Blue Plaque unveiled at War Memorial Hospital

Friday 24 July 2015 was a day to remember for the Milford Hospital League of Friends.

In seriously heavy rain, sturdy souls gathered at 3pm for the Unveiling Ceremony for the official Blue Plaque at Milford War Memorial Hospital.

The new plaque
at the hospital
click image to enlarge

The new Blue Plaque records that: 'Milford-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital, opened in 1930, was built with public subscription by the families and friends of those who died in World War I. Registered War Memorial No 59027.'

The plaque was commissioned and funded by the League of Milford on Sea War Memorial Hospital Friends and was formally unveiled in torrential rain by Col Gordon Barnett, president of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

Julia Badham, chairman of the Friends group, said members had raised £440 for the plaque. She added: “I am delighted on behalf of the League of Friends to have this blue plaque on the wall of the Milford on Sea War Memorial Hospital for all to see. “It will remind people of the sacrifice of those who lost their lives and the families and villagers who contributed to build the hospital on its present site.”

Col Gordon Barnett MBE
unveils the plaque

The Historical Record Society’s research, and persistence with official bodies, including the Imperial War Museum over some years, resulted in the Hospital being formally registered, and the Blue Plaque is now a permanent emblem of the Hospital’s importance as the village’s chosen way of honouring its War Dead.

The actual registration of the War Memorial hospital was carried out by Daphne Austin, Research Officer to the Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society

The event was organised on behalf of the League of Friends by Vice-Chairman Brian Giles, and it is a milestone move by the League to further ensure that the Hospital remains intact for the future benefit of the Community.

At the Ceremony, the Plaque was blessed by Rev Canon Ray Hubble, honorary chaplain of the Royal British Legion Hampshire & Dorset, then unveiled by the President of the Milford branch of the Royal British Legion; Col Gordon Barnett MBE, and honoured by a salute from the Legion’s standard bearer. 

From left, Julia Badham, Chair of the League
of  MoS War Memorial Hospital Friends;
Canon Ray Hubble, and
Col Gordon Barnett MBE

Guests on the day included representatives of Milford Historical Record Society, which was instrumental in having the hospital registered as a war memorial; the Royal British Legion; Royal British Legion Women’s Section, along with members of the NHS and local councillors.

At the conclusion of the Ceremony, very welcome and warming tea was served to guests in the Hospital Day Room, where League of Friends’ Chairman Mrs Julie Badham thanked people for attending, and spoke feelingly of the importance of the remembrance, which the Plaque represented, and of the importance of the Hospital serving the community of Milford.

The hospital building itself is owned by NHS Property Services with the majority of services at the site provided by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and commissioned by West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Stuart Reilly, NHS Property Services Area Support Manager, added: “We would like to thank the League of Friends for arranging the ceremony and installing the blue plaque and the other distinguished guests, including the Royal British Legion, for their support. “It is fitting that anyone using or working at the hospital knows about its place in local history.”

*Photos by Bob Braid, archivist to the Milford Historical Record Society.

New Play Area at The Smugglers

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The Smugglers Inn have installed a new children's play area which includes a climbing wall and trim trail. The garden also has lots of comfy seating, rustic tables & chairs and backs onto the Danestream.

Our local traditional village inn have also updated their loyalty scheme, and there is now no more waiting for vouchers in the post, all of the benefits are now redeemable in house. If you would like to find out more, please just pop in the see the team.

The Smugglers Inn

88 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE

click here to visit website

A Beach Hut for the Kids

A delightful beach hut on the seafront at Milford on Sea will provide much-needed respite this summer to sick children and their families supported by the Surrey-based children’s charity Momentum.

Momentum, who support children with cancer across SW London and Surrey, bought the site to build the £15,000 emerald green beach hut earlier this year for its families to enjoy whilst using the two holiday homes that Momentum owns in nearby Shorefield Country Park.

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The beach hut is nestled along the coastline on Hordle Cliffs, and will provide a sanctuary for families who have a child with cancer and who need a break from the gruelling treatment that they have to endure. The beach hut will also be available to Momentum Echoes, a new support group for families who have suffered the bereavement of a child.

Momentum charity director Bianca Effemey said: “We are so pleased with the way the beach hut has turned out. The interior is stunning and it offers our families a space of peace and tranquility in beautiful surroundings.”

Katie Mallalieu, of Mallalieus of Delph, suppliers of cloth to Chanel and Prada, kindly lent her interior design services free of charge to Momentum, to transform the beach hut into a stunning space.

Pupils of Kingston-based boys’ school Rokeby kindly raised the funds needed to pay for the beach hut.

The beach hut is also currently in a competition for the Beach Hut of the Year Award being run by The Sunday Times.

