Chandler's Ford Today

music

Chandler’s Ford Local Events

By Leave a Comment

Sharing with the community several local events and support groups.

Thornden Hall Events

The Fusion Choir 29.11.2023 at Dovetail Centre
Scratch (charity) Christmas Toys Collection
Chandler’s Ford Community Market on Saturday 09.12.2023 at Brownhill Centre
Show Off at Christmas 25.11.2023 at Dovetail Centre
Otterbourne Choir Club Love Actuallly 10.12.2023
Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society (EOMS) Musical Winter Wonderland
The Sleeping Beauty Chameleon Theatre Company at Ritchie Memorial Hall 20-27 Jan 2024
Wessex Cancer Trust
Chandler’s Ford Cancer Support
Chandler’s Ford u3a

For more events, see the events page.

Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society (EOMS) Musical Winter Wonderland
Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society (EOMS) Musical Winter Wonderland
The Fusion Choir 29.11.2023
The Fusion Choir 29.11.2023
Scratch Christmas Toys Collection
Scratch Christmas Toys Collection
Supporting Charity Scratch
Supporting Charity Scratch

[Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Local Events

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

Days to Treasure: Faith and Literature

By Leave a Comment

This year Winchester Cathedral hosted the Church Times Festival of Faith and Literature (subtitled as a three-day literary festival with a theological slant). Some of our parish went along to see what was on offer.

One of us volunteered as a steward at the West Downs campus for the Saturday. She says, “I had a very interesting day.  As a steward I had the opportunity to attend a number of seminars.  My day began with hearing from Brian Draper on the subject of Soulfulness, followed by Rowan Williams speaking on Christian Ethics and Solidarity. I then listened to Catherine Fox and Francis Spufford as authors in conversation together on faith in fiction, and rounded it all off with a discussion between Rachel Mann and Jay Hulme as poets, on (un)holy desire with a trans perspective – a fascinating and eclectic day by anyone's standards, with much to reflect on! (And so much more I didn’t get to hear!)”

Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral – via Pixabay
[Read more…] about Days to Treasure: Faith and Literature

Tags: , , , , , ,

Year of the Tiger – Celebrating Friendship

By 4 Comments

For those of you who celebrate Chinese New Year, I wish you good luck, happiness and health in the New Year.

In the past two weeks I had afternoon tea with , had coffee with at Dovetail Cafe, and on Saturday, I had a Chinese New Year meal with and his wife Annie in Eastleigh. Of course I also saw chippy’s unique gnome in his front garden.

 

gnome restoration 11
Chippy’s treasured gnome

 

Our New Year meal
Our New Year meal

[Read more…] about Year of the Tiger – Celebrating Friendship

Tags: , , , , , ,

2022 Chinese New Year Celebration in Southampton – Sunday 30/1/2022 at Westquay Shopping Centre

By 5 Comments

The 2022 Chinese New Year Celebration in Southampton will be on Sunday 30/1/2022 at Westquay Shopping Centre, from 11am to 3pm.

The Chinese Association of Southampton and the University of Southampton Confucius Institute once again bring the traditional Chinese New Year celebration to Southampton to welcome the Year of the Tiger 2022.

Chinese New Year 2022 falls on Tuesday, the 1st of February 2022. The celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on the 15th of February.

Southampton Celebrating Chinese New Year 2022
Southampton Celebrating Chinese New Year 2022

Year of the Tiger – from 01.02.2022 – 21.01.2023

[Read more…] about 2022 Chinese New Year Celebration in Southampton – Sunday 30/1/2022 at Westquay Shopping Centre

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Paperback Writers

By 11 Comments

Did you know that the Beatles have 229 songs to their name? The Fab Four have each contributed brilliant songs to this total but Lennon and McCartney were the most prolific.

