Workshops at Timeless Fabric

Timeless Fabrics in Milford on Sea High Street have published their extensive range of craft workshops for the next three month.

There are workshops for kids as well as adults, and owner, Claire Deegan will be delighted to welcome anyone wishing to book and go along.

July 

Wed 1st 2-4.30pm        Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Sat 4th 10-12.00pm      Kids Club (7-12 year olds) £15

Thur 9th 7-9.30pm       Free Motion Embroidered Birds £35 

Wed 15th 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 16th 7-9.30pm     Get to know your sewing machine £35

Thur 23rd 7-10.00pm   Make a Pull-on Skirt with pockets £35

Wed 29th 2-4.30pm      Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 30th 7-9.30pm     Make a Jersey Turban Headband £25

August

Wed 12th 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Tues 18th 7-10.00pm   Sewing with Jersey - Make a T-Shirt £40 

Thur 20th 7-9.30pm     Fun with Shirring Elastic £25  

Wed 26th 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 27th 7-9.30pm     Fabric Bowls £25

September

Tues 1st  7-9.30pm       Make a Craft Roll Case £35

Thur 3rd 7-9.30pm       Pin Loom Weaving £30

Sat 5th 10-12.00pm      Kids Club (7-12 year olds) £15

Wed 9th 2-4.30pm       Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thurs 10th 7-9.30pm   Applique Portrait/Picture £30

Tues 15th 7-9.30pm     Make a Fabric Storage Box £35     

Thur 17th 7-9.30pm     Rag Rugging £30   

Wed 23rd 2-4.30pm     Drop in Sewcial.  Bring your own project £5

Thur 24th 7-9.30pm      Knicker Workshop – make your own pants! £40

 Tue 29th 7-9.30pm      Make a Duffel Bag £35

       

Refreshments included!

Booking is essential, please call Claire on 01590 642808.

Timeless Fabrics
61 High Street, Milford on Sea
Tel: 01590 642808 | Mobile: 07713 498459
www.timelessfabrics.co.uk

A Luxury Stay in Milford on Sea

Of the many things us Brits like to enjoy, one is a great holiday, another is nosing around other peoples home!

click image to enlarge

Both of these activities can of course be combined to maximise enjoyment.

Milford on Sea is fortunate to be a perfect holiday destination and has many great places to stay, this includes five star self-catering accommodation like Milford Croft and Mulberry Barn, fabulous hotel rooms at The Beach House and high quality B&B's like Harvest House & Pilgrim's Rest - and more... click here

As you drive across the cliff top it is impossible not to be impressed by the spectacular sea views. There are also some delightful houses among the apartments, and one, The Lighthouse is available for holidays so that you can wake to the fabulous experience of that view every morning.

click image to enlarge

The Lighthouse is an ideally located spacious 3 bedroom house with panoramic sea views which can really be appreciated from the wrap around balconies, there is also a high quality finish and furnishing throughout with the added benefit of a covered terrace, and secluded fully fenced garden.

Whether wish to book, or simply wanting to have nose, click the link below to see photos of The Lighthouse and other accommodation options throughout Milford on Sea.

Pictures & Information on The Lighthouse: click here 

Find somewhere to stay in Milford on Sea: click here

Sofie Livebrant at The Garrison Theatre

The Garrison Theatre at Hurst Castle are delighted to welcome Swedish ‘songcatcher’ Sofie Livebrant.

Sophie has released her fourth album ‘Lighthouse Stories’ and embarked on a tour of lighthouses in the UK, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. At each location she has invited lighthouse keepers to tell their stories.  A film crew, led by film maker Peter Wiren, is also accompanying her on the tour to record this unique venture and the result will be a music film documentary to be released in the Spring of 2016.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden 1972. Sofie wrote her first song when she was nine years old. She plays piano, guitar as well as sings. 

Sofie has just completed a musical scholarship supported by the Swedish Government and this concert is one of several she is performing to prove herself to them and that her skills are both sustainable and realistic. She would also be very happy for local musicians to come along and join in.

