Last Minute Pottery Course places

Did you know we have an active and vibrant pottery in the village?

Well, they have some last minute places on their Three Day Pottery Course starting on Friday 26th January 2024. To find out more, please click here.

If you are interested in future courses, Dave & Lucy Rogers run a one-day course for £144pp, and long weekend pottery courses. All courses are held in their pottery in the village, with options of non residential for anyone living nearby, or residential using their B&B accommodation. 

There are 9 places per pottery course meaning they can tailor the classes to suit your level of skill and creativity. The courses are all based on the potter's wheel and you will learn the basic techniques of throwing the perfect pot.

Pottery Courses: Please click here.

They also have Gift Vouchers which make ideal presents all year round.

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About Vinegar Hill Pottery

Vinegar Hill Pottery is a small family-owned pottery, and boutique bed and breakfast, which is very much a family affair. 

Dave Rogers is a master potter who runs his pottery workshop from the premises and offers tuition to aspiring ceramic artists. His wife, Lucy oversees the management and day-to-day running of this delightful three-room accommodation. 

Both originate from Lymington in the New Forest. Dave spent his murky college years studying ceramics at Farnham College of Art and Design and working at Wrecclesham Pottery. He graduated in Ceramics 1997 and then started up on his own. He moved to Bristol in 1999 where he set up his own work spaces at The Botany Art Studios.

Vinegar Hill B&B Accommodation

There are no identikit rooms at Vinegar Hill. You can pick your accommodation from the spacious Garden Room, the secluded Hayloft or enjoy the delights of Rosie, a beautifully restored nineteenth century showman's wagon for a truly unique experience.

With a degree in all things Latin American from Bristol University, Lucy spent time living and studying in Latin America before settling in Bristol and working for ten years for a travel company that specialised in offbeat Latin America. Her job involved travel to small, remote and unique lodges and hotels throughout the continent. This fuelled her passion for travel and gave her the experiences and know-how of what does and doesn’t work for individual, boutique accommodation, and the grounding for Vinegar Hill accommodation.

Vinegar Hill Pottery Courses

David's skill as a potter is matched only by his ability as a teacher and patience with those who are new to the kinetic delights of the potter's wheel, giving you the ultimate hands-on experience. 

Regular pottery courses are open to residents and non-residents alike. 

Vinegar Hill Pottery Shop & Gift Vouchers

Dave also sells his large range of high-fired stoneware pots, cups, plates, platters, and kitchenware.

All are all hand-made by him on his potters wheel. They are also oven proof, dishwasher proof and microwavable. He is happy to take commissions if you would like something bespoke.

You may have seen Dave's handmade basins featured on the BBC's 'The Great Pottery Throwdown'.

The high quality hand thrown ceramic basins and sinks come in a variety of styles and finishes. The Single bowl hand basins look great recessed into, or mounted on top of vanity units and washstands. 

To visit the Pottery Shop, please click here.

Gift Vouchers, please click here.

Vinegar Hill Pottery

Vinegar Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RZ

01590 642979 (9am - 7pm)

info@vinegarhillpottery.co.uk

www.vinegarhillpottery.co.uk

www.facebook.com/vinegarhillpottery

Milford on Sea Famous Residents

Over the years famous and notable people have been born in, or made their home in Milford on Sea.

Here are a few you may, or may, not have been aware of:

Milford on Sea Famous & Notable Residents

Colonel Peter Hawker: Author, Diarist, Sportsman, Soldier & Shootist. 

To find out more, please click here.

Alexander Siemens: German electrical engineer. Westover Hall was built by the Siemens family over 100 years ago and later sold to the Morris family. (Now The Beach House). 

To find out more, please click here.

William Morris. Who became 1st Viscount Nuffield (Lord Nuffield): Philanthropist, industrialist and motor manufacturer who owned and lived at Westover Hall. (Now The Beach House). 

To find out more, please click here.

To read The History of Westover Hall, please click here.

William Ravenscroft: Architect. During his practice in Milford on Sea, he was involved with 400 or more projects including alterations and internal works, war memorials and other public buildings. Between 1898 and 1928 he designed some 120 houses in the village. 

To find out more, please click here.

Frank Cowper

Frank Cowper: Author, journalist, yacht broker, and the unsung pioneer of yachting for everyone. He sailed single-handed, and through his writings, encouraged other sailors to cruise solo. His Sailing Tours series of books were published between 1892-1896, and they were the first complete pilot book series covering the coastal waters around Britain for small boats not drawing more than 6ft. One time schoolmaster at the now long gone Kivernells School in Milford on Sea. 

