local interest

Review: Thornden Community Wind Band Concert

June 21, 2016 By chippy minton 1 Comment

The Thornden Community Wind Band presented their summer concert, “Round the World in 90 minutes” on Friday 17 June. This was a light-hearted programme of music loosely themed on a trip around the world. Light-hearted doesn’t mean low quality. This was a performance of very high calibre – and great entertainment.

The auditorium was metaphorically became an aeroplane for the concert. The audience were the passengers, the conductor was the pilot, and the band was the engine. We appreciated the range of instruments during the “engine testing” at the start of the concert when a representative from each section played one or two bars of their own choice. [Read more…] about Review: Thornden Community Wind Band Concert

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, concert, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, local interest, music, review, social, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road

Highbridge Community Farm: Grow and Enjoy Fresh Local Produce

June 21, 2016 By Janet Williams 1 Comment

Highbridge Community Farm had an open day last weekend, and we went there to find out a little about the project.

Last year the group shared with us their work and fresh vegetables at the Hiltingbury Extrav 2015.

Henry Russell, Highbridge Farm, offered a 1.7 acre field for this worthwhile project. The farm is located just north of Eastleigh and is near the River Itchen. [Read more…] about Highbridge Community Farm: Grow and Enjoy Fresh Local Produce

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, Eastleigh, gardening, gardening tips, good neighbours, local interest, recommendations

Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford

June 12, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 4 Comments

It is not solitude, loneliness and seclusion that makes a writer. It is a great social life. They often start their careers in a Creative Writing Class. So it happened that four writers met in Chandler’s Ford writing group a few years ago. [Read more…] about Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford

Tags: book signing, books, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, event, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, local interest, publishing, reading, writing

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

June 11, 2016 By Martin Napier 1 Comment

Another episode from Boats and Bikes…

Cycle Time Trials – the 1970s

I found the competitive side of cycling to be just what I wanted at that time. I needed a new angle on cycling and this was it! I managed to be moderately successful and I improved my “Personal Best” times over the distances I raced – mainly 10, 25 & 50 mile events. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

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

Interview Kate Day: Chocolate Muffin Publishing

June 3, 2016 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

One of the strange but nice things about dementia is the way arts can help retain memories. Singing, for example, seems to affect the brain in a way that can put patients on a level playing field with those without that awful disease.

Why? Because singing helps retain memories for all who take part, singing makes all feel good and can be a social event for all. [Read more…] about Interview Kate Day: Chocolate Muffin Publishing

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, books, Chandler’s Ford community, community, interview, local businesses, local interest, reading, writing

Consultation on Preventing Anti-social Behaviour in Chandler’s Ford Shopping Area

June 2, 2016 By SO53 News 4 Comments

Eastleigh Borough Council is asking for your opinion to help “prevent drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the Chandler’s Ford shopping area”.

The shopping area is the Fryern Arcade.

The six-week consultation is from Tuesday 31 May to Monday 11 July. [Read more…] about Consultation on Preventing Anti-social Behaviour in Chandler’s Ford Shopping Area

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, Eastleigh Borough Council, Eastleigh Police, Fryern Arcade, Information, local businesses, local interest, Neighbourhood Watch, PACT, Winchester Road

Eastleigh Police: Vehicle Crime

May 27, 2016 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Today Eastleigh Police informed residents of vehicle crime in Chandler’s Ford area.

“Boyatt Wood and Toynbee area of Chandler’s Ford have suffered from vehicle crime recently.” [Read more…] about Eastleigh Police: Vehicle Crime

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, crime, Eastleigh Police, Information, local interest, Neighbourhood Watch, PACT

Eastleigh Police: Crime Prevention – Purse theft

May 25, 2016 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Today Eastleigh Police asked people to be vigilant in Chandler’s Ford area.

Keep your belongings with you.

Crime Prevention: Purse theft. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Police: Crime Prevention – Purse theft

Tags: advice, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crime, Eastleigh Police, Hiltingbury, Information, local interest, Neighbourhood Watch, PACT, police

For a Fairer World: Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford

May 23, 2016 By Janet Williams 1 Comment

Last Friday, there was an entertaining and meaningful Fashion Show in Hiltingbury.

