pandemic, Eastleigh Baptist Church’s much-loved interactive Nativity Experience is back. Bigger and better than before –with an additional and exciting attraction.
The body of the church will be transformed to take visitors on a journey through different stages of the Christmas story. The layout has been inspired by the ancient tradition of a labyrinth that takes a person on a contemplative and reflective spiritual journey. The maze at the top of Winchester’s St Catherine’s Hill was possibly an example. [Read more…] about Nativity Experience returns – 19 to 24 November
Remembering
Image Credits:-
Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Others are taken from the Chandler’s Ford Today archives.
Today is Armistice Day. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – a poignant moment in history.
This year’s events will be familiar and as moving as ever. I think this year they will seem more so I suspect to many of us given one familiar figure will no longer be laying a wreath at The Cenotaph.
