The country loves Captain Tom

One of the most inspiring stories of this lockdown has been Captain Tom Moore, the resilience and determination of one man has epitomised the British spirit - and the whole of the country have united behind him to show how much we care.

Pic: Instagram
adam_sailsburyart
click image to enlarge

As this is written, Tom's 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS has raised £25,400,000 so far and the donations continue to pour in. (Click here to see the current amount collected) 

Tom is also sitting top of the charts with an impromptu recording of 'You'll never walk alone' with Michael Ball & The NHS Voices of Care Choir - and something tells me that this story is nowhere near over yet.

One man's modest plan to walk to help the health service he admired, has now captured the spirit of our entire nation, and I can't help feeling that this spontaneous public reaction is us all telling that bastard virus that we are behind Tom and you are not going to beat us!

Keep going everyone, stay safe, stay well, and engage your 'inner Tom!'

Tom, Michael Ball & The NHS Voices of Care Choir

click here to watch video

To watch Adam Sailsbury create his excellent painting of Captain Tom Moore, please click on the video below:

Seal visits Milford on Sea Beach

These delightful pictures were taken by Valerie Chalk and spotted on the 'We Love Milford' Facebook page.

Valerie wrote: "I had a great bike ride (my daily exercise) this evening and on my way home right in front of the Needles Eye Cafe was this Seal playing in the sea. He then decided to come ashore and have a sleep! It was wonderful to see!"

Quite amazing how an environment can change so quickly when fewer people are around.

Pic: Valerie Chalk
click image to enlarge

Pic: Valerie Chalk
click image to enlarge

Seals have also been spotted at Hurst Spit, Hordle Beach and Highcliffe. 

It is not unusual for seals to be seen at Hurst Castle when it is quiet, and it seems they are now broadening their horizons whilst the seafront is so quiet.

Enjoy some other pictures taken and posted on Facebook over the last few days:

Pic: Chris Mabey-21.4.20
click image to enlarge

Pic: Helen Louise
Milford on Sea Beach
click image to enlarge

Pic: Graham Wiffen
Milford on Sea Beach
click image to enlarge

Pic: Sue Ashton

Hordle Beach sighting

click image to enlarge

Funnies from the Past: No.9

Whilst we are all stuck indoors, I thought I would republish some old stories, that with a bit of luck will give you a smile.

Here we go again...

Who's lost a Koi? - click here to read.

Naughty Buoy - click here to read.

More coming next time.

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To read all previous publications of 'Funnies from the Past'

• Go to the search box above on this website
• Then, enter 'Funnies' into the search box
• Then, hit 'Search' as below
• Then, read the biggest nonsense published on here!

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No surprise, but May Fayre cancelled

I do not expect this will come as a great surprise, but the May Fayre has been officially cancelled.

Organiser Sean Reeves said; "It is with a very heavy heart that I send this email to you with the announcement from the government earlier this week that the lockdown has to carry on for at least another three weeks, my continued optimism that the May Fayre may still be held in Milford has all but evaporated. As a result the event has now been cancelled."

Sean has done a lot of good work for village events, including being involved in the Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival, and it is a shame that the work put in by him and other volunteers for the May Fayre will not result is this event taking place this year. I have no doubt the village will be out in force the next time we get to have an event on the village green.

PS: I did consider suggesting that it could be held in September, but am I reliably informed that there is no May Day in September. "October then" I said to my wife, she just rolled her eyes, took a step back and kicked me viciously in the groin!

Milford on Sea History in Pictures: No.4

We have 4000 photos charting some of the history of Milford on Sea in our archives, and we are pleased to now share them with you in photo albums within Flickr.

If you would like to see them, please just click any of the album titles below:

Hurst Castle

Keyhaven

Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival: 2009

Milford on Sea Arts & Music Festival: 2010

Milford on Sea Carnival: 2010

click image to view albums

To see all of the Historical Milford on Sea Photo Albums: Please click here.

South Lawn support Oakhaven Hospice using Shortbread Biscuits

The letter below was sent from Tim Wedgwood, owner at South Lawn Hotel to Jill West at Oakhaven Hospice.

