Here we hope you get to discover Chandler's Ford, through local stories, Chandler's Ford history, events, and reflections and debates of topical issues. How has Chandler's Ford shown community spirit? How are we connected? This tag invites you to explore and develop our community together.
Did you recognise this location in Chandler’s Ford? Tim Deacon from Southampton sent us this unique photo to share with Chandler’s Ford readers.
The photo shows two R.A.F. Launches (built by The British Power Boat Company in Hythe) being transported by lorries through Chandler’s Ford over the road/rail bridge near the station in the 1950/60s.
Tim is a volunteer boat builder at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Part Two: 1913
If we now time-travel twenty years or so to the eve of the First World War, let’s see what has changed on our route. Once again, we come up from Southampton to the Asda roundabout and up Bournemouth Road. Chandler’s Ford now has a police constable who lives at the police house at 5 York Villas, Bournemouth Road. We pass the home of one R. E. Burke, a lounge steward on HMS Titanic who sadly perished when the ship foundered last year. As we pass the Hut Hotel (see image below, forgiving the cars!), we may see Chandler’s Ford United FC training in a field behind, using the hotel as their changing room. The big brickfield on our left is still busy.
[Read more…] about The Main Road Through Chandler’s Ford: Historical Snapshots (Part 2)
Part One: 1895
You probably know that most of Chandler’s Ford has developed in the last hundred years or so and that prior to the twentieth century, there wasn’t a lot here, apart from a few cottages, the brickfields, farm land and woods. I’ve been looking at the history of one important feature of our town: the main road – Bournemouth Road and Winchester Road – stretching from Asda to the Nuffield Hospital. I wonder what you know of its history?
Let me take you back to 1895. Let’s say you want to travel from Southampton to Winchester and for some reason you don’t take the train, preferring to ride your horse / travel in your carriage or cart by road. The road that goes through our town was the most direct route, a turnpike with an improved surface since the early nineteenth century, unlike other local roads.
Before the railway came in 1847, this road would have been heavily used by the stage coaches that plied between Southampton and London. The horses were changed every six miles and being this distance from both Southampton and Winchester, Chandler’s Ford was the obvious place for the changeover. The coaching stage in our town was where the Fryern Arcade is now, but by 1895 the stables had been redeveloped as a house. [Read more…] about The Main Road Through Chandler’s Ford: Historical Snapshots (Part 1)
Gran does not feel well on September 1st 1985 – she often feels sick and unable to eat, has troublesome back pain and sometimes is very sleepy. After a two-hour afternoon sleep this Sunday, and not eating owing to a prolonged bout of acute hiccups, she watches television but finds it disappointing at first, saying this:
“Songs of Praise” [came] from the Greenpeace Festival and consisted of all pop versions of worship, appealing only to youngsters who were wound up to such a frenzy of clapping, dancing and arm waving, which left me wondering if it were a great love of God or only of Pop “music”. A later programme about English silk was very interesting and enlightening.
Her ailments, considered by stoical Gran as simple inconveniences, rarely prevent her doing what she wishes, so, on September 17th:
This afternoon I gardened for just over an hour, weeding more of the Crocus – Cyclamen bed, which was made difficult by the presence of many minute new cyclamen seedlings, with only one tiny leaf showing amongst the moss and the insidious Sheep’s Sorrel. I also dug up some Brambles, Goutweed and Ivy, after which I was very tired and came in and slept for close on an hour.
Many people love a day at the races. But can you imagine the roar of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, the cries of the punters here in Chandler’s Ford? Yet indeed, Chandler’s Ford used to have a racecourse. Complete with grandstand and a course length of 2.25 miles, it was located on fields near the railway station (now Valley Park) and was described in the newspaper as ‘presenting a lovely appearance to those who come to drink a draught of nature.’
But why here at Chandler’s Ford?
