Food Week is Here!

It all starts next Monday!!

Everyone involved is now getting geared up to participate and entertain, and we hope that everyone in the village is planning to go to a number of events.

There are a few tickets left for some shows, so if you haven't yet booked, please visit Gwen's in the High Street, or the online ticket office from the link below.

Lisa and Simone at Aubrey Farm in Keyhaven, have let us know their lambs have started to be born, with more on the way, just in time for 'Keyhaven Lambing Live'.  There are also lots of displays and demonstrations, a beekeeper, spinners & weavers and you even get a close look at the farm machinery. It is going to be charming event on Food Week Thursday, so it should be well worth going along.

We are also going international this year, with the 'Three Nations Wine Tasting' in the Cookery Theatre on Thursday evening. There will be three experts in the wines of South Africa, France and Chile. Presented by village based wine merchants Daan (Cape Wine Cellars), John (Vine Associates) and Damien (Humboldt Trading), you will participate in a comparative tasting across red and white varietal wines from each country, and then have a fun vote for your favourite!  Advanced Tickets: £6, available online or from Jaws & Paws, or Entry on door: £8. Just come along!

We also have lots of free events and activities for everyone, including the kids, so please come along and have a lot of fun.

Hopefully, you already have your Free Food Week programme, but if not, they are available in the shops, or from the Food Week Information Centre on the Village Green from Good Friday onwards.

Have a great time, - and enjoy eating your way through Food Week!

PS: Could you lend a hand for a few hours?  If so, please drop me an e-mail and we can let you know the jobs we still have to fill.  No obligation, and fun guaranteed! david@milfordonsea.org  

http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/

Kids Egg Painting Winners

The Children of Milford on Sea Primary School have been busy entering the Food Week Egg Painting Competition.  As always they have come up with many creative, decorative and fun pictures.

The windows of Hugh Whitlock Solicitors in the High Street are now displaying all the entries, so please pop down and take a look at the efforts of the village little ones.

Naturally, all of the entries are great, but judging will soon take place by local artist, Bruce Connell, to identify the winners in the year groups Yr 1-2, Yr 3-4 and Yr 5-6.

The winners names will be on a poster in Hugh Whitlock Solicitors window from next Wednesday, and the winners can collect their prizes from Milford Models and Hobbies.

http://www.milfordonseafoodweek.org/

Phil in Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Our well known local classic boat restorer, Phil Clabburn, is once again hard at work having been commissioned to restore a Seaplane Tender 441, and a RAF WWII rescue boat for private clients.

Having heard of the restoration of such a rare vessel, the RAF have entered the boat into the Queens Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant where she will be one of the first escorting the Queens barge on 3rd June 2012.

Currently resting on the boats owners tennis court under a poly tunnel, Phil is now working 'against the clock' to get her re-engineered and in full working order for her big day, where he will be alongside the owners driving her up the Thames.

He hopes to bring 441 to Hythe for sea trials in early May so you may see her speeding around The Solent.

At high water in the afternoon of Sunday 3 June 2012, up to a thousand boats will muster on the River Thames in preparation for Her Majesty The Queen to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.  It will be one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the river.  Rowed boats and working boats and pleasure vessels of all shapes and sizes will be beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Flags, their crews and passengers turned out in their finest rigs.  The armed forces, fire, police, rescue and other services will be afloat and there will be an exuberance of historic boats, wooden launches, steam vessels and other boats of note.

Phil previously restored boat HSL 102 (now owned by Portsmouth Dockyard), which will also be in the Pageant on the day.

http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/

40 B4 40-The Snakecatcher

click image  to enlarge

No. 8: Sunday morning and still recovering from a slight hangover, our friends, Gary & Claire, were planning to leave after lunchtime. This of course meant that we had to decide what to eat before they left.

I took my wife completely by surprise, and simultaneously astounded our friends, when I offered to cook for lunch. Whilst they discussed what dishes I had the ability to cook, and mulled over whether they should call a doctor, I revealed my plan.

We were soon off The Snakecatcher in Brockenhurst. To explain, The Snakecatcher serve ‘Hot Rocks’, which are volcanic stones that you use to cook your own meal at the table. Having not tried it before my wife and I were looking forward to seeing how it worked.

