Christmas Day Lunch delivered from South Lawn

South Lawn Hotel are delivering Christmas Day Lunches this year. 

The menu includes Traditional Roast Turkey, Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce, Half bottle Sauvignon Blanc, Crackers, Hat & Novelty, plus a Christmas Tea Cake Selection all for just £49 per person. 

Delivered to your door on Christmas Day between 12 noon to 3pm.

Bookings are now being taken on 01590 643911, and number are limited, so it is likely that they may sell out, so book now to avoid disappointment!

To see South Lawn Hotel's Christmas Dinner Menu: please click here.

Takeaways

Lunch & Dinner delivered Monday to Saturday, with Sunday Lunch also available, as are celebration cakes if you need one! 

To see South Lawn Hotel's latest Take Away Menu: please click here.

The South Lawn Hotel

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

01590 643911

events@southlawnhotel.co.uk
www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

Pennyfarthing Homes spreads Christmas cheer

New Forest based property developer, Pennyfarthing Homes have pledged its support to Milford-on-Sea during this challenging year by donating £1,600 to the community, helping to bring some Christmas cheer this season. 

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennyfarthing Homes donated £500 to Milford-on-Sea Primary School, to use towards a new marquee, to offer extra space for class bubbles and give children an extra outdoor area in bad weather. 

In addition, Pennyfarthing Homes also donated £260 to the school’s Parents Association, allowing a new Xbox console to be included as the main prize in the Christmas raffle. It is very satisfying to hear that Milford-on-Sea Primary School raised a fantastic £3,101 as a result of all the prizes in their Christmas Raffle.

Deborah Cummings, School Business Manager, said: “We’re delighted that Pennyfarthing Homes wanted to support the children of Milford-on-Sea Primary School. We have not been able to hold our usual fundraising events in recent times, so these generous donations have made a huge difference.” 

Beyond the school, Pennyfarthing Homes has also sponsored the dazzling Christmas lights display at the Milford-on-Sea village green. 

In 2019, a Just Giving page was set up by locals Diana Brushwood and Tracy Haupt in the hope of raising money for decorations in the village. This year, Pennyfarthing Homes pledged £840, which has allowed for eight trees to be illuminated with commercial-grade LED lights. Each of the trees represents the following: Milford-on-Sea Primary School, Milford Pre-school, Milford Explorers Day Nursery, Guides, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts, Milford-on-Sea Youth Football Club, and the four churches in the village. 

Diana Brushwood commented: “Huge thanks to Pennyfarthing Homes for the donation for the Milford-on-Sea Christmas lights. Last year, we used battery powered lights which were rather dim but this year, the trees look spectacular!” 

Sheetal Smith, Sales and Marketing Director at Pennyfarthing Homes, added: “At Pennyfarthing Homes, we are passionate about giving back to the communities in which we build. We’re pleased to be able to spread some festive cheer this year and bring some sparkle to both the Primary School and the village green in Milford-on-Sea.” 

The Swifts is Pennyfarthing Homes’ collection of 42 three and four-bedroom homes in Milford-on-Sea. There are just a few homes remaining at The Swifts. For more information or to book a private viewing, visit www.pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk/site/swifts-milford-on-sea or call 01590 615411. 

Village Green Christmas Decorations Slide Show

Slide Show by Chris Mabey
click image to view

Final School Raffle winners

There have been a lot of very happy prizes winners in the Milford on Sea School Christmas Raffle and the PFA are delighted to have raised an amazing £3,101 as a result of everyone who generously took part.

To see the final winners, please click below: 

• 
  To see a video of Day 13 Winner, 

please click here. - Bonus Day!

• To see a video of Day 12 Winner, 

please click here.

• To see a video of Day 11 Winner, 

please click here.

A big thank you goes to the very generous people and companies who sponsored or donated prizes, there was a lot of them!

A great effort and fun for all involved at the PFA and thanks to everyone who bought tickets.

• To see a video of Day 10 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 9 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 8 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 7 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 6 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 5 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 4 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 3 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 2 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 1 Winner, please click here.

