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
Image Credit: Unless otherwise stated, all images were taken by Allison Symes
This year’s Extravaganza was on Sunday 17th September and, despite a cloudy start, the sun finally emerged during the afternoon, which in itself seemed to bring out more visitors.
I was at the writers’ stand with Brenda Sedgwick, Karen Stephen, Catherine Griffin, Maggie Farran and Sally Howard. Many thanks to all who popped by to see us to buy books, talk about creative writing and so on. It was good to see you and share information about writing classes, the Hampshire Writers’ Society and so on. [Read more…] about Overview of Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017
I came across a short YouTube video a few days ago about Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury.
“Welcome to Hiltingbury, Chandler’s Ford”
I’ve watched the video a few times, and found it rather pleasing as it captures the key scenes in Chandler’s Ford well: estate agents, outstanding schools, Hiltingbury Lakes (and men fishing), shops in Hiltingbury (Andersons, Marshalls Bakery…), charity shop on Hiltingbury Road, The Picture Framing Shop, the Hiltonbury Farmhouse, wildlife, Tesco, the Hilt, the tennis courts, and dogs playing on Hiltingbury Recreation Ground. [Read more…] about New Video: Welcome to Hiltingbury, Chandler’s Ford
Yesterday afternoon I had a rather good time at Hiltingbury Extravaganza. There were quite many people and lovely animals (pigs, horses, dogs, owls…). Musicians, dancers, writers, volunteers, and many businesses all helped to make this special event remarkable.
Credit to The HCA (Hiltingbury Community Association) at The Hilt for its organisation for another fantastic Extravaganza community event on the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground.
The Hiltingbury Extravaganza was officially opened by Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017
Every evening, Gran describes the sunset seen from The Ridge, often in great detail, and when the sky is cloudy, she invariably writes, “sunset obscured”. On May 5th 1949 though, she misses it entirely:
…because I attended a concert given by a local troop of Girl Guides, of which Jane is a member. It was an excellent show and the spirit of friendliness increased by the presence of five members of a Polish Guide movement. It was almost dark when it was over.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 25)
Officers investigating the theft of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from a Chandler’s Ford home have released an e-fit image.
Gold jewellery worth around £15,000 was reported stolen from a house in Castle Lane on Sunday, 10 September 2017. [Read more…] about E-fit Image Released after Thousands of Pounds Worth of Jewellery Stolen in Chandler’s Ford
Recently a tweet by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) caught my eyes:
“Chandler’s Ford Infant School Project – April Rapley. Shortlisted for Student our Excellence in AT Award.”
Congratulations to April Rapley, Architectural Design and Technology graduate from Southampton Solent University! Her re-design of Chandler’s Ford Infant School on Kings Road has been shortlisted for the Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Project) 2017. [Read more…] about Re-designing Chandler’s Ford Infant School: April Rapley Shortlisted for Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists Award
There are many great local events in the coming weeks in Chandler’s Ford. Here are the highlights of some of them.
For more events in the Chandler’s Ford community, visit Upcoming Events Chandler’s Ford page. [Read more…] about September and October Events in Chandler’s Ford
Eastleigh Borough Council truly surprised many borough residents today, with this tweet:
“Eastleigh’s new leisure centre has been officially named as…” [Read more…] about EBC – Why Places Leisure Eastleigh?
In the past few weeks I met some friends at the newly refurbished Dovetail Centre at the Methodist Church a few times.
The place is bright, spacious, modern, and welcoming. It’s accessible to all, and I particularly like the much improved lighting. (I felt a bit dazzled at the beginning as I was sensitive to light due to short-sightedness, but soon got used to it.)
[Read more…] about Transformation: Dovetail Centre and Dovetail Centre Café
A while back we published a post regarding the proposal to refurbish the pavilion in Hiltingbury recreation ground.
Chandler’s Ford Parish Council has now issued two new documents, to inform residents about the proposals and progress.
Here is a link to the full factsheet.
