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Archive 5 For news from end June 2001 to January 2001 (working backwards!) News for period ending 30th June KEYHAVEN PRICING POLICY NOT ANTI-SOCIAL A decision to raise launching fees at Keyhaven for powered boats over 16ft with motors bigger than 10 hp has been ruled perfectly reasonable by NFDC officers. A protest that such a charge was discriminatory against disabled people, who at one time were able to sail but subsequent to their misfortune were obliged to use motor facilities to enjoy trips on the water, was made by Mr. Hellberg, a resident of Keyhaven. Having suffered a heart attack, he felt that it was unfair to discriminate against larger boats with engines of over 10 ft, into which category, presumably, his own boat fell. However, since sailing boats also fell into that category if they were over 16 ft and had engines over 10 hp there didn't seem to be anything about disability coming into it. People who could afford larger boats paid more than people who had smaller boats. That is, after all, the way of the world.....
NFDC PLANNING ON THE 'NO' RAMPAGE AGAIN An appeals inspector has ruled in favour of the NFDC in the matter of Springers Cottage in Lymore Lane. The standard expansion of a small house in the countryside is restricted to a total of 30%, but in this case the proposed plans were, at first floor level, the same length as the existing building. (This does suggest that this did not apply at ground level, and that the extension was an exercise in levitation!) Once again, whatever the rights and wrongs of the problem in this case, it does seem that Councils are very good at cracking down on individual owners but baulk at doing the same with developers.
News for period ending 24th June LOCAL NEWSPAPER SAYS GOOD-BYE TO LINOTYPE TECHNOLOGY This week the last classified ads were set in the old-fashioned way by hand in the hot metal line casting machines. It is thought that the A & T (Advertiser & Times) is the last newspaper in the country to resign totally to the age of the computer. It is hoped that this embracing of modern systems will not rob the newspaper of its charm, part of which is still involved in the unusual size of the paper itself. The remnants of the previous system will be preserved in the printing workshop at the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum near Arundel.
SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND COLLECTION The collection for this fund may at the beginning of the month raised an impressive total of £1,786.50. Congratulations to all those who worked hard on the organisation and thanks from them to those who dug into their pockets!
MILFORD YOUNGSTERS MISSING OUT Chris Hobby, at the annual assembly of the Milford Parish Council meeting last week, said that he did feel the young people of the community were being ignored. In a village where 700 of the population of 4,600 were under the age of 19, it was generally felt that they were not being properly served by those who ran the village. This problem came into sharp focus as yet again the longed-for BMX and skateboard found itself 'on the back burner'. At the same meeting, Mr. Chris Beeton pleaded for cycling to be discovered in the pleasure gardens, where damage to the paths from the tyre tracks was causing concern. A vocal resident at the meeting expressed the opinion that if nothing were done to 'address the needs' of the young, there would likely be an increase in vandalism, drugs and drinking in the village. Provision is being attended to for younger children: the Carrington Lane playground was being renewed and having its surfaces improved. This facility would be limited to under 12s. The cost was estimated to be around £50,000 and sponsorship and support were being sought. The idea that with the Queen's Golden Jubilee coming up next year, it would be fitting, in consideration of the fact that the playground was set up to celebrate the jubilee of George V in 1935.
News for period ending 17th June LOCAL & NATIONAL ELECTION RESULTS Alan Rice was returned as our representative on the NFDC on a return of 10% less than when council members were last voted for in 1997. The turnout was 63.67% and distribution between the two candidates were roughly divided one-third/two thirds, as Wynford Davies was credited with 3577 votes, 36.82% of the electorate and Alan Rice with 6136 votes, 63.1%. We wish him luck while he bats for Milford! Nationally, in New Forest West, the turnout was 65% (figures are not immediately available about the 1997 turnout) and Desmond Swayne raised his standing with a 3.6% swing from the Liberal Democrats, who were represented by Mike Bignall. The rise in votes for Desmond Swayne rose 5.19%, which must be a tribute to the serious and conscientious work he has done as a constituency MP on our behalf. Whichever party we belong to, congratulations are due to him for caring for all his constituents.
