This is a great time to plan what you would like to do in the garden for the rest of the year. Take a note book and walk around the garden. Look at seed catalogues for ideas of what to sow.
Midwinter is a tough time for wildlife in the garden. Make sure there is a continuous supply of food and fresh water. Knock snow off branches, especially conifers, if they are bending under the weight.
Written by Greg Walker, Principal Director of Music, The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band.
Here’s our talented group of youngsters at The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band showing what we can do, along with a mass choir of Scout and Guide Shows from all across Hampshire, with our cover of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’... we hope you enjoy it – we had GREAT fun recording and making it.
[Read more…] about Christmas Church Services in Chandler’s Ford 2019
The birth of Jesus was the beginning of family life for Mary, Joseph and their new son. Mary’s pregnancy had not been normal by anyone’s standards, starting with the conception from the Holy Spirit, announced by the angel Gabriel. The gospels do not go into detail but we can guess how difficult it must have been for Mary to explain this to her parents as well as her intended, Joseph. There will have been gossip and funny looks in the market place, I am sure, as her pregnancy became more obvious. So, not easy for a young girl. Luckily, Joseph was guided by an angel not to divorce her but to support her. Then there was the journey to Bethlehem, for Joseph to register in the census, and the lack of accommodation there that meant that the new Messiah was born in a lowly stable.
This story is familiar to us all, as each Christmas we hear the Bible passages and sing the words in our carols. And, of course, it is illustrated on the Christmas cards we send and receive, the Advent calendars, and the decorations in our homes and our towns. So familiar are these images that it is too easy for us to become hardened to them and not to look at them afresh to read what they really tell us.
The new little family – the Holy Family – was unique. Mary, Jesus’ mother, was chosen by God to carry and give birth to his son. As any mother does, she nurtured him, watched as he grew up, guided him, then stepped back as he set out on his ministry. Later, she had to watch and live through his violent death. Mary is now venerated as the model of all mothers and holds a special place in many Christians’ hearts.
Keep raking up those leaves from the lawn and borders.
If it’s a mild winter, continue to cut the lawn if it’s growing, but raise the height of the mower blades.
From now until the end of March is the time to plant any bare rooted trees, shrubs and roses.
Check stored fruit, throw out any that are rotten.
Reduce watering on houseplants.
The joint charities Christmas Market in Chandler’s Ford last weekend didn’t disappoint. The market is now in its 46th year, but the passion never seems to fade over time. You see the same people running the market, and you see familiar faces supporting their chosen charities and informing people about the work that they do, and why they need your donation and support. More and more visitors come to the market each year as the market is such a beautiful Chandler’s Ford Christmas tradition.
I like the warmth and friendliness of the market so much that I go there each year to see old friends, and meet friends for coffee at Dovetail Café afterwards. It’s the sort of market where you have no chance of breaking the bank, and you can buy affordable thoughtful little gifts, stocking fillers, some nice pens and notebooks, little torches, storybooks, toys, and some really good quality Christmas cards.
The market this year was opened by former Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Jane Welsh. The Joint Charities Annual Christmas Market was held at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church Hall. These were the charities that took part.
[Read more…] about Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 46th Christmas Market 2019
Many people in Chandler’s Ford marked Remembrance Sunday today by observing a two-minute silence at 11am.
Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography captured some photographs of the parade on Hursley Road, and the service this morning at the Chandler’s Ford war memorial, at St. Boniface Church, and has kindly shared these with the Chandler’s Ford community.
[Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2019
The Fairtrade shopping evening at St Martin in the Wood Church in Hiltingbury last Friday was successful and enjoyable. Many people attended and had an opportunity to buy a variety of high quality fairtrade products to support disadvantaged producers and workers in the developing world.
Fairtrade events encourage us to be ethical consumers and raise awareness of trade justice.
[Read more…] about Fairtrade Shopping Evening 2019 – Buy Fairtrade and Make a Difference
Jobs to do as winter approaches and the garden quietens. Rake up leaves on the lawn. Tie-in long whippy shoots of climbers and wall shrubs.
