New Milton Advertiser 25th December 2020

Friday 25th December 2020

L YMINGTON T IMES | advertiserandtimes.co.uk 70P

Sport Festive football postponed due to tier restrictions Pages 15-16

Season’s greetings

NOW OPEN Open 7 days a week. 5pm - 10pm Free delivery within 3 miles radius. £2 charge over that. 01425 617777 / 612277 5 Milton Green, Christchurch Road, NewMiltoN BH25 6QB Red Chilli Indian Takeaway & Restaurant

Food&Drink The restaurant where you can pay with a post-it Page 18

Happy Christmas from all of us at the A&T

Woman’s relief as her rapist jailed

Pandemic can’t stop Santa

INSIDE Search for owner of wedding ring found by treasure hunters Page 3 90-year-old veteran has electric bike stolen for the second time Page 5 Jail for man who stamped on pregnant girlfriend in lockdown Page 9 Antique linked to death of Lord Nelson comes up for sale Page 11 12 Christian Comment 14 Letters 14 From Our Files 17 Puzzle Corner 17 Food and Drink 18 Reflections 19 Classifieds 22-24 Motoring 25-26 Family Announcements back page NMA Price Rise 03 9 771353 222036 51 Index Obituary Planning 11

Man (70) likely to die in prison for ‘horrible’ crimes over 11 years

“I feel more able to take life in my stride and look forward to new adventures and making plans for the future.” At Southampton Crown Court Judge Christopher Park- er sent down Boyt, who was previously found guilty at a trial of eight counts of indecent as- sault and one count of rape. The offences were committed in the 1980s and 1990s. Boyt, of Beech Crescent, had pleaded not guilty to all counts and maintained his innocence, the court heard. At the sentencing he was castigated by Judge Parker for what he said were “horrible”

Father Christmas made some early visits helped by New Milton Round Table – full story, page 3

BY JON WALLER

Forest fences ‘carnage’ warning

A BRAVE rape victim has re- vealed her pride at standing up in court to her now-70-year-old attacker who has been jailed for 21 years. Stephen Boyt, from Hythe, is likely to die in prison for “hor- rible” crimes a jury convicted him of committing against the woman over an 11-year period which started more than three decades ago. In a defiant statement to Southampton Crown Court, where Boyt was sentenced, the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – said she was determined to move on with her life. She said she was proud of herself for speaking out and grateful to the criminal justice system for hearing her voice. “When I spoke out, it felt like 20,000 breeze blocks had been removed from my head and, when the verdict came back, felt like 28,000 more had been lifted,” she said. “It was such a relief that I had spoken out and people had listened and were doing some-

HAMPSHIRE County Council is being urged to strengthen fences to reduce the risk of New Forest animals wandering onto busy main roads and causing “carnage”. Concerns have been raised

for several months at meet- ings of the verderers that the existing post-and-wire bar- riers are not strong enough, and some repairs by highway teams have not been up to standard.

According to latest minutes of their November meeting, the issue is being taken up with the authority by Cllr Ed- ward Heron – who as well as being a verderer is also on HCC’s ruling cabinet, and a member of the national park authority. The promised action followed a presentment to the verderers by Tony Vanderhoek, from the Commoners’ Defence Associa- tion committee, who highlight- ed fences beside the A337, A35 and A326. He said: “The default stock fencing standard adopted by HCC is very poor and I urge the verderers make it clear to HCC to improve the standard of fencing. “No one wants to see breach- es by commoners’ animals onto these busy, fast roads and the people/animal carnage that

Stephen Boyt

thing about it. I now know that I am not a victim – I am a sur- vivor.” She continued: “I was a nerv- ous wreck going to court. But I did what I needed to do by giv- ing evidence and, where once I felt trapped, I now feel relieved. “When the [guilty] verdicts came I felt lighter and it was an indescribable thing being there and hearing confirmation that someone had listened to me.” She added: “I am now start- ing to feel stronger in myself and can now express myself with friends, and this has had a positive impact on my relation- ships. “I do not feel I will ever be 100% and it will be a slow pro- cess. But I feel I can now see a future clearer than I could be- fore.

