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Great Daffodil Appeal – Supporting Marie Curie

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This year’s Great Daffodil Appeal will be one like no other. Thousands of Marie Curie volunteers will not be able to collect donations in exchange for a daffodil at local supermarkets, trains stations or town centres like they usually do each spring. However, you can still be a part of this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal by donating online

You couldn’t pick a better year to support Marie Curie Nurses. Like everyone, Marie Curie has been hit hard by coronavirus. Their Nurses and hospices have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic, caring for dying people and their families.

Picture of a nurse - Marie Curie charity

Marie Curie have also seen more people than ever calling their Support Line, looking for help because they are feeling isolated or have had to grieve for a loved one alone during lockdown. [Read more…] about Great Daffodil Appeal – Supporting Marie Curie

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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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Another Pandemic, A Long Time Ago …

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Most of us have heard of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-20 – when ten times the number died of the virus than had been killed in the four years of the First World War. However, I confess I was a bit hazy on the details. So, with time on my hands during the lockdown, I thought I’d find out a bit more. I was quite surprised at some of the facts – but also at how many similarities there are between the earlier pandemic and the one we are currently living through.

questions image by geralt via Pixabay

First of all, some facts about that pandemic

How long did the Spanish flu pandemic last? Just over two years – February 1918 to April 1920. [Read more…] about Another Pandemic, A Long Time Ago …

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O Tidings…!

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The title for this week’s post comes from the old Christmas Carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen of course and the moment I hear it or sing it, I automatically think of Dickens (and from there to his wonderful story, A Christmas Carol).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

[Read more…] about O Tidings…!

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Life in a Pandemic: Who am I?

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There is a story of a pompous man pushing into the front of and airport check-in queue. The check-in girl tells him to go to the back of the queue. ‘Do you know who I am?’ asks the man. The check-in girl asks the queue, ’can anyone help? This man does not know who he is.’

I sympathise with this man, not because of pushing into a queue, but because I am not known by my name any longer. The days when I heard people say, ‘Hello, Mike, nice to see you,’ have gone because, in COVID protection mode, no one sees me.

kaboompics - man working on a computer
Image via Kabookpics

Reduced to a Binary Digit

I am known to my computer but only as a string of digits. The screen wants to know my ID number, password, authentication code, admin password, username, wireless key, PIN, account number or registration key. Then there are numbers and codes sent to my phone which last only an hour or so. If I go to a bar or restaurant, my phone communicates with a QR code. I can text my order and someone brings drinks. [Read more…] about Life in a Pandemic: Who am I?

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#SaveOurTheatres – Plaza Theatre Romsey

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Romsey Plaza Theatre launched its first ever CrowdFunding event this Monday to raise money to cover its box office losses due to Covid.

#SaveOurTheatres – Plaza Theatre Romsey

 

Over the past 6 months, the Plaza has been closed and we have had virtually no income. We need your help to ensure that the Plaza is able to continue covering our basic overheads. In conjunction with the Theatres Trust and their #SaveOurTheatres initiative, we have started a crowdfunding campaign to raise the funds which will make sure that our theatre continues to operate safely through the lockdown and for years beyond. [Read more…] about #SaveOurTheatres – Plaza Theatre Romsey

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Shops Reopening – Support Local Businesses in Chandler’s Ford

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Yesterday I drove past the Fryern Arcade, and could see lots of people outside Costa Coffee.

Chandler's Ford Central Precinct: Keep Safe
Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct: Keep Safe

At the Central Precinct, I also saw a tent outside Up & Running running shop. I was quite pleased, so went to check if my trainers had arrived. I had ordered a pair of trainers a week before lockdown, so have been waiting for the shop to reopen.

Up and Running - running specialist at Chandler's Ford Central Precinct.
Up and Running – running specialist at Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct.

[Read more…] about Shops Reopening – Support Local Businesses in Chandler’s Ford

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Prosody

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It’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it. The panel game, Just a Minute depends on it. My granddaughter (aged 6) wrote a performance poem about the programme. I have kept the original spelling:-

This is

Cklap, cklap, cklap

A game of

Cklap, cklap, cklap

Consontrashon

Clap, clap, clap

No repeets

Clap, clap, clap

Or hesetaison

Clap, clap, clap

I’ll go first

Clap, clap, clap

And I’ll go second

Clap, clap, clap

Subject is

Clap, clap, clap

Enithing.

By GT

Jan 2020

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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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VE Day 75 in Chandler’s Ford – Memories of the Original VE Day

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Lakewood Road decided to have a socially separated street party yesterday for VE75. I replied to the invitation and said I was at an original VE day party. Several people expressed an interest in the comments so I thought Chandler’s Ford Today might like to see them. As it turns out, I am not the only one who attended an original party.
[Read more…] about VE Day 75 in Chandler’s Ford – Memories of the Original VE Day

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Care in a Time of COVID

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We are beginning to think of ending the lock-down. How different will it be afterwards?

That little strand of RNA wrapped up as COVID-19 has altered our behaviour. It has shut our institutions; schools, universities, travel, industries, retail and the legal system. Health, policing, food and pharmacy remain active with some local travel.

Some of us have been able to work from home and found it satisfactory. A friend is wondering why he keeps a London office; a weekly meeting in an office hired for half a day may be sufficient. Others strive to work amid the domestic activities of children and housework. The fashion for open-plan living areas in houses has not helped.

