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

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

Village School seeks Governors

The Milford on Sea Primary School are looking for new Governors with different and varied interests and areas of expertise. There is no need for previous experience but enthusiasm and commitment to the education of our children are useful!

We have two sub committees (Curriculum and Finance) who each meet either side of half term and you would be invited to join one or both of these depending on your experience and skills. The full Governing Body meets once a term. We also have occasional extraordinary meetings and other hands on activities and excursions that Governors are invited to attend.

If you would be interested to learn more please call in at the school or click here - or contact Clive Bryant, Chair of Governors, click here or call 01590 642945, in the first instance.

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Milford on Sea Primary School

www.mosps.hants.sch.uk

MoSHRS Launch Programme for 2020

Milford on Sea Historical Record Society have launched their Programme for 2020.

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If you would like to find our more about the society, or would like to join please click here.


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

First Friday Lunch in Aid of the School

The First Friday Lunch on 7th February 2020 will be in aid of Milford on Sea Primary School. 

The meal will be a delicious 2 course meal for just £6 prepared by Amanda, Paula and Kerry of Milford on Sea Primary School's PFA Team. 

The menu includes Jacket Potato with Tuna Mayo, Sweetcorn and Cheese served with Salad followed by homemade Apple Crumble and Cream. (Veggie \ Vegan filling available) 

The team are currently fundraising for new dining and storage solutions for the 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. The school 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 to The First Friday Lunch at the Community Centre 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 12.30pm 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 Two at La Perle, Beauty Treatments at Tu Sei Bella, a Ceramic Cheese Baking Set, endless bottles of alcohol, plus much much more! Tickets will be for sale on entry at £ a strip or 6 strips for £5. The raffle will be drawn once dessert is served.

Make a note for your diary so you don't miss it!

RNLI Milford Branch Folds

Sadly the Milford on Sea Branch will no longer exist in its current form. The current Committee has been in place for many years and early last year, several key Committee members, notably Secretary, Chair and Vice Chair declared they would not be standing for re-election in 2020. Despite extensive advertising/canvassing among the local sailing fraternity, branch membership and the village generally, there was not one offer of help and without these key roles being filled, the Branch cannot function. 

RNLI HQ at Poole confirmed maintenance of our coin collection boxes in pubs, shops, and local clubs can continue; donations, and Flag Day collections can also continue as long as there is a “Treasurer” to accept, bank, and account for monies received on behalf of the RNLI. Treasurer, John Pruden, who has been in post for many years, is prepared to continue with the management of these income streams, so RNLI Milford on Sea will continue to exist but in a less obvious form, but with the option of redeveloping a more proactive fund-raising role if an appropriate Committee were to be established in the future. 

RNLI Milford on Sea Branch has existed for more than 50 years, and has made a significant financial contribution to the RNLI and its invaluable work of saving lives at sea, on beaches, on rivers and flooded areas. Hopefully staunch members will continue their support via the Lymington and/or Highcliffe Branches and their events.

If you would like to run the branch please drop me an email and I will pass your details on. click here.

Home Care Services in Milford on Sea

Serendip Home Care offers a range of home care services in the village.

Serendip is part of Milford on Sea's Hillyfield Rest Home a family owned and run care provider.

Formed in April 2018 Serendip Home Care if there to help in the local community. Their aim is to provide high standards of person-centred care across the south of England and specialises in hourly home care visits and 24 hour live-in-care.

To find out more please click here.

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Serendip Home Care

Hillyfield Rest Home

Barnes Lane Milford on Sea, SO41 0RP

www.serendiphomecare.co.uk

Milford Christmas Decorations Storage

Making Milford More Magical has ended and I think we would all agree that the decorations and trees around the village centre made Milford more 'Christmassy' than ever this year.

All of the decorations are now in the process of being removed & packed, and the team behind the decorations desperately need dry storage - a garage, shed, loft space or similar, to store the decorations until next year. 

The decorations include 15 Garlands, 20 bicycle wheels, small wire garland rings, 3 reindeer and a couple of boxes. 