Continued on page 2

acts of kindness that represent the very best in our humanity. In and through every such deed, on the face of the helpless baby Jesus who was born in the most humble of conditions, a new and fresh smile appears, and at the same time, the rea- son why God chose to send his only Son into the world be- comes all the more visible to us all. Maybe we might even make it a new year’s resolution to continue to showmore love and care towards others in our local communities and, if we do, we also surely hasten the day when God’s will is always done on earth as it already is in heaven. May I wish you all a very hap- py and peaceful Christmas. The Rev. Richard Partridge,

so important in years gone by. One consequence of these restrictions will be that many more people than usual will be spending Christmas Day on their own this year, separat- ed from loved ones, isolated in their homes and completely de- tached from the communities that they live in. Over the last nine months we have all heard or read about selfless acts of love offered by one human being towards an- other, and many of these have taken place in our local towns and villages as we have tried to care and support the most vulnerable, and often the most lonely people living close by to us, or even right next door. Those who read the New Mil- ton Advertiser and Lymington Times each week will be very fa- miliar with many such stories –

FOR many of us, things are going to be very different this Christmas as we continue to live through the pandemic. In the lead-up to Christmas Day, almost all of our tradi- tional social gatherings and parties have been cancelled or held in new and imaginative ways. Many of our shops have only recently been permitted to open once again, and even in our churches and other places where faith communities gath- er, restrictions have meant we can’t even sing our favourite carols together inside these buildings at the heart of our lo- cal communities. But for many of us, the real pain comes from the fact that we will not be able to meet up with as many of our family members or close friends to cel- ebrate in ways that have been

52

9 771353 222036

Continued on page 2

53

9 771353 222036

Rohan clothing is clothing that works. On the hill, in town, everywhere and every day.

Associate priest at Christchurch Priory

EVERYTHING FOR THE FIRST WEEK ONLY! 30% OFF DAVID PHIPP WINTER SALE STARTS MONDAY 28TH DECEMBER 9AM

SALE Starts 28th December 9am

HURRY, 30% off is only for the first week!

Merry Christmas from

www.davidphipp.co.uk Tel: 01202 897474 / 893377 Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm Ringwood Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9AL 117 High Street, Lymington So41 9AQ Tel: 01590 688381 Call into Rohan Lym ngton to see the range and receive 15% off * until 29 October 20 7, using offer code LMG5 117 High Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9AQ Tel: 01590 688381

www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk

news@adt.press • sport@adt.press • advertising@adt.press

01425 613384

31-33 Compton Road, New Milton, Hants BH25 6EQ

*15% off full price purchases at Rohan Lymington only. This offer is not valid online, by mail order or in any other Rohan shop. Offer

2 · Friday 25th December 2020

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

News

FOREST MINI SKIPS LYMINGTON SKIP HIRE 07787 153873 12 Fairlea Road, Lymington

Children’s services face inspection over failings

Forest fences Continued from front page

could ensue, so good fencing is imperative.” He said the correct stand- ard of stock fencing was of the wooden post-and-rail type with wire stock-netting. Mr Vanderhoek praised HCC for using it to replace the dilapi- dated barrier opposite Cadnam cricket ground on the A337, which he said was “excellent news”. But he added: “Unfortunately, in other areas replacement fenc- ing I have recently viewed and been made aware of is still just wooden post-and-wire, which is not of a good enough stand- ard to be effective stock-proof- ing.” He urged HCC to regularly check the fences to ensure they were up to the job. The verderers noted that post-and-rail fencing was “con- siderably more expensive” than the post-and-wire alternative. The A&T asked HCC for com- ment but did not receive a re- sponse.

Neil Penswick, who was among them, said the vulnera- ble children were being left “at risk of harm”, in his letter to the council sent last month. He raised concerns that the “vast majority” of assessments by social workers were “unfit for purpose”, and particularly about the quality of manage- ment. A spokesman for the Depart- ment for Education said it was now “closely monitoring” the council and that it would “not hesitate” to take action where children are being put at risk. Alongside the department’s appointment of an improve- ment supervisor, Anthony Douglas, to monitor work, it has also made North Tyneside Council, itself rated as ‘out- standing’, the council’s mentor. Speaking at last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Ms Redding said the council had now pro- was “not a well man”. On remand in prison he had collapsed three times and lumps had been discovered in his chest by doctors, although the diagnosis of those was not clear. Mr Ashley also pointed out that Boyt had not offended for 28 years until these allegations came to light. Because of Boyt’s age and the likelihood he will spend most of the rest of his life – if not all of it – in prison, the judge declined to determine that the defend-

duced an action plan “to ad- dress every single point” raised by Ofsted. “It was a really difficult and uncomfortable read,” she said. “We would expect it to be, given the challenges we face. “This is not unsurmountable, it’s not systemic. It was a failure of leadership and management which we have taken swift ac- tion to address. “It’s going to be a marathon, not a sprint, although we will be required to sprint at points because we will be having a full Ofsted inspection next year.” Cllr Mike White, cabinet member for children, said he “fully accepted” Ofsted’s criticisms and thanked the “cross-party support” given by councillors since the letter was published. Council leader Cllr Drew Mel- lor added that he was “obsessed about getting it right”. ant was a dangerous offender. Judge Parker made it clear that because the offences were historical, they had been charged under a 1956 act, which limited the length of sentence he could impose. He gave Boyt nine years in jail for the indecent assault offenc- es and added 12 more for the rape. Boyt will serve at least 12 years of that term in prison but could end up doing as much as 20 years – should he survive that long, the judge added.

Ofsted visit found BCP department had ‘serious weaknesses’

07733 318619 oceancars@icloud.com Long Distance Specialist Airports / Docks Stations / Hospitals Lady driver on request Hampshire vouchers accepted Lhotse, Forward Drive, Pennington

BY JOSH WRIGHT

A FULL inspection of BCP Council’s troubled children’s services department will be car- ried out next year, it has been confirmed. Ofsted will carry out its first thorough review of the council’s work after its inspectors found “serious and widespread weak- nesses” during a “focused” visit in October, writes Josh Wright of the Local Democracy Report- ing Service . It was confirmed during last week’s cabinet meeting by the council’s director of children’s services, Elaine Redding, who said the failings in the depart-

ment were “not unsurmounta- ble”. A team of Ofsted inspectors made a day-long visit to the BCP Council’s HQ in Bournemouth

iRoberts Cars Affordable Luxury Private Hire Cars Mercedes Cars or 8 Passenger MPV www.irobertscars.co.uk ▪ iroberts.cars@btinternet.com ALL DESTINATIONS Tel: 01425 613989

council in October after con- cerns were raised by the De- partment for Education about the quality of its work.

Rapist jailed Continued from front page

SKIP HIRE SKIP HIRE

Low-cost Skip Hire Capacity 1.4, 2.2, 4.6 & 7.5 cu. m. Roll-on Roll-off 12 & 27 cu.m. G. FARWELL LTD 01590 682527 Est. 1952 Low-cost Skip Hire Capacity 1.4, 2.2, 4.6 & 7.5 cu. m. Roll-on Roll-off 12 & 27 cu. m. G. FARWELL LTD 01590 682527 Low-cost Skip Hire Capacity 1.4, 2.2, 4.6 & 7.5 cu. m. Roll-on Roll-off 12 & 27 cu.m. G. FARWE L 01590 682527 Est. 1952

Quality Removals — National and International Modern warehouse for containerised storage Free quotations Family-run company T. 01590 683616 • F. 01590 683830 29 Gordleton Park, Sway Road, Lymington

crimes. He told Boyt: “She was a psychological prisoner of your predation.” As for mitigation, there could be “none” in respect of the “cat- alogue” of crimes, the judge said. “The effect upon her has been devastation and a wasting of her life.” Defence barrister Mark Ash- ley revealed in court that Boyt

Good, Friendly and Prompt Service OPENING HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 7.00 am - 5 pm Good, Friendly and Prompt Service NEXT DAY DELIVERY OPENIN O : Mo . - Fri. 7.00 am - 5 pm Good, Friendly a d P ompt Service OPENING HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 7.00 am - 5 pm

‘Heartwarming’ response to firm’s food bank plea

F ireplaces, stoves, flues and chimneys Fully Quali fi ed & Insured Professional & Experienced Competitive Rates 07828 448914 Viner fi res@yahoo.com There’s nothing finer than a Viner fire www.viner fi res.co .uk