Bare rooted roses can be planted now. Prune bush roses to prevent wind-rock and clear up any fallen rose leaves, especially if they suffered from black spot and rust, to reduce the chance of infection next year. [Read more…] about 2019 November Gardening Tips by Wellie
Here we have a list of Chandler’s Ford events for you to enjoy and support. We’ll update events on the Upcoming Events page regularly. Send us your community events to help us keep everyone informed with local news and events.
[Read more…] about Upcoming Events in Chandler’s Ford: October to December 2019
This month the days are closing in, and it can be distinctly chilly, but there is also beauty all around as the leaves start their autumn change, so now is the time to:
Cut back herbaceous perennials that have died down. Split and divide older clumps of overgrown perennials. [Read more…] about 2019 October Gardening Tips by Wellie
Channel 5 has recently shown the “Secrets of the Mr Kipling Factory” programme. This has triggered many people’s memories, especially those who used to work at Manor Bakeries in Eastleigh.
Our reader Jill Mayes shared her memories of Mr Kipling with us:
Watching Mr Kipling cakes. Both my parents, myself and lots of friends worked for them at Manor Bakeries at some time or other in Eastleigh. I worked off of cupcake alley and they even made my wedding cake. The test bakery cakes were lovely. My mum got a free box of cakes every Christmas until she died. 🧁🍰 exceedingly good memories.
Here we have a list of Chandler’s Ford events for you to enjoy, support, (and possibly escape from the noises of the world). We’ll update events on the Upcoming Events page regularly. Send us your events to help us keep everyone informed with local news and events.
[Read more…] about From Elvis to Refugees (and Christmas) – Upcoming Events in Chandler’s Ford
Yesterday evening the Chandler’s Ford Today household had the following conversation:
Man: “Someone has just dropped this Harvest Festival thing for you.”
Woman: “Oh, who’s that?” “Perhaps someone is delivering the leaflets to the whole neighbourhood, not just for me?”
Man: “Don’t know.” “I think it’s just for you.” [Read more…] about Harvest Festival: Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church Sunday 29th September 2019
A date for your diary!
On Saturday November 9th 7.30 pm Stories of Sanctuary will be performing at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church.
Free entrance. Pay what you decide donation. From 3-5 pm there will be a pop-up choir session for anyone who would like to learn the songs (with the option but no obligation to sing along at the concert!) [Read more…] about Stories of Sanctuary – Saturday 9th November 7.30 pm Performing at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church
The Hiltingbury Extravaganza is back on the 22nd September on the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground from 12.00 noon to 5.30pm.
This year the new Pavilion creates a welcome addition to the events activities and enables the local community to take a look at the excellent facilities on offer throughout the year from both The Hilt and The Pavilion. [Read more…] about The Hiltingbury Extravaganza: 22 September on Hiltingbury Recreation Ground from 12 noon
Now that strawberries have finished fruiting, it’s time to propagate new plants. [Read more…] about 2019 September Gardening Tips by Wellie
Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market is back again – Saturday 7th September, from 10am to 1pm, at the Age Concern Hall, Brownhill Road. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market: Saturday 7th September
Summer is in full swing, and to keep your garden looking lovely there are a few things to do this month.
Dead head regularly to maintain flowering, cut back perennials that have collapsed. Continue to summer prune wisteria. [Read more…] about 2019 August Gardening Tips by Wellie
Last Thursday I watched the latest Chameleons Theatre production – They Came From Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen’s Guild’s coffee Morning – yes that is the title. A double parody of both amateur dramatics and sci-fi, the play is hilarious in how layered the comedy was, with multiple levels of humour. This performance also came ploughman’s dinner beforehand, which I thought was a nice touch and made the fourth wall breaks more immersive and “in tune” with the style of the play.
The nature of the play also meant a fake programme was created with lots of funny notes such as “Tickets cost £1 each- a strip of 5 is a bargain at £6” and the fact that Mrs Reece is the only member of the behind the scenes crew. The basic plot has the fictional Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society putting together a really, really, really dreadful version of They Came From Mars. Hilarity ensues. [Read more…] about Review: They Came from Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen’s Coffee Morning
