New Paws at No64 Biscuit House

We have heard from Glenn Harrison at No64 Biscuit House in Milford on Sea High Street...

Glenn said: "We're so dedicated to our brands at No64 (or perhaps just a little crazy!) that the 2 beautiful little kittens we just picked up are called, guess what.............Ester & Erik, after our amazing Danish candle brand!

We were working recently on a joint property styling project with the wonderful New Forest Escapes and the hugely talented interior designer Robyn Hedges happened to mention she had some new born kittens requiring homes. 

We if that isn't like a red rag to a bull I don't know what is! We ended up with not one but two, they are the most beautiful little things though and we'd be very happy to show you on your next visit to No64 Biscuit House."

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Here's a sneak peak at Milford on Sea's very own answer to famous Danish candle makers, Ester & Erik! If you'd like to see the real thing (candles) they're in-store or click here.

No64 Biscuit House

64 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 643765
www.No64.co.uk

Try your hand at Bowls

The magnificently positioned Milford on Sea Bowls Club on the seafront is holding an Open Morning on Wednesday May 2nd from 10.30am to 12.30pm 

Whether ‘new to the sport’ or an established player - you are warmly welcomed to go along, meet the members and try the green. 

The club's coaches will be there to advise you – and you can use the club's bowls and shoes. 

The Club is on the sea front in Hurst Road (SO41 0PY) between the Needles Eye Café and Hurst Road West , Public Car Park. 

For further details contact 07725 715781.

New Website for Floral Art Club

The Milford on Sea Floral Art Club now has a brand new website to enable new residents and/or visitors to find out about the club. The site contains details of meetings and photographs of some of the things the members have been up to. 

To visit the site please click here. 

You can also find the club on Facebook - click here.

One of the events the club is organising takes place on Friday 4th May which is this year's National Association of Flower Arrangers 'Lonely Bouquet' Day. The members at Milford Floral Art Club will, once again be participating. This is the day on which we make and then distribute small floral posies around the Village for anyone to pick up, take home and enjoy. 

These posies have a label attached to them giving the details of our Club, and requesting the recipient contacts the club to let them know where it ended up. 

Finally, the club have an Open Meeting on Thursday, 14th June. everyone is welcome and you can find more details here: www.milfordonseacalendar.org

May Fayre Continues

We have received the good news that the May Fayre at Milford on Sea is still going ahead.

This year the organisation is slightly different as after many years of dedication the Milford on Sea Village Community Committee have handed the reigns of this fantastic event over to Milford on Sea Church of England Primary School Parent Friends Association (or PFA for short).  

The PFA will be keeping to the same format as in previous years with children from Milford on Sea Primary School dancing around the Maypole, entertainment, music and much more. 

May Fayre
Bank Holiday Monday 7th May 2018:

• 8am: Set-up for the stallholders
• 10am: May Fayre Open to public
• 11:45am - 12:15am: Punch and Judy
• 12:30am - 13:30am: Music to be confirmed
• 2pm - 2:30pm: May Princess and Maypole Dancing
• 2:45pm - 3:15pm: Magic Show
• 4pm: May Fayre closes

It is hoped that all the local community can attend this wonderful event and there is still time to book a stall.

Should anyone want further details then they can contact Sean Reeves mayfayre.mospfa@outlook.com or call on 07966 449826. 

New Local Novel from Elisabeth Marrion

A new book has been written and published by local author, Elisabeth Marrion. The new novel is entitled 'The Wight Thing' which is set in Lymington, The Isle of Wight, and features Milford on Sea in several chapters. Local village stores, and restaurants, which include, Jabulani, The Old Smithy, Needles Eye Cafe, The Music Festival, Shorefield are all part of the scenes.

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The story is about eight friends who meet up after the untimely death of Isabelle’s husband. Having never lost sight of each other since their university days and now retired they seize the moment and formulate a plan to search for a place where they could all live together. As they embark on this new journey, secrets begin to emerge.

Christine harbours a longing which she has never acted upon, while Steve dreads his next doctor’s appointment. Isabelle is hiding the biggest truth of all, which, if it comes to life, could have devastating consequences.Is friendship enough to keep them together?

