The Rambling Men playing at Ray's Italian

Ray's Italian are delighted to be presenting live music from local band, The Rambling Men on the afternoon of Saturday 18th February. Bookings now being taken.

PS: Our website is now back!

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Ray’s Italian Kitchen is a family owned restaurant and delicatessen offering morning coffee and cake, great value set lunches, and an evening Italian inspired menu full of home-made dishes with restaurant service.

They also offer authentic Italian pizzas to eat in or takeaway - and the delicatessen is full of home-baked sweet & savoury treats alongside an extensive range of Italian produce to enjoy at home.

Ray’s Italian Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.facebook.com/raysitaliankitchen

Table Top Sale this Saturday

The first Table Top Sale of 2023 takes place this Saturday from 10am to 1pm at Milford on Sea Community Centre.

Come along to find a bargain or something interesting. You are also welcome to book a table top for your own fundraising.

Visitor Entry: Free

Stallholder Tables: £10 Book by email enquiries@moscommunitycentre.org.uk or phone 01590 644861.

Next Table Sale Top Events: Saturday 25th February & Saturday 25th March.

This is a fundraising event for the Community Centre.

WHAT'S ON: See all the Village Events & Activities: please click here.

Milford on Sea Community Centre

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Milford-on-Sea-Community-Centre

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Valentine's Night at Ray's Italian Kitchen

Celebrate a romantic Valentine's Night at Ray's Italian Kitchen with a very special menu.

Places are booking fast, so if you would like to go, please book now on 01590 645300 or contact: info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk.

Please click image below to see full menu.

click image to view menu

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Ray’s Italian Kitchen is a family owned restaurant and delicatessen offering morning coffee and cake, set lunches and an evening full Italian menu full of home-made dishes with restaurant service.

They also offer authentic Italian pizzas to eat in or takeaway - and the delicatessen is full of home-baked sweet & savoury treats alongside an extensive range of Italian produce.

Ray’s Italian Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.facebook.com/raysitaliankitchen

Retro Grooves at The Wash House Each Month

Retro Grooves will be playing the vinyl Every Last Sunday in the Month at The Wash House, starting this coming Sunday.

About Retro Grooves: www.retrogrooves.co.uk

Enjoy a drink as you step back in time with the classic sounds from late 50s to the late 80s. 

To book your seat please call: 01590 644665.

WHAT'S ON: To see all the village events and activities: please click here.

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The Wash House loves great beer, stocking ales from talented local brewers. There are also, ciders, gins, wines and a great choice of organic soft drinks.

They are constantly on the look-out for new craft ales to offer the beer lovers. Once again, CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have listed The Wash House in Milford on Sea in their The Good Beer Guide 2023.

This cosy venue also holds live music and rocking party nights, so it is always worth keeping an eye on their Facebook page to see what is happening.

So, if you are partial to a variety of quality real ales or craft drinks, or enjoy live music you don't have far to go!

The Wash House Micro Ale Pub

27 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 644665

www.thewashhousebar.co.uk

www.facebook.com/thewashhousemilfordonsea

Free Home Deliveries & More by Butchers on the Green

Living in Milford on Sea village many of us want to support the village shops, but sometimes it is tricky to fit into a busy schedule, or physically to difficult to get into the village centre.

Well, did you know that you can get Free Home Deliveries by Butchers on the Green with no minimum spend and within a 5 mile radius of Milford on Sea. If you just want a 1lb of mince or wish to place an order to stock your freezer, they are always willing to help.

Fresh Fish

Did you know that you can also order fresh fish from Butchers on the Green? All orders placed by a Wednesday are delivered on the following Friday. No minimum order, and you can pick up fresh, or they are happy to freeze your order for you.

Meat Pack for the Week - Ideal for 4 people (Limited Time Promotion)

• 1x whole fresh chicken 
• 4x pork loin steaks 
• 4x gammon steaks 
• 8x pork sausages of your choice 
• 600g minced beef steak
• 4x beef braising steaks 
• 600g diced chicken breast 

All of this for just £39.99 (Saving you over £16.50 and working out to c.£1.42 per person per meal.)

*Half pack at half price for 2 person households.