This is an inspirational idea which deserves to get the full support of the village. Nice one Tim and team!

Hi Jill,

I hope you are doing OK and great to talk to you yesterday. As I said things are going very well here, we are sending out over 100 Bakery orders every morning and our Lunch and Dinner At Home service is equally as popular. Last Sunday we served over 300 Traditional Sunday Lunches!

We want to help you with your fundraising as a tag on to our own success and what we have decided to do should be a big help.

click image to enlarge

6 Shortbread Biscuits approx. 80 grams, prepared and baked in our kitchens at South Lawn. We will promote these with every order we send out, £2.50 for 6 Shortbread biscuits. We will deliver these as a bolt on to any Bakery or Meal Order within 5 miles by road of the hotel.

Every single penny of the £2.50 will go to Oakhaven!

The whole team at South Lawn support the decision to fund this and we are sure we will also benefit from an increase in orders from those who wish to support yourselves. 

There may be people who want to help us to help you and whilst we can't accept volunteers to prep, bake, pack or deliver we would be delighted to accept any contribution to the necessary ingredients. So we suggest if anyone wants to support this cause they could call us and purchase a block of butter from us to return to our kitchen to make the Shortbread. Please understand though that we are not at all reliant on this.

We are hoping that you are able to promote this via social media but please remember that we can only deliver within 5 miles by road of the hotel.

I've also attached a copy of our latest Bakery, Dairy and Meal At Home service which you will see now features the Shortbread for Oakhaven.

Many thanks and stay safe.

Tim, Nikki and All the team at South Lawn.

To see South Lawn Hotel's latest menu; please click here.

The South Lawn Hotel

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

01590 643911

www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

The Good News Newsletter No.4

To view of the latest edition of the The Good News Newsletter:

please click here.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

click image to open The Good News Newsletter

About The Good News Newsletter

An enterprising group of local people have put together a 'Good News Newsletter' with the aim of keeping everyone informed and amused during this difficult time.

The Good News Newsletter has been created by Milford Library, Milford Mutual Aid Group, The Village Voice and MoS News Bulletin.

We will be publishing a copy of each edition here online and for those in the village who do not use digital communication, the Parish Council are printing some paper copies which will be available in some village shops and some distributed by volunteers.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

Funnies from the Past: No.8

Whilst we are all stuck indoors, I thought I would republish some old stories, that with a bit of luck will give you a smile.

Here we go again...

Learn How to Make Cats Milk Cheese in Food Week - click here to read.

Plans Submitted for Milford Pier - click here to read.

More coming next time.

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To read all previous publications of 'Funnies from the Past'

• Go to the search box above on this website
• Then, enter 'Funnies' into the search box
• Then, hit 'Search' as below
• Then, read the biggest nonsense published on here!

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MOSHRS launch History Based Podcasts

Chris Hobby, chairman of the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society (MOSHRS) introduces new podcasts:

In these difficult times, I hope that you are managing to keep well and cheerful. 

Being social animals, it is so against our nature to find ourselves in a situation of social distancing and in some cases self-isolation. 

While the MOSHRS normal programme has been reduced to meet the circumstances, you will be pleased to know that we are offering a series of local history video podcasts. 

The first two are about Admiral Cornwallis and are available on our website by clicking here to visit Our Podcasts. 

We intend to roll out new podcasts every few weeks while the social distancing regime lasts. So follow the connecting link above and view the latest additions to our website and enjoy the mini lectures from the comfort of your own armchair! 

Stay safe. 

Chris Hobby, 

Chairman, MOSHRS

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The Milford on Sea Historical Record Society has an excellent website with a lot of information and old pictures of Milford on Sea in the past. To visit the website; please click here.

The MoSHRS normally meet every quarter where you can hear an interesting talk and meet people from across the village. There are also annual visits to places of interest. Membership is just £10. To find out more; please click here.

MoS Historical Record Society

www.milfordhistory.org.uk

Milford on Sea History in Pictures: No.3

We have 4000 photos charting some of the history of Milford on Sea in our archives, and we are pleased to now share them with you in photo albums within Flickr.

