Chandler's Ford Today

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Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong Part 2 – Friends and Neighbours

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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

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Village Hotels are Consulting on New Proposals on Bournemouth Road

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Village Hotels is in the process of preparing a planning application for a latest generation Village Hotel Club at Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford.

A planning application for the hotel is expected to be submitted to Eastleigh Borough Council before Christmas.

For more information, visit Village Hotel in Eastleigh.  [Read more…] about Village Hotels are Consulting on New Proposals on Bournemouth Road

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Hiltingbury Tennis Club

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Hiltingbury Tennis Club had another year of great social tennis this spring and summer. With several new members signing up the £25 annual subscription is great value. Members played at various times of the week and some weekends to suit everyone.

James Airey masterminded a fun mixed doubles competition which was completed on November 13th. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Tennis Club

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Christmas – What’s So Special?

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By Deacon Paul Owen

I was walking along Park Road in Chandler’s Ford earlier in November and overheard a conversation between a mother and her son she’d just picked up from school. The mother told the son that they would put up their Christmas tree that evening. It was another example for me – along with the constant Christmas TV adverts, the endless playing of Christmas music and the Christmas goods in the shops and the Christmas decorations that are pretty much everywhere – that the Christmas festivities seem to start earlier and earlier each year! [Read more…] about Christmas – What’s So Special?

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Winchester Discovery Centre – 10th Anniversary Celebrations

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Image Credit: Unless otherwise stated, all images were taken by Allison Symes.

A group of regional writers took part in the Winchester Discovery Centre’s 10th anniversary celebrations on Saturday 25th November. [Read more…] about Winchester Discovery Centre – 10th Anniversary Celebrations

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Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong: Part 1

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Introduction

Hello, I am Graham MacLean. I am 78 years of age and a long retired former Chartered Surveyor who has spent much of his adult life in the Far East and Canada. I am a Canadian subject and currently living in Hong Kong. I think I have visited Chandler’s Ford two or three times in twenty years but I do have Google Earth! [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong: Part 1

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Pivotal History Moments – Bosworth 1485

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I don’t know how much the arts contribute in terms of income but it must be billions. The same can be said for history. Our tourism industry depends on it and we have a significant historical heritage in our part of the world.

The Bargate in Southampton (think Sir Bevis of Hampton as well as the Roman walls), the remains of Henry V’s ship The Grace Dieu in the River Hamble, Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, Winchester Cathedral (and Salisbury Cathedral with one of the few original copies of the Magna Carta, a quick train ride away from our railway station too. I highly recommend the run if you haven’t done it. The Chandler’s Ford to Salisbury line goes through some lovely country. Seeing the Magna Carta for yourself is something special too I think.). [Read more…] about Pivotal History Moments – Bosworth 1485

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Whose Mangoes are They Anyway?

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Here in Sri Lanka we breakfast on plantain, as they call bananas here, buffalo curd, a macho version of yoghurt, and kithul, a treacle made from the sap of palm trees. We sit on our balcony overlooking the valley and admire our neighbour’s mango tree, heavy with green, unripe mango.

A troupe of monkeys, macaques, come along. The senior one sits atop an electricity pole surveying the scene. His or her, troops make their way along rooftops, electricity cables, tree branches from tree to tree, quietly and watchfully. Some mothers have babies clinging to their bellies. After a pause one, and then another, leaps into the mango tree.
[Read more…] about Whose Mangoes are They Anyway?

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Keeping it Local – Community and Writers

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On the face of it, times have not been good recently at Fryern. Grovers the Butchers has closed as has our branch of the Nat West. I’m always sorry to see an independent firm go, some history goes with them I feel, but, to my mind, the bank branch closure is a stupid decision. It’s not as if the bank wasn’t busy! [Read more…] about Keeping it Local – Community and Writers

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Hampshire Constabulary: Appeal for Information after Chandler’s Ford and Hedge End Burglaries

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From the Hampshire Constabulary

We are appealing for information following a number of burglaries in Chandler’s Ford and Hedge End. (Source: Appeal for information after Chandler’s Ford and Hedge End burglaries – Hampshire Constabulary)

Police witness appeal:

Houses were targeted during the day and early evening when people were out.

