Chandler's Ford Today

local interest

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park: Can You Help?

By 39 Comments

About the author: Dave Key is the voluntary archivist and historian at Hursley Park. He is trying to locate as many ex-Supermariners, or their relatives, as possible in order to record their stories. Could you help?

In September 1940 the Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Woolston & Itchen workshops were bombed, forcing the complete dispersal of Spitfire production around the south of England (principally Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire). [Read more…] about History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park: Can You Help?

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury #PACT Meeting: Wednesday 25th March 2015 7pm Merdon School

By 3 Comments

Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury PACT Meeting will take place at Merdon School on Wednesday 25th March 2015 at 7pm.

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury #PACT Meeting: Wednesday 25th March 2015 7pm Merdon School

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Land South of Chestnut Avenue: Consultation Ends Monday 23 March 2015

By Leave a Comment

Many of you in Eastleigh are concerned about the development on North Stoneham Park.

Chandler’s Ford Today published a post last December on Land South of Chestnut Avenue and the exhibitions for the developer.

On the Eastleigh Borough Website, the consultation period is between 19 February and 23 March 2015. [Read more…] about Land South of Chestnut Avenue: Consultation Ends Monday 23 March 2015

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Good and the Bad of Fryern Arcade

By 12 Comments

People blog about, talk about, write about and visit Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford so there must be something good about it.

Shortly after Fryern was opened in 1967, Ian Nairn, an architectural journalist wrote in the Observer (October 8th 1967) about Fryern and compared it with a similar development, the Fairwater Centre, in Cwmbran, South Wales. [Read more…] about The Good and the Bad of Fryern Arcade

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Review: The Phantom of the Opera by Centrestage Production Youth Theatre

By 2 Comments

Centrestage Production Youth Theatre recently performed The Phantom of the Opera at The Point theatre in Eastleigh. The youngsters received a standing ovation with their outstanding performances.

Wendy from Horton Heath praised the youngsters: “A brilliant production – we loved it. Incredible to believe how young they were. Truly professional.” [Read more…] about Review: The Phantom of the Opera by Centrestage Production Youth Theatre

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have Your Say: Your View about Chandler’s Ford Fryern Arcade

By 12 Comments

The joy of running Chandler’s Ford Today is that I get to know more people in the community.

We all want to find out about our community. We contribute to the discussions, and help each other research local history.

Chandler’s Ford resident Teresa Buckley recently contacted me as she needs to find out your views on the Fryern Arcade. [Read more…] about Have Your Say: Your View about Chandler’s Ford Fryern Arcade

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Jane Austen: An Appreciation by Allison Symes

By 17 Comments

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice is the greatest of all Jane Austen’s works.

It is a blueprint for romantic comedy and Elizabeth Bennet remains one of my favourite literary heroines, being quick witted and intelligent at a time when that was not particularly welcomed. (It isn’t always welcomed now in some places, unfortunately). [Read more…] about Jane Austen: An Appreciation by Allison Symes

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Has Happened to Oakmount Road?

By 11 Comments

What has happened to Oakmount Road in Chandler’s Ford? It was closed for a week recently while a number of random strips of tarmac have been pasted in the roadway.

In some places they look quite reasonable – uniform straight lines, joined at right-angles: [Read more…] about What Has Happened to Oakmount Road?

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Barbara Hillier: Story of My Great Uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier and His Memorial Plaque

By 15 Comments

Last Saturday (28th February 2015), Chandler’s Ford historian Barbara Hillier shared a poignant story of her great uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier, who died on the 7th of October 1916 in action in France, aged only 30.

Barbara’s storytelling was linked with a unique memorial plaque, which was once lost, but was never forgotten.

It was a story about a conscientious objector who later changed his mind, his love for his family, [Read more…] about Barbara Hillier: Story of My Great Uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier and His Memorial Plaque

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 2015 Highlight: Comedy Worth a Fortune by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

By 2 Comments

You may not believe this but March is approaching.

In Chandler’s Ford, the highlight for March will be Worth a Fortune, a farcical comedy by Frances A Lewis, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players.

Chandler’s Ford MDG Players will perform Worth a Fortune from Thursday to Saturday, 26th – 28th March 2015 at 7.30pm, [Read more…] about March 2015 Highlight: Comedy Worth a Fortune by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

In Loving Memory of Wilfred Herbert Hillier

By 4 Comments

On the 7th of October 1916, 30-year-old Wilfred Herbert Hillier from Chandler’s Ford was killed in action in France. There was no known grave.