Gran has joined several coach tours, mainly to the West Country, in recent months, organised through her Club. She enjoys noting the passing scenery and wayside flowers but is often frustrated by stops for refreshments and shopping. She usually wanders off on her own at these times.
On June 12th 1985 there is a half-day outing into Berkshire, which includes a canal trip:
We went over a level crossing towards Hampstead Marshall where the Kennet and Avon Canal was our stopping area… Our barge, the Avon, was awaiting us and after we embarked, I learnt that it was purpose-built for these excursions but on the traditional narrow-boat principle though now is a motor barge and not horse-drawn as originally… The windows were large with seats all round and a little shop and bar at one end. I bought a little ribbon plate for Ruth, a thimble with our barge on it for Sue, a booklet, “On the Kennet and Avon” and a biro for myself.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 175)
March 2nd 1985 is not a pleasant day for Gran: there is some domestic conflict and she writes:
After an unpleasant morning of continual complaints, I spent the afternoon in my room, wishing to be alone in tranquil and quiet surroundings. I mostly read Arthur Marshall’s book. “Life’s Rich Pageant” and had a short nap. This evening more reading and listening to the radio and, later I stuck in today’s cutting about Julian.
The cutting is from The Daily Telegraph concerning Julian’s decision not to run in the National Cross Country Championships, owing to a heavy cold. But the following day, after the race is run, she is pleased to read in The Sunday Telgraph that the first eight home in yesterday’s National Cross Country have been chosen for the England team, “plus Julian Goater who has been so consistent always”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 174)
It is December 14th 1984, “My driver”, Gran writes:
… called for me at 10.15 this morning to take me to hospital again to have part of the spot cut out for analysis… the operation, under local anaesthetic, did not take too long and I was home by 12.20. I had taken ham rolls in case I was much later, but had one after soup at home. I am perfectly well and am to see Dr Charlewood on Wednesday or Thursday to have the stitches out.
Gran and some other Club members are picked up by coach in Kingsway for transporting to their Christmas dinner on the 15th, and Gran has clearly managed to produce the required floral table decorations, asked for at short notice. She writes:
… as I stood with the table decorations, a lady came and asked me if they were for sale, and another, who lives over the wine shop, and knows Ruth, said she had seen a copy of my “Te Deum”, [recently read out at one of her Club meetings] which Mrs Burton has and she wanted to know if she might read it to a prayer meeting to which she goes. I gave her permission…
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 173)
If you use Wikipedia today (24.07.3021), you may find the Featured Article today looks rather familiar:
“The Chandler’s Ford shooting was an attempted robbery on 13 September 2007 in which two men were shot dead by officers of London’s Metropolitan Police while robbing a cash-in-transit van. The Met had been tracking a gang who had stolen an estimated £500,000 from security vans and learned that the gang intended to rob the HSBC bank in Chandler’s Ford.”
Not sure how often Chandler’s Ford gets the global attention like today.
However we don’t think the community is proud to be defined by “The Chandler’s Ford Shooting”. [Read more…] about How do you Define Chandler’s Ford? What does Chandler’s Ford mean to you?
We have two beautiful rivers in south Hampshire, the Test and the Itchen. Both chalk streams, in their upper reaches these are noted for their water quality. In fact, due to the chalk aquafer on the Itchen, which has excellent storage and filtration, we get our water supply from this river.
But here in Chandler’s Ford we know of another, less well-known river, the Monks Brook. ‘Fordians see it popping up here and there, through Hiltingbury Lakes, at the bottom of people’s gardens, under roads: sometimes pretty as in Flexford Reserve, sometimes business-like as it rushes down a manmade culvert under Hursley Road.
