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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 169)

June 13, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Still painting flowers; too much Ovett and Coe; both, acceptable and dull entertainments at the Club; disappointment at Symond’s Yat; the Kingston girls do well; Mrs Holley needs a shove; a new great grand-daughter; depressed by local developments, and the sad death of Barbara Smith.

Book 207

Gran is shopping on July 20th 1983:

This afternoon I went to Winchester… and whilst there looked for my art shop, which had disappeared. On enquiring for materials elsewhere, I was told that there was an art shop in the Romsey Road, and here was able to get a tube of Sap Green paint and two no. 2 sable brushes. The lady in charge told me that the other shop had gone bankrupt five years ago.

Sap Green paint. How many tubes did Gran get through during her painting of about 700 flowers? Image by Ben via Flickr.

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 168)

May 30, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Age Concern chaos; lucky Geoff; a sporting gesture; a good run in Oslo; trouble with bees; troops return; the Fowlers celebrate; peace and quiet at St Cross; Sherborne House School – 50 years old; orchids at Farley Mount; an inscription from 1890, and Spotted Flycatcher – still using the garden.

On Mid-summer’s Day 1982, Gran joins a coach trip to Mottisfont Abbey. She is not usually one to complain, but the day leaves a lot to be desired in her view, even though she is delighted to find a Southern Marsh Orchid in flower on a grassy pathside when she manages to escape the crowds. “The outing had been arranged”, she says:

… by Hampshire Age Concern and it was chaotic from the start, far too many old folk having been encouraged to go. The coaches were not allowed to go into the Abbey car park, so that the approach road was completely blocked by the coaches, and the leading one had to disembark its passengers before the others in the queue could reach that point… We were received at the Abbey grounds by the blaring of a ghastly hurdy-gurdy but after viewing the small part of the Abbey open to the public, I made for the river.

Mottisfont Abbey. Gran preferred the riverside. Image by Neil Howard via Flickr.

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 167)

May 16, 2021 By Rick Goater 1 Comment

Lesser Whitefronts and a visit to The Studio; Cambridge – to be rejected; enjoying Torville and Dean; infuriated by the milkman; Eric Ashby and his “little green van”; a long walk; “Jenny’s beastly little cat”; next door has an intruder; “Mrs Hawkeye”, and the end of the Falkland Islands conflict.

A cloudy and mild day and one of great excitement, dawns for Gran on February 6th 1982, when Barry drives her to the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge, arriving at Rick’s home there, Moorend Farm Cottage, in time for breakfast with him, Beverly and young Tom.

Several pages of the journal are dedicated to this visit, Gran enjoying special treatment, in particular access to bird-watching hides normally unavailable to the general public.

She records a fine array of wild waterfowl including, within a flock of 4500 White-fronted Geese, the Bean Geese that had not impressed Princess Diana earlier in the winter, and also two rare Lesser White-fronted Geese, new to her, “… from a small hide to which Ricky took us, and, when he went to fetch some other visitors who particularly wanted to see them, I came away to make room for them…”, she writes.

A Lesser White-fronted Goose – an eastern species, very rare in the U.K. and often the main goal for winter bird-watchers at Slimbridge, just about the only place in the UK where there was a chance to find these birds in those days. Note chubby face, golden eye-ring, dainty pink bill and extensive white on the forehead – all good characteristics. Image by Stefan Berndtsson via Flickr.

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 166)

May 9, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Goater and Rono battle it out; a “magnificent doll” – not selected; a day at Slimbridge; the rarest bird Gran ever saw; a “nice experience for Rick”; Christmas with the neighbours; Gran – path-beater; mittens for the VG manager, and Gran’s “little Wood Duck”.

The two families, Barry’s and Jane’s, depart Chandler’s Ford after the celebrations for Grampa’s 80th and Gran is left feeling lonely. She says on August 25th 1981, just after the Brenans have left, “I dashed up to my whist drive, missing only the first hand and received a great welcome. I did not want to be at home with all the family gone”. However, Barry returns that evening, she says:

… to do some high house painting outside for us tomorrow and lured me down to the New Forest for some moth-hunting. I was already very tired but I would never refuse such a chance so packed up some supper and left at 7.15.