The Beatles Image by Maxpinsoo from Pixabay
The Beatles Image by Maxpinsoo from Pixabay

Yesterday, we heard from our neighbours, who were visiting Liverpool, that they were drinking in the Cavern Club, birth place of the Beatles. It gave me the idea of writing a  short story using the titles of some of those famous hits. It took fifteen minutes and I had a little help from my friend, my wife Jill. It’s not going to be a Booker Prizewinner but it contains 29 Beatles song titles (plus one repeat) and it goes like this:  [Read more…] about Paperback Writers

Tags: , , , , ,

Previous St. George’s Day Parades in Chandler’s Ford – Video and Photos

By 1 Comment

Did you remember or celebrate St. George’s Day on the 23rd of April?

This is a video with some footage in 2017 showing the St. George’s Day parade, by the magnificent 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band “The Spitfires” Band.

This video features the band’s second and third parades of the day in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford.

14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band - St George's Day 2017
14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band – St. George’s Day 2017

[Read more…] about Previous St. George’s Day Parades in Chandler’s Ford – Video and Photos

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

Online Chinese New Year Celebration from Southampton: Sunday 14.02.2021 at 5pm

By Leave a Comment

You are invited to join the first online Chinese New Year event on Sunday 14/2/2021 at 5pm, organised by Southampton Chinese Association.

If you are unable to join Zoom, you can join using the YouTube Live link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_OkT9EdD6k

Programmes include: Lion dance, Martial Art display, Chinese dance and music, Chinese opera, and Dragon dance.

It is the Year of the Ox.

Chinese New Year celebration at West Quay.
Chinese New Year celebration (previously at West Quay, 2013)

[Read more…] about Online Chinese New Year Celebration from Southampton: Sunday 14.02.2021 at 5pm

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

Music in Chandler’s Ford during Lockdown: “Love thy neighbours is so true”

By 1 Comment

Steve Allen has shared these videos, in which he captured some happy moments in the neighbourhood of Chandler’s Ford during the lockdown. These included music on Thursday evenings, and a piper playing for a neighbour’s birthday.

With Steve’s permission, we are sharing these on Chandler’s Ford Today.

1 – Malcolm the Piper was playing for a Scottish lady on her birthday.

Malcolm and lovely neighbours in Chandler's Ford - supporting key workers and sharing community spirit.
Malcolm and lovely neighbours in Chandler’s Ford – supporting key workers and sharing community spirit.

[Read more…] about Music in Chandler’s Ford during Lockdown: “Love thy neighbours is so true”

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

26 Songs Medley – Fundraising for Methodist Homes (MHA)

By Leave a Comment

Why not listen to a medley of 26 beautiful songs, guess their titles, and donate to support Methodist Homes (MHA)?

MHA is a charity providing care, accommodation and support services for older people throughout Britain.

Rev Eric Renouf’s daughter, Joy Blake, leads Singing for Wellbeing groups for two MHA Live at Home Schemes in the north of Hampshire. As a fundraising challenge for MHA, she has put together a medley of 26 songs with titles for each letter of the alphabet (with a bit of ‘cheating’ on ‘X’).

Most of the songs are taken from the repertoire she uses for the Wellbeing groups. You are invited to have a go at identifying the 26 song titles. A list of the answers can be obtained from Marilyn Pack (mjpack@renpack.co.uk).

[Read more…] about 26 Songs Medley – Fundraising for Methodist Homes (MHA)

Tags: , , , , ,

Reasons To Be Cheerful

By 2 Comments

Reasons to Be Cheerful was the title of a song by Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Strictly speaking, it was Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3. It was part of the soundtrack to my teenage years.

Reasons to Be Cheerful

Naturally the song is upbeat (and there is a poetic feel to this too. Another great one for writing poetic lyrics is Ray Davies of The Kinks. I think Waterloo Sunset is a fabulous, evocative song).

Following on from my Murphy’s Law for Readers last week, I thought it would be good to have a reminder of some reasons we have to be cheerful.