THE head of a care home group which joined forces with local food banks has said the re- sponse to an appeal for dona- tions was “heart-warming”. As reported in the A&T, Col- ten Care asked the public to drop off goods at its head office in Ringwood or at collection boxes in its 21 homes across the UK. Locally, the family-run care group has homes at Brocken- hurst, Christchurch, Lymington and New Milton. Colten Care chief executive Mark Aitchison said: “It has been truly heart-warming to see the response of our team, our residents and their families, our friends and contacts in the communities we serve, and our suppliers. “Everyone is on board with our goal of supporting vulnera- ble people at this time of rising demand for food banks.” Lorraine Bell who is the man- ager of Colten Care’s Linden House in Lymington said she was left “humbled and in awe” by her visit to the town’s New Forest Basics Bank. A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 14 flats in Walkford has been given the go-ahead by BCP Council. Property developer Richard Carr, of Fortitudo Ltd, wanted to demolish a chalet bungalow in Chewton Farm Road to erect the apartments which he pre- viously told the A&T would be aimed at “downsizing retirees who do not want to leave the area”. The flats will consist of a three-storey building to accom- modate 14 one and two-bed apartments with underground parking for 15 vehicles. Mr Carr had made two pre- vious applications – one was withdrawn and the other was not considered in time by BCP Council and is now with a plan- ning inspector. His third, which had moved the surface parking under- ground, was discussed at a re- cent meeting of the council’s planning committee which heard there had been more than 20 letters of objection to it. Nearby residents claimed it was a “complete overdevelop- ment of the site” which would harm the surrounding area. Councillors heard objections that the building would be “intrusive and incompatible”,

Member P001

TEL: 01425 274483 / 01202 499390 www.pardyremovals.com

No Obligation Free Quotations

Colten Care’s Kingfishers home in New Milton to ok donations

She added: “The volunteers who give their time for free are incredible. It was a privilege see what they do. This is humanity at its best.” Chair of the basics bank Ol- iver Stanley said the organisa- tion was “so grateful” to Colten Care for its support. He added: “Their contri - bution has been absolutely outstanding. Over this fes - tive season we are filling and delivering hundreds more parcels and boxes than nor- mal and we really couldn’t be

doing this without such sup- port.” As well as collecting items for Lyndhurst Food Bank, staff at Woodpeckers care home in Brockenhurst even supplied a spare Christmas tree for a fam- ily who would otherwise have gone without. Contributions worth hun- dreds of pounds have also been received from local wholesalers Bidfood and Comax as well as Wrights Dairies, with Colten itself donating financially and from its food stocks too.

Wish all our customers old and

new a lovely Christmas and good wishes for the New Year. Thankyou for all your continued support & encouragement.

Controversial flats approved

A design of the 14 flats allowed in Walkford (Picture: Arc Architects)

create road safety issues and cause a decline in wildlife in the area. One local resident told the A&T there were also concerns about how waste disposal from the apartment block would be dealt with, and accused the council of having a “cavalier attitude to the concerns of res- idents”. Highcliffe and Walkford Par- ish Council also urged BCP Council to reject the plan, say- ing it was “totally out of char- acter” in a residential road comprising single, detached properties. But in a report to the com-

mittee, a planning officer rec - ommended approving the ap- plication. It said officers did not believe it would impact on the local highway network and that al- though the proposed building was bigger than the existing bungalow, the design and scale of the block was “appropriate” for the road. Further, the officer said that the flats would “not result in adverse impact on the residen- tial amenities of neighbouring occupiers”. Councillors voted eight to one to approve the application, with one abstention.

SALE NOW ON

don’t forget...

The Potting Shed Tearoom will be CLOSED FROM 25 DEC - 1 JAN

Helicopter hunt for motorist

We look forward to welcoming you back safely at 9AM, SATURDAY 2 JANUARY Bashley Road, New Milton · 01425 619691

A POLICE helicopter hovered over the Lymington area as of- ficers hunted for a motorist who fled from a vehicle they had pur - sued. The car, which had failed to stop when asked by a patrol vehicle, was eventually pulled

over in Pennington Oval, Pen- nington, at around 11.15am on Saturday. Officers said the suspect got out of the vehicle and escaped on foot, evading a search by police. Members of the public reported sightings of the Na-

tional Police Air Service helicop- ter overhead as it joined in the search, which ultimately failed to track down the man. Officers seized a quantity of class B drugs from the aban- doned car, according to a Hamp- shire police spokesperson.

Friday 25th December 2020 · 3

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

News

PHONE 01425 612594

to place a display advertisement

Treasure hunter’s search for ring owner

20-month ban for drink driving A TOTTON man who was more than twice the drink- drive limit has been given a 20-month motoring ban. Ryan Fisher (20), of Ole- ander Drive, was stopped by police in Southampton on 17th October. Appearing at the city’s magistrates’ court, Fisher pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £323. He must also pay costs of £119. Police respond to death near pub POLICE officers rushed to a Lymington pub after the death of a pensioner. The man, who was in his 70s, was outside the Chequers Inn on Chequers Green at about 5.30pmonWednesday, when he suffered a suspected medical episode. Patrol cars converged on the area and roads were shut. A spokesperson for Hamp- shire police told the A&T: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”

DON’T JUST SELF-ISOLATE. DECORATE!

