40 B4 40-Matahari

No. 25: Matahari, Guildford

click image to enlarge

My wife had a ‘girlie weekend’ in Milford on Sea last week, and apparently the three girls thought it was great fun doing nails, playing with hair and watching films. They even managed to squeeze in fish & chips from Mr Pink’s on Friday, Saturday lunch at La Perle, and Sunday lunch at The Marine.

I and the dogs, had in the meantime been banished to our place in Guildford, under instructions to 'behave like a grown up', and to eat a list of lovingly pre-prepared food.

 

Naturally, all of my wife’s instructions were forgotten as soon as she left, as I ordered a curry that lasted two days, left all the lights on, kept the toilet seat up and didn't put anything in the dishwasher.  On returning from seeing the new James Bond film with Matthew, my son, I proceeded to spend the Saturday evening running around in my pants, and jumping on the settee as I chased the dogs pretending they were the baddies.

 

When the girls returned from Milford, our mate also cadged a lift for a flying visit. For the purpose of this story, and anonymity from village friends of his pregnant wife, he will be known as ‘X’.

 

When they arrived early Sunday evening we had a couple of civilised beers whilst deciding where to eat for the evening. Having ‘X’ as our guest, the Matahari, our favourite Guildford restaurant was quickly decided upon. The Matahari's 'Fusion-Cuisine' is both unique and distinctive, with an emphasis on Malaysian cookery, beautifully blended with Thai, Chinese, Japanese sushi, and other exotic arrays of delicacies with South-East Asian influence.

 

Before going to eat, the three of us had another swift beer in Pews Bar, one the last remaining original public houses of Guildford. The old building has great bulging 17c walls, a narrow undulating staircase for the brave wanting to visit the toilet, and a cobbled alleyway leading to one of the many hidden courtyards in the town.

 

We were soon across the road in Matahari. Set in one of Guildford’s oldest buildings the two floor restaurant is quirky, with low beams, wavy wooden floors, and great charm. Our friendly waiter greeted me by name, which made my wife rightly suspicious that I visited even more times than she knew.

 

It did not take long to make our choices, and we were soon tucking into the Platter of Mixed Starters, accompanied with the first of a few bottles of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais. We had avoided the Japanese options, as cold fish and rice really isn’t what I consider a pleasure. The Onion Baby Ribs were simply outstanding, The Salt & Pepper Squid, and Chicken Satay mouthwatering, all enjoyed with Mini Vegetable 'Popiah' which added a bit of crunch and spice with the chilli dip.

 

As we gabbled on about seaside village life our banquet of main course arrived. Mongolian Chicken, tender chicken cooked in a very tasty & creamy slightly spicy black pepper peanut buttery sauce, Sizzling Vietnamese Sesame Pork, served sizzling hot, with a tantalizing Vietnamese sauce, topped with a dash of cream, Chef’s Special Claypot Coriander Beef Curry, tender beef slices marinated with spices & wrapped in lotus leave, served in a simmering claypot of creamy coconut & coriander flavoured curry, Fried Rice with Egg, and Spicy Vegetarian Rice Noodles, spicy rice noodles fried with beansprouts, Chinese leaves, pepper strips, mushrooms baby corns, eggs & onions, garnished with crispy shallots.

 

As we smiled and ate, ‘X’ overheard the next table talking about ‘vajazzle’s’.  Innocently he asked what they were, and quick as flash, my embarrassed wife changed the conversation. When ‘X’ asked the waiters they were niether able to understand or help him.

 

My wife had been in a playful mood all evening and was by now engaged in a text conversation on her mobile phone. Soon this became very surreal, as the mobile conversation became five way. We were communicating ridiculous one liners with an old friend, Dave, who was in The King’s Head having a friendly drink with Nikki, who had just returned from Milford with my wife. Dave had obviously enjoyed most of his day in the pub, having been left to fend for himself with his girlfriend in Turkey on business.

