The Good News Newsletter: No.30

To view of the latest edition of The Good News Newsletter: please click here.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

About The Good News Newsletter

An enterprising group of local people have put together a 'Good News Newsletter' with the aim of keeping everyone informed and amused during this difficult time.

The Good News Newsletter has been created by Milford Library, Milford Mutual Aid Group, The Village Voice and MoS News Bulletin.

We will be publishing a copy of each edition here online and for those in the village who do not use digital communication, the Parish Council are printing some paper copies which will be available in some village shops and some distributed by volunteers.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

Looking for Reverend Richard Edwards

We have been approached by a local gentleman who is looking to trace Rev Richard Edwards who is understood to be living in Milford on Sea, having settled here from South Africa. 

If anyone can help in anyway please click here to let me know.

Graham captures Milford on Sea in images

Graham Wiffen is a keen photographer who lives in Milford on Sea and he constantly captures wonderful images of the breath-taking scenery and wildlife that surrounds us. (As you can see from his recent photo below.)

If you would like to take a trip around the delightful images that Graham has captured, you can do that by visiting his Facebook page by clicking here.

Get your Oven to Glow

Do your kitchen cooking appliances need a spruce up?

Locally based Jason from Oven Glow would like to help.

Oven Glow are an independent family run business with 8 years experience in the oven cleaning industry.

Their website explains:

We specialise in both commercial and domestic oven cleaning and pride ourselves in providing a professional approach with every oven clean. All our vehicles are fitted with the state of the art cleaning equipment and they only ever use environmentally friendly products in your home; ensuring a fume free and safe environment

If you are looking to restore your oven to ‘as good as new’, then look no further. Our oven cleaning solutions are suitable for all brand and models of ovens and our advanced cleaning system will get through even the toughest grease and grime stains left in your oven.

We also aim to cause minimal disruption in your home, so all removable parts are cleaned outside your property. Leaving you home mess free.

What we offer

Removal all the grease, cooking fat and carbon deposits from around your hob or oven (depending on service required) as well as all the vents cleaned are filters replaced if required. Knobs and switches will be removed and cleaned with a polished finish.

Oven Cleaning
Single Oven £50
Main oven with SEP grill £60
90cm Oven £70

Specialised
Range oven from £90
AGA / Rayburn from £90
BBQ cleaning from £30

Hob Cleaning
Ceramic hob £10
4 Ring gas hob £10
5 or more rings £20
Extractors £15 with filter
Replaced Filter £20

Oven Glow

Jason: 07411 138754

info@ovenglow.co.uk

www.ovenglow.co.uk

A peek in Ray's Larder Kitchen

Ray's Larder Kitchen are now offering Fresh Vegetable Boxes from £15 or buy them separately, all sold per kilo.

The shop is open at 9am from Tuesday to Saturday for you to grab a to grab a Vegetable Box and a lot more!

Ray's Larder Kitchen also offer individual 'ready meals' and even a 3 course “At Home” menu for £15.00 Per person with cooking instructions. 

A new menu will be available each week to tempt your taste buds.

Order by Thursday Noon for collection/ Delivery the following Tuesday/Wednesday. Minimum order for delivery £30.

 

New Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/rayslarderkitchen

All products now available at:

Ray’s Italian Kitchen & Ray's Larder Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.facebook.com/rayslarderkitchen

Ray's Larder Kitchen Open:

Tuesday to Friday: 9am till 3pm - Saturday: 9am until 1.30pm 

Free Local deliveries available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Coastal Random Act of Kindness

Every now and then you read something on line that brightens your day.

This post on the 'We Love Milford on Sea' Facebook page did just that...

"Totally blown away today, I was out to pick up provisions for a friend who has just returned home from hospital after being treated for cancer and decided to get some cakes from the new bakers in Milford when I explained I didn’t want cream cakes as my friend had stomach problems from the treatment they were so helpful and then wouldn’t take payment and the lovely girl who served me wrote a card for the box ! Fantastic staff and cakes, in tough times like this it’s great to see a small start up business like this doing so well and supporting the community."

Little things can make a big impression on someone's day.