Mother and son have a fairly unsuccessful time “sugaring” oak trees with treacle at Tantany Wood, attracting few moths and they return home by 10.30. Gran, as usual, puts out food for the Hedgehog last thing, “after which”, she writes, “I tumbled, exhausted but soul-satisfied, into bed!”

House-painting is delayed until the afternoon of the following day. Gran admits that, “Though tired, but unwilling to admit it, I accepted Barry’s offer for me to go along the river this morning and it was very beautiful, very warm, and the water clear”. They also spend a brief time at Shawford Down looking without success for Chalkhill Blues, and Gran notes, “… the area is now so overgrown with coarse grass, the little downland foodplants have no chance”.

Shawford Down – no longer suitable for Chalkhill Blues. Image by Lucy Haydon via Flickr.

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 165)

May 2, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

“Rude” Tracy and “insufferable” McEnroe; a First Day Cover to treasure; The Black and White Minstrels – too loud; Joan Spurgin’s “boyfriend”; Mother’s dress; gifts on her 77th birthday; a Royal Wedding; questioned by the Police, and Bill’s 80th.

Gran writes on June 20th 1981: “I finished knitting the waistcoat, ironed the sixty-year old dress of Mother’s which I washed this morning and hope to wear for the Club’s Prince of Wales Party…”

June 24th:

The tour of Israel for the Lancashire Schools Symphony Orchestra has been cancelled owing to the unsettled situation there but the authorities are trying to fix up one in Switzerland instead. Naturally Katie and Andy are disappointed but I think it is a wise decision.

The Championships at Wimbledon, as ever, provide Gran with interest in June and July, and, also as usual, she passes comment on the behaviour of some of the players. So, on June 29th, when the number seven seed, Pam Schriver, defeats the number three seed, Tracy Austin, she says of the latter, “… as expected after her rude outburst to the Umpire in an earlier match, [she] was not a gracious loser, but Pam played bravely and deserved to win”.

July 1st:

Post brought my butterfly First Day Cover signed by Peter Scott, which will be amongst my treasures. This afternoon I walked quickly up to the Club to join the coach for the drive through the New Forest to Bournemouth to see a performance of the Black and White Minstrels at the Pavilion.

To be found amongst Gran’s treasures. Image courtesy of Andy Brenan.

Gran had received this one earlier. Image courtesy of Andy Brenan.

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 164)

April 25, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Wild daffodils damaged; “stupid” in her old age; nostalgia for lost friends; family head boys; Sherborne House School; Easter at Compton Church; Early Spiders at Durleston; a fabulous day in the Forest; a Cornish Squacco Heron; Geoff – the king of whist, and thankful memories of Adrian.

March 23rd 1981 begins badly for Gran when some of her treasured flowers are damaged. She writes:

On going to the Post Office, I was distressed to see that some devil, human or dog, had torn off a lot of the wild Daffodils on our outside bank. I brought in those with any stem and put them in a bowl but there were many heads on the ground with no stem at all.

Small signs of the effect of Gran’s increasing age are beginning to creep into her writings these days. Her penmanship is still almost immaculate; just the occasional page with slightly wayward writing, and spaces left unfilled where she has forgotten the scientific name of a plant, or the surname of an acquaintance. Sometimes she recognises the effect on her of the advancing years. So, two days later, she says, and not for the first time, “I am getting very stupid in my old age!” This because, she relates on the 25th:

New stamps for the year of the Disabled were issued today and I bought my usual, sending off one First Day Cover, but when I later went to stick in my mint set I found I had lost or mislaid them.

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 163)

April 11, 2021 By Rick Goater 1 Comment

Floods in Marsh Lane; a scuffle in the garden; “the objectionable McEnroe”; the Royal Family’s intelligence – under-rated; Andy and Katie do well; painting for others; nine mints from Tristan; a stolen painting and a lost pen; Joan Spurgin; top-class cross country running, and coverage in Athletics Weekly.

On October 27th 1980, Gran records local drizzle and says: “But we were lucky. In Lancashire torrential rain had caused the Ribble and the Wyre to burst their banks and the road above Preston is flooded… I have been anxious about Marsh Lane”.