To find out more, please click here.

Edith Cowper (E.E. Cowper): Author and Frank Cowper's ex-wife. Prolific author of adventure books for girls and Wikipedia lists her writing 69 titles - 23 of which were published when she lived in Milford on Sea. 

To find out more, please click here.

Lottie Dod: Five-time Wimbledon Champion and Olympic Silver Medallist. The Guinness Book of Records named her as the most versatile female athlete of all time.

Lottie went on the become an English multi-sport athlete, competing and becoming a champion in tennis, golf and archery. She also participated in many other sports, including field hockey, billiards, skiing, ice skating, mountain climbing, and cycling.

In the summer of 1887, she won her first Wimbledon Championship when she was only 15, earning her the nickname 'Little Miracle'. She remains the youngest Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Champion. Billie Jean King was later to described Lottie as "One of the world's great unsung sporting heroes.' In 1983, Lottie was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

To find out more, please click here.

Fred Keeping

Fred Keeping: Olympic cyclist and founder of village cycle shop & garage. 

To find out more, please click here.

Mike Keeping: Southampton FC & England footballer and manager of Real Madrid FC. 

To find out more, please click here.

Willie Read MC, DFC, AFC: In 1912 Willie Read made an extraordinary and unprecedented overland journey of 2,500 miles from Kashmir to Siberia and subsequent he has glittering career in the Royal Flying Corps and RAF.

Willie was one of only a handful of officers to ever receive a second bar to the Air Force Cross.

Air Marshal Sir John Curtiss, KCB, KBE, FRAeS: Senior Royal Air Force officer. He served in Bomber Command during the Second World War and was Air Commander of the British forces involved in the Falklands War. (6th December 1924 to 14th September 2013). 

To find out more, please click here.

Gordon Young: Gordon was second in command of a Landing Craft-Tank (LCT), landing tanks on the D-Day beachheads in Normandy, France. 

Gordon was later to be awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honor (Légion d’Honneur) by the French nation for his part in the D-Day Landings on 6th June 1944. 

To find out more, please click here. 

Frank Wootton OBE: 20th century aviation artist. Born in Milford on Sea. 

Frank Wootton OBE Artist (1911-1998)

To find out more, please click here.

Montague Dawson RSMA, FRSA: Considered the greatest painter of the sea and sailing ships in the first part of the 20th century.

He was also an official WW2 War Artist.

To find out more, please click here.

JRR Tolkien CBE. Author of Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit. Thought to have taken holidays at Cobblestones, a friend's house in Milford on Sea.

To find out more, please click here.

Frances Fisher: Hollywood actress in films such as Titanic. Born in Milford on Sea.

Picture 2012. 

To find out more, please click here.

Ivor Slaney: Musical Composer and Conductor. Notable for his work in film, television and radio. 

To find out more, please click here.

Olive Troke: First female mayor of Lymington Borough who lived in Milford on Sea.

To find out more, please click here.

Giusseppe Lund: Sculptor & Architectural Metalsmith and Rower. Maker of The Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park, London. 

To find out more, please click here.

Mark Shinn: World Champion Kiteboarder and founder of The World of Shinn. 

To find out more, please click here.

Sammy Miller MBE: Eleven times British Motorcycling Champion and winner of over 1400 events over 50 years. Founder of Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum. 

To find out more, please click here.

Alan Rayment: Alan was a professional Hampshire County Cricketer from 1948 to 1959, and a member of the Hampshire team that finished third, and then second, in the County Championship in 1956 and 1958.

He was also an accomplished dancer who set up dances and tuition sessions. In his later 18 years, living in Victoria Road Milford on Sea, Alan's memoirs were published in two books, 'Punchy Through the Covers' and 'Punchy's Hampshire Years'. Alan passed away in 2020 and is laid to rest at All Saints Churchyard in Milford on Sea. 

To find out more, please click here.

David Peach: Professional footballer and FA Cup Winner with Southampton FC in 1976 FA Cup Final. Scorer in the 1979 League Cup Final, and England Under 21 International. 

To find out more, please click here.

Allen Greenwood: Former chairman of the British Aircraft Corporation, where he was a reluctant leading player in the process of nationalisation and merger by which it became part of British Aerospace. 

To find out more, please click here.

Freda Cheney MBE: Major village personality & heart of the community, and local charities for many years. - To find out more, please click here.

Chris Monk: Well known and respected village fishmonger and former councillor. 