Comment from The Wishing Shelf, which is a readers award: “A wonderfully warm, powerfully-written story populated with memorable characters.”

Now available to purchase at 'Jabulani' and 'The Old Smithy'.

New Bird Observatory – Family Open Mornings

The Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV) who manage the new Bird Observatory at Keyhaven, will open their gates to families every first Saturday in the month from May to September between 10am and Noon. 

Knowledgeable bird enthusiasts from the group will be on hand with spare telescopes and binoculars to point out the various birds to the youngsters visiting the Observatory. The Pans is a wetland nature reserve on private land owned by J & D Edgar Ltd. 

Conservation Officer for the MCV – Keith Metcalf explained that, under the terms of their agreement, ‘We are able to use the building and decking area to watch and record the birds and wildlife using The Pans and Avon Water. The terms of our agreement stipulate that we have to control access. We do this for keen birdwatchers by operating a key-fob purchase system, which enables each key-fob owner to use the facility 365-days a year between the hours of 8am and 8pm’. 

MCV is also arranging with the local Guide and Scout Association leaders for them to bring their ‘packs’ to the Observatory to receive guidance on how the youngsters can best watch, identify and record the numerous wildfowl using the reserve. 

The adjacent farmland is managed by Simeon Morgan Farming under a European Higher-Level Stewardship agreement with Natural England. The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is designated for its large number of wintering wildfowl, including the dark-bellied Brent Geese of which the Solent holds between 10 and 13% of the world population and 30% of all Brent’s visiting the Solent during the winter. The site also holds many wild duck species, including Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and Shelduck and several wader species such as Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Spotted Redshank. 

During the quieter summer months, the site has breeding Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and Cetti’s Warbler. While nearby, Dartford Warbler and Little Owl also nest and the group also expect that one of these days Bittern will raise their young in the extensive reedbed. 

The Keyhaven coastal area is a mecca for birdwatchers from all over the country and Keith said, ‘Working alongside one of our sponsors, the Cameron Bespolka Trust, we will open the Observatory each month for families to walk in and enjoy the facility. Our MCV bird enthusiasts will be on hand to help parents who wish to encourage their children to become interested in nature. We will help them to identify each bird seen’. 

The MCV is also seeking unwanted second-hand binoculars or telescopes from anyone who no longer has a need for them. Members will arrange collection from anywhere in the New Forest. 

For further information, contact Keith Metcalf at: 

Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV)

Keith Metcalf - Conservation Officer

(01590) 645825 - Mobile (07771) 918449 

keithmetcalf@btinternet.com

www.milfordcv.org

DIRECTIONS TO THE BIRD OBSERVATORY 

From Milford village, turn left at the bottom of the green towards Keyhaven. Pass the Keyhaven War Memorial green on your left and The Gun on your right. Turn left into the NFDC car park. Pay and park and walk towards the track that leads round the northern part of the quay towards the coastal footpath and Iley Lane. After about four hundred metres, you will see the Bird Observatory gate and Welcome sign on your left. 

FAMILY OPEN MORNING DATES AT THE OBSERVATORY 

ALL SATURDAYS 

(10 am to Noon) 

5th May 

2nd June 

7th July 

4th August and 

1st September 2018

Marine House has a New Website

Marine House, the luxury B&B on Milford on Sea seafront, now has an new website.

Click here to check it out.

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Marine House | Luxury B&B:
Seafront, Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY
Tel: 01590 644369
www.marinehousebnb.co.uk

School seeks Governor with financial expertise

Do you have a financial background? Do you have 3 or 4 hours each week to help steer Milford on Sea Primary School’s finances? 

The school are are looking for a Governor with financial expertise to expand their resources in this area. The Governing Body is a diverse group, everyone is welcome. Training is available. 

If you are interested please contact Sue Towndrow (Chair of Governors) on:

stowndrowmosps@gmail.com

Science and Faith - Friends or Foes?

