We are on Saturday Kitchen

Well not actually on, but 'in' Saturday Kitchen.

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To explain, my wife got a rather nice Christmas present from her husband and we were off for a Saturday Kitchen Experience.

As we arrived in Clapham, the address took us to a residential road just off the High Street. The doorway was tricky to find with houses either side. What we were to discover when entering, was a labyrinth of rooms over 3 floors. In fact we had entered a house connected to an old chapel behind, which was unseen from outside and now contained a Cookery School, TV Studio and lots of other rooms.

We were in a group of 12 and warmly welcomed by the Cactus Studio's team, and Cyrus Todiwala, our host for the day.

Cyrus runs the highly acclaimed Cafe Spice Namaste restaurant in the City of London, and is a regular host chef on Saturday Kitchen. He also starred with Tony Singh in the popular BBC TV series 'The Incredible Spice Men'.

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Cyrus greeted us warmly and was very amiable, chatting about anything anyone wanted to ask.

His relaxed cookery demonstration, making a fabulous Indian fish croquette with spicy tomato sauce was excellent. As he chatted, his knowledge on spices, food sources and sustainability were undeniable. He also has a deep understanding of the health properties of various foods and a warm personality which made the session a joy. This guy is more than just a chef, and without doubt an expert in food.

We then got to taste his creation, which you will not be surprised to hear was delicious.

We were then led to one of the six kitchen areas in the room for the 'Omelette Challenge'. My wife stepped up first, whisked away and put an acceptable omelette on the plate in a reasonable time. Looking around 'scrambled egg' was more to be seen in the other stations.

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My moment of glory then arrived. As I positioned my ingredients, the stopwatch was ignited and I was soon cracking eggs one handed in a bowl. Butter hit the pan as I used the other hand to swirl and fully coat the receptacle of my masterpiece.

As I whisked like a whirling dervisher I could see my name at the top of the winners board. As I gently seasoned my mixture, it was then I spotted my butter wasn't melting too well. It transpired that this was because my wife had turned off the hob when she had finished!

My final omelette was of course a triumph, and as everyone had finished before me, the whole group witnessed my equal measures of triumph and complete failure. My wife was struggling to suppress a big smile.

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Next stop was a visit to the TV Studio. Saturday Kitchen is a live show on Saturday mornings and James Martin and his guest, Henry Winkler had left only a couple of hours earlier. The kitchen was immediately familiar, but in a surprisingly narrow room. The height was substantial due to us being in an old chapel. 

We were free to wander and play as we wanted. I of course took to the kitchen to demonstrate should James not make it one day I would be happy to step in. My wife felt the Cactus Kitchen team would prefer someone from McDonalds first, and then stopped me for mixing up the faces on the 'Omelette Challenge Board'.

Our tour continued as we were shown the technical areas and dressing rooms behind the scenes, and listened to some informative stories about the show and how it gets on air.

We then went upstairs for a wine tasting. At every stage this day was more than expected, and we did not realise the tasting also included a food pairing. The first was a German Gewurztraminer wine served with Cyrus's fish croquette, then an Austrian Grunerveitliner white with scallops, a German pinot noir with duck, a Rioja red with lamb and finally an asti spumante with a full bowl of pavlova.  

Our wine host was colourful and enthusiastic as he took us through the wines and ensured glasses were constantly full. We were instructed that no bottle was to be left empty, and joyfully we all obliged. About 5-7 generous glasses of wine per person are of course a pleasure and guaranteed to put smiles on everyone faces.

Our final trip was the the 'Green Room' where we all chatted before the 'Omelette Challenge' awards were made. My 'wooden spoon' now has pride of place in our kitchen draw.

The whole afternoon was excellently organised and delivered more than expected. As we left the wine was still giving a warm feeling inside, so we decided to have one more experience we don't normally have, so we jumped on bus to the station.  

A Taste of Saturday Kitchen: To find out more click here

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Cyrus Todiwala's - Cafe Spice Namaste Restaurant: click here.

Floral Club donates to Oakhaven

The Milford Floral Art Club have raised £300 for Oakhaven Hospice.

The club held a fund-raising coffee morning in memory of Mim Palmer, their past Chairman and President, who passed away last November.

At their May meeting they were really pleased to be able to present the £300 cheque to Oakhaven Hospice. The presentation was made by current Chairman Jan Marriott, handing the cheque to Jill West from Oakhaven. 

The club were pleased that Mim's husband David was also able to join them for this presentation.

Have a Butterfly Tea Party

Milford on Sea resident, Ellie Whitehall, runs a small business from home as an Independent Phoenix Trader. She has things like greeting cards, colourful stationery, bookmarks, gift wrapping & tags.

June 2014 is Phoenix Trading's Butterfly Tea Party month, and Ellie is looking to run a number of parties in homes across the village. 

Phoenix Trading will make a donation varying from 20p to £2 from products in the Charity Supplement to Together for Short Lives. In addition to the product donations, Ellie will be donating an extra 10% of all of her sales at Butterfly Tea Parties, to this worthy cause.

Ellie still has a few dates left in her diary for Butterfly Tea Parties, and if you would like to get some friends together for a coffee and a slice of cake, or a glass of wine and a few nibbles, she will happily bring around her cards and stationery.

If you would like to get involved please contact Ellie on 07712 484852 or email: elliewhitehall24@gmail.com

Keeping Lighthouse Heritage Alive

500 years ago, on the 20th May 1514, King Henry VIII granted a charter to a fraternity of London mariners who subsequently became the Corporation of Trinity House and who were charged with improving the safety of navigation, initially on the Thames, but later became responsible for pilotage, buoys, beacons and light vessels around the coasts of England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.  Since then many, many thousands of lives have been saved around these coasts.

To celebrate this occasion The Association of Lighthouse Keepers has two special visitors coming to Hurst. President, Gerry Douglas-Sherwood, was Principal Keeper at the Needles from 1992 to 1994 and ALK member Pat Gumbrell is the daughter of a lighthouse keeper and also the great niece of Grace Darling.  They have lots of lighthouse related stories to tell and will be happy to answer questions from visitors about this unique way of life.  The Hurst Point lighthouse and historic Acetylene Room will also be open to visitors and it all starts at 1.30pm on Tuesday 20th May 2014 at Hurst Castle.

