This is just a quick reminder post about the Children’s Poetry Competition being organised by Chandler’s Ford Authors with Hampshire Libraries in association with the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017. [Read more…] about Reminder: Children’s Poetry Competition
I think the hardest form of writing is humorous writing because humour is (a) subjective and (b) changes over time. Good humorous writing is a joy to read but it is so difficult to do well.
Two of my favourite authors, P.G. Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett, have sold millions of books each and have been translated into many languages. That aspect is another reason why humour is difficult to write: not all aspects of “English” humour translate well. For it to work the humour in the stories has to be universal. Still there is plenty about the human condition to send up so the material is out there, ready to be used! [Read more…] about Humorous Writing (and why it is a serious business)
Do you know there is a Rev. Wilbert Awdry Bridge in Chandler’s Ford?
The Rev. Wilbert Awdry (15 June 1911 – 21 March 1997) was an Anglican minister who created Thomas the Tank Engine (and other engines). In interviews he said his son Christopher (aged 3) had measles, so he came up with stories to amuse him. [Read more…] about Rev. Wilbert Awdry Bridge in Chandler’s Ford
Velmore Church is launching a fortnight of events from Sunday 20th August to Sunday 3rd September 2017, at Velmore Centre.
The Big Event (actually it’s a series of interesting events) seems comprehensive, covering music, craft, talks, African experience, holiday club, family fun day, magic show and others. The location is: Velmore Centre, Falkland Road SO53 3GY Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Velmore Centre: The Big Event – 20th August to 3 September 2017
Barton Peveril College is celebrating another outstanding set of A Level and vocational programme exam results, achieving some of the best results in the college’s history.
The overall pass rate at A Level for the college was 98.3% with 77% of grades at A*- C. In total, 764 A*/A grades were achieved and 15 students have received offers from Oxford or Cambridge. [Read more…] about Barton Peveril Students Excel in 2017 A Level & Vocational Qualification
Illness is illness – impairment of normal function of part or all of the body. Why, then, do we have illness and mental illness as if they are different things? We all fall ill from time to time, it may be an infection, heart disease, liver, bones, joints, any organ including the brain. But when it comes to the brain we call it mental illness and it carries stigma. [Read more…] about Why isn’t Mental Illness a Brain Disease?
This is the best time to support our local artists.
Hampshire Open Studios this year is from 19th to 28th August. There are over 250 venues exhibiting from this Saturday to the August Bank Holiday. [Read more…] about Hampshire Open Studios: 19th – 28th August 2017
I mentioned in my recent post about Writers’ Co-operatives that the new local writing group I am now part of would be organising a children’s poetry competition.
I’m glad to now share details of this competition, which is being organised by Chandler’s Ford Authors and Hampshire Libraries in association with the Hiltingbury Extravaganza with prizes sponsored by Goadsby Estate Agents. [Read more…] about Children’s Poetry Competition News
There has been a heated debate recently in the Chandler’s Ford community about the proposal to refurbish the Pavilion situated in Hiltingbury Recreation ground.
What’s the proposal about? According to Chandler’s Ford Parish Council, the proposal is about the “Partial demolition, refurbishment and extension to existing sports pavilion, including provision of additional car parking facilities and construction of temporary car park.” [Read more…] about Have your Say by 18th August: Proposal to Refurbish the Pavilion in Hiltingbury Recreation Ground
Hampshire Constabulary have released an e-fit of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a burglary in Chandler’s Ford on Friday 23 June, 2017.
Entry was forced at the rear of a property in Shaftesbury Avenue between 8.30am and 4pm. Cash, jewellery, a camera and a tablet were taken.
[Read more…] about E-fit Released after Chandler’s Ford Burglary in June 2017
Hampshire County Council is asking for the views of residents and stakeholders on high level, strategic options for balancing its budget.
The survey can be completed online at Hantsweb － Consultations. Copies are also available from Hampshire libraries. [Read more…] about Hampshire County Council: The Balancing the Budget Consultation Closes on 21 August 2017
Updated: 7pm 1st August 2017: Eastleigh Police: The missing woman has returned home.
[Read more…] about Hampshire Constabulary: Searching for Missing Kim Hand-Davis in Chandler’s Ford
Given publishing is a tough business and it is the hardest it has ever been for a writer to find a publisher and/or agent, why on earth would writers want to form groups? Surely they should focus on their own books?
Ironically, it is because the world of publishing is so tough, that writers forming co-operatives is (a) becoming more common and (b) a fantastically sensible thing to do. [Read more…] about Writer Co-operatives
To the fans of the Chameleons, there are only a few tickets left for their upcoming shows next week:
The Female of the Species by Joanna Murray-Smith: Thurs 27 – Sat 29 July 2017.
[Read more…] about Peter Green and the Chameleons
Last weekend, I revisited the Medieval Village in the River Hamble Country Park, set up as part of the Medieval Weekend arranged by the Road to Agincourt Project.
Image Credit: All pictures taken by Allison Symes at the 2017 Medieval Weekend
The weekend was fun. I learned all sorts of things from the “villagers” I talked to such as the cook and her girls once being camp followers and having to change their back story as they were “ladies who provided a service” (and not food either!). [Read more…] about Revisiting Medieval Hampshire in 2017
The Brownhill surgery on Brownhill Road in Chandler’s Ford will be closing on 30th November 2017.
According to a letter dated 13th July, from West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, “The Brownhill Surgery will remain open and you can continue to access all of the same services until 30 November 2017, so please do not re-register with another practice at this stage.” [Read more…] about Brownhill Surgery will be Closing on 30th November 2017
Image Credit: Many thanks to Janet Williams for taking the signing photos at the railway station. Like many women, I can multi task but there is a limit and even I couldn’t take a picture of myself signing a book!
Many thanks to all who came to my book signing at our lovely railway station on Saturday 8th July. Particular thanks go to Mark Miller and Nick Farthing of the Three Rivers Rail Community Partnership, Hilary Stone for “manning” the drinks and snacks bar, Janet Williams, Richard Hardie and Daniel Symes.
[Read more…] about Why have Book Signings? Report from the Station – Allison Symes
As a comic book fan I love reading the various Marvel and DC comic books. However, there are plenty of comic books outside of the two big companies. Blood and Valour, the comic book series detailing the exploits of the legendary Sir Bevis of Hampton (aka Southampton, somewhere very near) is a great comic that details local legends very well.
The first volume is about Bevis as a child. It tells the story of how he became a legendary warrior to fight for his kingdom. There’s magic, action and betrayal. As a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and other fantasy shows like Merlin, this instantly appealed to me. It brought me back to playing Dungeons and Dragons when I was younger. [Read more…] about Review: Blood and Valour Comic Book
Why am I interested in history? I suppose it is because I love stories of all kinds and history in many ways is the ultimate tale.
When all is said and done, history reveals, only too clearly at times, who we are, where we came from, what horrible mistakes we’ve made in the past (and sometimes what things we did right!). [Read more…] about Medieval Weekend – 15th and 16th July 2017
Here is a glimpse of some exciting events in and around Chandler’s Ford in the next few days / weeks.
Visit the Upcoming Events Chandler’s Ford page for regular updates. [Read more…] about Exciting Events in July in Chandler’s Ford
