Create a Nativity Story Window

Would you like to decorate your window or driveway for a Nativity Story Hunt throughout the village?

Simply decide on a date when you would like your display to 'go live', and choose a character or scene from the Christmas Story to display prominently in your window. 

Then, please enter a description of your display and address by clicking here.

Display's can commence anytime from Wednesday 1st December until Christmas.

All imaginative, creative or simple ideas are invited!

To find out more, please click here.

All Saints' Church

Greenbanks Close, Milford on Sea SO41 0SQ
01590 644992
office@allsaintsmilford.co.uk

www.allsaintsmilford.co.uk

New Menu at Saltwater Café

Saltwater Café have launched a new menu which is packed with tasty treats. 

Alongside the breakfast favourites are meat, fish, Sushi and vegetarian dishes.

They are also offering a Sunday Brunch Menu which offers alternatives to a Sunday roast.

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If you have visited Saltwater Café recently, you will find that they have a new layout for everyone's comfort.

Saltwater Café

106 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE

01590 643518

www.facebook.com/saltcafe106

A family story for Remembrance

I am sure that at this time of the year many families recall stories of the war years & the part their own families played in the eventual victory.

Our family never really had any ‘war stories’, well we didn’t until my brother Peter, did some genealogical research during 2009. Like a lot of families I guess, the war was not discussed when we were children, & the only thing I remember was that my dad’s brother had been a WW2 prisoner of war in an horrific Japanese camp, but he never spoke about it to anyone, ever.

I also knew that my Grandad’s lungs were badly damaged during the first world war, but did not know how. I remember him as a warm & kindly man who lived with us when we were children. In fact our three bedroom home in Kingsbury, North London, housed Grandad (Horace Hunt), my Nan, Mum & Dad, plus us three kids. He fondly told me great children’s stories as I sat on his knee, with his oxygen cylinder & mask sitting ominously next to him in the living room.

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My other Grandfather, Albert Long was born and bred in Hendon, North London. I remember him as a stern archetypal Victorian man, in a woollen suit with waistcoat & fob watch. His house was a standard semi-detached in Hendon, with an allotment at the bottom of the garden where he spent many hours. He was certainly of a mind that ‘children should be seen & not heard’ & the front parlour was a special treat to visit only on special Sundays. 

This all seems so far from the days we now live in. Having been born in the mid 1950's, I grew up with the war being something 'old people' talked about, & in my teens & twenties I was much more interested in girls & pubs!

Sadly, when I eventually became interested in what happened during the two World Wars it was too late to ask many of those I had known that had been there. It was not until I was in my early forties that I took a trip to Ypres & the Belgian World War One battlefields & trenches, and the experience was unexpectedly emotional & a disturbing realisation of the scale of the slaughter. In subsequent years my interest in the war years grew, as I tried to understand & make sense of what had happened. It just felt important to know.

A visit to the World War Two D-Day Beaches of France soon followed. If these are trips you have never made, I thoroughly recommend a visit. I cannot say it will be fun, I also cannot guarantee you will not have an involuntary tear or two, but I can guarantee that the sights will put everything into perspective & steel your resolve for such a thing to never happen again. In my view, it should be on the curriculum of every school in the country to visit the battlefields & cemeteries to ensure our children never forget what happened to their own forefathers.

Back to Peter, (my Brother), a few years ago gave me a surprise present of two photograph frames with the most amazing contents. Following his research: each had a sepia photograph, name & rank panel, miniature medals & script on the back. The photographs were pictures of each of my Grandfathers in their military uniforms during WW1. The stories on the back revealed amazing things about two ordinary men during wartime. 

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My Grandad, Staff Sergeant Horace W Hunt had been in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during WW1 as a Mine Sweeper, unfortunately he was involved in an explosion which necessitated his return to Hendon Cottage Hospital, England for treatment for temporary blindness & respiratory problems. 

Lewis Gun Letter
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During World War Two he served as a corporal in the Home Guard and was based in Southgate, North London.

Being an engineer, he had the skills and vision to invent a new loading device for the 97 round Lewis Light Machine Gun which improved the loading efficiency by forty percent. Horace donated his invention to the war effort. Our family now has a letter from a Major M. A Moir, congratulating him on his ingenuity.

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My other Grandfather, Rifleman Albert Long, of the Rifle Brigade (Now merged into the Royal Green Jackets) was one of the few to return from the atrocious WW1 battlefields of Passchendaele, Belgium. During his time in the trenches we were proud to discover that he had been awarded the Military Medal for an individual act of bravery. His Military Medal was awarded on the 18th October 1917.

Unfortunately, all records of the exact event were destroyed during the bombing of the Army Records Office in London during World War 2. However, from family memory Peter discovered that he had saved a comrade from ‘no man’s land’ during battle. His medals were bequeathed by the family to his Regimental museum, the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester when he died in 1965 & can still be seen there today.

This personal story may not be read by many, but for those that do read this, I hope it conjures up memories from your own families. Most importantly, now that I have written this story online my grandfathers will never be forgotten, & like so many other fathers & grandfathers who sacrificed so much, they never should.

