• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chandler's Ford Today

  • Home
  • About
    • About Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research
  • Blog
    • Blogging Tips
  • Event
    • Upcoming Events
  • Community
    • Groups
    • Churches
    • Schools
    • GP Surgeries
    • Leisure
    • Library
    • Charities
      • Eastleigh Basics Bank
      • Cat & Kitten Rescue in Chandler’s Ford
    • Fair Trade
      • Traidcraft stalls in Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford Parish Council
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Site Policies
  • Site Archive
    • Site Archive 2018
    • Site Archive 2017
    • Site Archive 2016
    • Site Archive 2015

memory

Brickmaking in Chandler’s Ford

January 9, 2022 By Christine Clark 3 Comments

Brickmaking in Chandler's Ford

It won’t come as a surprise to any local gardener that brickmaking was a big industry round here 100-150 years ago. Our heavy clay soil, as well as the local chalk downland, made this area an obvious site for several brickfields over the centuries. In fact, in the late nineteenth century in Hampshire there were 100-150 works producing clay products such as bricks, tiles and pipes.

Chandler's Ford Community Halls, Hursley Road.
Chandler’s Ford Community Halls, Hursley Road.

It was in around 1870 that it was discovered that our clay soil was particularly suitable for brickmaking. There were three brickfields in Chandler’s Ford. The biggest, which was also one of the largest in the country, was Bell’s, which occupied the land now taken by Chandler’s Ford industrial estate. The position of the railway no doubt helped its success as this was the main means of transporting the finished bricks. A short single-track branch line ran through the brickfield, joining the Eastleigh-Romsey line at the station near the signal box. The whole process of clay extraction, moulding to shape and firing was done on site. This last was not always popular with local residents due to the fumes emanating from the kilns. This brickfield had the honour of providing 35,000 bricks for the construction of the Royal Courts of Justice in the 1870s.

Brickmaking in Chandler's Ford
Brickmaking in Chandler’s Ford

[Read more…] about Brickmaking in Chandler’s Ford

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, education, history, local history, local interest, memory, storytelling, war memorial, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 183, the last)

December 30, 2021 By Rick Goater 26 Comments

Condolences from a small great-grandson; a happy birthday and a treasured card; green-wellied Rick; farewell the Anderson Shelter; a new pond; “queer turns” and “nasty falls”; a last new bird for the garden; several new additions to the Family, and “Good night my dear.  God bless you”.

It is June 30th 1991, four days after Jane’s funeral.  Gran writes:

I rang Beverly to ask how she is and she said she had recovered from her exhaustion and was very touched and proud that Jane had asked her to be with her during her illness. I thanked her for being with Jane at the last and for her support for me in the Church at Jane’s Funeral Service.

The following day Gran receives a heartfelt and uplifting letter from Julian, based with the RAF in Germany, praising Jane and her “spirit, her values and her bravery”, adding, “… I’d be really proud if I were her Mum”. And with Julian’s communication is a letter from his son, Sam, saying, Gran writes, “Dear Great Gran – we were very sad too”.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 183, the last)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 182)

December 5, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A new gas supply; the “Great Gale”; worrying news of Jane; Peter Scott, George Green and “a little Pakistani newsboy”; taking a bath is risky; three additional residents at The Ridge; Frank Harding’s eyesight; a shop on fire; the last whist drive, and “the saddest Midsummer Day”.

On September 10th 1987 Gran’s gas supply is being upgraded, and she writes at the end of the day:

There was still no gas and the men dug up the top part of the drive and drilled a hole through the wall and from the cupboard under the stairs into the garage where the new meter is to be installed.  The mess everywhere has to be seen to be believed… The gas was restored at 4.45 and the last man told me that men would return in a day or two to re-lay the drive and level the ground outside the gateway.

