After Nick John’s post about the Hutments I made enquiries from a friend, Robbie Sprague, who was born and bred in Chandler’s Ford. He wrote to me as follows:
memory
Atlantic Crossing With Jubilee Sailing Trust
By Andy Milner
First – a bit about the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST).
The charity was formed in 1978 and has two tall ships (Lord Nelson and Tenacious) that have been specially adapted so that anyone over 16 can crew.
The crew is made up equally of able-bodied and disabled people – some who have never sailed in their lives before. [Read more…] about Atlantic Crossing With Jubilee Sailing Trust
Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 9 November 2014
As Remembrance Sunday services were held around the UK today, this morning, people of Chandler’s Ford gathered to honour the fallen in the two World Wars and other conflicts.
People of Chandler’s Ford gathered at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial outside the parish church – St. Boniface Church, where a poignant service was held. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 9 November 2014
Do You Remember The Hutments?
I wonder if I could throw this topic out there in the hope that those people who have lived (or whose families have lived) in the Chandler’s Ford area for more than half a century may be able to contribute.
I was born in the 1950’s and my parents were at the time living in a development called The Hutments. [Read more…] about Do You Remember The Hutments?
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 5
I am no expert on WW1 and am therefore not in a position to provide a detailed account of the Gallipoli Campaign.
As I understand it, the idea had been to create a new front, as the war on the Western Front had become a stalemate, with troops from both sides staring at each other from a line of trenches which stretched from the English Channel to the Swiss border. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 5
Re-dedication of Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
The re-dedication service for the recently renovated Chandler’s Ford War Memorial took place this afternoon (Sunday 19th October at 3pm) outside St. Boniface Church at the War Memorial.
It was a moving service. Every name of the fallen who were commemorated on the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial was read out. [Read more…] about Re-dedication of Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Learning From Children – Horse Play
Have you had to learn new things because of your children or grandchildren?
Horses have never featured much in my life. Not since, as a boy, I was put on one and sent off onto the beach at Cleethorpes. The horse ambled into the middle of a tidal puddle and sat down. I fell off into the cold water and the horse ran away. [Read more…] about Learning From Children – Horse Play
Re-dedication Service For Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
From the website of the Parish Church:
“There will be a short ecumenical re-dedication service for the recently renovated Chandler’s Ford War Memorial on Sunday 19th October at 3.00pm. All welcome. ” (Parish of Chandler’s Ford)
I walked past Chandler’s Ford War Memorial [Read more…] about Re-dedication Service For Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 4
This month I thought I would focus on the Wilson brothers: Major and acting Lieutenant Colonel Harry Stuart Wilson, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Lieutenant Commander John Skinner Wilson, HMS Indefatigable.
The brothers were killed in action in the same year, John on 31st May, Harry three months later on 9th September 1916. A tragic loss for their parents. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 4
Fryern Arcade WH Smith Local & Post Office Open
Update: WH Smith and Post Office Fryern Arcade Christmas 2014 opening times:
I saw this notice on the window of WH Smith and Post Office at the Fryern Arcade recently, about its Christmas 2014 opening times:
Monday 22 Dec and Tuesday 23 Dec: 8am to 6pm
Wed 24th Dec: 8am to 12.30pm
Thursday 25 Dec to 26 Dec: closed
Sat 27 Dec: 8am to 6pm
Sunday 28 Dec: closed [Read more…] about Fryern Arcade WH Smith Local & Post Office Open
Published: Trouble with Swords by Richard Hardie
In the Was Camelot Really In Chandler’s Ford? post, Chandler’s Ford published writer Richard Hardie told us about his new book.
Richard Hardie’s book Trouble With Swords, the second in his fantasy adventure series, has just been published. [Read more…] about Published: Trouble with Swords by Richard Hardie
Was Camelot Really in Chandler’s Ford?
I moved to Chandler’s Ford 27 years ago, because at that time it was easy and quick to drive up the M3 to where I was working near London than commute down the M1. How that has changed! But then so has my job and I now spend most of my time at home as an author, or touring bookshops signing books.
Soon after moving here I became a Scout Leader [Read more…] about Was Camelot Really in Chandler’s Ford?
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 3
I expect many of you will have seen the fantastic work that has been undertaken on our war memorial over the last few weeks?
Stonemason Jon, of Blackmore and Moody has indeed done a good job. It is now possible to easily read the names of those brave men, and of course, that of Margaret Caswell, the only women whose name appears on the memorial. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 3
Renovating Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Have you noticed the refreshing new look of the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial? It is improving each day I see it.
Jon Tann from Blackwell and Moody Ltd in Winchester is renovating the war memorial.
In the past few weeks, you would have seen Jon kneeling, crouching, stooping by the war memorial on Hursley Road, outside St. Boniface Church. [Read more…] about Renovating Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
There’s Some Corner Of A Foreign Field
“…That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England…”
(Poem by Rupert Brooke)
A heavy tropical rainfall had snarled-up the traffic on the road so my driver took an unfamiliar detour. The narrow road twisted and turned alongside the river and was hemmed in by jungle trees and elephant grass. [Read more…] about There’s Some Corner Of A Foreign Field
How Often Have You Used a £50 Note?
How often have you used a £50 note?
My guess is “not very often”. In fact, I’ve got one at home at the moment, and am not too sure what to do with it. The only time I’ve used them was an occasion when I needed to pay a cash deposit, and £50 notes was the easiest way to carry it.
My mother visited the UK recently and she [Read more…] about How Often Have You Used a £50 Note?
Montgomery of Alamein School in Winchester
I was a teacher at the only school in the world called Montgomery of Alamein, in Winchester. Monty himself performed the naming ceremony.
Each year, in the summer term, I would lead a party of 12 year olds over to Normandy so that they might learn at first hand what the invasion involved. [Read more…] about Montgomery of Alamein School in Winchester
Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 2
My research on the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial is progressing well. I have found out quite a lot and thought I would share some of this with you all.
My starting point has been a list complied by Martin Edwards (2006) as part of National project by the Royal British Legion to make a record of all war memorials. This list gives full christian names, number, rank, regiment and also information regarding when and where they were killed. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 2
The Foxglove
Now is the time of the foxglove. It grows naturally and is therefore regarded by some gardeners as a weed but it is a noble flower. Upright and stately in a royal purple colour it rises above others as a bright symbol in shady places.
Why Foxglove? This strange name for the flower has been around since the 14th century and was sometimes called ‘folksglove’. [Read more…] about The Foxglove
My Debut Novel: Marriage, a Journey, and a Dog
By Brenda Sedgwick
Has anyone else living in the Chandler’s Ford area published an ebook or printed copy?
I’ve just published my first novel, Marriage A Journey And A Dog, and I would love your feedback.
I read how it takes 5 minutes to upload a book onto Kindle Publishing. It does when you have a perfect manuscript and [Read more…] about My Debut Novel: Marriage, a Journey, and a Dog