Sofie and her musicians will be at Hurst Castle on Wednesday 22nd July 2015 at 2pm in the Garrison Theatre. Tickets are £6 and include return ferry and Castle entrance.

Tickets can be obtained from Hurst Castle Shop or John Best on 07982 635255 or hurstshingle@yahoo.co.uk.

Sofie Livebrant.com

www.sofielivebrant.com

Hurst Castle
www.hurstcastle.co.uk

The Beach Huts are no more

It is all change on the Milford on Sea seafront since the destruction of the beach huts in St Valentine’s Day Storm in February 2014.

click image to enlarge

The NFDC council have now completely removed the remaining beach huts leaving a bare slab base. It is also pleasing to see the end of the ugly mesh fencing, which has now been replaced with a more pleasant barrier.

So what next? - Well, we understand that the process to replace the beach huts slowly rumbles on.

An extended 'public procurement' process, started in December with an announcement to contractors tender for the contract to rebuild the beach huts in the Journal of the European Union. This has now been completed.

Also, Design Consultants have now been selected to produce proposed layout of the huts' terraces plus the construction and appearance of the replacement huts. This will lead towards a detailed Planning Application this autumn. The consultants will also be involved in the formal specification for the new huts, the tenders for their construction and supervision of the building work.

The identity of the winning contenders to rebuild the beach huts is embargoed until they formally accept their engagement. The company selected is an international engineering consultancy with a wealth of coastal experience and local offices. They will get design support from Hampshire based artitects. The NFDC expect to meet the firms next week for initial discussions and the council will then issue a press release identifying the firms concerned. 

click image to enlarge

It is intended that there will again be 119 huts to the east of The White House. The specification says that each hut should be of a similar size to the huts now demolished and will not be allowed to be any taller than previously. Presentations from civil engineers, artitects etc were received by the NFDC 'Milford on Sea Beach Hut Board' and all leant towards construction composed of precast concrete components. It is expected that this will be the chosen form of building.

It is understood that rebuilding work will not commence until 2016.

Re-live Carnivals of Days Gone By

As previously reported, Jennie Savage has been working on a Milford on Sea 'Carnival Archive Project.'

Carnival Archive Project Poster
click image ot enlarge

Since starting her research Jennie has had a great response, and the pictures collected from years gone by will be exhibited during the week of the music festival. 

The Carnival pictures will be exhibited in various village shop windows from 18th to 27th July - and on Wednesday 22nd July, meeting at 7pm on the Village Green, there is a walk and talk around the exhibition followed screening of previously unseen carnival archive footage shot by local film maker John Beal.  This event is free.

In addition to this, Jennie has created a limited edition run of postcards featuring 10 images from the archive. Those wanting to collect the full set will have to go around the shops in the village and search them out, hopefully browsing around the shops at the same time.

Beach Huts in running for Award

Two Hampshire beach huts are among finalists ‘Beach Hut of the Year 2015’, - and both are in Milford on Sea.

A nationwide search to find Britain’s best beach hut has been whittled down to the final shortlist, which will now face a panel of judges – which include Phil Spencer, co-presenter of ‘Location, Location, Location’. 

No 295
Owned by
Momentum Cancer Charity
click image to enlarge

Both our 'our' huts are at Hordle Cliff, beach hut “No 295” is owned by Momentum a cancer charity and they use the hut to provide sanctuary for families that have a child suffering with cancer or a life-limiting illness. 

The second hut, “No 289” served as a coastal look-out point during the Second World War. It is now used by a family as a place for all generations to come and share their Grandfathers joy of the sea. 