The Ridge’s drive. It was originally “crazy-paved” with large slabs of limestone, and could be very slippery.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 182)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Past Hospitals in Chandler’s Ford

December 2, 2021 By Christine Clark 1 Comment

Fryern Hill Isolation Hospital

I wonder how much you know about hospitals in Chandler’s Ford past? We know of the private Nuffield Hospital in Winchester Road. Many will remember Leigh House Hospital that is gone now, to make way for housing. But there was another, long gone …

Hursley Union Workhouse / Sanitorium / Leigh House Hospital

Chandler's Ford Leigh House Hospital
Chandler’s Ford Leigh House Hospital

In 1835 the Hursley Poor Law Union was officially formed to cover the parishes of Hursley, Compton, Farley Chamberlayne, North Baddesley and Otterbourne. Ampfield and Chandler’s Ford were added to the list in 1894. By 1867 the Hursley parish workhouse, built in 1828, was criticised for its inadequate building (disgusting water closets and a cesspool under the windows of the lying-in and infectious wards, which had been unemptied for twelve years!). [Read more…] about Past Hospitals in Chandler’s Ford

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: community, culture, Eastleigh, education, handler’s Ford, history, local history, local interest, memory, storytelling, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 181)

November 28, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

“Contented and at rest”; no hot water and a need for porage; a long-lasting watering can; when Katie met Harry; a natural history bonanza in Scotland; two new orchids; farewell “Granny” Pickford; exciting news from Katie; “a wonderful and never-to-be forgotten day”, and “what gems are there still to uncover?”

Book 229

January 4th 1987, Gran writes, is “a dreary and dull day starting overcast after night rain and soon pouring for the rest of the day” but we feel that after a long period of stressful and unhappy events, she has managed to regain some of her equilibrium, as she continues:

… and I have seen no-one, and the front door has not been unlocked.  Yet I have been contented and at rest.  A thrush was singing when I went to take the temperatures soon after eight o’clock this morning.

The middle of the month is bitterly cold and family and neighbours worry about her keeping warm enough in The Ridge, a house, like many others at that time, with no central heating or double-glazing, and just a gas fire in each of the main living rooms.  Barry offers to bring a sleeping bag for his Mother to use when sitting in her chair, and recommends she buy some cling-film to rig up some primitive double-glazing on the windows.

Joan Adelaide Goater - her journal about Chandler's Ford.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 181)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 180)

November 21, 2021 By Rick Goater 3 Comments

Joan Adelaide Goater - her journal about Chandler's Ford.

Gran has a difficult time; support from all quarters; a memento from Tommy’s tree; letters to Auntie Bunnie; Grampa – a lovely, cheerful patient; solace in the garden; a simple Funeral Service; a family Christmas; Paul brings gifts, and a wedding to look forward to.

Difficulties at home continue for Gran.  Grampa is increasingly frail and unwell, more or less confined to bed and needing daily nursing care, and, Gran says on November 1st 1986 , “The plumber came and cleared the airlock in the downstairs hot water tap and is coming to deal with the overflow pipe in the toilet and the leak under the sink”.  Jane Elizabeth has been a wonderful support for Gran, her Mother-in-law, at this time but she needs to return to Bushey on the 2nd and Gran is sorry to see her go, writing also:

She meant to leave me half of the large brown loaf she bought yesterday but forgot.  She phoned from Winchester Station to say she had left it in the grit bin by the Hiltingbury Road bus stop and luckily, Cousin Bill Worsfold came at 11 a.m. so I was able to go and get it while he was here with Bill.

Gran has mentioned several of her husband’s relatives or friends lately, as they visit Grampa at The Ridge, but we are not always enlightened as to their relationships to him.  There is not only Bill Worsfold, but also Cousin Ray, who has often provided transport for Grampa; Anthony (a nephew) and his wife Hazel; Joan and Ken Birch (“Bill’s half-sister and her husband”, Gran writes), and Joan and Alastair McKenzie (“Joan is his Cousin”, Gran tells us).

