From Bowls to Belly

Milford on Sea is full of clubs and classes covering just about every interest. Indeed there are over 150 in the village that we know of.

As you may expect, it is the more unusual one's that get my interest, such as The Gift of Sound. Where they have Drumming sessions, Tibetan & Crystal Bowl Soundbaths, and also practice Spiritual Hand Prayers (Mudras).

Run by Lorna, she explained: "If you ever feel you want to express your voice, and cannot, then why don’t you come on and join us in a session of vocal overtoning, we cover things like chanting in your Higher Self name, your Angelic name, the vowels in your Given name. 

Lorna's is a small friendly group who enjoy the Spiritual things in life as well as a bit of fun. The group meets in Milford on Sea each month on a Sunday afternoon and also a Wednesday evening a  month. 

When I asked if the Tibetan bowls ever contain food, I was disappointed to discover they just make sounds. I then asked about the Mudras, but this was not the curry I expected.

Oh well, after discovering my spiritual self is always hungry, I looked for another class that may include food.

It is hard to ignore that a Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class takes place in the Village Hall each week. Milford on Sea is not the normal place for Middle East traditions, but it sounds a lot of fun, as does Angie who runs it.

Dressing up, moving enticingly, and eating Mezze and Turkish delight is right up my street. I was gladdy accepted on the belly front, (although their was some concern that I would need a lot more room than the other dancers), however, the girls in the class were sadly more interested in dancing than eating.

If you fancy joining either of these groups for a bit of relaxation or fun, the contact details are below.

Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class

Angie Hole 

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

01590 682407

habibi1@live.co.uk

www.habibibellydancer.co.uk

The Gift of Sound

Lorna Heath 

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

01590 642994

lornaheath5@gmail.com

www.thegiftofsound.co.uk

Who’s Nicked Our Sign!

click image to enlarge

Right, come on, own up, who's got it!

On opening their windows to welcome in some rare morning sunlight, a loyal reader was faced with watching our quaint village finger-post road sign being dismantled on the village green. As he watched, the two guys took it to bits, loaded it into their truck and off they went.

This may of course be the local council refurbishing the local village landmark, or perhaps it was someone with a village but no sign.

Now it is lost, I have no idea how far we are from Southampton. 

The corner of the village green is now postless, signless and reduced to a plastic cone that can't tell you how to get anywhere. So, whoever has our sign, it would be nice to have back as soon as possible please.

PS: Our source is quite traumatised as they now having nothing to look at whilst enjoying their morning cuppa. However, if they can get through the day, I am sure a few glasses of wine sitting in the window of The Cave overlooking the bare patch will soon put him right!

If anyone know what has happened, please let us know by posting a reply below or e-mailing: david@milfordonsea.org

Be a Food Week Volunteer

Milford on Sea Food Week is fast approaching, the celebrity shows are selling out fast, the restaurant events are proving really popular, the many people involved in the free events are looking forward to a great turn out, and there is a buzz of excitement from those who are planning to come along to enjoy the week. In other words 'We are all excited!'

To make everything run smoothly, we are now organising our Volunteer Rota.

We are particularly looking for First Aiders to help out at the Food Week Shows, Men with drills to put up banners, marshalls for the Bandstand, BBQ & Picnic and Food Market and plenty more...

If you are on our volunteer list you will soon get the the list of volunteer roles and you can let us know what you would like to do. If you are not yet on our volunteer list and want to join in, simply send me an e-mail at: david@milfordonsea.org

Our fabulous band of Raffle Sellers are also looking to fun people to join the Raffle Team. This is a great way to meet people and have a few hours of fun. To join the raffle selling team, please contact: Norma on 07734 476862 or email: normamos@hotmail.com

The other key group are of course everyone who comes to enjoy a Food week event, the Food Week Programmes are in shops across the village and in the Village Newsagents opposite the village green, so please grab a copy and come along to as many events as you can!

Milford on Sea Food Week

Monday 7th April to Sunday 13th April

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

From Milford on New Zealand

We have received the story below from Louisa Barten, who now lives in New Zealand. Louisa grew up in Milford on Sea and her parents still live in the village, sounds like she is enjoying live 'down under'. 

They say everyone has a double somewhere!

