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Hiltingbury

Hiltingbury Tennis Club

December 4, 2017 By Ray Fishman 4 Comments

Hiltingbury Tennis Club had another year of great social tennis this spring and summer. With several new members signing up the £25 annual subscription is great value. Members played at various times of the week and some weekends to suit everyone.

James Airey masterminded a fun mixed doubles competition which was completed on November 13th. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Tennis Club

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, Hiltingbury, local interest, sports, tennis, The Hilt

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 35)

December 3, 2017 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Too old for tennis; a visit to Cley; the Clifden Nonpareil; a small town-dweller; a grass snake in the garden; the privilege of Cranbury Park access; Forest ponies in the City; the South London Exhibition; the King visits Bushfield Camp; “wireless” or “radio”?

On September 14th 1950 Gran is in Southampton:

I went to help florist friends to pack and deliver flowers to the [RMS] Pretoria Castle, due to sail to South Africa at four o’clock this afternoon. It is an experience I always enjoy, the flowers are beautiful and it is interesting to see the various types of travellers on the ship.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 35)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 34)

November 26, 2017 By Rick Goater 6 Comments

Eleven varieties of apple are picked, but many are “fallers”; rare plants at Hatchet Pond; a Stork at the Potter’s Heron; a historic entomological visit to Ireland; “like mother like daughter”; please not another war; Gran enjoys shopping, and will the rain ever end?

There is much work to be done in the Park Road garden as the wet summer of 1950 progresses, and Gran picks Early River plums there on July 21st, the day before what she notes, is “an uneventful day for my forty-sixth birthday”. Nevertheless, she does receive at least one present on the day:

…it is now raining again. But I mean to enjoy a few moments with “Corduroy” by Adrian Bell, and I can look forward to more pleasure when I read his “By-road”, given me today by Jock.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 34)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 33)

November 19, 2017 By Rick Goater 3 Comments

A young Woodpecker dies, and another is stalked; a letter to Adrian; Adder’s-tongue on the chalk; spiritual advice from a friend ; precious caterpillars; the Anderson Shelter; horse manure and some alien plants.

There is more tennis played on June 10th 1950 and Gran’s comments about it give a thought-provoking insight to her current character. She notes with interest some nesting Greenfinches near the courts saying:

…but this was insufficient in itself to penetrate the social whirl in which I found myself, feeling utterly lonely and unhappy…I have been alone too long to settle again in the gay crowds…I felt like a fish out of water in spite of the fact that everyone was kind and pleased to have me in the team again.

She adds though, on a happier note: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 33)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 32)

November 12, 2017 By Rick Goater 1 Comment

The lovely Bogbean and the blundering Cockchafer; confusing Butterfly-orchids; Woodlark heard from the front door; Wild Gladiolus at last, and a friendly child in the Forest; a Blackbird attacks a Slow-worm and too much tennis for an aging body.

On May 9th 1950 Gran is worried about “her” little colony of Small Wintergreen in the nearby woods. She writes:

I was pleased to find the Pyrola minor (Small Wintergreen) is just about to flower again in the wood bordering Oakwood Road but sorry to see that the woodman is burning the undergrowth on the opposite side of the road…It always seems to be the wrong time of year for burning, for, apart from the budding plants, many of the migrant birds build their nests on the ground or in low-lying bushes.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 32)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 31)

November 5, 2017 By Rick Goater 3 Comments

Two late snowfalls; Brown-tail caterpillars; Blackbirds – a second clutch but chick-feeding leaves something to be desired; Alan Moody; Hawfinch behaviour; horse behaviour; tired migrants; birding on The Island; elusive Crossbills; good birds at Farley Mount and a mother proud of her offspring.

On April 25th 1950, after returning from Eastleigh, Gran took her “small nephew and godchild, David, up into Cranbury Park to look for tadpoles”, in the big lake there. This was David, the son of Gran’s brother, Uncle Norris, who shared his birthday with Dad and also with his Grandfather:

Here in this lake we found what we were seeking and, to my relief, I was able to bring David home again without his having fallen head-first into the water. He is a real chip off the Adamson family block, and extremely interested and asking sensible questions upon the subject of nature which he already finds absorbing, though he is not yet seven years old.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 31)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 30)

October 29, 2017 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

A new food item for a Goldcrest; a Shetland adventure leads to damaged feet; a trip in a fish lorry; a Blackbird saga in the garden; a visit to Titchfield; Jane tours the west; Gran battles cats, and who stole the sounding board?

Book 17

March 21st 1950 – the first day of Spring – sees Barry and Jock in the New Forest where, in the low-lying areas close to Beaulieu Road Station, they estimate four or five pairs of nesting Curlews, the birds displaying in flight with bubbling songs and long glides on raised wings. Many years later, in 2004, this by coincidence, was one of the areas I surveyed for the same species, on a Summer’s contract with the RSPB, in order to update work on the Forest’s breeding waders carried out by the well-known Forest naturalists, Colin and Jenni Tubbs in 1994. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 30)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 29)

October 22, 2017 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

It’s a Brambling winter; a stranded kitten; some “beautiful rascals”; geese and an “iffy” bridge; a plummeting Spoonbill; the Wasp Spider; tranquility of The Ridge garden and past hopes for the future are recalled.