It was no casual fashion show featuring high street brands. The Fashion Show promoted Fairtrade, and encouraged the community to buy Fairtrade products. [Read more…] about For a Fairer World: Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford

Tags: campaign, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crafts, Eastleigh, education, event, Fairtrade, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, local interest, St. Martin, Traidcraft

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Passions for Power Boat, Bike, and Lambretta (Part 13)

May 16, 2016 By Martin Napier Leave a Comment

More favourite memories including thoughts about my boats and bikes……

1964 – The year that Radio Caroline started broadcasting! [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Passions for Power Boat, Bike, and Lambretta (Part 13)

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

Review: One Man, Two Guvnors by Thornden School

May 15, 2016 By chippy minton 17 Comments

What’s the secret of comedy?

Timing.

Yes, but what else do you need for a play to be funny. A witty script – maybe with some running gags. Visual gags to complement the verbal ones; possibly a bit of intentional confusion caused by misunderstandings and/or mistaken identity – particularly when the audience are in on the joke and the characters aren’t; and slapstick, done well, will always amuse an audience. [Read more…] about Review: One Man, Two Guvnors by Thornden School

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

Fun Day – Fryern Funtasia 2016

May 13, 2016 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Another first for me this year has been to visit the Fryern Funtasia on Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May 2016. How to tell it is a Bank Holiday Monday? Because the weather closes in!

The weather held off long enough to not get in the way of a good show at the Fryern Recreation Ground. Nor did it stop the youngsters having a wonderful time on the bouncy castle, the bouncy slides, the pony ride, go kart track and so on. [Read more…] about Fun Day – Fryern Funtasia 2016

Tags: Chandler's Ford Parish Council, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, days out, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, Fryern Funtasia, Fryern Recreation Ground, fundraising, local interest, Methodist Church, social, Thornden Hall

Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

May 10, 2016 By Ben Williams 6 Comments

Last weekend I saw The Pirates of Penzance at The Point theatre. I really enjoyed it and it surprised me as I didn’t know much about the musical.

It is about a bunch of pirates who get involved in an insane plot to do with a Major-General. It’s a really nonsensical plot and it doesn’t make much sense, but in a musical like this it doesn’t matter. All the characters are really cartoony and over the top and they fit the tone perfectly. [Read more…] about Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, local interest, review, The Point, theatre

Review: The Pocket Dream by Chameleon Theatre Company

May 6, 2016 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

I went to see The Pocket Dream, written by Elly Brewer and Sandi Toksvig, on 30th April 2016 at The Chameleon Theatre Group based at the Ritchie Memorial Hall in Hursley Road.

Despite living in Chandler’s Ford for over 20 years, this was the first time I had managed to get to one of the Chameleons’ productions. Many thanks to Lionel Elliot for supplying director’s notes, the cast list and some of the images of the show (which were taken by Dave Wilkins). [Read more…] about Review: The Pocket Dream by Chameleon Theatre Company

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

Chandler’s Ford School Days: 1970s – 1980s by Betty Brooking

May 4, 2016 By SO53 News 41 Comments

By Betty Brooking

When we lived on the Oakmount estate in the 70s, our son first went to Mrs Vincent’s nursery school at the Methodist Church Hall Fryern Hill.

He then started infant school in the annex with Mrs Moye at Kings Road School Chandler’s Ford (She always ran the sweet stall at the school’s annual fete, held at Merdon Avenue School). [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford School Days: 1970s – 1980s by Betty Brooking

Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, history, Kings Road Infant School, local interest, memory, Merdon School, Methodist Church, storytelling, Toynbee School

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: the Joy of Powerboat Race and Cycling (Part 12)

May 4, 2016 By Martin Napier Leave a Comment

It is worth saying how different commentating on powerboat racing was then to how it is nowadays.

As the boat [competitor] of a personality raced past, the commentator would show a degree of deference. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: the Joy of Powerboat Race and Cycling (Part 12)

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

Not Britain’s Got Talent

May 3, 2016 By chippy minton 3 Comments

You may have noticed that Britain’s Got Talent is back on our screens.

I’ll admit to having an ambivalent attitude to the programme. It’s not something I go out of my way to watch but when I do I find it generally entertaining. [Read more…] about Not Britain’s Got Talent