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You are here: Home / Community / Merry Christmas: From Good Neighbours Brian And Suzette Matthews

Merry Christmas: From Good Neighbours Brian And Suzette Matthews

December 25, 2014 By Janet Williams 1 Comment

Do you remember The Precinct Gift Centre?

I miss this little gift shop very much.

The Precinct Gift Centre was loved by many. It held many local people’s childhood memories.

It was my favourite gift shop. Sadly, the shop closed in February 2006 after 16 years serving the Chandler’s Ford community.

Brian and Suzette Matthews, who ran the gift shop, still miss Chandler’s Ford, especially many friends that they had met through their Aladdin’s Cave in the Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford.

Suzette and Brian Matthews miss their friends in Chandler's Ford.
Suzette and Brian Matthews miss their friends in Chandler’s Ford.

Today Brian and Suzette send you good wishes for Christmas and the New Year. They wish you peace and happiness.

Brian and Suzette: Good Neighbours in Chandler’s Ford

I met Suzette and Brian Matthews a few weeks ago at the United Reformed Church, where a Toy Service with the Chandler’s Ford Beavers, Cubs and Scouts took place.

Brian and Suzette still remember me and my son, and we shared fond memories of our good old days at their shop.

I particularly enjoyed having coffee and biscuits at the back of their shop. The cosy shop oozed love and warmth. Many people loved visiting their shop for their warm hearts and comforting words.

Brian and Suzette Matthews ran the most loved The Central Gift Centre for 16 years at the Central Precinct of Chandler's Ford.
Brian and Suzette Matthews ran the most loved shop, The Central Gift Centre, for 16 years at the Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford.

In 2004, to their surprise, Suzette and Brian won an “Good Neighbours” award by ITV. Here is a picture of Brian and Suzette with news presenter Fred Dinenage on Meridian – ITV News at their gift shop.

Best Neighbours - with ITV news presenter Fred Dinenage.
Suzette and Brian – Good Neighbours in the south, at Central Precinct – with ITV news presenter Fred Dinenage.

In the New Year, I’ll publish more posts about Brian and Suzette on Chandler’s Ford Today, including their Good Neighbours award. You’ll find more pictures to reminisce the happy old days, when we still had retail shops at the Central Precinct.

“Be nice to each other”

When Brian and Suzette closed their shop in 2006, they left a poignant note to all of us:

“During the past 16 years it has been a pleasure to get to know so many of you and watch your families grow up.

We hope we have been an asset to the community. We have tried to provide a friendly shoulder and a cheery word as we have served you and supported local charities, churches and schools…

Most important of all, please always try to “be nice to each other” as we have encouraged in our own small way.

Sincerely,

Suzette and Brian Matthews

February 2006

"Be nice to each other" - message from our best neighbours, Brian and Suzette Matthews.
“Be nice to each other” – message from our best neighbours, Brian and Suzette Matthews.

Merry Christmas to you all. Let’s use these words from Suzette and Brian to remind ourselves to be kind to our neighbours in the new year.

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Related posts:

Central Precinct: 2014 Christmas Lights Now Switched on Asda Eastleigh: Chandler’s Ford Churches Together Carol Singing 2014 Linda Read: Fun, Passion, Living Life To The Full About Chandler’s Ford Selwood: Spectacular Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford 2014
Tags: Bournemouth Road, Central Precinct, Chandler's Ford, Christianity, Christmas, community, crafts, good neighbours, local interest, memory

About Janet Williams

I created Chandler's Ford Today. I use this website to share our passions and inspiring stories, to build a connected community. We inform, educate and enlighten. We share resources.

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  1. Do you remember the Precinct Gift Centre in Chandler's Ford? says:
    May 4, 2015 at 11:30 am

    […] The Precinct Gift Centre was a precious gift shop at the Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford. I wrote about the shop last Christmas and showed you a happy picture of the shop owners, Brian And Suzette Matthews. […]

    Reply

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