KEEP UP
WITH WHAT GOES ON At a recent Milford Parish Council meeting, Brian Giles exhorted residents not to sit back and leave all the decisions about what happens in Milford to planning committees. 'If we are not vigilant and forthright,' he says, 'some of this, the last rural coastal village in Hampshire, will disappear under the hand of developers and builders who not only do not live in the parish, but appear sometimes to be oblivious of local feelings." Mr. Giles also referred to transport problems in the village, many of which arise from the fact the main roads had been designed and built in the period of the horse and car. While this is the origin of roads in pretty well all villages in the country, efforts are being made to make the roads more friendly at least to the motor car, if not to the giant commercial vehicles which plague the village routes from time to time. Turning the George & Mary Lamp Post into a mini roundabout has eased some of these problems. Mr. Giles pointed out that more changes are envisaged which will not suit everyone but gave no details, although revised parking arrangements are being considered so that local residents who are 'dependent on their cars' can shop easily in the village at all times of the year.
FORMER MILFORD-ON-SEA PUPIL SCORES Sam Shepherd, now 12 years old, attended Milford-on-Sea Primary C of E School when he started learning the cello 2½ years go. He moved to Hordle Walhampton School and has now been awarded a scholarship at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. After a brilliant start, he soon moved to the care of Alison Myers, who lives in Everton and was a member of the string section the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. Sam is now studying for Grade Seven in his chosen instrument.
News for period ending 10th June TOLKIEN TOURIST PLANS BITE THE DUST Interested parties in Milford who had rushed to the defence of Cobblestones, the house in Sea Road where it is reputed that J. R.R. Tolkien wrote parts of his classic fantasy works, were disappointed to learn that the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions had upheld the appeal by developers to demolish the house and erect two houses with garages on the site. Ian Macpherson, the planning inspector involved felt that since there was no formal records about Tolkien's activities in the house, there was no reason the scheme should not go ahead since in his view it....' would make good use of the site and not harm the area.' The council conservation officer had no objection to the demolition of the existing house. Michael Burton Homes plan to replace Cobblestones with a house with detached garage and a chalet with integral garage.
PASSING OF THE WOOL SHOP After 26 years, Janet Sullivan closed 'The Wool Shop' on Saturday, amid regrets that one of the hammers that beat the nails into its death was the fact that less and less young people have any idea how to knit or sew. The sight of woolly vests and hats and mittens among the handicraft materials has been more common over the last few years, and they will be missed as time and Summer go by. Janet is retiring to Lymington, and memories of her sitting sunbathing on the Green during quiet moments will live on - for a while at least. We send her our best wishes for her new life in Lymington.
HELP SOUGHT FOR NICHOLAS Nicholas Martin, a registered blind man at 48, is still passionately interested in Rock music. Now no Nicholas lives in the High Street, and would happy to hear from anyone who might be willing to help. His phone number is 644108
News for period ending 27th May MILFORD
LEAGUE OF HOSPITAL FRIENDS' At its 52nd AGM, the Milford League of Hospital Friends, Mr. Wilfred Smith handed over the Treasurer's seat to Mr. H. Davies. Mr. Smith had devoted 22 years in the difficult position of Treasurer and will be admired by all those who have filled a similar position in other groups. Mr. Smith thanked everyone for the support he had been given in a difficult role, and was sure the same consideration would be given to Mr. Davies. Thanks and appreciation for all Mr. Smith's work over the long period of his valued service was unanimous. Mr. Smith commented that the income of £34,273 was somewhat in excess of outgoings, apart from the capital investment of £90,000 towards the cost of hospital improvements. Generally, though, he considered the finances of the group were in a good state, thanks to the generosity of its supporters. The new three-bedded ward named after Anne Spencer was now in commission, and the hospital had been busy and fully occupied for most of the year. Some disappointment was experienced in that the new Treatment Room still had to be used, but so far it had suffered from problems over the arrangements for the proposed clinics.
Two windows were broken by stones thrown at them overnight Friday/Saturday 18th/19th May.
