Chandler's Ford Today

Hampshire

Our Roman Road

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Recently I was at the public consultation for review of the proposed new development at Velmore Farm. While looking at the maps, I noticed that the site of a Roman road runs through the new development. So, when I was sending in my views on the new development (please ensure no flooding / make provision for GPs and dentists / how can the roads cope with the extra traffic?), I also asked if this historic road could somehow be conserved. There may not be much to be seen now, but I felt it was important it was at least signposted and not built upon.

So what was this road? Where did it go? [Read more…] about Our Roman Road

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Flying an Autogyro

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An autogyro is a strange flying machine resembling a helicopter but has no engine power to the rotor. Forward thrust is provided by a conventional propellor, usually mounted at the back. There are no wings; lift is provided by the rotor blades. Power for rotation comes from the wind moving through the rotor, like a child’s windmill. I set out to fly in one.

The author with the M16 autogyro
The author with the M16 autogyro

To get the autogiro into the air, its propellor pushes the machine forward, and the slipstream flows through the backwards tilted rotor. When the rotor is up to speed, it is tilted slightly forward to provide upward lift. Because the rotor blades are long and heavy, it takes a while to get them going. Modern machines have a flexidrive from the engine to start them off. The drive is disconnected when the rotor is up to speed, about 200 rpm. [Read more…] about Flying an Autogyro

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Hampshire Open Studios 2023

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Hampshire Open Studios have started, running from 19th – 28th August this year. It is an annual art trail where the visiting public can meet artists in their homes, studios and galleries free of charge. There are over 250 venues open, in the ten days leading up to bank holiday Monday August. You can get the opportunity to meet the makers direct and learn more about the work.

There are a wide variety of venues to see along with every type of art and craft on offer in the region, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery and many more.


In Chandler’s Ford, there are several open studios, incuding members from CHANDLERS FORD ART GROUP (CFAG) holding an event in the larger meeting room by the Dovetail Cafe, at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church.

From Saturday 19 Aug – Monday 28 Aug – 10am-4pm Daily

[Read more…] about Hampshire Open Studios 2023

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Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II

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There are many ways to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. In Chandler’s Ford, members of the public have laid flowers by a cross outside the St. Boniface Church on Hursley Road.

Chandler's Ford people lay flowers to pay tribute to to Queen Elizabeth II.
Chandler’s Ford people lay flowers to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

[Read more…] about Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II

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A Walk on a Beautiful Sunny Day – Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

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Have you been to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens recently? We went for an afternoon walk this afternoon with Chippy and his wife Annie. They also did a 10k run in Eastleigh this morning. Wondering how many steps they have done today?

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

We have captured some photos to share with our readers today. [Read more…] about A Walk on a Beautiful Sunny Day – Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

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Spring is here, spring is here. Life is skittles and life is Beer

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The spring is sprung, the grass is riz

I wonder where the birdy is

The bird is on the wing

Don’t be absurd

Everyone knows the wing is on the bird

We’ve been in meteorological spring since the beginning of the month and today, 20th March, is pretty close to non-meteorological spring (which probably has a better name).  And the weekend’s weather has also been spring-like too, for the first time this year.

What better time to visit Hillier Gardens at Ampfield and see the flowers starting to emerge from their winter’s sleep.

Here are a few photos from today’s wander.  I’m not a botanist so some of my descriptions may be a little haphazard.  Sorry, Wellie. [Read more…] about Spring is here, spring is here. Life is skittles and life is Beer

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Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs

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Someone will be reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK

Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs is a voluntary organisation that provides nationally qualified search dog teams to support emergency services when looking for vulnerable missing people. Like so many volunteer organisations we receive no Government funding so we rely entirely on donations and sponsorship to keep the team operational. [Read more…] about Hampshire Search & Rescue Dogs

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Chandler’s Ford Wins the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Village of the Year Award 2018

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Chandler’s Ford may not feel like a ‘village’ anymore, but … Chandler’s Ford has just won the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Village of the Year Award 2018.

At a presentation evening on 25 September, Chandler’s Ford Parish Council attended the Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC) / Fullers Hampshire Village of the Year Awards presentation and came away with the Village of the Year Award for 2018 and was also commended with Runner Up Awards for: – [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Wins the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Village of the Year Award 2018

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Those were the Days: the Potters Heron Hotel in the 50s and 60s

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I thought I would take this opportunity to respond to Chandler’s Ford Today’s informal invitation to provide some input that might catch the eye of a few older folk.