If you would like to see them, please just click any of the album titles below:

Milford on Sea: Village at War

Milford on Sea: White House Memories

Milford on Sea: Famous Residents

Milford on Sea Souvenirs

Milford on Sea Postcards

Milford on Sea Books

click image to view albums

To see all of the Historical Milford on Sea Photo Albums: Please click here.

Keep Moving - Upper Body Workout with Denise

Local Keep Fit & Pilates teacher, Denise Couston has created another short workout.

To try out the session please click here.

New Takeaway Menu from Ray's Italian Kitchen

Stacey at Ray's Italian Kitchen has launched an updated Takeaway Menu.

To see what is on offer, and the delivery details please click here.

Special Offer Set Meal from La Perle

La Perle are offering a Special Introductory Price for this week only on their new Set Price Menu. (This will be delivered chilled, ready to heat up and enjoy at your convenience.)

• 3 Courses only £9.95 (Usual price £14.95)

Delivered from 11am to 8pm until Sunday 19th April 2020.

STARTER
Slow Roast Isle of Wight Tomato Soup

MAIN
La Perle Individual Fish Pie topped with Cheddar Mash
OR
La Perle Individual Shepherd’s Pie with Mash Potatoes and Minted Peas

DESSERT
Griottine Cherry & Vanilla Cheesecake

To Order please visit: www.laperle.co.uk - And why not add a chilled bottle of wine or beer to compliment your meal?

Next week's Set Price Menu on the website will be available from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am.

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To see their extended menu and order your dishes please click here.

Sam Hughes, La Perle
Pic: Advertiser & Times
click image to enlarge

Please Note:

• Please order via the La Perle website. 
• Delivery only service, no collections.
• Please order in advance if possible and they will do their best to deliver at your preferred time.
• Deliveries to the SO41 and BH25 areas. 
• Minimum order for delivery £15, delivery charge £2.

La Perle

60 High Street, Milford on Sea
01590 643557
info@laperle.co.uk
www.laperle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/laperlemilford
www.facebook.com/laperlemilford

Milford on Sea History in Pictures: No.2

We have 4000 photos charting some of the history of Milford on Sea in our archives, and we are pleased to now share them with you in photo albums within Flickr.

If you would like to see them, please just click any of the album titles below:

Milford on Sea: High Street & Village Centre

Milford on Sea: Village Roads, Scenes & Events

Milford on Sea: Houses, Hotels & Hospital

Milford on Sea: Village Churches

Milford on Sea: Holiday Parks

click image to view albums

To see all of the Historical Milford on Sea Photo Albums: Please click here.

Funnies from the Past: No.7

Whilst we are all stuck indoors, I thought I would republish some old stories, that with a bit of luck will give you a smile.

Here we go again...

Colm Splattered at Tory Conference - click here to read.

Polar Bear Spotted on Isle of Wight - click here to read.

More coming next time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To read all previous publications of 'Funnies from the Past'

• Go to the search box above on this website
• Then, enter 'Funnies' into the search box
• Then, hit 'Search' as below
• Then, read the biggest nonsense published on here!

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Volunteers Sewing for the NHS

Becton Rotary Club, near New Milton are fully involved with the 'New Forest Sewing for the NHS' project.

Gavin Jones in Sway, originally set up the project and thought he would have 20 volunteers with sewing machines and that he could pop around to pick up and deliver the bags. It seems the project has quickly grown more than he expected.

Becton Rotary Club joined New Forest Sewing for the NHS on the 5th April and coordinate volunteers making drawstring bags at home for NHS staff to take their uniforms home to place straight into the wash, which in turn reduces the risk of cross contamination to their families.

The aim now is to provide scrubs, scrub bags and masks/headbands to the local NHS, and the Hospitals cannot receive enough.

In the first 7 days over 1000 bags have been donated to Lymington, Southampton and Bournemouth Hospitals - and people continue sewing!

The picture above shows Terry and Debbie proudly displaying some
of the many scrubs bags picked up from the drop off points.
click image to enlarge

Becton Rotary Club are organising the logistics and they have drop off & collection points in Milford on Sea. They can also supply some material if required.