The event is free of charge but tickets will be needed as we can only cater for limited numbers.  If you would like a ticket please contact Dinah Le May on 01590 674921 or dinahlemay@gmail.com.

Ferries run approximately every 20mins from Keyhaven starting at 10.20am.  Please note that the usual ferry fares and Castle entrance fee are not included. Castle entrance is free to Friends of Hurst Castle and English Heritage members.

Calling Ladies who Lunch

If you fancy a rather special lunch with the girls, why not consider joining the Ladies Only Dining Tour?

The next Ladies Only Dining Tour is on Wednesday Lunchtime 28th May, and will you will stroll for your courses between Verveine, then The Raft, and then The Beach House, Milford on Sea.

This is a unique way to enjoy a 4 course meal, and to experience 3 different Milford on Sea village restaurants. 

The courses include: Canapés, Welcome Drink & Starter at Verveine, Main Course at The Raft, and then your Sweet at The Beach House. *Each course includes a non-alcoholic or paired drink. Other drinks at an additional charge.

Tours start at 1pm: Meet at the first venue of your Dining Tour & then Stroll to each different course.

Menus are decided in the week before the event and all diners are served the same courses. *Should you have special dietary requirements, or wish to know courses, please contact the restaurants.

Tickets are £32pp - To book, please click here.

New Dates have also been launched for all other Great Dining Bus Tours, check them out below.

Great Dining Bus
www.greatdiningbus.co.uk & www.greatdiningbus.ticketsource.co.uk

Ymmm, Moules

Like most married couples planning our time is a regular occurrence. 

On this occasion my wife is having a couple of nights away, so I have been fully briefed on her full itinerary (I think I can remember some of it.) In turn, my wife has ensured that I know all of the DIY jobs that need doing.

Knowing I was going to be self sufficient for two nights soon, it was too late to start a vegetable patch for next week. So, I will need to eat out.

The daytimes are of course sorted, I have a DIY list to conveniently lose, and a good book I want to finish.

Just then, the La Perle Newsletter popped into my inbox.

Discovering that La Perle are now open again on Tuesdays with a Moules & Frites' Night, life has just become sorted. For just £15.95 I can choose Moules served mariniere style, bacon & tomato or mouclade style with french fries and a glass of wine.

The other evening is still in the planning stages, but with a great choice of places to eat in the village, it a challenge I am prepared to take on!

My wife is due back on Wednesday, and as she normally likes to cook when she returns, that will mean missing the weekly Lymington Lobster Night at La Perle. However, there is always a 50/50 chance she has actually left me, ...so I might make it for lobster after all!

La Perle

High Street, Milford on Sea
Tel: 01590 643 557
www.laperlemilford.co.uk

Hetty's Hut

A new children's book written by two local authors has just been published.

The book is an adventure story called Hetty's Hut which is set amongst the beach huts at Hengistbury Head and is for age 8+. 

Hetty's Hut was written by two friends, who met over 20 years ago when their their two eldest children (Ross and Christopher) were in the same class at Milford on Sea School. 

Helen Clarke has taught English and Maths at the Kumon After School Study Centre in New Milton and Lymington for the last 18 years, and Sarah Conacher teaches PE at the Arnewood School.

Helen said; "We have always loved the beauty of Hengistbury Head and the feeling it gives you of being separated from normal everyday life. About three years ago I rented a hut for a week in the summer for my family to use. Sarah popped over one afternoon and over a cup of tea the story of Hetty's Hut evolved. We have thoroughly enjoyed the journey from that afternoon to the finished article being placed in our hands. I'm sure the next book in the series won't be far behind."

The internal illustrations have been done by local Milford artist Hilary Ball who has captured the characters perfectly.

About the story: When Hetty’s Dad agrees that they can live in her grandparents’ beach hut at Hengistbury Head, near Christchurch for the summer, she is so excited. 

The prospect of a fun-filled summer spent exploring and having fun takes an unexpected turn as Hetty and her new friend Charlie desperately try to evade the attentions of a strange man who seems to be watching their every move.

Who is he and what does he want?

The Hetty's Hut book costs £7.99 and will available from 25th May in Jabulani, The Old Smithy and Milford Models, all in Milford on Sea High Street - or it can be ordered online now by clicking here.

Doing It for Someone Else

It is always impressive when people take personal pain to help others.

This week we have two examples:

The first is my wife and me.  To explain, some months ago my wife was motivated to do the Marathon Moonwalk in London. All that she raised is to go towards fighting breast cancer charities. Like many others she knows how this nasty disease affects peoples lives. 

Her rigorous training schedule went perfectly, I particularly enjoyed the 20 mile training stints, which gave me several hours on the sofa unobserved.

Last Saturday night the event arrived. She valiantly started at 11pm and completed the full marathon route in just over 8 hours, and I stayed at home and had a rather good curry, a few drinks, followed by a peaceful nights kip without complaints about the TV being too loud.

Now being over 40, the cold, wet and windy night was not quite as easy as afternoons spent training in the sun along the seafront, so when she returned from her epic adventure she was bedraggled, aching and in need of acute nursing. I of course stepped immediately into the nursing role and spent the next two days waiting on her hand and foot. Sadly she violently refused my repeated offers of a bed bath. However, as she did not have the energy to cook, I did pretty well on the takeaway front.

I myself was not sponsored for my bedside skills, but should you want to give something towards her efforts there is a link at the end of this page. 

London to Brighton Challenge

Some of you will know Joy Ayling, former owner of Milford Model & Hobbies Shop in the High Street.

Still living in the village, joy has told us that her son, William and his Friend Tom Penman are going to do the London to Brighton Challenge in aid of Oakhaven, and in memory of their fathers, Miles and David who both died of cancer.

The event takes place on May Bank Holiday 24th-25th May, where they will cover the 100km walk/jog/run route from the capital to the coast.