“I made a bad beginning with tummy ache after I had taken Bill his breakfast and was sick just as nurse came to the front door”, she writes on November 4th, continuing:

I called that I was coming but I look so ghastly when this happens, she was very concerned and made me sit down and made me a cup of tea.  I assured her that I do this occasionally but soon feel perfectly alright.  After attending to Bill she took my pulse and blood pressure, both of which were perfectly normal, which is reassuring!  Ruth came in, with a stick, because she saw me looking to see if she were about.  She has broken and chipped ribs!

Joan and Alastair came early this afternoon and whilst they were talking to me, we heard a thump and Bill had fallen.  Alastair picked him up and got him back into bed!

The following day sees Grampa taken by ambulance to the South Hants Hospital in Southampton, because he has lost all feeling from the waist down.  There is much concern throughout the Family and amongst close friends.  Bob Fowler and his daughter Jill visit Gran to give moral support, and Gran is delighted to receive from them, “… some very gorgeous red Maple leaves from Tommy’s favourite tree”.  She presses them within the journal.  Further support is provided by Barry on the 6th, who, given the beauty of the day, suggests a drive up to Farley Mount, where Gran delights in the beautiful colours, especially of the fruiting Spindles there.

“… red maple leaves from Tommy’s favourite tree.”

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 180)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

World War II and afterwards in Chandler’s Ford

November 17, 2021 By Christine Clark 6 Comments

D Day and Afterwards in Chandler's Ford

Chandler’s Ford had a population of just over 3,000 people in 1939 and, although only five miles north of Southampton which was badly bombed during the Blitz (57 nights in 1940-41), we escaped lightly. Here’s how …

BOMBS

Two ‘Doodle-bug’ V1 flying bombs fell on Hiltingbury: one landing harmlessly in a field, the other killing the residents of a bungalow in Pine Road (these bombs were presumably aimed at London but, as was the case with so many, they didn’t make it all the way). A couple of ‘breadbaskets’ fell (a Molotov breadbasket was attached to a parachute and so called because it contained both high explosive and incendiary bombs) and a stick of bombs fell in Hursley Road. One German aircraft came over from the north, machine-gunning as it went before flying off towards Eastleigh. As well as the few deaths, structural damage was caused to about half a dozen homes from the bombs. Much more structural damage was caused by the anti-aircraft guns around the area and large cracks in walls and ceilings from ack-ack guns were common.

V1Musee - ByBen_pcc - Self-photographed, Public Domain, Wikimedia
V1Musee – ByBen_pcc – Self-photographed, Public Domain, Wikimedia

During the Blitz on Southampton in 1940, the reflection of the fires could be seen in the night sky here in Chandler’s Ford. Searchlights, air raid sirens and anti-aircraft guns made the village very aware of what was happening locally. During the worst of the Blitz, many Southampton families would come to Chandler’s Ford to sleep the night, or for longer if they were bombed out. Several churches and halls were used as reception centres, providing food and blankets. Local residents often offered accommodation and some people made Chandler’s Ford their permanent home.
[Read more…] about World War II and afterwards in Chandler’s Ford

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, education, history, local history, local interest, memory, Remembrance Sunday, storytelling, war memorial, writing

PHOTOS: Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2021

November 14, 2021 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Remembrance Sunday falls on 14 November in 2021. The Chandler’s Ford community came together this morning to remember the service and sacrifice of those who have protected us and defended our freedoms.

Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography kindly shares the photographs of the Remembrance Service at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial with the Chandler’s Ford community. She captured the parade on Hursley Road and the service this morning at St. Boniface Church, Parish of Chandler’s Ford. Thank you Debbie.

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial. Remembrance Sunday 2021, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography.
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial. Remembrance Sunday 2021, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography.
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial. Remembrance Sunday 2021, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography.
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial. Remembrance Sunday 2021, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Image credit: Debbie Pearce Photography.

[Read more…] about PHOTOS: Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2021

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, history, Hursley Road, local interest, memory, Remembrance Sunday, St. Boniface Church, war memorial, World War One

Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2021

November 14, 2021 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Today we remember and honour those who sacrificed for our freedom in Chandler’s Ford. Locally many people, young and old, observed a national two-minute silence at 11am. By 10.45am there was a large crowd at the Chandler’s Ford war memorial, at St. Boniface Church.

