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The Japanese Red Cross at Netley, 1915-16

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One hundred years ago a group of Japanese Red Cross nurses travelled from their Far Eastern homeland to offer their services at Royal Victoria Military Hospital in Netley in Eastleigh, at the height of World War 1.

The 20-strong team, many of whom had never travelled outside of Japan, spent a year at the Netley hospital, supporting their British counterparts, to attend to the thousands of soldiers wounded in the bloody battles of the war.
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Chandler’s Ford Memories: Station Lane; Being a Cadet in the 1950s

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I have another little memory from my childhood in Chandler’s Ford prompted by a very old photo of Station Lane in Chandler’s Ford.

I remember there was a Mills’ family. They had moved down from Bootle in Liverpool. Mr Mills was I think in the The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) during World War Two, but he was in the St. John Ambulance brigade. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Memories: Station Lane; Being a Cadet in the 1950s

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Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2016

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About two hundred people gathered at Chandler’s Ford war memorial for Remembrance Sunday service and laying of wreaths this morning.

From 10am this morning, many people started walking towards the war memorial on Hursley Road at St. Boniface church. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2016

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Memories of Station Lane, Chandler’s Ford

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I saw a photo of Station Lane on this website: Chandler’s Ford Memories (Facebook). It is the bottom end of Station Lane before going onto the Railway property and yard and Station beyond.

The year is unknown but very old as the railway line that served the old brickworks at the bottom of School Lane can be seen through the gate this is way before my time. [Read more…] about Memories of Station Lane, Chandler’s Ford

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The Story Shuffle Project Update

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Further to my recent post on the Story Shuffle Project, I’m glad to share some further images of the app.

The Story Shuffle Project encourages children to write and ten local schools are taking part, one of which is Merdon Junior School. The schools partner up with local libraries and naturally Merdon is linked to our library.
[Read more…] about The Story Shuffle Project Update

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Impossible Interviews: Richard III

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If it was possible to interview anyone in history, who would you choose and why? I thought it might be fun to sometimes write posts on who I would choose, what I would ask and what the replies might be! For this post I’ve chosen Richard III.

You can’t be impartial on Richard III. You agree with Shakespeare’s portrayal or you don’t. You are a red rose supporter or a white rose fan. Does it matter now? If a king can continue to be maligned, any of us can be. Reputation matters. [Read more…] about Impossible Interviews: Richard III

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Going Full Circle: the Journey of Hiltonbury Jerseys

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In the 1960s my Father, John Vining, and I decided to create a milk round in Chandler’s Ford direct from Hiltonbury Farm and deliver to a growing population wonderful Raw Jersey Milk direct from the farm.

From the Hiltonbury Herds beginnings in 1947 by my Father, we were at that time milking around 40-50 Jersey cows in a long shed that housed 36 at a time, so had to do a changeover during milking to accommodate all the cows. It was very time consuming and labour intensive. [Read more…] about Going Full Circle: the Journey of Hiltonbury Jerseys

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In Praise of Royal Victoria and Itchen Valley Country Parks

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A few weeks ago, faced with a small clutch of younglings (and two grandparents) to entertain, we visited two of our local county parks – Hampshire County Council’s Royal Victoria and Eastleigh Borough Council’s Itchen Valley.

These proved to be outstanding choices. I’ve visited both parks before, but being accompanied by such a range of ages helped me to appreciate what marvellous leisure assets these places are. [Read more…] about In Praise of Royal Victoria and Itchen Valley Country Parks

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Road to Agincourt: When Medieval Life Comes Alive Like Magic

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The free Medieval Weekend, organised by the Road to Agincourt project, was recently held at Manor Farm and Country Park, Bursledon.

This post continues with a look at the lives of typical villagers re-enacted over the weekend. And I discover what a fletcher was… [Read more…] about Road to Agincourt: When Medieval Life Comes Alive Like Magic

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Where is “The Parade” in Chandler’s Ford? Memories from my 1950s Childhood

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I remember “The Parade” of Chandler’s Ford well. It is along Bournemouth Road, coming from Southampton, just past the School Lane lights, down past the advertising hoardings. It’s the row of shops on the left before you get to Hursley Rd.

At that time, the Butchers shop where I worked was the first on the left, L.S. Horn, next was Lowmans the bakers, then I think it was the Lloyds Bank, Jenkins sweet shop, G.H.Baker & Sons, and grocers. I can’t remember the next one or maybe two shops, and at the end it was Mr Perrot’s fishmonger. [Read more…] about Where is “The Parade” in Chandler’s Ford? Memories from my 1950s Childhood

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Would You Live a Medieval Life?

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The free Medieval Weekend, organised by the Road to Agincourt project, was recently held at Manor Farm and Country Park, Bursledon.

The weekend was being launched to open a new walk, enabling people to walk down to the River Hamble where they could see the wreck of The Grace Dieu, one of Henry V’s ships. The interactive map I have written about in my previous Chandler’s Ford Today posts was in evidence too.
[Read more…] about Would You Live a Medieval Life?

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Following the King: on the Great Ships Trail

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My next couple of articles will be about the recent Medieval Weekend, organised by the Road to Agincourt project and backed, amongst others, by Hampshire and Eastleigh Councils.

But this post is a first for me. It’s the first time I’ve reviewed a walk, or perhaps I should say “road tested” it! (Even when I reviewed a walk in Salisbury, it was more of a review of the book it appeared in, Station Walks, given I wanted to see just how accurate and helpful the directions and description of things to spot on the walk were!). [Read more…] about Following the King: on the Great Ships Trail

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

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I was born in Chandler’s Ford in 1942 and lived in Station Lane until about 1972.

I remember many of the old places. We used to play in the old brickfield then go off up to Knightwood where there was a big sand pit created allegedly by a stray bomb during the war. [Read more…] about Roger White: My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley

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Want to Become a Heritage Guide?

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For lovers of history, who like getting out and about, there is the opportunity to learn how to be a heritage guide for free, with all expenses paid.

The opportunity offers exclusive behind the scenes trips to heritage sites.

You would also get to go to lectures from top historians and academics. [Read more…] about Want to Become a Heritage Guide?

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Away Days – Salisbury

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The shuttle service from Chandler’s Ford Railway Station is great for commuting into Eastleigh and Southampton but is also a wonderful way of visiting Salisbury. The total journey time is just over an hour and there are some fantastic views of the country en route, particularly after Romsey.   Most images for this post were taken by me.

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Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

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Another episode from Boats and Bikes…

Cycle Time Trials – the 1970s

I found the competitive side of cycling to be just what I wanted at that time. I needed a new angle on cycling and this was it! I managed to be moderately successful and I improved my “Personal Best” times over the distances I raced – mainly 10, 25 & 50 mile events. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

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Away Days from Chandler’s Ford Station: York

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One great thing about living in Chandler’s Ford is the transport available given we are near the motorway network (without living on top of it). Then we have the railway station, a bus service and we are not far from the ferries.

I often use these links. For example I went a couple of years ago to the National Railway Museum in York, which has recently been in the news because of its restoration of The Flying Scotsman. [Read more…] about Away Days from Chandler’s Ford Station: York

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In the King’s Footsteps on the Great Ship Trail

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Following on from my previous Agincourt posts, I have now received further details of the Free Medieval Weekend, which will celebrate the launch of The King’s Great Ships Trail.

Where and when? At Manor Farm and Country Park on July 30 and 31, 2016. [Read more…] about In the King’s Footsteps on the Great Ship Trail

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