The true cost of Lockdown

We have recently been chatting to Tim Wedgwood at South Lawn Hotel. I think most people will be aware and appreciative of all he and his team have done to support the community during this Corona Virus crisis.

Everything has been done with a smile and plenty of innovation, however it has certainly not been easy for him, which is reflected in his thoughts below:

"Hi David

We are completely gutted by the recent news that we have been placed in Tier 2 restrictions after Lockdown 2. Our Covid cases are extremely low in this area but we have been grouped in with Southampton where cases are relatively high. Along with every other hospitality business that falls within NFDC we did not expect this at all.

Tim & Nikki
Owners of South Lawn Hotel

We were so looking forward to reopening after Lockdown 2 and had a very busy few weeks of restaurant reservations. Pre-Christmas last year we had 4500 people through the hotel but of course are unable to benefit from our function suite this year. Prior to the announcement of us being in Tier 2 we still had over 1500 diners booked up to Christmas in The Cedar Tree Restaurant, all on tables of 6 or less in a Covid secure venue and to conform with the rule of 6.

Sadly Tier 2 does not allow for any more than 1 household to meet indoors and as a result we have had to cancel all our bookings in our restaurant that do not comply. After doing so we had less than 100 diners left to look after in the run up to Christmas!

The restrictions imposed on the rest of the country have also impacted the hotel. Anybody who was booked to stay with us that has tier 3 restrictions cannot travel to stay away overnight and this has resulted in the majority of our bedroom reservations cancelling in the lead up to Christmas. 

We have also had to cancel our Christmas residential package and New Year celebrations this year because of the restrictions.

We want to do the right thing and we want to keep everyone safe, so sadly we have made the decision to close the hotel rooms and Cedar Tree Restaurant through to the new year when hopefully the virus restrictions may have sorted themselves out. This is absolutely devastating for us after the efforts we have made to keep going since the first lockdown back in March but we do feel it is absolutely necessary.

I genuinely think we would have made it through in Tier 1 but even a change at the review date will be too late to recover the bookings. You can't just keep turning a hotel on and off like a light bulb it takes time to prepare and build the bookings even in the short term. To add to the difficulties its the December trade that carries us through to Easter and I'm not sure Boris has considered how damaging his pre Christmas strategy is for hospitality. I am convinced we could have traded safely with less restrictions. 

I'm not the only hotelier in this position but my worry is that many might not realise the impact trying to open will have on their sustainability. You are far better off loosing a couple of grand a week by staying shut, my wage bill to open the hotel is £9k a week alone and there is only so many cuts you can make when providing a full service of breakfast lunch and dinner. 

On the plus side we are going to carry on delivering Bakery and Meals through to Christmas every day except Mondays and will even be delivering lunches on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Sunday 27th December.

Thankfully, deliveries are helping to pay the bills and furlough will help to support our team. 

We can still take a bedroom booking for anybody who is visiting relatives in the lead up to Christmas (Excluding guests from Tier 3) and we have a grab and go breakfast for anyone staying on this basis. For the 5 days of Christmas that families can meet we are also going to make our rooms available to visiting relatives on a bed and breakfast basis but our restaurant and bar will remain closed. 

We are very grateful for the support we have received from so many people in the village and are optimistic that we will come out of this in a strong position.

To make a reservation to stay at the hotel you will have to call the hotel direct as we have closed out for on line bookings. 01590 643911.

Roll on 2021!

With our best wishes

Tim, Nikki and all the team at South Lawn"

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Editors comments: Hopefully, we can all continue to support South Lawn and all of our other local businesses' now and into the future. They are finding time tough, but doing the best they can for all of us, and if we lost any of these services, it would take the heart out of the village.

To see South Lawn Hotel's latest Take Aways, Deliveries & Christmas Menu: please click here.

The South Lawn Hotel

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

01590 643911

events@southlawnhotel.co.uk
www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

A Magical Christmas is coming!

The “Making Milford even more Magical this Christmas” team are busy putting final plans in place for the Christmas displays in the village and on the green.

