• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chandler's Ford Today

  • Home
  • About
    • About Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research
  • Blog
    • Blogging Tips
  • Event
    • Upcoming Events
  • Community
    • Groups
    • Churches
    • Schools
    • GP Surgeries
    • Leisure
    • Library
    • Charities
    • Eastleigh Basics Bank
    • Community Food Larder at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Site Policies

literature

Days to Treasure: Faith and Literature

April 13, 2023 By Christine Clark Leave a Comment

This year Winchester Cathedral hosted the Church Times Festival of Faith and Literature (subtitled as a three-day literary festival with a theological slant). Some of our parish went along to see what was on offer.

One of us volunteered as a steward at the West Downs campus for the Saturday. She says, “I had a very interesting day.  As a steward I had the opportunity to attend a number of seminars.  My day began with hearing from Brian Draper on the subject of Soulfulness, followed by Rowan Williams speaking on Christian Ethics and Solidarity. I then listened to Catherine Fox and Francis Spufford as authors in conversation together on faith in fiction, and rounded it all off with a discussion between Rachel Mann and Jay Hulme as poets, on (un)holy desire with a trans perspective – a fascinating and eclectic day by anyone's standards, with much to reflect on! (And so much more I didn’t get to hear!)”

Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral – via Pixabay
[Read more…] about Days to Treasure: Faith and Literature

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Christianity, event, literature, music, review, Winchester, Winchester Cathedral

Hand Gestures

April 1, 2022 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

Pont d’Avignon seen from the Palais du Papes gardens – Mike Sedgwick

Of the many hand gestures, from the encouraging thumbs-up to the vulgar V sign, there is one that drew me to the history of the Popes; the sign of benediction. With the hand held aloft, palm forward and the thumb, index and middle fingers extended, and the little and ring fingers curled into the palm, the priest intones the benediction and blessing. See the diagram below.

Jean-Marc Rosier from http://www.rosier.pro, CC BY-SA 3.0
Jean-Marc Rosier from http://www.rosier.pro, CC BY-SA 3.0

The three-fingered sign of benediction and of damage to the ulnar nerve.

 

Strangely the same hand posture is also a sign of damage to the ulnar nerve. The ulnar is one of two main nerves supplying the skin and muscles of the hand. It is usually damaged the elbow. Most of us have banged our ‘funny bones’ and experienced unpleasant tinglings in the ring and little fingers. That is a temporary bruising of the ulnar nerve. [Read more…] about Hand Gestures

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: history, literature, memories, storytelling, writers

Forgotten Letters of John Masefield

October 15, 2021 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

John Masefield

Like most schools, mine had inter-house competitions. One year, it fell to me to be House Captain of Music because I was the oldest boy who could play the clarinet. The Housemaster chose the Captain on age, not on ability. Every boy had to sing in the choir, and the performance piece chosen was John Ireland’s setting of Sea Fever by the poet laureate at the time, John Masefield.

Everyone had to sing, from the few with treble voices to the tuneless late-teen tough-guy growlers. We learned about melding music and words, how to enunciate ‘whetted knife’ as if you were cut by a cold wind; how to sound the sibilants to suggest gale and spray and how to prolong the final word – over. The poem was ended, but the feeling and atmosphere lingered on. [Read more…] about Forgotten Letters of John Masefield

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: history, literature, memories, storytelling, writers

Meet Local Author Claire Gradidge at the Curious Café on 20th September

September 15, 2019 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

On Friday 20th September, the Curious Café (at The Dovetail Centre, Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church) will be hosting Claire Gradidge, local author and winner of the Richard and Judy “Search for a Bestseller Competition 2019”. [Read more…] about Meet Local Author Claire Gradidge at the Curious Café on 20th September

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: creative writing, Dovetail Centre, event, Information, inspiration, literature, publishing, storytelling, writers

Hunting Out a Career in Crime Fiction – Allison Symes interviews Val Penny

February 2, 2018 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Feature Image - Val Penny - Her Writing Journey Part 1

I met Val Penny at the same Swanwick Summer Writers’ School as when I met Jennifer C Wilson, who I interviewed last year over her paranormal historic fiction.

