interview

Everybody is a storyteller. Through these interviews, we learn about other people's passion, their work, their struggles and hopes, and their inspiring stories. We see how our lives are intertwined in the community.

Memories of Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade: Lyn Darbyshire

July 10, 2015 By Allison Symes 7 Comments

Earlier this year, I was pleased to meet Lyn Darbyshire MBE, former Scouting District Commissioner. Her insights into her involvement with The Gang Show led to my researching further into the show’s general history and Ralph Reader, the man behind the Gang Show.

Lyn also kindly shared her thoughts with me about the St. George’s Day Parade in Chandler’s Ford, which she was directly involved with for many years. [Read more…] about Memories of Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade: Lyn Darbyshire

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, event, interview, local interest, Merdon Avenue, Merdon School, Methodist Church, music, scouting, social, St. George's Day, storytelling, The Spitfires marching band, Winchester Road

Inspired by Slapton Beach: Felicity Fair Thompson

June 26, 2015 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

One of the great joys of fiction writing is you have two basic options which are to either invent it all or base your work on a real event. You can be said to be writing history.

Historical novels obviously fall into the second category (as do some crime books). One of my favourite books, The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, is based on The Princes in the Tower mystery. [Read more…] about Inspired by Slapton Beach: Felicity Fair Thompson

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, history, interview, Isle of Wight, literature, reading, review, travel, war memorial, writing

What’s Your Story? Gill James

June 12, 2015 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

What’s your story?

It can be difficult for a fiction writer to answer that. We have lots of stories from our tales of how we develop as authors (with hopefully increasing numbers of publishing credits) to each of the actual works we invent and rigorously edit before they see the light of day. [Read more…] about What’s Your Story? Gill James

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, Chandler's Ford, interview, literature, reading, review, travel, writing

In the Gang Show: Lyn Darbyshire

May 29, 2015 By Allison Symes 11 Comments

One thing I love about writing for Chandler’s Ford Today is how one subject leads to another.

For instance, my interview with local author, Richard Hardie, led to my wanting to discover more about The Gang Shows.

Richard wrote one of these with the great Sir Terry Pratchett. [Read more…] about In the Gang Show: Lyn Darbyshire

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, Gang Show, interview, local interest, scouting, social, storytelling, Winchester, writing

Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Felicity Fair Thompson

May 15, 2015 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

I met Felicity Fair Thompson of Wight Diamond Press at the Isle of Wight Weekend Writers’ Conference, which she ran from 2000 to 2005. The conferences were held in Sandown.

I also met Gill James, later of Bridge House Publishing, at one of these conferences and she became the publisher for my first accepted short story, A Helping Hand in the anthology, Alternative Renditions. Wheels within wheels so to speak… [Read more…] about Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Felicity Fair Thompson

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, interview, Isle of Wight, literature, reading, review, travel, Winchester, writing

Do You Remember…The Precinct Gift Centre?

May 4, 2015 By Janet Williams 1 Comment

This is a new Do you Remember series. You’re invited to share your fond memories of Chandler’s Ford.

Is there a particular shop, a person, or a service that you remember and want to share?

Today I start off this series with my favourite gift shop, The Precinct Gift Centre, which closed in February 2006.

The Precinct Gift Centre was a precious gift shop at the Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Do You Remember…The Precinct Gift Centre?

Tags: Bournemouth Road, Central Precinct, Chandler's Ford, community, family, good neighbours, interview, local businesses, local interest, memory

Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Gill James

May 1, 2015 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

Gill James and I met at the Isle of Wight Writers’ Conference, which was run by Felicity Fair Thompson from 2000 to 2005.

This was a weekend conference based in Shanklin or Sandown with guest speakers. There was a special speaker after the main Conference dinner on the Saturday night. David Nobbs (Reggie Perrin) and Raymond Allen (Some Mothers Do Have Them) were just two of the after dinner speakers who entertained us all. [Read more…] about Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Gill James

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, Chandler's Ford, interview, literature, reading, review, travel, writing

Local Author News – Allison Symes

April 11, 2015 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Have you heard of the Society of Authors?

Congratulations to local writer and regular contributor to Chandler’s Ford Today, Allison Symes, who has been elected to become a Full Member of the Society of Authors.

Tags: blogging, books, celebrations, Chandler's Ford, community, hobby, interview, local interest, reading, writing

An Interview with Author Richard Hardie by Allison Symes

March 20, 2015 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

I met Richard Hardie, walking Benji, whilst walking my first dog, Gracie, in the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground. Not only did we have dog walking in common, we soon discovered we shared a love of books, especially Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, and creative writing.

Richard and I have work in The Shambelurklers Return, which is raising money for the National Autistic Society and is available in W.H. Smith in the Fryern Arcade of Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about An Interview with Author Richard Hardie by Allison Symes

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, charity, Gang Show, interview, literature, reading, review, scouting, Terry Pratchett, writing

Sir Terry Pratchett 1948-2015: An Appreciation from Chandler’s Ford

March 17, 2015 By Allison Symes 13 Comments

While I was interviewing local author, Richard Hardie (author of Leap of Faith and Trouble with Swords), we discussed favourite books and writers. Then came the sad announcement of Sir Terry Pratchett’s death after a long battle with a rare form of Alzheimer’s.

Richard and I share a huge admiration for the Discworld novels. [Read more…] about Sir Terry Pratchett 1948-2015: An Appreciation from Chandler’s Ford

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, Gang Show, interview, literature, reading, review, scouting, Terry Pratchett, writing

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse

January 21, 2015 By Andy Vining 19 Comments

A few days ago my wife and I had the pleasure of meeting up with Janet Williams and her husband at the Hiltonbury Pub, my old home, and we discussed the way Chandler’s Ford had grown over the years.

