Clubs, Classes & Sports

What's On

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Find a Lonely Bouquet

The Lonely Bouquet has now become an annual event when members of Flower Arranging Clubs, including our own Milford Floral Art Club.

For the event, members of the clubs make up small bouquets of flowers and leave them in random places around their area for members of the public to pick up and enjoy. A label is attached with a request that the recipient contacts a named member of the Club to let them know where the flowers end up.

So, if you find a ‘Lonely Bouquet’ on 5th May 201, please take it with you and enjoy it!

For more information, or to contact the Milford Floral Art Club, please go to www.nafas.org.uk


On the 11th May a 'Flower Power' Presentation will be made by National Demonstrator Pat Dibben and hosted by Milford Floral Art Club. Everyone is welcome, please visit www.milfordonseacalendar.org for full details. 

Calling Village Clubs and Associations

The Village Exhibition & Newcomers Supper takes place in a few days time and there is still room for a few more Village Clubs and Associations - If you would like to take part in the special annual village event, please contact: Ruth Bufton on: ruth.bufton@btinternet.com or 01590 641875.

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At the beginning of each year two excellent events take place where you can discover more about the village in which you live.

Firstly is the free Milford on Sea Village Exhibition which is Open to All, and takes place from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 25th March 2017 in All Saints Church in Milford on Sea. .

This is a great opportunity to come and meet representatives from Clubs, Societies and Services across the village. 

Exhibitors Information
  • Set up in the morning or before 2pm.
  • Application for space before 1st March 2017. 
  • Stand position is on a first come first choice basis. 
  • Exhibitors to provide a card table sized table for their stand. 
  • Supper it is £3.50 a head.
Milford Businesses

Although the exhibition does not have the space for businesses to have a stall, Ruth is keen for everyone to have an opportunity to promote themselves. After all, we love our shops and local traders!

To get involved, simply provide Ruth with an A5 handout, A6 slips of information and supply about 70 business cards - before 1st March. These will then be to put in the goody bags that will be given to each Newcomer on the evening.

To exhibit or advertise your business please contact Ruth on: 01590 641875 or ruth.bufton@btinternet.com15 Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY


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The ‘Newcomers Supper’ is held to welcome all newcomers to the village in All Saints Church Hall in Milford on Sea.

Anyone that was new to the village in 2016 is able to apply for an invitation, - and the event is entirely free.

This informal evening is great to meet other new people to the village & a selection of village people. (That's residents, not the old pop group!)

The Milford on Sea Newcomers Supper evening consists of two parts: 

Newcomers arrive at 6pm to visit the exhibition and wander around informally meeting representatives from the many clubs, associations & organisations in the village. They can tell you anything you want to know, and if you fancy getting involved you can.

At 7.15pm the exhibition is followed by a free sit down supper with the chance to meet new people & have a bit of fun.

Come & enjoy a free drink & supper meal, together with entertainment, lots of fun and laughter, and which ends with the Milford song!

Most years the event has over a hundred people attending, and it is a great way to meet new people, and to get a warm welcome to your new home. The village is full of friendly people and the ‘Newcomers Supper’ is a fast-track way of getting to know all about our village life.

The ‘Newcomers Supper’ is funded & hosted by all of the churches in the village & tirelessly organised by Ruth Bufton.

The event is by invitation only, so if you are new to the village this year and would like to come along (Adults only), all you need to do is to contact: Ruth Bufton on: ruth.bufton@btinternet.com or 01590 641875.

Friday 10 March 2017

Roccbox the Ultimate Outdoor Oven with Milford DNA

Tom Gozney is both a Milford on Sea resident, entrepreneur, and founder of a successful oven business.

Tom founded The Stone Bake Oven Company in 2009. Since then, his company has received praise from national publications including The Telegraph, The Guardian as well as popular lifestyle magazines and can now be found in homes and restaurants across the world.

Unlike other wood fired oven distributors, The Stone Bake Oven Company pride themselves in being both the manufacturer and distributor of all their products, giving customers the confidence they need in dealing with a member of the Stone Bake team directly.

Still in his thirties, Tom is CEO of a group of companies, and he has now invented the Roccbox, which he believes could revolutionise outdoor cooking. The Roccbox is billed as the world’s first portable and lightweight stone bake oven. It can cook more or less anything, with a pizza ready in under 90 seconds.

