Would you like to be a Befriender?

A Steering Group has been formed to launch Milford Befrienders (In Association with the Hampshire Good Neighbours Support Service)

Their goal is to provide a regular friendly visit to anyone in the Milford area who feels isolated or lonely.

If you would like to get involved, they  are looking for one or more Volunteer Co-ordinators. 

Could you offer a few hours a week to support befrienders and match them with people who would benefit from the scheme? 

The Steering Group are hoping to find an enthusiastic person or persons with an appreciation of volunteering, to share the desire to build this neighbourhood scheme. 

Milford Befrienders intend to start in a small way, building and developing as they gain more experience. Full training and support will be offered through the Hampshire Good Neighbours network and the Co-ordinator(s) will also be supported by the Steering Group.

Do you have the following skills:

• Good communication and organisational skills
• The ability to support and empathise with volunteers
• An understanding of the issues faced 
• An understanding of the need for confidentiality 

Befrienders 

The Milford Befrienders  are also looking for volunteers to offer friendship to local people (young and old) who may feel alone or isolated and would benefit from a friendly face; are you able to spare an hour or two a week? That’s all it takes to make a difference to someone’s life. 

 Full training and support will be provided.

For more information in the first instance, please contact Chair Tony Harrison on 01590 645404 or email milfordonseava@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

DIY for Marie Curie

Milford on Sea village now have a local fundraising group for Marie Curie terminal care which will be raising money for this very worthwhile charity over the next few months somewhere near you. 

The group covers everywhere from Brockenhurst to Barton-on-Sea and to help advertise events they would really like a couple of wooden A-boards. 

So, they have asked if there is anyone out there who either has some spare wood and/or can make the A-boards and has the time to help out this worthy cause? 

Any help would be very gratefully received and potentially rewarded in home-made cake made by Kate! 

If you can help please contact: Kate Wall on 07788 970 933 or kjwall@hotmail.com

Picnics for the Queen's Birthday Village Picnic

The Queen's Birthday Village Picnic is coming on the Village Green from 12noon to 4pm on Saturday 11th June 2016.

Choose Your Picnic
- click here

To support our village businesses it would be great if you would buy a picnic from the tasty menu below, - or if you wish to bring your own picnic, please make the extra effort to buy all of your picnic contents in the village shops.

Organised by the Food Week Team, we are hoping everyone will come along for a relaxed afternoon, and enjoy some mellow live music by local performers, whilst surrounded by friends, family and fellow villagers.

Dress Up for Queen's Birthday Village Picnic. If you would like to dress up it will add to the afternoon's fun. Click here to view some ideas, or click here.

Please Note: This is a community event organised by the community, for the community. Everyone coming are responsible for their own safety, kids and property. Please take all you litter home with you, or a small group of people are lumbered with clearing up!

Queen's Birthday Village Picnic Menu

Britannia Thai
Chicken Thai Picnic - Chicken pad Thai, Chicken satay and Prawn crackers. £6.50
Vegetarian Thai Picnic - Vegetable pad Thai and vegetable spring roll. £5.50
(Plus, Free optional Prawn crackers)
Tel: 01590 642226 or Call in to order

Hollands
Classic Picnic - Ham or cheese salad demi-baguette with a can of drink and standard bag of crisps. £4.00
(Also, 10% Off our takeaway fresh bean coffee all day.)
Tel: 01590 641882 or Call in to order

Polly’s Pantry
Polly’s Royal Cream Tea - 2 large fruit scones, clotted cream, jam and two teas. £5.00
Tel: 01590 645558 or Call in to order

Verveine Restaurant
Her Majesty’s Picnic - Magical and majestic home-made bread sandwich, surprise extras and treat – All made with Dave Wykes creative flair! (Call in for details) £7.00
Tel: 01590 642176 or Call in to order

Jones & Co Delicatessen
Balmoral Picnic - Traditional scotch egg, Salad and Coleslaw.£5.50
Windsor Vegetarian Picnic - Falafel Scotch egg (vegetarian), Salad and Coleslaw. £5.50
Sandringham Picnic - Pastrami, horseradish and pickles sandwich with sea salt and crushed pepper crisps. £5.75
Buckingham Palace Picnic - Brie, Apple and fig chutney sandwich with sea salt and crushed pepper crisps. £5.20
Tel: 01590 643837 or Call in to order

A Thriller at Hurst Castle

A new thriller book, 'The Hurst Chronicles' has been written by a local author Robin Crumby, and it is and based in and around Hurst Castle.