We Love Milford on Sea Facebook Page: click here

The Coastal Bakery

25 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

www.facebook.com/TheCoastalBakery

Ray's Larder Kitchen: Deli, Cheese, Ready Meals & More...

There are times when pictures just speak louder than words...

Ray's Larder Kitchen also offer individual 'ready meals' and even a 3 course “At Home” menu for £15.00 Per person with cooking instructions. 

A new menu will be available each week. Menu for week commencing 15th January:

• Classic Fish Soup: Rouille and croutons 
• Fillet Steak: Prime, grass fed English fillet steak 
• White Chocolate Panna cotta with red fruit sauce

Order by Thursday 18th Noon for collection/ Delivery 19th & 20th January. Minimum order for delivery £30.

 

All now available at:

Ray’s Italian Kitchen & Larder Kitchen
11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
01590 645300
info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk
www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

Ray's Larder Kitchen Ready-Meal Menu

Following the launch of Ray’s Larder Kitchen today (Friday), Stacey has published a taster from her new shop menu.

Here is a list of some of the products that are available to order now:

Ready-made Meals:

Twice Baked Cheese Soufflé ​​- £4.95.

Beef Wellington ​​​​- £11.95.

Salmon en Croute​​​​ - £9.95.

Beef Bourgingon​​​​ - £4.85.

Chicken Balti​​​​ - £4.85.

King Prawn Curry ​​​​- £5.95.

Lasagne​​​​​ - £4.75.

Soup - From ​​​​£1.95.

Pies:

Fish Pie ​​​​​- £4.85.

Chicken, Leek and Ham Pie ​​- £4.85.

Chicken and Wild Mushroom Pie - ​£4.85.

Steak and Ale - ​​​​£4.85.

Steak and Kidney - ​​​​£5.90.

Sauces:

Peppercorn and Red Wine - ​​£1.95.

Sides:

Dauphinoise potatoes - ​​​​£2.50.

Cauliflower cheese - ​​​£2.50. 

Yorkshire puddings​​​ - £1.85.

Frozen Portioned Fish - Market Price: Cod/Salmon/Sea Bass/Smoked Haddock

Healthy Snack:

Homemade Protein Balls made with almonds, coconut, date and chai.

6 for £2.50.

If you’d like to pre-order any of the products please email:

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk 

Also available: Top quality fresh meat, Home cured Charcuterie, Veg boxes, Local & Continental cheeses, Fluffet’s free range eggs, professional quality ready meals, sauces & desserts, homemade chutney’s, a variety of oils, vinegars, artisan bread, homemade cakes, homemade sausage rolls, homemade scotch eggs, Homemade pork pies, and many other larder ingredients.

Ray’s Italian Kitchen & Larder Kitchen
11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
01590 645300
info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk
www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

Upper levels of The Marine to become flats

The Advertiser & Times have reported that The Marine on the seafront in Hurst road Milford on Sea is set to be remodelled and extended to create three self-contained flats above The Lighthouse bar café and restaurant.

To read the full article please click here.

Note: The Lighthouse will not be affected, you can see there current opening times by clicking here.

Leak at The Pickled Weasel

Alex at The Pickle Weasel has just let us know that they have sprung a leak...

Alex says: "The Sunday Roast lunches that are already booked will still go ahead, we will use bottled water for cooking the veg.

We had planned a weeks holiday, this will now be extended by a few days, reopening on Wednesday 27th January at 9.30am, apologies for any inconvenience this may cause."

Pickled Weasel

54 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 641155

NEW! Ray's Larder Kitchen opens this Friday

In these tough times Stacey at Ray's Italian Restaurant is adding an exciting new arm to the services she is to provide to the village.

Like all other eateries, she is only able to provide takeaways during this latest lockdown and her latest venture will offer something not currently available.

Stacey explains:

"Firstly I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your continued support throughout 2020. 

As most of you are aware since March 2020 and the first lockdown, I have been serving lunches to vulnerable and shielding people of our community. I continue to do so to this day. 

I realised very early on how vulnerable many of my customers and the wider community are. I like a lot of you reached out and offered to help wherever I could and did. 