 

For sweet we ordered ‘Goreng Pisang’, deep-fried banana balls in batter, trickled with honey syrup, served with ice-cream. As she was not eating this, my wife was busy describing our pudding to Dave by text.   He in turn wanted some, and a rendezvous was agreed at The White House by the river Wey.   Sensibly, Nikki poured Dave in a taxi and went home.

 

At The White House, ‘X’ was still on a quest to find the meaning of his new word, which I have to say is not the best way to introduce yourself to the barman.  We were doing our best to ignore him.

 

Dave now with us, was devestated that the promised ‘Goreng Pisang’ was nowhere to be seen, it had been eaten by us instead.  In no time Dave was busy recalling his day's events, and 'X' was still slightly bemused and dazzled by the bright lights of the town.  The conversation turned to even more drivel as our table worked our way through a weird selection of mulled wine, Bailey’s and Guinness. 

 

In the cab home my wife for some inexplicable reason thought it was fun to pinch Dave’s bingo wings constantly, he of course screamed like a girl and shoot up his path when thankfully released from the dangerous& painful confines of the taxi.

 

Once back, the home bar was open, and a rather pleasant Janneau VSOP brandy was enjoyed with coffee before putting another fun night to bed.

 

Footnote: Breakfast next morning was enjoyed at Cote Bistro, Guildford. Amazingly, for a chain they offered a fabulous choice and the quality was unexpectedly high. So high in fact, it had to be one of the best Full English’s I can recall for quite a time. The daytime & evening menus are also full of a wide variety of French classics at pretty good prices. As they have many restaurants around the country, could be one worth trying out.

 

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

www.matahariguildford.co.uk

www.cote-restaurants.co.uk/Cote_Guildford.html

If you are wondering what the 40 B4 40 Dining Challenge is all about, please click here and all will be explained.

 

Total Voice Wow West Quay!

click image to enlarge

Milford's very own Total Voice wow shoppers in West Quay!

Singers from Total Voice's Contemporary and Chamber Choirs joined together on Saturday 10th November to perform in West Quay Shopping Centre for the Southampton Hospital Charity, to raise further funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit following their concert in Milford last October.

 

This wonderful opportunity was embraced with great gusto by the choirs who thoroughly enjoyed singing songs including We Built This City, Paradise, Bridge Over troubled Water and Fields of Gold to all the Christmas Shoppers. Total Voice's directors' Christine Mulgrew and Victoria Hopkins also took the chance to try out the acoustics and sang a solo each, not wanting to pass up such an amazing opportunity!

 

The choirs went down extremely well and the hospital charity team were thrilled with their efforts and West Quay commented on the cheerful atmosphere created for shoppers.

 

It was a proud day for Total Voice in what has been an exciting year of performances.

If you would like to see more photo's. please click this link: http://bit.ly/TVLN4L

www.totalvoice.co.uk

 

Anyone remember Cathy Gillies?

We had an e-mail recently from Cathy Green, who some long term residents may remember as Cathy Gillies.

 

Cathy’s family moved to Milford on Sea in 1949 when she was 2. They lived in a converted coach house at Newlands Manor, until the family open ‘Gillies’ a sweet shop and tobacconist . I used to live at 60 High Street. (next door to Gwen’s). Cathy lived above the shop until she left Brockenhurst College at 18. Her parents finally retired to a house in Whitby Road.

 

Cathy recalls two current and eminent village residents; Gwen Peden, and also Freda 'Lieuty' Cheney MBE of the Girl Guides and Royal British Legion.

 

If anyone remembers Cathy and would like to contact or share some memories with her, please drop me a line at: david@milfordonsea.org, and I will pass it on.

 

Beaujolais Nouveau Thursday

It is Beaujolais Nouveau Day this Thursday 15th November.

 

Our local French bistro, La Perle in Milford on Sea High Street will naturally be celebrating, and have a special lunch & dinner menu accompanied by a free glass of the new crop.

 

La Perle's sommelier will also be attendance to talk through wines and offer suggested pairings with your meal.

