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Tuesday 19 February 2019

School Lane Development Public Enquiry

Below is an update on the proposed School Lane Development in Milford on Sea. Sit tight and get a cup of tea - this is a long one!

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Public inquiry into the appeal made by Pennyfarthing Homes into the refusal of New Forest District Councillors of planning consent for land north of School Lane. 

The inquiry ran from Tuesday morning February 11th until Friday February 15th. 

Barristers for New Forest District Council and for Pennyfarthing locked horns over mainly one point at issue - that of the viability of the provision of affordable housing on the site. The inquiry into this viability was incredibly detailed, Pennyfarthing insisting that it would not be viable to include the amount of affordable housing demanded by the policy for the land and stating that starter homes should be included as part of their affordable housing allocation. 

New Forest District Council argued that if 42 houses are permitted then the quota of affordable housing could viably be increased - the Council denied that starter homes should be allowed other than as part of the remainder of the development - after the affordable housing has been included. 

Milford Parish Council wished the inspector to consider issues other than the viability question. The Parish Council’s opening and closing statements referred strongly to the original reason for the removal of the site from the Green Belt and to the original inspector’s directives for the site - ie 30 houses only to be built and these all to be affordable or low cost houses. 

The inquiry progressed in a measured and extremely thorough way - the inspector making sure that the community voice was heard: he twice visited the site, at busy school drop off and pick up times and, although we cannot predict his verdict, largely at least we feel that our concerns were heard. 


The Parish Council’s opening and closing statements are below.

First, I must emphasise, Milford on Sea wishes to build affordable houses to help as far as possible the needs of local people who cannot afford to live in the village in which they were born, in which their families may have lived for generations, or in which they work and which they love. 

The PC has tried over many years – to my personal knowledge 16 - to bring forward sites for affordable homes. We are happy that Milford is now acknowledged as a Forest Village with all that that entails : no right to buy for renting families, no staircasing out for part owners - a step in the right direction towards preventing our low cost housing becoming available on the open market which would just feed the demand for second homes in Milford – (the only coastal village for miles either side). Thereby hopefully preserving some measure of diversity in our village residents. 

Milford wishes appropriate housing to be built. 

To that end, after a tortuous process and difficult decision making MOS1 was identified as the only site for the 30 houses which Milford was obliged to provide under the terms of the current local plan. 

These 30 houses the PC was told had to be provided on green belt land - any other sites which came forward would be considered as ‘bonus’ sites and would not be accounted for as part of the 30 obligation. 

So the village entered into, with much heart searching and, at the end of the day, with no option. designation of MOS1 as the preferred site for these 30 houses. 

MOS 1 was a piece of land within the green belt. The village took it on the chin that precious green belt land was to be sacrificed on the altar of local need and it conceded that it could live with these 30 houses because, we understood, these houses were to be affordable - in our opinion built on an ‘exception’ site. It is noteworthy that in its statement of evidence NFDC uses the word ‘exception’ in relation to this site 13 times. MoS1 policy is referred to as being the key policy of this application. 

It is ironic to note that Pennyfarthing was supportive of the Council's allocation of the site through Policy MoS1. They made representations in support of the allocation. They confirmed their view that the policy was both legally compliant and sound, and in supporting the policy they noted that "The site provides an opportunity to deliver much needed affordable housing to the settlement of Milford-on-Sea". 

The inspector ratified and endorsed this policy – but with stipulation: in an almost unprecedented statement the inspector demanded that various conditions must be met before any building took place. Crucial to this judgment is 30 dwellings ONLY - and these 30 must be to address the needs of the local population - ie the need for affordable rented family accommodation and some shared ownership - these tenures to take up at least 2/3 s of the dwellings - the remaining 1/3 to be low cost accommodation. We understood we had to accept this market housing to make the affordable housing viable. But – this third was to be low cost - with no facility to extend the accommodation in order that it should remain as low cost as possible. 

Perhaps we should have realised that in order to justify the building of this market housing the land had to be redesignated and been aware that when it was no longer green belt it would become a sitting target for any planning application. But we trusted in the inspector’s directive. 

We may have been deceived: if an inspector’s ruling can be swept aside by a profit motivated developer’s cynical disregard of that ruling then what is the point of an inspector? And what hope for the point of future public consultation? And what belief can we have in a developer’s assertion as Pennyfarthing gave that it wishes to build houses to meet a community’s needs when those assertions are condensed to a ‘nod and a wink’ to meeting that local need when applications come forward. 

Viability studies! - those provided by opposing sides seem to us to be a ‘he said/she said’ dialogue. The Parish Council contend that while the studies are not irrelevant, they are superfluous to the argument: we do not accept on any level 42 houses on this site – no matter what the proportion of so called affordable housing may be – we stick by the principle that the loss of the green belt site was for 30 houses and no more. This site is and was an EXCEPTION. 

I will mention the car park - a concrete blot on the green belt at the entrance to the village. The PC along with so many residents know that this is a ludicrous and dangerous place to put an entry and exit onto the busy B3508. It is on a bend. 

