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WIGHTLINK CHIEF STEPS DOWN

Andrew Willson, under whose leadership the beautiful new but unloved ferries were introduced, has stepped down just weeks before the law steps in to make a decision on the controversial choice of increasing the size of the ferries to make the crossing easier for trade vehicles to use.  Unfortunately it seems that a miscalculation may have been made because the new system is having an adverse reaction on both foot passengers and cars.  The ecology lobby is deeply unhappy at the possible effect the size of the new ferries may have both on the Lymington river and at Yarmouth on the Island.  In the meantime, people who have paid for summer bookings already will be panicking that their holiday arrangements may be at risk, very problematical in a year when people are flocking to the South Coast for holidays at home while the credit crunch tightens its jaws.

Oh dear, what a mess!  Let us hope it can be happily resolved, with new homes found for the Wight boats which received such a poor reception and something suitable found to tide Wightlink over to ferry all those travellers who not only want to cross over the Solent to the peaceful and deliciously relaxing Isle of Wight but who want to get there to work.

SELECTION OF NEW SPEAKER

On Monday next our MPs will start their campaign of trying to clean up the system and return to the days when men of honour strode the corridors of power.  Or not.  But there have been times in the past when honourable men resigned of their own accord when they failed either in their job or behaviour.  They may have been few and far between and perhaps more managed to observe the 11th Commandment of not getting caught, but the public view the past through a light similar to the one in the picture above - a rosy glow.

Whatever.  They will be voting on Monday, which happens to be the Feast Day of St. Thomas More, a politician of strong conviction and a man who held to his principles and died for them.   A thought-provoking article turned up in an email today which gives one of the best analyses of the current level of probity in Parliament today which we decided was worth reading.  [ Click here ] if you would like to judge for yourself.

WIGHTLINK FAST FERRY RUNS AGROUND

News is just coming in that one of Wightlink's fast ferries sailing out of Portsmouth has run aground on Ryde sands with 60 passengers on board while trying to negotiate its way through yachts finishing their Round the Island Race.  Doubtless there'll be more interesting news as time goes by. It doesn't sound as though anyone has been injured - more a matter of inconvenience and a good tale to chat about as time goes by!

 

BUNGALOW PERMISSION REFUSED IN MANOR ROAD

Apropos the business of planning permissions, we note that planning permission has been refused to the owners of a property in Manor Road in Milford-on-Sea.  In view of the enormous development which has been going on in Manor Road over the last couple of years and which is definitely, in the quoted words of the planners, 'out of character within a defined area of special character', whatever that might mean. it seems that to refuse permission in a road which has already been transmogrified from its previous style into a 'let's build a house in the garden and make a bit of money' road, somewhat unreasonable.  Go on, Mr. Marles, fight it and take it to appeal!

WIGHTLINK IN THE WARS AGAIN

Poor Wightlink! At the moment it doesn't seem to be able to do anything right - last weekend it was overwhelmed by foot-passengers - which seems odd as the new boats look so big.  However, they brought another boat Wight Sun, which they have used on occasion before when business was particularly brisk.  However irritated some people may be, it is very unfortunate for people who would like to go to and fro the Island to have to put up with the present disembarking problems because planning permission is being withheld.  The whole business of planning in this area seems to be shrouded in secrecy, whether to do with building domestic or business premises, and whether the planners like it or not, those who voted them into power would like a lot more transparency about the whole matter.

THE PARACHUTING LADIES' LEAP FOR CASH

We have sent out our reporters to sniff around for the latest news:  we do know they survived, which is good news.  If they hadn't, it would be all over the media so we can relax on that score. . . We'll put up some details as soon as they are in our hands or emails!

So far we have received promises amounting to £40 - on this site.  If you would like to add to this total [ Click here ] and send an email for further details or ring 01590 643845 quoting Pat and Val's jump.

QUIET VISIT BY HER MAJESTY TO TANK MUSEUM

Boom, boom!  Love the idea! 

The Tank Museum has been upgraded at the cost of £10m and 10 years' work and earlier this week Her Majesty the Queen with Prince Philip  opened the new wing.  The Queen was making a private visit to one of her regiments although she also met people from the local area, including families who live in the Garrison.  For details click on the picture.  The Tank Museum belongs to the Royal Tank Regiment & Royal Armoured Corps. 

World War II buffs will enjoy a visit to this extremely interesting museum, and little boys will be in their element, however much one might hope to bring up a gentle and peace-loving adult. . . The Museum are putting on a Tankfest at the end of June with some spectacular displays of historical  heavy weaponry.

June 6th 2009 - 65th Anniversary of D-Day

Allied General Douglas MacArthur talking to Paratroopers in England before the invasion, 6, June 1944
General Douglas McArthur talking to British Paratroopers June 1944

WORLD WAR II FILM REELS
American Sourced

WORLD WAR II
BBC source

flickr collection for 6th June 1944
Some of these photographs are 'doubles'
and if you look carefully you can get an
excellent 3-D effect. It's worth trying.

For period to end of May 2009

WEATHER WAS KIND TO HIKERS

After all the miserable weather experienced this May it did come up trumps for the monster fundraiser walk for Oakhaven.  Hundreds of walkers, the young - and not so young - gathered outside the Keyhaven Sea Scouts HQ on a mild dry evening under a full moon to set off along the spit to Hurst Castle.  Mike Denny, who runs the fundraising for Oakhaven must have felt like the Pied Piper as he led the large group of over 800 people along the spit, crunching the way along the shingle.

The running costs of our hospice is around £2m a year, the Government funding a fifth of the total.  The rest has to be raised from the good will of sponsors of fundraising efforts and from donations and legacies.  Oakhaven has already been forced to postpone a £2.5m expansion plan due to the dreaded 'Crunch' which has put paid to many building improvement plans over the last year or so.

LUCKY TWENTY CAN SOW THEIR WILD OATS                                                                 

Because of falling prices for New Forest ponies it has been decided that only 20 stallions will be run in the Forest this year to try their luck with the ladies.  They are doubly lucky because at one point there was pressure to put out no ponies at all on to the Forest in 2009.  The final decision was agreed by a large majority of stallion owners.  The stallions will only be out in June.  On of the commoners, Mr. Michael Cooper,  pointed out that there were rather a lot of jack donkeys in the Forest at the moment.  He suggested that bye-laws relating to these animals should be strictly enforced because, he said,  ". . .I believe opportunities will arise for them to take advantage of the current situation."

It seems that nobody seriously expects that pony sales at Beaulieu will be favourably affected by advertising next year's crop of ponies as 'Limited Edition' animals.

HORDLE HOUSE CAMPAIGNERS LOSE FIGHT

Efforts by local residents have failed to stop the development of 14 homes which include a four storey block of flats in place of the former council-run care home Hordle Cliff House.  No pictures of the proposed plans are available but it does have to be said that some of the more attractive recent developments along the coast by Pennyfarthing are more attractive than many existing ones.  It might also be said that both developers and buyers are on the brave side, bearing in mind what has happened over the years to the cliffs between Milford and Barton.  Good luck to them!

HOUSE PRICES BEGIN TO RETURN TO NORMAL - ish

While we live with le crunch it does make some sense to see house prices tending to stop floating around in Cloud Cuckoo land to the point where we can envisage new neighbours moving into the empty houses currently littered with 'To Let' signs.  Even a fashionable townhouse in the recently - well, relatively recently - developed Grade ll-listed White House on the sea front is now going for well under £1m.  It has two reception rooms, four bedrooms, and two bathrooms - no suddenly finding yourself sitting on a plastic duck in this property.  It obviously has the usual offices in the way of kitchen etc. and is set in attractive communal gardens.  True, there are not many houses on the market as yet but this probably reflects the decision of many people who might like to move to 'wait and see what happens'.  It is still possible to get a mortgage.  The desire for capital gain is what got so many people into difficulty.  Instead of actively seeking a place to make into a home perhaps weighing out whether you now get on with your life and settle for that instead of waiting to make a fortune while you age or even leave the world on a permanent basis could be a really positive approach.  Among the houses for sale locally this week are several well under £300,000 and they haven't been there for a long time.

AT THE WEEKEND IT WAS THE PLANT FAIR. . .
. . .and no, the flowers didn't get blown away!

Milford Gardeners' Club 9th Annual Plant Fair took place in the village on Saturday, 16th May from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm and in spite of the wind, it was a success - such things as the weather don't put the sterling residents of Milford to fright.

Another of Milford's wonderful annual treats, there is no admission charge to this event, which raises money for local Charities.  Look out for unusual shrubs and perennials as well as the old favourites.  There was clematis for sale and the plants which thrive even in the smallest gardens, the lavenders and herbs.  For nature lovers there were be Bee and Butterfly plants and of course summer bedding, basket and trough plants.  There were garden ornaments for sale and the home produce stalls were there to tempt your taste buds! All we need in this excellent growing year is more sun!

There will be no excuse to miss the chance to get your gardens ready for the great summer promised by the meteorological crystal ball gazers. Not even the weather as it turned out on May 16th. . .

PARACHUTING LADIES GO FOR GOLD

Two intrepid Milford ladies are going to jump on a date from which many of us might shy away: on 13th June they will leap from an aeroplane to raise money for the devastating disease which shatters so many lives.  They will of course be supported on their way down by parachutes! One of these remarkable ladies is Val Asher, who looks after the feet of those who plod the pavements - known and loved by so many in Milford who appreciate her tenderness to their aching feet and who has supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society for many years because her only daughter's husband was a sufferer.  Val will not be alone: she will jump with another Milford resident, Pat Collard who was first diagnosed with the disease when she was only 23.  The symptoms did not become burdensome until her little daughter was 5 years old, although she did have spells where the disease rose up and shook its evil head from time to time in the intervening years.  MS then struck with a vengeance and so for the last 13 years and now a good-looking 40-something, Pat has coped with a family life and her current dog Josh, who takes care of her when she is out and about on her buggy. 

Josh is a somewhat soppy animal when he has the chance - just look at the way he's looking at Pat in the photograph - but he is always very defensive of his 'Mummy',

Pat and Val are looking for sponsors.  Sponsorship forms will shortly be available around the village, details will follow. Alternatively [ e-mail ] your promises to us here at Milford-on-Sea Online, together with an email address and contact number.  You will be called upon to honour your promise after the jump.  It would be easy to sponsor both ladies as one, which means they will have to divide the contribution by two, but it would be kinder to sponsor one or the other.  However, if it is one and the other, it would be really generous to double your contribution!

Go on, go for it!

. . . AND IT DIDN'T RAIN!

Well, there may have been one or two drops but that really was all.  Milford turned out in force to support all the people who had arranged a splendid May Day in spite of the clouds.  It was almost impossible to walk between the stalls and the whole affair was given a jolly background to the music of the Windmill Swing Band who played their hearts out even if their actual bodies were somewhat on the chilly side!

Hildah Matfumi, a little beauty originally from Zimbabwe and this year's Milford May Queen, was crowned as she sat on her scarlet-draped throne and she is seen here with her lovely attendant, Rosalind Henderson.

During the proceedings a cheque for £1,717 was handed over to Oakhaven - money raised by various functions organised by the Milford-on-Sea Club.

There were other young hopefuls - who are here on this page because they had lovely smiles!

HOLLANDS ENTERS A BLUE PERIOD

Like Picasso, Hollands of Milford has launched itself into a blue period.  Of course, the new decor has done nothing to improve the service, which remains at its former impeccable standard, and the goods on the shelves continue to please.  We are very lucky in Milford to have two such good providers for our needs who unlike most of the major names in supermarkets really do their best to look after us.  The impression this leaves us with is that we are the most important factor in the staffs' reckoning: if the customers are happy, their accounts will reflect it.

We should really use our own shops before going further afield, particularly while the credit crunch is with us.  With some of the money we save we could always splash out and try the coffee shops which have been appearing lately. . .

KEEP TRACKS ON THE SWINE!

Needless to say, the panic merchants are around.  Remember the Sars scare?  It seems that what the boffins learnt about creating a vaccine to sort that out will now stand us in good stead to organise another one to tame the swine flu before it starts to get going in the northern hemisphere towards the end of the year.  If you click on the flying pigs you will find the latest government inspired info.  (Did I really write that?)  Piggy flu apparently responds to pills we already have - just ring NHS Direct if you're think you have flu-like symptoms and go from there! Tel: 0845 46 47  0r click to visit website: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

For a really sensible view on the current strain of flu we think we found one today:  [ Click here ]  Well worth a look if you are worried!

CELEBRITIES FLANK OUR VILLAGE STARS

It's ahoy there and all smiles aboard HMS Warrior asAlan Titchmarsh stands behind Anne as she. Gwen and Michele hold the Certificate they won, and which is displayed in the shop.  On Michele's left stands a smiling Councillor John Rees-Evans, Head of Economic Development with Hampshire County Council, whose special baby the Awards were.

Our girls decided the whole event had been most exciting and had given them all a great deal of fun.  The village enjoyed it too!

BRAND NEW PARISH OFFICES FOR MILFORD-ON-SEA

The Parish Offices are now ensconced in one of the iconic buildings of Milford.  Although their web site is somewhat out of date [ Click here ]  to view it.

ANOTHER SHOP CLOSURE

Those nimble fingers and artistic hearts who enjoyed the craft shop on the corner of the village must be really sad to see it go.  It should be a lesson to residents that our shops really will disappear if we don't use them and at this time of financial retrenchment they are unlikely to be replaced.  If we start looking like a dead village we will also lose our tourists who do so much to keep Milford alive.  

The trouble is once people start saving, that becomes almost as addictive as spending:  we owe it to the people who work in our village to spend some of our money and not hoard it. Capitalism may have some bad points but like it or not, money does make the world go around, the world go around. . .

For period to end of April 2009

EFFLUENT UPSURGE CAUSES STINK IN MILFORD

Parish Councillor, James Read, is taking on the might of the New Forest District Council in an effort to protect the southern roads of Milford - Sea, Lucerne and Island View - from the current upsurge during heavy rain where all sorts of undesirable effluent is rising through lavatories and drains giving the present local inhabitants a very unpleasant invasions of smells and more tangible evidence of human effluent.

Mr. Read is complaining that the NFDC is giving out increasing planning permissions despite the serious sewage problems experienced in the village.  The area where the proposed extra four new bungalows in Island View Road has some of the more expensive houses in Milford.  The proposal that the problem might be circumvented by building a 'holding tank' in the Sturt Pond area to pump up some of the overflow.  One has to ask where to?  If it is into the sea at that point it suggests that no one has thought of the residents of the less expensive properties further along the coast.  Sturt Pond has recently been designated a local Nature Reserve (more anon: scroll down after this article. . .)  While the real problem could be overcome by replacing Milford's connection to the Pennington sewage works, it appears that not only is the cost somewhat prohibitive at £3m - £4m but Milford is rather low down on the list of priorities.

Mel Kendal, he of recent fame as being among the highest paid local councillors in the country and to our surprise still operating in the NFDC,  denied that allowing more houses would aggravate the current problem.  He said it was a condition that new developments have their own soakaways to disperse rainwater without adding pressure to the sewage system.  Alas, soakaways can be quite a problem when they are so close to the sea and near sea level as are all the properties in Island View Close.  In spite of protests from people living in the area, it looks as though NFDC is quite happy to steamroller local interests in order to get houses built (more incoming money for the NFDC!) because, since the area outside Milford has been accorded National Park status where new building is not allowed, Milford is a handy place to put up more houses to increase income for the NFDC.

RETIREMENT OF POPULAR LOCAL DOCTOR

After 33 years working as a GP in Milford-on-Sea, Dr. David Badham is due to retire on 31st March, though in fact he had taken leave in order to fly away to the Caribbean for a celebratory holiday in the warm sunshine.  With him goes his wife Julia, who has devoted much of her time in Milford  working with Milford Hospital's League of Friends.

Since he began working in Milford he has seen big changes to the work place, which started as a small surgery and has graduated with the expansion of the NHS to a larger and much smarter facility - the Milford Medical Centre.  The latest phase was opened by HRH Prince Edward a few years ago.

Popular with his patients, Dr. Badham will be available to help out at the surgery from time to time when he has settled down after return from holiday.  Our new doctor, Dr. William Turner will be joining the practice in April.  He qualified from St. George's Hospital and has been a GP for seven years, during which time he has been mentoring medical students and trainee GPs.

. . . BOOTS ARE GOING TO WALK ALL OVER YOU!

Ah, those old words!  Don't they just bring back the old music, shades of Frank and Nancy Sinatra?

Today's boots though are a different sort - more Boots than plain boots.  While many of us have been hibernating over the winter and keep our pence and pounds in our purses, the chemist Boots has been munching its way through the smaller chemists so that all that can be found in most chemist shops lately is what Boots wants to sell us.   Individual choice is shrinking.  For example, 'Fisherman's Friend', a tried and trusted relief for the sort of cough that has been plaguing many of us this winter, is now reduced the a choice of one: the strong original.  Over the last several years the Lofthouses, owners of the famous firm, have introduced several new varieties of 'Fisherman's Friend', a selection or all of which were stocked in many of the smaller chemists in the area, most notably in Milford-on-Sea which carried the full range.

Our former chemist carried a really interesting range of goods and it was also a pleasure to walk round the shop making discoveries either for gifts or for personal use.  Now, it's full of Boots products.  It has obviously taken notice of Tesco's unfortunate habit of look-alike goods.  Recently one of our staff arrived home from one of new versions of a local chemist with a tried and tested indigestion product, selected from a shelf below waist-level surrounded by other indigestion remedies. It wasn't until the package was opened shortly afterward in a hurry that she realised the shape was different - round instead of square and definitely not what the customer ordered - but at a quick glance perfectly satisfactory.  Same cannot be said for the taste or effect, alas!  The pharmacy at Waitrose isn't exempt either - later in the year it will be going the same way.

'HAMPSHIRE NOW' MAGAZINE - Spring Issue

Hampshire County Council have recently distributed - presumably to all households for which they are responsible and need votes - the Spring Issue of their magazine.  While we do appreciate it is not a glossy extravaganza it does seem like something of a waste of money in these cash strapped days when you don't get out for nowt.  Still, maybe 16p per household doesn't sound very much even if it does amount to £80,000.

Never mind, we do get to see how much money is coming in to the Council although that isn't altogether clear on p.8.  It says 'We plan to spend' £1,749,000,000 - or, you prefer and they're so much more fashionable now, £1.749 billion on services this year, compared with nearly £100 million pounds less last year.  They don't actually say where this money comes from, but they do say that on top of that they get money from the government and from other sources here and there which will give them a budget of £675,000,000 - an increase of £14,000,000 to spend on services.  We are not very clear what that actually means but we're plumping for the fact they are going to spend nearly £2,500,000,000 on us this year - £2.5bn in modern-day parlance.  That doesn't look quite so impressive without all the zeros does it?  Maybe that's why they've shortened the format.