And later:

This evening my dear Jane phoned, guessing that I should be worrying about the family and, indeed, the Ribble has filled Marsh Lane right across, the Doulton’s house next door to Jane is flooded and water is in Jane’s downstairs in places and the carpets and other things are upstairs. As usual, Jane said, friends are being a wonderful help, and the piano and other furniture is raised on bricks and the council has taken precautions, but she and the children expect to be baling all night.

Gran discovers the next day that it was not the River Ribble that flooded Marsh Lane but a local stream, whose sluice gates should have been opened to allow flood waters to drain away. Minor damage is caused to the house and Jane, Andy and Katie had, indeed, been busy dealing with the problem overnight. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 163)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 162)

April 4, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A rare bird in the garden; Evonne – Champion again; valuable Rackhams; Corwen memories; a cold July; seventy-six years young; “my little Budgie, Peter” – dead; memories of Gilbert; a spectacular opening ceremony; no sign of the Killdeer, and an “adorable” great-grandson.

On June 30th 1980, Gran watches tennis on television with some pleasure, writing:

Play at Wimbledon started at noon again today… there were more excellent matches and results were much as to be expected except that Britain’s last hope, Virginia Wade, was beaten by the American fifteen-year old, Andrea Jaeger.

“But”, she says, “My main pleasure had already taken place!”

We have read once or twice of her encounters with the Wryneck, a rare woodpecker-relative once fairly widespread in the south, and on this day she has another one:

Looking into the garden instinctively from the television, I saw what I at first thought was a juvenile Green Woodpecker feeding on the ground by the Silver Birch on which the nearest nesting box hangs. Closer inspection, however, proved the bird to be a Wryneck, which was feeing in characteristic manner, on ants, I expect. After it flew across the bottom of Kingstons’ garden, down the Kingsway ones, I got out the Handbook and identification was absolute. I have only ever seen three Wrynecks, including this one, so it is a splendid record. I phoned Barry this evening to tell him and he was amazed and pleased. Geoff has yet to see his first!

I’ve illustrated Gran’s words with Wrynecks before but I cannot resist another! Image by Nick Goodrum via Flickr.

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 161)

March 21, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Nightingale poignancy; a lost necklace; an invasion of Habs; Squirrels at Formby; “greatest admiration and respect”; Great Reed Warbler – an unexpected treat; plates for Katie; an Archdeacon visits; unwelcome changes at Beaulieu, and high class athletics by a grandson.

Book 185

On May 9th 1980 Gran, as always, working in Fahrenheit, records that it was:

… the coldest May night this century (according to the television weather man) with a minimum temperature here of thirty degrees, this morning was clear and sunny though still cold.

Post brought “Athletics Weekly” which informed me that Julian had a good run in the 3000 metre race in the southern Counties A.A.A. representative match at Crystal Palace on April 30th. His time was 7:58.9 seconds, only just over one second outside Sebastian Coe’s best time of 7:57.4, which he achieved the week before.

“Bird of the week” on radio this morning was the Nightingale and records were played of Beatrix Harrison playing her ‘cello in a wood with a Nightingale accompanying her, of a Nightingale singing with enemy aeroplanes droning overhead, and of the bird on its own. I was reminded of the war days here, when, after an air raid, the “all clear” siren sounded and we rushed upstairs to hear the Nightingales singing down by the Lake. Alas, present day disturbance there has driven these lovely birds away from this neighbourhood.

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 160)

March 14, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Back in Cornwall; what will Katie do next?; “the insufferable I.R.A.; Grampa does some pruning; an Olympic qualifying time; seeds sown by the Devil; Andy and Katie at “carthorse”; a “pretty little plant” survives; Forster’s Tern – new for Britain; Thomas Goater; cycling – “too much for me”; time wasted at the pub, and a Blue Tit acting strangely.

Book 180

On August 24^th 1979 we find Gran at Coverack, in Cornwall again, sharing a holiday with Barry, Jane Elizabeth, Geoff and Robin. Barry is running his moth-trap and some of the family’s time is spent sitting on the beach, but on this day, she says, “Geoff and I walked towards Black Head instead of going to the beach again and I must admit that this was more in my line”.