We started with a Home-made Houmous with pitta bread & dip. Nice it was too. The beef burgers coming out of the kitchen look pretty awesome, but we all settled on ordering The Hot Rocks.

We had all chosen a selection of Surf & turf (4oz sirloin steak, prawn or scallops) and Mixed grill (strips of chicken, sirloin and duck). I offered to cook for everyone and was either ignored or met with a blank look.  As I tried to help my wife with her cooking she explained, in a way only she can, how she has managed to feed herself for many years and that if I touched her food in any way, she would weld my head to the hot rock.  I decided to keep my cooking advice to myself, even though it would of course have been invaluable.

The ‘Hot Rocks’ were certainly hot! and the meals cooked pretty quickly. It was a fun way to eat, and cooking ‘just as you liked it’ was a novel experience.

Being in The New Forest, and a sunny day, the gardens were packed with people. So much so, the kitchen were unable to do a pudding for another hour or more. I therefore has to mask my disappointment like a man as we bade our friends a fond farewell.

As we arrived home, we surveyed the remnants of our friends visit for a really fun weekend, and then made three trips to the bottle bank.

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

http://www.thesnakecatcher.co.uk/

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

40 B4 40-The Raft

click image to enlarge

No. 7: Saturday evening and we were off to The Raft.  Accompanying us were our good friends, Gary & Claire, both of which are well known for their hollow legs, with a capacity for a litre or two of wine in each.

Naturally, we had enjoyed a couple of pre-dinner drinks before arriving at The Raft. It was only 7.30pm, but The Raft was buzzing with atmosphere and all of the tables were full.

We were soon settled, and enjoying some Rekordilig Pear Cider as we perused the exotic menu. There were plenty of interesting courses, but we all chose pizza for our main courses.

Our starters were the Baked Camembert with white wine, rosemary, garlic & soldiers, and the Prawn Pot with garlic, paprika, olive oil, chilli & home-baked bread. All were full of flavour and washed down with a fine bottle of Malbec.

After a good chat, we were then soon tucking into our Shipwrecked Pizza’s (Chicken, chorizo & bacon lardons), The Raft Pizza (Gorgonzola, mushrooms, proscuitto & rocket) and the night’s special, a Calzone stuffed full with corned beef, cabbage & cheese. You will not be surprised to know that we were also now on our second bottle of Malbec.

Having all enjoyed our pizza selections for their freshness and flavour we were offered the sweet menu. My wife declined, and our friends just ordered some more wine. I went for The Meringue, which was homemade by owner Denny’s wife, and served with cream and fresh red berries. It was a great end to an excellent meal, and the bill was agreed by all as good value for money.

On the way home, we checked in on La Perle and Verveine, our cover story was to check up on their Food Week events, but in truth it was to enjoy another drink, which of course we did!

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

http://www.theraftmos.co.uk/

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

Conservation Volunteers in Green Box

The Milford Conservation Volunteers have been selected to have a "Green Box" at Waitrose in Lymington.

Naturally, we would rather encourage you to do your shopping in the village, as it is quite amazing how much you can buy locally and of course every penny spent in our shops maintains the vibrancy of our village community.

Should you find yourself needing to visit a large supermarket, there is now a good reason to select Waitrose, and if you do, please put your token in Milford Conservation Volunteers box. Waitrose donate £1000, which is then shared between the three good causes each month, according to how many tokens are in the box.

The MCV (Milford Conservation Volunteers) will also have a pitch at the Sunday Food Market on 15th April, the last day of Milford on Sea Food Week. They are looking for volunteers to man the Gazebo during the day and if you can spare an hour or two it would be great. Also, Keith would like about five volunteers at about 8.00am to help set up the Gazebo. Please let Keith or Anne know if you are willing to lend a hand.

keithmetcalf@btinternet.com
anne.jenks@talktalk.net

The Food Week Rap

A good friend of mine, who obviously has a mind that operated in strange ways, and far too much time on his hands, has created a rather odd 'Milford on Sea Food Week Rap'.

