Enjoy Milford on Sea

Monday 10 January 2022

Community Care Group celebrates 40 Years

The Milford Community Care Group recently held a Tea Party to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The Group was founded by two women from All Saints’ church, who recognised villagers’ need for reliable transport to medical appointments. From these small beginnings the Group expanded into the Registered Charity it is today. At its peak the Group was driving 40 people a week to medical appointments.

The Group has not been operating during the pandemic, but they are working towards safely reopening, and are in touch with the Community Centre. The aim is to have the office at the Community Centre up and running for the co-ordinators to accept bookings to take local residents to medical appointments near and far soon.

The group are also interested in meeting people who would like to be volunteer drivers or Office Co-ordinators, if you would like to help or find out more, please contact Anna on 01590 643376.

Milford Community Care Group

01590 641700

Community Centre, 9 Sea Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PH

Friday 7 January 2022

Seasonal Set Menu at Ray's Italian

The very popular Ray's Italian Kitchen in Milford on Sea high street have launch a regular changing Seasonal Set Menu with 2 courses for just £18.

To see an example menu

please click image

If you fancy a light lunch to warm to cockles, you can pop in for a homemade soup with delicious homemade focaccia bread - or take it away for just £3.95. If something a little naughtier is to your taste, they have fresh homemade sausage rolls, scones, cookies and much more in the delicatessen!

Opening Times

Light Dining & Delicatessen

Tuesday to Saturday: 9am to 4pm

Restaurant & Takeaway

Wednesday to Saturday: 5:45pm until last orders at 9.30pm

Ray’s Italian Kitchen
11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
01590 645300
info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk
www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk
ww.facebook.com/raysitaliankitchen

Wednesday 5 January 2022

Needles Eye reopens for inside dining

Having operated with just a takeaway services for many months, the Needles Eye Café has now reopened its doors to inside diners.

Visitors will find that the café has had an internal makeover and the friendly team are ready to welcome people back to enjoy the spectacular sea views and of course the all day breakfasts, freshly made cakes, ice cream and the wide variety of hot & cold food and drink menu.

The takeaway service continues, and dogs are welcome with their owners!

To View Menu
Please click image

Needles Eye Café

Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY

needleseyecafe@btconnect.com

www.facebook.com/needleseyecafe

Tuesday 4 January 2022

The village currently has no Beaver or Scout Group

It is sad to hear that Milford on Sea currently has no Beavers or Scouts. It is not clear why a once a thriving group has declined to this extent, but Covid will of course not have helped.

In a vibrant village like ours, surely we need these type of activities for the kids.

A small number of existing volunteers are keen to make a restart, and they need people to join them.

The Chair, Secretary and Treasurer roles would suit some retired business folks who are looking to keep the grey matter ticking and support the community - and as always Volunteers are needed to help make thing happen.

Volunteering for Scouting is easier than you think. You don’t have to be an adventurer like Bear Grylls to get involved.

Do you have first aid skills? Handy in the kitchen? Or a DIY whizz? We all have useful skills and you can volunteer and help in many ways.

You can give as much or as little of your time as you like and you can fit volunteering around your work and social commitments.

To find out more and who to contact, please click on the links below. Finger crossed for positive responses.

Scout Volunteers: Please click here.

Scout Chair: Please click here.

Pottery Courses at Vinegar Hill

Did you know we have an active and vibrant pottery in the village?

Dave & Lucy Rogers run one-day and long weekend pottery courses in the village both non residential for anyone living nearby, or residential using their B&B accommodation.

There are 9 places per pottery course meaning they can tailor the classes to suit your level of skill and creativity! The courses are all based on the potter's wheel – learning the basic techniques of throwing the perfect pot.

Pottery Courses: Please click here.

Pottery Shop: Please click here.

About Vinegar Hill

Vinegar Hill Pottery is a small family-owned pottery and bed and breakfast that's very much a family affair. Lucy Rogers oversees the management and day-to-day running of this delightful three-room accommodation. Dave is a master potter who runs his workshop from the premises and offers tuition to aspiring ceramic artists.

Both originate from Lymington in the New Forest. Dave spent his murky college years studying ceramics at Farnham College of Art and Design and working at Wrecclesham Pottery. He graduated in Ceramics 1997 and then started up on his own. He moved to Bristol in 1999 where he set up his own work spaces at The Botany Art Studios.

With a degree in all things Latin American from Bristol University, Lucy spent time living and studying in Latin America before settling in Bristol and working for ten years for a travel company that specialised in offbeat Latin America. Her job involved travel to small, remote and unique lodges and hotels throughout the continent. This fuelled her passion for travel and gave her the experiences and know-how of what does and doesn’t work for individual, boutique accommodation, and the grounding for Vinegar Hill accommodation.

