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Christmas Dining in Milford on Sea

27 March 2019

Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society and The 1805 Club (which was founded in 1990 to preserve and care for the memorials and graves of those associated with the sailing navy of the Georgian era) are holding a number of important events in July 2019 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Death of Admiral Cornwallis (who had lived at Newlands Manor, Milford on Sea). 

Cornwallis Remembered celebrations feature: 

Naval Heroes being celebrated: 
  • Admiral Cornwallis who held French Fleet in Brest during the Battle of Trafalgar and in turn prevented an invasion of England. 
  • Captain Whitby who delivered the news from Trafalgar to Lady Hamilton. 
  • A reconstruction of the message delivery by two horse post-chaise with riders in full costume 
All Saints' Church Service conducted by the Bishop of Basingstoke with Senior representatives from Hampshire, the Royal Navy and naval historical research attending. Day will also feature:
  • The Cornwallis grave and Peyton memorial re-dedication (Following the recent re-discovery of Admiral Cornwallis’ Grave. click here to read story)
  • A new stained-glass window commemorating all three Milford admirals blessing 
Village Celebration of the Cornwallis Story on the Village Green with a host of attractions and activities, including the two horse post-chaise with riders in full costume 

Wooden World educational workshops at Milford-on-Sea Primary School 

Royal Navy Vessel in Lymington Port. (Subject to operational duties) 

Command of the Seas! Exhibition at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington 

The Admirals’ Heritage Trail with accompanying leaflet and map illustrated by local artist Shaun Stevens. 


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Further Background Information 

A Brief Background: The 5th July 2019 marks the bi-centenary of the death of Admiral the Hon Sir William Cornwallis, one of England’s most renowned admirals. He settled in Milford in 1800 shortly before being appointed Commander in Chief of the Channel Fleet in 1801 and from 1803-1806. It was during this period that Napoleon planned, and came close to executing, an invasion of England. Cornwallis displayed courage, perseverance, determination and leadership through his blockade of the French fleet at Brest and other ports which frustrated Napoleon’s plans to invade England. This action, in the face of major logistical and strategic difficulties and through two winters of unusually severe weather even for the seas off the coasts of Brittany, secured his reputation as one of the greatest admirals of the Royal Navy, respected by his fellow officers, loved by his men, and revered by Nelson. The achievement of preventing a major invasion stands alongside the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the Battle of Britain in 1940 in the annals of this country. 

Admiral Cornwallis etching
click image to enlarge
Admiral Cornwallis & Captain Whitby & Nelson: Admiral Cornwallis acquired the Newlands estate in Milford by lease in 1800 and later purchased the property. He was a close friend of Lord Nelson, a life-long bachelor and formed a great friendship with John Whitby who was his Flag Captain and whom he regarded as a son. After the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson, it was naval Captain Whitby who broke the news to Nelson’s mistress, Lady Hamilton. 

Cornwallis’ Grave and The Three Admirals: In recent years the location of Cornwallis’ grave in the churchyard of All Saints, Milford has been unknown. Cornwallis asked to be buried in an unmarked grave next to his good friend Captain John Whitby. This request was adhered to by Mrs Whitby, but her daughter, Mrs Theresa West, erected a very fine monument in the church, the old gravestone was abandoned, and all memory of it was lost. 

Admiral Cornwallis etching
click image to enlarge
In 2014 Cornwallis’ grave was discovered but was in poor repair. The Whitby/Cornwallis ledger was conserved to prevent any further deterioration. It was decided to renovate the ledger together with the memorial in the church to a second naval officer who served with distinction in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Rear Admiral John Peyton has been restored. A third senior naval officer and friend of Cornwallis, Admiral Robert Man, is also buried at All Saints, Milford. 


Commemorative Events: July 2019

A series of events have been planned by Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society and The 1805 Club with the active support of the New Forest National Park Authority and St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery. Support has also been received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Hampshire Archive Trust, the Hampshire Field Club, local authorities and other local history societies. 

Church Service, Memorial & Stained-Glass Window: A church service will be held on Friday 5th July 2019 conducted by the Bishop of Basingstoke, and senior representatives from Hampshire, the Royal Navy and naval historical research will be attending. The Cornwallis grave and memorial will be rededicated and a new stained-glass window commemorating all three admirals will be blessed. 

click image to enlarge
click image to enlarge
News of Trafalgar by Post-Chaise: The two horse post-chaise with riders in full costume will visit the village school and then proceed to the church service which will be followed by a recreation of the arrival of the news of Nelson’s death and victory at Trafalgar by post-chaise. 