Roccbox took four years to develop, boosted by Virgin’s Pitch to Rich initiative and crowdfunding website Indiegogo.

Looks like Tom is on to another winner to me. Click here to check the Roccbox out.


The Stone Baked Oven Company
Tom Gozney

Parish Council Seafront Enhancement Consultation Event

The Parish Council are holding a Seafront Enhancement Consultation Event to get people’s views on options for enhancing the play facilities at the Sea Front.

The event will be held on Thursday 6th April in the Community Centre from 2pm until 7pm.

The Parish Council has been looking at a range of options to provide more interesting play facilities for children of all ages at the Seafront. The equipment will be paid for by Developers’ Contributions received by the Parish Council and which must be spent on enhancing open space facilities.

The areas concerned are firstly an area for young families to the east of the Needles Eye Café and the car park and secondly to the west of the Needles Eye Café of sufficient land to provide a worthwhile play area for slightly older children. This is in addition to the existing toddler play area. The Parish Council has decided not to include a skate/ scooter park or a zip wire.

Proposals setting out options for various types of equipment commonly used and valued in neighbouring towns and villages will be on display and the Parish Council invites the whole community to come along and give their views.

Please pop in to see the ideas and to express your views.

For more information, please click here.

Good News for May Fayre

For a while the traditional Milford on Sea May Fayre on the village green has been in jeopardy.

However, good news has emerged as some new volunteers have stepped forward to join the May Fayre committee, and this charming village event remains in the calendar for this 1st May.

The May Fayre will have May Pole Dancing, Side Shows, Local Stalls, Children's Climbing Wall, Bouncy Castle, BBQ, Food Tents on Village Green - and of course at 2pm the Crowning of the May Queen.

There are still a few spaces left for stalls and if anyone would be interested please contact Henrietta on henri.mayfayre@gmail.com. Stalls are allocated on a first come first served basis, and there are just a few spaces left.

The Lighthouse Museum in Hurst Castle

By the time you are reading this article, Hurst Castle will have opened for the 2017 summer season, along with the Lighthouse Museum and the Trinity House Exhibition Rooms, which are all at the far end of the West Wing.

click image to enlarge
During the winter season, the local team from the Association of Lighthouse Keepers have been focusing their work efforts on the Trinity House Rooms and tackling several major projects. Firstly, the impressive light vessel optic which, since it was installed some 11 years ago, has been stationary but, all being well, when you next visit will be rotating. The team had to do a lot of fund raising for this project to procure the special motor and gear box but all of your donations have made it very worthwhile.

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Next on the list is the large ventilator with a weathervane on top. In its service life on top of the metal low light built on the curtain wall, it had received very many coats of paint but, alas, some of it had become chipped and the weathervane damaged. The team have been working hard to remove all of the paint, repair the weathervane and then give the whole thing a fresh coat of paint to make it look smart and loved again. The weathervane will have a coat of gold coloured paint, not gold leaf as we cannot afford that.

The original optic from the Nab Tower has had its gears inspected and adjusted so that, now, when it is wound up in the morning, it will keep turning all day. It has also received a fresh coat of paint. 

With both of these artifacts now revolving we need to keep little fingers in particular, well clear so have remade a rope cordon around these items. Also, outside, we have sorted out the electrical problems with the Egypt Point optic so that, once again, you will see it flashing as you enter via the main gate.

There are lots of new things to see, so please do pay Hurst Castle a visit over the Easter period. Ferries go to the Castle from Keyhaven or you can walk along the spit from Milford-on-Sea.

If you would like to know more, and we hope that you do, then please contact the ALK Hurst Castle Project Manager, Keith Morton, at hurst@alk.org.uk, or on 01329-843883. 

Also, please take a look at the ALK website: www.alk.org.uk

NB: Hurst Castle fully opens for the Summer season from Saturday 1st April.
www.hurstcastle.co.uk


Car Wash for Community First Responders

The recently formed Community First Responders are gaining fantastic support from the community and at the end of the month the Milford Car Wash are donating £1 for every car washed from Monday 27th March, until Friday 31st March 2017.