Representatives from local groups laid wreaths of poppies at the war memorial.

The Eastleigh Borough Council wreath was laid by John Caldwell, a previous mayor and an alderman.

You can see more photos from today’s service: PHOTOS: Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2021

 

Remembrance Sunday 14.11.2021 Chandler's Ford War Memorial
Remembrance Sunday 14.11.2021 Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Remembrance Sunday 14.11.2021 Chandler's Ford War Memorial
Remembrance Sunday 14.11.2021 Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Remembrance Sunday 14.11.2021 Chandler's Ford War Memorial
Remembrance Sunday 14.11.2021 Chandler’s Ford War Memorial

[Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2021

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, history, Hursley Road, local interest, memory, Remembrance Sunday, St. Boniface Church, war memorial, World War One

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 179)

November 14, 2021 By Rick Goater 4 Comments

Stonehenge – not what it once was; Gran hides her ailments; Grampa – a last trip to Farley Mount; an obliging Home Help; two Redstarts in the garden; a communication from the Arctic; Granny Pickford is 100, and farewell to “Tommy” Fowler;

Book 227

On September 10th 1986, after the Nurse has visited The Ridge to check on Grampa, and Gran understanding that things are “somewhat easier”, she goes on the Club outing to Marlborough, having “something of a scramble to be ready…”

Gran describes all she sees on the coach journey, including:

We stopped at Stonehenge at 2.45 for twenty minutes but I did not leave the coach as I have been to the monument many times since my teens when access was freely available with no fences or circling pathways.  I did not want a cup of tea or an ice cream at this time.

Stonehenge – access no longer freely available.  Image by Stanley Zimny via Flickr.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 179)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 178)

November 7, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Pulmonaria – not found; an unexpected First Day Cover; trips to Arundel and Lulworth; two creditable performances; Gran crawls downstairs; a Royal Wedding; a kind gentleman; travels in the North; Grampa is taken ill; news from Fin; a day at Marwell Zoo, and difficult times ahead.

It’s May 14th 1986 and more memories are brought to the fore for Gan three days later when she walks to the Club for its usual afternoon meeting:

Miss Wise, late Headmistress of Sherborne House School, who, when an assistant to her Mother, taught Barry and Jane to read, entertained us with poems she had written after her retirement.  I had a chat with her and she was pleased to hear news of Barry and Jane, and quite amazed that their children are grown up and Barry a grandfather!

Barry himself is in Chandler’s Ford at this time and he and his Mother, in spite of wet weather, make the now rather rare journey into her beloved New Forest, to look for flowers and birds.  They have a lovely time there and on the nearby coast, although failing to find a rare plant of particular significance to her upsets Gran:

We went first to look for [Narrow-leaved] Lungwort Pulmonaria longifolia in its usual habitat near Beaulieu but to our horror, there was no sign of it.  Council workers, I presume, had thrown large quantities of thick mud right over the ditch and bank where it had flourished for years.

Narrow-leaved Lungwort – the New Forest speciality that Gran loved and tried to see every springtime. Image by peganum via Flickr.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 178)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 177)

October 31, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Another wetting during a visit to the Brenans; an “extraordinary letter”; last show at the Gaumont; kindness at the V.G.; a 50th Anniversary; farewell to Joan Spurgin; Tom on the telly; Barry’s new book; news from Scotland; Katie’s new “bloke”; solitude at St Cross, and Pitcairn Island – “where Daddy used to have dealings with the Islanders”.

Christmas is looming and on breezy December 21st 1985 Gran, as always, has made presents for her great friends, the Hardings in Merdon Avenue.  She writes:

… I took Mary’s posy and other gift, and calendar for Granny Pickford [Mary’s Mother], and walked through the pinewood to avoid as much of the wind as possible.  Both recipients were delighted and especially Mary with her innovation.  I did not stay long but met Mary’s brother George, and Frank brought me home.  He is able to play some golf again, I was pleased to hear.

