I believe Hampshire may be unique as a county in having 3 cities within it – Southampton, Portsmouth and Winchester. As a result there are plenty of historical connections to our area, some of which make for excellent days out.
The fact we can directly access the Isle of Wight, and there are many historical connections there, gives us even more to see and do. [Read more…] about Hampshire Historical Connections
By Peter David Shuttler
Here I am at the age of 83+ with still vivid memories of my early life at Chandler’s Ford.
I will have to skip for a moment but you will realise the relevance.
While I lived at Woodbridge (Tasmania) our local GP was a Dr Wilson. When mother was out here she went to visit him. Realising that she was originally from Chandler’s Ford he said that he did his internship at Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about My Memories of Chandler’s Ford in the 1930s and 1940s: Part 2
What happens when an amateur theatre company needs props that they don’t have?
They ask a friends, ask a neighbour, or ask local residents.
A while ago Nick Coleman and Liz Strevens from the Chameleons Theatre Company went public to borrow a violin (for their production, The Ladykillers), and a white patio table (for their production, Relatively Speaking). [Read more…] about Review: Dracula by Chameleon Theatre Company
There is a new charity shop on Winchester Road in Chandler’s Ford – Wessex Cancer Trust.
The charity shop on 13-14 The Mall is between the Card Gallery and a beauty shop called ea.
The charity shop opened on 3rd October 2015. It’s the fifth charity shop run by Wessex Cancer Trust. [Read more…] about Wessex Cancer Trust: New Charity Shop in Chandler’s Ford
At the Chandler’s Ford library today I attended an author talk by Richard Hardie: “So you want to be an author?”.
Richard is a Chandler’s Ford author who has written two books in the Temporal Detective Agency series – Leap of Faith and Trouble in Mind. He talked to us about being a writer and good writing tips. [Read more…] about Richard Hardie: “So You Want to be an Author?”
By Peter David Shuttler
I was born in Chandler’s Ford in 1932 – lived at Kingsmead (corner of Winchester Road and Ford Road) until 1946.
I tried to contact Barbara Hillier some years ago as I have two copies of her book. I sat next to David (Ginger) Hillier in Miss Drover’s Grade 4/5 in 1945/46. [Read more…] about My Memories of Chandler’s Ford in the 1930s and 1940s: Part 1
Two designs created by Eastleigh-based artist Lisa Jean Gardner, who works under the name Iris Hill, have been chosen by supermarket giant Asda to feature on a range of greetings cards.
Lisa’s designs, easily recognisable by her use of inks and watercolour to create bright, whimsical patterns and scenes, [Read more…] about Eastleigh Artist’s Designs Picked up for New ASDA Greetings Card Range
Yes the October half term holiday is upon us. What’s your plan?
First, the coffin has arrived!
What am I talking about? The coffin has now arrived at Ritchie Hall ready for the Chameleon Theatre Company’s new production, Dracula. [Read more…] about Things to Do during October Half Term in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Town Centre
Judith Grajewski (Conservative) is the newly elected Hampshire County Councillor.
The by election on 22nd October 2015 was sparked by the resignation of Colin Davidovitz, a long-serving Conservative county councillor. [Read more…] about Judith Grajewski (Conservative) Elected Hampshire County Councillor
Inspired by the history posts in Chandler’s Ford Today, Chandler’s Ford Library invites residents to attend a talk by Martin Napier.
Martin published a popular series on Chandler’s Ford Today, Growing up in Chandler’s Ford in the 1950s and 1960s, last summer. [Read more…] about A Talk by Martin Napier at Chandler’s Ford Library: Growing up in Chandler’s Ford in the 1950s and 1960s
I recently received an unusual request to Chandler’s Ford Today from Gemma, who works on the orthopaedic ward at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.
Her first lines were: “I’m not entirely sure if you are the correct person to contact? However you may be able to redirect me!”
This intrigued me. [Read more…] about Join Eastleigh Knitters Making Twiddlemuffs for Dementia Patients
Chandler’s Ford MDG Players present a world premiere: Diamond in the Sky, by Chandler’s Ford playwright and director, Mike Standing.
It’s an amusing adventure in time, space, and Wales! [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford MDG Players Present: Diamond in the Sky by Mike Standing
Councillor Louise Bloom from Hedge End recently visited Chandler’s Ford promoting Fairtrade.
Eastleigh is now officially a Fairtrade Borough, a status achieved on 7th May 2015. Councillor Louise Bloom, a strong Fairtrade promoter, said she hopes more companies would support Fairtrade in the Borough of Eastleigh. [Read more…] about Show You Care – Chandler’s Ford Fairtrade Autumn Market
Lats Thursday I saw Hamlet broadcast by National Theatre Live, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, at the Thornden Hall in Chandler’s Ford. It was the fifth acting role I have seen Cumberbatch in, and apart from writing my review about the play, Hamlet, I would also like to write about how actors are defined by the roles they play. [Read more…] about A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall
Update: Parking restrictions at the Fryern Arcade have been lifted. See No More Parking Restrictions at Fryern Arcade (19th July 2018)
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Original blog post:
If you visit the Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford, you could park for 3 hours for free.
If you visit the Co-operative Food next to the Fryern Arcade and park at the Co-operative Food’s car park (entrance from Brownhill Road, next to the Age Concern Centre), you can now enjoy up to one hour’s free parking. [Read more…] about 1 hour? 3 hours? Parking Rules at Co-operative Food and Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford
Despite knowing Thornden well and visiting the Hall for numerous parents’ evenings, this was the first time I’d visited the Hall for a show.
The Importance of Being Earnest was being shown as a live broadcast of the performance taking place at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End. There was a short interview with the production’s director, Adrian Noble, and a further short piece with David Suchet, playing the unforgettable Lady Bracknell, before the performance. [Read more…] about Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall
Banks – love ‘em or hate ‘em – we are going to lose HSBC Chandler’s Ford Branch. Closure is scheduled for 13th November 2015.
This is the bank in the Central Precinct, famous for being the site of an armed robbery in September 2007. [Read more…] about Closure of HSBC Chandler’s Ford Branch. Do Bank Branches Still Matter?
Come and join five authors of the paranormal, crime, horror, and young adult fantasy for a blockbusting Halloween book giveaway event, running from 18th October to 1st November 2015.
Chandler’s Ford based author, Richard Hardie, invites young readers to join him and four of his fellow authors for a special Halloween celebration. [Read more…] about A Lucky Dip – Halloween Giveaways!
Some of the great joys of writing for Chandler’s Ford Today are in meeting new people and going to events that are new to me.
The recent Hiltingbury Extrav was the first I’d visited despite living in Chandler’s Ford for over 25 years. So I thought I would look back at it as we leave the summer season with its shows and fetes behind. (If anyone is in any doubt we are in autumn now, the recent wild weather should dispel that!). [Read more…] about High Jinks at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2015
Chandler’s Ford resident Caroline sent us this message this evening:
“I would like to thank all the kind people who helped my cat when she was killed outside Fryern recreation park car park today (I wasn’t home at the time).
Some people may know her as The Park Cat but her name was Maisie (black cat with green eyes) and she lived next to the park.” [Read more…] about The Park Cat Maisie
