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)
I seem to have run out of honey again.
Do you know you can buy local honey from Eastleigh Museum?
Since creating Chandler’s Ford Today in March 2013, I’ve visited Eastleigh Museum more often, and have shared a few events from the museum with you.
Now I have also become a Friend of Eastleigh Museum. [Read more…] about Glorious Honey at Eastleigh Museum
Marie Curie has been shortlisted to be Charity of the Year by Sainsbury’s Eastleigh.
As Chairman of Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford Fundraising Group for Marie Curie, I hope you could support us.
I recently made a presentation to their staff and we are on their short list of 3. [Read more…] about Marie Curie and Sainsbury’s Eastleigh
I was born, not in Chandler’s Ford, but in Tooting, South London, in 1947.
My father came from Lancashire, and my mother from Tooting.
We lived in Streatham, a mile or two from Tooting, but just before my second birthday, my mother died from influenza. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s (Part 1)
In 2014, glassware artist Carly Mann was commissioned by Eastleigh Borough Council to design and make a new Ceremonial Mace for the new Mayor of Eastleigh in collaboration with Prysmian Group.
The body is formed in brass by the talented team at Prysmian, then plated in gold and silver. The glass panels in the mace head are painted and gilded by the artist. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Artists Shine: Mayor’s Ceremonial Mace and Chain
Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church will be holding an exciting Wedding Dress Festival.
You’ll have a chance to view over 50 wedding dresses and some bridesmaids dresses, which between them span over 70 years.
The organisers from Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church are also displaying photos and other memorabilia in the Church on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June 2015. [Read more…] about Methodist Church: Wedding Dress Festival
Last week (1st-7th June) was Volunteers’ Week across the country, as the tremendous contribution made by volunteers of every sort was celebrated.
I was lucky enough to be part of two events in the Borough. One was celebrating voluntary fire fighters in Hampshire. [Read more…] about Celebration: Volunteers’ Week in Eastleigh 2015
Excitement for the grandchildren on the day of a visit to Marwell Zoo. Parents primed, grandparents had the tickets but it was raining stair rods. So we went to the Pub for lunch. As the bill was paid, the air cleared and the sun came out.
Many people have mixed feelings about zoos and I am one of them. There is nothing to beat the thrill of seeing a wild animal in its natural surroundings even if it is only a glimpse. [Read more…] about Visit to Marwell Zoo and Animal Conservation
One thing I love about writing for Chandler’s Ford Today is how one subject leads to another.
For instance, my interview with local author, Richard Hardie, led to my wanting to discover more about The Gang Shows.
Richard wrote one of these with the great Sir Terry Pratchett. [Read more…] about In the Gang Show: Lyn Darbyshire
Eastleigh is celebrating voluntary and community organisations this summer.
The Hampshire Cultural Trust’s Celebrate Volunteers exhibition runs from 23 May to 27 June at Eastleigh Museum, 25 High Street, Eastleigh SO50 5LF.
Admission is free to both the museum and gallery, from Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm. [Read more…] about Celebrate Volunteers Exhibition at Eastleigh Museum
The Chandler’s Ford Community Association agreed at a Management Committee meeting this week to install air conditioning in the Ritchie Memorial Hall.
With several hot summers behind us coupled with full houses as a result of increasing popularity of our productions, the temperature in the Ritchie Hall was often exceeding 30 degrees Centigrade. It was also stuffy making air quality poor. [Read more…] about Air Conditioning in the Ritchie Memorial Hall
Don’t miss The Sorting Office’s annual Summer Open Studios on June 13 and 14 (Saturday and Sunday) in Eastleigh town centre.
This is a fantastic opportunity to see behind the scenes of thriving designer-maker studios. You’ll meet 16 artists, watch them at work, take part in demonstrations, and shop for exquisite handcrafted goods and designs. [Read more…] about The Sorting Office: Summer Open Studios: 13 -14 June 2015
A new and welcoming cafe has now opened on Hursley Road – great news for the community.
Beacon Café is a new cafe at St. Boniface Church.
Beacon Café runs on the first and the third Tuesday of every month, from 10am to 12pm. [Read more…] about Beacon Café at St. Boniface Church – You are Invited
Today Eastleigh Gurkha Nepalese Association was collecting donation in Eastleigh town centre for the Nepal Earthquake appeal fund.
I met some members of the group at Swan Centre Shopping Centre this afternoon. They told me they will take the donation to Nepal directly to help the most desperate people.
Here are some words in their leaflet:
“Nepalese, Gurkhas of the British Army now resident here are breaking their hearts trying to send help back to their stricken country. We ask you to open your hearts. To give what you can.” [Read more…] about “We Ask You to Open Your Hearts” – Eastleigh Gurkha Nepalese Association
A German student is seeking a host family. Are you able to help?
Eastleigh Lions twinned with German Kornwestheim Lions Club in 1995. Both towns are twinned as well.
The towns and the Lions Clubs enjoy a good cultural and social exchanges. The Lions Clubs also carry out joint projects over the many years.
Eastleigh Lions had a request from the twin town to find a host family [Read more…] about German Student Seeking Host Family
The early 1980s.
Telephones were attached to the wall by lines; an international call meant going through the operator – and was very, very expensive; a television remote control meant getting your child to walk over to the set to change the channel; the Intercity-125 was the epitome of modern train travel; Torville and Dean ice skated to victory; Sheffield was famous for its cutlery; children sat O-levels and CSEs – and organised protests to complain about school rules that they didn’t like; people who were out of work were “on the dole” and claimed “social security”; [Read more…] about Theatre Review: Thornden School: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾
Do you know Chandler’s Ford Girlguiding is building a new centre in Chandler’s Ford, in Ramalley Lane?
They need your support.
Girlguiding Chandler’s Ford Division would like to able to install windows for their new building this summer. [Read more…] about New Girlguiding Centre in Chandler’s Ford Needs Your Support
Today Eastleigh Police asked Chandler’s Ford drivers to slow down.
“Over 35 vehicles identified as speeding between 3pm and 4.15pm on Hursley Road today by our Communtiy Speedwatch Team. Please Slow Down!” [Read more…] about Eastleigh Police Ask Drivers to Slow Down
Hut Wood is one of those delightful bits of countryside that is just on our doorstep, yet few people seem to know about.
Well, there is an excuse – it’s managed by the Forestry Commission, but even their website doesn’t admit to its existence.
The wood lies to the west of the road from Asda in Eastleigh to Chilworth, just before the bridge over the M27 link road. [Read more…] about Delightful Hut Wood – Have You Been Yet?
Let’s look at a few polling stations in Chandler’s Ford.
If you have got pictures of local polling stations (not your selfies inside the polling station please), please send them to Chandler’s Ford Today to share. [Read more…] about Polling Stations in Chandler’s Ford: General Election 2015