Wedding band was found in field by dad and son detectorists

BenjaminMoore ®

BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI

PATIENT care at Lymington hospital has been given a boost with the donation of a £61,000 ultrasound scanner. The Lymington Hospital Friends charity footed the bill for the advanced apparatus which has been installed in the radiology department. It joins the state-of-the-art CT scanner – added last year following a £575,000 donation by the Friends – in providing fast, accurate and detailed analysis. Lance Beatty, head of opera- tions for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s south-west division, said: “Our sincerest thanks to Lymington Hospital Friends and all their supporters for their donation to improve the equipment for our radiology department. “The new GE-E10 ultrasound system provides us with ad- vanced ultrasound imaging us- ing the latest technologies and probes. “The image quality is far su- perior to the older models and the equipment is much easier to use than the older machine.” The CT scanner has proved A METAL detectorist is appeal- ing for help tracking down the owner of a lost wedding ring that he found while searching for buried treasure in a field in Sway. Geoff Lai, who lives in the village, dug up the ring while out with his eight-year-old son Reeve. The item is inscribed with the date 19th September 1964 and the names Ann and John. Geoff said: “It is a hobby we both love, and normally find gold coins and other bits and pieces. This particular day the detector sounded and when we dug down about three inches, we found the ring. “It is quite a big size, so I think it is probably a man’s one. I thought it was so sad that someone had lost it and when I saw there were names and a date on it, I knew I had to find who it belonged to and reunite them with it.” Geoff, who is international production manager for local- ly-based Gozney Stone Bake Oven Company, initially asked the landowner of the field if he had any idea who the couple were. He did not know but said he HUNDREDS of children from New Milton, Ashley and Hord- le enjoyed a special visit from Father Christmas accompanied by his friends from New Milton Round Table. Travelling aboard a sleigh pulled by a truck, Santa met over 270 children from across the area during his socially distanced trips to individual households. The Round Table team was determined to continue the tradition of Santa sleigh vis- its around New Milton and the

specifically, which is a shame. “I am hoping that someone will read this, and either be the owner of the ring or know the couple. “I would love for them to have it back. I have appealed on so- cial media but no one has come forward yet.” The discovery of the ring fol- lows a series of local finds re- ported this year, the biggest being 60 gold coins dating from the 15th and 16th centuries – and worth about £14,000 – found by an unnamed New Forest family as they weeded their garden during the first lock- down. More recently a couple were emotionally reunited with a wedding ring they lost five years ago in Christchurch following an online appeal. It was found on the beach by an engineering team from BCP Council which put out a suc- cessful appeal on social media. Anyone who knows who the ring found in Sway might be- long to can email Geoff via Geofflai8@gmail.com

WE CAN DELIVER STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR

012 0202 6663 sales@peterrobbins.co.uk www.peterrobbins.co.uk

Double Glazing, Door & Conservatory Repairs

Geoff Lai was out with his son Reeve when he found the ring (inset)

looked up all the wedding cer- tificates in the UK covering September 1964. There are lots of Johns and Anns but of course I don’t know if they are the right ones. I can’t search for that date

would ask the previous occu- pants of his farm – but that line of enquiry also drew a blank, leading to Geoff making an ap- peal for help. He said: “I have actually

n Broken or misted double glazed units n Broken or dropped hinges n Windows not closing properly n Broken Handles n Locking mechanisms failing n Replacement gaskets & weather seals

Club tables a visit by Father Christmas

You may simply wish to upgrade your glass to be more energy efficient and reduce your home energy bills. Coastal Doors & Windows operate a dedicated repairs division that specialise in all double glazed window repairs, door repairs and conservatory repairs. Our team are all fully trained to carry out repairs to both old and new uPVC, Aluminium and Timber windows. Please contact us to see how we can help.

surrounding villages, having been forced to cancel the popu- lar fireworks display at Fawcett Field this year because of the pandemic. They decided personal visits to the children’s homes would be the only way forward and invited parents to buy special “Santa Stop Here” signs so they could be included in the route planning. Round Table chair Rob Hen- derson said: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, so it was im- portant to us that we still got