The PC also emphasises that it will not accept that starter homes can be acknowledged as part of the developer’s affordable housing obligation - NFDC’s strategic housing officer has underlined that a family wishing to purchase such a starter home on this site must earn around £42,000 a year in order to be able to fund such a purchase. Milford on Sea’s parish councillors are local people. We KNOW people - they are our children – our children’s children - they do not earn £42,000 a year and they are doing their best: often they provide services to the more wealthy population of Milford - they are our carers, our gardeners - actually even the district’s teachers, nurses and paramedics - I KNOW - they love Milford - some of them won’t even employ a plumber unless he lives in Milford because they care about the local economy. Many of them are in receipt of housing benefit to live in private renting accommodation so that they can live here, use our shops, and, yes, enjoy our school, walk our walks and maintain our village. What false economy is that? 

Please do not allow starter homes to be considered as affordable housing. 

The NFDC’s proof of affordability acknowledges that the village need identified (about 57 families) who would qualify for some form of affordable home in the village is probably an understatement. I can guarantee that this is the case. I know families living in private rented accommodation and who are in receipt of housing benefit to enable them to do so have more or less given up - it has taken at least 8 years to come to the top of Milford’s list if you’re lucky. 

We do not need more executive type homes - we will not function as a dormitory for Southampton or Bournemouth, housing people who do not use the village. Milford is a great place to live - it’s a community which looks after its own - it’s a community which works - it’s not all born and bred here but if you live there the full on community care takes the pressure off those in need - the village must meet the housing needs of the people who live and use the village – and who give so much back. 

Please re-endorse the original inspector’s directive for this site and dismiss this appeal.

Closing statement of Milford on Sea Parish Council to the enquiry into Pennyfarthing’s appeal against NFDC’s decision to refuse planning consent on the land north of School Lane.

The Parish Council represents the whole of the village  - as its elected members.

The rationale for the redesignation of this green belt site has been lost in the mire of viability:

The site is intended for 30 houses providing 2/3 affordable dwellings and the remainder low cost homes crucially to meet local need.

The village, as I have said earlier, ‘took it on the chin’ that it would lose a precious and beautiful site to help 30 families from its less privileged population to remain in the village.

Now we are faced with 42 dwellings - it's components hardly touching the locality's housing needs.

Public satisfaction with the planning process is at an all time low locally -  we feel deceived and conned -  a developer and landowner who profess to care about the housing needs of the locality apparently ‘needs’ to put 23 executive houses on a site especially designated for low cost housing -  unbelievable and tragic as far as the residents are concerned.  We find it extraordinary that our Local Planning Authority gave no regard to the planning inspector’s directives for this site  - if only it had then this unhappy situation would not have arisen.

We are warned that if the 30 limit was to be reimposed or if more affordable housing was imposed on the site Pennyfarthing may walk away - the landowner would get nothing and the village would not get any affordable housing at this time. It's tempting to say so what?  Pennyfarthing is not offering to build the sort of affordable units the village needs and the Parish Council firmly believes the village would prefer to wait than to accept yet more executive houses on a development which would enable so few of the people on its Homesearch register having a chance of a home here.

If the Inspector is minded to allow this appeal the Parish council will be vigorous in its pursuit of 70% truly affordable dwellings on the development and will push for those to be family rented accommodation -  not just ‘a unit’  which could be a one bedroom flat  - together with some shared ownership and truly low cost market houses.  The provision on a site of 42 houses of 70% truly affordable dwellings which meets the local housing need would help to ameliorate the sense of betrayal that the village feels  - having let this green belt site go in good faith.

We encourage the inspector to consider other issues within policy MoS1, as suggested by Mr Brown,  in coming to his decision. -  NFDC councillors obviously considered issues other than viability when coming to their decision to unanimously refuse the planning application. Please consider the whole of policy MoS1 –  for example:

The Parish Council opposes the location of the car park.  We acknowledge that Pennyfarthing can win the argument that they are providing parking for recreational amenity - but let’s not kid ourselves -  it’s no good as a ‘drop off’.  First,  few children are ‘dropped off’:  our younger children are handed to teachers and handed back to a parent at the end of the day   -  that means parking for those not able to walk to school. The older ones who may be dropped off will find the proposed ‘drop off’ point too far away and  too difficult to get into and out of.  So - not really of any help to Manor Road, Knowland Drive, School Lane or the Lymington Road.  This is not just a local problem and I think the majority of schools, certainly in this area and I am sure further afield,  have similar problems.  We do not have a solution – but we cannot pretend that this car park in this location with its entrance on a bend will do very much to help the school parking.

The expectation was that the car park/drop off point would be located at the southern end of the site but of course where it has been located does help to fit in 42 houses rather than 30 as does the relocation of the play park from the housing development onto the land to be ‘given’ to the Parish Council. We have been informed by the school that it is not happy with the proximity of the houses or the distance of the ‘drop off’ point from the school. 

The eastern exit from the site will take cars logically into Lymore Valley and thence to the Everton junction via narrow rural lanes rather than driving through the estate and then having to turn right onto the B3058. Lymore Valley residents are very concerned about this since many of these lanes are very narrow.