Momentum is a registered, independent charity established in 2004 (Registered charity no 1106677). In addition to supporting families both during and after treatment, Momentum’s main objective is to improve the facilities and to enhance the healing environment in hospitals where children are undergoing treatment for cancer and life-limiting conditions. Momentum also owns two holiday homes in the New Forest where it can send families for much-needed breaks. The charity recently set up Momentum Echoes, a support group for bereaved parents.

Momentum 

www.moment-um.org

The Village is Blooming!

The Annual Milford Flower and Produce show was held at All Saint’s Church Hall, Milford on Sea on Saturday 18th July 2015.

The show this year was very well supported with an increased number of entries, including many new entrants and more involvement from the Guides, Cubs, Brownies, Rainbow and Milford Preschool. A large number of people attended the show.

click image to enlarge
View more pictures by
Adam Lynk: click here

The Challenge cup for the most points in show was won again this year by Malcolm Alison. He also won the Weatherhead cup for the most points in the Vegetable section as well as the Joanne Weatherhead cup for the best entry for Vegetables.

In the Fruit section Mike Jones won the Polson cup for most points and Rowland Spencer won the Jim Asher cup for the best entry, some beautiful minature oranges.

Amongst several entrants from newcomers one lady, Sally Crumpler, was a clear winner with points in several classes. She was awarded the Liz Jones Cup for best new entrant in Vegetables, Fruit and Flowers

In the Flower section Dennis Eason won the Margaret King cup again for his Roses and Jean Robinson won the Fairbairn Rose plate for her specimen Rose. Jean Robinson also won the Dorothy Nightingale cup for the most points in the Flower section. The President’s cup for Annuals was won by Sue Lee.

In the Floral art section the cups were awarded as follows: Lucey Bowl for ‘Moonlight garden’ to Carole Barnett, against some fine competition, Mollie Miller cup for ‘A Romantic Dinner’ to Alison Abrams who also won the Danby cup for a ‘Posy for a Christening’. The Hatchard Bowl for ‘Fun in the Kitchen’ was awarded to Phyllis Kervell.

In the Produce section there was a large number of fine Flap jacks made by the Young people and some fine baking and jam making. The overall winner was Liz Jones, again, won The Paterson produce cup.

Last year we introduced making a Scarecrow for a family or a school or group. Sadly last year there were no entrants but this year we had seven entries, form the Guides, Cubs, Brownies and Milford Preschool. Milford Preschool won with a lovely original scarecrow. They were awarded the Helen Cookson cup. The George Dowland cup for the most points in show by a child was awarded to Lilly Smith again.

The John Pither cup, for Handcrafts and Photography was won by Marie Rooney. 

Thanks go to all of the organisers for yet again creating such a well run and fun show.

To view photographs taken by Adam Lynk at this years show, please click here.

Need a Map Desk?

Could you provide a home for a six draw wooden map desk?

Claire Henderson is offering the pictured map desk free to any organisation or individual who could give it a good home.

The dimensions are w.150cm h.91cm d.92cm.

Anyone who would like to have it would have to collect it from Claire's house in Everton.

If you are interested, please contact Claire on: 01590 643736

clairehenderson6@googlemail.com

The News Bulletin is back!

After the technological pain of the last few weeks, we have now solved the issues and the News Bulletin is now again going to over 2600 people interested in what's happening in Milford on Sea.

I say, solved... what I actually mean is that the changes made by our email provider (read full story here) has forced us to have to buy a ongoing 'emarketing service' after we had quite happily sent the newsletter free for five years!

Not to worry though, it is only money, and it is more important that we have been able to find a way to come back!

If you know anyone who would like to receive our weekly Village News Bulletin, please just ask them to send their name and email address to: david@milfordonsea.org

PS: You can forward them a copy of this article by hitting the small 'envelope icon' below.

New Blue Horizon for Milford

A new venture has opened its doors in Milford on Sea, - the Blue Horizon Restaurant.

Located above The Marine on the seafront, this new restaurant with offer formal dining, whilst The Marine itself will continue to provide a brasserie and cafe style menu.

Blue Horizon Restaurant
Stephen Caunter-Ryan Smith
click image to enlarge

The man behind the new venture is Stephen Caunter, and he will be found in the dining room daily. Stephen, previously worked with Richard Thompson, the owner of The Marine, and prior to that Stephen was a partner in the 2 Rosette Lord Bute Restaurant and Hotel in Highcliffe.

The Restaurant Manager, Ryan Smith has​ been trained by and worked with Stephen since 2009. They first worked together at the 4 star Mirimar Hotel in Bournemouth and then the 2 rosette and 4 star Captains Club Hotel and Spa in Christchurch.

