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.
Now that strawberries have finished fruiting, it’s time to propagate new plants. [Read more…] about 2019 September Gardening Tips by Wellie
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
Prevent leaf scorch of container grown Japanese maples by keeping them well watered and in a sheltered spot out of strong sunshine and winds. [Read more…] about 2019 July Gardening Tips by Wellie
Pinch out tips of new growth on figs at the end of month, when the shoots have 5 leaves. Stop cutting asparagus now and topdress with a general purpose fertilizer. [Read more…] about 2019 June Gardening Tips by Wellie
This is a community website about Chandler’s Ford, but today we’re going to touch upon the war, knitted scarves, Clementine Churchill, and the Russians – all in this short article. So please read on.
Last week we published an article about Audrey Steele, who at the age of 90 has recently been awarded the Citizen of Honour for the Borough of Eastleigh. [Read more…] about Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942
I’m delighted to have met 90-year-old Audrey Steele recently. Audrey Steele was awarded the Citizen of Honour for the Borough of Eastleigh early this month.
Audrey has recently celebrated her 90th birthday. This award recognises the voluntary work she has done for the people in Eastleigh Borough and Brazil. [Read more…] about Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour
Did you know there was a Plants and Crafts sale at St Boniface church yesterday (Saturday 18th May 2019) from 10am to 2pm?
It was a popular community event run by Judith James, Chair of The Friends of St. Anne’s Hospital (Tanzania), with support from many members of St Boniface and St Martin’s churches. [Read more…] about Fundraising for Friends of St Anne’s Hospital and Defibrillator Fund
The Fairtrade Fashion Show took place last night (Friday 17th May 2019) at the St Martin in the Wood church in Hiltingbury.
Tricia Urquhart, with Heather Dibb and their local network have organised the Fairtrade Fashion Show in recent years. These events have been so successful, and they bring people together. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Mayor Attended the Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford – 17 May 2019
Once again I spent the May Bank Holiday at Fryern Funtasia yesterday – as I did every single year in the past few years.
I really love the traditional open-space event, where I met up with a few old friends there, and soaked up some local news (or gossips) from just walking about. [Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia 6th May 2019 in Chandler’s Ford
Plant out summer bedding once the risk of frost has passed. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and protect with horticultural fleece if necessary. [Read more…] about 2019 May Gardening Tips by Wellie
The annual St George’s Day parade took place yesterday in Chandler’s Ford. We have brilliant images from the parade yesterday (28th April 2019) in Chandler’s Ford. These photographs were taken by Richard Doyle. Thank you, Richard.
The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (The Spitfires), in perfect step, marched on Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 2019. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 28th April 2019
The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (“The Spitfires”) once again led three St George’s Day Parades today: 10:00 in Eastleigh, 12:45 in Winchester, and 14:30 in Chandler’s Ford.
Chandler’s Ford Today has received stunning photographs of today’s parade in Chandler’s Ford from two photographers. Today we’re sharing some photographs taken by Debbie, from Debbie Pearce Photography. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 2019 with The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (“The Spitfires”)
Feed rose bushes and check them for black spot. Remove infected leaves and treat plant with a fungicide. The tips of Marguerites, Pelargoniums and Fuchsias can be pinched out now to encourage bushy growth. [Read more…] about 2019 April Gardening Tips by Wellie
Dear cycle thief,
Hope you are enjoying my bike or parts of it that you couldn’t sell. If you’ve sold it in the nether market, the money must have bought you a few pleasures. But, I am straying from the point now, digressing, if you understand the word. That was no aspersion on your education, but just a thought that occurred to me. In your profession, you cannot afford to digress. You cannot head for the bike shed with your chain cutters and suddenly entertain an alternative thought, like “Let me check out the Magnolia tree. Its blossoms are so overwhelmingly beautiful this time of the year”. No. You will be the master of concentration, one-track minded, a Zen of bicycle thievery. [Read more…] about An Open Letter to My Cycle Thief
[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (27)
[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Saturday Guessing Game (26)
Dead head spring bulbs. Prune hydrangeas by cutting back old flowerheads to first pair of strong buds, and cut up to a third of oldest stems back to their base.
Cornus and Salix grown for winter colour can be cut back hard now. Apply general purpose fertiliser and mulch to beds and borders. Start putting supports in place for herbaceous perennials. [Read more…] about 2019 March Gardening Tips by Wellie