I like many have had time to look at the world around me and listen to my customers, friends, family and of course the media and I have also built relationships with my suppliers and I feel that I have developed a concept which will bring something new to our community.

I am thrilled to announce that Ray’s is about to diversify in lockdown 3 and bring you Ray's Larder Kitchen which will open This Friday 15th January at 9am. 

Ray's Larder Kitchen will offer restaurant standard foods to cook and enjoy at home at affordable prices along with an exciting range of fantastic quality produce. We will be a one stop food shop which will help you to adhere to the government message of ‘stay at home’. 

I aim to offer more than just a shop and I am striving to create a food haven for food lovers like myself and also provide a service for my vulnerable & shielding customers at this time. 

Obviously I have thought about this and I am starting off with what I feel is a unique offering. We have had time to create, test and we are ready to deliver superb quality ready meals for you to enjoy at home, complete with ingredients, allergens and cooking instructions. We can also offer advice for you on how to cook cheaper cuts and so much more. 

Working with my butcher - Meadowbrook Produce & Professional in house chef’s/bakers, I will be offering top quality fresh meat, Home cured Charcuterie, Veg boxes, Local & Continental cheeses, Fluffet’s free range eggs, professional quality ready meals, sauces & desserts, homemade chutney’s, a variety of oils, vinegars, artisan bread, homemade cakes, homemade sausage rolls, homemade scotch eggs, Homemade pork pies, and many other larder ingredients.

 

Due to the Lockdown we are unable to hold a big launch, however we are very excited and looking forward to welcoming you. 

Ray's Larder Kitchen will be open:

• Tuesday to Friday: 9am till 3pm
• Saturday mornings: 9am until 1.30pm. 
• Free Local deliveries available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• Minimum order of £30 

Please ensure that you respect and follow the government guidelines whilst waiting to enter the shop. We will be allowing 2 people in the shop at a time. Whilst queueing, please remain 2 meters apart and wear a mask to protect yourselves, others and especially our NHS. 

I am very excited to be sharing this news with you and hope you will join me for the journey."

Ray’s Italian Kitchen & Larder Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

 

Feedback Survey on Christmas Decorations

The volunteer organisers of this year's Milford on Sea Christmas Decorations would like to find out whether Milford was more Magical this Christmas? 

Now that all of the Christmas decorations have been removed from the village, both Diana Brushwood and Tracy Haupt would very much like to hear your thoughts and comments on what worked well, what wasn’t so good and what you’d like to see this coming Christmas. 

The feedback is very important to this year’s planning, so please spend a few minutes completing the survey (just 3 questions) by clicking here or if you prefer, email your comments and ideas to: tracyhaupt01@aol.com and dianabrushwood@gmail.com.

Planning for Christmas 2021 decorations will commence soon. For those who feel it’s too early for us to be having these discussions, please understand it all takes a lot of time, planning and discussion with many organisations, to get such an event organised. 

Thank you in advance for completing the survey – Diana and Tracy hope this year will be very different to last year and that we’ll all be able to enjoy a normal life very soon.

Washing Bombs dropped on Keyhaven

The St Barbe Museum have made an interesting post on Facebook about a local 'bombing' on Keyhaven:

Did you know that on Tuesday 8 November 1938 four bombs were dropped on Keyhaven … by mistake? 

Robert MacWhirter was a pilot with the Fleet Air Arm, flying aircraft for the Royal Navy. Whenever he flew over Keyhaven he would drop off a parcel of washing for his Mum, who lived in a cottage at Iley Point!! If he missed her garden she would row out to sea to collect it - that’s mothers for you!

 

But on that Tuesday, instead of dropping his laundry he released four smoke bombs! One fell on the front lawn of Keyhaven House, two at Salt Grass and one in the garden of Salt Grass Cottage… the weekend home of an Air Marshall! Fortunately, the pins were still in the bombs so none of them exploded. 

The incident made five national newspapers, but Robert wasn’t mentioned so we’re not sure if he was ever found out!