 

The menu is also worth checking out, as always it contain exciting rustic french dishes from French onion soup to Leg of rabbit 'à la Moutarde', and you can even something like frogs legs, L'escargot or even eels if you are feeling adventurous.

To find out more please visit: www.laperlemilford.co.uk

 

A Family Story for Remembrance Day

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 Grandad (Horace Hunt), 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 was born and bred in Hendon, North London. I remember him 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.

Back to Peter, (my Brother), a few years ago 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. 

Click image to enlarge

Lewis Gun Letter | Click image to enlarge

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 new loading device for 97 round Lewis Light Machine Gun which improved the loading efficiency by forty percent, which he donated to the war effort. Our family now has a letter from a Major M. A Moir, congratulating him on his ingenuity.

Click image to enlarge

My other Grandfather, Rifleman Albert Long, of the Rifle Brigade (Now merged into the Royal Green Jackets) 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 family memory Peter discovered that he 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.

40 B4 40-Roux at Parliament Square



No. 24A: Roux at Parliament Square, London, SW1

click image to enlarge

The strange numbering of this entry is created due to this entry breaking the 40 B4 40 rules. On this occasion my wife is not in attendance, but she has sanctioned my reporting on my day out with my bald red faced surrogate wife, Alistair.

Unlike our last foray into the big smoke, which ended a bit messy, this was far more of a sober affair. This time we were off to hear Prime Minister’s Question Time at the Houses of Parliament. As ever, the Palace of Westminster looked resplendent and the walk through St Stephen’s Hall was, as always, impressive. 

Having watched the ‘Speaker’s Procession’ through the Central Lobby, we were soon in the fully packed Public Gallery above the House of Commons. The view was excellent, and the glass panelling installed after someone threw flour at Tony Blair did not really effect the experience too much.

Our expectation to see David Cameron, and the other bloke, was short lived as Nick Clegg was standing in due to the Prime Minister being in the Middle East. For obvious reasons no one is told the Prime Minister is leaving the country in advance.

The best questions came from the floor, and some of the humour was quite sharp. Harriet Harman did not have her best day at the despatch box with her questions appearing somewhat weak. All in all, Nick Clegg seemed to handle the session pretty well.

It is interesting to know that the Despatch Box on the Government side houses a Bible and a Koran. The Opposition box contains a burnt Bible, dating back to the destruction of the Commons chamber by a German bomb on 10 May 1941 during the Second World War. Few know that the House of Commons was destroyed during the war, as there was a news blackout at the time to prevent the British people for being demoralised.

Having enjoyed our visit to the heart of UK democracy, it was time for a beer. In the shadow of Big Ben is St Stephen’s Tavern, an nicely preserved historic inn, and we were soon inside tasting their wares and admiring the architecture. The pub is owned by Hall & Woodhouse, who of course are the new owners of The Beach House (Ex: Westover Hall hotel) in Milford on Sea.

 

After a couple of pints and a good chat, it was time for lunch.

We did not have to walk far, as Roux at Parliament Square is just down the road. This is Michele Roux Jnr’s second restaurant after Le Gavroche, housed in a Georgian Grade II listed building of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.   The restaurant is contemporary and luxurious, combining period features and modern furnishings and the listed building was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of London’s iconic Natural History Museum.

 

On this occasion, rather than eat in the restaurant, we had previously decided to eat in the upstairs ‘Pembury’ lounge & cocktail bar.

 

Being a lunchtime, we had resisted the cocktails, and sat enjoying some beer and wine as we read the menus, it was surprising to see that their were no 'set lunch' offers in the restaurant.  The restaurant menu was solely a'la carte, and whilst enticing, also expensive.