Organisers, Diana Brushwood and Tracy Haupt are delighted that Pennyfarthing Homes have agreed to sponsor the lights on the forest of trees, under the lit canopy.

RoyaleLife are sponsoring the purchase of those trees and Gen One Ltd sponsoring the purchase of the main Christmas tree (as well as having laid the power supply free of charge), the ladies are so grateful of these three key sponsors this year. 

Diane and Tracy also wish to thank all individuals and organisations that have come together to enable this event to take place.

Although Carols on the Green has had to be postponed this year, the ladies will be switching on the Milford on Sea Christmas Lights on Saturday 5th of December, at around 4:45 to 5pm, should you be in the village!

The Good News Newsletter: No.28

 To view of the latest edition of The Good News Newsletter: please click here.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

About The Good News Newsletter

An enterprising group of local people have put together a 'Good News Newsletter' with the aim of keeping everyone informed and amused during this difficult time.

The Good News Newsletter has been created by Milford Library, Milford Mutual Aid Group, The Village Voice and MoS News Bulletin.

We will be publishing a copy of each edition here online and for those in the village who do not use digital communication, the Parish Council are printing some paper copies which will be available in some village shops and some distributed by volunteers.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

Christmas Dinner from South Lawn

South Lawn Hotel have launched their Christmas Day Lunch Delivery details. Bookings are now being taken, and number are limited, so it is likely that they may sell out, so book now to avoid disappointment!

To see South Lawn Hotel's Christmas Dinner Menu: please click here.

Tim and his team also continue to support the village with:

Dairy, Bakery and Meal Deliveries 

We are continuing with our fresh bakery deliveries and dairy products each morning along with an extensive menu for deliveries of lunch and dinner within 5 miles of South Lawn. 

Please click here to see menu

Local Community Care 

We are more than happy to help out in Milford with prescription collection and small errands for anybody who can't get out. We will also try to help or find someone to help with any small maintenance issues. 

Takeaways

Lunch & Dinner delivered Monday to Saturday, with Sunday Lunch also available, as are celebration cakes if you need one! 

To see South Lawn Hotel's latest Take Away Menu: please click here.

The South Lawn Hotel

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

01590 643911

events@southlawnhotel.co.uk
www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

Historical Record Society looking to 2021

The Milford on Sea Historical Record Society are looking to the future and have just launched their programme of talks for 2021.

The full programme can be found on their website by clicking here. 

A full year’s membership is only £10 and allows you to enjoy MOSHRS’ entire programme of talks. 

You can download the Membership Form from the website and complete it (including the Gift Aid section if you are a UK tax payer) and return it with your with subscription to the Membership Secretary. (Address on the Form).

A great opportunity to meet new people, whilst discovering more about the history of the village.

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The Milford on Sea Historical Record Society has an excellent website with a lot of information and old pictures of Milford on Sea in the past. 

The MOSHRS meet 5 times a year where you can hear an interesting talk and meet people from across the village. There are also annual visits to places of interest. Membership is just £10. To find out more; please click here.

MoS Historical Record Society

www.milfordhistory.org.uk

Step Up, Safe Space

Milford on Sea local resident, Suzanne Moore has told us about a Facebook Support Group that she has joined as a volunteer.

Step Up, Safe Space was founded in November and has over 100 members to date.

You can find out more about the group by clicking here.

Suzanne commented: "We are passionate about supporting each other in the community. Showing kindness matters and it can make a difference. My role is to organise and collect donations and take these donations to those in need. I also help with the development of the group and I liaise with regards to food requirements. We also work with other groups as is appropriate. 

One aspect of the group is to ask for donations, we are always looking for all items baby and child related, clothes especially Men’s, gifts for Christmas and Birthday, and in date food tins and packets."

Step Up, Safe Space
www.facebook.com/groups/403541067674515

Money found in Churchyard

We have had a kind message saying that some money was found in the All Saints' Churchyard on Tuesday.

If you may have lost it, please drop me an email to david@milfordonsea.org and I can put you in touch with the finder.

Wheelie Bins coming to Milford?

