I recently received an unusual request to Chandler’s Ford Today from Gemma, who works on the orthopaedic ward at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.
Her first lines were: “I’m not entirely sure if you are the correct person to contact? However you may be able to redirect me!”
This intrigued me. [Read more…] about Join Eastleigh Knitters Making Twiddlemuffs for Dementia Patients
Chandler’s Ford MDG Players present a world premiere: Diamond in the Sky, by Chandler’s Ford playwright and director, Mike Standing.
It’s an amusing adventure in time, space, and Wales! [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford MDG Players Present: Diamond in the Sky by Mike Standing
The Spitfires – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band performed an all new concert at The Methodist Church in Chandler’s Ford on Saturday evening, 17th October 2015. “All new” in that all the pieces were being performed by the band for the first time.
A church may seem an unlikely venue for a band concert, but the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church proved to be an excellent one. [Read more…] about Review: The Spitfires in Concert – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band
Lats Thursday I saw Hamlet broadcast by National Theatre Live, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, at the Thornden Hall in Chandler’s Ford. It was the fifth acting role I have seen Cumberbatch in, and apart from writing my review about the play, Hamlet, I would also like to write about how actors are defined by the roles they play. [Read more…] about A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall
Despite knowing Thornden well and visiting the Hall for numerous parents’ evenings, this was the first time I’d visited the Hall for a show.
The Importance of Being Earnest was being shown as a live broadcast of the performance taking place at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End. There was a short interview with the production’s director, Adrian Noble, and a further short piece with David Suchet, playing the unforgettable Lady Bracknell, before the performance. [Read more…] about Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall
Some of the great joys of writing for Chandler’s Ford Today are in meeting new people and going to events that are new to me.
The recent Hiltingbury Extrav was the first I’d visited despite living in Chandler’s Ford for over 25 years. So I thought I would look back at it as we leave the summer season with its shows and fetes behind. (If anyone is in any doubt we are in autumn now, the recent wild weather should dispel that!). [Read more…] about High Jinks at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2015
I went to Hiltingbury Recreation Ground at 3pm yesterday with my son, and local writer Allison Symes.
The Hiltingbury Extrav 2015 was in full swing. The event took place from 12.00 noon till 5.00pm.
We were first attracted by some classic cars. We spotted Chandler’s Ford Today writer Mike Sedgwick there admiring the vehicles (and checking the engine stuff). [Read more…] about The Hiltingbury Extrav 2015
You don’t need to travel far for autumn and Christmas markets.
Chandler’s Ford is the hub for markets from now till Christmas.
Upcoming markets in October and November include: [Read more…] about Upcoming Chandler’s Ford Craft Markets and Fairtrade Autumn Market
Christmas is approaching (What? Have I just mentioned “Christmas”?), and this year, there will be a lot of craft, arts, and produce markets in Chandler’s Ford for you to buy the best gifts.
Chandler’s Ford Age Concern Centre on 7 Brownhill Road (SO53 2EB) will become a major centre for many upcoming markets. I hope you could visit these markets to support our local businesses. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Age Concern Centre: Upcoming Craft and Gift Markets
Chandler’s Ford Today has published nearly 800 posts in two and a half years.
Today’s summary post celebrates local theatre reviews written by Chandler’s Ford writers. [Read more…] about Best of Chandler’s Ford Today: Top 12 Theatre Reviews
What is the best thing about fiction for you? The plot? The characters?
For me, the characters are everything. The best plot in the world will fail unless it has the characters to “run” with it.
Do you prefer stand alone novels or a series? [Read more…] about My Top 10 Terry Pratchett Characters
That most certainly was entertainment. A gala of dance at Thornden Hall on Sunday evening 26th July. [Read more…] about That’s Entertainment – Parkewood School of Dance
This week my wife and I attended the latest offering by our local Chameleon Theatre Company. We also took along someone new to this form of entertainment as we were sure that she would be hooked as we are to this talented group.
We were not disappointed. [Read more…] about Another Triumph for Chameleon Theatre Company
There are many Radio 4 shows I love but I am especially fond of Desert Island Discs. My only problem with it is I would want to take at least 8 books with me to the fictional island, as well as the pieces of music. Since I can’t arrange that, I thought I would share what I love most about stories and list some of my favourites.
One of the first things I pack when getting ready for going on holiday is at least one good book (I also take The Good Book but that’s another matter!).
A good story, whether it is a full length novel or a shorter piece, stays with you long after you have finished reading it.
Writers are lucky here as if it is their story. They get the pleasure of writing it (and reading it first!).
Namaste Eastleigh!
The 10th Eastleigh Mela, held on Eastleigh Town Rec, took place on Sunday 19th July 2015.
This was my second year supporting the Mela and as before the event was a riot of colour, sound and wonderful smells! [Read more…] about The 10th Eastleigh Mela
Over the past month or so I have been helping out with the Chameleon Theatre Company, after seeing several of their shows.
I learnt how to work with the lights and sound effects for the show from Lionel Elliott and Rebecca Nye. Last Sunday I saw the full dress rehearsal as I will be unable to help during the actual show due to holiday-itis. So treat this review like a film review when the film critics go to see the show early. [Read more…] about Review: Relatively Speaking – Chandler’s Ford Chameleon Theatre Company
It must be slightly daunting when planning to perform a well-known and loved musical. Everyone knows the story. Everyone knows what the songs are supposed to sound like. Can we do it justice? No such qualms need to have worried the cast and crew of who treated audiences to a feast of entertainment with Thornden School’s summer production of The Sound of Music last week.
The production required a large cast of over 100 performers – [Read more…] about Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music
Last night I watched Toynbee School’s production of the comedy musical Little Shop of Horrors.
There are two more nights (Thursday and Friday), so grab your tickets now.
It was a highly entertaining and successful production, with lots of surprises, such as a talking and moaning gigantic plant. [Read more…] about Review: Little Shop of Horrors by Toynbee School
Twenty Two year 7-10 pupils from Toynbee School are performing in a production of Little Shop of Horrors on the 8th, 9th and 10th July (Wednesday to Friday).
Directed by Toynbee School Drama and Music departments, Little Shop of Horrors is a comedy horror musical about a strange and interesting plant. [Read more…] about Toynbee School: Little Shop of Horrors
Last week (Thursday to Saturday) Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh performed Les Misérables School EditionTM at the Theatre Royal Winchester.
If you are a fan of Les Misérables and concerned that the “schools edition” might be a dumbed-down version, let me reassure you – it isn’t. The adaptation contains all the passion and power of the original. [Read more…] about Review: Les Misérables by Barton Peveril College
