Last week (Thursday to Saturday) Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh performed Les Misérables School EditionTM at the Theatre Royal Winchester.
If you are a fan of Les Misérables and concerned that the “schools edition” might be a dumbed-down version, let me reassure you – it isn’t. The adaptation contains all the passion and power of the original. [Read more…] about Review: Les Misérables by Barton Peveril College
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
Kids Today!!!!
When I was young, we never behaved like kids do today!
Actually I think we did, or we’d have liked to, except the knowledge that parents, policemen and shop keepers would give us a clip around the ear stopped us going too far. [Read more…] about Exams “Dumbed Down”? View of an Invigilator
I met Felicity Fair Thompson of Wight Diamond Press at the Isle of Wight Weekend Writers’ Conference, which she ran from 2000 to 2005. The conferences were held in Sandown.
I also met Gill James, later of Bridge House Publishing, at one of these conferences and she became the publisher for my first accepted short story, A Helping Hand in the anthology, Alternative Renditions. Wheels within wheels so to speak… [Read more…] about Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Felicity Fair Thompson
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
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
I taught at Montgomery Of Alamein School from January 1966 till July 1988.
For several years I took the top exam classes in English Language and Literature, but I have always considered that my major role in the field of education came in another direction.
On day the headmaster, Dennis Beacham, called me into his office to discuss an important matter. [Read more…] about The Origin Of Humanities Subjects At Montgomery Of Alamein School
On the first of July 1968, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery visited Winchester and renamed Winchester County Secondary School for boys to Montgomery of Alamein School.
It was a significant event as it was the only Montgomery of Alamein school in the world.
Brian Green from Chandler’s Ford was a teacher at the school and witnessed the historical event. [Read more…] about Humorous Little Memory: Montgomery Of Alamein School
Yesterday I published an important historical research by Michael Burford, a former pupil of Montgomery Of Alamein School in Winchester.
When Michael Burford contacted me last week about his old school, and later told me that he has a collection of the school’s pictures and history, I knew that I have ‘struck gold’. [Read more…] about Discover Montgomery Of Alamein School In Winchester
By Michael Burford
In 2005 the website Memories of Monty was launched by Howard Blake, a former pupil of Montgomery of Alamein School In Winchester.
He had amassed material from various sources including the Headmaster himself, Dennis Beacham, who died only two years later.
In this post, you’ll see precious historical images [Read more…] about Montgomery Of Alamein School In Winchester: Astonishing Historical Pictures Revealed
I was a teacher at the only school in the world called Montgomery of Alamein, in Winchester. Monty himself performed the naming ceremony.
Each year, in the summer term, I would lead a party of 12 year olds over to Normandy so that they might learn at first hand what the invasion involved. [Read more…] about Montgomery of Alamein School in Winchester
Now is the time of the foxglove. It grows naturally and is therefore regarded by some gardeners as a weed but it is a noble flower. Upright and stately in a royal purple colour it rises above others as a bright symbol in shady places.
Why Foxglove? This strange name for the flower has been around since the 14th century and was sometimes called ‘folksglove’. [Read more…] about The Foxglove
While waiting for a Planetarium show at the Winchester Science Centre with our grand-daughter, we decided to kill some time along the River Itchen.
We parked nearby the river at Itchen Stoke and were hoping to find some ducks for Lucy to feed with the remains of her packed lunch.
As it was, there were no ducks around and so [Read more…] about Swans and Cygnets on the River Itchen
A Chandler’s Ford resident, Iain Steel, plays the hero/heroine, principal boy/girl in “La Cage Aux Folles” now playing at the Theatre Royal Winchester for the rest of the week. When you see it you will understand my confusion over the boy/girl bit. [Read more…] about Theatre Royal, Winchester
If your life feels kind of empty,
And you are looking for good cheer,
Pick yourself up, dust yourself down,
And become a volunteer.
I was severely head injured at 19 years old. My life and my dreams were shattered but my faith was strengthened. [Read more…] about If Your Life Feels Kind Of Empty
Last week I sold my beautiful glider and feel sad about it. Now I have to find another one. Gliders are owned by syndicates of 2-12 people to share the expense. There are 3 of us and we decided we would like a dual seater rather than this single seat Ventus 2cT. We are currently negotiating for one.
It is not like selling a second hand car because there are no defects that can be hidden. [Read more…] about Selling Glider
This Chandler’s Ford community website has just had a facelift. As the creator, I am thrilled.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from Roger Clark, Trustee of Hiltingbury Community Centre:
“Wonder why though [Read more…] about Is Chandler’s Ford A Jaguar? Meet Roger Clark.
