For three seasons of the year we have a stream running through the garden. It is dry in summer so it is really a bourne. The water authority have upgraded it to the status of ‘river’. This gives them control over what we do with it in case we want to dam it, change its course or make a culvert. [Read more…] about A Bridge in the Garden
Hiltingbury
Please May We Have Our Footpath Back?
Judging by recent comments on Streetlife about hedges overhanging pavements, I believe many will support my request to have our footpaths returned to us.
If you go for a walk in the evening with a friend, dog or children, you will come across obstacles. Plants escaping from peoples’ front gardens will make your trip hazardous. [Read more…] about Please May We Have Our Footpath Back?
Get Me to the Church on Time
Driving along a country lane in Surrey, I came up behind a tractor with a tipping transport box attached on the back. Therein were some youngsters dressed in their best.
In front of that tractor was another, and another all with people dressed in their best togs. Further ahead we came to the village church, St Michael and All Angels in Thursley. [Read more…] about Get Me to the Church on Time
Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Paper Boy; North End School (Part 2)
I grew up in Chandler’s Ford in the 1950s and 1960s.
When I was about 12 years old, I started my first (part-time) job.
This was as a Saturday van-boy for Mr Smith, a greengrocer, who had a shop opposite “The Hut” on Bournemouth Road. (not to be confused with Mr Smith who had a grocers shop in Hursley Road, opposite the Railway Station.) [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Paper Boy; North End School (Part 2)
Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s (Part 1)
I was born, not in Chandler’s Ford, but in Tooting, South London, in 1947.
My father came from Lancashire, and my mother from Tooting.
We lived in Streatham, a mile or two from Tooting, but just before my second birthday, my mother died from influenza. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s (Part 1)
Fairtrade Fashion Show: Who Made Your Clothes?
Last Friday in Chandler’s Ford, there was a fashion show of a difference.
The Fairtrade Fashion Show brought many residents to St. Martin in the Wood church, where we learnt about the importance of buying Fairtrade products, and had a chance to appreciate and buy a wide range of beautiful Fairtrade clothes, jewellery and accessories, toys, cards, and gifts. [Read more…] about Fairtrade Fashion Show: Who Made Your Clothes?
What Has Chandler’s Ford Done for Me?
How many lives do you have? One? Two (the one at work, the one at home for example)? Three (work, home, involvement in amateur dramatics or the church, say)?
I have had multiple lives in Chandler’s Ford but will focus on two: before becoming a dog owner and since then and before becoming a writer and since. Chandler’s Ford has influenced both. [Read more…] about What Has Chandler’s Ford Done for Me?
Chandler’s Ford Guide Book Entry
Chandler’s Ford is like a well-engineered machine. It works smoothly, runs well and does not break down.
It is serviced thoroughly by Eastleigh Borough Council; traffic flows are fluid and it has good bus services and a railway station.
The shops here are more than adequate with three supermarkets (Co-operative Food, Asda, and Waitrose), [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Guide Book Entry
All Is Bright: Christmas Decorations in Chandler’s Ford 2014
Is your house featured in this series of Chandler’s Ford’s Christmas pictures?
Eastleigh Football Club’s distinguished photographer Tony Smith has been busy lately.
Tony has captured stunning Christmas light displays in Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury and Valley Park for readers of Chandler’s Ford Today. [Read more…] about All Is Bright: Christmas Decorations in Chandler’s Ford 2014
Comedian Paul Kerensa Brought Comedy And Carols To Chandler’s Ford
Stand-up comedian Paul Kerensa, well-known for his scriptwriting for Miranda and Not Going Out, came to St. Martin in the Wood Church in Hiltingbury last weekend for an evening of comedy and carols.
Performing to a packed church on 13th December (Saturday), Paul and his friends, [Read more…] about Comedian Paul Kerensa Brought Comedy And Carols To Chandler’s Ford
Log Fires
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
Hutments
After Nick John’s post about the Hutments I made enquiries from a friend, Robbie Sprague, who was born and bred in Chandler’s Ford. He wrote to me as follows:
Chandler’s Ford Local History, by Robbie Sprague:
The Hiltingbury Woodpecker
Photoblog:
What I appreciate about Hiltingbury is the beautiful wildlife and especially the comical Greater Spotted Woodpecker, who visits several times a day. [Read more…] about The Hiltingbury Woodpecker
Do You Remember The Hutments?
I wonder if I could throw this topic out there in the hope that those people who have lived (or whose families have lived) in the Chandler’s Ford area for more than half a century may be able to contribute.
I was born in the 1950’s and my parents were at the time living in a development called The Hutments. [Read more…] about Do You Remember The Hutments?
Another One Bites The Dust – Rotten To The Core
Today saw the first serious gales of the winter. All summer and probably for many years, trees have been rotting away inside their trunks.
Fungi feast on the lignin and cellulose material that gives wood its strength until the outer, living, wood is no longer strong enough to stand the stresses of bending.
The force of the wind on leaves and [Read more…] about Another One Bites The Dust – Rotten To The Core
Chandler’s Ford Changes. What’s Your View?
Chandler’s Ford is changing. Recent changes are in its centre, wherever that is, its public buildings, new community halls, library, parks, shops and recreational facilities. Even Eastleigh Borough Council has recently moved into new premises.
Less obvious but marching slowly on are changes in its older residential areas. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Changes. What’s Your View?
New Arrival
The rambling rose and Russian vine had made a great thicket on our pagoda so I got out the electric trimmer. Branches fell away and the jumble of twigs was beginning to take a reasonable shape.
The blades skimmed through another mass of branches and left a pigeon on view eyeing me angrily. It shuffled and flew off leaving two eggs in a primitive nest. [Read more…] about New Arrival
Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2014 Chandler’s Ford
I went to Hiltingbury Extravaganza this afternoon with my teenage son. It was a beautiful day. Hiltingbury was buzzing with excitement.
I took some photos to show you some interesting people and stalls that I saw today.
[Read more…] about Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2014 Chandler’s Ford
Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford?
After months of delay, the Fryern Arcade post office in Chandler’s Ford will be moving across to the other side: 6-7 Fryern Arcade, and open at 1pm on 29th August.
Today I spoke to one builder who renovated the new site. I walked in to see the layout of the new shop.
The new shop will have a prominent space for tobacco. There will also be a bureau de change kiosk. [Read more…] about Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford?
Squirrel In Hiltingbury
Photoblog:
I took this picture in our back garden this afternoon in Hiltingbury.