A Delicious Pearl Opens

My wife & I were surprised and pleased to receive an invitation to attend last Saturday’s pre-opening night at our new village restaurant, La Perle.

On arrival we were greeted by a warm atmosphere & the friendly front of house team. The new decor is fresh & homely with a chic French feel. The background music subtly completes an atmosphere for convivial dining. Fortunately our fellow diners did not include any footballers, however I fear the local dignitaries may already have a super injunction in place, therefore I am unable to reveal any names here.

Being pretty peckish the ample homemade bread basket soon arrived as we enjoyed our welcome drink. (It was the bread that was homemade, not sure about the basket.) As we perused the menu we soon spotted that it was awash with delicious sounding dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients. Having mentally tasted each course in our heads, we finally settled on a meal choices.

We both ordered ‘Assiette of Parma ham served with celeriac remoulade and rustic bread’ as our starters. Having eaten in ‘Verveine’ the previous evening (Amazing, as always!) I resisted the temptation of the sea bass, and decide that I was going to become a vegetarian and went for the cream cheese based lasagne. My wife went for the tasty sounding 'Pan roasted tenderloin of pork served with salsa rossa, char-grilled asparagus and sauce vierge'.

As the meals arrived, the freshness of the ingredients was immediately apparent, and things got even better as the taste & flavours proved exquisite. The pork tenderloin just melted in the mouth and everything else had similar virtues. All of the La Perle team were very attentive as they learned the ropes on their first night of serving.

Feeling extremely content from the first two courses, I could not resist ordering the ‘Warm French apple tart'.  The classic French pastry delightfully complimented the sweet apples. As we enjoyed a coffee, and just before we were to leave Lionel the new chef/owner came from the kitchen for a chat. (Lionel is French born and has trained in renowned Michelin star restaurants across France.) As he spoke his passion to create great food was clear and he is so looking forward to people enjoying his creations. He mentioned that in addition to the menu of European cuisine made from the combination of fresh, tasty & locally sourced produce, there is also going to be daily ‘French Specials’.   It is clear that he has created a restaurant with a cosy, friendly environment, serving authentic dishes with quality seasonal ingredients at a reasonable price.

The evening had been a delight and there is no doubt La Perle is a great addition to the excellent choice of village restaurants we already have.

____________________________________________________________

La Perle opens on Wednesday 1st June, why not book for your own experience today.

If you would like to see the menu & find out more about La Perle please visit: http://www.laperlerestaurant.co.uk

Milford Movies coming soon

We have heard that Milford Movies will soon be starting at the Milford on Sea Village Community Centre. Thanks to the monies raised by the team in the Village Charity Shop, and from the generously donated stock, we understand that there are now sufficient funds to complete the missing link in the technical installation in the new building - namely a cinema quality projector, screen and professional DVD player.

It is hoped that the Milford Movies Film Programme will commence after the summer holidays, on every first Thursday of the month. Two series have been talked about, firstly a blockbuster series showing recent films that people in the village might have missed, plus another series offering classic/art house cinema.

As with everything at the Community Centre, Milford Movies is reliant on a few dedicated volunteers, and a few more would be very welcome. Help is need to assist with the film programming, house managing the events, and technical expertise in projecting.

If anyone would like to lend a hand please contact James for a chat: James Flintoff at milfordarts@msn.com

Post Office banking support

Now that the closure of the Milford on Sea HSBC Bank branch is upon us, it is evident that the many efforts of local people & MP to save our village branch has failed. The ‘grey suits’ from HSBC have simply ignored everyone and insensitively closed the doors.

One of our readers has like everyone else expressed disappointment, and helpfully pointed out that our local village post office provides banking services as well. This facility is available from 9 am to 5.30 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9 am to 12 noon on Saturdays. Sue is doing all that she possibly can to provide customers with an alternative means of banking within the village, but she can only provide a service to those customers who bank with those banks which have a arrangement with the Post Office to provide this facility. Unfortunately HSBC and Nat West are two banks, which have never allowed the Post Office to provide this facility.