 

Fortunately for us, the bar menu was the opposite price wise.  Alistair is a big fan of tapas, and I am a big fan of picking at food, so although it was not a tapas menu we decided to order a portion of most of what was on the menu.  It would of course been rude not to try as much as possible

 

As we awaited our meal in cosy armchairs by the fireplace, we enjoyed a bowl of Pork scratching with smoked paprika (£2), which was like a pork popcorn. Not long after we were moving to a table laden with food!, which included;  Pea and mint aranchini (£5), amazing Pepperdew peppers stuffed with feta cheese (£5), Pork & apple sandwich du jour on organic sourdough (£8), which was just like a hog roast sandwich, Home made scotch egg, piccalilli & secrets farm salad (£8), hmmm yummy, House cured salmon, crème fraiche, toasted multiseed (£8), Selection of cured Iberico pork, pickles & sourdough bread (£15), which was delicious.

 

click image to enlarge

As you can see, the menu had a bit of a pork theme going on.

 

Saldy, due to over ordering the 'picky bits', one thing we did not try was the the Seasonal pie and mash, which today was Hare. However, it did look great value at just £15, and now marked down as one for next time.

 

To round off our lunch we had the Selection of sweet bites (£9), which all bar one had a lemon theme and included; posset, cake bites, macaroon, and I think the most amazing brownie I can remember.

On leaving, we bumped into two high profile cabinet ministers in the lobby, fortunately they did not recognise us, and we were not drawn into long conversation providing our advice on what next strategic move the government should make.

www.rouxatparliamentsquare.co.uk 

 

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

 



click image to enlarge

Angels' Wine Tower Bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel

How about this for a wine rack!  We had a business meeting and lunch in the Angels' Wine Tower Bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Stansted Airport, the bar is underneath this monolith containing 4000 bottles of wine in a spectacular glass storage tower.

 

If you are wondering how the wine is retrieved, it is collected by the restaurant's acrobatic bar angels, who soar into the tower on harnesses to retrieve the appropriate vintage. yes, ...really!

 

www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-stanstedairport

 

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

If you are wondering what the 40 B4 40 Dining Challenge is all about, please click here and all will be explained.

 

 

Wildlife Trust Needs Your Vote

We have heard that our local Hampshire Wildlife Trust is in a competition to win an integrated business system valued at £150k.

 

They have already made it to the 10 finalists stage. The next phase is a public vote and the good people of Milford on Sea may wish to vote for them. The Hampshire Wildlife Trust  do a lot of good work locally, and if we can help swell their budget, I am sure they would want to do even more.

 

The public voting is now open until 23rd November, and the winner will be announced on 23rd November.

 

Voting is very straightforward, simply visit this website: www.greentreegameon.co.uk

You can also read the Wildlife Trust’s profile on the website, and their plans for what they’d do with a new Greentree business system. Chief Executive Debbie Tann said; “We employ very few administration staff, and so people employed for special skills, such as conservation, spend at least a day a week doing paperwork,” Debbie continues. “A Greentree system would give them more time in the field, doing conservation work that is so vital, now and in the future. If we win we can spend more money on wildlife!”

The judging panel is made up of: Maggie Philbin, Terry Forsey, Liz Jackson, Campbell Williams and Harry Mowat
 

Vote here: www.greentreegameon.co.uk, it is easy, it must be, I just did it!

www.hwt.org.uk

 

Send a Hurst Castle Card at Xmas

We all love living in Milford on Sea, and I would be surprised if we did not all like to support local businesses, and landmarks such as Hurst Castle.

 

click image to enlarge

For this year's Hurst Castle Christmas Card, Keyhaven artist Tessa van Hasselt has kindly donated an oil painting of Hurst Castle in the snow, complete with a Christmas tree.

Last year, sales of Christmas cards raised £700 and it is hoped to match or even exceed this figure in 2012.

The Hurst Castle Christmas Cards are available at £3.50 for a packet of ten from Milford newsagent The Village News on the south side of the green in the centre of the village.
 

Mark at Village News have very kindly agreed to sell Hurst Castle cards at no cost.

Alternatively, cards can be delivered locally or sent by post for an additional charge. Please telephone Jonathan Goodall on 07831 17770 leaving a clear message with your name and telephone number together with your instructions. He will then call you back as soon as possible to confirm arrangements.

 

If you are quick, you are also able to buy the original painting by Tessa van Hasselt (minus the Christmas tree) at the Community Centre where it is now on display.