A quaint and charming seaside township with cafés, restaurants and shops. A boating Mecca for visitors from all over the world. Forests, golfing and fine dining. I could quite easily be speaking of Lymington, my home town, but I am not. I am talking about my new home town Russell, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

Actually, I grew up in Milford-on-Sea and spent my childhood at the beach, swimming, windsurfing and sailing at Keyhaven. A wonderful childhood, where I would be gone from morning to night with other local children from the village. Hours spent swimming at the beach, socializing at the Buttery in Lymington and later on at the Chequers or Fisherman's Pubs. I wonder if the children, 30 years on, still enjoy the same freedom?

click image to enlarge

It is a long time ago and when I go home to visit family and friends, I am amazed at how things have changed. The traffic, the busy pace of life and the seemingly endless development of the countryside is all so foreign to me now. I am sad to say I feel like a foreigner in my own country.

Home for me now is much like the Lymington of my childhood, except the weather is 'so' much better. Our children have the freedom to roam and it is still safe to be gone all day. My son swims, sails and instead of crabbing he fishes, but he can also go to school barefoot, play rugby and he performs the Maori Kapa Haka with pride.

Russell is rich in history and Maori tradition. It is nestled up in the north of the North Island of New Zealand. It takes some getting used to, but in New Zealand, 'north' means warmth and 'south' means cold, because everything is back to front in the southern hemisphere. When its Summer in England, it is Winter in New Zealand. This difference of the seasons has brought about the ever growing migrational populus of Russell. We call these visitors 'swallows' and they migrate with the weather. These swallows (British residents, many of them from Lymington) own a property in the UK and also a home in Russell. They migrate with the seasons enjoying summer in the UK and then summer in The Bay of Islands -missing that 'oh so wet and dreary' British winter. Life can't get much better than that! 

In Northland we enjoy a sub-tropical climate which means that most of the year is spent outdoors. Good, clean, healthy living. With hundreds of miles of unspoilt sandy beaches, the Bay of Islands is made up of over 140 Islands with crystal clear water of the Pacific Ocean. Similar to the Caribbean but without all the people.

Most of us own a boat of some sort and enjoy fabulous fishing and picnics on the island's secluded, sandy

click image to enlarge

beaches. Lymington has Bournemouth and Southampton close by. We have Kerikeri and Whangarei. Lymington is about 2 1/2 hours from London and Russell is about 3 hours from Auckland. Both towns are on the coast and close to the forest. The similarities are many. 

The Russell Community is a special one. We open our hearts and welcome newcomers. It is a very cosmopolitan community with people from all over the world and all walks of life. The thing I value most about the Kiwi way of life is how Kiwis have their feet well and truly on the ground. It does not matter who you are, what you have or where you come from. Kiwis are not impressed by wealth or status. I am lucky enough now to be a part of this wonderful community.

As well as being a very active St John Ambulance Officer, I am also fortunate enough to help people relocate to this beautiful and very special part of the world. Never being one to miss on a good opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in finding about more about Russell and what there is to offer in this beautiful country - lulu@russellrealty.co.nz

It is a Maori tradition that in the end you should always return home. There are times when I am torn and miss the beauty of the New Forest and dare I say it, Marks and Spencers, but if one is to go by the adage 'home is where the heart is' I will always have a special place for Lymington in my heart, but Russell, New Zealand is home. From Russell to Lymington, I wish you all well!

Easter at Hurst Castle

This Easter Hurst Castle are putting on something different for all of the family.

It will be well worth the ferry ride to Hurst Castle on Easter Saturday and Sunday because this very popular and unique venue is hosting a special event which promises to be of interest to every member of the family.

For the first time anywhere in the south, visitors will be able to see an Enigma machine which was used during WW2 for breaking German secret codes. The machine will be part of a display presented by Bletchley Park Post Office and Home Front History, the Hampshire based (not for profit) Education and History social enterprise.

Living History re-enactors playing the role of wartime code-breakers will feature as part of the display and visitors will be shown how codes were read and used to help win the war.

Other characters from the ‘Home Front’ will also be present and will mix and mingle with visitors. Live music is being provided by Victory Arms, a husband and wife duo who sing original songs from the Blitz era and an acclaimed photographic exhibition, History in Camera will show how re-enacting creates a link with the past.

There is also storytelling and the launch of a new book, Moonlight Serenade, which is a tale of secrecy and romance, based on real events at Bletchley Park (the home of the code-breakers) during WW2. Other entertainment is also planned.

