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
Eastleigh Borough Council
Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 1 May 2017
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
Introducing Guy Stauber – Marvel at Sir Bevis Comic
One of the great joys of writing for Chandler’s Ford Today (and in reading it too) continues to be the wide variety of topics it covers. It’s only due to CFT that I found out about the Road to Agincourt Project and, due to my love of history, started writing about it.
I’ve particularly liked The Story Shuffle Project and the Sir Bevis of Hampton posts as the first is a phenomenally good idea to get kids involved in creative writing and a local legend. The second post was, of course, all about that local legend. [Read more…] about Introducing Guy Stauber – Marvel at Sir Bevis Comic
Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2016
About two hundred people gathered at Chandler’s Ford war memorial for Remembrance Sunday service and laying of wreaths this morning.
From 10am this morning, many people started walking towards the war memorial on Hursley Road at St. Boniface church. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2016
Too Many Coffee Shops in Eastleigh? Think Again.
A new coffee shop has opened in Eastleigh town centre.
Now, your reaction to this might be “Bill Bryson was right; Eastleigh needs a new coffee shop like a fish needs a bicycle”.
In a previous post Coffee vs Discount in Eastleigh I pondered the reasons for the consumer demand for expensive coffee. [Read more…] about Too Many Coffee Shops in Eastleigh? Think Again.
The Story Shuffle Project
One of the joys of writing for Chandler’s Ford Today is discovering projects I would not have otherwise come across. One of these was the Road to Agincourt Project which appealed to my love of all things historical.
Another was when I interviewed Kate Day of Chocolate Muffin Publishing and looked at their work with children and dementia patients (amongst others) to encourage creative writing.
[Read more…] about The Story Shuffle Project
Roads that Change Their Names in Chandler’s Ford
If you live in Merdon Avenue, did you know that it used to be called The Crescent? And that Twyford Road, Eastleigh, was once Winchester Road, Eastleigh? And that Consort Road, Eastleigh used to be Park Road?
I expect you have detected a pattern here. When Eastleigh became a borough that included Chandler’s Ford, it was found that some road names were duplicated between the two towns and, presumably so as not to confuse the postman, some were renamed so that there was only one of each. [Read more…] about Roads that Change Their Names in Chandler’s Ford
Following the King: on the Great Ships Trail
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
Public Meeting: Men’s Shed Coming to Chandler’s Ford
Have you heard of a social group called Men’s Sheds?
I have met some lovely men from Men’s Sheds in local events before.
Men Shed is a social network for retired men (and surprisingly, for women too).
They are also called, endearingly, shedders (make sure you spell shedder correctly). [Read more…] about Public Meeting: Men’s Shed Coming to Chandler’s Ford
In the King’s Footsteps on the Great Ship Trail
Following on from my previous Agincourt posts, I have now received further details of the Free Medieval Weekend, which will celebrate the launch of The King’s Great Ships Trail.
Where and when? At Manor Farm and Country Park on July 30 and 31, 2016. [Read more…] about In the King’s Footsteps on the Great Ship Trail
Fun Day – Fryern Funtasia 2016
Another first for me this year has been to visit the Fryern Funtasia on Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May 2016. How to tell it is a Bank Holiday Monday? Because the weather closes in!
The weather held off long enough to not get in the way of a good show at the Fryern Recreation Ground. Nor did it stop the youngsters having a wonderful time on the bouncy castle, the bouncy slides, the pony ride, go kart track and so on. [Read more…] about Fun Day – Fryern Funtasia 2016
Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 2016
Music. Food. Ponies. Dogs. Games. Stalls. Friends. Queen.
Fryern Funtasia this afternoon on the Fryern Recreation Ground was enjoyable.
It’s the 5th Fryern Funtasia event in Chandler’s Ford. The Fryern Funtasia is a community event organised by local volunteers and businesses, with the help of the Chandler’s Ford Parish Council. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 2016
History: News from Agincourt
Given I love history, it was a pleasure to write about the Road to Agincourt project, including the bringing to life via a play of Sir Bevis of Hampton, the legend associated with Southampton.
This post brings news of a new woodland trail, a medieval weekend festival, and interactive wearable map which tie in with the Agincourt project. [Read more…] about History: News from Agincourt
Coffee vs Discount in Eastleigh
I had an eye test appointment last week in Eastleigh. This was the only reason I needed to go to the town centre, but while I was there I visited one of the many coffee shops for refreshment.
As I sipped my Americano I wondered why. Why had I decided to spend over £2 on a coffee that I didn’t really need when I was only a five-minute walk from home where I could have one for nothing. Why is a coffee stop now regularly included in a routine shopping trip? Why do we need so many coffee shops? [Read more…] about Coffee vs Discount in Eastleigh
Producing a Local Legend: Sir Bevis of Hampton
I love history. Always have done. Always will do. I suppose this is because history is another form of storytelling. It tells the story of where we come from.
I believe there is a great deal of truth in the saying that a nation which forgets its history is destined to relive it.
Stories can be told in many ways to reach differing audiences and this is true for history too. I’ve recently heard of a new comic book (Blood and Valour) and play (The Legends of Sir Bevis) about local mythical medieval hero, Sir Bevis of Hampton. [Read more…] about Producing a Local Legend: Sir Bevis of Hampton
Revamping Fleming Park. Fancy Swimming alongside a Local Fiction Writer?
The planned revamp of Fleming Park sounds very interesting and I am pleased they are keeping the current pool open while work is underway on the new one.
I’m also pleased the plan includes keeping free car parking. I use the bus to get to Fleming Park for my twice weekly swims there so perhaps this is not relevant for me but I believe free parking is the way forward to encourage people to visit the centre. [Read more…] about Revamping Fleming Park. Fancy Swimming alongside a Local Fiction Writer?
Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 8 November 2015
On Remembrance Sunday on the 8th of November in 2015, people from Chandler’s Ford remembered and honoured the fallen.
180 people assembled outside St. Boniface Church at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial as poppies were laid at the foot of the memorial. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 8 November 2015
Show You Care – Chandler’s Ford Fairtrade Autumn Market
Councillor Louise Bloom from Hedge End recently visited Chandler’s Ford promoting Fairtrade.
Eastleigh is now officially a Fairtrade Borough, a status achieved on 7th May 2015. Councillor Louise Bloom, a strong Fairtrade promoter, said she hopes more companies would support Fairtrade in the Borough of Eastleigh. [Read more…] about Show You Care – Chandler’s Ford Fairtrade Autumn Market
Charlotte Mary Yonge in Eastleigh
Charlotte Mary Yonge? Who is she?
She is the woman represented by the new statue of a seated figure in the approach to Eastleigh Railway Station. Yes, but who is she?
Charlotte Mary Yonge is hardly known these days but she was a notable novelist in her time. [Read more…] about Charlotte Mary Yonge in Eastleigh
Eastleigh Artists Shine: Mayor’s Ceremonial Mace and Chain
In 2014, glassware artist Carly Mann was commissioned by Eastleigh Borough Council to design and make a new Ceremonial Mace for the new Mayor of Eastleigh in collaboration with Prysmian Group.
The body is formed in brass by the talented team at Prysmian, then plated in gold and silver. The glass panels in the mace head are painted and gilded by the artist. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Artists Shine: Mayor’s Ceremonial Mace and Chain