MILFORD STILL A NATIONAL PARK OUTCAST While Ringwood's status as being inside the proposed National Park borders has been upheld, Milford's application for consideration has again been turned down. Parish Council Chairman, Tony Willcox, said that Milford was very disappointed with the decision, since there would undoubtedly be problems with half the parish inside and half out. However, Mr. Willcox feels that all is not yet lost, although the current battle may have been. He pointed out that there was '...still time to get them to reverse the decision.' This saga will run and run......
News for period ending 20th May PELICAN AHOY! The Pelican Crossing, promised for the road outside the Village School, will be put in place in July at a cost of £25,000
MILFORD PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL PARISH MEETING This meeting will be held on Wednesday, 16th May at All Saints' Church Hall at 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm. All our welcome. Any resident who wishes to do so is invited to address the Parish Council about local topics, including proposals for sea front improvements.
MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Sandy Crawford of Kitwalls Lane, Milford-on-Sea, was crowned May Princess by the new Headmaster of the village school, Martin Pitman. Sandy is 11 years old, and she was attended by Rebecca Butler and Kayleigh Rolfe. The fancy dress parade brought lots of cheers and admiration, and Laura Rudd's picture of herself as Witch of the Year and Oliver Witherby as a budding Atlas strong man appeared in the local A & T Times of 13th May. There were stalls galore on The Green and in the Marquee stands with craft displays and village organisations. The latter included those representing the proposed Community Centre for the Sea Road site. A questionnaire which residents were asked to fill in sugested that around 70% of those who responded preferred the idea of knocking down the existing building and starting again from scratch. It was suggested that such an alternative might cost about £450,000. While this figure might seem reasonable in view of the prices asked for houses in the area, it should perhaps be taken as a very optimistic estimate. However, if the project were referred to as a 'Village Hall' rather than a 'Community Centre', apparently it would become eligible for a sizable Lottery Grant in the region of £300,000. The May Day celebrations were organised by the Milford Village Community Committee under the chairmanship of Sharon Parr.
News for period ending 13th May NEW BUSINESS OFFERS NEW HOBBIES L. A. Designs has recently opened on the corner next door to the Launderette (which, it is rumoured, is on the market!) L. A. Designs offers courses in Glass Painting and Rubber Stamping among other new and exciting pastimes. They also hold a stock of widely assorted materials to feed any artistic urges to produce attractive creations. Visit them to find out what is on offer and take the chance to get out and do something new this Summer.
BURGLARS ON THE GO AGAIN Several houses in Milford, Keyhaven and Lymore have fallen victim to thieves in the last couple of weeks. Police are looking for a white Ford Escort van with ladders on the top, since a similar one was seen in the area of the crimes at roughly the time they were committed. 42 Griselinia hedging plants were stolen from a plot in Westminster Road at the end of April. It is assumed there must have been transport available, and that quite a lot of time was spent digging up the plants. If anyone saw anything suspicious around that time, please contact your local police.
News for period ending 6th May MILFORD GARDENERS' CLUB AIMS TO REPEAT SUCCESS For the second year running the Milford Gardeners' Club arranged a Plant Fair on the Village Green. It took place between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturday last, 5th May. Those who are planning on setting up their gardens for the Summer took advantage of the special prices available at the Plant Fair. As well as shrubs, perennials and annuals, there were crafts on sale, Japanese stone garden items, and of course, delights for tummies and the inner man - or woman! The weather was fine, but somewhat spoilt by the cold north-easterly wind.
News for period ending 29th April Recent Milford News MILFORD ENVIRONMENT GROUP The MEG has now been operating for 10 years, and has several successful projects underpinning its work, including the renovation of Sharvells Copse, the bridge and deck walk at the west end of the Pleasure Gardens and the construction of the Danes Stream Pond, which can now be seen so much more easily, thanks to the current work in hand on the latest of these projects: the improvement to Barnes Copse, which for years has been full of precariously standing trees vulnerable to uprooting with every passing storm. As usual with any physical programmes in Milford, the handicap of mature years of most of the participants does mean that work doesn't progress as fast as it might. The Barnes Copse work has been greatly helped in the last few months by the muscle power of some young men aiming for their Duke of Edinburgh Award, but it was agreed that ways should be found to encourage younger people to join, even if it meant transferring some of the committee meetings to the evening so that those at school or work had a chance to attend. If you are interested in joining this group, you can contact either Anne Jenks on 644316 or Phil Gossling on 644895.
