I was in Winchester today with my mum and I noticed several signs advertising a Doctor Who event.
When mum asked if I wanted to go, I said no. This puzzled her, as she thought as a fan, I would want to go. I then explained to her what I call the three kinds of Whovians: [Read more…] about The Three Kinds of Whovians
Today I got back from my grandparents’ house where I stayed for a few days. I did lots of exciting things but the highlight was discovering the weird world of game shows.
You see, there was a time where channels like CBBC would show programs which can be enjoyed by younger and older children, such as The Sarah Jane Adventures (which is one of the best spin offs of Doctor Who ever). [Read more…] about Weird World of Game Shows
I’ve given up sweets, cakes and biscuits for Lent. Possibly a bad choice, and each year I get to about the halfway point and think that maybe next year I’ll give up something I don’t like as much.
But that’s not really the point. In fact, giving up things per se isn’t really the point. It’s more to do with doing some self-reflection and assessing your spiritual life, [Read more…] about What Is Lent All About?
Just a few yards off The Circus in Bath is the Museum of East Asian Art in a beautiful Georgian house on Bennett Street.
The contents were collected by Brian McElney OBE, a British scholar of sinology who worked as a lawyer in Hong Kong. After retirement he tried to present his collection to other museums of Chinese art but eventually set this one up himself. [Read more…] about China In Bath
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1999 saw me start in post as District Commissioner for Chandler’s Ford District and was the start of some memorable years.
I had been in Scouting then for 15 years at the 2nd Ramalley Group and when offered the post of District Commissioner I realised that my close contact with the young people was going to change. [Read more…] about What A Wonderful Time I Have Had!
I have almost forgotten today is the Tomb Sweeping Day to the Chinese people.
I was reminded of the festival today when I read that the Chinese families of Chinese passengers aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 are still hopeful.
Tomb Sweeping Day is also known as the Qing Ming Festival 清明节, literally Clear Bright Festival [Read more…] about Tomb Sweeping Day
On Monday, I went to Southampton on a visit to Southampton Old Cemetery with some of my classmates from Toynbee School in Chandler’s Ford as we were on a history trip. I found out several interesting facts about the cemetery and the area.
The cemetery was built in the 1840s and over the years, it slowly became an area of over 27 acres. [Read more…] about Visit To Southampton Old Cemetery
As it’s Lent time, I decided to talk about my favourite show combined with one of my favourite times of the year.
It’s obvious that the Doctor has some similarities with Jesus, in particular the resurrection and regeneration of both characters. But there’s a lot more about the Doctor, and the show, which links in with religion.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this [Read more…] about Doctor Who and Religion
The Fall of Singapore happened on the 15th of February, 1942, on the Chinese New Year day. It was the largest surrender of British-led forces in history.
Singapore was supposed to be an impregnable fortress.
Older people in Singapore and Malaysia still remember the hardship [Read more…] about From The Fall Of Singapore To Prosperity
As we are still in the Christmas season, I’ve decided to take a look at a character in the Nativity story who I think is quite underrated.
Judging by the title, you should know who I’m talking about. [Read more…] about Why Joseph Is Underrated
Have you heard of the Princess Mary’s Christmas Gift in 1914?
It was the World War One Princess Mary Brass Gift Tin.
I had a rare opportunity to hold this special brass tin last week.
Thousands of brass tins [Read more…] about Princess Mary’s Christmas Gift 1914
One of the traditional sounds of Christmas is that of church bells.
I’m not sure why it is a traditional sound of Christmas, as church bells are rung through the year – most Sundays, as well as other celebratory events such as weddings and christenings.
But as you hear the peal of bells drifting [Read more…] about The Art Of Bell Ringing
This is part two of Alan Page’s latest post: The Pomander: A Brief History.
Essentially, the way to make an Orange Pomander has not changed since Tudor times.
The main ingredients are still a fresh orange, whole cloves and cinnamon, [Read more…] about How To Make An Orange Pomander
By Alan Page
The Pomander has been known since at least the 14th century, although its form has changed considerably.
Originally the main ingredient was a nugget of the mysterious and exotic substance Ambergris, which was considered to have life-enhancing properties.
A wax-like substance produced in the intestines of the sperm-whale, [Read more…] about The Pomander: A Brief History
When you walk along Hursley Road in Chandler’s Ford, outside the Parish Church, do you ever pause and look at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial? Do you ever read the names on the stones?
Chandler’s Ford resident Hazel Bateman told me this story of the War Memorial at the St. Boniface Church, Parish of Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Story Of Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Something that guidebooks to Eastleigh tell you is that the design of the town’s war memorial is “very unusual”.
What provides this distinction is the figure of the Angel of Mons on the top.
However, as far as I know, none of the guidebooks explain why Eastleigh does have an angel [Read more…] about Eastleigh War Memorials
If you visit Jane Austen’s house in Winchester, at No 8 College Street, you’ll see a plaque on the wall of the straw-coloured building, where Jane Austen spent the last few weeks of her life in 1817.
The plaque reads: In this house Jane Austen lived her last days and died. 18th July 1817. [Read more…] about Unusual Street Names In Chandler’s Ford: Gardner, Laidlaw And Morley
I’ve picked up a few books about Chandler’s Ford from the library and you may find them interesting.
1) Capt. A.A.J. Fortune: Chandlers Ford, 1859 – 1969. The book cover reads, “An account of the growth of Chandlers Ford from a hamlet to a village by 1897, now the largest residential area in the Borough of Eastleigh.”
Price for the book was 10/6. [Read more…] about Fascinating Books About Chandler’s Ford
Do you still remember the day when Chandler’s Ford train station was opened?
It was exactly 10 years ago.
This year, Chandler’s Ford Train Station is celebrating its 10th anniversary. [Read more…] about Historical Pictures: Chandler’s Ford Train Station Opened 10 Years Ago
I picked up this notice last weekend at the post office in Fryern Arcade, Chandler’s Ford.
It’s a simple message from the Fryern Dry Cleaners, but you can still feel a tinge of sadness: [Read more…] about “We’re Sorry To Be Leaving Fryern…But…”
