Written by Graham Jackson
ITCHEN VALLEY PROBUS CLUB PART 3
In the first two articles of this series I looked at the history and formation of Probus Clubs, how and why Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC) was created, the first 30 years or so of the Club, and I touched also on current activities. In this final article of the series I look more at present activities and towards the future.
[Read more…] about Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC) – Part 3
Written by Graham Jackson
ITCHEN VALLEY PROBUS CLUB PART 2
In the first of this short series of articles about Probus, I looked primarily at the origins of the worldwide movement, and touched on Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC). This time I look at the creation of IVPC and track it through to 2025. The final article will look at 2026 and beyond for IVPC.
In August 1988 the President of the Rotary Club of Itchen Valley felt there may be a need for another Probus Club in this area. His feeling was based on the successful promotion and subsequent establishment of a new Club in Alresford, and the knowledge that the existing Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford Probus Club had 60 members, and a waiting list.
[Read more…] about Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC) – Part 2
Congratulations to Gopi Chandroth on his brilliant book, INDISHMAN.
Author Gopi Chandroth lives in Chandler’s Ford. He is a marine engineer with over four decades of experience in the maritime industry, including 15 as a marine accident investigator for the UK Department for Transport. [Read more…] about Good Book to Read – INDISHMAN – Reflections from India, Britain and the Sea by Gopi Chandroth
Written by Graham Jackson
This is the first in a short series of articles about Probus, a movement which began over sixty years ago, and, more specifically the local Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC) formed in 1989.
The Probus Club movement can be traced back to the mid-1960s, perhaps specifically to Welwyn Garden City Rotary Club whose President is believed to have organised a Coffee Morning for his retired friends. The was successful enough for him to form a luncheon club and the rest, as someone once said, is history. From the outset, Rotary Clubs have historically taken a pivotal role in the development of many Probus Clubs, including IVPC.
Thank you to Rev Rachael Hawkins, Minister of Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, for sharing this article with the community:
Dear friends,
Am I the only one who thinks that Christmas celebrations seem to have started particularly early this year? The Christmas adverts always seem to start in early November and the shops seem to start looking to Christmas once the Halloween stock disappears, but it feels as though there is also a desire in people more generally to start celebrations early. For the last week or so I have been noticing houses being decorated and trees going up, only a few, but they are around. One of my favourite memories from childhood is putting the Christmas tree up on Christmas Eve. It goes up earlier than that in our house nowadays, but it means that seeing decorations up so early still feels very odd to me.
I was intrigued, however, by a comment I heard recently asking whether decorations are going up early because people need it. Decorations, lights, coming together for meals, making time to do something special all give moments of joy and when people are struggling, when life feels hard, having those moments can be valuable. Life does feel hard for many people at the moment and so the comment made me see those early decorations going up in a different way. [Read more…] about Christmas Message 2025 from Rev Rachael Hawkins
Fryern Funtasia was such a great success. The weather was quite ‘unpredictable’ but the drizzle didn’t seem to bother us. The event was well organised, and the atmosphere was superb. When people said it’s a ‘community’ event and it truly was. There was something special for everyone, whatever your age. There were favourite games and crafts for children, and there were also boats and steam train for enthusiasts. There was a stilt walker who entertained and surprised the kids. Animals. Music that filled the air. Ice Cream.
The Mayor of Eastleigh Cllr Dave Pragnell and the Mayoress Jean went round to meet many people. At the u3a pitch, the mayor spoke with Pam Moffat (Vice Chair) and Dave Claxton (Chair) about u3a and their role within the community. [Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia 2025 – Drizzle, Sunshine, Stilt Walker, Steam Train, Puppet Shows … What an Amazing Event!
Dear readers, you must have seen many intriguing postbox toppers around Chandler’s Ford. They surprise us, delight us, and make us smile. A splash of colour; a creative design; a world re-imagined. For the past few years, the remarkable ladies (with some of their ‘helpers’) from Chandler’s Ford u3a have graced our streets and quiet lanes with their creations made with love and crafted with great skills. You may even feel a bit uplifted on a mundane trip to Asda, as the topper may remind you of an upcoming special celebration or a significant historical event, or its playful, whimsical nature may take you back to your childhood.
Credit: Special thanks to Sandra and Dave Claxton for providing the story and all the photographs in this article below.
Since the amazing response to our 25th Anniversary Postbox Toppers of 2023, our “Topper Ladies” have barely stopped in their endeavours producing themed Toppers for the King’s Coronation, Remembrance Week, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Summer, the Olympics and were even asked to produce a Postbox Topper to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Eastleigh Borough last May.
[Read more…] about Who are the Mysterious Postbox Topper Ladies in Chandler’s Ford?
Written by Rev Deacon Paul Owen
St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church (part of the Catholic Parish of St Swithun Wells)
on behalf of Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford
We are well into December and our senses are full of the coming of Christmas. Whether it’s the Christmas lights springing up all over the area; the Christmas songs we hear all the time in shops or on the radio; the adverts on the TV encouraging us to buy more food and presents than we need. But this year, perhaps more so than in previous years, we prepare for Christmas in a world faced with difficult times. A world in which suffering, wars and political uncertainty are a greater threat than they have been for many years.
It got me thinking about what it is that is special for us as we approach another Christmas. What is it we look for at Christmas? For us Christians, this period of preparation for Christmas is called Advent. The central theme of Advent for all Christians is hope. But for each one of us, where do we find our hope this Christmas?
[Read more…] about Becoming a Pilgrim of Hope – Christmas Message from Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2024
The service for Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford was lead by the Rev’d Duncan Hollands. Flags represented the British Legion, Scouting and Guiding.
Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography has kindly shared unique photographs of the Remembrance Service at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial with the community. It was held at the St. Boniface Church. Thank you Debbie.
[Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 10th November 2024
Have you heard of the Speak Their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt?
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight ‘Speak Their Name’ Suicide Memorial Quilt is a beautiful ongoing piece of art, created with love in memory of people lost to suicide by their bereaved friends and family. This project has been inspired by the quilts made in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire.
The Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford Fundraising Group for Marie Curie were delighted to enter a partnership with Thornden Hall last year to raise much needed funds.
Volunteers collected at Movie Nights at Thornden Hall Arts Centre at Thornden School in Chandler’s Ford raising £809.47 in the last 12 months.
Photos show Neil Daykin, Manager and Nicolette Lock for Marie Curie at a presentation of our Certificate of thanks at a recent Movie Night. [Read more…] about Marie Curie and Thornden Hall
Last year, a group of U3A folk was able to visit the HQ of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in Eastleigh. It was a fascinating visit as we were given a warm welcome, lots of information and practical advice.
One of the pieces of advice was a recommendation that we had a free Home Fire Safety Check visit to:
• identify any potential fire risks and discuss with the occupier how they can prevent or reduce the risk;
• ensure occupants have working smoke alarms, install where necessary and advise on maintenance and testing;
• ensure occupants have carbon monoxide detectors where needed, install if necessary and discuss the dangers;
• help put together a household escape plan and identify any mobility issues that may impede an evacuation;
• issue fire-retardant bedding, furniture throws and nightwear where needed;
• give basic advice on topics such as falls prevention and smoking.
I made the appointment and awaited my visit. I was told that if an emergency call coincided with my appointment, I’d need to be understanding – of course! But no emergency came and on time, two lovely fire officers (pictured) rolled up in the appliance. I don’t know what the rest of my street thought when they saw the appliance parked up! [Read more…] about The Fire Service Visits!
I’m shortly off on my travels again to a major highlight of my writing year, The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick in lovely Derbyshire. I meet up with friends I only see online for the rest of the year (though that is wonderful).
Indeed, one writer I plan to be catching up at Swanwick is Val Penny, author of the DI Hunter Wilson series, whom I’ll be interviewing here again next week. I hope to write more about Swanwick for a later post here but I am running a two part course called Editing as a Writer, Editing as a Competition Judge, which I’m looking forward to presenting.
I thought it might be useful to share some tips as to how to make the most of any writing event you might go to, whether it is a week long residential one like Swanwick, or a single day event. (I am hoping to get to another of those soon too run by the Association of Christian Writers).
One disadvantage to the writing life is it is a sedentary one. I compensate by walking the dog and swimming, though not at the same time! As well as being aware of the need to compensate for a stationary job, there are other ways in which writers need to think about their fitness. This post outlines some of those.
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), renowned writer and poet, came up with his “serving men” which are an inspiration to all writers. Part of his poem on the subject reads:-
I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
Do check out the full version via the link to The Kipling Society.
I would add in the question of “what if” as a useful addition to these six. How can all writers benefit from these questions? Let’s take a look.
It is a great pleasure to welcome Maressa Mortimer back to Chandler’s Ford Today. Maressa and I are members of the Association of Christian Writers.
If you’ve been tempted to think you don’t have time to write, Maressa may encourage you to think again. She writes around her home life of four children, who are home schooled, a dog, and the demands of her husband’s job as a church minister.
[Read more…] about Author Interview: Maressa Mortimer – Going Downstream
It is a great pleasure to welcome back Jennifer C Wilson to Chandler’s Ford Today. Jennifer’s new book, published today, is 31 Days of Writing, which will be so useful to a wide range of writers.
Amazon Buy Link – Pre-order link
Blurb for 31 Days of Writing
31 Days of Writing draws on the prompts and exercises from seven years of North Tyneside Writers’ Circle. Whether you’re wanting to build scenes for a work-in-progress, or generate ideas for short stories/poems, there’s something for everyone in this collection, to keep the inspiration flowing for a month of writing…
[Read more…] about Author Interview: Jennifer C Wilson – 31 Days of Writing
I run a monthly Zoom workshop on flash fiction writing for the Association of Christian Writers. It is great fun to do and the online aspect helps so much as the members live several hundreds of miles apart so we could never get together in person.
I usually set a monthly theme and then set exercises based on that. Sometimes I will prepare an answer to an exercise to show as an example but most of the time I will write on the night of the meeting with the other members.
It was such a pleasure to welcome back Jenny Sanders to Chandler’s Ford Today last week where we discussed her new devotional book, Polished Arrows. Devotionals are a specialised form of writing and she discussed the joys and challenges she faces here.
This week, Jenny is sharing thoughts on marketing and book launches. There are some great tips here for any writer thinking along these lines which may prove useful to you.
After 6 years’ research, Chandler’s Ford resident Sohail Husain has published this remarkable book – Beyond Beliefs.
Beyond Beliefs is an incredible true story of a German refugee, an Indian migrant and the families left behind.
Now you can Meet the Author Sohail Husain, on Monday 24th June, at Dovetail Cafe at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, from 2pm to 4pm.
This epic memoir recounts the compelling and extraordinary tale of Sohail’s parents and grandparents, whose lives were engulfed by four momentous events of the 20th century: the First World War, the Great Depression, the Partition of India and the Holocaust.
His parents were separated by birthplace, race, faith, language and age, but their common experience of unimaginable loss and upheaval ultimately brought them together in London.
Their love story was complicated and unconventional, but enduring. It is a testament to human spirit overcoming tragedy and adversity. [Read more…] about Beyond Beliefs by Sohail Husain: The Incredible True Story of a German Refugee, an Indian Migrant and the Families Left Behind
