Chandler's Ford Today

arts and crafts

Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market – Saturday 12th March 2016

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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

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Review: Thornden School: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

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This year’s Thornden School GCSE production was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, performed at Thornden Hall last week.

As expected from these talented pupils, it was a delight to watch and stretched the talents of the GCSE students – for both the Drama Acting and Drama Design and Technical courses. [Read more…] about Review: Thornden School: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

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Winter – Ugliness and Beauty in Chandler’s Ford

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I must admit winter is not my favourite season, much as I enjoy Christmas. Aside from the cold and the storms, the nights draw in that much earlier which limits the evening walks my better half and I can enjoy with the dog.

We love walking Mabel along The Monarch’s Way and the bridleways around that area (though right now it would be more accurately called The Muddy Way). [Read more…] about Winter – Ugliness and Beauty in Chandler’s Ford

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Review of Aladdin by Chameleon Theatre Company

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My husband and I went to see Aladdin, by Nigel Holmes, performed by the Chameleon Theatre Company at Ritchie Memorial Hall last Saturday.

I bumped into my neighbours at the hall. “How many are you here?” I asked.

“15!” [Read more…] about Review of Aladdin by Chameleon Theatre Company

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The Magic of Words: David Bowie and Alan Rickman

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I’ve found one side benefit of being a writer is that I appreciate words more than I did before I wrote seriously. Writing short stories, novels and blog posts such as this have all given me a greater appreciation of how other writers work.  But it also makes me aware there are several ways to work with words.

It is ironic then that two of my heroes, who worked with words albeit in different ways, should both recently have died of cancer at 69. [Read more…] about The Magic of Words: David Bowie and Alan Rickman

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Premiere of Movies at Thornden Hall – Friday 15th January 2016

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Missed some good films last year?

Chandler’s Ford people are lucky as you can now watch great films at Thornden Hall. Each ticket is only £5.

Thornden Hall’s newest venture Movies at the Hall starts on Friday 15th January 2016. [Read more…] about Premiere of Movies at Thornden Hall – Friday 15th January 2016

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Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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I went to see the National Theatre’s production of Hamlet at Thornden Hall in October 2015 with Janet Williams and her son Ben.

Benedict Cumberbatch was superb in the title role.

I love the idea of being able to watch West End productions without having the hassle of going there. I’ve never been to a West End production and if I had the time to go there, possibly with an overnight stay, I should imagine that would be a wonderful experience. [Read more…] about Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Read Bill Bryson’s Portrayal of Eastleigh Town. Do You Agree?

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This Christmas I spent an enormous amount of time doing something rather strange.

I found myself ‘defending Eastleigh’ a lot to my family.

The problem was that I started reading Bill Bryson’s new book, The Road to Little Dribbling, on Christmas day, after gift-giving, and before mother-in-law’s turkey was ready. This book has now topped the UK hardback charts for the third week. [Read more…] about Read Bill Bryson’s Portrayal of Eastleigh Town. Do You Agree?

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My Year-End Review and Book Launch

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I went to London on 5th December 2015 for the Bridge House Publishing/Cafelit joint book launch celebration. Naturally I left from Chandler’s Ford Station!

Though Bridge House published my first story in print, A Helping Hand in their Alternative Renditions anthology, this year I was going because my short story, The Magic Flute, is in The Best of Cafelit 4.

This was one of the books being launched, the other being Bridge House’s anthology for 2015 called Snowflakes. [Read more…] about My Year-End Review and Book Launch

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Christmas at Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market 2015

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Christmas came early at Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market, held at Age Concern Centre on Brownhill Road last weekend.

It was the third Produce and Craft Market in Chandler’s Ford since October, with over 100 visitors. [Read more…] about Christmas at Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market 2015

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When a Curtain Closes Another One Opens

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Thank you to all of those who came last night to see Far from the Madding Crowd at The Hilt. A good ol’ romantic to finish the season. Yes, I did notice the afterglow as you exited :-).

