Spring is finally here! Chandler’s Ford is full of great events this month to suit all tastes.
I’ll highlight a few events here. If you know of other events, please let me know so that I could add them to the Upcoming Events page. [Read more…] about April Events in Chandler’s Ford
Update: 12th April 2016: The Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford has now put up a new signboard, after receiving feedback from this post below, which was first published on 26th March 2016. [Read more…] about The Central Precinct – Old and New
In the third and final reminiscence from the late 1980s, Chippy tells us his memories of transport and travel at the time.
Strange as it may seem, I think there was more traffic coming through Winchester Road / Bournemouth Road in those days. I often drive that way on a Friday now, and the queues are nothing like I remember. A lot of local traffic would use that route rather than the notorious A33. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford from the 1980s – Part 3
The Society of St. James, based in Southampton, are having a One Bag Drop event on Saturday 2nd April 2016 between 10 am and 6 pm.
The idea behind One Bag Drop is to allow one person to make a difference to another. [Read more…] about Drop a Bag Day – Society of St. James
Chippy Minton moved to Chandler’s Ford in the late 1980s. In this second instalment of his memories from the time, he writes about some of the shops that were around Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh at the time.
The Chestnut Avenue hypermarket had been there for some years. In those days it was still trading as Gateway (having recently changed from Carrefour – and many people still referred to it as Carrefour). Asda took over the store fairly soon after I moved to the area – though continued to sell Gateway branded goods for several weeks. The store closed over an Easter weekend and reopened as a fully Asda-ised store. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford from the 1980s – Part 2
I had an eye test appointment last week in Eastleigh. This was the only reason I needed to go to the town centre, but while I was there I visited one of the many coffee shops for refreshment.
As I sipped my Americano I wondered why. Why had I decided to spend over £2 on a coffee that I didn’t really need when I was only a five-minute walk from home where I could have one for nothing. Why is a coffee stop now regularly included in a routine shopping trip? Why do we need so many coffee shops? [Read more…] about Coffee vs Discount in Eastleigh
Last Thursday, my mum and I watched an intriguing drama Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players, at the Methodist Church Hall.
The play is about a rich and unpleasant nobleman (played by Lester Parry) [Read more…] about Review: Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players
Are you aware there is a Produce and Craft Market in Chandler’s Ford?
It’s held at the Age Concern Centre on Brownhill Road (to be precise – just next to the Co-op and the Fryern Arcade).
Yes – the market is where you get to buy special gifts from crafters who make the gifts themselves, and buy fresh fruits and vegetables without the plastic packaging.
[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Produce and Craft Market for the Community
Peter Shuttler, Doug Clews, and Martin Napier have contributed some interesting posts about their childhood experiences of Chandler’s Ford between the 1930s and 1960s.
I thought I would complement these by writing about some of my memories from more recent times and see how much has changed – and how much has stayed the same. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford from the 1980s – Part 1
It’s rather unusual that you walk into a post office to buy curry ingredients.
But in Chandler’s Ford you can just do that.
The post office on Ashdown Road in Hiltingbury sells stamps, envelops, cards, soaps and scarves.
It also sells GoldDust Masala Blend. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Post Office (and GoldDust)
One of my favourite short local walks is the stretch of the Itchen Navigation from Bishopstoke to Allbrook.
It is a rural idyll, yet never more than a few hundred yards from the built-up area and/or railway yard. [Read more…] about My Favourite Short Walk – Itchen Navigation from Bishopstoke to Allbrook
Chandler’s Ford Parish Council were delighted that HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, officially opened the Fryern Pavilion extension on the 10 March 2016, with The Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Jane Welsh, in attendance.
The Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor Margaret Atkinson, welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant and his wife to [Read more…] about Official Opening of the Fryern Pavilion Extension
Yesterday late afternoon on my way home I heard the familiar sound of wheelie bins being pressure-washed in my neighbourhood.
Someone’s bin was being spoilt and their bin would be left cleaned and fragrant (and more superior than mine).
You must have seen the wheelie bin cleaning van in Chandler’s Ford before: [Read more…] about In Love with My Wheelie Bin
I had the great joy of going to see As You Like It on Thursday, 25th February 2016 at Thornden Hall.
Having experienced the wonders of Shakespeare’s best known tragedy, Hamlet, late in 2015, I was curious to find out how I was going to get on with one of the Bard of Avon’s comedies. [Read more…] about As You Like It… and I Did!
On Mothering Sunday, we went to Brambridge Garden Centre for lunch, and later walked along the Itchen river.
It was also an excuse for me to buy some plants for the house, as I’m not an able gardener, and even cacti could die in my care.
A few years ago, we couldn’t do any gardening, as we kept 3 chickens, who turned the back garden into a muddy patch. [Read more…] about Mothering Sunday: Brambridge Garden Centre and Itchen Walk
Tomorrow the air will be filled with pride and excitement. March 5th 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire.
The Supermarine Spitfire prototype Spitfire K5054 first took to the skies in 1936 from Southampton Airport.
Want to know where you could see the Spitfire 80th anniversary flight on Saturday? Read on. [Read more…] about Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Spitfire
Eastleigh Football Club were delighted to support the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal.
At the recent home game against Cheltenham Town, Marie Curie volunteers were invited to mingle with supporters receiving donations and giving out Daffodil pins to show support for the Marie Curie Nurses. [Read more…] about Eastleigh FC Supports Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
It was a rather strange day today.
We went for a walk to Hiltingbury Lakes in the afternoon, and somehow got lost. (It meant we couldn’t find the lakes; or, the lakes simply disappeared!) [Read more…] about How Do You Get to Hiltingbury Lakes (without Getting Lost)?
Sadly, I’m writing this post because a recent card scam using the “Distraction Technique” has just happened to a friend at a busy Chandler’s Ford supermarket. And I’ve been asked to put up a warning item so hopefully nobody else is affected by this kind of nasty theft.
Cards were taken from my friend’s purse when they were deliberately distracted. Those cards were then used to buy over £1,500 worth of shopping. [Read more…] about Beware of Thieves Using “Distraction Technique” in Chandler’s Ford
Do you know anyone who worked at Hendy before?
Rebecca Hendy from The Hendy Group is updating the company’s History Book. The company is very interested in producing a chapter based on local people who have worked at Hendy or their experience of Hendy over the years. [Read more…] about Share Your Hendy Stories