Better still, a free copy of the Kindle version of the 'The Hurst Chronicles' can be downloaded absolutely free for 48 hours from today (Sat 21st May). To get your free copy, please click here.

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Extract from the book; The survivors of the Millennial Virus now face a much greater danger: each other. 

Civilization has collapsed following the outbreak of a pandemic virus that devastated the world’s population. Those that survive scrape a living in remote outposts. Hiding behind high walls, far away from the smoking ruins of the cities, waiting, hoping. 

At the end of the world, surrounded by the tidal waters of the Solent, Hurst Castle stands alone. Its seventy-four occupants united in a struggle for survival against all the odds. The Millennial Virus is the least of their concerns.

When the arrival of outsiders threatens to tip the balance of power, Hurst is faced with a desperate choice: set aside their differences and join an alliance that promises new hope or unite against the newcomers and their plans for reconstruction. Who can be trusted? Only time will tell.

The battle for Hurst has begun.

If you've ever read 'Day of the Triffids' or 'The Road' or 'The Hunger Games', you'll probably like this. So even if you're vaguely curious now's your chance!


The Hurst Chronicles 
by Robin Crumby
click here for your copy

The Battle of The Somme remembered

The Milford on Sea branch of the Royal British Legion will be commemorating The Battle of The Somme.

The Battle of the Somme began at 07.30 hrs on the 1st July,1916. On the first day, 20,000 Servicemen died and a further 40,000 were wounded. The battle lasted until 18th November that year, a total of 141 days. Amongst those who died were many from The New Forest, Milford on Sea and the Old Lymington Borough.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 0730 hrs, Friday 1st July 2016 to pay tribute to all who laid down their lives. This will take place on the Village Green Milford on Sea, where a wreath will be laid, which in due course will be taken to the War Memorial Hospital and placed on the boards listing all the men of the village who served in the Great War and did not return.

Prior to the Service of Remembrance a Vigil will be observed on the Village Green from 06.00 hours, when those present can reflect on the price paid for our freedom. 

You are invited to join in this Service officiated by Cannon Rev. Ray Hubble and to take part in the Vigil.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”

Milford on Sea, Royal British Legion
Mike Reed, Vice Chairman
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Everton Festival Expands to Everton Garden Centre

Everton Garden Centre must be the latest and most original venue for this year’s Everton Village Festival. 

The Festival, June 17-19th, is now in its third year, and its resourceful use of the Nurseries is allowing it to shape up like no other Festival in the locality. Being offered the use of this covered facility on Sunday the 19th, has really delighted the Organisers. Cheryl Fillmore, Festival Co-ordinator said recently that, "When Simon Collyer came on board this year it gave the Festival a huge lift, it’s really boosted us all and allowed us to expand and develop in a really unexpected way. I mean, where else could you sit and relax amongst banks of flowers and plants in a Garden Centre on a Sunday evening in June and get in the mood with big Band ‘Swing Unlimited?"

The use of this indoor venue has taken away the uncertainty of the weather and allowed the planning on Sunday of a wide variety of free entertainment. Music will start at 10.30 on Sunday morning and go on all afternoon until 5pm. Music ranges from brass to comedic songs from Polly Morris to piano recitals, puppet theatre ‘Hand to Mouth’ are giving two performances and the popular choir, Crescendi will be singing their hearts out.

The Nurseries are also hosting the Festival Finale during the evening at which the popular big band, ‘Swing Unlimited’ will be playing. There is an entry charge of £5 for this Finale. Tickets can be booked from Cheryl 01590 644865.

