The Marine makes the Good Food Guide

Yet another Milford on Sea restaurant has made its mark on the National culinary scene.  The Marine Restaurant & Bar on the seafront in Hurst Road has been awarded an entry in ‘The Good Food Guide 2012’.  This is an excellent accolade for a restaurant that only open around one year ago.  All entries in the guide are based entirely on readers' recommendations and inspection reports, so congratulations are certainly in order.  Owner Richard, Head Chef Sam, and all of the rest of The Marine team must be extremely proud.

 

Every day it feels that Milford on Sea is fast becoming a ‘foodies heaven’.  Along with Verveine winning the ‘Hampshire Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Chef of the Year’, we also have the exciting new French restaurant ‘La Perle’, the constant high quality & AA Rosette Westover Hall Hotel & Park Lane Restaurant, the deliciously spicy Zaika Indian Restaurant, The Britannia Thai Restaurant with authentic dishes, plus the many fine pubs and cafes all serving great food to suit any taste or budget.  If there are still eating places in the village you have yet to try, go on… treat yourself to a great meal!

www.themarinerestaurant.co.uk

Carol Singers Wanted

Jan Rook at Seahorses Community Playgroup is looking for some carol singers to appear at the Seahorses Christmas Fair. 

The Fair takes place from 10am to 12 noon at the Community Centre on Saturday the 10th of December.  Along with the stalls, coffee, cakes and Father Christmas she would love for a choir or some gifted amateurs to sing some carols for the visitors.  If you & a group of friends fancy giving the day a special festive feel please get in touch with Jan.

Seahorses Community Playgroup | Jan Rook | 07801 624324

seahorses@btinternet.com

New Fundraising idea for clubs & charities

Gary Price, local businessman, and editor of The Barton Bugle, has launched ‘Peel2Save’, which is a new fundraising idea for charities, schools, clubs, churches, youth groups and other non-profit organisations to raise much needed money.

The Peel2Save fundraising card is full of local discounts and savings from more than 20 businesses including Westover Hall Hotel, Verveine, Westover Hall, La Perle, The Marine, South Lawn Hotel, Smuggler's Arms, Brittania Thai, Sears Barbers, Bon Appetit and New Seasons Florists.

 

Elliotts of Lymington, The Mill at Gordleton and Vitality Day Spa in New Milton.  Basically, the fundraiser sell the cards for £10 each and get to keep £5 from every card sold.

 

Gary aims aim to raise £50,000 for New Forest groups in his first year with this project.

If you would like to find out more, Gary is running a presentation at 41 Farm Lane South, Barton on Sea on Wednesday 14^th September between 12noon-2pm or Thursday 22^nd September between 7pm-9pm.  If you would like to go along, please let him know.

 

RSVP: gary.prince@peel2save.co.uk  or ann.henderson@peel2save.co.uk  or call 01425 629841.

www.peel2save.co.uk

Be a part of the ‘Big Wildlife Garden’

Everyone has the opportunity to help create the UK’s largest nature reserve from today – with the launch of the ‘Big Wildlife Garden’ (BWG) competition.  The competition is being run by The Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Horticultural Society, with funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The Big Wildlife Garden competition encourages everyone to do some wildlife gardening on their doorstep.  Anyone is eligible to take part – including individuals, communities, businesses and schools – and no space is too small to be transformed; be it a window box, school playing field or retail park in a town, city or in the countryside.  There are six categories and entry is free via the BWG website www.bigwildlifegarden.org.uk 

It is hoped that, through showcasing some of the best wildlife gardens in the UK, the competition will inspire everyone to take action and turn their gardens into wildlife havens; a great way of getting active and fit.

Natalie Rogers, Wildlife Information Officer for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says "Gardens are vitally important for wildlife and create a patchwork of habitat for local plants and animals. The Wildlife Trust's 'Living Landscapes' vision involves linking up habitats to conserve nature, and gardens will play an important role in this. Hampshire and the Island have some wonderful wildlife gardens so please enter the competition to show the UK how fabulous our two counties are for wildlife!"

