Taste of Italy for Christmas

Ray's Italian Dei in Milford on Sea high street has a delicious selection of wonderful Italian Christmas stocking filler treats, winter warmer cocktails, and a range of special hampers ranging from £25 up to £50 - or bespoke hampers made to order! Just ask for whatever you might want.

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The restaurant is also now serving their Christmas Set Menu. 

As they say; 'Something for everyone'.

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PS - Editors Note: All of our village restaurants, pubs are feeling the bite with the current wave of Covid, and the shops too - Anything you can do to support them through this difficult time would be gratefully received no doubt.

Opening Times

Tuesday to Saturday: 9am to 4pm

Wednesday to Saturday: 5:45pm until last orders at 9.30pm

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

A Jaunt-E Bike is not just for Christmas

Milford on Sea business, Jaunt-E Bikes are offering something special for Christmas.

You can now give your friends or family a retro e-bike experience and hours of entertainment on two wheels with a Christmas gift voucher.

The e-bikes can be hired for short or long jaunts and the team offer a door to door delivery service.

To view video, please click image

To find out more about gift vouchers, please click here.

The funky, retro chopper-style e-bikes have nippy little 250w batteries and chunky monkey fat tyres which make light work of any terrain including shingle banks.

With a handy 40 mile range on a single charge and an optional bike luggage rack they are perfect for jaunts to the many great picnic spots in the village or a bit further afield, - or simply jump on and has some fun!

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To find out more; please click here.

Jaunt-E Bikes 

hello@jaunt-e.co.uk

www.jaunt-ebikes.co.uk

www.facebook.com/jauntEbikes

*There is a phone number on the website or Facebook.

Visit Milford on Sea launches Village Voucher Scheme

If you haven’t already checked out 'Visit Milford on Sea', it’s a great time to take a look at the website as it has just launched a voucher scheme, offering discounts to locals and visitors at businesses throughout the village.

To access a voucher you’ll need to click here and subscribe to its newsletter, even though this asks you to do it each time, you’ll only be registering once. Once subscribed, you will be able to download or print a voucher of your choice.

Not only does this scheme provide you with great offers, the aim of the voucher scheme is also to boost trade for Milford on Sea’s local businesses. Whether they are offering a new service, promoting quieter times for their business or just rewarding loyalty for its local customers.

Those on board with the voucher scheme at this time, include The Cave, Paddy’s Pool (who has recently launched a new pet grooming service), No.64 Biscuit House and The Lighthouse. More are expected to join soon.

Examples of vouchers
click image to find out more

Vouchers are updated as and when an offer becomes available so be sure to check back every now and then to see what’s on available.

About Visit Milford on Sea

Visit Milford on Sea is an independent website run by two village entrepreneurs who are looking promote Milford on Sea to visiting tourists and to support village businesses by keeping local people informed on what they have to offer.

You can sign up to get their news bulletins by entering your email on the 'Stay in touch' section at the bottom of the home page. Please click here. You can also follow them on Facebook from the link below.

The site is definitely worth a look around, you might even find something you did not know was in the village!

Visit Milford on Sea
hello@visitmilfordonsea.co.uk
www.visitmilfordonsea.co.uk
www.facebook.com/visitmilfordonsea

Band on the Village Green

Life in Milford on Sea can be very random at times, and yesterday Bonnie Marsden captured this local band merrily playing on the village green.

Sadly, we don't know who they are, but they certainly put a lots of smiles on the faces of passers by.

Rumour has it that they will be performing again next Wednesday (22nd December) between 10am and 12 noon. (Weather permitting.)

Isn't it great how some unexpected things just brighten you day!

Video by Bonnie Marsden
please click to listen

PS: If anyone knows who the band are, please let me know and we will give them a shout out. Click here.

Blood Moon at Hurst Spit

Dan Mapes has again captured a stunning photograph, this time of the Blood Moon arising off the shingle bank at Hurst Spit. Enjoy the scene...

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Isla raises £900 for Olivia Inspires

Local village schoolgirl, Isla Courtnage has raised £900 for village charity, Olivia Inspires.

Isla had become motivated to come up with her fundraising ideas after being chosen for the first 'Oliva Inspires Award for Performing Arts'.

Find out more about Olivia Inspires, click here.

