Upcoming events at Seletar
Nature walk Saturday, August 16th – sold out Saturday, August 23rd – limited spaces. Contact Sue for more information. Flea Market Saturday, August 30th = Contact Sue for more information. Continue reading Upcoming events at Seletar
Diminishing Memories
Come September, Singapore’s very first farm resorts would be officially launched in Singapore. While most Singaporeans are delighted to know of yet another family outing place to visit during weekends, the question is how many people actually know about the history and heritage of Lim Chu Kang, the residents who used to reside on this plot of land? 31-year-old Eng Yee Peng was a former … Continue reading Diminishing Memories
Q1. What will you miss most?
A new chapter
With less than 6 months left at Seletar for most residents, many of us are contemplating what comes next. Somewhere in our future is a compilation of the community, history and lifestyle that was ours for a while. In fact, there just might be an analysis of the three tribes that occupied this swampy outpost over the past 500 years. We need your help. Over … Continue reading A new chapter
Fuel prices take toll on aviation industry
From The Times on July 14 More than $100 billion (£50.2 billion) of aircraft orders could be cancelled or postponed in the next couple of years as the high price of fuel drives airlines into bankruptcy or forces them to cut spending. Analysts estimate that 20 to 30 per cent of the $530 billion order backlog held by Boeing and Airbus, the aircraft manufacturers, could … Continue reading Fuel prices take toll on aviation industry
Nature walks: Sunday July 6th and Saturday July 12th
Tree felling at the former gold course has created a wave of birds migrating to the residential areas, at least for the next 6 months before this area is also flattened to create a longer runway and adjacent hangars. Join one of the guided tours by residents and enjoy these exceptional creatures and their antics. Sunday July 6th and Saturday July 12th 4 to 530 … Continue reading Nature walks: Sunday July 6th and Saturday July 12th
Images of Seletar
Over at Flickr – Seletar Dreams Continue reading Images of Seletar
Heritage and community
Yesterday, I had a call from a reporter at The New Paper, who wanted to know if any progress had been made about setting up a museum about Seletar Airbase. Certainly it was an idea we had considered about 18 months ago, but raising funds for a suitable location just defeated the part-time efforts we could muster. There was no interest from The Heritage Board, … Continue reading Heritage and community
World’s airlines say they face $2.3bn loss
According to The Times The global airline industry has downgraded its forecast for this year for the third time and now is predicting losses in 2008 of $2.3 billion (£1.1 billion) because of sustained high oil prices.The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents airlines, also said that if oil prices stayed at $135 a barrel, the losses could worsen to more than $6 billion. … Continue reading World’s airlines say they face $2.3bn loss
May-July event calendar
Seletar Camp has been popular during school holidays and this year, there has been a little more organisation – probably because for most of us, this may be the last holiday season here. Here is the full calendar – big thanks to Sue for organising the printing and Beavers for distribution. Click anywhere on the calendar for a larger image. More details are in the … Continue reading May-July event calendar
RAF Museum Podcasts
For aviation enthusiasts – now available on iTunes 🙂 Continue reading RAF Museum Podcasts
More to do in Seletar Camp during school holidays
Sabine has just launched her new workshops at Le Petit Atelier Come and join our NEW series of workshops designing a « petite vitrine » (little shop window in French). This 3-day workshop celebrates Asia’s exotic and colourful fruit markets (even apples come from China!). These “vitrines” are a fun and creative way for kids to learn patience. For adults they make unusual holiday souvenir … Continue reading More to do in Seletar Camp during school holidays
Jalankayu Singapuras
So there I was Googling ‘jalankayu’, omitting the space between Jalan and Kayu by accident, and found an amazing site for pedigree cats 🙂 In France? Here’s why I was stationed near Jalan Kayu (ed. that would be Seletar Airbase) during 1966 and 1967. It was my local village for shopping, including food and I even had a new suit made there to take home … Continue reading Jalankayu Singapuras