She writes of Barry, ever the enthusiastic schoolmaster, on August 27^th:

Barry has been showing the children from the [nearby] hotel the contents of the trap and an elderly lady has been keeping a list of the species. Today a small crowd of about fifteen people gathered and the “star” was the Convolvulus Hawk, which allowed itself to be picked up and admired, and when Barry had it he was even able to draw out its very long proboscis to show the company and the moth then curled it up again.

A Convolvulus Hawk-moth with its proboscis extended. Image by David Short via Flickr.

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 159)

February 28, 2021 By Rick Goater 5 Comments

Buckler’s Hard – disappointingly changed; “I am to be a Great Grandmother”; painting for others; The Queen on Burmese; impressive eyesight at seventy-five; some entertaining Blackbirds; a death at Wimbledon; a 10,000m at Crystal Palace, and Robin comes of his bike.

Gran’s albums of newspaper and magazine cuttings about her twenty-six year old grandson Julian’s athletics career are getting thicker and thicker. She writes with considerable pride that he has quite a following amongst her aquaintances in Chandler’s Ford. On May 9th 1979, she says:

I scurried round this morning to get the new stamps for the election to the European Parliament and to take my “Julian” albums for Mr Biddle to see before Sheila came for me at half past ten. We went to Buckler’s Hard, via Ibsley, where we saw a Brimstone and the first foal of the season.

Buckler’s Hard, alas, is almost completely spoiled, being completely commercialized and only the little main street just about its old self. To begin with we had to pay 40p each to leave the car in the car park. There is a new, modern restaurant with concrete forecourt and iron tables and chairs and a new, large museum, and one cannot walk down the old street from the top but has to go between these new buildings and enter the street halfway down, thus losing the old, familiar, breathtaking views from the top. The waterside has become a marina, full of yachts and after passing my “dream cottage” one cannot follow the track by the river because a huge boatyard has been built.

Buckler’s Hard admission tickets and leaflet kept between the pages of Gran’s journal.

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 158)

February 21, 2021 By Rick Goater 4 Comments

A rare bird at Pagham; Katie on the telly; frozen neighbours; The King’s Head, Hursley; news – good and bad – about Pennington Marshes; “a very fine man indeed”; a lovely experience at the Junior School, and a historic election.

A bird new to the British List has been at Pagham Harbour during December 1978 and Barry and Geoff, who have already seen it, are keen for Gran to enjoy it too. She writes on Christmas Eve:

Barry, Geoff and I rose at six-thirty and set out optimistically for Pagham to see the very rare avian visitor, which the two had seen earlier… we went straight to the area which our special bird had been frequenting and Barry soon located the Greater Sand Plover which, even now, in winter plumage is a beautiful bird. It is larger than a Ringed Plover, which we also saw, sandy-buff above, white below, with black ear-coverts and band across the forehead. It is an Asian bird and is accidental in Greece, Sweden and Germany. Barry got it focused in his scope and told me to look, and I was so excited that I lay flat in a puddle to reach the telescope.

A Winter-plumaged Greater Sand Plover. This is the kind of view Gran would have had at Pagham – a first record for the UK. Image by Sergey Yeliseev via Flickr.

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 157)

February 14, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A European Champion – for a change; a tragedy in France – and another at the airport; a good result in Singapore; Rick and Beverly come home; twenty-four chatterers; generous sponsorship; a particularly difficult Remembrance Day, and Rick gets a job.

As ever, Gran is gripped by the Summer’s tennis at Wimbledon, and this year, 1978, she makes her usual observations, such as, on July 3rd: “… the best match, between Roscoe Tanner and Ilie Nastase, was, unfortunately, ended on a conflicting point”, caused by a poor line call at match point; and she is pleased that Chris Evert beats Billie-Jean King; sorry to see Evonne Cawley lose to Martina Navratilova in the Ladies’ semi-final, which, she says, began as a, “…very good match but ended in the third set sadly as Evonne uttered a sharp scream as her suspect ankle gave out. She gallantly played on but could not run and inevitably lost…” The Ladies’ final she does not think a particularly good match, “neither player being at her best”, but Navratilova, having beaten Chris Evert, Gran is pleased to write: “Nice to have a European Champion for a change, if we could not have Virginia Wade again. Martina is a Czech”.