Village Green Celebration & Post-Chaise: The two horse post-chaise will then move to the village green on Friday 5th July 2019 around 3pm until 5pm where there will be a variety of themed entertainment, live music, Royal Navy and Trafalgar Way stands and refreshments provided by local village groups including the Primary School and Royal Navy Catering. 

Commemorative Dinner: A Commemorative Dinner will be held on Saturday 6th July 2019 in the Cornwallis Suite of South Lawn Hotel, Milford (once the property of Admiral Cornwallis) with a leading naval historian as the guest speaker. 

Command of the Seas! Exhibition: A twelve-week exhibition entitled, “Command of the Seas! The Navy and the New Forest against Napoleon”, will run at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington from the 8th June until the end of August. Also, Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society has published a commemorative Bicentenary Edition of its Occasional Magazine with articles on Cornwallis, Man and Peyton.

Royal Navy Vessel in Lymington Port: It is hoped to have a Royal Navy training boat of the P2000 Archer Class in Lymington port over the week-end of 5th to 7th July. (Subject to operational duties)  

Illustration by Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge
Illustration by
Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge
The Admirals’ Trail & 
School Workshops: Further outreach activities for the community include, as a lasting resource, a heritage trail from Hurst Castle through Milford and surrounding towns and villages on to Bucklers Hard and Calshot Castle. This is being prepared in conjunction with other parishes and local history societies. In addition, The 1805 Club will be running its Wooden World educational workshops at Milford-on-Sea Primary School in July. 

Illustration by Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge
Illustration by Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge











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Enjoy the celebrations! 



For further information please contact: David Long at: david@milfordonsea.org

24 March 2019

Litter picking at Hurst Castle


As Hurst Castle prepare to open for the summer season, the Friends of Hurst Castle are holding their Annual Litter Pick on Sunday 7th April 2019, the Ferry leaves Keyhaven at 11am and volunteers can return when they like.

The idea is to wander around the Castle and approaches collecting the winters deposits. Necessary equipment will be provided including tea and biscuits.

If you would like to help out, or find out more about the friendly bunch of Friends of Hurst Castle, you can contact them below.



Friends of Hurst Castle is a very local active support group to Hurst Castle, who provide help in any way they can from enhancement of the building, assisting educationally to financially helping with any current project.

Within the castle, the Friends of Hurst Castle has an exhibition about their work and displays of military memorabilia that has been donated to the castle.

If you would like to become a member of Friends of Hurst Castle please click here to visit the website and for contact details.

14 March 2019

Bad news for Hordle Cliffs

Following our recent article 'Milford on Sea beach huts condemned' click here to read), we have received the email below from a local resident:  

"There is much wider issue of the whole beach disappearing - I heard that the Kiosk at Hordle Cliff car park was told by the council that by 5 years there will not be a beach! 

The 2 bays document relates to erosion along coast - this document was known by the Council for a long time but now is becoming more widely known amongst the beach hut community - not by the council telling us! - I don’t think the general Milford resident knows of this though. (Click here to read Two Bays document)

picture by Southampton University
click to enlarge
There is a do nothing policy for Hordle Cliff and the expected erosion for this area - which includes Hordle Cliff car park disappearing! 

Originally there was a a policy of ‘Hold the Line’ for Hordle Cliff - page 4.2.1 it has now changed to ‘Do nothing’ 

Relevant pages, 4.2.13 - anticipated retreat of 1.2 metres per year - in the last 4 months this must have been over 10-15 metres. Other pages - 4.2.14, 4.2.46, 48, 49 

Anther document from Southampton University refers to the change at Hordle Cliff being due to sea defences at Barton. (Click here to read.)

Thought you would find this interesting - sorry about the amount of reading! 

We have written to Council and MP as we are very concerned about this overall erosion - as I previously said it’s a much broader issue than just beach huts disappearing and I really feel that the village should be made aware of this.
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Editors comment: Knowing how powerful the sea can be the ultimate effects are quite understandable. Hopefully things do not deteriorate too quickly.

13 March 2019

Raw Milk Vending Machine at Hordle Manor Farm

The Cobb family of Hordle Manor Farm have dropped us a line to tell us of their new venture into supplying raw milk via a vending machine...

"Hordle Manor Farm is a family run farm which has been in the Cobb family for over 100 years. Matthew is currently the 5th generation of Cobb farmers. 