In their PR Magazine, Hampshire County Council sets out how much money goes in all sorts of directions from a Band D property council tax, the highest amount they quote goes to - guess what? - social care for the aged and adults with disabilities (sympathetic chorus of ooohs and aaahs heard offstage)  and the next highest amount goes to - who do you think?  The children of course (excluding school costs).  More ooohs and aaahs. . . There follows a list of other items, headed by recreation, heritage, including libraries, museums and other services, all very worthy causes.  Recreation etc. cost just a quarter of the amount spent on social care for the aged etc.

All the figures they quote for expenditure add up exactly to the Total Band D Council Tax.  Are those items the only expenditure the council has? It's arranged to look like that. . . brilliant!

We are all wondering how much money goes to council members' salaries - or are these expenses?  Whatever.  They don't appear anywhere in the list nor anywhere else in the magazine.  But Hampshire, as we recall from last year's news, has one of the highest paid councillors in the country, and we don't expect he's standing there all alone.  What do the councillors take from our taxes in remuneration of various kinds? Wouldn't it be fascinating to know?  Perhaps it's worth a hunt on the internet on an idle afternoon . . .

Or is it a State Secret?

PARISH COUNCIL OFFICES MAKE MOVE TO BIGGER BETTER ACCOMMODATION

A photograph will appear here in the next day or so to ensure those whose sit at their computers and drive through the village actually notice the new developments in the Parish Council life of Milford-on-Sea.  Walkers will probably have seen it but those whose pins are not in their prime may well have missed the new premises.  Painted on their front door is the url of the Council website in all its glory which will keep everyone posted about the current work of our parish councillors. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO GWEN'S!

On a beautiful April evening which was warm enough to enjoy a glass of wine on the top deck of HMS Warrior, our ladies from Gwen's gathered in their finery to meet Alan Titchmarsh and discover whether they had been successful.  Of course they were!  They were pipped to first place and they are now the runners-up - bar none - to the title the Best Village Shop in Hampshire!  Congratulations to the Gwen and her ladies who help to keep the feminine half of Milford among the best-dressed villagers in Hampshire!  Thank you for all your hard work for us.

GWEN'S RIGHT THERE WITH A HIGH CHANCE OF GLORY

Commander Dave Davies, RN (Retd), Chair of the very excellent Milford Parish Magazine nominated our Gwen's for the Hampshire Village Shop of the Year and on St. Patrick's Day this year Gwen heard that her - and our - shop is in the last three.  It has caused great excitement and pleasure as you can see from the photograph of  (L to R) Michele, Gwen and Anne, Gwen's sister when they were interviewed for our web site.  On Wednesday next they will be off to a truly glamorous black tie Reception aboard HMS Warrior, where they will meet their 'competition' for the Hampshire Village Shop of the Year.  They take with them our best wishes for a wildly successful evening where the presentations will be made by Alan Titchmarsh!

'Gwen's', whose name is known to regular visitors of this site through 'Gwen's Diary', is situated right in the middle of the village.  It has survived two other excellent dress shops whose owners retired, two 'New to you, Madam' shops, and now reigns supreme.  It is always an exciting shop to go into - rather like an Aladdin's Cave.,  You never know what delightful new additions to your wardrobe you might find, what new jewellery designs will twinkle at you in from their display, and you always know where to find your favourite regular buys.  Combine that with excellent and cheerful service at all times and you will know why Gwen's has become a loved and cherished part of Milford's life.

While we are absolutely not surprised to find Gwen's on the list of best Hampshire village shops, it has to be said we wouldn't be surprised if the other two also turned out to be situated in Milford-on-Sea!  This is an outstanding village which owes much of that accolade to the standard of its shops and everything else in Milford.

The Awards Competition for various classes is run by 'Hampshire - The County Magazine', not to be confused with the magazine referred to in the following article . . .

MILFORD'S WEB SITE BACK UP AND RUNNING WITH STUPENDOUS NEWS!

What a splendid day to get the news of the Lottery Award of £500,000 to our wonderful Community Centre on the day that Milford's website totalled 500,000 hits on its website which has been running for almost 10 years.  Both of them were set up to mark the Millennium and it is due to the work of volunteers that both have lasted all this time and borne fruit.  Isn't it wonderful to be living in such a wonderful village?  The 'Pop-in Coffee' had also celebrated its ten years . . . the whole business of the Millennium certainly injected something into village life which energises its people. Long live Milford-on-Sea!  [ Click here ]

PRINTER'S ERROR - ONE
OTHERS - ONE!
 

There was a small printer's error in the leaflet indicating Easter services in all the Milford churches and at St. Mary's in Everton. Unfortunately it involves the timing of one of the most popular Masses for both visitors and parishioners on Easter Sunday which is held at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Mount Avenue, New Milton.  Late risers will be pleased to learn that there is a 10.30 am Mass held there and not just one at 8.00 am!

And, alas, alas, there was another one from another source, at the moment we are not sure which.  The Easter Vigil Mass at New Milton on Saturday, 11th April, actually starts at 8.00 pm, not 8.30.

Well, none of us are perfect, but we are working towards it . . .  Have a wonderful Easter!

SPRING COMES TO MILFORD

OK, we pick one of the coldest starts in a few weeks to welcome Spring to Milford but it is true there is a green veil round the branches of the trees which by the end of next week should have turned firmly to leaves.  The daffodils have been around for some time - though this year they did appear to be coming out later than in recent years when they were almost over by the time Easter arrived.

Gwen's Diary will shortly be updated but there are a whole lot of goodies about to burst on the Milford scene to liven things up as we all start to come out of hibernation.  Don't forget to keep up with what is going on in our splendid Community Centre (see above).  This Thursday the film is one of the most talked about over the winter with Keira Knightly as 'The Duchess' - in a story based on the life of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.  If you would like to know more about what films are coming to Milford Movies in the current season send an email to our stalwarts at the Community Centre or ring James on 01590 643 393.

As well as films, of course, there are lots of other fascinating things to do at Milford's Community Centre, which has added so much of pleasure and interest to our village.  As we often say, major thanks are due to those people who set it up in the first and to those who have continued to work so hard to make it the success it is.

MINI-DISASTER TIME

This year's chance to play an April Fool joke disappeared under a serious attack of Scottish Blues, a dread disease which occasionally attacks our websites.  Today is also the day when we expect to notch up 500,000 visits to our pages since October 1999, almost ten years ago when we set up Milford-on-Sea Online.

We are hopeful that all will be well later today and that this message will not go unread before we come to the end of April 2nd.

BIRD-WATCHING HIDE TOO WELL HIDDEN

In January there was a report in the local press dealing with the establishment of a bird-watching hide in the new Sturt Pond Local Nature Reserve. [ Click here ] for details.

We recently received an email from  Ms. Karen Quantrill,  a keen bird-watcher and frequent visitor to Milford and Keyhaven, has been searching in vain for this splendid facility.  Is there anyone out there and reading this article who can help?  Please email us here and let us know!  Surely Karen can't be the only keen ornithologist to fail to find the hide.  Great for the birds of course, but not for those fascinated to know more about them.

DEPUTY HEAD TO TAKE OVER AT MILFORD'S SCHOOL FOR SUMMER TERM

Christian Malone, at present Deputy Head of Milford's C of E Primary School, will pick up the reins as Acting Head in the absence of a new Head who has been appointed for September.  We don't know anything about him/her yet but as soon as we have some news you will be able to read it on this web site!

In the meantime we extend our best wishes to Christian: it is never the best news to know one is appointed as an Acting Chief on a temporary basis.  In our time the best example of a job extremely well done under these circumstances has to be Margaret Beckett, who did a first-class job during the interim period between the death of John Smith and the winning of the leadership of the Labour Party by Tony Blair in 1994.   She didn't complain and her support of the new leader and subsequent Prime Minster was never at fault.

WINDFALL FOR MILFORD

The urgency of repairs to Milford's sea defences has been recognised by the Government which has approved advance funding after the violent storms which affected the sea wall under the promenade during the summer. Such an injection of money into the project - £700,000 + a 20% Contingency Allowance means that the initial works will be completed much earlier than anticipated.  This short-term solution to on-going problems with Milford's battle with the sea should b e completed without cost to the NFDC by April next year.  Other funding from the Environment Agency has protected NFDC's pocket.

It is hoped that these precautions will, among other depredations, save further loss of any beach huts after three fell into the hole which resulted from the summer's adverse weather conditions.

Longer term protection is estimated to cost something in the region of £3m - £4m and would take a year or two to implement.

For period to end of March 2009

MILFORD'S HEADMASTER TO RETIRE AT EASTER

Many will have read with dismay that Martin Pitman, who for the past 8 years has led Milford's Church of England Aided Primary School to academic, artistic and  spiritual excellence, has now decided to widen the scope of his work for children from beyond a purely educational sphere to become the Community Fundraising Manager for the South of England for Bernados.  Martin's resignation will take place at the end of the Easter term and we can only pray that we shall be able to find a replacement of similar calibre.

The children of Milford who have been lucky enough to find themselves in such capable hands have been given an excellent start to their academic studies and more.  The Head of a school is not only responsible for the children, but even more his responsibility to his staff marks the standard of the school as he is primarily involved in the selection of retention of his staff,  and this is another part of his career in Milford which has paid dividends to the community.

There will be other tributes as the days and weeks go by but we on the Milford website would like to offer our thanks for everything Mr Pitman has done for the village in the time he has served as the Headmaster of our school.  Not only have the academic standards have been praised time and again by the Ofsted inspectors but the buildings, equipment and furnishings have been upgraded during his time here in Milford.  Martin Pitman will be leaving behind him a splendid monument of the love and care he has invested in the school, a school of which everyone in Milford-on-Sea can be very proud. 

MILFORD'S HISTORICAL SOCIETY BECOMES HISTORY ITSELF

The Milford Historical Society, established 100 years ago opened its year of celebrations with a mix of descendants of who set up the society in 1909 and together with other who are also associated with the Society today.  They met in All Saints' Church Hall together with 120 of the current membership for the Annual General Meeting and a lecture about the founders of the Society which everyone enjoyed.  After the AGM there was a ceremonial cake-cutting to mark the occasion with, of course, something with which to wash it down! 

How fortunate we all are to live in Milford - it might have been a big, bustling seaside resort had a few residents not caught typhoid!  If you don't yet know that story, Milford's Historical Society will be putting on a special exhibition telling its story.

There will be several other events to mark such a landmark, including the exhibition in the first week of August.  The Society's Diary has recently been updated.

BOY FRIEND DELIGHT!

It is now becoming obvious to anyone who enjoys live theatre in the local area that if you see a Sonia Collyer production advertised, just go!

Her recent production of 'The Boy Friend' by Sandy Wilson, in the Performing Arts Centre  at the Ballard School in New Milton,  first seen in the London of 1954, is a delightful tribute to the mad years of the 1920s.  Set in a Finishing School - ah, how many of us are left who went to such an establishment? - in the South of France, it was the perfect vehicle for a young cast, many of whom are already studying drama at Brockenhurst.  The choreographer, Stephanie Constantine-Smith, had a splendid opportunity to direct the actors in the exciting dances of the period, notably of course the Charleston and the mature adults strutted their stuff in splendid style.  It was sheer pleasure to those who attended, and in view of Sonia's record, attendance was as high as it should have been for an excellent piece of theatre.

Well done, everyone!  And what a piece of luck to have such a gifted producer who can deliver the goods without reducing the players, the backstage crew and the front of house staff to tears and angst.  Everyone enjoyed not only the hard work but the pleasure of reaping the reward of giving the audiences a series of wonderful and memorable evenings.

THIEVES TARGET MILFORD OVER WEEKEND

Police have revealed that an entire safe full of valuable jewellery was stolen from a house near the Church in Milford over the weekend.  Although the police are actively working on the case and a 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the theft and is currently being held in Lyndhurst, they are not divulging any details about the missing items.  Enquiries, however, are being made round jewellers and antique shops to see whether any of the missing jewellery has been offered for sale.

As usual, of course, many of the items are of great sentimental value and the loss is causing a good deal of distress.  People are advised to check that everything is securely locked when they are away from the house though sadly, and this appears to have been one of them, a break-in is always more difficult to avoid unless a burglar alarm is fitted to protect the property.

THEFT OF GIANT FLOWER POTS

Worshippers arriving at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on Sunday morning found that their flowerpots had been stolen during the night.  Mrs. Anne Croll, who has been tending the flowerpots outside the church for over 40 years, was distraught when she arrived at Mass around 9.00 am. and found they had disappeared in the interval between inspecting them on the Saturday evening around 5.30 pm when she last checked that everything was growing well to ensure their flowering for Easter.  Anyone who saw anything strange going on during that time is asked to inform the police.  {Tel 0800 551 111 or 0845 045 45 45). It would have certainly have needed more than one person to hoist such heavy pots on to some form of transport.  At the same time the posts along the front of the church received another attack and the chain between them had been undone.

The pots, roughly 2 - 3 ft diameter were the traditional hooped wooden variety, stood either side of the main door.  Over the years they have bloomed according to the seasons and given a great deal of pleasure to members of the congregation and to Anne herself, who has worked tirelessly to brighten the outside of the Church surrounded by so much stonework.

These large pots were purchased several years ago to replace a pair of smaller ones which had also been stolen. 

LITTLE BLUE PARAKEET GOES HOME

Little Tweak, who turned out to be a male with a green-cheeked parakeet waiting for him at home, was safely reunited with her owners on Friday.  Needless to say they were delighted as Tweak had been missing from home for a whole week and they never expected to see him again.  It seems that the two-year-old bird was so adept at undoing the catches to his cage that they finally had introduce a padlock to make sure that when he was in his cage, he stayed put.  Used to a fair amount of freedom he obviously took the chance when it became possible a week ago to stretch his wings and go exploring.   Before Tweak was captured by Katy and David, he fed happily with pigeons and pheasants in their garden.  Subsequently Tweak enjoyed very chatty sessions with his feathered companions in their cages while he was spending time with the parrots in captivity at the home of the Brigadier who looked after him until he was claimed by his owners.  

Around the same time a tabby cat was found after being hit by a car on the main road between Lymington and Brockenhurst, not far it seems from the Hobler.  It was still alive and taken to the vets, where he was operated on and now continues to make a good recovery.  It is hoped that he too will soon be reunited with his family.

CENRED TO THE RESCUE

Cenred

When one of the brand-new ferries was damaged while docking in Yarmouth, little Cenred was called out of retirement to do the donkey-work after the glamourous new multi-million pound Wight Light was withdrawn from service for repairs.

It's such a pity the new ferries are running into problems like this, though there will be those who are rubbing their hands with glee.  However, for the sake of those who have family and friends on the Island and for those whose businesses on the Island are being ruined in the current downturn, we can only hope that Wightlink will get its act together very soon.  Timing in all things is of the essence, and Wightlink  do seem to have made a major boob in their planning.

CLIFF PATH LATEST

An extremely helpful telephone call was received in the absence of our compositor explaining the reason for the closure of the cliff path between Milford and Barton.  It appears that at the Taddiford Gap end of the path, just beyond the car park, there had been a severe slippage.  However, we are assured that all efforts will be made during this week to make sufficient repairs to enable to path to be reopened by Friday next.

What a pleasure to receive such courteous help from our local council and a special thank you to Kate in the office!

MILFORD-ON-SEA MEMORABILIA ON E-BAY

The postcard above was apparently taken in 1908 - over 100 years ago!  A click on the picture will take you to E-Bay's page on some of the items for sale relating to Milford, of which this is an example.  If you are interested in the the history of Milford-on-Sea, it's also worth letting your mouse click [ Here ].

 


LITTLE LOST DICKIE BIRD!

This charming little bird belonging, we think to the parrot family and about the size of a pigeon, flew into a relative's garden in Boldre over the weekend.  It was gently captured on Sunday morning and is lodging with something of an expert in the area.  Do you know anyone who has lost a bird like this?  He seems to be a fairly tame little chap but I expect he would like to be back home.  If you know who he - or she - might belong to, please ring 01590 6*0*6*.  He needed to be moved, as he had flown into a pussy cat house - indeed, a hungry moggie stood gazing hungrily while a temporary cage, which happened to be a cat cage, waited to house the bird after a possible successful capture.

WHY IS THE CLIFF PATH CLOSED?

We have received an enquiry from one of our visitors enquiring about the apparent arbitrary closing of the cliff path.  A regular walker along the path,  Pamela Stevens noted that without notice the path from Hordle Cliff to Barton-on-Sea had been closed.  As she explains, she had walked the path the previous day and had been unable to see anything which might account for the closure by the following morning.  Yesterday there was a barrier across the path, and the foot path from Taddiford Gap car park was also barred and taped.

We have contacted the local council and hope to receive a prompt answer.  Miss I'm-the-only-Kate in the Office promised to contact the right department and let us have the information so that we can circulate the news.

Unless, of course, it's a State Secret. . .

CYCLING AT DUSK OR EARLY IN THE MORNING

There are still people who cycle round our roads - and who walk - who continue to be invisible to drivers, particularly in the early morning and at dusk.  If you are out at night, wear something that drivers can see.  In this area, where a preponderance of drivers are older, bear in mind that their eyesight is not as brilliant as the eyes of a young person!  So, particularly if you are young, bear this in mind if you too would like to find out what it is to feel like as a granny or grandad!  If you aren't careful you may never know what fun it can be!

Cyclists, young and old, and even with very small children carried on the back of the cycles, are exposing themselves or being exposed to serious injury and even death in an area where there are many drivers who do not see as well as they might have dome some years ago.

If you know anyone who travels on cycles, whether motorised or run by pedal power, any one who walks at night, particularly schoolchildren on their way home in the early evening, do make sure they are aware that wearing dark colours and carrying no lights exposes them to the risk of death.  And that indeed is dreadful. 

However, also dreadful is the guilt and remorse felt after an accident by anyone who drives into them because they are invisible.

Good heavens!  They give luminous collars to the forest ponies and people are worth more than ponies. 

Please remember the old adage, 'Wear something white at night!' but yellow will be fine.

For period to end of February 2009

FAIRTRADE BREAKFAST IN ALL SAINTS' CHURCH HALL TOMORROW MORNING

Fairtrade®Fairtrade Fortnight started on Ash Wednesday and tomorrow, Saturday, 28th February, is the day when you can get up, dress and go out of the house to Breakfast at All Saints.  This takes place from 8.30 to 9.30 am.  It may be a bit late to suddenly decide to go, but it's worth a try and you can always contribute something to the donation box if you can't get anything to eat!   It'll buy a breakfast at another time for someone else in a place where breakfast isn't really on the menu every day.

If you have never heard of Fairtrade, click on the logo above and find out about it.  One of our staff was in Tesco today and sadly the only available Fairtrade bananas were still green:  come on Tesco - you can do better. 

Oh, maybe everybody's bought the rest - so Tesco needs to order more with ten days of Fairtrade to go . . .

NEWCOMERS' SUPPER THIS SATURDAY

This year's Newcomers' Supper arrives on the scene tomorrow, having moved from its previously established timing in November.  It was felt that too many things on the party front happened in November and December and it would be a good idea to brighten up what is often a rather dreary month - 'Can anything be drearier than November?'  ' Yes! February!' - so tomorrow Milford offers its welcome to all who have moved into the village during 2008.