You can vote for your favourite hut by clicking here. (Ours are No.4 & No.6)

The Towergate Beach Hut of the Year competition received hundreds of entries from across the country with the full final shortlist below are now in the running to become ‘Beach Hut of The Year 2015

No 289
Owned by
Cassandra Chamberlain
click image to enlarge

South coast 

• 'The Little Beach Hut of Dreams’, King’s Esplanade, Hove

• 'Hut 19a’, Hove Seafront, East Sussex

• ‘Hut 289’, Hordle Cliff, Milford on Sea, Hampshire

• ‘Hut 295’, Hordle Cliffs, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire

East coast

• ‘The Daisy Hut’, Southcliff Parade, Walton on the Naze, Essex 

• ‘Millie’s Beach Huts’, Southcliff Parade, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

• ‘Indian Summer’ – Southcliff Parade, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

• ‘Underwood’, West Prom, Brightlingsea, Colchester, Essex 

• ‘Betty’, Victoria Esplanade, Mersea Island, Essex 

• Beach Hut 2’, The Leas, Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness, Kent

• ‘Salty Paws’, East Beach, Sheringham, North Norfolk 

Phil Spencer, co-presenter of ‘Location, Location, Location’ and a judge on the Towergate beach hut 2015 panel said: “Beach huts hold a very special place in my heart having spent many a happy time at the one my parent’s own in Kingsdown beach in Kent. It’s fantastic to see so many people also share this passion and to see the fruits of their labours of love in this competition. I’m really looking forward to reviewing all the entries and then crowing the winner in person in August.”

The winner of the prestigious title of ‘Britain’s Beach Hut of the Year’ will be unveiled on 7th August, when Phil Spencer will visit this year’s winning hut and present the winner with £1,000 for their beach hut association, a year’s free beach hut insurance and a commemorative certificate to proudly hang in their hut. The two runners up will also receive commemorative certificates for their huts.

Let's make sure Milford on Sea wins by clicking here.

Guide Dog for Freda

The Freda Cheyney MBE Memorial Fund is looking to raise enough funds to name a Guide Dog for the Blind, the plan is to name the puppy 'Freda'. 

The Village Hall will be the venue for a Community Coffee Morning on Saturday 15th August from 10am to 12noon. The fund raising team are looking to add a couple of extra touches on the day, and as everyone is invited, hoping plenty of people come along for a cuppa and chat.

Freda Cheney was a major village personality & heart of the community for many years. Freda lived locally for more than 80 years and in 2002 she was awarded the MBE for her renowned work with the Women’s Section of the local Royal British Legion, Milford Guides, charities and community events.

You can find out more about Freda by clicking here.

La Perle Award Nomination & New Website

Since taking over as the the new Chef/Patron La Perle in Milford on Sea only a few weeks ago (and following on from the excellent work of previous owners Lionel & Emily), Sam Hughes has now reached the half way point in the The Good Food Guide Readers’ Restaurant of the Year Awards.

The Waitrose Good Food Guide Readers' Restaurant of the Year Award champions local eateries and recognises great food and service at restaurants, pubs and cafés across the UK. The current frontrunners for the South East are:

• La Perle, Lymington, Hampshire
• Chapter One, Locksbottom, Kent
• The Miller of Mansfield, Goring, Berkshire
• The Croft Kitchen, Biggleswade, Bedforshire

Sam has also launched the new La Perle website (click here.) The colourful website contains impressive pictures of his food, information on the restaurant and the all important restaurant menus.

La Perle now opens for Sunday Lunch with meat roasts and fish options, as well as a great value for money Set Lunch from Monday to Saturday alongside the tasty A La Carte menu at lunchtimes and in the evenings. 

The weekly events include: Fish & Chips on Tuesdays, Lobster Night on Wednesdays and Steak Night on Thursdays. A Saturday Brunch is also being prepared for launch soon.

There is no shortage of choice at La Perle, so why not take a look at the new website, or better still grab a table and give yourself a treat!

La Perle
60 High Street, Milford on Sea
Tel: 01590 643557
Email: info@laperle.co.uk
www.laperle.co.uk

Help Out at the Milford on Sea Youth Club

There are interesting volunteering opportunities available at the Community Centre Youth Club. 

The club are looking for people who wants to engage with young people in the village, and who can support them in their leisure activities.

This enjoyable experience working with our young people is a rewarding experience, and should you have an interest in the field of youth work it could also be a useful addition to you CV.

A regular commitment would be required and the details are as follows:- Monday and/or Tuesday evenings between 6.15pm and 8.45pm.