On January 14th 1950, Barry birded in the Hythe area, seeing many typical birds of the range of habitats there but his visit was primarily in order to witness a movement of Pied Wagtails going to roost, first noted several weeks earlier. Gran describes it:

The Wagtail movement commenced again at 4.27 [in the afternoon], with four birds, and in various sized parties, some of as many as one hundred and twenty birds. About 700 in all must have passed. The main, Southerly movement was in the direction of Calshot. Barry left the area at 4.50 to catch the boat for home.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 29)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 28)

October 15, 2017 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Pesky Blue Tits; storm-blown seabirds; sore fingers; post delivered on Christmas Day; a strange use for a fungus; Gran sets foot in a Department Store, and what will the second half of the century bring?

October 28th 1949:

I have always had a particular fondness for Bluetits [sic] and have smiled indulgently when they have picked the tops off milk bottles and drunk the cream, but the sight that met my eyes when I entered my bedroom…made me wonder if perhaps they were not such lovable little birds after all! I had noticed five of them on the ground beneath my window when I first came into the house but little did I know what mischief had been going on in my absence. The bedroom window was open about two inches. On the table in the middle of the room stands a very precious picture of wild flowers which Adrian painted. It has glass on both sides, with passe-partout over the top and down the sides until the frame is reached. The tit or tits had pecked this and strewn the paper in little bits all over the table and floor. It was almost completely stripped!

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 28)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 27)

October 8, 2017 By Rick Goater 3 Comments

An influx of Striped Hawk-moths; some additions to the family’s Hampshire bird list; a rabbit is released in Devon; Jimsonweed in Eastleigh; Roger Deakin, Roger Tobia and John Crook; gypsies and farmers; the awesomeness of migrating salmon.

August 16th 1949:

During the morning a strange little procession arrived at my door. It consisted of my grocer, with a jam-jar in his hand, followed by his own and three other small boys all aged about five years, one behind the other like so many ducklings following the drake! The grocer said he had some strange creature with an awful stinger! When I looked at it, it was an innocent Pine Hawk caterpillar, the “awful stinger” being its harmless horn. I told them that if they liked to come in, Barry would show them a Pine Hawk moth, whereupon they all trooped in to see the Hawk moths, afterwards letting the caterpillar go again. We really do have some unusual callers and they seem to think we can tell them all they want to know about wild creatures – they bring the oddest things to us sometimes.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 27)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 26)

September 24, 2017 By Rick Goater 3 Comments

Some welcome mail; a hare sneezes; Gran picks fruit and Barry runs a mile in the summer heat; Peter Symonds’ School fete; Beauty of Bath versus Gladstone; a difficult time tempered by solitude and repose in the Forest, and Barry turns nineteen.

It is July 2nd 1949, and Gran is elated after receiving some post:

Today I received a wonderful gift from my American friend Elizabeth Jones. In a parcel containing all manner of good and useful things, there was a copy of Kenneth Graham’s “The Wind in the Willows” illustrated by that king of whimsy, Arthur Rackham. This is a special treasure, for it is published only in America at present and is an enchanting legacy from both author and artist who, unhappily, have passed to higher service. It was Graham’s greatest wish that Rackham should illustrate his book, but he died before this could be accomplished, and some time before the last war American publishers again reminded Rackham of this desire of Graham’s. Although a sick man, and allowed to work only one hour daily, Rackham devoted this time to the illustrations for “The Wind in the Willows”, and handed these pictures to the American publisher just as war was declared. Before they had crossed the Atlantic, Arthur Rackham, alas, had died, but he left behind him what is surely some of his best and most inspired work and a heritage of supreme beauty for the coming generations. Would that I could leave such a memorial when I pass on! And now it is an American who has given this treasure to me, one of Arthur Rackham’s most ardent admirers.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 26)

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Overview of Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

September 22, 2017 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

FeatureImageHE2017

Image Credit:  Unless otherwise stated, all images were taken by Allison Symes

This year’s Extravaganza was on Sunday 17th September and, despite a cloudy start, the sun finally emerged during the afternoon, which in itself seemed to bring out more visitors.

I was at the writers’ stand with Brenda Sedgwick, Karen Stephen, Catherine Griffin, Maggie Farran and Sally Howard. Many thanks to all who popped by to see us to buy books, talk about creative writing and so on. It was good to see you and share information about writing classes, the Hampshire Writers’ Society and so on. [Read more…] about Overview of Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

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Tags: books, Chameleon Theatre, event, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Extravaganza, local interest, Thornden Hall

New Video: Welcome to Hiltingbury, Chandler’s Ford

September 20, 2017 By Janet Williams 5 Comments

I came across a short YouTube video a few days ago about Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury.