The New Forest Yokels will follow this up with a fundraising gig at the White Horse on Saturday 1st April (7.30pm). Click here for more details.


About the Milford on Sea Community Responders

Milford on Sea now has a newly established Community First Responders group.

The Community First Responders support the South Central Ambulance Service and get deployed to appropriate emergency calls in the village. All are volunteers who donate their time and expertise for free. The group has been founded by Ross Woolgar, Terri Newton and Conrad Curtis.

The advantage of Community First Responders is that in many cases they can get there before the paramedics and commence life saving emergency treatment at the earliest opportunity, which significantly improves patients chances of survival.

The lifesaving kit they carry is rather expensive and because of this can't be funded by South Central Ambulance Service so, currently, the three medics are sharing one set of kit which has kindly been lent to them by the Ringwood Community First Responder team. The objective is of course, for each first responder to have their own kit.

The Milford on Sea teams first priority therefore, is to raise enough cash, somewhere between £5k to £10k initially, to fund their own kit to make sure they are able to help everyone in the village if ever needed.

If anyone is generous enough to make a donation, the sooner the money is raised, the sooner a full service will be available. Every little you could contribute would help - To donate please click here.

Monday 6 March 2017

Help for Milford Guides

The Milford Conservation Volunteers are working closely with the Milford-on-Sea Guiding Association in developing their rear garden which is used for camping, cooking and playing. 

The volunteers have already extended the grassed area and are preparing the ground to include secure fencing and a gate. There is also the possibility of including a 'wetland bird hide' which will overlook the marshy area of reeds at the bottom of their garden - good area for Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail.

The  project is already being supported by an Alan Rice County Councillor Grant and Tesco's have now approved their application for the 'Tesco in store bag's of help' scheme. The names of all the stores supporting the Milford Guides are as follows:

BLACKFIELD SOTON EXP SO45 1WE
DIBDEN PURLIEU EXP SO45 5GT
HYTHE SO45 5JA
LYMINGTON METRO SO41 9AP
NEW MILTON BH25 6BP
LYMINGTON SOU ST EXP SO41 8GN
BROCKENHURST EXP SO42 7RB
OLD MILTON RD EXP BH25 6DN
HIGHCLIFFE EXPRESS BH23 5HD
HYTHE LANGDOWN LW EXP SO45 5GS

If you find the need to visit a supermarket (Although shopping in the village is better for our local shopkeepers and overall community), please use one of these stores and make sure they give you a 'blue disk' to place in one of the 3 sections near the entrance/exit. 

If you are cheeky, you can ask for additional blue discs, they may or may not give you extras, but it is worth asking!

Newly formed Milford on Sea Recorded Music Society

Local residents Val and Andy Clark together with David Scourse, are reforming the old New Milton Recorded Society as it ceased in Dec 2016.

The new 'Milford on Sea Recorded Music Society' will now be based in the village.

Andy Clark and David Scourse, are holding an opening programme at 2.30pm on Friday 10th March at Milford on Sea Library.

Their excellent Hi-Fi equipment was passed on from the New Milton Society.

The afternoon talk/recital will have a short break for refreshments, but the main objective will be to share with others the intense pleasure of music, whether it be Opera, Symphony, Chamber or Jazz!

They have affiliated to the Federation of Recorded Music Societies, and will be pleased to welcome potential members.

For any further information, please contact Andy on 01590 643249 or David on 01590 645365


Milford's Bacon Champion

The annual Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition was held in Winchester on the 22nd February, and Dave Gates won yet another award for the Butchers Shop in Milford on Sea village. 

Organised by local not-for-profit food group Hampshire Fare, it attracted 201 entries from 38 butchers. The 13 categories included Hampshire Sausage, Hot Pie, Charcuterie and Speciality Pork Sausage.

The title of Supreme Champion 2017 went to LJ Smith Butchers. Other winners included Owtons for Lamb & Beef Sausage, The Butchers Shop (Milford) for Homecured Bacon and Tatchbury Manor Farm for Speciality Hot Eating Pie.

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager of Hampshire Fare, commented on the event, “Today’s event is all about recognising and celebrating the talented butchers we have across Hampshire. Shopping at your local butcher’s shop is an opportunity to learn and try new things as service often comes with knowledge and experience.”


