Yesterday late afternoon on my way home I heard the familiar sound of wheelie bins being pressure-washed in my neighbourhood.
Someone’s bin was being spoilt and their bin would be left cleaned and fragrant (and more superior than mine).
You must have seen the wheelie bin cleaning van in Chandler’s Ford before: [Read more…] about In Love with My Wheelie Bin
I had the great joy of going to see As You Like It on Thursday, 25th February 2016 at Thornden Hall.
Having experienced the wonders of Shakespeare’s best known tragedy, Hamlet, late in 2015, I was curious to find out how I was going to get on with one of the Bard of Avon’s comedies. [Read more…] about As You Like It… and I Did!
News of the death of an old acquaintance or colleague reached me last week and raised some uncertainty about whether to go to the funeral or not. “Yes.” I said. “I knew him, once, a long time ago. Sorry to hear that he had a stroke and died.” [Read more…] about It’s Not My Funeral
The Passion of Christ: Sunday 20 March (Palm Sunday) 2016 at 6.30pm – a selection of readings, hymns, and anthems sung by St. Boniface Choir.
Easter Praise: Sunday 27 March (Easter Day) 2016 at 6.30pm – readings, hymns and an anthem for Easter Sunday evening. [Read more…] about Easter at the Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford
Tomorrow the air will be filled with pride and excitement. March 5th 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire.
The Supermarine Spitfire prototype Spitfire K5054 first took to the skies in 1936 from Southampton Airport.
Want to know where you could see the Spitfire 80th anniversary flight on Saturday? Read on. [Read more…] about Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Spitfire
I love history. Always have done. Always will do. I suppose this is because history is another form of storytelling. It tells the story of where we come from.
I believe there is a great deal of truth in the saying that a nation which forgets its history is destined to relive it.
Stories can be told in many ways to reach differing audiences and this is true for history too. I’ve recently heard of a new comic book (Blood and Valour) and play (The Legends of Sir Bevis) about local mythical medieval hero, Sir Bevis of Hampton. [Read more…] about Producing a Local Legend: Sir Bevis of Hampton
Eastleigh Football Club were delighted to support the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal.
At the recent home game against Cheltenham Town, Marie Curie volunteers were invited to mingle with supporters receiving donations and giving out Daffodil pins to show support for the Marie Curie Nurses. [Read more…] about Eastleigh FC Supports Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
This article is from Caroline Nash, of Befriending Service, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
We are looking for volunteers in Chandler’s Ford and other local areas.
Could you be a ‘Befriender’? [Read more…] about Could you be a ‘Befriender’ for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?
The Hendy Ford Eastleigh 10k Road Race 2016 will take place on Sunday 20 March (Palm Sunday).
This is the 32nd year of the event, which for many years has been sponsored by B&Q. And this year, one of Chandler’s Ford Today’s contributors will be taking part. [Read more…] about Support St John Ambulance: Hendy Ford Eastleigh 10k Road Race 2016
Sadly, I’m writing this post because a recent card scam using the “Distraction Technique” has just happened to a friend at a busy Chandler’s Ford supermarket. And I’ve been asked to put up a warning item so hopefully nobody else is affected by this kind of nasty theft.
Cards were taken from my friend’s purse when they were deliberately distracted. Those cards were then used to buy over £1,500 worth of shopping. [Read more…] about Beware of Thieves Using “Distraction Technique” in Chandler’s Ford
“Is there anyone out there who can give me a good reason why a lot … not all … of cyclists ride on the road when there is a perfectly good, and expensively made cycle way nearby?
For example, Castle Lane from Chandler’s Ford to Baddesley, Baddesley to Rownhams, Bishopstoke to Eastleigh?”
So asks a recent post on Streetlife, a popular local Social Media site. [Read more…] about Why Don’t Cyclists Use Cycle Lanes?
Do you know anyone who worked at Hendy before?
Rebecca Hendy from The Hendy Group is updating the company’s History Book. The company is very interested in producing a chapter based on local people who have worked at Hendy or their experience of Hendy over the years. [Read more…] about Share Your Hendy Stories
In recent months it has been a great joy to watch three National Theatre Live productions at Thornden Hall – The Importance of Being Earnest with David Suchet as Lady Bracknell, Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, and Shakespeare’s glorious comedy As You Like It, which we just watched last night.
I’m glad to report there is not one but three nearby venues in Eastleigh borough which show National Theatre Live productions – Thornden Hall, The Point, Eastleigh and, a little further out at Hedge End, The Berry Theatre. [Read more…] about National Theatre Live in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Areas
Update: The upcoming Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market will be on Saturday 30th April 2016 at Chandler’s Ford Age Concern Centre.
Below is my original post:
Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market this year will open on Saturday 12th March, from 10am to 1pm, at Age Concern Centre on Brownhill Road.
Last year, Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market was successfully held three times. I picked up a few Christmas presents from the market. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market – Saturday 12th March 2016
The planned revamp of Fleming Park sounds very interesting and I am pleased they are keeping the current pool open while work is underway on the new one.
I’m also pleased the plan includes keeping free car parking. I use the bus to get to Fleming Park for my twice weekly swims there so perhaps this is not relevant for me but I believe free parking is the way forward to encourage people to visit the centre. [Read more…] about Revamping Fleming Park. Fancy Swimming alongside a Local Fiction Writer?
As 1963 started, I found myself more embroiled in preparations for the crucial exams in the spring.
My real energies were directed towards bikes and boats though!
I was never a very keen scholar, and spent far more time studying boats in magazines, than I did revising!
I knew I was poor at maths and physics, so effectively gave up on those subjects, and concentrated on English, History and Geography, where I knew I had hopes of positive results. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Witnessing My First Powerboat Race (Part 11)
Looking to play tennis in Chandler’s Ford?
Did you know that there is such a thing as the Hiltingbury Tennis Club? We’re looking for new members!
We are a small friendly club. We reserve courts to play social Adult Gents and Ladies Doubles tennis at Hiltingbury Recreation Ground on Wednesday evenings from April to September. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Tennis Club
The natural follow up to my recent post about favourite forms of writing is about my favourite forms of reading in all its forms – non-fiction, fiction, poetry, books, magazines, e-books, newspapers.
It also takes a brief look at reading habits given it is not just a question of print media any more for sources of reading material. [Read more…] about How Have Your Reading Habits Changed?
I returned to the weekly “Club Room” meets throughout the Autumn & winter of 1961/2, with The Cyclists Touring Club. Their Southampton Section, as it was titled, organised weekly Sunday club-runs (rides), to a variety of destinations, always with afternoon tea booked at a venue.
These venues varied in type, from pubs that provided simple bread, cake and tea, meals, to the few cafes, or even a couple of farmhouses! [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Bikes, Boats, and Adventures (Part 10)
I think that my ‘awareness’ of motor boats probably came from the early days of our little family moving from London to Chandler’s Ford.
Dad used to take us to Southampton, on a Saturday afternoon, and would see motor launches on Southampton Water from the Royal Pier, and also from my favoured ‘window seat’ of Mayes’ restaurant, where we often enjoyed afternoon tea, looking out across the Pirelli factory towards the “New Docks”. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: My Passions with Bikes and Boats (Part 9)
