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Review: The Spitfires: Last Night of the Proms 2016 – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band

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As expected, The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band “The Spitfires” gave an outstanding performance at their concert on 5th November. A varied programme included musicals, military marches, and classical pieces – even The Village People’s music got a look in.

The concert included two soloists. The first sang Nessun Dorma – a piece normally heard as a tenor voice, but no way diminished by the soprano (I think it was) at the concert. A wonderful voice, singing the high notes with as much precision and clarity as the lower ones. [Read more…] about Review: The Spitfires: Last Night of the Proms 2016 – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band

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Spitfires in Concert – Last Night of the Proms – 5th November 2016

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On Saturday, 5th November 2016, The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band “The Spitfires” will be in concert at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church.

The concert promises a wide range of music from the Village People to Puccini, and will end with the band’s rousing “Last Night of the Proms” finale including Pomp and Circumstance (aka Land of Hope and Glory), Auld Lang Syne, Rule Britannia and Sunset. [Read more…] about Spitfires in Concert – Last Night of the Proms – 5th November 2016

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Too Many Coffee Shops in Eastleigh? Think Again.

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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.

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New Autumn South West Trains Fares Promotion and Cycling Promotional Video

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Mark Miller, Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership Officer, just sent me some wonderful news.

You might like to hear about them.

1) The latest fares promotion from South West Trains [Read more…] about New Autumn South West Trains Fares Promotion and Cycling Promotional Video

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It’s Back – Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market

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This morning, I met Karen Stephen and Catherine Griffin at the local produce and craft market.

They were promoting their first book: Secret Lives of Chandlers Ford: A Collection of Short Stories.

Mike introduced this book and its four authors before in this post. [Read more…] about It’s Back – Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market

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Outstanding A Level and Vocational Results at Barton Peveril – 2016

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Students at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College are celebrating another outstanding set of exam results.

The 1,225 students who sat A Level exams at the college this summer have performed even better than their predecessors. [Read more…] about Outstanding A Level and Vocational Results at Barton Peveril – 2016

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Roads that Change Their Names in Chandler’s Ford

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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

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Review: Thornden Community Wind Band Concert

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The Thornden Community Wind Band presented their summer concert, “Round the World in 90 minutes” on Friday 17 June. This was a light-hearted programme of music loosely themed on a trip around the world. Light-hearted doesn’t mean low quality. This was a performance of very high calibre – and great entertainment.

The auditorium was metaphorically became an aeroplane for the concert. The audience were the passengers, the conductor was the pilot, and the band was the engine. We appreciated the range of instruments during the “engine testing” at the start of the concert when a representative from each section played one or two bars of their own choice. [Read more…] about Review: Thornden Community Wind Band Concert

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Highbridge Community Farm: Grow and Enjoy Fresh Local Produce

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Highbridge Community Farm had an open day last weekend, and we went there to find out a little about the project.

Last year the group shared with us their work and fresh vegetables at the Hiltingbury Extrav 2015.

Henry Russell, Highbridge Farm, offered a 1.7 acre field for this worthwhile project. The farm is located just north of Eastleigh and is near the River Itchen. [Read more…] about Highbridge Community Farm: Grow and Enjoy Fresh Local Produce

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Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

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Another episode from Boats and Bikes…

Cycle Time Trials – the 1970s

I found the competitive side of cycling to be just what I wanted at that time. I needed a new angle on cycling and this was it! I managed to be moderately successful and I improved my “Personal Best” times over the distances I raced – mainly 10, 25 & 50 mile events. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

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For a Fairer World: Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford

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Last Friday, there was an entertaining and meaningful Fashion Show in Hiltingbury.

It was no casual fashion show featuring high street brands. The Fashion Show promoted Fairtrade, and encouraged the community to buy Fairtrade products. [Read more…] about For a Fairer World: Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford

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Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Passions for Power Boat, Bike, and Lambretta (Part 13)

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More favourite memories including thoughts about my boats and bikes……

1964 – The year that Radio Caroline started broadcasting! [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Passions for Power Boat, Bike, and Lambretta (Part 13)

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Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

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Last weekend I saw The Pirates of Penzance at The Point theatre. I really enjoyed it and it surprised me as I didn’t know much about the musical.

It is about a bunch of pirates who get involved in an insane plot to do with a Major-General. It’s a really nonsensical plot and it doesn’t make much sense, but in a musical like this it doesn’t matter. All the characters are really cartoony and over the top and they fit the tone perfectly. [Read more…] about Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

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Life aboard a Tall Ship: Jubilee Sailing Trust’s Ship Lord Nelson

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I was on board Lord Nelson ship at the Seed2Sailing – the launch party for this year’s Jubilee Sailing Trust Autumn Pumpkin Festival and Scarecrow Avenue, which will take place on Saturday 8th Oct 2016.

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;”

Sea Fever by John Masefield
[Read more…] about Life aboard a Tall Ship: Jubilee Sailing Trust’s Ship Lord Nelson

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Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: the Joy of Powerboat Race and Cycling (Part 12)

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It is worth saying how different commentating on powerboat racing was then to how it is nowadays.

As the boat [competitor] of a personality raced past, the commentator would show a degree of deference. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: the Joy of Powerboat Race and Cycling (Part 12)

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Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade 2016

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This post is about Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade last Sunday (24th April 2016).

The parade was led by “The Spitfires” – the brilliant 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade 2016

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Review: The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band St. George’s Day Concert 2016

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The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (better known as The Spitfires) returned to Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church last weekend for a St George’s Day concert in aid of One Community.

As we have come to expect from a band of such high calibre, the concert showcased the musician’s skills and wide repertoire. We were also treated to a display by the band’s Corps of Drums, who had been busy with other scouting activities at the October concert.
[Read more…] about Review: The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band St. George’s Day Concert 2016

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Not Just Crafts: Chandler’s Ford Craft Market – Crafters, Author, Cartoonist

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This morning there were a few surprises at the local Handmade Craft Market at Chandler’s Ford Age Concern Centre.

It was a delight to meet a popular local non-fiction and military writer Penny Legg, based in Southampton. [Read more…] about Not Just Crafts: Chandler’s Ford Craft Market – Crafters, Author, Cartoonist

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