A scary story from Milford

We have heard that Maureen Farenden, a resident of Milford on Sea, has published her first book, The Diary.
 

If you like a spooky ghost story to snuggle up to on the late winter nights then, The Diary, could be the book for you... if you dare!

Not content with one book, Maureen already has her next venture well underway, and her next novel 'The Last Train' is due out in New Year.

Maureen's book, The Diary, is available from Amazon in either or paperback or Kindle versions.

www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Maureen-Farenden/dp/1909224200

 

Amazon Summary: "If you have found this Diary, I beg you; put it back into the sepulchre where it was buried. Do not read it! Open the gateway into the Apport's world and nothing, or no one, can save you." Two lovers who have wished for the perfect English home, for their perfect English family, finally find it thanks to a strange meeting during an accidental visit to a lovely village. When they move into their perfect house, Shannon Mulberry finds an old leather bound diary with a note attached which is just too tempting to the aspiring author. She opens the old book... ...And The Diary releases its terrible truth. It carves their lives into its pages and soon predicts their fates. Shannon and Eddie must find the strength and will to subvert this terrible book and escape the future described. Their perfect English home soon becomes the perfect English nightmare. The Diary has more imagination and flare than most horror writers could dream of in their darkest recesses. Truly, be careful what you wish for because dreams can twist all too easily into nightmares.”

 

ISBN-13: 978-1909224209

 

 

MoS Music Festival moves to August

The Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival is moving from its traditional July dates to the first weekend in August. The musical jamboree will start on Thursday 1st until Sunday 4th August 2013. 

 

The festival has always been free for visitors, however the Festival costs approximately £25,000 to create for everybody, and with costs always increasing, the income has remained stagnant. This change has been made by the organising committee in an effort to try increase the revenue stream. 

 

The  festival committee appreciate that some will see this move as an attempt to pander to holiday makers; however the decision has not been taken lightly, and they want to assure everyone that the festival remains for the village of Milford on Sea.

 

If you would like to get involved or support the festival in any way please contact Sean Reeves the Milford on Sea Arts Music Festival chair on sean@hwsolicitors.com, 01590 644777 or 07966 449826

www.milfordfestival.org.uk

 

New Diamond Jubilee Trees in Village

Sunday 25th November saw almost 50 Rainbows, Beavers, Cubs, Brownies, Scouts, Guides and their leaders come together for a joint Girlguiding and Scouting Diamond Jubilee Community Project.

 

The youngsters had applied for, and received a Jubilee Tree Pack from the Woodland Trust. The trees were planted alongside Keyhaven Road between Milford and Keyhaven. 

 

Although there had been heavy rain and the ground was extremely wet underfoot, the Milford Conservation Group had been down to prepare the ground. Hopefully, thanks to their help, the tiny trees take happily to the location and grow well. 

 

The youngsters will endeavour to go back In the spring to check how the trees are doing. At the same time, they will place a plaque to mark this joining together of youngsters from Girlguiding and Scouting in our local community in this Jubilee year.

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Milford Brownies Raise Money for Charity

 

Milford on Sea brownies raised £81.93 for charity on Saturday 1st December by selling their homemade Christmas Tree decorations at both All Saints Church Hall Table Top Sale and Milford Primary School Christmas Fair.

The money raised will be donated to The Children's Society (who help vulnerable young people), at the Christingle Service this Sunday afternoon at All Saints Church.

Next year, the Brownies will be conducting their own major fundraising drive in order to raise money to replace their rather old and uncomfortable camp beds.

Good quality camp beds for Pack Holidays cost about £50 each so the girls will be hoping to raise £1000 so they can afford 20 new beds.

 

Storytelling grandma needs your help

Local storytelling grandma Wend Lewis needs your help. She has some remaining copies of her charitable CD for children and wants to reach her target of raising £2000 for Naomi House children’s hospice. 

Wend Lewis, who lives in Keyhaven, has already raised over £1800 for the charity, way over her original target, through her CD of stories and poems based around traditional nursery rhymes, called Grandma’s Tricks.

Wend got the idea for the project from telling stories to her grandchildren, Maia, 8, and twins Darcey and Skye, 5. 

