Fuel Hair Mechanics going strong

Fuel Hair Mechanics celebrated its first full year of trading on the 3rd October this year. Situated in the heart of Milford, on the High Street, the village's full service traditional barbershop has embraced the changing face of male grooming offering a range of services from precision cutting and styling to beard shaping and traditional hot towel shaves.

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Owner and master barber Simon moved to Lymington in 2014 where he set up and owned a successful barbershop franchise adding his own unique touches. After progressing the business to new heights, it was time to strike out on his own, allowing him to bring his exclusive brand Fuel Hair Mechanics to life and more importantly to the village.

Simon is Joined in the chop shop by long term friend Ian, an educator and master of barbering in his own right and the shop has now quickly established itself within the community. Their Love of cars (make sure you check out their ‘Chop Gear’ feature on Facebook and Instagram), music and traditional styling spurned the interior design of the shop that features American number plates, a Mark Knopfler signed guitar and a signed CD by Joe Strummer are amongst the many oddities that can be found adorning the walls.

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Fuel is the perfect place for gentleman to relax, enjoy complimentary beverages including freshly ground coffee, soft drink or even a beer, listen to eclectic music, whilst being expertly looked after by master barbers that are setting the standard for male grooming in the New Forest. There is even their own bespoke grooming product range to maintain your look when you get home. Available from the shop and now on Amazon, each product has been tried, tested and refined on the shop floor, each one customised until perfected. All made and produced here in the U.K.

Did someone mention that Christmas was coming? Fuel’s unique and bespoke product Christmas gift sets and vouchers are available and are perfect for the man that has everything or for those that could do with a style tune up.

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The shop has been well received locally, with an ever-growing fan base both in the village and from further afield, bringing new trade into an already bustling village. 

If you ever frequent some of the local hostelries, you may have seen the shops very own beer mat, with one side depicting a map of Milford’s local bars and cafes (so you don’t get lost), distributed all around the surrounding area. A gesture of thanks to a very welcoming community.

Booking is recommended but not always essential, that said appointments do avoid disappointments. Simply visit www.fuelhairmechanics.co.uk to reserve a seat, choose a service or MOT and let the experts take care of the rest.

Fuel Hair Mechanics

61 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG
www.fuelhairmechanics.co.uk
01590 718992

Opening hours:

Tuesday 13.00 - 20.00

Wednesday 12.00 - 20.00

Thursday and Friday 10.00 - 20.00

Saturday 09.00 - 16.00

Sunday 09.00 - 14.00

New lunchtime menu at Ray’s Italian Kitchen

Ray’s Italian Kitchen is hitting the lunch market with a new lighter menu from Tuesday (15th October), featuring the Italian Combo Lunch set to be very popular among diners. 

 

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Priced at £9, the Italian Lunch Combo will consist of a sandwich, soup of the day and fries, neatly presented on a wooden platter for diners to tuck into and enjoy. 

Smaller lunchtime offerings of Margherita flatbread (£5), soup of the day with artisan bread (£5) and three small plates at £12 will also be available. 

Stacey Crouch, proprietor of Ray’s Italian Kitchen said: “People definitely want something lighter to eat at lunchtime but they don’t want to compromise on taste." 

“Our new lunchtime menu is providing people with a quicker and lighter lunchtime option that is all about taste and quality.” 

Ray’s Italian Kitchen is open for coffee and cake from 11am and lunch is served from 11.30am to 2.15pm (last orders) from Tuesday to Saturday.

New dance class in Milford on Sea

I am not sure if you are aware of the  that the Royal Academy of Dance have set up an initiative called 'Silver Swans' for adult learners so they too, can take part in ballet classes. Whether you’re an experienced dancer, have briefly dabbled or are a complete novice, all older learners of any ability are welcome to try out Silver Swans classes. 

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The classes have been specifically designed for the over-55s. Anyone is welcome to join, whatever their age. 

Stephanie Constantine-Smith is the local licensee of Silver Swans and she has a class starting at Milford Community Centre on Monday 14th October. Classes will run in the dance studio on Mondays from 11.15am to 12.15pm. 

For more information about Silver Swans via the Royal Academy of Dance, please click here.