Hurst Castle is accessible by the Keyhaven ferry from Saltgrass Lane, Milford on Sea, Hampshire SO41 0TP

This is an event not to be missed so for more information contact homefronthistory@btinternet.com when one of the organisers will be pleased to help.

Dementia Awareness Week

Dementia Awareness Week, Alzheimer’s Society flagship awareness raising campaign, is taking place Sunday 18th May to Saturday 24th May 2014.

As the population ages we all face the risk of one day developing dementia. The more we know about the condition, the more prepared we will be to face it. This year the Alzheimer’s Society are encouraging anyone who has concerns about dementia to stop ‘bottling them up ‘and talk to us. Alzheimer’s Society understands dementia and there are lots of ways we can help.

In the New Forest there are 3,600 (2012) people living with dementia, this number is set to rise to 4,400 by 2020 new cases in the New Forest will increase by 43.2%

Don’t keep it Bottled up.

The theme of Dementia Awareness Week is don’t keep it bottled up. The Alzheimer’s Society wants to encourage people to talk about dementia and help local communities feel better prepared to face it.

Jane Rowlatt, Dementia Support Manager for the Alzheimer’s Society in Milford on Sea said: The week is an opportunity to raise awareness and increase understanding of dementia in our communities. We want to promote the Alzheimer’s Society as the place to go for information and support. We want to talk to anyone who has an immediate and serious concern about dementia it may be either for themselves or on behalf of a family member or friend.

What is happening this Dementia Awareness Week?

A team of staff and Volunteers from the Alzheimer’s Society will be working together in Lymington and Milford on Sea to make Dementia Awareness Week go with a bang. We are organising events to raise awareness throughout the week. These include:

• Pop up drop-in cafes, 

• Balloon launch and fun day on Sunday 18th May, 

• Dementia Friends training though out the week at Lymington and Milford Libraries, 

• Pop up Art Exhibitions, 

• The creation of what’s on your mind bunting for display in the high streets, information stands at Lymington Hospital, Milford Hospital and Libraries.

To round off a fantastic week of raising awareness in the area a Market stall in Lymington with Music and celebrations throughout the day is being held on Saturday 24th May. We hope lots of people will join us for these special events. Jane Rowlatt said the events will not only be a fun day out, but also a great way to raise awareness of dementia.

To find out more about any of the events or to Volunteer please contact your local office on 01590 644679 or email jane.rowlatt@alzheimers.org.uk

MCV: March Newsletter

The fine spell we have been enjoying has brought out the butterflies and bumblebees, even the odd honeybee. Just as well that some of our early nectar plants are also in flower. It’s still not too late to purchase flowering currants or mahonias, if you wish to beef up the wildlife provision in your own garden; low growing anemone blanda and pulmonaria are also bee friendly.

Our birds are active too and I was reminded this week that I should not be too quick to remove dried vegetation from around our gardens. I had planned to tidy up the dried growth on overwintered trailing lobelia, when a wren appeared, busily collecting it for her nest! The tidying up can wait a while and the lobelia is already sprouting healthily, so that is something to look forward to in the summer. It’s such a common plant, we sometimes overlook its toughness and capacity to keep on flowering and the bees love it too, of course.

Slowworms also love sheltered log piles and dried vegetation, so I’ve learned to lift dried crocosmia leaves very carefully in case something is still sleeping beneath. Not every creature thinks it’s Spring!

To find out more about Milford Conservation Volunteers, please visit;

www.milfordcv.org

May Fayre Continues

We are delighted to confirm that the Milford on Sea May Fayre is definitely going ahead on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2014.

As you may know, this is one of my favourite events of the year, and my dancing around the Maypole brings many an admiring glance.

The new organiser, Henrietta Winstanley, aims to make sure it continues to be a successful village event. The day involves May Pole Dancing, Side Shows, Local Stalls, Children's Climbing Wall, Bouncy Castle, Food Tents all on the Village Green.

At 2pm the Crowning of May Queen will take place. Sadly, I have been informed that my application will not be considered on the basis that I am neither a girl, nor of qualifying age.

Henrietta of course wants as many people as possible to come along to this charming free village event, and has said if any local village traders would like a pitch application form, could they please email her on henri.mayfayre@gmail.com - all pitches are allocated on a first come first served as always.

Enjoy this fabulously quaint village tradition in May!

