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Supporting Marie Curie – Great Local Contributions

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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

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

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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 stilt walker is back!
The stilt walker is back!

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!

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VE Day – Thursday 8th May 1945

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We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead – Winston Churchill.

VE DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON, 8 MAY 1945 (MH 21835) HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret joined by the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London on VE Day. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205021954
VE DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON, 8 MAY 1945 (MH 21835) HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret joined by the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London on VE Day. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205021954

Tuesday, May 8 th 1945, was an ordinary day. I was seven years old, and the only special event was that we had an egg for breakfast, a real egg, not dried egg powder, which came in
packets from America. When the newspaper dropped through the letterbox, mother picked it up.

‘The war is over,’ she cried, waving the paper high above her head. She rushed out into the street. ‘It’s over, the war is over,’ she shouted gleefully to an empty road. She gave me a hug and a kiss. ‘The war is over, it’s peacetime now.’ [Read more…] about VE Day – Thursday 8th May 1945

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VE Day 80 Celebrations in Chandler’s Ford – Thursday 8th May 2025

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VE Day - Thursday 8th May 2025 from 8.45pm at Hiltingbury Recreation Ground
VE Day 80 – Thursday 8th May 2025 from 8.45pm at Hiltingbury Recreation Ground

Chandler’s Ford Parish Council invite residents to come together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8th May, at Hiltingbury Recreation Ground, from 8.45pm.

“With live music from Michelmersh Silver Band from 8.45pm, why not bring a chair and join us at Hiltingbury Recreation Ground. The Beacon will be lit at 9.30pm with reading of the official tributes. The evening will be closed by the singing of the hymn ‘ I vow to thee my country’ as performed by local resident Emily Blackledge, accompanied by Michelmersh Silver Band. Join us.” [Read more…] about VE Day 80 Celebrations in Chandler’s Ford – Thursday 8th May 2025

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Who are the Mysterious Postbox Topper Ladies in Chandler’s Ford?

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Dear readers, you must have seen many intriguing postbox toppers around Chandler’s Ford. They surprise us, delight us, and make us smile. A splash of colour; a creative design; a world re-imagined. For the past few years, the remarkable ladies (with some of their ‘helpers’) from Chandler’s Ford u3a have graced our streets and quiet lanes with their creations made with love and crafted with great skills. You may even feel a bit uplifted on a mundane trip to Asda, as the topper may remind you of an upcoming special celebration or a significant historical event, or its playful, whimsical nature may take you back to your childhood.

The ladies who have brought us joy with their Postbox Toppers.
The ladies who have brought us joy with their Postbox Toppers.

Credit: Special thanks to Sandra and Dave Claxton for providing the story and all the photographs in this article below.

Since the amazing response to our 25th Anniversary Postbox Toppers of 2023, our “Topper Ladies” have barely stopped in their endeavours producing themed Toppers for the King’s Coronation, Remembrance Week, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Summer, the Olympics and were even asked to produce a Postbox Topper to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Eastleigh Borough last May.

Eastleigh Borough Council's AGM at The Point, Eastleigh, on Monday 20th May 2024. The new Mayor Councillor David Pragnell was elected. Photo by Chris Balcombe for Eastleigh Borough Council. Chandler's Ford U3A created a postbox topper to celebrate 50 years of Eastleigh Borough Council.
Eastleigh Borough Council’s AGM at The Point, Eastleigh, on Monday 20th May 2024. The new Mayor Councillor David Pragnell was elected.
Photo by Chris Balcombe for Eastleigh Borough Council. Chandler’s Ford U3A created a postbox topper to celebrate 50 years of Eastleigh Borough Council.

[Read more…] about Who are the Mysterious Postbox Topper Ladies in Chandler’s Ford?

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

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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

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Chandler’s Ford Community Produce and Craft Indoor Market – Christmas 2024

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Chandler’s Ford Community Produce & Craft Market will be back next Saturday 14th December from 10am till 1pm at Brownhill Community Centre, behind the Co-op Fryern Arcade.