Entries for the BWG competition can be submitted now. The competition closes on Sunday 20 May 2012.  Prizes include a wildlife gardening masterclass at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, where the prize-giving ceremony will take place, along with membership of the Wildlife Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society.

The BWG website contains top wildlife gardening tips and links entrants to a community of gardeners throughout the UK, with a facility to view BWG entries in their locality.  It also includes a ‘My Garden’ page where information about gardens can be uploaded and stored.  To find out more visit the BWG website www.bigwildlifegarden.org.uk

To find out more about Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust see www.hwt.org.uk

Police Alert for Mum's

Milford on Sea Police Alert: On 29th August a male possibly of Asian appearance was seen driving a silver Vauxhall Corsa, stopping in a quiet residential area and giving sweets to a young boy.

Please be aware of children's safety and report anyone acting suspiciously.  Also, please pass this information on to any Mum’s with young children you may know.

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Andy Brown | PCSO 13355

Safer Neighbourhoods Team | Lymington Police Station | SO41 9GH

External Tel: 0845 045 45 45

Mobile Tel: 07901102272 

andrew_brown@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Have you seen any nude sunbathers recently?

At last, a bright sunny summer day welcomed my early awakening in glorious Milford on Sea. Having walked & fed the dogs, I was waiting for my wife to arise from her slumbers to let me know what I was doing today. As I patiently waited for her dreams of me to cease, I thought it might be interesting to find out a bit more about our Milford on Sea village beaches from my friends at Google. I started with ‘Paddys Gap’ and identified a ‘smuggling connection’. Point noted to research at a later time. I then did a search for ‘Taddiford Gap’. As some of you may know there is a Second World War pillbox on the cliff top, and during World War 2 the gap was 'plugged' with the concrete obstacles commonly known as 'dragons teeth'. There are still a few remains of the anti-tank defences (dragons teeth), some of which have now fallen to the beach from the eroding cliffs. 

A bit more delving and I found out a bit more than I had expected. Oooo, it appears I had found an unofficial local nudist beach! I felt like Kojak when he had just latched onto an unexpected case, other than I was eating a KitKat rather than a lollipop. I obviously now had a choice, continue looking into information about the local beaches, or research the nudist bit a little more. I think you probably know what I decided.

I have to say, on previous walks on Taddiford Gap beach I had never seen any exposed ‘wobbly bits’. I can’t make up my mind if I was fortunate or not, however my intrepid research needed to continue. One web search revealed the statement that: ‘Taddiford Gap is an unofficial naturist beach. The area to the west of the access point is much favoured by nudists. Naturists might also learn something about wildlife in the area’. Good point, I suppose a bit of bird watching whilst nude sunbathing can be educational. 

I also found out that a couple of years ago the British Naturism website was requested to remove the beaches location from their directory of naturist beaches. The request had been made by Longdown Management Ltd, on behalf of the landowners of this beach (The Trustees of the Barker-Mill Discretionary Trust.) Reading one of the web entries, I have to say I did giggle immaturely when they mentioned the ‘Pay & Display’ car park! Why is it that any beach with a name containing ‘Gap’, and an association with nudists, just gets me sniggering like a five year old.

Milford on Sea of course need more signs on the seafront, so how about one saying; ‘Attention: Nude bathing is prohibited, but encouraged’.

 

Now, I have never been, or even knowingly known a naturist, so to find out more I felt we had to visit to research the beach in person. I suggested to my wife that we should go ‘under cover’ to blend in. I have never seen her so horrified! Her complexion changed from warm pink to stark white, her mouth dried in front of my eyes and she wobbled as if her legs were about to give way. It was obvious this plan was not going to work.

Oh well, I would need to diet before going anyway. So for now, I think I will pop down to Boots for a heavy duty body razor and some sun cream oil in preparation for next summer.

All Total Voice Need is Love



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Total Voice, our very own Milford on Sea village choir are holding a very special charity concert on the 15th October.  The concert will be a celebration of songs about love and friendship with performances from the adult and children's choirs as well as solos and smaller groups. 

