Enjoy Milford on Sea

Wednesday 24 May 2023

A Right Royal Half-Term at Hurst Castle

Celebrate A Right Royal May half-Term at Hurst Castle from Saturday 27th May until Sunday 4th June - 10am to 5.30pm.

Lots of Royal fun, perfect for all your Kings, Queens, Princes & Princesses!

Children can let their creativity run free when they make and decorate their own crown before choosing from one of our royal outfits - or simply wear your own favourite from home! Then it’s time to take your place on our throne for your family and friends to take a ‘Royal portrait’.

With Royal trails and plenty to explore within the Tudor castle built by Henry VIII in 1544 which was also a prison for King Charles I in 1648 – it’s the perfect day out for all the family and to celebrate our new King!

If you are visiting on Bank Holiday Monday 29th May, you may bump into Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon – as they are visiting us to check out Hurst Castle!

Plus, on Thursday 1st June you’ll be able to add a touch of sparkle to your royal outfit as our face painter will also be with us.

All the activities are all included in your castle admission fee – book online now to secure your place on the throne! www.hurstcastle.co.uk

Ferry available from Keyhaven from 10am and then approx. every 30 mins. or approx. 2 mile walk along Hurst Spit.

See What's On at Hurst Castle, please click here.

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WHAT'S ON: See all the village events and activities: please click here.

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About Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle was built between 1541 and 1544 by Henry VIII as one of a chain of artillery defences protecting key ports and landing places around southern England from continental attack. This Tudor castle was also a prison for King Charles I in 1648. At the heart of Hurst Castle is the Tudor fort and you can discover the interesting history of the castle over the years when you visit.

Hurst Castle Open: 27th March to 31st October - 10am to 5.30pm Daily.

Adult: £6 - Concession: £5.50 - Child: (5-17 years) £4
Family: (2 adults, 3 children) £19 - Children under 5: Free
A Local Resident Annual Pass is available for people living locally to Hurst Castle

Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome in Castle and on Ferry.

Take the Ferry to Hurst Castle: www.hurstcastle.co.uk/how-to-get-here

For further information about your visit please call 01590 642500 or email:
info@hurstcastle.co.uk

Hurst Castle

01590 642500

info@hurstcastle.co.uk

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

www.facebook.com/HurstCastle

Friends of Hurst Castle

www.hurstcastle.co.uk/friends-of-hurst-castle

Your family history at your fingertips!

Milford on Sea Historical Record Society (MOSHRS) has just launched the final piece of its suite of online search aids for the local historian and family history researcher as part of its Local History Lives! project.

If you are trying to track down your family links in Milford, Keyhaven, Lymore, Everton and Pennington then make sure you take a look in the Parish Registers on the MOSHRS website at www.milfordhistory.org.uk.

You can trace your family back to 1594 when the registers began and continue until 1837 when Civil Registration started. The registers are freely available at your fingertips and are divided into Baptisms, Marriages and Burials.

The ancient parish of Milford comprised of Milford Church and three chapels: Hordle, Milton and Pennington. The registers for the east of the parish (Milford and Pennington) are now available. Next, MOSHRS will add the registers for Milton and the west of the parish, and finally those for Hordle.

Milton Heritage Society are completing the Milton Parish Registers for inclusion in the online Parish Register. Hordle kept a separate register from 1754 onwards and transcriptions will be required up to 1837.

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About the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society

The Milford on Sea Historical Record Society was founded on the 25th January 1909 and is the oldest historical society in Hampshire.

MOSHRS meet 5 times a year where you can hear an interesting historical talk and meet people from across the village. There is also an Occasional Magazine and annual visits to places of interest. Membership is just £10pp pa.

The society has an excellent website with an extensive archive of nearly 10,000 records and historical pictures featuring our village history.

MOSHRS is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers.

To find out more; please click here.

Milford on Sea Historical Record Society

admin@milfordhistory.org.uk

www.milfordhistory.org.uk

Spaces at Milford Explorers Day Nursery and Beach School

Milford Explorers Day Nursery and Beach School have limited spaces available for September 2023.

There is currently a Half Price Registration Offer for a limited time only.

The nursery has an ethos for outdoor learning with exciting beach school opportunities, ensuring they show their children our beautiful community on daily walks around the village.

Situated in the village centre and near the beach in Milford on Sea, this child led nursery has a big emphasis on outdoor learning and an ITMP approach.

They are also an Ofsted Good Rated Day Nursery and Pre-School.

If interested please email Olivia or Leila: milfordexplorers@gmail.com or send a message via Facebook.

