New Milton Advertiser 23rd Oct 2020

Friday 23rd October 2020 · 13 News

news@adt.press · advertising@adt.press · 01425 613384

Flooding village footpath may be given a £50,000 revamp

Driver (76) ‘fainted’ before fatal cashpoint collision

A MILFORD footpath which is often impassable due to tidal flooding could be overhauled under £50,000 plans discussed at a parish council meeting. The popular route from the Sea Road car park in the village centre along the northern side of Sturt Pond was assessed by a Hampshire County Council ac- cess team in September. Under immediate plans, over- grown vegetation will be cut back and a large bridge replaced this winter. But speaking at a meeting of Milford Parish Council, clerk Graham Wells warned that a project to raise the level of the

footpath to make it passable throughout the year would cost a “significant amount of money” and likely take several years to complete. He said: “Just like the foot- paths in the pleasure grounds that we’ve been tackling over the last five or six years now, this work would not be done at once.” Councillors heard that HCC had provided “early estimated costs”, suggesting three options: raising the level of the footpath with stone for around £23,000; a marine hardwood boardwalk for £30,000; or a recycled plastic boardwalk for £50,000.

Trial after woman died and granddaughter injured at supermarket

moment of impact” and was “not able to claim why she lost control”, Mrs Burns said. It is Cove’s assertion that she fainted briefly prior to the crash, the jury was told. But the prosecution claimed the evidence shows she wrongly hit the accelerator pedal and was conscious. The prosecution’s crash ex- pert, a police officer, has high - lighted how the CCTV appears to show Cove with her hands on the steering wheel just before the impact and sitting in an up- right position, Mrs Burns said. The expert estimated that “immediately” prior to hitting the two women Cove’s car was travelling at an approximate speed of 25 mph. The court heard that around five seconds after the crash, the CCTV suggested Cove put on the vehicle’s handbrake, indi- cating she was conscious. Medi- cal records suggested Cove had not suffered any fainting epi- sodes in 40 years. Cove had no alcohol or drugs in her systemat the crash scene, the court heard, and her vehicle had no defects. She was medi- cally fit to drive and had regu - larly renewed her licence with the DVLA, the jury was told. Mrs Burns said it was a “trag- ic” incident. “Nobody says Ms Cove intended to do this, how can she have done? It’s a tragic accident which affects all lives.” The trial continues.

BY JON WALLER

A PENSIONER whose car fatal- ly collided with an 86-year-old woman at a supermarket ATM fainted at the wheel, a jury has been told. The red Peugeot 206 was being driven by 76-year-old Pauline Cove when it struck Doris Lush and her 22-year-old granddaughter Rebecca Lush outside Morrisons in Totton on 12th July 2018, Southampton Crown Court heard. Shoppers tried to help the pair before paramedics got to the scene and rushed them to hospital. Doris could not be saved, however. Rebecca survived but suffered serious leg injuries which required a six-week hos- pital stay including skin grafts, the court heard. Cove has denied a charge of causing the death of Doris and serious injuries to Rebecca by dangerous driving. She claims she fainted moments before the collisions. Opening the trial this week, prosecutor Rosemary Burns said: “The crown say the driving was clearly dangerous. “It could be described as

£1 MILLION REFURBISHMENT COMPLETED Osborne Lodge is a well-established family run care home situated within walking distance of New Milton town centre, GP surgeries and community centre Welcoming and friendly atmosphere All rooms have en suite facilities Choice of all meals Long term highly qualified staff Full range of activities RESPITE & DAY CARE FOR THE ELDERLY Are you looking after a loved one at home? Do you need a few hours to yourself? Or are you living alone in need of stimulating company? Have you had a fall and need to regain your confidence? We cater for clients wanting ongoing or short-term day care, or day care that can be called upon occasionally, whenever the need arises HALF AND FULL DAY CARE AVAILABLE Including lunch and activities (full day includes evening meal) Contact tel: 01425 618248 Email: enquiries@osbornelodge.co.uk www.osbornelodgecare.co.uk

