charity

Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC) – Part 2

April 19, 2026 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Written by Graham Jackson

ITCHEN VALLEY PROBUS CLUB PART 2

In the first of this short series of articles about Probus, I looked primarily at the origins of the worldwide movement, and touched on Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC). This time I look at the creation of IVPC and track it through to 2025. The final article will look at 2026 and beyond for IVPC.

In August 1988 the President of the Rotary Club of Itchen Valley felt there may be a need for another Probus Club in this area. His feeling was based on the successful promotion and subsequent establishment of a new Club in Alresford, and the knowledge that the existing Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford Probus Club had 60 members, and a waiting list.

Tags: charity, community, good neighbours, wellbeing

Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC)

February 1, 2026 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Written by Graham Jackson

This is the first in a short series of articles about Probus, a movement which began over sixty years ago, and, more specifically the local Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC) formed in 1989.

The Probus Club movement can be traced back to the mid-1960s, perhaps specifically to Welwyn Garden City Rotary Club whose President is believed to have organised a Coffee Morning for his retired friends. The was successful enough for him to form a luncheon club and the rest, as someone once said, is history. From the outset, Rotary Clubs have historically taken a pivotal role in the development of many Probus Clubs, including IVPC.

Tags: charity, community, good neighbours, wellbeing

Supporting Marie Curie – Great Local Contributions

May 26, 2025 By Ray Fishman 1 Comment

Marie Curie is the U.K.’s leading end of life charity providing palliative care in people’s own homes through the famous Marie Curie nurses and support for all the family. This free service is for anyone with an illness of any kind that they are likely to die from.

They also provide bereavement support and financial advice, fund research into end of life care, and lead campaigns to influence government policy in this area.

Marie Curie can only continue to do all this by regular fundraising. Although a National Charity it is local people and their families who benefit. [Read more…] about Supporting Marie Curie – Great Local Contributions

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, event, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, Marie Curie, news

Fryern Funtasia 2025 – Drizzle, Sunshine, Stilt Walker, Steam Train, Puppet Shows … What an Amazing Event!

May 6, 2025 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Fryern Funtasia was such a great success. The weather was quite ‘unpredictable’ but the drizzle didn’t seem to bother us. The event was well organised, and the atmosphere was superb. When people said it’s a ‘community’ event and it truly was. There was something special for everyone, whatever your age. There were favourite games and crafts for children, and there were also boats and steam train for enthusiasts. There was a stilt walker who entertained and surprised the kids. Animals. Music that filled the air. Ice Cream.

The Mayor of Eastleigh Cllr Dave Pragnell and the Mayoress Jean went round to meet many people. At the u3a pitch, the mayor spoke with Pam Moffat (Vice Chair) and Dave Claxton (Chair) about u3a and their role within the community. [Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia 2025 – Drizzle, Sunshine, Stilt Walker, Steam Train, Puppet Shows … What an Amazing Event!

Tags: Chameleon Theatre Group, Chandler's Ford Parish Council, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, days out, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, Fryern Funtasia, Fryern Recreation Ground, fundraising, local interest, Methodist Church, review, social, u3a

May Highlights in Chandler’s Ford – Fryern Funtasia and Christian Aid

April 28, 2025 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Fryern Funtasia - Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2025 — Fryern Funtasia – Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2025

The popular Fryern Funtasia is back on May Bank Holiday Monday 5th May between 12 noon and 4.30 pm. The community event is held at Fryern Recreation Ground in Chandler’s Ford. There will be a rich variety of activities and stalls, including The Hand in Hand Puppet Team, which will be performing there for the first time. [Read more…] about May Highlights in Chandler’s Ford – Fryern Funtasia and Christian Aid

Tags: Chandler's Ford Parish Council, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, Christian Aid, community, days out, event, Fryern Funtasia, Fryern Recreation Ground, fundraising, local interest, Methodist Church

Marie Curie and Thornden Hall

November 3, 2024 By Ray Fishman Leave a Comment

The Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford Fundraising Group for Marie Curie were delighted to enter a partnership with Thornden Hall last year to raise much needed funds.

Volunteers collected at Movie Nights at Thornden Hall Arts Centre at Thornden School in Chandler’s Ford raising £809.47 in the last 12 months.

Thornden Presentation photo - Marie Curie — Thornden Presentation photo – Marie Curie

Photos show Neil Daykin, Manager and Nicolette Lock for Marie Curie at a presentation of our Certificate of thanks at a recent Movie Night. [Read more…]

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, event, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, Marie Curie, news

Fryern Funtasia Chandler’s Ford 2024

May 6, 2024 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

Once again Fryern Funtasia was held during the May Bank Holiday Monday, at Fryern Recreation Ground. Did you have a good time? Yes we did despite the rain.

You can imagine the organisation of this event was a mammoth task and it was so wonderful to see so many people and animals, and so many stalls, games, and activities.

Some children sang some songs about the ‘sunshine’ and don’t we love these children from Fryern schools?

Thanks to Chandler’s Ford Parish Council and Event sponsors – TMT Legal Services are supporting this year’s event, along with
National Lottery Community Fund,
Infinity Playgrounds,
Dripool Ltd,
Vitaplay
and A&A.
(Source – Chandler’s Ford Parish Council)

Below are some photos taken before the rain. Let’s start with some animals –

Tags: Chandler's Ford Parish Council, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, days out, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, Fryern Funtasia, Fryern Recreation Ground, fundraising, local interest, Methodist Church, review, social

Chandler’s Ford Christmas Charities Market – Methodist Church Saturday 11th November

November 5, 2023 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Chandler’s Ford Christmas Charities Market will be held in the Methodist Church Linkway on Saturday 11th November from 10 am to 12 noon, on Winchester Road. Please come along and support these charity stalls, each selling their own Christmas cards and other goods.

Chandler's Ford Christmas Charity Stalls 2023 — Chandler’s Ford Christmas Charity Stalls 2023

Tags: charity, Christmas, church, community, Dovetail Centre, event, fundraising, good neighbours, inspiration, Joint Charities Annual Christmas Market, local interest, Methodist Church, Winchester Road

Twin Oaks Water Garden – Open one more day on Sunday 20 August

August 19, 2023 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Twin Oaks Water Garden (as seen on BBC Gardeners World) is open on Saturday and Sunday 19/20 August for the last time this year.

This is part of the National Garden Scheme. Why not go and enjoy Syd and Sue Hutchinson’s garden and relax with a cup of tea and Sue’s home-baked cake? They also have the end of season plant sale where almost every plant is half price. And all money goes to charity.

Venue – 13 Oakwood Road, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 1LW. Open from 1pm to 5pm.

Images by Jill Mayes

Tags: Chandler's Ford, charity, gardening, good neighbours

Fryern Funtasia 2023 Chandler’s Ford

May 1, 2023 By Janet Williams 4 Comments

Have you been to Fryern Funtasia today? I hope you have enjoyed this event. This morning I went to Fryern Recreation Ground for a quick visit and this place has brought back some very fond memories. I used to go there with some of my friends and our children, but now our children have left home and my friends were elsewhere, so it did feel quite different and I even felt a tiny bit meloncholic. However it was wonderful to see some friendly faces, beutiful owls, really fluffy dogs, and lots of happy children. It was very lovely to see many local groups such as Scouts, Girlguiding, Boys’ Brigade, Lions Club, Stroke support group, Churches Together….. local businesses such as Peter Green and Gair Gas and many others.

Do you have some time to spare? Volunteer with Good Neighbours.

September 23, 2021 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

By Sheila Hardiman, Chandlers Ford Good Neighbours

Do you have some time to spare? Volunteer with Good Neighbours.

When I retired in 2010, I went on a couple of exciting and interesting holidays, had the house decorated, spent time in the garden and joined Monks Brook U3A. I was feeling I had time on my hands by Christmas! Luckily, I heard about Chandlers Ford Good Neighbours from a lady I took to a U3A interest group.

I contacted them and within a couple of weeks, I was signed up and driving for them. Not long afterwards, I became one of their coordinators as well. I enjoy meeting and chatting to many different clients; hearing about their families, comparing notes when they had worked where I did or have similar interests.

Tags: Chandler's Ford Good Neighbours, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, volunteering

Fundraising for the 2nd Chandler’s Ford (Ramalley) Scout Headquarters

March 28, 2021 By SO53 News 2 Comments

2nd Chandler’s Ford Scout Group needs your help.

The Scouts are raising £8,000 to help complete their new building on Ramalley Lane, to make it an amazing new venue for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and the resident pre-school.

Before - The 2nd Chandler's Ford Ramalley Scout Group — Before – The 2nd Chandler’s Ford Ramalley Scout Group

Old Hall vs New hall under construction - The 2nd Chandler's Ford (Ramalley) Scout headquarters. — Old Hall vs New hall under construction – The 2nd Chandler’s Ford (Ramalley) Scout headquarters.

The 2nd Chandlers Ford (Ramalley) Scout headquarters celebrated its 80th birthday in 2018. Over 83 years, it has enabled local children and young people to have fantastic opportunities, have fun, and develop new skills. They have learnt team work, problem-solving, resilience, independence, to name but a few. [Read more…] about Fundraising for the 2nd Chandler’s Ford (Ramalley) Scout Headquarters

Tags: Chandler's Ford, charity, community, event, fundraising, news, Ramalley Hall, scouting

The Pandemic Has Made Us So Much More Neighbourly …

March 27, 2021 By SO53 News 1 Comment

By Peter and Maggie Lippiett

The pandemic has made us so much more neighbourly …

… or has it? Perhaps it depends who we think of as neighbours! A famous question rings down the ages – ‘Who is my neighbour?’

We live on a pretty small planet. Far-off countries come nightly into our living rooms – no longer do we know nothing about them. We know that in Yemen, a civil war has decimated health systems, provoked widespread hunger, and killed almost 250,000 people. It’s a conflict that requires immediate aid. In Syria over 11 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Both war-torn countries are on the brink of severe famine. So is the Sahel region of Africa, and Southern Sudan. Two of the world’s most fragile regions. No wonder the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is appealing urgently. [Read more…] about The Pandemic Has Made Us So Much More Neighbourly …

Tags: Chandler's Ford, charity, Christian Aid, Christianity, church, community, Covid-19, current affairs, event, fundraising, good neighbours

Great Daffodil Appeal – Supporting Marie Curie

February 28, 2021 By Ray Fishman Leave a Comment

This year’s Great Daffodil Appeal will be one like no other. Thousands of Marie Curie volunteers will not be able to collect donations in exchange for a daffodil at local supermarkets, trains stations or town centres like they usually do each spring. However, you can still be a part of this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal by donating online

You couldn’t pick a better year to support Marie Curie Nurses. Like everyone, Marie Curie has been hit hard by coronavirus. Their Nurses and hospices have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic, caring for dying people and their families.

Marie Curie have also seen more people than ever calling their Support Line, looking for help because they are feeling isolated or have had to grieve for a loved one alone during lockdown. [Read more…] about Great Daffodil Appeal – Supporting Marie Curie

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, Eastleigh, event, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, Marie Curie, news

Can you help? Making Mask Extenders to Help the NHS

May 3, 2020 By SO53 News 4 Comments

Calling all knitters & crafters!

Southampton District Methodist Church has had a direct plea from one of the hospital chaplains for mask extenders.

Recently some mask extenders were taken to a particularly hard-hit ward and they were very well received. This is a plea district-wide to help all our local hospitals. Below is a poster with instructions.

Can you make some mask extenders for frontline NHS workers?

Tags: charity, Covid-19, crafts, good neighbours, hobby, how-to, Methodist Church, news, Winchester Road

Coronavirus Emergency Appeal for Marie Curie

April 6, 2020 By Ray Fishman 2 Comments

As you may already be aware, I support Marie Curie and chair the local Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford Fundraising Group. Thank you to everyone who has generously supported our activities in the past.

Marie Curie are experiencing very challenging times both in delivering services for people with terminal illnesses and with ongoing fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic.

Every March the Charity raises millions of pounds with the Great Daffodil Appeal. Most of this was lost because of the current situation. Also the Marie Curie shops have had to close.

I realise that many Charities are asking for help at this time and you may be supporting one or more of those. However in light of this critical situation, I am reaching out to you on behalf of Marie Curie to ask for your help.

Every day and night, Marie Curie Nurses and frontline staff give vital support to dying people and their families, in their homes and in hospices across the UK. At this time of national emergency, when the NHS is being put under extreme strain, these crucial services are needed more than ever.

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, Covid-19, Eastleigh, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, Marie Curie

Review: Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities 46th Christmas Market 2019

November 16, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

The joint charities Christmas Market in Chandler’s Ford last weekend didn’t disappoint. The market is now in its 46th year, but the passion never seems to fade over time. You see the same people running the market, and you see familiar faces supporting their chosen charities and informing people about the work that they do, and why they need your donation and support. More and more visitors come to the market each year as the market is such a beautiful Chandler’s Ford Christmas tradition.

I like the warmth and friendliness of the market so much that I go there each year to see old friends, and meet friends for coffee at Dovetail Café afterwards. It’s the sort of market where you have no chance of breaking the bank, and you can buy affordable thoughtful little gifts, stocking fillers, some nice pens and notebooks, little torches, storybooks, toys, and some really good quality Christmas cards.

Former Eastleigh Mayor Cllr Jane Welsh opened the 46th Christmas Market run by Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee. (Left to right): Caroline Husain, Cllr Jane Welsh, and Val Milner, chairman of the Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee. — Former Eastleigh Mayor Cllr Jane Welsh (centre) opened the 46th Christmas Market run by Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee. (Left): Caroline Husain, and on the right, Val Milner, chairman of the Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Committee.

The market this year was opened by former Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Jane Welsh. The Joint Charities Annual Christmas Market was held at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church Hall. These were the charities that took part.

46th Chandler's Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market — 46th Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, Christmas, church, community, Dovetail Centre, event, fundraising, good neighbours, inspiration, Joint Charities Annual Christmas Market, local interest, Methodist Church, Winchester Road

Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

June 2, 2019 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

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

Tags: celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, church, community, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Baptist Church, Eastleigh Borough Council, fundraising, good neighbours, inspiration, local interest

Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

May 27, 2019 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

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

Tags: celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, church, community, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Baptist Church, Eastleigh Borough Council, fundraising, good neighbours, inspiration, local interest

Fundraising for Friends of St Anne’s Hospital and Defibrillator Fund

May 19, 2019 By Hazel Bateman Leave a Comment

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

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, charity, Christianity, community, education, fundraising, good neighbours, local interest, news, St. Boniface Church

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