Image: One of the planes flown by
Robert MacWhirter from St Barbe Collection
*click image to enlarge

St Barbe Museum

www.facebook.com/StBarbeMuseum

Half price sale at Pickled Weasel

Pickled Weasel are offering their Cartwright and Butler stock at half price (give or take a penny)!

Pickled Weasel

54 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 641155

A Tardis of Art at Tradewinds Gallery

Like other non-essential shops in Milford on Sea, Tradewinds Gallery are unable to let people in to browse. However, thanks to their Facebook page they can still show items from their range and take orders. 

If you don't know this little artists gallery it is situated next door to Verveine in the High Street and offers painting, ceramics, fabrics and a wide variety of other handmade art pieces from the artist. For a small space the range is extensive and creative. 

There is likely to be something to tempt most people either for their own home or as a gift, so why not take a look.

To take a tour of the gallery please click here.

To visit their Facebook page to see items from their range please click here.

Tradewinds Gallery
96 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE

01590 619180

info@tradewindsgallery.co.uk

www.tradewindsgallery.co.uk

All Saints' Lockdown Update

The update below has been provided by All Saints’ Church

 following the new National Lockdown 

In response to the escalating infection rates of Covid-19 the Government announced the new National Lockdown on 4th January 2021. The Bishops of the Winchester Diocese wrote to all parishes on 5th January asking clergy and PCCs to consider suspending public worship and providing online worship in its place. 

The Milford Parish PCC met on 7 January and with great regret decided that we must suspend worship and close the church for private prayer with immediate effect in order to do our small part in relieving the increasing pressure on the NHS and to save lives. This decision will be kept under review as the national and local situations develop.

We were fully aware of the distress that this may cause to some and in our best attempts to alleviate that, we have put in place the following measures to allow people to continue to share safely in God’s grace and the good news of Jesus Christ for everyone. 

Prayer – in church or on the telephone 

1. If you wish to pray in church for any reason and you are free of Covid symptoms, we will unlock it at your request as soon as practicable. Please telephone the churchwardens, Olga Soper on 07835 821728 or 01590 642227, or Matt Allum on 01590 642310. Please allow us 24 hours’ notice if possible. 

2. If you have Covid symptoms and wish to pray with someone over the telephone, please call Mary Sergel of our Prayer Ministry Team on 01590 645544. 

Online Morning Worship and Coffee 

3. Our popular online service of 10am Morning Worship is released each Sunday morning via our website at www.allsaintsmilford.co.uk. Following this service, we are starting a coffee meeting via Zoom from 10 January as an opportunity for anyone to have an informal chat with some of our congregation over coffee in your own home. You do not need to be a member of our church to be welcomed, all are welcome to join us for coffee and/or to see the service. 

The links for the service and the Zoom coffee session are available from our weekly News Sheet which is circulated by email on Fridays. To be added to our mailing list, please email office@allsaintsmilford.co.uk. The coffee meet is from 11.15am to 11.45am each Sunday. The service remains available all week. If you need any help accessing these, please call Bill Darley on 07974 820940. 

Zoom tea-time on Thursdays 

4. We welcome those who wish to meet for an informal cup of tea in your own home on Thursday at 4pm for 40 mins. Tea at 4 will be hosted every Thursday on Zoom by Libby Gillespie-Smith from 14 January. To receive the link, please email Libby by clicking here or call on 01590 643964 or text on with your email address. Again, all are welcome, you do not need to be a member of our church. 

Practical Telephone Support 

5. Our Pastoral Care Team are available for any other practical concerns that you may have through Sue Forward on 07548 380004 or 01590 644533 or by clicking here, or Frances Daniel on 07881 826521 or 01590 642127 or by clicking here, Sue or Francis will aim to support you and/or point you in the right direction for help. 

Our volunteer Teams are there to support you through these difficult times and to share God’s love for all people. Please just call us. 

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

New Priest-in-Charge for All Saints'

The PCC and Churchwardens of All Saints’ Milford and St Mary’s Everton are delighted to announce the appointment of a new Priest-in-Charge for Milford and Everton. The Reverend Natasha Anderson, or Tasha, has accepted the invitation to lead our churches with effect from March 2021. 

