Paddleboard taster, lessons or experiences

The New Forest Paddle Sport Company based in Milford on Sea high street are currently running a promotion for February.

Last year they had lots of disappointed locals who hadn't pre-booked so missed out on sessions in 2019.

This year they are offering a 10% discount on all bookings booked and paid in full this February.

If people are unsure what session they would like, they are also offering a 10% off gift vouchers for February as well.

If you fancy giving it a try, contact Sean on 01590 645270 or on:

info@thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk.

The New Forest Paddle Sport Company
46 The High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD
www.thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

Camera Confident Photography Workshops

Part 1 of the Camera Confident Photography Workshops run by CJ Wood Photography at the Milford On Sea Community Centre went very succesfully.

Part 2 will take place on Sunday 22nd March from 10am to 4pm.

There is space available on the next course, why not come and have a go yourself? - Get to know how to use your camera beyond the "auto" settings and learn to take fabulous photographs every time!

For more information and to book your place, please contact: Chris Wood on:
Chris.Wood@CJWoodPhotography.co.uk or to visit his website, please click here.

New improved website for Community Centre

The Milford on Sea Community Centre has an updated website.

You can check it out by clicking: www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk 

Milford Christmas Decorations Storage - Update

Tracy and Di would like to thank Adrian and Nikki from Solent Grange, for offering a storage solution for all their Christmas decorations for the village. So very kind of them to come forward and help out, as otherwise items may have had to be disposed of.

Volunteers for Community Centre Movies

The Milford on Sea Community Centre (Screenings and Movies) needs volunteers. No specific day or time, just during preparation for events and/or on screening days.

The first ever screening at the Community Centre was The Beaux Stratagem on 3 September 2015 from the National Theatre. Between then and the end of December 2019, the Community Centre has screened 254 events – a joyous mixed bag of “live” opera, ballet, theatre, musical theatre, exhibitions, movies and special events.

The screenings have been attended by over 11,700 people making an average attendance of just over 77% of capacity. They have generated an income of £113,335 of which at least 40% (£45,334) will have provided profit to the Community Centre over these four years. But more than that, they have brought joy and great cultural highlights (often live) at an affordable cost and minimum travel to our friends in the village (and a bit further).

This magnificent performance has in the main been down to James Flintoff and his helpers and our sincere thanks go to them all.

However, if this wonderful facility is to continue, they need several people to volunteer to help make it happen.

There are many and varied roles that they need help for, ranging from people to select screenings etc. to administration and organisation of the activities, and Front of House support on the night.

If anybody is interested in getting involved in any way and would like further details please contact Paul on pware.lane@yahoo.co.uk or 07477 582376. Also, James would be more than happy to answer any questions that you have on jcflintoff@gmail.com. 

Paul looks forward to hearing from you – please remember that without volunteers we might lose this wonderful facility and events.

Tribute to Mike Harfield

Following the sad passing of Mike Harfield, founder of Harfield Motor Services in Milford on Sea high street, we have received this fitting tribute from his friend, Richard Ludlow Fisher:

"I first met Mike well over thirty years ago just after I’d bought an old Sierra 4x4 somewhere else. He nursed it back to health just so that I could use it long enough to have it stolen and used for a ram raid in Lymington.

Mike helped with the selection of a replacement, which he and his team took on along with about a dozen more of my cars over the years since. He advised against a Citroen as it was too “French”. We often had the sort of conversation that brought out his enthusiasm and true love of cars and their various foibles that only true petrolheads can enjoy. If a vehicle needed new tyres he’d always give customers the choice of premium brands or budget alternatives, which he referred to as, “round and blacks.”

If he needed your car for more than a day he’d gladly keep it indoors overnight and often magically come up with a free replacement if you really needed it just so you could get around.

He always went out of his way to be courteous in the intensely challenging environment that only the motor trade seems to be able to throw up. He was very much a “hands on” proprietor as well and, if his staff were snowed under, he’d just roll up his sleeves and fix the problem himself.

Unlike so many others, Mike was always keen to try to repair rather than just throw away and replace parts that could cost his customers a lot more money. As a result of this approach he succeeded in maintaining a very strong and loyal client base whose individuals always came back.

It is a testament to his relationship with his staff that they have stayed loyal and developed with him over many years.

I had to take my wife’s car in for a service the other day and the garage seemed the same, smelled the same and, on the face of it, looked the same.

All the same great guys were repairing all the same sort of stuff in the same way but there was someone so obviously missing from the place.

So it really wasn’t the same after all."

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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