A recent article in the Advertiser & Times has revealed that New Forest District Council has a Wheelie Bin Plan for more than 90% of New Forest homes.

A consultation, which has been labelled “the worst survey ever”, is currently underway proposing to bring in wheelie bins and fortnightly collections. 

To read the article please click here.

The consultation deadline is the 10th December.

To find out more, please visit: 

www.newforest.gov.uk/wastestrategy 

Not too late to get in School Raffle

The 1st Ticket Draw will be on the 1st December in the 12 Days of Christmas Raffle at Milford on Sea Primary School.

Price of tickets are £5 per ticket or a book of 5 tickets for £20. Tickets can be purchased by emailing The PFA on mospspfa@outlook.com.

DAY 1 PRIZE IS EAT OUT FOR A WEEK. The amazing prizes for Day 1 are:

Advent Window Trail in the village

In the run up to Christmas the village is to have a Advent Window Trail for everyone to enjoy.

The Advent Window Trail will run across Milford on Sea & Everton from Tuesday, 1st December until Thursday, 24th December 2020 and is organised by All Saints' Church.

There will be a new window lit up each evening up until Christmas Eve when the final window will be revealed in All Saints’ Church.

To discover where to see the windows please click here. (The information will be sent from Friday 27th November. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive the email).

Maps of the trail will be provided, along with Covid related safety guidance to those that sign up. 

Once underway, daily information on where the windows are opening will also be on the church Facebook page. Please click here.

Knitted Hearts for Lymington Hospital

Becton Rotary Club and New Forest Sewing (both of which include members from Milford on Sea) are pleased to see their residual stock of knitted Hearts once more being put to good use. 

Just before the current lockdown started, Rotarian Terry responded to an urgent request from Chaplain of Lymington Hospital, Linda Lee, by delivering forty knitted hearts to the Hospital.

Through her PPE contact Hayley in Southampton, Rotarian Debbie was also able to assist the Neo Natal Unit at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton who needed a further supply. In this instance we were able to deliver sixty hearts. 

Prior to the pandemic restrictions siblings were able to visit the new-born addition to the family whilst the baby was still in the Unit and this assisted the bonding process. With the introduction of the restrictions to visiting siblings have had to remain at home suffering from a variety of emotions whilst they await the return of mother and baby. 

The Unit were looking for creative ways to ease these stresses and tensions and came up with the use of Knitted Hearts as a physical object that can be used as a comforter in times of upset. Each member of the close family is provided with a matching heart as a means of showing the siblings that they are important, their parents are thinking of them and they have an emotional connection with the new-born. 

Well done to all concerned.

Save Milford from the Sea Petition

The 'Save Milford from the Sea' Facebook Group has been set up to 'To make Milford-on-Sea residents aware of the consequences for the village of failure to repair the sea wall and maintain coastal defences.'

This Facebook Page has a fascinating insight into the issues, progress and details on a petition to save the sea defences long-term.

To visit the Facebook Group please click here.

Sea Wall Repairs from the air

Graeme Blackwood, a member of the group has captured some spectacular images on film from a drone which show the progress that is being made over time to the current repair. 

To visit his page and films, please click here. 

Save Milford from the Sea Petition

Over 1,500 villagers have already signed a petition started by the residents behind this Facebook Group.

The petition states:

We, the residents, friends and business community of Milford-on-Sea urge the Environment Agency and other Government bodies to fund long-term coastal defence plans at Westover.

This is critical for protecting the homes of dozens of local residents, restoring the scenic coastal path and safeguarding the social and economic future of the village.

We understand that voluntary Partnership Funding will be required and support the New Forest District Council in their bids to secure funding for this programme.

To sign the petition, please click here.

10% off Ray's Dining Gift Vouchers

Ray's Italian Restaurant are offering 10% off their Dining Gift Vouchers during November. 

To order a voucher please email: info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk with a contact phone number and they will get back to you. 

(Minimum voucher value: £20)

Ray’s Italian Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

WI support New Forest Basics Bank

Each year Milford on Sea Women's Institute (The WI) select a local charity to support through their fundraising, - but 2020 has been different! 

