On the main road into Kandy there is a narrow doorway leading to Dharmawickrama, a school for 1,000 girls.
My wife Brenda arranged to visit to see what a state school is like. The contrasts within were striking. The building was poorly maintained and conditions were crowded and there were few facilities, no play area, squatter toilets, builder’s rubble in some corridors. [Read more…] about Journey to Sri Lanka: Creating a Local Library for 1,000 Girls
The Point theatre will be celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary in 2016 and is looking for stories and memories from the public to help with its year-long birthday celebrations.
Having already kick-started the celebrations with a radical redesign of its foyer and bar area, [Read more…] about Join The Point and Share Your Stories for its 20th Birthday Celebrations
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
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
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
A new Piano Sonata by Hugh Benham, Director of Music at St. Boniface Church of England Church, Chandler’s Ford, was recently performed in a concert at St John the Baptist’s Church, Wimbledon by the pianist Michael Higgins. [Read more…] about A New Piano Sonata by Hugh Benham
This weekend Winchester Cathedral celebrates Hampshire Harvest with the County’s food and farming. The first day was full of gorgeous local produce, live entertainment, and a lot of inspiration.
Don’t miss it – there’s still one more day tomorrow. [Read more…] about Winchester Cathedral Hampshire Harvest Weekend 2015
This morning we went to Eastleigh and spent two hours there.
An event called Eastleigh Mardi Gras took place in the town centre – a day of live music and entertainment with a post-war theme: “The war is over! It’s time to party!”
I discovered the event by chance last year, and wrote Eastleigh Mardi Gras 2014: Fun, Joy, Charities for Community.
There seemed to be 3 things happening in Eastleigh town today: [Read more…] about A Very Eastleigh Festival: Mardi Gras and Vintage Market 2015
The Hiltingbury Community Centre (The Hilt) will be hosting a unique event on Sunday September 13th 2015 at 2:00pm. Two distinguished guests from India will be sharing how their passionate, selfless medical work in a rural area has transformed thousands of lives.
The dedication of Dr. Prakash Amte and his wife, Dr. Mandakini Amte, and their story has been made into a moving film, The Real Hero. [Read more…] about Event at the Hilt – Meet the Real Heroes: Doctor Prakash Amte and Doctor Manda Amte
How did your weekend go today?
I had a quick tour from Chandler’s Ford to Brambridge and had a rather enjoyable day.
If you want to know what I got up to today, read on. [Read more…] about Sunny Weekend in Chandler’s Ford
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
Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church will be holding an exciting Wedding Dress Festival.
You’ll have a chance to view over 50 wedding dresses and some bridesmaids dresses, which between them span over 70 years.
The organisers from Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church are also displaying photos and other memorabilia in the Church on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June 2015. [Read more…] about Methodist Church: Wedding Dress Festival
Last week (1st-7th June) was Volunteers’ Week across the country, as the tremendous contribution made by volunteers of every sort was celebrated.
I was lucky enough to be part of two events in the Borough. One was celebrating voluntary fire fighters in Hampshire. [Read more…] about Celebration: Volunteers’ Week in Eastleigh 2015
Yesterday I taught Chinese in the morning (Open University L197 – Beginners’ Chinese module), and came home to watch Eurovision in the evening.
I must admit it was a wonderful day to indulge myself in languages and multi-cultures for a whole day.
My colleague Fernando Rosell-Aguilar at the Open University wrote this wonderful piece: Parlez-vous Eurovision?. [Read more…] about Did Eurovision 2015 Inspire You to Learn Languages?
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
Have you heard of the Society of Authors?
Congratulations to local writer and regular contributor to Chandler’s Ford Today, Allison Symes, who has been elected to become a Full Member of the Society of Authors.
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
Chandler’s Ford Library provides us with books, music, and films, and yesterday, the library also brought us the most talented artists from The Sorting Office Studios in Eastleigh.
I’ve been following the artists around Eastleigh since last year and it was very lovely to see some of them again in Chandler’s Ford Library.
Residents of the Sorting Office Studios met the public [Read more…] about Inspiring Artists from the Sorting Office Studios Eastleigh
Today Chandler’s Ford Today is going to honour one of our regular commenters with The Official Pedant Award.
The winner is Ruby.
Ruby has made 76 comments on Chandler’s Ford Today so far.
In the current Private Eye Issue (No. 1384, 23 January to 5 February 2015), Ruby (or better known as Ruby Barefoot) has made it to Pedantry Corner. [Read more…] about Ruby: Winner of the Official Pedant Award
Designer-makers from The Sorting Office studios will host a Creative Open Day at Chandler’s Ford Library on the 14th of February (Saturday) from 10am to 3pm.
The makers, designers, and artists, who work at The Sorting Office studios in Wells Road, Eastleigh, will be holding demonstrations of their crafts, offering taster sessions for anyone passionate about learning a new skill, and displaying their beautiful creations. [Read more…] about The Sorting Office Creative Open Day: Chandler’s Ford Library 14th Feb 2015