Holiday art workshops: Isadora Workshop
In less than 2 weeks, schools will break for 5 weeks of holidays. If you are not planning to be away the whole time, a trip to Seletar is worth considering. Isabelle has published her workshop schedule, and later this week we expect to hear from 938Live, Jalan Kayu Community, Sabine, Steven and The Nature Society. For now, some dates for your diary: Tuesday, May … Continue reading Holiday art workshops: Isadora Workshop
Heritage Trail
Based on the foundation laid by the team at Pei Hwa, we now have a bona fide Jalan Kayu Heritage trail guided tour. Below are the dates we received from the Community Centre that is organising these walks. Registration is required, using the downloadable form on CC’s site. Well worth the 3 hours, if the experience of of Mads is typical. Continue reading Heritage Trail
Residents’ reunion
In honour of Julia and Brian, former residents at Seletar Camp, who are in Singapore for a short visit, there is a little reunion from 1830 on Saturday, May 10th. Contact Sue for more details at 9105 7778. Continue reading Residents’ reunion
Mornington Crescent, 1950s
A sample of pictures from the Taylor family, and happy times at Mornington Crescent. Continue reading Mornington Crescent, 1950s
Ceramic workshops and children’s events
Steven Low is now online – with a series of ceramic workshops planned for May and June. Sue has declared June as ‘Seletar Children’s Month’ – based on the success of children’s events during the Spring Fair. Continue reading Ceramic workshops and children’s events
Seletar Aerospace Park tenants hazy about future
Some unhappy incumbent operators at Seletar Aerospace Park are grumbling about facilities being taken away and poor communication by authorities who are developing the 300-hectare aerospace park. more Continue reading Seletar Aerospace Park tenants hazy about future
Seletar fair at Edgeware Road
12th April 2008 2-7 p.m. A fun day for the whole Camp community and their friends! Eat, Drink and Be Merry Food, drink, ice-creams and other treats in store for you all. Come and serve your favourite treats or come as a customer with an empty stomach! Browse … With so many talented people in the Camp, there’s bound to be an array of things … Continue reading Seletar fair at Edgeware Road
Garage sale: Saturday, 15 March
With less than 10 months remaining before the majority of houses are either demolished or re-zoned for business, many residents are moving out as leases expire. Passing on pre-loved items has been a long tradition, and we expect garage sale activity will pick up as we get closer to December. Here is one: Saturday 15.3.0810 am – 5 pm 22 Hyde Park Gate, Seletar Airbase … Continue reading Garage sale: Saturday, 15 March
Exciting clay workshops at Easter
Pressed Mould Easter Eggs One of our resident artists, Steven Low, is offering 2 workshops on Easter Sunday. Create clay eggs you can cherish forever. Time slots Sunday, 23 March 2008 Morning workshop – 10am to 12pm Afternoon workshop – 2pm to 4pm Workshop size – Maximum 10 persons Location Steven’s studio at Brompton Road in Seletar Camp Fees $38 per participant, cash only(same price … Continue reading Exciting clay workshops at Easter
Bobby and Babe
Thank you, Peter and Michelle for catching these treasures nestled in a bamboo cluster off Edgeware Road. Continue reading Bobby and Babe
Bicycle Blitzkrieg – The Malaya Campaign and the Fall of Singapore
Just came across a cracking essay that seemed worth passing on – full document at linked url. 8 February 1994 Paper directed by Commander Mark Hess, USN Faculty, Department of Strategy and Policy Japan’s December 1941-February 1942 invasion of Malaya and culminating conquest of Singapore is analyzed from an operational perspective. Although overshadowed by better known Pacific Theater actions in World War II, the campaign … Continue reading Bicycle Blitzkrieg – The Malaya Campaign and the Fall of Singapore
Postcards from Singapore
Since moving to Singapore last July, Joachim Herrmann has been filing vivid images of and from Singapore – worth checking out I Born to shop in Aircon City II A painted model, taking a break during prayers and others III Mooncakes IV Exterminator V Oktoberfest VI Perth VII Personal selection from Global 400 Pictures of 2007 and a postscript VIII Chinese New Year And from … Continue reading Postcards from Singapore
