Once in a while, I get some strange questions from readers. (Yes, I love your questions.)
Today I’m sharing three of these questions here, and hope some of you could help.
Information
Hampshire Constabulary: Efit Released after Indecent Exposure in Chandler’s Ford
From Hampshire Constabulary – Efit released after indecent exposure in Chandler’s Ford
We have released an efit image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with an indecent exposure in Chandler’s Ford on Thursday, February 23.
[Read more…] about Hampshire Constabulary: Efit Released after Indecent Exposure in Chandler’s Ford
Parking in Hiltingbury
In October 2015, I wrote this article 1 hour? 3 hours? Parking Rules at Co-operative Food and Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford.
Today I’m going to talk about parking in Hiltingbury.
We visited the bakery in Hiltingbury on Hiltingbury Road two days ago and saw these signs: [Read more…] about Parking in Hiltingbury
Old Chandler’s Ford and Victorian Dentistry
Because of my passion for history I’m a sucker for old books and some years ago I was delighted to find ‘Highways & Byways in Hampshire’ by D. H. Moutray Read, first published in 1908. My copy, soft brown leather with a gold embossed title, is an updated version published in 1923. [Read more…] about Old Chandler’s Ford and Victorian Dentistry
Hampshire Home Library Service
This is a free service to residents of Chandler’s Ford and the surrounding areas.
Do you know anyone who needs help getting their library books/audio books?
The Home Library Service is for people who find it difficult to get to their nearest library due to ill health, disability or caring responsibilities. [Read more…] about Hampshire Home Library Service
Book Launch News: Martin Kyrle and Michael Roberts
As you know by now, I love train travel but I’m pleased to say I am easily outdone (in terms of distance and time taken to complete the journey) by two local authors who are bringing out a new book shortly.
The furthest I’ve been in a day from Chandler’s Ford Station is York (to date anyway!) but the new book, written by Martin Kyrle and Michael Roberts, is called Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway. Now there is considerable commitment to long distance train travel! [Read more…] about Book Launch News: Martin Kyrle and Michael Roberts
Books of 2016; Ebook Surgeries at Chandler’s Ford Library
I am really pleased to bring news of two events happening at Chandler’s Ford Library this month. I’m pleased because the events themselves sound fun. I loved the recent link up between Chandler’s Ford Library and Merdon School for the Story Shuffle Project and the following two events are also excellent ideas.
I hope all who can go to these events have a wonderful time at them. [Read more…] about Books of 2016; Ebook Surgeries at Chandler’s Ford Library
The Writing Life – Barbara Large, Part 2
This is Part 2 of my interview with Barbara Large, MBE, founder of the Winchester Writing Conference as it was known. Now known as the Winchester Writers’ Festival, it is recognised as one of the major writing events of the year.
Despite stepping down from running the conference in 2013, Barbara is as busy as ever running workshops, leading tours around the CPI production plant at Chippenham for those interested in self-publishing and having her own creative writing consultancy – Creative Words Matter. [Read more…] about The Writing Life – Barbara Large, Part 2
What Makes a Good Writing Conference?
I regularly attend the Winchester Writers’ Festival, which was originally the Winchester Writing Conference started by Barbara Large, MBE.
I am glad to say I will be interviewing Barbara soon. Her help and encouragement to so many writers over the years, including me, has been phenomenal and much appreciated. [Read more…] about What Makes a Good Writing Conference?
Away Days: Bath by Allison Symes
One place that is always a joy to visit is beautiful Bath, which is an UNESCO Heritage site.
The trip from our station gets you to Romsey in just over 5 minutes and from there the Romsey to Bath journey takes about an hour and twenty minutes. [Read more…] about Away Days: Bath by Allison Symes
Appealing for Information: Burglary on Lakewood Road Chandler’s Ford
Police are appealing for information following a burglary in Chandler’s Ford.
The incident took place at some time between 11am and 11.20am on Monday, 19th September 2016.
Two offenders arrived at the address on Lakewood road, on a motorcycle. [Read more…] about Appealing for Information: Burglary on Lakewood Road Chandler’s Ford
Writing Tools: Why I use Scrivener Writing Software
In the week when the centenary of that marvellous writer, Roald Dahl, is celebrated, I thought about whether the tools a writer uses matter.
Dahl (and the brilliant Wodehouse) had their faithful typewriters, Shakespeare swore by his current quill (and probably at it when the nib broke, how many did he get through?!) and of course story telling originates from the oral tradition. [Read more…] about Writing Tools: Why I use Scrivener Writing Software
Animal, Vegetable, or Neither?
Now the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is upon us, we can expect to see mushrooms, moulds, fungi and toadstools.
There must have been some along the walks through the water meadows between Winchester and St Cross taken by Keats during his stay in Winchester in 1819. All manner of autumnal things are mentioned in his Ode to Autumn but fungi are not included. Read it for yourself here. [Read more…] about Animal, Vegetable, or Neither?
Reminder: Creative Writing Classes at The Dovetail Centre
Just a quick reminder that Barbara Large’s new creative writing workshops start later this month at The Dovetail Centre.
Further details below. [Read more…] about Reminder: Creative Writing Classes at The Dovetail Centre
Road to Agincourt: When Medieval Life Comes Alive Like Magic
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
Would You Live a Medieval Life?
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?
Roads that Change Their Names in Chandler’s Ford
If you live in Merdon Avenue, did you know that it used to be called The Crescent? And that Twyford Road, Eastleigh, was once Winchester Road, Eastleigh? And that Consort Road, Eastleigh used to be Park Road?
I expect you have detected a pattern here. When Eastleigh became a borough that included Chandler’s Ford, it was found that some road names were duplicated between the two towns and, presumably so as not to confuse the postman, some were renamed so that there was only one of each. [Read more…] about Roads that Change Their Names in Chandler’s Ford
Following the King: on the Great Ships Trail
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
Book of Kells
The book of Kells is an illuminated book of the gospels written in Latin by monks from the Columban Abbey of Kells, a place north of Dublin. Some of the folios were scribed in Lindisfarne and Iona. The book was probably completed about 800 AD and kept in Kells until the Abbey was dissolved in the 12th century. Now it resides in Trinity College, Dublin.
I saw it there while attending a conference about publishing. We complained, as all authors do, about the difficulties of publishing. The modern author has life easy compared with the difficulties of publishing 1200 years ago
Barbara Large: NEW Creative Writing Classes in Chandler’s Ford
Barbara Large will be running creative writing classes at the Dovetail Centre in Chandler’s Ford from 21st September 2016.
This is great news for any writer who is looking for the mutual support creative writing classes can give and who want to develop their skills. [Read more…] about Barbara Large: NEW Creative Writing Classes in Chandler’s Ford