Lunch at South Lawn Hotel to sponsor Village Minibus

You can help to sponsor our new Village Minibus by enjoying a wonderful lunch at South Lawn Hotel with a group of family or friends.

 

South Lawn Hotel are generously supporting the minibus service which is being planned for residents of Milford on Sea, Everton, Keyhaven, Lymore and Downton, by sponsoring a monthly charity lunch. 

This is how the sponsorship works. Once a month, South Lawn will provide a three course lunch (their Market Menu), including coffee, for eight people who may travel to the hotel on the bus. The cost of this set menu, is £24. But instead of paying the hotel, the eight diners will pay the minibus fund, making it a total donation of £192 per month. 

The first lunch took place in January, when the volunteers who run the Seahorses Playgroup were delighted to take part. There was plenty of choice to suit all tastes and everyone agreed that both the food and service were excellent. 

This opportunity is open to any local organisation, group of family or friends. 

1. You must book your month through one of the organisers, who are: 

• Kath Brookes: kathandmalc@hotmail.co.uk - Tel. 01590 644650 

• Liz Christian: lizmilford@aol.com - Tel. 01590 642637 

2. They will notify South Lawn. 

3. You can then book your date with the Hotel. 

4. One person in your group collects the money (8 x £24 = £192) and pays it directly to the Charitable Trust’s Minibus Fund. 

5. You then pay the hotel for drinks and any extras. If more than eight people book together for the meal, your additional diners each pay their £24 to the hotel. 

Contact the organisers, Kath or Liz for more information. 

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The Charitable Trust are now ready to purchase the bus. 

Everton Hyundai are looking for one which will meet the needs of the various groups who will use it. We want one that people can get in and out of easily! The service aims to make a difference to the lives of people who might otherwise become isolated, as well as providing transport for local organisations and residents. We are very grateful to South Lawn for all their support for the community.

Milford on Sea Charitable Trust is a registered charity 1172750

Housing protest song by local musician

Locally acclaimed songwriter and Milford on Sea resident, Alex Hall, will release a new song featuring a top BBC Orchestra violinist to help raise funds for SLAM - the School Lane and Manor Road residents action group whom unanimously oppose the approved controversial plans to build 42 new houses on greenbelt land in School Lane, Milford on Sea. 

The single lyrically discuss the controversy of housing development and will be released through his YouTube channel and on his official website on January 29th - with all download proceeds going to aid SLAM (School Lane and Manor Road) action group to aid in their campaigning. 

Two years since unveiling its scheme, Pennyfarthing Homes Ltd won its challenge against New Forest District Council’s refusal of the development in April last year. The company’s proposal was rejected last year by councillors who said there was too little affordable housing for the site which had previously lost its green belt protection specifically to provide cheaper properties for villagers. 

Alex, who embarks on a tour in China in March with Motown Icon Martha Reeves, grew up in Milford on Sea and attended Milford CE Primary School between 1990-1996. He continues to occasionally play locally and works in London where he writes music for TV and Film and works with established touring acts. 

Alex has expressed his views on the development: "On hearing about the development, I was devastated. I felt immediately moved first and foremost - to create some music - but also to use my profile to help take action against the development - it’s a sickener on so many levels. There is an affordable housing crisis across the country, and to use greenbelt land to build what is essentially a luxury homes project is outright plain wrong. We must as a community - past and present stand up for this. Milford on Sea offered so much to me growing up - I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood. I attended Milford School and used to play adjacent to those fields almost daily."

He continued; "Upon hearing the news I visualised how saddening it would be that the future children there won’t be able to appreciate the biodiversity there. If we sit back and accept projects to be agreed on this scale then it is only an incentive for more greedy planners to navigate for more developments in the area. We must take them aware of our presence now.’ 

"The song is a lament and an irony towards the word ‘progress’. As much as planners and politicians talk of economic progress, there seems to always be an environmental and social detriment to it. I wanted to make people question what the idea of progress is- and the song is in essence an open letter to the planners, developers and the nay sayers to the project. I hope it helps them question their values and decisions - but more broadly - how all of us must question the political systems in place which undercut legislation for the sake on economic progress. I hope people are as inspired and touched by the song as I was when I heard about people like SLAM and people like Chris Packham who used their voice in objection to the plans." 

The single will be released on 29th January and will be available for purchase via www.alexhallmusic.co.uk - all proceeds will go to SLAM. 

You can also view a free streaming YouTube lyric video by clicking here.

Actors needed for VE Day

An number of performers from Milford on Sea are going to be involved in the VE75 commemorations in New Milton from 1st to 10th May. 

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Angela Jackson is co-writing, producing and directing a show at the Memorial Centre on 1st & 2nd May called We'll Meet Again. It follows the fortunes of a New Milton family from 1938-45 with one acted scene for each year of the war. 