Behind the Christmas Decorations

The delightful Christmas Decorations on Milford on Sea Village Green and around the centre of the village are making many people happy as Christmas approaches. The creative and sparkling decorations took a lot of planning and hard work from a dedicated team of volunteers, and we are pleased to let you know some of the people behind the project and to share this message from the organisers Diana & Tracy: 

On Friday and Saturday, 4th and 5th December, Diana Brushwood and Tracy Haupt and their husbands; Paul and Colin, took on the task of decorating the village for Christmas. The weather however, had other ideas, as they got very cold and wet. 

Despite the troubled times we’ve all experienced this year and after many meetings outdoors, Tracy and Diana were able to coordinate many talented volunteers to help to add several new features to the displays this year. 

The nativity scene was cut out of plywood by the New Milton Men’s Shed and then painted by our local Milford Art Club artist Gillian Key. Gillian, along with Art Club members Richard Wadley and Yvette Binns, painted Christmas card scenes that are attached to The Smugglers fence. Gillian also made the Father Christmas sleeves for the bollards and Pam Wright made the snow scenes for the post box, phone box and litter bin tops. What a talented group of people! 

The Milford Floral Art Club did an excellent job again and this year added battery lights to the recycled bicycle wheels on the bridge. 

Fundraising was always going to be tricky this year, however the response from the village was amazing. 

Diana and Tracy are very grateful for the sponsorship received and would like to thank RoyaleLife who purchased the forest of trees and will plant them in various locations in January. 

Gen One Ltd paid for the main Christmas tree and excavated and laid the ducting under the green, free of charge, so we could connect the lights safely. 

Pennyfarthing Homes gave a generous donation that enabled us to afford the commercial quality LED lights for the forest of trees, to create a brighter display.

Many organisations and individuals came together to make Milford even more Magical this year. 

Diana and Tracy, organisers of 'Making Milford more Magical' would like to thank every single one of them for helping to achieve their vision.

PS: We have created a Village Photo Album, if you would like to add any more pictures of the village Christmas Decorations please just send them by clicking here.

To view the Village Photo Album; please click here.

Socially distanced Santa Dash

Some early Santas bemused and delighted passers by in Milford on Sea yesterday, Thursday 10th December, as they started a "Santa Dash" on our village green.

They usually participate in the Oakhaven Santa Dash down Lymington High Street but of course for safety reasons the event couldn't take place this year. 

So Janet Nunn, Susan Evans and Rosalie Mans "dashed" from the village green, down Sea Road and along the Sea Front arriving back in the village with £171 in their collection box. More donations have been collected by WI President, Diana Cobbett.

They got a bit of a surprise when three Santas from the Oakhaven Fund Raising Team surprised our by jumped out from The Needles Eye Café to join them for a photo (below). Naturally at Christmas, you can't have too many Santas!

Many thanks to all those who made donations.

PS: The two of the boards outside The Smugglers (one in the picture below), the large Nativity figures on the village green, and the jolly Santas on bollards by the parking bays were created by talented village artist, Gillian Key. Gillian also supplies our Village Charity Shop with humorous and festive cards.

click images to enlarge

More Milford Santas!

Sharon Twydell ad Graham Wiffen also did a Santa Dash around Milford on Sea village in support of Oakhaven Hospice.

They were also grateful to all those who have supported them over the last couple of weeks and to all those who waved, clapped and hooted us as they did the run.

So far hey have raised nearly £300, and if you'd like to support Oakhaven, here the link to an earlier Facebook post by Graham: please click here.

Here's a a couple of snaps from their run:

New Local Care Agency

We have been contacted by a new local care agency, CAS Care Solutions who were recently founded by Clarice Barrett, Amie Cleaver and Sara Phillips.

CAS Care Solutions are an independent domiciliary agency based in New Milton and offering services in Milford on Sea. The team aim to provide compassionate, attentive support to enable people to remain independent for as long as possible in their own home.