She financed and worked on the CD herself, narrating and adapting the stories and adding some fun and humour to old favourites such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Humpty Dumpty and The Three Little Piggies.

Local musician and retired solicitor Nick Filbee helped with the project by providing the musical accompaniment and Karin Karian of Vocal Solutions assisted with the production.

Wend, a keen singer and music lover, believes that nursery rhymes and traditional stories still have a role to play in this digital age.

“I wanted my grandchildren to hear these traditional stories and to pass them on to the next generation. Computers and tablets are important for children’s education but listening to traditional storytelling can also be magical for children, as well as lots of fun. Many other children have enjoyed these tales as much as my grandchildren have.”

Grandma’s Tricks is being sold for £10 a copy, with all proceeds going to Naomi House.

To find out more about Grandma’s Tricks or to buy a copy, email: wm.lewis@virgin.net or call 07876 626703

 

 

Carols on the Green & Late Night Opening

Join in the Community Carol Singing & see Father Christmas on the village green!

5pm: Milford Shops’ Late Night Opening for getting your Christmas presents. A great chance to give the village shops your support.

 

6pm: Milford on Sea Christmas Carol Service led by Rev Ray Hubble with Total Voice Choir. Plus a visit by Santa's Wagon after community singing.Santa’s Grotto in Ashton’s Estate Agents, Village stalls, Mulled wine, Mince pies, Pizzas, Burgers and hot dogs,. Music By The Windmill Band.

 

It's all for local charities. Everyone Welcome, so please come along!

 

6.20pm: Mummers Play on the green.

 

Event Organised by: Milford-on-Sea Village Community Committee

Sponsored by: Tapper Funeral Service & Hugh Whitlock Solicitors

 

In past years there has been Free Parking in the Sea Road car park from 12.00 midday. Let's hope this applies on the night!

 

Bollywood come to Milford!

Our local Indian restaurant, Zaika in Milford on Sea High Street, is having a live Free Live Bollywood Band on Friday 7th December.

 

All diners between 6.30pm to 9.30pm will be able to enjoy a great curry with Free Bollywood entertainment.

 

This sounds a night not to miss, and of course at the same time you can enjoy the Christmas Carols on the Green & Late Night Opening.

 

Zaika is an exciting, contemporary, Indian Restaurant serving dishes prepared with fresh ingredients each day. They pride themselves that their dishes truly reflect the diversity of cooking styles, and ingredients from the length and breadth of the wonderful and vibrant Indian Subcontinent.

 

To book please call: 01590 643084, or simply call in.

 

www.zaikanewforest.co.uk

 

 

40 B4 40-Gilberts Restaurant

No. 26: Grim’s Dyke Hotel-Gilberts Restaurant

The Grim's Dyke Hotel is a carefully restored country house renowned for its special musical events, and has been featured in many films over the years.

 

click image to enlarge

Just 12 miles from the centre of London and within easy reach of Heathrow, the magnificent former country residence of Sir William Gilbert (of Gilbert & Sullivan fame) is set in over 40 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands.

 

The 2 AA rosette restaurant prides itself on serving their own seasonal produce, and the Head Chef Daren Mason has a style of modern British food having trained under Gary Rhodes.

 

Our meal had been in the diary for a few weeks, as my wife & I wanted to take my Mum for a Sunday treat. Like many, I never get to see my Mum anywhere near as much as I would like. Everytime I do, it is always enjoyble and fun.

 

The Grim's Dyke Hotel is without doubt an impressive building and the welcome was warm and formal. In fact, the Gilberts Restaurant dining room was a bit of a throw back. The furniture was traditional, and the numerous waiting staff were all attired in formal black and white.

The menu looked spot on, and we went for a collection of Welsh Rarebit and Chicken Liver Parfait starters. The Welsh Rarebit was a surprise as it consisted of a brioche base, oyster mushroom and a small amount of melted cheese. Not as expected, but tasty never the less. The Chicken Liver Parfait was good.