Everyone that buys one of these packs is entered into a draw to win free steak for their family. (4 steaks maximum) 

PS: Their everchanging variety of creative and easy to cook pre-prepared meals are also always worth checking out.

To place an order, or to find out more, please pop in, call them on 01590 642136 or send them a Facebook message with your order.

Butchers on the Green are an independently owned butchers shop offering an everchanging variety of creative and easy to cook pre-prepared meals - plus meat cuts & joints, handmade burgers, numerous flavours of gluten free sausages, traditionally cured bacon, mince, pies, pasties, ham, pate, chorizo, BBQ packs, fresh fish, cheese, eggs and  They even offer hog roasts for private events.

Butchers on the Green
3 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QU

01590 642136
butcherbythebeach@gmail.com
facebook.com/butchersonthegreen

*Closed on Mondays

Butchers on the Green hold a 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating.

The Village News goes Retro

Mark at The Village News is now stocking a range of retro sweets to transport us back to our childhoods.

Sherbert fountains, Dip dabs and black jacks..., if you are of a certain age you will remember these sweets and perhaps even recall school tuck shops! 

Mark also now stocks a range of Warmies. These warming cuddly soft toys contain dried French Lavender, sourced from growers in Provence. They are fully microwavable and designed to provide stress and anxiety relief as well as promote restful sleep.

For centuries lavender has been synonymous with tranquillity, relaxation, serenity, soothing and calming to provide wellbeing and wellness.

The Village News is a traditional village newsagents and also a Local Information Point for the New Forest National Park.

The dog friendly shop sells greeting cards, chocolate, sweet bags, retro sweets, gift packs, batteries, cables, crab lines for crabbing at Sturt Bridge and more.

When you next visit, look up and you will see a fine collection of framed classic comic book covers and other interesting pieces of popular memorabilia.

The Village News

74 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

www.facebook.com/thevillagenewsmilfordonsea

Live Blues Night Next Week

Live music at the Community Centre this coming Saturday featuring Dick Taylor:

WHAT'S ON: See all the village events and activities: please click here.

Milford on Sea Community Centre

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Milford-on-Sea-Community-Centre

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Warm Spaces in Milford on Sea

As winter takes hold and heating bills soar, there are a number of 'Warm Spaces' now open in the village.

Warm Spaces are where everyone is welcome, there are book, puzzles, games and more. You may also get a hot drink & snack. If you would like to meet people, there is always someone there for a chat, and if you prefer 'quiet time' that's fine too.

Please see poster below for more details. The session are also in www.moscalendar.org

• Wednesday: 10am to 12noon at The Library
• Thursdays: 12noon to 4pm at The Guide Hut
• Fridays: 12noon to 4pm at The Community Centre

WHAT'S ON: See all the village events and activities: please click here.

Milford on Sea Community Centre

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Milford-on-Sea-Community-Centre

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Magical Milford Christmas Feedback

With the Christmas lights well and truly packed away for another year, the organisers of Magical Milford would love to hear your thoughts and views on the Christmas lights and decorations a few weeks ago.

The survey only takes a couple of minutes, but your feedback will really help with plans already being made for next year.

The Christmas lights and decorations created by the Magical Milford Team in the past few years have been a true delight, really bringing the festive season to life in Milford on Sea. Your feedback and views would be really appreciated.

To complete the quick survey, please click here.

Memories of the Danestream

Following publishing the article 'Danestream bursts its banks' a few days ago we have received these memories from Alice Yeandle. Alice was bought up in Milford on Sea, having moved to village from Worthing at 5 years of age. She now lives in France.

"From my little Milford on Sea information booklet dated 1931 it is marked Danestream. We knew the Pleasure Grounds as the Pleasure Gardens.

In the 50´s we would spend our Saturday afternoon’s building dams, unfortunately they were cleared in the week so hard work commenced again until dusk, dragging branches and general dam making items until we had achieved our task!  What fun.

In the area where we built our dams, near the bridge leading up to Barnes Lane, there was an area with many different flowers, one of which was Fritillaries which I found amazing with the squares of pale mauve and white on the petals so maybe that was why there was the name Pleasure Gardens.

Oh, to be young again and live in Milford and not the other side of the water.

Good wishes to you for the New year.

