If you have ever walked past the war memorial outside St Boniface Church in Hursley Road, you may have wondered about those named on it. Perhaps you wanted to know a bit more about them and how they died in the Great War. Or maybe a bit more about the Chandler’s Ford they left in 1914. [Read more…] about Book Review: Margaret Doores’ Love’s Greatest Gift – Remembrance
Hursley Road
Love’s Greatest Gift – Remembrance, by Margaret Doores
Have you ever walked past the war memorial outside St. Boniface Church and stopped and wondered about the lives that lie beneath the names? Where did they live? Were they born here in Chandler’s Ford?
What sort of work did they do before joining up or were they career soldiers? And who was Margaret Caswell? She’s the only woman who is remembered here.
Well, now’s your chance to find out. [Read more…] about Love’s Greatest Gift – Remembrance, by Margaret Doores
Chandler’s Ford Central Club – Something for Everyone
by Lionel Elliott
Hidden away in the Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct is a Club that aims to be the place in the Chandler’s Ford area to meet up with friends, to relax and unwind, and to have some fun. It’s the Chandler’s Ford Central Club. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Central Club – Something for Everyone
A Bunch of Amateurs – Review by Allison Symes
Image Credit: As ever, a very big thank you to Lionel Elliott and The Chameleons for supplying the pictures.
There can’t be many plays which manage to be entertaining and reveal all you need to know about Shakespeare’s King Lear at the same time but A Bunch of Amateurs managed this beautifully.
Ben Williams’ review shows what a great play this is and, if you love a laugh AND Shakespeare, it is the play for you. (It was a film, starring Burt Reynolds, but for a play about a play, the stage is the best place for it).
[Read more…] about A Bunch of Amateurs – Review by Allison Symes
Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Chameleon Theatre Company
The latest performance A Bunch of Amateurs by the Chameleons is a hilarious satire on Hollywood egotism and Shakespeare. When Stratford (Suffolk, not on-Avon) runs out of money for the theatre, the Stratford Player’s only choice is a washed up Hollywood actor called Jefferson Steel, who agrees to act in an amateur dramatics production of King Lear – only to find himself in the wrong Stratford- not the luxurious home of Shakespeare, but a nondescript English village. [Read more…] about Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Chameleon Theatre Company
Review: April Trio of Plays by Chameleon Theatre Company
O, What a Lovers’ War by Karen Ince. Directed by Diana Mills.
The first play was focused on the First World War. This is a period of history I’m quite familiar with, as studying history has helped me understand the different sides of the war. I’m studying the downfall of Tsarist Russia in history and it’s linked with involvement in the First World War and I also recalled visiting Australia and reading up on the ANZAC troops involvement in the War. My mum was confused as to why the Union Flag appeared at the end, but the flag in its current form has existed since 1801. [Read more…] about Review: April Trio of Plays by Chameleon Theatre Company
The Hutments 1950s and My Family
By John Rolfe
I live in the USA, but was originally from Southampton. I have attached a photo of my mum and brother. [Read more…] about The Hutments 1950s and My Family
Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018
By Geoff Dodsworth
I should begin by explaining that the regular contributors who normally write these articles were unavailable on this occasion and consequently we were asked if we would write the review ourselves. I volunteered as I had had no involvement in this Pantomime, apart from watching it as a member of the Front of House Staff for the last three performances so hopefully my review will be objective. I have also attempted to follow the style of the previous articles which has been to describe rather than criticise. [Read more…] about Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018
New and Old Businesses in Chandler’s Ford
In Chandler’s Ford: some shops have closed; some have opened. Some are about to open.
Here are a few photos for you to see some changes in Chandler’s Ford, focusing on Hursley Road, the Central Precinct, Fryern Arcade, Winchester Road, and Oakmount Road. [Read more…] about New and Old Businesses in Chandler’s Ford
Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2017
This morning, veterans and a few hundreds people commemorated those who lost their lives in the two World Wars and later conflicts, at the Chandler’s Ford war memorial.
Remembrance Sunday, which falls on 12 November in 2017, is a day to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.
A two-minute silence was held across the country and wreaths were laid at memorials.
In Chandler’s Ford, people old and young were gathering at the war memorial, outside the St. Boniface Church on Hursley Road, including 93-year-old war veteran Frank Damerell, Night Fighter Navigator (the aircraft was “The Mosquito Night Fighter”) during the Second World War. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2017
Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2
I had the great joy of going to see Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon as performed by The Chameleon Theatre Group on Saturday 28th October. What with the Book Fair in the morning, it was a busy day but a hugely enjoyable one and the show rounded things off beautifully.