We have really had some good Movies this year with an average audience of about 80. The Imitation Game was the most highly attended with 124. [Read more…] about When a Curtain Closes Another One Opens

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Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

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My mum and I recently went to see a comedy based on Science Fiction, performed by MDG (Methodist Drama Group) Players from Chandler’s Ford.

The comedy is called Diamond in the Sky, written and directed by Chandler’s Ford playwright Mike Standing.

While my mum couldn’t quite understand the comedy, I understood it as I’m a sci-fi nerd. [Read more…] about Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

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NEW! Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market

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Have you been to the new Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market yet?

The next market is on Saturday the 12th of December 2015 from 10am to 2pm, on Brownhill Road, at Age Concern Centre in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about NEW! Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market

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Indian Dance Mela – Sunday 29th November 2015 at Thornden Hall

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Sitara Koushik lives in Chandler’s Ford and for a time worked as a volunteer for the Hiltingbury Community Association.

A celebrated dancer in India she has now organised a Mela – a presentation of classical dances – for this Sunday 29th November 2015 at Thornden Hall. [Read more…] about Indian Dance Mela – Sunday 29th November 2015 at Thornden Hall

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Eastleigh’s Christmas Lights Switch on – 21st November 2015

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I was in Eastleigh for a couple of hours today, and guess who I met?

First I was greeted by an emu, then I bumped into Mayor of Eastleigh Councillor Jane Welsh. Christmas must be around the corner as I think I also met one of the Wise Kings (in November)! [Read more…] about Eastleigh’s Christmas Lights Switch on – 21st November 2015

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Don’t Forget: Winter Open Studios This Weekend at the Sorting Office Eastleigh

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The Sorting Office in Eastleigh will open for its annual Winter Open Studios this weekend (21st and 22nd November 2015).

Now in its third year, the Winter Open Studios will run over two days, opening on Saturday November 21 from 11am to 5pm, and on Sunday November 22 from 11am to 4pm. [Read more…] about Don’t Forget: Winter Open Studios This Weekend at the Sorting Office Eastleigh

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From Movies at the Hilt to Movies at the Hall

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Dear Moviegoer,

I mentioned a few months ago that Nigel and I would be retiring from running Movies @ the Hilt from the end of this year. We had thoroughly enjoyed providing this service but we both had reasons for freeing-up our respective personal time. [Read more…] about From Movies at the Hilt to Movies at the Hall

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Review: Dracula by Chameleon Theatre Company

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What happens when an amateur theatre company needs props that they don’t have?

They ask a friends, ask a neighbour, or ask local residents.

A while ago Nick Coleman and Liz Strevens from the Chameleons Theatre Company went public to borrow a violin (for their production, The Ladykillers), and a white patio table (for their production, Relatively Speaking). [Read more…] about Review: Dracula by Chameleon Theatre Company

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Eastleigh Artist’s Designs Picked up for New ASDA Greetings Card Range

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Two designs created by Eastleigh-based artist Lisa Jean Gardner, who works under the name Iris Hill, have been chosen by supermarket giant Asda to feature on a range of greetings cards.

Lisa’s designs, easily recognisable by her use of inks and watercolour to create bright, whimsical patterns and scenes, [Read more…] about Eastleigh Artist’s Designs Picked up for New ASDA Greetings Card Range

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From Dancer to Writer: Felicity Fair Thompson

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Chandler’s Ford Today covers a wide spectrum of interests – from football to gliding, from local history to reviews of shows in nearby theatres and Thornden Hall.  From memories of the Gang Show to news of the latest fundraising efforts by the Scouts and the Fairtrade events.

Naturally a blog like this will attract writers.  People like Richard Hardie, whose young adult Temporal Detective Series (Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords), will be highlighted in Chandler’s Ford library next Thursday 29th October. People like Brenda Sedgwick whose first novel, Marriage, a Journey and a Dog, was out earlier this year. [Read more…] about From Dancer to Writer: Felicity Fair Thompson

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