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writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 159)

February 28, 2021 By Rick Goater 5 Comments

Buckler’s Hard – disappointingly changed; “I am to be a Great Grandmother”; painting for others; The Queen on Burmese; impressive eyesight at seventy-five; some entertaining Blackbirds; a death at Wimbledon; a 10,000m at Crystal Palace, and Robin comes of his bike.

Gran’s albums of newspaper and magazine cuttings about her twenty-six year old grandson Julian’s athletics career are getting thicker and thicker.  She writes with considerable pride that he has quite a following amongst her aquaintances in Chandler’s Ford. On May 9th 1979, she says:

I scurried round this morning to get the new stamps for the election to the European Parliament and to take my “Julian” albums for Mr Biddle to see before Sheila came for me at half past ten.  We went to Buckler’s Hard, via Ibsley, where we saw a Brimstone and the first foal of the season.

Buckler’s Hard, alas, is almost completely spoiled, being completely commercialized and only the little main street just about its old self.  To begin with we had to pay 40p each to leave the car in the car park.  There is a new, modern restaurant with concrete forecourt and iron tables and chairs and a new, large museum, and one cannot walk down the old street from the top but has to go between these new buildings and enter the street halfway down, thus losing the old, familiar, breathtaking views from the top.  The waterside has become a marina, full of yachts and after passing my “dream cottage” one cannot follow the track by the river because a huge boatyard has been built.

Buckler’s Hard admission tickets and leaflet kept between the pages of Gran’s journal.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 159)

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It’s All Greek to Me

February 27, 2021 By Mike Sedgwick 4 Comments

The swing

In my head, and probably in yours too, there is a jumble of memories of ancient Greeks — old men, bald and with beards, who did stupid but essential things. There is one who overflowed his bath and ran naked down the street. One drank hemlock, and another lived in a barrel; one married his mother. They fought a lot, invented gods and wrote unreadable books. And they were good at geometry.

I resurrected one of these weirdos from my memory; they all look the same, dressed in chitons or togas and sandals. I first made the acquaintance of this one when I was 12 years old, Pythagoras by name. He died about 500 years BCE, but he was clever with triangles.

‘Pythagoras, please help me. I need a length of rope to hang from a high branch on a tree to make a swing. How long should it be? I can’t get up there to measure the height.’

"Pythagoras, please help me!"
“Pythagoras, please help me!”

[Read more…] about It’s All Greek to Me

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, family memories, Hiltingbury, lockdown, storytelling, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 158)

February 21, 2021 By Rick Goater 4 Comments

A rare bird at Pagham; Katie on the telly; frozen neighbours; The King’s Head, Hursley; news – good and bad – about Pennington Marshes; “a very fine man indeed”; a lovely experience at the Junior School, and a historic election.

A bird new to the British List has been at Pagham Harbour during December 1978 and Barry and Geoff, who have already seen it, are keen for Gran to enjoy it too.  She writes on Christmas Eve:

Barry, Geoff and I rose at six-thirty and set out optimistically for Pagham to see the very rare avian visitor, which the two had seen earlier… we went straight to the area which our special bird had been frequenting and Barry soon located the Greater Sand Plover which, even now, in winter plumage is a beautiful bird.  It is larger than a Ringed Plover, which we also saw, sandy-buff above, white below, with black ear-coverts and band across the forehead.  It is an Asian bird and is accidental in Greece, Sweden and Germany.  Barry got it focused in his scope and told me to look, and I was so excited that I lay flat in a puddle to reach the telescope.

A Winter-plumaged Greater Sand Plover.  This is the kind of view Gran would have had at Pagham – a first record for the UK. Image by Sergey Yeliseev via Flickr.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 158)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 157)

February 14, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A European Champion – for a change; a tragedy in France – and another at the airport; a good result in Singapore; Rick and Beverly come home; twenty-four chatterers; generous sponsorship; a particularly difficult Remembrance Day, and Rick gets a job.

