Chandler's Ford Today

days out

What Do You See Around You?

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Have you been out taking your daily exercise during the current lockdown? Maybe walking around your local area a touch more than usual?

Have you realised that you have taken just a little bit more of your precious time on these local walks too? No need to rush. After all you have got all day every day for the next few weeks!

The weather has been very conducive too.

Blue Skies
Blue Skies

Did you think to look that bit closer than usual at some of the things you would normally not even notice? Maybe you were just rushing from A to B. before. Probably driving! [Read more…] about What Do You See Around You?

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Fryern Funtasia 6th May 2019 in Chandler’s Ford

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Once again I spent the May Bank Holiday at Fryern Funtasia yesterday – as I did every single year in the past few years.

I really love the traditional open-space event, where I met up with a few old friends there, and soaked up some local news (or gossips) from just walking about. [Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia 6th May 2019 in Chandler’s Ford

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6th May 2019 – Bank Holiday Monday – Fryern Funtasia in Chandler’s Ford

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6th May – Bank Holiday Monday – Fryern Funtasia

From Chandler’s Ford Parish Council:

Fryern Funtasia 2019 is only just over a month away so put the date in your diary – 6th May Bank Holiday Monday. 12.00pm – 4.30pm. Take a look at the fun we had in last years video and please share with your friends. See you in May. [Read more…] about 6th May 2019 – Bank Holiday Monday – Fryern Funtasia in Chandler’s Ford

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A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford

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Yesterday morning I took the 7.14 train from Chandler’s Ford to London Waterloo. The return ticket (including London Underground all zones) cost £90.

Ideally I should have taken the 6.06 train, but I wasn’t feeling safe to get to the station so early by myself. Recently I’ve heard of news about people being mugged in Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford, so was a bit more concerned. I considered driving to the station, buying tickets from the machine near the platform, but …. what if someone jumped out from nowhere and I was on my own? I also considered driving to Southampton Airport Parkway but parking would have cost £15 per day. [Read more…] about A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford

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Days Out – Fort Nelson

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Where can you see a dolphin near Portsmouth?

Well, I suppose “looking out to sea” is a possibility, but Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill is more likely.  The handles on a cannon barrel are also called dolphins – because of their resemblance to swimming dolphins arching out of the water.

Cannon Dolphin With Ring [Read more…] about Days Out – Fort Nelson

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A Great Community Event: Fryern Funtasia 2018

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Today’s Fryern Funtasia in Chandler’s Ford was fun, as usual, and it was very well managed. Congratulations! I heard a few children fainted due to heat, but hope they have had some rest and are now feeling better. The organisers deserve our praise – they have put in so much effort to make sure everything ran so smoothly. [Read more…] about A Great Community Event: Fryern Funtasia 2018

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Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 1 May 2017

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The Fryern Funtasia is a community event organised by local volunteers and businesses, with the support of the Chandler’s Ford Parish Council. The Fryern Funtasia has become one of the most popular local community events in recent years, and it is in its 6th year.

Today the event was officially opened by the Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Des Scott. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 1 May 2017

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Hampshire World Music Festival 2017

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After the success of last year’s event, Hampshire Music Festival are running their World Music Festival again on Sunday 14th May.  The event consists of a number of workshops to experience drumming from around the world.  It is open to the public and suitable for all ages (from seven years old) and abilities. [Read more…] about Hampshire World Music Festival 2017

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Review the Watercress Line

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One of my favourite post-Christmas traditions is to ride on the Watercress Line between Alresford and Alton just after the end of the Santa specials and before New Year.

My family used the Santa specials years ago when my son was younger and the present given was always a good one. The downside is these Santa trains are very popular and booking early is a must (not a downside from the Watercress Line’s viewpoint of course) but now my son is older, we can avoid all that! The post-Christmas trains are also busy but not to the same extent and booking is generally not necessary. [Read more…] about Review the Watercress Line

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Review: The Railway Children

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Sometimes I write reviews of concerts and shows; sometimes I write about places to go for a day out. This post isn’t intended to be either of those, though it may look a bit like both.

Last week I fulfilled an ambition I’ve held for several years by going to see the stage version of The Railway Children. This was one of my most-loved books as a child (and that of my sister too), and the 1970 film is undoubtedly one of my all-time favourites. [Read more…] about Review: The Railway Children

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In Praise of Royal Victoria and Itchen Valley Country Parks

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A few weeks ago, faced with a small clutch of younglings (and two grandparents) to entertain, we visited two of our local county parks – Hampshire County Council’s Royal Victoria and Eastleigh Borough Council’s Itchen Valley.

These proved to be outstanding choices. I’ve visited both parks before, but being accompanied by such a range of ages helped me to appreciate what marvellous leisure assets these places are. [Read more…] about In Praise of Royal Victoria and Itchen Valley Country Parks

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Road to Agincourt: When Medieval Life Comes Alive Like Magic

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The free Medieval Weekend, organised by the Road to Agincourt project, was recently held at Manor Farm and Country Park, Bursledon.

This post continues with a look at the lives of typical villagers re-enacted over the weekend. And I discover what a fletcher was… [Read more…] about Road to Agincourt: When Medieval Life Comes Alive Like Magic

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Would You Live a Medieval Life?

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The free Medieval Weekend, organised by the Road to Agincourt project, was recently held at Manor Farm and Country Park, Bursledon.

The weekend was being launched to open a new walk, enabling people to walk down to the River Hamble where they could see the wreck of The Grace Dieu, one of Henry V’s ships. The interactive map I have written about in my previous Chandler’s Ford Today posts was in evidence too.
[Read more…] about Would You Live a Medieval Life?

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Following the King: on the Great Ships Trail

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My next couple of articles will be about the recent Medieval Weekend, organised by the Road to Agincourt project and backed, amongst others, by Hampshire and Eastleigh Councils.

But this post is a first for me. It’s the first time I’ve reviewed a walk, or perhaps I should say “road tested” it! (Even when I reviewed a walk in Salisbury, it was more of a review of the book it appeared in, Station Walks, given I wanted to see just how accurate and helpful the directions and description of things to spot on the walk were!). [Read more…] about Following the King: on the Great Ships Trail

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Want to Become a Heritage Guide?

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For lovers of history, who like getting out and about, there is the opportunity to learn how to be a heritage guide for free, with all expenses paid.

The opportunity offers exclusive behind the scenes trips to heritage sites.

You would also get to go to lectures from top historians and academics. [Read more…] about Want to Become a Heritage Guide?

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Away Days – Salisbury

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The shuttle service from Chandler’s Ford Railway Station is great for commuting into Eastleigh and Southampton but is also a wonderful way of visiting Salisbury. The total journey time is just over an hour and there are some fantastic views of the country en route, particularly after Romsey.   Most images for this post were taken by me.

[Read more…] about Away Days – Salisbury

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Days Out: Coach on Fire Today but Chandler’s Ford Children were Safe

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I have just picked up my teenage son from Kings Road this evening as he returned from a trip to Brownsea Island this morning with Chandler’s Ford Cubs and Beavers.

It turned out to be an eventful day.

My son asked me if I had read the news during the day.

I didn’t. [Read more…] about Days Out: Coach on Fire Today but Chandler’s Ford Children were Safe

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Away Days from Chandler’s Ford Station: York

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One great thing about living in Chandler’s Ford is the transport available given we are near the motorway network (without living on top of it). Then we have the railway station, a bus service and we are not far from the ferries.

I often use these links. For example I went a couple of years ago to the National Railway Museum in York, which has recently been in the news because of its restoration of The Flying Scotsman. [Read more…] about Away Days from Chandler’s Ford Station: York

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