The jury was warned the CCTV footage of the incident was ‘shocking and horrid’

driving well below that of a competent driver and certainly in this case that the defendant, by driving that way, caused the death of Doris Lush and serious injuries to Rebecca Lush.” Mrs Burnes explained Rebec- ca was getting money out of the ATM at the Spruce Drive store and Doris was standing nearby, while Doris’s daughter Alison Lush waited in a car nearby. Cove meanwhile had com- pleted her shopping and went

to her vehicle, reversing out of a disabled parking bay and driv- ing towards the store. However, witnesses said her car was “lurching forward” amid “heavy revving” and went to- wards the ATM where it struck the two women. The incident occurred at about 11.55am. Footage of the crash and aftermath – captured by an overhead CCTV camera – was played to the jury, who had to be warned by the prosecutor

about its contents. “It is shocking, it is horrid. You have to pull yourselves to- gether and watch it,” Mrs Burns told the jury. Cove was taken to hospital for minor injuries and told med- ics she had blacked out, Mrs Burns went on. She was sent to a syncopy clinic, which looks into fainting episodes. At a voluntary police inter- view Cove “repeated the claim that she could not recall the

Residents want cafe and dog course in park refurb

OFFICERS who found canna- bis growing in the New Forest have left a note for the offend- ers to “maybe try tomatoes next year”. Police discovered the class B drug being cultivated at a site within the Ringwood and Ford- ingbridge area last Wednesday after a tip-off from a member of the public. A post on Facebook by PC Tom Neale and PSCO Stephen May included images of the plants packed up in evidence bags. “We were tipped off today about a little gardening pro- ject,” the post said. “Well hid- den in a top secret location, some green-fingered scamps have been having a go at growing cannabis. We’ve left them a note if they’d like a chat. Maybe try tomatoes next year.” A DOG agility course, café and wooden climbing trail are just a few of the ideas Christchurch residents have suggested to re- vitalise one of the town’s most popular parks. Watermans Park, in Dorset Road, Somerford, has been se- lected as part of the wider Fu- ture Parks improvement pro- ject and now people are being asked to put forward ideas on how it can be revamped. After a link to BCP Council’s survey about the initiative was posted on social media, dozens of residents posted what they would like to see. One said: “Update the skate park and install a dog training obstacle course.” Others called for a wooden climbing trail similar to the one at the Alpine Adventure Park in Christchurch, while some said fully inclusive play equipment was badly needed. One mum called for a wa- ter play centre like the one at Christchurch quay, while there were also requests for the toilet facilities to be improved and those for football and other sport teams. Clare Sherred, of Winkton AFC, said: “This is fantastic news. It would be fantastic to have the renovations benefit our team and the local commu- nity.” According to one parent, the current provisions for sports are so poor that some teams re- fuse to play there. BCP councillor Simon Mc-

The new building cost £67,000

Village preschool moves into new home

BROCKENHURST Preschool celebrated hitting a “daunting” fundraising target as children and staff moved into a new £67,000 building. The new facility at the village primary school in Sway Road opened its doors recently in a move described as essential to secure the pre-school’s future after more than 50 years. It can accommodate up to 20 children per day, and dur- ing non-preschool hours the primary school’s breakfast and after school club will be able to use the indoor and outdoor space. The new location has been vaunted as offering a child-fo- cused facility within a complete- ly child-friendly environment, aiding an easier transition from preschool to primary school. Melanie Edwards, chair of trustees of Brockenhurst Pre- school, said: “This was a daunt- ing challenge for a voluntary committee and small team of staff to take on, but we are so proud to have finally achieved it. “All of our children attended the preschool and gained so much from the time they spent there with our wonderful staff, so we were all aware what an important role it plays within our community.” POLICE have released this CCTV image of a man they want to find after stolen bank cards were used in Christchurch to withdraw money. The fraud was committed af- ter the cards were taken from a man and a woman staying at the Suncliff Hotel in East Over- cliff Drive, Bournemouth, on Saturday 25th July, say officers. Following the theft, the vic- tims received a phone call from a man claiming to be from their bank, before the cards were used in Christchurch. PC Jessica Richmond said: “I have now obtained a CCTV im- age of a man who used the sto- len bank card in Christchurch and I would ask anyone who recognises him to please get in touch.” Contact Dorset officers on 101, quoting crime reference