Santa out there to see every- one.” The group received support from a number of local busi- nesses to arrange the com- munity visits including Tesco, Brewers, Jewsons, GD Print and Fireguard Services which provided a van and driver to pull Santa’s sleigh. Vice-chair Kevin Groarke said: “I’d seen another Round Table offering personal Santa visits with a ‘Santa stop here’ sign. “It meant we could still see

lots of children but avoid big crowds. It’s been a real success and may even become a perma- nent fixture from now on.” Sales of the Santa signs have raised £1,000 for local good causes but the Round Table was not able to undertake their usual bucket collections. Donate at tinyurl.com/ycosk h5e

01590 682269

info@coastaldoorswindows.co.uk

Make your DREAM A REALITY WITH

Hospital takes delivery of £60k ultrasound scanner

B

E

L

R

E

A

C

T

I

N



53 G  



Lymington Hospital Friends fundraised for the new kit

Arthur England and Mike Hodges, joint chairs of Lym- ington Hospital Friends, said: “Thank you for the tremendous support from the local commu- nity and businesses by way of donations, fundraising and gifts in wills.” For more information on do- nating visit www.lymington hospitalfriends.org

a significant benefit for both patients and medical staff. It is used daily for diagnoses rang- ing from minor injuries and general healthcare issues to critical life-threatening diseas- es. It has also saved local pa- tients having to travel to South- ampton or Bournemouth hospi- tals for scans.





NO DEPOSIT Payment only on completion 100% satisfaction guaranteed

Y

E

A

R

S





CALL US TODAY 01425 612391 Freephone 0800 0921919 NEW MILTON SHOWROOM 19 Station Road, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6HN www.dpr-windows.co.uk

Cafe owner’s frustration as raiders force closure

THE owner of a Lymington café shared her frustration at losing a day’s takings from having to shut after an overnight raid just weeks from relaunching. Nothing was stolen as intrud- ers smashed their way into The Buttery, in High Street, but it had to close throughout Mon- day while police forensic inves- tigations were carried out and damage was repaired. A kitchen window was broken to gain entry when the café was targeted sometime between 9.30am on Sunday and 8am the following day. Owner Michaela Morris, who oversaw the café’s opening un- der new management on 2nd December, arrived on Monday morning to find the devasta- tion.

Stressing no cash was kept on-site overnight, Mrs Morris slammed those responsible for the break-in as well as a num- ber of others that have taken place at businesses across the town in recent months. “Everyone knows who is do- ing this sort of thing in Lym- ington,” she told the A&T on Tuesday. “They get caught, go to prison then come out and do it all again. “People in the town are get- ting fed up with it. It was hugely disappointing to us being a new business having this happen, but we are back open today and looking forward to seeing our customers.” Messages of support poured in from the community af- ter news of the break-in was

posted on the café’s Facebook page. One person wrote: “This is truly awful news, you have both worked so hard to get it up and running and then lowlife scum thinks it’s okay to try and help themselves to your prop- erty. Hope they catch them soon.” Pennington councillor Jack Davies reacted on Facebook: “When our local businesses need our help more than ever, I am devastated to hear that somebody committed such a crime.” Anyone with information should contact Hampshire po- lice on 101, quoting crime ref- erence number 44200490459, or call Crimestoppers anonymous- ly on 0800 555 111.

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP · HONESTLY PRICED

4 · Friday 25th December 2020

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

News

Four newvaccine centres announced in New Forest

£3m for local virus aid groups

FAMILIES and community groups have been urged to take up help worth nearly £3m as funding is being offered during the pandemic by Hampshire County Council. The first grants are being handed out from the connect- 4communities programme, which is aimed at supporting people facing hardship due to Covid-19. The cash will be giv- en to groups who are helping to combat food and fuel poverty. Cllr Patricia Stallard, cabinet member for children’s services and young people, said: “Many families are finding they are un- der extra pressure now because of the pandemic, perhaps be- cause of a job loss, and are strug- gling to buy the basics like food and fuel. “Our connect4communi- ties programme was created to address this need and it is

wonderful to see that we can support community groups to providepracticalhelpintheirlocal area.” Connect4communities is funded by the £2.89m Covid winter grant scheme awarded to HCC by the Department for Work and Pensions. They are aimed at helping with food, energy and water bills. They can also be used for essen- tial items such as warm clothing, bedding and slow cookers. Vulnerable Hampshire resi- dents are also reminded that there is help at hand over the festive period from the Hamp- shire Coronavirus Support and Helpline. The helpline number is 0333 740 4000. It is closed on Christ- mas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information about connect4communities visit con nect4communities.org