And of the Borg – Connors Men’s final, she writes, “Borg demolished Connors by 6-2 6-2 6-3 to become Singles Champion for the third year in succession, the only one to achieve this since Fred Perry did so forty-two years ago”.

July 9th provides Gran with a small ambition accomplished:

I went to Church at Compton this morning… Mr Ovenden came to shake hands with me and welcomed me, and, as I left, Daphne Meller was standing at the gate of “Cherrycroft”, her delightful old cottage, and asked me in to have coffee before she brought me home in her car. The cottage was once two, and later was the Village Post Office and I have long wanted to see inside it. I was not disappointed! Low ceilings, black beams and panelled walls, huge fireplaces and furnished in keeping, a lovely garden and the outside of the cottage clothed in Honeysuckle, Clematis, Wisteria and Vine.

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 156)

February 7, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Good neighbourliness; problems with the post; the Cambridge boat sinks; quality birding and botanising; Gran holds a baby; a race track is opened; a fortnight in Kent; some interesting art; cuckoos and orioles; a rare falcon, and “well-mannered and delightful young men”.

March 18th 1978 gives us a perfect example of the neighbourly thoughtfulness and trust that characterises the lives of Gran and the Kingstons next door, and the Hockridge family, before them:

I did a little posy of spring flowers for Ruth and left it on her breakfast room table in the sun, without calling her. I wanted to cheer her on this lovely day, as she is mentally weary at present, looking after her mother who is not well and resents being cared for. Ruth was soon over the fence expressing her pleasure, bless her.

The mail, always so important to Gran, who sends and receives letters almost daily to and from all corners of the World, gives her cause to write this on March 21st: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 156)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 155)

January 31, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

A win in Belgrade; “I cleaned my bedroom!”; Stuart – marooned; gales bring down trees; a Vulture in Wales; a preposterous suggestion; disappointment; “greedy strikers”; Jane gets whooping cough; Andy plays flute; Wallcreeper envy; a fabulous day, and “How lucky I am!”

Book 171

Entries in Gran’s 171st book cover many of Julian’s running exploits during the Autumn of 1977. For example, he runs in Yugoslavia on October 19th and on the following day, Gran records that, “The Echo contained the news that Julian had won the road race in Belgrade, eight seconds ahead of his nearest rival”, and on the 22nd: that “Julian rang this evening. He won a gold medallion with a portrait of Marshal Tito on it and valued at £100!”

She continues to miss her brother Norris’s company, and outings with him profoundly, but friends and other members of the family take his place to some degree. Lifelong friends Tommy and Bob Fowler drive her to the New Forest and Keyhaven, and to visit their daughter Jill’s family, the Brewsters, in Sussex; Sheila Moody, a more local acquaintance, takes her to Farley Mount; the Brenan family visits from Longton in Lancashire, and Julian and Sue, now ensconced at R.A.F. Odiham, entertain her there. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 155)

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The Mighty Oak

January 30, 2021 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

The mighty oak (Quercus rubor), the one in the centre of our garden is due for a haircut, we decided. Visitors comment on our lovely garden – but such a shame about the oak tree – all that shade. If they lived here, they would chop it down, except that it is subject to a tree preservation order.

If the tree was chopped, there would be an open space. The summer sun would beat relentlessly down, and an umbrella would be needed. I would miss the sturdy black limbs etched against a grey winter sky with the playful skitter of squirrels among the branches. I would miss the birds, there are two magpies in the branches as I write, and hundreds of others birds visit to feed on the myriad of insects living in the nooks and crannies of the bark. Blue tits nest in the attached birdbox and tree creepers and the nuthatch hang, head down, to feed.

Tree clipping - Paul climbed 20 M or so into the topmost branches with his chainsaw swinging from his belt. — Tree clipping – Paul climbed 20 M or so into the topmost branches with his chainsaw swinging from his belt.