The show also has some comedy sketches, the New Forest Big Band playing, an ENSA slot with Flanagan & Allen, Marlene Dietrich, and the Andrews Sisters from The Garrison at Milford, Workers' Playtime and a few other things thrown in. 

The organisers are still seeking two men around 40-50ish to play two of the family members, one of which will also be in a Dad's Army-style sketch, so will need to be able to do a bit of comedy. 

If you are interested please contact Angela on:  07729 818356 for more information.

Taxi Service for Village

Cookie's provide a local private hire taxi service.

Dowton based and happy to do local runs in Milford on Sea.

No trip too short - 7 seater available

Call Nigel on: 01590 679792. 

Cash, card and contactless payments taken.

Special First Friday Lunch for School

The First Friday Lunch is just around the corner on Friday 7th February at Milford on Sea Community Centre, Sea Road. 

It is a delicious 2 course meal for £6 prepared by Amanda, Christine and Kerry of Milford on Sea Primary School's PFA Team of Locally sourced fishcakes served with new potatoes, peas and sweetcorn followed by homemade Apple Crumble and Cream. (Fishcakes kindly donated by CATCH of Everton.) 

We are currently fundraising for new dining and storage solutions for our newly renovated school hall. The current dining furniture has been there now for many many years. The new furniture would be easier to store and more comfortable for the children. We would also be able to store away all of the sports equipment, making the hall a lot more user friendly. 

Diners can just turn up on the day and pay £6 on the door or they can reserve a table by emailing Kerry at willskerry@yahoo.co.uk. 

What a great opportunity for a catch up with friends while enjoying a delicious, homemade lunch supporting a local cause. 

Entry is from 12.30 where you can be entertained with musical performances from Year 5 & 6 children from the school and lunch will be served at 1pm. 

There will be a raffle with some amazing prizes such as Lunch for 2 at La Perle, Beauty Treatments at Tu Sei Bella, Cream Tea for 2 at Camellia's Restaurant, a Ceramic Cheese Baking Set, endless bottles of alcohol, bath sets and smellies, plus much much more! Tickets will be for sale on entry at £1 a strip or 6 strips for £5. Raffle will be drawn once dessert is served.

Thank you from Treasure Island

A message from Brenda at Milford Entertainers:

On behalf of everyone involved with the pantomime this year I would like to thank our wonderful audiences for making it such an enjoyable experience for us. Every performance was a sell-out, which goes to show how popular this community event is, and all proceeds go towards the running of our Community Centre. Thank you for your support and for your kind compliments.

We have to start thinking about the next one almost immediately the current one finishes. Obviously its too early to say what it will be, but we do know that we shall need some extra help. We shall definitely need a set designer and people to help paint scenery, so if you have any artistic skills, please think about joining us. And when audition time comes around again, in September, why not have a shot at acting – or something else?? 

If you’d like to have a chat with me first, please email: brendavoce@hotmail.com

Brenda Evans 

Milford Entertainers

Auditions for Milford Entertainers next play

AUDITIONS!!! 

RUMOURS 

THE FUNNIEST COMEDY! 

BY NEIL SIMON 

Directed by Wendy Mason 

For Milford Entertainers 

Production dates 4/5/6/7 June 2020 

READ THROUGH: 16th February 2020

AUDITIONS: 23rd February 2020 at 3pm

Venue Milford on Sea Community Centre 

THE PLOT 

Well-heeled party guests arrive for what they expect to be an entertaining evening – only to find their hosts are missing. Could gossip circulating at the tennis club be true? Clever cover-ups escalate into heightened confusion in the desperate attempts to save everyone from social scandal. A mad-cap plot twists and turns as it plunges ever closer to its hilarious ending 

One of the most sparkling comedies Neil Simon wrote . Be part of this rewarding and challenging production. You'll love it! 

If you want to join in, please contact Wendy on:

07833 606 455  - wendymason673@gmail.com

Local artist's work at the Village News

Local artist Sally Hamilton closed her doors on Jabulani gallery in Milford on Sea high street just after Christmas and is now enjoying the freedom that retirement offers. She has started to paint more, and enjoy spontaneous trips out with friends and family, which had always been difficult to incorporate when running the gallery and shop full time.

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Since shutting up shop, Sally has had a significant number of enquiries about where her prints can be purchased from, so was delighted when Mark at the Village News (at the foot of Milford on Sea Village green) kindly offered to display and sell a collection of her framed prints and greeting cards.

Her work encompasses local scenes, from forest walks to iconic seascapes, such as the Needles and Milford on Sea beach huts. These have always been popular with both visitors and locals alike.

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So the gallery may be closed, but you can still pop into the village and see her work, or if you are after something specific, she will be happy to discuss that with you. Just knock the door at the old Jabulani Gallery!

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MenMeet: Reflections of a BBC Reporter

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Milford Art Group Programme for 2020

Milford Art Group meet on the first Thursday of each month in All Saints Church Hall.

Meetings begin at 2:00pm and finish at 4:30pm with a tea break at 3:20pm

Visitors are always very welcome (£5.00 entrance fee)

Programme of Demonstrations 2020

January 2nd: Tom Marshall: Press-less Printmaking

February 6th: Paul Dolman: Oils – Buildings in Landscape

March 5th: Ana Villacampa: Arcylics Abstract

April 2nd: Valerie Nerva: Critique

May 7th: Aurora Spain: Using texture and leaf metal

June 4th; Teresa Rogers: Mixed Media – Floral

July 2nd: Paul Oakley: Oils – Still Life

September 3rd: Dee Cowell: Pastels – Animal Portraits

October 1st; Max Hale: Acrylics – Boats and Water

November 5th: MEMBERS ONLY – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

December 3rd: Jake Winkle: Watercolour – Figures

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MILFORD ART GROUP ANNUAL EXHIBITION - August 1st to 15th 2020

Dog Walking & Pet Care Services Available

Kait's Canine Care, founded by by Kait Houching, started a dog walking service in Milford on Sea in September 2017.

Kait offers dog walking, pet day visits, evening visits, kitten and cat visits 7 days a week, plus, house sitting including looking after wild birds and gardening whilst people on holiday. She has 35 years experience in House Sitting so can provide lots of references for that and also for the Dog Walking/pet day visits.

Animal lover Kait is also studying a BA Course in Animal Anatomy, which in due course will lead her (forgive the pun!) to being able to offer dog massage.

Kaits also explained that Kaits Canine Care is fully insured and police checked, and references can be provided if required.

If you would like to find out more about Kait's services, please contact her below:

Kaits Canine Care

01590 719406 / 07799 947718

kaithouching68@yahoo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kaitiHouching
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kaits-Canine-Care-196654987543822

Jazz Sunday Lunch at La Perle

La Perle have Jazz Sundays on the last Sunday of the month featuring the ever popular Rachel More Duo.

It is not too late to book for this Sunday. 

Bookings are also being taken for Valentine's Night.

Click here for more information.

La Perle

60 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 643557 - info@laperle.co.uk

Success and fun at South Lawn Hotel

In November 2015 Tim Wedgwood & Nikki Rowe became the new independent owners at South Lawn Hotel, and they came with an excellent pedigree and exciting plans for the hotel and restaurant.

Over the last four years significant investments have been made in upgrading the hotel and the improvements are clear for all to see, as is the warm welcome for all that visit.

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It is exciting to hear that South Lawn are now celebrating receiving their 1000th review on TripAdvisor and better still to find out that they have a '4.5 Excellent' Rating, they are 4th of 33 hotels in the New Forest (ahead of Chewton Glen!) and 1st of 7 the hotels in the Lymington area. Click to visit TripAdvisor.

It is clear that their guests think highly of the hotel, and for those in the know the restaurant is a 'hidden gem'. Open to everyone they serve quality meals at reasonable prices. If you have not tried the restaurant, I can recommend that it is certainly worth a visit.

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Entertainment is a relatively new addition with a full programme throughout the year. You can enjoy yourself at events like: Valentine's night, Tributes nights, such as Franki Valli and Queen, Fun dining with Fawlty towers and Mrs Brown's Boys and more. Click here to see the full entertainment programme.

With so much happening it is worth a visit to South Lawn sooner rather than later.

To find out more about how Tim & Nikki's journey started, please click here. 

South Lawn Hotel

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, Lymington SO41 0RF

www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

MOSHRS Millennium Project Update

To celebrate the millennium twenty years ago, MOSHRS set in train a Millennium Project to record every tenth year a current view of different places in the village. Here is a view of the site for the Village Community Centre 20 years ago taken from the other side of Sea Road.

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This year brings the third stage of the Millennium Project and our volunteers are out recording how much the village has changed since 2000. Some more shots from 2000 and 2020 can be found on our website by clicking here.

If you would like to help take these photos then please contact: Bob Braid at moshrswebsitearchivist@gmail.com.

If you are interested in local history please come along to the AGM of the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society [MOSHRS] at the Church Hall on Thursday 30th January starting at 19.45pm. 

The evening will review all the events which took place last year as part of Admiral Cornwallis project. There will be the opportunity to join MOSHRS at the door. 

Finally if you would like to become more involved in MOSHRS, there is an opportunity to serve as Honorary Secretary. If you are interested please contact Chris Hobby at the meeting.