Milford Explorers Day Nursery and Beach School

The Old Bank House, 5 High Street, Milford On Sea, SO41 0QF

01590 644448

milfordexplorers@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/Daynurserymilfordonsea

Tuesday 23 May 2023

Can you help map All Saints' Churchyard Flora and Fauna?

All Saints' Church are looking for anyone who can help them to map the flora and fauna in the churchyard.

This would suit anyone who is interested in nature or a knowledgeable conservationist.

If you would like to know more, please get in touch with the Church Office: 01590 644992 - office.allsaintsmilford.org.uk.

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Coming Soon:

FAMILY ACTIVITY AFTERNOON at All Saints' Church. Sunday 4th June from 2pm to 3pm in All Saints' Churchyard.

The Family Activity Afternoon is part of the 'Churches Count on Nature' and 'Love Your Burial Ground' project, where churches around the country are looking to map and respond to the biodiversity within our churchyard. During the afternoon you will be surveying the wildlife as well as enjoying some activities for children and their families.

The afternoon is followed by a Vicarage Cream Tea for children and families from 3pm to 4:30pm.

Everyone is invited.

All Saints' Church & Church Hall
Greenbanks Close, Milford on Sea, SO41 0SQ
01590 644992
office.allsaintsmilford.org.uk
www.allsaintsmilford.org.uk
www.facebook.com/AllSaintsMilfordOnSea

Wetsuit & More Sale at New Forest Paddle Sport Company

New Forest Paddle Sport Company are running a Winter Wetsuits and Accessories on Monday 29th from 10am to 1pm at their Container Shop in The Boatyard, Keyhaven.

The sale has 35% OFF C-Skins Winter Wetsuits and Accessories including:

Beanies
Gloves
Socks
Zipped Boots
Mens & Womens Wetsuits

Plus, Bargain baskets for end of line clearance items. Pop down and grab a bargain.

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About the The New Forest Paddle Sports Company

Since 2015, Sean, Claire and their team have been based in Milford on Sea and providing courses and various fun activities for paddleboarding, kayaking, wing surfing and wing foiling. One hour Taster Sessions are available for anyone wanting to give any activity a go.

They also offer Dinghy Sailing Tuition at Keyhaven Quay with a experienced RYA Instructor.

Their shop has water sports gear & equipment for hire or sale, as well as kayaks to rent for the day. The shop is based in West Solent Boat Builders at The Boatyard, Keyhaven stocking many items for your water sports needs. The shop is open on Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3pm. They also have an 'Online Shop' on their website.

All activities are available all year round, so if you fancy getting some fun and exercise on the sea you can find more details on the links below:

The New Forest Paddle Sports Company

The Boatyard, Keyhaven, Milford on Sea, SO41 0TR
01590 645270

info@thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

www.thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

www.facebook.com/thenewforestpaddle

Shop Open: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3pm.

New Beer Garden & Menu at The Gun Inn

The revamped garden and 'The Gun Fire' outdoor kitchen at The Gun Inn are now fully open and ready for bookings or walk-ins.

Over recent months numerous refurbishment works has taken place at this historic pub, making it a great place to visit for a drink or meal.

The pub are now serving their constantly changing seasonal food menu and grill specialities, as well as light bite bar snacks and Sunday Roast Dinners. Bookings are now being taken for the restaurant, to view some sample menus, please click here.

Added to this, the Open Mic Night is back on Every Thursday evening from 7.30pm, simply go along to play, sing or listen.

The Gun is open from Wednesday to Sunday from Midday and Bank Holidays. Longer opening hours will be coming as they move into summer.

To see the latest information, please click here.

Following the first round of voting, the Gun have been shortlisted as Regional Finalists in the Best Destination Pub category in this year's Muddy Stiletto Awards.

To vote for them again in the final, please click here.

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History of The Gun Inn

We think there has been a dwelling on the site of the Gun Inn since the 1600’s, but the earliest tangible reference is from the Churchwardens accounts of 1783 when it is referred to as ‘The House at the sign of the Gun’. By 1790 it is simply named ‘The Gun’. Various other sources mention ‘The Pot House’ or ‘Ale House’, so we have assumed that rate payers at this property were in fact ‘Landlords’.

We have found reference to 27 landlords since 1783. Two were drowned at Keyhaven, five were named George, two were women and most served for two to three years. The longest serving was Arthur Payne (pictured below) from 1871 until his death in 1909, some 38 years. The most recent tenants, Paul and Jacquie Hill, come in a close second at 33 years service.

Due to his fame in the world of Wild Fowling, it has often been said that ‘The Gun’ was named for Colonel Peter Hawker’s punt gun, but Hawker didn’t make his first visit to Keyhaven until 1814, some 24 years after the first records appear naming the building as ‘The Gun’. We think it is more likely that the sign post for Hurst Castle simply had a gun on it, and that sign stood in front of the building which now carries its name.

