Enjoy Milford on Sea

Village Voice Useful Numbers

2012-01-26T13:32:00.004Z

Sue from the Village Voice has been in touch to say she has had a bad day at the office! To explain; one column on the useful numbers page in the latest edition of The Village Voice has slipped slightly, so a lot of the numbers are incorrect. (Desmond Swayne cannot be reached by dialling 999!)

She is busy beating herself up for the error, and sends her apologies to all readers. Normal service will be resumed in the next edition!

Seven great days for ‘Foodies’!

2012-01-26T13:26:00.006Z

Don't miss Milford on Sea Food Week: 9th April to 15th April 2012

Milford on Sea is fast becoming recognised as the South coast’s ‘Foodie Heaven by the Sea!’. This small seaside village boasts over twenty places to eat, offering everything from fine dining to boutique cafés. It is also a vibrant village with an extremely active community spirit, and is home to the ‘Hampshire Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Hampshire Chef of the Year’.

Food Week is a celebration about local food, with all corners of the community taking part. The event is designed to for people to have a lot of fun, and at the same time establish Milford on Sea as a ‘Foodie Destination’, which will create long-term sustainability for the village centre shops and its restaurants, for the benefit of local residents and visitors alike.

From Easter Bank Holiday Monday Milford on Sea Food Week celebrates all that is great about food for an entire seven days. This New Forest seaside village is blessed with great places to eat and surrounded by quality local producers, so what better way to celebrate this, than to have an entire week dedicated to the joys of food!

Everyone at every age is welcome, and Milford on Sea Food Week has over 100 activities including: Themed Dining Evenings, Professional Cookery Theatre, Celebrity Shows, Cooking Demonstrations, Educational Talks, Film Shows, Cookery Competitions, Wine Tastings, Dining Offers, Kid's Events & a large Sunday Food Market, all are organised by local organisations, clubs, businesses and individuals. A Programme detailing all of the events will soon be on sale in the village shops.

This year’s Food Week celebrity shows include ‘An Evening with Tom Kerridge’, a two star Michelin chef and TV personality, a ‘Comedy & Cake Night’ starring TV & radio comedian Jo Caulfield and the ever popular ‘Big Cook Off’ between top chefs in the local area. The ‘Great Dining Bus’ is also taking to the road, transporting diners to eat a different course in four village restaurants. Now that really is a dining experience with a difference! Tickets for the large events are available from the online ‘Food Week Ticket Office’ as well as in the village.

All of the village restaurants are running themed evenings & special offers throughout the week. There is also a full programme of events to entertain the kid’s on half-term holiday. The professional Cookery Theatre provides a varied programme of events and activities that should excite every ‘foodie’.

On the final Sunday, the Food Market takes centre stage with over 60 stalls on the village green & along the High Street. Local producers from throughout the New Forest will be selling tasty treats, and various types of hot food will be available. You can also visit the many village shops that will be open. Last year over 6000 people attended the Food Market, and this year all visitors will be entertained by a jazz quartet as they shop.

Food Week is co-ordinated by a small dedicated group of volunteers who provide their expertise and time for free. We are also fortunate to have a generous group of sponsors & supporters. Any income generated by Food Week is only used to cover promotional costs, and no fees or expenses are taken by any of the Food Week organisers. Food Week is not a fundraising event, however it is ‘not for profit’ and we are delighted to support local charities from any profits that are made.

David Long one of the organising team said “Milford on Sea is a great place to eat and a fun place to visit, so we wanted to celebrate this with a series of varied food related events around the village for all locals & visitors to enjoy and learn. Why not come & join in the fun!”

Our event is truly ‘By the community, for the community’.

To find out more please visit:

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

BUY YOUR TICKET TODAY! To see tickets now on sale please visit:

www.ticketsource.co.uk/milfordonseafoodweek

New Seafront Houses Approved

2012-01-26T13:17:00.001Z

A prime seafront site has been granted planning permission in Milford on Sea. New Forest planners have approved that the old NHS care home site on the cliff top at Ravenhurst, Ravens Way, Milford on Sea can be developed as four detached luxury homes.

This former home for people with learning difficulties has been vacant for the last three years since the NHS Trust had moved the former residents to other premises in the District more suited to their present day needs.

The new development will be built by Pennyfarthing Homes with the existing dilapidated buildings on the site to be demolished to be replaced with four contemporary designed two-storey detached houses that will enjoy spectacular panoramic sea views of Christchurch Bay and the Isle of Wight.

This planning permission comes after an earlier appeal for 13 houses on the site was dismissed by a Government Inspector in November 2010. That scheme was considered to have had adversely affected the setting of the nearby landmark building, ‘The White House’, a grade II listed building. In granting planning permission for the four modern seaside residences New Forest planners were satisfied that the revised proposal would preserve the setting of The White House and would maintain the spacious appearance of this cliff-top location.

The proposal generated a requirement for the provision of two affordable dwellings to be provided. Normally the local authority would seek these to be provided on-site. However Pennyfarthing have offered to provide 3 affordable family homes on one of their other sites at 29 Keyhaven Road in Milford-on-Sea, close to the village shops and facilities. The New Forest District Council considered this a suitable offer.

Faster Broadband in Village

2012-01-26T13:15:00.001Z

BT have announced that Milford on Sea had had an upgrade to make available download speeds of up to 20 megabits per second (Mbps) – more than double the speed previously available from BT.

Around 30,000 more homes and businesses in Hampshire have now benefited from access to faster broadband; Hartley Wintney, Alresford, Bransgore, Medstead, Twyford, Hook, Lee-on-Solent and Milford on Sea.

This investment in the copper network is in addition to BT’s £2.5 billion roll-out of fibre-based broadband, which will bring even faster speeds to around two-thirds of UK premises by the end of 2014.

Don’t get nicked!

2012-01-14T07:18:00.000Z

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There I was, wandering down the High Street minding my own business, when I spotted an innocent car parked on what I understand is technically called the ‘funny paved island thing’ on the outer edge of the parking spaces outside of the Co-op. I say, innocent, because I was under the impression that this was a legitimate parking space. In fact, I am sure someone in a grown up position in village had told me that. But true to form, I can’t remember who it was.

Well, the traffic warden who must have only recently passed by thought differently, and they had awarded the car with one of their special self-adhesive plastic wallets, containing a delightful parking ticket. I then spotted a couple of police officers sitting in a car nearby, so I stopped for a chat. They had also seen the ticket being awarded and thought it was probably a ‘traffic calming island’ rather than for parking.

I then decided I would wander to the Parish Council to see if I could clarify the situation. However, I then couldn’t be bothered, and went for some tea and cake in the village instead.

So there you have it, no clarity on the parking situation and some badly researched useless information. (Up to par for these pages really.) I guess the conclusion is, park at your peril!

Arts & Music Festival AGM

2012-01-14T07:06:00.003Z

Everyone is invited to the Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival AGM next Wednesday (18th January) at 6pm in the Community Centre.

Feel free to come along if you are interested to hear how the festival is progressing.

If anyone wants to make any comments or representations please contact Sean below:

Tel: 01590 644777 | sean@hwsolicitors.com

New Writer’s Café

2012-01-14T07:02:00.001Z

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If you are interested in writing there is now an informal gathering of village writers of all abilities in Inger-Lise’s Coffee Shop in the High Street, Milford on Sea every Tuesday afternoon.

The hour get together of the ‘Writer’s Café’ is from 3.30pm to 4.30pm and provides an opportunity to meet other writers, share information and basically enjoy a social get together for the price of a cuppa. (and if you are in the mood, perhaps a slice of cake!)

The organiser, Cate Sweeney said “Sometimes we do a brief exercise or share a short piece we’ve written, but mostly it’s a social thing, it gets us writers out! Everyone is welcome to just come along, and it’s free, too!”

Cate is a published author, who also runs some formal writing courses at the Community Centre, there are a few places left if you are be interested.

If you would like to contact Cate her e-mail is below, or of course just pop along to Inger-Lise’s Coffee Shop any Tuesday afternoon.

cate@wordaction.co.uk

www.wordaction.co.uk

Story of Bay Trees

2012-01-14T06:50:00.001Z

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A few months ago Sarah & Mark Clayson took over The Bay Trees B&B in Milford on Sea High Street. They are very keen to be involved in village life and Sarah is already involved in Food Week this year.

They are also very interested to learn about the history of The Bay Trees building and no doubt the many stories that people have. So far they have heard about flooding in Milford on Sea, the buildings various reincarnations of restaurant, café & cake shop, and now of course it current life as a bed & breakfast.

Sarah & Mark would love to build up a photographic portfolio of stories and memories in relation to The Bay Trees formally known as Bridge House. They have already joined the impressively informative Milford on Sea Historical Society, who I am sure can provide a lot of history for them.

If you have any personal or village stories to share, or photographs that you are willing to lend (they can to scan them and give back the originals) they would both be very grateful.

Please contact Sarah on:

01590 642186 | sarah.clayson@btinternet.com, or just call in when you are passing.

Chest Freezer Anyone?

2012-01-14T06:36:00.001Z

The volunteer cooks at the Community Centre are in need of a chest freezer. The valiant kitchen team provide the catering for many events in the Community Centre throughout the year, and it would really help them out if they had further storage for frozen food.

I did think I had this one sorted myself. I was going to offer the services of a few people I know in the village, but then I realised they were after a 'chest freezer' and not an 'old geezer'.

Should you have a chest freezer you no longer require, or are feeling particularly generous and fancy sponsoring one, please contact Sue Whitlock on:

01590 643404 or susan@hwsolicitors.com

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

Singing Superstars!

2012-01-14T06:27:00.000Z

Young singers in the village have an opportunity to join in a singing workshop run by professional singing teacher, Christine Mulgrew, who all runs the successful Total Voice Choir in the village.

The workshop will focus on singing skills, performing on stage, using a microphone and singing in harmony. It sounds like it will be a bit of fun and likely to sell out quickly.

The workshop is on Saturday 4^th February at the Guide Hut. The cost is £20 and you can book by contacting Christine on:

0845 900 5929 or info@totalvoice.co.uk

www.totalvoice.co.uk

Charity Shop Helpers

2012-01-14T06:23:00.002Z

Our busy and vibrant Village Charity Shop is looking for volunteers to do a few hours helping out serving in the shop. It is a great place to meet people and have a good time.

Cover is required on regular or occasional basis throughout the year.

Also, Shop Manager, Judit is taking a well deserved holiday for a couple of weeks in February and some cover is still needed for parts of those weeks.

If you can lend a hand please contact: Sue Whitlock on:
01590 643404 or susan@hwsolicitors.com

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

Go on, get involved!

2012-01-06T07:35:00.001Z

The events and activities for the Food Week programme are now almost complete. However it is not too late to get involved if you would like to.

If you have a cooking skill you would like to demonstrate, or are a organisation, club or society who would like to get involved in any way, please just drop me a line at the e-mail address below.

The Food Week Ticket Office is now open and contains lots of the main events we are running during Food Week.

If you fancy taking a look please just hit the ‘Ticket Office link’ on the Food Week website below. Best to get your tickets before the events sell out.

david@milfordonsea.org

http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/

Local Artist in London Exhibition

2012-01-06T07:31:00.000Z

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Local pastel artist Barbara Rousseau has had her painting of a “Storm over Dubrovnik” accepted for exhibition at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London from 14th to 25th February 2012 by the Pastel Society. Her work was selected for exhibition from amongst hundreds of entries.

Barbara has previously won the Society of All Artists (SAA) Artist of the Year competition in 2006, however she looks on this accolade by fellow pastelists to exhibit in London as the pinnacle of her career.

Barbara will be exhibiting more of her work at Exbury Gardens with the “Four Seasons Art Group” from 9th April to 9th June 2012.

Be a Food Week Sponsor

2012-01-06T07:27:00.000Z

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To cover the cost of advertising for Milford on Sea Food Week we are delighted if anyone decides to become one of our sponsors.

This year we are offering even more for your money, with your sponsor advert appearing in 15,000 free programme which we will be delivering to homes in Milford on Sea, Barton, Lymington plus surrounding areas across the New Forest.

Your advert also appears on the Food Week website, and can be seen all year round at:

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/oursponsors

Prices are: Baby Silver £50 | Silver £75 | Gold £150

If you would like to support us with our community event please just drop me an e-mail at:
david@milfordonsea.org

http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/
Bank Holiday Monday 9th April to Sunday 15th April 2012

New Carnival Route

2012-01-06T07:06:00.002Z

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We have received the letter below from Sean Reeves, with the arrangement details for the Milford on Sea Carnival in August 2012.

The committee have worked very hard to make it easy to join in, so if you have a club, organisation, business or even just a group of friends, why not become part of the carnival procession this year?

---------------------------------------------------

I am a member of the Milford on Sea Village Community Committee and as I am sure you are aware we did not to organise the procession this year. I have (with the assistance of four other volunteers) created a sub-committee whose specific remit is to revitalise the procession for the Milford-on-Sea August Carnival Procession 2012.

As a sub-committee we have opted for a smaller provisional route and a copy of the proposed route is enclosed for your information. This is of course is subject to the number of entrants and the council agreeing to the road closures (which they have in principle). The date for the event is 25 August 2012 and starting at 4 pm.

The theme as you can imagine can only be one thing and in keeping with the big event next year – the Olympics. We therefore are organising the ‘Milford on Sea Village Olympics’. With this in mind we are looking for entrants to enter the procession either on a motorised display float or as a walking display with the design consisting of anything to do with the Olympics.

The main committee shall also be organising (hopefully) village games on the green throughout the day and hope, like previous years, the event will be well attended.

Insurance has been arranged insurance through Events Insurance and the policy is underwritten by AXA. We are also happy to advise you that they have agreed to cover third party motorised float entrants for an administration premium of £30.00 per float subject, of course, that the vehicle is insured against all usual comprehensible risks under the Road Traffic Act. With this in mind we would be obliged for a minimum contribution of £15.00 for any motorised entrants.

On previous years we understand that you have participated in the procession and we would be very much obliged, at this early stage if you would confirm that you would be willing to participate in next year’s event. I attach a copy of our entrance form which should be returned to me together with the contribution for insurance or a copy of your insurance policy confirming that you are covered by your own insurance (if you are entering a motorised float).

We are unfortunately not able to accept any further entrants after 17 August 2012.

We look forward to hearing from you.

With kind regards

Sean Reeves

For and on behalf of Milford-on-Sea Carnival Sub-Committee

*Please contact Sean for an Entry From at:

sean@hwsolicitors.com

01590 644777

The Joy of Christmas Presents

2011-12-30T08:14:00.006Z

My wife of course needs for nothing, she is pretty, youthful, a good cook and has a wonderful husband. Shortly before Christmas I had bought her a top of the range Dyson, but apparently this was not a good ‘Christmas present’.

Christmas (I am led to understand) demands a 'special present'. In our early years together gift buying was quite easy, but fifteen years later new ideas become more of a struggle. Fortunately, I have survived the past few years by my wife telling me what she wants and I give her the money. I’m happy, she’s happy and it is the perfect solution for us simple men. This year life got a little more complicated when she said; “I would like a bracelet”, “Which bracelet?”, “Surprise me”. That final comment struck terror into my whole being. ‘Surprise her’, the only surprise will be if I am capable of doing this.

Christmas is of course a time when I excel in being the perfect husband, I always compliment my wife on how well she get the tree from the loft and decorates it beautifully. I comment positively on all the presents she buys for everyone, and of course help out the best I can with all of the food she makes and buys. Not easy I know, but certainly worth the effort.

It was nearly Christmas Eve when I set about my Christmas present mission, only to discover Ratners had disappeared. Several online searches later I found out that this challenge may be a bridge to far. It soon became clear that I had no idea what I was looking at, the options were vast and my ability to tell the difference was nil. I became even more confused when faced with knowing what size I needed. Had it been shoes or a dress I could have raided her wardrobe to find out. But measuring her shirt cuffs did not help me much. How is any man supposed to know the wrist size of their partner?, I struggle remembering her age and birthday.

A call to my friend did not help, he could only advise me that the necklace he bought from Elizabeth Duke last year had resulted in his wife not speaking to him for a month. (Could be worth it?) He then reminded me that they divorced a few months later, and I had no intention of spending that much!

A final attempt on Christmas Eve proved fruitless, so there was only one thing for it.

Christmas morning arrived and it was time to open our presents. My wife looked a little apprehensive as she received her plain envelope, I think she had worked out it was not a bracelet. Her ability to contain her excitement was impressive as she opened the enclosed letter with the loving words; “I owe you a bracelet. Love you xxxx”. Although not signed, somehow she knew it was from me.

