Sandra Gordon, near neighbour and local poet, has recently performed some of her poetry at the New Forest Folk Festival as part of the Lines and Squares Poets.
She has also received the exciting news her work will be published in The North magazine in July. [Read more…] about The Poetic Life: Interview with Sandra Gordon, Part 1
The Thornden Community Wind Band presented their summer concert, “Round the World in 90 minutes” on Friday 17 June. This was a light-hearted programme of music loosely themed on a trip around the world. Light-hearted doesn’t mean low quality. This was a performance of very high calibre – and great entertainment.
The auditorium was metaphorically became an aeroplane for the concert. The audience were the passengers, the conductor was the pilot, and the band was the engine. We appreciated the range of instruments during the “engine testing” at the start of the concert when a representative from each section played one or two bars of their own choice. [Read more…] about Review: Thornden Community Wind Band Concert
One of the strange but nice things about dementia is the way arts can help retain memories. Singing, for example, seems to affect the brain in a way that can put patients on a level playing field with those without that awful disease.
Why? Because singing helps retain memories for all who take part, singing makes all feel good and can be a social event for all. [Read more…] about Interview Kate Day: Chocolate Muffin Publishing
Following on from my previous Agincourt posts, I have now received further details of the Free Medieval Weekend, which will celebrate the launch of The King’s Great Ships Trail.
Where and when? At Manor Farm and Country Park on July 30 and 31, 2016. [Read more…] about In the King’s Footsteps on the Great Ship Trail
What’s the secret of comedy?
Timing.
Yes, but what else do you need for a play to be funny. A witty script – maybe with some running gags. Visual gags to complement the verbal ones; possibly a bit of intentional confusion caused by misunderstandings and/or mistaken identity – particularly when the audience are in on the joke and the characters aren’t; and slapstick, done well, will always amuse an audience. [Read more…] about Review: One Man, Two Guvnors by Thornden School
Last weekend I saw The Pirates of Penzance at The Point theatre. I really enjoyed it and it surprised me as I didn’t know much about the musical.
It is about a bunch of pirates who get involved in an insane plot to do with a Major-General. It’s a really nonsensical plot and it doesn’t make much sense, but in a musical like this it doesn’t matter. All the characters are really cartoony and over the top and they fit the tone perfectly. [Read more…] about Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society
I went to see The Pocket Dream, written by Elly Brewer and Sandi Toksvig, on 30th April 2016 at The Chameleon Theatre Group based at the Ritchie Memorial Hall in Hursley Road.
Despite living in Chandler’s Ford for over 20 years, this was the first time I had managed to get to one of the Chameleons’ productions. Many thanks to Lionel Elliot for supplying director’s notes, the cast list and some of the images of the show (which were taken by Dave Wilkins). [Read more…] about Review: The Pocket Dream by Chameleon Theatre Company
You may have noticed that Britain’s Got Talent is back on our screens.
I’ll admit to having an ambivalent attitude to the programme. It’s not something I go out of my way to watch but when I do I find it generally entertaining. [Read more…] about Not Britain’s Got Talent
I receive lovely emails from readers from time to time with their stories.
This afternoon Karen Moth sent me this email telling me something very special about her mother.
“My mum Margaret Tee (75 years old) has lived in Chandler’s Ford all her life and [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Library: Margaret Tee’s Royal Memorabilia
World Book Night is on 23rd April each year, this being the date of William Shakespeare’s birth and his death.
World Book Night also links to the day of the death of Cervantes (author of Don Quixote), Spain’s literary hero, St. George’s Day and UNESCO’s Day of the Book (which I think is a fantastic title). [Read more…] about World Book Night 2016 and the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare
The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (better known as The Spitfires) returned to Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church last weekend for a St George’s Day concert in aid of One Community.
As we have come to expect from a band of such high calibre, the concert showcased the musician’s skills and wide repertoire. We were also treated to a display by the band’s Corps of Drums, who had been busy with other scouting activities at the October concert.
[Read more…] about Review: The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band St. George’s Day Concert 2016
This morning there were a few surprises at the local Handmade Craft Market at Chandler’s Ford Age Concern Centre.
It was a delight to meet a popular local non-fiction and military writer Penny Legg, based in Southampton. [Read more…] about Not Just Crafts: Chandler’s Ford Craft Market – Crafters, Author, Cartoonist
I had the great joy last week of going to see An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley with a friend at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.
My friend had seen the film which was why she was keen to see the play version. I love detective fiction and thought seeing one in a play format would be interesting. I was right – it was!
[Read more…] about Watching the Detectives
Given I love history, it was a pleasure to write about the Road to Agincourt project, including the bringing to life via a play of Sir Bevis of Hampton, the legend associated with Southampton.
This post brings news of a new woodland trail, a medieval weekend festival, and interactive wearable map which tie in with the Agincourt project. [Read more…] about History: News from Agincourt
Last Thursday, my mum and I watched an intriguing drama Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players, at the Methodist Church Hall.
The play is about a rich and unpleasant nobleman (played by Lester Parry) [Read more…] about Review: Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players
Are you aware there is a Produce and Craft Market in Chandler’s Ford?
It’s held at the Age Concern Centre on Brownhill Road (to be precise – just next to the Co-op and the Fryern Arcade).
Yes – the market is where you get to buy special gifts from crafters who make the gifts themselves, and buy fresh fruits and vegetables without the plastic packaging.
[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market for the Community
I’m a great believer in the arts being good for the soul, that the arts are therapeutic and are something we need despite there not being an obvious biological need for them.
Writing helps me unwind and it is a lot of fun creating articles for Chandler’s Ford Today as well as my short stories and novels. And I’m definitely not the only one to believe this. [Read more…] about Writing as Therapy: Introducing Chocolate Muffin Publishing
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!
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
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