Feature Image - Reasons To Be Cheerful
Feature Image – Reasons To Be Cheerful. Pixabay

[Read more…] about Reasons To Be Cheerful

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Review: Chameleon Theatre Group – Atlantis – The Panto

By 2 Comments

Image Credit:  A big thank you to The Chameleon Theatre Group for kind permission to use their excellent photos. The images of the programme cover and the cast (from the pantomime programme) were taken by Allison Symes.

Feature Image - Atlantis - The Panto.
Feature Image – Atlantis – The Panto. Programme cover photo taken by Allison Symes-1

What do Camille Saint-Saens, Eddie Cochran, Queen, Bob Marley, and Sir Elton John have in common?

Not an awful lot, you may be thinking, but they did all have their music included in Atlantis – The Panto, which was recently staged by the ever excellent Chameleon Theatre Group.

I’ll share a song list later but the answer to my question tells you the music for the show was an eclectic mix, as it should be. There should be something for everyone to enjoy in a panto musically as well as in the jokes and storyline.

Well done to all in the chorus, you were excellent
Well done to all in the chorus, you were excellent

Atlantis – The Panto was written by Paul Reakes. It ran at the Ritchie Hall from Friday 17th – Saturday 25th January 2020, and was directed by Sheila Hardiman.

Janet and I went on Thursday, 24th January and a great time was had by all, one of many signs of a wonderful panto. I’ll share a few more signs later.

[Read more…] about Review: Chameleon Theatre Group – Atlantis – The Panto

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hugh Benham: Sacred Choral Music

By 4 Comments

A new CD of choral music by Hugh Benham, director of music at St Boniface CofE Church, Hursley Road, has just been released by Convivium Records as disc CR050 – Hugh Benham: Sacred Choral Music.

Sacred choral music by Dr Hugh Benham
Sacred choral music by Dr Hugh Benham

Copies may be ordered from Hugh at H.Benham@Soton.ac.uk at £10 – delivery is usually possible within a day or two. CDs are also available (as are digital downloads) from the Convivium Records website. [Read more…] about Hugh Benham: Sacred Choral Music

Tags: , , , , , , ,

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ by The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band “The Spitfires” and Friends

By Leave a Comment

Written by Greg Walker, Principal Director of Music, The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band.

Here’s our talented group of youngsters at The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band showing what we can do, along with a mass choir of Scout and Guide Shows from all across Hampshire, with our cover of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’... we hope you enjoy it – we had GREAT fun recording and making it.

“The Spitfires and Friends do Christmas” CD (2019)

[Read more…] about ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ by The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band “The Spitfires” and Friends

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

Christmas Songs

By Leave a Comment

It seems that pretty much every singer has recorded a Christmas song.  Some are originals; some are covers (which may or may not be better than the originals).  Some of the songs are quite enjoyable; others are less so.

Here are some of the less well-known songs that have made it to my Christmas playlist.  You may or may not agree with my somewhat erratic and eclectic selection.

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey is possibly the oldest recording in the list.  This is such a fun song that it is permanently on my MP3 player – proving, perhaps, that a Hippopotamus isn’t just for Christmas but for all year round. [Read more…] about Christmas Songs

Tags: ,

A Tale of Safe and Well at Christmas

By Leave a Comment

Have a safe Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!

Stay safe in your home this Christmas and don’t increase the risk of fire. Drive safely.

This is a beautiful Christmas parody ‘A Tale of Safe & Well’, produced by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

It’s performed by firefighter Jon Arey and featuring Abi Austin with the Fixby Songbirds. It’s a parody of the original song by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl.


[Read more…] about A Tale of Safe and Well at Christmas

Tags: , , ,

Stories of Sanctuary – Saturday 9th November 7.30 pm Performing at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church

By Leave a Comment

A date for your diary!

On Saturday November 9th 7.30 pm Stories of Sanctuary will be performing at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church.

Free entrance. Pay what you decide donation. From 3-5 pm there will be a pop-up choir session for anyone who would like to learn the songs (with the option but no obligation to sing along at the concert!) [Read more…] about Stories of Sanctuary – Saturday 9th November 7.30 pm Performing at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church

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