One of the great joys of fiction writing is you have two basic options which are to either invent it all or base your work on a real event. You can be said to be writing history.
Historical novels obviously fall into the second category (as do some crime books). One of my favourite books, The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, is based on The Princes in the Tower mystery. [Read more…] about Inspired by Slapton Beach: Felicity Fair Thompson
In 2014, glassware artist Carly Mann was commissioned by Eastleigh Borough Council to design and make a new Ceremonial Mace for the new Mayor of Eastleigh in collaboration with Prysmian Group.
The body is formed in brass by the talented team at Prysmian, then plated in gold and silver. The glass panels in the mace head are painted and gilded by the artist. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Artists Shine: Mayor’s Ceremonial Mace and Chain
What’s your story?
It can be difficult for a fiction writer to answer that. We have lots of stories from our tales of how we develop as authors (with hopefully increasing numbers of publishing credits) to each of the actual works we invent and rigorously edit before they see the light of day. [Read more…] about What’s Your Story? Gill James
By Sandra Gordon
My name is Sandra Gordon. I’ve lived in Chandler’s Ford for nearly twenty years.
I moved to here from Kent but knew it a little from visiting family when I was a child.
I’ve worked at Hiltingbury Junior School, Otterbourne Junior School and Chiltern Tutorial School in that time.
Poetry is my passion. [Read more…] about Sandra Gordon’s Poem: In The Garden
It is said that everyone has a book in them. Some will write one and a few will even publish.
Publishing is changing fast but the constant among the changes is preservation of the magical golden thread that connects the imagination of the writer to the mind of the reader. [Read more…] about Author, Publisher, Reader – A Golden Thread
The Chandler’s Ford Community Association agreed at a Management Committee meeting this week to install air conditioning in the Ritchie Memorial Hall.
With several hot summers behind us coupled with full houses as a result of increasing popularity of our productions, the temperature in the Ritchie Hall was often exceeding 30 degrees Centigrade. It was also stuffy making air quality poor. [Read more…] about Air Conditioning in the Ritchie Memorial Hall
Don’t miss The Sorting Office’s annual Summer Open Studios on June 13 and 14 (Saturday and Sunday) in Eastleigh town centre.
This is a fantastic opportunity to see behind the scenes of thriving designer-maker studios. You’ll meet 16 artists, watch them at work, take part in demonstrations, and shop for exquisite handcrafted goods and designs. [Read more…] about The Sorting Office: Summer Open Studios: 13 -14 June 2015
I visited the National Gallery again. I always feel uneasy about the place and have never worked out why. Do you have a sense of unease?
It is a national treasure and we are proud of it but it is not like Nelson’s Column and Trafalgar Square. [Read more…] about National Gallery and the Prince
I met Felicity Fair Thompson of Wight Diamond Press at the Isle of Wight Weekend Writers’ Conference, which she ran from 2000 to 2005. The conferences were held in Sandown.
I also met Gill James, later of Bridge House Publishing, at one of these conferences and she became the publisher for my first accepted short story, A Helping Hand in the anthology, Alternative Renditions. Wheels within wheels so to speak… [Read more…] about Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Felicity Fair Thompson
The early 1980s.
Telephones were attached to the wall by lines; an international call meant going through the operator – and was very, very expensive; a television remote control meant getting your child to walk over to the set to change the channel; the Intercity-125 was the epitome of modern train travel; Torville and Dean ice skated to victory; Sheffield was famous for its cutlery; children sat O-levels and CSEs – and organised protests to complain about school rules that they didn’t like; people who were out of work were “on the dole” and claimed “social security”; [Read more…] about Theatre Review: Thornden School: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾
Calling all writers in and around Chandler’s Ford with details of a fiction competition!
I have sent in details of the latest Short Story competition Alfie Dog Fiction is advertising.
You can find out some of my short stories in my Fairytales with Bite website. [Read more…] about Alfie Dog Fiction Competition
Gill James and I met at the Isle of Wight Writers’ Conference, which was run by Felicity Fair Thompson from 2000 to 2005.
This was a weekend conference based in Shanklin or Sandown with guest speakers. There was a special speaker after the main Conference dinner on the Saturday night. David Nobbs (Reggie Perrin) and Raymond Allen (Some Mothers Do Have Them) were just two of the after dinner speakers who entertained us all. [Read more…] about Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Gill James
Wednesday was the first showing of the Chameleon Theatre Company’s Fawlty Towers.
I got to see it on Tuesday night at a free “press screening” and a special night to entertain the elderly from our local nursing homes in Chandler’s Ford.
Here is my review of the show. [Read more…] about Review: Fawlty Towers by Chameleon Theatre Company
The classic British sit com Fawlty Towers is coming to Chandler’s Ford this week.
Chandler’s Ford Chameleon Theatre Company will bring the ridiculous life in the dysfunctional Fawlty Towers to Chandler’s Ford residents from tomorrow. [Read more…] about Coming to Town: Fawlty Towers by Chameleon Theatre Company
Chandler’s Ford Fairtrade Fashion Show 2015:
In Chandler’s Ford, there will be a Fairtrade Fashion Show on Friday 24th April 2015 from 7pm to 9 pm at St. Martin in the Wood church, Hiltingbury SO53 5AG. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Fairtrade Fashion Show and Crafts
Chandler’s Ford MDG Players successfully performed yet another comedy, Worth a Fortune, to a packed audience at the Methodist Church, from 26 – 28 March 2015. My son and I watched it last night and we were hugely impressed.
Hiltingbury resident Tom Whyte sent me his review of the comedy Worth a Fortune:
“With my wife and a couple of friends went to see the production of Worth a Fortune performed, to a packed house, by the MDG Players at the Methodist church in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Comedy Review: Worth a Fortune by MDG Players
I met Richard Hardie, walking Benji, whilst walking my first dog, Gracie, in the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground. Not only did we have dog walking in common, we soon discovered we shared a love of books, especially Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, and creative writing.
Richard and I have work in The Shambelurklers Return, which is raising money for the National Autistic Society and is available in W.H. Smith in the Fryern Arcade of Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about An Interview with Author Richard Hardie by Allison Symes
While I was interviewing local author, Richard Hardie (author of Leap of Faith and Trouble with Swords), we discussed favourite books and writers. Then came the sad announcement of Sir Terry Pratchett’s death after a long battle with a rare form of Alzheimer’s.
Richard and I share a huge admiration for the Discworld novels. [Read more…] about Sir Terry Pratchett 1948-2015: An Appreciation from Chandler’s Ford
Centrestage Production Youth Theatre recently performed The Phantom of the Opera at The Point theatre in Eastleigh. The youngsters received a standing ovation with their outstanding performances.
Wendy from Horton Heath praised the youngsters: “A brilliant production – we loved it. Incredible to believe how young they were. Truly professional.” [Read more…] about Review: The Phantom of the Opera by Centrestage Production Youth Theatre
You may not believe this but March is approaching.
In Chandler’s Ford, the highlight for March will be Worth a Fortune, a farcical comedy by Frances A Lewis, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players.
Chandler’s Ford MDG Players will perform Worth a Fortune from Thursday to Saturday, 26th – 28th March 2015 at 7.30pm, [Read more…] about March 2015 Highlight: Comedy Worth a Fortune by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players
