I always start to feel that Christmas is getting near when the town centre gets dark before the shops close. So what do I remember of Christmases as a child (apart from the dark high street)?
Mum was very strict on the time when decorations could go up – not before the start of the school holidays. But my sisters and I would often (at least when we were old enough) be trusted to decorate the tree. Except [Read more…] about My Favourite Childhood Christmas Memories in a Village
For me, Christmas only starts when the Christmas tree at Selwood on Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford is erected.
This year, Selwood once again welcomes Christmas with a spectacular Christmas tree.
This handsome Christmas tree with a striking star not only arouses Christmas spirit, but also welcomes travellers. [Read more…] about Selwood: Spectacular Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford 2014
You must have lit fires when you were young and out in the country.
It’s frowned upon by adults but you have to do these things to learn.
The first lesson is that wet things do not burn. The second is that there is nothing as satisfying as something cooked on your own log fire. [Read more…] about Log Fires
The Madding Crowd is a performing group which researches and performs the church and secular music of the English village bands and choirs in the period 1660 to 1861.
The group was founded in 1975.
The Madding Crowd’s next concert is on Friday 12th December at 8 pm in Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church. [Read more…] about The Unique Madding Crowd Concerts
I taught at Montgomery Of Alamein School from January 1966 till July 1988.
For several years I took the top exam classes in English Language and Literature, but I have always considered that my major role in the field of education came in another direction.
On day the headmaster, Dennis Beacham, called me into his office to discuss an important matter. [Read more…] about The Origin Of Humanities Subjects At Montgomery Of Alamein School
Christmas is Creativity.
It is found in the story of the Nativity, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and film stories like The Polar Express.
It is found in poems such as A Visit from St. Nicholas (probably better known as The Night Before Christmas) by Clement Clarke Moore and In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti. [Read more…] about What Christmas Means To Me
Until fairly recently few people from Chandler’s Ford had visited Israel, but now there are some of our parishioners who have joined groups of pilgrims and flown to the Holy Land. Some had pre-conceptions, other had eyes and minds open, ready and willing to accept anything which would strengthen their beliefs.
Here are a few of my own observations – certainly not all with a religious connection – which I hope will bring back happy memories. [Read more…] about Israel – Ancient And Modern (Part 1 of 4)
The “Precinct Pals” welcomed Christmas today with mulled wine and mince pies in Chandler’s Ford.
At the Central Precinct, Christmas celebration was done differently. There was no need for Santa Claus or a horse carriage.
Of course there was no need for road closure either.
Instead, the lights were delicately [Read more…] about Central Precinct: 2014 Christmas Lights Now Switched on
By Emma Golby-Kirk
In these days when the roar of motorway noise disturbs the peace of the otherwise tranquil suburb of Chandler’s Ford, it is hard to imagine the excited anticipation with which residents awaited the building of the Chandler’s Ford by-pass back in the 1960s.
In December 1967 the Otterbourne-Chandler’s Ford by-pass was opened. This six-mile stretch of dual carriageway created a fast link from Compton to Bassett. It cost [Read more…] about A Playground Of Concrete And Cranes
Yesterday I left work early to attend the carol service of Age Concern Chandler’s Ford at the Methodist Church.
Thornden School Wind Band and Toynbee School Choir, with their youthful energy, enthusiasm and talents, impressed the senior members of our community, making the carol service a much cherished event. [Read more…] about Age Concern Chandler’s Ford Carol Service 2014
Christmas isn’t too far away.
Jimmy Peters, who grows and sells Christmas trees, has once again appeared at the Fryern Arcade of Chandler’s Ford selling Christmas trees.
Jimmy Peters’ Christmas trees come from Marwell.
Last year when Jimmy sold his Christmas trees at the Fryern Arcade, he was next to the conventional D & G Hardware store. [Read more…] about Fryern Arcade: Christmas Trees and Christmas Carols
There was a time when there were no sweets. Adults used to talk about Mars Bars, Kit Kats, Gobstoppers and Acid Drops. I had no idea what these were but they sounded desirable.
During WWII there were no sweets.
If you were lucky and could put on a cough, there may be a few pence worth of cough sweets. There were like the Fishermen’s Friends you can get today but bigger. You could suck one or maybe two but no more. They were good currency in the playground, you could swap one for a cigarette card. [Read more…] about Sweets Glorious Sweets
Brambridge Park Christmas 2016 update:
Below was my original post published on 24th December 2014
Last Saturday, I wrote about our delightful Christmas encounter at Brambridge Park Garden Centre. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Lions: Brambridge Park Santa’s Grotto 2014
Chandler’s Ford MDG Players put on a brilliant comedy, Ladies of Iniquity, last week.
The scene was set in the 70s, when power cut and strike were common, when telephone sitting in a dominant place in the lounge was still attached to a wire, and when neighbours could pop in through the backdoor unannounced. [Read more…] about Comedy Review: Ladies Of Iniquity By MDG Players
We can all enjoy Christmas. It is not necessary to focus on baby Jesus and the traditional story of shepherds and three wise men.
Last Christmas was spent in Sri Lanka, a country with only 10% Christians but where the Buddhists (70%), Hindu and Muslim all joined in the celebrations.
We had to dress as Santa and his helper [Read more…] about What Does Christmas Mean For Non-Christians?
By Reverend Tim Searle
Christmas is undoubtedly a special time of year, but it is often quite a frantic time too.
Our ‘To Do’ lists seem endless and the mountain of cards waiting to be signed grows year-on-year. We spend more, eat more, travel more, get stressed more … we even go to church more!
I begin to suffer from Christmas fatigue [Read more…] about Being Human – Christmas Message From Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford
On one of my educational cruises we had three or four PE students with us to help conduct deck games when we were at sea.
On this day we were sitting in the shade enjoying a cold drink after visiting the pyramids: beside me one of the students a young lad of about nineteen, starting speaking. He didn’t realise he was expressing his thoughts aloud and his voice was filled with awe. [Read more…] about Travel Journal: Whereto next?
Christmas is approaching! This is very obvious when you visit a major shopping centre, watch adverts on television, etc. Indeed, the first invitation to buy Christmas cards came to me as early as September (or was it August?).
It’s understandable that businesses work this way, as Christmas sales contribute so much to their turnover. But, for those who don’t run businesses, weariness can set in, until Christmas becomes [Read more…] about Christmas Is Coming – But Not Just Yet
By By Dan Brain
Nobody wants to see cuts to services we value, but I do believe the tough times can actually present us with new opportunities to bring us closer together as a community.
With the backdrop of a slow recovery from the 2008 recession and the promise of more cuts to public spending, it is easy to despair at the proposed loss of local services we have come to value [Read more…] about Our Community: What Are We Passionate About?
The first snow of winter fell in Eastleigh town centre yesterday. What, you missed it? You can’t have been in the right place at the right time.
I have to admit to being a bit of a Grinch when it comes to starting Christmas festivities too early.
If I could get away with it (and I rarely can) decorations wouldn’t go up until Christmas Eve [Read more…] about 2014 Eastleigh Christmas Lights Switch on: Snow Has Fallen
