Chandler's Ford Today

Eastleigh Borough Council

Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

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This is a community website about Chandler’s Ford, but today we’re going to touch upon the war, knitted scarves, Clementine Churchill, and the Russians – all in this short article. So please read on.

Last week we published an article about Audrey Steele, who at the age of 90 has recently been awarded the Citizen of Honour for the Borough of Eastleigh.

Eastleigh Borough Council recognised Audrey’s excellent community work, and her contribution for the people in Eastleigh Borough and Brazil.

Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour
Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

Today I met Audrey again, and she showed me a handwritten letter sent to her in June 1942 by Clementine Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill, a cross-bench life peeress in her own right. Clementine Churchill was described as “a keen promoter of social and humanitarian causes” in this National Trust article by Eamonn Gearon.

Why did Clementine Churchill send Audrey Steele this ‘thank you’ letter? The letter was dated June 1942, sent from 10 Downing Street, Whitehall.

Audrey told me during the war she knitted scarves and mittens for the North Sea convoy.

Here is the 2-page A5 sized letter from Clementine Churchill:

Handwritten letter from Clementine Churchill to Audrey Steele in June 1942. Part 1.
Handwritten letter from Clementine Churchill to Audrey Steele in June 1942. Part 1.

[Read more…] about Audrey Steele Received Recognition from Clementine Churchill in 1942

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Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

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I’m delighted to have met 90-year-old Audrey Steele recently. Audrey Steele was awarded the Citizen of Honour for the Borough of Eastleigh early this month.

Audrey has recently celebrated her 90th birthday. This award recognises the voluntary work she has done for the people in Eastleigh Borough and Brazil.

Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour
Audrey Steele, Eastleigh Citizen of Honour. Image credit: Eastleigh Borough Council.

Eastleigh Borough Council recognised the excellent community work of two local residents, Sri Kandiah and Audrey Steele. The Council conferred them with a Citizen of Honour award at the annual Mayor making meeting on the 9th of May this year. [Read more…] about Meet 90-year-old Audrey Steele – Eastleigh Citizen of Honour

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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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Chandler’s Ford War Memorial – In Loving Memory of William Joseph Tosdevine

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I walked past Chandler’s Ford war memorial this morning and saw this wreath:

In loving memory of my great great grandfather

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial – In Loving Memory of William Joseph Tosdevine

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Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2018

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There was a rainbow in the morning and the rain stopped for the Remembrance parade and services.

At the Chandler’s Ford war memorial, a crowd of hundreds – from veterans to youth groups, families, and people of different ethnic groups – all gathered to pay their respects.

Hursley Road looked like this in 1918 (peace day celebration), and 1989. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2018

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A Letter to Our Readers: Concern about a Huge Tree Adjacent to Monk’s Brook

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By Gopinath Chandroth

There is a huge tree adjacent to Monk’s Brook. It is creaking like a heavy door on unoiled hinges. It is very close to the cycle/foot path. The nearest houses are on Fowey Close (SO53 4SQ).

There is a high likelihood that the tree may come crashing down on to the path, and because it is huge, on to the bungalows on Fowey Close. I have reported it online and hopefully it should be attended to soon. Meanwhile beware. [Read more…] about A Letter to Our Readers: Concern about a Huge Tree Adjacent to Monk’s Brook

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Eastleigh Remembers – Truly Memorable

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Eastleigh is marking the 100th anniversary year of the end of the first world war today. The event pays tribute to Eastleigh’s role in the First World War.

In Eastleigh this afternoon, I visited a re-enactment of a field hospital, some vintage military vehicles, and have seen great displays by charities and businesses, such as Hampshire Scouts, One Community, Defense Medical Welfare Service, British Legion, Eastleigh and District Local History Society, Eastleigh Gurkha Nepalese Association, Royal Air Forces Association, the Rotary Club, Air Cadets, Peter Green, and local author Paul Nolan. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Remembers – Truly Memorable

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Last Local Plan Consultation Drop-in Session: Fryern Pavilion: Monday 30 July from 4pm – 7pm

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From Eastleigh Borough Council:

“We will be at Fryern Pavilion, Chandler’s Ford on Monday 30 July from 4pm – 7pm for the last Local Plan consultation drop-in session. Find out more about the #Eastleigh Borough Local Plan.”