Silver Swans

www.royalacademyofdance.org/silverswans

Facebook page: @swanswithstephanie
forestsilverswans@hotmail.com

Goodbye Bay Trees

After eight successful and enjoyable years as owners of Milford’s top quality award winning B&B, Sarah and Mark have decided it’s time to move on and Dorset was the favourite next destination.

The last guest has now checked out and packing has begun. The house has been sold to a large family who are moving in next week and, importantly, Bay Trees will no longer be offering B&B accommodation. 

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The Bay Trees has been providing hospitality to Milford on Sea’s residents and visitors since 1935 when two ladies, Mabel Windeler and Florence Beech from London set up a Tea Shop in the building that was originally the Village Poor House. In the intervening years Bridge House, as it was then known, has been a Tea Shop, a Restaurant with rooms and since the turn of the century a Guest House. It was first referred to as ‘The Bay Trees’ in 1959 and had many operators as a Restaurant until the late 1990s when it was refurbished and converted to a B&B. 

Sarah and Mark have enjoyed being part of the village and running a thriving business, being involved in Food Week with ‘Teas on the Terrace’ and the Open Gardens Days. They have entertained guests from all corners of the UK and around the world. They have gained many awards and thank those businesses and individuals that have helped create this successful enterprise. The Bay Trees has been an important asset for the village, which they are sure will be sorely missed, 

Sarah and Mark say “We are sad to be leaving Milford, it is a vibrant village and we have made many friends, remembering that ’Milford on Sea – Is The Place To Be.”

Beer Tasting and Live Music at The Cave

The village's favourite wine bar has a fun programme of entertainment running up to Christmas, so why not get some of these dates in your diary!

The Cave have a Krombacher Tasting on Thursday 24th October at 7pm. On the evening Declan Walsh from Krombacher will go through the history of this iconic brewer whilst you enjoy tastings, traditional bratwurst and fries. 

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Krombacher is the authentically German beer. Beer lovers around the world recognize in Krombacher the authentic flavor of Germany. Brewing beer for their enjoyment is our passion. 

Ever since 1803, the beer has been exclusively brewed in the picturesque village of Krombach, strictly according to the German Beer Purity Law of 1516.

Ticket price is £12.50 including traditional bratwurst and fries. Not one to be missed, only 24 tickets available, 1st come 1st served - Call The Cave on 01590 642195 to book. 

Sunday Afternoon Live Entertainment:

From this Sunday and on a number of dates in the run up to Christmas The Cave will be hosting a variety of live musical entertainment from 4pm to 7pm.

Entry is free, so just check out the dates below and pop along to relax and enjoy the music with a wine, gin or beer!

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You can also find all of the dates in: www.milfordonseacalendar.org 

The Cave
2 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH

01590 642195

www.thecavemos.co.uk

New application for houses at White Horse

The Bournemouth Echo have reported that developers have have launched a new attempt to build homes behind a Grade II-listed pub in a Milford on Sea village.

Bayview Developments has submitted a revised scheme for derelict land next door to the White Horse Inn in Keyhaven Road.

Click here to read full article

'Walk for Wellness' and 'Jog for Joy' Update

The meeting point for 'Walk for Wellness' and 'Jog for Joy' has now changed from The Needles Eye to the Community Centre Cafe.

The free community walk or jog exercise groups started in mid-August and now has 8 regulars on Mondays and 4 on Wednesdays. Anyone is welcome to join in, simply come along.

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The purpose of the regular free sessions is to help people of any age keep fit, as well as to have some fun social interaction doing what is generally acknowledged as a very effective health improver. While the group is exercising there will be the opportunity to pick Melissa’s brains and to discuss health generally, nutrition and exercise – and of course just have a good old natter and some socialising. 

The actual walks/jogs run for about an hour (covering approx. 3 miles for the walkers). All abilities and beginners welcome and those that want to try to jog will be given some targets to reach. 

The groups meet at:

• 10am Mondays: Walk for Wellness and
• 10am Wednesdays: Jog for Joy

Meet at The Community Centre Cafe in sea Road, MoS.

About Melissa

Melissa Page moved to Milford on Sea village in May last year and she has been regularly volunteering in the Community Centre Café. She would now like to use her particular skills in doing more for people in the village.