David's skill as a potter is matched only by his ability as a teacher and patience with those who are new to the kinetic delights of the potter's wheel - the ultimate hands-on experience. Regular pottery courses are open to residents and non-residents alike. There are no identikit rooms at Vinegar Hill. You can pick your accommodation from the spacious Garden Room, the secluded Hayloft or enjoy the delights of Rosie - a beautifully restored nineteenth century showman's wagon for a truly unique experience.

Vinegar Hill Pottery

Vinegar Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RZ

01590 642979 (9am - 7pm)

info@vinegarhillpottery.co.uk

www.vinegarhillpottery.co.uk

Walk Maps and more at Bird Hide

A recent article about Local Walks (click here to read) has prompted Keith Metcalf of the Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV) to let us know that the Walks Maps are also available from the Bird Hide at Sturt Pond where there is an honesty box for people to put in their £1 coins.

A 'Second-Hand' Book Rack has now also started at the Bird Hide and again there is a separate honesty box for that and finally, also at the Bird Hide we have installed an RSPB Pin Badge Box for anyone interested in collecting the many RSPB badges that not only includes lots of birds, but also butterflies, animals and bugs...and guess what?, there is also an honesty box there for these too. These boxes are emptied every day so that there is never any build up of cash left there.

Sturt Pond Bird Hide can be found in Hurst Road, Milford on Sea. Between The Lighthouse café/bar is a large black shed building and next to this is a gate leading into the public Bird Hide, which looks across the 27 acre Sturt Pond local nature reserve.

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Keith has also informed us that he is forming the New 'Wings' Birding Heritage Group in the New Year. This is being set up primarily for pre-school nursery and junior schools and will include 'nature-story-telling' about real British wildlife and talks aimed at youngsters to give them a grounding at a very early age about what surrounds them in Milford-on-Sea and Keyhaven. Keith already has three young Milford Mum's and a granddaughter who have agreed to be his 'nature-story-tellers'. As they say; 'Watch this space!'

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To find out more about Milford Conservation Volunteers, please visit:

www.milfordconservation.org

Monday 27 December 2021

Local Walks for this Christmas

OK, so Christmas is over, and most of us will need a way to shift the few pounds we will have put on from all of the festive celebrations.

A good walk is always a good idea, so why not check out the Milford on Sea Nature Reserve Walks leaflet.

If you are new to Milford on Sea or haven't yet explored the Pleasure Grounds, then pick up a map for only £1 from the Village News Newsagents at the foot of the village green, then pull on your boots and get strolling!

There are 4 walks varying from 3.6km to 6km - (c.2.2 miles to 3.7miles in 'old money')

The Pleasure Grounds (Woodland) has 14 acres of woodland with a network of footpaths along the Danes Stream which runs parallel to the coast. Access is from Park Lane at the west end of village centre. (Gate 2.)

The Danes Stream forms part of the Milford on Sea conservation area & runs the length of the parish, through the Pleasure Grounds, Westerly towards Studland Common & Sharvells Copse, & Eastwards along the rear of the village shops towards Sturt Pond.

To read about how the Danes Stream got its name (or didn't!) please click here.

To download map of The Pleasure Grounds, Please click here.

click image to enlarge

If you would like more ideas for Walks Around Milford on Sea it is worth checking out the 17 walks on Komoot by clicking here.

If you enjoy local nature, then please take a look at the Milford Conservation Volunteers website by clicking the link below.

The sit contains lots of useful information about our local habitat and wildlife. If you felt so inclined, you could even join them.

Click the link below to find out more about:

Milford Conservation Volunteers
www.milfordconservation.org

Saturday 25 December 2021

A village gift for your friends at Christmas time

Why not give all of your friends, family or neighbours a free Christmas gift that they can enjoy all year round?

Simply forward this email to people you know who may enjoy keeping in touch with Milford on Sea village news.

Having launched in May 2008, we currently have over 3,300 local people who regularly receive our e-mail News Bulletins, and we know of some people who don't want it at all!

We never really considered that people would enjoy & appreciate what we built, however it appears people do and is satisfying to provide a service with a smile to the local community.

To view the Enjoy Milford on Sea Village News, please click here.

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Join Us!: We are always looking for more village people to join us (That's people who live in the village, not the YMCA pop band!).

To get your free copy of the weekly village News Bulletin, please click here.

Thanks for your support and for as long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing!