This is not a case of the Parish Council being against development per se - on the contrary we would welcome an application that addresses the needs of our local people. This application does not address those needs and we therefore request that the decision to refuse permission be upheld. No compromise should be considered on this site until other options have been explored.

Lobster Night is back at La Perle!

Milford on Sea's popular restaurant, bar and grill - La Perle have announced that their Lobster Night is back.

Every Wednesday, starting Starting 20th February you can enjoy their special A La Carte Menu with lots of options for Lobster Lovers, includes a half price Bottle of Prosecco per couple! Click here to see the menu.


La Perle
01590 643557
60 High Street, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0QD

Milford Festival announce two new events

The Milford on sea Festival have announced two new events for you too enjoy:

Super Funk in the House
Whip out the flares and dust off those glasses as you join us on a trip back to the Summer of Love. With music from Bournemouth's finest ten-piece band, the fusion of Latin, Funk, Soul and Disco will have you jumping and jiving as we did in the sixties and seventies. 

Plus the awesome dance troop Braces and Lace who jived to those 40's beats will also be showing us hows it's really done, pro-style. 

9th March 2019 | Tickets available from the Community Centre Box Office for £15 per person. 


1969 Casino
After the success of last year's sold-out event, the Casino returns to Milford's Community Centre for another night of glitz and glam. With this year's theme being 1969, what will you come dressed as? With CNN dubbing the Summer of '69 as one of the most eventful in history, what was it about the year that you remember so vividly? Was it the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, or Woodstock Festival in White Lake, New York?

Whatever the year means to you, dress up and join us for a night full of dancing to some of the most iconic music of the year.

18th May 2019 | Tickets are available from the Community Centre Box Office for £17.50 per person. 


Milford Festival

Wednesday 13 February 2019

New Lip Reading Course

Everybody mumbling? Guessing what is being said? Feeling isolated or left out?

Joining a class is a significant step towards enhancing life with hearing loss and is very entertaining.

The village is having a Lip Reading Course to help the 1 in 6 who suffer from hearing loss.

The courses held last year earlier were appreciated so much, that there will be a third Beginners class starting on 15th March 2019.

With the guidance of a lively tutor whose motto is "No-one can fail a Lip Reading Course". People who attended last time were by the end more confident in asking people to speak more slowly or look at them and help them to hear in other ways (in this way reducing their sense of isolation). They also learned not to apologise for their hearing loss and most importantly, to develop skills in interpreting/understanding what people might be saying.

This course is highly recommended for those living with hearing loss, and it is also helpful for couples to learn together.

The 8 week course will be held from 10 am to 12 noon on Friday mornings in All Saints Church Hall starting on 15th March 2019

For more details contact Christine Luxon on:
 01590 719286 or alecluxon@hotmail.com or visit the Lip Reading table at the Big Info Event coming soon.

Friday 8 February 2019

Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations: Admiral Cornwallis’ Unmarked Grave found

In October 2013, the 1805 Club contacted Milford on Sea Historical Record Society (MOSHRS) as they understood that Admiral Cornwallis was buried in Milford churchyard but "the grave had been lost". 

According to his biographer George Cornwallis West, the Admiral had left instructions that he was to be ‘buried at Milford near Captain Whitby’ also that no tomb-stone or any kind of memorial was to be erected in his memory. This last injunction Mrs Whitby obeyed to the letter.

However, Mrs Whitby’s daughter, Theresa West, erected a memorial in the church to the Admiral and her parents and the inscription confirms that all three were “in the same vault at the western end of this churchyard”. 

So to find the Admiral’s grave it was necessary to find Captain Whitby’s grave. The general area was known although the grave was not immediately identifiable. 

Towards the end of 2013, MOSHRS received three files of material from a former Hon Sec of the Society in the 1970s. Included was a transcription of Mrs West’s memorial and also a transcription of what was said to be the original wording on Captain Whitby's grave. There were some additional notes "Adm Man died 1813.... the position of his grave next to Capt Whitby but now beneath the vestry". The graveyard survey of 1922 shows Admiral Man at B28A and B29 as “Whitby, John (Cresswell Hall) b1784 d1793 or 1800” 

Early in 2014 one of the members of the Society chanced to look at the ledger on the grave outside the vestry door. Despite the wording being very worn, the low sun caught it at just the right angle and some of the wording could be made out. After researching safe methods of highlighting the inscription on the ledger, the first of which was inconclusive, the inscription was finally revealed. 

In Memory of 
JOHN WHITBY Esq 
Son of the Rev THOs WHITBY of Cresswell Hall 
STAFFORDSHIRE 
[Born 7th October 1774] 
He was promoted to the Rank of 
POST CAPTAIN in His MAJESTIES NAVY 
[on the 29 April 1793] and departed this life 
on the 7th of April 1806 

Note: The parts in square brackets are indistinct and taken from the transcript. 

The Admiral’s grave had been found. 