If you are interested please contact Amy Nelson by telephone at the Community Centre (01590 644861) and leave a message so that she can get back to you. Otherwise send an email to mosyouth@hotmail.co.uk

A Tribute to Joyce Grenfell

It is not usual for these news pages to promote events, this is for two reasons: 1. It would take far to long as so much happens in the village! - and 2. The Milford on Sea Calendar is the place to discover all that is happening: www.milfordonseacalendar.org

Joyce Grenfell

However, there is an exception being made this time. Over the last couple of years, the Milford on Sea Community Library Committee have done an excellent job in saving the library service for the village, and they are now running an event to raise much needed funds to help to keep the library open.

A Tribute to Joyce Grenfell presented by Jenny Rose will be an interesting and entertaining talk about Joyce Grenfell’s life, with some sketches.

Joyce Grenfell was a much loved British actress and entertainer famous for her monolgues, songs and of course the St Trinian's films.

So, grab your ticket, have a fun afternoon and support those that are working hard to keep our village library.

Milford on Sea Community Library presents A Tribute to Joyce Grenfell a presentation by Jenny Rose

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 | 2.30pm to 4pm

Tickets: £4 (which includes tea and biscuits) - On sale in the library and at the Village News. 

Milford on Sea Community Library

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

Opening times:

Monday 2.30—5.30pm,
Tuesday 2.30—4.30pm,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am—12.30pm
Phone: 07538 823509
Email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

New Novel from Village Author

Local Milford on Sea author, Maureen Farenden has published her sixth crime, murder novel Spoken Lies & Buried Secrets.

The new novel is a contemporary story about lost loves, murder, lies, betrayal and redemption.

The story line for Spoken Lies & Buried Secrets is described as: 

Every time Martin spoke a lie he buried another secret until his life was no longer his. Vicar Martin Snow lived a lie for twenty years, but now he has nowhere to hide when the past is dug up and the present becomes a living nightmare. Martin is a good man, who commits a deadly crime for the right reasons, but the consequences on his family, job and reputation are catastrophic. He must fight to protect his life, marriage, children and faith in a battle littered with casualties.

Spoken Lies & Buried Secrets can be purchased by clicking paperback or e-book.

Other novels by Maureen Farenden include 'The Inceptor Trilogy', 'The Diary' and 'The Last Train'.  All of her novels are currently available on Amazon at bt clicking here.

Discover the World from Milford

The new travel agent in Milford on Sea High Street is having an 'Open Day' to celebrate the launch of the new shop on Saturday 11th July from 10am until 4pm - and you are invited!

Milford Travel is owned and run by Christina Pegler (who used to own Bon Appetit on the High Street - now The Village Coffee Pot). Christina was previously an air hostess, and knows many great places around the world - and the best ways to get there!

At the Open Day Christina will explain over cakes and bubbly what services she can offer, and the benefits of using a local agent for your next adventure overseas. If anything takes your fancy, all bookings made from enquiries on the day will qualify for an incentive, ranging from discounts on holidays to free lounge passes, free taxis to free airport parking. 

Milford Travel (in what was formerly Clifford's hairdressers) offers a full range of travel services including; bespoke holidays, cruises, exotic trips, flights, and even coach trips.

Obviously a lot of holidays are now booked on the web, but to do this takes a fair bit of research, and ultimately nothing beats a nice dose of personal service - and supporting a village business!

Milford Travel

christinapegler83@gmail.com

78 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

Where has the News Bulletin Gone?

I hate technology!

Anyone who has any connection with e-mail will know it's great when it works, and when it doesn't it is harder to fix than a jet fighter!

Each week 2638 registered people receive (received!) the 'Enjoy Milford on Sea News Bulletin' e-mail, which highlights the latest articles on this website and lets people know the events happening in the village. 

Well, that has worked fine for 291 editions, (5.5 years), but rather than leaving me alone to meander along my merry way, our service provider decided the 'upgrade their servers'. This of course should have resulted in an even better service, ...but it hasn't!

Without informing us, the new servers no longer allow our e-mail to send bulk e-mails. The great new service now only allows 100 e-mails to be sent each hour. 100 an hour, arrggghhh!

