library

Introducing Myself – Nicola Slade

December 13, 2016 By Nicola Slade 10 Comments

I write mystery novels set in and around Winchester – and sometimes even in Chandler’s Ford!

Chandler’s Ford has been home since 1981 when we moved here from Surrey for my husband’s new job. I come originally from Poole and my husband comes from Oxfordshire. When we moved here our son was twelve and went to Thornden, followed in due course by his sisters: our elder daughter who was ten when we moved here and went into the top year at Hiltingbury Juniors, and the younger one, who was five, who started school at Hiltingbury Infants. [Read more…] about Introducing Myself – Nicola Slade

Tags: blogging, books, education, interview, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

World Book Night 2016 and the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare

April 29, 2016 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

World Book Night is on 23rd April each year, this being the date of William Shakespeare’s birth and his death.

World Book Night also links to the day of the death of Cervantes (author of Don Quixote), Spain’s literary hero, St. George’s Day and UNESCO’s Day of the Book (which I think is a fantastic title). [Read more…] about World Book Night 2016 and the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare

Tags: arts and crafts, books, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, event, leisure, library, literature, publishing, reading, writing

How Have Your Reading Habits Changed?

February 12, 2016 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

The natural follow up to my recent post about favourite forms of writing is about my favourite forms of reading in all its forms – non-fiction, fiction, poetry, books, magazines, e-books, newspapers.

It also takes a brief look at reading habits given it is not just a question of print media any more for sources of reading material. [Read more…] about How Have Your Reading Habits Changed?

Tags: blogging, books, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, event, hobby, library, literature, local interest, reading, storytelling, writing

Writing, Blogging, Social Media…What’s Your Favourite Forms of Writing?

January 29, 2016 By Allison Symes 22 Comments

What are your favourite forms of writing? Fiction? Non-fiction? Poetry?

Do you ever think when you pick up a pen or put fingers to keyboard we are all following a tradition going back thousands of years? Or appreciate how important writing, in all its forms, is for cultural reasons? Or how dangerous writing can be? [Read more…] about Writing, Blogging, Social Media…What’s Your Favourite Forms of Writing?

Tags: blogging, books, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, community, education, history, library, literature, publishing, reading, writing

Sharing the Joy of Libraries

January 16, 2016 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

I love the word serendipity. It has a lovely meaning and a great sound.

This post, I think, can be thought of as being a case of serendipity.

I was planning a post about the joy of libraries for some time and then read Mike’s wonderful article from Sri Lanka about renovating the school library, which confirmed to me I should go ahead with this now. [Read more…] about Sharing the Joy of Libraries

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, Hampshire, Hampshire County Council, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, review, writing

Journey to Sri Lanka: Creating a Local Library for 1,000 Girls

January 12, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 4 Comments

On the main road into Kandy there is a narrow doorway leading to Dharmawickrama, a school for 1,000 girls.

My wife Brenda arranged to visit to see what a state school is like. The contrasts within were striking. The building was poorly maintained and conditions were crowded and there were few facilities, no play area, squatter toilets, builder’s rubble in some corridors. [Read more…] about Journey to Sri Lanka: Creating a Local Library for 1,000 Girls

Tags: books, celebrations, Chandler's Ford Library, education, good neighbours, Hampshire, Hampshire County Council, library, literature, reading, storytelling, travel

10 Wishes for Chandler’s Ford for 2016

January 1, 2016 By Allison Symes 3 Comments

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. They usually mean giving up alcohol, which is not a huge problem for me as I don’t drink much, or chocolate and that is where I do run into difficulties!

However, I thought I would list some things I would love to see in 2016, all of which would benefit Chandler’s Ford and its residents.

Tags: Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, community, Fryern Arcade, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, Hursley Road, library, local interest, review, road safety, train station, travel

Adventures of a Fantasy Author – Richard Hardie Interview Part 2

December 11, 2015 By Allison Symes 14 Comments

Further to last week’s post, when Chandler’s Ford author, Richard Hardie of the Temporal Detective Agency fame, shared what signings and other events have occupied him recently, this continuation shares some of his further news as well as tips for fellow writers.
[Read more…] about Adventures of a Fantasy Author – Richard Hardie Interview Part 2

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, event, interview, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

Further Adventures of a Fantasy Author

December 4, 2015 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

One of my earliest posts for Chandler’s Ford Today was an interview I conducted with local author, and fellow dog walker, Richard Hardie, who had not long released The Trouble With Swords, his second book in his Temporal Detective series and follow up to the marvellous Leap of Faith. [Read more…] about Further Adventures of a Fantasy Author

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, event, interview, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

An Interactive Local History Talk by Martin Napier

November 20, 2015 By Hazel Bateman 3 Comments

I spent a fascinating and hugely enjoyable afternoon at Chandler’s Ford library yesterday where I attended a talk on “Growing up in Chandler’s Ford in the 50s and 60s” by local ‘lad’ Martin Napier.