MCV Gardening Leaflet

The Milford Conservation Volunteers have spent the last few months drawing up a Wildlife Gardening leaflet which they are planning to deliver to every household in the village except the flats.

Some gardeners do of course tend balconies and small gardens in their flats, so should they like a leaflet, we are happy to let them know that copies are available from a number of village shops and the Community Centre.

To find out more about Milford Conservation Volunteers, please visit;

www.milfordcv.org

New Joint Managers at Charity Shop

The Trustees of the Milford on Sea Community Centre have appointed Daina Ruditis and Penny Steel as joint Managers of the Milford on Sea Village Charity Shop.

Ann Houlihan, Community Centre Trustee, said; "Penny and Daina have both enjoyed working as volunteers in the shop under the management of Judit Teunissen High and they have brought lots of energy, enthusiasm and a great deal of talent to the role. The Trustees would like to thank Judit for all the hard work that she put in getting the shop off the ground, recruiting many loyal volunteers and making the shop the unique place it has become. It has proven to be a vital source of income for the running of the Community Centre and this is in no small part down to the hard work and commitment of the band of volunteers, some of whom have been working there since its inception."

Needless to say more volunteers are always welcome, particularly as their are plans to extend the shop opening hours very soon. If this interests you please contact: Ann Houlihan on annhoulihan@hotmail.com or pop into the shop and pick up an application form.

German Comedy Ambassador Coming to Food Week

What better way to end Food Week other than with a laugh, or in fact a belly full of them!

Our comedy headline act for the evening is now Henning Wehn, the self styled 'German Comedy Ambassador in London', Henning is a regular guest on  British TV comedy shows such as QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats and 10 O'Clock Live in May 2013. He is also a recurring panellist on both the BBC Radio 5 Live comedy sports show Fighting Talk and on the BBC Radio 4 panel game The Unbelievable Truth.

He has also appeared on the BBC's Room 101, and Would I Lie to You?, on which he revealed that he spent three weeks on the Interpol missing persons list, having travelled to Morocco with a man he met on a train in Spain. *See Henning on Edinburgh & Beyond click here.

Time Out wrote: "His beautifully crafted diatribes are delivered with a passion that seems all too real and his material covers topics from football to the price of second-hand shoes, what the Germans think of our beloved 'Allo 'Allo series, to why humour is overrated and stand-up comedy pointless."

He is a funny man, and tickets will sell out fast, so why not get yours now?

For Broad-minded Adults Only | Bar Open on Night as well as a Tea Bar

Tickets: £15 incl. a Slice of Cake made by Nicola at Yum | Available from Community Centre Box Office or from Online Ticket Office. click here 

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

COMEDY & CAKE with HENNING WEHN

Tickets on Sale Now: £15 incl. a Slice of Cake made by Nicola at Yum  - Available from the Community Centre Box Office or Online Ticket Office - click here.

Please Note: Shappi Khorsandi is now coming on Saturday 26th April 2014.

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

10% Discount for 'Friends of Food Week' on all community organised shows: click here to find out more.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FOOD WEEK - please click here

Milford on Sea Food Week

Monday 7th to 14th April 2014

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

James Martin gets Naked!

Local artisan jam maker, Jen Williams of award wining Naked Jam, appeared on the James Martin Home Comforts BBC TV programme on Wednesday 26th February 2014.

Jen featured an episode called 'Jam meets pastry' in which she is shown foraging for her fruity ingredients, making jam in her kitchen, and then alongside James Martin cooking up a scrumptious strawberry frangipane tart with vanilla pod custard. A natural new TV cooking star is born!

You can also meet Jen during Milford on Sea Food Week, where she will be doing a free demonstration called 'Learn about making Naked Jam'. Jen prides herself on making jams and conserves that bring together a true understanding of flavour and quality.

The free Naked Jam demonstration is on Saturday 12th April at 3pm to 3.30pm in the Cookery Theatre at the Community Centre. Her range of jams and preserves will also be on sale throughout the day. As a Food Week Free Event, just come along!

In 2013 Jen won 3 Brilliance in Business Awards for her jams and conserves, and the jars grace the tables of excellent hotels such as The Pig, Chewton Glen and Terra Vina.

Watch Jen on James Martin Home Comforts: click here (Jen is on about halfway through the programme.)