In the entrance hall of the pub there is a photograph of Hiltonbury taken from the air in about 1974 and Janet suggested that I took a photograph of it and put it on the blog with some descriptions of some of the buildings in the photographs so here goes. [Read more…] about History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse

Tags: architecture, Chandler’s Ford community, Christmas, community, culture, education, family, Hiltonbury Farmhouse, history, interview, local businesses, local interest, memory, storytelling, writing

The Vining Family and Hiltonbury Farmhouse

January 6, 2015 By Andy Vining 16 Comments

My family farmed the North and South Millers Dale and surrounding areas for over 100 years living in Hiltonbury Farmhouse until 1976.

On the 6th of May in 2012, my family gave a picnic table and benches at the corner of North Millers Dale (off Hursley Road) to the NMDCA (North Millers Dale Community Association), unfortunately the little plaque attached to the table was removed some time ago.

Vining’s Copse is named after my family. [Read more…] about The Vining Family and Hiltonbury Farmhouse

Tags: architecture, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, Hiltonbury Farmhouse, history, interview, local businesses, local interest, storytelling, writing

Selwood: Spectacular Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford 2014

December 10, 2014 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

For me, Christmas only starts when the Christmas tree at Selwood on Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford is erected.

This year, Selwood once again welcomes Christmas with a spectacular Christmas tree.

This handsome Christmas tree with a striking star not only arouses Christmas spirit, but also welcomes travellers. [Read more…] about Selwood: Spectacular Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford 2014

Tags: Bournemouth Road, Chandler's Ford, Christmas, community, history, interview, local businesses, local interest, memory

A Playground Of Concrete And Cranes

December 5, 2014 By SO53 News 5 Comments

By Emma Golby-Kirk

In these days when the roar of motorway noise disturbs the peace of the otherwise tranquil suburb of Chandler’s Ford, it is hard to imagine the excited anticipation with which residents awaited the building of the Chandler’s Ford by-pass back in the 1960s.

In December 1967 the Otterbourne-Chandler’s Ford by-pass was opened. This six-mile stretch of dual carriageway created a fast link from Compton to Bassett. It cost [Read more…] about A Playground Of Concrete And Cranes

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, development, history, interview, local interest, nature, travel, Velmore

Fryern Arcade: Christmas Trees and Christmas Carols

December 2, 2014 By Janet Williams

Christmas isn’t too far away.

Jimmy Peters, who grows and sells Christmas trees, has once again appeared at the Fryern Arcade of Chandler’s Ford selling Christmas trees.

Jimmy Peters’ Christmas trees come from Marwell.

Last year when Jimmy sold his Christmas trees at the Fryern Arcade, he was next to the conventional D & G Hardware store. [Read more…] about Fryern Arcade: Christmas Trees and Christmas Carols

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christmas, community, Fryern Arcade, interview, local businesses, local interest, Winchester Road

Interview Chandler’s Ford Writer Allison Symes: Part 2

November 15, 2014 By Janet Williams 52 Comments

In the last post, Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes shared her passion with writing. She has taken us into her Fairy Kingdom.

Allison writes on her websites, Fairytales with Bite and This World and Others.

Today, Allison shares with us her publishing journey, and gives us some publishing tips. [Read more…] about Interview Chandler’s Ford Writer Allison Symes: Part 2

Tags: books, Chandler’s Ford community, community, family, history, hobby, interview, local interest, reading, storytelling, writing

Interview Chandler’s Ford Writer Allison Symes

November 15, 2014 By Janet Williams 60 Comments

I have had the pleasure of interviewing Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes.

Allison Symes loves reading and writing fairytales.

Novels are her first love, though she also flirts with short stories, occasionally has a fling with poems and now writes radio scripts.

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford, Christianity, community, family, history, hobby, interview, local interest, Merdon Avenue, reading, storytelling, writing

WH Smith Chandler’s Ford: Good Books In Community

October 25, 2014 By Janet Williams

I am delighted to see WH Smith at the Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford has started selling books.

Yesterday afternoon I saw a good selection of books at WH Smith. One book relevant to Chandler’s Ford is The Chandler’s Ford Story: From Earliest Times to the 21st Century, by Barbara Hillier and Gerald Ponting. [Read more…] about WH Smith Chandler’s Ford: Good Books In Community

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford, community, Eastleigh, football, Fryern Arcade, interview, local businesses, local interest, post office, reading, recommendations, review, sports, Winchester Road, writing

Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club and Central Precinct

October 15, 2014 By Janet Williams 13 Comments

The Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford is a paradise for snooker players. Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club is located at the back of the Central Precinct, facing Ahmad Tea company.

It is the last remaining snooker club in Winchester, Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh.

The family run club has ten well-maintained tables and is open seven days a week to members and non-members. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club and Central Precinct

Tags: Bournemouth Road, Central Precinct, Chandler's Ford, community, development, family, hobby, interview, local businesses, local interest, sports, Winchester Road

UK Buddhist Movement – Soka Gakkai International

August 12, 2014 By SO53 News 1 Comment

By David Vane

I am a member of SGI-UK – the UK branch of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a socially engaged Buddhist movement based on the teachings of the 13th century Buddhist teacher Nichiren.

At the heart of the philosophy is a concept known as human revolution, whereby the inner change sparked by Buddhist practice leads to courage, compassion and wisdom, [Read more…] about UK Buddhist Movement – Soka Gakkai International

Tags: Buddhism, Chandler's Ford, community, culture, education, event, good neighbours, Hampshire, interview, religion, Southampton

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