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storytelling

My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 1)

July 1, 2015 By Doug Clews 15 Comments

Memories of war years Chandler's Ford by Doug Clews.

About the writer: Doug Clews lived in Chandler’s Ford between 1938 and 1966. Now living in Perth, Western Australia, Doug shares his fascinating childhood memories of Chandler’s Ford with us.

At age 5 at the outbreak of WW2, I did not have anything to compare life and standards of living with, so the War, as I remember it, did not seem to be such a hardship for us, as it was for many, many, thousands of other people in England.

So many of them lost loved ones, their homes, their possessions, and in many cases, their dignity. [Read more…] about My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 1)

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, history, local interest, memory, storytelling, World War Two

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Central Precinct; Bonfire Night (Part 3)

June 29, 2015 By Martin Napier 6 Comments

growing up in Chandler's Ford Martin Napier

Before I relate more of my life at North End Secondary School, I might regale you with some of the other events and things happening in the area back in the late 1950s and into the 1960s.

The area at the bottom of Hursley Road, where the Central Precinct is now, was somewhat different then.

The precinct was built in the 60s, [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Central Precinct; Bonfire Night (Part 3)

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Tags: Bournemouth Road, Central Precinct, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, history, Hursley Road, local interest, memory, North End School, storytelling, Winchester Road

Get Me to the Church on Time

June 24, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick Leave a Comment

Driving along a country lane in Surrey, I came up behind a tractor with a tipping transport box attached on the back. Therein were some youngsters dressed in their best.

In front of that tractor was another, and another all with people dressed in their best togs. Further ahead we came to the village church, St Michael and All Angels in Thursley. [Read more…] about Get Me to the Church on Time

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, church, culture, Hiltingbury, storytelling, travel

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Paper Boy; North End School (Part 2)

June 22, 2015 By Martin Napier 23 Comments

growing up in Chandler's Ford Martin Napier

I grew up in Chandler’s Ford in the 1950s and 1960s.

When I was about 12 years old, I started my first (part-time) job.

This was as a Saturday van-boy for Mr Smith, a greengrocer, who had a shop opposite “The Hut” on Bournemouth Road. (not to be confused with Mr Smith who had a grocers shop in Hursley Road, opposite the Railway Station.) [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Paper Boy; North End School (Part 2)

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, Hiltonbury Farmhouse, history, Hursley Road, Kings Road, Kings Road Infant School, local interest, memory, Merdon School, North End School, storytelling

Where is My Tattoo? By Jean-Louis Bravard

June 17, 2015 By Richard Hardie 4 Comments

Jean-Louis Bravard feature

A good friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer in January this year.

Jean-Louis Bravard is partly retired now, but works with Boris Johnson promoting London, still runs his own consulting company, and at one time he was the MD of J P Morgan bank.

Jean-Louis has written a short story called “Where is my tattoo?”. This is an account of [Read more…] about Where is My Tattoo? By Jean-Louis Bravard

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Tags: community, family, health, inspiration, storytelling, writing

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s (Part 1)

June 15, 2015 By Martin Napier 31 Comments

growing up in Chandler's Ford Martin Napier

I was born, not in Chandler’s Ford, but in Tooting, South London, in 1947.

My father came from Lancashire, and my mother from Tooting.

We lived in Streatham, a mile or two from Tooting, but just before my second birthday, my mother died from influenza. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s (Part 1)

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, Hiltonbury Farmhouse, history, Hursley Road, Kings Road, Kings Road Infant School, local interest, memory, Merdon School, storytelling

Visit to Marwell Zoo and Animal Conservation

May 31, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

Marwell Zoo

Excitement for the grandchildren on the day of a visit to Marwell Zoo. Parents primed, grandparents had the tickets but it was raining stair rods. So we went to the Pub for lunch. As the bill was paid, the air cleared and the sun came out.

Many people have mixed feelings about zoos and I am one of them. There is nothing to beat the thrill of seeing a wild animal in its natural surroundings even if it is only a glimpse. [Read more…] about Visit to Marwell Zoo and Animal Conservation

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Tags: community, days out, family, local interest, nature, review, storytelling

In the Gang Show: Lyn Darbyshire

May 29, 2015 By Allison Symes 11 Comments

One thing I love about writing for Chandler’s Ford Today is how one subject leads to another.