As ever, Gran is gripped by the Summer’s tennis at Wimbledon, and this year, 1978, she makes her usual observations, such as, on July 3rd:  “… the best match, between Roscoe Tanner and Ilie Nastase, was, unfortunately, ended on a conflicting point”, caused by a poor line call at match point; and she is pleased that Chris Evert beats Billie-Jean King; sorry to see Evonne Cawley lose to Martina Navratilova in the Ladies’ semi-final, which, she says, began as a, “…very good match but ended in the third set sadly as Evonne uttered a sharp scream as her suspect ankle gave out.  She gallantly played on but could not run and inevitably lost…” The Ladies’ final she does not think a particularly good match, “neither player being at her best”, but Navratilova, having beaten Chris Evert, Gran is pleased to write: “Nice to have a European Champion for a change, if we could not have Virginia Wade again.  Martina is a Czech”.

And of the Borg – Connors Men’s final, she writes, “Borg demolished Connors by 6-2 6-2 6-3 to become Singles Champion for the third year in succession, the only one to achieve this since Fred Perry did so forty-two years ago”.

July 9th provides Gran with a small ambition accomplished:

I went to Church at Compton this morning… Mr Ovenden came to shake hands with me and welcomed me, and, as I left, Daphne Meller was standing at the gate of “Cherrycroft”, her delightful old cottage, and asked me in to have coffee before she brought me home in her car.  The cottage was once two, and later was the Village Post Office and I have long wanted to see inside it.  I was not disappointed!  Low ceilings, black beams and panelled walls, huge fireplaces and furnished in keeping, a lovely garden and the outside of the cottage clothed in Honeysuckle, Clematis, Wisteria and Vine.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 157)

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St Valentine – Who, Why and How?

February 11, 2021 By Christine Clark Leave a Comment

Love - via kaboompics

We all know that 14 February is St Valentine’s Day – accompanied these days with its commercialised retail opportunity to buy cards and gifts for loved ones. But do you know how it all began?

It all started as a third-century Christian feast to commemorate some early martyrs, all called Valentine, which must have been a popular name in those days. There was Valentine of Rome, a priest martyred in 269 (he ministered to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire) and Valentine of Terni, a bishop martyred in 273. There also seem to have been another saint called Valentine who was martyred in Africa with other companions, although not much more is known about him.

I love you lollipop - via kaboompics
I love you lollipop – via kaboompics
[Read more…] about St Valentine – Who, Why and How?

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Tags: language, storytelling, tradition, writing

Name a Gritter Lorry

February 10, 2021 By Mike Sedgwick 7 Comments

snowdrop by manfredrichter via Pixabay

I hear that the Scots have taken to naming their gritter lorries. Here are a few names that may brighten your frosty day.

Cold weather cardinal image via Pixabay

Gansta Granny Gritter

Grittly Come Dancing

Gonnae Snow Dae That

Bear Chills

Sir Andy Flurry

For Your Ice Only [Read more…] about Name a Gritter Lorry

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Tags: humour, language, writing

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 156)

February 7, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Good neighbourliness; problems with the post; the Cambridge boat sinks; quality birding and botanising; Gran holds a baby; a race track is opened; a fortnight in Kent; some interesting art; cuckoos and orioles; a rare falcon, and “well-mannered and delightful young men”.

March 18th 1978 gives us a perfect example of the neighbourly thoughtfulness and trust that characterises the lives of Gran and the Kingstons next door, and the Hockridge family, before them:

I did a little posy of spring flowers for Ruth and left it on her breakfast room table in the sun, without calling her.  I wanted to cheer her on this lovely day, as she is mentally weary at present, looking after her mother who is not well and resents being cared for.  Ruth was soon over the fence expressing her pleasure, bless her.

The mail, always so important to Gran, who sends and receives letters almost daily to and from all corners of the World, gives her cause to write this on March 21st: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 156)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 155)

January 31, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

A win in Belgrade; “I cleaned my bedroom!”; Stuart – marooned; gales bring down trees; a Vulture in Wales; a preposterous suggestion; disappointment; “greedy strikers”; Jane gets whooping cough; Andy plays flute; Wallcreeper envy; a fabulous day, and “How lucky I am!”

Book 171

Entries in Gran’s 171st book cover many of Julian’s running exploits during the Autumn of 1977.  For example, he runs in Yugoslavia on October 19th and on the following day, Gran records that, “The Echo contained the news that Julian had won the road race in Belgrade, eight seconds ahead of his nearest rival”, and on the 22nd:  that “Julian rang this evening.  He won a gold medallion with a portrait of Marshal Tito on it and valued at £100!”

