It is ironic that George Orwell’s Room 101, which rightly in the book is associated with oppression, is used for entertainment, even with a post like this one. It is to his credit though that (a) his work lives on after him and (b) his creations have passed into popular usage. I must admit I hope the latter has led to some people checking out where Room 101/Big Brother come from originally. [Read more…] about Part 5 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101
Community
Networking Tips – Allison Symes (with Mandy Huggins)
Networking is vital for all writers. You make connections, those may lead to taking part in events like book fairs, but, most importantly, you make friends. There is nobody like another writer who will understand the drive to write and its frustrations. [Read more…] about Networking Tips – Allison Symes (with Mandy Huggins)
Part 4 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101
Now for the next section of the things I would like to see consigned to the Room of Doom created by George Orwell. (I wonder what he’d make of social media and cameras everywhere? Not much, probably). [Read more…] about Part 4 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101
The 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force: Remembering the Vulcan
Yesterday, 1st April, was the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. Some of you may have seen More4’s screening last night of ‘Last Flight of the Vulcan Bomber’ when the daredevil mechanic Guy Martin worked at the ‘Vulcan to the Sky Trust with the team of engineers maintaining XH558 The Spirit of Great Britain, the last remaining Vulcan flying.
He learned about the rigorous servicing, he flew alongside the Vulcan in a fly-past and later experienced the incredible thrust of this brilliant aeroplane from the cockpit, accelerating up to the point of take-off (WOW!) [Read more…] about The 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force: Remembering the Vulcan
Playing the Ball
The cricket toughies, the ones who engage in heavy sledging, the brave men who face fast bowlers slinging down bouncers at 90 mph, the ones who will field at silly mid on (a position close to the batsman) collapse in tears when caught cheating. Mind you, the rest of the world really seems to have it in for them; something of an over-reaction. Many of us and many cricketers are enjoying a temporary feeling of schadenfreude; others will be feeling fearful lest telephoto videos of them are re-examined closely. [Read more…] about Playing the Ball
Easter Message from the Rev. Peter Cornick: Christ is Alive!
The churches of Chandler’s Ford wish you a peaceful and joyous Easter. We will be ‘walking’ with Jesus on his way to the cross and celebrating his resurrection on Easter morning. The churches would warmly welcome you to any of the services and you will find the details at Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Easter Message from the Rev. Peter Cornick: Christ is Alive!
Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 49)
Brandy for a Bullfinch; much to be thankful for; looking forward to 1953; Sandy Cunningham; “shortenin’ bread”; mis-identification of a woodecker; a boy is born, and tears and joy fight for supremacy.
On December 10th 1952, Gran is brought a male Bullfinch that has been “knocked down”, she thinks, on the road. She has little hope of its recovery as it seems to be in a bad way but she gives it a drop of brandy, holds it in her warm hand, and then places it in a basket by the kitchen window, and it begins to recover. After more than an hour it flies off, and Gran says, “He was a beautiful bird and I was so pleased that he recovered”.
The use of brandy in such a situation is new to me, and I expect is not to be recommended! I remember another member of the family many years later giving apple pieces soaked in brandy to a budgerigar, and it became so relaxed that it fell off its perch!
December 13th:
I had little time for outside observations today since Barry was coming on leave early this evening and bringing with him his new friend, John Sandy Cunningham, known to all as Sandy, and his fiancée Jill, whose second name I never discovered and which Sandy told me was relatively unimportant as she would be changing it on January 7th, when they are getting married.
Sandy and Jill spend the night at The Ridge, Gran noting that they were:
…already quite at home and the easiest young people with whom to get on that I have ever known, in spite of the fact that Sandy is extremely clever and an Oxford B.A. Also, he is one of the handsomest young men I know and his manners are punctilious. His voice is well modulated and he is most gentle and courteous towards Jill.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 49)
Sharing my Videos and Memories: by Syd Hutchinson from Chandler’s Ford
By Syd Hutchinson
I have lived in Chandler’s Ford for over 30 years. I am retired now and realised when I pop my clogs, all my videos and photos would probably be deleted from the drives, so decided to share many of them on YouTube.
I created my own channel Syd Hutchinson, and have had nearly 120,000 viewings in the last 3 years. I re-edited some of our holiday videos from far-flung places and added them. It’s a shame many countries we have visited were many years ago when video quality was not so good, so many places are not included. Fast approaching 100 videos now ranging from wildlife to National Trust properties. I even have a video that was used on the Travel Channel. [Read more…] about Sharing my Videos and Memories: by Syd Hutchinson from Chandler’s Ford
Writing Tips and Character Creation: Interview with Gail Aldwin Part 2
Part 1 of Gail Aldwin’s interview last week shared Gail’s memories from her round the world bus trip and how it influenced her Paisley Shirt flash fiction collection (published by Chapeltown Books). Here she shares her writing tips, the joys of creating characters and her thoughts on ebooks and “real” books. Comments on the latter would be welcome! [Read more…] about Writing Tips and Character Creation: Interview with Gail Aldwin Part 2
Those were the Days: the Potters Heron Hotel in the 50s and 60s
I thought I would take this opportunity to respond to Chandler’s Ford Today’s informal invitation to provide some input that might catch the eye of a few older folk.
Being an environmentally aware person and property man who cut his teeth in a very beautiful part of England I was at an early age drawn to the Potters Heron for a variety of reasons. It is magnificently located for its purpose on a stretch of highway that sweeps majestically in a gentle curve on its way to my favouritecity. Strangely enough, and it may seem totally irrelevant but I had the same feeling when I last swept along the Big Sur stretch of the coastal highway in CA. [Read more…] about Those were the Days: the Potters Heron Hotel in the 50s and 60s
Another Potters Heron Story Before the 1966 Fire
I remember the Potters Heron before the 1966 fire, and another event prior to that date, probably in the late 1950s…
The original line of the main road there was much closer to the Potters Heron than now, due to a particularly nasty accident that took place then.
