Last weekend it was my privilege and pleasure to visit Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk for the annual conference and AGM of the Guild of Church Musicians, and particularly so as the Guild was making me one of several new honorary fellows (Hon. FGCM for short).
About 150 honorary fellowships have been awarded in the past 25 years or so, some to clergy (including Archbishop Desmond Tutu) [Read more…] about The Guild of Church Musicians
After a six-hour drive through France and Northern Spain beneath low cloud and many showers of rain, I passed Pamplona and the weather changed. The cloud broke up and the sun shone from a blue sky. The weather improved over the next 50 miles to Santa Cilia.
Met with my colleagues who sadly had not been able to fly as the wind was blowing at 27 knots [Read more…] about Sharing The Sky With The Vultures
At the Fryern Funtasia on Monday, we had loads of visitors and we handed out lots of information about Chameleon Theatre Company as well as flyers about our next production, The Vicar of Dibley.
The Vicar of Dibley will be staging from Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th of July at The Ritchie Hall, Hursley Road in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about The Chameleons: Vicar of Dibley
What does a First Responder do? How are First Responders different from First Aiders?
We saw both St John Ambulance and Chandler’s Ford & Eastleigh Community First Responders at the Fryern Funtasia in Chandler’s Ford on Monday.
Let me explain. [Read more…] about First Aider and First Responder
Betty Heath was 97 years old when she passed away on 29th January 2014.
Yesterday, the younger generations of Betty’s family, who all live in Chandler’s Ford, were raising money for Marie Curie at the Fryern Funtasia in Chandler’s Ford.
I met them and they have a moving story to tell. [Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia 2014: Marie Curie for Betty Heath
This coming Friday at The Hilt we will be showing Railway Man starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.
Based on his best-selling memoir, the film tells the extraordinary and epic true story of Eric Lomax, a British Army officer who is tormented as a prisoner of war at a Japanese labour camp during World War II. [Read more…] about The Hilt Showing Railway Man
While we were watching the St. George’s Day scout parade in Chandler’s Ford last week, we killed time between the parades by going to the posh-person’s supermarket to do a bit of shopping and have a coffee.
The shopping part of the expedition was successful. We soon found the few items that we needed. Not so the coffee part, however. [Read more…] about Table Hogging
Update 1st Nov 2016: Closed: Stairway Bakery and Coffee Shop at Fryern Arcade
Original post (below):
Before the opening of Costa Coffee (3rd May 2014) in the Fryern Arcade yesterday, there was a large sign on the outside wall of the building.
The advertisement read: [Read more…] about Fryern Arcade Old and New
Centenary of World War One 1914 -1918
Commemorations of the Fallen of World War One will start this year and continue through the next four years until the end of 2018. It is not intended that these commemorations are in any way an attempt to glorify war but rather a way of an acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by millions of people, both military and civilian. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial. Can You Help?
About half way along the road from Southampton to Winchester were three fords, nearby lived a family named Chaundler. This was the case in the 16th century. Earlier, there is no mention of Chandler’s Ford in the Doomsday Book though Eastleigh, Otterborne, Chilworth and Twyford are there.
Nothing changed in this wooded land until the 19th century when a large brickyard developed [Read more…] about About Chandler’s Ford
Here are some images to remind you what a remarkable day today was in Chandler’s Ford.
The St. George’s Day Parade on 27 April 2014 was a special day many of us will remember.
Outside Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, I saw the Mayor of Eastliegh, Councillor Malcolm Cross. I also saw [Read more…] about Splendid St. George’s Day Parade
I spoke to Ant Gardiner this afternoon before the Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade started.
Ant is only 38 years old. He is now the new District Commissioner of the Chandler’s Ford District Scouts, leading about 700 youngsters in Chandler’s Ford. Ant replaced Carolyn Darbyshire MBE, who took charge since 1999 and has built a successful team in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Ant Gardiner: New Scouts District Commissioner
The St. George’s Day Parade on 27 April 2014 (Sunday) will be a vibrant event in Chandler’s Ford.
It is expected that over 600 participants will take part in this much-loved annual event. [Read more…] about St. George’s Day Parade 27 April 2014
Janet’s post Easter Day – From Tragedy To Triumph is a fine account of a very memorable Easter celebration.
In most years the daffodils have been yellow – this year’s late Easter probably helps to explain the change of colour.
White is, however, a traditional colour for Easter.
In his poem ‘Loveliest of trees’ [Read more…] about White for Easter
Holiday – No Holiday? That is the question.
All set to go gliding in the Pyrenees from a small airfield called Santa Cilia. We stay in the village in a typical stone Pyrenean house run by a wonderful lady called Toya. She looks after all the glider pilots and many pilgrims who are walking the trail to Santiago de Compostella. [Read more…] about Holiday – No Holiday?
The Sunday Times had an interesting article last week about a survey. Young people were asked: Who embodies Britain?
There are some pretty interesting choices, some obvious ones and some questionable ones. Let’s take a look…
The person who embodies the nation the most is, of course, the Queen. 63% of young people thought she embodied Britain perfectly, followed by [Read more…] about Who Embodies The Nation?
At St. Boniface Church this morning, a large wooden cross decked out with daffodils was brought in to the church. It was a beautiful scene.
As the music director Hugh Benham explained in this post, during Lent at the parish church, a large wooden cross is on display, and on Good Friday the altar is bare. Symbols of the Passion are laid at the foot of this cross [Read more…] about Easter Day – from Tragedy to Triumph
You would not go to Nottingham for a holiday would you? It is said to be the murder capital of the UK. Cricket lovers go for test matches at Trent Bridge and there is the legend of Robin Hood.
We went to visit a friend and found a delightful haven at the Attenborough Nature Centre & Reserve. It is a mere 5 miles from the city centre. [Read more…] about Nottingham for a Holiday?
Fifty years ago on 28 March 1964, Radio Caroline stated broadcasting. It’s quite difficult with our plethora of pop music radio stations (most of them playing the same old crap) to realise just what a revolution In British broadcasting history Radio Caroline was.
Let me set the context.
In the 1960s British broadcasting was [Read more…] about Radio Caroline: Golden Anniversary
I had an adventure in London last week and somehow got lost.
I visited the Malaysian High Commission in Belgrave Square near Hyde Park Corner at 8am, and waited for the door to be opened. My purpose was to get my passport renewed.
I wasn’t the first visitor. A lady in her 60s travelled from Scotland through the night [Read more…] about Malaysian High Commission In London
