The King is dead. Long live the Queen. On a grey, inauspicious day in February 1952, we boys were gathered in the school hall, and the mayor, arrayed in his chain of office, proclaimed Princess Elizabeth Queen of Great Britain, her Dominions and Commonwealth. We pledged allegiance to her. All had to be done before the royal funeral. There must be no interregnum when an imposter may claim the throne.
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[Read more…] about Platinum Jubilee in Chandler’s Ford
Communities are coming together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee throughout the UK and Commonwealth. How are you going to celebrate during the four-day long bank holiday weekend in Chandler’s Ford or where you live?
“Bring a picnic – we will have a toast to the Queen & Royal cake.”
[Read more…] about Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: How are You Celebrating?
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 …
Here is what you need to know about nerve gas in relation to the events in Salisbury. Nerve gases are a terrible and frightening weapon but, if you survive an attack, you will be OK, unlike after a conventional injury which may leave you without a limb or full of shrapnel.
For much of my professional life, I have flirted with nerve gases. A dangerous thing to do you might think but interesting and important as recent events in Salisbury have shown.
QuizAid in Saint Martin’s Church on Saturday, 11 November 2017, by Brian Ridsdale
Quiz participants at Saint Martin’s Church, Chandler’s Ford cheered to hear that the UK Government will double the money they raised for Christian Aid’s Christmas appeal. On Saturday 11th November, 120 guests participated in a quiz with ploughman’s supper at St Martin’s Church. [Read more…] about Quiz Doubles Money for Christian Aid
About 14 years ago, at about the time I retired and began to withdraw from some of my commitments, I wrote down a list of some of the things I would like to see happen during the remainder of my life.
Recently, I found the notes I had written. Here they are, verbatim.
I hoped for: [Read more…] about Agenda of Hopes Dashed
I spoke with a Sri Lankan Professor called Sunil about who are the Sri Lankans. The guide books say there are Sinhala, Tamils, Burghers, Moors and Veddah. How do you tell which are which? I asked.
“Did you expect Britain to vote for Brexit?” He asked. “And did you expect Donald Trump to be elected President of USA?” I told him “No” on both counts. ” [Read more…] about As Others See Us – Brexit Britain
What do you know about the European Union? Not much, I bet. Yet we are all going to be asked to vote about staying in or leaving.
It will be a decision made of ignorance for what do we know of the EU? Do you know how to contact your representative or even who they are and what problems they may be able to help with? [Read more…] about EU – In or Out?
What is the collective noun for migrants? Horde will not do it seems; swarm, bunch, multitude, gang, flock, there are plenty of words but then there is an army of people who will take offence whatever you say.
The problem is that they are all individuals with the same hopes, fears and desires as you and I. [Read more…] about Migrant Crisis: What’s Your View?
Should we be charged for visits to the GP?
I heard a report on the radio this week about an article in the British Medical Journal discussing the pros and cons of imposing charges on patients for visits to the GP surgery. [Read more…] about Should We be Charged for Visits to the GP?
How much would you pay for policing?
Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents can have your say now in this Police Funding Consultation Survey. [Read more…] about Have Your Say: Police Funding Consultation Survey
A Refugee Crisis Appeal Football Tournament will be taking place in Chandler’s Ford on Saturday 10th of October. You are welcome to take part.
Jenni Hutchinson from St. Francis Church organises the event to respond to the Christian Aid Refugee Crisis Appeal.
The 5-a-side football tournament will take place at St Francis School, Pilgrims Close, Chandler’s Ford on Saturday 10th October 2015 at 2pm. [Read more…] about Christian Aid Refugee Crisis Appeal Football Tournament
Yesterday afternoon my son and I were caught up in Parliament Square in London.
We took the train to London, first to attend a Traidcraft event being held at Amnesty International near Liverpool Street station, afterwards we decided to tour around London for a bit, like tourists. [Read more…] about “Refugees Welcome Here” Rally at Parliament Square
No doubt our parliamentarians are skilled and consummate operators in the Chamber at Westminster, along the corridors of power, in the committee rooms and subsidised bars and when meeting with their civil servants.
Now that they are out on the hustings they are like fish out of water. [Read more…] about Political Party – Political Candidate: The Truth?
I have just returned from Day 1 of the UK’s first Open Data Camp, which took place in Winchester today.
Jamie Whyte, from Trafford Innovation and Intelligence Lab, explained why he helps organising the two-day Open Data Camp in his blog post.
A few of us from Chandler’s Ford joined the camp, and have enjoyed a day of networking, workshops, coffee, and lovely lunch. [Read more…] about Inspirational: Open Data Camp Winchester 21 – 22 Feb 2015
Last Saturday (24th January 2015), Chandler’s Ford became the centre of media attention as a protest took place outside Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church.
A Muslim Conference was being held inside the Methodist Church on Winchester Road that evening.
If you have missed the news and important notices from Eastleigh Police, please read this post published on 24th January 2015: Muslim Conference at Methodist Church Chandler’s Ford.
Today, Reverend Peter Cornick, the minister of Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, wrote to inform us of the chain of events last Saturday. [Read more…] about Rev. Peter Cornick: On Muslim Conference at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church
This evening Eastleigh Police issued important information about their strong presence at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, on Winchester Road.
Read on:
1/3 Just to explain police activity in #ChandlersFord this eve. We’re monitoring a planned protest outside the Methodist Church.
— Eastleigh Police (@EastleighPolice) January 24, 2015
[Read more…] about Eastleigh Police: Muslim Conference at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church Tonight
BBC One’s Question Time moved to Eastleigh for last night’s programme, which took place at The Point theatre. Those taking part were:
Esther McVey MP – Conservative Employment Minister
Diane Abbott MP – Prospective Mayor of London
Paul Nuttall MEP – Deputy Leader of UKIP
Tim Farron MP – Lib-Dem spokesperson on Foreign Affairs
Amol Rajan – Editor of The Independent
Broadcaster David Dimbleby – Chairman [Read more…] about Review of Eastleigh BBC One Question Time 2015
BBC One Question Time is coming to Eastleigh on Thursday 22 January 2015.
BBC One – Question Time is The BBC’s flagship political debate programme presented by David Dimbleby.
To join the Question Time audience, you need to [Read more…] about BBC One Question Time from Eastleigh: Thursday 22 January 2015