She continues to miss her brother Norris’s company, and outings with him profoundly, but friends and other members of the family take his place to some degree.  Lifelong friends Tommy and Bob Fowler drive her to the New Forest and Keyhaven, and to visit their daughter Jill’s family, the Brewsters, in Sussex; Sheila Moody, a more local acquaintance, takes her to Farley Mount; the Brenan family visits from Longton in Lancashire, and Julian and Sue, now ensconced at R.A.F. Odiham, entertain her there. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 155)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 154)

January 17, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Another family wedding; two new ducks; Gran – “extraordinarliy fit”; a Yorkshire Dales holiday; the car and caravan are sold; “God bless the Queen”; Serpentine in Cornwall;  Julian runs a 10,000m ‘PB’; a morsel of family history, and missing Brother.

April 10th 1977:  After Barry and family depart Chandler’s Ford for their home in Bushey, Gran:

… had just settled to a lonely afternoon and evening when Beverly and Ricky appeared, a delightful surprise.  I gave Ricky Brother’s microscope and he was so pleased to have something which had belonged to Norris.  They suggested that they would take me to the Caravan to get papers etc. that I had forgotten before, and I let Ricky take the South Moth Books and brought the Readers’ Digest Bird book for Geoffrey who always asks to see mine when he is here.  Ricky then asked if I would like a ride round the Forest and I led the way to Ladycross of happy memories of my last outing with Brother.  We saw a Stonechat on the way and, passing Hatchet Pond, I showed Ricky where the Bog Orchids grow as he has never seen them.  We stopped at “our gate” at Ladycross and went for a walk, so that I could show Ricky and Beverly the Lungwort, also new to them.

“I let Ricky take the South Moth Books”.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 154)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 153)

January 10, 2021 By Rick Goater 6 Comments

Resumption of local walks; a new dress for £6.99; paid with a joint;  “a concoction of my own”; Ship Canal shares from Gilbert; Crossbills at Woodfidley; “dear old brother”; sadness and sympathy; friends and frustrations, and an ambition fulfilled.

January 12th 1977: Gran always looks forward to new stamp issues but today’s are not her favourite:

New stamps were issued today, Racket Games, Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Table Tennis, but I think they are spoilt by the “stroke lines” on them, which look like scribble.  I sent the usual to Penang and Australia.

Image courtesy of Andy Brenan.  Gran did not like the “scribbles”

On the 13th, she tells us that, “In northern, eastern and western areas it has been the worst Winter’s day for fourteen years, with snow in some places ten feet deep”.  It is frosty in Chandler’s Ford but rain sets in later and Gran walks to Hillside for the whist drive there, “… going in Wellington boots and my old, long tweed raincoat which Jane gave me over twenty years ago, and taking warm slippers with me”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 153)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 152)

January 3, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

An engagement is announced; a holiday is planned; Nastase – a “rotten sport”; Katie does well; sad news of “a kind and understanding friend”; Christmas dinner – but leave the washing-up; Rob is impressed on HMS Victory; birds on the Ibsley floods, and “one of the darkest threads of life”.

Book 165

On October 23rd 1976 Gran takes part in an outing with the Southampton Natural History Society, looking for fungi in the Otterbourne area – her first such outing since her hip operation, and at the end of the day declares it to have been a great success and to have thoroughly enjoyed it.  She had been given a lift there by a kindly but unknown couple, who saw her waiting at the bus stop, and had been brought home by S.N.H.S. members Pat and Peter Heppleston.

On the 30th:

Barry, just back from the Scilly Isles, rang to tell me what a marvellous time he and the boys from Haberdashers’ Ornithological Society had enjoyed.  Barry had seen nine new species as well as many exciting but previously recorded ones, mostly American, but I cannot remember all he mentioned.

Many regular participants in the Scilly Isles birding scene during the 1970s and ’80s were sketched by another regular, Bryan Bland. This one was of Barry. Greatcoats were de rigueur for a while.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 152)

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Keeping us Cheerful – the Windmills of my Mind

January 2, 2021 By Robbie Sprague 7 Comments

Little windmills in the front garden

On April Fools’ Day 2019, I had the following letter published in the Daily Telegraph:

Sir,

Every lawn in my road has been devastated by crows frantically digging for chafer grubs. The day they started on my lawn I ordered two hundred and fifty children’s windmills and placed them over the entire grassed area of my front garden. That was five months ago and not one crow has ventured into our garden and our grass has flourished. These colourful windmills are a great source of entertainment for families walking up and down the street – one or two have even spread into neighbouring gardens.