The concert is being held to raise money towards parental rooms at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton.  Choir leader Christine Mulgrew said "The charity we are supporting is very close to my heart as the Neonatal Unit took care of my little boy Archie who was born in February this year.  Archie was in the unit for just a few days before coming home with us but the care we received was outstanding and I really wanted to do something to say thank you.  I also know there are other families within the choir whose children or grandchildren have been taken care of by the Neonatal Unit at Princess Anne Hospital so it means a lot to us.  Do come along and support us, as ever we promise a night of great songs and performances packed with fun and enthusiasm.”

The Princess Anne Hospital provides specialist care to around 600 sick term and pre term (premature) new born babies a year from Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole, Chichester, Dorchester, Basingstoke, Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Winchester and the Channel Islands - with such a wide-spread 'catchment' many parents do not have the option to go home.  The Neonatal Unit has already raised £75,000 towards a new suite of parental rooms, Christine aims to bring them even closer to their £100,000 target.

Christine is also looking for sponsors, raffle prizes and donations.  Perhaps you have a Beach Hut and would be willing to offer a week’s use for a raffle prize?  Maybe you could take someone out on your boat?  Ideally she would like some unusual raffle prizes that people would really, really want, as well as the delicious meals from our lovely local restaurants!  So if you fancy getting involve please drop her an e-mail.

Total Voice are also performing a concert for the RNLI on Sat 24th September in the Community Centre.

Tickets are now on sale at Gwen’s in the High Street and buying one will give you a great night out, whilst doing good for those less fortunate.

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If you are able to help with any of the above please contact Christine Mulgrew on 07824 388263, or email: info@totalvoice.co.uk  |  www.totalvoice.co.uk

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Michelle joins Gardening Magazine

Michelle Wheeler is a local Milford on Sea resident and young mum, who has landed a new job as a weekly garden writer with Amateur Gardening magazine.  As you might expect Michelle is a keen gardener with a great knowledge. 


She trained at Sparsholt College in RHS qualifications, and then worked at Fairweathers for a while.  Before her latest career adventure, she had worked at River Cottage in Devon in Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall kitchen garden.  

Michelle lives with her family in Keyhaven Road, and her ever expanding garden has made an interesting visit for many during Milford on Sea Food Week.  The variety of herbs, vegetables and plants is impressive, particularly as she grows them in this unforgiving seaside environment.  Michelle really enjoys writing about gardening and is always be on hand to give advice to people in the village.  She is now just waiting from some decent rain to do some more planting, and looking forward to welcoming more visitors at next year’s Food Week.

8,000 year old Solent wood & string

They say you learn something new every day, well today I learnt two things.  First, I learnt that my wife goes apoplectic if I put my finger in the middle of her mouth as she is yawning.  Secondly, I discovered that The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA) have been carrying out internationally important excavations and research of the submerged pre‐historic site of Bouldnor Cliff in the Solent.   Bouldnor Cliff is 11 metres below the surface and approximately 250 metres offshore of Bouldnor, near Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight and lies within the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation.

Excavations have been on‐going at Bouldnor Cliff since the Mesolithic settlement was first identified in 1999, when a lobster was seen throwing Stone Age worked flint tools from its burrow.  Since then the site has yielded numerous secrets, including the oldest piece of string and more than a quarter of all the worked Mesolithic timber that has ever been recovered in this country.  The material so far recovered has already demonstrated that the technology of the era was 2,000 years ahead of what archaeologists previously believed.  Trust director Garry Momber outlined that ‘Bouldnor is one of the most important Middle Stone Age sites in the world’.

The fast flowing tidal conditions of the Solent pose numerous problems for archaeologists working at Bouldnor, and several new techniques have been developed to make work easier.  These have included ‘Box Sampling’ which allowed sections of seabed to be lifted in a case and excavated on dry land. In addition, earlier this year, divers managed to lay a line between two parts of the site that lie 450 metres apart. This finally links numerous excavation areas along the underwater cliff face using what is probably the longest underwater archaeological base line in the world.