A gruelling activity lays ahead for the boys, but their motivation will no doubt get them through. (I only hope they have quality nursing planned for the days after.) You can find out more, or sponsor the guys from the link below.

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To sponsor My Wife: click here.

To sponsor William and Tom: click here. - Oakhaven Donation Envelopes are also available in Haywood Fox’s Milford office, where (William's brother) Richard works.

A New Thai Taste

If you enjoy authentic Thai food, you are going to love the recent changes at Britannia Thai.

The new Head Chef, Songkiat Surin is bringing his passion for traditional Thai food and combining it with fresh organic ingredients Fusion style. 

Songkiat has an impressive CV, having worked in 4 and 5 star hotels in Pattaya and Bangkok before going to work in Israel for three years. He arrived in the UK in 2007 and helped set up the Bann Thai restaurant in Worcester. Due to his passion to work with fresh organic ingredients he then went to work in Daylesford Organic Farm Shop in Gloucestershire, before returning to work in the highly regarded Zen Garden in Carey's Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst.

Songkiat Surin was Born Pattaya in Thailand and is married with a 6 year old daughter.  

Some of Songkiat's signature dishes are the Thai Scallops, Salt and Pepper Squid, Tamarind Duck, Honey Duck with Orange Salad, Lamb Shank and Pepper Beef (which is Sirloin Steak sizzling on a platter.) He also does tasty Thai classics such as the green and red curry. 

In additional to a full Thai menu, Britannia Thai are also now offering a Thai Tapas for lunch where you can choose a set menu or just pick a lot of different dishes to taste. 

To ensure the authenticity of the dishes, he orders fresh Thai ingredients directly from Thailand which are delivered to Bournemouth airport and then straight to the restaurant. The fresh meat and fish are from specialist companies in Bournemouth and the fresh vegetables are from Marjorie's in the village.

The Britannia Thai also has a new front of house team. The Manager is Kanoksak Siripongswalee, affectionately known as Tae, together with his wife Duangjai (known as Orr).

So, a number of exciting changes to try out, and a great excuse to treat yourself to a Thai experience soon!

Britannia Thai
1 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF 

Tel: 01590 642226 & 01590 642212

www.thairestaurantnewforest.co.uk

Pippa Spotted in the Village

Milford on Sea is fast becoming the perfect place for 'celebrity spotting!'

A reliable source has told us that on Wednesday, Pippa Middleton was spotted coming out of JW Hair and Beauty in Milford on Sea. Apparently, she was accompanied by six hefty security staff. Reports suggest that she spent a couple of hours having her hair and nails done in this well-known local beauty spot.

Pippa of course became famous for that bridesmaid dress, (or more accurately the rear of that dress,) at her sister Kate's wedding to Prince William.

In order to maintain our growing record of celebrity spotting in Milford on Sea, can you please organise yourselves into a rota patrolling the village 24/7, and report all sightings to us!

Note: Reports that Elvis was spotted in the chip shop have been vehemently denied by Mr Pink.

JW Hair and Beauty
The Old Bank House, 5 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
Tel: 01590 642057
www.jw-milford.com

Free Computers & WiFi

Do you need access to a computer? - or need to use WiFi?

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Well you can do either for free at the Community Centre from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. A row of computers line the walls in the Community Centre Café and they are free to use by anyone. 

If you call in whilst the café is open (10am to 12noon Monday to Friday) you can also enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or slice of cake whilst you bang around on the keyboard.

There is even normally someone on hand who can give guidance is you get stuck.

Milford on Sea Community Centre

9 Sea Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PH

Tel: 01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

One for the kids

Our friends at Milford Conservation Volunteers, have sent in the story below for all to enjoy:

A BED TIME STORY FOR SUMMER ~ 'Urgent Meeting Request'

It was a lovely sunny spring morning on Studland Common. I checked my watch to make sure I was in good time, which was just as well. Yesterday I had received a telephone call from one of our local residents insisting on an urgent meeting to discuss recent work done on the nature reserve. The resident had sounded a bit agitated, so I hoped I might be able to explain and placate the caller and his three friends, who he wished to bring along.

Hearing rustling behind me, I turned to find myself confronted by a bear, a small pig, a tiger and a donkey.

“Hello” said the bear. “My name is Pooh”. “Hello Pooh” I said shaking him by the paw. “These are my three friends” said Pooh. “We all live here”. “This is Piglet” he said. “Hello” squeaked Piglet. “And this is Tigger”, said Pooh. “Worraworraworra” said Tigger, jumping in and out of a large muddy puddle. “And this is Eeyore”, said Pooh. “Morning”, said Eeyore gloomily and getting splattered in mud from Tigger’s antics.

“So how can I help you?” I said. “You probably can’t”, said Eeyore. “But you never know”, said Piglet. “We’ve got a list”, said Pooh importantly, rummaging around in his left wellington boot. “Oh that’s helpful”, I said. “It’s always useful to have an agenda”. “We haven’t got one of those”, said Pooh. “Owl told us that a list is what we should bring and he is very wise”. So he wrote one out for us. Can I read it to you?” “What a good idea”, I said.

Pooh cleared his throat and started reading the list. “Meating beatween represententivs of 23 akre wood and sum wonne from Milfod Conservayshun Voluntears. For diskushun. Item 1. Wy hav yu choppd down lotts of treez and shrubs?” Pooh then folded the piece of paper into four and put it in his right wellington boot.

“Is there anything else on Owl’s list?” I asked. “No”, said Pooh that’s all. “It’s a small list, but it’s a very big question.”

“You see”, said Piglet “we’re very worried that you’re going to carry on chopping down the trees and then we won’t have anywhere to live.” “Oh no, that definitely isn’t going to happen,” I said. “Let me explain what we’ve done and why. And while we’re talking let’s have a walk around the reserve so I can show you what it looks like.”