Wednesday 22 December 2021

New Cheese Shop in village

Milford on Sea high street now has the exciting addition of a cheese shop - and who doesn't love cheese!

Rockpool Cheese, owned by Gillian and Peter Maclean-Arnold, has a wide selection of speciality artisan and farmhouse cheeses and accompaniments, primarily from the UK and south coast but with a few delicious European cheeses thrown in for good measure. The cheese range includes; cow, goat and ewe cheeses; pasteurised, unpasteurised and vegetarian.

Rockpool Cheese are now located in the shop previously occupied by New Forest Paddle Sport Company. (Who have moved the Keyhaven Harbour.)

So, in the past months we have had a new butcher, delightful baker and No.64 Biscuit House are candles stick makers. (Well, they sell candle sticks anyway.), Who said the high street was dying!

Opening Hours
Tuesday: 10am - 2pm
Wednesday: 10am - 2pm
Thursday: 10am - 2pm
Friday: 10am - 2pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday/Monday: Closed

Rockpool Cheese

46 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 643433

hello@rockpoolcheese.co.uk
www.rockpoolcheese.co.uk

www.facebook.com/rockpoolcheese

Fancy a Marmite Stew?

We are hearing some very good reports about 'Butchers on the Green' in Church Hill Milford on Sea.

Alongside a range of quality meat and sausages they are now offering something different to tempt your palete; such as Marmite Stew, Duck Stir Fry, Italian Meat Balls, Marmite Sausages and more.

If you pop in and take a look, there is a high chance you will come out with a meal to enjoy.

click image to enlarge

Butchers on the Green
3 Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QU

01590 642136
butcherbythebeach@gmail.com
facebook.com/butchersonthegreen

*Closed on Mondays

Olivia Inspires Supports Dance Dreams

A young person from Milford on Sea is able to follow her dream of dancing in events and competitions thanks to Milford on Sea charity, Olivia Inspires.

Julie Lamming, her dance teacher at Mad4Dance said: "We are so grateful for the funds Olivia Inspires has provided for this brave and amazing young person. We have seen how much dance has helped her grow in confidence and self-belief while also helping her build positive memories and friendships."

If you know a young person who has a dream please take a look at:

www.oliviainspires.org.uk

Oliva Inspires
www.oliviainspires.org.uk
www.facebook.com/oliviainspires
https://twitter.com/olivia_inspires

Christmas Comedy Club

The next very popular Milford on Sea Comedy Club is schedules again for the 30th January. If you fancy a laugh this is the place to be!

Tickets now on sale:

Milford on Sea Community Centre

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Saturday: 10am to 1pm

Christmas Decorations from the air

Local father and son team, Phil and 13 year old Ben Clark have created a charming video showing Milford on Sea village green and Lymington high street at Christmas.

The video editing done by Phil and the music composed by Ben. Together they run P&B Drone Photography

For those interested in the technical aspects, they used a DJI Mini 2 Drone and also a DJI Osmo 3 Drone to capture the images.

To view video please click image

Earlier this year, they also did this short film of Keyhaven from the air:

click here to view video

P&B Drone Photography

YouTube Channel click here to view

Tuesday 21 December 2021

The Lighthouse open over Christmas

The ever popular bar/restaurant, The Lighthouse is open over the Christmas period for friends and family to meet up.

You can book table, or just walk-in for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.

You can see the opening times on the image below.

click image to enlarge

The Lighthouse Seaside Bar & Dining

Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY

hello@thelighthousemilford.co.uk

www.thelighthousemilford.co.uk

www.facebook.com/thelighthousemilford

Saturday 18 December 2021

Milford on Sea sparkles for Christmas

You can never see enough photos of the spectacular Christmas lights and decorations on Milford on Sea village green.

Here are a few more to enjoy if you cannot get to see them in person:

Photos taken by Paul French
click images to enlarge

You can find out more about Paul, his passion for photography, and digital media business, Coolhat Digital on the links below:

Coolhat Digital

www.coolhat.co.uk

www.instagram.com/coolhat_paul

Junior Christmas Party at Tennis Club

Milford Tennis Club had a massive turnout for our Junior Christmas Party on the 16th December. Over 40 children between the ages of 5 and 14 turned up for a free event for members and non members to experience some fun on court activity followed by some delicious treats in the clubhouse.

Huge shout out to village businesses; Ray's Italian Restaurant, The Coastal Bakery and Pickled Weasel for their support and the donations of all the lovely food.

click image to enlarge

Why not give tennis a go? Whether you are a new to tennis or an established player Milford Tennis Club has something for everyone.