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read Advertiser & Times article

Oliva Inspires

www.oliviainspires.org.uk

www.facebook.com/oliviainspires

https://twitter.com/olivia_inspires

Get Fit with an Origin Fitness gift

Local personal trainer Derek Graham, owner of Origin Fitness is offering a Christmas gift that might inspire someone to get fitter.

The Origin Fitness gift certificate could be the perfect gift to kickstart a 2022 fitness journey.

If you purchase a gift certificate before 24 December 2021, Origin Fitness will give you a Free Certificate worth £50

If you want to try out the training for yourself, Free Taster Sessions are also available.

For more information please contact: Derek on 07894 349163 or at: www.facebook.com/originfitnesstrainingpage

About Origin Fitness

If you are thinking of getting fit, or want to shift few pounds, local personal trainer Derek Graham, owner of Origin Fitness may be able to help.

Derek is a fully qualified personal trainer with over 30 years experience in the fitness environment.

On his Facebook Page he says: "I have a wealth of knowledge that will help you achieve your fitness goals and get you feeling fitter and stronger than you have in years. 

As a father of two (now very grown up) sons I understand how work, kids and life in general can sometimes get in the way of prioritising your own health and fitness. Finding something that works on your terms is often the biggest challenge people face when they set out on their own fitness journey.

My approach is personalised and bespoke to your needs. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, train for an event or just feel stronger - I design very simple bespoke training plans to help you get to where you want to be. Don't worry about packing a bag or getting yourself to the gym. I’ll come to you at a time that works for you wherever you are."

You can contact Derek below to find out more:

Origin Fitness

www.facebook.com/originfitnesstrainingpage

www.originfitnesstraining.co.uk

07894 349163

Milford on Sea Green Campaign Update

Anne Cullen of Milford on Sea Greening Campaign says thank you to everyone who attended the Greening Campaign’s Public Meeting on the 1st December 2021 at the Community Centre.

Anne commented: "We believe that we had over 90 attendees which was very exciting and shows how committed our Village community is to reducing its carbon footprint. Special thanks must go to Victoria Waller for her thought provoking and informative talk as well as to Kate Crawford, Headteacher at Milford Primary School and the pupils who came to the evening too.

Since then we have been looking at all the feedback and many comments received. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 15th February 2022 at All Saints Church Hall, Milford on Sea (SO41 0SQ) from 7pm to 9pm. This will be an open meeting to discuss some specific ‘action groups’ around identified interests, such as home energy, transport, wildlife and health for the community linked to climate change mitigations. We are looking to update the Parish Council website to provide a single source of information relating to funding and grants, as well as more details of local re-cycling initiatives. We love the idea of Greening Car Stickers and this is something else we are working on, and we have a number of other plans that we would like to share.

As a reminder could we ask that everyone remembers to display their Greening Challenge card in their windows and to register acceptance of the challenges either by using the QR code on the card or dropping the card into the Parish Council office. We are hoping to announce the CO2 savings at our next meeting in February."

Anne Cullen, Ken Cameron, Victoria Waller and Jayne Vaughan 
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Another date for your diaries - Victoria Waller will be running 3 Carbon Footprint Reduction Workshops on the 8th January 2022 at All Saints Village Hall. Times are 10-12 am, 1-3 pm, 6-8 pm. Sign up is via email at victoria.a.waller@icloud.com.

Finally, if you would like to become more involved or have some exciting ideas to share, the Milford on Sea Greening Campaign would love to hear from you. Please contact: anne.cullen@milfordonseaparishcouncil.gov.uk or by joining the Milford on Sea Greening Campaign Facebook page.

Milford on Sea Greening Campaign

www.facebook.com/greeningcampaign

New Year Children's Art Course

There is a new children's Art Course starting on 8th January 2022, running for 6 consecutive weeks at Milford on Sea Community Centre. 

Saturday mornings: 11:30am to 12:30pm.

To find out more or book; please click here.

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For The Love of Art was created by Rhiannon Eva to provide unique, personalised and enjoyable art tuition for adults and children at Milford on Sea Community Centre. She believes that with practice and the right knowledge, anyone can be an artist - and have fun whilst doing it!

For the Love of Art

info@fortheloveofartclasses.co.uk

www.fortheloveofartclasses.co.uk

Gifts from Hurst Castle

Do you fancy giving something different this Christmas? A Hurst Castle gift voucher or annual pass could be the answer.

