Further to last week’s post, when Chandler’s Ford author, Richard Hardie of the Temporal Detective Agency fame, shared what signings and other events have occupied him recently, this continuation shares some of his further news as well as tips for fellow writers.
[Read more…] about Adventures of a Fantasy Author – Richard Hardie Interview Part 2
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Selwood Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford 2015
Here is the 2015 Selwood Christmas Tree on Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford.
The glow of the Christmas tree has brightened the sky in Chandler’s ford for the past three weeks. [Read more…] about Selwood Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford 2015
Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct: Christmas Lights Switching On: Thursday 10 December 2015
The Christmas lights will be switched on in Chandler’s Ford this Thursday.
Local traders from the Central Precinct have organised a friendly ‘Christmas light switching on’ ceremony for Thursday the 10th of December 2015, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct: Christmas Lights Switching On: Thursday 10 December 2015
Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players
My mum and I recently went to see a comedy based on Science Fiction, performed by MDG (Methodist Drama Group) Players from Chandler’s Ford.
The comedy is called Diamond in the Sky, written and directed by Chandler’s Ford playwright Mike Standing.
While my mum couldn’t quite understand the comedy, I understood it as I’m a sci-fi nerd. [Read more…] about Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players
Christmas Tree Festival at Chandler’s Ford St. Boniface Church
St. Boniface Church throws open its doors for a Christmas Tree Festival.
Twenty imaginatively decorated Christmas trees now adorn the Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford, on Hursley Road, SO53 2FT. [Read more…] about Christmas Tree Festival at Chandler’s Ford St. Boniface Church
999, 111, 101, 112? Emergency Numbers You Must Know
*** Please note that information in this article was correct at date of first publication (December 2015), but may have changed subsequently. Please use more up to date sources for the most recent information on emergency numbers ***
It used to be just 999 for the emergency services, but now there is a whole host of numbers we can use to summon help. But which is which, and when should we use them?
999 – The main emergency number
This is the emergency number for police, ambulance, fire brigade, coastguard, cliff rescue, mountain rescue, cave rescue, etc. Note the important word ‘EMERGENCY’. This number should be used only when urgent attendance by the emergency services is required – for example someone is seriously ill or injured, or a crime is in progress.
Calls are free, and 999 can be dialled from a locked mobile phone. [Read more…] about 999, 111, 101, 112? Emergency Numbers You Must Know
Further Adventures of a Fantasy Author
One of my earliest posts for Chandler’s Ford Today was an interview I conducted with local author, and fellow dog walker, Richard Hardie, who had not long released The Trouble With Swords, his second book in his Temporal Detective series and follow up to the marvellous Leap of Faith. [Read more…] about Further Adventures of a Fantasy Author
A Night in the Cells
I was about 13 at the time, and attending Peter Symonds’ School in Winchester. A friend, and fellow student, was Don Broomfield, whose father was the Police Superintendent at Eastleigh.
The Broomfields lived in the Station House, attached to Eastleigh Police Station in Leigh Road, and I visited Don there on many occasions, cycling down Leigh Road from Meadow Grove … a ‘breeze’ going, as it was downhill most of the way, over Ford Bridge, past Prices Southern Confectioners, North End Secondary School, The Leigh Hotel, Pirelli’s and Caustons Printing Works, arriving finally at the police Station on the corner of Toynbee Road. [Read more…] about A Night in the Cells
NEW! Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market
Have you been to the new Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market yet?
The next market is on Saturday the 12th of December 2015 from 10am to 2pm, on Brownhill Road, at Age Concern Centre in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about NEW! Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market
An Interactive Local History Talk by Martin Napier
I spent a fascinating and hugely enjoyable afternoon at Chandler’s Ford library yesterday where I attended a talk on “Growing up in Chandler’s Ford in the 50s and 60s” by local ‘lad’ Martin Napier.