Alice Yeandle"

As an aside, Alice's 1931 booklet shows that the Milford on Sea village population was 2372 at the time. (Men 965 - Women 1407). Today the village population has more than doubled to c.5000.

click image to enlarge.

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The 'Pleasure Grounds' through which the Danestream runs, is understood to have only got its name around the 2000's. Previously it was known as 'The Pleasure Gardens'; as it had been planted up as an ornamental garden and it was part of the 19th century Georgian attempt to turn Milford on Sea into a prominent and gentrified seaside resort. 

 

Some long-standing village residents also refer the area simply as "Pledge". 

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We also heard from Bob Braid of the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society. He has shared some photos and newspaper cutting from 1968 and 1982.

Bob commented; "This is how the village used to be before the Downton 'Dam'! 1968: I think the estate car was owned by the owner of Bay Trees who got fed up with vehicles sending waves through his front door; until the police told him to move it."

PS: Lazy Lion Reopens after flooding

Having needed to close for a few day following their cellar being flooded in last weeks heavy rains, The Lazy Lion is now open again and welcoming customers for tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

To read the original 'Danestream bursts its banks' article, please click here.

Live Screenings and a Milford Movie

Milford on Sea Community Centre always has something interesting going on, and there are two Live Screenings and a Milford Movie coming up soon. Tickets are on sale now, so treat yourself to a night of entertainment.

Events such as these are run on a regular basis, so it is always worth keeping an eye on the Community Centre website, they will also feature in www.moscalendar.org 

NTLIVE: The Crucible by Arthur Miler

Thursday 26th January - 7pm

A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma).

Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from trial.

Lyndsey Turner (Hamlet) directs this contemporary new staging, designed by Tony Award-winner Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy). Captured live from the Olivier stage at the National Theatre.

Entry: £15 - Tickets on sale now. Box Office details at foot of page.

Milford Movie: EMILY

Thursday 2nd February - 7pm

 

Emily imagines Emily Brontë’s own Gothic story that inspired her seminal novel, ‘Wuthering Heights.’ Haunted by the death of her mother, Emily struggles within the confines of her family life and yearns for artistic and personal freedom, and so begins a journey to channel her creative potential into one of the greatest novels of all time.

Entry: £15 - Tickets on sale now. Box Office details at foot of page.

Live Screening: The Royal Opera

The Barber of Seville

Thursday 16th February -  7pm

When Rosina falls in love with a mysterious young suitor who calls himself Lindoro, she must use all her cunning –and a little help from her local barber –to outwit her calculating guardian Dr Bartolo. Expect heart-melting serenades, ridiculous disguises and a fairytale ending waiting just out of reach. From the barber’s famous opening number ‘Largo al factotum,’ with its cry of ‘Figaro! Figaro!,’to Rosina’s feisty aria ‘Una voce poco fa,’ Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera is a riotously entertaining affair. Rafael Payare makes his Royal Opera House debut conducting an outstanding international cast that includes Andrzej Filończyk, Aigul Akhmetshina, Lawrence Brownlee and Bryn Terfel.

Language: Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Running time: 3 hours and 45 minutes (including one interval)

Entry: £15 - Tickets on sale now. Box Office details at foot of page.

WHAT'S ON: See all the village events and activities: please click here.

Milford on Sea Community Centre

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Milford-on-Sea-Community-Centre

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Mister Pink's 5 Star Rating

Mister Pink's have retained their 5 Star Hygiene Rating. This comes as no surprise, as it is a great fish & chip shop. 

Sadly, inflation is hitting everyone, and the fish and chip industry is being hit very hard. In spite of that, Mister Pink's are doing all they can to keep fish & chips an affordable takeaway for us all.

Everyone loves a treat of fish & chips, it is a British tradition, and still value for money in light of inflation everywhere at present. So what are you going to have tonight, cod, haddock or sausage?! 

Mister Pink's

Church Hill, Milford on Sea,SO41 0QH

01590 642930

Simon Heaps Interview on BBC South

Simon Heaps delayed interview on BBC South Today aired on Tuesday 17th January 2023.

If you missed it, you can still watch Simon's interview where he tells his story and ambitions. To view, please click on the video image belo2.

To read more about Simon's journey as a para-athlete, please click here. 