Steve Adams, the Festival’s ‘Music Man’ is equally delighted about the way the Festival is developing. Steve, a local musician has played at many of the larger Festival over the years and points out that during the weekend, ‘This Festival offers a huge range of music…from Folk to Rock and Roll to Big Band, and it’s all happening in the tiny village of Everton over 3 days!’ Steve adds that in his opinion, ‘ Everton is unique in that it may be a small Village… not only does it have a fabulously friendly atmosphere but it has masses of free parking and is very easy to find.’ 

During the weekend most of the events are free. Besides Garden parties, craft workshops and an Arts Trail, there is a Post celebratory Birthday Tea Dance for the Queen. There’s also a Folk evening planned and on Saturday a ‘Picnic in the Park’ with live music from Mudeford Crabs, Riverside Blues. During the Picnic on the Recreation Ground, Vintage cars will provide a stunning backdrop to a display of Birds of Prey. Thanks to the baking skills of the ladies of Everton, there will be plenty of home-made goodies and drink on offer. This will be followed by an evening gig with Empty Frets in the Everton & Lymore Social Club. 

Please click here to see full Festival programme. 

Everton Village Festival 
Cheryl Fillmore

Festival Co-ordinator

01590 644865

cherylfillmore@hotmail.com

www.everton-lymington.co.uk

Get on the BT Fibre Network

Are you one of the unlucky people still not connected to the BT Fibre Network for fast broadband?

Fibre broadband is unavailable for quite a large part of the Milford on Sea area, but anyone who has it will have an fast connection to the internet, which can improve productivity of local business and improve the experience for local residents.

Sam Turner, who works within the IT Department at Shorefield Country Park is working on improving their Fibre connections. Currently they have park wide Wi-Fi and would like to complete the same set up at Lytton Lawn. However Lytton Lawn is part of the unavailable area.

Sam, would very much like to get a community fibre partnership going within the local area and he has reminded us that Local Residents and Businesses are able to registering your interest for Fibre Broadband by clicking here.

The more people that register, the more BT will pay attention.

The BT community fibre network claim that they are helping to provide 95% coverage across the UK by the end of 2017, but aspire to go further and are always searching for ways to reach the last 5%. 

Let's hope we are not in that last 5%!

Save Our Post Office Update

Press Release from Save Our Post Office Team

The team endeavouring to find an alternative Post office for Milford on Sea has been able to find a few local interested potential retail investors to take on this role. However, the business model based on commission sales without a salary has not been seen to be an attractive proposition when they have looked at the projected sales data that has been provided by Post Office Limited. 

For the last few months a special committee has therefore been pursuing the alternative of a visiting ‘Pop-up’ Post Office in a community facility for a few days a week. However the Post Office Limited has not yet been able to find a nearby Post Office operation to take on this facility and we have been informed that there will likely be a gap between the closure of the existing Post Office and a visiting service in the community.

Dick Coe

Save Our Post Office Team

Editors Note: The Milford on Sea Post Office is due to close on Saturday 21st May, thanks go to Sue for all her years of providing a valuable service to the village. The shop will however continue to trade selling kitting materials, stationery, books, greeting cards, stamps and more.

Freda the Guide Dog Puppy

The Freda Cheyney MBE Memorial Fund recently managed to raise £2500 thanks to the generosity of local people in Milford on Sea and village businesses.

This has now enabled the organiser, Sue Darby to sponsor a Guide Dog for the Blind on everyone's behalf in memory of Freda Cheyney.

The new puppy has been named 'Freda', and you can see her and her birth certificate to the left.

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.

Flowers Galore at the Baptist Church

The Wedding in Cana -
Pharaoh’s dream of seven years
of plenty and seven of famine
click image to enlarge

Last weekend saw a few hundred people visit Milford Baptist Church in Barnes Lane, where members had put on an extravagant Flower Festival as part of the church’s 200th anniversary celebrations. 

Most of the 21 separate displays were based on passages from the Bible, and a lot of talent and imagination had gone into the arrangements of flowers and props. 

The Crucifixion
click image to enlarge

The beneficiary of the event wasn’t the church itself but Oakhaven Hospice, which as a result will be receiving a donation of several hundred pounds. 

Milford on Sea Baptist Church

Rev David Hellsten

Barnes Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RN

01590 645469

www.milfordonseabaptist.org.uk

Did You Know the Village has a Defibrillator?