The site is constantly being eroded by the Solent’s tides and the HWTMA continue to monitor the site and to undertake rescue recoveries and excavation when significant material is under threat.  This year is no exception and further survey, sampling and recoveries will be undertaken by diving archaeologists between the 5 – 9 September.

I am still a bit bemused as to how Mesolithic man lived under the sea, and why a lobster decided to use flint tools.  However, this may be a piece of learning I will need to leave for another day.

Further information:

The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA) is a charitable Trust that seeks to promote and preserve maritime archaeology around the country, but particularly in the South.  More information can be found on www.hwtma.org.uk

Verveine sweeps Hampshire Awards

Thursday was the night of the Hampshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2011. 

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As we got ready for this lavish annual event, I was unsure how long I would be able to breathe, due to my wife having shrunk my dinner suit trousers since the last time I had worn them.  After a few hours getting ready, and only a few minutes late, my wife had scrubbed up well for a night of glitz & glamour.  We were soon on our way to the Four Seasons Hotel at Dogmersfield House near a remote northern town called Hook.  As we arrived, we cruised up a long sweeping drive to discover the magnificent neo-classical Georgian Dogmersfield House.  At the entrance we were greeted by the very smart hotel team, who were reminiscent of the lines of staff welcoming renowned people at Buckingham Palace.  I asked if the welcome party was just for me, and the manager adeptly ignored my comment and discreetly asked; ‘Are you OK sir, you look a bit red.’  My wife just said ‘He always looks like that when his blood circulation is cut off’, and headed for the waiters with champagne trays.

On the terrace I was pleased to see a few other portly guys also struggling for breath. Starting to recognise some of the esteemed guests, it dawned on me that ‘the great & good in Hampshire food’ was in attendance.  The Hampshire Life Magazine team took the time and trouble to come and introduce themselves, and each one was delightful.  The Verveine team then arrived in all of their finery.  Most other award nominees were in one’s and two’s, but Milford on Sea’s Verveine came mob handed, with none of the team left out of this special occasion.  Their excitement was palpable and infectious.

 

Dogmersfield House was a spectacular and impressive venue, and as we were all invited to take our places for dinner in the ballroom, the wow factor got even bigger.  Magnificently laid tables, grand surroundings and a stage with large plasma screens like an Oscar ceremony.  As over 200 people took their seats, I just looked at the chair and then my trousers, wondering whether it would be the waistband or crotch that gave way first?!  The conversations just flowed as we enjoyed a four course meal, including a spectacular local 'loosehanger' cheese board.  We were even given copious and complimentary wine by local wine merchant Berry Brothers.  I bet our chef, Cyrille Pannier, felt just a little pressure cooking for the array of foodie diners he had in tonight!  Our table was pretty noisy, with the Verveine team having a great time, albeit a little apprehensive for what excitement may lay ahead.

Just after nine, it was time for the ten ‘Food & Drink Awards’ awards of the evening.  Hosting the awards ceremony was Sally Taylor from BBC South Today.  First up was ‘Chef of the Year’.  This award was for the chef considered to demonstrate freshness & quality in their menus, high food standards and raw passion.  The nominees were David Wykes from Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant, Andrew Donovan from the 5 star Aviator Hotel in Farnborough and Damian Brown Executive chef at Chesil Rectory in Winchester.  To raise the tension, a short film was shown on each person.  Then…. ‘The winner is……. David Wykes!’  Our table spontaneously erupted, and it would have been of no surprise to discover one of us had wet ourselves.  It is amazing to think that this extraordinary Milford on Sea village fish restaurant only opened in February 2010.  As David collected his award the celebratory emotions ran high, with the entire Verveine team of David, Stacey, John, Mary Kate, Jackie, Jess & Graham all beside themselves with excitement. David’s wife, Sarah, was also there to share in his proud moment of deserved recognition.  My wife was there mainly because she loves a good party.