Christmas in is spent with daughter Jane and family at Longton, near Preston and close to the Ribble marshes. On arrival there, Gran is touched to find that Jane, “… has given me her room, to be convenient for my comfort just across the landing.  We were late retiring…”

Joan Adelaide Goater - her journal about Chandler's Ford.

Dec 24th provides an evening of television programmes, before they attend a local Church for Midnight Service – a new experience for Gran. Gran lists the programmes: The Slipper and the Rose; Benjamin Luxman and Aled Jones in a musical one; and Rush, the Fallow Deer, by John and Simon King.  This was followed by Charles and Diana, a Working Year, and then Val Doonigan [sic]. Gran notes that the Church they attend is where Judy usually goes and she adds, “I had earlier met Judy and found her very nice indeed”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 177)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

The Main Road Through Chandler’s Ford: Historical Snapshots (Part 2)

October 19, 2021 By Christine Clark 4 Comments

Stone train, Chandler's Ford, pre-Millers Dale, April 1976 (for rail enthusiasts, the loco is D1058 Western Nobleman). Image via Eastleigh and District Local History Society.

Part Two: 1913

Chandler's Ford War Memorial. At that time it stood at the end of Hursley Road on railway company land, only moving to its present site (outside St Boniface Church )in 1973 being re-dedicated on 4th August 1974. Image via Eastleigh and District Local History Society.
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial. At that time it stood at the end of Hursley Road on railway company land, only moving to its present site (outside St Boniface Church ) in 1973 being re-dedicated on 4th August 1974. Image via Eastleigh and District Local History Society.

If we now time-travel twenty years or so to the eve of the First World War, let’s see what has changed on our route. Once again, we come up from Southampton to the Asda roundabout and up Bournemouth Road. Chandler’s Ford now has a police constable who lives at the police house at 5 York Villas, Bournemouth Road. We pass the home of one R. E. Burke, a lounge steward on HMS Titanic who sadly perished when the ship foundered last year. As we pass the Hut Hotel (see image below, forgiving the cars!), we may see Chandler’s Ford United FC training in a field behind, using the hotel as their changing room. The big brickfield on our left is still busy.

Hut Hotel, image by Christine Clark
Hut Hotel

[Read more…] about The Main Road Through Chandler’s Ford: Historical Snapshots (Part 2)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, education, history, Hursley Road, local history, local interest, memory, St. Boniface Church, storytelling, war memorial, World War One, writing

The Main Road Through Chandler’s Ford: Historical Snapshots (Part 1)

October 12, 2021 By Christine Clark 8 Comments

Stone train, Chandler's Ford, pre-Millers Dale, April 1976 (for rail enthusiasts, the loco is D1058 Western Nobleman). Image via Eastleigh and District Local History Society.

Part One: 1895

You probably know that most of Chandler’s Ford has developed in the last hundred years or so and that prior to the twentieth century, there wasn’t a lot here, apart from a few cottages, the brickfields, farm land and woods. I’ve been looking at the history of one important feature of our town: the main road – Bournemouth Road and Winchester Road – stretching from Asda to the Nuffield Hospital. I wonder what you know of its history?

Stone train, Chandler's Ford, pre-Millers Dale, April 1976 (for rail enthusiasts, the loco is D1058 Western Nobleman). Image via Eastleigh and District Local History Society.
Stone train, Chandler’s Ford, pre-Millers Dale, April 1976 (for rail enthusiasts, the loco is D1058 Western Nobleman). Image via Eastleigh and District Local History Society.

Let me take you back to 1895. Let’s say you want to travel from Southampton to Winchester and for some reason you don’t take the train, preferring to ride your horse / travel in your carriage or cart by road. The road that goes through our town was the most direct route, a turnpike with an improved surface since the early nineteenth century, unlike other local roads.