Here is a link to the Parish Council’s Summer 2017 Newsletter. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Parish Council Issues the Hiltingbury Pavilion Factsheet
Do you know there is a Rev. Wilbert Awdry Bridge in Chandler’s Ford?
The Rev. Wilbert Awdry (15 June 1911 – 21 March 1997) was an Anglican minister who created Thomas the Tank Engine (and other engines). In interviews he said his son Christopher (aged 3) had measles, so he came up with stories to amuse him. [Read more…] about Rev. Wilbert Awdry Bridge in Chandler’s Ford
As always, I had a great time at Eastleigh’s 12th annual Mela on Sunday 30th July. The word means “a public event held to celebrate a special event” (Cambridge Dictionary) and comes from the Hindu word for a festival.
Ours is a multicultural carnival of music, dance and cuisine with such diverse contributors as; Irish Dancers, Southampton Buddhist Centre, Thai dancers, a band from Afghanistan called the Kabul Boys, traditional Indian dancing, Chinese Lion Dancing, the local Nepalese association, more bands including Crestwood’s Panatical steel drum band, who who always make me feel cheerful when I hear them, and a large range of stalls. [Read more…] about Review: Eastleigh’s 12th Annual Mela on Sunday 30th July 2017
Velmore Church is launching a fortnight of events from Sunday 20th August to Sunday 3rd September 2017, at Velmore Centre.
The Big Event (actually it’s a series of interesting events) seems comprehensive, covering music, craft, talks, African experience, holiday club, family fun day, magic show and others. The location is: Velmore Centre, Falkland Road SO53 3GY Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Velmore Centre: The Big Event – 20th August to 3 September 2017
This is the best time to support our local artists.
Hampshire Open Studios this year is from 19th to 28th August. There are over 250 venues exhibiting from this Saturday to the August Bank Holiday. [Read more…] about Hampshire Open Studios: 19th – 28th August 2017
March 18th 1949, Gran writes:
Necessity took me to Southampton today… The bombed sites are ablaze with Coltsfoot now, creeping over the rubble and pouring down the slopes like golden streams. Knots of people standing about and the Convent schoolgirls lining The Avenue spoke of some untoward excitement and I was surprised to hear that Mr Churchill was expected to pass at any moment on his way to the docks to board “Queen Elizabeth”. I was already in the ‘bus for home and I cannot say that I saw him but we did pass his car on Hut Hill! In Park Road a Larch tree is already decked in its soft green tassels of fresh, new growth, one of the loveliest sights of Spring.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 24)
There has been a heated debate recently in the Chandler’s Ford community about the proposal to refurbish the Pavilion situated in Hiltingbury Recreation ground.
What’s the proposal about? According to Chandler’s Ford Parish Council, the proposal is about the “Partial demolition, refurbishment and extension to existing sports pavilion, including provision of additional car parking facilities and construction of temporary car park.” [Read more…] about Have your Say by 18th August: Proposal to Refurbish the Pavilion in Hiltingbury Recreation Ground
Hampshire Constabulary have released an e-fit of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a burglary in Chandler’s Ford on Friday 23 June, 2017.
Entry was forced at the rear of a property in Shaftesbury Avenue between 8.30am and 4pm. Cash, jewellery, a camera and a tablet were taken.
[Read more…] about E-fit Released after Chandler’s Ford Burglary in June 2017
Hampshire County Council is asking for the views of residents and stakeholders on high level, strategic options for balancing its budget.
The survey can be completed online at Hantsweb － Consultations. Copies are also available from Hampshire libraries. [Read more…] about Hampshire County Council: The Balancing the Budget Consultation Closes on 21 August 2017
A few weeks ago, I went to the Gift Day at the Dovetail Centre of the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church. The purpose of the day was to raise fund to refurbish Dovetail Centre, one of the most popular community centres in the heart of Chandler’s Ford.
It was a happy morning. We were sitting at the delightful Dovetail Centre, chatting to old and new friends, and were all excited about the new project. [Read more…] about Refurbishment for a Modern and Contemporary Dovetail Centre at the Methodist Church