News for period ending 22nd April RECENT FUNDRAISING SUCCESSES IN MILFORD A recent concert given by the Romsey Male Voice Choir raised £700, again for equipment for the new Health Centre, for which Freda Cheyney expressed thanks for all who supported the evening, and the annual lunch for Barnardos raised £900, for which Rosemary Wilcox wished to as she put it, a very Big Thank You to all who attended and enjoyed the event.
BUGS ON THE RAMPAGE? Not only were Bugs recently selected by St. Francis Church as the theme of a Beetle Drive to raise funds towards a chapel for the Dominican Sisters' Priory at Shirley Holms, bugs have also been called in to raise contributions towards the cost of health equipment at the new Milford Health Centre. On Wednesday 11th April, at 2.45 pm, 'The Ladybirds' will entertain by tap dancing. 'The Ladybirds', whose greatest triumph so far was the winning of Pontin's 1966 Tap Festival Award for Entertainment, were featured on television about a year ago, since when they have been inundated by bookings, and the Hillyfield Association have waited a whole year to get them to appear in Milford in All Saints' Church Hall. They are hoping for support from everyone in the community and to raise as much money as possible towards equipping the new Health Centre. Tickets, at £3 include not only the dancing but also refreshments. Hillyfield are backing the enterprise by picking up the bill for the costs and hope to give Milford an entertaining afternoon which will benefit everyone. Incidentally, St. Francis's Beetle Drive raised £143 towards a new chapel for St. Dominic's Priory.
EXPLODING TYRE IN VILLAGE CENTRE A passer-by talking to a car driver parked outside the Co-op was injured by flying debris on Monday as a tyre on a very large vehicle exploded while its driver attempted to get round the George & Mary lamp post. The injured man, Mr. Jerry Woodcock, had serious damage to an eye which was first attended to by the para- medics who arrived in an ambulance. The driver of the vehicle, which caused traffic chaos until the tyre was replaced, also suffered from shock.
(There has been something of a hiatus in the news
due to a combination of circumstances
beyond our control. We hope normal service will be renewed as soon as
possible.) News from week ending 17th March 2001 FOOT & MOUTH PROTECTION MEASURES All local paths in Milford and surroundings anywhere near farmland are closed. Disinfectant has been laid on straw mats over roads near farm gates, and most residents recognize the danger of continuing to take their dogs to walk freely in the Forest and in some areas along the cliff tops. In common with other nature reserves in Hampshire, the areas between Keyhaven and Lymington, and around Hurst Spit are also closed until further notice. We extend our sympathy to local farmers in these difficult times, and also to other people whose income depends on visitors to the area, many of whom are cancelling accommodation already booked, and avoiding the casual visits which bring in so much money to the area.
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER IN MILFORD This year's service in Milford was hosted by All Saints and took place at 2.30 pm, and at St. Mary's Church, Everton at 7.30pm. The theme of the meeting was the motto of the movement: 'Informed Prayer, Prayerful Action' Mrs. Margaret Dehqani-Tafti spoke eloquently and movingly during the afternoon service about her many years experience of Christianity in a life which started as a child of the vicarage in Teheran. She worked in the Middle East with her bishop husband, himself a convert from Islam. She and her husband have worked now for 20 years in Winchester. Mrs. Karin Shaw gave the evening talk at St. Mary's Church, Everton. A gifted communicator, her talents will be sorely missed in Milford when her time to move comes up shortly. She related easily to the audience and conveyed with humility and humour her joy in her faith.
MILFORD'S LACK OF KINDNESS EXPOSED There must be some red faces around Milford this week-end after an article on the front page of the A & T (Lymington Times) reported the comments of the defence barrister, Emily Belson. A row which exploded into violence as tempers got out of control last summer ended up in court. The result of the proceedings was that Melanie Saunders, of previously good character who worked as a carer for people with learning difficulties, was ostracised by former friends, and ended up feeling so despised in the village she felt obliged to move. Let us hope that the virtue of her former friends is of such brilliance the rest of us will be dazzled as we walk through Milford.