In May 2014 it was proposed that MOSHRS together with The 1805 Club, and with church agreement, should erect some form of identification for the Admiral's grave. MOSHRS members were informed in Spring 2015 about a proposal to conserve the Cornwallis/Whitby grave ledger and repair the memorial to Rear Admiral John Peyton who served at the same time as Cornwallis; re-siting the memorial when it was returned from repair. Faculty approval from the church had been received in autumn 2016 and permission to proceed was received in March 2017. Donations were sought to support this work. 

Further research into the careers of Cornwallis and Whitby caused the Society to realise that there was a very important story to be told about the achievements of Admiral Cornwallis. This in turn led to the determination to prepare a commemoration of Cornwallis on the 200th anniversary of his death – and so “Cornwallis Remembered 1819-2019” was born. 

Additional Notes 

Admiral the Honourable Sir William Cornwallis (1744-1819) 
Lt 1761, Cdr 1762, Capt 1765, RAdm 1793, VAdm 1794, Adm 1799; 
Hon: Col of Marines 1797, RAdm of Great Britain 1796, VAdm of United Kingdom 1814; 
Member of Parliament: Eye 1768-74, 1782-4, Portsmouth 1784-1790, Eye 1790-1807. 

Cornwallis was the fourth son of the first Earl Cornwallis, joining the navy at the age of 12 and serving at sea almost without interruption for the next forty years. He was an energetic and successful ship’s captain during the American War of Independence, notably at the seminal Battle of The Saintes in 1782. As an admiral, the escape of his squadron of five ships of the line and three lesser vessels from a French fleet of no fewer than twelve French ships of the line and eighteen smaller vessels was a tribute to his courage, leadership and nautical skill. The episode was immortalised by Thomas Luny in his painting, Cornwallis’ Retreat. His most important contribution, however, was maintaining the blockade of Brest from 1803-6, thereby preventing the invasion of England planned by Napoleon. 

Captain John Whitby (1774-1806) 
Lt 1791, Cdr 1792, Captain 1793. 

Served under Cornwallis throughout much of his career, owing his early promotion to Cornwallis’ patronage. Esteemed by Nelson, but left to return to Cornwallis in 1804 thereby missing Trafalgar. The appalling storms of the ensuing two winters blockading the French Atlantic ports took their toll, and he returned to Cornwallis’ home of Newlands, Milford to die. 

Such was the relationship that Cornwallis left his entire estate to Whitby’s widow and daughter. In 1852, the latter erected the imposing (albeit not altogether accurate) monument to Cornwallis, and to John Whitby and his widow, which adorns the north wall of the aisle. 


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Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society 

The Society was founded in 1909 by a number of prominent local gentlemen. Amongst these was William Cornwallis-West, the great grandson of Admiral Cornwallis’ protégé, Captain John Whitby. 

The Society was reformed in 1975. In its present guise, it holds bi-monthly general meetings, whilst an active research and discussion group meets monthly. The Society holds extensive archives containing some 8,000 items. 

An Occasional Magazine is published from time to time, the most recent editions being 2016 & 2018. The 2019 edition is dedicated to the Cornwallis bi-centenary and follows a study in 2011 of the relationship between Captain Whitby and his wife and Cornwallis.

Find out more at the MOSHRS Website: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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The 1805 Club 

The 1805 Club was founded in 1990 to care for the memorials of the Georgian sailing navy. They are a vital yet often neglected part of Britain's naval heritage. No other organisation is dedicated to their preservation. We: 

Conserve monuments and memorials relating to seafaring people of the Georgian era and in particular Admiral Lord Nelson. For more information on Admiral Lord Nelson please visit The 1805 Club's site www.admiralnelson.org

Promote and publish research into the Royal Navy of the Georgian period, and especially Admiral Lord Nelson. 

Organise cultural and historical events for the enjoyment and edification of our membership and the public in general.

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. 
Click here for event details.

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the
Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

New Greek Restaurant in village

Milford on Sea is about to get a brand new Greek Restaurant called Faros. Based at Marine House on the seafront which previously housed the very popular restaurant The Raft Rocks.

The grand opening takes place next Wednesday 13th February and bookings are currently being taken on 01590 644999.

They are showing some rather lovely plates on their Facebook Page (click here), but I very much doubt that these will get smashed at the end of a great evening!

This sounds another tasty addition the the vibrant Milford on Sea dining scene, why not find out what they have to offer for yourself.

As I say, if in doubt, Eat Out!


Faros Greek Restaurant
Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY
Tel: 01590 644999

info@farosgreekrestaurant.co.uk
www.facebook.com/FarosGreekRestaurant
www.farosgreekrestaurant.co.uk - Website coming soon.

Milford Community Care Group - Annual New Year Party

We are tough cookies in Milford! Over 20 guests braved Friday afternoon’s harsh wintery weather to attend the Milford Community Care Group's annual new year party in All Saints’ church hall. 

Arriving to the wonderful ukulele music of The Strumpets, the afternoon got off to a lively start. The four female ukulele players were supported by “honorary strumpets” in the shape of two cheerful male guitar players. 

The musicians performed a very humorous song about love in later life --- but that is probably best not repeated in a family website! 