Having had success, I decided to harness the potential of each windmill by modifying them to become miniature wind turbines, interconnecting them and linking them to the National Grid. The power that is generated reduces the cost of my electricity bill by approximately 25%.

In these challenging Brexit times when we all have to become more self- sufficient, I offer this simple, yet effective scheme to save your readers money – and to fend off crows.

Sincerely,

We have given away literally hundreds of windmills to little – and not so little – children.
“I ordered two hundred and fifty children’s windmills and placed them over the entire grassed area of my front garden.”

[Read more…] about Keeping us Cheerful – the Windmills of my Mind

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New Year 2021 – Apprehension or Hope?

January 1, 2021 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Did you see the New Year in? I don’t bother these days, to be honest. I treasure my sleep more but I must admit I’m not sorry to see the back of 2020. Along with the majority of the world’s population I would’ve thought!

Having said that, and despite cancelled author events etc., 2020 was a good year for me professionally. It is funny how things can work out.

Feature Image – New Year 2021 – Apprehension or Hope. Image created on Book Brush by Allison Symes.

[Read more…] about New Year 2021 – Apprehension or Hope?

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Tags: Chat and Spin Radio, cheering up others. hope, escapism, Hannah's Bookshelf, negative, New Year, North Manchester FM, podcast, positive, radio, The Writing and Marketing Show, things to look forward to, Wendy H Jones, writing

What to do in Lockdown

December 31, 2020 By Mike Sedgwick 6 Comments

The gazebo

A Happy New Year to all Chandler’s Ford Today readers. Is there anything to be happy about? The only good news is that I have had the first of my vaccination jabs against COVID-19 (the Pfizer-BioN Tech for the techies, I can even tell you the Batch number if you like). The next one is due on Jan 9th. Then, at the end of January, I shall be free, protected, like a modern-day knight in armour. The vaccine is 95% effective. Does that mean that, if I get COVID, it will only be 5% as bad as expected? Or does it mean one in 20 of us might get COVID? More important is, although I am protected, could I spread the virus to others?

More important still is that the AstraZenaca vaccine is now approved and is more robust in that it is easier to store and distribute.

Vaccine Image via Kaboompics
Vaccine Image via Kaboompics

Party Outdoors

[Read more…] about What to do in Lockdown

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 151)

December 20, 2020 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Heat and drought; no more sticks; the Schneider Trophy; back on the bike; a resignation; disapproval at a banquet; trying to save Beattie’s field; a new bird at Keyhaven; “Granny” Pickford is 90, and budgie match-making.

The 1976 drought continues and Gran writes on August 8th, “Oh for a few days of gentle rain!”.  Two days later she has a dental appointment and writes gratefully:

It was very hot indeed and the surgery was not yet open – it was ten minutes to two – so I went into the V.G. stores… I asked if I might wait in the cool shop and was kindly offered a stool to sit on by the cold counter.

And she adds that, “Trying to water the garden is a heart-breaking job in this driest Summer since 1727!” [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 151)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 150)

December 13, 2020 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

An operation; convalescence; a wedding, and home again.

The time for Gran’s left hip replacement is nearing, and during the week before it she receives countless expressions of good wishes from friends and neighbours, several of whom she barely knows but who have seen her going about the district on her crutches over the last few months.  On May 24th 1976, Gran’s husband, Bill, drives her to the Royal Masonic Hospital in London, her place there enabled through his activities in the Masonic movement.  “I clocked in”, she says:

… just before two o’clock this afternoon and was soon taken to my ward, a pleasant four-bed one on the third floor.  Happily my bed is by the window and, though I look out on other parts of the hospital, I can see a tree-lined road at the end and the sky telling me about the weather – with Swifts flying round.

The Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park, London – Gran’s home for three weeks. Image by Steve Cadman via Flickr.

X-rays, blood tests and various examinations follow, and then: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 150)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 149)

December 6, 2020 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Misplaced credit; Vera gets wet; Sue loves the garden; Paddy Hine “fixes it”; an Oakley Easter; a heron at Radipole; Saints win the Cup; a green wedding invitation, and tennis at Bournemouth.

Gran, needing to find indoor things to do while still on crutches, writes on March 19th 1976:

I found out the lacquer-covered Japanese album of coloured and black and white prints which Daddy gave to Mother in 1897, and mended the damaged back and stuck in two loose prints.  I believe it would be quite valuable now and Enid wants to see it.

Ten days later her writing reminds us of a strange family anecdote about a family friend who, perhaps luckily in retrospect, avoids publicity about his role in giving the Loch Ness Monster, never officially seen by anybody, the scientific name, Nessiteras rhombopteryx.

A letter from Jane and a Mothers’ Day card from her and Stuart were very welcome.  Jane’s letter included an article and pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, written and photographed by Alan Wilkins, Stuart’s Best Man, who had seen the creature more than once.  It was he who supplied this information to Peter Scott and other scientists who took the credit and publicity, which was due to Alan.  It will be interesting to see if further proof of the existence of the monster is forthcoming.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 149)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 148)

November 29, 2020 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Christmas in Lancashire; news from the Masonic Hospital; a proud headmistress; some rare birds – but not for Gran; Gerald Summers and “The Lure of the Falcon”; Margot Fonteyn gives pleasure; catkins for Beverly; “I would not exchange my life…”, and the kindness of a lady bus driver.

On December 12th 1975 Gran receives a visit from a friend she has not mentioned for some time:

A most unexpected and pleasant surprise resulted from a knock at the door this morning.  It was Peg Eagle, whom I had not seen since she moved to Devon several years ago and I enjoyed a good natter with her.  I had just finished putting the marzipan on the Christmas cake when she came.

And later that day:

Anne Hockridge and her fiancé John called in this evening for the mattress that I had promised Jean for her upholstery.  They are nice youngsters and had coffee with me before they left.  Mary rang and I was very sorry indeed to hear that Frank had had a coronary and is in the General Hospital in Southampton, where Brother went.  I trust his recovery will be as complete as Brother’s.  They are such good friends.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 148)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 147)

November 22, 2020 By Rick Goater 1 Comment

Obliterated stamps; good company; a rare bird at Keyhaven; Frank makes a bookcase; the Rectors of Compton Church; the Kingstons return; a bronze medal; George Green; news from the Masonic Hospital; memories of Father; a Turner Exhibition, and a lost glove.

On August 27th 1975, letters from Marjorie and Vera, Gilbert Whitley’s sisters, arrive at The Ridge, and Marjorie’s encloses a tribute to Gilbert from the Sydney Morning Herald.  “Vera told me”, Gran writes:

… that Gilbert had willed his stamp collection to her granddaughter Vicki, whom Gilbert had often mentioned in his letters.  Vera would like me to send her the First Day Covers and stamps, which I used to send to Gilbert and this I shall be pleased to do.

There is more stamp-related comment a few days later:

Post brought our latest stamps of August 13th, which I posted to myself in order to have them post-marked for my collection.  The envelope was posted in the box in Hursley Road and I noted that it had been franked in Southampton instead of at Eastleigh when posted here.  Characteristically it had been hand-stamped instead of horribly obliterated as happens in Eastleigh.  A tip for the future.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 147)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 146)

November 15, 2020 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Gilbert – a tour cut short; Gran – pro Europe? Julian – M.A. (Oxon) and selection for the World Student Games; more changes at Farley Mount; a bright pink posterior; astonishing tennis; a bombshell from Sydney; Gran on crutches – “imagine me!”; a bat in the bedroom, and the Brenans in Austria.

On June 2nd 1975, a day when Gran paints Rhododendron, which, she notes, “… brought my total of flower paintings to six hundred and ninety”, she receives a disheartening letter from Marjorie Frewer, Gilbert Whitley’s sister:

A disappointment by post today.  Gilbert is not well enough to continue his travels so will not be able to come to England.  He and Marjorie are flying back to Australia today.

In the afternoon she visits family members in Bassett:

… sister-in-law Joan Birch, and spent a very enjoyable time with her.  Nephew and niece, Brian and Angela, both married, called in so it was nice to see them also.  I took Barry’s book, two albums of flower paintings and my scrap-book of Julian cuttings, which I thought might interest Joan and Ken, and they did indeed… Ken and Joan gave me some very nice stamps from Virgin and Cayman Islands.

On June 5th, following a day out with Norris on the 4th, Gran does not appear to follow her instincts:

Brother went back to Lyndhurst this morning after taking me to vote in the Common Market Referendum.  I followed Julian’s advice and voted to stay in – he has studied Economics at Oxford and it will be the young people who will face the results of our decision.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 146)

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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

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