*Article from Rise & Shine. If you have any news about your business you'd like them to publish, including trading updates and appointments, please contact their News Editor, Carolyn Moss, at news@breadandbutter.media.

Milford Arts and Music Festival coming in July

The Milford Arts and Music Festival organising committee are pleased to report that those who are standing down after this year's festival will be replaced by several community minded people who responded to their appeal for help before Christmas. Many thanks go to Richard Baker, Mick Spears, Amy Cullen, Angela Haynes, Ian Stephens and Colin Walker.

Some of the new volunteers are already working for this year's festival and the others will join the committee for next year.

Planning for this year is well advanced and all of the performers are already booked, and the committee are working on the other events which help to make the festival a fun event.

This year the festival will take place from July 24th to 30th with the village green in use from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th July 2017. 

Further announcements will be made on the web site www.milfordfestival.org.uk

One change being made for this year is to the number of stalls on the green. Last year the festival had so many people attending on the Saturday that it became almost impossible to move around the green causing safety concerns, so this year to give more space the number of stalls on Saturday will be reduced. Sunday will be unaffected as the crowds are smaller. 

If you would like to get involved as a volunteer during the festival week serving behind the bar, selling programmes, helping to manage the site etc. please contact: 

Anyone for Croquet?

Lymington Croquet Club is keenly anticipating its 2017 season as it will finally be using the levelled and improved lawn at Woodside provided by the Town Council as well as enjoying the facilities of the newly-enlarged Lymington Sports Association pavilion. 

The club are now recruiting new members who would like to learn the game as well as experienced players who want to return to it. Croquet is suitable for all ages and levels of skill, and the Club offers introductory coaching and equipment loan. 

Play will start by 1st May, so get in touch now to make the most of the season. Three free sessions will give you the chance to discover the fun of croquet. 

Contact: 01425 628213 or lymingtoncroquet@gmail.com 

Sunday 26 February 2017

New Style Menu coming at Zaika

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Changes are afoot at our popular village Indian Restaurant, Zaika.

Signs currently on the window say 'Opening soon, New style of Indian food with highly skilled Indian chef.'

You editor has no idea what the new menu might be, nor when it opens, so a pretty pointless article, other than to say that is sounds worth visiting when Zaika re-opens.


Zaika Indian Restaurant
69-71 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG

Vacancy at Village Charity Shop

The Community Centre Charity Shop in Church Hill is looking for a Part time Deputy Manager.

The role is for 14 hours per week with a salary £6420pa and bonus scheme.

If you would like to apply, please send your CV to:
Bob Bishop, C/O Community Centre, Sea Raod, SO41 0PH
bob.bishop211@btinternet.com

*Closing date for applications 13th March 2017.

Friday 24 February 2017

Would You Like to Meet Your Neighbours?

Annie Corder Mills and her husband, Tony Mills, moved to Milford on Sea three months ago and they are keen to meet others living in the area. They held their first social in January at The Smugglers Inn which was very successful. 

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They are now organising another Milford on Sea Social Get-Together at 2pm on Sunday 5th March at The Beach House, Park Lane, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PT.

This will be an informal gathering, meeting for drinks and open to anyone living in or near to Milford on Sea. If people enjoy it, Annie & Tony hope they can make it a regular monthly event. 

You can find Annie on Nextdoor, or contact her by email (tony@energetic-wisdom.co.uk) if you have any questions.

Otherwise, just go along to The Beach House and find them there.  If you are a bit shy, don't worry, Annie will help you feel relaxed and part of the group.  

You will find the group in the lounge area.  

Annie & Tony also like to support local businesses, so please feel free to bring your business cards / leaflets.

Sunday 19 February 2017

20th Anniversary for Gardeners' Club

Milford on Sea Gardeners' Club are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year and have a really exciting programme of events planned.

One of the clubs big time speakers, Derrie Watkins is visiting to talk to the members on Saturday the 18th March in All Saints' Church Hall. 

Derrie has a Specialist Nursery near Bristol, is a well respected gardener and nurserywomen and she will enlighten all on her move from America to this country to start her famous garden - her talk will be entitled a 'Derelict Hill Farm to Garden in a year or two or - twelve'.