Extra chairs had to be brought out to accommodate everyone. [Read more…] about An Interactive Local History Talk by Martin Napier

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, community, culture, Eastleigh, education, event, family, history, Kings Road Infant School, library, local interest, memory, North End School, storytelling, walking

Richard Hardie: “So You Want to be an Author?”

October 29, 2015 By Ben Williams 12 Comments

At the Chandler’s Ford library today I attended an author talk by Richard Hardie: “So you want to be an author?”.

Richard is a Chandler’s Ford author who has written two books in the Temporal Detective Agency series – Leap of Faith and Trouble in Mind. He talked to us about being a writer and good writing tips. [Read more…] about Richard Hardie: “So You Want to be an Author?”

Tags: blogging, books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, event, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, review, writing

What’s Happened to Gibson’s Card Gallery at the Mall?

April 10, 2015 By Janet Williams 7 Comments

Update on 1st May 2015: Gibson’s Card Gallery reopened two weeks after this post was first published.

The owners of Gibson put a note on the shop window about its brief closure for 2 weeks: “Please use us or lose us!” [Read more…] about What’s Happened to Gibson’s Card Gallery at the Mall?

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, Fryern Arcade, library, local businesses, local interest, The Mall, Winchester Road

Jane Austen: An Appreciation by Allison Symes

March 6, 2015 By Allison Symes 17 Comments

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice is the greatest of all Jane Austen’s works.

It is a blueprint for romantic comedy and Elizabeth Bennet remains one of my favourite literary heroines, being quick witted and intelligent at a time when that was not particularly welcomed. (It isn’t always welcomed now in some places, unfortunately). [Read more…] about Jane Austen: An Appreciation by Allison Symes

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, community, days out, education, history, Jane Austen, library, literature, local interest, reading, review, storytelling, travel, Winchester, Winchester Cathedral, writing

Inspiring Artists from the Sorting Office Studios Eastleigh

February 15, 2015 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

Chandler’s Ford Library provides us with books, music, and films, and yesterday, the library also brought us the most talented artists from The Sorting Office Studios in Eastleigh.

I’ve been following the artists around Eastleigh since last year and it was very lovely to see some of them again in Chandler’s Ford Library.

Residents of the Sorting Office Studios met the public [Read more…] about Inspiring Artists from the Sorting Office Studios Eastleigh

Tags: arts and crafts, celebrations, Chandler's Ford, community, crafts, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, hobby, how-to, library, local interest, Sorting Office

Book Review: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

February 6, 2015 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

Books can be dangerous because they deal in ideas so I reckon the two most dangerous places in Chandler’s Ford are our wonderful library and W.H.Smith at Fryern since one lends out books and the other sells them!

It is also fantastic that, especially after the loss of The Arcade Bookshop, we have another bookseller and our library is a real asset. May both keep going from strength to strength.
[Read more…] about Book Review: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, community, education, entertainment, Fryern Arcade, history, library, London, reading, review, storytelling, travel, Winchester, writing

Fantasy Books by Richard Hardie: Now in Chandler’s Ford Library

October 24, 2014 By SO53 News 6 Comments

Would you like to encourage your teenage children to read over the half-term holiday?

The fantasy books for Young Adults by Chandler’s Ford writer Richard Hardie are now available in Chandler’s Ford Library and Southampton Civic Center Library, on the Teen / Young Adult shelves.

The two books are: Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords. [Read more…] about Fantasy Books by Richard Hardie: Now in Chandler’s Ford Library

Tags: books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, community, culture, library, local interest, reading, storytelling, writing

Eastleigh and District Local History Society

May 20, 2014 By Janet Williams 12 Comments

I met John Lankester a few weeks ago at Hocombe Mead. He told me some exciting projects at the newly revived Eastleigh & District Local History Society.

Many of you know that John and his wife Hazel both are active members of Friends of Hocombe Mead in Chandler’s Ford, where Hazel is the Chairman. Now they are also promoting Eastleigh & District Local History Society, where Hazel is Secretary and John Treasurer. [Read more…] about Eastleigh and District Local History Society

Tags: Chandler's Ford, church, Eastleigh, education, Fryern Arcade, history, library, local interest, Methodist Church

English Spelling

April 13, 2014 By Hugh Benham 1 Comment

English spelling at times seems completely random, but it is sometimes systematic, even if there seems no good reason for the system, and if exceptions can still be found!

Take the use of single L and double L at the end of a word for example. [Read more…] about English Spelling

Tags: books, culture, education, history, languages, library, reading, school, writing

The Mall Shopping Centre In Chandler’s Ford

December 31, 2013 By Janet Williams 10 Comments

I’m recording the changing faces of Chandler’s Ford. You can compare old and new signs in Chandler’s Ford in these posts: New Sign At The Central Precinct Of Chandler’s Ford and Tale Of Chandler’s Ford Vicarage.

To mark the end of 2013, I’m showing you the old and new signs of The Mall Shopping Centre in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about The Mall Shopping Centre In Chandler’s Ford

Tags: Chandler's Ford, charity, coffee shop, community, Fryern Arcade, library, local businesses, local interest, The Mall, Winchester Road

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