Before the railway came in 1847, this road would have been heavily used by the stage coaches that plied between Southampton and London. The horses were changed every six miles and being this distance from both Southampton and Winchester, Chandler’s Ford was the obvious place for the changeover. The coaching stage in our town was where the Fryern Arcade is now, but by 1895 the stables had been redeveloped as a house. [Read more…] about The Main Road Through Chandler’s Ford: Historical Snapshots (Part 1)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, education, history, Hursley Road, local history, local interest, memory, storytelling, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 176)

September 26, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Not impressed by trendy worship; unwell but still gardening; disappointment after a dream; a proud day; two “wretched” warblers; a week in Cornwall; Julian runs a marathon; a nasty fall; Gran sends flowers; Grampa needs an operation and Halley’s Comet is overhead.

Gran does not feel well on September 1st 1985 – she often feels sick and unable to eat, has troublesome back pain and sometimes is very sleepy.  After a two-hour afternoon sleep this Sunday, and not eating owing to a prolonged bout of acute hiccups, she watches television but finds it disappointing at first, saying this:

“Songs of Praise” [came] from the Greenpeace Festival and consisted of all pop versions of worship, appealing only to youngsters who were wound up to such a frenzy of clapping, dancing and arm waving, which left me wondering if it were a great love of God or only of Pop “music”.  A later programme about English silk was very interesting and enlightening.

Her ailments, considered by stoical Gran as simple inconveniences, rarely prevent her doing what she wishes, so, on September 17th:

This afternoon I gardened for just over an hour, weeding more of the Crocus – Cyclamen bed, which was made difficult by the presence of many minute new cyclamen seedlings, with only one tiny leaf showing amongst the moss and the insidious Sheep’s Sorrel.  I also dug up some Brambles, Goutweed and Ivy, after which I was very tired and came in and slept for close on an hour.

The “insidious Sheep’s Sorrel”.  Image by Odd Wellies via Flickr.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 176)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 175)

September 19, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A canal trip; the Falklands Fallen – remembered; a visit to Swithun Wells School; Sherborne House – 50 years old; woodworm in the furniture; orchids on Shawford Down; Gran is sent flying; farewell Josie; Gran flies a kite, and Grampa – not well.

Gran has joined several coach tours, mainly to the West Country, in recent months, organised through her Club.  She enjoys noting the passing scenery and wayside flowers but is often frustrated by stops for refreshments and shopping.  She usually wanders off on her own at these times.

On June 12th 1985 there is a half-day outing into Berkshire, which includes a canal trip:

We went over a level crossing towards Hampstead Marshall where the Kennet and Avon Canal was our stopping area… Our barge, the Avon, was awaiting us and after we embarked, I learnt that it was purpose-built for these excursions but on the traditional narrow-boat principle though now is a motor barge and not horse-drawn as originally… The windows were large with seats all round and a little shop and bar at one end.  I bought a little ribbon plate for Ruth, a thimble with our barge on it for Sue, a booklet, “On the Kennet and Avon” and a biro for myself.

Gran bought a postcard depicting the Avon.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 175)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 174)

September 5, 2021 By Rick Goater 3 Comments

Rob wins a chess tournament; “nobody wants to go away with an old woman”; observations on a Rook; a last flower painting?; a lovely day; an outing with Ruth; a talk by Roy Lancaster; a memory of Italy; “life is difficult just now”, and the Mayor tells Gran she’s been busy.

March 2nd 1985 is not a pleasant day for Gran: there is some domestic conflict and she writes:

After an unpleasant morning of continual complaints, I spent the afternoon in my room, wishing to be alone in tranquil and quiet surroundings.  I mostly read Arthur Marshall’s book. “Life’s Rich Pageant” and had a short nap.  This evening more reading and listening to the radio and, later I stuck in today’s cutting about Julian.

The cutting is from The Daily Telegraph concerning Julian’s decision not to run in the National Cross Country Championships, owing to a heavy cold. But the following day, after the race is run, she is pleased to read in The Sunday Telgraph that the first eight home in yesterday’s National Cross Country have been chosen for the England team, “plus Julian Goater who has been so consistent always”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 174)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 173)

August 29, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A Club Christmas dinner; “disgusting behaviour” by Connors; Christmas with the neighbours; a “superb boy soloist”; Adrian -remembered; bitter weather; radiotherapy for a fortnight; red and black Adders; along the River; a Tristan cardigan, and some antiques.