To find out more, please click here.

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Historic and Royal Connections

King Charles 1: Held captive briefly at Hurst Castle during the English Civil War and before his execution in London in 1649.

Picture: King Charles 1 by Anthony van DyckTo find out more, please click here.

Admiral William Cornwallis: Owned Newland Manor. Friend of Lord Nelson, Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom, Member of Parliament and made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1815. He was also a lifelong bachelor. - To find out more, please click here.

Newland Manor was inherited by Mary Ann Theresa Whitby, wife of Captain John Whitby. It then passed to Mrs Whitby’s daughter, Mrs Theresa West, and to her son William Cornwallis West.

Patsy Cornwallis West

His wife, Mary (Patsy) Cornwallis West was a favourite of the Prince of Wales and was largely responsible for extravagant house parties hosting Edward VII (after his accession), Kaiser Wilhelm II, Lady Randolph Churchill, together with many of the leading aristocracy of the day. - To find out more, please click here.

Milford on Sea Famous Residents Photo Album
Click image to view

To view the Milford on Sea Famous Residents Photo Album, please click here.

PS: If you know of anyone else to add, please just let me know.

david@milfordonsea.org

Live Music at The Wash House

The Wash House has an exciting ongoing programme of live music with a party atmosphere and great beer!

Next up are Hugh Budden & Ed Fox on Friday 26th January 2024 from 8.15pm.

Go along and enjoy an evening of soul, rock, blues and country, along with a drink of course!

Meet Hugh: The versatility and sheer brilliance of Hugh's harp playing has given him a reputation as one of the South's best harmonica players. His career has spanned across the spectrums of both music and continents. He has developed a highly individual style of playing which lends itself to Blues, Swing, Jazz, Funk, Rock and Indie. www.hughbudden.com

Regular Events at The Wash House

Pub Quiz at The Wash House

Every Wednesday at 7pm. 

Entry to the Wash House Pub Quiz is £2 per person with a prize for the winner and fun spot prizes along the way. 

Everyone is welcome. To guarantee a place, please book, as it will be busy.

To book your table with friends, please call: 01590 644665.

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Retro Grooves at The Wash House

Every Last Sunday in the Month from 5pm to 8pm. 

Come along as Retro Grooves spin the vinyl in an evening of the best party music, classics & anthems from the 1960s to late 1980s. 

At the same time, enjoy a drink as you step back in time with classic sounds.

Free entry, but booking is strongly advised, as these are very popular events.

Meet Retro Grooves: www.retrogrooves.co.uk

To book your place for the evening, please call: 01590 644665.

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About The Wash House

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

Having opened in the former village launderette in July 2017, they are constantly on the look-out for new craft ales to offer the beer lovers. CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) constantly list The Wash House in Milford on Sea in their The Good Beer Guide.

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

Dogs and children are welcome in the bar, and there is even chest of games to keep the kids amused. 

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 pub is also Dog Friendly.

The Wash House Micro Ale Pub

27 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 644665

www.thewashhousebar.co.uk

www.facebook.com/thewashhousemilfordonsea

Table Top Sale on Saturday

Another Table Top Sale takes place this Saturday 27th January from 9.30am to 1pm in the Bridge.

A variety of stalls including crafts, bric a brac, clothing, jewellery, handmade preserves and much more. - it changes every time!

Free entry – come along for hot drinks and cakes, and to discover some bargains!

Visitor Entry: Free. Café open for drinks and cake.

This is a fundraising event for The Bridge.

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Stallholders Welcome: You can book a table at future Table Tops Sale's for your own fundraising.

Stallholder Table Chairs: £10. To book please contact:

enquiries@moscommunitycentre.org.uk

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To see what else is on at The Bridge: Please click here.

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The Bridge (Formerly MoS Community Centre)

Sea Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PH

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

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

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

NFDC Online Survey on Milford on Sea Beachfront Facilities

New Forest District Council are inviting residents and visitors to complete an an online survey to share their experiences and opinions on beachfront facilities at Milford on Sea.

The survey focuses on gathering feedback about the accessibility and appearance of public facilities in the areas, such as beach shelters and toilets which are provided and managed by the council.

Participants are encouraged to express their views on the overall experience, ensuring that these important amenities meet the community's needs. The survey also touches on environmental concerns and asks for views on levels of litter in the areas, and awareness of the council's 'Crabby' anti-litter campaign.

