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.
The last day of April and the first of May 1947 give the first hint that I have found of Gran’s constant bitter sadness, which apparently underlies all her writing: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 4)
Fancy getting a team of 4 to 6 persons for a Quiz and Curry. It’s at the Concorde Club Eastleigh. Tuesday 28th Feb 2017 at 7.30 for 8 pm start. £12 a head. Alternative meal available.
Book direct with the Concorde at The Concorde Club. You will need to tell them your team name when you register. [Read more…] about Charity Quiz in aid of Marie Curie Tuesday 28th Feb 2017
Gran notes Salix caprea (goat willow) catkins open on March 15th, and a male Early Moth coming to light at a bedroom window the day before this. On the 16th:
The speckled Wood butterfly which I brought home from the greenhouse on March 5th was today spreading its wings to the sun in the dining room.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 3)
It’s dated January 1st 1947 and is headed “A Country Diary”. The inside of the front cover has five or six paragraphs, the first of which goes:
Flowers bring a spirit of comfort and happiness which money cannot buy, and being a spirit, is neither measured nor defined, but only perceived.
This is followed by:
“The tragic beauty of life is revealed nowhere so movingly and so clearly to the spirit as in a wild flower, which blossoms into life and fades into death.”
June 17th 1945 – January 12th 1947
In memory of my friend, “Adrian”, (Kenneth R. A. C. Turvey) who gave me an even deeper appreciation of the beauty and wonder of nature. He died January 12th 1947 aged 34. His brave, wholesome spirit was an inspiration and an example. Semper Fidelis.
I suspect that the words in quotation marks were from Adrian himself, though the journal is peppered with similar rather trite and flowery quotes from all sorts of sources that are not Adrian. And the dates are the period of Gran’s brief friendship with him. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 2)
Introduction
Her name was Joan Adelaide Goater, her maiden name Adamson. She was my grandmother and she kept a journal. Some Three-hundred and fifty hard-backed exercise books covered by a cheap blue paper that fades within half an hour of being exposed to the light. I’ve read small parts of some volumes, which date from January 1st 1947 to the early-1990s. They are written at “The Ridge” – that is number 27 Hiltingbury Road, Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire. It is the home where Gran and her husband Bill (William Cecil), whom I knew as “Grampa” or “Gramps”, lived and where their children Barry (my father) and Jane were brought up. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 1)
Once upon a time almost every child found an annual under the tree or in their stocking and I have one given to me when I was about seven – The Christmas Stocking.
We carried on this tradition with our children who always opened their annuals at bedtime on Christmas Eve so they had something to keep them happy until morning. I always hoped they’d lie in bed and read instead of getting up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning, but it didn’t work!
[Read more…] about Christmas Books and Local Settings
Christmas is, for authors and publishers, the most important time of the year for selling books and is a major lifeline for our bookshops.
With so few independent bookshops around now, it is nice to be able to share news of one that is not only continuing to do well but is also stocking local author Richard Hardie’s Young Adult novels, Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords.
[Read more…] about Local Author News: Richard Hardie
Former Mayor of Eastleigh Councillor Tony Noyce has passed away after a short illness, according to Eastleigh News. [Read more…] about Former Eastleigh Mayor Tony Noyce Dies
Here is the 2015 Selwood Christmas Tree on Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford.
The glow of the Christmas tree has brightened the sky in Chandler’s ford for the past three weeks. [Read more…] about Selwood Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford 2015
My mum and I recently went to see a comedy based on Science Fiction, performed by MDG (Methodist Drama Group) Players from Chandler’s Ford.
The comedy is called Diamond in the Sky, written and directed by Chandler’s Ford playwright Mike Standing.
While my mum couldn’t quite understand the comedy, I understood it as I’m a sci-fi nerd. [Read more…] about Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players
St. Boniface Church throws open its doors for a Christmas Tree Festival.
Twenty imaginatively decorated Christmas trees now adorn the Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford, on Hursley Road, SO53 2FT. [Read more…] about Christmas Tree Festival at Chandler’s Ford St. Boniface Church
Keep raking up those leaves from the lawn and borders.
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 from Wellie
You may find today that I have removed the old header of Chandler’s Ford Today.
This was the old header I created two years ago. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Today Needs Your Feedback
What is a CVathon?
It is a 24 hour Cardiovascular challenge. And that is what happened for Charity at The Club at Chilworth Manor from 8p.m. Friday 25th September to 8 p.m. Saturday 26th September 2015.
Kris Hillary, Club Manager, and Mark Pedley, local businessman, asked friends and Club members to go through the pain barrier to raise much needed funds for Marie Curie, and a local girl Sophia Banger in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about CVathon for Marie Curie and Sophia’s Footsteps
Sitara Koushik lives in Chandler’s Ford and for a time worked as a volunteer for the Hiltingbury Community Association.
A celebrated dancer in India she has now organised a Mela – a presentation of classical dances – for this Sunday 29th November 2015 at Thornden Hall. [Read more…] about Indian Dance Mela – Sunday 29th November 2015 at Thornden Hall
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
I spent a fascinating and hugely enjoyable afternoon at Chandler’s Ford library yesterday where I attended a talk on “Growing up in Chandler’s Ford in the 50s and 60s” by local ‘lad’ Martin Napier.
Extra chairs had to be brought out to accommodate everyone. [Read more…] about An Interactive Local History Talk by Martin Napier
Dear Moviegoer,
I mentioned a few months ago that Nigel and I would be retiring from running Movies @ the Hilt from the end of this year. We had thoroughly enjoyed providing this service but we both had reasons for freeing-up our respective personal time. [Read more…] about From Movies at the Hilt to Movies at the Hall
(Editor’s note: Welcome to our new gardening series written by Wellie. Her gardening tips will appear monthly on Chandler’s Ford Today.)
Jobs to do as winter approaches and the garden quietens. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for November from Wellie
I attended Eastleigh Basics Bank’s first AGM on 22 September. Formerly operating under Zion Projects, Eastleigh Basics Bank is now registered as a charity in its own right, with its own bank account.
The management committee comprises Dan Brain (Chairman), Chris Goodhead (treasurer), Denise (secretary and joint shop manager), Dom Hooley (stock control and joint shop manager), and Dave Keating (events manager). [Read more…] about Eastleigh Basics Bank 2015 AGM