Professor Meric Srokosz is based at the University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, part of the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. He has worked on various aspects of waves – such as wave breaking and measuring waves from space and alongside colleagues on research vessels in the mid-Atlantic, obtaining full-depth data of the ocean environment. He coordinates the Rapid Climate Change programme (RAPID; www.rapid.ac.uk), looking at how changes in the north Atlantic circulation will affect UK and north-west European climate. He is also a leading member of Christians in Science and has recently published, with theologian Rebecca Watson, the book Blue Planet, Blue God, exploring both the biblical and scientific aspects of the oceans. 

This talk is a unique opportunity for folk, with or without faith, to explore the apparent conflict of scientific thought and Christian Faith in the modern world. Meric will give an illustrated talk on his own personal approach to his faith and his work and open the way for questions from those who seek solutions to reconciling the different approaches to life's big questions. 

The meeting is sponsored by All Saints' Church and the Hope 2018 initiative in the Village.

The Go Go Five rock around Milford

An exciting and inspiring band, The Go Go Five was co-founded by local music industry guru, Ivan Chandler.

Ivan is now a resident of Milford on Sea and originates from Windlesham in Surrey. He has worked in the Entertainment Industry for over 30 years having held executive positions at Paramount Pictures, Elton John’s Rocket Music Co. and Motown International. He was also the music consultant for PACT (the UK trade association for independent television, film and content companies). He is also a music supervisor, music licensing executive, music publisher, keyboard player, composer, trainer in music copyright and a forensic musicologist..

As an accomplished keyboard player (having played for Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Cat Stevens and Kiki Dee), some years ago Ivan decided to put a new band together. He envisaged an instrumental group based on Booker T. & the MGs and featuring top guest vocalists. What Ivan knew would be a key and essential part was a guitarist with whom he musically clicked and who could “cut it” on every show.

When Ivan walked into a music shop in Camberley in the Spring of 2002, he met the owner Jonathan MacDonald. They immediately jelled, had a similar sense of humour and coincidentally both had the same musical vision.

It wasn’t long before a drummer and bass player were brought in and, after only one rehearsal, the band was launched at Ivan’s birthday party at his house on Saturday August 17th. It was such a great party that the house caught fire!! It was all so crazy that calling the band The True Mentals was perfect. 

Over a period of 15 years, the band has played at Jagz in Ascot, The Jazz Cafe at the Madejski Stadium, Reading, 4 of the 5 pubs in Windlesham and an annual feature at the famous Jazz Day, first Sunday in September at The Brickmakers. 

In 2009, the band changed its name to Chuck Chandler and the Go Go Five, simplified in 2017 to The Go Go Five, to reflect their explosive mix of ’60s Soul, Jazz, Rock & Blues.

The band prides itself on the calibre of artists who regularly perform. Currently the rhythm section comprises Ed James Jordan on drums and Chris Hampson on bass. Christina Al-Wakil is currently featured as a vocalist who also blows a mean trumpet, flugel horn and flute. The band is also immensely honoured to feature Dunx (James Duncan Byiers), bringing amazing vocals and beautiful guitar playing to the mix. 

The brilliant Saxophonist Sean Horsey often appears on stage, as do the bassists Marco Laver and Steve Mills (not at the same time!). Drummers including Tom Compton (residing in Keyhaven!), Julian Bown and Chris York are regulars and guest vocalists include Jackie Rawe (ex-Shakatak), from New Zealand we have Rietta Austin, from Australia there is Jo Elms, Sylvia Mason (who Jonathan first saw performing at Glastonbury with The Pet Shop Boys), Rose Kimberley, Dorie Jackson, Mandy Bell, Kerry Barnard (Q The Music – James Bond Tribute), David Ribi (star of West End Musicals), Hannah White, Kate Brown (of The Boxettes), Roy Gayle (Hot Gossip and Frank The Cat) and Luddy Samms (of The Drifters). 

The Go Go Five often include a Motown Revue as part of their uplifting, inspiring and truly exciting show…but frankly, anything can happen on the night. 

Next Local Gigs:

Saturday 19th May: Milford On Sea Social Club. 67 High St, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG 

Free Entry for Members / Non-Members £2.00! Arrive for 7.30pm 

Saturday 30th June: The Red Lion, 32 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

Free Entry – Music from 8pm

The Go Go Five

www.thegogofive.com or click to find their Facebook page.