Milford on Sea village centre has had a defibrillator for anyone to use in an emergency for some months now, but not everyone notices that it is there.

If you take a look next time you pass the Charity Shop/Coop you will see the defibrillator on the side wall.

About 40 local people attended a familiarisation session at the Community Centre in April this year which showed considerable interest in the 'fool-proof' nature of the machine and the vital addition of CPR.

The defibrillator was organised by Colin Holdsworth, and funded by Milford on Sea Food Week, the Parish Council, the Milford on Sea War Memorial Hospital League of Friends, Milford on Sea Women's Institute and Hampshire County Council.

Thanks also go to the The Southern Co-Operative for their support in hosting the machine in such an ideal spot.

Like insurance, we hope the machine has no need to be used, but should the need arise, it is great for all of us that of fellow residents have made this vital service available.

Alice from Verveine Wins Hospitality Award

The Verveine team were delighted to be at the spectacular Lainston House last night (3rd May 2016) to attend the Southern Institute of Hospitality Student Awards Evening.

Alice Kingham (Verveine)
Southern Branch Student Award Winner
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Alice Kingham, who works front of house at Verveine and is studying hospitality at Bournemouth and Poole college had be nominated for a major award, and the Verveine team were proud to be there to see how she would get on.

As the awards ceremony was under way the announcement came: "and the winner of the Southern Institute of Hospitality Front of House Student of the Year is... Alice Kingham."

David Wykes, chef/patron at Verveine said; "Alice is a key member of our team she is extremely professional and friendly, and we are all very proud of her achievement."

As you might expect Alice and the team enjoyed the celebrations that followed.
 . 

Lainston House
click image to enlarge

The Oscars-style glamour of the Institute of Hospitality (Southern Branch) Student Award presentations were enhanced by the attendance of MasterChef The Professionals 2013 Winner Steven Edwards, who is Chef Director at 'Etch'.

Furthermore, Andy MacKenzie, member of the Institute of Hospitality and Executive Chef of the Exclusive Chefs’ Academy, has commissioned a series of brief video interviews with those shortlisted, filmed within their college kitchens, to showcase on the night as the nominees and winners are announced. 

Alice with
Rosemary Shrager in Verveine
click image to enlarge

Andy MacKenzie added, “As a member of the Institute and a keen supporter of young and aspiring chef talent within our industry, I am only too pleased to be part of this awards event and thrilled, with the support of Exclusive, to bring a touch of Hollywood style drama to this years’ gala evening which has received unprecedented entries."

Designed to reward the talent and efforts of hospitality and catering students studying a nationally-recognised qualification at Level 2 or 3 in colleges and training centres across the Southern region - comprising Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset - the Institute of Hospitality Awards recognise three categories, Front of House (sponsored by The AA), Pastry Chef, (sponsored by Yates Supplies) and Chef (sponsored by the Chefs Forum).

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PS: Dave and his team with be creating a magical picnic for anyone going to the free Queen's Birthday Village Picnic on the village green on Saturday11th June.

You can pre-order Verveine's: 'Her Majesty’s Picnic' for just £7. This will contain a magical and majestic home-made bread sandwich, surprise extras and a treat – All made with Dave Wykes creative flair! (Call in for details and order well before Friday 10th June as these will sell out fast)

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Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant

01590 642176

98 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE

david@verveine.co.uk 

www.verveine.co.uk

Got any spare clothes hangers?

I didn't realise that I had a view on clothes hangers until today.

To explain, the Village Charity Shop dropped me a line to ask people in the village for any spare clothes hangers as they prepare for their Summer Sale.

This made me think about my wardrobe, which have to say is a thought that doesn't enter my mind too often. It was only then that I realised that I had always wanted a wardrobe that was full of neatly matching nice wooden clothes hangers.

So, up I went to my wardrobe an opened the doors. 

In front of me was a mass of clothes on a hotch-potch of hangers, - thin metal ones from the dry cleaners, funny plastic moulded ones, a weird padded fabric one, straight top ones, ones with a funny rubber band contraption underneath and some really weird ones with notches in the sides on the top. 