If you are handy with a sewing machine, or happy to collect or deliver, and would like to get involved, please contact Terry at:
treasurer@bectonrotary.org.uk

Becton Rotary Club have set up a a Just Giving page to help raise the funds required to maintain an adequate supply of materials. To find out more or to donate please click here. Donations of any size are gratefully received. As we write they have £120 of a £1000 target.

Beckton Rotary Club
Keith Williams - treasurer@bectonrotary.org.uk

Le Perle Increases Menu: Including Fish & Chips!

From Monday 20th April La Perle will be offering Fish & Chip Monday's with:

Beer Battered Sustainable Cod, Triple Cooked Chips, Homemade Tartare Sauce and Minted Mushy Peas, all for only £12 - Delivered from 4.30 to 8.30pm Mondays only.

Order early in the week to avoid disappointment! Click here to order Fish & Chips.

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From today Wednesday 15th April a New Brunch Menu is available with:

Delicious Hot Baps for Lunch - Delivered from 11am to 4pm Tuesdays to Sundays. Click here to order Brunch.

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Together with a selection of chilled dishes to heat up and enjoy at your convenience. Why not order one for tomorrow when you order a takeaway?

• Smoked Haddock & Dorset Cheddar Souffle with Spring Onion Cream
• Slow Roast Isle of Wight Tomato Soup
• La Perle Fish Pie topped with Cheesy Mash
• La Perle Shepherd's Pie with Mash Potatoes and Minted Peas

Click here to order Chilled Dishes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

La Perle also have a range of Luxury Larder Items available for delivery.

Please let La Perle know if you are struggling to source any products and they will do their best to help!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see their extended menu and order your dishes please click here.

Please Note:

• Please order via the La Perle website. 
• Delivery only service, no collections.
• Please order in advance if possible and they will do their best to deliver at your preferred time.
• Deliveries to the SO41 and BH25 areas. 
• Minimum order for delivery £15, delivery charge £2.

La Perle

60 High Street, Milford on Sea
01590 643557
info@laperle.co.uk
www.laperle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/laperlemilford
www.facebook.com/laperlemilford

Milford on Sea History in Pictures: No.1

We have 4000 photos charting some of the history of Milford on Sea in our archives, and we are pleased to now share them with you in photo albums within Flickr.

If you would like to see them, please just click any of the album titles below:

Milford on Sea: Aerial Views

Milford on Sea: Beach & Beach Huts

Milford on Sea: Cliff Top

Milford on Sea: Village Bridge

click image to view albums

To see all of the Historical Milford on Sea Photo Albums: Please click here.

The Good News Newsletter No.3 - Updated

UPDATED VERSION of the latest edition of the The Good News Newsletter:

please click here.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

click image to open The Good News Newsletter

About The Good News Newsletter

An enterprising group of local people have put together a 'Good News Newsletter' with the aim of keeping everyone informed and amused during this difficult time.

The Good News Newsletter has been created by Milford Library, Milford Mutual Aid Group, The Village Voice and MoS News Bulletin.

We will be publishing a copy of each edition here online and for those in the village who do not use digital communication, the Parish Council are printing some paper copies which will be available in some village shops and some distributed by volunteers.

To subscribe to get a regular copy please email: mosclibrary@gmail.com

Bill Sykes celebrates 100th birthday

Bill Sykes, a ham radio enthusiast, has celebrated his 100th birthday on the 8th April in Milford on Sea.

Southgate Amateur Radio News said; "Bill is well-known for involvement with JBeam aerials & his in-depth knowledge of aerials in general. He's still active mostly on 80m slow scan TV."

I have no idea what that the technical references mean, but it is impressive that Bill is still so active and obviously so well-respected for his expertise.

He celebrated this milestone with the delivery of a birthday meal from a Milford on Sea restaurant.

Listen to Bill's charming interview on BBC.co.uk/sounds: click here.

Happy birthday Bill.