Val saw one lost looking author (me!) wondering which way to turn out of Derby Railway Station to find the coach to go to Swanwick and promptly took me under her wing! [Read more…] about Hunting Out a Career in Crime Fiction – Allison Symes interviews Val Penny

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: book promoting, books, creative writing, literature, writers

Collecting Books

August 4, 2017 By Allison Symes 3 Comments

Feature Image - Collecting Books - image via Pixabay

I love books. No surprises there. It would be an odd kind of writer who didn’t love books. My problem? The age old one of the bibliophile – where do you put them all?

My answer is to every so often have a clear out and take books I no longer require to a charity shop such as Marie Curie at Fryern.

This is where I love the Kindle. No clear out really ever necessary and it is so easy to transport 10, 20, 100 books on it! Still, some things don’t change regardless of technology. You can still only read one book at a time! [Read more…] about Collecting Books

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: books, literature, reading

Writing Children’s Fiction – Anne Wan – Interview Part 1 by Allison Symes

June 16, 2017 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

I enjoy interviewing authors for Chandler’s Ford Today. I love finding out their top tips, how they work and what inspires them.

It was a joy then to meet local children’s author, Anne Wan, for tea, coffee and a chat at Bay Leaves Larder recently. Anne has a background in primary school teaching and her book Secrets of the Snow Globe: Vanishing Voices is now out (North Oak Press). [Read more…] about Writing Children’s Fiction – Anne Wan – Interview Part 1 by Allison Symes

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, Anne Wan, Barbara Large, creative writing, interview, literature, reading, writing

The Art of the Book Review by Allison Symes

May 12, 2017 By Allison Symes 7 Comments

Feature Image Art of the Book Review

What does the average author, with a book “out there”, want from their readers? Well, we obviously want you to enjoy what we’ve written but what we would appreciate are reviews on blogs, certain famous online retailers, Goodreads and so on. Why?

Book reviews are a lifeline for writers. Reviews help spread the word about the book. Given every writer must be prepared to do their own publicity, (even the big publishers save their efforts and budgets for the blockbusting author, everyone else has to “hit the campaign trail” for themselves), reviews give a helping hand. [Read more…] about The Art of the Book Review by Allison Symes

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: book promoting, books, fiction, history, literature

The House at Ladywell

April 11, 2017 By Nicola Slade Leave a Comment

Nicola Slade Hampshire author

Would you fall in love at first sight – with a house?

When my second Harriet Quigley mystery was published, blogger Geranium Cat said, in what is still my favourite review:

Not listed in the Dramatis Personae at the start of A Crowded Coffin is the Attlin family’s farmhouse, although you feel it should be there; once known as the Angel House, Locksley Farm Place dates back centuries, perhaps to a Roman villa on the same site. The author conveys the sense of the house’s age and antiquity seamlessly… and the reader is left with an impression of great solidity and warmth which permeates the whole book…’

[Read more…] about The House at Ladywell

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: blogging, books, education, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

What is a Cyber Launch? by Allison Symes

March 30, 2017 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

Cyberlaunch Image - image supplied by Allison Symes and Chapeltown Books

A cyber launch is basically a Facebook online party celebrating the publication of your book and promoting it. There are usually quizzes with prizes, giveaways, special offers and so on.  The only requirement is to be logged on to Facebook at the time of the event. [Read more…] about What is a Cyber Launch? by Allison Symes

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, book launch, Chapeltown Books, communication, From Light to Dark and Back Again, Information, literature, publishing, writers, writing

Introducing Myself – Nicola Slade

December 13, 2016 By Nicola Slade 10 Comments

Nicola Slade Hampshire author

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

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: blogging, books, education, interview, library, literature, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

Michael Ondaatje – Author

November 21, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

Michael Ondaatje writes a good story and some fine poetry. I have enjoyed his ‘Cat’s Table’ and ‘Running in the Family’.  ‘The English Patient’ is his best known work.

I had been reading ‘Running in the Family’ about Michael’s early life in Kegalle, Sri Lanka. Michael Ondaatje left Sri Lanka at the age of 11 in 1954 and after a few years in England he moved to Canada in 1962 where he is a respected literary figure. The Ondaatje family had a coconut estate in Kegalle called Rock Hill where Michael spent his childhood. [Read more…] about Michael Ondaatje – Author

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Barbara Hillier, books, literature, Sri Lanka

The Writing Life – Barbara Large, Part 1

October 21, 2016 By Allison Symes 7 Comments

Feature Image: Barbara Large Interview

I had the great joy of meeting Barbara Large at the Winchester Writing Conference (as it was known) many moons ago. Now known as the Winchester Writers’ Festival, this three day writing event was started by Barbara in 1980. She led the conference until 2013.