To read the History of The Gun Inn; please click here.

The Gun Inn

Keyhaven Road, Keyhaven, SO41 0TP

01590 642391

landlord@theguninn.co.uk

www.facebook.com/theguninnkeyhaven

www.theguninn.co.uk

Opening Hours

During the winter months The Gun is open from Wednesday to Sunday from Midday and Bank Holidays. Please check with pub for longer opening hours in the summer.

Morgan Sports Cars visit South Lawn

The Morgan Sports Car Club New Forest Centre held their Annual Lunch at South Lawn Hotel on Sunday 21st May 2023.

This spectacular array of Morgan Sports Cars made a great display of classic British design on a gloriously sunny day.

The Morgan Sports Car company was established in 1909 by H.F.S Morgan with the design of the classic Morgan Three Wheeler. This was followed, in 1936, by the Morgan 4-4, based on the Morgan steel chassis, with the car's hand-crafted frame continuing to be made of ash wood. These iconic British cars are still made today at the Morgan factory in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Morgan Sports Car Club New Forest Centre: Established in 1979 the Morgan Sports Car Club, New Forest Centre (known as LogMog) encompasses a wide area of South and West England, taking in the whole of Dorset, South Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire. You are sure of a friendly welcome at their regular meetings held at different locations across the area. Members are always pleased to share their experiences of Morgan motoring and to offer friendly advice where possible. www.logmog.co.uk

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About South Lawn Hotel and Cedar Tree Restaurant

South Lawn is a busy hotel in an enviable location with an excellent reputation for both the hotel and its restaurant, The Cedar Tree.

This charming country hotel is set in five acres of landscaped grounds, close to Milford on Sea village and the coast. The hotel has 51 en-suite bedrooms with the majority having views over the gardens and beyond. The venue also boasts a self-contained banqueting suite which seats up to 150 people and features private bar facilities.

The Cedar Tree Restaurant serves tasty breakfasts, great value lunches and dinners, as well as delicious afternoon cream teas, which can be served in the hotel gardens.

South Lawn is currently rated as 'Excellent' on TripAdvisor.

The South Lawn Hotel
& Cedar Tree Restaurant

Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0RF

01590 643911

www.southlawnhotel.co.uk

www.facebook.com/southlawnhotel

events@southlawnhotel.co.uk

Polar Bear spotted at The Needles

We came across this excellent photograph revealing a Polar Bear on the Isle of Wight cliffs beside The Needles and the Lighthouse.

The photo demonstrates how the everchanging light on the cliffs can evoke unexpected images.

Photo by Terry Robinson

A Google Search for 'The Needles polar bear' reveals even more images to enjoy.

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We are always delighted to see wildlife on Milford on Sea beach.

Seals at Hurst Castle are a regular sight, but around the time of the Covid Lockdown, the seafront became a lot quieter and Chris Mabey captured this excellent photograph of a seal on Milford on Sea Beach in April 2020.

PS: I might have made these other ones up...!

Street Party raises funds for Olivia Inspires

As well as having a great time celebrating the King's Coronation, the residents at the Shorefield Way Street Party raised funds for local charity Olivia Inspires.

A donation of £135 has now been made the help kids facing financial hardship.

To see photos from many of the Coronation Events held across the village, please click here.

To recall all Coronation Events held in the Village: please click here.

Thanks go to Graham Wiffen for providing a lot of the photographs.

PS: If you had a Coronation Event and would like to add pictures to the album, please send to david@milfordonsea.org

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WHAT'S ON: See all the village events and activities: please click here.

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Oliva Inspires

www.oliviainspires.org.uk

www.facebook.com/oliviainspires

https://twitter.com/olivia_inspires

Milford on Sea continues to support Ukraine

The residents of Milford on Sea have continued to make generous donations to support the many people deeply affect by the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine region.

Working with New Forest for Ukraine, Van 113 has now been delivered to Poznan in Poland, full of much needed and varied supplies.

Donating to Ukraine in Milford on Sea

If you would like to know the basic small item donations that are always needed, please click here.

The Bridge (formerly Milford on Sea Community Centre) is the village's central collection point for Donations to Ukraine. Donations can be made any time when The Bridge is open.

The donated items then go to New Forest for Ukraine's central depot to be sorted and packed, and then delivered for people in need in the affected areas.

New Forest for Ukraine

info@newforestforukraine.co.uk

www.newforestforukraine.co.uk

Volunteers always welcome.

