local interest

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 (Part 6)

August 18, 2015 By Doug Clews 2 Comments

Doug Clews lived in Chandler’s Ford between 1938 and 1966. Now living in Perth, Western Australia, Doug shares his fascinating childhood memories of Chandler’s Ford with us.

Part 6 (Final)

I remember that, due to the shortage of diesel (distillate) and petrol, the buses were powered by gas, generated by a converter of some description, which was located on a little trailer towed behind the bus (very dirty and smelly).
[Read more…] about My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 (Part 6)

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, education, history, local interest, memory, Peter Symonds, storytelling, World War Two

A Bridge in the Garden

August 10, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

For three seasons of the year we have a stream running through the garden. It is dry in summer so it is really a bourne. The water authority have upgraded it to the status of ‘river’. This gives them control over what we do with it in case we want to dam it, change its course or make a culvert. [Read more…] about A Bridge in the Garden

Tags: architecture, family, gardening, Hiltingbury, hobby, local interest

My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 5)

August 4, 2015 By Doug Clews 2 Comments

Doug Clews lived in Chandler’s Ford between 1938 and 1966. Now living in Perth, Western Australia, Doug shares his fascinating childhood memories of Chandler’s Ford with us.

Today I’m going to share an eye-witness’ account of what happened in WWII in Winchester, recalled and written by David J. Ward, at that time a student at Peter Symonds’ School, Winchester. [Read more…] about My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 5)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, history, local interest, memory, storytelling, World War Two

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Breaking Free from North End School (Part 8)

August 3, 2015 By Martin Napier 4 Comments

The Big Freeze in 1963 was followed by the ‘Chandler’s Ford Floods’!

As the snow melted, the resulting melt water had to go somewhere – and the river systems were unsuited for the rush!

Monks Brook and its tributaries were much narrower then and the bridges formed obstructions to the passing waters which rushed through. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Breaking Free from North End School (Part 8)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, Eastleigh, education, family, history, local interest, memory, North End School, storytelling, travel

My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 4)

July 28, 2015 By Doug Clews 5 Comments

Doug Clews lived in Chandler’s Ford between 1938 and 1966. Now living in Perth, Western Australia, Doug shares his fascinating childhood memories of Chandler’s Ford with us.

Extracts from The Doug Clews Story, or As I remember it, 81 years on.

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, history, local interest, memory, Peter Symonds, school, storytelling, Winchester, World War Two

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Big Freeze in 1963 (Part 7)

July 27, 2015 By Martin Napier 3 Comments

In the winter of 1963 we suffered the worst winter weather for many years.

Snow started falling on Boxing Day 1962, and snow covered the ground for over two months or more.

I was 15 when the coldest winter occurred.

We still rode to school on our bikes, on icy roads and still carried out duties as paperboys, delivering the newspapers. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Big Freeze in 1963 (Part 7)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, Eastleigh, education, family, history, local interest, memory, storytelling

Another Triumph for Chameleon Theatre Company

July 24, 2015 By Ray Fishman 1 Comment

This week my wife and I attended the latest offering by our local Chameleon Theatre Company. We also took along someone new to this form of entertainment as we were sure that she would be hooked as we are to this talented group.

We were not disappointed. [Read more…] about Another Triumph for Chameleon Theatre Company

Tags: arts and crafts, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, local interest, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Review: Relatively Speaking – Chandler’s Ford Chameleon Theatre Company

July 22, 2015 By Ben Williams 4 Comments

Over the past month or so I have been helping out with the Chameleon Theatre Company, after seeing several of their shows.

I learnt how to work with the lights and sound effects for the show from Lionel Elliott and Rebecca Nye. Last Sunday I saw the full dress rehearsal as I will be unable to help during the actual show due to holiday-itis. So treat this review like a film review when the film critics go to see the show early. [Read more…] about Review: Relatively Speaking – Chandler’s Ford Chameleon Theatre Company

Tags: arts and crafts, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, local interest, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

July 21, 2015 By chippy minton 3 Comments

It must be slightly daunting when planning to perform a well-known and loved musical. Everyone knows the story. Everyone knows what the songs are supposed to sound like. Can we do it justice? No such qualms need to have worried the cast and crew of who treated audiences to a feast of entertainment with Thornden School’s summer production of The Sound of Music last week.

The production required a large cast of over 100 performers – [Read more…] about Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, education, entertainment, event, local interest, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Thornden School, Winchester Road

My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 3)

July 21, 2015 By Doug Clews 2 Comments

About the writer: Doug Clews lived in Chandler’s Ford between 1938 and 1966. Now living in Perth, Western Australia, Doug shares his fascinating childhood memories of Chandler’s Ford with us.