Don’t miss the chance to buy special Christmas gifts made by local people.

Last week (7 December 2024) Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Dave Pragnell and Mayoress Jean both came to support the Chandler’s Ford market. Despite the awful weather, the market still attracted lots of people.

Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Dave Pragnell and Mayoress Jean both attended the Chandler's Ford market.
Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Dave Pragnell and Mayoress Jean both attended the Chandler’s Ford market.
Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Dave Pragnell and Mayoress Jean speaking with writer Martin Kyrle.
Eastleigh Mayor Councillor Dave Pragnell and Mayoress Jean speaking with writer Martin Kyrle.

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Community Produce and Craft Indoor Market – Christmas 2024

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Becoming a Pilgrim of Hope – Christmas Message from Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2024

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Written by Rev Deacon Paul Owen
St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church (part of the Catholic Parish of St Swithun Wells)
on behalf of Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford

We are well into December and our senses are full of the coming of Christmas. Whether it’s the Christmas lights springing up all over the area; the Christmas songs we hear all the time in shops or on the radio; the adverts on the TV encouraging us to buy more food and presents than we need. But this year, perhaps more so than in previous years, we prepare for Christmas in a world faced with difficult times. A world in which suffering, wars and political uncertainty are a greater threat than they have been for many years.

Image by NickyPe Christmas gifts and baubles via Pixabay

It got me thinking about what it is that is special for us as we approach another Christmas. What is it we look for at Christmas? For us Christians, this period of preparation for Christmas is called Advent. The central theme of Advent for all Christians is hope. But for each one of us, where do we find our hope this Christmas?
[Read more…] about Becoming a Pilgrim of Hope – Christmas Message from Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2024

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Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 10th November 2024

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The service for Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford was lead by the Rev’d Duncan Hollands. Flags represented the British Legion, Scouting and Guiding.

Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography has kindly shared unique photographs of the Remembrance Service at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial with the community. It was held at the St. Boniface Church. Thank you Debbie.

Remembrance Sunday Service at St Boniface Church, Chandler's Ford
Remembrance Sunday, Chandler’s Ford 2024

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Speak Their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt – On Display at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church

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Have you heard of the Speak Their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt?

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight ‘Speak Their Name’ Suicide Memorial Quilt is a beautiful ongoing piece of art, created with love in memory of people lost to suicide by their bereaved friends and family. This project has been inspired by the quilts made in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire.

Speak their Names Quilt on Display in Chandler's Ford November 2024
Speak their Names Quilt on Display in Chandler’s Ford November 2024
[Read more…] about Speak Their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt – On Display at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church

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Marie Curie and Thornden Hall

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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…] about Marie Curie and Thornden Hall

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Election Hustings – Meet the Candidates for Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh – Sunday June 23rd

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Hustings - Chandler's Ford and Eastleigh
Hustings – Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh

As we are all aware, the parliamentary constituency of Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh is newly re-organised and most electors have had little opportunity to see their candidates in person.

In Chandler’s Ford, all potential electors are invited to a special event to see and hear from the parliamentary candidates for Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh.

Date and Time: Sunday, June 23rd, 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)

Location: Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, Winchester Road, SO53 2GJ

Organised by Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford and Chaired by Bishop Geoff Annas, Acting Bishop of Southampton, the meeting is open to all electors in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh, of all faiths or none.

Please come and support this and hear from the candidates to help inform your vote, for an evening of discussion and engagement.

Remember to arrive early to secure your seat.

Churches Together in Chandler's Ford
Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford

 

Submit Your Questions

[Read more…] about Election Hustings – Meet the Candidates for Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh – Sunday June 23rd

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The Role of Chandler’s Ford in the Run-up to D-Day

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Writer: Christine Clark
Photos: All crochets by Chandler’s Ford u3a.

On 6 June 1944, the long-awaited Allied landing in northern France began. Facing Hitler’s Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications, soldiers of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and other Allied nations landed on beaches in Normandy, beginning a campaign which lasted until 24 July 1944.  