The Bridge

Sea Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PH

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Milford-on-Sea-Community-Centre

Formerly: Milford on Sea Community Centre

Millie Mae Range at Sassy's

Sassy's in Milford on Sea high street are now stocking a range of colourful Millie Mae clothing, and also have a Free Gift Promotion until the end of this month.

The tops shown here are £39.99, matching scarves and bags are just £9.99 each. The flip flops, sunglasses, hat and beach bag are also available. There is also a Free Gift when you spend £50 before the end of May 2023 - while stocks last!

About Sassy's New Forest

The Milford on Sea high street shop offers comprehensive selection of bags, clothing and accessories which combine the joy of colour and exciting design.

Formerly known as Beyond The Skin Handbags, Sassy’s new venture in Milford on Sea, owned by Sarah Fitzgerald, is in addition to stores in Lyndhurst and Ringwood, as well as their range being available online through their website.

Sassy's New Forest

58 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG

01590 641909

www.sassysnewforest.co.uk

www.facebook.com/sassysnewforest

sassysnewforest@gmail.com

Saturday 20 May 2023

Join the Violin Group for Adult Beginners

If you have ever been interest in learning to play the violin, the new Violin Group at The Bridge (Formerly the Milford on Sea Community Centre) could be for you.

This new Violin Group is for Adult Beginners where you can learn to play the violin in a friendly community music-making group whilst having have fun and socialising. An instrument is also supplied for the classes.

The new group will run Every Friday afternoon during School Term.

For more details & to reserve your place, please contact the organiser; Timothy Warren on 07733 085290.

Timothy has held various high profile musical positions, not least being the former Head Organizer, Founder and Teacher at The Winchester Music School. He was also a former musician at The Band HM Royal Corps of Signals.

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WHAT'S ON: See all the village events and activities: please click here.

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The Bridge

Sea Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PH

01590 644861

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Milford-on-Sea-Community-Centre

Box Office Open:

Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm

Formerly: Milford on Sea Community Centre

Wednesday 17 May 2023

Dog Friendly Beaches in Milford on Sea

Milford on Sea has a dog-friendly picture-postcard beach all year round, with spectacular views to the Isle of Wight, The Needles Lighthouse and across Christchurch Bay to the Purbeck Hill in the distance.

The extensive beachfront promenade on Hurst Road features colourful beach huts, and stretches over four miles from Hurst Castle through to Hordle Cliff beach. There are also lots of dog friendly places to eat, or get a drink, on the seafront and in the nearby village centre, as well as quaint shops to while the time away.

In July 2021 Milford on Sea beach was named the most dog-friendly in Hampshire by Vets Now. The Vets Now '50 best (and safest) beaches in the UK for dogs' guide provides a comprehensive review of pet-friendly beaches. The recommendations were chosen after taking into account: parking and access, water quality deemed high, dogs are welcome all year, and that a Vets Now pet emergency service is within driving distance.

Milford on Sea beach was also recognised for cleanliness and the facilities on offer.

To read the guide, please click here.

Milford on Sea beach is the perfect place for dog walking, whether having the pleasure of living in the village, or just visiting for a short while.

Situated on the Hampshire coast at the foot of the New Forest National Park, this pebble beach with a sandy waters edge is highly popular with dog lovers.

There are also spectacular views across to The Needles, the Isle of Wight, Christchurch Bay, and a great family walk from the beach along Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle. There are also a couple of cafés, an ice cream kiosk, a hotel, and a kids’ play area next to the beach, and it is only a shot walk to the village centre and the quaint village shops, traditional pubs, fish & chips and quality restaurants.

There are also plenty of 'dog bins' to keep the beach clean, and responsible owners are always welcome.

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Milford on Sea Village Walks & Tours

If you would like some ideas for walks around the village, please take look here:

- Guided Walk. Then & Now: please click here.
- Guided Walk. Hidden Woodland: please click here.
- Village Walks. 4 to 7 miles: please click here.
- The Pleasure Grounds: please click here.
- Sturt Pond: please click here.
- Keyhaven Nature Reserve: please click here.
- Dog Friendly Walks: please click here.
- Guided Walk. Story of Milford: please click here.
- Guided Walk. Voices from Grave: please click here.
- The Village News: Local walk leaflets. (Including Nature Reserve Walks.)
* Find shop at the foot of Milford on Sea village green.

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WHAT'S ON: See all the village events and activities: please click here.

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Indulge your sweet tooth at Ray's Italian

Ray's Italian Kitchen in Milford on Sea high street have launched a new Dessert Menu full of Italian sweet classics.

There is something for everyone's taste buds, such as tiramisu, panna cotta, lemon tart, cannoli, affogato, chocolate torta, and of course Italian gelato.