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Books That Should Have Been Written – Allison Symes
I thought a lighthearted post would be appropriate as we head rapidly through August.
By the time this goes up, I will be on my way back from the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School, having had good opportunities to learn, meet old friends, make new ones, and come back buzzing with ideas and even more enthuasism for the projects I’ve got in mind over the next few months or so. [Read more…] about Books That Should Have Been Written – Allison Symes
Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 58)
Simple Christmas gifts; valuing our treasures; extinct species; a kindly flower-seller; prayers for the Queen on tour; it snows – and Julian falls in it; communication in the 1950s and a couple of nice books.
Book 40
Late October 1953 and Gran’s thoughts are turning to Christmas. On the 23rd she gathers material for making presents:
I collected some twigs, acorns, seeds, bark, lichen and such, with which to make Christmas novelties and my invalid [probably her disabled friend in Southampton] assiduously stuck the acorns back into their cups for me… a little Seccotine ensuring that they would not fall out again. The next step will be to paint them.
And two days later, feeling ill, and the weather stormy, she writes: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 58)
Saturday Guessing Game (4)
Where can you find this notice in Chandler’s Ford?
S59 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
‘It’s an offence to continue to drink alcohol when asked not to do so by a Police Officer …. Failure to comply may lead to arrest and a fine upon conviction.’ [Read more…] about Saturday Guessing Game (4)
Getting Away From It All
By the time you read this, I should be on a train heading to the wilds of Derbyshire to enjoy my annual week at the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School. [Read more…] about Getting Away From It All
Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 57)
A poor fruit crop this year; 12 years’ work at Pinewood Gardens comes to an end; some new Hampshire plants; a muddy situation along Southampton Water and the Dominion Monarch’s special place in Gran’s heart.
Gran has already mentioned that the blackberry crop is particularly poor this year, 1953, and the same appears to be true of the apple crop. She writes on September 16th, that she spends time in the Pinewood Gardens apple shed:
…clearing up and laying out the Green Blenheims, a poor crop, covering only half of one shelf with one layer, instead of being heaped right up. It is a bad apple year here, for there are no Bramley Seedlings or American Mothers, and only a few Russets and Newton Wonders. One tree of Lemon Pippins is fairly well covered but I have not seen the Christmas Pearmains or the Worcester Pearmains. There were no Beauty of Bath and no Gladstones. Three baskets comprised the bulk of the Grenadiers and there are only a few of the Early Victorias at the top of one tree. I have not searched but I can see no Lanes from the end of the greenhouse, and there is only one Maltster. I have never known a worse year since I have been working at Pinewood Gardens. There simply was not the blossom in spring – the frost in May had nothing to do with it. Plums were the same.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 57)
Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (3)
It’s our third Saturday guessing game with 3 mystery photos.
1) Where is this shop in Chandler’s Ford where you could pamper yourself with (Men’s) Waxing?
[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (3)
A Bunch of Amateurs – Review by Allison Symes
Image Credit: As ever, a very big thank you to Lionel Elliott and The Chameleons for supplying the pictures.
There can’t be many plays which manage to be entertaining and reveal all you need to know about Shakespeare’s King Lear at the same time but A Bunch of Amateurs managed this beautifully.
Ben Williams’ review shows what a great play this is and, if you love a laugh AND Shakespeare, it is the play for you. (It was a film, starring Burt Reynolds, but for a play about a play, the stage is the best place for it).
[Read more…] about A Bunch of Amateurs – Review by Allison Symes
A Walk for Adam
Over the August bank holiday weekend, Mike and Alison Standing will be joining Deborah Hockney (Alison’s sister) and her family (Gabriella and Joel) on ‘A Walk for Adam’, to raise awareness of the high level of suicide that occurs in our society, especially amongst younger men, which seems to get hidden from view from the general public.
Going to the Loo
Going to the loo used to be easy, you just looked for the signs that said, Ladies or Gentlemen. Somehow these two straightforward words have become politically incorrect, they hinted at elitism. Now we use Men and Women.
Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Chameleon Theatre Company
The latest performance A Bunch of Amateurs by the Chameleons is a hilarious satire on Hollywood egotism and Shakespeare. When Stratford (Suffolk, not on-Avon) runs out of money for the theatre, the Stratford Player’s only choice is a washed up Hollywood actor called Jefferson Steel, who agrees to act in an amateur dramatics production of King Lear – only to find himself in the wrong Stratford- not the luxurious home of Shakespeare, but a nondescript English village. [Read more…] about Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Chameleon Theatre Company
Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (2)
Another Saturday guessing game with these 3 photos.
1) Where is this sign found in Chandler’s Ford?
‘Customer Clothing Notice: Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear at all times while in our store’. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (2)
Where are These in Chandler’s Ford? Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (1)
Summer holiday has just started. Let’s have a Saturday guessing game with these 3 photos.
1) Where is this sign found in Chandler’s Ford?
‘Dog fouling high priority zone: We need your help to catch offenders in this area’. [Read more…] about Where are These in Chandler’s Ford? Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (1)
Out and About – Summer 2018
Image Credit: All pictures unless otherwise stated were taken by Allison Symes
One of the joys of dog ownership is it encourages me to get out and about. Of course, you don’t need an active pet to get you out and about, but it helps me a lot as I find I am more than willing to take Lady out, but would I just go for a walk by myself? Maybe but definitely far less often.
The only thing to watch with dogs, especially at the moment, is whether the weather is suitable and adjust timings of walks accordingly. [Read more…] about Out and About – Summer 2018
A Look Back at the Hursley Park Book Fair
This is my look back at the recent Hursley Park Book Fair. Many thanks to Glenn Salter (aka author Simon Fairfax) for organising the Fair. So much hard work (and generally unseen at that) goes on behind the scenes to make these events happen. For an inaugural event, I thought the Fair worked well but more on that shortly… [Read more…] about A Look Back at the Hursley Park Book Fair
Why I Blog – Part 2
Following on from last week’s opener to this two-part series on blogging, I continue to share thoughts on the topic from some of my fellow writers. [Read more…] about Why I Blog – Part 2
Why I Blog
It’s funny how certain types of writing remain popular, even though the format in which they are presented may change over time. Keeping a diary was something I did when younger. These days I blog! Most of us who kept diaries had no thought of publication (just as well too, you would have had to have been incredibly lucky here). [Read more…] about Why I Blog
Reminder Post: Hursley Park Book Fair – 23rd and 24th June 2018
Don’t forget the inaugural Hursley Park Book Fair takes place this weekend.
Amongst the authors taking part are Richard Hardie and I. Two former interviewees of mine, Anne Wan and Felicity Fair Thompson, will also be at the event. [Read more…] about Reminder Post: Hursley Park Book Fair – 23rd and 24th June 2018
Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 56)
The lovely site of a baby’s awakening; tastes in flower arranging; one more year of National Service; a trip to Jefferies Country; new flowers for Gran’s list; a historic Test Match; arthritis in the hips, “but I can still play a decent game” and finding friends of Gilbert Whitley.
It’s the last day of July 1953 – a wet one – and Gran is clearing peas in the Pinewood Gardens, and picking a few loganberries. She hears:
…familiar footsteps running up the road and knew that Barry was arriving. He is on leave for the Bank Holiday and was pleased to have done well in the R.A.F. Sports, winning the 440 and 880 yards and the third prize in the sack race! He ran the three-legged with the Squadron Leader but they were unplaced. His prizes consisted of three useful additions to the home – water jug and glasses, teaspoons and a leather wallet.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 56)
Hursley Park Book Fair – 23rd and 24th June 2018
Richard Hardie and I are amongst the 40 or so authors taking part in the inaugural Hursley Park Book Fair over the weekend of 23rd and 24th June. (Felicity Fair Thompson and Anne Wan, both of whom I interviewed for CFT, are also taking part). [Read more…] about Hursley Park Book Fair – 23rd and 24th June 2018