To complete my wife’s surprise I took her shopping (online) just after Boxing Day, and she chose a bracelet ‘that she had wanted for ages’ (apparently). The ‘LoveLinks bracelet’ was perfect, she was happy, and my wallet had a big dent in it. Perhaps if I had known that a ‘surprise’ had actually meant ‘I want a LoveLinks Bracelet’ I may have solved this mammoth challenge a little earlier. Roll on next Christmas.

Party on New Year’s Eve

2011-12-30T08:12:00.002Z

We have heard that ‘The Raft’ is holding ‘The Shipwrecked After Party’ on New Year’s Eve. The newly opened bistro and bar will have a ‘shipwrecked theme’ and will be serving canapés. Doors open at 10pm and it is £10 to get in and party past midnight.

The Marine and Westover Hall both have celebration dinners with entertainment, La Perle has a six course French menu, Zaika & Britannia Thai are providing an Asian option to see the new year in, and of course all of our local pubs have events happening. So, if you haven’t made your plans for your New Year’s Eve yet, there are still plenty of options to party the night away in Milford on Sea village.

Doctors Advice

2011-12-30T08:10:00.000Z

I watched a doctor on television this evening who said that, we all could use more calm in our lives; and in order to achieve inner peace, we should always try to finish the things we start.

So, I looked around my house to find the things I’d started and hadn’t finished. I finished off a bottle of Chassagne Montrachet 2004, a bottle of Chateau Pape-Clement 2008, a bodle of Jin, a butle of wum, tha mainder of Valiuminun scriptins, an a boks a chocletz.

Yu haf no idr how fablus I feel rite now.

Sned this to all who need inner piss. An telum u luvum!

Are You a Village Newcomer?

2011-12-30T07:53:00.004Z

Each February a ‘Newcomers Supper’ is held at All Saints Church Hall in Milford on Sea. This year the supper will be held on Saturday 25th February 2012.

Anyone that is new to the village since February 2011 is able to apply for an invitation and the event is entirely free.

The evening consists of two parts. In the first hour or so, there is a ‘mini exhibition’, where you can wander around and informally meet representatives from the many clubs, associations & organisations in the village. They can tell you anything you want to know, and if you fancy getting involved you can. This is then followed by a sit down supper with the chance to meet new people & have a bit of fun.

Most years the event has over a hundred people attending, and it is a great way to meet new people, and to get a warm welcome to your new home. The village is full of friendly people and the ‘Newcomers Supper’ is a fast-track way of getting to know all about our village life.

The ‘Newcomers Supper’ is funded & hosted by all of the churches in the village & tirelessly organised by Ruth Bufton. The event is by invitation only, so if you are new to the village this year & would like to come along please contact: Ruth Bufton on:
ruth.bufton@btinternet.com or 01590 641875

Love our shops

2011-12-24T09:10:00.004Z

We have had an interesting letter from Christopher Beeton, a long standing local resident.

He comments; “When I first visited Milford in 1948/49 there were about the same number of high street shops as we have now but, of course, Milford was then only a small village. By 1984, when I moved here on retirement, there was a very wide range of shops with at least two of each of the essential ones but, by then, we had become a small town. Even Keyhaven had its Post Office & shop.

In the 1990s when I was a NFDC councillor, considerable concerns were expressed about the plans for the (then) new Tesco in Caird Avenue and, in particular, how it would affect high street shops in nearby villages. Our own shops were already dwindling and, in a letter to the Lymington Times, I suggested to those Milford residents who used our shops only in emergency, that they make a point of buying at least something in the village every week. With some 6000 residents even if only half did this, most of our shops should remain viable. With the increase of ladies' hairdressers and commercial businesses, the loss of a baker or greengrocer is not, at first, so noticeable. But we cannot afford to lose many more if we are to retain any character at all.”

Who can argue with that. Christopher goes on to suggest; “Since the demise of Milford's Traders Association there does not appear to be much co-ordination and this is likely to increase pressure on some of our smaller, but very useful, shops. How about a series of short articles on each of our shops (in addition to eating places of course!).”

Writing an article on each shop would be a bit of a ‘Forth Road’ job, however we would love any of our shops to write a comment about what they offer for all to see. Alternatively, if you have anything to say about any of the great things you can get in the village, why not post a comment below to give them a plug?

PS: That reminds me, if you want a plug, (or anything DIY for that matter), Milford Hardware is your place to go!

Carnival Parade Back!

2011-12-24T08:57:00.004Z

Many of you are aware and saddened that the carnival procession did not take place in 2011. However, we are delighted to announce that a sub-committee of volunteers has been formed to assist the Milford on Sea Village Community Committee to organise and run the procession in 2012.

The new team are in the process of organising and fundraising for the 2012 procession and are getting great support from the local community which is very encouraging.

The first fundraising event is the January First Friday Charity Lunch held at Milford Community Centre. Some of you may know all about the First Friday Lunches, which are organised by dedicated team of volunteers and raise money to support many charities.

Everyone is invited to come along on Friday 6th January 2012 at 1pm where you can feast on a main course and dessert for only £4.50 per person. You would be made very welcome and no booking is necessary, - just show up, have a tasty meal and support a local community event.

If you would like further details about the First Friday Lunch Club or helping to support the carnival procession please do not hesitate in contacting Sean Reeves of Hugh Whitlock Solicitors at: sean@hwsolicitors.com

Boxing Day Left-overs

2011-12-24T08:56:00.001Z

Zaika have come up with a novel way to enjoy your left-overs on Boxing Day. Fortunately this does not interfere with the traditional ‘bubble & squeak’. On Boxing Day, if you have any left-over drinks, Kalam has said everyone can feel free to take them with you to enjoy a curry.

Zaika is open for lunch and for dinner from 6pm on Boxing Day, - and your drink is as welcome as you!

Zaika Indian Restaurant
01590 643084
www.zaikanewforest.co.uk

Onward and upward for Total Voice!

2011-12-09T18:49:00.001Z

Many of you will have heard our very own community choir, Total Voice, performing in an around Milford over the last couple of years. The choir’s leader, Christine Mulgrew, and one of its founder members, Victoria Hopkins, are now joining forces to take Total Voice to new heights with a programme of workshops and events to complement its choral performances.

Christine and Victoria have many years of singing and performing experience between them and are passionate about spreading the joys and benefits of singing for everyone.

The first event Total Voice has planned for the new year is “January Tune-up”, a Saturday afternoon workshop to banish the post-Christmas blues with some rousing group singing. Participants will learn techniques to build their confidence and improve their voices.

Please visit the Total Voice website at www.totalvoice.co.uk for more information.

Fancy Running an Event at Food Week?

2011-12-09T18:42:00.003Z

Our calendar for Food Week is now filling up fast, but it is not too late if you want to join in. We love to see Clubs, Charities & Community Organisations and individuals getting involved. Almost anything can fit in, as long as it is related to food in some way.

If you have any ideas on anything that you would like organise or be involved in for Food Week, please just drop me an e-mail at:

david@milfordonsea.org

Food Week runs from 9th April to 15th April 2012 and we love for as many of the community to get involved as they can.

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

Concert raises over £3000

2011-12-09T18:38:00.002Z

Milford’s very own Total Voice Contemporary Choir are delighted to have raised £3.390.03 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton following their ‘All You Need Is Love’ concert and appeal. The choir put on a concert featuring songs about love and friendship in October at the Milford Community Centre and also organised many other events themselves including coffee mornings, an after show party and a vintage cream tea!

Christine Mulgrew and Victoria Hopkins of Total Voice along with choir members presented the cheque last week to Suzie Simmons Fundraising Officer for Southampton Hospital Charity. The group also visited the unit where their money will go towards a new suite of parental accommodation for those with babies being treated there. This will make a real difference for parents in what is a very difficult time.

The hospital provides specialist care to around 600 sick term and pre term (premature) new born babies a year from Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole, Chichester, Dorchester, Basingstoke, Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Winchester and the Channel Islands - with such a wide-spread 'catchment' many parents do not have the option to go home.

The target funding needed for the parental suites is £100,000 and staff at the hospital climbed Kilimanjaro last year for the cause. With our contribution they have now raised nearly £90,000 of that target.

The fundraising was very personal to Choir leader Christine Mulgrew and her husband Jonathan as their baby son Archie was looked after on the unit when he was born earlier this year. Christine said; “the care which Archie received and which we received as a family from the Neonatal staff was amazing and I have heard many similar stories from choir members and local people during the course of our fundraising. It has been fantastic to get the support of the choir and local community to raise such an amazing amount as a thank you.”

We would like to thank everyone who supported us by coming along to our concert and to all the local businesses who donated such wonderful raffle prizes.

www.totalvoice.co.uk

New Workshops at the Library

2011-12-09T18:33:00.001Z

The recently saved Milford on Sea Library in Park Road is busy planning a number of future events for the new year, these will include Art Workshops, Jewellery Workshop and The Very Hungry Caterpillar is coming to entertain the kids during Food Week. These will be in addition to the regular Toddlertime and Library Club.

The team at the library have asked that if there is anything you would like to see happening in your Library please pop in and tell them, and say a big thank you for all the support they have had throughout the year.

Milford on Sea Library | Opening times:

Monday 2.30 - 5.30 pm; Tuesday 2.30 - 4.30pm
Wednesday 10.00 - 12.30pm; Friday 10.00 - 12.30pm

Comedy & Cake with Jo Caulfield

2011-12-06T11:05:00.000Z

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Jo Caulfield, star of Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You, is the Sunday headline act at Milford on Sea Food Week.

Jo brings her all new ‘Cruel to be Kind’ touring show to the Milford on Sea Community Centre on the evening of Sunday 15th April 2012. She was nominated as “Funniest Woman 2010” in the LAFTA Awards, and “Best Female Stand-Up” in the Chortle Awards. Described by The Observer newspaper as “Wonderfully sharp and bitchy. One of the finest female comedians at work.” A night not to be missed!

A slice of cake on the night, baked by Nicola of Yum, is included in every ticket purchased. We expect this event to sell out early, so why not book now to make sure you are not disappointed!

Comedy & Cake with Jo Caulfield: Sunday 15th April 2012

Tickets £17.50 | Now on sale at:
http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.ticketsource.co.uk/

(*An Evening with Tom Kerridge: Tickets also now on sale in online ticket office.)

http://www.jocaulfield.com/ | http://www.loveyum.com/

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Milford on Sea Food Week
Monday 9th April until Sunday 15th April 2012
http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/

Food Week Christmas Pressy

2011-12-06T10:58:00.003Z

Are you looking for a great gift idea or nice stocking filler for loved ones, family or friends? Well, how about treating them to tickets to either (or both!) of our headline shows at Milford on Sea Food Week.

Tickets are just £17.50 and we expect them to sell out quickly when the official box office opens in the early new year. But as a special friend of mine, I can let you have tickets for the show below now!

An Evening with Tom Kerridge: Saturday 14th April 2012 | Ticket £17.50.

Comedy & Cake with Jo Caulfield: Sunday 15th April 2012 | Ticket £17.50

To buy your tickets please just just go to:

http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.ticketsource.co.uk/

Go on, treat them and support Food Week at the same time!

click image to enlarge

http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/

More food, The Raft, etc.

2011-12-06T10:45:00.000Z

Having hung up my beret and whilst trying to get used to speaking English again, we returned to Milford on Sea. I am even ignoring the constant e-mails from the mayor of Deauville, asking me when we were coming back (apparently he wants to plan his holidays in advance) as I now have more important things in hand.

Of course the first thing we had to do when back in the village was go and eat. So we were off to Verveine for Saturday lunch. The hake was superb, homemade bread delicious, pudding very naughty and complimentary petit fours with our coffee weird and wonderful. My French brothers think they are good at cooking, but I challenge them to beat the exquisite & imaginative food created by Dave Wykes.

Naturally we next needed to have a great Sunday lunch, so the next day we went to Westover Hall. My first turkey meal of the forthcoming Christmas period was delicious, and my wife tucked into pork belly as if she had just returned from a desert island that only had fruit. Can’t remember the name of my pudding, but I do recall it was creamy, nutty and beauty on a plate. All was washed down with a bottle of smooth Beaujolais nouveau. As always, I was wearing shorts, the welcome was as warm as ever and the meal great value for money.

Tuesday night we were off to La Perle, pretending it was my birthday. We started the evening by enjoying a couple of finely served pints in The Red Lion. On arrival at La Perle we were greeted with a friendly smile and a champagne aperitif, I of course felt very special, until my wife & friends pointed out all of the other diners were given the same. I chose the ‘seven hour lamb’ for my main course. The dish melted in the mouth and the gravy, sauce, jus, or whatever it is called, was to die for. At the end of service Leo visits each table, we (I) told him about my birthday and he poured us each a glass of ‘Marc Du Champagne’ (a Champagne brandy), it really was my lucky day, Colin was driving, Trish doesn’t drink and my wife doesn’t like brandy. Two beers, a few glasses of wine, and four Marc du Champagne’s later, we (I) made our way home in a sort of giggly wobbly way.

Last Friday we dined for the first time at The Raft in Milford on Sea. Having only opened a few weeks ago, (and having missed the opening party as we were still in France) this was our first opportunity to visit. Having yet again press-ganged our friends to eat out, off we went. The quirky interior of the old ‘Belle Epoque’ was gone, and the restaurant had now been transformed into a fresh ‘shabby chic’ environment. It is clear that the new owners, Deny & Jan, have a great eye for design and detail. The restaurant is described as ‘Bistro Chic’, which felt right. It was great to see a real buzz as we arrived, all tables looked full and plenty of smiling faces. We had a table at the back near the open kitchen. Having all chosen different things from the extensive and unusual menu, I was soon tucking into chilli prawns, goats cheese, onion marmalade & fresh tomato pizza, followed by pistachio brownie. Hmmm, yummy. My wife and friends were all equally impressed by their own dishes and the generous portions. When our charming waitress bought the bill we all felt the value for money was great. We will certainly be back soon.

The Raft is open from 10am to 10pm Wednesday to Sunday, so it is easy to pop in for a snack, meal, or just a coffee, beer or just a nose around.

Disappointingly we had not found time this week to visit Zaika, The Marine, Britannia Thai, the pubs, or any of the cafés for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, ….. fortunately there is always next week!

To see The Raft’s new website, please visit:
http://www.theraftmos.co.uk/

Tom Kerridge Headlines Food Week

2011-12-02T17:24:00.005Z

We are thrilled to announce that two Michelin star chef, Tom Kerridge is to headline Milford on Sea Food Week 2012. ‘An Evening with Tom Kerridge’ will take place on Saturday evening 14th April. During the show Tom will be cooking three spectacular dishes, whilst explaining his menu and cooking processes, he will also be sharing stories of his experiences in the food world and on TV.

Tom Kerridge is the incredibly popular and loveable chef patron at the extraordinary two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers pub in Marlow, which he opened with wife Beth in Spring 2005. It was quite a moment for Michelin when the second star was awarded, and some say quite controversial. The world’s culinary press descended on Marlow following the announcement and discovered a special venue, team and chef there.

Tom is a great character with amazing presence, obvious warmth and an infectious laugh. He’s appeared on shows such as Market Kitchen and Market Kitchen’s Big Adventure and has competed and won the main course twice on BBC2’s Great British Menu. No-one else has ever won twice!

Tom is no stranger to showbiz as in his youth he acted on various TV shows including Miss Marple and London’s Burning. These performance skills have made him a brilliant entertainer who is in big demand to demonstrate at live events – there is always a huge crowd around him and he has a great fan base.

Tom’s first catering job was a stint as commis chef at Calcot Manor in Gloucestershire. He also worked for Stephen Bull and Gary Rhodes before joining Odette’s in Primrose Hill. After a spell at Monsieur Max in Hampton he moved to Norwich to take over running the Michelin starred restaurant Adlards. He then decided it was time to find his own place taking over a run down pub in Marlow called the Hand and Flowers. The rest is history!

An Evening with Tom Kerridge: Saturday 14th April 2012

Tickets £17.50 | Now on sale at:
http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.ticketsource.co.uk/

*We expect this event to sell out early, so why not book now to make sure you are not disappointed!

Milford on Sea Food Week:
Monday 9th April until Sunday 15th April 2012
http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/

Milford’s Outstanding School

2011-12-02T17:18:00.005Z

We have received the following story from our local Milford on Sea Primary School. It is great to have such an excellent school for our children, congratulations to all of the team.