She added: “Knowing that it now has a secure future has made all the hard work worth- while, and once again we would just like to say to the people of Brockenhurst from all of us here at Brockenhurst Preschool – thank you, we couldn’t have done it without you.” As reported in the A&T, the preschool had for some years been based at Brockenhurst Village Hall, which is run and managed by Brockenhurst Vil- lage Trust. But it emerged the preschool was leaving because the trust had increased its rent charges. Finding the required £67,000 proved particularly challenging when the Covid-19 pandem- ic halted fundraising events, which had included fun activ- ities, and cake and Christmas card sales. Lockdown forced more crea- tive methods, resulting in suc- cessful online events including a village bake-off, a virtual pub quiz, a children’s art compe- tition and ‘Blockenhurst’ in which youngsters recreated their favourite village location with Lego. There were also boosts from villagers, local businesses and trusts, and a grant from Hamp- shire County Council leader Cllr Keith Mans.

Alesco Care Services is a small locally run home care company here to support you in your own home and support you to access the community. Times are hard at the moment and if you are looking for someone to support you with life’s everyday tasks including support with your shopping and cleaning. Or if you just want someone to have a chat and a cup of tea with then Alesco is here to help you with Companionship. All our carers are fully trained and training is regularly updated to support the needs of our clients. If you feel that Alesco could help you or a loved one please contact us on 01425 276208

Watermans Park has been ‘neglected for years’ (Photo: Google)

Cormack, who represents Bur- ton and Grange, told the A&T that Watermans Park is one of the town’s biggest but has for “many years been neglected by former councils”. He said: “It has been one of Christchurch’s most popular parks for many years and en- joyed by many families over the years. “As the ward councillor I was very pleased to hear that one of our parks had been selected for the Future Parks accelerator programme. “The programme is designed to be resident-led and looks at the park and the way it’s cur- rently used and how the resi-

dents would like to use it in the future. “Having visited some of the parks in Bournemouth where this approach has been used and seen the success the programme has had in the past, I look forward to working with residents, Bournemouth Parks Foundation, BCP Coun- cil and Christchurch Town Council on hopefully shaping Watermans Park into an open space that can be enjoyed by all.” The Future Parks project is run by Bournemouth Parks Foundation and BCP Council. To comment, visit www.orlo.uk/ ne1lg

or admin@alesco.care www.alescocare.co.uk

Cheeky note left for drug farmers

Your Home from Home

www.quakerhouse.org.uk | reception@quakerhouse.org.uk

Hunt for man who used stolen cards

F ollowing the Quaker ethos of kindness, respect & friendship in our care, we welcome anyone to take up our services. Our aim is to make a real difference to the lives of the people who choose to join us at Quaker House.

We pride ourselves on putting you first, tailoring care to your specific needs and wishes, whilst continually promoting your independence. We offer a range of care, from short-term respite and reablement to extra care for those people who need more than their own carers can manage. Our staff have the heart and desire to provide a confident and competent service whilst also being highly trained professionals.

We have a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (registered provider No. 1-101663819) and are a registered charity (number 1156022)

The crop was ‘well hidden’ (Photo: Hampshire police)

The handwritten message read: “Dear Mr Green Fingers, Sorry we had to take your plants.

“If you would like to have a chat about them give me a ring. Would love to hear from you. Ta. PC Neale.”

Elderly pair cut from car after crash

We welcome families and friends at all times. Why not come and get to know us? You are very welcome to visit us for a day or stay for a short term before committing yourself to this major change in your life. You are equally welcome to move straight in and enjoy everyday life with us.

FIREFIGHTERS had to free two elderly people from an overturned vehicle following a crash on the A337 at Barton on Tuesday afternoon. The man and woman were trapped inside as a result of the incident on Christchurch Road shortly before 3pm, near Hoburne Naish Holiday Park.

Having been released by New Milton and Christchurch fire crews, the woman was taken by ambulance to South- ampton General Hospital. A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said her injuries were not thought to have been life-threatening.

Paramedics treated the oth- er casualty at the scene for what were described as minor injuries. The main road remained closed to traffic for about two-and-a-half hours, with delays reported on routes through New Milton and Walk- ford.

number 55200109524, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. CCTV of theman police want to find

40-44 Barton Court Road, New Milton BH25 6NR reception@quakerhouse.org.uk | call 01425 617656