EXCITING YEAR FOR MILFORD GARDENERS At the fourth AGM of the Milford Gardeners' Club, Jenny Spenser reviewed the exciting happenings of the year, which included a visit to Highgrove - possibly the highlight of the year for those members who were able to go. Other events which raised money for charity and the profile of the club included the Plants & Gardens Fair which was held on 5th May. This was a single sunlit day in the middle of one of the rainiest periods on record and one of the most pleasant memories to carry forward from a very dreary Summer. The biggest contributor to the Charity funds was the opening of the members' gardens. The gardeners' year finished in December with a successful entry in the Save the Children Christmas Tree competition and a Christmas party which everyone enjoyed and which included a demonstration of Floral Decoration given by Juanita Woods. Charity money raised meant that an offered of £1,600 was split between the proposed Millennium Hall and the Milford Hospital Friends, which groups will be the recipients of the current year's charity funding too. Next year's total is unlikely to be quite so high since the opening of members' gardens is now to be a biennial affair, but the MGC is due many congratulations on their success which has benefited all of us in Milford.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING OUTSIDE MILFORD SCHOOL? Undoubtedly the difficulty of getting hold of enough people to act as Lollipop People to escort children across the road has made the consideration for a full pedestrian crossing on the A 337 to enable the primary school children to have a least a chance of crossing the road safely. The new warnings do seem to have slowed down the traffic on the approach road, and the present proposal for a full-blown crossing was due to be considered by the County Council's resources committee during the coming week. If financial approval is given there would be a three-month period for local consideration to be expressed. Councillor Alan Rice, reporting to the parish council last week said he hoped that would be solid backing from local people for the crossing.
KIVERNELL HOUSE CONVERSION The architects, Williams Lester, whose first application for this work was rejected after an outcry from local residents, have now produced pictures of their replacement design, which generally leaves the exterior of the house looking very much like it was. There does seem to be little point in retaining the original building as a house of the size people tend not to require in the 21st Century. While a building which is obviously a block of flats would certainly look out of place in the surroundings, something of the order now suggested looks acceptable. We shall see what happens.
THE UBIQUITOUS FREDA Our dear Freda Cheyney is again in our pages! As the County Chairman of the Women's Section of the Royal British Legion, she presented an award to the Lymington branch earlier this month, to celebrate their 75th anniversary. Having achieved this longevity, the Lymington Branch is among the oldest in the country and their membership is now over 700. We offer them our congratulations.
COUNCIL IN TROUBLE OVER POTHOLES A member of our staff was going by car from Boldre to Lymington last week when the wheels of an approaching lorry, travelling rather faster that the 40 mph limit at that point, covered the windscreen of her car with so much mud her view was instantly obscured. As she brought the car to a halt, a following car was unable to stop in time and suffered severe damage to the front lights and bonnet. Fortunately police were on the scene by chance almost immediately and while no one was injured, it does seem unfair that the lorry driver got away with what he did as a result of inconsiderate driving, two innocent people have to stand the cost and inconvenience of car repair. It turned out that the council had been advised of the danger of the amount of water on the road at this point, and some attention had been given to the problem. However, there was yet another accident we were told by a local resident, and this was at least the third in a month at that spot.
News from week ending 10th March 2001 MILFORD RESIDENT SUFFERS HEART ATTACK IN CAR Mr. David Pitkin, of Camden Hurst, Milford, collapsed and is assumed to have died of a heart attack at traffic lights at Millbrook in Southampton last week. Mr. Pitkin was driving a private hire car. The two male passengers suffered no injury.
BRUTALITY REACHES MILFORD A mob on the rampage was guilty last week of kicking a defenceless man as he lay on the ground outside one of the pubs in the High Street. Police were called, an ambulance arrived and the injured man was taken to Lymington Hospital for treatment. More news on this subject as it comes to us.