Milford on Sea WI support New Forest Basics Bank

The Milford on Sea WI sold a range of items at a recent table Top Sale in the Community Centre, and once again supported the New Forest Basics Bank by donating all of the funds raised.

New Forest Basics Bank thanked volunteer Suzie Watson and the wonderful ladies at the Milford-on-Sea WI for the donation which was gratefully received. The funds will enable the Food Bank to purchase additional food & basics for local families and individuals in crisis.

New Forest Basics Bank provide Food And Basics For People In Need Across The New Forest.

The Basics Bank offers non-perishable food items, personal hygiene items, and basic household essentials. The food parcels have sufficient supplies for one week for one person and is increased to cover the number of family members for which a request is made. 

There are many reasons why people may find themselves needing the support of a food bank. For example when the main earner in the household looses their job, a medical condition, a change in personal circumstances or a large unforeseen bill that leaves inadequate or no money for food. All parcels are a stop gap to support clients through troubled times.

 

Find out more about the good work the Basics Bank does in providing food and other essentials for local people in need. Please click here.

New Forest Basics Bank

www.basicsbank.org.uk

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Find out more about the Milford on Sea Women's Institute by clicking the link below:

Milford on Sea WI

moswi@outlook.com

milfordsec@hampshirewi.org.uk

hampshirewi.org.uk/wi-page/milford-on-sea-wi

Olivia Inspires Talk at Milford and District Ladies Luncheon Club

Olivia Inspires trustee, Alistair Brien recently gave a talk to the Milford and District Ladies Luncheon Club at South Lawn Hotel.

He spoke about his days as Headteacher at Bournemouth School for Girls and the work of local charity Olivia Inspires. (The charity was founded in the memory of popular Milford on Sea schoolgirl Olivia Burt, and Alistair had been her headteacher at the time she had been the Head Girl.)

He also chatted about his new career as a wedding celebrant, public speaker and his exploits as a magician member of The Magic Circle.

The charity passes on their thanks to all of the ladies for their generous donations.

Oliva Inspires

www.oliviainspires.org.uk

www.facebook.com/oliviainspires

https://twitter.com/olivia_inspires

Milford Floral Art Club meet each month

Milford Floral Art Club are a thriving, active and sociable flower club in Milford on Sea with members of all age groups and backgrounds.

They meet on the second Thursday of each month from 1.30pm for 2pm to 4pm at All Saints Church Hall, Greenbanks Close, Milford on Sea, SO41 0SQ. Visitors welcome.

Everyone is welcome to come and join them for a fun filled afternoon with fellow flower lovers for demonstrations and workshops, refreshments, raffles and more. 

You are also welcome to attend the Open Meeting & Guest Demonstrations.

For more information on joining the club, please contact: 

info.mfac1@gmail.com

To find out more, you can also find the club on Facebook - please click here.

Milford Floral Art Club

www.facebook.com/Milford-Floral-Art-Club

Gentle Afternoon Hatha Yoga Class

Make 2023 your year to improve flexibility and balance & de-stress.

Laura Farish runs an afternoon Gentle Hatha Yoga Class every Tuesday at 2pm in Milford on Sea Community Centre. The gentle yoga class is designed to increase all round health, including flexibility, circulation and relieving stress. (£10 for 1 hour.)

She also has Evening Yoga Classes every Tuesday at 6pm in The Library in Park Road. (£10 for 1 hour.)

• Relax, unwind, de-stress with a bit of 'me time’.
• Increase your flexibility and core strength, or learn how to maintain your health.

Laura has been practising yoga for over 25 years and teaching for more than 6 years. She qualified through the Traditional Yoga Association and believes this traditional approach bypasses fashionable, westernised forms of yoga, bringing greater awareness to body and mind.

She runs both classes and one-to-ones, and her approach is especially appreciated by those who suffer the effects of a stressful, modern lifestyle. Laura’s core values are honesty, trust, fairness, ethical behaviour, respect and taking care of each other.

Being a keen horse rider, traveller and skier, she brings her optimism, commitment and a naturally positive outlook to everything she does. “I became a Yoga teacher because I want everyone to benefit from yoga in the ways that I have. Not only do I feel the healthiest I’ve ever felt, I’m also calmer and more relaxed.”