Hurst Castle Gift Vouchers can be used to purchase tickets to the castle, for the ferry to the spit, in the castle café and the gift shop. Available in denominations of £10.

The Hurst Castle Annual Membership offers unlimited castle admission, return ferry plus other benefits. It’s a great opportunity to make the most of this beautiful coastline and artillery fortress.

The membership is available in single, couple or family (2 adults, 3 children) membership. Membership is valid for a year from purchase date and covers:

• Unlimited castle admission
• Unlimited return ferry
• Discount in castle café
• Discount for visiting family and friends

To buy online; please click here.

Hurst Castle

01590 642500

info@hurstcastle.co.uk

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

A Christmas to Remember

This professional operatic Christmas Eve show, features international performers from the stage and should be just the thing to get you in mood for the festive period.

Tickets now on sale:

Milford on Sea Community Centre

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Saturday: 10am to 1pm

The Magic Snowflake now on sale

The Magic Snowflake, a new children's book by village author Jean Maye, is now available now via Amazon or Waterstones, it is also be in the village shops, Tradewinds and The Old Smithy in Milford on Sea High Street shortly, once the stock arrives.

 To order online; Amazon please click here. Waterstones please click here.

The book is available just in time for Christmas!

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This colourful picture book is about a lonely snowflake and a grumpy elf who meet one Christmas evening and go on a journey to discover magic, friendship, laughter and goodness.

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Prior to writing fiction Jean wrote non-fiction interactive workbooks for children and young adults which can be seen on her website.

(www.jeanmayeauthor.com)

Jean is an international best-selling author in this field and an earlier publication called; 'My life and Me' was even translated in Japanese and published in Japan. 

These earlier books had publishers when she was in social work and we’re specialist books to help looked after children, children who fostered and preparing children for adoption.

In 2021 Jean won the Best Script Award in the international Script Summit Screenplay Contest in Michigan, USA.

Jean Maye Author

www.jeanmayeauthor.com

www.mousechasedcat.com

Book Now for Santa to Visit You

You can now book for Santa Claus to visit you when he comes to Milford on Sea on Wednesday 15th December.

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The New Milton Round Table (which also has numerous members from Milford on Sea) have now published their booking system. But be quick, it is likely to sell out! 

To book tickets for Santa to visit, please click here.

To find out more; please click here.

New Milton Round Table

www.newmiltonroundtable.co.uk

www.facebook.com/nmround.table

Amazing Lunchtime Christmas Menu at Verveine

Verveine, Milford on Sea's spectacular fine dining fish restaurant have launched their Lunchtime Christmas Taster Menu.

At £37pp for Six Courses this is fantastic value for a top class meal by a extraordinary chef. This would easily by £100pp in London.

The menu will be available from Wednesday 1st of December until Thursday 23rd of December.

As always the menu is packed with flavours and the creative flair that only chef patron, David Wyke can pull off.

The menu has a varied set of dishes. For example, if you fancy the sound of smoked salmon with Babycham and a flaming Christmas pudding ice cream all washed down with a Christmas tree martini book your table today.

Call: 01590 642176

Verveine
98 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE
01590 642176
www.verveine.co.uk

www.facebook.com/VerveineFishMarketRestaurant

Dates for New Forest Big Band Shows

The New Forest Big Band will be back in Milford on Sea on the following dates:

South Lawn Hotel: All Thursdays: 27th January, 24th February, 31st March, 28th April 2022.

Milford Jazz Club: Friday 24th June, 8pm at Milford on Sea Community Centre.

New Forest Big Band
www.newforestbigband.co.uk

The South Lawn Hotel 

& Cedar Tree Restaurant

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

01590 643911

www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

www.facebook.com/southlawnhotel

events@southlawnhotel.co.uk

Community Library Christmas Newsletter

Milford on Sea Community Library have published a Christmas Newsletter to keep people up to date with their latest news.

To read, please click here.

Library Christmas Fair Cancelled this Saturday: It is hoped to plan something next year, maybe even an Easter Fair, who knows, so watch this space, as they say!

Milford on Sea Community Library

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

Email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

Tel: 07950 941818 (Opening hours only)

www.facebook.com/mosclibrary

All Saints' seek Children and Families Leader/Minister

 Our local church, All Saints' are looking for a All Saints' Children and Families Leader/Minister.