All proceeds from the sale of both the cards and the painting will go directly to the conservation of Hurst Castle.  What a nice way to help out maintain our local heritage.

 

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

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

Talking of Hurst Castle, have you taken a look at their website recently?  nope, didn't think so!

 

There is now a really nice five minute film showing the castle from the air, and if you have the time and interest, you can find out some fasinating facts by listening to Dennis Skillicorn's (former BBC Radio Solent presenter) audio tour of Hurst Castle.

 

Dennis will show you round Hurst Castle with a fascinating insight into its rich and varied history. From its origins under Henry VIII to the imprisonment of Charles I, through Napoleonic times and two world wars, you'll discover how guns and searchlights were developed and learn about the important role of lighthouses.

 

The audio Guided Tour is also available as a downloadable digital album, or to buy from the castle itself.  All of the proceeds go towards the restoration and maintenance of the building.

 

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

 

 

Salterns 24 Hour Sail-a-Thon

The countdown is on to Friday and Saturday 16/17th November when Salterns Sailing Club in Lymington is pushing the boats out for the 2012 Salterns Children In Need 24 hour Sail-a-Thon.

 

It is hoped that fund raising will add to a growing pot that has already raised over £80,000 through running the annual event over the past 14 years.

The 24 hours begins at 4.30pm on Friday when the young members will sail in a tag system through the night, keeping at least one boat on the water at all times. The following day the club has organised a series of fun activities including the Hairy Hair Salon which will offer a personal coiffure of white, red, blue and yellow hair and the Wild Water Tattoo parlour which can create some new scars, pirate gang motifs, or turn children into a beautiful butterfly or favourite flower. A funky Nails to Go Bar with yellow, green and orange nails is also helping to support Pudsey’s cause!

The RNLI Sea Safety Office is there to offer an invaluable free assessment/check of lifejackets followed by exciting seamanship races in decorated Spotty Oppies.

Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy tea, popcorn, candyfloss and cakes. Prizes include a signed Ben Ainslie Olympic Team GB shirt, Spa Day, Gite holiday in France, Northshore factory tour, Wightlink tickets, dinner at La Perle, breakfast at the Raft, lunch at Lymington Town SC and equipment donated by Force 4 Chandlery and Nick Cox Yacht Chandler.

Salterns Sailing Club is a sailing club for children, where they can experience sailing in Optimists, Moths and Scows. The club is run entirely by volunteers.

For more information, please contact: Nikki Mans, Salterns CiN Event Coordinator
nikkiandlancemans@btinternet.com

CLUB LOCATION:

Salterns Sailing Club, Eight Acre Pond, Maiden Lane, Lymington.

 

 

A Celebration for Gwen

click image to enlarge

Friday evening at the Community Centre saw a substantial gathering for a very special occasion. As many will know, Gwen and her team are moving on to things new, and not being keen of a fuss, the girls arrive somewhat reluctantly for Gwen’s retirement party.

 

Over the years Gwen’s shop has become very much the hub of  Milford on Sea village centre, selling tickets for many village events alongside the ladies fashionwear. Thousands of tickets have passed through the girls hands over the years, and this was all done with no more reward than a smile.

 

Having so generously helped so many local organisations, they in turn felt than Gwen could not simply retire without them having the opportunity to say a collective thank you.

 

The afternoon guests enjoyed some pleasant light music from the local jazz band 'Four Winds', made up of musical village residents, and even the chairman of the Community Centre! Many commented on the terrific nibbles, and anyone who saw Amanda Tanner’s demonstration sessions during Food Week will know that she is a dab had at a spectacular canapé or two.

 

The main speech was done very effectively by another long standing village resident, Gloria Grantham Hill. Gloria delivered a well thought out speech reflecting on village times past, which stirred memories in many, and a great picture of the changing era's in the village for several others.

 

At the end of the party Gwen, Michelle and Anne were all presented with a bunch of flowers as a sincere thank you for all they have done from the village. This was of course extremely well deserved, and the girls will certainly be missed behind their counter.