Discover the Lighthouse

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International Lighthouse Day is the one day in the year when the importance and the role of lighthouses, and all other aids to navigation, are brought to the attention of the general public, not only in the UK but also worldwide.  This year the Acetylene Room, adjacent to the Hurst Point Lighthouse close to Hurst Castle at the end of the Spit, will be open from 1100 to 1630 on Saturday 18th August. Tours lasting about 20 mins will be provided by members of the Association of Lighthouse Keepers (ALK) to give an insight into the operation of this facility from 1922 to 1965. The tours are free but, as usual, any donations would be gratefully received.

The two lighthouses on the Hurst Spit, the tall tower and the small one on the Castle wall, were originally powered by oil lights and the keepers tending them lived in cottages attached to the lighthouse.  In the early days, the Castle was a military garrison and the keepers were not allowed inside the Castle to tend to the low light sitting on the Castle wall.  A door in the outside of the wall was provided and accessed via an external staircase. Trinity House, who manage all the lighthouses in England and Wales, are always striving to provide better lights and, in the 1920s, acetylene gas was developed for use in vehicle lights and also for lighthouses.  To light the lamp in a lighthouse quite a large quantity of gas was required and so, at Hurst Castle, a special facility was built to manufacture the gas, and this is what you will see described if you visit Hurst on International Lighthouse Day.  The lights at Hurst were lit with acetylene gas from 1922 to 1998, after which the Lighthouse was fully automated and illuminated by a battery powered electric light.

It is regretted that Hurst Point lighthouse will not be open but, on this special weekend, other lighthouses will be open where you will be able to climb to the top to admire the view.  The nearest such lighthouses are at Portland Bill and St Catherine’s on the Isle of Wight.  They are  open on Sunday 19th August so why not make a weekend of it and visit the Acetylene Room on Saturday and either Portland or St Catherine’s Lighthouses on Sunday.

Access to the Acetylene Room is via Hurst Ferries, which run every 20 minutes from Keyhaven, or you can walk along the spit from Keyhaven, a distance of some 1¼ miles.  Refreshments are available in the Gatehouse of Hurst Castle but it is regretted that you will have to pay the Castle entrance fee to gain access to the Castle Café – unless you are a member of English Heritage or a member of the Friends of Hurst Castle, in which case don’t forget to bring your membership card.

International Lighthouse Day – Saturday 18th August 2012

For additional information see:
www.alk.org.uk/events.html
www.hurstcastle.co.uk/lighthouse.html

or email: hurst@alk.org.uk | Telephone 01329 843883 or 07778 520059

Needles Winners at Bowls Club

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Milford on Sea Bowls Club saw excitement on the rink last Sunday in the annual Needles Competition which is sponsored by Murray & Hayward.

Sixteen pairs of players battled it out to win the much sort after prizes of John Bird pictures of the Needles.

This years winners were Alan J Burn & Colin Jarrett who beat Rod (club president) and his wife Geraldine.

The commemorative pictures were presented to the winners & runners up by Martin Scott from Murray & Hayward.

La Perle Go Gold

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Since opening in April last year, Milford on Sea has been enjoying the culinary delights of our own village boutique French bistro.

On a daily basis, Leo conjures up French classics and rustic masterpieces on a plate.  The £10 fixed price menu is proving very popular, and trying to getting a table at a weekend takes planning, and a bit of luck.

Recently, the La Perle team had a visit from the ‘Ladies Who Lunch in Hampshire’.  For several years, the Ladies have been reviewing restaurants across the depth and breadth of Hampshire. During this time, they have sampled many a great meal and numerous quality wines.

Recently, their path found its way to La Perle, where they enjoyed a cross section of the menu accompanied by a selection from the drinks list.  Reading the review there is no doubt they enjoyed their dining experience, which was reflected in both their highly prized Gold Score of 22 out of 25, and the quote; “With this standard of food it is not surprising that they were very busy so booking is highly recommended. It is obviously a very popular venue for the locals, always a good sign!”

You can read the full review by clicking here.

La Perle is now open six days a week, Monday to Saturday for lunch from 11.30am, and dinner from 6.30pm.

If you haven’t been, you are missing a treat!

www.laperlemilford.co.uk

Fun for Kids at Library

Our local Milford on Sea library must surely be one of the most proactive in the country.  Led by Chris Minifie, Assistant Manager, our little library holds regular events for children, the older members of our community and also work to help the partially sighted.

In a time when we regularly hear of library closures, I would expect our local library is constantly under threat, and should it ever be lost it would affect so many in our village.

With the summer holidays now upon us, the team are working hard to give mums some free fun for little ones.

Toddlertime is taking place on the 3^rd August (9.30 to 10am) where toddlers can enjoy action rhymes and fun!  Big brothers and sisters are welcome too - there will be colouring and, of course, books available for them to read if they don't want to join in.