If you, or anyone you know may be interested, please click on the image to view a comprehensive outline of the role and how to apply.

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Three Kings spotted on Village Green

Following the switch on last Friday, the Milford on Sea Christmas Lights & Decorations are delighting adults and children alike.

Within the many decorations around the village you may have noticed these impressive pieces of artwork on the village green.

The three kings and the nativity scene were created by local Milford on Sea artist, Gillian Key. Her colourful creation demonstrate her clear talents and make a wonderful addition to these years' celebration.

If you haven't seen all of the many decorations yet, please pop into the village centre and perhaps whilst there, check out the many Christmas gifts and treats our village shops have to offer.

Pictures by Jean Maye
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Duff-T Tees for Christmas

At the beginning of September we ran an article about an exciting new business, Duff-T Tees in Milford on Sea. Please click here to read.

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If you like the idea of casual clothing with great designs as Christmas gifts, now may be a good idea to check out their website. www.duff-t.com

The ranges of clothing for women, men and kids include t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and bags - all of which are made from 100% organic sustainable cotton, and/or use recycled or sustainable materials. 

All of the Duff-T Tees products are printed in the UK in a renewable energy powered factory. Please click here to find out more. 

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To see the full Duff-T Tees range; please click here.

Fiona can be contacted on: hello@duff-t.com

Duff-T

www.duff-t.com

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As well as Duff-T, Fiona also runs Kifi Creative who work with start-ups, small to medium-sized businesses, charities, and larger corporates; delivering creative marketing services; graphic design, video, copywriting, print, advertising campaigns and photography.

Kifi Creative

www.kificreative.co.uk

Christmas Eve Crib Service at All Saints'

The Crib Service will take place during the afternoon of Christmas Eve at All Saints' Church.

To celebrate the festive season, all children are encouraged to dress up as characters from the Nativity to take part in the Christmas Story.

Numbers will be limited inside the church so to accommodate everyone the church may have to run two consecutive services. 

Please book your tickets by Monday 13th December by clicking here. (Remembering to include all adults and children who are coming) 

NB: Service times will be confirmed by Friday 17th December. Please check your junk mail for confirmation emails.

A night of laughter & music

 A night of zany comedy and music. Just the thing to raise the Christmas spirit.

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A Magical Night in Milford on Sea

A massive crowd turned out for the turn on off the village Christmas Tree Lights on Friday 3rd December, and nights like this make us all so grateful to live in this delightful seaside village community.

Carol singing, choirs, a band, Santa's Grotto and more made a truly special evening on the village green for adults and children alike. 

To add to the decorations there are also Christmas art installations, wreaths and festive displays across the village centre.

As they say, 'A picture paints a thousand words', and the photos below by Graham Wiffen do just that:

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Photos by Graham Wiffen

To watch a video of the switch on of the Christmas Lights, please click here.

Organisers, Tracey & Di of Magical Milford at Christmas have done a fantastic job along with the help of so many supporters, sponsors and helpers. Out thanks to go to them all, they have certainly made Milford even more magical this Christmas.

Magical Milford at Christmas

https://www.facebook.com/MagicalMilford

RAF Helicopters' Anniversary Flight over The Needles

If you spotted two helicopters flying above The Needles and Isle of Wight recently it was likely to have been the RAF Helicopters' Anniversary Flight.

The RAF explain: Chinook and Puma from RAF Odiham and RAF Benson have conducted a sortie to mark 90 years of combined service. The two uniquely painted airframes celebrated their individual anniversaries earlier this year, but this is their first formation flight as a pair. The Puma (XW224), has completed 50 years of service, while the Chinook (ZD984) has completed 40 years of service. 

Each aircraft’s tail art was especially commissioned to commemorate the significant anniversaries of their entry into service with the Royal Air Force.

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Photos by RAF

The flightpath included a number of iconic sites, stretching from the Isle of Wight to central London; with each location offering unique joint training opportunities for the crews who often work together on operations.

The helicopters are expected to be returned to their standard operational markings early next year. 

To read more, please click here.

Pot of Gold at Sturt Pond?

This delightful photograph of a rainbow after a hail storm in Milford on Sea was captured by Dan Mapes on Saturday 27th November.

Did anyone find the pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow?

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