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
By Sandra Gordon
My name is Sandra Gordon. I’ve lived in Chandler’s Ford for nearly twenty years.
I moved to here from Kent but knew it a little from visiting family when I was a child.
I’ve worked at Hiltingbury Junior School, Otterbourne Junior School and Chiltern Tutorial School in that time.
Poetry is my passion. [Read more…] about Sandra Gordon’s Poem: In The Garden
It is said that everyone has a book in them. Some will write one and a few will even publish.
Publishing is changing fast but the constant among the changes is preservation of the magical golden thread that connects the imagination of the writer to the mind of the reader. [Read more…] about Author, Publisher, Reader – A Golden Thread
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
Calling all writers in and around Chandler’s Ford with details of a fiction competition!
I have sent in details of the latest Short Story competition Alfie Dog Fiction is advertising.
You can find out some of my short stories in my Fairytales with Bite website. [Read more…] about Alfie Dog Fiction Competition
Gill James and I met at the Isle of Wight Writers’ Conference, which was run by Felicity Fair Thompson from 2000 to 2005.
This was a weekend conference based in Shanklin or Sandown with guest speakers. There was a special speaker after the main Conference dinner on the Saturday night. David Nobbs (Reggie Perrin) and Raymond Allen (Some Mothers Do Have Them) were just two of the after dinner speakers who entertained us all. [Read more…] about Life as a Small Publisher: Allison Symes Talks to Gill James
Have you heard of the Society of Authors?
Congratulations to local writer and regular contributor to Chandler’s Ford Today, Allison Symes, who has been elected to become a Full Member of the Society of Authors.
I met Richard Hardie, walking Benji, whilst walking my first dog, Gracie, in the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground. Not only did we have dog walking in common, we soon discovered we shared a love of books, especially Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, and creative writing.
Richard and I have work in The Shambelurklers Return, which is raising money for the National Autistic Society and is available in W.H. Smith in the Fryern Arcade of Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about An Interview with Author Richard Hardie by Allison Symes
While I was interviewing local author, Richard Hardie (author of Leap of Faith and Trouble with Swords), we discussed favourite books and writers. Then came the sad announcement of Sir Terry Pratchett’s death after a long battle with a rare form of Alzheimer’s.
Richard and I share a huge admiration for the Discworld novels. [Read more…] about Sir Terry Pratchett 1948-2015: An Appreciation from Chandler’s Ford
Eastleigh Borough Council has stopped publishing the very popular CFH News.
CFH News (Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury News) were monthly newsletters, which were sent to subscribers by email by Eastleigh Borough Council.
They were delivered to you through letterbox too.
On Chandler’s Ford Today, last year I created links to a list of CFH News on EBC’s Newsletters page. [Read more…] about What Has Happened to CFH News?
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
The recent Unconference on Open Data Camp UK in Winchester was the first gathering of Open Data enthusiasts for them to swap ideas, knowledge and to exchange data and to thrash out some of the technical issues of databases.
The Unconference meant that it was less structured and more informal than a conference. [Read more…] about Open Data as Old as Domesday
I have just returned from Day 1 of the UK’s first Open Data Camp, which took place in Winchester today.
Jamie Whyte, from Trafford Innovation and Intelligence Lab, explained why he helps organising the two-day Open Data Camp in his blog post.
A few of us from Chandler’s Ford joined the camp, and have enjoyed a day of networking, workshops, coffee, and lovely lunch. [Read more…] about Inspirational: Open Data Camp Winchester 21 – 22 Feb 2015
How many lives do you have? One? Two (the one at work, the one at home for example)? Three (work, home, involvement in amateur dramatics or the church, say)?
I have had multiple lives in Chandler’s Ford but will focus on two: before becoming a dog owner and since then and before becoming a writer and since. Chandler’s Ford has influenced both. [Read more…] about What Has Chandler’s Ford Done for Me?
I’ve stated before that I like Chandler’s Ford library and Eastleigh library.
One of the reasons is that both libraries have a small but pretty good selection of comics and graphic novels, where I get some of mine from. [Read more…] about Hampshire Libraries and My Love for Graphic Novels
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
By Brenda Sedgwick
Will Self said, “Writing the book is the easy bit. When your writing is finished the real work starts.”
If you are publishing and marketing your book, would you like to meet with other writers in the area who are doing the same thing?
I am about to publish my book and think [Read more…] about How to Publish Your Book
Some 30 years ago I found myself in Krakow, Poland, alone in a communist country with contact phone numbers that did not work and meet and greet arrangements that had gone wrong.
I had a day to fill and looked at the hotel tours of castles, lakes, mountains, ski centres, pretty villages or Auschwitz.
Auschwitz? Was that really a tourist attraction? Should I go there?
[Read more…] about My Poignant Visit to Auschwitz 30 Years Ago
Today Chandler’s Ford Today is going to honour one of our regular commenters with The Official Pedant Award.
The winner is Ruby.
Ruby has made 76 comments on Chandler’s Ford Today so far.
In the current Private Eye Issue (No. 1384, 23 January to 5 February 2015), Ruby (or better known as Ruby Barefoot) has made it to Pedantry Corner. [Read more…] about Ruby: Winner of the Official Pedant Award
Congratulations to Brandon Hulcoop in Year 8 from The Toynbee School in Chandler’s Ford.
Brandon has won a prestigious writing competition in the International Onkyo Braille Contest.
The competition was run by European Blind Union. From 62 entries in 21 countries, 12-year-old Brandon Hulcoop came first in the Junior section. [Read more…] about Congratulations to Brandon Hulcoop: Winner of Onkyo World Braille Competition