Naked Jam

www.naked-jam.co.uk

Milford on Sea Food Week

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

A Big Hand for the Council

click image to enlarge

After the destruction of the Valentine's Night Storm the New Forest District Council were quick on the scene.

During the storm, the emergency services did a great job in rescuing the stranded diners from The Marine on Milford on Sea seafront, they also ensured no one could get close to the danger areas, as the sea wreaked havoc in destroying beach huts, cars and seafront shelter.

The next morning the council teams and army set about an immediate clean up, at the same time the village was inundated with crowds of people coming to see the carnage. At times the village centre was close to gridlock and the seafront awash with cars unable to pass due to parked vehicles. Hopefully, all these people spent some money in the local shops, and will be back for Food Week!

The drama at The Marine was not only the main story on national TV news, but also made the TV news in France and as far afield as Australia.

A big thank you goes to New Forest District Council, Army, Coastguard, and every one else who has helped. I am sure all Milford on Sea residents are grateful for the help our village has received.

Mr Pink's Help Out

A little story has reached us on the grapevine. Having finished service and cleaned everything down for the day, some peckish emergency service workers arrived after closing time at Mr Pink's Fish & Chip Shop in Church Hill, Milford on Sea. To ensure they did not go hungry, Steve fired up the frier's and provided some of his very tasty wares. Nice one Steve!

The Brownies Pitch In

To help up with the clear up, the Milford Brownies served refreshments, including home-made cake, to the NFDC workers who were doing a great job cleaning up the seafront on the Sunday following the big storm.

To read the full story of the Valentine's Night Storm please click here.

FREE Food Week Programmes Here

click image to enlarge

Milford on Sea village shops, and various central locations across the village and New Forest, now have Free copies of the Milford on Sea Food Week programme for April 2014.

If you haven't yet seen a copy, don't worry, a free programme is coming with every copy of the New Forest Post newspaper this weekend. The 50,000 programmes printed are going to every house in Milford on Sea and to many homes across the New Forest.

The programme details all of the Themed Dining Evenings, Professional Cookery Theatre, Celebrity Shows, Cooking Demonstrations, Educational Talks, Dining Offers, Wine Tastings and the unique Great Dining Bus. We also have lots of Kid's Events including Cookery Classes and a Food Treasure Hunt. To end Food Week there is the chance to savour local produce our very own large & popular Sunday Food Market.

Everyone at every age is included, and there are over 100 village events & many of which are free, and shows organised by local organisations, businesses, clubs and individuals.

Our New Forest seaside village is fortunate to be blessed with great places to eat and surrounded by quality local producers, so what better way for Milford on Sea to celebrate this than to have an entire week dedicated to the joys of food!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FOOD WEEK - please click here

Milford on Sea Food Week

Monday 7th to 14th April 2014

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

Volunteers Pull Together

Voluntary groups in Milford have come together to support a drive for new volunteers and to thank those already volunteering. They are using a 'Volunteer Job Description' so that you can have a look at all the opportunities available for volunteering in the village and the surrounding area. 

There is a display in Ellis' shop window in Milford on Sea High Street showing some of the groups which are taking part.

Many of the groups will be represented at the Open Day to be held at All Saints Church on Saturday 1st March from 2pm to 4pm, as well as at the Newcomers' Supper.

The efforts are being coordinated by the Community Advisory Panel, a collaborative group made up of representatives of various voluntary organisations in the Milford area who offer services, support or activities for young people, older people, and people with disabilities. 

If you are interested in joining or finding out more please contact: Jenny Whitley on jenny.whitley@virgin.net - 01590 644039

Landlord to the rescue

click image to enlarge

Today's Daily Echo carries a story about our local landlord, Benjamin Renouf at The White Horse Milford on Sea, who was one of the first people to arrive to help the stricken dinners trapped in The Marine after the Valentine's Night storm and floods.

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

To read the full Daily Echo story - click here

A Window with an Old View

When you next visit the village, one thing you will not miss is Holland's of Milford's new window!

click image to enlarge

The new design is eye catching, but more than that, it is quite fascinating. One window shows a giant aerial photograph of Milford on Sea. (Taken by Everton based Sales & Marketing Agency, Strawberry Marketing www.strawberrymarketing.com)

Another two windows show old photos of the village from year's gone by, which will no doubt cause a lot of interest for many passers by.

Paul & Maureen Holland opened their independent village supermarket in 2000, and it is quite clear from their new window design that they are in love with the village and serving the people in it!