More details: Emerging Local Plan 2016 – 2036 [Read more…] about Last Local Plan Consultation Drop-in Session: Fryern Pavilion: Monday 30 July from 4pm – 7pm

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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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Severe Weather Update from Eastleigh Borough Council

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This information is via Eastleigh Borough Council.

Update on Council services during the current adverse weather conditions, Friday 2 March 2018

All waste collections have been suspended for Friday 2 March due to dangerous icy conditions. We are planning to recommence collections on Monday 5 March and collect them as soon as possible – weather and safe access permitting. [Read more…] about Severe Weather Update from Eastleigh Borough Council

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Hiltingbury Tennis Club

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Hiltingbury Tennis Club had another year of great social tennis this spring and summer. With several new members signing up the £25 annual subscription is great value. Members played at various times of the week and some weekends to suit everyone.

James Airey masterminded a fun mixed doubles competition which was completed on November 13th. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Tennis Club

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Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2017

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This morning, veterans and a few hundreds people commemorated those who lost their lives in the two World Wars and later conflicts, at the Chandler’s Ford war memorial.

Remembrance Sunday, which falls on 12 November in 2017, is a day to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.

A two-minute silence was held across the country and wreaths were laid at memorials.

In Chandler’s Ford, people old and young were gathering at the war memorial, outside the St. Boniface Church on Hursley Road, including 93-year-old war veteran Frank Damerell, Night Fighter Navigator (the aircraft was “The Mosquito Night Fighter”) during the Second World War. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2017

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Chandler’s Ford Parish Council Issues the Hiltingbury Pavilion Factsheet

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A while back we published a post regarding the proposal to refurbish the pavilion in Hiltingbury recreation ground.

Chandler’s Ford Parish Council has now issued two new documents, to inform residents about the proposals and progress.

Here is a link to the full factsheet.

Here is a link to the Parish Council’s Summer 2017 Newsletter. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Parish Council Issues the Hiltingbury Pavilion Factsheet

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Have your Say by 18th August: Proposal to Refurbish the Pavilion in Hiltingbury Recreation Ground

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There has been a heated debate recently in the Chandler’s Ford community about the proposal to refurbish the Pavilion situated in Hiltingbury Recreation ground.

What’s the proposal about? According to Chandler’s Ford Parish Council, the proposal is about the “Partial demolition, refurbishment and extension to existing sports pavilion, including provision of additional car parking facilities and construction of temporary car park.” [Read more…] about Have your Say by 18th August: Proposal to Refurbish the Pavilion in Hiltingbury Recreation Ground

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Who Should I Vote for?

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Who should I vote for in the forthcoming election? A person or party with political gravitas, one that shows qualities of statesmanship. Or should it be statespersonship? Where are such people? I only see squabbling fourth-formers exchanging slogans as if they embody the solution to the world’s problems.

Our politicians try to do their best but they are products of the system which seems to me to be flawed. But that is a story for another day.
[Read more…] about Who Should I Vote for?

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General Election 2017

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So, in two weeks time – and three years earlier than we expected – we have a general election to look forward to.  Some people may have reacted to this news with “a chance to get rid of the current government”; others with “a chance to give the government a greater mandate”.  But for many it is possibly “here we go again”.  [Read more…] about General Election 2017

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Hiltingbury Tennis Club Update

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Note: The original post was published in May 2016. This is an updated post.

You may recall that in February last year I brought you news of the newly refurbished tennis courts at Hiltingbury Recreation ground. The final touches were done and they now look magnificent and Chandler’s Ford is lucky to have such great facilities.

Hiltingbury Tennis Club goes from strength to strength with new members joining our friendly and welcoming atmosphere. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Tennis Club Update

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