• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chandler's Ford Today

  • Home
  • About
    • About Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research
  • Blog
    • Blogging Tips
  • Event
    • Upcoming Events
  • Community
    • Groups
    • Churches
    • Schools
    • GP Surgeries
    • Leisure
    • Library
    • Charities
      • Eastleigh Basics Bank
      • Cat & Kitten Rescue in Chandler’s Ford
    • Fair Trade
      • Traidcraft stalls in Chandler’s Ford
    • Chandler’s Ford Parish Council
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Site Policies
  • Site Archive
    • Site Archive 2018
    • Site Archive 2017
    • Site Archive 2016
    • Site Archive 2015

viewpoint

Snakes and the Supernatural in Sri Lanka

December 28, 2019 By Mike Sedgwick Leave a Comment

Eclipse viewed through cloud. For the techies - Exposure 1:2000th second, f8, 129mm, ISO 80 Camera - Lumix DMC-TZ80

Eclipse

Fifteen years to the day after the terrible Tsunami swept across Sri Lanka, another powerful natural phenomenon struck awe and even fear for some of the rural people. The morning sky turned dark.

We had travelled upcountry to a place called Naula, close to the line taken by the total eclipse of the sun. Our friends packed a welder’s visor in their overnight bag. I thought David, an engineer, was planning to do some welding when we reached our destination, but it was his wife who had the foresight. She follows events in the heavens and told us of the eclipse.

When the time came there was cloud cover which was fortunate for me as I managed to take photographs of the eclipse through the clouds. In between the clouds, we observed the eclipse through the visor.

Observing the eclipse from Sri Lanka
Observing the eclipse from Sri Lanka

The cook and some of the staff where we stayed thought it was an intervention of the gods and wanted to go to the temple. Many people did visit temples, churches, kovils and mosques but it was the schoolteachers who could tell them what was happening. We collected the staff and let them all have a look through the visor. One of our Sri Lankan friends explained what was happening, but I am not sure we convinced them all.

Eclipse viewed through cloud. For the techies - Exposure 1:2000th second, f8, 129mm, ISO 80 Camera - Lumix DMC-TZ80
Eclipse viewed through cloud. For the techies – Exposure 1:2000th second, f8, 129mm, ISO 80 Camera – Lumix DMC-TZ80

[Read more…] about Snakes and the Supernatural in Sri Lanka

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Christmas, culture, Sri Lanka, storytelling, tradition, travel, viewpoint

101 Things to Put into Room 101 – Part 7 – The Final Leg

May 25, 2018 By Allison Symes 7 Comments

Feature Image - Part 7 - 101 Things to Put into Room 101

When I was preparing this series, I did wonder how I would split it since 101 is a prime number. There was no way I was writing 101 articles of 1 item each or 1 item of 101 ideas! I eventually concluded that it would be best to have a series of 15 items and finish with the final 10. Many thanks to everyone who has commented on the series. It has been fun to write and a chance to share some of life’s exasperations. If the series producers of Grumpy Old Women happen to be reading this, I think I could make myself available! [Read more…] about 101 Things to Put into Room 101 – Part 7 – The Final Leg

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: entertainment, humour, Room 101, viewpoint

101 Things to Put into Room 101 – Part 6

May 18, 2018 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

Feature Image - Part 6 - Nice picnic area but is the bin too small for purpose

Reaching the “home straight” on my 101 Things to put into Room 101 series, I am now at number 76. It’s probably a sad reflection of human nature that it is usually easy enough to find things to complain about rather than praise. Still on to some more of life’s irritations. [Read more…] about 101 Things to Put into Room 101 – Part 6

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: entertainment, humour, Room 101, viewpoint

Part 5 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101

April 20, 2018 By Allison Symes 9 Comments

Feature Image - Part 5 101Things to Put into Room 101

It is ironic that George Orwell’s Room 101, which rightly in the book is associated with oppression, is used for entertainment, even with a post like this one. It is to his credit though that (a) his work lives on after him and (b) his creations have passed into popular usage. I must admit I hope the latter has led to some people checking out where Room 101/Big Brother come from originally. [Read more…] about Part 5 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: George Orwell, humour, Room 101, viewpoint

Part 4 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101

April 6, 2018 By Allison Symes 12 Comments

Feature Image - Part 4 - 101 Things to Put into Room 101

Now for the next section of the things I would like to see consigned to the Room of Doom created by George Orwell. (I wonder what he’d make of social media and cameras everywhere? Not much, probably). [Read more…] about Part 4 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: George Orwell, humour, Room 101, viewpoint

Part 3 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101

March 30, 2018 By Allison Symes 9 Comments

Feature Image - Part 3 Room 101 Post

So resuming the next batch of things to go into Room 101, George Orwell’s famous creation, I am going to make myself mightily unpopular with some by suggesting:- [Read more…] about Part 3 – 101 Things to Put into Room 101

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: George Orwell, humour, Room 101, viewpoint

Part 2: 101 Things to put into Room 101

March 2, 2018 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

Feature Image Part 2 101 post

I strongly suspect George Orwell would not be entirely happy with the way his invention Big Brother has been used to create a TV show. Whether he’d be happier that the same thing has happened with Room 101, which as a show can at least make people laugh, is another matter. Still, on to Part 2 of the things I would put into the vault of doom.

