There is a strong and well-connected Fairtrade community in Chandler’s Ford. The Fairtrade Christmas shopping event last Friday (17th October 2014) at Hiltingbury just proved it.
Tricia Urquhart from Hiltingbury organised a successful Fairtrade Christmas get-together for the community at St. Martin in the Wood Church, where I met old and new friends, who enjoyed an alternative Christmas shopping experience. [Read more…] about Building Strong Fairtrade Community In Chandler’s Ford
The re-dedication service for the recently renovated Chandler’s Ford War Memorial took place this afternoon (Sunday 19th October at 3pm) outside St. Boniface Church at the War Memorial.
It was a moving service. Every name of the fallen who were commemorated on the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial was read out. [Read more…] about Re-dedication of Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
From the website of the Parish Church:
“There will be a short ecumenical re-dedication service for the recently renovated Chandler’s Ford War Memorial on Sunday 19th October at 3.00pm. All welcome. ” (Parish of Chandler’s Ford)
I walked past Chandler’s Ford War Memorial [Read more…] about Re-dedication Service For Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
There will be a general election in a few months. I began to think about what this democracy thing really is. Why do we have governments anyway?
Originally a leader would undertake to protect his people from marauding gangs in return for food, some service or labour. This is still the foundation of government but the protection has now extended to flood, fire, famine, our fellow man disease and poverty. In return we pay taxes. [Read more…] about Democracy – More Than Just A Vote?
I nearly forgot it was Mid-Autumn Festival yesterday (8th of September) – on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.
I learned as a child that the moon on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month was the brightest. Scientifically I now know it may not be the truth.
Mid-Autumn Festival is my favourite festival of all Chinese festivals. The fullness of the moon reflects [Read more…] about Mid-Autumn Moon, Love, And Myths
It’s surprising what scientific principles are illustrated when taking a shower. Here are three that I have observed recently:
Do you remember those 1980s showers that were fed (via the hot water cylinder) from the cold water cistern in the roof? The cold water storage tank was only a few feet above the shower, so there was insufficient water pressure to give a decent flow at the shower. [Read more…] about Shower Science
In 543 BC a group of sailors, traders, adventures and probably an assortment of ruffians arrived in Sri Lanka after sailing down the east coast of India from the region of Kolkata. They established a kingdom in Anuradhapura, which lasted 1400 years. [Read more…] about Ancient Vedda Tribe Becoming Extinct
This month I thought I would focus on the Wilson brothers: Major and acting Lieutenant Colonel Harry Stuart Wilson, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Lieutenant Commander John Skinner Wilson, HMS Indefatigable.
The brothers were killed in action in the same year, John on 31st May, Harry three months later on 9th September 1916. A tragic loss for their parents. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 4
I normally do not write about current emotive news on this site, but the story of Ashya King is so compelling that I feel I have a duty to share what I know about the children cancer ward at Southampton General Hospital.
Twelve years ago, my son was treated at Piam Brown Ward, children’s oncology and haematology centre for the Wessex region, based at Southampton General Hospital. This was the same ward that had also treated Ashya King, [Read more…] about Life In Children Cancer Ward At Southampton General Hospital
µWhat do sick people do in Sri Lanka? Anyone can see a doctor free of charge.
If they go to the hospital, they will be seen. Any required medication is provided free. Repeat medications can be obtained from the hospital.
There is no general practice as we know it and some rural patients [Read more…] about Traditional And Modern Medicine in Sri Lanka
Yesterday my son and I went to see Mr and Mrs Brown again, at Eastleigh Museum.
In 1938, Mr & Mrs Brown lived in Eastleigh with their son Arthur, who was an apprentice at Eastleigh Rail Works. Mr Brown was an engine driver, who earned about £5 a week. [Read more…] about Mr & Mrs Brown At Eastleigh Museum
By David Vane
I am a member of SGI-UK – the UK branch of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a socially engaged Buddhist movement based on the teachings of the 13th century Buddhist teacher Nichiren.
At the heart of the philosophy is a concept known as human revolution, whereby the inner change sparked by Buddhist practice leads to courage, compassion and wisdom, [Read more…] about UK Buddhist Movement – Soka Gakkai International
By Brian Pike
I’m a self-taught environmental sand painter & sand artist living in Chandler’s Ford.
Over the past 40 years I have used recycled and found materials to create a series of unique, permanent environmentally friendly craft-works away from my main occupation as an accountant and group financial controller.
Following my retirement, [Read more…] about Sandpainting – A Craft Inspired By A King!
I went to Fryern recreation ground in Chandler’s Ford at lunch time briefly to see how the With Syria Community Fundraiser was getting on.
BBC reported that remnants of Hurricane Bertha to batter UK with rain and high winds.
This morning, I woke up to the sound of rain. [Read more…] about With Syria Community Fundraiser In Chandler’s Ford
Everyone who stays in Sri Lanka has to have an extension to their visa at some time and the visa run to the government office in Colombo is one of those things that ex-pats have to do. ^
The train leaves Kandy at dawn before the sun colours the land. [Read more…] about Dawn Train Down The Mountain To Colombo
I haven’t seen my son for 5 days as he had been ‘borrowed’ by my neighbours. Unfortunately he is coming home tomorrow.
My friend and neighbour borrowed my son for a week to the Isle of Wight, so that my single child and her single child could have fun together camping and playing with their family dogs. [Read more…] about My Isle Of Wight Summer Staycation
By Jeff Parsonson
One day a few years ago, I received a phone call, asking me if I would like to come to Portsmouth to receive the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal (Malaysian Service Medal). I was very surprised.
I told them I would be delighted. The presentation took place in 2010. On the day there were some 400 veterans to be presented by Brigadier General Othman bin Jamal, on behalf of the Malaysian Embassy. [Read more…] about My Pingat Jasa Malaysia (Malaysian Service Medal)
We visited Osborne House on the Isle of Wight yesterday. I had a discovery.
In Queen Victoria’s bedroom, I saw her famous bed.
According to Stephen Regan from the Open University, at the end of her life, the Queen was nursed in this bedroom by her personal physician, Dr James Reid. [Read more…] about Queen Victoria’s Bed Cover From China
Tourists know Kandy for the Temple of the Tooth. They are bussed in during the late afternoon and dine in a hotel. The next morning they are conducted around the Temple of the Tooth after leaving their shoes at the gate. Then they are back on the bus and off to Nurawa Eliya and the tea plantations.
Tourists don’t see Kandy City, nor do they see the Tooth. It is too sacred. [Read more…] about A Temple For A Tooth?
So it’s the summer holiday with my most anticipated movie of the year (Guardians of the Galaxy) days away and my favourite TV show (Doctor Who, like you didn’t know that) 28 days away, it’s pretty much confirmed that this holiday will be awesome.
Last Friday the awesomeness started when my mum and I went to London for a pretty eventful day. [Read more…] about An Eventful Day To Shakespeare’s Globe