Milford school teaching is ‘Outstanding’

Staff and pupils at Milford Primary School are celebrating an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report which awarded the rare accolade of the highest rating available to teaching. Executive Headteacher Sandra Matthews said, ‘We are delighted with Ofsted’s recognition of our school as outstanding. Milford Primary is a fantastic school that is totally focused on providing all children with great learning. Staff, governors and parents are very proud of the children and we are thrilled that Ofsted recognises all the commitment and hard work that goes into making Milford School so special.’

Chair of governors Julian Davis said, ‘I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of the inspection which reflects the hard work of an extremely committed team and I am extremely proud that the children of Milford can attend what is an outstanding school.’ The recent Church inspection reinforced these findings, saying that the School ‘has embraced its Christian character with enthusiasm and joy and firmly placed Christian principles at the heart of the school.’ ‘Children feel valued and special and are exceptionally confident and clear in expressing their views and opinions.’

Milford is a Church school and also a community school. We appreciate the support we receive from people in the village such as those who come to listen to reading, help with sewing and baking in our school and we are pleased to be able to offer ‘silver surfers’ sessions for those wishing to learn more about using computers so that they can keep in touch with relatives and friends by email and do their shopping on line. If you would like to see more of our village school you are welcome to our Christmas Fair on Friday 9th December from 2.30pm to 4pm in the school hall.

Sue Towndrow | Vice-Chair of Governors

Entertainment Galore!

2011-12-02T17:15:00.000Z

The Community Centre goes from strength to strength since re-opened in the new building during the late summer of 2010. Many events have taken place to entertain us all, plus of course the classes, clubs and societies keep the building vibrant throughout every day.

Tomorrow (Sunday 4th December) will see the ‘Milford’s Three Tenors' return to Milford on Sea in ‘Tinsel, Tenors and Twangers’. It is quite amazing that the village can attract three international renowned opera singers, and they always provide a spine tingling performance. This time they are even being accompanied by a full orchestra. Tickets are still available from Gwen’s if you fancy going along, or book online using the link at the foot of this page.

Keeping us continually entertained, the Community Centre also offers Jazz/Swing, Milford Movies, Folk Club, Regular ‘Green Room’ Talks, Dancing, Play Readings, Charity Lunches and numerous other events. There is also a monthly Folk Club, which will be getting the place rocking with a Christmas Ceilidh on Thursday 8th December, and everyone is welcome to come along.

The regular ‘Fifth Thursday Comedy Club’ has proved extremely popular, with the December show already sold out. Tickets for the March event go all sale soon. This show will star Miles Jupp, who is currently co-starring in the BBC2 comedy series ‘Rev’, and he has also appeared on Have I Got News for You and Mock the Week, so book early if you don’t want to miss this one.

All of the events covered are open to all, indeed all newcomers are made very welcome. You can find out more about what is coming up on the links below, just come and join in for some guaranteed fun!

http://www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk/
http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/

To see all of the ‘Classes & Club’ in the village please click here

Shop while you're singing!

2011-11-27T07:49:00.003Z

Friday 9th December is a special evening in Milford on Sea, and a must for anyone who loves being part of this special community. The village Christmas celebrations start with late night opening in many of the Milford on Sea village shops from 5pm, a great chance to get some Christmas presents and stocking fillers. (Ooo ah Mrs!)

The main event takes place from 6.45pm, when everyone can join in the Community Carol Singing around the Christmas tree on the village green. To give the whole singing extravaganza a bit more twinkle, Milford’s own Total Voice Contemporary Choir and Lymington Town Band will be performing. To ensure everyone is kept entertained and fed, there will also be Santas’ Grotto, Village stalls, Mulled wine, Mince pies, Hot snacks, Nativity scene and more. To delight the kids (& older ones!), at the end of the carols Father Christmas & his little helpers arrives on his sledge.

Before, after, or during, our local pubs and restaurants would all be pleased to see you, and as Milford on Sea is fast becoming a ‘Foodies Mecca’ you would enjoy the visit I am sure.

The evening is all organised by local village volunteers and is in aid of local charities, so please come along. If you have not been before, I can assure you it is quite a magical night, and worth the effort whatever the weather! It is also a great time to support all of the shopkeepers who keep the centre of our village so vibrant, go on.... buy some Christmas presents in the village this year, and show them you love them!!

In past years there has been Free Parking from 12.00 midday, and we are pleased to confirm that the Parish Council have once again arranged for cars to park free in the Sea Road car park.

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Organised by Milford on Sea Village Community Committee.

http://www.milfordcarnival.com/

The Ladies at The Marine

2011-11-27T07:35:00.003Z

The ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ visited The Marine last week and it sounds like their experience was a very good one.

To explain, the ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ are four women from Hampshire who enjoy great food (and the odd glass of wine or two!). Having met a few of them, they are an extremely nice bunch, and I understand they are occasionally sober. The ladies like nothing more than trying out fantastic restaurants incognito and then sharing their experiences on their website. They do not claim to be either gourmets nor wine experts, they just enjoy sensibly priced good food and superb service. They also assess the quality of the food, the variety of food on offer, the staff and the service, the ambience and the location, and the overall value for money.

On their visit to The Marine they reported that the first impression was being impressed both the Art Deco building and with the views from the upstairs restaurant across to the Isle of Wight and the Needles. They also enjoyed the Wine Cellar lounge. The wine cellar is in the basement, and accessed via a spiral staircase from a glass panel in the floor, a must see for anyone who enjoys a glass of wine, indeed, every home should have one.

The ladies made positive comments about all of the team they met, and in particular Dale, the maître d’ and John, the sommelier. The menus they tried sound quite mouthwatering, and you can read all of the details about the meals they enjoyed on their website. (Link below)

At the end of their visit to The Marine, the ladies were sufficiently impressed to score the total experience at 24 out of 25, which also qualifies them for a LWL Gold Award. They also commented: “Sam Hughes is a very talented chef, all of us thoroughly enjoyed all our choices and everything tasted delicious. The dishes were beautifully presented and generous portions; there were a lot of appreciative sighs around the table! It was a very special lunch and we highly recommend The Marine.”

At the end of their review ‘The Ladies Who Lunch’ concluded: “Milford on Sea is fast becoming the Mecca for foodies!”. I couldn’t agree more!

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Over many years of dining across Hampshire ‘The Ladies’ have created a very informative and comprehensive website incorporating hundreds of dining venues across the County. The link to their website is below, and well worth a look.

http://www.ladieswholunch-in-hampshire.co.uk/

Foodie Christmas

2011-11-27T07:26:00.001Z

Do you fancy getting someone else to cook Christmas Day Dinner, or perhaps you are looking for somewhere to go with friends on New Year’s Eve?

If you are, it would be worth taking a look at the online Milford on Sea Calendar, which shows you all that is happening in the village over the yuletide.

Milford on Sea is now a Foodie Heaven by the Sea, what better time to delight the taste buds than Christmas!

Just click here: http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/

Food Week is coming!

2011-11-20T10:53:00.006Z

Plans are now underway for Milford on Sea Food Week on 9th to 15th April 2012.

This is a great chance to enjoy the many eating pleasures we have in the village and an excellent opportunity for all of the community to get involved with the many other activities and events during the week.

The entire week’s programme needs to be confirmed before Christmas to enable everything to fall into place. So, if you would like to get involved in running an event, or be a ‘volunteer’ please let me know.

My Dad told me he learned in the army to ‘Never volunteer for anything!’. This time I think volunteering can be good thing, it is a bit of fun, and you can be part of this great celebration.

If you would like to be involved with Food Week in anyway please drop me an e-mail at:

david@milfordonsea.org

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

New Kids Party Venue

2011-11-20T10:40:00.004Z

A new business venture has started up in the village. Chris Quinn, of Inger Lise’s Coffee Bar in the Keyhaven end of the High Street, has teamed up with Mandy Bran of village cake maker Emsleigh Cakes, to provide children’s parties in Inger Lise’s.

For mum’s that would like a party for their little one’s without the hassle, this could be just the thing!

Inger Lise’s can cater for up to 15 children any evening after 5pm, on Saturdays from 3pm or for exclusive use on Sundays. The menu includes a selection of finger food and yummy treats, or you can bring your own. Chris and Mandy can also arrange all aspects of the party, from a novelty birthday cake, party bags or a children’s entertainer. The room hire is free when ordering food, or £15 for 2 hours if you bring your own.

To find out more, or to make a booking, please call: Chris on 07961247731 | 01590 643518, or Mandy on 07914 586441

Katie One Step From The O2!

2011-11-20T10:08:00.003Z

Katie Gates from Milford on Sea, has made it through the Open Mic UK Area Showcase, and she is now just one step away from performing at The O2 in London!

Thousands of acts entered Open Mic UK 2011 and the best unsigned singers from across the country were chosen to perform at the live Regional Final shows. Katie performed in front of a live audience and professional judging panel on 30^th October in Aldershot. She is now set to perform at the Area Final for the chance to progress to the National Grand Final at The O2 in London as part of Live Fest, London’s biggest indoor festival on 21^st January 2012.

Katie Gates is a local girl, born & bred in from Milford on Sea (and also daughter of our Village butcher, David Gates from The Butchers Shop).

Good luck Katie, it would be great to have a new recording star from Milford on Sea!

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Open Mic UK 2011 is an exciting national talent competition which searches for the UKs best singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres who perform either covers or original material. The overall winner of Open Mic UK 2011 will be offered a recording contract, with up to £30,000 investment! They’ll also have the opportunity to tour across the UK.

Listen to Katie on her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=270225002995869&sk=yoursettings#!/pages/Katie-Gates-Open-Mic-Regional-Finalist-2011/270225002995869

www.openmicuk.co.uk

Eat Toad with the RSPCA

2011-11-20T09:54:00.002Z

The RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) are holding a Charity Lunch at the Milford on Sea Village Community Centre at 1.00pm on Friday 2nd December 2011. On reading the lunch menu I was intrigued to see they are serving ‘Toad in the Hole’. The thought of the RSPCA eating toad did make me giggle immaturely. I am also curious about the sweet of ‘Mince tart and cream’, I wonder if it is beef or lamb mince?

The event is being organised by local resident Margaret Boyce who has arranged for Patrick Bailey, a local RSPCA Inspector to come and give a short talk on the RSPCA's work. There will also be a raffle held to raise funds for the RSPCA and a box will be put out for anyone wishing to make a donation of pet food for which the RSPCA is always very grateful.

Everyone is welcome to go along with tickets being available on the door for just £4.50. I think I may just pop in to find out what toad tastes like!

www.rspca.org.uk

Deauville Diary – Week Six

2011-11-11T10:23:00.012Z

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Friday: Collected our friend, Viv, from the station tonight and then back for a magnificent spread of a dozen or so cheeses, cold meats, pates, dips and of course a few baguettes. As we started planning the next few days, my wife mentioned a stroll along ‘La Planches’. Viv gave a quizzical look. ‘The ironing board?’ she said. Now, what I haven’t mentioned is that Viv is a linguist (A bit like myself), speaking French, German & Spanish. Oh, and she likes a drink. Her confusion was relieved when she suddenly realised ‘Les Planches’ means both ‘Boardwalk’ and ‘Ironing board’. As previously observed, for some reason the French have not bothered to get their own words for some things, (Like: casino, croissant, foie gras or champagne), and then they have also decided it is a good idea some words that are the same, but mean different things.

As the evening progressed we shared a bottle of Bordeaux wine or two, while my wife stuck to her bucket of Bacardi & coke. We decided that tomorrow morning we would visit nearby Lisieux Basilica, which is now the second most important site of pilgrimage in France, after the town of Lourdes. As we continued our cheese-fest a litre bottle of Porto Cruz port was opened. The bottle must have had leak, as within an hour or so it was empty. As the evening drew to a close I rejoiced in being a French citizen, and wondered why things were moving around a bit. As Viv and I started singing the "La Marseillaise" French national anthem, my wife emptied her bucket, and decided it was time for bed.

Saturday: Plans for the early morning visit to Lisieux were postponed as Viv and I were feeling somewhat wobbly. I identified that our instability must have been caused by the blue cheese, my blurry eyed multi-language friend agreed, and we vowed never to eat that particular blue cheese again. My wife, continued to perfect her Gallic shrug and this time added a French sneer. Sometimes my wife has no pity on the weak. A quiet morning followed.

Late morning, the food poisoning was slowly clearing, so we trotted off to the brocante market in the next village along the coast, and then of course to the supermarket for the daily baguette pilgrimage. (And for some more port, as we seem to have run out.) Over lunch, Viv started telling a couple of stories that sounded hazily familiar, my wife subtly said; “Think you told us that last night”. (A d’ja vu moment. There you go, - another one they have no word for!) Suitably embarrassed, Viv tried to recall what she had said last night, ...... with little success.

My wife decided it might be best if she made her maiden drive on French roads this afternoon, (probably wise, due to normal drivers condition), and soon we were on our way to Lisieux Basilica. It proved a worthy visit in spite of the driving rain. The entire interior was decorated in mosaic, but we did not have the time to count how many pieces completed the impressive decoration. On our return, we took in a visit to Chateau du Breuil, a well-known Calvados distillery. I pretended that the free tastings were a surprise, and ordered a glass of the 15 year old apple brandy for all of us. I had of course ‘forgotten’ my wife was driving, so I had to have hers. Then, the biggest shock of the afternoon,.... Viv didn’t like Calvados! To find any drink Viv did not like was of course a new experience for us all. I am not sure who was most surprised, us, or Viv. Only one thing to do, so I had hers as well. I then enjoyed the 12 year old one, and was just starting the 'Fine Calvados' when my wife let me know that I apparently wanted to go home.

Sunday: This morning Honfleur was our first call, yet again another brocante market full of tat and stuffed animals, but the harbour is spectacular. I am now reaching the limits of how much shopping one man can take. Next, our traditional Sunday trip to Trouville Fish Market, this time for crevettes and sole for tonight’s dinner.

Late afternoon our mates, Alistair & Natalie, arrived to join the house party. Alistair celebrated his arrival with half a bottle of bubbly, as he told me about the magnificent firework party he had held for his family the night before. Natalie wondered why there had been no fireworks in France, my wife explained as subtly as she could about Guy Fawkes. Just then, Alistair got a text from Georgia, his ten year old daughter; “Good night dad, just been to really cool firework party, much better than yours. No offence, love you.” Crestfallen would probably be the best description for my bald friend.

Over dinner Alistair easily dismantled two bottles of Sancerre. As the evening got later, Viv got sleepier, Nat and my wife delicately consumed various types of alcohol, whilst Alistair’s face just got redder, voice louder and his stories became more boring than usual.

Monday: My red faced friend was slightly delicate in the morning, claiming to be another victim of the blue cheese food poisoning. So our now perfected guided tour of Deauville started later than expected, and concluded with lunch before Viv had to catch her train for the homeward bound journey. An afternoon of a fish market visit, pastries and hot chocolate followed. Walking this evening, my wife decided it would be funny to guide us through some particular virulent quick sand, where I promptly lost a shoe in the freezing cold water. Alistair’s head resembled a belisha beacon in his hilarity, and I think he was impressed with the compendium of French swear words I had mastered.

As night time fell we were off to Deauville Casino to give them some more of my money, the ornately fashionable O2 bar with Lalique style lamps and changing colour Romanesque busts, provided refreshments as the gaming tables emptied our wallets. Next we moved on to ‘La Flambée' restaurant, and had the finest meal of our emigration, superb. I am enjoying being French!

Spent most of the late evening drinking, whilst participating in a nonsensical debate about black lobsters and enduring fits of Alistair’s trademark maximum decibel laughter. Alistair being a self endorsed marine expert, (having been to Bridlington recently), insisted he had seen three black lobsters at Trouville Fish Market, and embellished his lack of knowledge, by claiming that they stayed black when cooked. I, also being a marine expert, (because I live by the sea in both France & in Milford) said he was wrong on both counts. I was quite confident, not that I knew the facts, but more based on many years’ experience that there was a direct correlation to the correctness of Al’s facts and his level of alcohol consumption. Google revealed that black lobsters do exist, but you only get one in every two million lobsters. Also all lobsters turn red when cooked. The more Alistair drunk the more convinced he was he had seen them, I inquired why other 5,999,997 lobsters weren’t in the market, but he did not have an answer for that one.

My wife and Natalie got bored with the conversation, so talked about handbags and pointless husbands.

Tuesday: A quiet morning meandering around the delightful harbour and medieval streets of Honfleur, followed by a lunch of croque monsieur & frites. It was then time for Alistair & Natalie to leave, and for our ears to return to normal.