Community Mini Bus Coordinator Needed

The Milford on Sea Community Mini Bus is up and running thanks to the generosity of Hillyfields and there have been several successful group outings so far, as well as occasional shuttle services to and from Everton Post Office and Nursery. 

Volunteer drivers have been identified and the team now need a volunteer Co-ordinator to pull the whole thing together. 

 It shouldn’t take too much time but just needs an organised person to co-ordinate bookings, drivers, and promote the service. You will need to be able to work with the driver volunteers, other organisations and members of the public, some of whom may require assistance. 

If you think this could be an opportunity you would be interested in, please contact: Tony Harrison on 01590 645404 or
milfordonseava@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk for further information on how you can help to promote and keep this this vital community service on the road.

Sue retires from The Village Voice

Sue Hill has handed over the reins of The Village Voice and The Lymington Directory to her neighbour, Jacqui Peacock and is confident it is in safe hands. 

Sue Hill

She would like to thank the many villagers who have sent her good wishes and especially for the lovely comments about The Village Voice. Her favourite so far is, ‘It’s a village treasure.’ 

Sue started both The Village Voice and The Lymington Directory in 2005, moving from a career teaching PE, English and Special Needs. Although, these days, a lot of communities have their own magazines, the idea was fairly new then and there were certainly voices of doom and gloom, warning her that it would never work. Fortunately she had the full support of her family and is happy to report that it worked rather well! 

Jacqui Peacock

Sue was very keen to ensure that advertisers were, as far as possible, local to the area so that it was beneficial both to local businesses, as well as residents. She has particularly enjoyed compiling the community pages and is very grateful to all those who not only volunteer for various groups, but also took the time to send her details of various activities and events.

Hillyfield launch Serendip Home Care

Hillyfield Rest Home based in Milford on Sea have opened a sister company, 'Serendip Home Care'.

Serendip can now provide care for you or your loved ones in their own home.

To find out more, please call them on Please call us on 01590 642121 and ask for Sara.

Jack Mans rows into the Wessex Rowing Squad

Local Milford on Sea rower, Jack Mans has been selected to the Wessex Rowing Squad at the British Inter Regional Regatta (JIRR) at the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont Country Park on Saturday 21st April 2018. 

The Regatta is contested between 12 JIRR teams based on the British Rowing Regions & Wales which attracts the "Best of the best” in each region of the country. Jack will row in the J14 x1 Single Scull race over a distance of 1500m. 

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Jack (14), is a Rowing Sports Scholar at Bournemouth Collegiate School (Christchurch RC) recently winning the J14 Walton on Thames SBH Regatta (3000m) and last year breaking the J13 course record winning the Ball Cup at the Olympic Dorney Lake on Sunday 7th May (750m).

Do you have green fingers?

For more information please contact: lindsmos@gmail.com

Everton Festival Coming

The Everton Festival once again has a full programme of events to entertain all this summer.

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To plan the events you want to visit, and to keep an eye on all that is happening, please visit: www.evertonfestival.com

Cider Award for the Wash House

The Wast House are very excited to have been awarded second place in Southern Hampshire Cider Pub of the Year by CAMRA.

They always have a great selection of real ciders on tap and bottle so pop down and give them a try.

The Wash House

27 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
www.thewashhousebar.co.uk

Live Music at The Red Lion

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If you enjoy local live music it is definitely worth checking out the programme that The Red Lion have just published for this year. (See below)

Everyone is welcome to go along enjoy the Free Entertainment.

The Red Lion features in CAMRA Good Beer Guide and have a full menu of home-made food available.

Sat 14th April 2018: Dog Ruff

Fri 11th May 2018: Recluse

Sat 30th June 2018: Go Go Five

July: Milford on Music Festival: Entertainment TBC

Sat 15th Sept 2018: Dog Ruff

Sat 13th Oct 2018: CUBO

The Red Lion

32 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 642236

Looking for Keith Garrard

We received the message below this week:

I have just found an old article on your web site from Keith Garrard in 2009 talking about his life in Milford. My mother in-law was sent to his mother's house, Mary Garrard, during the war as an evacuee.

I know it's a long shot but is he still contactable?

Many thanks,

Mandy.