Toy Advent Calendar in Milford Cards and Gifts

Milford Cards and Gifts in Milford on Sea High Street have added the Fidget Toy Advent Calendar at £15 to their Christmas Range. 

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The shop also stock all the latest Fidget Toys and 'Pop It's', alongside a varied range of gifts, Christmas presents, and of course festive and celebration cards.

Why not take a look when next passing.

Milford Cards and Gifts

35 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

Xmas Chocolate Orange's from Elmsleigh Cakes

Mandy Black at Milford on Sea based Elmsleigh Cake is now taking pre-orders for her Christmas Themed Sugar Covered Chocolate Oranges. 

Below are a few designs that Mandy has already made, and she is happy personalise the designs if you would like a special touch.

Each decorated orange is £10, or two for £18. 

The following current designs are available:

• Santa’s
• Gonks boys and girls
• Winter Woolley hats
• Football hats
• Squidgame Christmas character
• The Grinch
• Penguins
• Snowman
• Polar bear

Please contact Mandy at Elmsleigh Cakes below to book for Christmas collection.

These are limited stocks, so first come first served.

All oranges come gift wrapped and make wonderful stocking fillers.

Elmsleigh Cakes

elmsleighcakes1@aol.com

www.facebook.com/Elmsleighcakes

www.elmsleighcakes.co.uk

Join the Chorus for the Village Pantomime

The Village Pantomime is coming!, But, it is not too late to get involved.

If there anybody in the village who would like to join the pantomime chorus (men and women), you would be warmly welcomed.

Rehearsals in village on Sunday afternoons.

For more information, please contact: Brenda on: brendavoce@hotmail.com - 07702 858987

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Simon ranked 38 in World Wheelchair Class

We have heard from Simon Heaps that the new ITTF Para Table Tennis rankings were published on 1st November and he has entered at 38 in the World Wheelchair Class 5. 

Simon said; "I am over the moon with this and it proves that hard work does pay off. I am by far the oldest in the entire list. Not bad for a Milford on Sea resident!

I am off to Cologne , Germany on Friday to play 4 more Bundesliga matches for my Hamburg Club, return on Sunday and then fly to Paris for the French Para Open on Monday morning, chasing more World Ranking points in my quest to gain selection for the 2022 Commonwealth Para Games in Birmingham next summer."

Simon is still looking for Sponsors as he is totally self-funded. If you or your business may be interested you can contact him below.

You can read more about Simon's journey on his GoFundMe Page by clicking here.

To date Simon has raised £7,261 of £20,000 his goal.

Simon Heaps
simon@simonheaps.com

www.simonheaps.com

A night to enjoy the Blues

 Live music at the Community Centre this Saturday:

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Charity Shop Christmas Sale

 Time for some bargains in time for Christmas:

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Fizz & Port Tasting Evening at The Cave

As winter is coming thick and fast, the team at The Cave have decided to pick your spirits up with a Tutored Fizz & Port evening hosted by Maison, Marques et Domaine (MMD) in time for Christmas.

The Fizz & Port Tasting Evening will be at 7pm on Wednesday 1st December.

 

You will be treated to 2 sparkling wines, 1 champagne and 3 festive ports, accompanied by nibbles in the way of food pairings to the wines.

Tickets are £25 per person and sold on a first come basis. Limited spaces apply, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. 

Please contact The Cave on 01590 642195 to reserve your places. Payment will be taken upon booking.

The team look forward to seeing your smiling faces enjoying a evening at The Cave.

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

www.facebook.com/TheCavewinebar
www.thecavemos.co.uk

Milford Arts and Music Festival to Return

The Milford on Sea Arts and Music Festival has announced the great news that it is to return from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th May 2022.

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This epic weekend features something for everyone. The main stage on Milford on Sea Village Green hosts Live Bands, Tribute Acts, Classical & World Music, Choirs, Dance and more.

There is also locally sourced food and a large bar including local craft beer.

Definitely dates to put in your diary now.

if you would like to get involved, sponsor or volunteer please contact: info@milfordfestival.com.

See part of two past festivals in pictures:

2019 click here - 2010 click here.

Milford on Sea Arts and Music Festival

info@milfordfestival.com

www.milfordfestival.com

www.facebook.com/MilfordonSeaArtsandMusicFestival

First Friday Lunch for School on Friday

This weeks First Friday Lunch is in aid of Milford on Sea Primary School.

Everyone is welcome, and it is just £6 for lunch, and with lots going on to enjoy. 

Check out the poster below:

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Artisan Christmas Market this Sunday

 Pop along to find some special locally made gifts for Christmas.

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Royal British Legion: Remembrance Services

The Royal British Legion Milford on Sea Remembrance Services will be held on 11th and 14th November.

• 11th November on the Village Green at 1045hrs.
• 14th November at Keyhaven War Memorial at 1345hrs
• 14th November at All Saint Church at 1500hrs

The Branch Annual General Meeting will be held at Keyhaven Yacht Club on Wednesday 17th November 1900 hrs for 1930 start.