Pop down, take a look - and do some local shopping at the same time! 

More About Holland's of Milford

Holland's of Milford now stocks over 2500 Products, including all of the big brands you would expect to see elsewhere, and indeed everything you may need for your daily meals, naughty treats, kitchen cupboard stocks, household daily use and celebration times.

They also love to support local suppliers and stock a tasty range of local New Forest Marque produce. Another delight is the cheese counter & cold meat delicatessen, which is hard to beat for miles around. You can even get your lottery tickets, although winners can’t be guaranteed!

It is likely that you have shopped there many times, and like me, have been amazed how much can fit into such a small space! I wonder however if you realise all that they do? 

Holland's of Milford certainly do their bit for the community, they constantly support village events and are always willing to help out wherever they can. Their Opening hours of Monday to Saturday: 7am until 8pm and Sunday: 8am until 7pm ensure they are open when you need them, and they offer so much more than your daily groceries.

All at Holland's of Milford pride themselves on the wide range of products and local services that they offer, all with competitive prices to make you smile. Paul & Maureen, with son, Rob and the team delight in serving our local village, happy holidaymakers and day trippers, and are always looking to offer a little bit more... 

The shop also offers a full Takeaway Service, with filled rolls & sandwiches made to order using you own choice of fillings from the wide range of options on the yummy deli-counter. The fresh bake ovens are constantly on the go, producing hot sausage rolls, pasties, fresh breads, croissants and other tasty hot delights. If you fancy a drink, there are hot takeaway teas and coffee, as well as cold drinks from the chiller cabinets. If you would like to order your filled rolls, sandwiches, hot snacks or picnic ready for your collection, please call the Takeaway Hotline on: 01590 641882.

Holland's also stock a wide selection of wines and beers along with some great offers, and they also have a glass loan service for your function or party. In fact, if you want something very different for your party, how about a Cheese Tower created with the stores delicatessen cheeses and made by Mandy at Elmsleigh Cakes.

Paul’s van is a regular sight around the village as he makes his home deliveries, and yet another way Hollands serves our local village. The Home Delivery Service provides a convenient and friendly way of doing your shopping. Anyone can use the service, you can simply place your order by telephone for later collection, or for Paul to deliver by calling: 01590 641882. Now of course, you can also see all of the current special offers on the website to aid your shopping selections. Alternatively just pop in and select your own shopping and have it delivered. Delivery is free for all orders over £50.

Holland's of Milford are also part of the 'Making A Difference Locally' Charity. This is a national charity which was launched to help independently-run local stores to add value in their communities through donations to local charities or good causes - such as local football teams, hospices or one of a thousand charities that run throughout the UK. The scheme is truly local as money is raised over time through the sale of specific products in our shop. We then choose the beneficiary for the money and a donation is paid to the charity or cause by the Making A Difference Locally Charity. To date Holland's have made donations of £1500, and they have £650 in the pot for our next donations. www.makingadifferencelocally.com

If you are not familiar with the shop, you will find Holland's of Milford right in the centre of Milford on Sea High Street, next to the village green. The High Street has free parking, and there are also a pay & display car park in Sea Road, opposite the store. 

A unique village shop offering so much deserves our support, and I for one will try and buy more locally rather than using the large supermarkets so much. Why not join me, although best to come in when I am not there, I am pretty difficult to pass in the aisles!

Take a look at Holland's website now: www.hollandsmilford.co.uk

Hollands of Milford

49 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG

www.hollandsmilford.co.uk | Tel: 01590 641882 | hollandsmilford@aol.com

Help Out at Food Week

Food Week is fast approaching and we need a few more volunteers please. It is fun being involved, so please get in touch.

Tea Stall at Food Market: Sunday 13th April 2014

If you can pour tea and serve cake you will be perfect! (If you can only do a shift for a couple of hours or so, that's fine.)

Please contact: Nicola Goode: nicola@loveyum.com or 07796 171008

Food Week Information Centre

We are after some friendly faces to point visitors in the right direction. Everything is very informal and it is a great chance to have a chat and help people to enjoy Food Week. No special knowledge necessary, we will explain all. We still need people as extra cover for any of the days during Food Week, and if you can be flexible that would be great. (12th to 15th April 2014)

Please contact: Amanda Tanner: amandatanner@sky.com or 01590 645119

If you can't help with these ones, we will still be asking for more help later, so please let us know if you want to be a volunteer and are not on our current team list. david@sourcingcity.co.uk 

We hope you will join the team!