The evening kicks off at 6.00 pm at All Saints' Church Hall.  The evening is organised by Churches Together in Milford, and is for people who have moved into Milford since November 2007.  Bon appetit to everyone who is going to be there. . .

MUGGER ON THE LOOSE IN MILFORD - POLICE SEEK HELP

Late last Saturday afternoon, 24th January, a mugging occurred in Carrington Lane. A man in his 70s was returning home after shopping in the village when someone crept up behind him and hit him.  He demanded money and the pensioner concerned simply said he hadn’t got any.  The attacker then ran up Carrington Lane and is described as wearing a pale grey hooded jacket and light-coloured track-suit bottoms.  His victim was more shaken than hurt but it was an unpleasant thing to happen to anyone.

Police are now appealing for information and are hoping to contact a man seen walking his dog around that time, between 6.30 and 7.00 pm.  It is thought this man may possibly have been approached by the attacker. The  mugger appeared to be aged around his late teens/early twenties and to be about 5ft.10in tall.

Anyone with information is asked to contact CID at Lyndhurst Police Station on 0845 045 4545 or on the anonymous Crimestoppers line which is 0800 555 111

250th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED BY MILFORD RESIDENTS

Nothing like the skirl of the pipes to set the pulses racing in anyone who has a drop of Scottish blood and the clans and their supporters gathered enthusiastically to celebrate the 250th anniversary on 25th January of the birthday of Rabbie Burns himself.  The Burns Night supper and dance was organised by John MacLean while Jim Garrioch did a Captain Mainwaring and piped in the mighty haggis after it had been honoured with the address by Charlie Robertson.   Sue Ramsay and the Bournemouth Caledonian dancers were there to encourage the dancing while Kate Carpenter and Skara Brae provided the music.  A worthy tribute to the Bard of Ayrshire, or as he is simply known North of the Border, The Bard.  The profits went towards the Church Hall Refurbishment funds and an amount of £400 will swell the coffers.

BRAVE NADAL FIGHTS LOSING BATTLE IN ROTTERDAM FINAL
 
After a great first set where both players made amazing shots and efforts to get the ball out of their court, Rafa's knee again gave trouble and in spite of a fall-
off in the standard of Andy Murray's service in the 2nd set - or perhaps because of it - Rafa managed to retain the benefit of his good start before he was treated by the trainer for further damage to his troublesome knee.  At one point in the same set Andy Murray's ankle showed more signs of his trouble, trouble which has forced him to withdraw from the upcoming ATP match in Marseilles.  The last set was a bit of a heartbreak for all concerned, including the full house who had come to support these two great players.  Towards the end there was virtually nothing Nadal could do and the effect on Murray was easy to see.  It is hard to play against an injured opponent in any field, and the final of a top international tennis match offers particular difficulty.  Well done to both players under such unfavourable conditions. . .

MILFORD 'ENHANCEMENT' PROGRESS

At the beginning of the road works which still clutter the village, residents looked on and thought how nice the pavements looked, all clean.  Very nice!

Then people began to notice the sharpness of the kerbs, and the height of them.  Visions of falling and cutting open heads recurred and people started walking much more carefully.  There have already been falls and lawyers are doubtless eyeing them with hope: in a litigious society they could see their income get a bit of an 'up'?  It seems that one driver has already had a couple of burst tyres as a result of perhaps not the most brilliant manoeuvring of the steering wheel.

One does have to wonder who designed these new pavements:  every so often they spread out into the road, offering their monster kerbs as car hazards, either to drive into or prevent parking.  Now only one car can park outside the chemist.  As Milford is full of senior citizens collecting prescriptions they should be able to improve their health a great deal by using the car parks now instead of parking close to the chemist.  They will be able to have a more adventurous life coping with the chances of tripping on lots more kerbs and if they find walking any distance difficult, it will become an opportunity to tackle a new challenge.

Parking outside the Co-op is another interesting field of activity:  there is space for three cars  but on the off-side, away from the shop, there is an island.  This virtually precludes the use of this stretch for three cars since from time to time one will be stranded in the middle and have to drive up and over the 'kerbed island' in order to escape.  It will no longer be possible to stop for a few seconds to post a letter in the letter box because  again the pavement juts out into the road.  It will be necessary to park the car first. get out, post the letter, avoiding at all times tripping on the kerbs, return to where the car is parked, manoeuvre into the road and go. The alternative now is to stop the car, blocking those behind or being lucky enough to find a good soul who will post the letter for you so that you can almost immediately get out of the way.

What do planners have between their ears?  We only ask . . .

COUNCIL PLANNERS DON'T KNOW WHY CAR PARKS ARE NEEDED

We do have to wonder where they're coming from, particularly when this ignorance regards the parking at the much trumpeted new hospital in Lymington - our hospital.  How can they ask for  'further information to justify the car park numbers proposed'?

Having recently been made aware of the size of salaries available in local council employment for those in the upper echelons, maybe the decision makers don't actually use the NHS.  Maybe they don't know what the parking has been like at our new hospital since it opened but anyone who has any experience of it will know that the parking facilities there for staff and public alike are at present lamentable.  All these people, which of course includes 'us', have been having a terrible time finding somewhere to park and are very knowledgeable about the  requirement for a much larger number of car-parking spaces.  We, of course, do know the reason for applying for additional parking. . .

It was such good news to know that the land had become available for additional parking after the mistake made in the original plans!  It is now very disappointing to find that the abysmal ignorance of planning people will entail a further continuation of driving round and round, wasting petrol, as it is a question of 'No change - still no more parking'.  For at least eight weeks longer than we needed to have waited it seems:  apparently  the turn-around time for a change in council decision making - every time? - is eight weeks.

When do we have a chance to vote again?

MILFORD BYPASSED BY MASSIVE WINTER STORM

A large and unexpected rise in the barometric pressure overnight has ensured that Milford has escaped the ravages of the storm forecast for the south of England over Monday and Tuesday, though the heavy rain on Monday certainly cast gloom over its residents' spirits.  This morning looks equally grey but there is a definite hope of sunshine later today for which we can give a rousing three cheers.  If you don't believe us, go and have a quick look at the Satellite weather chart (see above) and have a nice day!

As promised, the sun arrived but it also revealed that a good deal of flooding had gone on through the night.  Milford Road, between Milford and New Milton, was flooded at the junction with the road to Downton, just where the overflow to relieve Milford flooding crossed the main road.  The water was too deep to drive through and cars were diverted past Shorefield to the A337.theroad from Everton to New Milford.  A couple of hours later the Milford Road was still closed.  Drivers were fortunate to have the little car park to turn round to return to the New Milton roundabout to take the alternative route to Lymington.

The forecast is looking rather better - for the moment. . .

MILFORD MENACED BY MASSIVE WINTER STORM

Monday morning is forecast to be icy while the weather starts its deterioration into a wild storm at present boiling up in the Bay of Biscay, which apart from threatening Milford does not look to make an easy finish for the Vendee sailors making their way home to Sables d'Olonne.

We will first get very heavy rain with the danger of flooding but over Tuesday night there is a strong possibility that this will end up as snow. While the very strong winds continue, blizzards will be high on the agenda and drivers are advised not to set out except in extreme emergency.  If you have to drive make sure to take blankets, a garden spade, torch and mobile phone - well charged - and a thermos or two of something hot to drink.  NO, forget all that: stay at home!

'CONSERVATION ARE REVIEW'

view towards Keyhave conservation area

Well, you might ask: "What on earth does that mean?  'Conservation Are Review'?  And what is such a hilly place doing in the Milford web site?  Can't be local, we don't have any hills, except shopping in Lymington - it can't be  Milford!"

The answer is to click on the picture and find out.  It really interesting to find out what's going on in our National Parks which still seem to have money to fling around!

Editorial Comment:

Having heard the latest edition of 'Any Answers' I acknowledge that some people of African descent may have taken offence at the article on black rag dolls which was recently published on these pages.  It is obviously the case that many younger supporters of white rag dolls have been very upset by the use of the word 'golliwog'.  Perhaps because the toy was banned in their youth, they never got used to the idea of accepting that people of a different colour were, in fact, just like them.  Actually I have personally to admit that as a little girl I thought we pink/white and often spotty young people weren't nearly as physically attractive as they were.  I particularly admired two young refugee girls who may or may not have been Polynesian, with their long, long hair and big, dark eyes.  I wanted them as friends but have to admit the idea was frowned on by my parents, which to this day I have never really understood, and that was nearly 70 years ago.

In all my life I have been fortunate enough to have friends from almost all races - with the notable exception of the Inuit.  I have a beautiful and loving Chinese daughter-in-law, an adopted very black priest-son in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one of my husband's and my best friends over more than forty years was the son of a Ghanaian father and an English mother.  He died shortly before our 46th Wedding Anniversary and we arranged for a Mass to be said on that day, as we had been unable to attend his funeral.  My dear husband then died, five days before the anniversary, and the Mass was said jointly for the repose of the soul of our dear friend Geoffrey Dove and for that my husband David, his friend over many years. I always loved the idea of the two old friends keeping each other company. . .

TENSION GROWS IN NURSERY RACE ROW

A serious race row has erupted in the English village of Milford-on-Sea.  This newly married couple, who have so far declined to give their name for fear of being further picked on, are feeling unloved and claim they have been put on an unequal footing with the pink and white rag dolls which white children are free to enjoy loving and cuddling.  Any black rag doll these days is considered to be insulting to black people, even though pink/white rag dolls are free to dominate the nursery populations of this country.  This means that black children are being deprived of a cuddly toy which has been loved for years.  Ask anyone who had a golliwog as a child what they thought of them and the answer will be the same:  'We loved our golliwogs!' 

A song in South Pacific comes to mind which points out that children have to be taught to hate.  It's the heart that should be involved in teaching people to love and not mere political conscience which ends up doing little more than give birth to the most ridiculous hypocrisy.  It might be worth finding out whether adults who loved their black rag dolls/Golliwogs as children are the people who grew up to accept people for what they were and not the colour of their skin.

In the meantime, the sanctimonious BBC can welcome cruel and tasteless comedians which spout their pseudo-wit on the radio as they poke fun at those whose politics are not theirs, Jews and Christians, the middle-classes with standards which the BBC considers complacent and corrupt. . . How has the BBC managed to get away for so long sitting in judgement in such a lop-sided fashion? Look in the mirror, folks!

SNOW II

Milford woke on Monday morning to a thin layer of snow and a rather delicate dawn.  More snow is forecast for later in the day but at least we're off to a fairly gentle start.  We'll see.  No doubt though - it is pretty and it does add a magic to the day.

SNOW HEADING FOR MILFORD

For the first time in several years snow is forecast for Milford and this time it is reckoned to be much heavier.  Coming from the East, the snow flakes are heading thick and fast in this direction but are unlikely to reach us till this evening.  In the meantime icy winds are making it feel even colder than the current -1°C/31°F registering on outdoor thermometers today.  When the snow comes it will be pretty to look at but dangerous underfoot.  If you ever bought 'moon boots' it might be an idea to dig them out.  They do hold firm if you have to go out.  Probably better though to stay indoors for the next couple of days.  If you're short of something it would be the good idea to ask a neighbour if they can help.  If they can it'll make them feel good and anything's better than broken bones!

For period to end of January 2009

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

Reports from all the Churches in Milford express their pleasure that all the work the organisers put into this week were really well supported by the different groups in Milford and Everton.  The choice of the final weekday service at The Community Centre was a real success and considering the change in venue every day, it is really gratifying to see people made a real effort to fulfil the plans of Christine Luxon and her colleagues from the Milford and Everton Churches.  Well done to all who took part and may we all enjoy the fruit!

CAEDMON IS NOW RETIRED

The first of the smaller old ferries which has taken so many people from Lymington to Yarmouth over the last 26 years retired on 22nd January and we thought you'd enjoy seeing a really good picture of her coming up the river into Lymington.  We may at present dislike the replacement ferries - even very much - but probably in time we shall grow to like them as they whisk us back in time to the simple pleasures of the Isle of Wight, and with minimum time allow us imagine we are going overseas. . . Certainly in many cases it costs more!

However, we shall always have a place in our hearts for Caedmon and her companions who are still plying between the mainland and the Island. Click on the picture for further details in 'The Shipping Times'.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

Fr. Gerrit Vervenne welcomed those who attended the opening service at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Milford to mark this annual celebration this afternoon.  It was based on the work of Churches Together in Britain and put together by members of all the Milford Churches together with St. Mary's Everton.  The theme was reconciliation and unity, based on the heartfelt desire by the Christians of North and South Korea whose country and the families living within both halves have been divided since the end of World War II.  Occasional meetings are now allowed and there are glimmers of hope on the horizon.  Although the original ideas came from Korea because of its particular situation, the service itself embraced wider divisions throughout the world, in particular of course between different groups of Christians

The service itself was very well attended Rev. Michael Welch gave a moving homily on the theme of unity under the care of Jesus, the shepherd we all follow. The service was followed by a delicious supply of tea, cakes and sandwiches in the Maryland Room.

During the rest of the week there will be a half-hour prayer service each morning at ten o'clock in each of the participating churches (see below) with the final one in our Community Centre in Sea Road.

If you need transport to any of the venues talk to your church link or phone Christine on 642 453

  Tuesday 20th              Methodist Church, High Street
  Wednesday 21st           Baptist Church, Barnes Lane
  Thursday 22nd            All Saints Church
  Friday 23rd               St Mary’s Everton
  Saturday 24th            Milford Community Centre
 

 

FREQUENT VISITOR TO MILFORD GAINS SIXTH DAN IN IAIDO

David Passmore, the notable teacher of traditional Japanese Martial Arts, already held Sixth Dan in Karate and Aikido before his recent visit to Japan with some of his local students when he was awarded his Sixth Dan level in Iaido.  Where pretty well everyone knows about Karate or has at least heard about it, fewer people have heard of Aikido or Iaido, so you can click and find out.  David Passmore's students, from the New Forest,  are David Golding and Darren Waghorne who received their Fourth Dan at the magnificent Butokuden where the arts have been practiced since the 12th Century.

David holds classes at the Lymington Health and Leisure Centre or telephone 0845 659 0845 for further details.  Three of his Lymington students have just acquired their Black Belts in Aikido, Karatedo, Iaido and Zazen.


Left to Right: Mike Clapham, Richard Cozens and Nick Singleton

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY - MONDAY 19TH JANUARY

These posters now appearing round the village so it will be easier to read all the details!  In Milford the opening Service will be held in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Park Lane and starts at 2.30 pm on Monday, 19th January.  Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Maryland Room. 

Joint services, which rotate annually round the churches in Milford and Everton, do a lot to strengthen links in our village community and we are now in that time of year - the darkest time of the year - when such social groupings meet together for prayer.  These meetings light the darkness through the period after Christmas and New Year festivities to the joys of Easter and Spring.

This year the week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year was designed this year by the women of Korea

A few weeks later the Women's World Day of Prayer takes its format for 2009 from an ecumenical mix of women in Papua New Guinea.  A fundraising lunch for this day, celebrated throughout the world, will be held in All Saints Church Hall on 11th February followed by a Powerpoint Presentation.  Tickets will shortly be available from the churches taking part. The day of the actual service, as usual, is the first Friday in March and this year the venue for the afternoon service will be All Saints' Church (2.30 pm) and for the evening at St. Mary's, Everton (7.30 pm)

DO THE BIRDS KNOW SOMETHING WE DON'T?

With the tree is this photograph covered with couples of birds, is it just wishful thinking that the birds seem to be thinking of and pairing up for Spring. . .well, love anyway. We can always live in hope and this morning the temperature has shot up to 40°F/4.5°C, the warmest it's been for quite a while.  The photograph was taken yesterday - so maybe the birds know things earlier than we do. . .

ALLURE CLOSES . . .

After the closure of Turn Around  who dealt with tired clothes and transformed them into newly-owned garments, Allure's hopeful opening on Church Hill last year to fill the gap has just announced its closure.

Unsold garments have been moved to Coco in Christchurch.  The details are available in Allure's window. There is a time limit, so it would be worth getting to find out as soon as possible.  Uncollected garments will be given to charity when the time limit expires.

FURORE IN LYMINGTON OVER FATE OF R C CHURCH BUILDING

Diocesan plans for the future of the Catholic Church in the Portsmouth area are far-reaching and have been actively pursued since 2004.  There have been meetings in groups all over the area, and while they were taking place local parishioners, not truly aware of what these new ideas entailed, did their stuff, went to meetings, workshops and major conferences. 

Nitty-gritty time has now arrived: with the shortage of priests.  Where there used to be one or two priests per parish not so long ago, in the next few years there is likely to be only one for an area which formerly included 9 parishes.  At that point the question arises of how does one priest cope with all those churches, all those people?

Naturally, in an area like Lymington where, after years of being banned from having a church, 150 years ago Catholics were finally allowed to have their own place of worship and here they celebrated by building the pretty church at the bottom of the Hill in Lymington.  To hear at the meeting that current proposals included demolition caused a wave of anger.

The great Diocesan plan was to put all the parishes, which were formerly grouped as Deaneries, into a larger grouping to be called a Pastoral Area.  Alas for the plans of men!  The parishes were not at all keen to lie down and die and wished to continue to operate as single entities.  The aim of amalgamating the parishes in the Larger Pastoral Areas, which appeared to be gently running along,  now seems to have ended with a crash on the buffers. . .

Other local 'parishes' (which title remains the standard identification by their members) are not happy that they weren't invited to the meeting which took place on 20th November, a meeting at which Mgr. John Nelson, a senior cleric in the committee set up to direct the reorganisation, was due to speak.  These include Milford's St. Francis of Assisi Church which shares its Parish Priest, Fr. Gerrit Vervenne, with New Milton's RC Church, Our Lady of Lourdes, the biggest church in physical terms in the new grouping. 

A blow-by-blow account of the meeting appears in this week's Lymington Times (Advertiser & Times) p24.

Such fundamental changes may have seemed ideal five or more years ago, but now?  At that time it would have been easy to sell the land on which the churches stand but who will want it for development now?  And who, in the meantime, will be responsible for necessary maintenance?

Aren't you glad you're not a bishop?

 

'A VERY SPECIAL BABY' GETS A GREAT WELCOME

All those who were able to get to one of the three performances of this Christmas play by Heather Lewis were delighted with the production.   The story centred round two modern couples expecting a baby and was un-costumed, which might have surprised some who were expecting something on the lines of a traditional nativity play.  There were some notable exceptions:  the angels were dressed in angel costumes, and the premier Angel - who else but the Archangel Gabriel - made a startling entrance.  The Magnificat duet neared perfection while later, the dancing to 'Silent Night' fitted the music beautifully and created a dramatic interlude while

Congratulations to everyone involved with the production, which showed off to great advantage the new performing space which has been allowed by the re-ordering of the Church.  Surely future drama presentations bringing  different views of the Christian faith to upcoming generations will be enhanced by the forward vision of those who were brave enough to insist on the alterations. 