Hitler and his generals had been expecting an invasion that year. However, the successful Operation Bodyguard, a military deception strategy, misled the Axis powers into believing that the invasion would be later in the year and further north-east, nearer to Calais. Instead, the Allied war planners had selected a 50-mile stretch of coastline in Normandy on five beaches codenamed Utah, Omega, Gold, Juno and Sword.

Crochets by Chandler's Ford u3a.
Crochets by Chandler’s Ford u3a.

A key part of the strategy of Operation Bodyguard was to hide the amount of troop buildup in southern England. Approximately 160,000 Allied soldiers had to be mustered, fed, watered and moved to their embarkation points without it being obvious to the Axis powers’ intelligence.

These muster points, or marshalling areas, spread right across the south coast of England. In our area, Marshalling Area C was central south Hampshire and included Southampton, Botley, Winchester, Chandler’s Ford, Hursley, Ampfield and Romsey. The closest embarkation point was Southampton docks, although there were others in the New Forest and Gosport. [Read more…] about The Role of Chandler’s Ford in the Run-up to D-Day

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Fryern Funtasia Chandler’s Ford 2024

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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 –

 

 

[Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia Chandler’s Ford 2024

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Thanks to Chandler’s Ford u3a sharing Easter joy

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There are several lovely knitted postbox toppers in Chandler’s Ford. Thank you Chandler’s Ford u3a once again for sharing your creativity in the community.

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The Treasure of Easter! By Canon Paul Hardingham

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Author: Canon Paul Hardingham

It’s amazing what treasure can be unearthed with metal detectors! In this season of Easter, let’s rediscover the greatest unburied treasure of the Resurrection.

The Apostle Peter reminds us that God ‘has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.’ (1 Peter 1: 3,4). What does he say about this treasure?

resurrection-image by geralt via pixabay

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Star of Wonder

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We read in Matthew’s Gospel that the magi observed the star at the nativity ‘at its rising’. Knowing this to be a sign fulfilling a prophecy of a Messiah’s birth, they followed it to Bethlehem. But what was this star? The last 2000 years has given us a feast of knowledge based on solid research, so that we are now in a position to unwrap the story of this wonderful and significant sign.

Star image by congerdesign from Pixabay
Star image by congerdesign from Pixabay

The most likely interpretation seems to be that this was a supernova [Read more…] about Star of Wonder

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Christmas Message by Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2023

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‘Opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts…’ (Matthew 2:11)

I wonder what sort of gift-giver you are? Do you have creative ideas, effortlessly putting together fun, interesting and unique Christmas presents for your loved ones? Maybe you reflect on each person on your list and come up with perfectly personalised gifts? Perhaps you’re on the other end of the spectrum and pick up random items, in blind panic, on Christmas Eve? Most people are probably somewhere in the middle, working their way through a list of names and doing their best to find a meaningful gift.

Christmas gifts image by guvo59 via Pixabay

As I have been re-reading the Christmas story this year the above words from the bible have stuck in my mind. They come from the story of the wise men who found the baby Jesus at the end of their journey. Filled with joy they bowed down, paid homage and opened their treasure-chests, and offered him gifts… The wise men lived in turbulent times and were overwhelmed with joy in finding the new king who would rule with God’s justice and bring peace.

Willow tree nativity set - from Rev Hayley Richens
Willow tree nativity set – from Rev Hayley Richens

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Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church – an Out of the Ordinary Christmas

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Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church has many events on – craft, puppet show, Christmas concerts and Christmas services, and many more.

Chandler's Ford Methodist Church
Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church
Christmas at Methodist Church
Christmas at Methodist Church

From Monday to Saturday morning, the Dovetail Centre Café is open to all. It’s where you enjoy a nice cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee and breakfast, and you’ll find many lovely, friendly faces there. This is a place of friendship, kindness, and warmth. No one should feel lonely in the community.

A very welcoming Dovetail Cafe, of Chandler's Ford Methodist Church.
A very welcoming Dovetail Cafe, of Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church.

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church – an Out of the Ordinary Christmas

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