It was Christmas Eve 1944; my sister and I had been packed off to bed with the warning common to all children that if we were not good Father Christmas would not visit. I remember how dark it was in the house with the blackout curtains.
Our house, in Sheffield, had a special role to play in World War II. We had a telephone. [Read more…] about Christmas 70 Years Ago
Here are a few more recollections – secular and spiritual – about the land in which Jesus lived and which is now the focus of attention for an increasing number of pilgrims.
Nearly all of them arrive at Bethlehem in coaches which park in the large central square. The name of this square? You might think it would be something like Central Square or Bethlehem Square, but it is Manger Square.
[Read more…] about Israel – Ancient And Modern (Part 2 of 4)
I always start to feel that Christmas is getting near when the town centre gets dark before the shops close. So what do I remember of Christmases as a child (apart from the dark high street)?
Mum was very strict on the time when decorations could go up – not before the start of the school holidays. But my sisters and I would often (at least when we were old enough) be trusted to decorate the tree. Except [Read more…] about My Favourite Childhood Christmas Memories in a Village
You must have lit fires when you were young and out in the country.
It’s frowned upon by adults but you have to do these things to learn.
The first lesson is that wet things do not burn. The second is that there is nothing as satisfying as something cooked on your own log fire. [Read more…] about Log Fires
It is official! Chandler’s Ford Today has got a new ‘fan’ – Eastleigh Borough Council.
In the December edition of Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury News (CFH News), Chandler’s Ford Today is recommended as a website which you should bookmark. [Read more…] about How Chandler’s Ford Today Makes An Impact In Your Life
I taught at Montgomery Of Alamein School from January 1966 till July 1988.
For several years I took the top exam classes in English Language and Literature, but I have always considered that my major role in the field of education came in another direction.
On day the headmaster, Dennis Beacham, called me into his office to discuss an important matter. [Read more…] about The Origin Of Humanities Subjects At Montgomery Of Alamein School
Christmas is Creativity.
It is found in the story of the Nativity, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and film stories like The Polar Express.
It is found in poems such as A Visit from St. Nicholas (probably better known as The Night Before Christmas) by Clement Clarke Moore and In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti. [Read more…] about What Christmas Means To Me
Until fairly recently few people from Chandler’s Ford had visited Israel, but now there are some of our parishioners who have joined groups of pilgrims and flown to the Holy Land. Some had pre-conceptions, other had eyes and minds open, ready and willing to accept anything which would strengthen their beliefs.
Here are a few of my own observations – certainly not all with a religious connection – which I hope will bring back happy memories. [Read more…] about Israel – Ancient And Modern (Part 1 of 4)
On one of my educational cruises we had three or four PE students with us to help conduct deck games when we were at sea.
On this day we were sitting in the shade enjoying a cold drink after visiting the pyramids: beside me one of the students a young lad of about nineteen, starting speaking. He didn’t realise he was expressing his thoughts aloud and his voice was filled with awe. [Read more…] about Travel Journal: Whereto next?
From today, WH Smith in Chandler’s Ford has started selling two novels by Chandler’s Ford author, Richard Hardie.
Richard Hardie’s two books are: Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords.
Currently, WH Smith in Chandler’s Ford is the exclusive bookshop selling Richard Hardie’s books. [Read more…] about Support Chandler’s Ford Authors: Books Available from Fryern Arcade WH Smith
Whilst visiting London on business a few weeks ago I made the time to wander down to the Tower of London to have a look at the poppy artwork installation, which has received quite a bit of positive commentary.
My visit was at the end of October so the artwork wasn’t complete but a substantial portion of it was done as you may see from the few pictures that I took. [Read more…] about The Poppies At The Tower Of London
On the first of July 1968, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery visited Winchester and renamed Winchester County Secondary School for boys to Montgomery of Alamein School.
It was a significant event as it was the only Montgomery of Alamein school in the world.
Brian Green from Chandler’s Ford was a teacher at the school and witnessed the historical event. [Read more…] about Humorous Little Memory: Montgomery Of Alamein School
Yesterday I published an important historical research by Michael Burford, a former pupil of Montgomery Of Alamein School in Winchester.
When Michael Burford contacted me last week about his old school, and later told me that he has a collection of the school’s pictures and history, I knew that I have ‘struck gold’. [Read more…] about Discover Montgomery Of Alamein School In Winchester
By Michael Burford
In 2005 the website Memories of Monty was launched by Howard Blake, a former pupil of Montgomery of Alamein School In Winchester.
He had amassed material from various sources including the Headmaster himself, Dennis Beacham, who died only two years later.
In this post, you’ll see precious historical images [Read more…] about Montgomery Of Alamein School In Winchester: Astonishing Historical Pictures Revealed
By Susan Gulliver
Kenya Project UK is a small charity started because a couple of teenagers from Chandler’s Ford wanted to do something to help in a third world country.
In year 2000, Reverend Maz Allen from Chandler’s Ford United Reformed Church had a contact in Kenya and through that set up the first visit.
Since then [Read more…] about From Chandler’s Ford To Kenya, With Love
Today one of the boldest, most audacious and exacting feats of space engineering will be attempted. The European Space Agency (ESA) will attempt to land Philae, a lander module, from the Rosetta spacecraft onto a comet known as 67P Churyunov.
Rosetta has already made 3 orbits around the sun and is near to completing a fourth. [Read more…] about Comet Rendezvous
By Andy Milner
First – a bit about the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST).
The charity was formed in 1978 and has two tall ships (Lord Nelson and Tenacious) that have been specially adapted so that anyone over 16 can crew.
The crew is made up equally of able-bodied and disabled people – some who have never sailed in their lives before. [Read more…] about Atlantic Crossing With Jubilee Sailing Trust
As Remembrance Sunday services were held around the UK today, this morning, people of Chandler’s Ford gathered to honour the fallen in the two World Wars and other conflicts.
People of Chandler’s Ford gathered at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial outside the parish church – St. Boniface Church, where a poignant service was held. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 9 November 2014
My son and I visited Eastleigh Museum during the half term holiday.
We saw a WW1 exhibition called Soldiers’ Journey. It is a multi-venue exhibition that portrays Hampshire’s critical role throughout the First World War.
I was attracted by beautiful buntings, which adorned the walls on the walkway to the hall.
[Read more…] about Eastleigh Bunting & Eastleigh Museum WW1 Poetry Evening
I am no expert on WW1 and am therefore not in a position to provide a detailed account of the Gallipoli Campaign.
As I understand it, the idea had been to create a new front, as the war on the Western Front had become a stalemate, with troops from both sides staring at each other from a line of trenches which stretched from the English Channel to the Swiss border. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 5