The Head Chef is James Gunn who has experience in working in the kitchens of The Dorchester in London. Having been taught by some excellent chefs, he now aspires to bring fine dining to Milford on Sea at the Blue Horizon Restaurant

The Blue Horizon Restaurant is now offering a Set Menu at lunchtimes from Wednesday to Saturday with ​2 courses at £15, or ​3 courses at £20. A 3 course traditional Sunday Lunch is available for £25. A Diner a la carte menu is served from 6pm to 9pm.

Throughout July the restaurant is offering a glass of prosecco or fruit punch with lunch or dinners from Tuesday to Friday.

Blue Horizon

Marine House, Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY

01590 642003 | info@bluehorizonrestaurant.co.uk

www.bluehorizonrestaurant.co.uk

Opening Times | Wednesday to Saturday

Lunch: 12pm to 3pm

Afternoon Tea: 3pm to 5pm (Bookings Essential)

Dinner: 6pm to 9pm

Sunday Lunch: 12.00pm - 5pm

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The Marine
www.themarinemos.co.uk

MCV: Conserving Milford’s Wildlife

Formed in 2012 through the amalgamation of the Milford Environment Group (MEG) and the Milford Wildlife Recording Group (WRG), the Milford Conservation Volunteers strive to improve habitats for wildlife across the parish, while also reporting and recording sightings of local wildlife.

A key milestone this year has been the launch of Milford’s very own Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). Essentially this plan is a toolkit that will help the village and its residents take practical conservation measures to increase their knowledge of what we have in Milford, from our diverse habitats, present land ownership and management, and all the associated flora and fauna.

It provides a great opportunity for the local community to continue to build up information and knowledge through habitat mapping, animal and plant surveys as well as talking to and learning from experts. The joined up conservation actions will result in a robust habitat network for Milford on Sea’s wildlife for the community to enjoy, now and in the future.

MCV Moth Survey

The plan is available to view on the MCV website and new members with a particular interest in wildlife are always very welcome to join in the variety of activities. All ages and levels of knowledge are very welcome from novice to expert. You might want to come along to one of the MCV survey sessions that include surveys of wildflowers, moths, bats, birds, fungi, and dormice. And if you fancy a bit of hands on work, the MCV work parties are in action on the first Sunday of the month, carrying out a wide variety of conservation tasks.

MCV repairing footpaths
in The Pleasure Grounds

You can see the results of this conservation effort by taking a walk through Milford’s nature reserves, including the Pleasure Grounds, Sharvells Copse, Studland Common and Meadow.

To help you on your way you can buy a ‘Reserves Walks’ map from local shops, and if you have not already visited the bird hide on Sturt Pond, the map will help you find it.With the support of Milford’s Gardeners’ Club, the MCV Wildlife Gardening initiative has focused on the involvement of local residents to appreciate how efforts in our gardens can provide important habitats for many of our declining species such as hedgehogs, butterflies and bumblebees.

Importantly, the MCV want to inspire a new generation of ‘wildlife champions’ in Milford who will become the next custodians of our wildlife heritage. To this end we work closely with the Primary School and the local Guiding and Scouting Associations, conducting guided nature walks, tree planting and bat and bird box making.

There are so many things that we can do as a community and individually to help our local wildlife, so please do look at the website www.milfordcv.org or call 01590 645825 to find out more about Milford’s wonderful wildlife and the work that MCV are doing to preserve and enhance the local environment.

Ethical Organic Health and Beauty in Village

Local Milford on Sea resident, Ellie Whitehall has started a new small business in the village.

Ellie is now an Independent Consultant with NYR Organic which sell a range of Neal’s Yard Remedies.

Since they began in 1981, Neal's Yard Remedies (the UK's first certified organic natural health and beauty company) has been a pioneer in organic beauty and well-being and was the first retailer of certified organic essential oils.

Made in their own factory in Dorset, the products are made from ingredients with proven properties that they source themselves. Every new product is carefully formulated by their own research team and subjected to a long and thorough testing period on human volunteers, the products are never tested on animals.

NYR Organic delivers natural ways to improve health and well-being through natural and organic skin and body care products. 

If you wanted to host a party, Ellie will bring the products to show you and some of your friends. All you need to do is invite people and provide some simple refreshments, Ellie will do the rest. You will receive some great skin care tips, a host gift and some free and half price shopping.

You can also now buy items from the range using the weblink below.

Ellie is also looking for people to join her team, or  you may be a therapist who may wish to use the products with your clients, if so, training is available, plus special discounts and an offer on 'Business starter kits',

If you would like to find out more about the Neal’s Yard Remedies range, or if you are interested in hosting a party where you can receive great skincare tips please contact Ellie as below:

Ellie Whitehall - NYR Organic Independent Consultant
Tel: 07712 484852
EMail: elliewhitehall24@gmail.com

Website: https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/elliewhitehall
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NYROelliewhitehall

Music & Mini Beer Festival!

