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storytelling

A Peek into My Writing World – Tools and Inspirations

September 10, 2016 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Have you tried writing Flash Fiction?

Yesterday I wrote a brief introduction to Flash Fiction and shared one of my flash stories as an example. Do you have a favourite Flash Fiction story to share with us? [Read more…] about A Peek into My Writing World – Tools and Inspirations

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Tags: books, family, flash fiction, publishing, reading, storytelling, writing

Going Full Circle: the Journey of Hiltonbury Jerseys

September 7, 2016 By Andy Vining 10 Comments

In the 1960s my Father, John Vining, and I decided to create a milk round in Chandler’s Ford direct from Hiltonbury Farm and deliver to a growing population wonderful Raw Jersey Milk direct from the farm.

From the Hiltonbury Herds beginnings in 1947 by my Father, we were at that time milking around 40-50 Jersey cows in a long shed that housed 36 at a time, so had to do a changeover during milking to accommodate all the cows. It was very time consuming and labour intensive. [Read more…] about Going Full Circle: the Journey of Hiltonbury Jerseys

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, family, Hiltonbury Farmhouse, history, interview, local businesses, local interest, storytelling, writing

The Art of Crime at Chandler’s Ford Library: 14th Sep 2016 7pm

September 3, 2016 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Chandler s Ford Library is hosting an event to look at the dark art of crime writing, on Wednesday 14th September 2016 at 7pm.

The special guests are Portsmouth’s partners in crime, novelists Diana Bretherick and William Sutton. [Read more…] about The Art of Crime at Chandler’s Ford Library: 14th Sep 2016 7pm

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Tags: books, Chandler's Ford Library, education, event, library, local interest, publishing, reading, storytelling, writing

Reminder: Creative Writing Classes at The Dovetail Centre

September 2, 2016 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Barbara Large New Creative Writing Classes Image

Just a quick reminder that Barbara Large’s new creative writing workshops start later this month at The Dovetail Centre.

Further details below. [Read more…] about Reminder: Creative Writing Classes at The Dovetail Centre

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Tags: advice, creative writing, Dovetail Centre, event, Information, inspiration, literature, publishing, storytelling, writers

Where is “The Parade” in Chandler’s Ford? Memories from my 1950s Childhood

August 22, 2016 By Roger White 52 Comments

I remember “The Parade” of Chandler’s Ford well. It is along Bournemouth Road, coming from Southampton, just past the School Lane lights, down past the advertising hoardings. It’s the row of shops on the left before you get to Hursley Rd.

At that time, the Butchers shop where I worked was the first on the left, L.S. Horn, next was Lowmans the bakers, then I think it was the Lloyds Bank, Jenkins sweet shop, G.H.Baker & Sons, and grocers. I can’t remember the next one or maybe two shops, and at the end it was Mr Perrot’s fishmonger. [Read more…] about Where is “The Parade” in Chandler’s Ford? Memories from my 1950s Childhood

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, family, history, Hursley, Hursley Road, local businesses, local interest, memory, storytelling, war memorial, writing

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

August 11, 2016 By Roger White 24 Comments

I was born in Chandler’s Ford in 1942 and lived in Station Lane until about 1972.

I remember many of the old places. We used to play in the old brickfield then go off up to Knightwood where there was a big sand pit created allegedly by a stray bomb during the war. [Read more…] about Roger White: My Family History in Chandler’s Ford and Hursley

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, family, history, Hursley, Hursley Road, local businesses, local interest, memory, storytelling, war memorial, writing

How not to be a Party Guest

August 1, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 5 Comments

There is something quintessentially English about garden parties. They are rare events as many are washed away by our capricious climate.

Last year we did not have one. The memory of the year before was too strong. Everyone was indoors. Our BBQ chef slaved under the garage up-and-over doors to shelter from the rain. He did a good job but the garage still smells of sausages.