Extra chairs had to be brought out to accommodate everyone. [Read more…] about An Interactive Local History Talk by Martin Napier
Uplifting: Chandler’s Ford 42nd Joint Charities Christmas Market 2015
It’s the Charity Christmas Card week, from 15th – 22nd November 2015.
Deputy Mayor Eastleigh Councillor Des Scott opened Chandler’s Ford’s 42nd Joint Charities Christmas Market last Saturday (14th November 2015). [Read more…] about Uplifting: Chandler’s Ford 42nd Joint Charities Christmas Market 2015
From Movies at the Hilt to Movies at the Hall
Dear Moviegoer,
I mentioned a few months ago that Nigel and I would be retiring from running Movies @ the Hilt from the end of this year. We had thoroughly enjoyed providing this service but we both had reasons for freeing-up our respective personal time. [Read more…] about From Movies at the Hilt to Movies at the Hall
Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 8 November 2015
On Remembrance Sunday on the 8th of November in 2015, people from Chandler’s Ford remembered and honoured the fallen.
180 people assembled outside St. Boniface Church at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial as poppies were laid at the foot of the memorial. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 8 November 2015
Hampshire Historical Connections
I believe Hampshire may be unique as a county in having 3 cities within it – Southampton, Portsmouth and Winchester. As a result there are plenty of historical connections to our area, some of which make for excellent days out.
The fact we can directly access the Isle of Wight, and there are many historical connections there, gives us even more to see and do. [Read more…] about Hampshire Historical Connections
My Memories of Chandler’s Ford in the 1930s and 1940s: Part 2
By Peter David Shuttler
Here I am at the age of 83+ with still vivid memories of my early life at Chandler’s Ford.
I will have to skip for a moment but you will realise the relevance.
While I lived at Woodbridge (Tasmania) our local GP was a Dr Wilson. When mother was out here she went to visit him. Realising that she was originally from Chandler’s Ford he said that he did his internship at Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about My Memories of Chandler’s Ford in the 1930s and 1940s: Part 2
Review: Dracula by Chameleon Theatre Company
What happens when an amateur theatre company needs props that they don’t have?
They ask a friends, ask a neighbour, or ask local residents.
A while ago Nick Coleman and Liz Strevens from the Chameleons Theatre Company went public to borrow a violin (for their production, The Ladykillers), and a white patio table (for their production, Relatively Speaking). [Read more…] about Review: Dracula by Chameleon Theatre Company
Bats and Hallowe’en
Having a quiet evening and sitting with the door and windows open listening to the rain hammer down and waiting for the next flash of lightning. In flew a bat, large, about 40cm wingspan.
It did half a dozen circuits of the room and then found its way out. It reminded us that it is Hallowe’en back home. [Read more…] about Bats and Hallowe’en
Richard Hardie: “So You Want to be an Author?”
At the Chandler’s Ford library today I attended an author talk by Richard Hardie: “So you want to be an author?”.
Richard is a Chandler’s Ford author who has written two books in the Temporal Detective Agency series – Leap of Faith and Trouble in Mind. He talked to us about being a writer and good writing tips. [Read more…] about Richard Hardie: “So You Want to be an Author?”
My Memories of Chandler’s Ford in the 1930s and 1940s: Part 1
By Peter David Shuttler
I was born in Chandler’s Ford in 1932 – lived at Kingsmead (corner of Winchester Road and Ford Road) until 1946.
I tried to contact Barbara Hillier some years ago as I have two copies of her book. I sat next to David (Ginger) Hillier in Miss Drover’s Grade 4/5 in 1945/46. [Read more…] about My Memories of Chandler’s Ford in the 1930s and 1940s: Part 1
Back to Sri Lanka
It is good to be back in Sri Lanka. We have been here enough times now to feel it is a second home. All those weird tropical things are becoming familiar. I had forgotten how noisy the night is after rain. All those frogs and things calling out for a mate. The fireflies too, silent and magical in the darkness. [Read more…] about Back to Sri Lanka