Being an environmentally aware person and property man who cut his teeth in a very beautiful part of England I was at an early age drawn to the Potters Heron for a variety of reasons. It is magnificently located for its purpose on a stretch of highway that sweeps majestically in a gentle curve on its way to my favouritecity.  Strangely enough, and it may seem totally irrelevant but I had the same feeling when I last swept along the Big Sur stretch of the coastal highway in CA. [Read more…] about Those were the Days: the Potters Heron Hotel in the 50s and 60s

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Another Potters Heron Story Before the 1966 Fire

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I remember the Potters Heron before the 1966 fire, and another event prior to that date, probably in the late 1950s…

The original line of the main road there was much closer to the Potters Heron than now, due to a particularly nasty accident that took place then.

A group of actors or celebrities of the day were travelling on what was then the A31, in a couple of fast (for then) cars. [Read more…] about Another Potters Heron Story Before the 1966 Fire

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Another Turn of the Potter’s Wheel

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The Potters Heron has been known affectionately over the years by some as the Potted Herring. I’ve known it for nearly 60 years.

It was indeed a very popular restaurant and bar. It had a thatched roof and was rather more attractive and intimate than the building that replaced it after the fire in 1966, although the hotel that rose from the ashes retained something of the character of the original building. [Read more…] about Another Turn of the Potter’s Wheel

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How to be Safe in a Thatched Roof Property?

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How to be safe in a thatched roof property?

According to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, 90 percent of thatch fires are down to a faulty flue or chimney. The thatch is designed to repel water which makes extinguishing these fires difficult.

These photos of the Potters Heron Hotel in Ampfield were taken by local resident Robbie Sprague this morning. The hotel went up in flames last night and more than 170 emergency service personnel attended the fire. [Read more…] about How to be Safe in a Thatched Roof Property?

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Pivotal History Moments – Bosworth 1485

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I don’t know how much the arts contribute in terms of income but it must be billions. The same can be said for history. Our tourism industry depends on it and we have a significant historical heritage in our part of the world.

The Bargate in Southampton (think Sir Bevis of Hampton as well as the Roman walls), the remains of Henry V’s ship The Grace Dieu in the River Hamble, Portsmouth Naval Dockyard, Winchester Cathedral (and Salisbury Cathedral with one of the few original copies of the Magna Carta, a quick train ride away from our railway station too. I highly recommend the run if you haven’t done it. The Chandler’s Ford to Salisbury line goes through some lovely country. Seeing the Magna Carta for yourself is something special too I think.). [Read more…] about Pivotal History Moments – Bosworth 1485

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Sign a Petition: Help Save Dial-a-Ride and Community Transport

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One Community is shocked by Hampshire County Council’s Proposal to end funding for Community Transport and Dial-A-Ride across the county, and has started a petition to save community transport in Eastleigh.

One Community will challenge this proposal, which will affect the quality of life of thousands of older and disabled people in our local community. [Read more…] about Sign a Petition: Help Save Dial-a-Ride and Community Transport

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Hampshire Open Studios: 19th – 28th August 2017

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This is the best time to support our local artists.

Hampshire Open Studios this year is from 19th to 28th August. There are over 250 venues exhibiting from this Saturday to the August Bank Holiday. [Read more…] about Hampshire Open Studios: 19th – 28th August 2017

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Hampshire County Council: The Balancing the Budget Consultation Closes on 21 August 2017

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Hampshire County Council is asking for the views of residents and stakeholders on high level, strategic options for balancing its budget.

The survey can be completed online at Hantsweb － Consultations. Copies are also available from Hampshire libraries. [Read more…] about Hampshire County Council: The Balancing the Budget Consultation Closes on 21 August 2017

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Chinook

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Every infantry man in a combat zone loves to hear a Chinook. Wop, wop, wop, you can hear the characteristic sound, you know what it is but you can’t see it. The twin rotor helicopter is coming in at 160 mph with 10 tons of stores and ammunition or re-enforcements. Once it lands, it will be there for 60 seconds, there will be no departure delays, no last calls for passengers, no check in queues. What isn’t taken off or loaded within the time is left where it is. [Read more…] about Chinook

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Great Resources and Information for Seniors

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Last Thursday (the election day), I attended a rather special event in Chandler’s Ford called “Seniors’ Information and Wellbeing Day”, organised by Home Instead Central Hampshire, a private care service company.

There were 14 exhibitors and a variety of talks during the event, which took place at the Dovetail Centre in Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church. [Read more…] about Great Resources and Information for Seniors

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