Picture from BBC
click image to enlarge

Wildlife Garden Challenge: Update 3

Keith's latest update:

click image to enlarge

Fourth week into our 'lockdown'. Living where we do and just being able to get out into our gardens and making sure that we use our one exercise per day wisely, we are blessed with such lovely walks and wildlife all around every one of us. 

click image to enlarge

This time, to ring the changes and as promised, I thought we should look at how people in other countries are dealing with their own problems and to see what wildlife they are seeing in their gardens at exactly the same time as we see our wildlige in ours. Although I would not wish to live anywhere else in the world, I have to admit that sometimes their local wildlife is just magical and oh so colourful! 

The first overseas country we shall explore in this update is from Australia, in fact from Queensland, where Phil Gregory (a good friend of our County Bird Recorder - Keith Betton) has put together a quite remarkable list of what he has seen from his home and garden. To bring you some of the colour I mention above, I have included photographic collages of ten of the 48 species Phil has recorded in the last couple of weeks. I think the most spectacular and also my personal favourite is the Eastern Spinebill, a bird of which I have never previously heard. 

click image to enlarge

In my next update I will follow up with another overseas record, this time from my birding mate Peter in Carthage, Tunisia. 

Don't forget to watch those skies and let me have your records. 

Keith Metcalf 

MCV - Conservation Officer

To see the latest newsletter and  list of sightings so far; please click here.

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts and stay safe and good wildlife watching.

Keith Metcalf

MCV - Conservation Officer

Milford Conservation Volunteers

To read second update, please click here.

Gold Bracelet Found

A reader has found a gold bracelet on the concrete road that leads off Manor Road and goes up towards Michael Reed's old nursery.

If you have lost one, please click here to send an email with a description (and picture if you have one). If it is the same one, you can be reunited.

Funnies from the Past: No.6

Whilst we are all stuck indoors, I thought I would republish some old stories, that with a bit of luck will give you a smile.

Here we go again...

Stuck on Beach Pebble Mountain - click here to read.

Dragons on the Beach - click here to read.

More coming next time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To read all previous publications of 'Funnies from the Past'

• Go to the search box above on this website
• Then, enter 'Funnies' into the search box
• Then, hit 'Search' as below
• Then, read the biggest nonsense published on here!

click image to enlarge

This Week's Ray's Lunch Menu for the Vulnerable

Wednesday 15th April Lunch Menu for the Over 70's & Vulnerable Only: 

Stacey at Ray's Italian Restaurant will be providing a warm meal on a Wednesday lunchtime, which will be delivered to your door at an arranged time between 11.45 and 2.30pm.

The 2 course lunch will include a main meal and a dessert for £10. 

Menu

• Pappardelle pasta with spicy beef & pancetta meatballs in my own recipe tomato sauce, parmesan
• Mediterranean Orzo pasta salad, sun-dried tomato & mozzarella Arancini
• Minestrone soup with macaroni & ham, bread
• Old Winchester twice baked cheddar soufflé with chunky chips
• Fish Goujons, peas, tartar sauce & fries
• Slow cooked Salt beef with parsley sauce, creamed potato & petit pois
• Smoked salmon, Broccolini, and strachino cheese tart, mixed leaves
• Spinach & Ricotta tortellioni with a walnut & spinach cream sauce

Dessert

• Sherry Trifle
• Upside down peach cake with mascarpone cream
• 2 scoops of Ice cream - Vanilla, walnut, Salted Caramel or strawberry
• Pear or raspberry sorbet
• Italian soft Talleggio cheese, sticky fig jam, crackers 

If you are interested, either: 

E-mail by the end of the day on a Monday info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk 

or 

Call your order through on Monday 07807 287753 to discuss between 10am to 12 midday.
* Please inform me of any allergens or ask my advice.

After this time leave a message and I promise I will call you back.

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TAKE AWAY MENU for all customers: please click here.

Small gifts with big gratitude

We have spotted some stories online where people in Milford on Sea have been given small gifts which mean so much.

I am sure there are many more examples of random acts of kindness that we haven't seen, but it is great to know things like this are happening.

Let's all do something nice for someone today! 

Please click the images below to read the message: