By Stephen Dominy
Last weekend, I spoke at the Fairtrade event at St. Martin in the Wood Church about why we are passionate about tackling climate change. We also want to urge our politicians to act, to create a better, safer world.
We are collecting signatures from Chandler’s Ford to give to Steve Brine MP. We are raising our voices for the things we love. [Read more…] about Letters to Steve Brine MP: Chandler’s Ford Cares About Climate Change
I had never seen so many scarecrows in my life. I had a tour of medieval and modern history through scarecrows in Pirbright village in Surrey last weekend.
The scarecrows in the Pirbright Church (St Michael & All Angels) portraying the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket were so real that the atmosphere was rather eerie. [Read more…] about Pirbright Scarecrow Festival Highlights
Mum and I were in the car yesterday listening to Shakespeare (we were going somewhere, we weren’t just sitting in the car), and she asked “What episode of history is this play based on?”
This led me to think of a TV show where every episode is based off an important event in history. So here we go… [Read more…] about History: The TV Show
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
I met the Fat Controller Russell again in Chandler’s Ford.
Russell and his father Chris charmed the people who rode their steam train at the Fryern Funtasia last Monday.
I spent most of my afternoon at the steam train, observing people and watching the steam train puff out its smoke and steam as it chugged along its 100-foot-long track. [Read more…] about The Myth of Thomas The Tank Engine
Last weekend it was my privilege and pleasure to visit Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk for the annual conference and AGM of the Guild of Church Musicians, and particularly so as the Guild was making me one of several new honorary fellows (Hon. FGCM for short).
About 150 honorary fellowships have been awarded in the past 25 years or so, some to clergy (including Archbishop Desmond Tutu) [Read more…] about The Guild of Church Musicians
About half way along the road from Southampton to Winchester were three fords, nearby lived a family named Chaundler. This was the case in the 16th century. Earlier, there is no mention of Chandler’s Ford in the Doomsday Book though Eastleigh, Otterborne, Chilworth and Twyford are there.
Nothing changed in this wooded land until the 19th century when a large brickyard developed [Read more…] about About Chandler’s Ford
Janet’s post Easter Day – From Tragedy To Triumph is a fine account of a very memorable Easter celebration.
In most years the daffodils have been yellow – this year’s late Easter probably helps to explain the change of colour.
White is, however, a traditional colour for Easter.
In his poem ‘Loveliest of trees’ [Read more…] about White for Easter
Last summer, my friend from Ahmad Tea gave me two free tickets to visit Buckingham Palace on its preview day.
It was the day before the palace summer opening of the State Rooms. I took my son with me for such a privileged visit as VIPs for a day. Yes, I touched the grand staircase at Buckingham Palace designed by John Nash. That was a happy day. [Read more…] about St. George’s Day: Fascinating Dragons
At St. Boniface Church this morning, a large wooden cross decked out with daffodils was brought in to the church. It was a beautiful scene.
As the music director Hugh Benham explained in this post, during Lent at the parish church, a large wooden cross is on display, and on Good Friday the altar is bare. Symbols of the Passion are laid at the foot of this cross [Read more…] about Easter Day – from Tragedy to Triumph
If you haven’t seen The Crossroad, musical drama at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, I would suggest you grasp the chance to see it.
There are two more shows: Friday and Saturday (11th and 12th of April) at 7.30pm.
I watched The Crossroad with my son this evening. The story was thought-provoking. [Read more…] about The Crossroad: Brilliant Performance
I’ve given up sweets, cakes and biscuits for Lent. Possibly a bad choice, and each year I get to about the halfway point and think that maybe next year I’ll give up something I don’t like as much.
But that’s not really the point. In fact, giving up things per se isn’t really the point. It’s more to do with doing some self-reflection and assessing your spiritual life, [Read more…] about What Is Lent All About?
Eastleigh Basics Bank is busier than ever – there are often people waiting outside for it to open when I arrive at around 10.00 am with our donations from Chandler’s Ford.
Shop manager Dave Keating has recently had surgery, so the shop is currently staffed by Denise and Dom from Chandler’s Ford Methodist church, together with a team of volunteers. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Basics Bank Update
Beginning on 6 April 2014 is the last part of Lent – Passiontide as it’s often called. The Christian story approaches one of its climaxes with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Four writers tell the story in the Bible – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – several decades after it happened.
Not surprisingly they have slightly different accounts of what happened, but one constant is this worrying truth. The religious leaders of the day [Read more…] about The Passion of Christ at St. Boniface
Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church will be presenting The Crossroad, a musical drama, from 10th to 12th of April (Thursday to Saturday).
The Crossroad was written and performed in Truro last year and has been specially adapted by Mike Standing.
50 people from 9 local churches are taking part. [Read more…] about The Crossroad: Musical Drama At Methodist Church
As you may have seen in the media over the past few months, Archbishop Justin Welby is encouraging church people to get involved with their local credit union.
Credit unions offer a realistic alternative to ‘pay day’ lenders for people on low incomes or with a poor credit history, who need ways to save small amounts and to borrow money. [Read more…] about The Church And Credit Unions
Chandler’s Ford Going Bananas Fairtrade Fashion Show and Craft Fair on the 8th of March was a huge success.
More than 100 people turned up for this joyous community event with a strong Fairtrade message.
The highlight on the Saturday evening was a moving speech by Dorothy Agard [Read more…] about A Fruitful Fairtrade Evening With Community Spirit
If your life feels kind of empty,
And you are looking for good cheer,
Pick yourself up, dust yourself down,
And become a volunteer.
I was severely head injured at 19 years old. My life and my dreams were shattered but my faith was strengthened. [Read more…] about If Your Life Feels Kind Of Empty
Linda Read from Chandler’s Ford never stops doing crazy things.
What has she done in the past 15 years? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a 100-mile trek along the Great Wall of China, parachute jump, flying a microlight plane, paragliding off a mountain in Turkey……
In March – April, Linda will be trekking to Everest Base Camp. [Read more…] about Linda Read: Fun, Passion, Living Life To The Full
The Parish of Chandler’s Ford has recently appointed an organ scholar, Sarah Akponasa (a student of Chemistry at the University of Southampton, from Oxford).
Sarah will be helping with some services and, under the organ scholarship scheme, has lessons from Dr. Hugh Benham, director of music at St Boniface.
These include help with [Read more…] about Hugh Benham Introduces New Parish Organ Scholar