Wednesday: Our guests over the past couple of weeks had excelled themselves in emptying bottles for the fledgling French recycling cause, and my wife of course maintained her impressive contribution of Bacardi bottles. So it was a trip to the bottle bank this morning, thankfully we have a large estate car. A very long beach walk with dogs this afternoon. Made it all of the way to Blonville sur Mer and back, surprisingly without the need for oxygen. My wife is most impressed that for the past six weeks I have been resplendent in shorts almost every day. My shapely calf’s have attracted numerous admiring glances from many French women, ..... and a couple of strange men.

Thursday: I got to meet the Mayor today. His mayoral chain looked very impressive as he arrived at the front door of our holiday home, accompanied by twelve gendarmes. His French was not as good as I expected, but he seemed to like my warm greeting of three kisses. After informing me that Deauville was already twinned with Cowes, he handed me an official looking document with a rather impressive embossed coat of arms. I tried to explain that he would love Milford on Sea, as it was full of people like me. For some obscure reason he was unimpressed and I am sure I saw a little tear in his eye. As I read my new friends letter, I explained to my wife that it was offering me the key to the freedom of Deauville, and welcoming me to join the town council as an honorary cultural member My wife un-ceremonially snatched the papers and read out loud; “It actually says you are a public nuisance and you are being immediately deported”. As I left with my new friends, my wife tried to contain her obvious pleasure.

On leaving the custody of my escort party from Deauville, I had a pleasant journey across the channel. When arriving at Calais I thought I better call my wife. She was surprisingly calm, in fact said she had just had the most peaceful day of her holiday.

As I arrived back in Milford on Sea little had changed, in fact little has changed since the 1950’s. I then realised I had a more immediate problem to resolve. My wife was due home tomorrow and I thought it might be a good idea to perhaps go away for a few days, France was of course not an immediate option, so I planned to hide in the hall cupboard.

Friday: My wife returned home, and headed directly to the hall cupboard. After quite a minor beating my head was a tad sore, but things soon returned to normal.

As we wandered along the Milford on Sea beach later that day I looked due south west towards our vacated French home, and I recalled stories of the fun I had had across the water. “We will have to start planning our next emigration soon”; I excitedly exclaimed. My wife just mumbled; “I was thinking more about separate holidays in future.”

click image to enlarge

www.deauville.org/en

Food Week Goodies for Xmas

2011-11-11T08:00:00.002Z

Click image to enlarge

One of our readers dropped us a line saying they would like to give some Food Week Goodies as Christmas presents. Pretty good idea we think!

We have a Cooks Apron for £6, or a Shopping bag for £5, if you would like both that would be £10. We also have Mugs for £3.

If you would like to buy any items please drop me an e-mail, saying what you would like and providing your address as well please. david@milfordonsea.org

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

Bistro @ The Marine Party

2011-11-09T15:43:00.000Z

The Marine on the seafront at Milford on Sea have announced the opening of ‘Bistro @ The Marine’. To celebrate everyone is invited to a ‘Pre-Launch Party’ where you can sample the new concept of high quality, affordable, family dining.

The Pre-Launch Party’ is on Saturday 12th November from 6pm. Everyone is welcome and a warm welcome and a complimentary drink will be waiting for you on arrival. Head Chef, Sam Hughes, will be providing Tasting Platters of a selection of the new meals available on the new Bistro Menu, and will be pleased to discuss any aspect of the Menu, and the inspiration behind it. The normal Bar Service will operate throughout the evening.

Every visitor who attends the pre-launch event this Saturday will be given a ‘Bistro @ The Marine’ Postcard on arrival, entitling you to our Bistro Launch Offer of a ‘Free Glass of Wine or One Free Child’s (under 10 years) meal, including Ice cream dessert, with every adult meal purchased.’ The postcard will be numbered, and a Draw will take place at 8.30pm on the night, and will entitle the winner to a complimentary Meal for Two, including a Bottle of Wine, in The Bistro.

The ‘Bistro @ The Marine’ will officially open on the 16th November and will be open Wednesday to Saturday, serving from 5.00pm to 9.30pm. The Bistro, situated in the ground floor Cafe'-Bar area, offering full table service and serving a range of freshly prepared Mediterranean dishes, including a wide variety of antipasti as well as pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and daily specials.

Wednesday 16th November is also the Launch date of The Marine’s new Winter Set Course, Great Hampshire Winter Menu, which is served in the elegant first floor restaurant. The menu celebrates the best of Hampshire produce, and the ingredients (wherever possible) are sourced from local farms by our local suppliers. The menu features a main course for just £10.50.

http://www.themarinerestaurant.co.uk/

A Family Story for Remembrance Day

2011-11-09T15:21:00.008Z

I am sure that at this time of year many families recall stories of the war years & the part their own families played in the eventual victory. Our family never really had any ‘war stories’, well we didn’t until my brother Peter, did some genealogical research during 2009. Like most families I guess, the war was not discussed when we were children, & the only thing I remember was that my dad’s brother had been a WW2 prisoner of war in an horrific Japanese camp, but he never spoke about it to anyone, ever.

I also knew that my Grandad’s lungs were badly damaged during the first world war, but did not know how. I remember him as a warm & kindly man who lived with us when we were children. In fact our three bedroom home in Kingsbury, North London, housed my Grandad Horace, my Nan, Mum & Dad, plus us three kids. He fondly told me great children’s stories as I sat on his knee, with his oxygen cylinder & mask sitting ominously next to him in the living room. He even caught me doing something I shouldn’t have, but kept it a secret from anyone forever.

My other Grandfather, Albert Long, I remember as a stern archetypal Victorian man, in a woollen suit with waistcoat & fob watch. His house was a standard semi-detached in Hendon, North London with an allotment at the bottom of the garden where he spent many hours. He was certainly of a mind that ‘children should be seen & not heard’ & the front parlour was a special treat to visit only on special Sundays. This all seems so far from the days we now live in. Having been born in the mid 1950's, I grew up with the war as being something 'old people' talked about, & in my teens & twenties I was much more interested in girls & pubs!

Sadly, when I eventually became interested in what happened during the two World Wars it was too late to ask many of those I had known that had been there. It was not until I was in my early forties that I took a trip to Ypres & the Belgian World War One Battlefields & Trenches, and the experience was unexpectedly emotional & a disturbing realisation of the scale of the slaughter. In subsequent years my interest in the war years grew, as I tried to understand & make sense of what had happened. It just felt important to know.

A visit to the World War Two D-Day Beaches of France soon followed. If these are trips you have never made, I thoroughly recommend a visit. I cannot say it will be fun, I also cannot guarantee you will not have an involuntary tear or two, but I can guarantee that the sights will put everything into perspective & steel your resolve for such a thing to never happen again. In my view, it should be on the curriculum of every school in the country to visit the battlefields & cemeteries to ensure our children never forget what happened to their own forefathers.

click image to enlarge

Back to Peter, (my Brother), a few years ago he gave me a surprise present of two photograph frames with the most amazing contents following his research: each had a sepia photograph, name & rank panel, miniature medals & script on the back. The photographs were pictures of each of my Grandfathers in their military uniforms during WW1. The stories on the back revealed amazing things about two ordinary men during wartime.

My Grandad, Staff Sergeant Horace W Hunt, had been in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during WW1 as a Mine Sweeper, unfortunately he was involved in an explosion which necessitated his return to Hendon Cottage Hospital, England for treatment for temporary blindness & respiratory problems. During World War Two he served as a corporal in the Southgate Home Guard. Being an engineer he invented an improved loading device for 97 round Lewis Light Machine Gun, which improved the loading efficiency by forty percent, and which he donated to the war effort. Our family now has discovered the original letter from a Major M. A Moir, congratulating him on his ingenuity.

My other Grandfather, Rifleman Albert Long, of the Rifle Brigade was one of the few to return from the atrocious battlefields of Passchendaele, Belgium. During his time in the trenches we were proud to discover that he had been awarded the Military Medal for an individual act of bravery. His Military Medal was awarded on the 18th October 1917. Unfortunately, all records of the exact event were destroyed during the bombing of the Army Records Office in London during World War 2. However, from researching family memories, Peter discovered that Albert had saved a comrade from ‘no man’s land’ during battle. His medals were bequeathed by the family to his Regimental museum, the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester, when he died in 1965 & can still be seen there today.

This personal story may not be read by many, but for those that do read this, I hope it conjures up memories from your own families. Most importantly, now that I have written this story online my Grandfathers will never be forgotten, & like so many other fathers & Grandfathers who sacrificed so much, they never should.

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To see how you can pay your respects on Remembrance Day or Remembrance Sunday in Milford on Sea please visit:
http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/

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If you have your own Remembrance Day please feel free to share them by adding them to the ‘comments’ below:

Milford Banned in China

2011-11-09T15:19:00.000Z

We heard international news from one of our readers this week. Tom, who is working in China, went to visit milfordonsea.org, only to find that our website would not open, meaning that it may be on the banned website list.

I think the ban is likely to be because someone considers the contents such ridiculous nonsense that they did not want to submit their people to it. Quite right too.

I have been banned from plenty of places before, but never anywhere as big as China! I hope this does not mean that Milford on Sea is now banned from receiving Chinese tourists, as they are more than welcome. As is a Chinese takeaway if someone would like open one in the village!

Hurst Castle launch Xmas Card

2011-11-09T15:12:00.000Z

For the first time, the Friends of Hurst Castle have produced a Christmas card to help raise urgently needed funds for the preservation and enhancement of Castle. Measuring a handy 5in x 5in, the picture has been painted by local artist Shaun Stevens, whose paintings are often displayed at Hurst's Castle Café and shown in local exhibitions including Keyhaven Sea Scout Hut.

The cards are £3.50 for a pack of ten with matching envelopes, and available from Hurst Castle at weekends, and from Gwen's in Milford on Sea village High Street. The message reads "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year".

This great idea will raise a few much needed funds, promote Hurst Castle and give your friends and family a unique greeting this Christmas.

If you would like to lend a hand by selling a few packs of Christmas cards please contact Jonathan:

Jonathan Goodall for the Friends of Hurst Castle

jonathangoodall@hotmail.com
01590 672068
07831 717770

www.hurstcastle.co.uk/friends.html

Music Festival Meeting

2011-11-04T10:42:00.001Z

The initial meeting for the Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival takes place next Wednesday (9th November) at 6pm at the Community Centre.

If you would like to get involved, or would simply like to know what is going on, please just come along.

For more information please contact: Sean Reeves on 01590 644777 or 07966 449826.
sean@hwsolicitors.com

Deauville Diary – Week Five

2011-11-04T09:34:00.002Z

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Friday (Evening): Matt & Kayleigh joined my wife & I razor clam hunting on the beach tonight. I of course pretended that this was something I did all of the time. After much screaming and squirming (& and the girls weren’t much better) a catch of several razor clams was made. The technique required quick hands to grab the tubular blighters before they disappeared back into the sand, and quick reflexes to move aside for when they spat at you. Evening catch secured, it was straight back to the kitchen, in the pan with white wine, chorizo & shallots, and we soon had an unusual starter before dinner. We reckon they tasted a bit like squid, but not as chewy.

Saturday: Popped to local Brocante Market in next village, and resisted buying a stuffed ferret & doll with hole in her head. Then we were all off to Deauville’s Wine & Food Festival at the local racecourse. Wine producers were there from every corner of the country, but how you taste them all and still stand up I am not sure, but we gave it a try. The French certainly love to dress up in ornate velour costumes. If anyone produces a regional cheese, sausage, or anything really, they will have a society of some sort with colourful robes, chunky regalia and hand embroidered flags, and where better to dress up than at events such as this. Bought some foie gras pate, only £17 for two tins!, and some macaroon biscuits from a guy who had come from Marseilles at the opposite end of the country. Occasional bouts of homesickness are not unusual for people who have emigrated, but our equilibrium was restored tonight as we tucked into the emergency curry supplies that Matthew had bought with him.

Sunday: Up and off to Trouville Market for the girls to urgently buy some desperately needed boots to go with their twenty or so other pairs. Then we moved on to the Fish Market to treat ourselves to an enormous Turbot for tonight’s dinner. As my wife used her best French to ask for the monster to be trimmed and cleaned, ‘Le monger de fish’ was struggling to understand, much effort later he suddenly gestured and pulled his finger across his throat, calling out; ‘Ah, Marie Antoinette!”. Yep, he had got the message.

Having again had a car pull straight out in front of us from a side turning, Kayleigh noticed how the French drivers take a certain pride in carrying numerous battle scars on their cars. A quick game of ‘I Spy The Dents’ revealed about two in three cars in France have had the pleasure of meeting a fellow driver at close quarters. The undamaged ones were always less than a year old and it was only a matter of time before they joined in the traditional ‘let’s have a crash’ game.

Monday: Matthew discovered one of the new tyres he had bought before coming to France was flatter than the turbot from the night before. A quick inspection revealed a nail in the tyre wall. Not great news, but an expedition to find a new tyre was our next mission. Having conveniently found a ‘Monsieur Le Qwik Fit Fitter’ who spoke no English, we showed him the tyre. After much head & hand waving we established that it could not be repaired. So, our new Gallic friend set about finding us a new one. Tyre successfully sourced, he returned saying: “Mercredi ou Jeudi”. (Ah, ha…. Wednesday or Thursday. Matt & Kayleigh were going home Wednesday afternoon, so Wednesday morning would be fine.) I confidently replied: “Mercredi matin s'il vous plait”. Non,Mercredi ou Jeudi” was my new friends repost. “Oui. Mercredi matin”. Non,Mercredi ou Jeudi”. “Oui. Mercredi matin”. Non,Mercredi ou Jeudi”……..our conversation repeated around twelve times until my tripe eating friend got bored. Out came his iPhone, and using a translator app he showed me the text: ‘Wednesday or Thursday’. “Oui. Mercredi matin” I replied, … again. Back to the iPhone, ‘It will be here Wednesday or Thursday’ the text now read. Ah, it was a statement, not an option. As we said our goodbyes, my new friend tried to resist my kisses, but he was too slow. As we returned to the car, Matthew looked relieved said: “Did you see how much the tyre was?”., “Nope”. “It was 325€, more than twice of the price at home!”. A couple more attempts in vain to find a tyre and then Matthew reluctantly accepted his flash BMW would be travelling home on a silly looking spacesaver wheel.

By this point of course the ladies were bored, so we had to agree to go shopping (again!). One home accessories store and four supermarket visits later, we returned home for lunch, ladened with cases of wine, some housy stuff and assorted French food to continue the Francophile experience.

Tuesday: Yet another sunny day, and the town and beach is teaming with people, as tomorrow is a public holiday for All Saints' Day we reckon everyone has taken a long weekend to get in our way. Hard to believe the amount of people on the beach on a November day. We decided a crepe was in order, but we hadn’t accounted for the slowness of a French queue. Nearly giving up on several occasions, we showed the British stiff upper lip and demonstrated our endurance on behalf of the English people and eventually, (& with a slice of our lives’ missing), we all enjoyed hot crepe wandering along the seafront.

Made it to the casino at last tonight, after two aborted efforts. First time we had forgotten our passports, second time the casino was full of the ladies on slot machines and what looked like a school outing losing pots of daddy’s money on the gaming tables. It seems the young of Deauville use the casino as a meeting place on Sundays, rather than the more popular street corners used by kids in the UK. Ironically, on our third attempt, I wished we had forgotten our passports again, as this time we managed to get on the table and they took all my money. Kayleigh won a few quid though, so she was voted to buy the pizza for dinner!

Wednesday: We were all nearly killed this afternoon. To explain, as we wandered along the town centre pavement, two drivers heading towards each other from different directions decided their cars were insufficiently battle scarred to be truly French. There was an almighty crash, one car mounted the pavement right next to us and we only just escaped being hit by the debris, which included a large lump of alloy wheel. Why Matthew automatically took the stance of a ‘Ninja’ we are still not sure. As we stood with a mouth full of dust from the collision, we waited for the almighty shouting and arm waving session to follow. However, the drivers simply got out, admired the substantial mutual damage, shrugged and started chatting like old friends. Perhaps they were? In circumstances like this there was only one thing to do, act as a true Frenchman like myself would, .....so we went to lunch. Why the profiteroles did not come with a health warning I have no idea. It was literally the first time I have ever had a sweet that was served with a knife, fork and spoon! My wife got a migraine just looking at the chocolate and cream mountain of loveliness. (He, he..... worth every calorie). (See picture) Two hours later it was time to bid Matthew & Kayleigh a bon journeé back to the UK. It had been great having them around for a week, and we were really sad to see them go, thankfully, the skinny spacesaver wheel on the back of Matt’s car did raise an involuntary titter or two to lift my spirits.

Thursday: We were all strolling to the café for a ‘chocolat chaud’ when we past ‘La Mairie’ and I realised that I was still yet to meet the mayor. If he knew I was still in Deauville he would of course be thrilled to meet me, but as yet he did not know I was here. I knew he would be excited about my plans for Milford on Sea to twin with Deauville (and to have a big ceremony when dumping Cowes, their current ‘twin’.) if only I got the chance to explain to him. Before I could even reach to the door of La Mairie I heard a loud clash of metal as the door was firmly shut and bolted. A small voice could be heard calling: “Ferme, la grand anglais porc, ferme”. “Ahh, that’s nice” I said to my wife, “I think the mayor has asked to see me later for tea and some sausage rolls.” She just shrugged and just said something like; “Why me?”

As we once again rode the ‘Boulevard of Death’ back to our house, every turning had the opportunity for a random car to pull straight out to give us the dented bodywork of a traditional French car. Not to be disappointed, out came a white car with no warning straight in front of me. “Right, I’ve had enough, I’m going to stop him and tell him how to drive properly.” My wife just grinned as only she can, and said: “I can’t wait to see this.” “Why?”, “That is a police car” she smirked.

Friday: Early start to the day with yet another long dog walk on the beach. As each tide regresses about 150m, areas of beach are always full of thousands of empty ‘razor clam’ shells, and at low tide local fishermen can be seen catching what we think are either shrimps or mussels with their nets most evenings. Early morning and evening the racehorses train along the surfs edge, sometimes as many as a dozen or more at a time. There are also WW2 bunkers half sunken into the sands at the end of the beach, which must be at least a couple of miles long. The pill boxes are still in some of the gardens of the ornate beach front houses, and have been disguised and decorated to just become part of the landscape.

Another friend, Viv, arriving tonight. As she is a cheese fiend, we were off to the supermarket to restock, plenty of red wine and port would also be necessary. I then had a ‘baguette’ moment, firstly wondering how we ever lived without having at least one baguette every day, and then realised that ‘baguette’ was yet another words the French do not have their own word for.

www.deauville.org/en

Scam Warning

2011-11-03T09:57:00.000Z

We have received the warning below from one of our readers, always worth being aware:

I have today received a call from a company, purporting to be an accredited Microsoft Support Company, explaining that there were currently problems with my computer that Microsoft had asked them to correct – free of charge. This is a scam.

I was surprised to be contacted on my home number as all our professional computer work is done through our office in Lymington on another number, but they were very convincing stating that I was the named Licensee for the computer I was using, even giving my Milford on Sea address.

I played along for a while as they talked me through the process of getting further into my computer. At this point I was able to stop them by saying I would call them back as I had another call coming in.

It is likely that other people in the Milford area will receive such calls. Please warn them about these calls – they are a SCAM. The idea of the scam company is to infiltrate your computer and to download software to help effect the ‘supposed’ repairs. This downloaded software may also contain malware (virouses). Having identified all sorts of problems they will charge you through your credit card for carrying out repairs.

I have reported this call to Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.org.uk) 0300 123 2040 with the name and telephone number of the offending company. Action Fraud will now follow it through. Anyone who has already received a call of this nature should do the same thing. Also contact a reputable computer company to check their computer and remove any problems left as a result of this exercise.

Zozulenka Ukrainian Concert

2011-11-03T08:23:00.002Z

Have you even seen Ukrainian dancing?, nope, me neither. Well you will get your chance on Saturday the 19th November in All Saints’ Church Hall in Milford on Sea. An ensemble of young people from the Ukraine School of Arts will be giving people an experience of Ukrainian culture through song and dance. Entry is free and donations are welcome.

The concert by Zozulenka has been organised in conjunction with Hope Now, which is a charity based in Southampton with connections to Milford on Sea. The charities projects for this year include a feeding programme for the poor and a puppet ministry to visit schools and orphanages. Hope Now was founded in 1985 by Vic Jackopson. On his retirement last year, Jon Budgell, who lives in Milford on sea, took over and he will be travelling with the young performers on this UK tour between 11th Nov and 1st December. The members of Zozulenka will be staying with local families in and around the village, so if you bump into any of them why not say “Pryvit”. (Hello)

http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/
http://www.hopenow.org.uk/

The Raft Launch Party

2011-11-01T06:53:00.006Z

Milford on Sea's exciting new Bistro opens its doors for a Launch Party this Friday, 4th November 2011. The Raft will then open fully on the 11th November, when a few finishing touches are completed.

Formerly Belle Epoque Wine Bar, the new venue has now been refurbished and restyled, and Deny & Jan are looking forward to meeting you.

Come along from 6pm to see the transformation that has taken place behind the covered windows over the past few weeks, and please arrrive early to enjoy a complimentary welcome drink and some tasters from the new menu.

Everyone in Milford welcome.

----------------------------------
The Raft: 11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF | 01590 645300
theraftmos@yahoo.co.uk

Support Our Pre-School

2011-11-01T06:50:00.003Z

Our local Milford on Sea Pre-School is, as always, looking to raise some much needed funds. On 19th November, 11am to 2pm, they will be holding a Christmas Fair in All Saints’ Church Hall, where they hope to raise funds for up to four balance bikes & helmets.

The Fair will feature 16 local crafts people offering wooden toys, books and pickles, to jewelry, handbags and bath products. The children will also be making various soups using vegetables from our own growing garden and the mum’s will be making lots of yummy cakes for the home cooked refreshments! There will also be children’s workshops, a raffle and an early visit from Father Christmas.

So, if you can find the time, I know they would love your support by going along.

http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/

Enfants dans le Besoin Day

2011-10-29T07:11:00.001+01:00

England is soon to once again get involved with people doing worthy and silly things for ‘Children in Need’. Chatting to French friend, well I say ‘friend’, actually he was one of the dustmen that come every morning (I think, he thinks, I am Australian), I asked if they had ‘Children in Need’. “That’s run by the BBC vous Aussie imbecilé”; he said in poor French.

This gave me an idea, I would have an ‘Enfants dans le Besoin Day’. So next Friday, I am offering my new local community: Cricket Lessons, a talk on ‘Why it is Good to Eat Indian Food & Marmite’, and a Master Class on ‘How to Read Road Signs & Not Just Pull Out in Front of Me.’

I hear that back in the UK, Christina from Bon Appetit’s daughter, Maja, is raising funds for Children in Need. On Friday next, 4th November from 10.30am she will be on the village Green having a 'Bake a Difference Cake Sale’ until all her cakes have sold out! If you fancy popping along to either I am sure you will have a good time.

http://www.bonappetit-milford-on-sea.co.uk/

Deauville Diary – Week Four

2011-10-28T18:28:00.004+01:00

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Saturday: Another lovely sunny day, blue skies and the only chill in the air was my latent fear of when I would next upset my wife. Went to a charming brocante (antiques market) today, then lunch outside in a street-side café opposite the church. Bought a rather fetching new chair for the lounge. (See picture) On the way back we stopped on the beach to visit what had become our favourite ‘ice cream parlor’. I had my usual two ‘boules’, banane et café, my wife then took both me, and mon ami le ice cream seller, by surprise when she ordered a cone with two boules. Whether she had forgotten her sensible ‘you are what you eat’ head, or she was getting into the holiday spirit, who knows. Our evening meal involved a stroll up the beach to enjoy a French style tapas as we watched the sun go down over the expansive golden sands. Earned plenty of brownie points today, planning how to use them up right now.

Sunday: Watched my adoptive homeland narrowly lose in the Rugby World Cup Final, then was off to ‘Fete de la Coquille’ which is a festival celebrating Coquille St Jaques (Scallops) & fruits de mer, only the French eh! The event in Villers Sur Mer was enormous, with what must have been a couple of hundred stalls selling every food imaginable, people walking a miniature pig on a lead and scores of people wearing traditional dress and the regalia of their own particular food speciality. Got to meet ‘Claude the King of Scallops’, after we bumped into each other and I helped picked up his basket of shellfish delights. We had a nice chat about molluscs and I established that he did not know the Mayor of Deauville, or indeed speak any of my type of French. Crevettes, French bread and a bottle of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (Just €7!) for tea, delicious, - life is good. (Note to self: Give up smoking, packets are around €7 each and similar to home, could get lots of cases of Saint-Emilion for that.)

Monday: Called into ‘La Mairie’ again to see if I could arrange to meet the mayor today. This time it initially appeared that the receptionist spoke fluent French, however when she misunderstood my request that ‘I would like to talk to the mayor”, thinking I has said; “I would like to stalk the mayor” it became clear her French was not as good I thought. As she looked slightly panicked and was reaching for the phone, I felt like it might be a good time to leave.

Back on the seafront again for our daily evening walk on the beach with the dogs. (In fact the dogs are getting four beach walks a day, I think they are beginning to feel like camels, spending so much time on the sand.) Each early morning and early evening we can see stable lads in trotting racing carriages, and on thoroughbred racehorses from the local stables, training on the beach and running in the shallow lapping sea, quite a sight.

Later we took the dogs for a MacDonald’s. I know, - sacrilege! I do appreciate that the French like to dress their dogs, but I think my wife took it a bit too far this time.

Tuesday: Walking the dogs on the beach yet again, sun is shining and harmony is in the air. As we passed the beach bar we decided to take a seat on the beach veranda for a hot chocolate. “Do you fancy a crepé”; I lovingly asked my wife. “No thanks”; came the reply. Soon moi garcon was delivering our drinks and my ‘Crepé avec buerre caramel’. “That looks nice” my wife said. “Do you want one?”; “No thanks”. Two delicious bites into my crepé and I heard, “Can I have a bite”. Arrrgh!! For such a petite head, my wife has a massive mouth when eating my food. Why is it that when asked the answer is ‘No, I don’t want one”, - and then it is fine to just expect to eat mine! Why not just say “I won’t order one for myself, but I am more than happy to wind you up by eating most of yours - dear”. If I had wanted a fraction of a crepé, I would have ordered exactly that. Perhaps the calories don’t count if you do not order for yourself, or there is some sort of depraved satisfaction is seeing my devastating loss. Either way I end up with half of the crepé I was looking forward to. “I am going to order two next time”; I said. “That’s just greedy”; came the angelic reply.

Became a national hero this afternoon. To explain, I was waiting in the Hyper U Supermarket car park for my wife, (Yes, we were back at the supermarket again), who was now looking for a desperately needed hat and scarf (Yes, I know it was sunny) Anyway, I was approached by a harassed looking man, at first I did not understand what he was saying, then I realise he was talking in English. I should have immediately known he was English, as he & I were the only people wearing shorts in Northern France. It transpired that he had been shopping in the supermarket, leaving his wife and kids in the car. They in turn had put all the car lights on, played with the radio and other gadgets, leaving the battery totally flat. The man was in a foreign land needing a jump start, and your hero came to the rescue. After unsuccessfully searching around for a lot longer than necessary, my wife gave a huff, as only she can, and showed me in exaggerated movements how to open our car bonnet. Once the cars were aligned, we soon had his car fired up. Before he left, I asked him to call the mayor to let him know of my heroic actions. A quick treble French kiss and he was on his way ever grateful to have met such a noble fellow countryman. (When I say ‘French kiss’, I don’t mean ‘French kiss’ as the English know it, I mean ‘French kiss’ in the terms of on the cheeks. Face, that is.)

Wednesday: Went to Honfleur market this morning, ‘Are you sure it is on”; my wife asked. “Of course”; my confident reply. Naturally, it was not on today, so we sat outside a café and had hot chocolate and pastries, so got away with that one, apart from the ‘imbecilé’ comment under her breath of course. Beach busy this afternoon, as quite warm and it seems that it is half term for the kids. Why is it, if French people have a dog it has to fit in a handbag, or even better a small pocket. We would struggle to get our two in a set of extra large Louis Vuitton suitcases. The miniature chiens are really confusing our pair, they are convinced they are cats and just want to eat them. On returning to the seafront from our daily trip to le supermarché, I spotted about 100 people splashing in the sea further along the beach, ‘I get the urge to go and investigate what they are doing” I said. My wife was not so enthused; “I get the urge to insert this baguette where the sun doesn’t shine” she reposted. Charming. Anyway we have curry tonight so nothing can dampen my spirit. The French have of course never heard of Indian food, so we have had to improvise. We bought curry paste & mango chutney with us (learnt this from when we last emigrated), fortunately they do sell chicken breast, and pitta bread make a surprisingly good substitute for naan bread. Hoping for an *encore of another curry later in the week. (*There you go, another one the French don’t have their own word for.)

Thursday: Having the physique of Adonis, the voice of an angel and the irresistible charm of his father, Matthew, my son arrived today, along with Kayleigh, his girlfriend, who of course further enhances the brains and beauty of this duo. My wife often comments how alike we are. (Me and Matthew that is, not me & Kayleigh.) On our little afternoon guided tour we visited La Planche, and wandered amongst the beach huts with names of famous films stars on the fences. Deauville holds an annual Film Festival and records the names of featured actors for perpetuity, however I am not sure what film ‘Buzz Aldrin’ starred in. As Kayleigh read the names, a look of horror covered her face a split second after she said; “Why aren’t their names written in French.” “Please don’t put that in your blog”; she pleaded.” “Of course not”; I lied. Lobster again tonight, looks like it is going to be a good week.

Friday: Early start for visit to the D-Day Landing Beaches today. Pegasus Bridge, Juno, Sword, Gold, Omaha Beaches, Arromanches Mulberry Harbour, Long sur Mer Battery and the magnificent and serene American Cemetery. I don’t know how those guys did it, but what I do know is that I believe that every school child should be taken to the D-Day Beaches to get a true understanding of what happened to many from their grandfathers generation.

www.deauville.org/en

Aliens invaded Milford on Sea

2011-10-26T21:15:00.002+01:00

Whilst meandering through the web I came across an article on the ‘Milford Science Fiction Writers Conference’. This annual writers' workshop was founded in 1956, and held in Milford, Pennsylvania, where several Si-Fi writers – including one of its founders, Damon Knight had lived at various times. The success of Milford event was directly responsible for the setting up of the ‘Science Fiction Writers of America’. The conference group had a balance between beginner writers and more experienced professionals and they earned the nickname ‘Milford Mafia’.

Now this is where it gets interesting, founder member James Blish and his wife, J A Lawrence, moved to the UK, where they set up a UK ‘Milford Science Fiction Writers Conference’ in 1972, coincidentally the year in which the 'US Milford' was officially pronounced dead. The ‘Milford Science Fiction Writers Conference’ was then held until 1988, out of terminological nostalgia, at Milford on Sea in Hampshire each autumn. Thereafter it was held at Cheltenham (1989-1990) and Margate (1991 onwards).

If you see anything strange in the night skies, it may be a leftover from the eighties.

http://www.sfwa.org/

Cats & Cakes

2011-10-26T21:14:00.000+01:00

The Lymington Cat & Kitten Rescue charity shop, opposite The Smugglers Inn in 59 High Street, Milford on Sea has been open quite some time now, so it seemed a good time to find out a bit more about them.

The charity’s modest beginnings started in 1980 when founder Janette Frankland took in an odd moggy at her semi-detached home. “At first there were just one or two strays to look after and rehome,” Janette recalls. “Next there was a feral colony to trap near the Lymington ferry terminal – and it’s just grown and grown from there.” Today, Lymington Cat & Kitten Rescue is a major welfare mission whose remit extends across the New Forest and far beyond - in fact the unofficial catchment area is increasing all the time as other animal rescues and charities fall victim to recession or, sad to say, simply pass the buck.

The hub of the charity’s operations is the shelter, licensed for 50 cats, which has all but taken over Janette’s back garden. Over the years virtually every square foot has given way to immaculately-kept pens, runs and stores. Record numbers of cats and kittens have been brought in and cared for at the Lymington rescue - so much so that the shelter has been running at capacity for many months. The situation has become so acute that a number of helpers have been providing temporary accommodation for emergency cases in sheds, garages and even bedrooms until loving new homes can be found for these unfortunate felines.

Lymington Cat & Kitten Rescue gained formal charitable status in the 1990s and opened a shop in Pennington nine years ago. Last year, however, the need to generate extra revenue became acute and a second shop was opened in Milford at the premises formerly trading as Curtleas Fashions, opposite the Smugglers Inn. This shop has now been in business for nearly 15 months, and the staff - led, inevitably, by the indefatigable Janette - have been thrilled with the response from villagers and holidaymakers alike. The shop opens 10am-4pm daily except Wednesdays and Sundays and donations of good quality clothes, books and bric-a-brac are always gratefully received.

More immediately, donations of suitable items to sell at the Christmas Bazaar would be particularly welcomed - call Tonia on 01590 642921 and she will be pleased to arrange collection if necessary.

