1) Whereabouts in Chandler’s Ford can you find these flags in? Which renowned business is it in Chandler’s Ford? Have you visited this venue before?
[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (24)
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Reading Journeys
I’ve talked about my writing journey before but how about the reading one? Do you remember which book you first read by yourself or the one that was always read to you as a child because it was your favourite?
I can’t remember what was the first book I read myself though it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a picture book. Once you pick up a few words, going through a picture book to find those words for yourself because you can now read them, is special. This is yet another reason why a well produced picture book is important in a child’s reading development. They build confidence in reading and with that comes the wish to read other things. A child that lacks confidence in reading will be reluctant to try something they don’t already know. [Read more…] about Reading Journeys
Picture Books and Other Hooks: Interview with Sally Goodden and Anne Wan
It is a pleasure to welcome back Anne Wan to Chandler’s Ford Today and also to welcome her illustrator for her latest book, Manners Fit for the Queen, Sally Goodden. [Read more…] about Picture Books and Other Hooks: Interview with Sally Goodden and Anne Wan
Have You Ever Thought How Much Happier the World Would be Without Disease, War and Crime?
Every day the media carries reports of wars, diseases and many evil things. There are times when reflections on this state of affairs involve a religious dimension. People from many faiths might pray for a better world and sometimes hope that their prayers might be answered. [Read more…] about Have You Ever Thought How Much Happier the World Would be Without Disease, War and Crime?
Who are These Children in Chandler’s Ford?
I’m hoping that Chandler’s Ford Today readers might be able to identify the location and some of the children in this photograph. Maybe its Sherborne House School. My mother, Joyce MacNoe is top centre, and my aunt, Jane Goater, is third up on the right. All these children would have been born in the 1930s. [Read more…] about Who are These Children in Chandler’s Ford?
Chinese New Year Celebration at WestQuay: Sunday 3rd February 2019 from 11am
This year, the Chinese New Year Celebration in Southampton will start early. Even though the Chinese New Year this year is on Tuesday the 5th of February, you can celebrate it two days earlier in Southampton.
It is the Year of the Pig.
The Chinese New Year celebration is organised by The Chinese Association of Southampton (CAS). It will take place at WestQuay Southampton on Sunday 3rd February 2019 from 11am. [Read more…] about Chinese New Year Celebration at WestQuay: Sunday 3rd February 2019 from 11am
BOOK EVENT NEWS: Anne Wan / Sally Goodden – Chandler’s Ford Library
THE QUEEN, CHANDLER’S FORD LIBRARY, ANNE WAN, AND SALLY GOODDEN
What do the above have in common?
They will be appearing in Chandler’s Ford Library on Saturday, 2nd February 2019 between 10.30 am and 12 noon.
Hang on… let’s revise that a moment. [Read more…] about BOOK EVENT NEWS: Anne Wan / Sally Goodden – Chandler’s Ford Library
Camels, Smallpox, Big Cats, Wolves and Philosophy
The Camel
Several years ago I was invited to serve on a European Council relating to the welfare of performing animals. I don’t know whether it actually started or disappeared into the mists of EU bureaucracy. I have interests in teaching animals and recently took an opportunity to spend some time with a delightful camel in France. [Read more…] about Camels, Smallpox, Big Cats, Wolves and Philosophy
Why am I Talking about Selwood’s Christmas Tree in January?
Dear readers, please be assured that I’m not mad. It’s only January and I’m talking about Selwood’s Christmas tree – their bright, stunning tree that gives us a glimmer of hope on those endless cold, dark evenings.
While I processed a backlog of my Chandler’s Ford Today emails today, I came across an email from Richard Bright, the owner of Selwood. [Read more…] about Why am I Talking about Selwood’s Christmas Tree in January?
The Story of Stories – Ali Baba
The origin of stories is an interesting one in itself – oral was king long before print became a reality. It had to be given the lack of literacy as we know it now but what I find great is that the oral tradition is still hugely important and will remain so. This to me implies a consistent flow of stories over the centuries and long may that continue. The world of stories should not remain static (otherwise it will stagnate and what stagnates dies). [Read more…] about The Story of Stories – Ali Baba
Chinese Take-away Meal
A short while back I went for a Chinese Take-away meal. I was served by a youngster aged between seven and eight years old. She tapped my order on to a computer screen which transmitted details to the kitchen staff, then calculated the cost of my order, which I paid, and very professionally counted out my change.