NFDC Councillor Geoffrey Blunden, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said, "Gaining this feedback is invaluable in helping us shape the future of our beachfront facilities. We want to enhance accessibility and ensure an enjoyable environment for everyone to enjoy."

To participate and contribute to the improvement of these local amenities, residents and visitors are encouraged to complete the online survey on the council's website. Please click here.

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As an aside, in November 2023, NFDC unveiled new beach hut style toilets in Barton on Sea, replacing the previous toilets which were installed in 2009.

I think this demonstrates that the NFDC are taking aesthetic design into very practical facilities.

The bright door colours were chosen to provide a visible contrast for visually impaired people, and they are coated in aluminium to offer resilience against the coastal conditions.

The toilets have durable weatherboard cladding and a pitched roof, with integrated solar tiles which power external LED way-finder lighting.

There is also an external shower, water bottle refill station, and a bike rack. The accessible unisex toilet, the larger space with a pink door, is opened with a radar key.

Local New Forest suppliers were used for this project. The metalwork is from a company in Totton, the cubicle systems are from a company based in New Milton, hand washing from a company in Salisbury, and the architects are from Lymington.

It is nice to see such consideration being given to the design of a functional building.

To read more, please click here.

To see video, please click here.

Talk on 'The Science of Climate Change'

Milford on Sea Scientist, Ben Collins BSc is presenting a talk on 'The Science of Climate Change' at 7pm on Wednesday 31st January 2024 in The Bridge.

Everyone is welcome, and entry is free.

Ben will be covering: What is driving Global Warming?, How fast is it going?, What can be done?

The evening will feature a dynamic presentation, with live scientific demonstrations showing what is driving up temperatures and disrupting weather patterns across the planet.

Ben commented: "Sea level rise is a real worry for our local Milford on Sea community. Elsewhere extreme heatwaves, droughts storms and floods are on the rise. Things are predicted to get more extreme in the coming years.

What is causing all this and what can be done? The message is confused. People are seeking answers."

Ben Collins is a retired Earth Scientist with a mission to explain. He considers himself a ‘Citizen Scientist’ sharing the facts with lay audiences. His presentations include dramatic demonstrations using canisters of gas, ice and flames and visuals to explain the ways climate change happens. 

To see what else is on at The Bridge: Please click here.

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The Bridge (Formerly MoS Community Centre)

Sea Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PH

01590 644861

enquiries@moscommunitycentre.org.uk

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

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

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Business over Breakfast (BoB Club) at The Lighthouse

The New Forest BoB Club is a business networking club which meets every two weeks at 9am on a Friday in The Lighthouse, Milford on Sea. 

BoB Clubs operate all over the world, connecting local businesses and creating connections that are difficult to develop otherwise. 

For those of you who may have tried networking before and felt under pressure to refer each week, then try BoB Networking as they have no pressure for referrals at every meeting. You can go along and try the group, and take the opportunity to learn more about how networking through BoB Clubs can help your business.

The group are always looking for new members who are keen to network in the New Forest area.

To reserve your place at the club & to discover what membership can offer you, please contact Martin Bence for more information on 07973 727891 or email through the website. Please click here.

BoB Club Meetings: Members: £10 - Visitors: £14.

The next meeting is at 9am on Friday 26th January 2024, and then every two weeks after that.

To find out more, please click here.

New Forest BoB Club

Martin Bence

07973 727891

www.bobclubs.com/Club/New-Forest

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The Lighthouse Seaside Bar & Dining

Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY

01590 718040

hello@thelighthousemilford.co.uk

www.thelighthousemilford.co.uk

www.facebook.com/thelighthousemilford

The Cave is back after a quick New Year Break

Having taken a well deserved break immediately after New Year, The Cave is once again open and serving drinks and Tapas.

Pop in and enjoy a well earned break of your own! 

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About The Cave

The Cave is a popular and vibrant Wine & Gin Bar, as well as a Tapas Restaurant and Off-Licence. The venue specialises in premier quality wines, speciality gin & tonics, spirits and beers.

The Cave has stylish and relaxing surroundings, and is the place to meet friends at any time of day for a light lunch, afternoon tea/coffee, through to pre-dinner or after-dinner drinks to finish off your evening in style. 

There are also regular Live Music Nights and Tasting Evenings.

This unique business has been in Milford on Sea since May 2013, and can be booked for private hire to host parties and gatherings.

The Cave is also Dog Friendly.

The Cave

2 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH

01590 642195

info@thecavemos.co.uk

www.facebook.com/TheCavewinebar

www.thecavemos.co.uk

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