So, to send the News Bulletin now would take over 26 hours. As you may expect that is pretty bad - ...but thing get worse, the programme we use to send the e-mail now thinks something is wrong when running for that length of time and therefore decides to time out and crash the system.

At least the few that get delivered are OK - just joking, we have also discovered that any now received by anyone with an 'aol.com' e-mail address are being considered 'spam' and we are now blacklisted from sending anything to an 'aol.com' address - in spite of those people requesting to receive our e-mail.

I now know what it feels like to be neutered by surprise and without being anaesthetised!

Now I am embarking on the painful process to identify and install a new system to take us all back to where we were. At this stage I have no idea how long that will take, but you will know it is sorted when you see the News Bulletin hit your inbox again.

Wish me luck!

The good news is that the latest news articles will regularly keep appearing here, so to read what is happening simply visit whenever you fancy. (www.milfordonseanews.org.)

To see the events happening in the village please visit:
www.milfordonseacalendar.org

Coastguard Storm Rescue Honoured

Following the excellent rescue work done by the Hampshire Coastguards at The Marine during the violent St Valentine’s Day Storm in February 2014, the team have receive a well deserved honour.

Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team

Benjamin Renouf - Top Left

(Pic from New Forest Post)

click image to enlarge

Last Tuesday ten coastguards from the Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team received the 'Chief Coastguard’s Commendation' for their role in rescuing the 32 diners who had been enjoy a Valentine Night meal when the devastating storm struck.

One of the coastguard team on the night was local landlord, Benjamin Renouf from The White Horse in Milford on Sea. Benjamin 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.

click image to enlarge

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

As Keith Oliver ( The Chief Coastguard) made the awards he praised their bravery and dedication. Speaking after he awarded the commendation, he said: “This really is to recognise the professionalism and determination of the Lymington Coastguard Rescue team in what can only be described as challenging circumstances.”

click image to enlarge

To read the full story by Christopher Yandell in the New Forest Post: please click here.

Close to the Edge in Milford

A new BBC4 TV programme entitled 'Close to the Edge' is currently being recorded which features some characters from Milford on Sea.

The new programme is a scripted reality show, similar to existing hits like; Made in Chelsea and The Only Way is Essex, Close to the Edge is set in Bournemouth and follows the lives and loves of a group of real-life friends (rather than actors) in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

click image to enlarge

The cast is as yet unnamed, but will include "a business entrepreneur, a comedian dating again for the first time in 40 years, and a political activist".  A little bird has told us that the show will include Milford on Sea residents; Dee Major and Ann Bovingdon, 

The pre-show publicity says that: 'Later-life romance will pay a part in the drama, but the show will also examine issues such as loneliness, and how to rejuvenate a career. Impending death will also be a theme. According to the BBC, the show will look at how its cast feel about approaching "the end that will eventually greet us all". The cast are complex, funny and outspoken – and like most things in life, get better with age.”

The date of the shows broadcast has yet to be confirmed, but we will let you know as soon as we know - sounds like compulsive viewing to us!

New B&B in Village

Graham and Lynne Brown have opened a new Bed & Breakfast in their contemporary home in Milford on Sea.

click image to enlarge

Located at 2 Island View Close the modern, light and pleasant B&B bungalow has the sea is only a few hundred metres away and the village centre a level five minute walk. Two well appointed en-suite rooms with ample parking, no stairs to negotiate and a secluded rear garden. Each room has Freeview television, alarm clock radio, hair drier, tea and coffee making, free Wi-Fi, comfortable and quality bedding and a great breakfast.

Island Breeze Bed and Breakfast

2 Island View Close, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PZ

01590 636375 - 07792 271995

islandbreeze@btinternet.com

www.islandbreeze.co.uk

If you are looking for anywhere to stay, please click here: www.milfordonsea.org/where-to-stay

Ellen's EZGO Golf Wins

Local Milford on Sea schoolgirl, Ellen Mans had the honour of being selected for the Hampshire U9 County Tennis Team in May. Still only 9 years of age, Ellen has now turned her hand to another sport, and begun her participation in the Dorset EZGO Golf Tour. 