The Milford on Sea Arts and Music Festival will be in full swing this weekend from to Thursday 23rd July until Sunday 26th July. 

This exciting event on the village green kicks off on Thursday with the Folk and Acoustic night, Friday features youth and family music, Saturday is rock and pop, blues and jazz, acoustic and amplified, with the evening coming to a head with the headline tribute band.  Finally on Sunday there is the relaxed combined Church Service at 10am, followed by a full day of show tunes and light classical music, culminating in the BIG Village Sing.

The marquee bar will play a starring role with lots of exciting offers. Local resident and committee member Jonathan Mulgrew is working hard to give festival-goers a great selection and a chance to sample local products. Jonathan said: "We’ve teamed up with local breweries including Vibrant Forest, Flack Manor and other independent drinks suppliers to provide nine different beers."

He added: "This will be a mini beer festival and a barn dance hosted by Murphy’s Lore will kick things off on the Thursday evening."

This year the bar will also feature for the first time a sparkling cider on tap as well as traditional still cider. The team are keen to encourage people to come down and enjoy this unique Thursday evening, as well as the ever more popular Friday evening which will feature Rock ‘n’ Roll trio Sunstroke. Supplies of these unique beers and ciders are not unlimited so do check out the Thursday and Friday evening events to avoid disappointment.

The festival team are also delighted to be working alongside local businesses The Cave and Hollands who have supplied the wine and Pimm’s. They would also like to thank all the local volunteers who will be manning the bar and Pimm’s tent over the course of the event. 

The bar plays a vital role in the Festival, bringing in revenue that ensures the continued running of this extraordinary event. Do come along and try the wonderful range of drinks on offer.

Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival

www.milfordfestival.org.uk

Bowls Club Needles Trophy Winners

Milford on Sea Bowls Club held their annual Needles Trophy Competition on Wednesday 22nd July 2015. 20 teams of players (pairs) competed in the round robin competition ending with John Paddington & Eamonn Maher beating Rod & Geraldine Somerton in an exciting 8 ends final.

The Trophy and keepsake pictures (by local artist the late John Bird) were presented by Martin Scott from Milford's Hayward Fox who kindly sponsor this event.

Needles Trophy Competition Winners
John Paddington & Eamonn Maher with Martin Scott of sponsor Hayward Fox
click image to enlarge

Needles Trophy Competition Runners Up
Rod & Geraldine Somerton with Martin Scott of sponsor Hayward Fox
click image to enlarge

Winners & Runners up with keepsake paintingsclick image to enlarge

Workshops at Timeless Fabric

Timeless Fabrics in Milford on Sea High Street have published their extensive range of craft workshops for the next three month.

There are workshops for kids as well as adults, and owner, Claire Deegan will be delighted to welcome anyone wishing to book and go along.

July 

Wed 1st 2-4.30pm        Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Sat 4th 10-12.00pm      Kids Club (7-12 year olds) £15

Thur 9th 7-9.30pm       Free Motion Embroidered Birds £35 

Wed 15th 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 16th 7-9.30pm     Get to know your sewing machine £35

Thur 23rd 7-10.00pm   Make a Pull-on Skirt with pockets £35

Wed 29th 2-4.30pm      Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 30th 7-9.30pm     Make a Jersey Turban Headband £25

August

Wed 12th 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Tues 18th 7-10.00pm   Sewing with Jersey - Make a T-Shirt £40 

Thur 20th 7-9.30pm     Fun with Shirring Elastic £25  

Wed 26th 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 27th 7-9.30pm     Fabric Bowls £25

September

Tues 1st  7-9.30pm       Make a Craft Roll Case £35

Thur 3rd 7-9.30pm       Pin Loom Weaving £30

Sat 5th 10-12.00pm      Kids Club (7-12 year olds) £15

Wed 9th 2-4.30pm       Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thurs 10th 7-9.30pm   Applique Portrait/Picture £30

Tues 15th 7-9.30pm     Make a Fabric Storage Box £35     

Thur 17th 7-9.30pm     Rag Rugging £30   

Wed 23rd 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 24th 7-9.30pm      Knicker Workshop – make your own pants! £40

 Tue 29th 7-9.30pm      Make a Duffel Bag £35

       

Refreshments included!

Booking is essential, please call Claire on 01590 642808.

Timeless Fabrics
61 High Street, Milford on Sea
Tel: 01590 642808 | Mobile: 07713 498459
www.timelessfabrics.co.uk

A Luxury Stay in Milford on Sea

Of the many things us Brits like to enjoy, one is a great holiday, another is nosing around other peoples home!

click image to enlarge

Both of these activities can of course be combined to maximise enjoyment.