For instance, my interview with local author, Richard Hardie, led to my wanting to discover more about The Gang Shows.

Richard wrote one of these with the great Sir Terry Pratchett.  [Read more…] about In the Gang Show: Lyn Darbyshire

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, Gang Show, interview, local interest, scouting, social, storytelling, Winchester, writing

Forced Landing

May 6, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

Our gliding flights in the Pyrenees were going well. A friendly rivalry arose with the two pilots of another glider and we were determined to outdo one another.

Today was my turn as pilot in command of our 2 seater, Whisky Bravo. The tug plane took us from Santa Cilia airfield on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees towards the local hill where there was some rising air. [Read more…] about Forced Landing

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Tags: adventure, gliding, hobby, how-to, nature, science, social, storytelling, travel, wildlife

The Doctor Who Experience by Allison Symes

April 3, 2015 By Allison Symes 14 Comments

The Doctor Who Experience by Allison Symes

I’ve loved Doctor Who since I was a child. I was gripped by the stories, terrified by the Daleks (while at the same time enjoying every moment of being terrified!) and couldn’t wait to tune in to the following week’s edition.

As I was growing up you had one story spread over several parts and it seemed an age before I was to find out if Tom Baker, “my Doctor”, was going to pull the leads apart that would lead to the destruction of the Daleks in Genesis of the Daleks. [Read more…] about The Doctor Who Experience by Allison Symes

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Tags: BBC, Chandler's Ford, days out, Doctor Who, education, entertainment, film, history, review, storytelling, train station, travel

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park: Can You Help?

March 27, 2015 By Dave Key 39 Comments

Dave Key Supermarine historian Hursley Park

About the author: Dave Key is the voluntary archivist and historian at Hursley Park. He is trying to locate as many ex-Supermariners, or their relatives, as possible in order to record their stories. Could you help?

In September 1940 the Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Woolston & Itchen workshops were bombed, forcing the complete dispersal of Spitfire production around the south of England (principally Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire). [Read more…] about History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park: Can You Help?

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Tags: architecture, community, culture, history, Hursley, local interest, memory, storytelling

Why Don’t They Say They Are Nappies?

March 14, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 8 Comments

nappies - why don't they say they are nappies?

The kids have gone out for a ‘Works’ evening. That means mountains of chips, steak and sticky toffee pudding all washed down the gullet with tsunamis of lager and rioja. They would not be well the next day.

So, as often before, we have our lovely 20 month old granddaughter to look after for the night. My wife is a super Nana and takes it all in her stride. All went well until 4.00am when my wife got up. Not for the baby but for the Norovirus which had struck. [Read more…] about Why Don’t They Say They Are Nappies?

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Tags: family, review, storytelling, travel

Jane Austen: An Appreciation by Allison Symes

March 6, 2015 By Allison Symes 17 Comments

Jane Austen appreciation by Allison Symes.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice is the greatest of all Jane Austen’s works.

It is a blueprint for romantic comedy and Elizabeth Bennet remains one of my favourite literary heroines, being quick witted and intelligent at a time when that was not particularly welcomed. (It isn’t always welcomed now in some places, unfortunately). [Read more…] about Jane Austen: An Appreciation by Allison Symes

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Tags: books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, community, days out, education, history, Jane Austen, library, literature, local interest, reading, review, storytelling, travel, Winchester, Winchester Cathedral, writing

Barbara Hillier: Story of My Great Uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier and His Memorial Plaque

March 3, 2015 By Janet Williams 15 Comments

Reverend Peter Cornick, Barbara Hillier, and her daughter Jo Nash: re-dedication of memorial plaque of Wilfred Herbert Hillier at Chandler's Ford Methodist Church, 28 Feb 2015.

Last Saturday (28th February 2015), Chandler’s Ford historian Barbara Hillier shared a poignant story of her great uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier, who died on the 7th of October 1916 in action in France, aged only 30.