Sunset Grill
Sunset Grill, run by Jerry and April, serves up arguably the best buffalo wings in Singapore. Located at the Republic of Singapore Flying Club, overlooking a runway that sets the scene for near perfect sunsets. It is not the easiest place to find, and we still hear of folks who aim to get to Sunset, and give up. Here is a wee map that might … Continue reading Sunset Grill
The same Piccadilly Circus
Photos from former residents seem to be the best records available to help us chart the history of Seletar. Here are 3 more images from 1967, showing the front entrance area. Little seems to have changed in 40 years, except the additional and separate lane to accommodate heavier traffic. (Photos of entrance in 2008 coming up) Continue reading The same Piccadilly Circus
A simple life
Congratulations to the Jalan Kayu Trail, for securing an official launch back in November 2007! An intriguing snippet, demonstrating that the Airbase has always attracted folks who can be content with the simple things in life Dear Jalan Kayu Trail Team members, I spent a very happy and memorable time at Seletar from 1962 to 1964. Your blog brought back many memories of Jalan Kayu, … Continue reading A simple life
Bank, post office and petrol kiosk
Another image from inside the Airbase c 1967 – wonder what happened to all these facilities? Continue reading Bank, post office and petrol kiosk
Theatre Club
Some of the memories being shared over at the RAF Seletar forum. Now, if we can only figure out where exactly the building is today? From Tex I was a member of the club between 1955-57 and again from 1959 to 62. I remember the Drama Festivals over the years and enjoyed being involved in them….it was a very successful club and holds lots of … Continue reading Theatre Club
Art from recycling
Three more attractions at Seletar Airbase during the long Easter weekend 🙂 Re-Cycle I ! A workshop about giving your old stuff a new twist. Bring along old tins (e.g. Milo tins), CDs and bottle caps (e.g. from jam jars). You can also bring along other small objects such as old screws, buttons… that can be used for decorating our one-of a kind objects. In … Continue reading Art from recycling
Does anyone know where the ‘flower man’ is?
Here is another photo from the bunch Pete sent across. These days, we have the mobile provision shop, the ice cream van, and the rag-n-bone fellows, but back in the ’60s, there was enough demand for cut flowers to make it worthwhile for this uncle to visit. Wonder what he is doing now. Continue reading Does anyone know where the ‘flower man’ is?
Peek into the forbidden zone
Back in March 2007, when ex-RAF personnel visited Singapore, their tour included an afternoon inside the secured part of Seletar Camp. We saw the Singapore Youth Flying Club, construction of which called for the demise of G & H blocks, plus the West Camp Sergeants’ Mess, Airmens’ Mess and NAAFI. …. . Flying boat wing was my area, and as long as you turn your … Continue reading Peek into the forbidden zone
Pictures from Dec 8th
It was a good afternoon back in December when we launched the Map. Thank you, Tasha, for the pictures. Continue reading Pictures from Dec 8th
Easter Eggs and Blogging with WordPress
The long weekend is just 9 weeks away. If you are looking for something different for all in the family, Seletar may have the answer. Sabine has announced two separate workshops – Polymer Clay Easter Eggs and Batik Easter Eggs. And I will be running WordPress Workshops, for those new to blogging, and those looking for more advanced tips. Continue reading Easter Eggs and Blogging with WordPress
Life next to a construction site
Although residents have full tenancy contracts till December 2008, quality of life in some parts of the Airbase is no longer what it used to be. Last week, morning birdsong was drowned out by the din from a building being torn down. One of the 2 disused hangars was being brought down . These used to be fully functional hangars with access to the runway. … Continue reading Life next to a construction site
Snow in Seletar!
A very big thank you to Matt and the gang at WordPress. This site would not have gotten off the ground without their wonderful support. To mark the season, they have allowed us to sprinkle snow on the site – enjoy! We have been quietly reflecting on how the time has flown, and how since our first book launch in September, we have received encouragement … Continue reading Snow in Seletar!
