News has reached us that a resident of Milford on Sea is stuck in South Africa and he is at present unable to return to the UK, after visiting his homeland to renew his visa.
Lionel Illgner has lived in Milford on Sea for a number of years and is a familiar and popular face in the community. Since arriving, he opened 'Milford Hardware' in Keyhaven Road 3 years ago, and recently started a new venture 'Lionel's Home Maintenance'.
Lionel also has a partner in the village, Ali. We have heard that he has been refused a visa on the grounds that it was not believed his relationship was truthful. I understand his friends would vehemently argue this not to be the case.
We have also heard that he has also been told that if he returns, he can't work for six months, which of course puts both his business, and a valuable shop for the village, under severe risk.
It seems pretty unfair when an honest hardworking bloke, who has invested time, money and a lot of effort in building a life here, can then have it all put under threat or just taken away by bureaucracy. The emotional and financial stress must be immense.
Roz Waters of the Lymington Times broke and covered the story last Friday, and it is nice to see that his case is receiving publicity.
There is hope that resubmitted evidence may provide a solution, and we certainly hope that common sense prevails and that we soon see Lionel back behind his counter in the village.
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