Milford on Sea is fortunate to be a perfect holiday destination and has many great places to stay, this includes five star self-catering accommodation like Milford Croft and Mulberry Barn, fabulous hotel rooms at The Beach House and high quality B&B's like Harvest House & Pilgrim's Rest - and more... click here

As you drive across the cliff top it is impossible not to be impressed by the spectacular sea views. There are also some delightful houses among the apartments, and one, The Lighthouse is available for holidays so that you can wake to the fabulous experience of that view every morning.

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The Lighthouse is an ideally located spacious 3 bedroom house with panoramic sea views which can really be appreciated from the wrap around balconies, there is also a high quality finish and furnishing throughout with the added benefit of a covered terrace, and secluded fully fenced garden.

Whether wish to book, or simply wanting to have nose, click the link below to see photos of The Lighthouse and other accommodation options throughout Milford on Sea.

Pictures & Information on The Lighthouse: click here 

Find somewhere to stay in Milford on Sea: click here

Sofie Livebrant at The Garrison Theatre

The Garrison Theatre at Hurst Castle are delighted to welcome Swedish ‘songcatcher’ Sofie Livebrant.

Sophie has released her fourth album ‘Lighthouse Stories’ and embarked on a tour of lighthouses in the UK, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. At each location she has invited lighthouse keepers to tell their stories.  A film crew, led by film maker Peter Wiren, is also accompanying her on the tour to record this unique venture and the result will be a music film documentary to be released in the Spring of 2016.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden 1972. Sofie wrote her first song when she was nine years old. She plays piano, guitar as well as sings. 

Sofie has just completed a musical scholarship supported by the Swedish Government and this concert is one of several she is performing to prove herself to them and that her skills are both sustainable and realistic. She would also be very happy for local musicians to come along and join in.

Sofie and her musicians will be at Hurst Castle on Wednesday 22nd July 2015 at 2pm in the Garrison Theatre. Tickets are £6 and include return ferry and Castle entrance.

Tickets can be obtained from Hurst Castle Shop or John Best on 07982 635255 or hurstshingle@yahoo.co.uk.

Sofie Livebrant.com

www.sofielivebrant.com

Hurst Castle
www.hurstcastle.co.uk

The Beach Huts are no more

It is all change on the Milford on Sea seafront since the destruction of the beach huts in St Valentine’s Day Storm in February 2014.

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The NFDC council have now completely removed the remaining beach huts leaving a bare slab base. It is also pleasing to see the end of the ugly mesh fencing, which has now been replaced with a more pleasant barrier.

So what next? - Well, we understand that the process to replace the beach huts slowly rumbles on.

An extended 'public procurement' process, started in December with an announcement to contractors tender for the contract to rebuild the beach huts in the Journal of the European Union. This has now been completed.

Also, Design Consultants have now been selected to produce proposed layout of the huts' terraces plus the construction and appearance of the replacement huts. This will lead towards a detailed Planning Application this autumn. The consultants will also be involved in the formal specification for the new huts, the tenders for their construction and supervision of the building work.

The identity of the winning contenders to rebuild the beach huts is embargoed until they formally accept their engagement. The company selected is an international engineering consultancy with a wealth of coastal experience and local offices. They will get design support from Hampshire based artitects. The NFDC expect to meet the firms next week for initial discussions and the council will then issue a press release identifying the firms concerned. 

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It is intended that there will again be 119 huts to the east of The White House. The specification says that each hut should be of a similar size to the huts now demolished and will not be allowed to be any taller than previously. Presentations from civil engineers, artitects etc were received by the NFDC 'Milford on Sea Beach Hut Board' and all leant towards construction composed of precast concrete components. It is expected that this will be the chosen form of building.

It is understood that rebuilding work will not commence until 2016.

Re-live Carnivals of Days Gone By

As previously reported, Jennie Savage has been working on a Milford on Sea 'Carnival Archive Project.'

Carnival Archive Project Poster
click image ot enlarge

Since starting her research Jennie has had a great response, and the pictures collected from years gone by will be exhibited during the week of the music festival. 

The Carnival pictures will be exhibited in various village shop windows from 18th to 27th July - and on Wednesday 22nd July, meeting at 7pm on the Village Green, there is a walk and talk around the exhibition followed screening of previously unseen carnival archive footage shot by local film maker John Beal.  This event is free.

In addition to this, Jennie has created a limited edition run of postcards featuring 10 images from the archive. Those wanting to collect the full set will have to go around the shops in the village and search them out, hopefully browsing around the shops at the same time.

Beach Huts in running for Award

Two Hampshire beach huts are among finalists ‘Beach Hut of the Year 2015’, - and both are in Milford on Sea.