There was a splendid song specially written about Milford, and there were many opportunities for joining in the singing of old familiar songs. The session ended with “Bring me sunshine”. By this time, snow was gently falling again, so the song was more of a wish than an order! 

That was followed by the glamorous Nicole in her striking costume of vibrant red evening gown with white bolero, who treated the guests to beautiful singing, giving them songs from the shows, and some classical pieces. 

Tea was then served, with home-made sandwiches and cake, and guests were invited to take home with them the flower pieces on each table. 

The afternoon drew to a close with a lovely session of swinging music from the Windmill Quintet. 

Guests were returned safely home, and will be looking forward to the Milford Community Care Group's summer outing in warmer weather! 

To help MCCG, simply phone 01590 641700 to offer your services as a driver or as an office helper. You will be very warmly welcomed!

Monday 21 January 2019

SLAM Group are Fundraising

We have received below from the SLAM Group who are looking to protect land around School Lane and Manor Road from developers. 

"As you may know the SLAM group was formed to help protect land around School Lane and Manor Road from developers. The main opposition to this was that they would not be building enough affordable housing but a small percentage compared to large profitable houses. 

Planning was refused and now the developer, Pennyfarthing, has appealed this decision. With this in mind we wanted to ensure that the village had a voice at this appeal and we delivered around the village the attached leaflet asking if people wanted to donate to a Crowdfunding site to allow us to employ a planning consultant to ensure we have a voice and who would attend and represent us at the 3 day hearing on the 12th to 14th February in Lymington. 

In just a few weeks the Crowdfunding site, has raised a total of £2675 - very near our total of £3000. click here to visit funding site.

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With the majority of money raised we have identified and instructed a planning consultant to represent us. We will be holding a meeting in the community centre on 4th February at 8pm for as many people in the village as possible to attend so we, the SLAM group, can update them on the appeal process in February and also they can meet the planning consultant plus there will be a Q&A session with him. As time will be limited we ask if any questions can be sent in ahead of the meeting - if possible! 

The whole SLAM team want to thank all of the villagers who have sent letters, already attended meetings and donated to the fund as we wouldnt be in the position without the help and support of the villagers. To donate, please click here."

Many thanks, the SLAM Team
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Need to shift some aches and pains?

I guess we all need to shift some aches and pains, and Sally Morris at New Forest Sports Massage on the seafront can help.

Remedial or sports massage is a great way to help with the common muscular issues we face today because of poor posture or just getting older. Medical massage can help with spinal pain, tennis/golfers elbow, frozen shoulder, runners knee and plantarfascilitis as well as many other soft tissue problems that can affect your body, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Sally has been providing relief and rehabilitative exercises since qualifying in 2009, and currently has her practice in the Seafront Clinic at 10 Hurst Road, Milford on Sea. Patients see Sally for all day to day or sports injuries along with a more remedial massage to keep any aches and pains away.

A customer, Mrs. Broomfield said; "Sally has made a significant difference in my life. Every visit she welcomes me warmly, puts me at ease and enquires about my general health. Before beginning each treatment she explains carefully how she is going to proceed and talks through each stage as she works with friendly professionalism. I have every confidence in her skills and already feeling benefits from her excellent work!" 

For more information click here.

To book an appointment call: 07824 876884 or Email: sally@newforest-sportsmassage.co.uk


Sally Morris
New Forest Sports Massage
10 Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY
07824 876884

Sunday 20 January 2019

Verveine wins Book of the Month

The year has started brilliantly for David Wykes chef/patron at Verveine restaurant in Milford on Sea village. 

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Following being placed in 62nd position in The Harden's Restaurant Guide Top 100 restaurants in the UK (Ahead of many renowned Michelin Star restaurants) David's book 'Verveine' has won 'Book of the Month' in Edit Food & Travel. They quote; "A must for all lovers of food photography, chef David Wykes from Verveine has created the ultimate in recipe books which is a treat for the senses."


Great work Dave!

Verveine Restaurant
98 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE
01590 642176
www.verveine.co.uk
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 More About the Verveine Book

David Wykes chef/patron at Verveine restaurant in Milford on Sea village has launched his own cook book entitled 'Verveine'.

click image to enlarge
The book is packed full of amazing recipes, flavour guides and incredible photography. 

It is unlikely that we can all have the pleasure of eating at Verveine daily, so it is great that everyone can now enjoy Dave's passion and talents in pictures. The food at Verveine is art without a doubt.

It has long been Dave's dream to create a cook book, and it is a pleasure to see his dream realised, particularly as he has created this whilst being full-time in his restaurant kitchen delighting diners on a daily basis.

If you are looking to cook something wonderful at home, or to create a dish to impress friends at a dinner party, then look no further.

Dave can deliver the book anywhere in the UK for a total price of £40, (or it is available for £35 on Amazon). Just give them a call to order your copy today on 01590 642176. 

The book is a must for any keen cook, food or photography lover.

La Perle hold raffle in aid of School

Sam at La Perle in the High Street is running a raffle to raise funds for Milford on Sea Primary School Smart Board Appeal.