Barbara is as busy as ever and runs workshops. [Read more…] about The Writing Life – Barbara Large, Part 1

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, Barbara Large, books, creative writing, Dovetail Centre, inspiration, literature, publishing, Winchester Writers' Festival

Reminder: Creative Writing Classes at The Dovetail Centre

September 2, 2016 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Barbara Large New Creative Writing Classes Image

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

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, creative writing, Dovetail Centre, event, Information, inspiration, literature, publishing, storytelling, writers

Timeless Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Thornden Hall

August 5, 2016 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Feature Image - Balcony at Verona - image via Pixabay

I went to see Romeo and Juliet at Thornden Hall on Thursday, 7th July. This production was by the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company and was streamed thanks to National Theatre Live. 

It was a wonderful production. [Read more…] about Timeless Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Thornden Hall

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: arts and crafts, culture, entertainment, literature, National Theatre Live, poetry, Thornden Hall

Book of Kells

August 3, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

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

[Read more…] about Book of Kells

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: arts and crafts, books, Information, literature, reading, writing

Barbara Large: NEW Creative Writing Classes in Chandler’s Ford

July 29, 2016 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

Barbara Large New Creative Writing Classes Image

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

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, creative writing, Dovetail Centre, event, Information, inspiration, literature, publishing, storytelling, writers

Interview: Jacci Gooding – The Writing Life

June 24, 2016 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Further to my interview with Jacci Gooding last week which focused on her adventures in self publishing, this post now looks at Jacci’s writing life.

She also reveals what she looks for in a good story as she prepares to launch her own short story collection, A Collection of Unsettling Short Stories.  The anthology will be available as an ebook, as a paperback and in audio formats. [Read more…] about Interview: Jacci Gooding – The Writing Life

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, books, creative writing, how-to, Information, inspiration, interview, literature, writers

Interview: Jacci Gooding – Adventures in Self Publishing

June 17, 2016 By Allison Symes 3 Comments

One of the things I love about writing for Chandler’s Ford Today has been the chance to interview fellow authors, to share news from the publishing world and so on.

Today I talk to Jacci Gooding, who I met at the Winchester Writers’ Festival. As well as learning a great deal from talks at conferences like this one, the other big joy has been making friends with other writers and knowing you are not alone out there. Mike Sedgwick touched on this theme recently with his post about the Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford anthology. [Read more…] about Interview: Jacci Gooding – Adventures in Self Publishing

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, books, creative writing, how-to, Information, inspiration, interview, literature, writers

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

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: arts and crafts, books, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, event, leisure, library, literature, publishing, reading, writing
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Chandler's Ford Today blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Top Posts & Pages

Quizzing Your Characters

Categories

Tags

am writing arts and crafts books Chandler's Ford Chandler's Ford Today Chandler’s Ford community charity Christianity Christmas church community creative writing culture Eastleigh Eastleigh Borough Council education entertainment event family fundraising gardening gardening tips good neighbours Hiltingbury Hiltingbury Road history hobby how-to Joan Adamson Joan Adelaide Goater local businesses local interest memory Methodist Church music nature news reading review social storytelling theatre travel Winchester Road writing

Recent Comments

  • David Powling on Chandler’s Ford School Days: 1970s – 1980s by Betty Brooking
  • Ray Fishman on Supporting Marie Curie – Great Local Contributions
  • Linda pickering on Pine Road Cemetery (part 1)
  • Catherine Baynham on Charles Baynham in Chandler’s Ford
  • C. Klingler on Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear and Other Mondegreens
  • Robbie Sprague on VE Day – Thursday 8th May 1945

Regular Writers and Contributors

Janet Williams Allison Symes Mike Sedgwick Rick Goater Doug Clews chippy minton Martin Napier Roger White Andy Vining Gopi Chandroth Nicola Slade Wellie Roger Clark Ray Fishman Hazel Bateman SO53 News

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

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

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

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

Reviews of local performances and places

Reviews of local performances and places

Copyright © 2025 Chandler's Ford Today. WordPress. Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.