Two hospitals among new sites as county hits 36 immunisation hubs

had the first of two jabs at New Milton Health Centre, said he received a “surprise” phone call asking him to come in. “This was just what I wanted to hear,” he said. “I did not expe- rience any after-effects except a tenderness at the point of the injection that disappeared two days later. “Have no fear – it is no differ- ent to having the flu jab. Our age group is very vulnerable so do not miss this opportunity!” Mr Sheppard will return to the surgery in three weeks’ time for his booster. Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and clinical lead for business and partnerships at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups, said the local vacci- nation programme had had a “great start”. “We’ve heard lots of positive feedback from patients and staff, which has been lovely because everyone is working incredibly hard on this huge task,” he said. More vaccination centres will be added on a phased basis in the coming months. talities has reached 311. The provisional figures from the ONS related to fatalities where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 11th December but which were registered up to 19th De- cember. On Tuesday the number of weekly new Covid-19 cases in the conurbation came to 522 – well up on the previous week’s 276. It puts the BCP weekly case rate per 100,000 people at 132. The total of recorded cases has reached 8,365. The infection figures are for the numbers of people with at least one lab-confirmed posi- tive Covid-19 test result in the preceding seven-day period. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday. On Monday New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne said parliament should be recalled to vote on the changes and claimed the government had been “bounced” into them by scientists. Those living in Tier 4 areas now cannot mix with house- holds outside any existing sup- port bubble, and those in Tiers 1-3 can only mix on Christmas Day itself. Ms Blyth said: “We will use common sense and discretion to determine what is reason- able. However, we will enforce where blatant breaches are ob- served. “We will not be preventing people from travelling from one area to another, but are work- ing with ferry operators and partner agencies to ensure that the public is informed about the restrictions in place.” Covid-19-related patrols will continue throughout the Christmas and New Year peri- od, alongside the force’s usual activities, responding to report- ed issues while ensuring restric- tions are observed. The assistant chief consta- ble added: “Please consider this before putting yourself and your loved ones at risk. “Think about how essential your journey is before travelling between Tier 1 and Tier 2 and follow the regulations to stay in or outside of Tier 4 areas, unless it is for work, health or other ex- empt reasons.” Forestry England took to Twitter to urge people from Tier 4 not to travel to the New Forest for exercise. Hampshire County Council leader Cllr Keith Mans called on people to take the “neces- sary steps” to protect others, particularly the elderly or clini- cally extremely vulnerable. He said: “We must contin- ue to work together, follow the rules and protect ourselves, our loved ones and our com- munities, especially with the threat of a new Covid-19 variant spreading much faster in Tier 4 areas, and the ongoing rise in infections in general across the country.” Isle of Wight Council has urged Tier 2 residents to ob- serve their own restrictions if visiting the Island which re- mains at Tier 1. The government was official- ly set to review England’s tier on Wednesday 30th December. 19 Fir Avenue, New Milton • Double glaze your whole house

BY BEN CRAIG

FOUR more coronavirus vac- cination centres have been an- nounced in the New Forest as the country’s Covid vaccination roll-out picks up pace. Milford War Memorial Hospi- tal, Fordingbridge Hospital, Ap- plemore leisure centre in Hythe, and AFC Totton in Salisbury Road are the latest sites to kick off clinics. They followed New Milton Health Centre being announced as the first immunisation hub in the New Forest. Stour Surgery in Barrack Road, Christchurch, was named as one of six sites in Dorset. In total, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight now have 36 vacci- nation centres, while in Dorset there are nine. Nurses, paramedics, pharma-

Julian Sheppard receives his jab at New Milton Health Centre

cists and other NHS staff have been working alongside GPs to vaccinate those aged 80 and over, as well as care home work- ers and residents identified as priority groups for the two- stage shots. Patients will be contacted if they are eligible for the recent- ly approved Pfizer inoculation, and the NHS asked people not to contact the centres, stress-

ing the service is available “strictly by invitation only”. Dr Nigel Watson, GP and clin- ical lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Covid-19 vaccina- tion programme, said clinics had been “running smoothly”. “We’d like to thank everyone for bearing with us as we know how important the vaccine is to many people,” he said. “I would ask people to please

continue to be patient. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to be offered a vac- cine with information about how to do this. “Whilst the vaccine roll-out is really good news, we know that the virus is still very much with us so we all must do everything we can to protect ourselves and others.” Julian Sheppard (80), who