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Melissa was a lawyer for 20 years before deciding to follow her passion for fitness and retrain as an accredited personal trainer. As a fairly inactive child and young adult Melissa, in an attempt to lose weight for her wedding, took up running and quickly became a dedicated gym bunny. She has run 4 marathons, the last of which she finished in 3 hours 37 minutes (coming 10th in her age group). Before moving to Milford she used to train people privately although she hasn’t done this since moving here. 

On arrival in Milford she completed her charitable fund raising commitment to run 50 kilometres every week for 50 weeks despite a prolonged knee injury. Over the last year Melissa realised how important running was, not only to her physical, but also her mental, health. At 51 she remains relatively fit and loves exercise, running & walking regularly with her husband. She is not intending to carry on with her personal training business for income but would love to help others in the community benefit both physically and mentally from regular outdoor activity and to enjoy some good company and chats with a group of like-minded people. 

More Information

Please do remember that Melissa is doing this entirely on a voluntary basis to facilitate people coming together and any participation is at people’s own risk. 

For more information on the sessions please contact: Melissa Page on pagetwo@hotmail.co.uk or call 07712 164310.

Favourites back at La Perle!

La Perle brings back two favourites for the Autumn - Sunday Lunches and French Tuesdays! 

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www.laperle.co.uk

La Perle is now offering Sunday Lunches every weekend, including Jazz Sundays on the last Sunday of the month featuring the ever popular Rachel More Duo. Plus French Tuesdays return in October - a special three, four or five course French Tasting Menu. 

Example menus can be found on their website:

www.laperle.co.uk/menu and booking is recommended. 

La Perle

60 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 643557 - info@laperle.co.uk

Local support sought for The Boltons Green Space

The Boltons Green Space Preservation Group is looking for signups to save the footpaths and green space surrounding The Boltons development, off Westover Road, Milford on Sea.

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The landscaping, originally designed by the world renowned landscape architect Professor Derek Lovejoy, is at risk from being annexed into private gardens and we are looking for people to sign up to our website to protect it as public amenity green space with public footpaths running through it. 

By signing up local people will show their support in Keeping The Boltons Open for All. 

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The footpaths are shown in the yellow dotted line in the image to the right and have been adopted by Hampshire Highways, and the group want to keep them. 

Shorefield Country Park have contributed with a newly refurbished bench, now the group need to mobilise all the local authorities who are obligated to keep open The Boltons green space. 

If you would like to get involved, the form is located on www.boltonsland.co.uk

Discover the Clubs & Societies in the Village

Everyone in the village is invited to the The Village Exhibition which takes place on the 12th October 2019 in All Saints' Church, people can come along anytime from 2.30pm to 4pm. This is a great opportunity to discover Milford on Sea Village Clubs, Societies and Associations. You may even find something that interests you, but you don't realise what it is yet!

Please come, you will be amazed what goes on in the little oasis by the sea.

For more information please contact: Ruth Bufton on:
ruth.bufton@btinternet.com or 01590 641875.

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NB: Following The Village Exhibition is the Newcomers Supper which is an invitation only event.

About the 'Newcomers Supper'

The ‘Newcomers Supper’ is held annually to welcome all newcomers to the village in All Saints Church Hall in Milford on Sea.

Anyone that was new to the village during the year are able to apply for an invitation, - and the event is entirely free.

This informal evening is great to meet other new people to the village & a selection of village people. (That's residents, not the old pop group!)

The Milford on Sea Newcomers Supper evening consists of two parts: 

Village clubs & Associations Exhibition where you can wander around informally meeting 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.

Free Sit Down Supper with the chance to meet new people and have a bit of fun.

If you are a newcomer to the village, come and enjoy a free drink and supper meal, together with entertainment, lots of fun and laughter, and which ends with the Milford song!

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 and 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 and would like to come along (Adults only), all you need to do is to contact: Ruth Bufton on: ruth.bufton@btinternet.com or 01590 641875.

The Milford on Sea Minibus is coming!

Plans are now well underway to provide a low cost community minibus service for residents of in Milford and the surrounding area, following a well attended meeting in July, organised by the Milford on Sea Charitable Trust. Ivan Chandler, the Project Coordinator said “there was a consensus that a small minibus, which could take up to eight passengers, was the best option to begin with. It will help to make Milford “greener” by encouraging residents to use their cars less. In time the project would like to look for grants to provide an electric vehicle”.

