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Review: The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band St. George’s Day Concert 2016

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The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (better known as The Spitfires) returned to Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church last weekend for a St George’s Day concert in aid of One Community.

As we have come to expect from a band of such high calibre, the concert showcased the musician’s skills and wide repertoire. We were also treated to a display by the band’s Corps of Drums, who had been busy with other scouting activities at the October concert.
[Read more…] about Review: The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band St. George’s Day Concert 2016

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The Central Precinct – Old and New

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Update: 12th April 2016: The Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford has now put up a new signboard, after receiving feedback from this post below, which was first published on 26th March 2016. [Read more…] about The Central Precinct – Old and New

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Review: Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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Last Thursday, my mum and I watched an intriguing drama Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players, at the Methodist Church Hall.

What’s this Sudden Death all about? A murder?

The play is about a rich and unpleasant nobleman (played by Lester Parry) [Read more…] about Review: Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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As You Like It… and I Did!

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I had the great joy of going to see As You Like It on Thursday, 25th February 2016 at Thornden Hall.

Having experienced the wonders of Shakespeare’s best known tragedy, Hamlet, late in 2015, I was curious to find out how I was going to get on with one of the Bard of Avon’s comedies. [Read more…] about As You Like It… and I Did!

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National Theatre Live in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Areas

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In recent months it has been a great joy to watch three National Theatre Live productions at Thornden Hall – The Importance of Being Earnest with David Suchet as Lady Bracknell, Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, and Shakespeare’s glorious comedy As You Like It, which we just watched last night.

I’m glad to report there is not one but three nearby venues in Eastleigh borough which show National Theatre Live productions – Thornden Hall, The Point, Eastleigh and, a little further out at Hedge End, The Berry Theatre. [Read more…] about National Theatre Live in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Areas

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Review: Thornden School: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

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This year’s Thornden School GCSE production was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, performed at Thornden Hall last week.

As expected from these talented pupils, it was a delight to watch and stretched the talents of the GCSE students – for both the Drama Acting and Drama Design and Technical courses. [Read more…] about Review: Thornden School: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

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Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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I went to see the National Theatre’s production of Hamlet at Thornden Hall in October 2015 with Janet Williams and her son Ben.

Benedict Cumberbatch was superb in the title role.

I love the idea of being able to watch West End productions without having the hassle of going there. I’ve never been to a West End production and if I had the time to go there, possibly with an overnight stay, I should imagine that would be a wonderful experience. [Read more…] about Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct: Christmas Lights Switching On: Thursday 10 December 2015

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The Christmas lights will be switched on in Chandler’s Ford this Thursday.

Local traders from the Central Precinct have organised a friendly ‘Christmas light switching on’ ceremony for Thursday the 10th of December 2015, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Central Precinct: Christmas Lights Switching On: Thursday 10 December 2015

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Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

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My mum and I recently went to see a comedy based on Science Fiction, performed by MDG (Methodist Drama Group) Players from Chandler’s Ford.

The comedy is called Diamond in the Sky, written and directed by Chandler’s Ford playwright Mike Standing.

While my mum couldn’t quite understand the comedy, I understood it as I’m a sci-fi nerd. [Read more…] about Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

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Uplifting: Chandler’s Ford 42nd Joint Charities Christmas Market 2015

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It’s the Charity Christmas Card week, from 15th – 22nd November 2015.

Deputy Mayor Eastleigh Councillor Des Scott opened Chandler’s Ford’s 42nd Joint Charities Christmas Market last Saturday (14th November 2015). [Read more…] about Uplifting: Chandler’s Ford 42nd Joint Charities Christmas Market 2015

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Review: The Spitfires in Concert – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band

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The Spitfires – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band performed an all new concert at The Methodist Church in Chandler’s Ford on Saturday evening, 17th October 2015. “All new” in that all the pieces were being performed by the band for the first time.

A church may seem an unlikely venue for a band concert, but the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church proved to be an excellent one. [Read more…] about Review: The Spitfires in Concert – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band

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A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Lats Thursday I saw Hamlet broadcast by National Theatre Live, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, at the Thornden Hall in Chandler’s Ford. It was the fifth acting role I have seen Cumberbatch in, and apart from writing my review about the play, Hamlet, I would also like to write about how actors are defined by the roles they play. [Read more…] about A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall

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Despite knowing Thornden well and visiting the Hall for numerous parents’ evenings, this was the first time I’d visited the Hall for a show.

The Importance of Being Earnest was being shown as a live broadcast of the performance taking place at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End. There was a short interview with the production’s director, Adrian Noble, and a further short piece with David Suchet, playing the unforgettable Lady Bracknell, before the performance. [Read more…] about Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall

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Closure of HSBC Chandler’s Ford Branch. Do Bank Branches Still Matter?

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Banks – love ‘em or hate ‘em – we are going to lose HSBC Chandler’s Ford Branch. Closure is scheduled for 13th November 2015.

This is the bank in the Central Precinct, famous for being the site of an armed robbery in September 2007. [Read more…] about Closure of HSBC Chandler’s Ford Branch. Do Bank Branches Still Matter?

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Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

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It must be slightly daunting when planning to perform a well-known and loved musical. Everyone knows the story. Everyone knows what the songs are supposed to sound like. Can we do it justice? No such qualms need to have worried the cast and crew of who treated audiences to a feast of entertainment with Thornden School’s summer production of The Sound of Music last week.

The production required a large cast of over 100 performers – [Read more…] about Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

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Memories of Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade: Lyn Darbyshire

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Earlier this year, I was pleased to meet Lyn Darbyshire MBE, former Scouting District Commissioner. Her insights into her involvement with The Gang Show led to my researching further into the show’s general history and Ralph Reader, the man behind the Gang Show.

Lyn also kindly shared her thoughts with me about the St. George’s Day Parade in Chandler’s Ford, which she was directly involved with for many years. [Read more…] about Memories of Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade: Lyn Darbyshire

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

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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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Theatre Review: Thornden School: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾

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The early 1980s.

Telephones were attached to the wall by lines; an international call meant going through the operator – and was very, very expensive; a television remote control meant getting your child to walk over to the set to change the channel; the Intercity-125 was the epitome of modern train travel; Torville and Dean ice skated to victory; Sheffield was famous for its cutlery; children sat O-levels and CSEs – and organised protests to complain about school rules that they didn’t like; people who were out of work were “on the dole” and claimed “social security”; [Read more…] about Theatre Review: Thornden School: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾

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St. George’s Day Parade Chandler’s Ford 2015

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St. George’s Day Parade in Chandler’s Ford took place this afternoon at 2.30pm.

In last year’s parade, Carolyn Darbyshire MBE retired as District Commissioner.

In today’s parade, we met Chandler’s Ford’s new District Commissioner John Leeks. [Read more…] about St. George’s Day Parade Chandler’s Ford 2015

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What’s Happened to Gibson’s Card Gallery at the Mall?

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Update on 1st May 2015: Gibson’s Card Gallery reopened two weeks after this post was first published.

The owners of Gibson put a note on the shop window about its brief closure for 2 weeks: “Please use us or lose us!” [Read more…] about What’s Happened to Gibson’s Card Gallery at the Mall?

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