A group of actors or celebrities of the day were travelling on what was then the A31, in a couple of fast (for then) cars. [Read more…] about Another Potters Heron Story Before the 1966 Fire
Another Turn of the Potter’s Wheel
The Potters Heron has been known affectionately over the years by some as the Potted Herring. I’ve known it for nearly 60 years.
It was indeed a very popular restaurant and bar. It had a thatched roof and was rather more attractive and intimate than the building that replaced it after the fire in 1966, although the hotel that rose from the ashes retained something of the character of the original building. [Read more…] about Another Turn of the Potter’s Wheel
Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 48)
A mis-use of Farley Mount; Tom Jenkins retires and a Robin dies; the kindness of friends; the glory of Joan Hammond and Geoffrey Parsons; speech day and chrysanthemums for a new home.
Book 32
On October 12th 1952, Gran is pleased to see her old friend and confidant, Mr Utterton, briefly returned to Compton Church:
I was delighted to reach the Church gate at the same time as Mr Utterton, who was taking today’s services, and I was able to speak to him for a few moments. Except that he appeared a little older, he was his own kind self and it was good to see him again.
Later, she writes, “This afternoon Jane and I went up to Farley Mount. I wanted her to see it before all its Autumn beauty had faded”, but she is disturbed by what they encounter there:
We returned to Hursley past the Mount itself but all pleasure was spoilt by a motor-cycle rally which was in progress opposite the Monument. I grieve for Farley Mount these days, for the peace and serenity which I used to find there, and, if such as motor rallies are to become frequent, I am afraid much of its wild life will be lost as well. A Lark was singing but much of its melody was lost in the constant roar of passing motor-cycles.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 48)
Travelling by Bus around the World and Inspirational Flash Fiction – Introducing Gail Aldwin
Further to last week where I discussed the frustrations of publishing, it is my pleasure to share my interview with another writer taking the independent press route. Please “meet” fellow Chapeltown Books author, Gail Aldwin. Also many thanks to her for supplying the images for this interview. [Read more…] about Travelling by Bus around the World and Inspirational Flash Fiction – Introducing Gail Aldwin
How to Cope with Publishing and Editing
Allison Symes’ sound advice on publishing and its perils, The Frustrations of Publishing, set me to thinking about my life as a writer and in some respects as a publisher, or rather editor of journals and series of books. I was fortunate in having a few bright ideas at the right time such that small publishers who were seeking to expand their business took me on as a series editor for books in philosophy, ethics, and science related topics. [Read more…] about How to Cope with Publishing and Editing
Your Guide to Nerve Gas
Here is what you need to know about nerve gas in relation to the events in Salisbury. Nerve gases are a terrible and frightening weapon but, if you survive an attack, you will be OK, unlike after a conventional injury which may leave you without a limb or full of shrapnel.
For much of my professional life, I have flirted with nerve gases. A dangerous thing to do you might think but interesting and important as recent events in Salisbury have shown.
Fort Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 47)
A little bit of nostalgia; early signs of the future schoolmaster; a fast car to Eastbourne; tennis with pigs; the Otterbourne Monkey Puzzle; a new bird for Britain; Last night of the Proms and 200 Swallows in a bedroom.
Gran is in pensive mood. She writes:
I heard religion described today by a clergyman as “what we do with our loneliness”, and I thought back over the last five years and wondered if he would think I had used mine to advantage. Quite apart from my writing, which may or may not benefit somebody someday, I think it has deepened my capacity for compassion and sympathetic understanding and I have tried to give myself wholeheartedly to those who need me, and I know that my friendship has helped several people at least. But it has also humbled me, for I have felt so desperately bewildered and ignorant of so much that I want to understand and believe implicitly…
[Read more…] about Fort Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 47)
The Frustrations of Publishing
There are few authors who don’t know about the frustration of getting their work out there. Also, even fewer make their living “just” via their books (as regular surveys by the Society of Authors make depressingly clear).
George Orwell made a significant amount of his living via book reviewing. The benefits of his creations passing into the English language as shorthand, sadly, were not realised by him directly. I’ll be returning to my 101 Things to Put into Room 101 (which is loosely based on his creation of Room 101 in 1984) in a few weeks’ time. You don’t want all my moans at once! [Read more…] about The Frustrations of Publishing
Mrs Doncaster
I was interested in a previous article by Rick Goater in which he mentioned his grandmother visiting Mrs Doncaster’s garden in 1952. For some years, I lived three doors away in our (then) new house overlooking the green in Merdon Avenue.
I have in my possession, a Royal Horticultural Society journal, published in 1982, which contains a fascinating article about the garden by Roy Lancaster. Mrs Doncaster, at that time, had collected and grown uncommon and ornamental plants for fifty years. [Read more…] about Mrs Doncaster
Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 46)
More flowers for the great ocean liners; a couple of celebrities; National Service; a cycle-ride to Avington Park; a visit to Stratford upon Avon; an uncomfortable situation, and a baby is on its way.
Gran is again boxing-up flowers at the Fowler’s shop in Southampton on July 30th 1952, for delivery to ocean liners shortly to leave port – this time, the SS United States again and also the RMS Queen Elizabeth. She ends a detailed description of the contents of one box thus:
…Asparagus fern completed the gift box which I think should have delighted the heart of any woman lucky enough to receive it. I did not visit either of the ships today as I had to leave by mid-day in order to cycle back here in time for lunch and to Pinewood Gardens by two o’clock.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 46)