Although I wasn’t chilly,
I knew my memory had no form,
What on earth was a five minute drop
And how would it make me warm?
[Read more…] about Writing Class? Inviting Class.
community
Was Camelot Really in Chandler’s Ford?
I moved to Chandler’s Ford 27 years ago, because at that time it was easy and quick to drive up the M3 to where I was working near London than commute down the M1. How that has changed! But then so has my job and I now spend most of my time at home as an author, or touring bookshops signing books.
Soon after moving here I became a Scout Leader [Read more…] about Was Camelot Really in Chandler’s Ford?
Vicar Of Dibley By The Chameleons: Brilliant Show
Chandler’s Ford Chameleon Theatre Company did it again!
I saw the comedy The Vicar of Dibley with two teenagers last Thursday at The Ritchie Memorial Hall in Chandler’s Ford.
What a stunning show! [Read more…] about Vicar Of Dibley By The Chameleons: Brilliant Show
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 3
I expect many of you will have seen the fantastic work that has been undertaken on our war memorial over the last few weeks?
Stonemason Jon, of Blackmore and Moody has indeed done a good job. It is now possible to easily read the names of those brave men, and of course, that of Margaret Caswell, the only women whose name appears on the memorial. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 3
Renovating Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Have you noticed the refreshing new look of the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial? It is improving each day I see it.
Jon Tann from Blackwell and Moody Ltd in Winchester is renovating the war memorial.
In the past few weeks, you would have seen Jon kneeling, crouching, stooping by the war memorial on Hursley Road, outside St. Boniface Church. [Read more…] about Renovating Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Glastonbury 2014 Ramblings
My wife Lyn and I worked at Glastonbury for a charity called Festival Medical Services (FMS). I worked as a driver and Lyn a first aider.
FMS are responsible for providing medical services ranging from first-aid and paramedic to surgery and psychiatry. [Read more…] about Glastonbury 2014 Ramblings
Mealworm and Mash
“What’s for dinner?”
“Your favourite tonight; mealworm and mash.”
“Did you get those nice mealworms from Waitrose?”
“Better than that; these are our first crop of home-grown from the shoebox in the garage.” [Read more…] about Mealworm and Mash
Montgomery of Alamein School in Winchester
I was a teacher at the only school in the world called Montgomery of Alamein, in Winchester. Monty himself performed the naming ceremony.
Each year, in the summer term, I would lead a party of 12 year olds over to Normandy so that they might learn at first hand what the invasion involved. [Read more…] about Montgomery of Alamein School in Winchester
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
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.
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
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
Lisa Clark’s Legacy
Twenty years ago, our daughter Lisa was studying at Charing Cross Medical School. She once wrote a letter to say that she had just been to an oncology lecture and was very alarmed by the high incidence of women’s cancer and at a relatively low median age.
In the letter, she said she looked around the lecture theatre and wondered who would not be around at the age of 40. Prophetically, and bitterly sad, but [Read more…] about Lisa Clark’s Legacy
Fryern Arcade D & G Hardware Store
Helenor and Rachel have both been working at the D & G Hardware store in Chandler’s Ford since the shop opened nearly 6 years ago.
D & G at the Fryern Arcade now feels much brighter with more space.
The two beautiful assistants are always helpful. For a start, they know where everything is kept. [Read more…] about Fryern Arcade D & G Hardware Store
Peter Green
Mr Peter Green would have turned 99 on the 8th of May 2014.
I’m sure you know about Peter Green, our local high quality furniture store in Chandler’s Ford with a 58-year history.
Well, last night I watched Eurovision with my son. Do you know the first Eurovision Song Contest was held in 1956? Peter Green was established in Eastleigh [Read more…] about Peter Green