Off they set as I explained. “You see, many years ago, this land used to be a beautiful common with lots of wildflowers, hundreds of butterflies and lots of different birds. Over the years it became overgrown with lots of dense vegetation and small sapling trees started to grow and take over. Now that the saplings have grown into large trees and the scrub has spread the light can’t get in, the flowers don’t grow and a lot of the butterflies and birds disappeared. So last year we started clearing the first area of scrub and some of the trees so that we could turn this part back into a beautiful meadow again and create the right habitat for the birds and butterflies to return”.

“I like habitat,” said Tigger. “I went there once with Kanga and Roo. We had such fun bouncing on all the different beds and opening all the cupboard doors”. “That’s a different sort of habitat,” I said patiently. “The right habitat for a butterfly means there’s plenty of food for the caterpillars and for the butterflies, and there’s the right amount of sun and shelter and it’s a safe place for them all to live.” ……….I would normally have mentioned courtship and mating, but didn’t feel up to explaining such matters to the current audience.

“I’ve got a happitat too”, said Piglet. “I need lots of oak trees so I can eat all the haycorns.” That’s right,” I said. “We all need the right habitat.”

“So are you going to cut down all the trees?” asked Pooh. “Definitely not”, I said. “Your wood and the common are very special places. They are both designated as Local Nature Reserves and a SINC.” They all looked a bit perplexed! “I havn’t seen no sinks”, said Eeyore. “I’ve seen a water trough for our friends Oscar and Olive the Dexter cattle, but definitely no sinks – do they have taps?”. I explained. “A SINC stands for a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and no-one is allowed to chop down all the trees. The Volunteers, Milford-on-Sea Parish Council and Natural England consider that the grounds are of great local importance and being home to lots of rare species, like yourselves” I said as I crossed my fingers behind my back because I knew that the SINC designation documents wouldn’t have listed bears, pigs, tiger and donkeys as a reason for conferring SINC status, but I certainly didn’t want to hurt their feelings.

“That’s very good to hear,” said Pooh. “It makes me proud to live in such an important and highly valued place. I hope you always take care of it for us.”

“So have you had any more butterflies and birds since you chopped down some of the trees and scrub?” asked Piglet. “Oh yes we’ve already seen more species”, I said. “And for the first time in a very long time we’ve seen Brimstone butterflies that lay their eggs on either Common Buckthorn or Alder Buckthorn and there appear to be more beautiful Bullfinches around.

“The Butterflies also love feeding on the nectar from wildflowers” I said. “Oh dear,” said Eeyore glumly. “I knew it all sounded too good to be true. You’ve all got your happitat safe and sound and I’ve got an un-happitat because all these new butterflies are eating my food.” “Oh Eeyore, don’t worry. The butterflies are really small and they don’t have big appetites as you. There’ll be plenty of food for you,” I said. “In fact, now that the meadow is back there will be plenty more food for everyone to eat”. “Really?” said Eeyore smiling contentedly. “I think you might just have made me feel very happy.”

“Well,” Pooh said, I think it is time for lunch. Thank you very much for making us all happy again.” And off they all went back into the meadow to play with Olive, Oscar and friends without a care in the world. - THE END -

With sincere thanks for inspiration to author A.A.Milne and Penny Jeffreys of Hampshire Butterfly Conservation for her fun idea of promoting simple conservation messages to children ……..and adults.

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

www.milfordcv.org

New Folk Club Website

Milford Folk Club has a new website, and if you are into Folk or Blues it is certainly worth a look. (click here)

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The club has 2 special events coming up, The Pyrates at Folk Club on the 8th May and a Blues Night on 16th May. 

The Folk Nights and concerts happen at the Milford on Sea Community Centre in Sea Road. The Centre has a licensed bar with car parking next door.

Everyone is welcome, just come along and pay on the door. (or for shows, buy tickets at the Community Centre Box Office.)

The club meets on the second Thursday of each month and it usually follows the format of host, floor singers and guests. 

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The entrance price is normally £4.50, although occasionally they have to charge a little more if they book expensive guests.

About Milford Folk Club 

Milford Folk Club was established in 2007 - more or less with a wing and a prayer. The organiser hadn’t been inside a folk club since the smoky dingy, hand over ear sessions of the 1960s but had always loved traditional music, both folk and blues. So, it was with these 60s type backroom of pubs clubs that Milford Folk Club set about running along the same lines.

Milford Folk Club was fortunate to attract the Goodthyme Brothers, Jim Palmer and Bill Hesp. Bill has stayed the course and is now the regular host and all time walking encyclopaedia of folk knowledge: he knows who wrote and recorded everything. Bill organises the evenings - usually a couple of songs from him, floor singers and guest singer.

One exciting ‘spin off’ is the regular Blues evenings organised by Bob Long. …………….

Milford Folk Club often attracts an audience of around 60 or even more.

Milford Folk Club
www.milfordfolkclub.org.uk

The Beach House Re-Opens

The Beach House in Milford on Sea in now once again re-open. Having been closed for major refurbishment since January, the first impressions are that it has been well worth the wait!

This magnificent country house is now offering a tasty and up-market pub menu in its restaurant, or you can take casual dining in any of the comfortable lounges. The 16 well-appointed en-suite hotel rooms, (singles, twins, doubles and family rooms) are modern and cosy with each having a unique beach style design.

It is clear that quality runs throughout, and the prices are great value for money.

The Beach House was formerly known as Westover Hall. The building is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion built in 1897, with restored oak-panelled interior, stained glass windows and vintage furniture. The new owners, Hall & Woodhouse, have restored the house to all of its former glory, whilst adding there own charming style.

Situated on the edge of the New Forest, The Beach House is nestled 200 yards from the beach and boasts breath-taking views of the Isle of Wight and the Needles.

The new pub bar in the spectacular main hall serves award winning Badger cask ales and lagers from around the world, and the restyled terrace enables you to fully enjoy the fabulous views on those sunny days.

Take a trip and see for yourself soon! 

Discover more: A Sneaky View of The Beach House - click here.


The Beach House

Park Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PT
01590 643044
beachhouse.reception@hall-woodhouse.co.uk
www.beachhousemilfordonsea.co.uk

Thanks to our Sponsors

As things return to normal after the massively successful Milford on Sea Food Week, we want to say a big thank you to all of our sponsors. 