A Family Workshop by Creation Station is on Thursday 16^th August (2 to 3pm),  this is for ages 18 months to 7 years, and based on "Sharing a Shell" by Julia Donaldson. The activities will explore children's imaginative and creative play ideas, by using books as inspiration.  The afternoon will also include a Treasure Box discovery, an opportunity to create a framed 'sand-art' picture and shell character for a lolly stick book mark.

There is also a Story Making Workshop run by local author Cate Sweeney on Wednesday 22nd August (2 to 4pm). All children ages 7 tp 11 years can just go along and enjoy making stuff up and playing with words.

Local author Cate Sweeney said; “The aim is to get kids realising there is a lot of fun to be had in making up stories as well as reading them,” Cate is the author of children’s play Cloud Cuckoo Land as well as grown up novels. “I would never have written the stories I have without my local library. As a child I would always be borrowing books, reading plays, then later revising for exams. Libraries have always been places of wonder and escape for me. We should celebrate them as something that is living and breathing still.” The workshops will be drama based and show children the building blocks of storytelling as well as releasing the power of the imagination.

Both workshops have limited places, so please collect your FREE ticket, in advance, from the library.

For all of these activities parents/carers will need to remain in the library.

This year's ‘Story Lab’ Summer Reading Challenge is a celebration of story and imagination.  Read six books between 16th July and 14th September to collect stickers (be warned some of them stink!), a certificate and a medal.  When you have completed the challenge you name will be entered into a free prize draw for a set of children's classic books.

Each year the Challenge is based around an exciting theme which seeks to inject fun and creativity into reading to motivate primary school children aged four to 11 to read for pleasure. This year’s theme “Storylab”, takes them on an imaginative adventure based on the power of stories.

Milford on Sea Library is open:  Mon 2.30 - 5.30pm; Tue 2.30 - 4.30pm; Wed & Fri 10am - 12.30pm.

Tel: 01425 627013 | christine.minifie@hants.gov.uk

Flood scheme starting in Milford

We have been informed that Southern Water is investing £1.6 million to reduce the risk of flooding and pollution in Milford on Sea.

Some locals will know that during heavy rain, the sewers can become overloaded with storm water which can cause them to overflow and flood roads including Island View Gardens, Sea Road, Keyhaven Road and, on occasions, Danes Stream.

Southern Water plans to install a new sewer from the footpath at the back of Grebe Close to a large storage tank in the field alongside Keyhaven Road, via Swallow Drive and Plover Drive.

During storms, this storage facility will hold excess water until the rain passes. It will be able to hold up to one million litres of water, which will be pumped back into the sewer in Keyhaven Road when the rain stops. A second pumping station will be built underground, part-way along the route on some green land in Swallow Drive.

Planning permission has been granted for the scheme and construction is due to start in August and complete in spring 2013. The site team from contractor 4Delivery will liaise with the parish council and residents as the scheme progresses.

Project Manager Julie Anne Stokes said: “After looking at all options and consulting widely with the stakeholders involved, we’re confident we’ve come up with the best solution for both the environment and our customers.  Our priority now is to complete the scheme as quickly as possible, while causing as little disruption as possible."

There will be some traffic management, including partial road closures. These will be agreed with the county council and residents will be kept updated.

If you would like to find out more, please contact:
Leilah Nicola, Leilah.Nicola@southernwater.co.uk - 01903 272624

Art Season Kicks Off

If you have any interest in art of local artists, or just like exploring, the coming weeks will be for you.

Fast approaching is the Hampshire Open Studios, and if you haven’t been before it is a great way to find nice pieces to decorate your home directly from artists’ studios, and at the same time explore some local lanes and off the beat tracks. (Please see all of the events and venues on website link at bottom of page.)

Milford on Sea is blessed with many talented people, and a surprising number of local artists are inspired by our fantastic surroundings.   Keep an eye out for the signs to various studios and exhibitions in the coming weeks.

Milford Art Group are starting early, with an Exhibition of Paintings in All Saints Church Hall in Milford on Sea.  This runs from Monday 23rd July to Saturday 4th August, and is Open Daily from 10am to 5.30pm (Sunday: 11am to 5.30pm).  Please pop along and take a look.

www.hampshireopenstudios.co.uk

FoHC Thread The Needle

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The Friends’ Summer BBQ, held on the afternoon of Sunday 8th July, had a different format from previous years as it was preceded by a cruise on Hurst Ferries’ ‘Solent Rose’ to try and thread the needle before sailing along the beautiful north western coast of the Isle of Wight and back to the Castle to be fed and watered.

The cruise had been arranged for last summer but had to be cancelled due to – what else? - bad weather, no rain but near gale force winds. The pouring rain on Saturday did not inspire much confidence and there were a few enquires about a Plan B or was it to be another cancellation.