For more information please contact head Coach, Dan Hitchins at

headcoach@milfordtennisandsquash.net - or take a look at the other activities they provide on the website link below.

Milford Tennis & Squash Club

Lucerne Road, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0PL

www.milfordtennisandsquash.net

Band on the Green revealed

UPDATE

You may recall the article we posted last week (Copy below) about a band entertaining shoppers in the village last week.

Well, since then we have been informed the talented band are; Reeds In Harmony, a saxophone quartet. Two of the musicians, John Reid and Caroline Ellis, live in Milford on Sea with Helen and Henry who come from Sway and Bransgore.

It has also been confirmed that they will be performing again on Wednesday (22nd December) between 10am and 12 noon on the village green. (Weather permitting.)

Enjoy their sound if you can make it.

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Band on the Green

Life in Milford on Sea can be very random at times, and yesterday Bonnie Marsden captured this local band merrily playing on the village green.

Sadly, we don't know who they are, but they certainly put a lots of smiles on the faces of passers by.

Rumour has it that they will be performing again next Wednesday (22nd December) between 10am and 12 noon. (Weather permitting.)

Isn't it great how some unexpected things just brighten you day!

Video by Bonnie Marsden
please click to listen

PS: If anyone knows who the band are, please let me know and we will give them a shout out. Click here.

Friday 17 December 2021

Taste of Italy for Christmas

Ray's Italian Dei in Milford on Sea high street has a delicious selection of wonderful Italian Christmas stocking filler treats, winter warmer cocktails, and a range of special hampers ranging from £25 up to £50 - or bespoke hampers made to order! Just ask for whatever you might want.

click image to enlarge

The restaurant is also now serving their Christmas Set Menu.

As they say; 'Something for everyone'.

click image to enlarge

PS - Editors Note: All of our village restaurants, pubs are feeling the bite with the current wave of Covid, and the shops too - Anything you can do to support them through this difficult time would be gratefully received no doubt.

Opening Times

Tuesday to Saturday: 9am to 4pm

Wednesday to Saturday: 5:45pm until last orders at 9.30pm

Ray’s Italian Kitchen
11 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QF
01590 645300
info@raysitaliankitchen.co.uk
www.raysitaliankitchen.co.uk
ww.facebook.com/raysitaliankitchen

A Jaunt-E Bike is not just for Christmas

Milford on Sea business, Jaunt-E Bikes are offering something special for Christmas.

You can now give your friends or family a retro e-bike experience and hours of entertainment on two wheels with a Christmas gift voucher.

The e-bikes can be hired for short or long jaunts and the team offer a door to door delivery service.

To view video, please click image

To find out more about gift vouchers, please click here.

The funky, retro chopper-style e-bikes have nippy little 250w batteries and chunky monkey fat tyres which make light work of any terrain including shingle banks.

With a handy 40 mile range on a single charge and an optional bike luggage rack they are perfect for jaunts to the many great picnic spots in the village or a bit further afield, - or simply jump on and has some fun!

click image to enlarge

To find out more; please click here.

Jaunt-E Bikes

hello@jaunt-e.co.uk

www.jaunt-ebikes.co.uk

www.facebook.com/jauntEbikes

*There is a phone number on the website or Facebook.

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Visit Milford on Sea launches Village Voucher Scheme

If you haven’t already checked out 'Visit Milford on Sea', it’s a great time to take a look at the website as it has just launched a voucher scheme, offering discounts to locals and visitors at businesses throughout the village.

To access a voucher you’ll need to click here and subscribe to its newsletter, even though this asks you to do it each time, you’ll only be registering once. Once subscribed, you will be able to download or print a voucher of your choice.

Not only does this scheme provide you with great offers, the aim of the voucher scheme is also to boost trade for Milford on Sea’s local businesses. Whether they are offering a new service, promoting quieter times for their business or just rewarding loyalty for its local customers.

Those on board with the voucher scheme at this time, include The Cave, Paddy’s Pool (who has recently launched a new pet grooming service), No.64 Biscuit House and The Lighthouse. More are expected to join soon.

Examples of vouchers
click image to find out more

Vouchers are updated as and when an offer becomes available so be sure to check back every now and then to see what’s on available.

About Visit Milford on Sea

Visit Milford on Sea is an independent website run by two village entrepreneurs who are looking promote Milford on Sea to visiting tourists and to support village businesses by keeping local people informed on what they have to offer.

You can sign up to get their news bulletins by entering your email on the 'Stay in touch' section at the bottom of the home page. Please click here. You can also follow them on Facebook from the link below.

The site is definitely worth a look around, you might even find something you did not know was in the village!