For just £5 you could win:

First Prize: An Entertaining Cookery Demonstration by Chef /Patron Sam of La Perle, followed by a 3 Course Meal for 6 - Delicious!
Second Prize: A £100 Voucher for La Perle Restaurant. Voted to be in the top 2% of restaurants in the whole of Hampshire!
Third Prize: A Superb Magnum of Wine to savour!
  
The winners draw will take place on 31st January 2019. All details are on the poster below.

To buy your tickets please just pop in. Thank you very much! 

La Perle 
60 High Street, Milford-On-Sea 
01590 643557 

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Saturday 19 January 2019

Are you interested in the history of the village?


Milford on Sea is a fascinating village, with a fascinating history - and it is easy for you to find out more.

The Milford on Sea Historical Record Society meet throughout the year at All Saints' Church Hall at 7.45pm and newcomers are always welcome. Annual membership is just £10 per year and this invites you to all talks and special events.

Take a look at the Milford-on Sea Historical Record Society Programme 2019 below, and then pop along:

Thursday 31st January Annual General Meeting followed by update on ‘Cornwallis/Peyton Commemorations’ by Chris Hobby & Chris Sanders

Thursday 28th March ‘Nelson and Trafalgar 1805’ a talk with local interest by Commodore Adrian Munns OBE RN (Ret’d)

Thursday 30th May ‘Calshot—a place in time’ An illustrated talk on the History of Calshot by Colin Van Geffen.

Friday & Saturday 5th & 6th July Cornwallis/Peyton Commemorations — Summer Festival
and Service of Dedication to Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Death of Admiral Sir William Cornwallis. Full details will be announced nearer the time.

Thursday 26th September ‘Our Ancestors and their lives in Dorset’ an illustrated talk by
Paul Cheetham, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Archaeology at Bournemouth University.

Thursday 28th November ‘Thomas Budd, the Vanishing Vicar’ an illustrated talk about Milford Church during the Civil War by Chris Saunders.

Meetings take place at All Saints Church Hall, Milford on Sea at 7:45 p.m.
Complimentary coffee or tea or soft drinks will be available from 7.15 p.m.


Milford on Sea Historical Record Society
www.milfordhistory.org.uk


Ellen’s Hockey Hat-trick secures Dorset win over Somerset

Normally preferring her lies on the Barton on sea golf course where she has a Handicap of 7, Ellen’s hockey hat-trick helped secure a 4-1 win over Somerset on Sunday in the U14’s County Hockey.
Images from Simon Carlton Photography
https://carltonphotography.smugmug.com
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On a brisk but sunny day the Dorset team displayed superb skills to beat a strong Somerset side.

Ellen, 13, from Milford on Sea, plays for Bournemouth Hockey Club, Dorset U14’s County Hockey team and Dorset U18’s 1st team Golf. She is the U18 Hampshire Handicap County Golf Champion.

Images from Simon Carlton Photography
https://carltonphotography.smugmug.com
click image to enlarge


Tuesday 15 January 2019

Hidden House on Cliffs goes on sale

The Mail Online published an interesting article this week revealing a house in Milford on Sea that many of us would not have known was there.
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Taddiford House has stunning sea views out to the Isle of Wight and is surrounded by farmland on one side, a prestigious Barton on Sea links golf course on the other with The Solent to the south.

The white-painted four bedroom house has become a vandalised and rundown former holiday home and is now being sold for £1.5million by Caldwells Estate Agents in Lymington. 

Not only can we not see the house due to it's secluded location, it was even painted black in World War 2 so the Luftwaffe couldn't use it as a navigational landmark!

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Having a clear out?

If you are having a clear out, or have some unwanted articles, the Village Charity Shop in Church Hill, MoS welcomes donations if you feel being generous.

Please bear in mind when donating but that the items need to be resold, so broken, chipped, or incomplete sets are of little use. 

The Village Charity Shop is run solely be volunteers who work hard raising funds for the community centre and the better the goods, the more they raise!

Do pop in to see what can be accepted, or see what you may fancy buying....or why not even join the team for a few hours a week? New volunteers are always welcome, just go and say hello!

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Verveine in Harden’s Best 100 UK Restaurant 2019

Dave Wykes Chef/Patron at Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant in Milford on Sea village has won the prestigious accolade of appearing in Harden’s Best 100 UK Restaurant 2019.

The Harden's Restaurant Guide sits alongside the Michelin Guide when it comes to restaurant reviews.

Better than just being in the Top 100 restaurants in the UK, Verveine was placed in 62nd position, and above such renowned dining rooms (and numerous Michelin Star restaurants) as: 

67. Nobu, Metropolitan Hotel, London
68. Amaya, London
69. The Greenhouse, London
75. Roux at Parliament Square, RICS, London
78. Story, London
80. Hélène Darroze, The Connaught Hotel, London
82. Marcus, The Berkeley, London
83. Pollen Street Social, London
87. Outlaw’s at The Capital, London
92. Trishna, London
93. Murano, London
95. The Kitchin, Edinburgh
97. The Ritz, London

Congratulations Dave, the recognition is really well deserved!