So, on Saturday 28th November they will be setting up a Receiving Table on the village green from 10am to 12 noon to collect items to help Basics Bank support the ever growing number of people in need during the pandemic. 

We hope that both members of our WI and the wider Milford community will support us in supplying non perishable items for this cause. 

Please contact Diana on milfordpres@hampshirewi.org.uk if you would like further details.

Milford School '12 Days of Christmas' Raffle

The PFA at Milford on Sea Primary School are holding a spectacular '12 Days of Christmas' Raffle to raise much needed funds for the school and our local children.

click image to enlarge

Each day there is a great prize from the 1st December to the 12th December, and there are over £5000 worth of prizes to be won!  

Tickets are £5 each or 5 for £20. The full list of prizes can be viewed below, and they are worth taking a look at! 

To buy a ticket, please email: mospspfa@outlook.com

click image to view prizes

Pre-book for Christingle Service

The All Saints' Church office have now set up a specific web page where people can book directly for this years 'online' Christingle. To visit please click here.

Christingle will be held:

• Thursday 24 December 2020
• 4:00pm to 5:00pm
• Online - Zoom

About Christingle

This year we will be holding our Christingle workshops and service by Zoom. For the first 80 children that are signed up we will provide all the items you need to create your own ‘Christingle’ during the service. 

Please pre-book (click here) to receive the Zoom link and let us know how many Christingle packs you require.

We would welcome a small donation to The Children’s Society and details on how to do that will be sent as part of your Christingle Pack.

All Saints' Church office

admin@allsaintsmilford.co.uk

Helping Hands Storage Appeal

Local Milford on Sea charitable group 'Helping Hands, Open Arms' are delighted to be getting lots of donations in Milford and the surrounding areas, but they are struggling to store the goods.

If you, or any one you know, has any storage in the form of a garage, outhouse, shed or indoor facility that the charity could use to store the donations they would be very grateful. The items are often small household items, toys and baby equipment. 

Any help would make a huge difference to families in need. 

If you can help at all, please contact: helpinghandsnewforest@gmail.com

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About 'Helping Hands, Open Arms'

'Helping Hands, Open Arms' is a charitable group operating in Milford on Sea providing support to anyone that needs it.

The support includes; food parcels and meals, clothes, including baby and children clothes. Also toys and equipment for babies and children. they also have bedding, toiletries and cleaning products and pet foods. These items if needed, can be delivered to you, just contact in complete confidence by clicking here, they simply want to help. 

The group are also looking for donations in the Milford area, they are expecting huge demand in the present crisis, as people go on short time or lose their jobs. If you are able to offer donations at anytime, any items above, including in date packet and tinned foods, especially baby and children’s food please get in touch. Toys and gift packs will be gratefully received for Christmas. The volunteers can arrange for any of these items to be collected on a daily basis. 

'Helping Hands, Open Arms' are also looking for volunteers in the Milford and surrounding areas. This can involve collecting and delivering donations. Also promoting the charity in your local streets.

If you would like to get involved or help out at any level please contact: helpinghandsnewforest@gmail.com

Key lost in village

This is a bit of a longshot, we have been contacted by a reader who lost a key yesterday.

It is a single key with a fob and a purple tag and it is likely to have been lost between the village and down Sea Road to the Needles Eye Café. 

If you have found it please let me know and I can reunited with the owner: david@milfordonsea.org

Saltwater goes Caribbean

Saltwater Café are offering a Caribbean Takeaway next Lockdown Weekend: Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November.

Collection only, pre order by 3pm Wednesday 18th November. Phone and leave a message on (01590) 643518 or send us a message on Facebook Messenger and we will get back to you to confirm your order.

Caribbean Takeaway Menu: Per person £12.50

Choose from either: 

Jerk Chicken, coconut rice and peas

Sweetcorn fritters with a mango, chilli and lime dip

or 

Sweet potato and chickpea curry

Sweetcorn fritters with a mango, chilli and lime dip

 Additional sides available: 

• Portion of skin on fries £2.50

Saltwater Café

106 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE

01590 643518

www.facebook.com/saltcafe106

Ray's Italian launches Online Ordering System

Ray’s Italian Kitchen have launched a new Online Ordering System.