Some of the services offered include: 

• Personal Care 
• Outings and Companionship 
• Taxi for appointments 
• Domestic help 
• Medication prompting 
• Welfare check 
• Shopping 
• Computer help 
• Maintenance 
• Gardening 
• Dog walking and dog sitting 
• Phone call checks 
• Hairdressing/ Chiropody organising 
• Documents and paperwork assistants
• Meal preparations
• ... and more

To find out more about CAS, please click here.

CAS Care Solutions 

01425 600232

www.cascaresolutions.co.uk

Gifts & Savouries at the Pickled Weasel

The Pickled Weasel in Milford on Sea have added a number of tasty gifts to their Hot & Cold Takeaway and range of Delicatessen products. 

I am sure if you popped in to see Lesley and Alex they can show you an unusual gift you could buy for someone, or simply reward yourself with a savoury treat!

click images to enlarge

Pickled Weasel

54 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 641155

New Village Bakery opens on 18th December

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited to be having a new bakery opening in Milford on Sea village. Fresh bread, rolls, cakes and savouries - and even afternoon tea's, what's not to like!

Local resident, Amanda Maidment, is very excited to be starting her new venture, and The Coastal Bakery will be opening at 9am on Friday 18th December.

click image to enlarge

Amanda is delighted that the shop is being beautifully decorated with free foliage by the very talented Hannah Middlewick.

The Coastal Bakery will be on the corner of the High Street in the shop occupied by Time & Tide Fashions, who are moving to where Moss on the Green were in Church Hill, Milford on Sea.

During the height of lockdown Amanda's, The Little Cake Company provided and delivered delicious homemade cakes from her home and she even offered a special cream tea for VE Day.

Fresh bread, rolls, cakes and savoury treats from a specialist bakery, - at least in this difficult times we all have something good to look forward to!

The Coastal Bakery 

25 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

A Magical Christmas comes to Milford

The 'Making Milford More Magical' team, along with generous donations from the local community, have made the village green look more festive than I can ever recall.

Christmas trees, sparkling lights, hand-made decorations and more are a delight to see.

It is also good to note that all of the trees nicely socially distanced!

Thank you to everyone who has made this yuletide display possible and something for us all to appreciate.

If you can't see the decorations in person we hope the pictures below taken by local people help you to enjoy your Christmas.

 

Picture by Chris Mabey
click image to enlarge

Picture by Chris Mabey
click image to enlarge

Picture by Chris Mabey
click image to enlarge

Picture by Sue York
click image to enlarge

Picture by Kerry Bacon
click image to enlarge

Picture by Sue York
click image to enlarge

Video by Chris Mabey
click image to view

MOSHRS Podcast: The history of Christmas cards

Milford on Sea Historical Record Society have launched their latest podcast, this time the subject is: The history of Christmas cards. 

This month’s podcast has a seasonal flavour, so here is a question: 

• How many Christmas cards are sold every year in the UK? - Is it 9 million, 90 million or 900 million? 

You can find out the answer and more in the latest video trailer and feature podcasts: “Milford and District Postal Arrangements Part 2”.  

To view the podcast, please click here.

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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. 

The MOSHRS meet 5 times a year 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

Drone footage of Sea Defence Repairs

Graeme Blackwood has recorded a fascinating record of the rebuilding of the sea defences for Milford on Sea.

Graeme has create a record of the repairs from the air using a drone.

To visit his page to view his films please click here. 

-------------------------------------------

The 'Save Milford from the Sea' Facebook Group has been set up to 'To make Milford-on-Sea residents aware of the consequences for the village of failure to repair the sea wall and maintain coastal defences.'

This Facebook Page has a fascinating insight into the issues, progress and details on a petition to save the sea defences long-term.

To visit the Facebook Group please click here.

A message from Hurst Castle

We are happy to pass on this message from the team at Hurst Castle: 

"We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us in 2020 – our loyal volunteers, our fantastic team and all our visitors.  It really has been a year like no other!

Even though the castle is closed at this time, you can still enjoy a walk to Hurst Castle.  Refreshments are available outside the castle, every Saturday and Sunday in December, (weather permitting, with the exception of Boxing Day - Saturday 26^th December).  

