Chandler's Ford Today

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Paperback Writers

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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”

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26 Songs Medley – Fundraising for Methodist Homes (MHA)

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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)

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Reasons To Be Cheerful

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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

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Review: Chameleon Theatre Group – Atlantis – The Panto

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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

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Hugh Benham: Sacred Choral Music

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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

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

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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)

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Christmas Songs

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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

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A Tale of Safe and Well at Christmas

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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

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

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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

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Organ Scholar Needed at St Boniface CofE Church

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An Organ Scholar is needed at St Boniface CofE Church, Hursley Road, in Chandler’s Ford.

Can you play a keyboard instrument to Grade 4 or above?

You could be eligible to have some organ lessons and to play organ in some services. [Read more…] about Organ Scholar Needed at St Boniface CofE Church

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Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 28th April 2019

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The annual St George’s Day parade took place yesterday in Chandler’s Ford. We have brilliant images from the parade yesterday (28th April 2019) in Chandler’s Ford. These photographs were taken by Richard Doyle. Thank you, Richard.

The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (The Spitfires), in perfect step, marched on Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 2019. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 28th April 2019

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Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 2019 with The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (“The Spitfires”)

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The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (“The Spitfires”) once again led three St George’s Day Parades today: 10:00 in Eastleigh, 12:45 in Winchester, and 14:30 in Chandler’s Ford.

Chandler’s Ford Today has received stunning photographs of today’s parade in Chandler’s Ford from two photographers. Today we’re sharing some photographs taken by Debbie, from Debbie Pearce Photography. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford St George’s Day Parade 2019 with The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (“The Spitfires”)

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Adaptations

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Do you like adaptations of your favourite stories? I guess the answer to that is “yes, if it works” and then it is up to us to decide whether it does or not.

Famously The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock is an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s short story of the same name so it isn’t just about novels being “translated” to a different media. [Read more…] about Adaptations

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