Background Information 

Tasha comes to Milford from the Arle Valley Benefice which consists of 4 churches near Alresford. Before commencing ordination training at Wycliffe Hall, Tasha worked for Christ Church, Winchester overseeing the children's and families' ministry which involved a team of up to 125 volunteers. Prior to this, she worked for Peter Symonds College, Winchester as an adult education and family learning department manager and childcare foundation degree lecturer. Her previous experience has also included being a Pre-School Supervisor. So she comes with broad experience in the educational field as well as experience in both the traditional and evangelical streams of the Church of England. Tasha has two children in their twenties. 

Milford Parish has been without a vicar since July 2019, when Reverend Dominic Furness retired. The Parish has remained exceptionally active during Covid with one or other of the churches being available for private prayer whenever permitted, a pastoral care team which is always on standby to help those in need, and a telephone support network manned by some 60 volunteers to provide telephone support to the lonely. In addition, a popular online service has been released every week since April 2020. To find out more please click here.

Takeaway Kebabs from Verveine

Verveine are bringing back their delicious takeaway kebabs on Friday & Saturday evenings from Friday 8th January.

Kebab Menu

Lamb Adana ( like a kofte ) with pistachio dukkah

Or

Tiger prawn with pomegranate molasses and sumac

Or

Crispy fried haloumi cheese with panko breadcrumbs

All with come with homemade Greek yogurt flatbread, Pickles, salads, hummus and Cumin and chilli fries.

A kebab and fries £13.50

Extra portion of cumin and chilli fries £3

Homemade baklava £5

Order by calling the restaurant direct on 01590 642176. Payment taken over the telephone and a time arranged for pick up. Pick ups will be staggered to keep social distancing.

Pick up will be from 5.30-8pm

Verveine can only cater for nut allergies please let them know when you place your order. Due to the limited menu dietary requirements can not be catered for and it’s pick up only.

To find out more, please visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

------------------------------------------------------

The Verveine Fishmongers also offer:

• Homemade bread and homemade pasta
• Fish pies and nutritious meals
• Fresh fish deliveries to Milford, Barton, New Milton, & Lymington
• Vacuum pack fish to store in freezers

Local deliveries available.

Call: 01590 642176 

About the Fishmonger

Verveine

98 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE 

01590 642176

www.verveine.co.uk

Exchange Box on the Village Green returns

Milford on Sea WI are pleased to welcome back the 'Exchange Box' in the old telephone box on Milford on Sea village green.

Please help yourself to whatever is of interest to you whilst being mindful of Covid conditions. To be safe, it might be advisable to wear gloves and please hygienically clean all items when donating or removing.

If you would like to leave books, puzzles, games or other unwanted and useful items please make sure they are in good condition and left tidily on the shelves. 

Thanks go to the WI for organising this free village resource.

Enjoy a Takeaway during Lockdown

As we have now entered another Lockdown for another unknown period it is likely you may want some takeaway food, which of course is not just a pleasure, but it also helps to support our village eateries.

We have a list of what all the local eateries offered last Lockdown, and as we find out what people are doing we will update this list. 

To see what you can treat yourself to; please click here.

Note: It may be worth calling before visiting to check what they are doing this Lockdown.

Eatery Owners: If your offering has changed from what is listed, please let me know at david@milfordonsea.org

La Perle launch 'Make Saturdays Special' Menu

La Perle have launched a 'Make Saturdays Special' Menu from this week. This will be a weekly changing restaurant quality meal, delivered chilled with easy to follow cooking instructions.