Food Week is of course a not for profit community event, and without the great support we receive, it would be impossible to have staged the vast variety of events for everyone to enjoy.

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Our biggest sponsor was Southern Co-op, who very generously provided the Cookery Theatre. Anyone of the thousands of people who attended any of the many events in the Cookery Theatre over Food Week, will know the set up could not have been more professional, with a stage, oven & hob, two large screen TV's and sound system. Add to this celebrity chefs and local talent and you have a great experience! For a small village we were definitely 'punching above our weight' and thanks to Southern Co-op were able to deliver shows that would be the envy of any commercial food festival.

The team at Southern Co-op have enthusiastically supported us for a number of years now, and it is a delight to have a national company so willing to support the community it serves.

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Our other major sponsors were The Beach House (Hall & Woodhouse), Shorefield Country Park (Who also provided our Information Centre), Everton Hyundai, and Brand New Forest.

We were also grateful of the support given by Hampshire Fare, bringing top producers and chefs from across Hampshire.

Just as importantly, were two other groups who showed their support by being a Gold or Silver Sponsor, or people who became 'Friends of Food Week'. We are very grateful that so many local shops, restaurants, and small business all generously took up the offer to support us as sponsors, and several individuals showed great support by donating as a 'Friend'.

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You can see our all our Sponsors and Friends of Food Week if you click here.

Our final thank you goes to everyone who came along to the events, without you and everyone mentioned above, Food Week simply could not happen.

See you in April 2016!

Milford on Sea Food Week

www.milfordonseafoodweek.org

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Shappi Came to Town

The triumphant final show of Food Week starring internationally known comedian, Shappi Khorsandi, took place on Saturday 26th April at Milford on Sea Community Centre.

Although delayed a couple of weeks due to Shappi's performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, what better way to end the Food Week events other than with a laugh, or in fact a belly full of them! 

Shappi Khorsandi is the daughter of an exiled writer and comic from Iran. Feisty, flirty and effortlessly funny she handles every subject with a razor sharp wit, softened only by her deliciously dizzy delivery and endless charm. 

Shappi’s upbringing has been in no way conventional, it has all gone on in the Khorsandi household and now she recounts it all the only way she knows how, with wit, warmth and hilarity. 

Shappi has appeared on many top TV shows; such as Have I Got News For You, Live at the Apollo, QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats to name but a few. 

A review by Evening Standard;‘Don’t be fooled by her innocent looks, she packs a deceptively powerful punch’, is a perfect way to describe her excellent act. 

This was a special night, and those that managed to get a ticket (we could have sold out three times over!) will be recalling the evening with a smile for months to come!

Chris Evans in Chippy!

Popular Radio 2 DJ, Chris Evans was spotted in Mr Pinks Fish & Chip Shop, Milford on Sea early Saturday evening.

Chris is known to hang out with his mate Rob Smith, owner of The Haven Café Bar in Lymington Yacht Haven, who is locally famous for painting the post box at the bottom of Lymington high Street in gold in honour of Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie.

No idea if Chris is now living nearby, just passing through, or whether he had salt & vinegar on his chips. 

Pretty poor reporting really!

Crayoning for fun

During Food Week, Christine Quinn ran a kids colouring competition at her Inger-Lise's Coffee Shop.

Whilst mum enjoyed a cup of coffee, snack or lunch, the children enthusiastically enjoyed themselves colouring pictures of food.

Since Food Week, the competition winners pictures appeared, and are still in the Inger-Lise's window. Local professional photographer, Adam Lynk has taken pictures of the colourful café scene.

The Winners were Josey Edwards, Anna Lewis and Lois Levy. Runners up Jenny Bartlett, Lottie King, Archie King and Ben Nealon. All of the winners received an Easter Egg. 

Many thanks to everyone who took part and very well done to the Winners.

Adam Lynk Photography Studio
High Street, Milford on Sea
www.adamlynk.com

Punchy Through the Covers

Milford on Sea is certainly a place to get the creative juices going. In addition to the dozens of Artists in the village, we are also aware of at least a dozen children and adult authors.

Another villager in the writers fold is Alan ‘Punchy’ Rayment. His book; 'Punchy Through the Covers - The Early Years 1928 to 1949' is a personal memoir illustrated with 108 photographs and set in the social history of the 1930's and 1940's.

This review should give you a taste of the contents:

Alan, a North London kid, was born in 1928 to stable parents who lived next to a cricket field. When twelve he witnessed the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, dived under school desks when Doodlebugs threatened in 1944, played cricket at Lord’s when 17 and served two and a half years in the Royal Air Force.

At the age of twenty Alan married his school pal and dance partner, qualified as a ballroom dance teacher and signed a professional contract with the Hampshire County Cricket Club. In contrast to stories of a happy childhood environment – of freedom to roam in London and of  holiday fun on the Isle of Wight in the 1930s – Alan writes about  his Father’s service on  mobile AA guns firing at German Zeppelin airships bombing London in WWI – then of his own clear memories of WWII: of the realistic possibility of invasion by the Nazis, of bombs and the blackout, of  rationing and private evacuation – and that he and his young pals followed and absorbed daily news about the war in newspapers, on radio and from newsreels in cinemas. Alan enjoyed family musical evenings and singing in a choir: he also recounts the ever memorable morale boosting radio broadcasts by Winston Churchill during WWII.

   

Britain’s dogged wartime spirit ingrained values of duty and loyalty in young people of Alan’s generation who thus became responsible adults before leaving school. Age 16, Alan worked in a London office during the V2 rocket raids, played football with Spurs Juniors and cricket for Finchley CC – and Middlesex 2nd XI when 18. Conscripted into the Royal Air Force, Alan was officially a radar plotter/teller at Bentley Priory, Fighter Command HQ, but played a lot of sport including cricket in the Berlin Olympic Stadium and RAF matches at Lord’s. More important than his youthful achievements in sport and personal survival in WWII, Alan emphasises his gratitude for the strong family and social values gleaned through his caring parents, large extended family and the free-safe community environment that influenced his development during the first twenty years of his life journey.