'A VERY SPECIAL BABY' IN ALL SAINTS' CHURCH

'...and the Angels look on.' Among all the very special babies due any minute now, Heather Lewis's play had its premiere at All Saints' Church on Friday evening with two more performances on Saturday 20th December, a matinee at three o'clock and another evening performance at seven o'clock. This production will give everyone a chance to see the effective new stage bought from donations.  Tickets are available at Gwen's at £5 for adults, £1 for under 16's and for 5 years and under, no charge. 

Heather wrote the very well-received 'Passion to Pentecost' and uses words and songs to contrast the stories of two very different babies.  Put the date in your diaries now: the run-up to Christmas is so busy you wouldn't want to miss the chance of seeing one of the five-star events in Milford in 2008!

GOOD TO BE BACK

After a somewhat traumatic week Milford-on-Sea Online is practically back to normal.  If things aren't quite right as you use the site please be patient.  It will all be fine as time goes by.  Ed.

  

ALLURE MOVES WITH THE TIMES

Allure, the ladies' dress shop on the hill, has seen the writing on the wall which will benefit all of us who are not in denial about what life ahead holds for us! 

Life is changing 'before our very eyes' as is said and it is good to know that there is a heaven for loved and looked after garments and even a small profit to be turned when, for example, we have more inches round our middles than we used to have! 

Rest assured, dear Reader, nobody will recognize the item you are wearing, unless of course you buy something you know must have belonged to the zebra who lived next door to Mrs. A, who gossips all round the village.  If someone said to you, "What was so-and-so wearing at Mrs. T's party yesterday?" would you remember?  Of course not!  You were looking at her eyes when you talked to her, not what she was wearing.  Try it and see.  You might, of course, remember a necklace with diamonds as big as duck's eggs, or a dress caught up in the wearer's underpants but the colour?  No!  There might even be something to wear at Prince Charming's ball at Allure - well worth a drop-in!

SALLY SAYS IT'S DEFINITELY NOT THE END!

Now just how would we cope without Sally?  Where would the Carnival be?  Where would the Milford Village Community Committee be without her?  Sally Read protested to the Lymington Times that after 30 years' service to Milford she will definitely be remaining a member of the aforementioned Committee after an error in a report submitted to the newspaper of the Committee's AGM.

Three cheers for Sally!

CHRISTMAS CURTAIN-UP IN THE VILLAGE!

It was a perfect evening on Monday last for the shops' late night opening in Milford, and the ones that did open generally managed to buck the system and welcome buyers rather than browsers to their store.  The little steam engine, decorated with multi-coloured fairy lights plied up and down the high street giving rides to the little ones, each  with a parent.  Stalls on either side of the road sold good smelling things to eat and it was fun to see a candy floss stall! 

The tree was up on the green, lights on and families were free to walk around safe from the traffic, which was sent on a detour to keep the village centre free for pedestrians. 

There was a little delay on the arrival of the Lymington Town Band which set itself up outside Piccolo Mondo on the pavement where there was enough light to see the music and enough space to set up the instruments.  Everything finally kicked off about seven o'clock when carols were sung.  After the carollers' sterling performance, electric music took over to keep the seasonal atmosphere going and Father Christmas arrived.  He had previously spent time in his Grotto where he received a lot of fascinated and happy little visitors before returning to his 'sleigh' to start his journey to the next appointment. . .

JEREMY ROGERS MOVING CONTESSA BOATYARD OUT OF MILFORD

It was recently announced that Jeremy Rogers is going to move his Contessa boatyard from Milford-on-Sea where he has worked for the last several years.  He is off to Lymington where he has a new location in the Lymington Yacht Haven, which will make things a lot easier for existing Contessa owners, particularly those who own Contessa 32s, since Jeremy's company is the sole supplier of spares and accessories to the original 32s, of which about 800 sail all round the globe.  The Contessa 32 is undoubtedly one of the most popular racer sailing boats ever built.

Transport has been a problem in Milford where boats for repair and refurbishment had to arrive in Milford on the back of large transporters.  Now they will be able to sail into the Yacht Haven, moor and stay while repairs and maintenance are carried out in situ.

For more information Jeremy Rogers Yachts will be happy to see you visit them at www.jeremyrogers.co.uk for further information.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE BAPTISTS (2)

Settling down to the start of the carol singing and an original account of the Nativity of Jesus, the children of Milford Primary School, initially disguised as the Milford Junior Choir, presented their annual performance at Milford's Baptist Church off Barnes Lane.  It was a triumph, and congratulations are most definitely in order for the children and their teachers who between them held the rapt attention of the audience - and that wasn't composed totally of parents! There were people present with no axe to grind and at the session for tea and biscuits after the singing and the play, entitled 'A Wriggly Nativity', so called because young children can find it famously difficult to keep still, everyone was talking about it.  Actually the children behaved with plenty of gravitas except when they were required to move in a wriggly fashion, and that they did really wittily and well.

Although of course, the children were the stars, close runners-up were the animals who added enormous charm to the production.  The singing was excellent and it is only possible to feel very sorry for people who were unable to be present.  On behalf of all those who were there, a big thank you to all who made everything possible and gave us such a good afternoon.

And many apologies to all the other paper stars - the lambs, the chickens, the crowns and the stars themselves for which there isn't room for any more photographs.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Regular supporters of the fundraising for our Community Centre will know that this afternoon a Christ Concert starts at 3.30 pm where world class entertainers are ready to add joy to the festive season in Milford.  To find out exactly who is on stage, around the stage and generally in front of the audience [ Click here ] for details.

Colin and Pippa are, of course well-known in Milford as they are residents and often lend their talents to village do's when their professional engagements permit.  Will Scarnell is the son of Paul, based in Milford since 1953, who recently announced his engagement to Leah Shaw who moved to Milford from Scotland nearly ten years ago.  Will has had an interesting career in the theatrical and television world and continues to be sought after. 

Milford extends its welcome to Diana and Luke and looks forward to hearing them perform for us this afternoon.

Visitors to this site can view Colin's web site, which has recordings of four songs which you can access with a mere click of your mouse.  Start your visit to Colin by clicking [ Here ]

TUESDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE BAPTISTS (1)

On 9th December at 2.15 pm there will be an event to which all are invited at the Baptist Church in Barnes Lane: the Milford Junior Choir will sing their way through the 2008 Christmas Concert.  The performance will be finished at 3.00 pm so that parents can meet their children from school.

The Baptist's Women's Circle have asked us to give our support to the pupils, staff and Head Teacher of our local community school which does so much credit to Milford.  So go, folks, go!

CHRISTMAS IN MILFORD STARTS ON MONDAY FROM 5.30 pm TO 7-ish

Carols - Brass Band - Father Christmas to visit!

Late-night shopping takes place this year today, Monday 8th December.  This year we must give a hand - preferably full of money - to our shopkeepers who open every weekday in shopping hours to serve us while most of us go off and shop out-of-village.  If we don't want to have our own shops, OK.  But we do!  We won't always have time, money or even be physically able to go wandering round to buy what we need, so now is the time for all good residents to come to the aid of our shops!

We know all shops are having a hard time as the credit crunch tightens its munch,  so let's support our own and make sure our neighbours in the local shops have a chance of a good Christmas. 

Come and sing, celebrate Christmas which lights up the winter and our lives - whether it is fine and moonlit or damp and moist or even if it's wet air the brollies if you have to!

See you there!

THE MOON AND VENUS EMBRACE OVER MILFORD

This is a perfect night to go and star-watch but even better is the lovely new moon with a bright light underneath - which is Venus!  We did think it might be the space station but a quick look at the Planetarium on the Goggle Flash Earth site shows that it really is Venus - down on the right-hand corner (South West) where you also see the tiny moon!  [ Click here ] The planet up to the right is Jupiter.  This conjunction is only visible on 1st December, but if you are reading this after we have moved on from 1st December, you can change the date by flicking the arrows up or down, to left-hand corner.  Absolutely fascinating!

IN A GLOOMY WEEK, A WONDERFUL BIT OF NEWS!

A knight in shining armour has arrived. . .

Regular visitors to this site, who have read about Ben's predicament in the last ten days or so, will be thrilled to know that a match has been found for a bone marrow transplant and the operation is now scheduled for the second half of January.

We are aware here, at Milford-on-Sea Online, that prayers have been offered for this cause and it would be lovely if those who now find themselves involved with Ben through prayer would continue to thank God and pray.  We will be happy to put further news on Ben up on the site as things progress.

We know we can thank you all on behalf of the family - and of Ben, of course!

A BONE MARROW MATCH SOUGHT FOR BEN

The following email was received in our post today.  Ben is the great-nephew of a local Milford resident who is doing
her best to help.  I have decided to print the email

Ben our eldest son is in need of a bone marrow transplant.  Some of you know Ben well and others not so well, but I am sure
you know him well enough or know of him, to know he is charming and a joy to be around.  Unusually, Ben has inherited a 
condition whereby he is low in blood platelets and the condition has worsened of late.  He has been having transfusions of
platelets on a daily basis but we now have it down to just twice a week.  To meet him you would think nothing was wrong, he
is currently at Oxford Brooks in his last year and studying hard,  but the fear is that he starts to reject the 'imported' platelets.

 
Southampton General Hospital have been terrific and are poised to carry out a bone marrow transplant once a donor has been
found.  The problem seems to be that I am Irish and my wife is English, the genetics are bizarre to say the least. Therefore we
ideally are seeking a donor who is a product of an Irish /English union. So please read the following paragraph which is an
extract from an article about the 3 Hampshire brothers who are all suffering from the same disease: two have been sorted but
there is still a problem with their last child.

'Despite a search among the family and of the international donor register the doctors have so far failed to find a matching donor for the third cousin.
Bone marrow transplants can only be carried out where the donor and recipient have matching "tissue types". The doctors think that the problem
may be because he is half English and half Irish. You have probably heard that bone marrow donors can be hard to find among ethnic minority
groups, and it seems that this is also true in cases of "mixed" descent.'

 
We have been informed that a deluge of blood donors ticking the willing to be a bone marrow donor box would be difficult t
o handle but if individuals go along, as and when they can, there is a good chance that not only may Ben be helped but also
other people waiting for a donor may suddenly find relief from their suffering.

Thank you for reading this.  [ Click here ] for further information about bone marrow donation.  If you would like to email a
family contact [
Click here ] and we will arrange it for you.

SILVER THREADS & GOLDEN NEEDLES

Over the last ten or fifteen years full of shopping for cheap ready-made clothes from developing countries have been available many material and yarn shops shut down, but recently they have started opening again.  There is a little one in Early Court in Lymington where some material by the yard is available and now another shop seems to be opening in Hordle.

Called Silver Threads and Gold Needles - of course - it is in Stopples Lane (Tel 01425 610461) and will b e retailing Haberdashery and Wool.  In addition to retailing, clothes and curtains will be made, altered or repairs.  All work will be done on the premises and there are free estimates for such work, collection and delivery will be done by arrangement and it appears there is plenty of Free Parking.

Period to end November 2008

MILFORD NOW HOME OF NEW FOREST BRANCH OF ALZHEIMERS

David High, the Branch Manager of the new headquarters of the New Forest Branch of the Alzheimers' Society, is even now setting up the offices in Milford-on-Sea Memorial Hospital, where today Rev. Derek Markham led a Remembrance Service where wreaths were laid to mark the 90th Anniversary of the 1918 Armistice which ended the first World War.  Among soldiers who died in that war were those in whose name our Memorial Hospital itself was built.

The increasing length of our lives mean that more and more of us are having to come to terms with the downside of attaining ages which to earlier generations seemed almost out of reach.  But as well as promising medical research being investigated, voluntary organisations are coming to the rescue.  There are now 280 Branches of the Alzheimers Society in the UK kingdom as a whole and a quick click [ Here ] will tell you all about our own Branch, now based in Milford*.  Among other services our Branch offers the chance to attend specialist Art and Music Groups, an Outreach Service, (01590 664679 for details), a helpline and 10 Support Groups across the Forest.

We welcome fundraisers as we have to raise all the money we need to suppose our local services.  While practically all the work done is voluntary, expenses do arise for which we need funding.  If you can help please ring David on 07936 554205. 

We at Milford-on-Sea Online are delighted to welcome the Alzheimers' Society to Milford, where we are sure the New Forest Branch will be given the generous support they need.

* you may find that Central Office may not yet have updated their site to include the very recent opening of the New Forest Branch in Milford - but it will be coming!

PAUL WOOLLEY TO GIVE TALK IN BROCKENHURST

The New Forest Bible Society will be hosting a lunch in St. Saviour's Church, Brockenhurst on November 4th.  The speaker will be Paul Woolley who heads Theos, a think tank which undertakes research on social and political matters viewed via a theological basis.  A light lunch will be served at 12.30 pm.   Cost £4, tickets  available at the door.  All welcome.

Period to end of October 2008

WIGHT LIGHT'S OPEN DAYS A HUGE SUCCESS

Yesterday, 29th October, the editor made a personal visit to look over Lymington's new 'future ferry' - since she will not be able to take passengers to and fro Yarmouth till all sorts of investigations, evaluations, committee meetings here and there have been completed. 

The walk from the overflow car park was rather longer than expected but well worth the effort, if only to be staggered with amazement at the size of 'Wight Light'.  People walking around the upper decks looked tiny, although we can assure you that when we ourselves were walking round the same area we were our normal size!

Once on board it has to be said that the ferry itself is magnificent and warmly welcoming.  It is very large indeed and the public rooms are spacious and comfortable with wonderful views.  Free tea, coffee and chocolate were served in new-style paper cups, a vast improvement on their expanded polystyrene predecessors.  The chocolate is the best chocolate I have had for ages, in spite of it coming out of a machine.  The editor's daughter, an habituée of the ferries running to Cowes, Ryde and Fishbourne, thought 'Wight Light' was just lovely, a sweet little ferry compared to the monsters which rocket to and fro on the other side of the Island.

It goes without saying that the business end of 'Wight Light', up on the bridge and down in the engine room are truly state-of-the-art.  The Bridge is amazing and cameras give comprehensive screen views of everywhere on the ferry, at times simultaneous with collections of pictures on screen.  As a dubious future customer before going on board I have to say that the future looks good.  Here's hoping !

On Thursday there was a big-wig junket beside and on board for really important people, among whom, sadly, Milford's web site editor didn't count but let's hope they have lovely weather for it!  I will certainly look forward very much to sailing on her, over to the Island and 'back in time', which it always seems one is doing when travelling from the mainland to the much-loved Isle of Wight.

"YOU'RE WELCOME ABOARD THE 'WIGHT LIGHT', ME HEARTIES!"

Wightlink are erecting the gangways for people of the area to satisfy their curiosity and inspect Wight Light at her moorings on Lymington Quay on Tuesday and Wednesday 28th and 29th October, from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.  Free parking has been arranged in the overflow car park and staff and crew will be on board to show visitors round and answer their questions.  There are lots of things for children including free souvenir gifts and a treasure hunt for 7 - 14 year-olds with the chance of winning one of three FruitShoot mountain bikes, courtesy of Pepsi™

Wightlink are sorry that, just for this period of Open Days only, the gangway to Board Wight Light may prevent safe access to those with impaired walking. Once the vessel is fully in service, access will not be restricted.

2008 MILFORD & KEYHAVEN 5 MILE RACE

[ Click here ] for Sunday's Results

At 10:30 am on the 19th of October at Hurst Road you might have seen the start of this year's The Milford and Keyhaven 5 mile which is the 4th race in the Running Tree Series of 5 races. The undulating course started on the Seafront at Milford on Sea, ran through Keyhaven and finishing on the green at Milford. Entries were available on the day but runners were asked to allow plenty of time to register. Drinks were available at the end of the race.  Click here for more details from the organisers. We understand that this year's sponsors included, as previously, The Gun, Monks, Hollands and this year we welcomed a new sponsor in Zaika. What a lovely bunch of people! :-)  The race organisers owe them a special thanks!  [For additional information on running matters click here]

EMERGENCY POLICE, AMBULANCES, COASTGUARD AND FIREMEN INVADE CAR PARK

Towards Hurst Castle orange Ribs have been spotted and there appear to be an emergency response in operation.  It is certainly to be hoped that all this is an exercise.  If it is not, one shudders to think what it might be.  We will keep you posted! 

LATEST: Helicopter has now arrived.  Our reporter is unable to see any Customs and Excise ships at the moment. . .  Karen will report any further developments.

ABSOLUTE LATEST; Further enquiries from our reporter discovered that the whole thing was an exercise.  We're sure they will all have had a fun but useful day, then they all went home to tea.

BRENDA KEIGHLEY aka BRENDA RAWNSLEY

If you missed the article here yesterday when there was a link to a programme on BBC Radio 4 about Brenda's work immediately after the war to bring Art into Schools, click on the picture of her above which will take you to the BBC website.  If you have not already connected to iBBC find out how to do it.  It is a wonderful way to enjoy radio and BBCTV programmes to catch up on programmes you have missed.  Good luck!  Brenda's programme, by the way, is called 'Art for Schools' and was originally broadcast at 11.00 am on 21st October.

Wikipedia also has excellent coverage of Brenda's wartime activities which make very interesting reading.  To visit [ Click here ]   There is an error in the Wikipedia article:  Brenda's rank is described as Squadron Leader, but the equivalent women's rank at the time was Squadron Officer.     

Period to end of September 2008

INTREPID LOCAL EXPLORERS USED TRAINED SARDINE!

Roger and Sandra, whose marine exploits generally start at Keyhaven, have recently completed a circumnavigation of one of the most beautiful southern islands in the world.  They have set up a delightful website charting their adventurous journey.  Since it all started at Keyhaven we feel it deserves a place on the Milford-on-Sea website and will add the pleasure of our visitors. [ Click here to share the trip ]

It's worth mentioning that this fabulous trip was undertaken by a middle-aged couple who hope to give encouragement to those whose excuse for not stepping out into the Land of New Experience is that they are 'too old' to try something different.  This couple is not your usual run-of-the-mill pair: they are both still working and the trip is not a mark of 'now we've stopped working we're going to step out a bit'.  They already do!

[Click here] to find out more!

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE QUAKERS?

The picture above is of Charles James Fox who started up the Quakers but most of us know very little else about them. If you click on the picture you can find out more.  The reason for putting up his picture is because National Quaker Week takes place between the 4th and 12th October, and local Quakers from this area are planning all sorts of events.  A Tea Party was organised for Milford and took place in Milford's Community Centre in Sea Road  on Sunday last.  It was an excellent opportunity to get to know more about the Quakers and those who missed it should keep an eye open to do something about attending a Friends' meeting another time.

Oh, Quakers wear just the same sort of clothes everyone else does - and of course, they talk!

AND DID YOU KNOW . . .?

Milford Motors is offering a selection of hardware at special prices until 11th October.  Among other useful items there is one that one that is particularly useful for those people who think it's perfectly alright to stand on chairs or kitchen stools to grab something on a just-out-of-reach cupboard shelf.  If you don't have one, treat yourself to a proper little stepladder for under £20 and keep yourself protected from the danger of falls - one of the most common reasons for accidents in the home.

PLANNING LUNCH

Hmmm. . .  (click here)! and if you like that you might like to trawl through the local planning web site to understand what changes are due in the village, click here to start!

