A trip to the Movies in Milford

Some exciting leaflets have appeared in the village shops, which details the screening programme for the new ‘Milford Movies’. 

The Milford on Sea Community Centre has now raised the funds, and organised the necessary equipment, to bring box office films to the heart of the village.  James Flintoff and his celluloid team have put together an impressive range of films over the coming months.  The biggest problem may be getting a seat!

Season Tickets are now on sale at Gwen’s in the High Street (or from the web link at the bottom of this page.)  There are two sorts - the Gold Ticket which covers all ten evening screenings for a heavily discounted price of £30.00 - that means you get to see 4 free films - and the Silver Ticket which covers all five afternoon films for £15.00 which works out at 2 free films. 

The bar will be open for half an hour before each screening until the end of the interval with a full range of licensed and soft drinks,  and of course, ice creams. Can't be bad!

The film club only has 50 available tickets for each screening, so if there are any left after the season tickets have been sold, they will be released as individual tickets just two weeks before each show.  I suspect that each screening will be a sell out, so a season tickets sounds a great way of ensuring you get a seat.

I asked my wife is she would like me to buy us a season ticket in the back row for old times sake, but as you may imagine she did not get too excited about the idea.  So, it looks like I will be sitting at the back with ‘Bert’ my imaginary friend, a big bag of popcorn and giant hot dog!

To see the programme of films coming to the village, please click on the image below.

To buy your Season Ticket, please visit:

www.ticketsource.co.uk/milfordonseavcc

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Click image to enlarge

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

Murray James releases single

We may be on the verge of having a real life pop star in the village.  Milford on Sea born Murray James has his first single due for release on 9^th October.

Murray draws on soul, reggae and hip hop influences and combines them with his unique lyrical insight.  Writing his own material, he is also currently working with Producer Dan Grech Marguerat (The Vaccines, Scissor Sisters), on his debut album for the iconic Deconstruction label.

You can watch Murray’s new single ‘Protect Me’, by just clicking here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWUHsEbSPYk

You can also hear a preview or pre-order Murray’s Debut 4-track EP 'Protect Me' here: http://bit.ly/qZpadw

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Milford on Sea born Murray James was nominated for a Q Award as the ‘Next Best Thing’ in 2010, and also dubbed ‘a superstar’ by The Sun.   Murray James is actually a ‘stage name’ & he may be known better locally by his real name of James Billet. Now pursuing a career as a singer songwriter, Murray has signed a recording contract & he is in the process of writing his debut album between the UK and the USA.  Murray’s musical style is a mix of soul, blues and reggae inspired songs, with a distinct vocal style that defies his appearance.  He has already supported names such as Amy Macdonald, Candi Staton, Natalie Imbruglia, Joe Purdy, and Sir Elton John, at his only UK concert this year.  The concert was performed to a sell-out crowd at Watford FC’s Vicarage Road Stadium in May 2010.

 

The 21st anniversary of the star-studded Q Awards were held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Monday, 25th October 2010.  Some artists who received awards on the night included Sir Paul McCartney, Take That, Florence Welch, Chemical Brothers, Bryan Ferry & Kasabian.  So it looks like he is moving in the right company!  Murray was nominated in the shortlist for the ‘Next Big Thing award'.  The shortlist was chosen by a panel comprised of Columnist Of The Year Caitlin Moran from The Times, Radio1's new music guru Huw Stephens, The Sun's Showbiz Editor Gordon Smart and Q Editor In Chief Paul Rees.  From a long list of 20 acts the panel shortlisted the list to six acts.  Sadly, it wasn’t Murray’s night to pick up an award, but it sounds like he had a good time anyway according to the message he put on Twitter; “That was an unbelievable night... I'm so hung-over that I can barely move my arms! Russian vodka gets a big thumbs up!”  We hope that this is the start of a great musical career for one of our very own.

I broke them!

You may notice as you read old news stories, or view events in the Milford on Sea Community Calendar, that a lot of the pictures have been cleverly replaced with a ‘black box & warning circle’.  This is because your resident idiot has managed to destroy all of links to the original images.

Whilst I take complete blame for fiddling with settings needlessly, I would still like to the designer responsible at Picasa to be tied to a chair and covered with lumpy custard, whilst he explains why the system does not offer a warning of what happens when a moron changes album settings!

To explain, if you use Google Picasa Web Album’s you can set the ‘viewing properties’ on each album.  What I did not know was, if you change the properties of an album, each ‘url address’ on every image also changes.  You would think that if you changed the setting back, the original ‘url address’ would reappear, but oh no, you get another new one!  The consequence of this is that any link you have made to those images is lost forever.  Thinking about is, perhaps ‘url’ actually stands of ‘unique reference lost!’.

So there you have it, if you use Picasa Web Albums and link to images anywhere else, change the ‘album settings’ at your peril!

Ah well, I only have over 1000 image which now have broken links, and each has to be re-entered individually.  Fortunately I was looking for something to do over the next year or so!

Things could be worse I suppose, and at least it is not raining.  Ah, yes it is!

www.milfordonseacalendar.org

Bench Disappears

It appears that some little loves have amused themselves by nicking a bench from Studland Common. The bench had previously been in the middle of the area of the Pleasure Grounds in Milford on Sea and was a popular meeting place for dog walkers.