Still Looking for a Christmas Present?

Dave has also launched his own cook book entitled 'Verveine'.

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The book is packed full of amazing recipes, flavour guides and incredible photography. 

It is unlikely that we can all have the pleasure of eating at Verveine daily, so it is great that everyone can now enjoy Dave's passion and talents in pictures. The food at Verveine is art without a doubt.

It has long been Dave's dream to create a cook book, and it is a pleasure to see his dream realised, particularly as he has created this whilst being full-time in his restaurant kitchen delighting diners on a daily basis.

If you are looking to cook something wonderful at home, or to create a dish to impress friends at a dinner party, then look no further.

It would also make a great Christmas Present!

Dave can deliver the book anywhere in the UK for a total price of £40. Just give them a call to order your copy today on 01590 642176. 

The book is a must for any keen cook, food or photography lover. 

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Verveine Restaurant
98 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE
01590 642176

Granary Kitchen launch 2019 Cookery Courses

The Granary Kitchen have launched their new 2019 Cookery Course dates which can be booked on www.thegranarykitchen.co.uk.

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The Granary Kitchen is the brainchild of Christian Rivron who has spent many years working and training in a variety of different establishments including country parks, hotels, and restaurants in Lymington and the surrounding areas along the south coast. He has gained knowledge and experience of using the fresh, local and seasonal produce available in the New Forest, Hampshire and Dorset. Christian is now excited to share his passion, enthusiasm and creativity, to help people increase their confidence in entertaining guests in the comfort of their own homes.

Cooking Course dates for 2019
  • Meat & Game Saturday 26th January 
  • Italian Saturday 23rd February 
  • Fish & Shellfish Saturday 30th March 
  • Healthy Eating Saturday 27th April 
  • Mediterranean Saturday 11th May 
  • Desserts & Pastries Saturday 15th June 
  • Greek Saturday 20th July 
  • South American Saturday 17th August 
  • French Saturday 28th September 
  • Winter Warmers Saturday 19th October 
  • Meat & Game Saturday 23rd November 
  • Christmas Made Easy Saturday 30th November 

The Granary Kitchen also offer Private Dining & Event Catering, Private Dining events, Private Cookery School, Corporate Team Building and Gift Vouchers, so take a look at the website to see how any of these might suit you.


The Granary Kitchen
Newlands Manor Farm
SO41 0JH

Wednesday 12 December 2018

Late Night Shopping & Xmas at No64 Biscuit House

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We all like to support our village shops, so here is a message from Clare and Glenn at No64 Biscuit House detailing all that is happening in their shop throughout December:

"By popular request No64 Biscuit House decided to open late one night before Christmas, so the pressure's now on us to choose the right night to suit everyone.....gulp!

So for those of you finding it tricky to get to us during the day, and with festive family gatherings preventing some of you getting to us on the last 2 weekends before the big day, we're now going to be open until 8pm on Thursday December 20th.

We're also going to be open on the last Sunday before Christmas (December 23rd) , between 10am & 4pm, for those last minute gifts you may still have to buy.

And don't forget we also do gift vouchers, for any amount to suit you, which can also be redeemed online if you would like to send one to someone afar.

In fact, as we get asked an awful lot, here's our opening days / hours for the rest of 2018 (9.30am – 5pm unless stated):
  • 13th - 19th December - Open as usual (closed Sunday 16th) 
  • Thursday 20th – Late Night Opening until 8pm 
  • 21st & 22nd – Open as usual 
  • Sunday 23rd – Open 10am – 4pm 
  • Christmas Eve – Open 10am – 4pm (& then party next door at La Perle from 8pm – all welcome!) 
  • 25th to 27th – Closed 
  • 28th & 29th – Open 10am – 4pm 
  • 30th December – January 21st – Closed
Annie Sloan (paint & accessories) enthusiasts please note: we are closed from 30th December until January 21st and so if you've a project planned for early new year do please stock up with what you need before we close on December 30th.

We hope that suits everyone, and of course we hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year!"


Clare and Glenn
No64 Biscuit House

www.No64.co.uk
01590 643765



Tuesday 11 December 2018

School Art from Waste

We have heard from Kate Crawford, Headteacher at Milford-on-Sea C of E Primary School who tells us about the Beach Schools

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This is where their Y5 and Y6 pupils have been out and about on Milford Beach over the last few weeks and have got into the festive spirit by making ‘litter wreaths’ out of the rubbish they have found. 

The Beach School participants continue to be amazed by the strange and harmful items that make their way into our oceans and washed up onto our shores. They have also been busy identifying shells and seaweed common to our shores and every child has made a shell necklace to wear themselves or give as a Christmas gift. 

Kate would like to thank all of School's Volunteers, who have worked with the children this term, whatever the weather! 

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Milford-on-Sea C of E Primary School are always looking for volunteers to help with their Forest and Beach Schools Sessions.

If you have a free afternoon and would like to offer your time, please contact: 
t.hussey@mosps.hants.sch.uk or call the school on 01590 642945

PS: The wreath's look great, nice work all!