A “Help Team” of enthusiastic volunteers are currently contacting local organisations to discuss in detail how they might use the minibus. Suggested uses include transport to and from events or activities in the village, such as the Community Centre, the library and lunch clubs. Groups could use the bus for shopping and leisure trips, both during the day and in the evenings. Use by all ages is being encouraged. Many organisations are interested, including the WI, Milford Primary School, the Conservation Volunteers, the U3A and the Dementia Action Group. Jenny Whitley, Chair of the Charitable Trust added that this initiative could make a huge difference to the lives of residents, particularly in providing social support for residents who have no other form of transport available. 

More help is needed. If you have a little time to spare, the project team would love to hear from you. In particular, the team are looking for someone to take on publicity and more volunteers for admin roles. After the initial planning stage Ivan will be looking for more drivers too. 

Over half of the money has already been raised, so there is now a big push to raise the rest. South Lawn Hotel is backing the project with sponsorship, and is supporting a big fundraising event: The Minibus Fun & Fundraising Event, an exciting and entertaining evening featuring (amongst others!) The Rambling Men, Strumpets, Belly Dancers, Romeo Valente and surprise guests, who are all performing for free. It’s on Saturday 16th November at 7.30pm at South Lawn Hotel. There are only 100 tickets available at £20 each, with the hotel providing both the venue and a pie and mash supper for free. It promises to be a brilliant evening! All of the proceeds will go directly to the funding of the Minibus. Tickets will be on sale from Tuesday 1st October at South Lawn Hotel (cash only) or from Ivan. 

If you would like to get involved, find out more about the project, or buy a ticket for the event, contact Ivan: ivan@ivanchandler.com 07915 662030

Update on Making Milford more Magical this Xmas

Tracy has give us an update on how this project is progressing 

As we have less than 100 days to Christmas, Tracy Haupt and Diana Brushwood continue their task in contacting various organisations so as to generate interest and support. So far they have raised £800 through an online Just Giving page (click here) and a donation box in the Parish Council, but would like to encourage further donations of any size, from the community.

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They have many ideas of how to decorate the village and are thrilled in having already received support from the Parish Council, Guides, W.I, U3A, Milford Gardening Club, Milford Flower Club and South Lawn Hotel, to make it all happen.

Tracy and Di are really keen to get children involved this year, so are providing a forest of trees on the green, for the local schools and nursery and other youth organisations to decorate. Not surprisingly, they’ve received lots of interest to date. But…it’s not too late for others to help the ladies out, so please contact Tracy (click here) if you can assist in any way.

Click here to read original article.

Please click here to donate to Village Christmas Decorations  

Please note: The account will close for donations on the 3rd November 2019. 

Tracy and Diana would like to thank everyone for their support.

For more information, more ideas or to volunteer to help please contact:
Tracy Haupt - tracyhaupt01@aol.com
Diana Brushwood - dianabrushwood@gmail.com

Volunteer with village kids for rewarding results

The village needs volunteers to help run our busy Beaver Unit (age 6 to 8 years) and assist with Cubs and Scouts. 

Volunteering for Scouting is easier than you think. You need to be aged 18+, with an interest in helping kids develop skills, make new friends and experience outdoor and water adventure activities. 

The other leaders provide training and support. Interested? 

To help the kids out, please contact Lee Snook, Milford on Sea Group Leader - click here.

Help give Shoeboxes for kids at Christmas

The charity, Samaritans Purse are organising 'Shoeboxes' to give under privileged children a gift this Christmas, and they would like you to get involved. You can do this in three ways:

By donating a variety of items suitable for children aged 2-14 and able to fit in a shoe box, such as: cuddly toys, hygiene items (but no liquids), school supplies including pencil cases. Fun toys such as football with pump or jewellery for little girls. 

They also need monetary donations as it costs £5 per box to send overseas. 

Finally, you can volunteer to come to the workshops to fill the shoeboxes. These take place at All Saints' Church Hall between 2-3pm on 16th October, 30th October and 13th November 2019.