How can you tell if something is a spoof? I always look for tautology in the title! It is done for exaggeration (a great comic technique). I can’t think of any other genre where the “To Death” bit would be added. It certainly wouldn’t be in crime fiction, where murder generally is taken very seriously! [Read more…] about Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2
Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company
This play Murdered to Death performed by Chameleon Theatre Company in October was an obvious parody of an Agatha Christie murder mystery, right down to one of the characters being called Miss Maple, after the Miss Marple character. Poirot was also referenced, from Miss Maple knowing a Belgian chap, to Pierre Marceau resembling Poirot physically.
The funniest character was Inspector Pratt, who is the most incompetent detective ever. [Read more…] about Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company
New Video: South Millers Dale
Last month we shared a video Welcome to Hiltingbury, Chandler’s Ford. The video was created by Jack Smark, a 13 year old Year 9 pupil from the Toynbee School.
Today I found Jack’s new video, named South Millers Dale. Jack is the founder and creator of Tondore Productions. He is an aspiring cinematographer and would love to film movies and film documentaries. [Read more…] about New Video: South Millers Dale
Hampshire Constabulary: Witness Appeal: Burglary on Hursley Road
(Editor’s note: The Witness Appeal is issued by Hampshire Constabulary. However Chandler’s Ford Today believes the Hampshire Constabulary possibly meant ‘Hursley Road in Chandler’s Ford’, not ‘Hursley Road in Hursley’. Please read on despite this confusion.)
Officers are appealing for information following a burglary on Hursley Road.
The incident happened at around 5.35pm on Saturday, 10 June when the elderly residents were upstairs watching TV at their home on Hurlsey Road. [Read more…] about Hampshire Constabulary: Witness Appeal: Burglary on Hursley Road
World Blood Donor Day
I often drive along Hursley Road on a Friday evening and it seems that almost every week the Give Blood vehicles are parked outside St Boniface church – a blood donor session is underway.
Today (14 June) is World Blood Donor Day, so I thought I would write a little a bit what happens when you give blood – and highlight some of the improvements that have been made over the thirty-plus years that I’ve been a blood donor. [Read more…] about World Blood Donor Day
Review – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes
I saw A Comedy Trio by The Chameleon Theatre Group on 27th April 2017. Despite feeling miserable due to a heavy cold, (I am not the world’s best patient!), I am glad to say the production made me laugh and I went home feeling considerably better in spirit, at least, than when I arrived! Now there’s a review for you…
Many thanks, as ever, to Lionel Elliott for supplying CFT with the pictures. [Read more…] about Review – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes
Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company
I thoroughly enjoyed the comedies I watched last Thursday, performed by Chameleon Theatre Company at Ritchie Memorial Hall in Chandler’s Ford. In this post, I will focus on one of the comedies, The House of Fog, by Peter Brammer.
The play The House of Fog was a really funny mockery of a horror movie, with an extra layer of comedy added due to the fourth wall aspect.
[Read more…] about Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company
The Hutments: Could You Help Find Old Neighbours in Chandler’s Ford?
Editor’s note: This post was sent to Chandler’s Ford Today by Liz Stothard (re: Dee). She grew up at the Hutments.
Could someone help Liz find out some links about her past in Chandler’s Ford please? Below is her article.
By Liz Stothard (re: Dee):
I was born in Winchester 1950 lived at the Hutments. And also I see from looking that my late Father is mentioned…he worked for Vickers and then ATC! [Read more…] about The Hutments: Could You Help Find Old Neighbours in Chandler’s Ford?
Robin Hood and the Chameleons – Review by Allison Symes
I went to see the Chameleons’ production of the pantomime, Robin Hood, on Thursday January 26th. The production was excellent and the pantomime had all the key ingredients you’d expect.
Humour, topical jokes (at the expense of D.J. Trump Esq), songs (sung with gusto and great enjoyment) and a wonderful story. There was the “oh no we won’t” moment from the audience and the usual dressing up of women as men (though not the other way round as well here). Robin was actually a man in this production! (And played by the excellent Paul Jones who got into the traditional thigh slapping with considerable enthusiasm). [Read more…] about Robin Hood and the Chameleons – Review by Allison Symes
Christmas Gathering at Beacon Café, St. Boniface Church 2016
On Tuesday morning, I went to the Beacon Café at St. Boniface Church on Hursley Road for some refreshment (ok, plus more than one piece of home-made cake).
I got there just after 11am, and saw people were happily solving Christmas quizzes, which involved identifying some very old (at least to me) British TV sitcoms. From the participants’ enthusiastic discussions and laughter, I could tell they knew most of the answers while reminiscing the good old days. [Read more…] about Christmas Gathering at Beacon Café, St. Boniface Church 2016