The family farm dairy and arable, growing enough crops to feed and bed their herd of cows, with a little extra to sell to the feed company. The Cobb family consists of Matthew, 47 years, Jack 18 years, who has just been offered and accepted a position of PCSO with the Metropolitan Police, Tom 16 years, who has an apprenticeship at RAD Engineering where he is learning
click image to enlarge
all aspects of welding and fabricating, Harry 15 years, who is currently studying at Priestlands school and helps out on the farm at every given opportunity, Emily 10 years who is being home educated with the help of many wonderful local groups, and mum ,Sarah (46), who describes herself as a full time dogs body to all of the above, who enjoys riding and caring for her horse too. They all live in the farmhouse with our 4 rescued Lurchers and many cats. 

Hordle Manor Farm is one of the very few remaining small farms, which runs a closed herd of around 100 Holstein Friesian milking cows. They also grow and produce grass silage, hay, maize, barley and straw, which mostly is used for feed an bedding for our cows. Any other feed which is needed is all sourced locally or comes from the South West. 

Most of the farm's milk goes to Medina Dairy and is then processed and sold in Sainsbury’s supermarkets. 

However, the diary has been using some of the milk before it is collected and treated for themselves. In this state it is called raw milk as it has not been heat treated, pasteurised or homogenised. As it hasn’t been altered in anyway, it is the most amazing creamy milk. Contrary to some beliefs, it is not fattening though. At only around 4% fat. This is a ‘good/friendly’ fat and is needed to help our bodies in many ways. It also contains all the ‘friendly’ bacteria which heat treating kills off. 

click image to enlarge
Sarah and Matthew have now decided it was time they shared our secret with the public and have set up a raw milk vending machine. 

Customers can come with their own bottles or containers, or buy bottles from us at £2 per bottle, which is glass with a screw top, so is reusable. The vending machine will supply however much or little milk you would like and is very easy to use. A litre of milk costs £1.40 but if you don’t want a whole litre, the machine will give you the amount of milk you pay for. 

The milk vending machine has clear instructions and only takes coins, but does give change. they have sourced as many of  the products for their venture as they could locally, including all the signs and flyers from New Forest Printing in New Milton and bottle labels from Gilly Print in Lymington. The logo was designed by Jamie Kedwards - the son of Sarah's childhood friend! 

Last Saturday the farm opened their doors and have been overwhelmed by the response from the public so far. On our first day they sold in excess of 60 litres of raw milk. Many customers came from lots of different walks of life and they had lots of positive feedback. 

Matthew and Harry showed some groups of people around and explained how the family have an open approach to their farming methods and are happy to answer any questions or to discuss any issues anyone has. They explained we want to be upfront and open as to where milk comes from, as sadly the whole farm to supermarkets process has become a little disjointed. 

Emily spent all day explaining to customers how to use the vending machine and met lots of lovely new faces." 

If you would like to find out more about raw milk, you can find the farm as below:

New Forest Raw Milk - Sarah’s Dairy 
Hordle Manor Farm, Cliff Road, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0NW

Directions: From Milford on Sea take the Cliff Road (B3058) towards New Milton. Continue along Cliff Road past the car parks and Scholars Retreat. The farm is on the left, Just after the old churchyard and before Downton Lane, Shorefield Park.

Oh, the dairy also has a Facebook page too, you can visit by clicking here.

08 March 2019

Wine Tasting at The Cave

The Cave have announced their next wine tasting evening. An expert from the Paul Cluver Wine group will be coming in on Thurday 21st March to talk through the history of the company as well as conducting tastings of 9 different wines. 

Paul Cluver Wines is a family owned and family run winery, focused on producing wines that reflect the uniqueness of the cool-climate Elgin terroir. The family is proud to have pioneered the Elgin appellation and for being seen as a leader in the sustainable farming.

The property is approximately 70km south-east of Cape Town and has been in ownership of the Cluver Family since 1896.

click image to enlarge
Alongside this, The Cave team will be providing snacks and nibbles, all included in the price of your ticket. Only £15 per person. 

To book please contact below or call in.


The Cave
2 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH
01590 642195

Cheeky Cards at The Village News

The Village News at the foot of Milford on Sea village green stocks an awful lot of items for a small shop; newspapers, magazines, stationery, sweets, chocolates, celebration cards and more.

The latest addition to their card range are a little cheeky and I wonder why I feel they are quite suited to the village!  

click image to enlarge

05 March 2019

More Awards for The Butchers Shop

The Butchers Shop in Church Hill, Milford on Sea has yet again won awards for their sausages and bacon, this time at the Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition 2019.

David Gates was handed seven gold medals for his sausages including traditional pork, lamb and mint, beef sausages, pork and cider, Beachcomber pork, Drayman’s pork and also their pork and spring onion bangers.

He also won gold for its home cured back bacon and silver for their hickory smoked back bacon, 

Quite a list, but given time we can try them all!

Singing for Charity

As you may know, we advertise all and any village event on the Milford on Sea Calendar (www.milfordonseacalendar.org) and save this site for local village news.

However, on this occasion we are mentioning the event below to support a local mum and daughter singing duo who have spent the past 8 years working towards raising £10,000 with the support of their friends, for Oakhaven Hospice.
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For Good Charity Concert

We're now edging closer to the actual concert date & I wondered if you could find space for the below article (re-written/re-worded, whatever suits you!) in your Milford on Sea News Bulletin pages?

Please do let me know if you'd like any further information;

Local mother & daughter singers 'The Jems' will be singing at a very special collaborative charity performance with New Forest father & son performers, Liam & Tony White on Friday 12th April at Milford Community Centre. 

'The Jems', otherwise known as Jo & Emily Vezey, along with Liam & Tony are joining forces to thank the staff at Oakhaven Hospice by raising funds on behalf of family members & friends, past & present, who have benefited from the amazing service offered. 

This year marks the 10 year anniversary that Jo & Emily lost their beloved Mum/Gran, Anne Metcalf, who remains an inspiration to them both, & the concert is named in her honour with a song close to both girls hearts 'For Good', describing how they were changed for good simply by knowing Anne. 

Liam, Tony & Andy Gale (our fabulous sound engineer) have also experienced first hand the compassionate & dedicated care that Oakhaven offers, & the idea for a concert was thrown on the table at a local music event at the end of last year, & plans subsequently took off full steam ahead. 

The concert will feature Liam's 'Buble Experience', Tony's 'Neil Diamond Tribute' & 'The Jems' will be performing songs from Frank Sinatra to Caro Emerald. 

The evening will begin at 7.30pm, with tickets on sale at the Milford Community Centre Box Office for just £10. 

Come & join us for a fantastic evening of entertainment in support of Oakhaven Hospice. The bar will be open! 

01 March 2019

Recruitment Open Days at St. George’s Nursing Home

St. George’s Nursing Home in Milford on Sea are looking for some people to join the team. If you, or anyone you know may be interested, simply go along to one of the Open Days below:

click image to enlarge


26 February 2019

Milford on Sea beach huts condemned

The Daily Echo has reported that the owners of a row of beach huts have been told they have been condemned due to health and safety fears.
Pic: Daily Echo
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The Milford on Sea beach erosion has caused a 12ft steep bank to open up in front of the huts and they are now at risk of toppling over.

Instead of replenishing the stones as they have done before, New Forest District Council (NFDC) has adopted a ‘do nothing’ policy and ‘abandoned’ the privately-owned huts. The owners will not receive any compensation.

To read full article please click here.

21 February 2019

The Big Info Day is coming

The Milford on Sea Charitable Trust & Community Panel have organised The Big Info Day which is a great opportunity to discover the organisations in our local villages.

The Big Info Day will take place on Saturday 2nd March 2019 from 10am to 2pm in the Community Centre, Sea Road, Milford on Sea. 

Do you know everything that is happening in our local community? You would be amazed at how many voluntary organisations and groups there are in our villages, all offering opportunities for people to get together, whether it’s to share an interest, help others, or make new friends. 

The Milford on Sea Community Panel, a group of people from many of these organisations, has arranged a special event called The Big Info Day. There will be 50 Groups with stands, that offer activities of all kinds, and for all ages. Our local County and District Councillors are planing to come, as well as member of the Parish Council. 

The Milford Primary School choir will be singing at 11.30, and there will be free tea, coffee and cake! 

A key purpose of the Panel is to combat loneliness. We hope that this event will bring people together. As well as groups to join, there will be organisations that offer support. Do you have a relative, neighbour or friend who might benefit from support, or more contact with other people? 

Why not encourage them to come with you?

20 February 2019

Lymington Times - Saying goodbye to nostalgia

On  the newspaper's 90th birthday, the end of an era was reported for the Lymington Times on the ITV News today.

The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times has always been a black and white broadsheet and has been created on a 1960's letterpress printer powered by a tractor engine.

However, from now it is being printed in colour and in tabloid size.

Cleaning Up the Caribbean

Local Milford on Sea village residents, Nigel & Wendy Swan recently wrote to the Daily Mail about litter in response to their recently launched  Litter Picking Campaign and they were pleasantly surprised to see it featured in today’s edition.
click image to enlarge article

Their daughter, Jenevora used to live in Lymington, before selling her house to buy a boat. 

She is currently on a sailing rally, that has just reached Panama. They have collected a dozen sacks of rubbish, while sailing around the (otherwise paradise-like) sandy beaches of the San Blas islands and taken them back to a marina for proper disposal. 

You can read Nigel's letter by clicking the image above.

Dining in Milford on Sea

Milford on Sea has become recognised as a Foodie Heaven on the South Coast. Our delightful seaside village has quality dining restaurants, pubs with great food, and quaint cafés & tea shops, ....indeed something for every taste, mood and budget.
Many also do great breakfasts, run regular dining offers and events, so please visit their websites anytime to see the menus and what is on offer today.
Restaurants
Fine Dining - Fish | Verveine www.verveine.co.uk
01590 642176 - 98 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE
Italian | Ray's Italian Kitchen - www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk
01590 645300 - 11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

British | La Perle www.laperle.co.uk
01590 643557 - 60 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

British | The Cedar Tree at South Lawnwww.southlawnhotel.co.uk/restaurant
01590 643911 - Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

Indian | Monsoori Heights 
01590 644441 - 69 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

Thai | Britannia Thai www.thairestaurantnewforest.co.uk
01590 642226 - 1 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
Faros Greek Restaurant - www.facebook.com/FarosGreekRestaurant
01590 644999 - Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY


Pop Up Restaurant | Hurst on the Hill - www.hurstonthehill.co.uk
01590 645558 - 4 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD
Wine Bar and Tapas

Tapas | The Cave - www.thecavemos.co.uk
01590 642195 - 2 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH
Pubs and Food
01590 643044 - Park Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PT
Smugglers Inn - www.pubsnewforest.co.uk
01590 644414 - 88 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE

The Wash House - www.thewashhousebar.co.uk
27 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

The Red Lion - www.theredlionmilford.co.uk
01590 642236 - 32 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

The Gun Inn - www.theguninn.com
01590 642391 - Saltgrass Lane, Keyhaven, Lymington, SO41 0TP
01590 642655 - Old Christchurch Road, Everton, SO41 0JJ
The Royal Oak - www.theroyaloakdownton.co.uk
01590 642297 - Christchurch Road, Downton, SO41 0LA
Cafés and Tea Shops
Hurst on the Hill - www.hurstonthehill.co.uk
01590 645558 - 4 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

The Village Coffee Pot 
01590 641155 - 54 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD
Salt Water Cafe
01590 643518 - 106 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE
Polly's Pantry Tea Rooms
01590 645558 - 46 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD
Needles Eye Café
01590 642458 - Seafront Promenade, Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY
Hurst Castle Café - www.hurstcastle.co.uk
01590 642344 - Hurst Castle, Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QU
Muffins Galore Tea Room - www.atbraxtongardens.com
01590 643601 - Braxton Courtyard, Lymore Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0TX
Camellias Coffee Shop & Restaurant - www.evertonnurseries.co.uk
01590 642155 - Farmers Walk, Everton, SO41 0JZ

Takeaway
Mr Pink's Fish and Chip Shop
01590 642930 - Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH

Indian | Monsoori Heights

01590 644441 - 69 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

Thai | Britannia Thai - www.thairestaurantnewforest.co.uk
01590 642226 - 1 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

19 February 2019

Looking for someone to walk your dog?

Kaits Canine Care, founded by by Kait Houching, started a dog walking service in Milford on Sea a couple of years ago, and currently has some vacancies.

Animal lover Kait is also currently studying a BA Course in Animal Anatomy, which in due course will lead her (forgive the pun!) to being able to offer dog massage.

Kait herself has 2 cavaliers, Alfie and Amber, and with her business expanding so fast, she has now teamed up with fellow animal lover and dog walker in the village, Ruth Elrington-Brown.

Kait says, "We offer a dog walking service in Milford on Sea, and surrounding areas. We can do up to 3 visits a day for dogs, hour long walks, half hour walks, cat visits including feeding and litter tray changing, reptile feeding, house sitting including taking in mail, checking over the home, watering plants and feeding of wild birds. We are so excited about our growing business, and we look forward to meeting local people and their lovely pets"

If you would like to find out more about Kait & Ruth's services, or for references, please contact her below:

Kaits Canine Care
01590 719406 / 07799 947718
kaithershaw@googlemail.com

School Lane Development Public Enquiry

Below is an update on the proposed School Lane Development in Milford on Sea. Sit tight and get a cup of tea - this is a long one!

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Public inquiry into the appeal made by Pennyfarthing Homes into the refusal of New Forest District Councillors of planning consent for land north of School Lane. 

The inquiry ran from Tuesday morning February 11th until Friday February 15th. 

Barristers for New Forest District Council and for Pennyfarthing locked horns over mainly one point at issue - that of the viability of the provision of affordable housing on the site. The inquiry into this viability was incredibly detailed, Pennyfarthing insisting that it would not be viable to include the amount of affordable housing demanded by the policy for the land and stating that starter homes should be included as part of their affordable housing allocation. 

New Forest District Council argued that if 42 houses are permitted then the quota of affordable housing could viably be increased - the Council denied that starter homes should be allowed other than as part of the remainder of the development - after the affordable housing has been included. 

Milford Parish Council wished the inspector to consider issues other than the viability question. The Parish Council’s opening and closing statements referred strongly to the original reason for the removal of the site from the Green Belt and to the original inspector’s directives for the site - ie 30 houses only to be built and these all to be affordable or low cost houses. 

The inquiry progressed in a measured and extremely thorough way - the inspector making sure that the community voice was heard: he twice visited the site, at busy school drop off and pick up times and, although we cannot predict his verdict, largely at least we feel that our concerns were heard. 


The Parish Council’s opening and closing statements are below.

First, I must emphasise, Milford on Sea wishes to build affordable houses to help as far as possible the needs of local people who cannot afford to live in the village in which they were born, in which their families may have lived for generations, or in which they work and which they love. 

The PC has tried over many years – to my personal knowledge 16 - to bring forward sites for affordable homes. We are happy that Milford is now acknowledged as a Forest Village with all that that entails : no right to buy for renting families, no staircasing out for part owners - a step in the right direction towards preventing our low cost housing becoming available on the open market which would just feed the demand for second homes in Milford – (the only coastal village for miles either side). Thereby hopefully preserving some measure of diversity in our village residents. 

Milford wishes appropriate housing to be built. 

To that end, after a tortuous process and difficult decision making MOS1 was identified as the only site for the 30 houses which Milford was obliged to provide under the terms of the current local plan. 

These 30 houses the PC was told had to be provided on green belt land - any other sites which came forward would be considered as ‘bonus’ sites and would not be accounted for as part of the 30 obligation. 

So the village entered into, with much heart searching and, at the end of the day, with no option. designation of MOS1 as the preferred site for these 30 houses. 

MOS 1 was a piece of land within the green belt. The village took it on the chin that precious green belt land was to be sacrificed on the altar of local need and it conceded that it could live with these 30 houses because, we understood, these houses were to be affordable - in our opinion built on an ‘exception’ site. It is noteworthy that in its statement of evidence NFDC uses the word ‘exception’ in relation to this site 13 times. MoS1 policy is referred to as being the key policy of this application. 

It is ironic to note that Pennyfarthing was supportive of the Council's allocation of the site through Policy MoS1. They made representations in support of the allocation. They confirmed their view that the policy was both legally compliant and sound, and in supporting the policy they noted that "The site provides an opportunity to deliver much needed affordable housing to the settlement of Milford-on-Sea". 

The inspector ratified and endorsed this policy – but with stipulation: in an almost unprecedented statement the inspector demanded that various conditions must be met before any building took place. Crucial to this judgment is 30 dwellings ONLY - and these 30 must be to address the needs of the local population - ie the need for affordable rented family accommodation and some shared ownership - these tenures to take up at least 2/3 s of the dwellings - the remaining 1/3 to be low cost accommodation. We understood we had to accept this market housing to make the affordable housing viable. But – this third was to be low cost - with no facility to extend the accommodation in order that it should remain as low cost as possible. 

Perhaps we should have realised that in order to justify the building of this market housing the land had to be redesignated and been aware that when it was no longer green belt it would become a sitting target for any planning application. But we trusted in the inspector’s directive. 

We may have been deceived: if an inspector’s ruling can be swept aside by a profit motivated developer’s cynical disregard of that ruling then what is the point of an inspector? And what hope for the point of future public consultation? And what belief can we have in a developer’s assertion as Pennyfarthing gave that it wishes to build houses to meet a community’s needs when those assertions are condensed to a ‘nod and a wink’ to meeting that local need when applications come forward. 

Viability studies! - those provided by opposing sides seem to us to be a ‘he said/she said’ dialogue. The Parish Council contend that while the studies are not irrelevant, they are superfluous to the argument: we do not accept on any level 42 houses on this site – no matter what the proportion of so called affordable housing may be – we stick by the principle that the loss of the green belt site was for 30 houses and no more. This site is and was an EXCEPTION. 

I will mention the car park - a concrete blot on the green belt at the entrance to the village. The PC along with so many residents know that this is a ludicrous and dangerous place to put an entry and exit onto the busy B3508. It is on a bend. 

The PC also emphasises that it will not accept that starter homes can be acknowledged as part of the developer’s affordable housing obligation - NFDC’s strategic housing officer has underlined that a family wishing to purchase such a starter home on this site must earn around £42,000 a year in order to be able to fund such a purchase. Milford on Sea’s parish councillors are local people. We KNOW people - they are our children – our children’s children - they do not earn £42,000 a year and they are doing their best: often they provide services to the more wealthy population of Milford - they are our carers, our gardeners - actually even the district’s teachers, nurses and paramedics - I KNOW - they love Milford - some of them won’t even employ a plumber unless he lives in Milford because they care about the local economy. Many of them are in receipt of housing benefit to live in private renting accommodation so that they can live here, use our shops, and, yes, enjoy our school, walk our walks and maintain our village. What false economy is that? 

Please do not allow starter homes to be considered as affordable housing. 

The NFDC’s proof of affordability acknowledges that the village need identified (about 57 families) who would qualify for some form of affordable home in the village is probably an understatement. I can guarantee that this is the case. I know families living in private rented accommodation and who are in receipt of housing benefit to enable them to do so have more or less given up - it has taken at least 8 years to come to the top of Milford’s list if you’re lucky. 

We do not need more executive type homes - we will not function as a dormitory for Southampton or Bournemouth, housing people who do not use the village. Milford is a great place to live - it’s a community which looks after its own - it’s a community which works - it’s not all born and bred here but if you live there the full on community care takes the pressure off those in need - the village must meet the housing needs of the people who live and use the village – and who give so much back. 

Please re-endorse the original inspector’s directive for this site and dismiss this appeal.

Closing statement of Milford on Sea Parish Council to the enquiry into Pennyfarthing’s appeal against NFDC’s decision to refuse planning consent on the land north of School Lane.

The Parish Council represents the whole of the village  - as its elected members.

The rationale for the redesignation of this green belt site has been lost in the mire of viability:

The site is intended for 30 houses providing 2/3 affordable dwellings and the remainder low cost homes crucially to meet local need.

The village, as I have said earlier, ‘took it on the chin’ that it would lose a precious and beautiful site to help 30 families from its less privileged population to remain in the village.

Now we are faced with 42 dwellings - it's components hardly touching the locality's housing needs.

Public satisfaction with the planning process is at an all time low locally -  we feel deceived and conned -  a developer and landowner who profess to care about the housing needs of the locality apparently ‘needs’ to put 23 executive houses on a site especially designated for low cost housing -  unbelievable and tragic as far as the residents are concerned.  We find it extraordinary that our Local Planning Authority gave no regard to the planning inspector’s directives for this site  - if only it had then this unhappy situation would not have arisen.

We are warned that if the 30 limit was to be reimposed or if more affordable housing was imposed on the site Pennyfarthing may walk away - the landowner would get nothing and the village would not get any affordable housing at this time. It's tempting to say so what?  Pennyfarthing is not offering to build the sort of affordable units the village needs and the Parish Council firmly believes the village would prefer to wait than to accept yet more executive houses on a development which would enable so few of the people on its Homesearch register having a chance of a home here.

If the Inspector is minded to allow this appeal the Parish council will be vigorous in its pursuit of 70% truly affordable dwellings on the development and will push for those to be family rented accommodation -  not just ‘a unit’  which could be a one bedroom flat  - together with some shared ownership and truly low cost market houses.  The provision on a site of 42 houses of 70% truly affordable dwellings which meets the local housing need would help to ameliorate the sense of betrayal that the village feels  - having let this green belt site go in good faith.

We encourage the inspector to consider other issues within policy MoS1, as suggested by Mr Brown,  in coming to his decision. -  NFDC councillors obviously considered issues other than viability when coming to their decision to unanimously refuse the planning application. Please consider the whole of policy MoS1 –  for example:

The Parish Council opposes the location of the car park.  We acknowledge that Pennyfarthing can win the argument that they are providing parking for recreational amenity - but let’s not kid ourselves -  it’s no good as a ‘drop off’.  First,  few children are ‘dropped off’:  our younger children are handed to teachers and handed back to a parent at the end of the day   -  that means parking for those not able to walk to school. The older ones who may be dropped off will find the proposed ‘drop off’ point too far away and  too difficult to get into and out of.  So - not really of any help to Manor Road, Knowland Drive, School Lane or the Lymington Road.  This is not just a local problem and I think the majority of schools, certainly in this area and I am sure further afield,  have similar problems.  We do not have a solution – but we cannot pretend that this car park in this location with its entrance on a bend will do very much to help the school parking.

The expectation was that the car park/drop off point would be located at the southern end of the site but of course where it has been located does help to fit in 42 houses rather than 30 as does the relocation of the play park from the housing development onto the land to be ‘given’ to the Parish Council. We have been informed by the school that it is not happy with the proximity of the houses or the distance of the ‘drop off’ point from the school. 

The eastern exit from the site will take cars logically into Lymore Valley and thence to the Everton junction via narrow rural lanes rather than driving through the estate and then having to turn right onto the B3058. Lymore Valley residents are very concerned about this since many of these lanes are very narrow.

This is not a case of the Parish Council being against development per se - on the contrary we would welcome an application that addresses the needs of our local people. This application does not address those needs and we therefore request that the decision to refuse permission be upheld. No compromise should be considered on this site until other options have been explored.

Lobster Night is back at La Perle!

Milford on Sea's popular restaurant, bar and grill - La Perle have announced that their Lobster Night is back.

Every Wednesday, starting Starting 20th February you can enjoy their special A La Carte Menu with lots of options for Lobster Lovers, includes a half price Bottle of Prosecco per couple! Click here to see the menu.


La Perle
01590 643557
60 High Street, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0QD

Milford Festival announce two new events

The Milford on sea Festival have announced two new events for you too enjoy:

Super Funk in the House
Whip out the flares and dust off those glasses as you join us on a trip back to the Summer of Love. With music from Bournemouth's finest ten-piece band, the fusion of Latin, Funk, Soul and Disco will have you jumping and jiving as we did in the sixties and seventies. 

Plus the awesome dance troop Braces and Lace who jived to those 40's beats will also be showing us hows it's really done, pro-style. 

9th March 2019 | Tickets available from the Community Centre Box Office for £15 per person. 


1969 Casino
After the success of last year's sold-out event, the Casino returns to Milford's Community Centre for another night of glitz and glam. With this year's theme being 1969, what will you come dressed as? With CNN dubbing the Summer of '69 as one of the most eventful in history, what was it about the year that you remember so vividly? Was it the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, or Woodstock Festival in White Lake, New York?

Whatever the year means to you, dress up and join us for a night full of dancing to some of the most iconic music of the year.

18th May 2019 | Tickets are available from the Community Centre Box Office for £17.50 per person. 


Milford Festival

13 February 2019

New Lip Reading Course

Everybody mumbling? Guessing what is being said? Feeling isolated or left out?

Joining a class is a significant step towards enhancing life with hearing loss and is very entertaining.

The village is having a Lip Reading Course to help the 1 in 6 who suffer from hearing loss.

The courses held last year earlier were appreciated so much, that there will be a third Beginners class starting on 15th March 2019.

With the guidance of a lively tutor whose motto is "No-one can fail a Lip Reading Course". People who attended last time were by the end more confident in asking people to speak more slowly or look at them and help them to hear in other ways (in this way reducing their sense of isolation). They also learned not to apologise for their hearing loss and most importantly, to develop skills in interpreting/understanding what people might be saying.

This course is highly recommended for those living with hearing loss, and it is also helpful for couples to learn together.

The 8 week course will be held from 10 am to 12 noon on Friday mornings in All Saints Church Hall starting on 15th March 2019

For more details contact Christine Luxon on:
 01590 719286 or alecluxon@hotmail.com or visit the Lip Reading table at the Big Info Event coming soon.