u3a

Fryern Funtasia 2025 – Drizzle, Sunshine, Stilt Walker, Steam Train, Puppet Shows … What an Amazing Event!

May 6, 2025 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Fryern Funtasia was such a great success. The weather was quite ‘unpredictable’ but the drizzle didn’t seem to bother us. The event was well organised, and the atmosphere was superb. When people said it’s a ‘community’ event and it truly was. There was something special for everyone, whatever your age. There were favourite games and crafts for children, and there were also boats and steam train for enthusiasts. There was a stilt walker who entertained and surprised the kids. Animals. Music that filled the air. Ice Cream.

The Mayor of Eastleigh Cllr Dave Pragnell and the Mayoress Jean went round to meet many people. At the u3a pitch, the mayor spoke with Pam Moffat (Vice Chair) and Dave Claxton (Chair) about u3a and their role within the community. [Read more…] about Fryern Funtasia 2025 – Drizzle, Sunshine, Stilt Walker, Steam Train, Puppet Shows … What an Amazing Event!

Tags: Chameleon Theatre Group, Chandler's Ford Parish Council, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, days out, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, Fryern Funtasia, Fryern Recreation Ground, fundraising, local interest, Methodist Church, review, social, u3a

Who are the Mysterious Postbox Topper Ladies in Chandler’s Ford?

May 2, 2025 By Janet Williams Leave a Comment

Dear readers, you must have seen many intriguing postbox toppers around Chandler’s Ford. They surprise us, delight us, and make us smile. A splash of colour; a creative design; a world re-imagined. For the past few years, the remarkable ladies (with some of their ‘helpers’) from Chandler’s Ford u3a have graced our streets and quiet lanes with their creations made with love and crafted with great skills. You may even feel a bit uplifted on a mundane trip to Asda, as the topper may remind you of an upcoming special celebration or a significant historical event, or its playful, whimsical nature may take you back to your childhood.

The ladies who have brought us joy with their Postbox Toppers.

Credit: Special thanks to Sandra and Dave Claxton for providing the story and all the photographs in this article below.

Since the amazing response to our 25th Anniversary Postbox Toppers of 2023, our “Topper Ladies” have barely stopped in their endeavours producing themed Toppers for the King’s Coronation, Remembrance Week, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Summer, the Olympics and were even asked to produce a Postbox Topper to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Eastleigh Borough last May.

Eastleigh Borough Council's AGM at The Point, Eastleigh, on Monday 20th May 2024. The new Mayor Councillor David Pragnell was elected. Photo by Chris Balcombe for Eastleigh Borough Council. Chandler's Ford U3A created a postbox topper to celebrate 50 years of Eastleigh Borough Council. — Eastleigh Borough Council’s AGM at The Point, Eastleigh, on Monday 20th May 2024. The new Mayor Councillor David Pragnell was elected.
Photo by Chris Balcombe for Eastleigh Borough Council. Chandler’s Ford U3A created a postbox topper to celebrate 50 years of Eastleigh Borough Council.

Tags: celebration, Chandler’s Ford community, community, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, good neighbours, history, local interest, Methodist Church, remembering, storytelling, u3a

The Fire Service Visits!

August 18, 2024 By Christine Clark Leave a Comment

Last year, a group of U3A folk was able to visit the HQ of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in Eastleigh. It was a fascinating visit as we were given a warm welcome, lots of information and practical advice.

One of the pieces of advice was a recommendation that we had a free Home Fire Safety Check visit to:

• identify any potential fire risks and discuss with the occupier how they can prevent or reduce the risk;
• ensure occupants have working smoke alarms, install where necessary and advise on maintenance and testing;
• ensure occupants have carbon monoxide detectors where needed, install if necessary and discuss the dangers;
• help put together a household escape plan and identify any mobility issues that may impede an evacuation;
• issue fire-retardant bedding, furniture throws and nightwear where needed;
• give basic advice on topics such as falls prevention and smoking.

I made the appointment and awaited my visit. I was told that if an emergency call coincided with my appointment, I’d need to be understanding – of course! But no emergency came and on time, two lovely fire officers (pictured) rolled up in the appliance. I don’t know what the rest of my street thought when they saw the appliance parked up! [Read more…] about The Fire Service Visits!

Tags: Chandler's Ford, good neighbours, u3a

The Role of Chandler’s Ford in the Run-up to D-Day

May 27, 2024 By Christine Clark 1 Comment

Writer: Christine Clark
Photos: All crochets by Chandler’s Ford u3a.

On 6 June 1944, the long-awaited Allied landing in northern France began. Facing Hitler’s Atlantic Wall coastal fortifications, soldiers of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and other Allied nations landed on beaches in Normandy, beginning a campaign which lasted until 24 July 1944.

Hitler and his generals had been expecting an invasion that year. However, the successful Operation Bodyguard, a military deception strategy, misled the Axis powers into believing that the invasion would be later in the year and further north-east, nearer to Calais. Instead, the Allied war planners had selected a 50-mile stretch of coastline in Normandy on five beaches codenamed Utah, Omega, Gold, Juno and Sword.

Crochets by Chandler's Ford u3a. — Crochets by Chandler’s Ford u3a.