[Read more…] about How not to be a Party Guest

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Tags: advice, Chandler’s Ford community, Hiltingbury, humour, storytelling

Barbara Large: NEW Creative Writing Classes in Chandler’s Ford

July 29, 2016 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

Barbara Large New Creative Writing Classes Image

Barbara Large will be running creative writing classes at the Dovetail Centre in Chandler’s Ford from 21st September 2016.

This is great news for any writer who is looking for the mutual support creative writing classes can give and who want to develop their skills. [Read more…] about Barbara Large: NEW Creative Writing Classes in Chandler’s Ford

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Tags: advice, creative writing, Dovetail Centre, event, Information, inspiration, literature, publishing, storytelling, writers

Walking with Llamas – By Doug Clews

June 22, 2016 By Doug Clews 1 Comment

Although my experiences with llamas are in Western Australia, and indeed I write from Western Australia, it is my hope that the article is of general interest, and also that it may give a retiree or two, actual or potential, an idea for a pastime in retirement. I have put links to a few ‘local’ locations towards the end of the article.

My Introduction To Llamas

I retired from full-time employment in September 2000, and, as I am not a serious gardener, our ½ acre ‘bush block’ in the Hills east of Perth, in Western Australia, requires little attention apart from a bit of pruning and leaf raking to keep it tidy, so I was left wondering what on earth I was going to do with my time … [Read more…] about Walking with Llamas – By Doug Clews

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Tags: culture, nature, storytelling, travel

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

June 11, 2016 By Martin Napier 1 Comment

growing up in Chandler's Ford Martin Napier

Another episode from Boats and Bikes…

Cycle Time Trials – the 1970s

I found the competitive side of cycling to be just what I wanted at that time. I needed a new angle on cycling and this was it! I managed to be moderately successful and I improved my “Personal Best” times over the distances I raced – mainly 10, 25 & 50 mile events. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Rotrax Memories; Joy of Powerboat – Part 14

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, cycling, Eastleigh, education, family, history, hobby, local interest, memory, powerboat, storytelling, travel

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Passions for Power Boat, Bike, and Lambretta (Part 13)

May 16, 2016 By Martin Napier Leave a Comment

growing up in Chandler's Ford Martin Napier

More favourite memories including thoughts about my boats and bikes……

1964 – The year that Radio Caroline started broadcasting! [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: Passions for Power Boat, Bike, and Lambretta (Part 13)

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, cycling, Eastleigh, education, family, history, hobby, local interest, memory, powerboat, storytelling, travel

Life aboard a Tall Ship: Jubilee Sailing Trust’s Ship Lord Nelson

May 6, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 5 Comments

I was on board Lord Nelson ship at the Seed2Sailing – the launch party for this year’s Jubilee Sailing Trust Autumn Pumpkin Festival and Scarecrow Avenue, which will take place on Saturday 8th Oct 2016.

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;”

Sea Fever by John Masefield
[Read more…] about Life aboard a Tall Ship: Jubilee Sailing Trust’s Ship Lord Nelson

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Tags: adventure, charity, community, Eastleigh, education, event, fundraising, good neighbours, how-to, JST, memory, Southampton, storytelling, travel

Chandler’s Ford School Days: 1970s – 1980s by Betty Brooking

May 4, 2016 By SO53 News 41 Comments

By Betty Brooking

When we lived on the Oakmount estate in the 70s, our son first went to Mrs Vincent’s nursery school at the Methodist Church Hall Fryern Hill.

He then started infant school in the annex with Mrs Moye at Kings Road School Chandler’s Ford (She always ran the sweet stall at the school’s annual fete, held at Merdon Avenue School). [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford School Days: 1970s – 1980s by Betty Brooking

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, education, family, history, Kings Road Infant School, local interest, memory, Merdon School, Methodist Church, storytelling, Toynbee School

Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: the Joy of Powerboat Race and Cycling (Part 12)

May 4, 2016 By Martin Napier Leave a Comment

growing up in Chandler's Ford Martin Napier

It is worth saying how different commentating on powerboat racing was then to how it is nowadays.