Alan’s next book will portray life during the 1950s, 60s and 70s: of family life with six children; of ten seasons of first class cricket and one as an MCC coach at Lord’s; of dance teaching and cabaret, of swing bands and rock’n’roll; of divorce, depression, career change and remarriage – and of surprising mystical experiences that birthed a determined intellectual pilgrimage to understand those experiences in the context of Christian theology.

~~~our dreams unfurl into realities of a future as yet unknown~~~ ©AHR

To grab a copy or find out more, please visit: www.amazon.co.uk/Punchy-Through-Covers-Early-1928-1949/dp/0957641206

Calamity at Milford Zoo

The new Milford on Sea Zoo has suffered a major calamity before it has even opened.

MILFORD ZOO
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Following the February Valentine Night Storms, the council had been struggling to make a decision on the long-term future of the former beach huts on Milford on Sea seafront. Well, that was until district councillors came up with an ideal solution.

Putting their ideas into swift action, a recent NFDC planning meeting approved the proposal to create the long required Milford on Sea Zoo on the bases of the former Milford on Sea beach huts. The few remaining standing beach huts are going to be reformed into a row of Reptile Houses.

Fred Up, of the Milford on Sea Beach Hut Owners Association said: "As we can no longer enjoy the glorious sea view, we hope the animals appreciate it, particularly the one's from jungle or desert habitats."

Moving swiftly to catch the tourist season, the council erected the animal enclosures within a matter of days, with animals arriving at their new home during last week from zoo's across the UK. Everything was coming together nicely in ready for the grand opening on 30th April 2014.

Then, last Thursday evening, witnesses allege that they saw members of the Milford Animal Liberation Front releasing the animals that had arrived.

MILFORD ZOO
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Mr C Lyon, the new appointed Milford Zoo Keeper, commented; "Oh bum, this has not gone well."

All residents of the village are now asked to be vigilant, and to keep a sharp eye out for the animals now on the loose.

Please report any sighting of the Siberian Tiger, Indian Elephant, Giant Aardvark or the star attraction of the 'Push Me-Pull You' to Mr G. Raff at the Milford on Sea Parish Council Office.

Milford Author Completes Trilogy

Local Milford on Sea author, Maureen Farenden has published Quatrain 77, the final book in her Trilogy.

Quatrain 77: In this final part of this supernatural trilogy, Charity Holmes, psychic investigator (the Inceptor) faces her greatest challenge yet. Charity and her trusted RING of friendship have come face-to-face with the darkest powers in the world and the world beyond. Charity is caught in limbo, unsure of her true identity or her ultimate destiny. All around her Lucifer's legions are assembling, and there are so many clues to an ever more complex puzzle. Who is Hecate, the triple goddess? Or Lilith, the mercurial shape-shifter? The vacuous spirit? The Emulating Soul? The withered child? And what sinister secret does Charity's Aunt Lizzy harbour that will threaten to break the RING? Quatrain 77 (a reference to Nostradamus's infamous millennial prediction) is a classic tale of duelling forces. Can Charity summon the strength to face her ultimate nemesis, as all hell literally breaks loose around her?

The Patient: Charity Holmes, psychic investigator, is back. In another psychic thriller, the Inceptor and her intrepid team of adventurers - Sam, Robyn, Aunt Lizzy, Jack and Charity's beloved husband Monty - are about to do battle with the forces of evil. Following the death of an anonymous old street beggar, Charity is charged with discovering her true identity. But who is she, where did she come from, what is her past and what secrets does it conceal? Soon Charity and her trusty Ring of Power are embarking on a treacherous journey back into the past and deep into the heart of darkness. Back to 1940 and a covert operation to evacuate the nation s riches to the safety of Canada. Back to the scene of a brutal murder aboard a British battleship in mid-Atlantic. Back to an evil plot to steal £2 million of wartime bullion. Once again Charity is forced to call upon her extraordinary powers to help fight her erstwhile adversary, Lucifer. Will Charity outwit her arch nemesis and bring redemption to her charge? Or has she, at last, met her match? The future of the universe hangs in the balance as the Inceptor prepares to do battle once more...

The Spirit is the first book in The Inceptor Trilogy. The story feature intrepid psychic investigator, Charity Holmes, this classic tale of good versus evil is played out against a backdrop of paranormal phenomena. When ruthless American businessman, Stephen Mallon, is brutally murdered the crime scene shows signs of a ritual slaying. What is more remarkable is that, a few hours after his murder, the dead man makes a phone call to the offices of Charity Holmes seeking redemption and justice for his soul. Can Stephen Mallon be freed from the tyranny of purgatory? And how does Charity's own destiny become inextricably linked with the unfolding events? As time ticks steadily on towards the day of reckoning, the legions of the underworld are gathering strength. Only one person has the power to halt their deadly march - and that is the Inceptor: Charity Holmes, psychic investigator.

The Patient, The Spirit and Quatrain 77 are now published in e-book format and can be downloaded on to your Kindle from Amazon for only £2.99.

Click here to find out more.

MCV: April Newsletter

Birds, Butterflies and Wildflowers
by Keith Metcalfe

Just returned from a lovely spring walk on Studland Common and the Pleasure Grounds, which are full of bird song, butterflies and wild flowers.

The four Dexter cattle are munching away and look content with their new surrounding environment. Seeing the cow pats spread around much of the grounds, they are obviously managing to get into most nooks and crannies of the Common, which will be good for invertebrates and ground flora, but make sure that whilst you are looking up into the trees and sky for the many returning summer migrants, you don’t accidentally step where it is best not!!

There were four different butterfly species in the ½ hectare of scrub recently cleared; Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Orange Tip.

The following summer migrants were also seen or heard; Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff and resident Bullfinch (pr.) and Green Woodpecker whilst a single Black-tailed Godwit and two Mediterranean Gulls flew over.

Bluebells, Lady’s Smock, Common Dog-violet and Meadow Buttercup are just some of the many wild flowers coming into bloom, as is the cliff-top Thrift.

Now is a very good time to get out into Milford-on-Sea’s Nature Reserves to see the plethora of wildlife we are so lucky to have.