A BIGGER CHEER FOR TESCO!

At 10.45 this morning, Tuesday, 23rd September, Tesco had reduced the price of its petrol by 3p and it is now selling at 111.9p per litre.  Shame the price of petrol has shot through the roof again today!

THREE CHEERS FOR SHELL IN PENNINGTON

At 3.30 this same afternoon, when one of our staff drove past, the Shell garage in Pennington was selling their petrol for 110.9 p per litre. This means it may well be cheaper - and a lot more satisfying - to drive the 3 miles to Pennington and do your shopping in Waitrose for a change! Or stay in the village and don't use any petrol at all!

HOPING FOR A MILLION?

Devotee optimists will be delighted to know that Hollands of Milford will be selling Lottery Tickets from Wednesday, 10th September:  Do rush down with your poundlets (they're now poundlets as the value seems to be going down every day) and remember, your money - be it ever so small at this end - may be being invested in our Community Centre!

TESCO CONTINUES ITS GREEDY HABITS. . .AND SHOWS NO SIGN OF STOPPING!
 
Over the last week the price of Brent Crude Oil has dropped in the region of 8% and is now at the lowest level since the peak in May.  What happens to Tesco's petrol prices?  They're up against 10 days ago!  Had the price risen during the last 10 days prices at the pumps would have risen the next day.  Have they not discovered how to change their machines to reflect a similar lowering of prices?  Greed got us to where we are at the moment in the credit crunch - does Tesco think its future path will also be smooth?  Do they not remember what happened to M & S?  Do they not look round at the banks?  The Building Societies?  Are they really as  greedy and/or thick as they are making themselves appear at the moment? 
 
5 Days Later:  It's Tuesday 16th September and this week the price of crude oil is still dropping.  It is now down to considerably below US$100 per barrel - and has been down below US$90 and is one-third below its highest price this summer.  There has been no change at all in Tesco's petrol prices.  Are we surprised? Of course not!
 
But Tesco, dear Tesco, can you explain why when the price per barrel goes up, your prices change immediately?  Is there something wrong with the mechanism that turns the cogs to lower the price at the pump when the price per barrel sinks?  We would be pleased to publish any explanation you might have, especially one that is completely transparent, to use one of the 'in' words. . .
 
 
A CUNNING NEW PRICE-BUSTING WHEEZE!
 
Do watch out for the latest canny system to keep profits as high as possible:  this is practiced by various manufacturers rather than the supermarkets.  Have you noticed, for example, how thin cornflakes packets have got from the side?  Maybe we're wrong on details but standard boxes used to have 500 gm of goodies inside.  The packaging is now a slim-line version of its former self and contains 375 gm of cereal.  It seems that lots of companies are jumping on this bandwagon.  They really do have a very poor opinion of their customers' IQs! Enjoy yourselves and keep track of interesting cases.  It may do nothing but lower your opinion of firms that are household names but wouldn't it be lovely to see a bit more honesty around?  Ah, wishful thinking in this corrupt world . . .
 

'ANY QUESTIONS' CAME TO MILFORD


 Sir Simon Jenkins, Charlie Wolf, Jonathan Dimbleby, Anne Peacock, Dame Liz Forgan and Bea Campbell

How exciting it was to have Milford-on-Sea figuring in one of the radio programmes - this year celebrating its 60th Anniversary. Lots of us have known 'Any Questions' for many years, some of us even many, many years!  On a truly dreadful evening, from a weather point of view, when the rain fell with the enthusiasm of a tropical storm, All Saints' Church was full - and not just with Milford residents.  People had travelled quite a distance to be there from towns and villages between Milford and  Bournemouth and Southampton.

The proceedings started from 6.30 pm although the actual programme was not due to go out live until 8.02 pm precisely.  Below the chatter some members of the audience were racking their brains to think of a question which might suit the panel and above it the BBC crew played assorted signatures tunes from well-known Radio 4 programmes - but which belonged to what?  Radio 4 fans tried to match music to the right title which kept lots of them amused and some of them chasing the ghosts of memory which eluded them. 

The audience then taken in hand by a Milford resident who also wears a BBC hat as a 'continuity girl'.  She does a great deal more than what she thought the job was when she joined the Beeb and what we learnt from her interesting chat last night.  Among a collection of amusing anecdotes Carolyn Brown included details on how important the minutes and seconds were in sending transmissions through to the listening world.  She kept us engrossed until the panel arrived.  One of the selected questions was doomed never to hit the airwaves as the technicians checked everything before the start of the programme. The questioner regretted that the answers to his questions faced the inevitable fate of the desert flower that bloomed unseen.  Ten people's questions were chosen from those submitted on specially designed tickets with space to write. The Beeb hoped there might be around a hundred or so from which to make a selection.  Of those, one question was designated the 'practice' one and of the remaining 9, the actual questions used were picked.  Winner and losers. . .

Everything started with the boom of Big Ben, followed by the News and we were 'On air'.

It has to be said that this was not going to be the most talked about and controversial edition of 'Any Questions'.  On one side we had two gentlemen who gave considered responses to the questions (the programme can be heard on the internet via www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 for the next 6/7 days) while the two ladies shared feminist interests and Guardian history. (See the Links at the end of this article).

Alas and possibly because of the selection of panellists, the majority of the questions elicited a 'battle of the sexes' type answer which is so old-fashioned it tended to dull the responses.  Ah, well, can't have everything!  The most interesting aspect of the evening was to see something of the background of a live transmission of a radio programme on our favourite wavelength.

Thank you, BBC!

OLYMPIC GLORY BRUSHES MILFORD . . .

Congratulations to Lymington resident Nick Rogers!  Nick came home in the massive cloud of successful British Olympians who arrived back in Britain on board a golden-nosed BA jumbo jet.

Nick, silver Olympic medallist, is cousin to David Rogers, one of our sponsors who runs his pottery business in his Vinegar Hill studio and who at the moment is exhibiting under the Hampshire Artists' banner - look out for the cerise-coloured flags all over the Forest.

His uncle, Jeremy Rogers, also lives in Milford where he still produces his famous Contessa 32 racing yachts

HEAVEN COMING TO MILFORD - VIA HELL!*

Work started on 1st September to transform our village into something out of this world with major road works.  It was originally planned to start work in July but the Parish Council managed to persuaded the relevant authorities that such a plan would seriously damage the tourist trade in Milford.* [With thanks to Brian Giles for his original metaphor, quoted in the Lymington Times (Advertiser & Times) of 29th August]

So, between here and December, we may have to put up with irrita5tion as the work is done, but it has been designed to make Milford a safer place for pedestrians, particularly around the George & Mary lamp post entrances to the village as well as general improvements to the pavements.  Let us hope then that by the time Santa Claus visits us in December he will find all in wonderfully good order.

To link to the relevant planning site, [ Click here ]

It has not been possible for us to find further information, but knowing that the planned roadworks are 'Major' it is a pity that it is not easier for the residents to find details on line.  There are supposed to have been notices round the village, but they haven't been very noticeable. 

BEACH HUTS COLLAPSE INTO A HOLE

The reasons for the collapse of the beach huts into a hole is not yet known.  It appears that nobody was injured and the Council are looking into it. . .

THE SLEEPY VILLAGE OF MILFORD-ON-SEA???

Sometimes the BBC does get it so wrong! The first episode of the new series of DIY SOS last Thursday 21st August was 'set in Lymington' it announced before driving past our sea front although it wasn't long before they announced it was actually in 'the sleepy village of Milford-on-Sea' followed by shots around The Green.  A bunch of buffoons - well, that's the way they played it - arrived to rescue a local house from the depredations of Do-It-Yourself gone very wrong.  Without apparently doing any proper work, the buffoons messed around until they finally ended up with at least a safer building where there wasn't any electrical wiring poking haphazardly out of the walls.  The programme makers interviewed the warring couple who had called in the BBC after getting to the end of their tether with their attempts to do some very serious 'improvement work on their house, including removing an entire inside wall.  The interview took place on a grey and windy day on the dinghy launching pad at Lymington and throughout the time of their stay in the area the weather was awful - well, it was par for the course of this year.  To pad out the film they persuaded the poor DIY-ers, with everyone kitted out in expensive sea-going gear, to join them in taking part in an RNLI exercise which ended up with the female partner being chucked into a cold grey sea for a practice rescue.  What a dreadful waste of licence payers' money. . . and what a contrast with, say, 'Grand Designs'!

MILFORD'S WONDERFUL CARNIVAL

The festivities kicked off at mid-day on the Green with a variety of stalls and entertainments which this year included a Punch and Judy show.  Children screamed with delight as they stepped on to the roundabouts and chomped their way through candy floss while the grown-ups wandered round inspecting what was to buy, win or invest in Raffle Tickets.  At 3 o'clock the Swing Unlimited Band made its appearance, sponsored this year by the Milford Social Club, Hudsons's Heating and Plumbing and Hollands of Milford.  Loud-speaking arrangements were organised by the Lymington Rotary Club.

This year's Carnival was well up to expectations with eye-catching costumes and a great deal of charm.  The theme of the parade was inspired by the work of Walt Disney - both early and late.  Very late.  Floats representing The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan among others.  Individuals made their mark - on was the Big Bad Wolf - the one in Pinocchio?  A pair of beautiful golden retrievers had been watching the parade with real interest until the appearance of the wolf which made them cringe back on the pavement as far as they could go while their owners collapsed in amazed laughter.  Sadly their reaction was one of the photographs caught up in the technical failure of the camera, as was a couple of little girls and a very young boy bravely climbing the tower.  (We apologise again to those who might be looking in vain for those pictures to be published on this site.)

Different from the main theme and very topical was the group of 2012 Olympians who looked full of promise and enthusiasm as they followed the golden road of their dreams along the High Street.  Then back into the general swing came a splendid black and white Cruella de Ville who paused to admire the Golden Retrievers - was there a glint in her eye indicating she might change to a new golden look after Britain's Olympic success?

This year is the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Royal Air Force and Milford's British Legion put on a wonderful float complete with a splendid model of a Sopwith Pup (?) and they have every right to be particularly proud of their splendid presentation in honour of the RAF.

All this, together with sundry individual Tinkerbells, Pirates, Minnie and Mickey Mouses etc, together with the Wessex Majorettes, the Dolphin Marching Band, The Ringwood Pipe Band and assorted music from several Floats, the general noise and enthusiasm added to the excitement of the day.  The Lady Anne chuntered her way along the route, lighting up the hearts of those who still cherish the beloved days of steam engines.

 [ Click here ] to view Carnival pictures

CARNIVAL POSTSCRIPT

For many years we have all enjoyed our wonderful Milford Carnival when we tend to take for granted it will happen and everything will be just like it was,  only more so!  We frequently fail top think of all the people who work so hard working to make the show a success and this year we found ourselves talking to James Brenan whose normal job is running a drawing supply office where you can order anything from an artist's palette through easels to drawing boards which would grace any designer's office.  In his spare time he supports our local community - not just Milford, of course, but Lymington and environs - via the Lymington Rotary Club.  The Club supports us over the Carnival and this year gave Milford-on-Sea Online a graceful compliment over the loudspeakers!  Since the Lymington Rotary Club supports Milford's Carnival financially as well as physically - as he explained 'I think there were 15 of us there this year' here is a link to their Club [ Click here ] which in turn has members from Milford.  James is their Webmaster.

INSTANT CHRISTIANS

Our little area of the New Forest was again on TV screens via Channel 4 over the weekend.  In the third part of a programme which gave a diverse group of people who'd had nothing to do with Christianity the chance to explore and devise a service in an out-of-use church it was a surprise to see St. Dominic's Priory of Sway called in to help a young woman worried about her sexual preferences.  In an echo of earlier 'taster' type programmes from last year, instead of six weeks 'getting to know you' members of this group had apparently been given three.  It was rather fun to see Sister Maria - who talked during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Milford in January - helping the young lady in question, especially as it seemed to help her.  One man who'd suffered a self-inflicted loss of four teeth between his incisors was helped to visit the dentist - of unknown whereabouts - to repair the damage.  It was somewhat on the lines of repairing the DIY as in the article above since the teeth had been extracted by their owner with a pair of pliers in order to avoid having to visit the dentist when they hurt in the first place! 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GREAT SCOT FROM BRITAIN!

The somewhat uncouth youth has learnt a huge amount this year and is now turning into quite a charmer judging by the number of friends and admirers he seems to have collected during his appearance this year in the US Open. He reached the final where he played with one of the most outstanding players of tennis history, Roger Federer.  He didn't win but neither did he play like a shrinking violet, no lose his cool and in the last set managed to  make his mark with some extraordinary play which had the crowds cheering him on, although it was obvious Federer had the upper hand.  As Andy Murray had played three games with Federer on similar hard court surfaces and won two of them one does have to think that beating Rafal the day before in four sets must have taken some of the stuffing out of him as he came on to the Arthur Ashe court to meet a well-rested Federer who had had two days' off.

Andy's acceptance speech was gracious and laced with the sort of true humility which will go a long way towards moving his game forward: he now knows exactly what he has to do to join the ranks of the top three tennis stars.  From 4th in the world at 21, he will go a long way - right to the pinnacle.  Good luck, Andy!  It is always a pleasure to see people doing things well. . .

 

BBC TAKES UNEXPECTED SLANT ON TODAY'S BIG BANG
 
The Beeb's usual irreligious attitude pertaining to God was reversed tonight in an item in The World Tonight (Radio 4 10.00 pm).  Regarding tomorrow's Big Bang as the particles are fired round the 27km accelerator which lies under the French/Swiss border near Geneva they did take a more serious view of a possible outcome than their flippancy on so many occasions usual appear on the airwaves.  The links at the top of this page will tell you more about the whole experiment and you can try to understand but the clutch of programmes offered by the BBC on Radio 4 in the next few days will probably be more helpful.
 
However, this evening there was a touch of if we do manage to find out what the scientists are looking for, which some call the 'God Particle', we'd better stop downsizing God and show him the respect to which he is entitled if it should really turn out that he is the Creator.  Hedging their bets maybe?  Now, now, let us not be cynical. . .
 
The BBC did, in fact, spend quite a while interviewing physicists who talked about the incredible beauty and, above all, the simplicity of the entire complicated Universe.  Those interviewed who had experienced some glimmer of understanding the wonder of the Universe found it impossible to comprehend the existence of such beauty without reference to a Creator in view of its magnificent order and power.  The BBC also played the very moving report sent back by the astronauts on the Apollo 8 on Christmas Eve 1968 when the first few verses of Genesis was quoted. 
 
This whole attitude of the BBC was impressive and in the middle of so much cynicism and secularity a welcome change, though doubtless many would not agree.
 
Click on the links below to follow the experiment:

'ANY QUESTIONS' COMES TO MILFORD

Among Jonathan Dimbleby's guests for this week's (5th September) 'Any Questions', which is to be held in All Saints' Church, is Sir Simon Jenkins, the noted journalist - we assume!  He might be Simon Jenkins, Raymond Blanc's prize patissier but the likelihood of his being the talented writer and commentator who contributes to both the Guardian and The Times - not to mention the BBC - is higher.  Other guests will emerge - as do Conservative leaders - when the trails start on Radio 4.  Tickets went well after a slowish start and we look forward to a full church and a stimulating evening as Radio's 'Any Questions' does battle with 'Big Brother Final' and 'Eastenders' on Television.

Later (3rd September):

Here is the complete panel together with helpful links and as you know, for those you just click on the name:

Sir SIMON JENKINS: author and columnist
Dame LIZ FORGAN: Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund
BEA CAMPBELL: writer and broadcaster
CHARLIE WOLF: American political analyst/commentator
Jonathan Dimbleby: Chairman
Click here for Any Questions History

CONTINUING IRRITATION AT HOSPITAL CAR PARK CHARGES

The new parking system at Lymington Hospital has met with deep frowns and a grinding of teeth before it has actually made its debut.  For a start the powers-that-be have installed machines (common to all NFDC areas) that do not give change, thereby frequently increasing their 'take'.  Nor will the machines accept notes - and obviously they are behind the times in that they will not take credit cards either.  So do remember to arrive with bags of jingly money.  We have to ask if the  Councils we elect are at the service of the public or of themselves.  Whether we shall get an answer to that question we will have to wait and see: in the meantime we shall continue to suspect that the honest answer would be the latter.

The installation of the parking meters also means that the free first hour is lost, the hour which was so useful to visitors whose stays are often very short. 

Enter the Guessing Game, which is new.  You have to estimate in advance how long you are going to be away from your car, a particularly difficult task since the traditional NHS handing out of appointments by the bunch means that patients will find it virtually impossible to estimate length of time to buy.  Everybody gets games, including the Car Park Attendant.  He or she will be free to set fines while people are still in the hospital and if the attendants are quick they can swoop before the sickly owners can get back down the miles of corridor to feed the meters. Subsequently they will discover they are deemed absent when their name is called so they miss their appointment - and have to make a new one. With any luck there will be big profits for the NHS in these.

MEL KENDAL TAKES ONE STEP DOWN . . .

While all the news is about Mr. Mel Kendal resigning from the New Forest District Council it should be noted that he will still be keeping up with his other posts - his name will not disappear from the press and media news.  This is not a complete surprise of course, since one of his remaining posts involves serving as member for the environment on the Hampshire County Council where he is the county's highest paid councillor with an annual expense claim around £60,000. 

He has recommended Mr. Barry Rickman to be his successor - at the same time stressing that the final choice must rest with his colleagues at a special election.  Mr. Rickman paid tribute to the work that Mr. Kendal had accomplished during his time on the NFDC but added that his own style would 'probably be different' and that he would try to keep more people on board.

GIANT FERRIES TO MAKE EARLY DEBUT

Wightlink has announced its new ferries have been completed earlier than anticipated and the first one will arrive at the beginning of September to start sea trials.  This will give us all a chance to see what 'big' means in the current controversy over the replacement of the ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth.  It is possible that as time goes by we might see some method in Wightlinks's decision as 'Holidays at Home' become more the thing as leisure funds take a falling role in the way we live. 

 

FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE BACKS LOTTERY APPEAL

Chairman Bob Bishop skilfully guided the members of the F&GP Committee through the Agenda at a recent meeting in the Village Hall while their table was surrounded by interested Milford resident. It seems that Mr. Bishop wasn't certain of the residents' feelings about the subject to be discussed and initially he joked that he felt his committee was possibly surrounded by a threatening hedge of some kind . . .

The subject on the table, which virtually replaced all other matters was on the subject of the application to the Lottery Fund of £500,000 to be used to build a new Community Centre in Milford.  Margaret Richens gave a tight and well-considered presentation covering all that had already been done to raise money for the scheme.  Local fundraisers and the Committee for the appeal for funds from the Lottery have so far raised £293,500.  This, together with the proposed half-million pounds which is the sum they are asking from the Lottery, would mean that the amount available for the total cost of the build comes to £793,500.

The estimate for the building is now available from the architects, Mr. Stephen Hole of Studio 4.  It amounts to £886,000.  There would, therefore, be a shortfall of £92,500.