To date she has 3 wins in her first 3 outings awarding her with a maximum of 60 points. She won her first tour at Iford Golf Club by 14 shots and on Sunday she equalled the U9 EZGO course record at Crane Valley and won by 13 shots.

There are 4 remaining tours in 2015 - Ferndown Forest, Canford Magna, Canford School and Sturminster Marshall after which eachplayer's top 4 scores culminate in the Order of Merit and the winner plays in the EZGO Regional Final.

Ellen attends Durlston Court School, and is also a Junior Member at Barton on Sea Golf Club and a member of the Elke Jackson’s Hampshire Girls Golf Academy.

Keep Off Roof

There is something eccentric about Beach Huts. Not that any of us would realise, as they are part of our history, we have grown up with them and seeing them on beaches is quite normal to us.

Our foreign visitors no doubt wonder why we delight in sitting in sheds. boiling a kettle in all weathers!

click image to enlarge

As the Milford on Sea beach huts start to be demolished in the long process of rebuilding, a reader kindly send the photo to the left. It is good to see that health & safety extends to signage instructing you to keep off roofs that are simply not there!

Better still is the Union Jack Flag, which conjures up images of a beach hut stalwart sitting the other side, kettle on full whistle, and the flag fluttering to show that an "Englishman's home is his castle" - whatever the adversity!

It is great to be British!

New Forest Tour Bus Begins

The New Forest Tour begins operating again on the 27th June and runs the three daily bus routes across the Forest until 13th September 2015.

Brand New Forest - Tour Offer

click image to enlarge

If you fancy a day out from Milford on Sea you can hop on to enjoy The Blue Route which takes you from Milford on Sea seafront (or Keyhaven) to: Lymington – Brockenhurst – Burley – New Milton – Barton-on-Sea and then back to Milford on Sea. Plus of course, you can hop off and hop on whenever you like.

The complete tour has an approximate duration of 2 hours 5 minutes, and one day tickets cost: Adult: £15 - Child: £8 - Concession: £12.

You can also purchase a Brand New Forest Card from Milford News in the village to redeem numerous offers as you travel around the New Forest.

New Forest Tour 

Three daily routes run across the Forest from 27th June until 13th September 2015

www.thenewforesttour.info

Save Our Post Office: Update

The MoS Save Our Post Office group (SOPOg) has now met twice to discuss the future of one of the most essential services in our village. The situation in brief is as follows:

1. The existing Post Office will likely close when the Post Mistress sells her premises. There is no guarantee that a new Post Office will be approved by the PO authority for the existing building.

2. The SOPOg members have contacted the PO authority offices and have visited retail outlets in MoS that they feel could possibly be interested in having a Post Office in their premises. 

3. The PO authority has invited ‘Expressions of Interest’ from business places in MoS on their website. This invitation will close at the end of July when the selection process will begin. 

4. The PO authority offers signage, alarm system, safes, open plan service desk and full training for the successful applicant and staff.

5. We understand that at least two retailers have expressed interest with the PO authority and are waiting for the opportunity to put forward a business plan when the PO asks for one.

6. Any new PO operation will be on commission instead of salaried and therefore suits a retailer who is not looking for any significant income from the PO services but will benefit from the extra footfall that will be drawn through his or her retail premises.

7. The PO authority will provide a temporary PO service in a suitable village community facility (library, church hall, community centre etc.) if the length of process of approval, training and opening a full new PO business leaves the village without service.

8. If you have an interest in finding out more about running a Post Office in Milford on Sea then go to www.postoffice.co.uk and at the bottom of the page click under the heading Post Office Corporate, click Business Opportunities,then Latest Business Opportunities.

You can then explore the information and instructions in the Menu down the left hand side of the page. Register an Expression of Interest leaving email and other details with the PO authority and they will contact you.

The SOPO group will be happy to assist in any way we can with information or help in the process of establishing a new PO operation in our village. Just contact Dick Coe at: rwtcoe@gmail.com.