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

Milford on Sea Food Week

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

Valentine's Nightmare Storm

Valentine's Day Smashacre
click image to enlarge

It is not often that Milford on Sea makes the local news, yet alone the national news. However on Valentine's Night, The Marine in Milford on Sea was the main national story on BBC, ITV & Sky News.

After a month and more of what are probably the worst persistent storms the South of the UK has seen, vast areas of the country are covered by floods and high winds are causing indiscriminate damage.

A Valentine's Night storm then devastated The Marine Restaurant & Café/Bar as diners were enjoying a romantic night of celebration.

click image to enlarge

The violent storm lashed The Marine, and the diners were evacuated to the upstairs rear of the building as the stones from the beach created havoc in smashing windows, and at the same time a tidal surge flooded the ground floor. The cars in the car park were floating away and most of the car windows were shattered as if hit by sniper bullets.

The Army, Fire Service and Lymington Coastguard were called to rescue and evacuate the 32 people trapped in the beachfront restaurant. Even the army trucks did not escape unscathed with a windscreen smashed, bodywork dented and tarpaulin covers ripped by the flying shingle and large stones.

Meanwhile the concrete beach huts near The Needles Eye Cafe were being smashed by the fierce waves, and the incredible force raised a number to the ground, with massive lumps of concrete been sent tens of yards in the air and strewn across the seafront green.

Pictures by Valerie Dudley
click image to enlarge

Hurst Spit did not escape the devastation. During the night the massive structure was wrecked and thousands of tons of shingle must have been moved by the high winds.

The next morning revealed that the popular walk was no longer possible, as the large flat top of Hurst Spit had been reduced to a few peaks. At certain points the entire sea defence had been breeched, and the sea was flowing directly into the previously sheltered marshes.

Hampshire Police has issued bomb warnings after eight unexploded shells washed up at Hurst Spit.

Pictures by Jeff Dudley
click image to enlarge

Yachtsmen were also urged to stay vigilant after February's extreme weather left behind a host of new hazards to navigation around the spit. The combination of high winds and spring tides led to massive wave heights and at the same time the frequency between the waves were shortened to create the worst all of all sea conditions.

Residents of Milford on Sea know all about storms and high winds, but nothing has ever been seen as devastating as the 14th February 2014 storm before.

Not sure the sign was meant for that gap!
Picture by Nigel Swann
click image to enlarge

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

The Marine Restaurant and Café Bar was built and is owned by Richard Thompson. The stylish art deco style building is a landmark on seafront in Milford on Sea, and it could boast some of best panoramic views you could find anywhere.

The Marine has built a reputation of great food whether you require a snack, light meal, or a more formal dining experience in the first floor restaurant. Hopefully, it will not be too long before it is again delighting diners from near and far.

Picture by Colin Holdsworth
click image to enlarge

To see videos and read various stories on the Milford on Sea storms, please see below:

BBC News 1: click here.

BBC News 2: click here.

Sky News: click here.

Sky News: Day 2 click here

Metro: click here

Destroyed Beach Huts: Video by Ben Mccallum click here

The Day After: Video by Thomas Bird click here

Mystery Danger for Dogs

Since December 2012 there have been five dogs walked in the New Forest (Brockenhurst, Wilverley inclosure, Tiptoe, Holmesley campsite and Gordleton) confirmed to have been affected by a renal failure. One dog survived but unfortunately four dogs did not.

Veterinary Surgeons, Anderson Moores are heading research into the total of 19 dogs affected by CRGV since late 2012 to nineteen (12 from the New Forest and 7 from other counties in the UK). 

This is naturally of great concern to local and visiting dog owners wishing to enjoy walking their dogs in the beauty of the forest.

The New Forest Dog Owners Group, worried about the mystery dog deaths from kidney failure, has decided to set up a fund and collect donations to help facilitate further investigations into this disease.

To find out more please take a look at the Anderson Moores web link below. To donate, or to find out more about how the New Forest Dog Owners Group is helping, please click here.

New Forest Dog Owners Group

www.newforestdog.org.uk

www.newforestdog.org.uk/researchfund

Anderson Moores

www.andersonmoores.com/vet/news