If you might know where Keith Garrard may be, please email david@milfordonsea.org and we will let Mandy know.

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16th August 2009: Keith Garrard’s Memories of Milford.

As you might guess playing with this website keeps my free time pretty busy & it has plenty of rewarding benefits, not least of which is meeting interesting local people. A couple of days ago, totally out of the blue, I received an e-mail from Keith (R. Keith Garrard) recalling his days in Milford on Sea. His story has plenty of local interest, so I thought I would share it with you.

Keith Garrard’s story: “My parents moved to Carrington Lane just before WW2 when I was about 2 years old. Dad worked for Wellworthy transport section and joined the ARP. During the war years he was a corporal in the Milford on Sea Home Guard. One night during the second world war a sea mine was dropped by a German Ju88 aircraft which landed to the back of our house at 46 Carrington Lane. The bomb’s parachute got hooked up on a tree bordering our house and the field beyond, and thankfully failed to explode. Had it done so it would have caused considerable loss of life in the area. It took the Royal Navy bomb disposal squad a long time to dismantle it and my dad had a piece of it in his garden shed for years! Later, my dad ran the Milford on Sea boys club for about five years before his health deteriorated. The club was affiliated to the National federation of Boys Clubs and they used to meet twice a week in the old Church Hall in Sea Road.

Tramp Ships by Roy Fenton
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I went to the local Church of England school and later to Ashley Secondary School. On leaving school I joined the Merchant Navy as an apprentice deck officer on tramp ships*. My first voyage to sea had been across Sturt Pond on a raft consisting of two 40 gallon drums and planks of washed up wood from the beach, but only after my cousin Roy’s dog had tested it for stability. I was the lightest child so I was nominated the first captain! Whilst in the Merchant Navy I took my second mates and master mariners certificates at Southampton School of Navigation. On gaining my Master Mariners certificate I joined Cunard S,S,Co and worked my way up to First Officer on R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, before leaving the sea to take up the position of Port Agency Superintendent with Cunard, and later a managerial position on Southampton Container Terminal. I moved to Lymington in 1960 and various places subsequently to be near my workplace. 

Today I am now retired and live in Fordingbridge. My father died in 1968 and mother in 1999 after the move to Lymington. P.S. Most of my village friends have now passed away. PPS: I  still have a copy of Chris Hobby’s book of postcards of Milford on Sea and Lymington.” 

*Note: Tramp Ship: I didn’t know what a ‘tramp ship’ was, so here is the definition I found: ‘A merchant cargo ship engaged in the tramp trade is one which does not have a fixed schedule or published ports of call. As opposed to freight liners which operate to a fixed schedule.’ | ARP Warden: As part of the Civil Defence precautions set up by the government in 1935, the job of ARP (Air Raid Precaution) Warden was created. By the time war was declared in 1939, ARP wardens were already in place to cover cities, towns and villages. They had to see that the streets were cleared when the air raid sirens sounded and assisted with dealing with the damage after the raids. It was a dangerous job. The wardens patrolled the streets every night and anyone letting even a tiny chink of light out of their windows would be in deep trouble.

Easter Fun at Hurst Castle

A family Easter egg trail is taking place at Hurst Castle from Friday 30th March to Sunday 15th April, with letters hidden around this mighty artillery fortress built by Henry VIII. Arts and crafts will also be available so children can get creative and wear their arty masterpieces home with pride. 

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The castle will be open daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm, with the first ferry running from Keyhaven at 10.15am and then approximately every 20 minutes. Please note during the Easter weekend (from Friday 30th April to Monday 2nd April), the last ferry from Hurst Castle will be earlier than advertised due to exceptional low tides. 

These will be as follows: 

Good Friday (Friday 30th March): last ferry from Hurst Castle is at 2.30pm 

Saturday 31st March: last ferry from Hurst Castle is at 3.15pm 

Easter Sunday (1st April): last ferry from Hurst Castle is at 4pm 

Easter Monday (2nd April): last ferry from Hurst Castle is at 4.30pm 

The castle will remain open until 5.30pm during the Easter weekend for those walking back. 

For further information please visit www.hurstcastle.co.uk or call 01590 642500.

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