 

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A couple of awards later it was time for the ‘Restaurant of the Year’.  This award was to recognise quality of food and service, value for money and the overall dining experience.  This time Verveine were again up against serious competition from Pebble Beach in Barton on Sea and Chesil Rectory in Winchester.  Another film, more tension.  Then Sally said; ‘And the winner is… Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant!’.  Our table exploded again, everyone jumping in the air, hugs all round and kisses were everywhere.  I think I took the unknown lady on the table next to us by surprise when I kissed her on the lips.  But in a funny way I think she enjoyed it, although she tried to feign resistance by punching me hard in the kidneys.  It did hurt, but in a strange way I was pleased that it had taken my mind off of my strangulating waist band.  Stacey & David proudly collected their award from the stage to a room of loud applause.  It is clear they were popular winners, and anyone who has dined at Verveine can only be impressed by the creative menu, fresh ingredients, slick service and the theatre of the entire experience.     

The last award of the evening was for ‘The Hampshire Recognition Award’.  By this stage my bow tie had gone, shirt undone, jacket off and I was one stage from undoing my trousers.  So, it took me a bit by surprise when my name was called.  I was also a bit embarrassed, as all I do is pull together other peoples hard work.  I was the most unkempt person in the room, so I was guaranteed to spoil all of the nice photos the organisers had been taking so much trouble to get perfect all night.  As far as I am concerned, this award is genuinely for everyone in the Milford on Sea community who work so hard organising or getting involved with Food Week events for all ages groups, and of course for everyone in the village who enthusiastically turn out to support the many and various events throughout Milford on Sea Food Week.  It is more than enough for me just to see a village full of smiling people.  I am now a bit unsure where to put this unexpected trophy, so I may drop it round to a random house in the village and ask them to pass it on each day.

As the evening drew to a close it was evident that many new friendships had been forged, and all of the Hampshire food providers had been drawn a little closer together, which can only be good for everyone who enjoys food in our county.  As everyone boarded the Milford on Sea bus home it was clear that the driver was going to have to endure the continued celebrations of the Verveine team for quite a while!

Well done and thank you to everyone at Hampshire Life, ….you put on a spectacular evening.  Big congratulations also go to all in Milford on Sea, the village won three out of the evenings ten awards, and all because you support the efforts so many are making to put Milford on Sea on the map for great food.  Keep eating!

www.verveine.co.uk

Saturday is Carnival Fun Day!

Don’t miss out on the late summer fun on Milford on Sea village green this Saturday.  The Milford Carnival Fun Day starts at 10am and runs right through until 8pm. The day has lots of free live music & entertainment for the family, with plenty to keep you refreshed, such as a BBQ, fresh Doughnuts and Pimms.  There is also loads for the kids to enjoy, including a Bouncy Castle, Climbing Wall and Assault Course.  Keeping the traditional theme going, you can also have a go on the Coconut Shy, Bat the Rat, Tombola, Raffle and other traditional village green games.

This year, whilst no carnival procession, there is a Fancy Dress competition with the theme of ‘Children’s TV characters’.  Contestant will gather at 4.15pm in the High Street where the judging will take place.  The first prize in the Fancy Dress Competition is a family passport ticket to Longleat.  (Entry forms are now available from Gwen’s, or by e-mail from sean@hwsolicitors.com)  The day’s festivities are drawn to a close with the Grand Raffle Draw at 7.45pm.  Enjoy your Carnival day, it’s always a good one!

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Organised by Milford on Sea Village Community Committee

Big Cat sighting in village

We had an interesting story in this week, which reported a sighting of a ‘big cat’ in Milford on Sea. (Unlike a lot of the nonsense stories on these pages, this one is actually true.)

This all happened around 8am on Monday 22nd August.  A local village resident was walking their dog down New Lane (Milford on Sea) towards Carrington Caravan Park and is convinced she has seen something very unusual.  It was definitely not a dog or a big domestic cat, but looked like a very black big puma sized cat.  The 'big cat' was between the woods and the open fields.  The person in question is absolutely sure it was something out of the ordinary, and asked me to ensure everyone that she hadn't been drinking!

Anyone else seen anything strange out there?   Let me know: david@milfordonsea.org