It is December 14th 1984, “My driver”, Gran writes:

… called for me at 10.15 this morning to take me to hospital again to have part of the spot cut out for analysis… the operation, under local anaesthetic, did not take too long and I was home by 12.20.  I had taken ham rolls in case I was much later, but had one after soup at home.  I am perfectly well and am to see Dr Charlewood on Wednesday or Thursday to have the stitches out.

Gran and some other Club members are picked up by coach in Kingsway for transporting to their Christmas dinner on the 15th, and Gran has clearly managed to produce the required floral table decorations, asked for at short notice.  She writes:

… as I stood with the table decorations, a lady came and asked me if they were for sale, and another, who lives over the wine shop, and knows Ruth, said she had seen a copy of my “Te Deum”, [recently read out at one of her Club meetings] which Mrs Burton has and she wanted to know if she might read it to a prayer meeting to which she goes.  I gave her permission…

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 173)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing

Andy’s Story – Part 2 – Stories from Beechcroft

August 23, 2021 By Andy Vining 5 Comments

Photo by Andy Vining

Hello again, thank you for all the lovely compliments I received for my first Chapter.

This is not Chapter 2 as promised but more Part 1: Andy’s Story – Part 1: Early Years, Hiltonbury Farm, and… My Old Morris as I have just returned from a visit to Devon where my older sisters Jennifer and Janet live and in conversations with them I have more to add to part 1.

My sisters’ memories about our Grandparents

My Father’s Mother died quite young. Jennifer thinks she died in the Sanatorium, a TB hospital in Chandler’s Ford just off Cuckoo Bushes Lane. It has been knocked down and the area is all houses now.

My Father’s Father was the gardener at Hiltonbury and my Father’s mother married him and it was terrible to marry beneath her. It seems that all the family except her Brother George Beattie disowned her but Uncle George was very kind to her.

The Beattie Family outside Hiltonbury
The Beattie Family outside Hiltonbury

Uncle George was the Farmer at Hiltonbury, who took my Father in after both my Father’s parents died and brought him up as his own son, sending him to Peter Symonds School in Winchester.

What an achievement! Cycling 15 miles a day for school.

Father used to ride there every day on his bike all the way from Chandler’s Ford to school, and that’s about seven and a half miles. I agreed there was no traffic in those days but all the same fifteen miles a day and the roads were not up to much either.

I presume he would cycle up Hursley Road to The Pound, go right through Hursley, past his Cousin’s Norman Coopers place – North End Farm,  and along through Standon to Winchester, then Chilbolton Avenue to Bereweeke Road and so to College.

What an achievement, rain and shine, hot and cold, along, not roads as we know them today but probably tracks some of the way. Amazing. You would not get the youth of today doing that. It’s even a long way to go in a car, probably take as long today with all the traffic as well!

Now back to Cantley in Wokingham where I was born, there are a couple of fuzzy photographs of me in a pram and sitting on the lawn having something to eat, also a photograph of Mr Watson who was the owner of the farm where my Father was the bailiff / manager.

Me aged 2 - Andy Vining
Me aged 2 – Andy Vining

[Read more…] about Andy’s Story – Part 2 – Stories from Beechcroft

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, Hiltonbury Farmhouse, history, local businesses, local interest, memory, storytelling, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 172)

August 8, 2021 By Rick Goater 5 Comments

Pacified by stamps; transport to Church – briefly; Lou Meadon is 89; Jane – “back in the bushes” after some successful golf; in demand for flower arranging; Granny Pickford is 98; Barbara Hillier’s book – published; grave news of Tommy; whist drives – surprisingly stressful; an uplifting “God bless you”; the Kingston girls do well, and an appointment at the “South Hants”.