Barbara’s storytelling was linked with a unique memorial plaque, which was once lost, but was never forgotten.

It was a story about a conscientious objector who later changed his mind, his love for his family, [Read more…] about Barbara Hillier: Story of My Great Uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier and His Memorial Plaque

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Tags: Barbara Hillier, Chandler's Ford, community, culture, Dovetail Centre, education, event, history, Hursley Road, local interest, memory, Methodist Church, St. Boniface Church, storytelling, war memorial, World War One

What Has Chandler’s Ford Done for Me?

February 20, 2015 By Allison Symes 13 Comments

What has Chandler's Ford done for me by Allison Symes

How many lives do you have? One? Two (the one at work, the one at home for example)? Three (work, home, involvement in amateur dramatics or the church, say)?

I have had multiple lives in Chandler’s Ford but will focus on two: before becoming a dog owner and since then and before becoming a writer and since. Chandler’s Ford has influenced both. [Read more…] about What Has Chandler’s Ford Done for Me?

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, community, dog, Hiltingbury, Hocombe Mead, leisure, nature, pets, storytelling, train station, travel, viewpoint, walking, writing

Book Review: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

February 6, 2015 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

Allison Symes reviews The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey.

Books can be dangerous because they deal in ideas so I reckon the two most dangerous places in Chandler’s Ford are our wonderful library and W.H.Smith at Fryern since one lends out books and the other sells them!

It is also fantastic that, especially after the loss of The Arcade Bookshop, we have another bookseller and our library is a real asset. May both keep going from strength to strength.
[Read more…] about Book Review: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

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Tags: books, Chandler's Ford, Chandler's Ford Library, community, education, entertainment, Fryern Arcade, history, library, London, reading, review, storytelling, travel, Winchester, writing

Acts of Kindness in Community

February 4, 2015 By Janet Williams 6 Comments

Acts of Kindness in the Eastleigh community

Just before Christmas, Yoga teacher Philip Hilton found a wallet and he handed it to the Eastleigh Police Station on Leigh Road.

Recently he received a letter of thanks with a cheque of £20.

The letter reads: [Read more…] about Acts of Kindness in Community

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Tags: blogging, Chandler's Ford, charity, community, Eastleigh, police, storytelling

Snow Bound

February 3, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 4 Comments

It is rare for snow to affect life here in the balmy South very much. This morning was different. Overnight we did some babysitting.

“Why are you called baby sitter?” asked our grand daughter, “You never sat on us, even when we were small.” [Read more…] about Snow Bound

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Tags: family, history, nature, storytelling, travel

My Poignant Visit to Auschwitz 30 Years Ago

January 26, 2015 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

Some 30 years ago I found myself in Krakow, Poland, alone in a communist country with contact phone numbers that did not work and meet and greet arrangements that had gone wrong.

I had a day to fill and looked at the hotel tours of castles, lakes, mountains, ski centres, pretty villages or Auschwitz.

Auschwitz? Was that really a tourist attraction? Should I go there?

[Read more…] about My Poignant Visit to Auschwitz 30 Years Ago

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Tags: education, history, memory, politics, storytelling, travel, viewpoint, war memorial, writing

From Chandler’s Ford I Get around

January 23, 2015 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Allison Symes: from Chandler's Ford I Get Around

I love travelling. I love seeing what’s going on around me and comparing different places with home.

But despite living near an airport, flying is the one major form of transportation I’ve never used.

I’ve travelled in many different forms, including having a donkey ride on a beach and a pony trek (when I was a child), but have yet to be above terra firma. [Read more…] about From Chandler’s Ford I Get around

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Tags: adventure, Chandler's Ford, community, culture, days out, museum, storytelling, train station, travel, viewpoint
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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

My Memories of the War Years in Chandler’s Ford 1939 – 1945 by Doug Clews

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research by Margaret Doores

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

History of Hiltonbury Farmhouse by Andy Vining

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley by Roger White

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Do You Remember The Hutments? By Nick John

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

Memory of Peter Green by Wendy Green

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

History of Vickers Armstrongs (Supermarine) Hursley Park by Dave Key

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