As it is extremely unlikely the bench will be recovered or mysteriously replaced in the dark of night, many local people feel that it is important to replace the seat.  Stepping up to the plate is Milford on Sea resident, Amanda Tanner, who has started a campaign to raise the funds for a replacement. The Parish Council have estimated it will cost £300, so Amanda has set about trying to raise the funds.

We know times are tough, but if you are willing to donate, contributions can be put through Amanda’s door (at Woodside, Pless Road) or dropped into Hugh Whitlock’s office, clearly marked “Bench”.  Alternatively please contact Amanda Tanner on 01590 645119, or amandatanner@sky.com

Lionel’s up in the air

We have heard that Lionel Illgner is jumping out of a plane.  Rather him than me!  Lionel & his wife Nici, are busy people in the village, running three Milford on Sea businesses, ‘Hardware@Milford’ (the shop that has everything for home DIY jobs!) and ‘Jaws & Paws & Claws’ (the pet shop) in the village, they also own the bed & breakfast at Carrington Farmhouse Cottage. 

My wife tried to organise a ‘Skydive’ for me once, but when she realised I would be given a parachute she lost interest. 

Anyway, Lionel’s Charity Tandem Skydive is on the 25th September, and in aid of Leukaemia Busters.  I f you fancy chipping in a pound or two I know he would be very grateful.  If you want to donate, you can do so here:
www.justgiving.com/Lionel-Illgner

www.skydivesouthcoast.co.uk

www.hardwareatmilford.co.uk

Tel: 01590 641684

A new Zest in the village

We heard of a new business in the village this week.  Zest Services have been set up by a young local couple who live MIlford on Sea.  Carley & Andy are now offering home cleaning, or domestic help services to local people.  To keep things simple all round they have a fixed price structure, and to give additional value they have a loyalty scheme which offers ‘freebie’ services for continued custom.  In addition to cleaning, they also undertake other services as well (for example ironing, washing, shopping, gardening, basic handyman services etc), as well as commercial cleaning  for Offices and shops, etc.

Andy said “We aim to give a high quality service that customers are happy with and will tell their friends about.  We would be happy to offer your readers a 10% discount on their first clean and with our already low rates, that is great value."

If you would like to find out more about Zest Cleaning, their prices & offers, please take a look at their website.

www.zest-services.com

info@zest-services.com | Tel: 07543 294830

The Milford Beach Sign Mystery

We received a report this week that the ‘Tourist Information Sign’ in Sea Road car park contained a picture of a strange beach. Naturally I felt compelled to investigate, but not compelled enough to go and look myself. Instead I cajoled my long suffering friend in to yet another favour, by asking him if he would take a picture of the sign for me.

Although he agreed, like myself he also couldn’t be bothered to go into the village to look. He did however take a picture of the ‘Tourist Information Sign’ at The Needles Eye Café. (Where no doubt he had popped in for a fried breakfast he shouldn’t be eating.)

click image to enlarge

The picture of the sign was soon on my desk, and on taking a look I could see no problem with the picture of the beach at all. I duly went back to the whistle-blower who had given me the information in the first place, to be told the other sign is different. If she had worked out that I was too lazy to look for myself, she was far too polite to say anything.

Back to square one, I now needed a Plan B. It had also now become a personal challenge to resolve this without leaving my desk. I considered asking my wife to participate in the research, but as a policeman’s daughter, she already knew the current progress on this case, and simply suggested I got off my ample rear to look myself. (Her actual words were slightly different.) Undeterred, and immune to insults, I called my friend again. My luck was in, as he was going to buy a newspaper, so within the hour I had a picture of the Sea Road car park tourism sign. Yep, my informant was right, a picture of a beach, but certainly not Milford on Sea beach.

So, there we have it. A unknown beach on one of our tourist signs, and a confused and clueless reporter at this desk. I will do my best to sleep whilst this sand based mystery remains unresolved, but be assured, as soon as someone can explain the whole affair without me having to leave my desk, you will be the first to know.

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Guess the Beach Competition

If you have any idea where the mystery beach may be, please ‘Add a comment’ below. I fully expect some ridiculous comments and look forward to providing some suitably ridiculous replies!

Katie's talent shines

Katie Gates, a local girl born & bred in from Milford on Sea (and also daughter of our Village butcher, David Gates from The Butchers Shop) has been given the big thumbs up by judges at the Open Mic UK auditions. Along with other impressive acts, Katie has made it through to the Regional Finals and will now be performing at the live showcases of Open Mic UK 2011.

Open Mic UK 2011 is an exciting national talent competition which searches for the UKs best singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres who perform either covers or original material.

One contestant who has evidently caught the judge’s eye is local talent  Katie Gates, now competing for a place in the National Final at The O2 in London and the chance to grab a breakthrough recording contract. Thousands of hopefuls entered nationwide and hundreds of auditionees queued patiently on the day for their turn to impress the judges. The overall winner of Open Mic UK 2011 will be offered a recording contract, with up to £30, 000 investment! They’ll also have the opportunity to tour across the UK.

Good luck Katie, it would be great to have a new recording star from Milford on Sea!

 

Listen to Katie on her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=270225002995869&sk=yoursettings#!/pages/Katie-Gates-Open-Mic-Regional-Finalist-2011/270225002995869

www.openmicuk.co.uk

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