Call into one of the two Village Newsagents, Inger-lises or the Community Centre to pick up a copy of the Nature Reserve Walks Maps (cost £1) and plan your route through the Pleasure Grounds (woodlands) Studland Common (including the Meadow and the developing community Orchard) and Sturt Pond (reed-beds, saltmarsh and bird scrape).

Vandalism at The Bird Hide

We regret to say that rest of the school holidays, the Bird Hide is not open due to vandals once again destroying much of the facility. Birdwatchers and families can hire the Key (£20 returnable deposit) by telephoning 07771 918449.

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

www.milfordcv.org

Village Website Hits 1,000,000

www.milfordonsea.org

The local Milford on Sea village website (www.milfordonsea.org) has now smashed one million visitors since its launch in May 2008.

This site provides local information for locals and visitors alike.

What started as a small project to promote Milford on Sea, has now grown almost unbelievably, and spawned numerous other village projects and events.

This includes a Village Calendar: www.milfordonseacalendar.org, The Great Dining Bus: www.greatdiningbus.co.uk, and Milford on Sea Food Week: www.milfordonseafoodweek.org, 

Plus of course, there is also the free Milford on Sea News Bulletin: www.milfordonseanews.org. This contains new from the village, events and a smattering of ridiculous stories! We are now up to edition 230. (If you, or anyone you know would like to receive the weekly e.mail News Bulletin, please send your name and e-mail address to: david@milfordonsea.org)

In the coming month's a printed Village Guide, featuring just about every business and activity in the village, will be delivered to all residents, and the online Milford on Sea Directory will be rebuilt and relaunched. www.milfordonseadirectory.org 

As Food Week is held in each 'even year', a new project is now underway for 2015. Once again it will give the village a chance to celebrate and appreciate this wonderful village and all it has to offer. - More to be revealed soon.

The term 'creating a monster' has never been truer!

Stars for The Bay Trees

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Mark & Sarah at The Bay Trees in Milford on Sea High Street, are pleased to announce that in their recent food hygiene inspection they we were rated at 5 stars ( very good ) by the food standards agency.

Anyone who has had the pleasure to enjoy one of their wonderful breakfasts will not be the least surprised.

Added to this, The Bay Trees also hold the New Forest Marque - awarded for serving locally sourced and produced products on the breakfast menu and other local products in the rooms. Who can resist a great breakfast!

Sarah said: "We are delighted about this as we have had a lot of guests to stay who enjoy our food & in particular our breakfasts."

The Bay Trees also have a Visit England Four Star status with a Gold Award for a very high standard. This is the forth successive year since the arrival of Mark & Sarah as owners in 2011 that the prestigious award has been received.

The Bay Trees Garden
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To see photographs of the Bay Trees luxury bed & breakfast bedrooms and beautiful garden, please visit their web site below.

The Bay Trees
High Street, Milford on Sea

www.baytreebedandbreakfast.co.uk

A Sneaky View of The Beach House

Over the past months I suspect that we have all spotted the colourful hoarding around The Beach House in Milford on Sea (Formerly Westover Hall) and wondered about the changes that were taking place inside.

The refurbished Beach House will re-open on the 30th April, but my curiosity could not wait that long.

Having already met the new friendly managers, Marina Schulz and Christos Constantinou, together with quite a few of the Hall & Woodhouse team at the Badger Beer MasterClass hosted by company Chairman, Mark Woodhouse during Food Week, it is clear that a warm welcome will be had by all when the doors open.

Having seen the building work progress & most recently a painting makeover take place, I decided it was time to find out exactly what was going on. 

I then had a brilliant idea, and decided that I would carry out a ninja operation in a ‘milk tray’ style. I had a black shirt & tight black trousers in the wardrobe, a black briefcase, a torch & gaffer tape, which I could use to stick the torch to my head. (I am not sure what I needed the briefcase for?!) I was now only missing a balaclava, but a few holes in a pair of my wife's tights soon sorted the final part of my attire.

To get over the hoarding I decided to take our two dogs, then when in position I would stand one on the other, to create a canine ladder to scale the wooden obstacle.

My wife had decided she wanted no part of this particular escapade, and just said she wouldn’t visit me in hospital (or prison) when it all went wrong.

Undaunted my plan remained intact, but I decided that I had better add some gloves ‘so I left no ‘dabs’. To complete the outfit for my undercover spying raid I decided the final component was to wear a pair of my wife’s shoes to leave confusing footprints. (Which should be fun as she is a size 6, & I am a size 12).

Once my mission was complete, I would then report back to you all without anyone knowing I had even been in there. 

I was proud of my meticulously thought out plan, but to carry out such an operation it was obviously necessary to ‘case the joint’ as soon as possible. Once over the fence, I could then quickly see the results of the building work & then quickly return the way I came. (That is as long as I didn’t break a heel).

As I made several scrambling attempts to get over the fence a certain amount of commotion ensued, with my dogs manically barking and a rather loud rip as the crutch of my trousers gave way.

Then, Marina appeared from the open gate, smiled, and asked if I would like to look around. (Damn, I hadn't thought of simply asking to have a tour.)

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Once inside, I cased the joint using the secret camera in my lapel. The new bar in the main hall looked ideal for enjoying a pint of Badger Beer in grand surroundings, and the 'Cluedo Library' felt a great place to relax as you traced the Hall & Woodhouse Cluedo characters on the wall, mixing history with a fun theme.

I spotted some new doors at the back, which now open onto a new terrace with central steps down into the garden. The dining rooms and front lounge have new furniture and the original decorative features gleam once again.

A new staircase now takes you downstairs to a very impressive toilet block. Everywhere you look there is fine detail and humorous additions.

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As we went upstairs to see the bedrooms, my feet were throbbing and the heel on my wife's shoe snapped, so I was walking with a rise and fall perfect for a Come Dancing waltz.

The very comfortable bedrooms were each individually themed, and the seaside feel in each room was delightful. Many of the bathrooms are mega impressive, and each have a mirror with lights that turn on with a swipe of the hand. In each room the wall mounted large screen TV's welcome you with a live webcam from the terrace to The Needles, so even in the road facing rooms you have a sea view. (Nice idea!)

