Part 1 of Gail Aldwin’s interview last week shared Gail’s memories from her round the world bus trip and how it influenced her Paisley Shirt flash fiction collection (published by Chapeltown Books). Here she shares her writing tips, the joys of creating characters and her thoughts on ebooks and “real” books. Comments on the latter would be welcome! [Read more…] about Writing Tips and Character Creation: Interview with Gail Aldwin Part 2
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Those were the Days: the Potters Heron Hotel in the 50s and 60s
I thought I would take this opportunity to respond to Chandler’s Ford Today’s informal invitation to provide some input that might catch the eye of a few older folk.
Being an environmentally aware person and property man who cut his teeth in a very beautiful part of England I was at an early age drawn to the Potters Heron for a variety of reasons. It is magnificently located for its purpose on a stretch of highway that sweeps majestically in a gentle curve on its way to my favouritecity. Strangely enough, and it may seem totally irrelevant but I had the same feeling when I last swept along the Big Sur stretch of the coastal highway in CA. [Read more…] about Those were the Days: the Potters Heron Hotel in the 50s and 60s
Missing Callum Bennett from Chandler’s Ford has been Found Safe
Update: 22nd March 2018:
From Hampshire Constabulary: “Missing Callum Bennett from Chandler’s Ford has been found safe. Thank you to everyone who helped to share our earlier appeal.” [Read more…] about Missing Callum Bennett from Chandler’s Ford has been Found Safe
Another Potters Heron Story Before the 1966 Fire
I remember the Potters Heron before the 1966 fire, and another event prior to that date, probably in the late 1950s…
The original line of the main road there was much closer to the Potters Heron than now, due to a particularly nasty accident that took place then.
A group of actors or celebrities of the day were travelling on what was then the A31, in a couple of fast (for then) cars. [Read more…] about Another Potters Heron Story Before the 1966 Fire
Another Turn of the Potter’s Wheel
The Potters Heron has been known affectionately over the years by some as the Potted Herring. I’ve known it for nearly 60 years.
It was indeed a very popular restaurant and bar. It had a thatched roof and was rather more attractive and intimate than the building that replaced it after the fire in 1966, although the hotel that rose from the ashes retained something of the character of the original building. [Read more…] about Another Turn of the Potter’s Wheel
How to be Safe in a Thatched Roof Property?
How to be safe in a thatched roof property?
According to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, 90 percent of thatch fires are down to a faulty flue or chimney. The thatch is designed to repel water which makes extinguishing these fires difficult.
These photos of the Potters Heron Hotel in Ampfield were taken by local resident Robbie Sprague this morning. The hotel went up in flames last night and more than 170 emergency service personnel attended the fire. [Read more…] about How to be Safe in a Thatched Roof Property?
Fire at the Potters Heron Hotel
Update: 9.42pm: The #AmpfieldFire is now under control and crews are going to start the process of scaling down #Ampfield #Romsey.
[Read more…] about Fire at the Potters Heron Hotel
Travelling by Bus around the World and Inspirational Flash Fiction – Introducing Gail Aldwin
Further to last week where I discussed the frustrations of publishing, it is my pleasure to share my interview with another writer taking the independent press route. Please “meet” fellow Chapeltown Books author, Gail Aldwin. Also many thanks to her for supplying the images for this interview. [Read more…] about Travelling by Bus around the World and Inspirational Flash Fiction – Introducing Gail Aldwin
How to Cope with Publishing and Editing
Allison Symes’ sound advice on publishing and its perils, The Frustrations of Publishing, set me to thinking about my life as a writer and in some respects as a publisher, or rather editor of journals and series of books. I was fortunate in having a few bright ideas at the right time such that small publishers who were seeking to expand their business took me on as a series editor for books in philosophy, ethics, and science related topics. [Read more…] about How to Cope with Publishing and Editing
Hampshire Constabulary: Appeal for Witnesses Following Fatal Collision in Chandler’s Ford
The information is via Hampshire Constabulary:
We are appealing for witnesses after a man died in a collision in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Hampshire Constabulary: Appeal for Witnesses Following Fatal Collision in Chandler’s Ford
Your Guide to Nerve Gas
Here is what you need to know about nerve gas in relation to the events in Salisbury. Nerve gases are a terrible and frightening weapon but, if you survive an attack, you will be OK, unlike after a conventional injury which may leave you without a limb or full of shrapnel.