Steve 'Carrots' Carroll, took the voice comments from a recording of a radio interview and then constructed the nonsense below!

Click here to view Food Week Rap

That's reminds me, Steve also did a previous video on the Milford on Sea Food Market during Food Week, that is also worth a look.  This guy is a bit too creative for his own good!

40 B4 40-Vetiver (Chewton Glen)

click image to enlarge

No. 6: As you pull into the sweeping drive you immediately get the feeling that you are in for something a little special.  As we passed the clumps of freshly sprouting daffodils alongside the drive, Chewton Glen appeared in its stately finest.

On reaching reception we and our friends, C&T, were greeted at the door with a smile, and politely directed though the gloriously opulent country house to the recently refurbished Vetiver Restaurant.  The restaurant maitre'd somehow knew who we were from the booking and welcomed us by name.

The dining room of this renowned 'One Michelin Star' and '3 AA Rosette' restaurant looked spectacular.  The atmosphere was bright an airy with walls in dramatic black wallpaper with silver white flowers.  The tables were immaculately laid predominately in white, with Limoges porcelain, gleaming cutlery and crystal, with purple coloured water glasses and a lime green flower vase gave a refined splash of colour.  Again lime green featured on the menus and some seating areas, demonstrating a lot of thought had gone into the design detail.

First courses chosen, we given a complimentary Cod Roe and Garlic Dip, with Homemade Sesame Crackers and Bread Sticks. Soon, we were then enjoying Pea and Coconut Soup, and a my wife had a Charcuterie, featuring Parma Ham, choritizo, smoked ham and guinea foul terrine.  All was accompanied by speciality breads and rolls.  I managed to try at least four, with onion bread being the close winner.

Whilst the service was formal, the restaurant was also relaxed, and staff attentive and friendly.  Dressed in black they had a constant eye on out table and our glasses never emptied.

Main courses arrived, and the Calves Liver with caramelised onion emulsion, lemon and anchovies was excellent.  My wife's Leg of Lamb with fondant potatoes and roasted vegetables also got the satisfied nod of approval.

Finally the sweet course.  The croissant Bread and Butter Pudding was a delight, and the Yorkshire Rhubarb Vacharin featured meringue which was soon devoured.  As is usual my wife declined a pudding, but she did not know I had told the restaurant it was her birthday. (It wasn't!).  A complimentary delicious looking rich chocolate mouse on a sponge base appeared, with a candle and happy birthday inscribed on a piece of chocolate.  Suitably embarrassed, she ate a few mouthfuls and I then came to her rescue by eating the rest, leaving her of course with the commemorative candle.

Whilst choosing our sweets, we had spotted something quite unusual on the bottom of the menu.  It is sadly quite normal to read that a 10% or so service charge will be automatically added to your bill.  However, I quite surprised to read: "All prices are inclusive of a 10% service charge, every penny of which is shared amongst the team. Therefore no further gratuities are neccessary, nor will they be accepted."  Nice to know they look after their team and finding that the service charge is included in the published prices was indeed a pleasant surprise.

On leaving we had a brief look around, and the furnishings and decoration in each of the rooms were sumptuous and refined.  This place just oozes style and quality without being stuffy.  It is easy to feel out of place in such an environment, and you soon see why it is a favourite of the rich and famous.  We can also say that everyone and anyone is made to feel welcome.  Vetiver is certainly worth a visit, not only for a special occasion, but with a Set Lunch Menu at £20 for two courses, and £25 for three, the Vetiver restaurant is accessible to many at any time.

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

www.chewtonglen.com/restaurant

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

Drama at Comedy Club

As another sell out audience flowed into the ‘Fifth Thursday Comedy Club’ in Milford on Sea Community Centre last night, they were greeted by the news that headline act, Miles Jupp, had pulled out only 24 hours before. Miles is currently all over our television screens having just performed in ‘Dance for Sport Relief’, ‘The Apprentice: Your Fired’ and even in a new panel game show with Paul Merton this very evening.

A delicious Cumberland Pie was soon being enjoyed with drinks from the bar, and in spite of our missing star for the night, all were in high spirits. A handout told us that we now had a new headline act, Mike Gunn. What it did not mention was the trauma Sue Whitlock, (the Comedy Club organiser) must have gone through to find replacement performers in the few hours available after Miles withdrawal.