As the boat [competitor] of a personality raced past, the commentator would show a degree of deference. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: the Joy of Powerboat Race and Cycling (Part 12)

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, cycling, Eastleigh, education, family, history, hobby, local interest, memory, powerboat, storytelling, travel

Chandler’s Ford Library: Margaret Tee’s Royal Memorabilia

May 1, 2016 By Janet Williams 4 Comments

I receive lovely emails from readers from time to time with their stories.

This afternoon Karen Moth sent me this email telling me something very special about her mother.

“My mum Margaret Tee (75 years old) has lived in Chandler’s Ford all her life and [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Library: Margaret Tee’s Royal Memorabilia

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Tags: arts and crafts, celebrations, Chandler's Ford Library, Chandler’s Ford community, community, event, history, hobby, library, local interest, storytelling

Watching the Detectives

April 15, 2016 By Allison Symes 11 Comments

watching the detectives article comparing detectives

I had the great joy last week of going to see An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley with a friend at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.

My friend had seen the film which was why she was keen to see the play version. I love detective fiction and thought seeing one in a play format would be interesting. I was right – it was!
[Read more…] about Watching the Detectives

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Tags: arts and crafts, books, culture, education, entertainment, event, history, memory, reading, review, storytelling, theatre, writing

Walk on the Isle of Wight

April 15, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick Leave a Comment

We were fortunate to pick two sunny days for a trip to the Isle of Wight.

During the trip down Southampton water we saw the Ovation of the Seas, a new 168,000 ton diesel-electric driven cruise liner She is undergoing inauguration event prior to her maiden cruise to China. She will operate between china and Australia. [Read more…] about Walk on the Isle of Wight

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Tags: gardening, Isle of Wight, memory, nature, recommendations, review, Southampton, storytelling, travel

Always Read the Label

April 1, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 6 Comments

When you are at your most vulnerable, you need all the help you can get. Do you get it? No. I live in a house full of women and I am well looked after in the most part but these girls turn the bathroom into a minefield.

There you are, in the shower, naked, enveloped in steam, water streaming into your eyes. You need shampoo. Your groping hand soon knocks several plastic bottles down into the shower pan. [Read more…] about Always Read the Label

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, family, Hiltingbury, humour, storytelling

Chandler’s Ford from the 1980s – Part 3

March 30, 2016 By chippy minton 4 Comments

In the third and final reminiscence from the late 1980s, Chippy tells us his memories of transport and travel at the time.

Strange as it may seem, I think there was more traffic coming through Winchester Road / Bournemouth Road in those days. I often drive that way on a Friday now, and the queues are nothing like I remember. A lot of local traffic would use that route rather than the notorious A33. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford from the 1980s – Part 3

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, development, Eastleigh, history, local businesses, local interest, memory, storytelling, travel, Winchester

Chandler’s Ford from the 1980s – Part 2

March 24, 2016 By chippy minton 23 Comments

Chippy Minton moved to Chandler’s Ford in the late 1980s. In this second instalment of his memories from the time, he writes about some of the shops that were around Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh at the time.

The Chestnut Avenue hypermarket had been there for some years. In those days it was still trading as Gateway (having recently changed from Carrefour – and many people still referred to it as Carrefour). Asda took over the store fairly soon after I moved to the area – though continued to sell Gateway branded goods for several weeks. The store closed over an Easter weekend and reopened as a fully Asda-ised store. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford from the 1980s – Part 2

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Janet Williams Allison Symes Mike Sedgwick Rick Goater Doug Clews chippy minton Martin Napier Roger White Andy Vining Gopi Chandroth Nicola Slade Wellie Roger Clark Ray Fishman Hazel Bateman SO53 News

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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Reviews of local performances and places

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