From Sunday 27^th December, every day until Sunday 3^rd January, we will be offering a reduced ferry service, from Keyhaven to the spit, with refreshments available to purchase outside the castle.  We hope to see you over this period.

Or why not treat your family and friends to a Hurst Castle local resident annual pass, or gift voucher this Christmas?

Our gift vouchers can be used to purchase tickets to the castle, for the ferry to the spit, in our castle café and the gift shop.

click image to enlarge

Our annual pass offers unlimited castle admission and return ferry plus other benefits.  It’s a great opportunity to make the most of 2021, our beautiful coastline, Henry VIII’s artillery fortress and stunning views over to the Isle of Wight.

Email us today at: info@hurstcastle.co.uk to buy your annual pass, gift voucher or for more information.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2021, from the all team at Hurst Castle."

Hurst Castle
www.hurstcastle.co.uk

You can't have Christmas without cake!

We all deserve a treat after the year we have had, and of course you can't have Christmas without some cake!

Take a look at the village cake makers below, click on the links and choose what you would like to indulge in this festive period!

Mandy at Elmsleigh Cakes; please click here.

Liz at Cakes on Sea; please click here.

Robyn at Doughnut Wall; please click here.

Shannen at Hello Cheesecake; please click here.

Plus of course:

Amanda at the new Coastal Bakery in Milford on Sea high street.

Encore Choir in harmony with New Forest Basics Bank

At this time of year Encore Choir would normally be busy rehearsing for concerts for charitable organisations and local care homes. Sadly they are unable to meet or perform due to the pandemic. 

This year John Reid their musical Director who lives in Milford on Sea, as do many members, has kept them challenged with a few online recordings, the latest of which ‘We Need a Little Christmas’ - all to keep the choir's voices in shape…….and to create a little Christmas cheer. 

To continue the community theme, Encore choir members have been donating bags of basic foods and Christmas goodies, in order to produce Seasonal Hampers for the New Forest Basics Bank based in Lymington and also covering Milford on Sea. You won’t be surprised to hear that the Basics Bank has had to expand its operation during these difficult times, as food poverty is a growing and a complex area to address. Last week the bank assisted over 80 households in our area. 

Encore Choir is a mixed voiced choir with 60 members, who enjoy singing a wide variety of styles of music. They meet on a Monday evening in Lymington and hope to return to rehearsals early Spring or earlier if it is safe to do so. All voice parts are welcome. 

https://www.facebook.com/people/Encore-Choir-Lymington/100009392944296

To find out more, please contact; encorechoirlymington@gmail.com - Facebook Page, please click here.

New Emergencies Partnership

Since the Grenfell Tower fire, and other serious incidents, the Government has realised the value of voluntary help from members of the Public and so are bringing together voluntary groups across the Country in order to have a suitable network of people who can respond when needed in the future. 

Rotary is one of the only voluntary organisations which has a footprint throughout the Country and so they are asking if Rotarians and any people affiliated with Rotary in any way could be asked to join this network of volunteers. Volunteers from outside Rotary would also be welcomed. 

The country has been divided into 5 areas and Rotary Wessex is in the South East area. 

The requests in the South East so far have been for befriending, driving for a Food Bank and for Covid testing. This is not an exhaustive list because it is not known for what the requests will be made in the future. 

There are 'admin only' roles available, so please volunteer even if you need to be self-isolating or shielding at the moment. 

Requests will come in as a referral, and it is important that we must only volunteer for tasks which are appropriate to each individual, taking into consideration their own circumstances. 

How Can You Help: 

Becton Rotary are pleased to advise that they have agreed to participate in the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership. VCS-EP. This is a new adventure for us and we will keep you posted as our involvement in the scheme progresses. 

In the meantime Becton Rotary need to compile a list of individuals or companies who would be willing to be contacted should they be requested to respond to an urgent situation. If this is an activity you feel you could support then please let us know by email to secretary@bectonrotary.og.uk 

Be assured you would not be asked to support anything which was beyond your ability or means. 

Further information can be obtained from the VCSEP webpage by clicking here.