Any personal banking customer of Barclays or Lloyds can both withdraw cash and pay in cash or cheques at the post office. Also business customers of Alliance and Leicester can make cash deposits at post offices within the UK. We understand that cash withdrawals from the Halifax Building Society are now also available, but unfortunately it is seemingly not yet possible to make any deposits at the post office for the Halifax.

Final word is still awaited for the future of the HSBC ATM hole in the wall cash facilities in the village.

Memories from Australia

We received the memories below from Nicola Allen, who now lives in Australia with her Australian husband & family:

My Mother was born and raised in Milford on Sea. My grandfather helped look after Milford as part of the Home Guard during WW2.  He is in the book about Milford on Sea during the War, so to her absolute surprise, is my Mother - she is sitting at a table with other children celebrating VE Day.  My Granddad’s sister was in Milford on sea by 1911, working at Milford Laundry. She married one of the Hobby family. (Who have been in Milford on Sea for many generations).

I remember spending nearly every summer holiday with my grandparents in Milford on Sea. I was trotted off to Darby and Joan and Whilst Drives. We had a great time, although I confess to being more than a little uncomfortable sitting on the huge pebbles of Milford Beach. My brother and I used to pick blackberries all the time. Funny now I live in country where blackberries are considered a noxious weed.  My grandfather worked at Hurst Castle, and my uncle looked after The Needles Lighthouse. We used to be able to look across (with binoculars) the wheat fields and watch the boat racing at Cowes. I actually remember watching the Combine Harvesters at work harvesting the wheat. Dad once took our poor dog for a walk through a newly harvested field and unthinkingly wondered why he wouldn’t sit down.

I know from my family history research that my roots are very firmly in the New Forest area. My Dad’s family’s connection with the New Forest area goes back 100s of years. Dad was from Winton in Bournemouth, and one of my great grandfathers was born in the New Forest (Holdenhurst) in 1750.

Attached are some photos of my mum and grandparents taken at Milford on Sea. My Grandmother sitting on the gate at Sharvell's Lodge (Taken around 1928), also my mum with a friend on Milford on Sea Beach around the 1940s. Finally one of me with our two children standing outside my great grandmother’s house in Milford High Street in 2009.

Regards,

Nicola Allen

*click image to enlarge

Smugglers tunnel in Milford on Sea

We recently received this interesting letter:

My name is David Mogg, a grandson of the Mogg family who lived in Milford on Sea from around 1900 to 1970. I now live in Australia.

My father was Ivan Mogg, one of the 12 children of Frank Mogg. My granddad, Frank, owned Milford Nurseries in Kivernall Road. He also had two shops in the village, the greengrocers, which was then opposite The Crown Inn pub (Now called the Smugglers Inn), and a second shop which was a flower shop opposite the newsagents. I was their paper boy in the 1950’s.

I have vivid memories of Milford Nurseries. I lived in the old house with my mum and Dad and played around there as a kid so knew it well. A point of interest which very few people know about, is the smuggling operations which went on historiclly in the village. It appears it was a very sophisticated set up. In the nursery garden near the house was a well. This well was very deep you could just see the water at the foot, and a stone dropped down it took some time to reach the bottom before we heard the splash. The most interesting thing about this well was that it had iron peg steps going down it. My uncles filled the well in in the late 1950’s. But before they did, uncle Howard climbed down to have a look. About 20 feet down there was a tunnel which went off to the East, it was all beautifully built in curved bricks as was the well itself. Uncle Gerald, the last of the brothers who died last year, tried to get some photos of it, but by the time he had gone home for his camera they had filled it all in. My brothers and I were never able to explore the end of the tunnel, but I'm convinced that it would come out in one of the older houses along the fence line.

The nurseries were sold in the late 1960’s to a building company. When the bulldozers started work digging foundations for the houses, they soon unearthed part of this tunnel. It ran right along the back fence of the houses on the eastern side of the property. This was quickly filled in, as if the historians had found out about it, work would have to stop due to the potential historical value. Near the corner of Kivernall Road and De La Warr Road, just off the road on the nature strip, you can still see the depression in the grass where the well was. At the sea end of De La Warr Road the cliff top was then a lot wider and a track went down to the beach wide enough for a horse and cart, this is still known as Paddys Gap. A local transporter known as Paddy used this to collect the smuggled goods being unloaded onto the beach and took them to our well to hide. It was then distributed around at their leisure. An excavation might still be rewarding.

David Mogg

Note from Editor: I wonder if the ‘Mole Men’ discovered the tunnel when excavating their subterranean city?

Have a crafty weekend

A new event in the local calendar takes place this Saturday 21st May at the Memorial Centre in New Milton.

New Milton Crafts will showcase the work of more than 50 local and regional crafts people, featuring contemporary and highly original makers and designers across all media. The event will feature jewellery, glass, silver, wood crafts, ceramics, textiles, clothing and the odd unusual pieces thrown into the mix.

Many of these items will be unique and cannot be purchased on the high street. Visitors can spend as much time as they like in a relaxed atmosphere, chat to the craft people and find out the story behind their work.

A Cafe area will provide a place for visitors to relax with a drink and a bite to eat and contemplate their purchases - or just to relax after visiting the Fair.

The Memorial Centre has full disabled access and there is considerable low cost parking around New Milton. 

www.newmiltoncrafts2011.co.uk

New Parish Councillors for village

Following yesterday's Local Council Elections it looks as though we have three new Parish Councillors, Ewan Brown, Chris Willard and Tony Coleman.  A turn out of 54% seemed quite respectable, with our most popular Parish Councillor proving to be Sue Whitlock.  It was a close run race for the final two council spots, with just 15 votes separating three candidates.

*click above image to enlarge view

Kid's half term photography

If you are looking for a way to keep the kid's amused during the June school half term holidays, why not take them along to a 'Children's Photography Workshop' on 2nd June at Milford on Sea Community Centre.  The day will be ideal for kids from 7 to 12 years old.

This workshop is being held by Matthew and Gemma who run the local photographic business AltoBasso Photography.  The day will run from 11am to 3pm and all kids can bring their own packed lunches.

During the day the children will: Dress up and take fun portraits, Use a professional camera and studio lighting kit, Direct a portrait shoot, Learn to edit digital images and when it is all over they will take home a 9x6 mounted print.

Ticket Prices are £25 and for enquiries or to book your child a place please contact: info@altobasso.com ~ 0845 5087350 ~ 07863 598990

You can also find out about similar workshops and courses during the summer holidays.  There may even be classes coming up for grown ups!  www.altobasso.com

A night of Avenues & Alleyways

The Milford on Sea Drama Club are currently putting together the finishing touches to their Spring production of 'Avenues & Alleyways'.  The show will take place at Milford on Sea Community Centre and will feature song, dance and a sketch or two.

If you would like to go along tickets are just £5 each, or £25 for a family or group of 6.

The shows take place on Friday 20th May at 7.30pm, then on Saturday 21st May there are two further performances at either 2.30pm or 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from: Gwen's in the High Street, or online from:

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

The show is directed by Barbara Evans and John James.  All proceeds will be going to support the Milford on Sea Community Centre.

Support our village library

As with many things at this moment in time, I suspect our local Library in the Village Hall is constantly under review & possibly at the threat of closure.

It is certainly a time to support our village library if we can.  It will come as no surprise that they have plenty of books to borrow, but did you also know that you can borrow books from Lymington library and return them to Milford on Sea.  Also, you can reserve books on the library internet and collect them from our own village library.

If you fancy taking a look at all they can offer, please click the link below:

www3.hants.gov.uk/library/milford-on-sea-library.htm

All Saints' goes online

Our local parish church, All Saints', have launched their own website.

The new site is bright & colourful, plus packed with information.  They are certainly a busy bunch, with lots happening for all age groups.

If you would like to take a look please visit:

www.allsaintsmilford.co.uk

Our MP hits HSBC brick wall

Our local MP, Desmond Swayne has done his best to save our banking facilities in Milford on Sea village.  Like all other attempts, it appears to me that he has now experienced the HSBC attitude problems first hand. Desmond met with Mr Lester Wynne-Jones the South West Regional Director of HSBC. His main effort was to persuade him to engage in a public meeting with the community in Milford on Sea. Mr Lester Wynne-Jones was not persuaded. Apparently sensitive little HSBC believe that they have already incurred significant adverse publicity and that such an event would inevitably lead to more. With a bit of luck he is referring to the ranting on these pages. What HSBC obviously doesn’t get is that they have gone about this whole episode appallingly, and then they expect us to lay down reverently, being grateful that they are still happy to look after our money miles away. They just don’t get it, do they.

Desmond rightly argued forcefully that if people felt that they had been properly listened to and had had the opportunity to have their say. this would be to the bank's credit. Having also failed with this argument, Desmond then sought to persuade him to - at least - engage in a meeting with a smaller number of, say, half a dozen activists leading the campaign. He could not persuade him to do this either. Apparently, Mr Wynne-Jones was emphatic that the bank much prefers to work with ‘individual customers’ and would give one to one time to those customers who wish to have it, in order to assist them with the arrangements that they will need to make for their banking needs when the branch closes. Nice to know HSBC are willing to talk to their individual customers.

Not giving up, & changing tack, Desmond then drew to his attention the results of the survey of the branch usage carried out by members of our community; the evidence that the branch was significantly better used than others; that strategies for increasing the level of business had not been explored, and that no indication had been given that the branch was under threat until the announcement was made out of the blue.

Mr Wynne-Jones found these arguments compelling and immediately apologised for not having any consultation process. He then agreed that the branch should indeed stay open. Oh no, my mistake, he actually replied with the still unsubstantiated corporate line that ‘the Milford branch had been among the least cost effective… ya, de, ya, de ya’.

Mr Wynne-Jones was emphatic that HSBC were making every effort to secure a permanent cash dispensing facility in the village. (The joint venture with BT, which removes our red telephone box.) Should they fail to do so, they would retain the existing facility until a convenient alternative was available. The ATM cash machine will of course continue to generate revenue for HSBC from an empty building they have to pay rent on anyway.

Desmond came to conclusion, that despite his best efforts, that it was clear that the decision to close the branch had been taken and was not going to be reviewed.

Desmond also contacted RBS, from which he got a reasoned and polite reply. Whilst they did not see opening a branch in Milford on Sea as viable, it was interesting to read their statement that; ‘We appreciate how valued local branches can be, particularly in smaller rural communities, which is why our Customer Charter includes a promise never to close a branch where we are the last branch in town.’ What a shame we never had an RBS Branch in our village.

One good thing to come out of this, is to discover that we have an MP willing to fight shoulder to shoulder with us on a worthy cause. He has also been a generous supporter of Milford on Sea Food Week. I care little what party he is from, but do appreciate that he seems to be a good guy to have around.

Whilst it appears to me the battle to save our local banking branch is over, I am sure there are many people in the village who are rightly aggrieved at the way HSBC has treated them. I suspect the war is not over, as we will remember what has happened and should an opportunity arise to leave HSBC on mass I am sure many will. I wonder if the ‘HSBC grey suits’ have heard the phrase ‘what goes around, comes around’.

Annual Parish Meeting next Tuesday

PUBLIC NOTICE. Annual Parish Meeting - Tuesday 3rd May 2011 at 7.30pm - All Saints’ Church Hall

The Annual Parish Meeting is for Local Government electors and to receive update reports from Parish, District and County Councillors on matters affecting Milford on Sea parish.

This is your opportunity to come along to the meeting to express opinion, ask questions or simply raise concerns.

Everyone welcome, just come along.

Fancy being a Volunteer for Food Week 2012?

Having all enjoy Milford on Sea Food Week a couple of weeks ago plans are now being made for 2012.

We were very fortunate this year in having a band of energetic & enthusiastic volunteers. They took on tasks from helping out in the Cookery Theatre, to being ‘offical photographers’, helping at the Food Market  and of course our intrepid raffle ticket sales team.

Next year's Food Week will be from Easter Monday 9th April until 15th April, and it would be great to have more volunteers joining our list now, especially as we will have a 'Food Week Information Centre' on the green next year.  Any time you can spare is gratefully receive, and you can pick & choose what you would like to help out with.

There is something everyone can get involved with, and it is a great way to have some fun, meet new people & make friends.  So, if you fancy being a volunteer next year please just drop me a line & join our team.

david@milfordonsea.org

David Battie to visit Lymington

David Battie, who appears regularly on The Antiques Roadshow, is to visit the Lymington based Decorative and Fine Arts Society on May 11th. David Battie is a specialist in ceramics and oriental works of art and is often seen assessing fine porcelain on the television show. He will be talking to the New Forest Evening Decorative and Fine Arts Society about The Antiques Roadshow and some of the splendid items he has seen over the years.

Visitors to the Lecture will be welcome, a fee of £7.00 for visitors is charged at the door.

Doors open at 7pm and the lecture begins at 7.30 and lasts about an hour, followed by questions.

Venue: Lymington Community Centre.

Further information from Pam Le Gassick on 01590 676839 or lymdfas@gmail.com

Bank Holiday Monday Mayhem

Visiting tourists and locals on Milford on Sea beach saw lifeboat activity on a hot and busy Easter Monday afternoon. The Lymington RNLI were called out three times in quick succession. The first call at 1.13 p.m. turned out to be a false alarm. The Lymington RNLI lifeboat Victor ‘Danny’ Lovelock , having been recovered, refuelled and re-housed, and some of the crew had not yet left the boathouse, when pagers alerted then to the second call.

The second call at 1:55pm resulted from public awareness of a situation developing half a mile off Milford on Sea beach where with a North Easterly Force 5 blowing offshore and deceptive flat seas two young adults in a rubber inflatable dinghy without oars had no chance of returning to the shore without assistance. Quick thinking by a passing yacht (the Stren) prevented the dinghy from being swept further offshore and the Lymington RNLI lifeboat was tasked to recover the occupants to the safety of Milford on Sea beach, where the rescued appeared more concerned with having their photographs taken with the lifeboat as a backdrop and not losing their can of drink than the danger they had been in.

Refuelled and with the crew just departed to continue their Easter Monday family time, pagers sounded again at 4.08pm for another call to the same dinghy as previously rescued that had been swept out to sea again. This time though a local speed boat was first on the scene and able to assist thus the lifeboat call was cancelled just as the crew where passing the wave-screen and only a quarter of a mile from the station. How is it that some people never learn!

The inshore lifeboat at Lymington has covered an area of the western Solent for 40 years, and six awards have been presented to members of the lifeboat crew for gallantry.

All Saints’ Church Flower Festival

If you found time to visit the All Saints Church Flower Festival in mid-April, I am sure you were, like many others, extremely impressed.

The Flower Festival coincided with Milford on Sea Food Week and contained spectacular displays of works depicting ‘Food from the Bible’. Church goer or not, you could not help but be warmed by the delightful arrangements, which were a testimony to hours of hard work by a small band of dedicated volunteers. To add to the spectacle, our village Norman church provided a spectacular backdrop to the colours of spring.

The few pictures below give a flavour of the many flower displays. (*Click on images to enlarge)



*Click on images to enlarge

Enjoy Food Week Again!

Dates for next year's Milford on Sea Food Week have already been set, so please make sure you are around to join in the fun from Bank Holiday Monday 9th April to Sunday 15th April 2012.

Before we start preparing for next year, why not enjoy this year's event all over again but taking a look at some of our snapshots below. (Just click on the image to view a larger version.)

This year’s Milford on Sea Food Week has been amazing! The whole of the village got enthusiastically involved in organising over one hundred events, including the village eateries, shops, local producers, the Girl Guides, WI, clubs, schools, local charities, church and lots of individual food producers, experts & specialists.

We estimate that around 12,000 to 15,000 people attended the numerous food events, dining experiences, demonstrations, talks, wine tastings, Co-op Cookery Theatre, CakeFest! & celebrity shows during Food Week. The Sunday Food Market also had a carnival feel, with live music and 46 stalls selling delicious local produce.  It felt like the whole village attended the many events, along with holidaymakers and many people from neighbouring towns as far afield as Poole & Southampton.  The whole week has been a joy, particularly when seeing thousands of people being fed and entertained all across the village.

All of the celebrity shows and themed dining events had enthusiastic support & great feedback. The numerous activities throughout Food Week raised over £9000 for local charities and really celebrated the benefits of local food. Best of all, it was great to see the smiling faces on the many kids, family groups, thirtysomethings & our lively older generation all enjoying everything that our special village has to offer.

As our event is truly ‘By the community, for the community’ a huge thank you goes to the massive team of volunteers and raffle sellers who did so much to ensure everything ran so smoothly. Everyone from the organisers to the volunteers gave their time and expertise for free, with no expenses or fees taken. The fun throughout Food Week was sufficient reward for every involved!

Click images to enlarge

*Please feel free to share your Food Week experiences by clicking 'comments' below and then posting your comment.

Parish Council election

The Milford on Sea Parish Council election is to take place on Thursday 5th May from 7am to 10pm.  The Polling Stations are at The Village Hall in Park Road and All Saints' Church Hall in Church Hill.

This year's election has 13 candidates for 12 council positions, so someone will miss out.

The Parish Council election coincides with the referendum for at Alternative Voting (AV) System.

Click image to enlarge

A New Pearl for Milford

Anyone passing the former Piccolo Mondo restaurant in the Milford on Sea High Street will have noticed a major transformation taking place. The complete renovation of the frontage, dining areas and kitchen is being completed by new owner Lionel Sene, Emily his wife, all of the in-laws & kids! New to the village, Lionel & his young family are not only creating an exciting new dining option for us all, but he & his family are also now living near the village centre.

Lionel is to be both the owner & head chef of the soon to be named ‘La Perle’. As some readers will know my wife & I once emigrated to France & the translation to ‘The Pearl’ was not hardship pour votre rédacteur! Yes. Lionel is indeed a Frenchman, and a charming one at that. Originally from Hautvillers, Epernay in the beautiful Champagne area, he is now looking forward to becoming part of our village life. He has been working as a chef for 17 years and is passionate about food. Having completed his apprenticeship in the Royal Champagne Hotel & Le Grand Cerf – both acclaimed 1 Michelin star restaurants in eastern France. Lionel then moved to Paris and worked in the famous 2 Michelin Star Hotel Crillon alongside Dominique Bouchet, then Head Chef.

In the following years Lionel has combined his love of travelling & cooking moving to Switzerland to work in the famous Mandarin Hotel in Geneva, followed by his first experience of England at Chewton Glen and then Pebble Beach. He met Emily, his future English wife in Australia & has now arrived to settle in Milford on Sea.

Le Perle is Lionel’s first venture and combines his idea of fresh, tasty & locally sourced European cuisine. His focus for the restaurant is to create a cosy, friendly environment with fresh, tasty & authentic dishes at a reasonable price. I for one are looking forward to when he opens the door in early June.

www.laperlerestaurant.co.uk