Ideally we would like to keep everything together, however, if any one can offer just a small space that would be brilliant. 

Please contact either: 

Tracy at - tracyhaupt@btinternet.com

or Diana at - dianabrushwood@gmail.com

Milford Wins Plastics Free Award

Community beach cleans, strategies to reduce single-use plastics and education for young people has led Milford to be awarded Plastic Free Communities status by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

The accolade, which includes a wooden plaque to be displayed in the parish office, recognises the work undertaken locally by charities, businesses and community groups to tackle the impact of throwaway plastics.

Plastic-free Milford co-ordinator and assistant parish clerk Sarah Pitt first registered with the SAS Plastic Free Communities movement last year.

Since then the parish council has worked with village organisations and businesses to launch a community-led steering group.

It has also instigated an SAS Plastic Free Schools education programme and seek pledges from local businesses, organisations and community groups to minimise the amount of disposable plastics they use and spread the word about the project.

Click here to read full article in Advertiser and Times.

Was Milford more Magical for you at Xmas?

Diana Brushwood and Tracy Haupt are keen to receive your feedback on the festive decorations provided in the village, as planning for Xmas 2020 must start now. 

Please answer the survey questions by 22nd February. Please click here to go to survey.

The questions are: 

• What did you like about this year’s Xmas decorations? 
• What did you dislike about this year’s Xmas decorations? 
• What would you like to see on the village green and around the village centre for Xmas 2020? 

Should you wish to message the ladies directly, with any further information, you can contact them below:

Diana Brushwood (dianabrushwood@gmail.com)
or Tracy Haupt (tracyhaupt01@aol.com)

Milford Minibus coming soon... Can you help?

As everyone is welcoming in the New Year, Milford On Sea Charitable Trust are getting ready to welcome a new and exciting community asset to our village. After significant sponsorship and support from South Lawn Hotel together with some very generous donations received from local events and most recently, our wonderful Parish Council, we are now able to purchase a minibus which will be used to support community projects, groups and individuals throughout Milford On Sea and our surrounding areas. 

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We are hoping that our minibus which will be supplied and maintained by the Hyundai Garage in Everton, will be ready to roll within the next few weeks. We will then be contacting relevant groups operating in and around Milford On Sea to introduce the project and offer them transport services. We will also be concentrating our efforts on trying to support individual people within our community who may feel lonely or isolated or, simply unable to attend events in local villages because they are finding it difficult to access suitable transport. 

In addition to the plethora of events already planned for 2020 in Milford On Sea, Everton, Lymore, Downton and Keyhaven, we are also hoping to provide opportunities for people to visit our villages for shopping, sightseeing, fresh air and coffee or ice-cream in one of our delightful cafes, all in the knowledge that they will be driven door to door, by one of our volunteer drivers. 

The minibus will be an 8-seater and individuals will need to be able to access the vehicle with minimal support. Charges have not yet been finalised but rest assured that we will safeguard that any costs to our users will be the minimum required to cover the upkeep of the vehicle in order that the service can be maintained for the future. 

This is a perfect opportunity for us to bring more people into our villages to enjoy the shops, pubs, cafes and other amenities. All our villages have wonderful treasures to explore and having available and accessible transport will provide an opportunity for local people to tell us what matters to them and which amenities they would like to visit and when. 

The service will require a lot of volunteers to make it work, so, if you are interested in getting involved please do not hesitate to let us know. We are particularly in need of someone who has driving tuition experience who may be able to support our drivers on their first session driving the Milford On Sea minibus and, we are also in great need of finding a place to park this wonderful community asset when not in use. If you have a spare garage or barn and would like to help us, please do get in touch. 

As well as needing volunteers we also welcome any ideas or thoughts that you may have about the best way that we can utilise this asset for the good of our community. 

Contact Lisa via email: milfordminibus@gmail.com

Dining Deals at Ray's Italian

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Faros Restaurant closes

Disappointed to see this sign in the window of Faros Restaurant situated in The Marine building on Milford on Sea seafront.

It was a nice place to dine whilst it was open.

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