Tickets will be available on the door, (Club members £1 - visitors £4 refreshments included.) Doors open at 2pm and talk starts 2.30pm for anyone who would like to go along.

Monday 13 February 2017

Can you make a Video Film?

Are you a dab hand with a video camera?

If so, would you be prepared to help The Community Centre, who would like to have a rolling video on the television screen in the foyer.

The idea is to have a video film which shows what the Centre volunteers do. The video could then also be used at village events such as the Newcomers' Supper.

Is this something you, or anyone you know would be happy to help with? 

If so. please contact Ann Houlihan at annhoulihan360@gmail.com


Friday 10 February 2017

No. 64 Biscuit House Opening Soon

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Anyone wandering down Milford on sea high street in recent months cannot fail to have noticed the impressive renovations taking place at what was formally Gwen's Ladies Fashions.

The refurbishment is now complete, and preparations are now underway to open No. 64 Biscuit House on Saturday 25th February.

Interior styling expert Clare Southcombe-Holmes and Glenn Harrison are excited for you to see some of the beautiful items Clare has selected from across Europe for her store.

The new website for No64 is now online for you to take a look: www.no64.co.uk.



No. 64 Biscuit House
64 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD


Tuesday 7 February 2017

Creeks and Saltmarsh – Guided Bird Watching Trip

Wildlife enthusiasts have been able to enjoy a unique glimpse of over 40 bird species currently residing in Keyhaven’s creeks and saltmarshes during a special trip organised by Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV).

Travelling on a Dory (ideal for shallow water operations), passengers were taken on a spectacular journey around areas not usually navigable by normal boats.
The range of species included Brent Goose, Curlew, Black tailed Godwit, Teal, Dunlin, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Knot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Shelduck, Cormorant, Eider, Little Egret, Greenshank, Redshank, Red- breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Lapwing, Great Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Mediterranean Gull, Peregrine and Raven.

The overriding sense on board was the sheer number of birds being seen – over 1,500 Brent Geese, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 2,000+ Dunlin and the associated winter bird calls. The moody atmosphere was enhanced by the rising sun and low level mist.

This type of trip is a perfect way to see our local wildlife at close quarters and observe some of the bird behaviours. With skipper Jason Crane from Hurst Castle Ferries visiting the more inaccessible creeks, the bird watchers were treated to a memorable journey, along with the opportunity to learn more about bird identification.

The idea now is to schedule additional trips with MCV and Hurst Castle Ferries. Anyone with an interest in local wildlife is most welcome to enjoy the ‘Creeks and Saltmarsh’ experience. The trips are scheduled to last for about 1.5 hours and the cost will be £12.50 per person. 

Full details are available from Keith Metcalf – just email him on keithmetcalf@btinternet.com or call 01590 645825. 

Information about the Milford Conservation Volunteers, and how to join, can be found on the website at www.milfordcv.org

Public Exhibition of School Lane Housing Development

Pennyfarthing Homes are holding a public exhibition to discuss residential and public open space proposals for land north of School Lane, Milford on Sea. 

This will be your opportunity to meet with the Pennyfarthing team and hear about the proposed scheme, provide your feedback and have any questions you may have answered. 

The event is being held: 
Between 3pm to 7pm on Thursday 9 February 2017
at Milford on Sea Baptist Church Hall, The Manse, Wayside Close, Milford on Sea SO41 0RN 

You can go at anytime between 3pm and 7pm. 

click image to enlarge
What is proposed? 

As you may be aware, the land north of School Lane has been allocated by New Forest District Council for housing and public open space provision. Working to produce a scheme that aims to delivers the aspirations of the Council, Pennyfarthing Homes proposes: 

• 46 high quality new homes, of which 14 would be starter homes and 9 affordable rent 
• 2 hectares of formal open space 
• 5 new allotments 
• A safe new drop off/parking area for Milford Primary School 
• Significant landscape planting 

Please see the suggested site layout on image to right, which indicates the areas proposed for the new housing, public open space, allotments and school drop off zone. 

The scheme would also deliver new homes catering for affordable homes and first time buyers through to larger family homes, with many benefiting from filtered views to the Isle of Wight.
Should you have any questions ahead of the public exhibition please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone Community Information Line on 0800 294 1304 and the Pennyfarthing team will be happy to help.