Extracts from The Doug Clews Story, or As I remember it, 81 years on. [Read more…] about My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 3)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, history, local interest, memory, school, storytelling, World War Two

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: A Summer of Hope and Sorrow (Part 6)

July 20, 2015 By Martin Napier 4 Comments

I remain a club cyclist to this day, having ventured into competitive cycling in the 1970s. I won a few trophies with the Sotonia Cycling Club of which I am a Vice-President.

I remain involved in riding, timekeeping races, and enjoy the companionship and camaraderie the sport offers those of all ages. Some of my present day clubmates are over 80 years of age, and are still active, so there must be some benefits to cycling! [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: A Summer of Hope and Sorrow (Part 6)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, cycling, Eastleigh, education, family, history, local interest, memory, North End School, storytelling, travel

My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 2)

July 15, 2015 By Doug Clews 4 Comments

Extracts from The Doug Clews Story, or As I remember it, 81 years on.

At the start of the war, there were no such things as shelters, but when the bombing started, community surface shelters began to appear. [Read more…] about My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 2)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, history, local interest, memory, storytelling, World War Two

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Bicycle, Bicycle! (Part 5)

July 13, 2015 By Martin Napier 10 Comments

Herewith another saga……

While I was attending North End Secondary School, I became interested in cycling, not just as a means of transport, but as a sport and pastime.

I was pretty useless at conventional sports like football and cricket, so a chance discussion with another paper boy, introduced me to the Southampton group of the Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC). This was and still is, a National & International club, with local “Sections” based around the country. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Bicycle, Bicycle! (Part 5)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, cycling, Eastleigh, education, family, history, hobby, local interest, memory, North End School, storytelling, travel

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

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: North End School (Part 4)

July 6, 2015 By Martin Napier 16 Comments

Continuation of my memories of North End School in Eastleigh.

I recently met up with one of my boyhood friends whom I have kept in touch with ever since.

We met over a coffee recently, and agreed that we must have caused our teachers a great deal of anguish.

Youngsters quickly detect a weakness in others. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: North End School (Part 4)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, history, local interest, memory, North End School, storytelling

Review: Les Misérables by Barton Peveril College

July 1, 2015 By chippy minton 6 Comments

Last week (Thursday to Saturday) Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh performed Les Misérables School Edition^TM at the Theatre Royal Winchester.

If you are a fan of Les Misérables and concerned that the “schools edition” might be a dumbed-down version, let me reassure you – it isn’t. The adaptation contains all the passion and power of the original. [Read more…] about Review: Les Misérables by Barton Peveril College

Tags: arts and crafts, Barton Peveril College, books, Chandler's Ford, community, Eastleigh, education, entertainment, event, local interest, review, school, theatre, Winchester, writing

My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 1)

July 1, 2015 By Doug Clews 15 Comments

About the writer: Doug Clews lived in Chandler’s Ford between 1938 and 1966. Now living in Perth, Western Australia, Doug shares his fascinating childhood memories of Chandler’s Ford with us.

At age 5 at the outbreak of WW2, I did not have anything to compare life and standards of living with, so the War, as I remember it, did not seem to be such a hardship for us, as it was for many, many, thousands of other people in England.

So many of them lost loved ones, their homes, their possessions, and in many cases, their dignity. [Read more…] about My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 1)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, history, local interest, memory, storytelling, World War Two

Please May We Have Our Footpath Back?

June 30, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 6 Comments

Judging by recent comments on Streetlife about hedges overhanging pavements, I believe many will support my request to have our footpaths returned to us.

If you go for a walk in the evening with a friend, dog or children, you will come across obstacles. Plants escaping from peoples’ front gardens will make your trip hazardous. [Read more…] about Please May We Have Our Footpath Back?

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, Eastleigh Police, gardening, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, local interest, Streetlife

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Central Precinct; Bonfire Night (Part 3)

June 29, 2015 By Martin Napier 6 Comments

Before I relate more of my life at North End Secondary School, I might regale you with some of the other events and things happening in the area back in the late 1950s and into the 1960s.

The area at the bottom of Hursley Road, where the Central Precinct is now, was somewhat different then.

The precinct was built in the 60s, [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Central Precinct; Bonfire Night (Part 3)

Tags: Bournemouth Road, Central Precinct, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, history, Hursley Road, local interest, memory, North End School, storytelling, Winchester Road

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Paper Boy; North End School (Part 2)

June 22, 2015 By Martin Napier 23 Comments

I grew up in Chandler’s Ford in the 1950s and 1960s.

When I was about 12 years old, I started my first (part-time) job.

This was as a Saturday van-boy for Mr Smith, a greengrocer, who had a shop opposite “The Hut” on Bournemouth Road. (not to be confused with Mr Smith who had a grocers shop in Hursley Road, opposite the Railway Station.) [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Paper Boy; North End School (Part 2)

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, Hiltonbury Farmhouse, history, Hursley Road, Kings Road, Kings Road Infant School, local interest, memory, Merdon School, North End School, storytelling

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