Book 215

At home at The Ridge on September 29th 1984, Gran does not hear the early arrival of the postman and coming downstairs finds:

… there was a Post Office card on the mat, saying that it had not been possible to deliver a registered package and it must be signed for and collected from the Post Office in Eastleigh.  So I had to go there this morning but I was pacified when I found that it was stamps and coloured postcards from Tristan da Cunha.  The stamps were featuring the constellations in “the night sky at Tristan da Cunha” and, as always, are very attractive.  Also mentioned in the bulletin was the cottage craft of knitting garments from native Tristan wool, and those collecting the stamps are offered the chance of purchasing them.  I have ordered a cardigan but it will be months before it comes.  There was a Speckled Wood flying about in the sunshine…

The Tristan stamps, franked and un-franked – “as always, very attractive”.

Gran has not forgotten the presumed theft of her painting of an Early Spider Orchid while it was on show a few years ago, but she still remains pleased to be able to exhibit some of her work in order to raise money.  On October 2nd:

In the Parish Magazine (Compton) today there was an appeal for funds for urgent repairs to the 800 year old Church, so I phoned Mr Ovenden to ask if he thought enough parishioners would be interested in seeing my paintings.  I explained there would be some difficulty as, since one was stolen when I lent them out some time ago, Barry has said they must not go out of the house.   Mr Ovenden thought it a splendid idea and he agreed to give some thought to it.  He is going to pick me up or arrange for someone else to, for the Family Service in Church at 10 a.m. on Sunday and once monthly in future.  I shall feel better if I can go.

And a few days later:

… Mr and Mrs Paris, from Shawford, kindly called and said they would gladly call for me at 10 o’clock on Sunday morning to take me to Church and bring me home again.  Mr Paris has recently retired from the Solicitors Paris, Smith and Randal, who looked after Aunt Em’s affairs.  A very nice couple indeed..

In the “Echo” was a picture of Lou [Meadon], unrecognisable at 89 and dressed in an embroidered blouse and now living at Fleming House Home.  After having known her always in a black costume and hat, summer and winter, she now looked to be another person.  I wrote to Barry and Jane Elizabeth and sent this cutting…

Lou Meadon – seemingly known to everybody and well-remembered in Chandler’s Ford.  Image courtesy of Eastleigh History.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 172)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Today, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, history, Joan Adamson, Joan Adelaide Goater, Julian Goater, local interest, memory, nature, writing
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Chandler's Ford Today blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Top Posts & Pages

999, 111, 101, 112? Emergency Numbers You Must Know
Home
101 Things to Put into Room 101
Site Policies
101 Things to Put into Room 101 - Part 7 - The Final Leg
Blog
About Chandler's Ford
David Beckham's Chinese Tattoo
Upcoming Events
Genius, Madness and Serendipity

Categories

Tags

arts and crafts books Chandler's Ford Chandler's Ford Today Chandler’s Ford community charity Christianity Christmas church community creative writing culture Eastleigh Eastleigh Borough Council education entertainment event family fundraising gardening gardening tips good neighbours Hiltingbury Hiltingbury Road history hobby how-to interview Joan Adamson Joan Adelaide Goater local businesses local interest memory Methodist Church music nature news reading review social storytelling theatre travel Winchester Road writing

Recent Comments

  • Allison Symes on The Rule of Three In Fiction
  • Allison Symes on The Rule of Three In Fiction
  • David Lamb on The Rule of Three In Fiction
  • Mike Sedgwick on The Rule of Three In Fiction
  • peter david shuttler on Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 183, the last)
  • Brian Titchener (Titch) on Montgomery Of Alamein School In Winchester: Astonishing Historical Pictures Revealed

Regular Writers and Contributors

Janet Williams Allison Symes Mike Sedgwick Rick Goater Doug Clews chippy minton Martin Napier Roger White Andy Vining Gopi Chandroth Nicola Slade Wellie Roger Clark Ray Fishman Hazel Bateman SO53 News

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

Reviews of local performances and places

Reviews of local performances and places

Copyright © 2022 Chandler's Ford Today. WordPress. Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.