Soon the evenings compare had laughter flowing with a couple of jokes, and he then started the ‘Open Mic’ session, where local audience members were encouraged to tell a joke as he wandered through the amassed throng. The tone was soon set with some rib tickling jokes, most of which confirmed the warning on the posters about ‘adult only’ entertainment!

Our new support act, Iszi Lawrence, was then on stage. Iszi is a young female comic from Bristol, and she was soon in her stride with an engaging personality and sharp funny stories. Although young, she obviously knew how to handle our evening’s hecklers with some nice put downs and a warning that ‘Mike would not be so gentle.’

As we recharged our glasses during the interval, the handout told us more about Mike Gunn. Early in his career Mike was supporting the likes of Jo Brand and Alan Davies. He now headlines at all the top comedy venues in the UK and he has also recently entertained the troops in the Falkland Islands. Mike has also taken two solo shows to the Edinburgh Festival. His television appearances include Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1), Harry Hill’s TV Burp (ITV), Al Murray’s sit-com ‘Time Gentlemen Please’ (Sky), to name but a few.

Our main act soon took to the stage looking sharp in a smart jacket, crisp jeans and tee shirt. Within minutes he had everyone in fits of laughter, as he pointed out many of the differences between men and women. His observations were spot on, and hilarious. Some acts just want to do their prepared show, but Mike obviously liked a bit of banter and happily went off script to interact with the crowd. As our evenings hecklers reemerged, he simply cut them down like felling a small tree using a giant humour chain saw. As he got to know the audience, and little bits about Milford on Sea, his act evolved to focus on things relating to the people in the village.

His anecdotes were quick fire and painted pictures in your mind that could only create laughter, in particular, his set relating to age had the audience almost wetting themselves. (Possibly, some even did.) Mike’s style was warm, likeable and he had the ability to ensure everyone was hanging on his every word in fear of missing something. Sometimes you know the comedian is enjoying it just as much as you, and this was one of those nights. This guy was without doubt a ‘top draw’ comedian, and he certainly dispelled any disappointment for Miles Jupp’s no show. Indeed, everyone went home very, very happy.

Congratulation and thanks must go the Sue Whitlock for pulling this amazing show out of the bag, and to her fellow cooks, Marguerite and their team of helpers, who cooked a great meal and served behind the bar.

Comedy Club Nights are always a sellout, so if you want to make the next one, starring ‘The Idiot of Ants’ on Thursday 31st May, book early. There with also be a special ‘Comedy Club Night' on the Thursday between Christmas and New Year. Sounds a long way off, but tickets will be sold as soon as they go on sale, so keep an eye out!

http://www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk/

Playground finds a good samaritan



click image to enlarge

Some recent stories about the poor play park surface has resulted in an amazing reaction by a very generous Milford on Sea resident.

The condition of the play surface in the Children’s Play Area on Milford on Sea seafront was raised by a concerned local resident, and holiday business owner, in the middle of this month. Her concerns mainly focused on the large holes, which are water filled and become very muddy.

Quite rightly, she point out that; "the current state of the playground is unacceptable. She also made an extremely relevant point that; ‘the play area is of great benefit &a pleasure not just local families, but also visitors to the area, who generate much needed revenue for village businesses and the council."

It was also clear that with the holiday season fast approaching, and the many ‘Milford on Sea events' drawing visitors from far & wide, the current playground is certainly not creating a great impression on anyone.

In response to this story, a anonymous member of the community came forward and offered to pay the full £21,985 to cover the cost of the works. You can imagine how astounded I was that someone could show such generosity.

Up until now, the Parish Council had been trying to find the funds to complete the Play Park resurfacing and they had applied for a grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust.  However, the grants are selected from many community applications, so nothing was guaranteed, also there was no timescale on when a decision would be made. Our anonymous donor took the view that they would like the work completed as soon as possible, and in with withdrawing the current grant application they were happy in the knowledge that children in a community elsewhere would benefit from the grant.