At home at The Ridge on September 29th 1984, Gran does not hear the early arrival of the postman and coming downstairs finds:
… there was a Post Office card on the mat, saying that it had not been possible to deliver a registered package and it must be signed for and collected from the Post Office in Eastleigh. So I had to go there this morning but I was pacified when I found that it was stamps and coloured postcards from Tristan da Cunha. The stamps were featuring the constellations in “the night sky at Tristan da Cunha” and, as always, are very attractive. Also mentioned in the bulletin was the cottage craft of knitting garments from native Tristan wool, and those collecting the stamps are offered the chance of purchasing them. I have ordered a cardigan but it will be months before it comes. There was a Speckled Wood flying about in the sunshine…
Gran has not forgotten the presumed theft of her painting of an Early Spider Orchid while it was on show a few years ago, but she still remains pleased to be able to exhibit some of her work in order to raise money. On October 2nd:
In the Parish Magazine (Compton) today there was an appeal for funds for urgent repairs to the 800 year old Church, so I phoned Mr Ovenden to ask if he thought enough parishioners would be interested in seeing my paintings. I explained there would be some difficulty as, since one was stolen when I lent them out some time ago, Barry has said they must not go out of the house. Mr Ovenden thought it a splendid idea and he agreed to give some thought to it. He is going to pick me up or arrange for someone else to, for the Family Service in Church at 10 a.m. on Sunday and once monthly in future. I shall feel better if I can go.
And a few days later:
… Mr and Mrs Paris, from Shawford, kindly called and said they would gladly call for me at 10 o’clock on Sunday morning to take me to Church and bring me home again. Mr Paris has recently retired from the Solicitors Paris, Smith and Randal, who looked after Aunt Em’s affairs. A very nice couple indeed..
In the “Echo” was a picture of Lou [Meadon], unrecognisable at 89 and dressed in an embroidered blouse and now living at Fleming House Home. After having known her always in a black costume and hat, summer and winter, she now looked to be another person. I wrote to Barry and Jane Elizabeth and sent this cutting…
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 172)
June 23rd 1984 Gran calls “A day of extreme emotions, starting most pleasurably and ending in great disappointment.”
Barry phoned and the Family has been making great efforts for my eightieth birthday celebrations and they can all manage the Monday 23rd July, the day after (except Andrew, who will be in Norway), and Julian and Sue want it at their house, Sue specially wanting to do the catering. Barry and Jane go to France at 6 o’clock the next morning and will stay at Farnham on the Monday night and no-one will actually be here on my birthday. That will not matter…
… but it was athletics that caused my heartache and disappointment. Julian did run, but the 10,000 metres started late and only the early laps were shown and the introducer said the result would be given on the News at 5.55. I became more and more nervous and was shattered when it was announced that Julian again ran third and did not qualify for the Olympic Games. This is the second time he has missed out… I watched Val Doonigan’s [sic] show without my usual enthusiasm and enjoyment and have retired sick at heart for Julian.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 171)
It is 1984 and on January 12th, that most significant day in Gran’s life, she writes:
Julian is thirty-one today and I wish him very many happy returns of his birthday and a long life of happiness and success.
It is also thirty-seven years today since you, Adrian, my dear, passed out of this life and left me desolate but with grateful and happy memories and you have been in “my” life for ever since. You increased my love of nature and inspired me to paint the wild flowers that brought us together in spirit though we never met in person. Julian is very special to me, not only because he was my first grandchild but because he came on the sixth anniversary of your passing and eased the pain in my heart… It has been a lovely sunny day…
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 170)
The Dovetail Café at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church is now open 3 days a week – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 9.30 am until 12 noon.
I was there last Saturday and really felt life has started to feel a bit ‘normal’.
