Update: 3rd Feb 2018
[Read more…] about MISSING: Alison Milchem from Chandler’s Ford
MISSING: Alison Milchem from Chandler’s Ford
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Film of the Book: Book of the Film
‘Did you see the film?’
‘Yes, but it was not as good as the book.’
Is the book as good as the film or vice versa? At the Galle Literary Festival in Sri Lanka, a discussion took place between a film director Lord (David) Puttnam and four authors who have had their books made into films or TV series.
Participants
Lord Puttnam: Best known for his film ‘Chariots of Fire’ and many others.
Shrabani Basu whose book and TV documentary ‘Victoria and Abdul’ have been widely admired.
Maylis de Kerangel, a French author of ‘Mend the Living’ about the two sides of a heart transplant, donor and recipient.
Sebastian Faulks, author of Charlotte Grey and Birdsong and other books that have been made into film.
Alexander McCall Smith whose series ‘The No I Ladies Detective Agency’ has a strong following both in text and on TV.
Ask Chandler’s Ford Today: We’re Relocating to Chandler’s Ford…
Due to our good reputation over nearly 5 years, Chandler’s Ford Today community website receives a lot of emails from readers each week (such as missing cats and where to find a butcher).
Today we decide to start an Advice Column on Chandler’s Ford Today. There must be some Agony aunts and Agony uncles out there (i.e. YOU). [Read more…] about Ask Chandler’s Ford Today: We’re Relocating to Chandler’s Ford…
Dovetail Art Project with Revd David Hollingsworth
A while back, the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church was busy collecting signatures of people in the Church and its community. Visitors to carol services, customers in the Dovetail Café, and all the groups who use the premises were being invited to sign in charcoal or chalk on special paper.
These names have now been turned into a work of art by an artist, Rev David Hollingsworth, who is skilled at community works of art. [Read more…] about Dovetail Art Project with Revd David Hollingsworth
Music and Moods
I never used to write with music on in the background as I found it was influencing what I wrote! Trust me, it is difficult to write a death scene with some lovey-dovey ballad coming out of the radio. Talk about killing the mood… (Likewise, you try writing a love scene to, say, Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell. Just doesn’t seem right somehow). [Read more…] about Music and Moods
A Ticket to Ride
We decided to travel by train from Kandy to Kadunnawa, equivalent to a trip from Southampton to Winchester, it takes about 30 minutes.
We have travelled by train in Sri Lanka before but always on the intercity express and always 1st class. This journey would be on a local train, just two stops. [Read more…] about A Ticket to Ride
Hidden Hampshire – Woodland Walks: Jermyns Lane
One of the nice aspects to living in Chandler’s Ford is it is easy to leave it! There’s the motorway network, being close enough to the local airport, the various main roads, the rail network, buses etc but the reason you might want to go is the fact we have on our doorstep a variety of local walks, which are ideal for anyone keen on walking, whether they have a dog or not.
One walk I take regularly with my better half and Lady, our new collie cross, is up at Jermyns Lane, Ampfield. (Pococks Roses and Hillier’s Arboretum are both on this road, which is just off the Straight Mile). It’s a 10 to 15 minutes run in the car but you do get right out into the countryside. [Read more…] about Hidden Hampshire – Woodland Walks: Jermyns Lane
Hampshire Constabulary: Witness Appeal: Man Assaulted in Forest Road, Chandler’s Ford
From the Hampshire Constabulary: We are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was assaulted in his own home in Chandler’s Ford.
It took place around 11pm on Tuesday 2 January at a house in Forest Road. [Read more…] about Hampshire Constabulary: Witness Appeal: Man Assaulted in Forest Road, Chandler’s Ford
Carting Dogs in Chandler’s Ford – David Lamb
Introduction
Hello, I am fairly new to the blog, so I ought to introduce myself and explain my connection to Chandler’s Ford. I arrived here in 1973, as a student, having hitchhiked my way from Swansea, heading for Southampton University where I had been offered a place to read for my PhD.
In those days hitchhiking was a popular means of transport for young people, although it is rarely seen today. The kind person who gave me a lift for the final stretch from Newbury, dropped me off in Chandler’s Ford at the junction where Leigh Road meets Bournemouth Road and I was pointed towards the bus stop where I could make it by public transport for the next few miles. However, I had a look at Chandler’s Ford, took a walk up Fryern Hill and saw an advert for a bungalow to let. I must have made an impression on the agent who offered me the property, and several weeks later my wife and I moved into our new surroundings. Later we bought a house in Chandler’s Ford and remained here until this day. [Read more…] about Carting Dogs in Chandler’s Ford – David Lamb
End of Year Reviews – Are They Useful?