MILFORD GIRL GAINS PLACE IN NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA Stephanie Gadd, a nine-year-old flautist, has been chosen to take a place in the Under-11 Section of the NYO. Stephanie, a pupil at Durlston Court School, is also learning the piano. She now has an opportunity to go on a week's training with the Orchestra in Yorkshire during the summer holidays and will have the chance to play in a concert to mark the end of the course.
POPPY APPEAL IN MILFORD Yet again the Milford Branch of the Royal British Legion increased its collection on behalf of the charity. The Milford area includes Everton, Lymore, Keyhaven and Efford and the total collection was up 4%. The amount was £7,791.49, and Mrs. Freda Cheyney's eyes will surely be on a target of over £8,000 for the coming year.
News from fortnight ending 3rd March 2001 Ellis, the hairdressers on the corner of The Green has finally lost patience with the skip which has been lurking outside its premises for several months. Although the skip has absolutely nothing to do with the hairdressers, the owners feel that the skip's unsalubrious presence has adversely affected their business. The skip, managing to look official, has also been assumed to belong to the new Co-op shop, since it appeared around the same time as Milford Dairies was transformed into the Co-op. According to the note in Ellis's elegant windows, the skip is connected to the private dwelling space above Spar, and likely to remain hogging valuable car-parking space and blighting the appearance of the village for another 8 to 10 weeks.
WORLD'S WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER Women in churches all over the world are working together towards celebrating the Women's World Day of Prayer which takes place on the first Friday in March every year. Milford is no exception, and the local committee has been working hard, especially since January, to put the service together here. This year's host is All Saints' Church. This is an ecumenical movement, and the service and prayers this year have been chosen by the women of Samoa. Over the next six years women in countries as far apart as Romania, Poland and South Africa will be designing the service.
CATCH THE PANCAKE RUNNERS! On Shrove Tuesday - 27th February this year - traditional pancake races are to take place in the grounds of the White Rose Hotel in Sway. Nobody so energetic can be found in Milford, so if you want to join in the fun, e there at 4.00 pm on Tuesday. All profits in aid of Oakhaven Hospice.
JACINTA HOUSE FAILS TO GET APPROVAL An application for a four-bedroomed house in the grounds of the new flats built on the former site of the home of Mr. & Mrs. Aylard has been turned down, on the grounds that it would be intrusive to the amenities of the new tenants in the flats. One cannot help but find this at least vaguely amusing!
BURGLARS ON THE PROWL AGAIN! More windows have been forced in the Milford Court and Knowland Drive by baddies intent on helping themselves to your treasured possessions. Police do recommend that if there is any chance of making your windows unattractive to thieves, investigate it. CCTV is becoming a lot cheaper and groups of houses might well enquire into the possibilities of installing it. (This site has nothing to do with any company selling such security.)
News for the fortnight ending 17th February 2001 DEATH OF MR. SYDNEY GREENWOOD Sydney Greenwood, a notable local artist, will be specially mourned by the Milford Art Group, who he served for many years as a critic at their monthly meetings. He was a stern but fair critic, though many members felt downcast after the first experience of exposing their creations to his eagle eye. However, as they got to know him and noticed the rising standards of their own work under the influence of all the critics who visited, they developed great confidence in his ability to help them. He continued to give his help and encouragement to the members of the Milford Art Group until the last few years when his illness forced him to curtail this work.
MILFORD SCHOOL'S NEW HEAD Mr. Martin Pitman, after a couple of weeks in the job, announced that he was thrilled with the school and enjoying the atmosphere in the village which had given him a very friendly welcome and at a special service on Sunday, 4th February, Mr. Pitman will be commissioned into All Saints' Church which of course has a very close liaison with the school. However, at the meeting of the Parish Council on Monday last, when proposals for recreational facilities for the young in the area as laid out in the Sport & Youth Facility Report were being considered, Mr. Pitman showed lukewarm support for a football pitch alongside the school. The general impression is that the proposed pitch might be more important as a defence against possible developers grabbing the site than as a facility for the young of the village which might perhaps encourage vandalism around the school.