It is difficult to give too many ideas as to what will be requested in the future - but in times of flood or fire, for example, there could be all sorts of ways in which help could really give a boost to people in need. Some of the activities such as ferrying food to food banks we already do. 

                                                                 

                                                                                           

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                     

 

              

 

   

 

 

 

 

Nice one Mister Pinks

click image to enlarge

 

Verveine launches Christmas Menu & Gifts

Verveine, Milford on Sea's spectacular fine dining fish restaurant have launched their Christmas Menu which will be running at lunch times until the 19th of December. 

The menu consists of some of David Wykes amazing creations, such as smoked salmon with Babycham and flaming Christmas pudding ice cream. The Christmas menu has 6 courses and is outstanding value at £35 per person.

Verveine can also offer gift vouchers and the Verveine Cookbook, ideal gifts for the people who have everything! These can be posted, or both can be purchased at the restaurant.

To book or buy, please call: 01590 642176.

Verveine

98 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE 

01590 642176

www.verveine.co.uk

 

(Not) Carols on the Green

Disappointingly, there is no Carols on the Green event this year due to Covid 19. 

However, Rev David Hellsten from Milford on Sea Baptist Church gives a little Christmas video greeting from the village green, - including three well-known carols and at least one bad joke!

To get into the Christmas spirit, please click here.

More winners of the School Raffle

The winners keep coming in the Milford on Sea School Christmas Raffle.

To see the latest winners, please click below: 

• To see a video of Day 10 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 9 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 8 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 7 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 6 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 5 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 4 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 3 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 2 Winner, please click here.
• To see a video of Day 1 Winner, please click here.

A few more lucky winners to come!

Christmas Shopping at the Charity Shop

 

Village Advent Window Trail is underway

The village Advent Window Trail is underway for everyone to enjoy.

The Advent Window Trail organised by All Saints' Church is running across Milford on Sea & Everton.

Having started on Tuesday 1st December, a new location will be revealed every day until Thursday 24th December 2020. 

There will be a new window lit up each evening up until Christmas Eve when the final window will be revealed in All Saints’ Church.

To discover where to see the windows please click here. 

Maps of the trail will be provided, along with Covid related safety guidance to those that sign up. Please click here.

Once underway, daily information on where the windows are opening will also be on the church Facebook page. Please click here.

Larry fighting avoidable blindness in others

Throughout the village there are people that do interesting, important and vital jobs. Our community also holds a fair few retired people all who have a story about their past work that people around them may not know.

Recently we can across an article in the Association of Optometrists magazine highlighting the career of someone whose work provides vital treatment in eye health across the world.

Larry Benjamin is a resident of Milford on Sea, a retired ophthalmic consultant and has been an overseas volunteer with Orbis for 16 years. Orbis are a charity who fight avoidable blindness, and Larry has been very much at the forefront of scaling up the charity’s international remote training capabilities in light of COVID-19.

To find out more please click here.

Ray's Italian Restaurant indoor dining is back!

Ray's Italian Restaurant are again able to welcome guests to enjoy a meal inside of their restaurant.

They are now open from Wednesday to Saturday each week from 6pm, and have to close their doors at 11pm under the new Government guidelines.

 

Takeaway will still be available each evening for collection, and deliveries will be available on weekends.

You can book a table now by emailing info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk or calling 01590 645300.  To find out more, or to see the menus, please click here.

To celebrate the reopening, Stacey has three brand new cocktails on their festive specials menu including the Very Berry Mimosas: Mermaid Pink Gin with Prosecco, a squeeze of lemon juice & berry syrup, garnished with raspberries, hibiscus infusions and a swirl of fresh lemon and Aromatic Mocktail: Seedlip with Aromatic Tonic, served with pink peppicorns, a slice of orange and rosemary.

Ray's Italian Restaurant also offer Dining Gift Vouchers which would make ideal Christmas presents.

To order any value of voucher (Minimum £20), please email: info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk with a contact phone number and they will get back to you. 

Ray’s Italian Kitchen

11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 645300

info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk

www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk