New Milton Advertiser 16th Oct 2020

Friday 16th October 2020 · 15 News

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Discount scheme to boost Forest eateries

Bertie celebrates 100th with family gathering

Pair arrested after car search TWO men were arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs in Totton. Officers detained the pair after searching a vehicle parked at a layby near the A326 and Valley Road in Hounsdown at around 6pm last Friday. Police seized can- nabis, cash and drug-related equipment. Both men, aged 27 and 57, were arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. The 27-year-old, from Tot- ton, was handed a community resolution order, while the 57-year-old, from Chandler’s Ford, who was also suspected of possessing criminal prop- erty, was later released under investigation while police enquiries continued. BITING a woman landed a Totton man with a suspended prison sentence. Darren Collett (36), of Mountbatten Road, admitted assaulting the victim by beat- ing two days after Christmas last year, when he appeared before Southampton magis- trates. The Bench handed him an eight-week jail term, suspend- ed for 14 months, ordered he pay the victim £300 compen- sation, and banned him from contacting her until 20th September 2022. Collet was also ordered by the Bench to pay £213 court costs. Man admits biting woman Head first for positive feedback A TOURISM accolade has been won by the Hengistbury Head visitor centre. The facility was one of the winners of a 2020 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for positive feedback over a 12-month period, prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. It is owned by BCP Council whose cabinet member for environment and climate change, Cllr Felicity Rice, said: “This is really great news – it’s the hard work of everyone involved that makes the visitor centre such an award-winning attraction.”

A PLAN to tackle climate change in Hampshire has been given the go-ahead by county council leaders. The local authority’s ruling cabinet approved a climate change strategy for the next five years, writes Maria Zaccaro of the Local Democracy Reporting Service . Councillors have committed to a number of actions which includes incentivising the use of electric vehicles, providing ad- vice to the community and using solar panels where possible. The 2020-25 strategy was described as a live document which will be updated regularly. But during the meeting some residents asked the authority to do more. Addressing councillors, a representative of Hampshire Climate Action Network asked the authority to prioritise ac- tions, consider ideas suggested by the community, and focus more on active travel. According to the plan, some of the actions also include the provision of a minibus for vul- LONGSTANDING Sopley resi- dent Bertie Starling marked his 100th birthday with a small fam- ily gathering. A Second World War engineer working for de Havilland on Mosquito aircrafts, Bertie and his wife Peggy moved fromLon- don to Highcliffe in the late 1950s to enjoy the coast- line and New Forest. Granddaughter Re- becca said: “My grand- father is still amazing mentally and always has lots of fascinating stories to tell. He still lives in his own home on the outskirts of Sopley with help from a career and regular visits from the family.” Bertie grew up in London in the 1920s and has vivid memo- ries of life in the capital during the Second World War when he worked for de Havilland. During the conflict he visited airstrips across the UK includ- ing Holmsley in the New Forest to oversee modifications to air- craft. the outskirts of Sopley with

Bertie recalled a number of Mosquitos were painted black to engage in spying missions, and others were altered to fly at low altitudes over north Africa. Bertie and Peggy met at a dance and were later married in London before travelling

to West Bay in Dor- set for their honey- moon. After the war Bertie spent many years working in the insurance in- dustry. The cou- ple moved to the outskirts of Sopley around 30 years ago – a

Campaign ‘vital tool’ to help recovery of pubs and restaurants

BY LIZ HENDRIE

DINERS eating out at pubs and restaurants in the New Forest can enjoy midweek deals while aiding the recovery of the local pandemic-hit hospitality indus- try, under a new business cam- paign. Establishments offering dis- counts until the end of Novem- ber include the Balmer Lawn Hotel and Careys Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst, the Woodside Inn in Fordingbridge, Furzey Gardens tea rooms in Minstead, and Rays Italian in Milford. Tourism group Go New For- est (GNF), which is leading the scheme, will also be launching a Shop 4 Less initiative through the provision of a half-price card to save shoppers money and give them access to exclu- sive offers and services at more than 300 shops and businesses. The card is usually priced at £10 but can be bought for £5 un- til the end of December. Go New Forest chief execu- tive Anthony Climpson said its 200-plus members had made real efforts to provide Covid-se- cure services and ensure social distancing so customers and guests could visit with confi- dence. “We continue to circulate to members all relevant govern- ment and industry Covid-19 guidance,” said Mr Climpson. “Since March, GNF has sent round 98 separate member up-

and loved the countryside. Sadly, Peggy died seven years ago but Bertie has remained at home with support from carers and family. He is very close to his daughter Janet, four grand- daughters and five great-grand- children. Bertie marked the occasion of his 100th birthday with a small family meal at the Museum Inn at Farnham.

The tea rooms at Furzey Gardens is among those taking part. Inset: Go New Forest boss Anthony Climpson

drop in turnover, according to the tourism group, with simi- lar losses caused by the recent 10pm curfew on hospitality. Michael Clitheroe, general manager at Balmer Lawn Ho- tel, which will take part in the Eat Out 4 Less initiative, said: “This campaign is not just a vi- tal tool for aiding the recovery of local hospitality businesses, it is critical in supporting the wider destination and its sup- ply chain. “Tailoring special offers aimed at increasing visitor and local resident diners is pre- cisely why Balmer Lawn Hotel is so pleased to be part of the scheme.” Mr Climpson added: “Cov- id-19 has really demonstrated the true value of tourism, both in local revenue and job crea- tion, particularly the large num-

ber of non-tourism businesses and jobs the industry supports in its supply chain. “Go New Forest members have long understood the im- portance of protecting the qual- ities that make the New Forest so special. “The pandemic has forced us all to re-evaluate the impor- tant things in life, so to be able to walk along the coast, in the Forest or visit one of our many attractions is a great joy.” Traffic to the Go New Forest website has seen a big increase, said Mr Climpson, demonstrat- ing the popularity of stayca- tions since restrictions on over- seas travel were introduced. New Forest District Council has provided a £15,000 grant to help support the campaign. Tofindoutmore, visitwww.the newforest.co.uk

dates to ensure all its business- es have the very latest informa- tion.” He continued: “The visitor economy enjoyed a stunningly successful summer, and these campaigns seek to keep the momentum going right up until Christmas. “Projections for October are on a par year on year but No- vember is looking very chal- lenging for hospitality, with falls in bookings estimated to be around 50%.” The festive period is usually a time when the industry gen- erates a huge amount of rev- enue, but with the prospect of no Christmas parties or group bookings of more than six, businesses predict trade could plummet by up to 70%. Social distancing rules have resulted in an average 30%

County gives thumbs-up to climate change plan

nerable older people, a free- phone line, and an online ser- vice which would advise about climate change and sustainabil- ity, including energy efficiency and home insulation. Civic chiefs have also pledged to work with schools to reduce car journeys. The proposals out- line the development of an Air Quality Management Plan. Among the activities set to be implemented is the develop- ment of practical guidance for planning authorities to improve requirements such as on-site energy generation, use of waste heat and sustainable drainage. HCC leader Cllr Keith Mans said: “This is the start of a jour- ney. We would need to do a lot more work and I take on board the points that you made. This is a work in progress.” Cllr Jan Warwick, climate change advisor to the cabinet, said: “This will deliver a compre- hensive response. We are devel- oping a small expert stakeholder forum and it will bring together experts to advise the council regularly.”

Arrest made over knifeman’s doorstep robbery

A MAN has been arrested more than three months after a knife-wielding thief targeted residents at their homes in Mu- deford. As reported in the A&T, a quantity of cash was stolen when a male teenager banged on the doors of two properties

in Nelson Drive and threat- ened occupants with a blade while demanding money. Police were alerted to these incidents around 2.20am on Saturday 27th June. Further similar offences were reported on the evening of Sunday 5th July in nearby

Cunningham Close. Officers have now arrested a 30-year-old Christchurch man on suspicion of aggravated bur- glary and attempted robbery. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. A 19-year-old Christchurch man and a 15-year-old boy

from Bournemouth previously arrested on suspicion of aggra- vated burglary have since been released with no further action. Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 55200092692, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.