The purpose of the meeting was to find out whether the F&GP Committee would be prepared to pledge an amount of money to bridge the gap.  After the excellent presentations from Margaret Richens, and before the serious discussion by the member of the committee Bob Bishop asked members of the public who were in attendance what they thought of the proposal. One resident expressed the opinion that because of the way life was looking at this time of global warming and fuel shortages, people were likely to find themselves more restricted.  Instead of leaping into cars to find entertainment, the people of the village would be much more thrown on themselves.  A Community Centre was a most desirable feature and with the chance of a large financial boost now one of the Committee members announced that he considered the decision should be in favour, since a similar chance was unlikely to recur in our lifetime.  'Seize the day!' were his actual words.

If the Committee were to go ahead, said Mr. Bishop, there would have to be safeguards because in the end the money would have to come from the residents of Milford which he subsequently enumerated.  The proposed charge on the council tax would mean an additional sum in the region of £4 per household per annum, or, since most people paid monthly, 25p - 30p a month.

The general opinion of the Committee, with one or two exceptions, was that the proposition was recommended.  One strong factor contributing to the final decision was that the usage of the building would cater for every age group in the village, as well as for those who had special requirements such as tamps etc.  Another was the proven enthusiasm by residents of Milford for the many opportunities offered in the temporary structure where so much is already happening. [ Click here ]

After the meeting there was general rejoicing among the residents who had attended.  We hope that everybody in Milford feels the same.  When the original proposal came up in 2000 - the Millennium Year - there were quite a few people against the whole idea, but thanks to the general work of all those who set up our present Community Centre and have ever since been keeping and expanding the excellent facilities taking place in the temporary building in Sea Road.  Here's to the whole project!

TESCO REVISITED . . .

Further to our recent article (lower down this page) on Tesco actually charging more for the 'Bargain Economy Size' which, we hasten to add, is not advertised as such but is what we shopping have been led to believe bigger packages are, they are continuing the differential on Tea Direct Fair Trade teabags.  This morning one of our staff was buying cartons of double cream.  There was something of a delay around the shelves which carried the cream.  Another shopping was comparing prices: 150gm cost 41p, 300gm cost 88p.  Come on Tesco, be fair!  Our advice to Tesco shoppers:  when you are buying, checking the quoted prices per 100gm and get the best price!

IT'S ALL HAPPENING ON THE GREEN

This futuristic tent houses this year's 'Art on the Green'. which will be running again from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm in the centre f the village. If it should happen to be raining visitors will be happy to know that there are panels to stop the wind howling through the gaps at the side and you will be able to view the pictures in peace!  We do have some remarkably good artists in this part of Hampshire and can thoroughly recommend a visit.

MILFORD ART GROUP EXHIBITION 2008

     
Pictures (L - R) by Richard Bridge, Graham Robinson & Patricia Cox

Milford Art Group opened the doors to its Exhibition on Tuesday 22nd July and the Exhibition will lasted until 2nd August.  It opened every weekday from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm, Saturdays from 10.00 pm to 5.30 pm and Sundays from 11.00 am.  On Saturday 2nd August, the last day, it opened till 4.30 pm.

This year there were pictures to suit every pocket which ranged from delicate flower paintings and gentle watercolour landscapes to bold seascapes in oils and bright modern art.  Refreshments are available in the Church Hall of All Saints' Church, where the Exhibition is being held.  Catalogues were available at 50p but there was no entry charge. 

As well as the bigger paintings there was a wide choice of smaller paintings and also some unframed examples of members' work.  The ones illustrated on this site were framed.

SONGS OF PRAISE

Last Sunday, 20th July, Milford and Keyhaven residents and holiday makers joined together at Keyhaven to continue the now annual Songs of Praise.  This has become a real feature of the summer in our area and on Sunday the sun shone in approval. Admittedly the wind was also blowing enthusiastically but nothing spoiled the pleasure of the large crowd that had gathered.  Not only did people take up the space all around the quay but even down on the beach chairs were lined up, brought in by even more keen participants.

The choice of songs was excellent and voices were raised with panache although a new entrant, 'Lord, I Come Before Your Throne of Grace',  made a rather hesitant debut. but as Reverend Dominic said, all hymns were new once, and maybe its day will come.  Dr. John Soper gave an inspiring and moving talk on why he believed in God which was very well received by those who were there.

The music which supported all the vocal effort was played by the Boscombe Salvation Army Band and a collection was taken towards the end of the Service which will be split between the Mission for Seafarers and the Salvation Army.

All present wanted to extend their thanks to the Boscombe Salvation Army Band under their Bandmaster Howard Evans and the Deputy Bandmaster Ray Jones, The Keyhaven Yacht Club and the River Warden, Roy Plummer. for making the presentation possible.  Thanks too from the rest of us for all the work done by the organisers, Reverend Dominic Furness, Colin Bunce, Dr. Soper and members of All Saints' Church.

THE GREAT BRITISH STEAM CAR

Although we haven't yet received an account from anyone local or indeed from anyone who went to the show, it seems that everything went very well, including the weather.  If you click at the bottom of the pictures you will be able to find out about the great attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in late August on the world speed record for a steam car. 

The last official steam powered record attempt took place in 1906, with Fred Marriott driving a Stanley Steamer built by the Stanley brothers. It achieved 127.659mph. In 1985, Bob Barber reached 145.607mph in a steam car but only made one run – to qualify as a world record the average speed of two runs in opposite directions is taken. 

This massive car was grown in a little wooden shed in Lymington! But the car's big, isn't it?  You can read all about the next exciting phase by clicking [ Here ]

DOUBLE STANDARDS IN TESCO

Tesco works very hard at its image about being really keen on its customers - we bet they are! Where would they be without us?

We are though a little worried about our health.  It's well-known what wonderful bargains Tesco's offer in wines and how kind they are to produce the free cardboard carriers when we have bought several bottles.  They even print on the side advice as to how to drink 'sensibly', starting at the top with details of the small, sensibly sized glass which is supposed to be roughly the equivalent of one unit of wine.  Alas, do they sell these small glasses?  Does anyone these days?  Of course, they are available in the places where you buy expensive cut crystal glasses that few can afford.  Come on, Tesco:  give us a range of sizes and not a Hobson's Choice of the monster glasses which appear to be the only cheap glasses available.

AND TALKING OF TESCO. . .

Bargain of the week?  You can buy 'teadirect', a Fairtrade product at Tesco.  Very good, Tesco!  Good to see our big stores stocking such items.  However, in Tesco do beware the big economy box.  Just get the smaller 80 pack, which sells at £1.39.  Next door to it you will find the big box, with 160 bags, and they are , I think from memory, but check this, £3.85.  Compare two smaller boxes at £1.39 which you can buy for £2.78.  Good business, Tesco, but I think you've got your sums wrong!  This doesn't seem to phase the management though: 'We can't do anything about the prices - that's what Head Office tells us to do.'

We can imagine what they will do.  Want to bet? They will correct the situation by raising the price of the smaller boxes.  Little chance they might bring down the price of the bigger one, which is, they say, 77p per 100 gm.  Seeing the state of mathematics in the country these days, people wouldn't think that's £7.70 a kilo, compared with the £5.56 a kilo which they advertise on the shelf price label for the 80-pack box.  That's a 37% hike - Zimbabwe, here we come!

We have met this on other products in the store recently.  Let us know if you have any other examples.
Email us [ Here ]

HAS THE DAILY EXPRESS GONE MAD?

What on earth is the Daily Express thinking of?  How can it justify printing a story which is not mentioned anywhere on Latest News links on the internet.  Great story but is there any truth in it?  If there is, surely some other editors would be itching to publish it. 

Which story?  The headline one, about Gordon Brown bullying the Queen to co-sign the Lisbon Treat, having it flown secretly to Rome!

We await developments - with mixed feelings.

MILFORD ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008

Go forth and invest £2.50 in this wonderful catalogue which will whet your appetites for 4 days of entertainment - just to find one entertainment anywhere else would cost you more - maybe much more - in petrol. Where to get one?  Pretty well any of our village shops etc.

There seem to be even more events this year and an even more emphasis on internal delectation - food!

We would print details but there is so much of interest it would be too long - much easier to buy the programme, although we will say that entertainment ranges through bands, show time, duos, dancing, Indian snacks, drinks and snacks from the festival bar - and that's only on Thursday. . .

See you there!

Oh, did we mention dIRE tRAITS - top tribute band?  You may recall the original DIRE STRAITS . . . this group is one of the leading exponents of their work in the world.  Test them out for real . . .

MILFORD-ON-SEA FLOWER & PRODUCE SHOW NOW A HAS-BEEN

There are hundreds of these, points in time where someone is bound to say 'It's the end of an era...' (sounds of sniff, sniff) and this year marks the end of the Milford Flower and Produce Show which ran for a century, more or less, since the days when one's gardener grew all the flowers and vegetables and ladies of leisure arranged the flowers, picked by the gardeners from the ladies' gardens and arrged in pretty vases.  Winners were awarded silver cups which, suitably engraved, then graced their drawing rooms. 

If there is anyone out there who still has one of the cups stashed away please return them.  For details please telephone 643845

There are always a number of contributory factors, and among those which have led to the demise of the show are the fact that people nowadays have smaller gardens and flowers are bought at the supermarkets - bought flowers would never have been allowed in the olden days! - along with the weekly shop, and very few gardens are now big enough to grow vegetables for smaller and smaller families - there are farm shops for those who want fresh grown organic veggies for the table.  Perhaps though, the driving factor is the lack of people who are prepared to commit themselves to make it happen. 

But before getting really depressed about the passing of the Flower Show, let us raise our glasses to the new generation of people who are working for free to make Milford a continuing lovely place to live and let's not forget the Milford Gardening Club which has added a lot to village life.  There are the clubs, the churches which in Milford continue to thrive and be of service to the community - and nowadays all working together.  There is the wonderful Community Centre which has introduced so many new and exciting things to the village.  Before we start taking them for granted we should all think for a minute . . .

It looks increasingly as though leaping into our cars and driving out of Milford for most of our entertainment may become a memory as oil prices continue to rise.  Most of us have lost the use of our muscles as we have grown so dependent on the car, so the idea of a quick 3 - 4 mile walk into Lymington or New Milton and back will probably stay a distant dream, or maybe a fearsome nightmare.  Certainly the amount of building going on in Milford will deprive us of a lot of the land we might use to graze any four-legged transport!

So, if we hear a cry for help to run the Community Centre, answer it positively: your Community needs you!

WIMBLEDON GLORY

After the most brilliant final ever seen at Wimbledon
Rafal Nadal is King of Wimbledon after conquering Roger Federer who
has reigned supreme for the last five years.
Rafa can now worthily wear the Champion's Crown
After four hours and forty-eight minutes play
the final score was 6-4,6-4.6-7,6-7,9-7.

Our Congratulations to the new Wimbledon Men's Singles Champion.  Congratulations also to this year's Queen of Wimbledon
Miss Venus Williams and where this year we can offer congratulations to an exciting new British entry on the scene, Miss Laura Robson age 14 Wimbledon Junior Girls' Singles Champion 2008

Photo and

Period to end of June 2008

MILFORD GARDENERS' CLUB

Considering at least half of the country was spending its Saturday under a heavenly watering can, we were very lucky with the weather, which encouraged the local community to go out and spend, spend, spend at the Open Gardens' Day on 8th June, organised by the Milford Gardeners' Club.  This year they raised over £3,500 which will be divided, together with roughly £1,000 raised at this year's Plant Fair on the Green, between our nominated charities for this year: Milford Community Centre, Honeypot, Spana.

Some people were very dubious about whether Milford needed a Community Centre in addition to other halls available to hire, but it certainly seems from the support which is given by our residents to the wide variety of events put on in the Community Centre that it was a definite need waiting to be fulfilled.

We would like to take this opportunity to mention that Milford Gardeners' Club has become one of our sponsors as they have now taken a page under the 'Clubs' Section (see Navigation buttons on left).  If you [ Click here ] you can go direct to their page!

GREAT DAY FOR WOMEN'S BRANCH OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION


Among the guests enjoying the tea prepared by members of the Milford British Legion were
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach GCB, DL and Mr. Desmond Swayne, MP and Mrs. Sara Jones, OBE, JP

After the gloomy weather forecasts about how awful the weather was going to be on Sunday, after a grey start the sun broke through and although the wind was fierce all day the sky remained a beautiful blue with clouds only on the horizon while Milford itself had a bright sunny day.  The uniforms of the visitors glittered where they could and our MP, Mr. Desmond Swayne was wearing a uniform which intrigued many of those present who will be pleased to discover that it was the uniform of the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry.  Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Henry Leach has been a long time friend of the British Legion in Hampshire.  In 2004, the Royal Navy's new Fleet Headquarters building in Portsmouth was named the "Sir Henry Leach Building" in his honour.

How lovely then to be able to parade the throng of British Legion standards, including the 'retiring' standard of the Royal British Legion (Women's Section) Milford-on-Sea Branch, up to All Saints' Church for the Laying-up of the old Standard and Dedication of the new one.  Music was provided by the smartly turned out Christchurch Scouts and Guide Band.

The service was conducted by the Vicar, Reverend Dominic Furness and the sermon was preached by the Padre of Milford-on-Sea Women's Section, Gillian Peard. The Exhortation proclaimed by Mrs. Sara Jones, OBE, JP, whose husband, Colonel Herbert Jones of the Parachute Regiment, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross in 1982 during the Falklands War.  This outstanding award was instituted for 'valour in the face of the enemy'.  Gillian Peard's sermon included a consideration of the Victoria Cross which she indicated was a total reflection of the motto of The Royal British Legion: 'Service not Self'.

MILFORD SOAKAWAY?

The Atlantic chart this morning offers a little hope in place of the gloom and doom forecast by the Met Office.  It does look as though things may improve as the day goes by to give us a little slot of calm weather before the next lot of western promise materialises to mess up Wimbledon in the coming week.  Although the Met people are talking of a calm and settled spell next week, unless the stuff in the Atlantic moves smartly north, it doesn't look very likely.  Ah well, as they say every year, "Flaming June!' but in a tone of anger rather than a calm descriptive one. . . brolly and jacket weather, maybe a sweater as well but definitely cotton frocks and T-shirts go on hold. (June 15th)

MILFORD GARDENERS' CLUB
 
How fast the years go by in Milford!  After the first very successful decade which has seen the club, founded by Jan England, go from strength to strength.  It  has now acquired the successful ethos of a very long-established group and much of what it does is firmly ensconced in the social calendar of Milford.  There are several annual events, through which Milford Gardeners' Club raises  money for charity including of course the Annual Plant Fair which took place on Saturday 17th May and appears to have been successful again in spite of the rather dreary weather. 
 
To find out more about this exciting club, ring Sheila Collyer on 01590 641581.
 

SUPER-SENSITIVE TILLS AT WAITROSE

A recent correspondent to the A & T (known locally as the Lymington Times) pointed out that it is well worth checking your bill carefully when shopping at Waitrose in Lymington.  He said that one two or three occasion he has discovered that items are being charged twice.  He also said that when this problem was pointed out to the Store Manager refunds were also made - swiftly and with apologies, which of course they should be.  But if the shopper doesn't notice the error, he is the loser.  The explanation was that their new tills are too sensitive.

There's an old but true saying with legal connotations - Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware.  So be careful and check ths bills - you don't need to add them up - just look out for double entries.  But it is sad to have to criticize a favourite store. . .

MILFORD'S CARNIVAL QUEEN CHOSEN

The die is cast, the choice is made:  15-year-old Hannah Carvall attended by one of her best friends will ride the Royal Float through Milford on Carnival Day, 23rd August.  We send them both our congratulations.  Emma's beautiful smile convinced the judges that she would be a delightful companion to our new Queen.  A bit more down to earth is the news that both are students at Priestlands, and both are aiming for Brockenhurst College in September, which presumably means a series of weeks of waiting for results for the girls.  We wish them good luck!

Both are very keen on horse riding and enjoy the company of their brothers and sisters.  Hannah is hoping to become an animal behaviourist and Emma would love to be a midwife.  We wish both girls well as they work towards their future careers but at the moment we just wish them a lovely summer and time of being Carnival royalty - and raise a toast to them as they take another big step towards adulthood.

This year's sponsorships, which pay for appropriate dresses for the successful young ladies, are from Holland's of Milford, our splendid local grocers, and Hudson Heating of Everton

IN SEARCH OF BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADIES

The search for this year's Carnival Queen and her Attendant reaches its climax on Saturday next, 21st June.

The great Milford Carnival takes place on Saturday 23rd August (for details call 643149) and as usual we will probably be spoilt for choice:  Milford has many beautiful young ladies who grace and charm combined with a beautiful smile and they should be ready to attend the Milford Club for interview at 67 High Street next Saturday during a disco evening.  The starting time is 8.30 pm.

Girls, remember: to qualify you need to be over the age of 14 and either live or work or both in the Village or Parish of Milford and Everton.  Remember also that the most beautiful face can be ruined by the expression it carries and the plainest face can be lit up with a smile to a thing of beauty!

Current reigning Queen, Katy Gates will be only too pleased to help and inform any aspiring young ladies to achieve their goal.

Good luck to all the entrants!

WOOF-WOOF ALL THE WAY TO GLORY

Presented by the Milford on Sea Village Community Centre this year's Annual Dog Show on the Green was a tremendous success and raised another £800 towards the proposed Community Centre.  The weather was just perfect for the show - OK, not a broiling hot summer's day but the dogs were immensely grateful.  Some like it hot but as the doggy stars are forced to wear their fur coats to these events they loved it. 

A great deal of fun was had by everyone and prize winners may well find their names appearing at some stage in the A & T, usually known as The Lymington Times in our neck of the woods.

The event was sponsored by Oscar Petfoods (www.oscars.co.uk), donations were received from Hollands, Polly's Pantry, the Co-op and Artic Spars for their donations.  Nigel Crowley, John James, Gordon Mabbett and Julie Millbery who generously gave their time without sending in any bills!

NEW GRAVEL EXTRACTION PLANS

While some areas of Hampshire may shortly be able to breathe a sign of relief as current gravel extractions plans have been altered other may not be so lucky.

SEERA - the name a talking relief for people involved with yet another body supervising the environment - has decided it is likely to need rather less gravel for its current plans.  The name stands for South East England Regional Assembly whose job is to set mineral extraction targets.

Unfortunately, the reduction is not enough to affect plans for the prime sites, in which  both Ashley and Downton Manor Farms are included.  HERITAGE (Hordle and Everton Residents in Tandem Against Gravel Extraction) have said that they will continue to press for the removal of extraction plans in their sensitive tourist areas.  However, they are pleased to note some change in attitude by SEERA.

At this point we might wonder how all these acronyms will be translated by scholars in the dim distant future.  What would we have been able to understand of much history if we had been faced with mysterious words like SAWC, standing for Saxons against William the Conqueror?  There is one which makes people smile and which was never accepted.  Trade Unions have always been fans of acronyms but the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunication and Plumbing Union refused to accept EETPU.  In 1992 this Union - thankfully we may suppose - merged with the AEEU.  This acronym stands for the Amalgamated Engineering  & Electrical Union.

PLESS ROAD AND THE EAGLE-EYED CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

There is a road in Milford which is becoming a little gold mine for whoever is the lucky recipient of parking fines in this lovely area where we live.  Its name is Pless Road.  The Eagle-eyed Civil Enforcement Officer* who operates in the area is an extremely nifty individual.  Park you car for even a few moments, to pick up something, to check an ailing resident, say, one who has just returned home after a hip replacement operation and it could cost you £60.  Mind, if you're lucky you might find the person you are visiting is so grateful you were there to help - not, we hasten to add, the aforementioned hip replacement lady - that she offered to pay the fine immediately to benefit from the lower rate.  She wrote out the cheque.  A couple of days later, before the cheque was cleared,  she very suddenly died.  At a NADFAS meeting in Lymington. The person for whom she'd paid the fine was then charged the full amount, in spite of protestations that in good faith the fine had been paid within the prescribed time limit.

The reason put forward for this rigid adherence to the parking laws is because the road is too narrow for emergency vehicles. Go and see for yourself, but don't stop anywhere!  It could cost you!

We wonder whether there are targets on parking fines?   If so, are there prizes for the most assiduous Eagle-eyed Civil Enforcement Office?  Surely not. . .

* formerly known as a Parking Attendant

MILFORD'S LOVELY PRIMARY SCHOOL ATTACKED BY VANDALS

To the horror of local residents, Milford's C of E Primary School which has recently undergone a full refurbishment, has been attacked by vandals.

The news broke over a week ago but still many people in Milford do not yet know about this wanton behaviour.  Police have several lines to follow and current investigations, together with help from the public, lead to hopes that it will not be too long before the culprits - too mild a word - the criminals  will be caught.

Most disappointed of course, together with the staff, are the little children who had so much pleasure playing in the Wendy House which was also damaged.  For further details [ Click here ] and [ here ].

Our sympathy goes to all those who have been hurt by this wanton and selfish action. 

[ Click here ] to visit our school which is so well worth a visit.

CAVEAT EMPTOR? BUYER BEWARE?  NO! IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE!

How long will we have to sit watching the numbers spin faster and faster as we buy our petrol and swell the profits of the oil companies, who protest so loudly in the media that they only make a tiny amount of money.  Are we really buying so much more fuel that it is we who are pushing up their profits, while the petrol companies sit counting the growing piles of pennies they earn every minute?  Of course not!  Mr. Philip Hollsworth has come up with a simple idea which might well give us, the buyers, the tools to win the war!

[ Click here ] and admire Mr. Hollsworth's brilliant scheme.

HORSE AND PONY ALERT

A trio of men have been sighted photographing horses in the New Forest area.  They have been targeting fields and shows, This has given rise to some alarm and the Verderers are warning owners that they may be on the prowl seeking animals to fulfil thefts to order.

These men have been seen in a white van with an XAJ registration number and they have also been seen in a red Toyota Land Cruiser. Police are anxious to trace their movements and would appreciate reports of sightings from the public.  They stress that these men should not be approached but ask that the public call the Police on 0845 045 4545 in the event of any suspicious behaviour around horses or ponies at shows or in  fields.

MILFORD-ON-SEA OPEN GARDENS DAY JUNE 8th

Milford Gardeners' Club organised this year's Open Gardens Day for Sunday, 8th June.  It ran from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm and included Milford's C of E Primary School's 'Peas and Carrots Club' where the children have been gardening through the year.  There were 13 local gardens open for viewing.  Entertainment was available to the browse and included Teas, 'Music was featured from the 60's and 70's in addition Brouha Folk Singers featured.  Paul Chilton of Everton Nurseries was around to answer questions and there was an opportunity to indulge in Britain's favourite pastime: shopping:  plants were available to buy!

Proceeds ware going to three Charities: Milford Community Centre, Honeypot, Spana.

Period to end of May 2008

THE WIDER WORLD

A Chinese couple posing for their wedding photographs in the mountains above Pengzhou were left covered with dust and stranded overnight on the mountains as landslides affected their route home.  To see an amazing series of photographs [ Click here ].  It is always wonderful to get good news amidst a tragedy.The Red Cross is handling funds for China [ Click here ]

At the same time seriously distressed, bereaved, injured and starving survivors in Myanmar wait for help.  [ Click here ] to reach the Disaster Emergency Fund which is handling donations for Myanmar from the UK, and this evening's news that aid workers from everywhere are now being allowed into the country is wonderful news if it proves to be true though for many this is far too late.  AP Photo To see more pictures from Myanmar click on the picture.
 

MILFORD CARNIVAL IN THE CLEAR - WE HOPE!

While Lymington's Carnival plans are in complete disarray it should be OK for Milford.

We can resume what we were saying earlier because Milford, having been about to be ravaged by a storm, seems to have been reprieved and we can switch on our computer and continue with the publishing of www.milfordonsea.com.

Stricter rules about road closures for fun things like festivals and carnivals have been introduced by the NFDC and insurance regulations are getting so tight that poor old Joe Public is being denied the fun which has been available to citizens of this country for centuries and which is now being curtailed.  In fact, it seems that one of the 'happenings' which has aggravated this whole business is that a - well, we won't call him/her a gentleman/lady - a litigious individual was hit by a water bomb in the face and claimed damages.  That resulted in the termination of the Totton Carnival which died in 2004. 

It does seem that Milford's Carnival will be able to go ahead - but read all about it in detail - [Click here],

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST FADES AWAY

It is now pretty obvious that the 'Song' bit of the contest has disappeared and the programme has become nothing more than a colourful and noisy background to the Old Pals' Voting Syndrome and no longer has anything at all to do with deciding which is the best song.  The singers and their songs have become merely puppets and background music playing against a medley of lighting effects and thunderous, throbbing rhythms.

Just how many of the last few years' songs come to mind if you try to find them in your head?

Well, like 'Jeux Sans Frontieres', - great fun in its time - each competitive European effort to play together ends up as a nationalist fracas.  Pity! Still, a lot of it was fun while it lasted and Terry Wogan's witty and slighly malicious comments gave it an edge and a few years of extra life, but tonight he sounded completely p***** off.  All his wicked and amusing get up and go just went.  Thank you, Terry, for all you did to keep the thing alive, but tonight the Eurovision Song Contest died.

THE TRUE ENGLISH BANK HOLIDAY

Half-way through Saturday the wind came.  It has become increasingly windy since then and it was decided earlier today that the wonderful Milford Duck Race run by the ladies of the Royal British Legion (Women's Section) due to be held tomorrow should be cancelled and will be held at a later date.  Which reminds us - isn't this a bit of déjà vu ?  Didn't this happen last year?

However, better weather is forecast as Sunday goes on,  The earlier the better is all we can say!

MILFORD RESIDENT FALLS - AND LIVES TO TELL THE TALE

To read about Les Spicer and his 722' fall [ Click here ]

ALL CHANGE IN MILFORD

One of Milford's long standing wonders retires on Monday as Chris Monk hands over his wonderful fish shop to Jonathan (formerly of Piccolo Mondo) prior to Jonathan's opening of a fish restaurant at the rear of the shop.  It is believed that Chris will keep a friendly eye over proceedings for the first six months.  Jonathan is busy with preparations to turn the late 'Maison' into a crêperie south of The Green and can be seen rushing here and there in the village in the process of producing two eateries in one year - though it's very difficult to physically pin him down and find out more of the current plans because he moves so fast!

The Britannia Thai Restaurant is now open - very elegant decor.  There will be a report on this restaurant in the near future. In spite of the lack of handrail, people seem to be able to manage the steps - even are well prepared to manage them in order to get to the food, which is delicious!  We have started sampling and immediately can recommend the Green Chicken Curry and the Chicken Satay - as time goes by and our staff try other dishes we will report on them too. 

 

 

 

 


One date to put in you diary now - 12th July!
And mark off the 10th and 11th too -

For further details just [ Click here ]. . .
To get involved [ Click here ] to email

ENTERTAINING TODAY?

Serve omelettes to lots of guests simultaneously:  This ingenious recipe reached us a
couple of days ago and we'd like to share it with you! Very useful for camping or student life. . .


Omelette garnished with smoked salmon and served with a Caesar Salad

 

Ziploc Omelette

 

Write the name of your omelette on a Ziploc freezer bag with a marker pen.

Then crack two eggs into the bag.

Add what you want inside: cheese, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, salsa etc.

Close the bag.

 

Shake it gently to mix it, prodding the mixture even more gently with your fingers.
(If you prefer you could beat the eggs a little before putting them in the bag.)

 

Let the excess air out of the bag and reseal.

Place bag into rolling, boiling water, for 13 minutes, use this countdown timer.

You can cook up to 6 – 8 bags in a large saucepan.

Open bag and the omelette will roll out easily.

Season then garnish and be prepared for everyone to be amazed!
 

Period to end of April 2008

COMMUNITY CENTRE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

This was celebrated in style to the musical accompaniment of Milford's own swinging band, Windmill.

The achievements of the VCCC (Village Community Centre Committee) have been little short of miraculous in their first year.  It is becoming increasingly obvious that the initial supposed need for such a meeting place in the village was absolutely correct.  The range of clubs, functions, entertainments offers something to almost everyone in the village, and we shouldn't forget the young people either. 

INVASION OF THE BANDS

There's no doubt about the emergence of Milford as a local entertainment centre.  23 Bands are booked to appear at Shorefield next weekend for a festival to celebrate the popular local fiddler Rob (known as Cob)  Cook, who died of a heart attack two years ago after swimming at Barton.  He was a member of The Cropdusters, a group which has really flourished since their first explosive appearance on the local scene in 1986.  Other bands include Pronghorn and Lady Winwood's Maggot.

Tickets at £15 each are available at The Thomas Trip and Forest Records in Lymington and Simply Guitars in New Milton.  Doors open at Shorefield 5.00 pm on Friday and mid-day on Saturday.

Money raised will again be presented to the Wessex Heartbeat charity.

WATCH OUT FOR  THE ARRIVAL OF 'CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS'

These imposingly titled guardians of civil order are about to appear on our streets.  Formerly they had another name: they used to be known as 'parking attendants'.

The change of name has obviously been chosen to cow those whose manners towards the previously-known-as 'parking attendants' have left a lot to be desired.  It does seem, however, to be in line with the tendency to generally impose power from the centre on citizens - aka voters - by a government who responds to every misdemeanour by taking control over everyone. 

Thinks: does the appointment of 'Civil Enforcement Officers' suggest a militant tendency?

CALLING ALL ARTISTS
 
For the second year the Lichfield Artists' Centre (formerly the Lichfield Gallery) in Lymington is organising an exhibition and sale by Silent Auction of Paintings to raise money in aid of the Naomi House Children's Hospice and for Jack's Place, the new hospice for teenagers.   There are 100 canvasses for oil paintings and watercolour or pastel paper for those who prefer working in those mediums.  Go to the Lichfield Artists' Centre for more information.
 
The art sale will take place in the Robert Hole room at the Lymington community centre on 8th April.  Last year the event raised £1,633 which was sent to a small school in Ghana.  Robert Merrick, the gallery owner and .organiser, explained that the artists received nothing for their work and last year many of those involved said that 'they enjoyed being asked to use their talent to help others' and considered it much more satisfying than to just dig into a pocket or purse to produced a little cash.
 
While the Exhibition takes place, there will be art demonstrations by some of the well-known artists who tutor in the area. The entire sum of money raised will go to the named charities, and the costs are 'being covered privately' said Mr. Merrick.
 

MILFORD SET TO BECOME THE EATING CAPITAL VILLAGE OF ENGLAND?

Applications for turning every empty shop in this village into some kind of mouth-stuffing establishment are pouring into the local planners like the blizzards we never had during the so-called winter.  Since the arrival of our excellent Zaika, which took the place of a previously long-standing eating place, we now see a Thai restaurant on the threshold of opening.  Fine, that is not a change of use.  However, plans are being put in motion for an additional eaterie in the centre of the village - almost bang next door to the already well-established Piccolo Mondo - in the space left by the sudden departure of Maison, where Jonathan and Stacey, late of Piccolo Mondo, hope to return to rest before launching into the purchase of our beloved Monks, to which they propose adding a fish restaurant, eminently suitable for a seaside village. 

There are also well-developed plans, it seems, for an Internet Cafe to be set up in the place of the magnificent and much-regretted hardware store which disappeared with the death of its former long-time owners.  In addition to all these proposed developments, we already have two large hotels with restaurants, four pubs in the immediate village, several clubs including the new Community Centre and we have a fish and chip shop, a coffee shop, a take-away sandwich and bread shop, a  tea and cake shop which also does light lunches, both Braxton and Everton garden centres offer food, and there is yet another excellent pub at Everton.  We have one very well patronised cafe on the sea front, and another restaurant in embryo at the Hurst end of the road which one of these days will get itself organised. 

Does this suggest an enormous lack of originality?  Will they all survive?  Obviously the visitors won't die of starvation but they are only here in the summer and bank holidays to enjoy all these eating opportunities.  Are our locals going to be able to support so many food outlets?

Of course, at the back end of all this activity is the apparent easy granting of planning permission. There must be people who consider the opening of yet more feeding stations in one medium-sized village worthwhile. Oh, a sudden thought:  Milford's population is bound to expand because of all the new housing which is appearing these days - maybe that's why the planners are granting all these planning applications.  Perhaps they know more than we do,, our hard-working councillors!  Mmmmmm.....

In the meantime, bon appetit!

THE TRAINLINE - BE WARNED

It is, of course, fun to plan trips by train, find the cheapest fares at the time you want to travel, and thetrainline website is moderately user-friendly but, and there is a very big BUT. . .

The smallest mistake can be costly - it doesn't have to be a big one and although you might have insured against a cancellation, that doesn't cover you unless you have spent a hug amount, say buying First Class return tickets to John o' Groats from Penzance.  Take a return ticket from Brockenhurst to Birmingham, with an excellent cheapo one way, and an ordinary single for the return journey, add your insurance, an extra £2.50 to use your credit card and your total comes up to £38.45.  If you are as absentminded as one of our staff - who is  happy to hold up hands and admit to buying the tickets for June instead of July - you will be refunded £17.05.  Why the difference?  None of the cost of the cheapo ticket of £7.90 which is non-refundable, plus £2.50 for payment by Credit Card plus the additional cost of insurance, which might be recoverable at a later date when the cover note has been received, plus a delivery charge of £1 plus the administrative charge of £10 for cancelling the ticket and making a refund. 

So, there's a valuable lesson learnt when dealing with thetrainline:  use their website for all the information you need, then go and buy the ticket/tickets at your local railway station.  You'll have more time to think and avoid making errors.

Travel by Coach?  Bournemouth to Birmingham Coach centre - 6 hr 55 min. The journey according to the AA is approximately 160 miles but the coaches go through London.  Why was the A34 built, I wonder?

BATTLE OF THE PLASTIC BAGS

Local residents seem to be making an enthusiastic start to current moves to get rid of the thin, free and flimsy plastic bags which have been littering so much of our countryside and beach areas, often making life difficult or impossible for animals which cone into contact with them. 

They originally came in as a counter-measure to shoplifting as goods were packed at the tills and filled under the eyes of cashiers or even by the cashiers themselves.  People became quite happy to pick up more than enough bags for their shopping.  The problem was what to do with them afterwards.  They became containers for unwanted items and once food remains and other unsavoury items filled a bag, the top was tied and the contents out of sight and mind.  While many people carry on doing this, often fighting down a twinge of conscience, other are finding a use for the heavier bags, purchased over the last few years at 10p in the 'bag-for-life'.  Well-organised shoppers can see pulling these carriers out of handbags, undoing the elastic bands which keep them neat and tidy and packing their shopping away.  Poor ones, like our staff, get to the till and find no neatly folded plastic carrier bags in the right place: they seem to have been forgotten either at home or stored in other plastic bags in the boot.

It is becoming noticed that some shoppers are now walking out of the supermarket, bold as brass,  trolley loaded with unwrapped goods.  If you think of doing this, you must keep your receipt in your hand to be able to prove you have indeed bought the goods you are 'trolleying' out of the store towards your car!  Better still, keep the neatly folded bags either in a pocket or handbag or in the front of your car.  The latter will give you a good chance to remember to take them with you.

Or don't use plastic at all - buy or make a canvas bag or even go back to the good old shopping basket!

BUS COMPANY CARES FOR ITS ELDERLY CUSTOMERS

. . . Or does it? The bus company in question, which  operates out of the Lymington Bus Station in the middle of the High Street - could it be the Wilts & Dorset Bus Company? - doesn't seem to have much inclination to do this.  The buses are an hour apart, and on Tuesday last week, a rather bleak and cold day, an 86-year-old resident of Milford had occasion to go to Lymington for attention to her hearing aid which had broken.  She arrived at the depot just as the bus to Milford and all points west was about to leave. The elderly lady waved frantically, making it quite obvious she wanted to get on the bus.  The bus driver paid absolutely no attention to her, refused to stop and left behind it a very cold would-be passenger who needed to get home.  When she complained at the office she was informed that once the bus had left its dock, it couldn't stop for anyone.  Perhaps 'wouldn't' might have been a more accurate choice of word. 

This gentle elderly lady then tried to get a taxi, which took almost an hour to arrive, by which time she was icy cold.  Does the bus company want to give a service to the public or do they want merely to go through the motions of being a proper bus company?

MP BERATES HIS IMPOTENCE TO ACT

At a Fair Trade Breakfast held recently at All Saints' Church Hall, Mr. Desmond Swayne, MP, announced he was getting a more-than-fair income from his work in parliament, said he was ashamed to be taking the money when he felt the restrictions placed upon him by the fact that this country is to much under the control of the EU.  We were being dictated to by countries whose trading heritage did not include considering the idea of fairness in dealing with poor countries.  He felt that Britain should be 'driving forward the negotiations at present taking place 'at the very heart of the world trade negotiations which were reaching 'a critical stage in the run up to Easter'.

All this, said Mr. Swayne, made him wonder why he had been invited to the Fair Trade breakfast:  was it, he suggested, because his being present might add a certain 'glamour to the occasion?'  His angry reaction to the whole situation could only be solved 'when the British people are angry enough' to be seized with a will to do something about it.

Certainly encouraging Fair Trade goes some way towards improving the situation a small degree, but refusing to buy products from people in the so called Third World will, as Enoch Powell said, '. . . starve the poor by refusing to buy their food from them.' which is the only product they have to trade in any quantity on the market.

FURTHER NEWS FROM SOUTH WEST TRAINS

We have been informed by TheTrainline.com in an email that the ASLEF Industrial strike has been suspended
 
The train drivers' union ASLEF has suspended the proposed four days of strike action across our network from Monday 31st  March to Thursday 3rd April inclusive. 
Following productive talks on Wednesday 26 March, we have now received confirmation from ASLEF that the strike action planned for next week has been suspended.
 
ASLEF suspended the strikes to allow its executive committee to consider three options put forward from us.
 
The options being considered by ASLEF offer one, two or three year deals, which we believe meet the union's aspirations about reducing the length of driving shifts, whilst not increasing the cost to South West Trains beyond the original 4.5% pay offer for 2007.
 
Our (South West Trains’) Managing Director Stewart Palmer said: "I am very pleased ASLEF has suspended the strike action which was planned for next week as this would have caused disruption for thousands of passengers."
 
"Passengers can expect a normal service next week and I am delighted they will not be inconvenienced."
 
South West Trains will now run a normal service next week.



SAD NEWS FOR MILFORD

It seems to  have been all action in the village yesterday as 'Maison', who have been on of our most constant supporters since arriving in their shop on The Green, packed up and left.  We very much hope that they will be retaining their shop in Ringwood.  We shall be in touch with them in the next few days and let you know whether you will still be able to support them when you are looking for that special little something for a loved relative or friend. 

We thank them for the pleasure they gave us with 'Maison' and wish them good luck as they fight to survive today's increasingly painful financial bite.

SOUTH WEST TRAINS TO STRIKE

We have received an email from The Train Line which we are printing to keep our visitors 'in the picture',  stranded on the platform, stuck in a traffic jam or sleeping on in the morning - whatever . . .

ASLEF Industrial strike action


ASLEF drivers' union has announced that its South West Trains' driver members are planning to strike on four dates - March 31, April 1, 2 and 3.

ASLEF announced the strike dates on Tuesday 18 March - which will run from 00:01 on 31 March to 23:59 on 3 April - over a pay dispute.

The union is claiming that negotiations are still taking place, however we question in that case why a ballot for strike action was held and a notification of industrial action letter sent.

Despite the action South West Trains will run at least 300 train services each day and will have buses from sister company Stagecoach Bus at its disposal from depots throughout the UK.

Details of the strike day services will be available soon so please continue to check our website.

We have offered a pay increase of 4.5% to its members, which would give a driver working in the London area a basic salary before overtime of £40,447 for a 37-hour, 4.4-day week.

All other trades unions offered the deal have accepted it or recommended it to their non-driver members in a ballot.

                   

WITNESS ON THE GREEN 2008

After dire weather warnings, the sun looked kindly on the residents of Milford as they gathered to witness to their Faith on the Green. It was a bit sad he brought his mate the North Wind to keep him company!  Compare the clothes from this year and last year!  Though the sun shone even more brightly this year the temperature was way, way down.  Brrrr!  To have a look at the two pictures [ Click here ]. Amazingly there seemed to be even more people present than last year, but as the pictures were taken from different angles it is difficult to do an estimate from the pictures shown here.

Children from the local school acted and danced their way through a presentation of the days between Palm Sunday and Good Friday.  They included a performance by a young man, Finley Mills, who took the role of Jesus, which was very moving.  If you click on the pictures below you will get to the page with larger versions.

BRAVE LITTLE DAISIES!

Adorning the verge approaching The Orchard . . . well, today is the first day of Spring after all, and you don't need just the traditional indicator which is 'If you can cover 7 daisies with one shoed foot, it's Spring.'!  Spring is obviously here, and as always, fickle.  Best keep your woolly vests handy!

WITNESS ON THE GREEN AGAIN FOR TODAY, GOOD FRIDAY

The lovely picture above was taken last year.  Sadly, because of the very early Easter we have this year it won't look anything like this tomorrow.  The 'earliest Easter' has now been updated:  it seems the last time Easter fell so early was in 1913 according to the BBC this morning.  More checking will be done later today. and we will find out the actual dates for 1913 and 1856.

Regrettably the forecast is all gloom and doom and if you [ Click here ] you will be able to see that we are completely wrapped in cloud and that the direction of the wind is north.  Those attending will probably be  done up with wellies and brollies this year rather than the T-shirt and shirt sleeves in the picture above.  Still,  we could all put on our faux furs . . .

The Witness Service is an ecumenical one supported by all the local Churches and will take place at 12 Noon on Friday.  The brave will be seen to be present!

"Ahem, ahem . . ."growled Tiger.

 

MESSAGES FROM DEL
 
Del, of course, is not Derek Trotter, but PC3075 Derek Jones who has now taken over the beat report from Steve Jennings.  We think it's a case of 'Welcome back'. 
 
Some of the old faithfuls - the bad old faithfuls even - have turned up again.  Maybe they're the originals, maybe reincarnations, but they're back trading as tarmacadam people: "Can we do your patio?  Drive?" and under their breath mutter to themselves, "And you, madam?"  Don't get taken in!  Just say the usual 'Not today, thank you' and firmly close the door.
 
Nobody who turns up cold-calling should be given the light of day and certainly no money.  Del also advises that there are also 'Tree-cutters' on the loose, who may well have a go at your trees without knowing anything about caring for trees and who will finally end up by killing your much-loved trees. 
 
Some door-step traders have been known to turn up with large dogs.  Though there have been no reports about these in Milford, if one days, the same principle applies:  a nice smile, a firm 'Not today, thank you' and a closing of the door.  This sort of caller though should be reported to the police, but wait till they've gone and remember to give a good description.  It is selling with menaces which is a crime.
 
We have been reminded of another scam which is creeping in again.  If you get home and find a postcard telling you you have received a parcel, and to ring some phone number, usually starting 09. . .
 
The right number to ring is 0845 045 45 45 or you can email postmaster@hampshire.pnn.police.uk immediately.
 

COFFEE MORNING TODAY

Milford Hospital's Friends will be holding a fundraising Coffee Morning in All Saints' Church Hall on Saturday 14th March.
As we have managed to keep our hospital going, even if it tends to us in different directions to the way it started out, it would be good to see a lot of people at the Church Hall supporting this event.  Part of the reasons we are so proud of Milford War Memorial Hospital is that it is such a nice place to go and a great deal of that is due to the hard work put in by the Friends.      
 
[ Click here ] to catch up with what is going on and how to join the growing band of supporters who are the Friends of the Hospital.

COMING IN THICK AND FAST!

Many of our visitors over the Christmas period last year may remember the Pottery Exhibition we advertised for David Roberts.  Their charming residence in Vinegar Hill is now well-established as an individual B&B.  Lucy, David's wife, in now running that side of the business and is ready to welcome people to their home as we are to welcome them to local business sponsors who support this web site. [ Click here ] for further details.

SPRING STORM SPARED US

The great winds and deep depression of Monday, where barometers were at their lowest for years, left Milford largely unscathed as it passed by yesterday.  Combined as it was with excessively high tides we were lucky to escape flooding as well although neighbours as close as Christchurch saw serious flooding in its harbour area.  Away from Milford there were problems for motorists, both along the coast and to some extent inland where forest streams overflowed their bank and trees were blown over as their roots failed to hold in the soggy soil.  Rainfall was patchy. While some areas had thunder and lightening with heavy rain others, like Milford, escaped the worst of the precipitation.

Thank God!

PS Later reports indicate that several beach huts were severely damaged.  Sympathy to those who have at least temporarily lost their fun fine weather beach retreats.  Let's hope they can be repaired in time to enjoy any sun that might be coming our way as the year progresses.

MONDAY 10th MARCH 2008

08.48 Keyhaven upgraded to Flood Warning
Milford still on Flood Watch

12.04

Where can we go from here?

MILFORD MENACED BY MASSIVE STORM

Meteorologists are forecasting a huge storm as clouds wind themselves into a powerful cyclone in which is moving across the North Atlantic.  It is expected to hit the western reaches of the British Isles in two bites - the first overnight tonight reaching its worst early tomorrow morning.  This is expected to abate in late morning, followed by an even more ferocious attack after the 'eye' of the storm has passed over to reach winds of 80 mph and over.  It is recommended that lighter items of furniture in the garden, especially anything made of  a lighter material such as fibreglass, be removed if possible to a garage or shed.  Travel is best avoided during the period of very strong winds and the recommendation is to avoid driving if at all possible until the worst of the storm has passed, make sure to shut all doors and windows tight -  then pray! 

SPECIAL SHOWING OF AL GORE'S CLIMATE CHANGE FILM
 
Tickets went well for the showing of this dramatic 'Wake-up call' film which was extremely thought-provoking.  There are people today, even in Milford, who still shut their minds to the possibility not only of the fact that global warming exists, but that it is even here at all with us today, in spite of the huge contrasts in today's seasons compared with those of earlier years which many of us remember.  How many people, for example, even think of wearing a woolly vest?  In most cases that particular garment has been consigned to the moths for years!  And when we were children, wherever did we sit outside the pub for a drink in January and February?
 
There was a lot of Al Gore in his film - it has to be said, but if you had a fixation about something you sincerely believed might end in curtains for the human race in the next 50 years and subsequently spent your life globe-trotting to warn everyone, you would probably prefer to be the prophet rather than trust your message to an actor.
 
It certainly encourages everyone to think what they might do to improve things, even very small things like giving up the use of the free plastic bags that pollute the sea, the forests, the hedgerows - all of which cause distress to much of our wildlife, let alone the ruination of beauty dailypresented to our eyes!
 
Milford is about to turn itself into a 'No-Placcy-Bag' village, so give them up and get back to the old shopping basket idea or smart individually designed bag to tote the shopping home.  Don't pay for big name designs - design your own and flaunt it!
 
FIRE AT WESTOVER HOTEL LATEST
 
Quick reactions when the fire alarms went off at 5.30pm from both the Manager Mr. Oliver Richards and the fire services who had been summoned resulted in a chimney fire being extinguished very speedily together with any chance of fire spreading further to this lovely hotel in Milford.  Mr. Richards bravely volunteered to inspect the upper storeys to make sure no one was trapped before he too left the hotel to join other staff and guests outside.
 
The ladder was erected to allow firemen to inspect the roof to ensure there were no smouldering rafters and that the hotel was safe for everybody to return.  [ Click here ] for more information about the Westover Hotel.
 

SPECIAL SHOWING OF AL GORE'S CLIMATE CHANGE FILM

Today there is a film  showing at The Village Community Centre in Sea Road which everyone should see.  It is the film by Al Gore, 'Climate Change' which has caused a furore all round the world.  'An Inconvenient Truth' is showing on Thursday, 28th February at 5.00 pm and 7.00pm. There will be a charge of 50 pence to cover expenses.  Tickets can be pre-booked on 01590 643174.  This project is part-financed by the New Forest National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund and managed by New Forest Friends of the Earth.

Before moving on, we note that people can now have no doubt that National Park Status has descended on the New Forest.  With sections entitled the New Forest National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund it is easy to see the influence of the Government.  Why on earth didn't they think up something a bit snappier? Does an immensely long title just make the people who work within it appear more impressive to their friends or acquaintances?  If not, what else can be the point? Nobody will remember it - outside the National Park!

STOP PRESS

Fire engines massed outside Westover Hotel

Fire engines were called to the Westover Hotel this evening just after six o'clock.  Although there were no visible flames, an hour later one of the engines had its ladder up to one of the 2nd storey windows.

So far it is not thought to be very serious as there were no police cars or officers directing the passing traffic but we will report any further news as it comes in.

TEMPT THE TASTE BUDS SAYS ZAIKA

Another boost for Oakhaven Hospice funds is being made at the Zaika Indian Restaurant on Thursday, 21st February.  There are two sittings, 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm when a special Indian buffet evening has been arranged @ £14.95 per person.  For full details and a booking form contact the Events Team on 01590 613038 or visit one of the3 Oakhaven shops in Highcliffe, New Milton, Lymington or Hythe.

 
TAXI FARES SET TO RISE 6%
 
Higher fares will be coming into force in the next few months because the NFDC has allowed a rise in the fares - which usually only rise once in every couple of years or so - because of the vastly increased prices of petrol and diesel.  This increase applies only to Taxis, which carry a light on the top and can be hailed.  Private car hire is differently licensed and owners set their own prices.  These prices can be negotiated - or at least discussed - at the time of hiring.

MILFORD SCHOOL OPEN DAY

This was a tremendous success - cars were lined up ready for school opening as though it was a normal day - well, almost!  Promptly at 9.00 am although it was a Saturday, there were grown-ups ready to inspect Milford's school.  After all the  building and inconvenience of the past year and more, everyone was desperate to see what had happened to Milford School, operational since the middle of the 19th Century and cherished in the hearts of many of Milford's residents.

 
All that can be said is that if anyone missed the Open Day, it is a loss in the pleasures of their life.  It was a triumph, and somewhat surprising that the Headmaster and Staff appear to have normal sized heads!  They must be thrilled to bits with the whole thing and proud that they managed to survive what must have been a very difficult period while carrying on teaching.
 
Milford's C of E Primary school is quite wonderful and the children of Milford who go to the school should be immensely proud and thankful that they have the opportunity to be pupils at this superb school.  It almost goes without saying that the school is vastly over-subscribed. . . [ Click ] to see the famous Milford-on-Sea tiled wall!
 
 
URGENT WARNING!
 
Milford-on-Sea Online thanks AOL for the information below and are happy to publish it in the interests of safety.
 

'Shoppers who bought one of Asda's £22.75 own brand microwaves are being told to return the ovens immediately because of fears they may catch fire.  Three customers have told the supermarket chain their Durabrand microwave overheated during use.

A spokesman for the supermarket chain said: "We are glad to say that no-one has been hurt. As we are concerned that this is a fire risk, we have taken the decision to recall this model."

The microwave has the model number XB2316 and the barcode 5050854397271

Anyone who bought one of the ovens is asked to disconnect it from the mains power supply and stop using it immediately.

They should take the microwave to their nearest Asda for a full refund. Neither the box nor the receipt is needed to gain a refund.

Meanwhile, B&Q has issued a recall notice for its Airforce 2000w convection heater because of fears that it, too, could overheat and catch fire.

The heater has the model number ND20-7AJ and the bar code 05164837

The affected models were sold between November last year and last month.

Anyone who bought one of the heaters is advised to stop using it and return it to a B&Q store for a full refund'

 

OPEN HOUSE AT MILFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL ON SATURDAY 9th FEBRUARY
 
Milford-on-Sea C of E Primary School opens its doors so we can all admire the new buildings and see what an excellent school our Milford picschildren have on their doorstep.  They are all delighted with their new classrooms and we hope to b e able to get some photos on the big day.
 
It would be really satisfying for the staff and the pupils to know their open day has been a great success, so let's do what we can to make them all happy!
 
 
ALWAYS MORE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE
 
To greet 2008, the Milford Community Centre - or the people behind it - have put in an enormous amount of work to make the whole thing the real Buzz for Milford. They have now developed a really good website which gives all the details about what is going on there so when you visit this web-site, make sure you Click the link picture above.
 
To get yourself in the picture about what is going on and for all details calendar-style - then choose Agenda from top right then
[ Click here ] to see lists and timing of all the fascinating choices you can make   If you've made any interesting Resolutions to carry a better YOU through 2008 you might find there is something to help you achieve your ambitions now lined up for your life at the Community Centre.
 
Why not give yourself a treat if you live alone and take yourself off to the New Sunday Lunch Club?  A two-course meal will cost a Simple Fiver (yes, £5.00! ) at the Milford Community Centre which is of course in Sea Road.  To book your place at the table call Marguerite on 644212 or Sue on 643404.
 
Keep your eyes open to see what else the Community Centre is going to offer us!  Not just here, but all round the village. . .and keep checking its [ Web Site ]

Period to end of January 2008

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY - AND MORE!
 
The Service for Christian Unity was very well-attended on Sunday and there were a goodly number of representatives from all the Milford churches, many of whom, thanks to the joint celebrations and services to the village community, now know each other well. Certainly no one seemed to be in any rush to leave at the end of the Service as we enjoyed the refreshments at the back of All Saints' Church.
 
The next occasion for us all to meet will be the Women's World Day of Prayer, which is not, as many men suppose, a service for
women.  It is designed by women for everyone, and we look forward to seeing a mixed congregation of the sexes as well as the churches!  This service is being hosted by St. Francis this year and takes place on the first Friday in March at 2.30 pm. 
 
On Wednesday of this week, 30th January, there is an event, again put together by the Milford Churches to publicise Women's World Day of Prayer and all are invited. to this service.  This year the women of Guyana have put the afternoon together: and how much do any of us know about Guyana?  Not a lot if you're anything like me!  Well, you will know lots more after a trip to the slide show and tea this Wednesday and everyone is invited to All Saints' Church Hall for 2.00pm.. 
 
 
HELP REQUIRED URGENTLY
 
We received an email this morning which I am printing out below.  It seems a little thing to ask for a lady approaching her 90th Birthday, and we have been contacted to see whether we can help trace her dear friends.
 
Can you help? I am trying to contact the Wright family. My mother in law was friendly with Bill and Vera Wright  of Milford but has lost her address book. We know that both have died but the daughter lives nearby. I can tell you that Mr Wright was a wonderful modeller of model boats. His son is Captain Steven Wright and  his daughter very sadly lost her daughter Holly  quite a few years ago. My mother in law is coming up 90 and would love to regain contact with son and daughter. Sadly we don't know her married name.
 
I know this is a long shot but I do hope you can advise me how to contact them.
 
Gwyneth Williams 01978 351494(tel)

Please ring Gwyneth direct if you think you can  help - but do let us know of any success story!

 

BIRDWATCHERS' HIDE REVEALED

We have received a couple of most helpful letters giving the whereabouts of the missing hide.  Terry writes that it can be found by following Hurst Road eastwards until the road runs out at the old café site on the left.  Park in the car park there - if you came by car of course!  The hide cannot b e seen from the car park.  Walk towards the large shed building, the Hurst depot, and the hide can b e found behind that.  Paul adds that there are a set of double gates between the new marine café and the council depot.  The gap, he says is only about 6 feet wide with no signs.  Happy birdwatching!

 

 
OCEAN CARS EXPANDS MILFORD SERVICE
 
Jan, of Ocean Cars, has now expanded her taxi service in Milford and the surrounding area.   The taxi will be based in the village itself and potential customers will be able to flag it down as their own energies start flagging!  It can be booked on the new numbers - 01425 612211 or 07733 318619.
 
The great thing about the new service is that the vehicle chosen is 'wheelchair friendly' which means that people who have been restricted to the Milford area itself will be able get out and about much more easily to see old friends who live further away and get more variety in their shopping expeditions.

"IT WASN'T ME!" INSISTS MILFORD'S INTERNET VIP

James Horsley, a keen amateur photographer, got the shock of his life while walking along the spit at Hurst when he spotted quite a large Grey seal basking in an odd bit of sunshine.  At first James, a self-employed electrical engineer, thought it might be a dead dolphin but then, he said "I saw its whiskers and it blinked".   The fortunate thing was James always remembers to carry a camera and he was able to snap the animal before it was disturbed by the Hurst Ferry and ambled further down the beach but he managed to watch it for a full 20 minutes.  Although seals are spotted occasionally round here they are usually seen in large colonies on beaches in the north east of the country or in Scotland or Ireland..

Certainly, our local resident from Debrett's Peerage, Sir Sealy Bell, denied that it was he.  "Out on the Spit at this time of year?  Good grief!" he exclaimed, "I spend all this time of the year tucked up in bed with me electric blanket!  Too old for anything else nowadays, more's
the pity
. . ."

 

Here is where we start the year 2008 AD

 

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