Another year has almost gone and it is the time when many of us review how we spent our 12 months. As mentioned last week, I reassess my writing aims and set down what I think I would like to achieve in the next year. [Read more…] about End of Year Reviews – Are They Useful?
A Christmas Eve Like No Other
A Little History
When the hillsides and jungles of Sri Lanka were being opened up to British planters of coffee in the middle of the 19th century, the planters were desperate for workers but the Sri Lankans, the Sinhala, were not interested in working for foreign colonialists. Why should they? They had their patch of paddy to tend, a coconut plantation and banana trees, they were self-sufficient and the British only needed them at the time of the coffee harvest. [Read more…] about A Christmas Eve Like No Other
Greetings from Sri Lanka 2017
Christmas Greetings from Kandy. Sri Lanka may be 80% Buddhist, but they do like the story of Baby Jesus. For many, religion is like belonging to a club, you can change or be a member of several. Why not enjoy the Poya days (full moon) at the Buddhist temple, Diwali at the Hindu and a few Carols at the Church? [Read more…] about Greetings from Sri Lanka 2017
My 2017 Writing Journey
Image Credits: All images, unless otherwise stated, were taken by Allison Symes
Towards the end of each year, I make a note in my new writing diary as to what I’d like to achieve in the next twelve months. I also review what I’d written for the current year and tick off achievements. Many things are long-term goals so carry over. I’m always going to want to have short stories and flash fiction “out there” no matter what the year is! [Read more…] about My 2017 Writing Journey
Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong – Part 4 – Being a Surveyor
Edited by Allison Symes.
PART 4 SURVEYING
Becoming a Surveyor
Hello, Graham McLean again with the final part of my local history series. I’ve talked so far about my wartime memories, my friends and neighbours from my Chandler’s Ford years and my school days. Now I share my stories about my time as a surveyor and my time in the Territorial Army. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong – Part 4 – Being a Surveyor
Stepping Back in Time: Part 2 of Jennifer C Wilson Interview
Last week’s post was part 1 of my interview with Jennifer C Wilson, author of the Kindred Spirits series and also of The Last Plantagenet? She writes paranormal historical fiction. It’s not often the heroes of a story are the ghosts but Jennifer specialises in this and the books make for a great read. I met Jennifer at Swanwick in 2016. [Read more…] about Stepping Back in Time: Part 2 of Jennifer C Wilson Interview
Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong – Part 3 – School Years
Edited by Allison Symes
Hello again. In my earlier posts, I shared my wartime memories and some names of friends and neighbours from my Chandler’s Ford years. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong – Part 3 – School Years
Ghosts, History and What Might Have Been: Introducing Jennifer C Wilson
I first met Jennifer C. Wilson in 2016 at the first Swanwick Writers’ Summer School for us both. We became friends and this year we had the great joy of “racing” each other to Swanwick’s Book Room to put our books out for sale! [Read more…] about Ghosts, History and What Might Have Been: Introducing Jennifer C Wilson
New and Old Businesses in Chandler’s Ford
In Chandler’s Ford: some shops have closed; some have opened. Some are about to open.
Here are a few photos for you to see some changes in Chandler’s Ford, focusing on Hursley Road, the Central Precinct, Fryern Arcade, Winchester Road, and Oakmount Road. [Read more…] about New and Old Businesses in Chandler’s Ford
Quiz Doubles Money for Christian Aid
QuizAid in Saint Martin’s Church on Saturday, 11 November 2017, by Brian Ridsdale
Quiz participants at Saint Martin’s Church, Chandler’s Ford cheered to hear that the UK Government will double the money they raised for Christian Aid’s Christmas appeal. On Saturday 11th November, 120 guests participated in a quiz with ploughman’s supper at St Martin’s Church. [Read more…] about Quiz Doubles Money for Christian Aid
Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong Part 2 – Friends and Neighbours
Edited by Allison Symes
Hello again. I am Graham McLean, aged 78 years and a long retired former Chartered Surveyor who has spent much of his adult life in the Far East and Canada but I lived in Chandler’s Ford.
My posts are my attempt to share some memories, which I hope trigger other memories in some of you. My first post last week shared some of my wartime memories. This week’s post shares some memories of friends and neighbours. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong Part 2 – Friends and Neighbours