Plus, Ray's are also offering:

Make your Own Pizza’s – 4 for £12.50 that includes:

4 doughs, cheese and sauce. Any extra toppings are £1 each.

Pizza / Pasta Deals

Italian Feast for Two – 2 Pizza or Pasta + 4 beers for £28.99

A Date for you and Ray – 1 Pizza or Pasta + 2 beers for £14.99.

Beers are a choice of Birra Messina or Birra Ichnusa. 

Delivery to Milford on Sea, Keyhaven and Downton (weekends only), and Collection from the restaurant is available and you can find all details on their website. 

To order or view the menu, please click here

Ray’s Italian Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

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Village shows respect on Armistice Day

As the village paid respect on Armistice Day at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the atmosphere was captured in the image below by Kerry, a local resident.

The two minutes silence was perfectly observed, and socially distanced, at the ceremony led by representatives of the Milford on Sea branch of the Royal British Legion. 

It is a pleasure to see that Lockdown did not prevent Milford on Sea people marking the event.

As they say, a picture paints a thousand words.

Photo by Kerry Bacon
click image to enlarge

On Remembrance Day a 'virtual' Reflection & Remembrance service was held involving the Milford on Sea Churches and Scouts. 

The event was organised by Chris Hobby, a sixth-generation villager and member of the village's branch of the Royal British Legion whose grandfather died in the First World War.

To find out more please click here.

Milford is getting More Magical for Christmas

As we all sit out this latest Lockdown, Christmas is fast approaching, along with the hope that we can all celebrate together in some way by then.

The 'Make Milford More Magical this Christmas' team led by Diana Brushwood & Tracy Haupt, are well into making preparations to make the heart of the village brighter than ever for us all this year.

Anyone who visited the village green on Tuesday 10th or Wednesday 11th November will have seen a group of men busy digging and placing ducting in the green, ready for the Christmas lights. This year an investment has been made from generous donations to put permanent ducting in, rather than having to continually lift the grass for cables to be inserted. In addition to the cost of the lights and sundries, this also meant getting a groundworks contractor, to do the work. Very fortunately, local resident Ben Haines did something extremely generous:  

Diana said: "A massive thank you to Ben from Gen One Ltd for carrying out this work free of charge. You and your guys are truly amazing." 

 

A fundraising campaign has been underway to 'Make Milford More Magical this Christmas', and a lot of village residents have already donated to date, and the volunteer organisers are very grateful. 

So far, the team have purchased more commercial LED lights for £1295 to make the Village Green extra bright this year. Plus the costs associated with the installation of all cables and lights is £1500. These costs are huge and greater than you may expect.

On top of this, they have material costs for Christmas scenes painted by local artists with a small nativity scene (the wood alone is £130). The forest of trees will be back similar to last year but with extra lights and sparkle, bicycle wreaths are to be refreshed and other decorations paid for.

The JustGiving page is still open if you would like to donate - please click here - or you can leave a donation at the Parish Council Office.

Should you wish to contact the ladies regarding possible sponsorship or simply with an offer of help, then please do so on: tracyhaupt01@aol.com and dianabrushwood@gmail.com

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PS: As Ben has been so generous, the least we could do was give his company a plug. If you are looking at having groundworks or hard landscaping done, why not check out his Facebook page from the link below:

B S Haines Groundworks
@Genoneltd · Construction company

07496 265152

ben.haines@genoneltd.co.uk

www.facebook.com/Genoneltd

Community Centre Fundraiser Update

click image to enlarge

Donations are still possible towards the £21,000 target via: www.localgiving.com/moscc or the Community Centre letterbox.

Village Veg reopens 18th November

The Village Veg in Church Hill Milford on Sea is temporarily closing for a week long refurbishment from 1pm on Wednesday 11th November and will be reopening on Wednesday 18th November.

Nick and the team look forward to seeing all of their customers in the bright new shop then.