Coronavirus image by Karolina Grabowska

[Read more…] about Care in a Time of COVID

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Can you help? Making Mask Extenders to Help the NHS

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Calling all knitters & crafters!

Southampton District Methodist Church has had a direct plea from one of the hospital chaplains for mask extenders.

Recently some mask extenders were taken to a particularly hard-hit ward and they were very well received. This is a plea district-wide to help all our local hospitals. Below is a poster with instructions.

Can you make some mask extenders for frontline NHS workers?
Can you make some mask extenders for frontline NHS workers?

[Read more…] about Can you help? Making Mask Extenders to Help the NHS

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First Livestream Service from St Boniface Church; Crisis Care Team

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First livestream service from St Boniface at 10am this morning, led by the Rev’d Ian Bird (Vicar).

CRISIS CARE TEAM from the Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford

“We have set up a team of volunteers who make up a Crisis Care Team. They offer practical help to those who are self-isolating. Help can involve essential shopping, posting letters and/or regularly chatting on the phone.

If you need help, please contact Suzie in the Parish Office (8026 5977) or email: office@parishcf.church

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.

If you could help with any of the above, please email Suzie at office@parish.church (Tel: 023 8026 5977). As more people self-isolate there will be an increasing need for this scheme, so please do sign up to help if you are able.

Parish Church of Chandler's Ford - Crisis Care Team supporting the neighbours in our community.
Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford – Crisis Care Team supporting the neighbours in our community.

[Read more…] about First Livestream Service from St Boniface Church; Crisis Care Team

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Parish of Chandler’s Ford : “We are not stopping loving and caring for those around us.”

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It’s an anxious time to every one of us. Shops are closed. Events are cancelled. Schools are to shut. Church services stop. Supermarkets are stripped bare. A few weeks ago you might have asked yourself, “What should I be giving up for Lent this year?” Well it’s clear that you’ve given up a bit more than you had thought.

If any resident want more information on the virus please see the Government and the NHS websites:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response

NHS: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Here is a brief update from Rev’d Ian Bird on Chandler’s Ford Parish’s response to the latest developments of the Coronavirus.

“Sadly we are having to stop all our church services and activities, but we are not stopped being church. We ae not stopping being a faith community. And we are not stopping loving and caring for those around us. We’re just going to be church in a different way for this season.”

The Parish Church of Chandler’s Ford announces that “Due to Church of England guidelines all public worship is currently suspended. However, please …to see how we can still support you practically, emotionally and spiritually, including information on live streams of the Sunday service.”

[Read more…] about Parish of Chandler’s Ford : “We are not stopping loving and caring for those around us.”

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M27 Closure; Eastleigh Derailed Freight Train

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From tonight the M27 will be completely closed in both directions between junctions 3 (M271) and junction 4 (M3) this weekend – from late evening Friday 31 January to early morning 3 February. Read Chippy’s report: M27 Closure 31 Jan – 3 Feb.

To add to the chaos, there’ll be disruption on your train journey. Since Tuesday, a rail line has been blocked after a freight train derailed in Eastleigh. The line between Southampton Central and Basingstoke and thousands of people have been affected.

Route Director, Mark Killick, explains what happened and what they’re doing to get the railway reopened for Monday. “We apologise for the continued disruption and line closure; passengers should continue to check with @SW_Help before travelling.”

Eastleigh derailment - image via Network Rail
Eastleigh derailment – image via Network Rail

Watch the video below and see the huge task of repair:

[Read more…] about M27 Closure; Eastleigh Derailed Freight Train

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M27 Closure 31 Jan – 3 Feb

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The M27 will be completely closed in both directions between junctions 3 (M271) and junction 4 (M3) this weekend – from late evening Friday 31 January to early morning 3 February.

roadworks

matrix sign

This is the third and final closure required for the replacement of the Romsey Road bridge.  More details can be found on the Highways England website. [Read more…] about M27 Closure 31 Jan – 3 Feb

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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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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.


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Fryern Hill Post Office Re-opens (temporarily) Monday Afternoon (18th November 2019)

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This morning, Aaron Joseph, the Fryern Hill gift and stationery shop manager, told Chandler’s Ford Today that the post office will re-open on Monday the 18th of November 2019, from around 2pm.

He said The Post Office team would re-start the system from before noon, and it might take around 2 hours to set everything up. So it’s likely that the post office would re-open from around 2pm.

It’s great news for the local people – though it’s unsure how long the post office will continue to run. It’s a relief for local residents and businesses during this busy Christmas time.

The Chandler's Ford Fryern Hill post office will re-open from around 2pm on Monday 18th November 2019.
The Chandler’s Ford Fryern Hill post office will re-open from around 2pm on Monday 18th November 2019.
Post office re-opening
Post office re-opening

[Read more…] about Fryern Hill Post Office Re-opens (temporarily) Monday Afternoon (18th November 2019)

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Steve Brine MP on the Fryern Hill Post Office: “unlikely to be resolved this side of Christmas”

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Following the sudden closure of the Fryern Hill Post Office, Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine has given an update via his Facebook post.

“Thank you to constituents who have contacted me this week after the sudden closure of the PO at Fryern Hill in Chandler’s Ford. Had a confidential briefing from the Post Office this morning to understand what’s gone on here. Suffice to say, while I understand the temptation to grandstand and stir this up, it’s very complex and is extremely unlikely to be resolved this side of Christmas. [Read more…] about Steve Brine MP on the Fryern Hill Post Office: “unlikely to be resolved this side of Christmas”

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