[Read more…] about The Mighty Oak

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 154)

January 17, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Another family wedding; two new ducks; Gran – “extraordinarliy fit”; a Yorkshire Dales holiday; the car and caravan are sold; “God bless the Queen”; Serpentine in Cornwall; Julian runs a 10,000m ‘PB’; a morsel of family history, and missing Brother.

April 10th 1977: After Barry and family depart Chandler’s Ford for their home in Bushey, Gran:

… had just settled to a lonely afternoon and evening when Beverly and Ricky appeared, a delightful surprise. I gave Ricky Brother’s microscope and he was so pleased to have something which had belonged to Norris. They suggested that they would take me to the Caravan to get papers etc. that I had forgotten before, and I let Ricky take the South Moth Books and brought the Readers’ Digest Bird book for Geoffrey who always asks to see mine when he is here. Ricky then asked if I would like a ride round the Forest and I led the way to Ladycross of happy memories of my last outing with Brother. We saw a Stonechat on the way and, passing Hatchet Pond, I showed Ricky where the Bog Orchids grow as he has never seen them. We stopped at “our gate” at Ladycross and went for a walk, so that I could show Ricky and Beverly the Lungwort, also new to them.

“I let Ricky take the South Moth Books”.

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 153)

January 10, 2021 By Rick Goater 6 Comments

Resumption of local walks; a new dress for £6.99; paid with a joint; “a concoction of my own”; Ship Canal shares from Gilbert; Crossbills at Woodfidley; “dear old brother”; sadness and sympathy; friends and frustrations, and an ambition fulfilled.

January 12th 1977: Gran always looks forward to new stamp issues but today’s are not her favourite:

New stamps were issued today, Racket Games, Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Table Tennis, but I think they are spoilt by the “stroke lines” on them, which look like scribble. I sent the usual to Penang and Australia.

Image courtesy of Andy Brenan. Gran did not like the “scribbles”

On the 13th, she tells us that, “In northern, eastern and western areas it has been the worst Winter’s day for fourteen years, with snow in some places ten feet deep”. It is frosty in Chandler’s Ford but rain sets in later and Gran walks to Hillside for the whist drive there, “… going in Wellington boots and my old, long tweed raincoat which Jane gave me over twenty years ago, and taking warm slippers with me”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 153)

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A Daily Visit by Royalty – and a Sumptuous Meal for a King

January 9, 2021 By Robbie Sprague 10 Comments

When I built the new Wykeham House in Hiltingbury I got the digger driver to dig out a large pond in the back garden, piling the spoil at one end in readiness to make a waterfall. This was the basis for our landscaping, planting and stocking once the lining and filtration system were in place. The day at last came when we flicked the switch and the water gushed and eddied down the waterfall. This comforting sound has stayed with us for the past fifteen years and it is a joy. When the water had cleared and the balance was right we stocked our pond with twenty golden rudd, some green tench, three black comets and three shubunkin – and the odd goldfish contributed by neighbours.

Over the years, and thanks to the early morning visits from a hungry heron, we lost some fish – usually speared and left on the grass – so we had to find an ingenious way of heron-proofing the pond. At first, we didn’t mind the heron’s visits; seeing that majestic bird landing and taking off was exciting but he was greedy and cruel and had to be deterred. We strung fishing line across the pond and installed a water sprayer triggered by a motion sensor. So far, so effective………..

Every early summer there are a few days of frantic activity when the water froths like a cauldron and a month or so later a large shoal of small fry of mixed variety can be spotted and, over the years the fish population has multiplied alarmingly. [Read more…] about A Daily Visit by Royalty – and a Sumptuous Meal for a King

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 152)

January 3, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

An engagement is announced; a holiday is planned; Nastase – a “rotten sport”; Katie does well; sad news of “a kind and understanding friend”; Christmas dinner – but leave the washing-up; Rob is impressed on HMS Victory; birds on the Ibsley floods, and “one of the darkest threads of life”.