Meet Sue in town at the Post-Museum
Seletar comes to Little India! Sue will be at the flea market at Post-Museum, 107-109 Rowell Road (near Mustafa’s) on Saturday, 15th Dec and Sunday, 16th December from noon to 8 pm. Browse and purchase new and pre-loved items from local artists and creatives, including the Postcards from Seletar portfolio. Get great Christmas presents while supporting the local arts and creative community. Free entry Continue reading Meet Sue in town at the Post-Museum
Bird Trail on 16th Dec, 8 to 11 am
The Nature Society Singapore will once again be leading a tour to spot as many of the 80 species that reside at Seletar. As their habitat and food chain disappear, so will they, so make the most of the opportunity while it is still available. More details at the Events listing. Continue reading Bird Trail on 16th Dec, 8 to 11 am
See Seletar at Singapore’s Museum Shops
We are utterly delighted that The Museum Shops are now carrying the Postcards from Seletar portfolio. If coming north is a hassle, just pop in to any of the outlets in town; Asian Civilisation Museums at Empress Place or Armenian Street, Singapore Art Museum at Bras basah or National Museum of Singapore. If you have not yet marked your diary, Dec 8th 3 – 6 … Continue reading See Seletar at Singapore’s Museum Shops
Cast your vote!
11,000 entries have been whittled down to 30 possible whale names – have your say, cast your vote here – and view results to date. Continue reading Cast your vote!
Re-use, re-cycle or re-frain
The number of homeschooled kids and home based workers at the Camp is remarkable. We jest that Seletarians are bad for the economy, our preference is to spend time at home rather than in shopping malls. And who can blame us – the traffic situation in Singapore has become tough. In fact, even online tools that can tell you how traffic is are slow, as … Continue reading Re-use, re-cycle or re-frain
In praise of broadband
I’ve often thought that the idyll of working from a kampung while being an IT industry analyst is only possible when the communications infrastructure is in place. Kudos to iDA for continuing to drive enhancements. Singapore, one of the world’s busiest seaports, aims to become one of the most connected with WISEPORT (WIreless-broadband-access for SEaPORT). The initiative between the Port Authority of Singapore and iDAre … Continue reading In praise of broadband
Have you seen this guy?
Seriously, he has emerged a pivotal character 😉 Inspired by Turgot’s map of Paris, Isabelle has been hard at work creating a detailed perspective of our neighbourhood. You are invited to view the almost complete version of the map, and provide feedback. The bird’s eye view of the housing area will be a permanent record of dwellings as of October 2007. This public consultation is … Continue reading Have you seen this guy?
Black, white and terracotta
Although houses built in the 1920s and 30s are most commonly referred to as ‘black and whites’, the orange hue is just as important. Terracota tiles are an important architectural hallmark, not just because of the colour, but also because of the simple way in which they form roofs, as evidenced from the underside of our eaves. The branded logo is of the Calicut Tile … Continue reading Black, white and terracotta
Gardens By the Bay
It’s the 1st of November 2007, which means we now have just 14 months here at Hyde Park Gate 😦 It has been an entertaining day. This afternoon, Rahul and I looked on in utter delight as a perfect black Naja Sumatrana meandered its way in our back garden, circled a snoozing frog, and devoured it, s l o w l y. Animal Planet could … Continue reading Gardens By the Bay
Rainy days
October is going out on a whimper – it’s been either overcast, or drizzly, here at the Airbase. Nevertheless, spirits are high. Halloween tonight, when scary creatures come out to play. Speaking of scary creatures, it will be school holidays soon, and kids will be on the ‘ronda-ronda’ (malay for roam, be sure to have your volume cranked up before clinking this link). If you … Continue reading Rainy days
New Seletar Sites
This has been a busy weekend for other Seletar sites. Sue has started an online version of Seletar Chronicle, and Sabine’s Le Petit Atelier has a presence in the cyber world too. Continue reading New Seletar Sites
Happenings
Lots going on in the next two weeks. Firstly, a warm welcome to the new online version of Seletar Chronicle. I’m so glad Sue has started posting updates 🙂 Another new face online is Le Petit Atelier. Look out for craft workshops every Saturday morning, starting Nov 3rd. The Events page is updated, and I have started tracking heritage and cultural walks around Singapore, so … Continue reading Happenings
How we see the world
Most of us are bad for the economy – we rarely leave the Airbase, and so don’t contribute as much as we should to the GDP 😉 Here’s Isabelle’s interpretation of the Seletarian perspective. Enjoy! Continue reading How we see the world
Postcards from Seletar 