Friday 7 December 2018

Award for village Paddle Sport Company

We were pleased to hear that The New Forest Paddle Sport Company in the high street was last night a winner in the New Forest Business Awards.

They won the Go New Forest Award for Outstanding Contribution to Visitor Economy.

Congratulations to Sean and his team.



The New Forest Paddle Sport Company 
46 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD - 01590 645270

Wednesday 5 December 2018

Ray’s Italian Kitchen Now Open

The hugely anticipated new restaurant, Ray’s Italian Kitchen is now open in the village, welcoming guests to its 65- cover newly refurbished eatery.

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It will be offering dishes big on flavour, such as Salsa di Noci, a spinach and ricotta tortellini, Insalata Mediterranea with rosary goats cheese, figs and pomegranate and the classic pizzas, Quattro Stagioni and Diavola.

There is also the option of a ‘Small Plate’ grazing menu of Ham Croquettes Gigantes Beans, Lentils, hake fillet and sauce vierge and Chickpea, feta, basil, tomato red onion salad, ideal for sharing.

Every detail of the restaurant has been obsessed over by owner, Stacey down to the sophisticated interior in tones of gold and blue, creating a place for eating, drinking, talking and sharing.

Going back to her roots, Stacey can be found in the kitchen, ensuring that the quality of food is of the highest standard.

To book please call 01590 645300 or email: info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk


Ray’s Italian Kitchen
11 High Street 
Milford on Sea 
SO41 0QF




Tuesday 4 December 2018

Local ladies look to improve village Christmas Tree

For several years now the village Christmas Tree has not been what most residents and visitors would like to see.

Whilst Father Christmas obviously exists, it is not his elves who put the Christmas Tree on the village green. In fact, I'm not even sure who does fund it, but it may be the Parish Council. Anyway, whoever it is, I am sure they do their best with the resources they have. Even though the time of year is magical, getting the tree there at all, costs money.

Added to this, volunteers give their time to erect the tree on the village green, including Simeon Morgan from Aubrey Farm who has been up with his team and heavy equipment to help out in past years.

With the Christmas Tree being so large, it is difficult to make it spectacular without a significant budget.

Val Plummer and
Bob Bishop,
Parish Council Chairman
In 2016 village based interior designer, Val Plummer personally donated a new set of lights to improve the tree for all. Her generous donation was welcomed and made the village centre that little more bright.

This year Tracy Haupt approached Graham Wells at the Parish Council (who has been very supportive) and he agreed she could help to oversee the lights going on the tree this year. Tracy saw this as a start to making the tree look more attractive for this year. She then spoke to a number of her friends (Diana Brushwood, Denise Gardiner, Eileen Maycock, Mayve Larke, Shelagh Richardson & Judith Say) and they decided to make 100 sparkly silver bows for the tree. These would be quick and easy to make and relatively inexpensive too (the cost of the ribbon and floristry wire came out of their own pockets).

Ultimately, the team have now made 100 bows - 50 sparkly silver and 50 of the red and white. Plus, some very large bows - not sure how many but probably 35/40.

The tree is being delivered to the village on Tuesday 5th December and the ladies will be there to attach their bows. They’d like to have done far more, but with the limited resources and time left, will do their best to improve the look of the tree for this year.

LtoR: Tracy, Denise, Diana, Mayve and Judith.
(Eileen not in picture.)
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Looking ahead to 2019, they would like to see representatives from various local associations and schools coming together to set up a ‘Xmas Decoration Committee’. This group would decide on how best to decorate the village and tree and the funds required. Meeting initially in April/May would allow plenty of time for the making of decorations throughout the summer, getting the whole community involved. 

An official donation page could be set up to raise funds from residents, associations and local businesses and that way, we could decorate this wonderful village to a level we would all be so proud of.

It is exciting that our village Christmas Tree will be a lot more sparkly this year and if you‘re interested in helping the ladies grow this project further, by joining the ‘Xmas Decoration Committee’ then please let Graham in the Parish Council know. He’ll keep a list of names until the first meeting is called. 

Come along to see the Christmas Tree in all of its glory anytime, and take the opportunity to buy your Christmas treat or gifts from the village shops, or to make it a bit special, join the crowds for Carols on the Green This Friday. The band starts at 5.45pm to be following by the carol singing about 6.30pm. (7th December). The shops will also stay open late.

Memory Tree helping to light up the lives

Sue Whitlock, Parish Councillor and Trustee of the Community Centre switched on the lights on the Memory Tree outside the Centre this week. 

The Memory Tree is aimed to light up the lives of people living with dementia and their families.

People can buy bows and baubles in memory of loved ones to raise money for Milford's Dementia Action Group, which funds some of the groups in the village, as well as providing free information sessions about dementia. 

The Group have been overwhelmed by the support of the village during the past year. South Lawn Hotel and Verveine are among the many businesses who have offered support and the U3A and the WI have organised events, said Jenny Whitley, on behalf of the Group. "We are delighted that the WI are running this week's First Friday Lunch for us. The food will be great and it's raising money for a very worthwhile cause."