Speaker. Mr Nick Langford on Arnhem, 'A personal account written by my dad, John Langford'.

Please note: Due to Covid concerns the 3pm service in All Saints will have limited capacity so that when the choir, buglers, wreath layers etc are taken into account there may be only a few tens of seats available to the general public.

In order to avoid disappointment it is suggested that unless there is a specific need to attend the church, people are encouraged to join the open air Remembrance Services on the village green on 11th November or at the Keyhaven memorial on the 14th November.

It is understood that the church service will be recorded for future viewing.

Ellie becomes Hampshire Schools Champion

Local Milford on Sea schoolgirl, Ellie Mans has had a great end to her golfing season, by being crowned Hampshire Schools Champion, she did this by shooting 73 at Cams Hall and with some precise wedge play she secured a further win in the Peter Alliss Trophy with a +1 round at Ferndown.

She has already begun her winter training schedule with the England South West Squad, and will be representing Peter Symonds at the SE Golf League at Hockley in November. 

Ellie is 16 years of age and has a handicap is +0.2 and she plays her home golf at Brockenhurst Manor and Barton on Sea Golf Club.

Motown Disco at Community Centre

Get out your flares, platform shoes, or just come along to enjoy the music from this classic era!

The Cave are looking for an Assistant Manager

Milford on Sea's popular Wine & Tapas Bar, The Cave are looking for a key member to join the management of this friendly team.

Assistant Manager: Starting immediately. This is a permanent position and experience within the hospitality industry is essential. Your package will include a competitive salary, tips, company pension contributions, statutory annual holiday with a fun and lively working environment.

If you are interested, please e-mail Your CV to Jon at:
info@thecavemos.co.uk or drop it in to The Cave.

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

www.facebook.com/TheCavewinebar
www.thecavemos.co.uk

Paddle Sports Company move to Keyhaven Quay

After six years in Milford on Sea High Street, The New Forest Paddle Sports Company is on the move, but not far, as they are only going to Keyhaven Quay.

Claire & Sean explain: "I just thought we would share our exciting news and future plans.

After 6 years of being based in our little blue shop in the wonderful Milford on Sea high street we have decided to relocate fully down to Keyhaven Quay at the end of October!

This move has been in the pipeline for a few years now and will allow us to offer better customer service as well as being able to expand our on water offering with more last minute availability and better all round customer service at our teaching base of Keyhaven Quay.

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As for the shop, we will still be a retailer for Starboard SUP, C-Skins Wetsuits & Accessories, Dryrobe and Swimming Accessories, but this will all be moved across to our online store offering free home delivery or click and collect from us at the Quay. You will still be able to come and visit us at the quay for our same great personal service, advice and try on new wetsuits and accessories but this will be on an appointment basis rather than just dropping in.

We are keeping the same phone number of 01590 645270 and email address and will be easily contactable.

After speaking to lots of locals and regular customers we all feel this is the next best step for us as a business and will allow us to move forwards and continue our quality customer service on and off the water.

We want to thank everyone who has supported us at our little blue shop over the last 6 years and we look forward to seeing you down at our new setup at Keyhaven Quay."

 Claire, Sean and the Team

The New Forest Paddle Sports Company

Keyhaven Quay

01590 645270 

info@thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

www.thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

www.facebook.com/thenewforestpaddlesportcompany

A Personal Tribute to Tony Locke

Tony Locke former chairman of the Milford-on-Sea Wildlife Recording Group and chairman of the Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV) passed away on the 18th October 2021.

Tony’s time at MCV’s helm was without question his finest local conservation hour. Under his leadership numerous conservation projects that sometimes seemed too complex were brought to fruition.

In 2018, jointly with the Parish Council, MCV won the prestigious New Forest National Park Authority Land Management Award for conservation management work in the Pleasure Grounds and Studland Common. 

In 2020, also under Tony’s leadership, MCV were awarded the country’s highest accolade for a voluntary group, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, equivalent to an MBE.

Tony, with the late Elizabeth Young had researched the parish flora to help produce the definitive wildflower records of Milford-on-Sea and Keyhaven. Both proved exceptionally knowledgeable about Milford’s flora. Their unique records will be shared later in 2022/23.

He was never happier than when doing things he found interesting and beneficial to the nature recording movement. He wrote and published several important birding papers.

In 2022, Tony would have celebrated his 80th birthday with his twin brother John.

To read more of Tony's life, please click here.

Oil tanker runs aground off the Needles

The Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat was called out to a stricken oil tanker, the 145m long Liberian oil tanker called Chem Alya, when it run aground on a sandbank on the evening of Monday 25th October.

The incident is being picked up by www.isleofwight.com’s live stream from the Needles.

picture by www.isleofwight.com

High tide was not due until the early hours of the next morning.

The tanker eventually started to refloat a couple of hours before high tide which was due at 2am and was then able to return to Southampton for checks before continuing its onward journey.

To read more from the Island Echo, please click here.