Milford on Sea Historical Record Society

www.milfordhistory.org.uk

Join the Lip Reading Class

Beginners Courses for Lip Reading in Milford on Sea have been running since Spring 2018 and have proved lively occasions with the motto. "No-one can fail a Lip Reading Course".

Lip reading Beginners classes Friday mornings and afternoons starting 31st January.

The Lip Reading Course is designed to help the 1 in 6 who suffer from hearing loss. Joining a class is a significant step towards enhancing life with hearing loss and is very entertaining.

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.

For more details contact Christine Luxon at 01590 719286

or alecluxon@hotmail.com

Milford on Sea Surveyors celebrate four years in Milford

Milford on Sea Surveyors are celebrating their 4th year in the village after moving from Highcliffe.

The owner Jeremy Carpenter holds the specialist designation of Chartered Building Surveyor and is also an RICS Valuer. 

For any property related issues please telephone Jeremy on 07979 472264 or email jmc@inbox.com for a free informal consultation. 

Milford on Sea Surveyors

Jeremy Carpenter MRICS

Chartered Building Surveyor 

07979 472264
www.jcarpentersurveyors.co.uk

jmc@inbox.com

Local Sea Defences Revealed

We have spotted an article written in 2015 entitled 'Erosion reveals England’s World War Two coastal defences' featured in the War History Online website.

We felt is was worth a read, so here it is:

"Erosion caused by weathering on England’s south coast is revealing some vital coastal defences from World War Two.

A three mile stretch of the British coastline in the New Forest region, from the town of Barton on Sea to Milford on Sea has been exposed.

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The exposure comes as natural erosion occurs and it has revealed the vast expanse of World War Two defence lines put in place by the British military in anticipation of a possible land invasion by the Germans.

The defences include a large field of metal poles and concrete posts intertwined with rolls of barbed wire, alongside pill boxes, all emerging from the bottom of the seabed.

After the war the defences were abandoned and left to rot and become covered on the deep shoreline of the English Channel. Now that the defences are becoming evident war enthusiasts, researchers and archaeologists are visiting the site to document and review the scene so that they can discover more about Britain’s land defence strategy.

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The coastal erosion is caused by sea storms lashing the coastline as well as the strength of the tides over the years. The defences had been erected by the British Army’s Wiltshire Regiment in 1940 when the threat of a German land invasion was at its highest and the Blitz was taking place across the UK, The Telegraph reports.

Because the defences are so near to the shoreline, local authorities are warning swimmers and bathers to not venture into the sea at certain points on the beaches. The danger is at high tide when the defences can’t be seen by the naked eye since they are hidden underneath the sea. To provide even more warning, buoys have been anchored to some of the metal poles so that the area is clearly marked whether it is low or high tide.

The local authorities have decided to remove much of the defenses during the next set of lowest tides, which will probably be at the end of August, and they will have access only for a short period of two hours at a time. Engineers at the site said that the poles had been installed in a lattice formation along the shoreline and the pill boxes were starting to collapse. They expect these kinds of defenses to continue being unearthed as erosion of the coastline is ongoing.

A lot of the defenses were removed at the end of the war, but a lot was left to submerge under the waves. Five tonnes of materials have already been moved by authorities this year alone."

January Red Cross Sale at Charity Shop

The Village Charity Shop is holding a January Red Cross Sale.

Why not pop in to browse the selection of picture frames, some very large, which can be enjoyed with their existing pictures or the frames reused.

Looking for something unusual?, they may have it. Also, New stock coming in in every day.

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The Village Charity Shop is supporting our Community Centre, so all proceeds go toward helping the community.

Love is in the air in Milford

Duncan Broomfield is a well known face around Milford on Sea, most recently running The Wash House and prior to that, some years ago he worked at Sullivan Mitchell estate agents.

Well, he is in this week's Mail Online with a romantic story.

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The article starts: "Childhood sweethearts who shared their first kiss aged five rekindle their romance 36 years later after bumping into each other in Tesco. Emma Louise Keyworth first met her now fiancée Duncan Broomfield in 1982. The contact centre manager lost links with Duncan when he joined the RAF at 19. But 36 years and five children later - the pair 'bumped' into one another and..... click here to read full story.

Duncan & Emma are also one of ten finalists in the Balmer Lawn Winter Wedding Competition, where they hope to win a wedding.

You have until midnight on Friday 24th January 2020 to vote, with the winner announced week commencing 27th January 2020.

So, if you would like Duncan & Emma to win, please click here to vote!

PS: My vote has been done and I hope they win!

Local Beer, Pizzetta & Tapas Tasting at Ray's Italian Kitchen