PARISH COUNCIL REJECTS IDEA OF REGALIA A letter in the Lymington Times from Mr. D. R. Davies, a local resident, who in his time before retirement to Milford served many years on a Parish Council in Oxfordshire and latterly as chairman, seems to have stung the local Parish Council into abandoning all ideas of neck decoration. The 'sting' lay in Mr. Davies' letter where he stated that in his experience '....the performance of chairpersons I met was inversely proportional to the amount of brass round their necks....'
ILL HEALTH STRIKES PC AGAIN We offer our best wishes to Chris Beeton who, after a minor stroke a couple of weeks ago, has decided to stand down as Chairman of the Parish Council, though he will continue to serve as a parish councillor. John Simmons paid tribute to all the hard work he has done and will continue to do for Milford, a sentiment unanimously supported by all council members. Last year Dr. James Scobie was obliged to resign as Chairman, also on health grounds, and the brave successor elected to the position is Mr. Tony Willcox, to whom we send our best wishes. The Parish Council are at present short of members and it is hoped that a new one will be co-opted during next week. The council is also looking to increase its number to 12 in the coming year ten people have already put their names forward.
SALVATION ARMY APPEAL Last week's item requesting bedding and toiletries/shaving material etc. has received a huge response. However, if you still have something to offer, please phone Mrs. Jane Finch of Lymington on 676108 (01590) to arrange collection.
GIFT FROM THE WOMEN OF MILFORD At a meeting of the Milford-on-Sea's WI, Dr. Badham was given a cheque for £924.89 raised by the group. It was presented by Mrs. Pat Blythe, the previous president, and will be used to provide a treatment room couch for the new Health Centre.
News from week ending 3rd February 2001 LOCAL MP ELEVATED TO SHADOW FRONT BENCH Desmond Swayne has become a member of the shadow front bench as a spokesman on health matters. This comes after some years service as PPS to Dr. Liam Fox, Shadow Cabinet Health and Social Services Minister. Mr. Swayne serves on the Health & Social Care Bill Committee at present. It is interesting to note that Mr. Swayne is progressing up the political ladder and still manages to spend a good deal of time in the constituency....
ACHIEVEMENT BY M-O-S HISTORICAL RECORD SOCIETY After many years persistent effort and help from a member of the Hampshire Record Office, Mr. Roy Rees has managed to extricate from the clutches of the National Library of Wales a 'substantial Archive' relating to the Newlands Estate property at Milford between the years 1840 to 1917. These will now be kept in the Hampshire Record Office at Winchester.
News from week ending 28th January 2001 NEW HEADS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS Both Milford C of E Primary School and Priestlands School start the new year with new Headmasters. We offer both Mr. Martin Pitman in Milford and Mr. Chris Willsher at Priestlands our best wishes for their futures in each school and hope they will both continue to make it possible for our area's children to receive the best educational chances available.
MP STANDS UP FOR MILFORD Mr. Desmond Swayne, MP for New Forest West, stood up vigorously on Milford's behalf in favour of the whole of Milford being included within the boundary. Details of his arguments in the House of Commons of two weeks ago are extensively covered in this week's (Friday 19th January) A & T, and well worth reading
TRIBUTE TO DR ERIC TWISS More than 200 people attended the Thanksgiving Service in All Saints' Church in Milford for the life of retired local Doctor Eric Twiss, who gave so many years of his life to tending the people of Milford. He continued to serve them even after his retirement, and as a founder member of the Milford Community Care Group he never lost his passionate interest in the work of the group. He went on involving himself right up to his death in bringing comfort and consolation to the people of Milford who needed it, and that included his ex-colleagues, with whom he was happy to discuss any problems and offer his advice if he thought it would be useful. He also found time to carry on his work with the Milford Chariteers whose efforts to entertain and amuse the community has raised thousands of pounds for local charities over the years. Dr. Eric Twiss, whose memorial service took place a year and a day from the one held for his wife Mrs. Mary Twiss, will long be remembered for the generosity of his life and the gaiety of his personality. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory may send a contribution via David Funeral Services for Oakhaven, who cared so well for Mary in her last illness.
AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT BY MILFORD COUPLE Gordon and Eve Hutchison celebrated their Seventieth Wedding Anniversary on 11th January, and we are very happy to offer them our congratulations! Quote of the week: 'We've had a good life, an interesting life, and although we've quarrelled at times, as everyone does, we're still together and still very much in love...I don't think I'd ever like to be without Eve.....'
DEMOCRACY AT WORK IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS A Scrutiny Panel to check on resolutions proposed by the NFDC were stunned recently when asked to approve suggested charges for recreation centres including Keyhaven River. They discovered that whatever their opinions on the matter might be, there was no way they had any relevance since the decision about increased charges had already been made. Red-faced officers of the Council assured the disgruntled members of the panel that this was only a blip in coming to terms with the new cabinet-style arrangements for running the Council, and they would do their best to see that such a problem would not recur.
NFDC COUNCIL TAX INCREASES This year's proposed increase will be somewhere between 6.3% and 8.1%. Let us all hope that the cabinet-style arrangements for running the Council will allow the lower figure to be selected after approval from any Scrutiny Panel waiting in the wings to do their stuff!
'News' from week ending 21st January 2001 MOKE IN THE MUD Milford, seriously resting after the Christmas and New Year holidays, had its ears blasted last week as a donkey, resident at a house in Barnes Lane, noisily expressed its distress as it got stuck in the mud at the bottom of the garden. New Milton firemen were rushed to the scene, where the bedraggled donkey was rescued to the tune of a few grateful ee-aws.
News from fortnight ending 14th January 2001 DEVELOPERS TOO CLOSE TO PLANNING OFFICERS? Milford residents involved in the campaign initially set up to oppose development of Kivernell House into a block of flats have expressed concern at the increasingly strange planning permissions granted in the face of not only strong local opposition but also that of the Parish Council. Keith Phillips, a prime mover in the original campaign to save Kivernell House, would like other people and councils who are experiencing a similar blunderbuss approach from the planners to form a 'more powerful action group' to counteract the increasing tendency of planner and developers working together with complete disregard for local feelings - perhaps under the name of something like the 'South West Hampshire Protection Society'. As regards Kivernell House, the original application has now been withdrawn by Pennyfarthing in response to protests from more than 400 people. It is, of course, possible, that something else will reappear in the local planning applications in the future but the protesters are determined to keep fighting.
BURGLARS CONTINUE BINGE IN MILFORD Burgling activities have continued after Christmas with reports of a least two houses being 'done over'. One discovery was made by an elderly holiday maker returning from holiday, fortunately accompanied by her daughter, while the other has yet to be made by another Milford resident who has not yet returned from her Christmas holiday.
OPPOSITION TO MILLENNIUM HALL VOICED Beginnings of a protest in Milford over the proposed Millennium Hall are growing. Feelings are surfacing that in a village where the primary school population alone is over 300 children, there are far too few facilities for younger residents. Young people with nothing to do can become a problem for any village, and with current vandal problems growing in Milford, it seems to represent fair comment on present provision for recreation for the youth of the village. Mr. Paul Noble of Lawn Road is co-ordinating protests from residents who do not want to end up with the Millennium Hall by default and who would like to have their voices heard as well as those in favour of the proposed development. Mr. Noble can be contacted on 643098.
Earlier this year the lack of something dignified with which to decorate the neck and shoulders of the Chairman of the Parish Council caused some embarrassment at a function where the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire was present, since he was the only council delegate bereft of regalia. Quotations have now been sought, and Thomas Fattorini Ltd. have presented an estimate for £676.21 including VAT. While the design and material to make the regalia were found acceptable, it was considered that the pendant was on the insignificant size, at roughly 5 cm. Further options for something more impressive are being investigated.
INCREASE IN MILFORD STREET LIGHTING Three new street lights are to be installed in Milford. They will not be on the lavish style of our lately-defaced George & Mary Lamp Post (see below), but two of them will do the job at both Lawn Close and Carrington Lane entrances to the Carrington Lane play park. The third one will be on the pathway between Barnes Lane and The Orchard, which at present is very dark. At night, of course. With no moon.
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