[Read more…] about Dovetail Café at the Methodist Church: Now Open 3 Days a Week
Gran is shopping on July 20th 1983:
This afternoon I went to Winchester… and whilst there looked for my art shop, which had disappeared. On enquiring for materials elsewhere, I was told that there was an art shop in the Romsey Road, and here was able to get a tube of Sap Green paint and two no. 2 sable brushes. The lady in charge told me that the other shop had gone bankrupt five years ago.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 169)
On Mid-summer’s Day 1982, Gran joins a coach trip to Mottisfont Abbey. She is not usually one to complain, but the day leaves a lot to be desired in her view, even though she is delighted to find a Southern Marsh Orchid in flower on a grassy pathside when she manages to escape the crowds. “The outing had been arranged”, she says:
… by Hampshire Age Concern and it was chaotic from the start, far too many old folk having been encouraged to go. The coaches were not allowed to go into the Abbey car park, so that the approach road was completely blocked by the coaches, and the leading one had to disembark its passengers before the others in the queue could reach that point… We were received at the Abbey grounds by the blaring of a ghastly hurdy-gurdy but after viewing the small part of the Abbey open to the public, I made for the river.
A cloudy and mild day and one of great excitement, dawns for Gran on February 6th 1982, when Barry drives her to the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge, arriving at Rick’s home there, Moorend Farm Cottage, in time for breakfast with him, Beverly and young Tom.
Several pages of the journal are dedicated to this visit, Gran enjoying special treatment, in particular access to bird-watching hides normally unavailable to the general public.
She records a fine array of wild waterfowl including, within a flock of 4500 White-fronted Geese, the Bean Geese that had not impressed Princess Diana earlier in the winter, and also two rare Lesser White-fronted Geese, new to her, “… from a small hide to which Ricky took us, and, when he went to fetch some other visitors who particularly wanted to see them, I came away to make room for them…”, she writes.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 167)
The two families, Barry’s and Jane’s, depart Chandler’s Ford after the celebrations for Grampa’s 80th and Gran is left feeling lonely. She says on August 25th 1981, just after the Brenans have left, “I dashed up to my whist drive, missing only the first hand and received a great welcome. I did not want to be at home with all the family gone”. However, Barry returns that evening, she says:
… to do some high house painting outside for us tomorrow and lured me down to the New Forest for some moth-hunting. I was already very tired but I would never refuse such a chance so packed up some supper and left at 7.15.
Mother and son have a fairly unsuccessful time “sugaring” oak trees with treacle at Tantany Wood, attracting few moths and they return home by 10.30. Gran, as usual, puts out food for the Hedgehog last thing, “after which”, she writes, “I tumbled, exhausted but soul-satisfied, into bed!”
House-painting is delayed until the afternoon of the following day. Gran admits that, “Though tired, but unwilling to admit it, I accepted Barry’s offer for me to go along the river this morning and it was very beautiful, very warm, and the water clear”. They also spend a brief time at Shawford Down looking without success for Chalkhill Blues, and Gran notes, “… the area is now so overgrown with coarse grass, the little downland foodplants have no chance”.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 166)
Gran writes on June 20th 1981: “I finished knitting the waistcoat, ironed the sixty-year old dress of Mother’s which I washed this morning and hope to wear for the Club’s Prince of Wales Party…”
June 24th:
The tour of Israel for the Lancashire Schools Symphony Orchestra has been cancelled owing to the unsettled situation there but the authorities are trying to fix up one in Switzerland instead. Naturally Katie and Andy are disappointed but I think it is a wise decision.
The Championships at Wimbledon, as ever, provide Gran with interest in June and July, and, also as usual, she passes comment on the behaviour of some of the players. So, on June 29th, when the number seven seed, Pam Schriver, defeats the number three seed, Tracy Austin, she says of the latter, “… as expected after her rude outburst to the Umpire in an earlier match, [she] was not a gracious loser, but Pam played bravely and deserved to win”.
July 1st:
Post brought my butterfly First Day Cover signed by Peter Scott, which will be amongst my treasures. This afternoon I walked quickly up to the Club to join the coach for the drive through the New Forest to Bournemouth to see a performance of the Black and White Minstrels at the Pavilion.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 165)
Life has slolwy returned to some sort of ‘normal’ in Chandler’s Ford.
Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church is planning a Plant and Cake stall (and also take-away hot drinks, how exciting is that!) over two days – on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th May 2021 from 10 am to 4 pm, outside at the front of the Church.