In Milford on Sea so many people find way to contribute to our community, many cannot show the level of financial generosity of our anonymous donor, however by volunteering their time and effort all makes Milford on Sea the very special place that it is.

The Survey Date for the play park resurfacing is planned to take place at 11am on Tuesday 3rd April 2012, and then all being well, the Start Date for the work will take place from Monday 16th April 2012, all thanks to a kind soul in the village.  The donation is going to make so many children and parents happy, and it certainly made my day.  So, on behalf of everyone, I say thank you for your kindness.

Milford to Island Bridge Approved

The long awaited first bridge to connect the Isle of Wight with the mainland is expected to be approved by Hampshire County Council at their next planning meeting.

The new four lane suspension bridge will run from Hurst Castle to Totland Bay on the Isle of Wight. To enable sufficient access, the ground work on the previously approved dual carriageway along the top of Hurst Spit commences on Monday 9th April.  Objections that is clashes with the start of Food Week appear to be falling on deaf ears.

The chair lift at Alum Bay is also to be extended to create a new terminus at the entrance to Hurst Castle. This will provide visitors to ‘The Needles Old Battery’ with direct access to the bridge, a rope slide will also come into operation in the Autumn. New Forest District Council have already met and decided that due to the significant tourists expected to be attracted, that the bridge will be designated a national monument within the New Forest National Park, and that all ponies will be provided with free passes.

The name of the bridge remains undecided. Residents of Milford on Sea wish it to be called ‘The Milford Carbuncle’, however, Island inhabitants favour the name: ‘The Escape Bridge’.

Future plans for a tunnel between Milford on Sea and Cherbourg are also expected to be approved at the next planning meeting on 1st April 2012. Plans are already afoot for a French Market to be held each weekend on Milford on Sea village green.  Being a honorary Frenchman, and having emigrated twice to Deauville in recent years, I will be providing a translation service for anyone that requires a clear and accurate understanding of our gallic guest stallholders.

A reciprocal ‘English Market’ will be held on Cherbourg’s pétanque pitch at the same times. The Parish Council will be providing striped tops, berets and strings of onions for anyone wishing to attend. Cherbourg’s mayor, Monsieur Le Cock, refused to comment, mainly due to him not wishing to over-excite the French nation about the delights of the forthcoming English Market.

When asked about the bridge, a local village resident commented; "Get out of my way and stop asking me stupid questions."

Due the increase in commercial traffic for these building projects, work is expected to commence shortly on the re-development of Keyhaven Quay into a international freight cargo terminal.

For more information please contact: apfool@daftbridge.com

New Owners at Pet Shop

click image to enlarge

The Jaws, Paws & Claws pet shop in Milford on Sea village centre has changed hands. (or should that be paws?)

This week, Peter Murphy and his friend Simone Graham, have become the new owners of the village pet shop, and they are now welcoming all of the village furry friends & their owners!

I popped in on Tuesday, and Simone was very friendly and helpful. The variety and quality of range options was impressive and the prices looked pretty competitive. Whilst there, I took a look at the behavioural training books. Apparently the techniques are unlikely to work on my wife, ….. worth a try though.

Having been opened in February 2011, the village Pet Shop provide a full range of pet supplies. They stock all manner of essential supplies, toys and goodies for whatever you pet might be. They are also the only stockist of the Symply range of natural dog food in the area, and now also have a new food range for dogs and cats called Barking Heads / Meowing Heads which is doing well.

The shop was originally a new venture by Nici & Lionel Illgner. Lionel also still owns, and runs, the successful and very useful hardware shop, 'Hardware@Milford' in Keyhaven Road. Now, Simone and Peter are looking forward to giving a warm welcome to all the customers who have been so supportive in the past.

If you need anything at all for your pets it is great to know that there is no need to leave the village. So if you are looking for anything relating to your dog, cat, fish, rabbit or horse why not pop down & take a look.

Jaws, Paws & Claws, 4 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH
Tel: 01590 643837

Hardware@Milford, 20 Keyhaven Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QY
Tel: 01590 641684
E-Mail: info@hardwareatmilford.co.uk
http://www.hardwareatmilford.co.uk/