Sunday was by far a better day and 65 people boarded the boat. Threading the needle would be a last minute decision by Captain Sean but we set off in a choppy sea towards the lighthouse. A few got very wet from the spray coming over the bow but many of the passengers were sailing people and had come well prepared. Up close to the lighthouse it could be seen how hard it must have been, especially in rough seas, for crew and supplies to land and how isolated the keepers must have felt in bad weather with no way of leaving. Our Captain decided we could sail between the rocks but warned us it would need his utmost attention. An anticipatory hush descended and then we were through. Mission accomplished. The return journey was in much calmer waters, the sun was shining and Alum Bay with its multicoloured vertical layers looked stunning.

Waiting for the hardy crew back at Hurst Castle were barbequed lamb steaks with salads and a selection of calorie laden deserts, strawberries and cream and fine wine, all tackled al fresco as the pleasant weather continued. The ferry trip returned slightly earlier than planned because of the low tide conditions – or was it the combined weight of all those puddings Sean was worried about!

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

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Green Box turns to cash

During April, Waitrose very kindly agreed to name a Green Box after the Milford Conservation Volunteers.  You know the scheme - the one where you are given a green token to put in the box on your way out.

Last Friday the village organisation was able to collect a cheque for £210 from the Lymington Waitrose branch.   The money is very welcome and will help the volunteers to pay for information boards to be placed at the entrances to our Nature Reserve, i.e. The Pleasure Grounds and Studland Common.

Anne Jenks, Chairman of Milford Conservation Volunteers sends her thanks to all those who kindly supported them with their green tokens..

Chamber Choir Open Rehearsal

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The Total Voice Chamber Choir, which is part of the village's very own Total Voice Choir, was formed in January of this year and has enjoyed a fantastic first season.

The new Chamber Choir has enjoyed successful performances at both Westover Hall during Milford on Sea Food Week and at Milford's (slightly damp) Open Gardens weekend.

The Chamber Choir is part of the highly successful Total Voice Choir, founded by Christine Mulgrew, and which consists of many Milford on Sea residents, who enjoy having a bit of fun, a sing, and meeting new people.

Victoria, the leader of the new Chamber Choir, is now looking for some some new members, and she will be holding an Open Rehearsal on 31 July at 7.30pm at the Guide Hut, Milford on Sea.

You are welcome to just go along, have a sing, and see if the choir's something you might be interested in joining.  The rehearsal will be followed by some drinks and nibbles.

Please feel free to take your friends with you - the more the merrier!

If you fancy attending please contact: Victoria Hopkins

victoria@totalvoice.co.uk

www.totalvoice.co.uk

Housing Objections Hit Brick Wall

The objections of numerous local Milford on Sea residents, and the Parish Council, against the proposed green belt new housing development (Known as MoS1) near Milford on Sea Primary School have met with no success.

One of the objectors has shared their objection letter and the subsequent reply with us. (see below)  They also inform us that their letter went to all the Councillors, and below that is the only response they have received to date. 

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Dear Councillor

We write to inform you of our objection to the proposed construction of twenty affordable houses on the land adjacent to School Lane in Milford-on-Sea. 

We recognise the need for affordable housing, however we strongly object to the proposed location.  The proposed location is at the gateway to the village which currently affords far reaching views across fields to the Isle of Wight beyond.  This encourages visitors to the village which is essential to the suvival of the shops and businesses in the village.  In the past the alternative entry to the village (from Barton-on-sea) was blighted by the development of unsightly flats which we are now stuck with, it would be a travesty to repeat this mistake by locating the affordable housing in the proposed location.

Importantly, the proposal is in contravention of the Council's own strategy for the development of affordable housing, which stresses that no more than five affordable properties will be constructed in a single location.  Milford-on-sea Parish Council have submitted alternative options to this proposal and we are concerned that proper consideration has not been given to these as to date no response has been received.

We appeal to you to please object to the current proposal which is being considered next week by New Forest District Council. and to protect this special village which is important to local residents, businesses, the wider community and tourists to our area.

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Subject: MoS 1

Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:00

Dear Milford Resident,

Thank you for your recent email urging me to vote against the District Council’s Sites and Development Plan. I could not support your request for the reasons set out below. Neither could a majority of my colleagues and the Plan was approved.

This Plan is the result of 30 months work in which several Towns and Parishes have had to accept some potential development where they would rather not have it. If we had decided to reduce the housing provision allocated to Milford-on-Sea at this late stage it could have put the whole Plan in jeopardy, as it would have become out of conformity with the Core Strategy. The Parish Council will have an opportunity to put their concerns at the Public Examination stage before a Government Planning Inspector later in the year. Alternatively, under the Localism Act (2012), it would be possible for the Parish Council to prepare a Neighbourhood Development Plan promoting alternative sites. The District Council have proposed that if clear arrangements are in place for this to happen by the time of the Examination, then they would agree to this way forward and ask for site MoS 1 to be removed from the Plan. Such a Plan would need to be ratified by a Parish Referendum, which has a cost.

I am sorry I cannot be of more help, but democracy means difficult decisions have to be made.  Finally remember this is only a plan; it will only happen if a developer can get a planning application passed by the Council. Nothing is certain to happen.

Regards,

Cllr Derek Tipp