A nationwide search to find Britain’s best beach hut has been whittled down to the final shortlist, which will now face a panel of judges – which include Phil Spencer, co-presenter of ‘Location, Location, Location’. 

No 295
Owned by
Momentum Cancer Charity
click image to enlarge

Both our 'our' huts are at Hordle Cliff, beach hut “No 295” is owned by Momentum a cancer charity and they use the hut to provide sanctuary for families that have a child suffering with cancer or a life-limiting illness. 

The second hut, “No 289” served as a coastal look-out point during the Second World War. It is now used by a family as a place for all generations to come and share their Grandfathers joy of the sea. 

You can vote for your favourite hut by clicking here. (Ours are No.4 & No.6)

The Towergate Beach Hut of the Year competition received hundreds of entries from across the country with the full final shortlist below are now in the running to become ‘Beach Hut of The Year 2015

No 289
Owned by
Cassandra Chamberlain
click image to enlarge

South coast 

• 'The Little Beach Hut of Dreams’, King’s Esplanade, Hove

• 'Hut 19a’, Hove Seafront, East Sussex

• ‘Hut 289’, Hordle Cliff, Milford on Sea, Hampshire

• ‘Hut 295’, Hordle Cliffs, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire

East coast

• ‘The Daisy Hut’, Southcliff Parade, Walton on the Naze, Essex 

• ‘Millie’s Beach Huts’, Southcliff Parade, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

• ‘Indian Summer’ – Southcliff Parade, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

• ‘Underwood’, West Prom, Brightlingsea, Colchester, Essex 

• ‘Betty’, Victoria Esplanade, Mersea Island, Essex 

• Beach Hut 2’, The Leas, Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness, Kent

• ‘Salty Paws’, East Beach, Sheringham, North Norfolk 

Phil Spencer, co-presenter of ‘Location, Location, Location’ and a judge on the Towergate beach hut 2015 panel said: “Beach huts hold a very special place in my heart having spent many a happy time at the one my parent’s own in Kingsdown beach in Kent. It’s fantastic to see so many people also share this passion and to see the fruits of their labours of love in this competition. I’m really looking forward to reviewing all the entries and then crowing the winner in person in August.”

The winner of the prestigious title of ‘Britain’s Beach Hut of the Year’ will be unveiled on 7th August, when Phil Spencer will visit this year’s winning hut and present the winner with £1,000 for their beach hut association, a year’s free beach hut insurance and a commemorative certificate to proudly hang in their hut. The two runners up will also receive commemorative certificates for their huts.

Let's make sure Milford on Sea wins by clicking here.

Guide Dog for Freda

The Freda Cheyney MBE Memorial Fund is looking to raise enough funds to name a Guide Dog for the Blind, the plan is to name the puppy 'Freda'. 

The Village Hall will be the venue for a Community Coffee Morning on Saturday 15th August from 10am to 12noon. The fund raising team are looking to add a couple of extra touches on the day, and as everyone is invited, hoping plenty of people come along for a cuppa and chat.

Freda Cheney was a major village personality & heart of the community for many years. Freda lived locally for more than 80 years and in 2002 she was awarded the MBE for her renowned work with the Women’s Section of the local Royal British Legion, Milford Guides, charities and community events.

You can find out more about Freda by clicking here.

La Perle Award Nomination & New Website

Since taking over as the the new Chef/Patron La Perle in Milford on Sea only a few weeks ago (and following on from the excellent work of previous owners Lionel & Emily), Sam Hughes has now reached the half way point in the The Good Food Guide Readers’ Restaurant of the Year Awards.

The Waitrose Good Food Guide Readers' Restaurant of the Year Award champions local eateries and recognises great food and service at restaurants, pubs and cafés across the UK. The current frontrunners for the South East are:

• La Perle, Lymington, Hampshire
• Chapter One, Locksbottom, Kent
• The Miller of Mansfield, Goring, Berkshire
• The Croft Kitchen, Biggleswade, Bedforshire

Sam has also launched the new La Perle website (click here.) The colourful website contains impressive pictures of his food, information on the restaurant and the all important restaurant menus.

La Perle now opens for Sunday Lunch with meat roasts and fish options, as well as a great value for money Set Lunch from Monday to Saturday alongside the tasty A La Carte menu at lunchtimes and in the evenings. 

The weekly events include: Fish & Chips on Tuesdays, Lobster Night on Wednesdays and Steak Night on Thursdays. A Saturday Brunch is also being prepared for launch soon.

There is no shortage of choice at La Perle, so why not take a look at the new website, or better still grab a table and give yourself a treat!

La Perle
60 High Street, Milford on Sea
Tel: 01590 643557
Email: info@laperle.co.uk
www.laperle.co.uk

Help Out at the Milford on Sea Youth Club

There are interesting volunteering opportunities available at the Community Centre Youth Club. 