 

We all went for the same main course, Rib of Beef with Roast Potatoes & Yorkshire Pudding. The beef looked great, and my wife loved it. Sadly, my Mum and I had asked for ‘medium to well done’, and either the waitress had not told the kitchen, or the chef had decided he knew what we wanted better than us! He was wrong. We watch a similar occurrence on to other tables, which seemed unnecessary and totally avoidable. When I asked for some more gravy the waitress was a bit lost, until she said; “Do you mean jus?”. I didn’t, but I couldn’t be bother to explain that they were the same, other than you get more when it is called gravy!

The sweets looked interesting, and I thought it was my lucky day when my wife had more or less had no option to have a sweet, due to it being a three course set lunch. However, my luck backfired, as even I could eat the duo of sweets. The Lavender & Almond Pannacotta was just totally wrong, and the Apple & Ginger Pudding with Ice Cream was sadly boring. Even I get to a stage where you consider the calorie intake not worth it. I am pleased to say my Mum’s Pistachio Creme Brulee was fine.

By reputation, and the full dining room, this was obviously a good place to eat. We had caught it on a poor day, and either the head chef was not in, or they trying just that little bit too hard.

Sitting in the lounge having a coffee, Mum asked us if ‘we watch Downton Abbey, we didn’t. “No, nor do I” she replied. Priceless!

As always, we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I am sure everyone sees their Mum as special, but I am lucky to have one who has always been there for me and I love her to bits. If only I had more time.

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Grim’s Dyke Hotel | Gilberts Restaurant
Old Redding, Harrow, Middlesex, London

www.grimsdyke.com
www.grimsdyke-hotel-harrow.com

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

 

 

Cubs in the Community

Our village Milford on Sea and Keyhaven Cubs continue their good work in the community.

The Cub pack recently visited Hillyfield Rest Home in Barnes Lane, Milford on Sea to enjoy a games evening with the residents. You can imagine how everyone must have really enjoyed the visit.

This is the second time they have run this event and it has been a massive success in building close links in the community. The cubs also get involved in many other village events throughout the year, such carol singing, tree planting and litter picks.

Matthew Cobb, Cub Scout leader said; “We organise these events to teach Cubs about their village, and residents that the youth of the village are of some real worth. They are a credit to the village and often their hard work can get overlooked.”

Good work Matt and the boys! Keep it up, we love seeing and hearing about you caring about others.

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Hillyfield Rest Home appears a place that really cares about their residents. It is a small family-owned care home established 25 years ago by the Harmer family, who still personally manage the day-to-day running of the home. The family (Andrea, David and their daughters, Louise and Jane) firmly believe that, by running just one home and concentrating on providing care to 16 residents, they can achieve a more personal relationship, not only with the residents, but also with the dedicated staff team upon which so much depends.

I love the fact that they have a published 'Programme', regularly bringing in people of interest to their guests, and taking everyone on outings.  Even better than that, I spotted in their day's programme that they serve 'Evening drinks' at 8.30pm. Now that sounds my sort of place!

www.hillyfieldresthome.co.uk

 

Surprises at The Marine

I popped into The Marine the other day and we pleasantly surprised at the great value meals they are now serving in the café every day.

The restaurant has always had a great name for quality food and dining, and as a result the whole place had got a reputation for being expensive. If that was ever the case, it certainly isn’t now.

New head chef, Mark speller is obviously proud of serving homely home cooked food, and is providing food to the café which is a good as in the restaurant, but at a budget price. When a menu has things like Chicken and mushroom pie with seasonal vegetables, ‘Keyhaven’ Mutton stew with crusty bread for around £9 it has to be tempting. The Keyhaven lamb really caught my eye, and it is delicious on the plate, and their relatives also looked pretty good from the window!

 

I had great trouble choosing a dessert from between Chocolate Fondant with cherry ice cream or Treacle Tart with crème anglaise ice cream. However, at £5.50, it was easy to have both!

 

Reading the in-house promotional cards, I spotted a a two course meal for £14.50, and a selection of fun sounding Christmas events for groups of family and friends.  I will have a word with my wife, and with a bit of luck we will be back with friends before Father Christmas brings me the Aston Martin I have asked for!

www.themarinemos.co.uk

 

If you would rather go straight to the menu's click here: www.themarinemos.co.uk/eat-drink

It’s wrong, but impressive!

I came across this film on the web this week.

The guy on the bike obviously shouldn't be on pill box roof, nor jumping onto the path handrails.

But being wrong, and even dangerous, doesn't preclude it from being impressive.  The photography is sharp and the tricks neat, added to that I have to say, that with with the sights of Milford on Sea in the background it gets even better!

I even had to laugh when the guy walking along the seafront and minding his own business, turns around on seeing the bike, then just as quickly turns again deciding he is going for it anyway!  This is wrong on so many levels, but it made me smile.

click here to view video

 

Is it time for a New Village Memorial?

Royal Wootton Bassett War Memorial

We had a thought provoking, interesting, and as usual direct, e-mail from Mike Halliwell this week.  Many will know Mike, but for those that don't, he has been a prominent village resident for many years, and until handing over to The Raft early last year, he was running Bella Epoque in Milford on Sea High Street.

 

He is also an ardent support of the 'Help for Heroes' Charity.

 

This is what Mike had to say:

 

"I saw the film "War Horse" in the lovely new lottery funded community centre. (The new social heart of the village), last week. I was very moved.

 

Also last week I attended a couple of remembrance services. Milford on Sea had one at Keyhaven war memorial, appropriate and moving. The other was on the village green; with a 'temporary' memorial. Very sad.

 

I have been associated with the village for fifty years. It must be the largest village in the land without a "proper" war memorial.

 

After the film I pledged to my solicitor, Hugh Whitlock, and any one else who was listening, £5000 towards a new War Memorial in the village.

 

In 1920, £850 was raised to purchase the freehold of the old cottage hospital built in 1900 (now the telephone exchange!) Ten years later £7500 was raised to build a new hospital. The village needed a new hospital. It also still had no memorial to those eighty+ souls of the village who had given their lives for their country. I am aware that most of their names appear on the "shrine" seldom seen inside the new hospital, also now in jeopardy. This list includes All who served as well as those killed.

 

They are also remembered in All Saints' Church. Neither of these memorials excuse the village from its duty to erect, belatedly, a War Memorial in the centre of the village, where we will see it daily and remember those young men who gave their lives that we might live in peace.

 

I am well aware that many villages built war memorial halls, sports grounds, swimming pools, even bus shelters! but these were exceptions.

 

Ours could be of modern design. Think of Royal Wootton Bassett, they have a fine memorial on the edge of the town built after the first world war, but have also created a fine, modest memorial in the centre of town for today's heroes. What if, God forbid, a son or daughter of the village was killed tomorrow in Afghanistan, or in some future war?

 

Is it really too much to ask? I believe £25,000 is required.

 

My (£5000) pledge is for two years (2014) in the certain hope that our thriving village will easily rise to the challenge.

 

I hope that the public enthusiasm I found for such a project two years ago is still existant. I am seeking a small "working party"to include a lawyer ,banker, computer person, designer and accountant as well as like minded "volunteers".

 

if we cannot fund and create a suitable memorial in the next two years then it will never happen!

 

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If you have a view, or would like to join Mike's working party, please feel free to add a comment below, or contact Mike at mikehalliwell@aol.com

 

Salterns Raise £10k

Over 100 young sailors survive the Salterns Sail a Thon raising over £10,000 for Children In Need!

The intrepid young members aged from 6 – 15 years of age, kept at least one boat on the water at all times between 16h30 Friday 16th and 16h30 Saturday 17th November. Most did not sleep, sailed in cold, dark, windy conditions but they kept focused on the job in hand – raising money for far less fortunate children than themselves.

 

The Saturday morning saw sailors and visitors alike covered with wild water tattoos, red, white, blue, yellow and green hair complemented by some funky nails!

 

The raffle and silent auction raised in excess of £5,500 so a big thank you to all those who took part, baked cakes, gave your time and of course all our amazing sponsors. Without you all, the event would not have been possible. Over the last 14 years Salterns have raised over £92,000.

 

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.

 

www.salternssailingclub.co.uk