Book 165

On October 23rd 1976 Gran takes part in an outing with the Southampton Natural History Society, looking for fungi in the Otterbourne area – her first such outing since her hip operation, and at the end of the day declares it to have been a great success and to have thoroughly enjoyed it. She had been given a lift there by a kindly but unknown couple, who saw her waiting at the bus stop, and had been brought home by S.N.H.S. members Pat and Peter Heppleston.

On the 30th:

Barry, just back from the Scilly Isles, rang to tell me what a marvellous time he and the boys from Haberdashers’ Ornithological Society had enjoyed. Barry had seen nine new species as well as many exciting but previously recorded ones, mostly American, but I cannot remember all he mentioned.

family

Still painting flowers; too much Ovett and Coe; both, acceptable and dull entertainments at the Club; disappointment at Symond’s Yat; the Kingston girls do well; Mrs Holley needs a shove; a new great grand-daughter; depressed by local developments, and the sad death of Barbara Smith.

Book 207

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Goater and Rono battle it out; a “magnificent doll” – not selected; a day at Slimbridge; the rarest bird Gran ever saw; a “nice experience for Rick”; Christmas with the neighbours; Gran – path-beater; mittens for the VG manager, and Gran’s “little Wood Duck”.

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“Rude” Tracy and “insufferable” McEnroe; a First Day Cover to treasure; The Black and White Minstrels – too loud; Joan Spurgin’s “boyfriend”; Mother’s dress; gifts on her 77th birthday; a Royal Wedding; questioned by the Police, and Bill’s 80th.

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Wild daffodils damaged; “stupid” in her old age; nostalgia for lost friends; family head boys; Sherborne House School; Easter at Compton Church; Early Spiders at Durleston; a fabulous day in the Forest; a Cornish Squacco Heron; Geoff – the king of whist, and thankful memories of Adrian.

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A rare bird in the garden; Evonne – Champion again; valuable Rackhams; Corwen memories; a cold July; seventy-six years young; “my little Budgie, Peter” – dead; memories of Gilbert; a spectacular opening ceremony; no sign of the Killdeer, and an “adorable” great-grandson.

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Nightingale poignancy; a lost necklace; an invasion of Habs; Squirrels at Formby; “greatest admiration and respect”; Great Reed Warbler – an unexpected treat; plates for Katie; an Archdeacon visits; unwelcome changes at Beaulieu, and high class athletics by a grandson.

Book 185

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Buckler’s Hard – disappointingly changed; “I am to be a Great Grandmother”; painting for others; The Queen on Burmese; impressive eyesight at seventy-five; some entertaining Blackbirds; a death at Wimbledon; a 10,000m at Crystal Palace, and Robin comes of his bike.

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A rare bird at Pagham; Katie on the telly; frozen neighbours; The King’s Head, Hursley; news – good and bad – about Pennington Marshes; “a very fine man indeed”; a lovely experience at the Junior School, and a historic election.

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A European Champion – for a change; a tragedy in France – and another at the airport; a good result in Singapore; Rick and Beverly come home; twenty-four chatterers; generous sponsorship; a particularly difficult Remembrance Day, and Rick gets a job.

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Good neighbourliness; problems with the post; the Cambridge boat sinks; quality birding and botanising; Gran holds a baby; a race track is opened; a fortnight in Kent; some interesting art; cuckoos and orioles; a rare falcon, and “well-mannered and delightful young men”.

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A win in Belgrade; “I cleaned my bedroom!”; Stuart – marooned; gales bring down trees; a Vulture in Wales; a preposterous suggestion; disappointment; “greedy strikers”; Jane gets whooping cough; Andy plays flute; Wallcreeper envy; a fabulous day, and “How lucky I am!”

Book 171

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Another family wedding; two new ducks; Gran – “extraordinarliy fit”; a Yorkshire Dales holiday; the car and caravan are sold; “God bless the Queen”; Serpentine in Cornwall; Julian runs a 10,000m ‘PB’; a morsel of family history, and missing Brother.

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Resumption of local walks; a new dress for £6.99; paid with a joint; “a concoction of my own”; Ship Canal shares from Gilbert; Crossbills at Woodfidley; “dear old brother”; sadness and sympathy; friends and frustrations, and an ambition fulfilled.

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Book 165

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