The charity certainly needs every penny it can raise as it approaches the end of the busiest and most challenging 12 months in its 31-year history.

The raise much needed funds volunteers for the charity are holding their Christmas Bazaar at Milford on Sea Community Centre on Saturday 12 November (10.30am-12.30pm). Organiser Tonia Williams and her team are promising a host of seasonal delights and bargains - from books and bric-a-brac to gifts and goodies. Home-made cakes, toys, jewellery and much more besides will be available, not forgetting a well-stocked tombola table and a raffle with some excellent prizes.

“The people of Milford are marvelous supporters of our charity shop at and we hope they will also turn out in numbers for our bazaar, our biggest single fundraising event of the year,” says Tonia.

http://www.lymicat.org/
http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/

Early Christmas in New Milton

2011-10-26T21:05:00.002+01:00

The New Milton Town Partnership launched a new event this year; The New Milton Crafts 2011 Series. The previous two fairs have been attended by an average of 1400 Visitors. Organise Alan Watson said “An indication of the success of events can be gauged by the demand for space by the Stallholders. The demand has far outstripped the capacity of The New Milton Memorial Centre in Whitefield Road which has over 70 Stalls, that we have had to add an additional venue. The second venue is the New Milton Community Association in Osborne Road, New Milton and over 60 Stalls will be located in that venue which is only 200 yards from the Memorial Centre.”

The final Event in the series; The Christmas Crafts and Gift Fair 2011 Fair is on Saturday 5th November opening at 10:30 am and close at 4:30 pm – so there should be ample time for you to get the Christmas Shopping underway well before the festive season. Refreshments will be available including Hot & Cold Snacks and Drinks. As well as plenty of ideas for Christmas Gifts, there will be Stalls offering Christmas decorations, bespoke house signs, objects made from driftwood collected along the coast, stained glass, household furnishings and pottery and wood gifts.

ww.newmiltoncrafts2011.co.uk

Cash Machines & Suits

2011-10-21T08:04:00.001+01:00

When HSBC decided they could no longer be bothered to provide a local bank branch in Milford on Sea some months ago, we always knew the ATM cash machine would only stay for a while after they left . Well it is still here, but for how much longer?

Ever enterprising, the Co-op now have a cash machine installed in the rear of their store, and Mark at The Village News, applied to have a 24 hour ATM cash machine installed in the front of his shop. All sounded a reasonable replacement for the anticipated lost cash dispensing service, and more importantly these actions would ensure that locals and visitors alike could easily get cash to spend in the village.

All was going well, Mark had surveyors call from HSBC bank to check his security and to look at structural reinforcement for the area around the intended cash machine. All was agreed and a planning application was then submitted.

Guess what, the suits have now scuppered the plan. Apparently, the planning application for the cash machine in The Village News has been rejected by the NFDC on the grounds that it offends the aesthetics of the shop front and village. Not being rude, but have you seen the front of Mark's shop, and the sixties style shop front gloriously painted with the dye from over 10,000 bananas. It is simply a newsagents shop, a fine type of newsagents shop indeed, but and a far as my research could tell neither Christopher Wren, nor Norman Foster had a hand in the architectural design. It was also considered the cash machine location would be dangerous due to the footpath width, the concern being that people would dive directly in front of oncoming traffic should someone be using it.

Firstly, if there was a cash machine outside HSBC, how can effectively moving the service 50 yards affect the village aesthetics any differently? Also, do they have any comprehension the impact of not being able to get hold of cash will have on our village economy. Our Parish Council recommended permission and confirmed the village needs an ATM. Unfortunately their comment that they “do have concerns that the cash machine may not look very attractive’ may have inadvertently given the council support for their refusal.

Of course the Coop's effort is to be applauded and it does provide an useful in-store mini cash facility for us all The only problem is, it is only available during opening hours and being small, it is likely to run out of cash in times of high usage, with refilling taking a day or two.

On reading the Planning Application refusal on the NFDC website I was comforted to discover that; “In coming to this recommendation, consideration has been given to the rights set out in Article 8 (Right to respect for private and family life) and Article 1 of the First Protocol (Right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions) of the European Convention on Human Rights.” That’s good then. A bit of a shame that one of the NFDC’s planning criteria isn’t ‘Will this help struggling small village businesses in a difficult economic time’.

Ironically, this is the same planning department who approved the irrelevant monster signs on the seafront, and at some stage thought approving change of use from shops to housing was a good idea. As a result we now have a High Street split in two.

Mark is now speaking to HSBC to see if anything can be done under appeal. Things get quite confusing at my age, as it was only a few months ago that I was lambasting HSBC for leaving, and now I am on their side in getting the ATM into The Village News. Life’s twists and turns always keep me amused.

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If you have any views you would like to express, please feel free to post a comment below.

Deauville Diary – Week Three

2011-10-21T08:00:00.003+01:00

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Sunday: After the gang arrived the night before we all slowly arose with mild hangovers. Bouncing down the stairs, Joy told me that she had baked one of her famous Victoria Sponges for my wife and I, just as I was about to say ‘thank you’, she exclaimed; “But we’ve eaten it, it looked nicer than what was available in the motorway services.” Mum, Pete, my brother & Nic, moi sister in law and two good friends, Gary & Joy fancied seeing a French Market today, so off we set in a two car convoy to the adjoining town, Trouville. Being awash with people and cars, I got out to look for a space as our UK convoy queued for the car park. On my return, no convoy. Easy, I thought, I will call them - No phone. I’ll go and have a coffee then - No wallet. Half an hour later a bemused Englishman called Gary arrived saying; “I didn’t realise you had got out of the car.” Eventually, we all parked and went to explore Trouville’s large riverside market. An explosion of colour and sound with a traditional carousel, clothes stalls and food galore greeted us. Sausages and cold meats of every description, most I suspect filled with gizzards, tripe or random offal, all things that the French seem to delight in devouring. There was even a stall selling live hermit crabs with multicoloured hand-painted shells. (See picture) Cider and Calvados was of course plentiful and a trip to the crepe and ‘fondante au pomme’ stall was delicious.

Trouville is also famous for its Fish Market so we decided to have fresh fish for dinner. Crevettes Rose cocktail for a starter, followed by a double fish course of sole and gurnard wrapped in Parma ham, all served with sautéed potatoes, shallots and fresh vegetables. Peter cooked, as he has skills in the kitchen that would suit a fine restaurant. His nickname of ‘Perfect Pete’ is irritatingly well founded. We rounded off the evening by once again drinking too much. It was during this time that I made a fateful mistake in informing everyone that the French do not have their own word for ‘carousel’. I then gave some other examples; ‘boutique’, ‘café’, ‘baguette’ etc. Little did I know how this would haunt me over the coming days! I then suggested we turn on the ‘French language only’ TV we have, but no-one seemed enthusiastic about my offer to translate each programme for them. At one stage someone did mention Peter’s guitar, but fortunately I moved swiftly enough to change the subject, - drinking seemed the correct and main objective of the night.

Monday: Up early, I wanted to greet everyone with ‘Good Morning’ in French, but they do not have such a saying. So, it was simply, bonjour, then French stuff for breakfast, before a whistle-stop tour of the towns sites. This was followed by a hot chocolate whilst people watching outside a café in the town square. The weather was perfect as I guided my entourage to the Deauville-La Touques Racecourse for an afternoon of horse racing. On arriving, everything seemed a bit quiet, and once inside there was not a horse in sight. Ah, wrong racecourse. With all of the composure of ‘Brendan from Coach Trip’ I gathered my un-amused group and redirected them a mile or so down the road. Entry was free to Deauville Clairefontaine Racecourse and there were actually horses there. The course is famed for its flowers and even in October the quaint buildings and beds were bedecked with triumphant colour. We did consider betting, but even this was too confusing for a Francophile such as myself. No worries, the afternoon’s ambience was perfect entertainment alone.

Tonight was Gary’s turn to cook, and being a retired fireman he prepared enough tasty food for a watch of twenty hulking firefighters. As the evening got late we were catching up with stories about family, distant relatives and long-time friends, which if overheard would have sounded more like an episode of the Jeremy Kyle Show. Mum then grinned and told a story about a school friend we had, that none of us could remember, who had been abducted by the Moonies. As the drink flowed, life became even more surreal, when our guests then decided to play a game of ‘Words the French don’t have their own word for’. The resulting sentence; “We watched the Grand prix, then went to the boutique to buy some lingerie and a basque which will be ideal for using for burlesque, oh la la! As we entered the restaurant, run by a local entrepreneur, and just down the boulevard in a cul de sac, the sommelier offered us champagne and the hors d'oeuvres and amuse-bouche were accompanied by a linen serviette. We were then given the la carte menu which had desserts like; meringue, eclairs, gateaux or flambé bananas, with petit fours followed by liqueur. The maitre d, whose name was Philippe Flop, was wearing a cravat and was from Bordeaux. He had previously worked in a bistro next to a menagerie, which had specialised in croissant with mayonnaise, vol-au-vents, and quiche with mange tout. Philippe proved to be a bit of a raconteur, as he told how his sister had once had a liaison in a hairdressing salon with Danny La Rue……...”, I simply stood on the balcony and threatened to jump unless they stopped! As things returned to a sort of normal, in turn, each of our party swivelled to looked at the framed object in the room. My brother then said; “I wonder what the French call a French Door, … or a French kiss,… or a French letter.” I was soon on the balcony again.

Tuesday: Empty house again after guest departed following breakfast, - spent rest of day recovering.

Wednesday: Called to introduce myself to the Mayor, but receptionist at ‘La Mairie’ pretended she did not understand my French. I decided to come back when someone who spoke proper French was on duty.

Thursday: On one of our many daily beach strolls whilst walking the dogs, we today met a couple walking a fine Newfoundland. As the dogs greeted each other, in a way only dogs can, I stopped and chatted to the owners. “Le bon chien, et le grande chien” I commented. ‘Oui, merci monsieur” they replied. Obviously they wanted to chat with a fellow French person, so we then went on to have more in-depth conversation. I was a bit surprised to find out they had not heard of Charles Aznavour. Even when I sang the first four verses of ‘She’, it did not shift their memory. As they left, they wished us both ‘au revoir’, mounted their Newfoundland and rode off into the sunset, only pausing to give my wife a sympathetic smile. Meandering our way across the sand my wife told me how impressed she was with me. Sometimes she gets the words ‘embarrassed’ and ‘impressed’ mixed up, but I knew she was right this time. “What do you think you said at the end?” my wife sweetly enquired, ‘I told them our dinner was in the oven.” “You do realise” she growled; “You actually just told that couple something like ‘We must go now as I have locked my grandmother in the fridge’.” One deft kick of my heals with a pair of size 5 ladies walking boots and my face was flat in the sand.

Friday: Went to get more baguettes, now eating three two footers a day.

www.deauville.org/en

Fred Dine(age)s at Verveine

2011-10-20T12:37:00.001+01:00

A little bird spotted Fred Dineage (MBE) and his lovely wife dining at Verveine last Saturday lunchtime. Fred is of course one of the longest-serving broadcasters on ITV. He was the front man for the coverage of two Olympic Games, and today of course is the main host of Meridian Tonight.

Many of us will remember Fred from when he presented 'HOW?', the longest- running children's programme on TV. Fred was a host from 1966 to 1981, and responsible for me learning numerous, and mostly useless facts, during my childhood.

Quick Quiz: Do you remember the names of the other hosts on ‘HOW?’ (Answers below)

My guess is Fred was attracted to Milford on Sea, on hearing that Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant was the winner of both the Hampshire Life ‘Restaurant of the Year’, and by David Wykes being the ‘Chef of the Year.’

Ironically, last weekend David had a bit of a drama and was rushed into hospital with a septic hernia. Following his operation I sent Dave a text; "Septic Hernia? Didn't I see you reading a recipe for that last week." Sadly, I am unable to print his reply. During David's recupperation, Stacey had to step in to head up the kitchen for a number of sittings, and she still managed to get a five star rating from a diner on Trip Advisor.

Anyway, back to Fred. I wonder if when Jackie told him that Verveine make their own corned beef, wouldn’t it have been lovely if Fred had simply replied: “HOW?”

http://www.verveine.co.uk/
www.itv.com/meridian-west/meettheteam

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Quick Quiz Answer: Jack Hargreaves, Bunty James, Jon Miller & Fred Dineage.

All change at Belle Epoque

2011-10-20T12:20:00.002+01:00

As you may have spotted, changes are afoot at Belle Epoque in Milford on Sea. The old wine bar is currently undergoing a transformation into a Bistro which we understand will include pizza as part of the menu. We are currently contacting the new restaurateurs to get the full the inside story.

The new Milford on Sea eatery we are guessing will be called The Raft, and plans to open in the next couple of weeks. They are looking for a chef and waiting/bar staff, so if you or anyone you know are interested please give Clemie a call on: 01590 645300 or 07837 630020.

When Mike originally opened Belle Epoque a couple of years ago it was immediately clear that Mike was certainly going to do things his own way. Mike’s quirky wine bar soon became popular, and the eclectic mix of furniture and decoration was an experience in itself. Added to this, the extraordinary wine and food prices were another example of Mike’s maverick approach. We suspect the business was never about making money, but just having a good time. A visit to Belle Epoque was certainly always an experience, and we are looking forward to a new experience when the doors reopen under new management soon. We are not sure what Mike’s future plans are, but whatever he chooses, we wish him well.

This new addition to the dining scene in Milford on Sea, is yet another step towards our village becoming the hottest ‘Foodie Destination’ on the coast. Let’s keep eating I say!

----------------------------------------------------

One of our readers & Belle Epqoue customer, Marguerite Willcox, sent in this little ditty (I think we may have our very own Milford on Sea Poet Laureate here)

So farewell then, Belle Epoque!
Your guv'nor was whacky
But he kept a decent stock.
You were a good place to go
For a sup and a talk
And you were fondly known as
Belly Pork.......

New website for Bon Appetit

2011-10-20T12:17:00.001+01:00

Our local Milford on Sea village creperie, Bon Appetit, has launched a new website. Being almost French now, I am able to fully appreciated the delight of the sweet or savoury crepes that Christina offers. The tasty filled baguettes could be from a fine Deauville boulangerie and the fresh English breakfasts and homemade British cakes are worth a visit alone.

In my travel’s I have discovered that the French do not have their own word for ‘creperie’, strange that.

If you would like to take a look at Bon Appetit’s new website, here is the link:

http://www.bonappetit-milford-on-sea.co.uk/

Parishioner support in difficult times

2011-10-20T12:15:00.000+01:00

If you, or a member of your family, a friend or neighbour or someone you know in the parish needs financial help to get through a difficulty then you may wish to contact Milford United Charities. They are able to offer financial support on a once-off basis to those people who live within the ecclesiastical parish of Milford on Sea, and who need financial help to further their education or training or who face an unexpected financial demand to respond to a personal emergency.

This village charity has supported the development of individuals within the parish of Milford on Sea for over one hundred years. (Since 1906). The Welfare State has in many cases now stepped in to replace their endeavours, however there remain a number of exceptional circumstances in which they are still able to play a positive role.

In recent years they have contributed towards educational and vocational course fees, travel costs to college and exceptional costs to visit sick relatives.

If you feel that your, or anyone you knows circumstances may be helped by support from Milford United Charities please contact one of the Trustees below:

Christopher Beeton: 01590 644609
Rev Dominic Furness: 01590 643289
David Newnham: 01590 674288
Christopher Sanders: 01590 644844

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Milford United Charities (Charity Commission Registered Number 234709)

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

2011-10-20T12:05:00.003+01:00

The Milford on Sea Village Community Committee are in the process of planning village celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on Saturday 2nd June 2012.

The Village Hall and Green have already been booked, and a Children’s Tea Party is the first event to have been penciled in. Plenty more information on the celebrations will follow, but for now it might be worth putting the 2nd June in your diary for a fun day out.

Keep your thatch safe

2011-10-20T12:02:00.002+01:00

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has developed Thatch Information Pack for fire safety. Whilst the information pack does not appear to include specific fire safety information for gentlemen with wigs, on reading their advice it looks like the same principles apply.

There are over 800 thatched properties in the New Forest and as winter fast approaches Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging owners and occupants of thatched properties to take extra care before the colder weather arrives to reduce the risk of fire. Our parish has 8 or 9 thatched buildings, so the information may be useful for them.

To read the full information pack please visit:

http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/yoursafety/athome/thatchfires/thatchinformation.htm

Deauville Diary – Week Two

2011-10-14T08:15:00.005+01:00

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Sunday: My birthday! – and my wife has to be nice to me for one day. We had whole lobster in restaurant, for only £26! Amusingly, I asked if it was French lobster (I asked the waiter, not the lobster) and he said “Non, no one can afford to buy French lobsters!”

