Someone intending to visit the UK for the first time asked me for some tips on British etiquette. This is what I came up with.
Dear Raj,
Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet once wrote A Man’s a Man for a’ That. My advice to you therefore is – be yourself and you will be fine. However, since you ask, I will jot down some thoughts accumulated over a quarter of a century on this island. [Read more…] about British Etiquette: a Survivor’s Guide
I have just returned from a trip of a lifetime – a visit to an Emperor Penguin colony on the frozen Weddell Sea within the Antarctica Continent.
Yes it was a bit of a hike to get there. It took me a couple of days to travel to the gathering point in Punta Arenas, Chile. [Read more…] about Trip of a Lifetime – My Antarctic Trip
We don’t normally see the name ‘Chandler’s Ford’ being mentioned in the national news (ok, the HSBC armed robbery on Bournemouth Road in September 2007 was an exception: “Two armed robbers were shot dead by police”).
However today, ‘Chandler’s Ford’ is mentioned all over the media, from The Times, Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Mirror…, and on the BBC radio programme. [Read more…] about Roger Clark’s Quest to Antarctica to Photograph the Right Penguins
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. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for December by Wellie
My memory is leaving me.
This morning I packed a suitcase with clothes and my Hungarian goose down pillow ready for my next business trip. The intention was to leave the suitcase in the office, so I could travel at short notice. But then I met the crossword man on the platform and started chatting to him. We were soon joined by Jan, my colleague, and the three of us talked about heirlooms and how these were more valuable than Nikon cameras and so on. Generally shooting the breeze, but enough to make me forget all about my suitcase which I had stored on the luggage rack near the doors. [Read more…] about Memory: I am Sure I Knew What it Meant
Last week’s autumn production for the Eastleigh Operatic & Musical Society gave us an Extravaganza of Musical Shows – a selection of both some of the better-known and lesser-known numbers from musical theatre.
There is a huge canon of musical shows to choose from, and the company had selected an eclectic programme to showcase the skills of the performers. [Read more…] about Review: Extravaganza of Musical Shows by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society
I went to Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market this morning and realised that Christmas has indeed arrived.
The market was held at the Age Concern Centre on Brownhill Road (just next to the Co-op and the Fryern Arcade). [Read more…] about Christmas at Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market 2016
Last Sunday I had a brief interview with Frank Damerell, the 92-year-old war veteran from Chandler’s Ford.
Frank arrived at the War Memorial on Hursley Road just after 10.30am, accompanied by his son Phil. Frank later laid a RAFA (Royal Air Forces Association) wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the war memorial at St. Boniface Church in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Meet 92-year-old War Veteran Frank Damerell
I have another little memory from my childhood in Chandler’s Ford prompted by a very old photo of Station Lane in Chandler’s Ford.
I remember there was a Mills’ family. They had moved down from Bootle in Liverpool. Mr Mills was I think in the The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) during World War Two, but he was in the St. John Ambulance brigade. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Memories: Station Lane; Being a Cadet in the 1950s
About two hundred people gathered at Chandler’s Ford war memorial for Remembrance Sunday service and laying of wreaths this morning.
From 10am this morning, many people started walking towards the war memorial on Hursley Road at St. Boniface church. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2016
This morning I went to the Joint Charities 43rd Annual Christmas Market at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church.
I love this annual tradition – as it kicks off my internal clock for Christmas. It reminds me that I need to start pick up a pen, write a few Christmas cards (while adding names or crossing names off my Christmas card list as well).
This morning, former Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Jane Welsh opened the 43rd Christmas Market. [Read more…] about Review: Joint Charities 43rd Annual Christmas Market Chandler’s Ford 2016
I went to see All My Sons by Arthur Miller at the Chameleon Theatre Company in Hursley Road recently.
Wonderful performances, a great story and I’m glad to have discovered this play. It is also, I think, apt that this review appears on 11th November given All My Sons is set in 1947. The impact of World War Two is still red raw on grieving families (as the play makes very clear). [Read more…] about Review: All My Sons – Excellent Production by Chameleon Theatre Company
As expected, The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band “The Spitfires” gave an outstanding performance at their concert on 5th November. A varied programme included musicals, military marches, and classical pieces – even The Village People’s music got a look in.
The concert included two soloists. The first sang Nessun Dorma – a piece normally heard as a tenor voice, but no way diminished by the soprano (I think it was) at the concert. A wonderful voice, singing the high notes with as much precision and clarity as the lower ones. [Read more…] about Review: The Spitfires: Last Night of the Proms 2016 – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band
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 Gardening Tips for November by Wellie
Last weekend we watched All My Sons, Arthur Miller’s modern classic.
It was the autumn 2016 production performed by the brilliant local theatre company of Chandler’s Ford: Chameleon Theatre Company. [Read more…] about Review: All My Sons – Chameleon Theatre Company 2016
I saw a photo of Station Lane on this website: Chandler’s Ford Memories (Facebook). It is the bottom end of Station Lane before going onto the Railway property and yard and Station beyond.
The year is unknown but very old as the railway line that served the old brickworks at the bottom of School Lane can be seen through the gate this is way before my time. [Read more…] about Memories of Station Lane, Chandler’s Ford
Stairway Bakery and Coffee Shop at the Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford has closed.
The notice on the window reads:
“As from the Saturday 29th of October 2016, this shop will close. We would like to thank all our loyal customers over the years for their custom and support. We wish all of you all the best for the future. [Read more…] about Closed: Stairway Bakery and Coffee Shop at Fryern Arcade
A new coffee shop has opened in Eastleigh town centre.
Now, your reaction to this might be “Bill Bryson was right; Eastleigh needs a new coffee shop like a fish needs a bicycle”.
In a previous post Coffee vs Discount in Eastleigh I pondered the reasons for the consumer demand for expensive coffee. [Read more…] about Too Many Coffee Shops in Eastleigh? Think Again.
This is a lovely month with the trees starting to change colour, but the temperatures are dropping and the nights are drawing in, so get as many jobs done in the garden before it gets too cold.
Wallflowers can be planted now, providing foliage ground cover all winter, and fragrance and colour next spring. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for October by Wellie
It’s that time of year when new students are leaving for university. This post is for them.
University is the greatest opportunity you will ever get for meeting new people and taking up new hobbies and challenges. Make the most of that opportunity. [Read more…] about Leaving for University