To book or find out more: Please contact Laura at:

07786 702722 - hathayogawithlaura@yahoo.com

Please bring a drink, a yoga mat and wear clothes you can stretch in. Yoga mats available to hire – please book them in advance.

Hatha Yoga with Laura

Milford On Sea Community Centre

9 Sea Road, Milford On Sea, SO41 0PH

hathayogawithlaura@yahoo.com

07786 702722

Danestream bursts its banks

Recent heavy rainfall has caused dramatic flooding in the Danestream and through the Pleasure Grounds in Milford on Sea.

Normally, the gentle flowing stream is no more than a babbling brook, but the high water is quite a sight.

Long-time local resident, Paul Baker (and his little buddy, Luka) captured a dramatic video as they waded through the flooding close to the slope at the junction of Blackbush Road and Sharvells Road. To view the video please click here.

Paul also commented on the flooding just off Barton Road by Taddiford Gap, which has created what looks like a lake in the nearby fields. The water in the 'lake' is created by all water held back by the sluice gate in Downton Lane. The flooding in the Pleasure Grounds, and in the village, would be a lot worse if the sluice wasn’t there to hold it back. Paul recalls that Milford on Sea used to flood fairly regularly before the sluice was built. He can also remember the road and car park outside the Britannia Thai in the village centre being under two feet of water in the past.

Click image to watch video
- Taken by Paul Baker

Picture by Jan Anderson

'Danestream or Danes Stream, who knows?' 

In September 2013 we published a tongue in the cheek article entitled; Danestream or Danes Stream, who knows?

The article explores some nonsensical explanations as to the origins of the name and even some facts.

To read the article, please click here.

The History of Milford on Sea Club

The Milford Social Club began in a small way at the Crown Inn (Now The Smugglers Inn). 

In 1905 Mr William Talbot Agar, at the instance of Dr R Bruce, built the current clubhouse on the site of a small farm opposite. The members bought the house for £700 about 1907, and the Club surmounted the war period by aid of a subscription of £150 obtained by Mr E L Agar.

Milford Social Club is now known as Milford on Sea Club. 

William Talbot Agar also made additional contributions to the village. He owned & lived at Milford House. Before Milford Crescent was put in about 1930, the Milford House grounds extended down to the High Street. W T Agar built the shops along High Street from Church Hill to the junction with Keyhaven Road (including the original Cottage Hospital). 

He died in 1906 and his properties were put to auction, but his executors agreed to sell privately, on preferential terms, the Club, Hospital and the Parish Room in Barnes Lane to trustees. One of his sons, Edward Larpent Agar, took Milford House as his part of the inheritance.

Note: Information from Milford on Sea Historical Record Society Occasional Magazine Vol 4 No 4, June 1929.

Bill Gurd - Former Club Steward

The Advertiser & Times newspaper cutting above from September 1973 remembers former club steward, Bill Gurd, and he appears to have been quite a character.

Born in 1910 in Salisbury, the family moved their entire farm by special train to Downton in 1927.

Bill then went on to have a milk round with is brother for 17 years before becoming a barman at The Red Lion along with his parrot and cat. In 1966 he became the steward at Milford Social Club. At the time the club was struggling, but in his tenure he re-established the club's success until passing away in 1973. He was known to be fun loving, kind, and generous in both spirit and size.

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Milford on Sea Club is family friendly and open 7 days a week. You can enjoy live sports on Sky & BT, snooker & pool tables, darts, a jukebox and benefit from the excellent drink prices. 

Regular activities include: weekly bingo, discos, live music and entertainment nights.

Non-members welcome to visit the club for a £2 entry fee. (Special entertainment events may have a small extra charge.)

Just pop in and see for yourself.

Milford on Sea Club

67 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG

01590 643209

milfordonseaclub@gmail.com

www.mosclub.co.uk

www.facebook.com/MilfordonSeaClub

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About the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society 

The society has an excellent website with a lot of information and historical pictures of Milford on Sea's past.

The MOSHRS meet 5 times a year where you can hear an interesting talk and meet people from across the village. There are also annual visits to places of interest. Membership is just £10 pa. 

To find out more; please click here.

MoS Historical Record Society

admin@milfordhistory.org.uk

www.milfordhistory.org.uk