[Read more…] about Part 2: 101 Things to put into Room 101

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: entertainment, George Orwell, Room 101, viewpoint

101 Things to Put into Room 101

February 23, 2018 By Allison Symes 17 Comments

Feature Image - Part 1 of Room 101 series - Image via Pixabay

George Orwell (aka Eric Blair) has contributed so much to literature and has an accolade few other writers have (though whether he would welcome it is another thing). While it is not unknown for writers to have their sayings go into popular culture over centuries (think Shakespeare especially), how many have their phrases go on to become the titles for TV programmes? Orwell achieves that with Big Brother and Room 101. [Read more…] about 101 Things to Put into Room 101

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: discussion, entertainment, George Orwell, humour, Room 101, viewpoint

EBC – Why Places Leisure Eastleigh?

September 7, 2017 By Janet Williams 8 Comments

Eastleigh Borough Council truly surprised many borough residents today, with this tweet:

“Eastleigh’s new leisure centre has been officially named as…” [Read more…] about EBC – Why Places Leisure Eastleigh?

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, development, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fleming Park, health, local interest, sports, viewpoint

People First? Some Thoughts on Grenfell Towers

June 24, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick 6 Comments

Her Majesty the Queen was subdued on her birthday. So are we all after the film The Towering Inferno became reality at Grenfell Towers. Reality without the hero, without the Hollywood sanitisation protecting us from thinking about slow deaths due to smoke inhalation. The film was clean, vision only. There was no smell of fear, no burning of heat, no difficulty breathing, no choking or coughing. There was no edge of panic in voices and actions. [Read more…] about People First? Some Thoughts on Grenfell Towers

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: news, politics, viewpoint

Ruins, what to Do with ’em?

March 21, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

The United Kingdom is a fusion of four old countries that have fought wars together and with others. It has had kings, princes, invaders, usurpers, pretenders, bishops, priests and parliamentarians who have fought among themselves. Going back into archaeological time and pre-history and even in legend there have been conflicts of people and ideas of which we know little. No wonder that the country is littered with old castles, battlefields, abbeys, forts and earthworks. [Read more…] about Ruins, what to Do with ’em?

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: culture, memory, nature, travel, viewpoint, writing

Agenda of Hopes Dashed

February 19, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick 5 Comments

About 14 years ago, at about the time I retired and began to withdraw from some of my commitments, I wrote down a list of some of the things I would like to see happen during the remainder of my life.

Recently, I found the notes I had written. Here they are, verbatim.

I hoped for: [Read more…] about Agenda of Hopes Dashed

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: current affairs, education, news, politics, viewpoint

Review of 2016 – by Sandra Gordon

January 3, 2017 By Sandra Gordon 6 Comments

Performance Poetry at New Forest Festival - image from CFT archives from Sandra's earlier interview

Review of 2016
(not quite a poem)

You gave me Vice-Captaincy,
coffee with friends,
massages, the gym, weight loss.

You gave me a published poem
about a girl in white socks. [Read more…] about Review of 2016 – by Sandra Gordon

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: creative writing, poetry, review, viewpoint, writing

Random Acts of Kindness

January 2, 2017 By Christine Clark 1 Comment

We hear a lot about random acts of kindness and how little things can make a big difference to people. With this in mind, whilst shopping in Winchester and Asda today (1 January), I  made a point of thanking the shop assistants who served me, for being at work today, a public holiday  – a day when I and many others are fortunate to be off work and furthermore expect to find the shops open. [Read more…] about Random Acts of Kindness

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: community, good neighbours, viewpoint

Seasonal Limericks and Flash Fiction

December 30, 2016 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Feature Image - Seasonal Limericks - image via Pixabay

I thought I’d finish for this year with some light-hearted seasonal limericks and flash fiction pieces. Hope you enjoy them.

I also hope you had plenty of books (in print or electronically) for Christmas and you are happily working your way through them! [Read more…] about Seasonal Limericks and Flash Fiction

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Christmas, flash fiction, review, viewpoint, writing

How Do You Celebrate Christmas? My Christmas in Chandler’s Ford

December 24, 2016 By Janet Williams 5 Comments

In the past few days I have been walking up and down a few roads (Hursley Road, Winchester Road, Hiltingbury Road, Brownhill Road…), and have noticed quite a few inflatable snowman, reindeer, an amusing upside-down Santa near the chimney, and quite a lot of flashing lights in the walls in our neighbourhood.