For much of my professional life, I have flirted with nerve gases. A dangerous thing to do you might think but interesting and important as recent events in Salisbury have shown.
The Frustrations of Publishing
There are few authors who don’t know about the frustration of getting their work out there. Also, even fewer make their living “just” via their books (as regular surveys by the Society of Authors make depressingly clear).
George Orwell made a significant amount of his living via book reviewing. The benefits of his creations passing into the English language as shorthand, sadly, were not realised by him directly. I’ll be returning to my 101 Things to Put into Room 101 (which is loosely based on his creation of Room 101 in 1984) in a few weeks’ time. You don’t want all my moans at once! [Read more…] about The Frustrations of Publishing
Snow Pictures from Hiltingbury
Stuart Roberts sent us these beautiful snow pictures from Hiltingbury.
Many children and adults were having great fun yesterday in Hiltingbury. [Read more…] about Snow Pictures from Hiltingbury
Severe Weather Update from Eastleigh Borough Council
This information is via Eastleigh Borough Council.
Update on Council services during the current adverse weather conditions, Friday 2 March 2018
All waste collections have been suspended for Friday 2 March due to dangerous icy conditions. We are planning to recommence collections on Monday 5 March and collect them as soon as possible – weather and safe access permitting. [Read more…] about Severe Weather Update from Eastleigh Borough Council
Part 2: 101 Things to put into Room 101
I strongly suspect George Orwell would not be entirely happy with the way his invention Big Brother has been used to create a TV show. Whether he’d be happier that the same thing has happened with Room 101, which as a show can at least make people laugh, is another matter. Still, on to Part 2 of the things I would put into the vault of doom.
101 Things to Put into Room 101
George Orwell (aka Eric Blair) has contributed so much to literature and has an accolade few other writers have (though whether he would welcome it is another thing). While it is not unknown for writers to have their sayings go into popular culture over centuries (think Shakespeare especially), how many have their phrases go on to become the titles for TV programmes? Orwell achieves that with Big Brother and Room 101. [Read more…] about 101 Things to Put into Room 101
Save the Dates! Upcoming Events in Chandler’s Ford 2018
There are many exciting events in and around Chandler’s Ford. Don’t forget to mark these important events in your diary.
For more events in the Chandler’s Ford community, visit Upcoming Events in Chandler’s Ford page.
Easter Sunday, 1st April 2018.
[Read more…] about Save the Dates! Upcoming Events in Chandler’s Ford 2018
Legs
I guess most of us know of a person with one leg, an amputee, even if knowing is limited to Long John Silver from Treasure Island. There are quite a few amputees in the swashbuckling, sea-going world of fiction, Captain Ahab in Moby Disk, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, though his was a missing arm replaced by a terrifying hook. Lord Uxbridge, at the battle of Waterloo, lost a leg and many statements are attributed to him. He commented to his surgeon, in those pre-anaesthesia days, ‘the knives appear somewhat blunt.’ Oscar Pistorius, murderer and Paralympic runner is a living amputee, so is socialite Heather Mills. [Read more…] about Legs
Writing Sayings – Truth or Nonsense?
Sayings are strange things at times. Okay, the one about not casting a clout before May is out does make sense. We live in Britain. The weather is changeable!
However, there are others that are open to question and some relate to writing.
Proposed Improvements to M3 Junction 9
It’s been the bane of commuters for years – probably since the M3 was opened between Southampton and Winchester, if not longer. The bottleneck that can add half an hour to your journey north and south – trying to get between the M3 and the A34 at Junction 9.
Morning queues on the M3 can stretch back to the Twyford cutting and evening traffic on the A34 is often standstill from Three Maids Hill. I speak from experience here.
Well, all that is about to change. [Read more…] about Proposed Improvements to M3 Junction 9