The club are looking for people who wants to engage with young people in the village, and who can support them in their leisure activities.

This enjoyable experience working with our young people is a rewarding experience, and should you have an interest in the field of youth work it could also be a useful addition to you CV.

A regular commitment would be required and the details are as follows:- Monday and/or Tuesday evenings between 6.15pm and 8.45pm.

If you are interested please contact Amy Nelson by telephone at the Community Centre (01590 644861) and leave a message so that she can get back to you. Otherwise send an email to mosyouth@hotmail.co.uk

A Tribute to Joyce Grenfell

It is not usual for these news pages to promote events, this is for two reasons: 1. It would take far to long as so much happens in the village! - and 2. The Milford on Sea Calendar is the place to discover all that is happening: www.milfordonseacalendar.org

Joyce Grenfell

However, there is an exception being made this time. Over the last couple of years, the Milford on Sea Community Library Committee have done an excellent job in saving the library service for the village, and they are now running an event to raise much needed funds to help to keep the library open.

A Tribute to Joyce Grenfell presented by Jenny Rose will be an interesting and entertaining talk about Joyce Grenfell’s life, with some sketches.

Joyce Grenfell was a much loved British actress and entertainer famous for her monolgues, songs and of course the St Trinian's films.

So, grab your ticket, have a fun afternoon and support those that are working hard to keep our village library.

Milford on Sea Community Library presents A Tribute to Joyce Grenfell a presentation by Jenny Rose

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 | 2.30pm to 4pm

Tickets: £4 (which includes tea and biscuits) - On sale in the library and at the Village News. 

Milford on Sea Community Library

The Village Hall, Park Road, Milford on Sea SO41 0QU

Opening times:

Monday 2.30—5.30pm,
Tuesday 2.30—4.30pm,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am—12.30pm
Phone: 07538 823509
Email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

New Novel from Village Author

Local Milford on Sea author, Maureen Farenden has published her sixth crime, murder novel Spoken Lies & Buried Secrets.

The new novel is a contemporary story about lost loves, murder, lies, betrayal and redemption.

The story line for Spoken Lies & Buried Secrets is described as: 

Every time Martin spoke a lie he buried another secret until his life was no longer his. Vicar Martin Snow lived a lie for twenty years, but now he has nowhere to hide when the past is dug up and the present becomes a living nightmare. Martin is a good man, who commits a deadly crime for the right reasons, but the consequences on his family, job and reputation are catastrophic. He must fight to protect his life, marriage, children and faith in a battle littered with casualties.

Spoken Lies & Buried Secrets can be purchased by clicking paperback or e-book.

Other novels by Maureen Farenden include 'The Inceptor Trilogy', 'The Diary' and 'The Last Train'.  All of her novels are currently available on Amazon at bt clicking here.

Discover the World from Milford

The new travel agent in Milford on Sea High Street is having an 'Open Day' to celebrate the launch of the new shop on Saturday 11th July from 10am until 4pm - and you are invited!

Milford Travel is owned and run by Christina Pegler (who used to own Bon Appetit on the High Street - now The Village Coffee Pot). Christina was previously an air hostess, and knows many great places around the world - and the best ways to get there!

At the Open Day Christina will explain over cakes and bubbly what services she can offer, and the benefits of using a local agent for your next adventure overseas. If anything takes your fancy, all bookings made from enquiries on the day will qualify for an incentive, ranging from discounts on holidays to free lounge passes, free taxis to free airport parking. 

Milford Travel (in what was formerly Clifford's hairdressers) offers a full range of travel services including; bespoke holidays, cruises, exotic trips, flights, and even coach trips.

Obviously a lot of holidays are now booked on the web, but to do this takes a fair bit of research, and ultimately nothing beats a nice dose of personal service - and supporting a village business!

Milford Travel

christinapegler83@gmail.com

78 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

Where has the News Bulletin Gone?

I hate technology!

Anyone who has any connection with e-mail will know it's great when it works, and when it doesn't it is harder to fix than a jet fighter!

Each week 2638 registered people receive (received!) the 'Enjoy Milford on Sea News Bulletin' e-mail, which highlights the latest articles on this website and lets people know the events happening in the village. 

Well, that has worked fine for 291 editions, (5.5 years), but rather than leaving me alone to meander along my merry way, our service provider decided the 'upgrade their servers'. This of course should have resulted in an even better service, ...but it hasn't!

Without informing us, the new servers no longer allow our e-mail to send bulk e-mails. The great new service now only allows 100 e-mails to be sent each hour. 100 an hour, arrggghhh!

So, to send the News Bulletin now would take over 26 hours. As you may expect that is pretty bad - ...but thing get worse, the programme we use to send the e-mail now thinks something is wrong when running for that length of time and therefore decides to time out and crash the system.