Click image to enlarge

Monday: Expecting our first guests, Tim (my wife’s Dad) and Eddie (Tim’s biker friend), we set off on a trip to the supermarket to get some food in, I was loitering & drooling around the patisserie when I was attacked like a deranged Legionnaire by my wife. “You don’t want any of that!” she exclaimed. I quickly replied; “I was looking for something for your Dad.” Top move on my part, and I was spared further pain when she replied; “Oh, that’s OK then, get him something nice.” What a Daddy’s girl!

Tim and Eddie arrived, it had been a good day for a motorcycle ride, only rained most of the way. Both were previously ‘CHIPS Style’ motorbike cops, so they had enthusiastically accepted the invitation to inspect the French road laws. Swathed in leather and looking severely bedraggled, they pulled into the drive. Not sure what the neighbours made of the two monster bikes with leather clad riders dismounting, but thankfully neither of them had their formerly large moustaches from the seventies and it wasn’t ‘Gay Pride Week’ in Deauville.

Tuesday-Wednesday: As the guys regularly do road trips, they have become a cross between a perfect married couple and The Chuckle Brothers. The boys spent their days with us exploring and playing on the ‘D-Day Beaches, as well as discovering unexpected parts of Normandy. Each evening they meticulously planned their routes, calculated journey times and discussed what to eat and where. Then, on leaving our drive promptly got lost each day.

Thursday: Before the guys set off for home the next day we decided to have a meal out in one of the many local restaurants. Eddie’s meal of ‘langoustines’ arrived, the giant prawns looked quite plump and ever so slightly vicious. Alongside Eddie’s plate the waiter had left a sachet with an image of a large lemon on. As we all tucked in, Eddie opened the sachet and started squeezing the wet wipe with what he thought was lemon juice for his prawns. My wife and her dad sat dumbstruck, and knowing it would be impolite to laugh, I simply exploded into a fit of giggles falling to the floor and writhing about uncontrollably. So as not to embarrass our guest, I quickly pretended I had just recalled a joke I had heard this morning about Paul McCartney’s first row with his new wife, apparently she is spending twice as much on shoes as his last wife.

Friday: Finished third book and twentieth baguette. Mum, brother & sister in law and two good friends arriving tomorrow. This is sure to be traumatic, hope Peter hasn’t bought his guitar!

www.deauville.org/en

New additions at Braxton Gardens

2011-10-14T08:10:00.001+01:00

Since reopening Braxton Gardens in Milford on Sea during May 2011 Simon and Sarah Relph’s plans are going from strength to strength. The tea room, run by Sarah, has been renamed Muffins Galore!, and now serve homemade muffins, cream teas, plain, fruit & gluten free scones and light lunches. The latest addition is the covered canopy area with a log burner, which is now a cosy place to enjoy tea and lunch in the colder months.

The gardens themselves have now been transformed to a level of tranquility and beauty. The gardens are constantly being tended and nurtured by Simon, with a new vegetable corner with carrots, beans, rocket and lettuce growing and the new herb corner which has been planted with rosemary, angelica, mint and calendula to name a few. There are three mature fruit trees at Braxton situated in the walled garden. A Mulberry, a Fig and a Quince which we have made jam from available in the shop adjacent to the kitchen.

As well as the perfectly striped lawns there is a lily pool to explore, where the fish are illusive (but there!), Braxton’s retail nursery is now open where you can purchase your herbs for your herb garden, herbaceous perennials grown from Braxton’s mother plants and your favourite David Austin Roses.

Braxton Gardens are now open Tuesday to Sunday all year round, why not pop down and take in the ‘new look’?

Braxton Gardens, Lymore Lane, Milford on-Sea, SO41 0TX
http://www.atbraxtongardens.com/
hello@atbraxtongardens.com
Tel: 01590 643601

Match your colours

2011-10-14T08:07:00.000+01:00

Louise Stewart Gillespie-Smith (Daughter of Stewart Gillespie-Smith, Assistant Warden at All Saints’ Church) has just moved into Milford on Sea from London for a few months. For the past 7 years, Louise has run her own image consultant business in London where she gives people advice on the most flattering colours and styles of clothing for them to wear to look their best and feel good about themselves. She has also worked with Gok Wan, the TV stylist on her career travels. Also a qualified life coach, enables Louise to combine her coaching skills to help people feel good about themselves and raise their self confidence.

Louise is happy to provide her services to anyone locally whilst she is in the village, so if you are interested you can contact her below:

louise@createyourself.co.uk
http://www.createyourself.co.uk/

Deauville Diary – Week One

2011-10-07T22:42:00.004+01:00

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Week one of our emigration has passed with little trauma or dramatic incident. I suspect that has something to do with the fact that my wife has spent most of it sleeping and dribbling. At the same time I have been enchanting many a shop assistant with my version of their language. Indeed I now look so French that on Tuesday a driver pulled over to ask me directions, as a local I of course immediately gave him the help he needed, but for some reason he seemed a lot more confused as he drove off.

Yesterday we ventured out to a local bistro (That’s French for Café) imagine my relief when I said to my wife; “What would you like my petit pois?” and she lovingly replied; “moules et frites vous grande porc.” Phew, I had been having cold sweat that she might choose the ‘sole meuniere’ on the menu at £46, yes, forty six of your English pounds! Reckon I could get two for that price at Verveine. At lunch today we nearly made the mistake for ordering ‘bulot mayonnaise’, luckily I recognised the waiter’s mime identifying ‘sea snails’ before my English wife placed her order. What would she do without me? It looks like eating out is going to be an adventure in itself, that’s if we can continue to afford it!

www.deauville.org/en

New Owners at Bay Trees

2011-10-07T22:30:00.000+01:00

Mark and Sarah Clayson are the proud new owners of the Milford on Sea’s Alastair Sawday Listed 4 Gold Star Bed & Breakfast, The Bay Trees. They moved into the village in early August from Adderbury, a village 3 miles south of Banbury in Oxfordshire.

Mark and Sarah had stayed at The Bay Trees a while ago and when they discovered it was for sale they say they felt they just had to buy it! The lovely house and garden was too good an opportunity to miss.

This meant that in addition to selling their cottage in Adderbury, Mark had to sell his computer consultancy business and Sarah had to leave the local authority, with whom she had worked for over 12 years.

For Sarah it is almost a return home – she was born in Lymington and her Grand Parents had lived in Barton on Sea and Brockenhurst. Mark also knows the area well from many family holidays spent in the New Forest, Bournemouth and Sandbanks.

Prior to this change of career, Sarah had been managing Oxfordshire County Council’s Adoption Service and Mark had been running his own Computer Consultancy business for 17 years. As a graduate of Westminster Hotel School Mark had previously spent 20 years in Hospitality Industry management with major hotel companies including Trust Houses Forte, Strand Hotels and Grand Metropolitan.

With Sarah’s skills and love of cooking and Marks hospitality and tourism experience they are confident that they can build on The Bay Trees excellent reputation and look forward to joining the local community.

http://www.baytreebedandbreakfast.co.uk/
01590 642186

No 20% Off for me at Zaika

2011-10-07T22:24:00.003+01:00

I normally avoid putting special offers, or upcoming events, in this news section, as I would be inundated with typing, which in turn would restrict the time I need to irritate my wife. However, on this occasion I have made an exception, as 20% off the food bill for all tables of 4 or more at Zaika Indian Restaurant in Milford on Sea throughout the whole of October, sounds a great deal for you local people.

Now, I do like Kalam, and I know his chef and kitchen team produce great Indian food. However, I think his sense of humour is a bit weird. Why is he choosing to run this offer whilst I have emigrated to La France?!

If you would like to see the other current dining offers currently available in the village, please click here.

For the latest village events please just go to:
http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/

Bench blockade

2011-10-07T22:21:00.001+01:00

One of our intrepid unrewarded, yet enthusiastic reporters has spotted something quite odd. A rustic bench has appeared at the bottom of the footpath leading from Keyhaven Road (opposite Carrington Lane) to Sturt Pond. On an evening dog walk up the Sturt Pond footpath it wasn't there, the next morning, it was, and with traffic cones around it (whilst the cement to hold it in the ground dried off no doubt). Then the cones went and the bench remained, right across the bulk of the entrance to the footpath. She thought someone had done it as a joke, but as is often the case, fact is far weirder than fiction.

Of course benches are pleasant places to sit and while away the time, but I have not come across many that pretty much act as a blockade to an entire footpath. A bit of luck the kids are all grown up, I wouldn’t fancy my chances of getting a pram down there. Just a thought, the bench could really do with a table, and perhaps a matching partner facing it on the road. Would be great for picnic then.

I do however see a great opportunity for people like myself. Keeping fit is a bit of a challenge, but a swift run up, and the bench can become a great hurdle to jump. Indeed for the less able, they can simply stand on the seat and jump over the back.

Your very own village ‘Inspector Clueso’ would welcome any more information, or ridiculous comments, so if you have any thoughts please post them below.

Cash raised for Macmillan

2011-10-07T22:17:00.000+01:00

A lot of scrummy home-made cakes were produced by ladies of the Milford Tennis & Squash Club for the recent Macmillan World's Biggest coffee morning event when just over £300 was raised. Apparently, the local Advertiser & Times when there might well be a photograph of the helpers and some of the club members. Anthony at Sullivan Mitchell was also able to raise around £100 from his coffee morning visitors.

I know a number of other events took place across the village and we hope they had equal success and a good time.

Reading Challenge winner announced

2011-10-07T22:15:00.000+01:00

Our friendly Milford on Sea library, have announced the winners of The Circus Stars Summer Reading Challenge Prize Draw. Our congratulations go to: Alex Harmer-Manning (Age 4 -7) and Simeon Hellsten (Age 8 – 11) . Well done guys!

I did pop along to claim a prize for myself, but apparently I was told politely, that being able to read almost fluently at 55 does not get you any awards.

Library Changes: Information about the proposals for changes to Hampshire's Library provision is now available in the Library. Please pop in and see how your library is affected.

Milford on Sea Library is open:

Monday 2.30pm - 5.30pm | Tuesday 2.30pm - 4.30pm | Wednesday 10am - 12.30pm | Friday 10am - 12.30pm

www.hants.gov.uk/library

JW Opening Party

2011-10-07T22:12:00.001+01:00

JW Health & Holistic held their Official Launch Party last Thursday in the renovated ‘Old Bank’ in the lower High Street, Milford on Sea. The event was hosted by new owner Jane Watkins and her husband Ian, and was attended by around 50 of the great and good of Milford on Sea!

The weather could well be described as “scorchio”, forcing the party to overspill outside into the street. We hear guests enjoyed plenty of bubbly, bucks fizz and more, while having personal tours of the extensive facilities. In addition, demonstrations were available of hot stone therapy, Indian Head Massage, hair care and of course the Dermalife Spa Capsule, which is the only one in the region. Apparently, power plate taster sessions were booked solid, what ever they are?

The canapés were provided by La Perle, and to Priory Wines of Lymington came along with the champagne, Although I am not sure these are available every time you visit..

You can see photos from the event at: www.facebook.com/jwmilford

http://www.jw-milford.com/
01590 642057

Renal service for visitors

2011-10-07T22:03:00.001+01:00

Visitors and holiday makers to Milford on Sea in need of holiday dialysis may be interested to know that Renal Services are available at Milford on Sea War Memorial Hospital. There are only a few places in UK which provide holiday dialysis so renal patients do not have a big choice of holiday destinations. They have to choose a place close to a renal unit.

To find out more please visit: http://www.renalservices.com/

Or contact: Marlena Mandat at mm@renalservices.com or call 077 6080 0932.

Allegro shine at The Marine

2011-10-07T21:59:00.006+01:00

The Marine in Milford on Sea had a bevy of local talent performing for charity on Saturday night. The charity band ‘Allegro’, a contemporary Quartet headed by Jo Vesey, together with Christine Mulgrew, Musical Director of the Total Voice Choir, performed for a full house. The event was hosted by Richard and Sue, and was organised to raise money for the Children's ‘Piam Brown’ Leukemia Ward at the Southampton General Hospital.

Jo Vezey is the daughter of Keith Metcalf (our Parish Clerk and Milford Wildlife Recording Group Coordinator) and she formed ‘Allegro’ as a registered charity, following the passing of her mother. The quartet also includes Andie Fry, Jo Davies and Pam Travis, and they entertain whilst raising money for good causes. They were also joined on Saturday night by Jo Vezey`s daughter, Emily, not yet 13 until December, who is a member of the Total Voice children's choir, and gave a first class solo performance. Also supporting the “Allegro” Quartet, was Peter Hill singer, and Glyn Jones on keyboard, both from the band ’Bogart’.

Mike tells us that the people attending, also enjoyed a selection from The Marine cafe menu and also a most entertaining evening.

Our unofficial blog photographer, Mike Collison, grabbed some photos of the night, if you would like to see them please click here.

Deauville Diary – Day One

2011-10-03T06:25:00.008+01:00

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Well we arrived this afternoon, weather is over 30 degrees - in October! I just love global warming! One hundred and eighty miles from channel tunnel, great motorways, but…. I had forgotten, you are in the air most of the time! Giant viaduct, after giant viaduct…. never a problem in the past, but vertigo has now appeared from somewhere to make my life a little more complicated. Just before Deauville we had to cross ‘Le Pont de Normandie’, the world's longest cable-stayed bridge when built in 1995, as we turned the corner an enormous steel edifice arose from the riverbed, not content with being high, some comedian had decided to also make it curved! As the cold sweat appeared, I hung on and drove on, up and up and round! My relief at landing on the other side was short lived, as my wife said with a giggle, “You do know that was only the ‘Pont sur le Grand Canal du Havre’ don’t you.” “Oh joy” was the only reply I could muster whilst I tried to breathe properly again. My wife’s extreme sympathy continued as we approached the next monster. She just gawped and exploded “Ahh, look at the height of that!” If she ever considered a career in nursing, someone would have to tell her it might not be the best vocation for her. Trying as ever to block her out, we arrived on the bridge, I grabbed the steering wheel with white knuckles, stared at the road and struggled to make sure I didn’t wet myself. Still not quite understanding what vertigo is, she helpfully cried; “Those boats look so tiny.” The ‘not wetting yourself’ plan was not going so well.

When we arrived in Deauville the first thing we did was buy baguette, cheese & vin rouge for tonight’s tea. Then, an almost romantic walk on the sun-kissed sandy beach. It was packed with the young, tanned and fit, and I was pleased that I had packed my thong and remembered to have a full body wax in the village before setting off.

A delightful evening was all going well as I engrossed myself in Boris Johnson’s book, and it is so hot we had all windows & doors open giving a cool breeze, - life doesn't get any better than this.

Spoke to soon, a daddy long legs has just come through the window, my wife is now screaming like a banshee, as if a tyrannosaurus has smashed through the wall looking to eat the noisiest person in the room - and now I have to remove the innocent insect or suffer a perforated ear drum. Must go now, major crisis to deal with, and sure gendarmerie are probably on the way.

Your editor is emigrating!

2011-10-01T08:35:00.001+01:00

Well we are all packed, the car is loaded with curry sauces and associated essentials, my wife’s in the boot, dogs in the front, and we are now emigrating to France.

Leaving Milford on Sea will not be easy, but the delights of Deauville on the Cote de Fleurie are also hard to resist. Having emigrated there once before we are excited about our latest adventure. Our new French seafront home now awaits, and I suspect we may arrive to a surprise civic reception, street party and many kisses from the mayor.

Unfortunately for you, the wonders of e-mail and the internet will keep us in touch and the Milford on Sea News Bulletin will continue, although it may be a little less frequent and have a slightly French flavour. Should anyone have any problems when I inadvertently drop my ramblings into French, I am sure Lionel at La Perle will be happy to translate for you.

Our regular readers will know that I need no improvement to my French language skills and etiquette, as these were perfected on our last emigration to France. Whilst I am rarely understood by the French people I meet, or generally accost, I suspect this can only be a regional accent issue. Indeed, once attired with a beret and hooped tee shirt I am often mistaken for a native Frenchman. Mon épouse continues to insist that six weeks in France is not ‘emigration’ but simply a ‘ridiculously long holiday’, but I think she is technically incorrect. She also insists that wearing a beret and drinking Pastis every day does not mean that I will become half French. However my penchant for baguette, cheese & French wine (particularly wine) I think proves that I am indeed nearly French already. I have already enquired how long it will take for us to become French citizens, so next time you see me I will be eligible for a starring role in Les Miserables.