You’ll find Wilfred Herbert Hillier’s name on Chandler’s Ford War Memorial.

This post tells you the story of a lost and found plaque for Wilfred Herbert Hillier, [Read more…] about In Loving Memory of Wilfred Herbert Hillier

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hampshire Libraries and My Love for Graphic Novels

By 7 Comments

I’ve stated before that I like Chandler’s Ford library and Eastleigh library.

One of the reasons is that both libraries have a small but pretty good selection of comics and graphic novels, where I get some of mine from. [Read more…] about Hampshire Libraries and My Love for Graphic Novels

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Open Data: How Hampshire Hub Inspired the Government

By 3 Comments

Have you heard of Hampshire Hub?

Hampshire Hub is a data store for people who live in and around Hampshire to share data, information, and knowledge.

Mark Braggins, who also writes for Chandler’s Ford Today, founded the Hampshire Hub.

Hampshire Hub is underwritten by Hampshire County Council. [Read more…] about Open Data: How Hampshire Hub Inspired the Government

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Inspiring Artists from the Sorting Office Studios Eastleigh

By 3 Comments

Chandler’s Ford Library provides us with books, music, and films, and yesterday, the library also brought us the most talented artists from The Sorting Office Studios in Eastleigh.

I’ve been following the artists around Eastleigh since last year and it was very lovely to see some of them again in Chandler’s Ford Library.

Residents of the Sorting Office Studios met the public [Read more…] about Inspiring Artists from the Sorting Office Studios Eastleigh

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

One Community Older People’s Network – Chandler’s Ford 5th March 2015

By 2 Comments

One Community is the Council of Voluntary Service (CVS) for the Eastleigh area. It has set up a quarterly Network meeting for people aged 60 and over for the community.

The next meeting will be held in Chandler’s Ford: Thursday 5th March 2015  from 10am to 12pm at St. Boniface Church, Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford SO53 2FT. [Read more…] about One Community Older People’s Network – Chandler’s Ford 5th March 2015

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Comedy Night for Ramalley Hall Sunday 15th March 2015

By Leave a Comment

There is an active fundraising movement in Chandler’s Ford for the new Ramalley Hall.

You can support the new Ramalley Hall in many ways, such as buying Lego Brick Cufflinks.

Or, why not enjoy a Comedy Night at The Hilt on Sunday 15th of March? [Read more…] about Comedy Night for Ramalley Hall Sunday 15th March 2015

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Publish Your Book

By 2 Comments

By Brenda Sedgwick

Will Self said, “Writing the book is the easy bit. When your writing is finished the real work starts.”

If you are publishing and marketing your book, would you like to meet with other writers in the area who are doing the same thing?

I am about to publish my book and think [Read more…] about How to Publish Your Book

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Review: The Wizard of Oz by the Chameleons

By 12 Comments

Last weekend we watched The Wizard of Oz pantomime, performed by the Chameleon Theatre Company from Chandler’s Ford.

It was a hilarious show, directed by Geoff Dodsworth.

I interviewed the audience (er, my teenage son Ben, who did a review of The Ladykillers by the Chameleons last year). [Read more…] about Review: The Wizard of Oz by the Chameleons

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Ruby: Winner of the Official Pedant Award

By 2 Comments

Today Chandler’s Ford Today is going to honour one of our regular commenters with The Official Pedant Award.

The winner is Ruby.

Ruby has made 76 comments on Chandler’s Ford Today so far.

In the current Private Eye Issue (No. 1384, 23 January to 5 February 2015), Ruby (or better known as Ruby Barefoot) has made it to Pedantry Corner. [Read more…] about Ruby: Winner of the Official Pedant Award

Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Sorting Office Creative Open Day: Chandler’s Ford Library 14th Feb 2015

By 2 Comments

Designer-makers from The Sorting Office studios will host a Creative Open Day at Chandler’s Ford Library on the 14th of February (Saturday) from 10am to 3pm.

The makers, designers, and artists, who work at The Sorting Office studios in Wells Road, Eastleigh, will be holding demonstrations of their crafts, offering taster sessions for anyone passionate about learning a new skill, and displaying their beautiful creations. [Read more…] about The Sorting Office Creative Open Day: Chandler’s Ford Library 14th Feb 2015

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,