At least the few that get delivered are OK - just joking, we have also discovered that any now received by anyone with an 'aol.com' e-mail address are being considered 'spam' and we are now blacklisted from sending anything to an 'aol.com' address - in spite of those people requesting to receive our e-mail.

I now know what it feels like to be neutered by surprise and without being anaesthetised!

Now I am embarking on the painful process to identify and install a new system to take us all back to where we were. At this stage I have no idea how long that will take, but you will know it is sorted when you see the News Bulletin hit your inbox again.

Wish me luck!

The good news is that the latest news articles will regularly keep appearing here, so to read what is happening simply visit whenever you fancy. (www.milfordonseanews.org.)

To see the events happening in the village please visit:
www.milfordonseacalendar.org

Coastguard Storm Rescue Honoured

Following the excellent rescue work done by the Hampshire Coastguards at The Marine during the violent St Valentine’s Day Storm in February 2014, the team have receive a well deserved honour.

Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team

Benjamin Renouf - Top Left

(Pic from New Forest Post)

click image to enlarge

Last Tuesday ten coastguards from the Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team received the 'Chief Coastguard’s Commendation' for their role in rescuing the 32 diners who had been enjoy a Valentine Night meal when the devastating storm struck.

One of the coastguard team on the night was local landlord, Benjamin Renouf from The White Horse in Milford on Sea. Benjamin was one of the first people to arrive to help the stricken dinners trapped in The Marine after the Valentine's Night storm and floods.

click image to enlarge

Benjamin is a member of the volunteer coastguard, and immediately after getting the call, left his pub to become part of the rescue team.

As Keith Oliver ( The Chief Coastguard) made the awards he praised their bravery and dedication. Speaking after he awarded the commendation, he said: “This really is to recognise the professionalism and determination of the Lymington Coastguard Rescue team in what can only be described as challenging circumstances.”

click image to enlarge

To read the full story by Christopher Yandell in the New Forest Post: please click here.

Close to the Edge in Milford

A new BBC4 TV programme entitled 'Close to the Edge' is currently being recorded which features some characters from Milford on Sea.

The new programme is a scripted reality show, similar to existing hits like; Made in Chelsea and The Only Way is Essex, Close to the Edge is set in Bournemouth and follows the lives and loves of a group of real-life friends (rather than actors) in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

click image to enlarge

The cast is as yet unnamed, but will include "a business entrepreneur, a comedian dating again for the first time in 40 years, and a political activist".  A little bird has told us that the show will include Milford on Sea residents; Dee Major and Ann Bovingdon, 

The pre-show publicity says that: 'Later-life romance will pay a part in the drama, but the show will also examine issues such as loneliness, and how to rejuvenate a career. Impending death will also be a theme. According to the BBC, the show will look at how its cast feel about approaching "the end that will eventually greet us all". The cast are complex, funny and outspoken – and like most things in life, get better with age.”

The date of the shows broadcast has yet to be confirmed, but we will let you know as soon as we know - sounds like compulsive viewing to us!

New B&B in Village

Graham and Lynne Brown have opened a new Bed & Breakfast in their contemporary home in Milford on Sea.

click image to enlarge

Located at 2 Island View Close the modern, light and pleasant B&B bungalow has the sea is only a few hundred metres away and the village centre a level five minute walk. Two well appointed en-suite rooms with ample parking, no stairs to negotiate and a secluded rear garden. Each room has Freeview television, alarm clock radio, hair drier, tea and coffee making, free Wi-Fi, comfortable and quality bedding and a great breakfast.

Island Breeze Bed and Breakfast

2 Island View Close, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PZ

01590 636375 - 07792 271995

islandbreeze@btinternet.com

www.islandbreeze.co.uk

If you are looking for anywhere to stay, please click here: www.milfordonsea.org/where-to-stay

Ellen's EZGO Golf Wins

Local Milford on Sea schoolgirl, Ellen Mans had the honour of being selected for the Hampshire U9 County Tennis Team in May. Still only 9 years of age, Ellen has now turned her hand to another sport, and begun her participation in the Dorset EZGO Golf Tour. 

To date she has 3 wins in her first 3 outings awarding her with a maximum of 60 points. She won her first tour at Iford Golf Club by 14 shots and on Sunday she equalled the U9 EZGO course record at Crane Valley and won by 13 shots.

There are 4 remaining tours in 2015 - Ferndown Forest, Canford Magna, Canford School and Sturminster Marshall after which eachplayer's top 4 scores culminate in the Order of Merit and the winner plays in the EZGO Regional Final.

Ellen attends Durlston Court School, and is also a Junior Member at Barton on Sea Golf Club and a member of the Elke Jackson’s Hampshire Girls Golf Academy.