Then of course there were the 'special hangers' you get for Christmas. If you are a bloke, it is fair to bet you have unused hangers for ties, belts and even a hinged multi-level one for trousers, that even if you can put the trousers on it, you are unlikely to get them off in time to wear for wherever you are going. 

The nice wooden ones were in short supply and my perfect wardrobe dreams were shattered.

As I stood musing at my wardrobe contents, my wife came in and said; 'Oh, at last you can sort out the clothes in there that haven't fitted you for years!"

No chance, I need those shirts, even if it means I have to participate in a wrestling match every time I need to release a shirt to wear from the over packed rail.

I then considered sorting out my pants drawer, but soon came to the conclusion that I have already had too much trauma for the day. Plus of course, should my wife come in, she might make me throw away my threadbare 'lucky pants' that have followed Watford FC around the country over many years. (With me in them, not on their own.) It is a simple fact that a man and his lucky pants should never be parted.

 Anyway, back to the point that started all of this - The Village Charity Shop need loads of clothes hangers for their Summer Sale (which they will be holding at the Community Centre on Saturday May 28th starting 9.30am until 4.30pm)  - If you can help out with clothes hangers (preferably plastic), please just drop them off at the Village Charity Shop in Milford on Sea village centre.

Village Picnic for Queen's Birthday

The Food Week Team are organising a fun afternoon for friends and families to get together to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday.

Everyone is invited to the Queen's Birthday Village Picnic which will be held on the Milford on Sea village green between 12noon and 4pm on Saturday 11th June 2016.

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To support local business, there will be a full range of Pre-Prepared Picnics you can pre-order (These will be advertised across the village as we get closer to the event), - or of course you can make and bring your own home-made picnic - all we would ask is that the contents are bought from the village shops please.

To keep everyone entertained there will also be live music from a whole host of musicians from the village.

So, put the date in your diary, - and then bring along a picnic, sit back and enjoy the good company and music as a memorable afternoon passes by.


Please Note: This is a community event organised by the community, for the community. Everyone coming are responsible for their own safety, kids and property. Please take all you litter home with you, or a small group of people are lumbered with clearing up!

Strong Currents on Beach

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Local coastguard services have been warning of the strong currants on Milford on Sea seafront.

Please be careful when venturing onto the beach.

Climb for Nepal raises over £1500

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Last Saturday many local children enjoyed the climbing wall on Milford on Sea Village green, and the 'Climb for Nepal' event raised well over £1500 with sponsorships still coming in.

The money raised will go towards a new library for Kushadevi School which is Milford’s sister school in Nepal.

Around 60 young climbers from Milford on Sea took part, and they collectively managed well over the height of Ben Nevis - a whopping 1785 metres!

Sister events had 140 climbing mount Nagi in Nepal, and PHASE Nepal’s team had 150 climbers on Mount Snowdon. 

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There were live updates from both of the other climbs, although Snowdon’s signal proved a little tricky, but luckily mount Nagi has a mobile phone mast on the very top!

There is now talk of going for the equivalent of Everest next year which will be a 24 hour climb on the Village Green!

The whole event was put together by a group of sterling workers all aged under 11 (under the guidence of Joey Owen) - this was a big achievement for them, as it not always easy to pull these things off and they did it - so big shout out to them, everyone deserves to be very proud.

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The whole event was organised by a local Milford on Sea based charity helping children in Nepal:

Freedom to Learn 

Joey Owen 

info@freedomtolearn.org.uk

www.freedomtolearn.org.uk

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Meet the Team at Daniel James

Daniel James Coast & Country Homes opened in Milford on Sea last year and we wanted to take this opportunity to meet the team.

This new residential Estate Agency is owned by Daniel Wale, and run together with his team of Ben Chambers and Jackie Chambers.

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This business is named after Daniel's two first names; 'Daniel James'. He has 4 children and a step daughter and is 37, although looking in his twenties!

Daniel has lived locally his whole life, and first came to the village as a chef 21 years ago aged 16 working at a quality French restaurant called Rochers, which is now the Zaika Indian Restaurant a few doors up from his new office. He started as an estate agent in new Milton and gained experience working in Christchurch, Highcliffe, Bransgore and now here in Milford.

