Photoblog:
I took this picture in our back garden this afternoon in Hiltingbury.
Chandler's Ford Community
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.
Self-Employment In Sri Lanka
While in Sri Lanka, quite by chance we came across a party of ex-pats calling themselves the ‘Discovery’ group. They meet once a month and go off to explore a hidden part of Sri Lanka. Hidden to tourists and even most Sri Lankans that is.
Today a convoy of 6 vehicles left Kandy for the south and we soon turned off the main road to an un-named village in the jungle.
Kandy Lake vs Chandler’s Ford Lakes
Sunday morning in Kandy, Sri Lanka, time to walk out around the lake looking smart, long trousers of course; only tourists wear shorts. On an energetic day we walk to town but this means braving ‘The Tunnel’.
The tunnel is dark, damp and has deep drainage channels on both sides. Water drips from the roof and there is barely room for pedestrians and cars. [Read more…] about Kandy Lake vs Chandler’s Ford Lakes
Pirbright Scarecrow Festival
Two years ago there was a Scarecrow Festival in Chandler’s Ford, at St. Boniface church.
I always thought scarecrows only existed in children’s stories or places like Midsomer where DCI Tom Barnaby (or DCI John Barnaby) ran around solving triple murders in the quaint English village. I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty scared of scarecrows. [Read more…] about Pirbright Scarecrow Festival
The Psycology of Cats
Today my mum was upset because our cat Billy has caused some problems in the neighbourhood. Billy keeps running away and stealing food.
I told my mum not to be worried as cats are wild and impossible to properly train. This reminds me of a blog post I wrote 2 years ago when I was 11 years old. [Read more…] about The Psycology of Cats
The Hospice Shop
New in Chandler’s Ford is The Hospice Shop, a charity shop occupying premises at 72 Hiltingbury Road at the corner of Thorold Road and Hiltingbury Road. It used to be a used car showroom.
The shop is appealing for unwanted items and we took some books and toys today. Unfortunately [Read more…] about The Hospice Shop
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 2
My research on the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial is progressing well. I have found out quite a lot and thought I would share some of this with you all.
My starting point has been a list complied by Martin Edwards (2006) as part of National project by the Royal British Legion to make a record of all war memorials. This list gives full christian names, number, rank, regiment and also information regarding when and where they were killed. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 2
The Picture Framing Shop: Meet Teddy The Shop Dog
Yesterday Niki Jenkins from The Picture Framing Shop in Chandler’s Ford left a beautiful comment on a post I wrote five months ago.
She also sent me pictures of Teddy, their lovely shop dog, who is renowned and well-cuddled in Hiltingbury.
[Read more…] about The Picture Framing Shop: Meet Teddy The Shop Dog
Peter Green Coffee Shop
Recently in the leafy suburb Chandler’s Ford, a beautiful young lady served me fresh coffee and delicious jacket potato with chilli con carne filling.
Her name is Elleanor Straker and she is only 18 years old.
Elleanor started working for the furniture store Peter Green in the Coffee Shop when she was 16 years old. Later there was an opportunity for her to take over [Read more…] about Peter Green Coffee Shop
My Debut Novel: Marriage, a Journey, and a Dog
By Brenda Sedgwick
Has anyone else living in the Chandler’s Ford area published an ebook or printed copy?
I’ve just published my first novel, Marriage A Journey And A Dog, and I would love your feedback.
I read how it takes 5 minutes to upload a book onto Kindle Publishing. It does when you have a perfect manuscript and [Read more…] about My Debut Novel: Marriage, a Journey, and a Dog
Chameleons Help Raise £2,000 for Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis Charities
Members of the Chameleon Theatre Company of Chandler’s Ford were invited to perform Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor, as a radio play Charity Fund raiser before an audience of friends and family of organisers Mike Lashmar and Brendon Hunter at North Baddesley Infant School on Saturday evening. [Read more…] about Chameleons Help Raise £2,000 for Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis Charities
St. Boniface Church Evensong
The Church of England church in Hursley Road, St Boniface (SO53 2FT), is one of relatively few parish churches locally that has the service of sung Evensong on most Sundays (at 6.30pm).
The Book of Common Prayer is the basis of the service, although the prayers of intercession are in modern language and concentrate on contemporary events and situations. [Read more…] about St. Boniface Church Evensong
St. Boniface Choir Fundraising
The Choir of St. Boniface church, Hursley Road held a coffee morning, cake stall and raffle recently to help raise funds for new books for the Evensong service (most Sundays at 6.30).
Well over £200 was added to the choir’s bank account as a result, and the books will be bought soon.
Lost and Found
I have just gone through a period of losing things. At least I hope I have gone through it and will not lose any more essential and valuable objects. Some years ago odd socks would appear and no matter where I looked the partner for it never turned up. After hanging around in my sock drawer for a while I would throw the sock away.
The next day the other one would turn up. [Read more…] about Lost and Found
Fryern Arcade: Butchers And Post Office
Bishop’s Waltham Butchers will come to the Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford soon.
But when? Well, the post office has to move over to the other side first, before the butcher Andrew Grover could occupy the post office’s current space next to D & G Hardware.
The problem is there has been a delay [Read more…] about Fryern Arcade: Butchers And Post Office
D & G Hardware: from Canberra to Chandler’s Ford
D & G stands for Des & Gabby, a couple who ran D & G Hardware in Canberra, capital city of Australia.
D & G later returned to Winchester and ran their independent, much-loved hardware business in St. George’s Street in Winchester for about 30 years.
In June 2006, Toby Roberts took over D & G Hardware in Winchester from 86-year-old Des. [Read more…] about D & G Hardware: from Canberra to Chandler’s Ford
Peculiar British House Numbering System
Something that visitors to Britain find confusing (apparently) is our system of house numbering. You hear anecdotes such as “I was looking for number 127, so walked down the even side of the street to 126 and crossed over. But the house opposite 126 wasn’t 127 at all. It was 233 – I’d missed 127 half a mile back”.
It’s quite simple really. Buildings are numbered in sequential order, odds on one side and evens on the other. [Read more…] about Peculiar British House Numbering System
Southampton Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
“I was a young scared single mother-to-be, my baby (Josh) was 2 weeks overdue and I had been booked into Winchester hospital to be induced.”
“Things didn’t go according to plan and I had an emergency C-section…”
Today I’m going to share with you a moving story from Michelle Meehan from Eastleigh. [Read more…] about Southampton Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Eastleigh and District Local History Society
I met John Lankester a few weeks ago at Hocombe Mead. He told me some exciting projects at the newly revived Eastleigh & District Local History Society.
Many of you know that John and his wife Hazel both are active members of Friends of Hocombe Mead in Chandler’s Ford, where Hazel is the Chairman. Now they are also promoting Eastleigh & District Local History Society, where Hazel is Secretary and John Treasurer. [Read more…] about Eastleigh and District Local History Society
Fashion Show for Countess Mountbatten Hospice
On May 14th, Haskins Garden Centre at Mansbridge opened its doors late to host a fashion show in aid of the Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity.
Many of the audience of about 150 were from Chandler’s Ford. Also present were The Worshipful, the Mayor of the Borough of Eastleigh, Malcolm Cross and [Read more…] about Fashion Show for Countess Mountbatten Hospice