MENU for 9th January

Starters 

~ Provençale Fish Soup with Croutons, Grated Cheese and Saffron Mayo 

~ Double Baked Smoked Haddock & Cheddar Soufflé, Spring Onion Cream 

Mains 

~ Beef Bourguignon, Mousseline Potatoes, French Beans, Pancetta, Mushrooms, Baby Onions 

~ Baked Loch Duart Salmon wrapped in Parma Ham, Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli, Rosemary Sauté Potatoes, Basil & Hazelnut Pesto 

Desserts 

~ Pear Poached in Red Wine, Shortbread, Cinnamon Cream, Toasted Almonds, Dark Chocolate Sauce 

~ Caramelised Pineapple Tarte Tatin, 'Pina Colada' Cream, Roasted Coconut 

£29.95pp 

Optional Extra Course

~ Tunworth Cheese, Truffle Honey, Red Onion Marmalade, Fudges Crackers £4.95 

Delivered hot to your door

Plus of course: Fish & Chip Day and Sunday Lunches

Click here to see all menus

La Perle

60 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 643557

www.laperle.co.uk

Half priced seed sale at Otters

Mark at Otter Gardens Centre has reminded us that Garden Centres are still currently classed as essential retail and are able to open, the exception being eat in Coffee Shops which are closed during this current lockdown. 

During last year’s Spring Lockdown the nation was to see a huge resurgence in Grow Your Own, so many of Otter Gardens Centre's established and new to gardening customers dropped in to buy vegetable seeds compost and fertilizers.

So, to help out Mark is running a Half Priced Seed Sale throughout January with many special offers on Garden Sundries Compost and Fertilizers, and to help out our wildlife we have a wide range of Wild Bird Care products and offers.

To see more details please visit: www.ottergardencentres.com

click image to enlarge

Otter Garden Centres 

Milford Road, Efford, Lymington, SO41 0JD

01590 678 679

'Counselling Together' offers support

We have been contacted by 'Counselling Together', who are a local Christian counselling service.

The service can provide counselling support on line and now has dedicated funding to help anyone who is affected by the pandemic but is unable to afford the full cost of counselling. 

The operation follows strict government guidelines for Covid-19. 

If you, or any one you know would like some support, please contact below for more information:

Counselling Together

www.counsellingtogether.co.uk

No.64 closed, but still open!

Clare & Glenn at No64 Biscuit House may have been forced to close their doors due to the latest lockdown, but that does not mean you cannot still buy all they have to offer.

Clare has just published her December Blog and much of it is about how they are operating during lockdown 3 (a lot of local people utilised their offerings during lockdown 1), how people can shop with or contact them using free socially distanced deliveries or kerbside collections.

The No.64 website has lots of delights for the home, you can take a look by clicking here.

They are also happy to provide help for anyone needing it locally. So, if there is anything they could help with, please let them know.

To read Clare's Blog, please click here.

No64 Biscuit House

64 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 643765
www.No64.co.uk

Milford Surgery: Coronavirus Vaccine Update

Coronavirus Vaccine Update from Milford Surgery - 4 January 2021

Thank you to our patients for all your messages of support whilst we set up this new service.

All appointments for your COVID vaccinations will at Milford War Memorial Hospital, Milford on Sea.

Please continue to view our website (www.wistariaandmilford.nhs.uk), or Wistaria & Milford GP Surgeries Facebook and Twitter pages for all our latest news as we get it.

Currently the mandatory guidelines are changing day by day and we are in the process of cancelling patients who had their first injection on Tuesday & Wednesday 22nd & 23rd December. 

These patients will now NOT be called for their second jabs due on the 11th & 12th of January and we will be in contact with you regarding the scheduling of your second dose. 

Patients who have not been vaccinated yet will be called as soon as we have stock we will contact you.

Please do NOT contact us we WILL contact you.

Please be aware that we have 1800 patients who are over 80 and so far we have only had 390 vaccines to use so as you can imagine it will take a while to get to you all. 

Please be patient and do not call the surgery regarding your Covid vaccine appointment as our staff continue to work on through eligible patients.

Wild Parakeets in Milford on Sea

After a number of sighting of wild Parakeet's in Milford on Sea we have asked Keith Metcalf, Conservation Officer of Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV) if he could tell us more.

Here's what he told us:

 

"Yes, they appear to have arrived a month or so back. One has been seen in several Milford gardens, including one in Carrington Close and in the MCV Rowan tree copse in Swallow Drive. I remember seeing my first up in Syon Park London in the early 1980's. Several hundred would gather in this tree at a water garden that used to be in my sales patch.