A key part of the strategy of Operation Bodyguard was to hide the amount of troop buildup in southern England. Approximately 160,000 Allied soldiers had to be mustered, fed, watered and moved to their embarkation points without it being obvious to the Axis powers’ intelligence.

These muster points, or marshalling areas, spread right across the south coast of England. In our area, Marshalling Area C was central south Hampshire and included Southampton, Botley, Winchester, Chandler’s Ford, Hursley, Ampfield and Romsey. The closest embarkation point was Southampton docks, although there were others in the New Forest and Gosport. [Read more…] about The Role of Chandler’s Ford in the Run-up to D-Day

Tags: Armistice Day, Chandler's Ford, community, D-Day, history, local history, remembering, Remembrance Sunday, u3a

Thanks to Chandler’s Ford u3a sharing Easter joy

April 1, 2024 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

There are several lovely knitted postbox toppers in Chandler’s Ford. Thank you Chandler’s Ford u3a once again for sharing your creativity in the community.

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, Dovetail Centre, entertainment, event, good neighbours, learning, local interest, Methodist Church, u3a

Chandler’s Ford Christmas Postbox Toppers on Display

December 3, 2023 By SO53 News 3 Comments

Thank you for the crafters who are getting in the Christmas spirit in a creative way – with knitted or crocheted postbox toppers across Chandler’s Ford.

Many locals have shared their joy on spotting these on social media.

One of them features the words Chnadlers Ford u3a.

Tags: arts and crafts, celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, Christmas, event, good neighbours, learning, local interest, u3a

The Mosque

November 28, 2023 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

A group of us from U3A visited the Masjid Abu Bakr (Masjid means Mosque) in St Marys, Southampton. St Marys boasts three mosques within 150 yards of each other. This one caters for 1000 of the 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide.

Why would a group of elderly Christians visit a mosque, particularly in times like these? All of us were brought up in the Christian tradition, some practising, some C of E by default, some, like the author, with no religious belief and others hovering between – the agnostics. Curiosity united us. We were invited to remove our shoes and the ladies covered their hair.

We were met by the ‘verger’ who explained the five pillars of Islam; the obligatory rituals and practices of all Muslims. The Shahada – the creed “I bear witness that there is no deity but God…” equivalent to the Apostles’ Creed. Salah – the practice of prayer, five times a day while facing Mecca. Zakat – almsgiving, set at 2.5% of what you have remaining after meeting your household expenses. Sawm – fasting during the month of Ramadan and, finally, the Hajj – a pilgrimage to Mecca to be made once in a lifetime by all who can afford it. [Read more…] about The Mosque

Tags: culture, faith, Islam, religion, Southampton, storytelling, tradition, u3a

Chandler’s Ford u3a Celebrating 25th Anniversary

March 5, 2023 By SO53 News 3 Comments

Knitted postbox toppers are appearing around Chandler’s Ford. Have you seen them? These have brought a lot of smiles.

Chandler’s Ford u3a is celebrating its 25th Anniversary by erecting 25 toppers in Chandler’s Ford. Thank you Jill Mayes for sharing these photos.

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, Dovetail Centre, entertainment, event, good neighbours, learning, local interest, Methodist Church, u3a

Chandlers Ford u3a – New Website Launched

March 4, 2021 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

The u3a nationally has been going through a re-branding of late and the new Chandlers Ford u3a website launched only last week.

The Chandlers Ford u3a group was formed in March 1998 and now has more than 400 members. The Chandlers Ford u3a would normally meet on the 3rd Monday at 2pm of each month at the Dovetail Centre of the Methodist Church in Winchester Road, but they have had to resort to Zoom of late.

Members of the u3a have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience which as a self-help group can be shared with others. We have around 50 special interest groups which meet in members homes covering topics such as languages at varying levels, the arts, literature, history and science. We also have outings to theatres and gardens, local places of interest, and countryside walks.

A u3a is a learning co-operative of older people, which enables members to share many educational, creative and leisure activities. Activities are organised mainly in small groups that meet regularly, often in each other’s homes. Members, through sharing their knowledge, skills and experience, learn from each other.

Although all local u3as remain operationally independent, they are members of The Third Age Trust. As such they must abide by both the original Objects and Principles written by Peter Laslett in 1981 and the Principles of the u3a Movement (2014).

The Trust is a national, umbrella body (a registered charity and limited company) which represents all u3as in the UK at national and international level. It is run by a National Executive Committee democratically elected from the membership and offers a range of services, to support and advise local u3as.

The image of Compton Lock was taken on a walk from Shawford, Compton and St. Cross.

The aircraft image is from a visit the u3a members paid to the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at Old Sarum, just outside Salisbury.

Contact:

You can contact Chandlers Ford u3a with email: admin@cfordu3a.org.uk.

Chandlers Ford u3a website

Dovetail Centre, Chandler's Ford Methodist Church — Dovetail Centre, Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church

Dovetail Centre at the Chandler's Ford Methodist Church is an accessible, open community centre. — Dovetail Centre of the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, on Winchester Road.

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, Dovetail Centre, entertainment, event, good neighbours, learning, local interest, Methodist Church, u3a

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