If you are not sure what items to buy, come to the first workshop to see what we do and then you can bring your donations to the next two.

To find out more, or to get involved, please contact: Beverley Smith  at

chrisandbeverleysmith@gmail.com

What’s Going On Next Door?

We have been sent the following article which features in the new Milford on Sea Primary School newsletter:

Shortly after we returned to school, Head of Construction, Steve Tyrell and Head of Health & Safety, Sean Barry, from Pennyfarthing Developments came into school to talk about the building project in the fields surrounding our school. Lots has gone on over the summer and the school will be receiving regular updates as the work develops. We learned about the work on the site, the dangers on site and looked at an artist’s impression of the finished project. It was great to hear that Pennyfarthing have taken on board the suggestions put in writing by our Y3/4 pupils to support local birds and wildlife:

Lots more trees and hedges will be planted using indigenous species and bird and bat boxes will be dotted around the estate and open area.

A school ‘Construction Team’ is being assembled to make visits to the site and help to report back progress too.

Shorefield refurbished bench at The Boltons

A expertly refurbished bench has been completed at The Boltons courtesy of Shorefield Country Park.

Dr Robert Pollock started Shorefield holiday park in 1958 and he donated this bench for the use of the public. Local residents asked the family who still run Shorefield whether they would care to refurbish it and here it is in all its spendour sitting on the corner of The Boltons amenity land.

A big thank you goes to Shorefield for making the green space look nice again.


Shorefield Country Park
www.shorefield.co.uk

MacMillan at Holly Gardens Coffee Morning

For the past five years, the residents of Holly Gardens Milford on Sea have held a Macmillan Coffee morning in their central gardens, to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Last year alone the total they sent to Macmillan was over £1,000

Once again, a collection of families in Holly Gardens, will be opening their lovely communal garden supporting the Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning by on Saturday 28th September from 10am to 1pm.

This is a true community effort to make a special morning, and everyone is welcome to come along.

At the coffee morning there will be coffee or tea, some fine cakes. Book stall, plant stall, Bric a Brac Raffle etc.

Over the years they have raised an impressive amount to donate to this worthwhile charity, why not pop in. Nice work guys!

Plastic Free Milford-on-Sea Beach Clean

Plastic Free Milford-on-Sea and Milford-on-Sea Parish Council have organised another Beach Clean on Saturday 21st September at 10.30am until 12 noon - meet outside the Needles Eye Café at Hurst Road. Everyone is welcome and all kit will be provided but bring your own protective gloves if you prefer and wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear. 

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The Clean follows a very successful event in April which launched the initiative. Over 45 people turned up and collected lots of rubbish from beach, including food wrapper, plastic bottles and even an old rusty saw. 

The campaign has been organised by the Parish Council along with the Milford Visitor and Business Group and local businesses such as New Forest Paddlesport Company. New Forest District Council is providing the beach cleaning equipment. Together we’re tackling avoidable, throwaway plastic, from our beach, rivers and green spaces. 

It's not about removing all plastic from our lives. It’s about stopping using single-use plastic and changing the system that produces it. Being a Plastic Free Community does not mean there is no plastic. Being a Plastic Free Community means we are starting work to turn the tide on plastic pollution. It means we are pulling together different aspects of our community; collaborating and including everyone to bring about the culture change we need to see. We are also part of a national network of communities all doing the same, backed up by the national campaigns and actions of Surfers Against Sewage. 

For more details contact Sarah Pitt at the Parish Council – sarah.milfordpc@btconnect.com.

Opportunity to Learn Italian

Great opportunity to learn/improve your Italian in a relaxed, fun environment with a qualified, experienced language tutor.

Classes will be on Friday lunchtimes at Milford on Sea Community Centre. 

Prices will depend on the total number of attendees, but will range from approximately £6.50 to £10 per person weekly which also includes the room hire. 

For further information please contact: Sue Mitchell on susiejmitchell@gmail.com

Group aiming to save The Boltons

A local community group has been formed to try to protect the open amenity space in The Boltons, Milford on Sea.

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This land is under threat from a company who purchased it for £1,000 from The Duchy of Lancaster.

To find out more, please click link below:

The Boltons Green Space Preservation Group

www.boltonsland.co.uk