As a director and partner of the business Daniel brings around 16 years estate agency experience to the team. His infectious enthusiasm and dedication in going the extra mile for clients has brought him numerous glowing testimonials from buyers and sellers over the years.

Ben has recently left university where he gained a 2:1 BA Honours in business and management, and he is now engaged in a business which he feels passionately about.

Ben is a local lad himself and In his spare time likes to spend time at the beach and enjoys walking his dog Stan. He also played football for Hordle FC and made his own long board, which he falls off it a lot! 

Jackie (Ben's mum) is the key to ensuring the office runs smoothly aiming for a high level of service for clients at all times. Outside of work Jackie loves to spend time with her family, cycling and walking in the New Forest.

This independent estate agency services the village and also has an online presence covering Everton, Hordle, Lymington, Pennington, Barton on Sea, New Milton and the surrounding areas.

Daniel said; "Being  new business in the village we are aware we need to justify your faith in us, we are embracing village life by doing all we can to help enhance any community good causes."

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Most recently the guys not only put up their own signs to publicise Milford on Sea Food Week, they also joined the 'Food Week Erection Team', helping out to put up promotional signage around the village.

Daniel James are also going to be the Main Sponsor for the Milford on Sea May Fayre on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May. On the day there will be a car full of balloons so kids can play ‘guess how many balloons in the car’ with a prize to be won. 

They will also be giving balloons out on the day and presenting the May Princess with her trophy.

(Editor's Notes: I will of course be trying yet again to becoming the May Princess, having been disqualified for being too hairy for the past 10 years. A few hours of pain in The Retreat should do the trick this year!)

Daniel James Coast & Country Homes

61 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG - 01590 641111
enquiries@danieljameshomes.co.uk

www.danieljameshomes.co.uk 

Other Milford on Sea Estate Agents

Collins & Butler
57 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG - 01590 643033
post@collinsandbutler.co.uk
www.collinsandbutler.co.uk

Hayward Fox

9 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF - 01590 644933

milford@haywardfox.co.uk

www.haywardfox.co.uk

Phoebe wins Yes Chef Competition

We have received a really nice message from Toby and Mitzi Collins who wanted to acknowledge the fantastic community spirit offered by Sam and his staff at La Perle for a fellow Milford on Sea resident.

Toby and Mitzi felt that Sam and her team were the perfect mentors for daughter, Phoebe as she went on to win the Yes Chef competition in Bournemouth organised by the Enterprise and Skills Company and sponsored by Harvest Fine Foods. 

The Yes Chef Competition started with 150 students and was whittled down to four finalists at The Sandbanks Hotel in Poole.

The finalists worked in a professional kitchen and produced their dishes for guests including the Mayor of Bournemouth, Dr Karen Arnold, Queens Award for Enterprise and Richard Strongman, Managing Director of Harvest Fine Foods.

Phoebe who is in Year 9 at Bournemouth School for girls contacted Sam owner of La Perle restaurant in Milford on Sea for some tips on her dishes and he very kindly met with her and invited her in to practise her dishes with himself and Jo.

Phoebe was so thrilled with the interest they took in her competition and the knowledge and generosity of time they gave.

Phoebe's prize was a set of professional knives, an opportunity to open the Bournemouth Food Festival (while possibly demonstrating one of her dishes) and all four finalists have been invited to provide afternoon tea for local dignitaries in the Mayor of Bournemouth's parlour.

Well done Phoebe, another excellent chef in the making in Milford on Sea - there will also be a slot available to you in the Food Week Cookery Theatre in 2018!

Sam Hughes-La Perle
click image ot enelarge

La Perle
60 High Street, Milford on Sea SO41 0QD
01590 643557
www.laperle.co.uk

From Milford to Uganda

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Sue Forward, a resident of Milford on Sea and her granddaughter Ellie (Aged 17), recently visited the Ray of Hope School and the slum community of Namuwongo, Kampala, Uganda.

Friends of Ray of Hope is a small Milford on Sea Charity which supports Ugandan children.