Throughout, the special little touches are clear to see and the quality of the furnishings shine through loud and clear. 

There is no doubt a lot of thought and love have been put into restoring this wonderful building. I was particularly impressed to hear that the designers worked closely with the local team to ensure that their own ideas and little touches were incorporated in the final finish.

So ultimately, all of my 'ninja plan’ was for nothing, plus I had to find an explanation as to why the heel on my wife's shoe was broken.

When the Beach House opens at the end of this month it is going to be a great addition to the Foodie Heaven of Milford on Sea, and I can't wait to go back in more comfortable clothing!

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The Beach House

Park Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PT

01590 643044 

beachhouse.reception@hall-woodhouse.co.uk

www.beachhousemilfordonsea.co.uk

Food Week: Bird Walks

Milford Conservation Volunteer officers Tony Locke and Keith Metcalf had two delightful family walks around two of Milford-on-Sea’s beautiful nature reserves as part of the Food Week festivities. On Tuesday 8th April, 25 children (aged from 2 years to 9 years) and their parents and grandparents joined Tony and Keith at Sturt Pond nature reserve for the first of the nature walks.

Peacock butterfly 

Starting at Sea Road car park, Keith explained that the group would probably hear more birds than they saw, so it was important to walk as quietly as possible – have you ever rambled with twenty kids trying to keep quiet? Anyway, the very first bird we heard was a cockerel in one of the nearby back gardens, which we excluded from the total number of bird species seen or heard during the walk.

We heard one summer visitor, when a Chiffchaff conveniently and repetitively called out his own name ‘chiff-chaff, chiff-chiff, chaff-chaff, chiff-chaff’. I think you get the idea. Birds we saw on our walk included; Little Egret, Common Gull, Turnstone, Reed Bunting, Redshank and Meadow Pipit.

During the walk, we played recordings of some of the bird songs of birds we were seeing to encourage them to come closer so that the children got very good views of the birds. The most obliging being a male Chaffinch who came to investigate why his territory was being invaded by a rival. After a brief viewing, the group quickly moved on so that the chaffinch could return to keep guard of his wife and territory.

A little further along the Solent Way footpath, which had been cleared of more debris by the volunteers a few days before, we were able to hand out special duck and swan food pellets so that the children could feed the birds on the pond. We explained that whilst it was nice to feed the birds with bread, it really is not what they should feed on and we were able to distribute proper grain pellets, which the birds were happy to pick up from the surface of the pond. Sometimes there are so many people feeding the swans with bread that much of it is left over and rats quickly start infesting the reserve.

Stopping at the ‘crabbing bridge’ we were also able to explain that the children didn’t need hooks on the end of their lines to catch the crabs and that a cotton bag of food, or a piece of bacon tied to the end of the line catches just as many crabs. Unfortunately, some lines are still supplied with hooks attached and we suggest that these are removed before the children start crabbing.

Over the years, we have seen many swans; mallard and gulls swallow hooks, which can lead to a very unpleasant untimely death!

On a happier note; the group moved along to the Bird Hide, where at one point we had 23 children and their parents crammed into it ………… it normally comfortably seats 6 – 8 people! Here, Tony and Keith were able to point out some of the birds closest to the hide and played more bird recordings of the birds the children were viewing from the hide.

The following day, the MCV bird walk guides (Tony and Keith) were joined by teenage group member, Emily-Jane who has been visiting the Pleasure Grounds with her granddad on Task-Team sessions since she was six-years old. Numbers of visitors were however significantly lower that at Sturt Pond, with just one Milford resident, with his grandson from Reading. Despite this, we enjoyed a lovely walk around the Grounds and were encouraged by the grandson who was extremely inquisitive to find out as much as he could about birds from his three guides.

Goldcrest - Smallest British bird

Using the bird recordings, we were briefly able to see Britain’s smallest bird, the Goldcrest at very close quarters and were even able to see his gold stripe down the centre of his head opening and closing as he tried to out-call the recording while he tried to figure out which one of the five of us was impersonating him!

The group were also privileged to see a family of 4 Buzzards being mobbed by rooks about 100 foot above the tree canopy and a male Sparrowhawk in display plummeting towards the ground.

Additional birds seen during the walk included Nuthatch, Feral Pigeon, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Jay, Rook and Song Thrush. A Great-spotted Woodpecker was also heard calling, making a total of 40 different species seen or heard over the two days.

During the walk we were also able to point out many of the more common wildflowers in flower, including, Lady’s Smock, Kingcup, Dog-violet and Bluebells, three species of butterfly – Comma, Peacock and Orange Tip, plus a Queen Buff-tailed bumblebee prospecting for a new home on the woodland floor.

Tony, Keith and Emily would like to thank the parents and grandparents for bringing their children on the two walks, which appeared to have been enjoyed by one and all.

See you at the next Food Week nature walk in 2016. 

Keith Metcalf - Conservation Officer

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

www.milfordcv.org

We know what's coming!

Psst, can you keep a secret?

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A little bird has told us that a ladies clothing boutique and gallery will be opening in the village on the 28th June.

The new shop will be on the site of the old 'Salad Bowl' at 1 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, next to The Cave.

The previously dilapidated building has undergone an impressive and complete transformation by new owner Alan Jupe of AA Jupe Developments. The shop is now a credit to the village, and a nice welcome as people arrive at the village green.

Alan with not be running the clothing boutique, as builders and ladies clothing are not a natural fit.

The new boutique and gallery is going to be called Moss on the Green and run by Trish Ray, Trish is a keen artist and she is also passionate about fashion, so what better than to combine her two passions.

There you go, you now know a secret, but don't tell anyone!

Moss on the Green
1 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH
01590 64386 (To be confirmed)
www.mossonthegreen.com (Coming soon)