Au revoir mes amis.

click image to enlarge

Billy in France

2011-10-01T08:28:00.002+01:00

Just thought, when we get to France we will have no friends, so I will be ‘Billy No Mates’ with only my wife and dogs providing occasional conversation. I shall of course be regularly conversing fluently with my new gallic neighbours, but it’s not the same as the ridiculous conversations I get involved with in Milford on Sea.

Anyway, as I shall be keeping in touch with absent friends through the ‘News Bulletin’, it occurred to me that lots of people in the village still do not get a copy. This may be because they understandably avoid me, or perhaps they don’t know about. So, this is where you come in please. Your lonely ‘temporary Frenchman’ would really appreciate if you could send the two links below to all of your friends and ~~force~~ ask them all to sign up to receive the Newsletter. Then if anyone responds, I can sit looking overlooking The English Channel musing about home, and the new people who will be wondering why I bother to write such nonsense!

www.milfordonsenews.org

www.milfordonsea.org/join-us

Bob on his bike!

2011-10-01T08:25:00.002+01:00

There is likely to be quite a few guys out there who remember Bob Wilson, the ex: Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper, and former Match of the Day host.

He retired some years ago, and since then he has been dedicated to a charity he set up: ‘The Willow Foundation’. This is the only charity of its kind providing special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds throughout the UK.

Next Wednesday (5th October) Bob will be arriving at Milford on Sea in connection with a film being made about his recent charity bike ride. Bob will be stopping to have a coffee and chat at The Marine on the seafront for about half an hour. Bob is scheduled to be there around 3.30pm, so just pop along if you fancy meeting him.

www.bobwilsonsoccercycle.com/wp/the-challenge

www.willowfoundation.org.uk
www.themarinerestaurant.co.uk

James Bond in Milford?

2011-10-01T08:01:00.000+01:00

In the never ending excitement that is Milford on Sea, another mystery has raised its head. An observant reader noticed some strange activity from the seafront yesterday. The strange happenings involved a helicopter, which appeared to be chasing several speed boats in turn.

Perhaps we have a James Bond adventure being filmed in the village? On that basis, I think she may have suspected it was me in the speed boat, due to my chiselled looks, sharp dress sense and secret agent characteristics, but it wasn’t, because I was following the detailed instructions given by my wife on how I should pack a suitcase. This had directly followed her sweetly telling me; ”I don’t care how incompetent you are at packing, I’m not doing it for you.”

As I have now been eliminated from the enquiries, someone else must have been involved. If you have any ideas, please drop them in the comments section below.

The Ladies Lunch at La Perle

2011-10-01T07:56:00.004+01:00

‘The Ladies Who Lunch’ have made a visit to La Perle French restaurant in the High Street, Milford on Sea. Over the years ‘The Ladies’ have visited, and reviewed hundreds of restaurants across Hampshire. Set up by four friends, they decided to create a fun website about their favourite occupation, lunching together.

As they enthusiastically set about their dedication to such an arduous commitment, they tucked into a mixture of delights from the ‘La Perle £10 lunch deal’ and the ‘daily specials board’. They obviously had a good time, as they ordered an additional bottle of wine to add to the free glass of wine already included in the meals. I am sure it was the food, not the additional wine that resulted in The Ladies awarding La Perle a ‘LWL Silver Award’.

Chef/proprietor, Lionel Sene provides authentic French cuisine using fresh and locally sourced produce, and I have always found it a pleasure to eat there, so ‘The Ladies’ are obviously good judges!

It was great to read ‘The Ladies Who Lunch’ saying: “Milford on Sea is fast becoming one of the eating destinations for foodies on the South coast.” Our village master plan is slowly working, - look out Padstow!

To read the full review from ‘The Ladies Who Lunch’, please click the link below:

http://ladieswholunch-in-hampshire-blog.co.uk/2011/09/19/la-perle-1825

Free First Aid Courses

2011-10-01T07:53:00.005+01:00

Seahorses Playgroup are inviting anyone who would like to attend a free St John First Aid Course at the Community Centre. The course has been specifically designed for those who look after young children but it is also relevant to everyone; parents, grandparents, babysitters… etc. The more of us who know 1st Aid, the safer all our children are.

This course is free and is being funded by a generous donation made to the playgroup by the Milford Arts & Music Festival.

Place must be pre-booked | Please contact Jan Rook now to book your place.

Contact Jan on 07801 624324 or seahorses@btinternet.com

Facebook Page: ‘Seahorses Playgroup’

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'1st Aid for Families' | 7.30pm - 9.30pm | Monday 14th November

'1st Aid for Dads' | 7.30pm - 9.30pm | Monday 21st November

More Macmillan Coffee!

2011-09-23T07:48:00.002+01:00

Milford Tennis & Squash Club and Seahorses Playgroup, in addition to Sullivan Mitchell, are holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan cancer support & research this coming Friday. Hundreds, if not thousands, or small groups and organisations are taking part in what Macmillan describe as the ''World’s Biggest Coffee Morning'' All of the coffee mornings are held on the same day to help raise much needed funds.

Everyone in the village is invited, so wander along to Milford Tennis & Squash Club in Lucerne Road to sample the tennis ladies home-made cakes. It is also an opportunity for us all to have a look around the new clubhouse. Seahorses Playgroup will also be having at coffee morning at their session in the Community Centre.

So, if you fancy not sleeping for a few nights, why not pop along to all of the coffee mornings, one after the other!

To find out more and to see times please visit:

www.milfordonseacalendar.org

WI Calendar Girls at Library

2011-09-22T21:33:00.001+01:00

Members of the Milford on Sea Women's Institute celebrated the 96th anniversary of the very first WI meeting with a get together in support of Milford on Sea Library. Last Friday the girls gathered at the library with cakes, sunflowers and pearls to support of the national campaign to keep local libraries open. Our local WI are ardent supporters of the ‘Love Your Library Campaign’ and whilst having a good time, also wanted to draw attention to the many services offered by the library in our village. To add more smiles to the day, the girls had ‘Calendar Girls’ theme and WI Secretary, Kath Brookes caused a giggle when she recreated the famous ‘Sunflower pose’ from the calendar & film.

The Milford on Sea Library team are very grateful for the WI’s support in the ‘Love Your Library Campaign’ and throughout the year. The library has many facilities and services in addition to books, and like many village services is constantly under threat. Why not drop in to see what they have to offer, you will be sure of a warm welcome.

click image to enlarge

Pink Place lunch

2011-09-22T21:27:00.005+01:00

Unfortunately many people & their families have been touched breast cancer, so this month’s First Friday Lunch is being held in aid of The Pink Place, a Hampshire based charity tackling the issue and affects.

The Pink Place charity was set up by Julia Dingwall, who is the daughter of Sonia Sewell, a stalwart in Milford on Sea volunteer activities. The Pink Place was launched in August 2010 with the full support of the Basingstoke breast cancer unit. Today it gives support to breast cancer patients, although they are hoping to offer their service to all cancer patients in time.

The Pink Place Lunch will take place on Friday 7th October at 1pm.

The menu for the lunch will be Ham and vegetable cassoulet with herby dumplings, followed by ‘Apple a la The Pink Place’. The cost is £4.50 and there is no need to book, simply turn up at the Community Centre, enjoy a lunch & meet some new friends. Also, please wear something pink if at all possible. (Gents as well!) Everyone is welcome.

The First Friday Lunch is held every 1st Friday in the Month with the profits donated to the good cause running the event.

Find out more about The Pink Place here:
www.thepinkplace.org.uk

Julia Dingwall | Tel 07941 577001

Everyone invited for coffee

2011-09-22T21:23:00.001+01:00

Anthony at Sullivan Mitchell is holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan cancer support & research between 10am and 1pm on Friday 30th September. The Sullivan Mitchell team are joining in what Macmillan describe as the ''World’s Biggest Coffee Morning'' which is made up of hundreds of small events being held on the same day to help raise much needed funds.

Everyone in the village invited to pop along to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and cake and biscuits for which they would just ask a small donation to the charity. On the day there will also be a Free to enter prize draw with some great prizes up for grabs. For your chance to win all you have to do is turn up on the day and give Macmillan a small hand at the same time.

www.sullivanmitchell.co.uk

Hurst Castle Garrison Theatre on TV

2011-09-22T21:17:00.002+01:00

Hurst Castle's ENSA Garrison Theatre was briefly featured in a one hour BBC4 documentary 'Entertaining the Troops' on Tuesday 20th September. The 'Entertaining the Troops' documentary explored how during World War Two an army of performers from ballerinas to magicians, contortionists to impressionists, set out to help win the war by entertaining the troops far and wide. Risking their lives they ventured into war zones, dodging explosions and performing close to enemy lines. Featuring the memories of this intrepid band of entertainers and with contributions from Dame Vera Lynn, Eric Sykes and Tony Benn, this documentary tells the remarkable story of the World War Two performers and hears the memories of some of those troops who were entertained during the dark days of war.

Hurst Castle's ENSA Garrison Theatre in Milford on Sea is believed to be the only surviving World War 2 ENSA theatre has been saved by a group of enthusiastic volunteers. Despite having fallen into disrepair, many of the theatre’s original features remain intact despite the Castle’s exposed position at the end of a two-mile shingle spit. Built in a converted Victorian gun emplacement, the hand painted proscenium arch still bears the badge and grenades of the Royal Artillery. The backdrop depicts a romantic restoration scene of Romeo and Juliet or possibly Charles II and Nell Gwyn.

The ravages of time and damp had left the theatre looking tired and unloved. This was until the Friends of Hurst Castle started restoration work in January 2008. The old platform stage, which was removed in the late 1980s, has now been reconstructed. New curtains have been fashioned from hessian, once used to camouflage the Castle’s guns and searchlights, and hang from the original galvanized gas pipe. The only concessions to the twenty first century are modern lights and sound systems.

Visitors can listen to music from the period and learn the history of the theatre and the origins and role of ENSA, the Entertainments National Service Association. And now, after a break of more than 60 years, the Garrison Theatre again stages regular shows during the summer months.

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

Robbie Rocks Zaika

2011-09-22T21:15:00.002+01:00

Zaika held their ‘Robbie & Bublé Night’ last week with much fun being had by all. Two full sitting enjoyed Max Hutton performing in two shows as both Robbie Williams & Michael Bublé. The place was rocking to enduring classics as people sang along and enjoyed a fine curry at the same time.

Sorry to say we missed it as we were away working, but seems like everyone had a great night.

www.zaikanewforest.co.uk

www.maxhutton.co.uk

Folkboats Show in Milford

2011-09-16T15:52:00.003+01:00

As the Southampton Boat Show gets underway we have our very own used boat show taking place here in Milford on Sea. Folkboats UK open the doors for their first annual used boat show on the 16th September, to coincide with the Southampton Boat Show.

This event is being held at the Folkboat UK premises in Barnes Lane, and will run every day until 26th September, from 9am to 5pm. Folkboats UK is owned and run by local boat builder Tony Smee, and a visit to his boatyard should be interesting for all sailors in the village.

With plenty of used boats available, visitors will be able to climb aboard and see inside these fabulous boats. The Folkboat’s combination of performance and accommodation makes them the excellent choice for both cruising and racing. A design classic, the popularity of the Nordic Folkboat has endured for more than seventy years thanks to its timeless design, strong build quality, and its appeal to sailing beginners and experienced sailors alike.

As well as offering a wide selection of new and used boats for sale, Folkboats UK are specialists in folkboat repair and restoration, refitting, technical advice, and also offer storage facilities. If you’re looking for a used boat, or just fancy seeing how they are made, why not pop along.

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Folkboat UK Used Boat Show | 16^th to 26^th September | 9am to 5pm

Venue: Barnes Farm, Barnes Lane, Milford on Sea, Hampshire SO41 0RR

www.folkboats.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1590 644800

Email: info@folkboats.co.uk

Gary’s Memories of the White House

2011-09-16T06:48:00.007+01:00

We have been contacted by Gary McCormick, who was a patient for two years at The White House on the seafront in Milford on Sea. Gary was eleven when he was admitted to the sanatorium (although everyone referred to it as a hospital). He stayed for two years around 1958 and he was also joined by both his brother and sister, all were suffering from TB. At that time The White House was for children only and treated TB, Asthma, and other bad chest infections.

He recalls that twice a week all the kids who could walk, went to the village with two nurses in charge. Once there, they would buy sweets from the newsagents if they had any money. This was followed by a walk to the Pleasure Gardens, where there was an old derelict house which the kids thought was haunted.

Monday night was Sea Scouts night. Gary and his friend were the only two scout members from The White House, and Scoutmaster, Charles Anderson would travel each week from Everton to collect them. In the summer of 1958 Charles Anderson took Gary and Graham Daw on a trip to the Isle of Wight with the local Sea Scout Troop.

The people Gary remembers who worked in the hospital were; the full time school teachers; Mrs Campbell for the seniors, Mrs Sims for the juniors and Mrs Potter looking after the infants. On the nursing side was Sister Thomas, Staff Nurses Butt and Jordan, Nurses Crocker, Nunn, Scott and Reilly. Staff Nurse Butt was the boys favourite, as she let them have her record player and Rock and Roll records on their ward. Staff Nurse Jordan lodged with Mr Fisher, who looked after the hospital grounds and lived in a bungalow right next to the hospital. There were two auxiliary workers Uncle Robbie (Robert Hewison) who came from Hordle and Uncle Ziggy who Gary believes was and ex German POW. His wife Freda was a cook in the hospital kitchen.

Gary also recalls going on Hospital outings, such as to the circus in Highcliffe, and to a Christmas Pantomime at the Winter Gardens in Bournemouth. Every few months they were sent for X-rays at Milford on Sea hospital and dental check-ups in Bournemouth.

Other than his brother, sister and Graham Daw, all of whom were also patients, Gary never saw any of the other kids again. He knows that some fellow patients, Brian Golding, his twin brother and their sister, Jenifer all came from Sway, so perhaps they are still around locally.

Gary went on to spend two years at sea with the Cunard Line, before spending the rest of his working life in engineering. Today Gary lives in Chandlers Ford near Southampton.

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Our thanks go to Gary for taking the time to share his vivid childhood memories and some delightful photographs from the time.

To see more of Gary’s photographs of his time at The White House, please click link below:

https://picasaweb.google.com/milfordonsea/MemoriesOfTheWhiteHouse#

Write By The Sea

2011-09-16T06:37:00.001+01:00

Milford on Sea has itself both a new resident, plus an addition to our ever growing ‘author community’. Cate Sweeney is the author of the novel; ‘Selfish Jean’, which is described as a ‘Very funny, very moving and has a clever revelatory twist in the tail. Women of all ages, and men trying to understand women, will love this frank funny, sensitive book.’ Originally from a healthcare background, Cate has also written a number of short stories and plays.

From October, Cate will be running a mini creative writing course ‘Write By The Sea’ at the community centre. The course will be held every Tuesday evening for nine weeks from 11^th October. To give people the opportunity to see if they like it, you can try the First Session Free. If you get the taste for writing, the further eight weekly sessions are £55.

Cate is also considering forming a Milford Writers’ Group. Should this be of interest to you, please contact Cate at: cate@wordaction.co.uk

www.wordaction.co.uk

A trip to the Movies in Milford

2011-09-16T06:17:00.007+01:00

Some exciting leaflets have appeared in the village shops, which details the screening programme for the new ‘Milford Movies’.

The Milford on Sea Community Centre has now raised the funds, and organised the necessary equipment, to bring box office films to the heart of the village. James Flintoff and his celluloid team have put together an impressive range of films over the coming months. The biggest problem may be getting a seat!

Season Tickets are now on sale at Gwen’s in the High Street (or from the web link at the bottom of this page.) There are two sorts - the Gold Ticket which covers all ten evening screenings for a heavily discounted price of £30.00 - that means you get to see 4 free films - and the Silver Ticket which covers all five afternoon films for £15.00 which works out at 2 free films.

The bar will be open for half an hour before each screening until the end of the interval with a full range of licensed and soft drinks, and of course, ice creams. Can't be bad!

The film club only has 50 available tickets for each screening, so if there are any left after the season tickets have been sold, they will be released as individual tickets just two weeks before each show. I suspect that each screening will be a sell out, so a season tickets sounds a great way of ensuring you get a seat.

I asked my wife is she would like me to buy us a season ticket in the back row for old times sake, but as you may imagine she did not get too excited about the idea. So, it looks like I will be sitting at the back with ‘Bert’ my imaginary friend, a big bag of popcorn and giant hot dog!

To see the programme of films coming to the village, please click on the image below.

To buy your Season Ticket, please visit:

www.ticketsource.co.uk/milfordonseavcc

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Click image to enlarge