People blog about, talk about, write about and visit Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford so there must be something good about it.
Shortly after Fryern was opened in 1967, Ian Nairn, an architectural journalist wrote in the Observer (October 8th 1967) about Fryern and compared it with a similar development, the Fairwater Centre, in Cwmbran, South Wales. [Read more…] about The Good and the Bad of Fryern Arcade
Let’s have a look at the Bible during Lent.
How many of the Ten Commandments do you know?
Most people can probably remember that there’s one about graven images, one about killing (actually it’s murder, but that’s a whole different argument) and coveting (because the first time they heard it they had to rush for a dictionary to find out what “covet” meant”).
Here they are: [Read more…] about How Many of the Ten Commandments Do You Know?
The joy of running Chandler’s Ford Today is that I get to know more people in the community.
We all want to find out about our community. We contribute to the discussions, and help each other research local history.
Chandler’s Ford resident Teresa Buckley recently contacted me as she needs to find out your views on the Fryern Arcade. [Read more…] about Have Your Say: Your View about Chandler’s Ford Fryern Arcade
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice is the greatest of all Jane Austen’s works.
It is a blueprint for romantic comedy and Elizabeth Bennet remains one of my favourite literary heroines, being quick witted and intelligent at a time when that was not particularly welcomed. (It isn’t always welcomed now in some places, unfortunately). [Read more…] about Jane Austen: An Appreciation by Allison Symes
What has happened to Oakmount Road in Chandler’s Ford? It was closed for a week recently while a number of random strips of tarmac have been pasted in the roadway.
In some places they look quite reasonable – uniform straight lines, joined at right-angles: [Read more…] about What Has Happened to Oakmount Road?
Last Saturday (28th February 2015), Chandler’s Ford historian Barbara Hillier shared a poignant story of her great uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier, who died on the 7th of October 1916 in action in France, aged only 30.
Barbara’s storytelling was linked with a unique memorial plaque, which was once lost, but was never forgotten.
It was a story about a conscientious objector who later changed his mind, his love for his family, [Read more…] about Barbara Hillier: Story of My Great Uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier and His Memorial Plaque
On the 7th of October 1916, 30-year-old Wilfred Herbert Hillier from Chandler’s Ford was killed in action in France. There was no known grave.
You’ll find Wilfred Herbert Hillier’s name on Chandler’s Ford War Memorial.
This post tells you the story of a lost and found plaque for Wilfred Herbert Hillier, [Read more…] about In Loving Memory of Wilfred Herbert Hillier
The recent Unconference on Open Data Camp UK in Winchester was the first gathering of Open Data enthusiasts for them to swap ideas, knowledge and to exchange data and to thrash out some of the technical issues of databases.
The Unconference meant that it was less structured and more informal than a conference. [Read more…] about Open Data as Old as Domesday
I have just returned from Day 1 of the UK’s first Open Data Camp, which took place in Winchester today.
Jamie Whyte, from Trafford Innovation and Intelligence Lab, explained why he helps organising the two-day Open Data Camp in his blog post.
A few of us from Chandler’s Ford joined the camp, and have enjoyed a day of networking, workshops, coffee, and lovely lunch. [Read more…] about Inspirational: Open Data Camp Winchester 21 – 22 Feb 2015
How many lives do you have? One? Two (the one at work, the one at home for example)? Three (work, home, involvement in amateur dramatics or the church, say)?
I have had multiple lives in Chandler’s Ford but will focus on two: before becoming a dog owner and since then and before becoming a writer and since. Chandler’s Ford has influenced both. [Read more…] about What Has Chandler’s Ford Done for Me?
Two days ago, on our way to Chandler’s Ford Train Station in the morning, my son and I saw Hazel Bateman outside St. Boniface Church, loading lots of things into the boot of her car.
That was a precious moment, so I snapped a few pictures.
Hazel was collecting and delivering food and household products donated by [Read more…] about Generosity: Chandler’s Ford Neighbours Support Eastleigh Basics Bank
I’ve stated before that I like Chandler’s Ford library and Eastleigh library.
One of the reasons is that both libraries have a small but pretty good selection of comics and graphic novels, where I get some of mine from. [Read more…] about Hampshire Libraries and My Love for Graphic Novels
Have you heard of Hampshire Hub?
Hampshire Hub is a data store for people who live in and around Hampshire to share data, information, and knowledge.
Mark Braggins, who also writes for Chandler’s Ford Today, founded the Hampshire Hub.
Hampshire Hub is underwritten by Hampshire County Council. [Read more…] about Open Data: How Hampshire Hub Inspired the Government
The plan was to get to the Gliding Club early and fly the Falke motor glider at first light.
I met my pilot friend in the dim light of dawn and we got the aircraft out of its hangar. After an inspection and a short taxi round to the refuelling bunker we added 25 litre of mogas. [Read more…] about Dawn Patrol That Wasn’t
Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford has arranged a hustings event for the 2015 general election.
Chandler’s Ford Hustings: Wednesday 22nd April 2015 at 7.30pm – Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford SO53 2GJ
According to Stephen Dominy, [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Hustings: Wednesday 22 April 7.30pm – Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church
Lent is coming up – it’s the six (or so) weeks from Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, 18th February in 2015) to Easter Day (or, possibly Palm Sunday).
Traditionally, at least in the Catholic and Anglican churches, it’s a time when we “give things up”. But it is not about giving things up for the sake of it. It’s more about making us better people – and doing something useful with the time or money we save. [Read more…] about Lent – Give up and Take up
For my latest suggestion of places to go for a day out I’m going to turn to what I call the New Forest’s best kept secret – mainly because I’d never heard of it until a couple of years ago.
Blashford Lakes, near Ringwood, is a set of former gravel quarries that have been flooded and turned into a nature reserve. It is run by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. [Read more…] about Days Out: Blashford Lakes
One Community is the Council of Voluntary Service (CVS) for the Eastleigh area. It has set up a quarterly Network meeting for people aged 60 and over for the community.
The next meeting will be held in Chandler’s Ford: Thursday 5th March 2015 from 10am to 12pm at St. Boniface Church, Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford SO53 2FT. [Read more…] about One Community Older People’s Network – Chandler’s Ford 5th March 2015
Books can be dangerous because they deal in ideas so I reckon the two most dangerous places in Chandler’s Ford are our wonderful library and W.H.Smith at Fryern since one lends out books and the other sells them!
It is also fantastic that, especially after the loss of The Arcade Bookshop, we have another bookseller and our library is a real asset. May both keep going from strength to strength.
[Read more…] about Book Review: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Just before Christmas, Yoga teacher Philip Hilton found a wallet and he handed it to the Eastleigh Police Station on Leigh Road.
Recently he received a letter of thanks with a cheque of £20.
The letter reads: [Read more…] about Acts of Kindness in Community