For those who are cynical about the trend of Christmas festive decorations, or if you are worry about your road / street has become ‘common’, please just remember that festive decoration is fun. People are happy; their kids are happy; their grandchildren are happy. So, just chillax. [Read more…] about How Do You Celebrate Christmas? My Christmas in Chandler’s Ford

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Brownhill Road, Chandler’s Ford community, Christmas, coffee shop, community, Dovetail Centre, Fryern Arcade, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Road, local businesses, local interest, Methodist Church, social, viewpoint, Winchester Road

What I Like (and Dislike) about Christmas

December 23, 2016 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

I love Christmas, most of it anyway. I would love to see more goodwill being shown by the Christmas shopping crowds as we all try to buy presents and so on but that’s another story.

Being a Christian, the Christmas story and services have special resonance of course, though I know all would welcome the idea of goodwill to all men being practised by ourselves at all times of year (despite mankind failing on this count miserably so often, just look at the news for the proof, but the goodwill idea is a sound one and we shouldn’t give up on it. I don’t think it’s been given a long enough trial period!). [Read more…] about What I Like (and Dislike) about Christmas

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: charity, Christmas, good neighbours, storytelling, tradition, viewpoint, writers

How Do You Solve Problems?

December 20, 2016 By chippy minton 5 Comments

Last weekend the zip on my jacket got stuck and I spent several unsuccessful minutes trying to release it. Eventually, my partner grew frustrated at my display of ineptitude and took the garment from me – well, she is a mum, therefore well qualified and experienced at solving all clothing malfunctions and failures.

No, she couldn’t free the zip either. After a few minutes she gave up and went to do something more interesting and useful (and there are lots of things that are more interesting and useful than freeing a stuck zip). [Read more…] about How Do You Solve Problems?

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: advice, viewpoint

As Others See Us – Brexit Britain

December 7, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick 3 Comments

I spoke with a Sri Lankan Professor called Sunil about who are the Sri Lankans. The guide books say there are Sinhala, Tamils, Burghers, Moors and Veddah. How do you tell which are which? I asked.

“Did you expect Britain to vote for Brexit?” He asked. “And did you expect Donald Trump to be elected President of USA?” I told him “No” on both counts. ” [Read more…] about As Others See Us – Brexit Britain

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: current affairs, history, memory, news, politics, storytelling, viewpoint

British Etiquette: a Survivor’s Guide

December 5, 2016 By Gopi Chandroth 2 Comments

Someone intending to visit the UK for the first time asked me for some tips on British etiquette. This is what I came up with.

Dear Raj,

Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet once wrote A Man’s a Man for a’ That. My advice to you therefore is – be yourself and you will be fine. However, since you ask, I will jot down some thoughts accumulated over a quarter of a century on this island. [Read more…] about British Etiquette: a Survivor’s Guide

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Email
Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, community, creative writing, culture, humour, memory, storytelling, travel, viewpoint, writing
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Chandler's Ford Today blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Top Posts & Pages

999, 111, 101, 112? Emergency Numbers You Must Know
Cat & Kitten Rescue in Chandler's Ford
101 Things to Put into Room 101
My Favourite Short Walk - Itchen Navigation from Bishopstoke to Allbrook
Hidden Hampshire - Woodland Walks: Jermyns Lane
Lockdown Afternoon Tea
Home
Peculiar British House Numbering System
Hidden Hampshire: The Monarch's Way
Musical Connections

Categories

Tags

arts and crafts books Chandler's Ford Chandler's Ford Today Chandler’s Ford community charity Christianity Christmas church community creative writing culture Eastleigh Eastleigh Borough Council education entertainment event family fundraising gardening good neighbours Hiltingbury Hiltingbury Road history hobby how-to interview Joan Adamson Joan Adelaide Goater local businesses local interest memory Methodist Church music nature news reading religion review social storytelling theatre travel Winchester Road writing

Recent Comments

  • Allison Symes on Musical Connections
  • Mike Sedgwick on Musical Connections
  • Dawn Knox on Introducing Dawn Knox… The Chronicles Continue
  • Dawn Knox on Introducing Dawn Knox… The Chronicles Continue
  • Hema on Introducing Dawn Knox… The Chronicles Continue
  • Allison Symes on Musical Connections

Regular Writers and Contributors

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

Reviews of local performances and places

Reviews of local performances and places

Copyright © 2021 Chandler's Ford Today. WordPress. Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.