Entry was gained by smashing patio windows and various items of jewellery and cash were stolen. [Read more…] about Hampshire Constabulary: Appeal for Information after Chandler’s Ford and Hedge End Burglaries

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Eastleigh Lions Club Santa at the Brambridge Garden Centre Grotto

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On Saturday the 25th November 2017 Eastleigh Lions Club Santa will arrive at the Brambridge Garden Centre Grotto in style on a 1960s Southampton City Bus, kindly provided by the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust, driven by Dave. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Lions Club Santa at the Brambridge Garden Centre Grotto

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About the Prestonpans Villa: Story of Brickmaking in Chandler’s Ford

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This house in Bournemouth Road, situated near the junction with Brickfield Lane in Chandler’s Ford, was called at the turn of the nineteenth century, “Prestonpans Villa”. In 1901 it was occupied by Mr Samuel Batley, Elizabeth, his wife and a domestic servant. [Read more…] about About the Prestonpans Villa: Story of Brickmaking in Chandler’s Ford

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Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2017

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This morning, veterans and a few hundreds people commemorated those who lost their lives in the two World Wars and later conflicts, at the Chandler’s Ford war memorial.

Remembrance Sunday, which falls on 12 November in 2017, is a day to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.

A two-minute silence was held across the country and wreaths were laid at memorials.

In Chandler’s Ford, people old and young were gathering at the war memorial, outside the St. Boniface Church on Hursley Road, including 93-year-old war veteran Frank Damerell, Night Fighter Navigator (the aircraft was “The Mosquito Night Fighter”) during the Second World War. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2017

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Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 44th Christmas Market 2017

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Once a year I go to the Joint Charities Annual Christmas Market in Chandler’s Ford to buy a few Christmas cards (I don’t have that many friends to send cards to) and use it as a chance to catch up with friends, and also have my coffee morning with friends at the Dovetail Centre Café. [Read more…] about Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 44th Christmas Market 2017

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Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2

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I had the great joy of going to see Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon as performed by The Chameleon Theatre Group on Saturday 28th October. What with the Book Fair in the morning, it was a busy day but a hugely enjoyable one and the show rounded things off beautifully.

How can you tell if something is a spoof? I always look for tautology in the title! It is done for exaggeration (a great comic technique). I can’t think of any other genre where the “To Death” bit would be added. It certainly wouldn’t be in crime fiction, where murder generally is taken very seriously! [Read more…] about Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2

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Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company

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This play Murdered to Death performed by Chameleon Theatre Company in October was an obvious parody of an Agatha Christie murder mystery, right down to one of the characters being called Miss Maple, after the Miss Marple character. Poirot was also referenced, from Miss Maple knowing a Belgian chap, to Pierre Marceau resembling Poirot physically.

The funniest character was Inspector Pratt, who is the most incompetent detective ever. [Read more…] about Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company

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The Nativity Experience, 18th and 19th November

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When did you last experience the Christmas Nativity story?  No, not hear the story, experience it.

We’re probably all familiar with the story: Mary and Joseph, Donkeys, Bethlehem, “no room at the inn”, manger, shepherds, angels, and all.  But what does it all mean and – more pertinently – why is it still important and relevant 2000 years later?

This year, Eastleigh Baptist Church will be seeking to answer this question with the Nativity Experience on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November – planned to coincide with and complement the Christmas light switch-on in the town centre. [Read more…] about The Nativity Experience, 18th and 19th November

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Could You Help? Researching the History of the Brick Making Industry in Chandler’s Ford

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New residents of Chandler’s Ford may be surprised to hear that 120 years ago this leafy suburb of Eastleigh was the centre of a thriving brick making industry. Around 1895 there were four distinct areas of activity. These were sited near the following modern day roads.

1) Guildford Drive, Velmore Road.
2) Common Road, Common Close, Carne Close.
3) Julius Close.
4) On the site of the Chandler’s Ford Industrial Estate in School Lane. [Read more…] about Could You Help? Researching the History of the Brick Making Industry in Chandler’s Ford

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How was the Book Fair for You?

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The first Chandler’s Ford Book Fair was on Saturday, 28th October 2017 between 10 am and 12 noon at the Age Concern Centre in Brownhill Road. I hope it will be the beginning of many Book Fairs here.

Many of us miss The Arcade Bookshop which had been our lovely independent book store for decades.  Those behind the Fair hoped it would provide a place for local people to browse and buy books with the bonus they were written by regional writers (and many of them local to Chandler’s Ford specifically). [Read more…] about How was the Book Fair for You?

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