“Welcome to Hiltingbury, Chandler’s Ford”

I’ve watched the video a few times, and found it rather pleasing as it captures the key scenes in Chandler’s Ford well: estate agents, outstanding schools, Hiltingbury Lakes (and men fishing), shops in Hiltingbury (Andersons, Marshalls Bakery…), charity shop on Hiltingbury Road, The Picture Framing Shop, the Hiltonbury Farmhouse, wildlife, Tesco, the Hilt, the tennis courts, and dogs playing on Hiltingbury Recreation Ground. [Read more…] about New Video: Welcome to Hiltingbury, Chandler’s Ford

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Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

September 18, 2017 By Janet Williams 6 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I had a rather good time at Hiltingbury Extravaganza. There were quite many people and lovely animals (pigs, horses, dogs, owls…). Musicians, dancers, writers, volunteers, and many businesses all helped to make this special event remarkable.

Credit to The HCA (Hiltingbury Community Association) at The Hilt for its organisation for another fantastic Extravaganza community event on the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground.

The Hiltingbury Extravaganza was officially opened by Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 25)

September 17, 2017 By Rick Goater 4 Comments

The athletic Goaters; some moving poetry; a new butterfly on St. Catherine’s Hill; a snake bite; a hornet sting; an Exhibition; two birthdays and the hurt of Bee Orchids.

Every evening, Gran describes the sunset seen from The Ridge, often in great detail, and when the sky is cloudy, she invariably writes, “sunset obscured”. On May 5th 1949 though, she misses it entirely:

…because I attended a concert given by a local troop of Girl Guides, of which Jane is a member. It was an excellent show and the spirit of friendliness increased by the presence of five members of a Polish Guide movement. It was almost dark when it was over.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 25)

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Writers at Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

September 14, 2017 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Feature Image - Writers at Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017. Image by Allison Symes

Meet the Authors at Hiltingbury Extravaganza

Don’t forget the Hiltingbury Extravaganza is this Sunday, 17th September from 12 noon to 5 pm. Let’s hope for good weather and that all who go along to the Recreation Ground for this lively event have a wonderful time!  [Read more…] about Writers at Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

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Tags: children's poetry competition, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Extravaganza, writers

September and October Events in Chandler’s Ford

September 9, 2017 By SO53 News 2 Comments

There are many great local events in the coming weeks in Chandler’s Ford. Here are the highlights of some of them.

For more events in the Chandler’s Ford community, visit Upcoming Events Chandler’s Ford page. [Read more…] about September and October Events in Chandler’s Ford

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, community, Dovetail Centre, entertainment, event, Fairtrade, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Extravaganza, local interest, Methodist Church, The Hilt

Chandler’s Ford Parish Council Issues the Hiltingbury Pavilion Factsheet

September 2, 2017 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

A while back we published a post regarding the proposal to refurbish the pavilion in Hiltingbury recreation ground.

Chandler’s Ford Parish Council has now issued two new documents, to inform residents about the proposals and progress.

Here is a link to the full factsheet.

Here is a link to the Parish Council’s Summer 2017 Newsletter. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Parish Council Issues the Hiltingbury Pavilion Factsheet

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 24)

August 13, 2017 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Winston Churchill on Hut Hill; more woodland clearance; a doggy encounter; Rooks in peril; that Cuckoo is back again; “the Egg”; flowers to “the Queen”; Gran has an epiphany and Norris picks a rare flower.

Book 10

March 18th 1949, Gran writes:

Necessity took me to Southampton today… The bombed sites are ablaze with Coltsfoot now, creeping over the rubble and pouring down the slopes like golden streams. Knots of people standing about and the Convent schoolgirls lining The Avenue spoke of some untoward excitement and I was surprised to hear that Mr Churchill was expected to pass at any moment on his way to the docks to board “Queen Elizabeth”. I was already in the ‘bus for home and I cannot say that I saw him but we did pass his car on Hut Hill! In Park Road a Larch tree is already decked in its soft green tassels of fresh, new growth, one of the loveliest sights of Spring.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 24)

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Have your Say by 18th August: Proposal to Refurbish the Pavilion in Hiltingbury Recreation Ground

August 9, 2017 By Janet Williams 5 Comments

There has been a heated debate recently in the Chandler’s Ford community about the proposal to refurbish the Pavilion situated in Hiltingbury Recreation ground.

What’s the proposal about? According to Chandler’s Ford Parish Council, the proposal is about the “Partial demolition, refurbishment and extension to existing sports pavilion, including provision of additional car parking facilities and construction of temporary car park.” [Read more…] about Have your Say by 18th August: Proposal to Refurbish the Pavilion in Hiltingbury Recreation Ground

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

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