The Madding Crowd is a performing group which researches and performs the church and secular music of the English village bands and choirs in the period 1660 to 1861.
The group was founded in 1975.
The Madding Crowd’s next concert is on Friday 12th December at 8 pm in Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church. [Read more…] about The Unique Madding Crowd Concerts
Christmas is Creativity.
It is found in the story of the Nativity, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and film stories like The Polar Express.
It is found in poems such as A Visit from St. Nicholas (probably better known as The Night Before Christmas) by Clement Clarke Moore and In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti. [Read more…] about What Christmas Means To Me
Yesterday I left work early to attend the carol service of Age Concern Chandler’s Ford at the Methodist Church.
Thornden School Wind Band and Toynbee School Choir, with their youthful energy, enthusiasm and talents, impressed the senior members of our community, making the carol service a much cherished event. [Read more…] about Age Concern Chandler’s Ford Carol Service 2014
This evening, Fryern Arcade was filled with Christmas spirit.
Children from The Federation of Fryern Infant and Junior Schools were singing Christmas carols at the Fryern Arcade.
Santa also turned up. Shops opened late. [Read more…] about Christmas Arrives At Fryern Arcade
Christmas is approaching! This is very obvious when you visit a major shopping centre, watch adverts on television, etc. Indeed, the first invitation to buy Christmas cards came to me as early as September (or was it August?).
It’s understandable that businesses work this way, as Christmas sales contribute so much to their turnover. But, for those who don’t run businesses, weariness can set in, until Christmas becomes [Read more…] about Christmas Is Coming – But Not Just Yet
The first snow of winter fell in Eastleigh town centre yesterday. What, you missed it? You can’t have been in the right place at the right time.
I have to admit to being a bit of a Grinch when it comes to starting Christmas festivities too early.
If I could get away with it (and I rarely can) decorations wouldn’t go up until Christmas Eve [Read more…] about 2014 Eastleigh Christmas Lights Switch on: Snow Has Fallen
Chapel Sessions is a community led, not for profit occasional music series in the acoustically acclaimed Victorian Chapel in Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, on the shores of Southampton Water.
You can enjoy a pre-Christmas party night with six-piece blues rock band The Burns Unit, on Friday 28th November.
[Read more…] about Chapel Sessions & Royal Victoria Hospital
I spent half a day in Eastleigh town centre yesterday to watch Eastleigh Mardi Gras.
Traditionally Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday in French) is a Christian holiday, commonly known as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday in the UK. Mardi Gras normally takes place around February or March each year. [Read more…] about Eastleigh Mardi Gras 2014: Fun, Joy, Charities for Community
I went to Hiltingbury Extravaganza this afternoon with my teenage son. It was a beautiful day. Hiltingbury was buzzing with excitement.
I took some photos to show you some interesting people and stalls that I saw today.
[Read more…] about Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2014 Chandler’s Ford
My wife Lyn and I worked at Glastonbury for a charity called Festival Medical Services (FMS). I worked as a driver and Lyn a first aider.
FMS are responsible for providing medical services ranging from first-aid and paramedic to surgery and psychiatry. [Read more…] about Glastonbury 2014 Ramblings
The Church of England church in Hursley Road, St Boniface (SO53 2FT), is one of relatively few parish churches locally that has the service of sung Evensong on most Sundays (at 6.30pm).
The Book of Common Prayer is the basis of the service, although the prayers of intercession are in modern language and concentrate on contemporary events and situations. [Read more…] about St. Boniface Church Evensong
The Choir of St. Boniface church, Hursley Road held a coffee morning, cake stall and raffle recently to help raise funds for new books for the Evensong service (most Sundays at 6.30).
Well over £200 was added to the choir’s bank account as a result, and the books will be bought soon.
Last weekend it was my privilege and pleasure to visit Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk for the annual conference and AGM of the Guild of Church Musicians, and particularly so as the Guild was making me one of several new honorary fellows (Hon. FGCM for short).
About 150 honorary fellowships have been awarded in the past 25 years or so, some to clergy (including Archbishop Desmond Tutu) [Read more…] about The Guild of Church Musicians
The St. George’s Day Parade on 27 April 2014 (Sunday) will be a vibrant event in Chandler’s Ford.
It is expected that over 600 participants will take part in this much-loved annual event. [Read more…] about St. George’s Day Parade 27 April 2014
Janet’s post Easter Day – From Tragedy To Triumph is a fine account of a very memorable Easter celebration.
In most years the daffodils have been yellow – this year’s late Easter probably helps to explain the change of colour.
White is, however, a traditional colour for Easter.
In his poem ‘Loveliest of trees’ [Read more…] about White for Easter
Fifty years ago on 28 March 1964, Radio Caroline stated broadcasting. It’s quite difficult with our plethora of pop music radio stations (most of them playing the same old crap) to realise just what a revolution In British broadcasting history Radio Caroline was.
Let me set the context.
In the 1960s British broadcasting was [Read more…] about Radio Caroline: Golden Anniversary
On Saturday 12th April 2014 Chandler’s Ford born and bred Rowan Esther Catherine Cameron wed Robbie Stewart Weir at Weetwood Hall in Leeds. With names Cameron and Weir it was no surprise to see guests turning up in highland dress with kilts, black barathea jackets with silver buttons, sporrans and ghillies on the feet.
Modern political correctness meant that the sgian-dubh was not worn but [Read more…] about Wedding of Chandler’s Ford Girl
If you haven’t seen The Crossroad, musical drama at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, I would suggest you grasp the chance to see it.
There are two more shows: Friday and Saturday (11th and 12th of April) at 7.30pm.
I watched The Crossroad with my son this evening. The story was thought-provoking. [Read more…] about The Crossroad: Brilliant Performance
Beginning on 6 April 2014 is the last part of Lent – Passiontide as it’s often called. The Christian story approaches one of its climaxes with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Four writers tell the story in the Bible – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – several decades after it happened.
Not surprisingly they have slightly different accounts of what happened, but one constant is this worrying truth. The religious leaders of the day [Read more…] about The Passion of Christ at St. Boniface
A Chandler’s Ford resident, Iain Steel, plays the hero/heroine, principal boy/girl in “La Cage Aux Folles” now playing at the Theatre Royal Winchester for the rest of the week. When you see it you will understand my confusion over the boy/girl bit. [Read more…] about Theatre Royal, Winchester
