Armed with the research I’d already undertaken, I set off on my bike to see what I could see at the Pine Road Cemetery. [Read more…] about Pine Road Cemetery (part 2)
local history
Pine Road Cemetery (part 1)
A letter came into the Chandler’s Ford Today office recently asking abut the graveyard in Pine Road, near the junction with Hursley Road. I’d never noticed this before, and neither had the editor. “You like local history”, said the editor, “and you’ve got a long weekend coming up. Go and find out about it”. OK, that may not actually be how she said it, but it is how I heard it. [Read more…] about Pine Road Cemetery (part 1)
Charles Baynham in Chandler’s Ford
Last weekend I bought some minced pork and local eggs from Charles Baynham, our finest butchers in Chandler’s ford.
I used the minced pork to make some Chinese dumplings for the Chinese New Year (yes it’s the Year of the Pig, as I heard you asked!)
Charles Baynham has run this friendly, traditional butcher for 40 years in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Charles Baynham in Chandler’s Ford
The Importance of Memories
This is an appropriate topic as we approach Remembrance Day and Armistice Day and also after my review last week of The Chameleon Theatre Group’s excellent performance of Blackadder Goes Forth.
Why do we need to remember? To be grateful to those who made so many sacrifices, in too many cases the ultimate one, so we can live as we do now. To be grateful to these unknowns who gave up their fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, wives, sisters, daughters and other family so we do not have to give up ours. [Read more…] about The Importance of Memories
As Autumn Approaches
The acorns have started dropping off the oaks around Chandler’s Ford, almost certainly earlier than normal due to the heatwave, but for me, that is the start of autumn. I don’t mind that. As I’ve mentioned before, I like autumn. (Though I try to avoid being hit on the head by said acorns, they can come down with some force, and a number of times as I hear them hit the car roof, I’m glad the car took the impact rather than me!). [Read more…] about As Autumn Approaches
Days Out – Fort Nelson
Where can you see a dolphin near Portsmouth?
Well, I suppose “looking out to sea” is a possibility, but Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill is more likely. The handles on a cannon barrel are also called dolphins – because of their resemblance to swimming dolphins arching out of the water.
Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong Part 2 – Friends and Neighbours
Edited by Allison Symes
Hello again. I am Graham McLean, aged 78 years and a long retired former Chartered Surveyor who has spent much of his adult life in the Far East and Canada but I lived in Chandler’s Ford.
My posts are my attempt to share some memories, which I hope trigger other memories in some of you. My first post last week shared some of my wartime memories. This week’s post shares some memories of friends and neighbours. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Memories from Hong Kong Part 2 – Friends and Neighbours
Re-opening of the Dovetail Centre: to Engage and Share, and Fight Loneliness
Yesterday morning, a few of us from Chandler’s Ford Today attended the unique ribbon-less re-opening ceremony of the Dovetail Centre at the Methodist Church. It was a warm and friendly place as usual, buzzing with excitement.
It was certainly a day of celebration, and also a day of reflection on the problem of loneliness in our community, and how we could all reach out to support one another. [Read more…] about Re-opening of the Dovetail Centre: to Engage and Share, and Fight Loneliness
Medieval Weekend – 15th and 16th July 2017
AGINCOURT MEDIEVAL WEEKEND: JULY 15TH AND 16TH 2017
Why am I interested in history? I suppose it is because I love stories of all kinds and history in many ways is the ultimate tale.
When all is said and done, history reveals, only too clearly at times, who we are, where we came from, what horrible mistakes we’ve made in the past (and sometimes what things we did right!). [Read more…] about Medieval Weekend – 15th and 16th July 2017
Vital History by Allison Symes
Henry Ford came up with what, for me, is one of the most annoying and untrue statements of all time when he claimed that “history is bunk”. Err… definitely not.
(And while I know he was focusing on what mattered to him, the there and then as he had obvious reasons for wanting to focus on the progress his cars were making, I still think this statement is rubbish, as recalling history should never mean not making progress. I really can’t fathom his reasoning here.). History is far too important to just be dismissed. [Read more…] about Vital History by Allison Symes