Enjoy reading about this visit in Ellie's own word: -

My Gran, Sue Forward, and I left the small sleepy seaside village of Milford-on-Sea, temperature of four degrees. We stepped outside Entebbe airport, 12 hours later, temperature of 35 degrees!! The humidity, the smells, the madness of traffic and motorbikes – there were so many people!! So many stalls along the side of the road with people trying to sell items to get money to pay their rent.

Matthew and Nicola were there to meet us and we went by taxi to meet Emily, the director of Ray of Hope, and her family. Their home was very simple and we were made to feel so welcome – her husband Richard had been given a large rocking horse from his son-in-law and he was very proud of this. From there we walked down into the slum community – so many children everywhere! We were heading for the church which was a shack type “thing” with a metal roof. We were surrounded by really happy people who then greeted us. People really welcomed us, introduced themselves and were really happy to see us. It made me feel I was already part of the community. The heat inside the shack was overwhelming after a long flight and no sleep but the service was very lively, with loud music and everyone was very energetic – singing, dancing and Praising God. All the children did their dances and singing, even the Pastor danced and got “stuck in” giving thanks and praise.

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The next day we were introduced to all the teachers and the social workers at the Ray of Hope school – they were so happy to see us!! Some of the ladies were there making bags to sell. Some children were there and they loved to have their photo taken and liked being read to. The shack where we bought food – beans and like a maize because rice is too expensive – to take to the families in the slum community was very small and I realised how much I took for granted. Giving the children one small toy made them happy. The homes we visited were very very cramped - new born babies were just lying on the stone floor – we took blankets the next day. When the rain comes these homes flood. We prayed for the families and everyone clapped. Emily came with us and spoke, usually to the Mum, to find out what she and her family needed most. This was sometimes a bag of charcoal or potatoes to sell to get money for rent or maybe to pay the rent for a month. There were sometimes 6/7 people sleeping and living in the shacks and it was so hot.

I hadn’t known what to expect but I will continue now to support Ray of Hope in any way I can. And I have learnt so much. All the money that is raised through Ray of Hope Friends goes directly to the school and the children – Steve and Liz Jennings were amazing to start this charity. I would like always to make a difference – the people I met have made a difference to me forever."

Steve Jennings
Founder of Friends of Ray of Hope
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Friends of Ray of Hope

A Milford on Sea Charity which supports Ugandan children
www.friendsofrayofhope.com

*If you would like to support this small charity run by local people, you can do so by donating on the website above.

Little Wrens coming to Milford

A new childrens' pre-school and nursery will be opening in Milford on Sea in June. 

Little Wrens will be based at The Old Bank House, 5 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF, previously the home for JW Hair & Beauty Salon.

Little Wrens are a small, friendly childcare provider offering fun, friendly care and education for young children from 2 to 5 years, generally the ratio of staff to children is 1:4 (ages 2-3) and 1:8 (ages 3-5).

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This new venture will be run by Sarah Renyeard who comes from a childcare and managerial background and has studied in level 3 CYPW & Level 3 Institute of Leadership and Management. 

Sarah has 3 children of her own & has lived in Lymington for 23 years, she also has an established Little Wrens in Pennington.

Little Wrens
Sarah Reynard
07885 252175
www.littlewrensgroup.co.uk
sarahjanewrens@hotmail.co.uk


Other Childcare Service in Milford on Sea

Milford on Sea Pre-School: 

Tina Lang - milfordpreschool@aol.com - 01590 644684 - www.milfordpreschoolplus.co.uk 

Little Poppins: 
Lisa Lynk - lisalynk@littlepoppinschildcare.co.uk - 01590 642925 / 07710 174869 - 

www.littlepoppinschildcare.co.uk

Seahorses Stay and Play Group: 
Jenny Whitley - jenny@whitleyonsea.net - 01590 644039 

Twinklers Toddler Group (All Saints' Church):
Sheila Hopkins - office@allsaintsmilford.co.uk - 01590 644992 - www.allsaintsmilford.co.uk

Daddysaurus Club (All Saints' Church):

Sheila Hopkins - office@allsaintsmilford.co.uk - 01590 644992 - www.allsaintsmilford.co.uk