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About the Village Veg

 

Owner, Nick Munnik has run a successful greengrocers (Village Veg) in Brockenhurst for nine years, and  opened a fully refreshed and well-stocked shop in Milford on Sea village centre in July 2017, also named Village Veg.

You can even order fruit and veg boxes online at: www.villagevegltd.co.uk.

(Sadly, they don't sell chocolate, but banana fritters are a treat worth having!) 

Village Veg
Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH‎
www.villagevegltd.co.uk

Italian Dishes, Pizza & Street Food

Ray’s Italian Kitchen have launched a new Takeaway Menu from Wednesday 11th November and this will be available on Wednesday 6pm-8.30pm and Friday and Saturday 6pm-9pm 

Delicious pizza, pasta and Italian dishes are available for Delivery to Milford on Sea, Keyhaven and Downton (weekends only). Collection from the restaurant is available.

To view the menu, please click here

Ray’s Italian Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

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La Perle are offering 'Sam's Saturday Street Food' as a lunchtime treat available for collection on Saturdays 12-3pm.

Hog Roast Bap with Pickled Red Cabbage and Crackling £7.50
French Fries £2.95
Freshly Baked Mini Cinnamon Doughnuts with Chocolate Sauce £4.95 for 8

And for the Grown-Ups... La Perle Mulled Cider £4.95

To find out more please click here

La Perle

60 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 643557

www.laperle.co.uk

Gifts from The Old Smithy

The Old Smithy in Milford on Sea high street stock an exclusive selection of brands including Jellycat, Maxwell & Williams modern white porcelain tableware and a range of picture frames, Thomas Kent clocks and other beautiful objects for your home.

As people start to think about Christmas and any gifts they need to buy before then, a number of new items have been added to their range. 

To view some of the new items, please click here.

To see other ranges on their website, please click here.

Sarah can deliver to you free within a five mile radius or you can call for a 'click and collect' from the shop. To arrange either, please call 07840 202472.

The Old Smithy is a family business established in 1978, The Old Smithy is located in the heart of the village of Milford on Sea retailing a wide range of quality gifts and accessories.

The Old Smithy

37 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 642386

theoldsmithymilford@btinternet.com

www.facebook.com/The-Old-Smithy

www.theoldsmithymilford.co.uk

Community Library Update

The library will be closed for browsing during the current lockdown but we can prepare a bag of “Ready Reads” for you to collect at the door. 

Please email your request to mosclibrary@gmail.com telling us what authors/genres you like and we’ll make up your bag. 

Please remember to bring your library card when you collect. 

Opening times until 2nd December 2020 (subject to review) 

• Tuesday 2 - 4pm 
• Friday 10am - 12 noon 

No email? Phone Ruth on 01590 641875 with your request. 

You can also sign up via email to the receive The Good Newsletter with puzzles, word games, etc. 

Library opening times: 

The library will be open for collections only until 2nd December 2020 

• Tuesday: 2-4pm 
• Friday: 10am-12noon 

Milford on Sea Community Library 

The Village Hall, Park Road, Milford on Sea SO41 0QU

mosclibrary@gmail.com

07950 941818 

www.facebook.com/mosclibrary

New Owners at The Gun Inn

Nice to see The Gun Inn will be coming back following the statement below from the new owners:

"We are pleased to confirm that The Gun Inn in Keyhaven is now under the Management of Pelican Taverns Limited.

In the medium term we plan a general renovation, but for the time being we intend to open the public bar, after a little spruce up, and when current restrictions allow.

We’d be delighted to hear your comments and suggestions regarding food, beer, wine, architecture, opening times ...in fact every aspect of the pub, so please do email us at landlord@theguninn.co.uk or if you prefer to remain anonymous, drop a note in the suggestions box on the bar.

Pete, Jim and the rest of the new Gun team look forward to welcoming you back to your local."

Good luck to you all, I am sure a lot of people will be looking forward to visiting when they can.

The Gun Inn
Saltgrass Lane, Keyhaven, SO41 0TP
01590 642391

landlord@theguninn.co.uk
www.theguninn.co.uk

www.facebook.com/theguninnkeyhaven