‘Please don’t read that paper’
I then began to read the newspaper which was lying on the counter, but the girl said ‘Please don’t read that paper’. I looked puzzled and she added, ‘Please, I don’t want you to read that paper’. Facing such strongly expressed feelings I decided not to read the paper and pushed it to one side. [Read more…] about Chinese Take-away Meal
Tried and Tested Writing Tips
Over the years, you pick up many useful writing tips and then you need to work out which are the most useful to you. Following on from an earlier CFT post of mine about writing tips, I thought I’d take a look in greater depth at why I use the tips that I do.
In general, I don’t look at those tips for playwrights, given that’s not my specialism, but one that is aimed at them (read your work out loud) is good advice regardless of what type of fiction you write. It also works well for non-fiction given it can help you pick up on whether your prose flows as well as you thought. So how do you deduce which writing tips are the most useful? [Read more…] about Tried and Tested Writing Tips
A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford
Yesterday morning I took the 7.14 train from Chandler’s Ford to London Waterloo. The return ticket (including London Underground all zones) cost £90.
Ideally I should have taken the 6.06 train, but I wasn’t feeling safe to get to the station so early by myself. Recently I’ve heard of news about people being mugged in Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford, so was a bit more concerned. I considered driving to the station, buying tickets from the machine near the platform, but …. what if someone jumped out from nowhere and I was on my own? I also considered driving to Southampton Airport Parkway but parking would have cost £15 per day. [Read more…] about A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford
Year End Review 2018 – Allison Symes
It may be me becoming more cynical but isn’t every year described as a “momentous year” somewhere in the media? Certainly you’ll hear a lot of that phrase in the next few days!
It is true 2018 has had its moments but it will be overshadowed by 2019 and whatever happens with Brexit. And that is as political as I want to get! [Read more…] about Year End Review 2018 – Allison Symes
Baking the Christmas Cake
Almost time to start eating the Christmas cake – but first I better make it.
I use the trusted recipe I’ve been using for years – and my mother used before me. It comes from an old and well-used recipe book. [Read more…] about Baking the Christmas Cake
The Spitfires: What’s Your Favourite Part of Christmas?
Our wonderful friends from the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (“The Spitfires”) have created this lovely video for all of us.
They ask, “What’s your favourite part of Christmas?”
This is a beautifully created video. I hope you all enjoy it. Merry Christmas, everyone! [Read more…] about The Spitfires: What’s Your Favourite Part of Christmas?
Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (23)
1 – Where can you find these lovely knitting around Chandler’s Ford? So festive.
Image credit: Jill Mayes [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (23)
Sailing into Christmas with the Jubilee Sailing
By Andy Milner
Christmas is a busy time of year for most charities and the Jubilee Sailing trust (JST) is no exception.
Having enjoyed a lovely day at the Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market, we also attended the Romsey Christmas Market and most recently the Winchester Christmas Market in the stunning setting of Cathedral Close. [Read more…] about Sailing into Christmas with the Jubilee Sailing
Rotary Club of Eastleigh – Santa’s Route in Chandler’s Ford – Monday 17th December 2018
By Rotary Club of Eastleigh
A lot of people are asking about the route Santa is taking in Chandler’s Ford Monday 17th Dec 2018 around Scantabout. It depends a little bit on the weather and how busy he is.
He starts at 6pm from the King Rufus, down Peverells Wood Ave, Porteous Cres, Constantine Ave, Sarum Rd, Peverells Rd, Vesta Way, Corinthian Rd, Scantabout Ave – if there is time Scantabout Ave, Pantheon Rd, Scaracens Rd, Scantabout Ave, finish at junction with Alexandra Rd. [Read more…] about Rotary Club of Eastleigh – Santa’s Route in Chandler’s Ford – Monday 17th December 2018
Celebrations, Crackers, Chapeltown, and Cafelit – London 2018
On 1st December, it was my great joy to travel to London once again to meet up with fellow Bridge House Publishing/Cafelit/Chapeltown Books authors at the annual celebration event. On the way up by train, I enjoyed my usual routine of writing stories on my phone app and getting quite a bit of work done by the time I got into Waterloo. [Read more…] about Celebrations, Crackers, Chapeltown, and Cafelit – London 2018