They first arrived in the 1970's and are likely to have been released caged birds. They roost communally in large flocks of several hundred birds and a few have recently been seen in Southampton and now down here in Milford.

The best give away that one (or more) is about is because they have a very load screechy call, which once learned will not be forgotten. The birds are about 44cm long and have a wing span of nearly two feet. There are thought to be about 50,000 pairs around the UK and can be seen throughout the year where they settle to breed. 

Many African birds that have been found in the wild in the UK do not last very long in our climate, but the Ring-necked Parakeet seems to do well and can spread rapidly, so look out Milford, if their are a pair around, we could see them moving into the parish in the next few years.

They will come to bird tables and feed on nuts, berries, grain and fruit."

So there you have it!

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As pretty as they are, it is not all good news:

...Since establishing a base in London’s parks, the birds have spread to other UK cities including Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester and even Glasgow – the most northerly flock in the world. Experts are now concerned the so-called ‘posh pigeons’ will wipe out other bird species because they compete for the same nest holes and food. Click here to read more.

The Coastal Bakery open tomorrow!

After much planning The Coastal Bakery will be opening their doors to everyone at 9am on Tuesday 5th January 2021.

It is great news to once again have a bakery in the village. Local resident, Amanda Maidment, is very excited to be starting her new venture, and she will be serving Fresh bread, rolls, cakes (including vegan and gluten free) and savouries - and even afternoon tea's, what's not to like!

The Coastal Bakery will be on the corner of the High Street in the shop occupied by Time & Tide Fashions, who are moving to where Moss on the Green were in Church Hill, Milford on Sea.

During the height of lockdown Amanda's, The Little Cake Company provided and delivered delicious homemade cakes from her home and she even offered a special cream tea for VE Day.

Fresh bread, rolls, cakes and savoury treats from a specialist bakery, - at least in these difficult times we all have something good to look forward to!

The Coastal Bakery 

25 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

hello@thecoastalcakecompany.com

www.facebook.com/TheCoastalBakery

www.thecoastalbakery.com

Pickled Weasel continue with takeaways

Now that we are all in Tier 4, Pickled Weasel are continuing to open their doors for all your usual favourites; takeaway coffees, teas and cakes, pasties, savoury slices and turnovers, plus a wide and varied chilled selection including Quiche, Homity Pie, Scotch and Kedgeree Eggs, Lyburn Cheeses, English Charcuterie and a wide choice of Pates.

Takeaway Sunday Roasts are starting again on the 10th January (Collection only). Please order by 4pm on a Friday.

Updated opening hours during the Lockdown: Wednesday to Sunday 9.30am until 3.00pm

Pickled Weasel

54 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 641155

Rocket Man at Hurst Castle

 Not something you see every day, a rocket propelled man circling above Hurst Castle and Hurst Spit!

click image to view video

Village Quiz on 30th December

You are invited to join in with regular Milford comedy compere Stephen Grant as he hosts a Christmas online quiz beamed to your very living rooms!

Best enjoyed on a computer (desktop/laptop) and with a smartphone to answer questions - details will be given on the night!

Join via Zoom on Wednesday 30th December at 8pm 

The quiz is Free to Enter and open for up to 250 households. (Voluntary donations will be welcomed as you register.) 

Register in advance by clicking here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the quiz.

New Year's Eve deliveries from South Lawn

South Lawn Hotel and their volunteers delivered over 200 meals on Christmas Day.

They will also be delivering on New Years Eve up till 8pm and would encourage people to book orders in advance of the day so to avoid disappointment.

Tim and his team also continue to support the village with:

Dairy, Bakery and Meal Deliveries 

Fresh bakery deliveries and dairy products each morning along with an extensive menu for deliveries of lunch and dinner within 5 miles of South Lawn. Please click here to see menu

Takeaways

Lunch & Dinner delivered Monday to Saturday, with Sunday Lunch also available, as are celebration cakes if you need one! 

To see South Lawn Hotel's latest Delivery/Take Away Menu: please click here.

The South Lawn Hotel

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

01590 643911

events@southlawnhotel.co.uk
www.southlawnhotel.co.uk