G. FARWELL LTD.

Two deaths in new Covid figures

THERE were two new Covid-19 deaths in the New Forest, ac- cording to the latest figures is- sued this week. One was in a care home and the other in hospital, said the report published by the Office for National Statistics on Tues- day. It puts the coronavirus death toll in the district this year at 155. The weekly number of new cases up to the same day was 160, separate government figures showed, putting the Forest’s case rate per 100,000 people at 88.8 – compared to 284.2 for the whole of Eng- land. The previous Tuesday the number of new weekly cases stood at 143, and the rate was

79.4. Total cases so far amount to 2,235. In the BCP Council area, which includes Christchurch,

the six deaths, which all occurred in hospital, compared to last week’s figure of 18. The total fa- ONS reported

Testing sites open for Christmas COVID-19 testing sites will re- main open over the Christmas period for those with symp- toms.

Reclaimed & New cut SleepeRS

01590 682527 info@farwells.co.uk

downe in Bournemouth. Director of public health at Hampshire County Council, Simon Bryant, said: “Prompt self-isolation and testing and tracing of close contacts are crucial for breaking chains of infection and protecting our loved ones and communities. All tests at centres across Dorset and Hampshire must be booked in advance by vis- iting www.gov.uk/get-corona virus-test or calling 119.

The closest fixed site to the New Forest is at Southamp- ton Airport, but pop-up facil- ities are sometimes available. There are also centres in Bas- ingstoke and Winchester. In Dorset sites include Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch, Hawkwood Road in Boscombe, and Lans-

Tanalised £15.75 Reclaimed £25 Hardwood £27

All plus VAT

Sawmill at Crabbswood Lane, Sway, Lymington SO41 6EQ • www.gfarwells.co.uk

Police to focus on ‘blatant’ cases of tier movement

-

L

E

S

S

E

E

R

I

V

D

I

C

/

I

L

N

ALL MAKES

O

G -

R

E T

R

P

E

P

-

A

S

I R

HAMPSHIRE have urged the public to follow the rules but will only prevent peo- ple travelling between tiers in “blatant” cases, a senior officer has said. The message from Assistant Chief Constable Maggie Blyth came after parts of the coun- ty moved into tighter Tier 4 (stay at home) restrictions on Sunday amid fears over a new faster-spreading variant of Cov- police

id-19, although the New Forest remains at Tier 2. Ms Blyth pledged officers would still focus on educating the public about their responsi- bilities over travelling from Tier 4 areas, such as Portsmouth, to less stringent Tier 2 areas. Previously set Christmas bubbles, which would have al- lowed up to three households to mix between 23rd and 27th December, were scrapped by

I C

S

T

-

S

O

D

I

N

A

G

The partners, technicians and reception send our many long-standing customers, both business and private, together with those who have used our services during the past year for the first time:

Meals are prepared daily in our kitchen in Lymington using fresh local produce.All dietary needs are catered for. PLEASE CALL RICHARD OR SHARON ON 01590 671261 SETTERS FARM, MOUNT PLEASANT LANE, LYMINGTON MEALS ON WHEELS THE LUNCH BOX We can help you by supplying a delicious home cooked meal, made to order, small or large meals delivered to your door by Richard or Sharon.

OPENING TIMES OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD AND NEW YEAR

DEC 23rd 8:30am - 5:30pm DEC 24th 8:30am - 12:30pm

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS & DOORS • Internally beaded windows and doors • Security locking system • ‘A’ rated wi dows availabl • Double glaz your whole house or just one window or door • Quality secondary l ing • No deposit needed • 10-year insurance-back d guarantee I care for your home as my own. Over 20 years’ experience.

REPAIRS & INSURANCE WORK REPLACE Your condensated or broken glass units; upgrade to Energy Efficient glass units Fit fire escape window hinges F aulty hinges, locks, handles including window and door locking mechanisms Velux window glass units Cat flaps fitted Any other problem with your Double Glazing? Just call me! REPAIRS & INSURANCE WORK REPLACE • Your condensated or broken glass units; • upgrade to Energy Efficient glass units • Fit fire escape window hinges • Faulty hinges, locks, handles including • window and door locking mechanisms • Velux window glass units • Cat flaps fitted Any other problem with your Double Glazing? Just call me!

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS & DOORS • Internally beaded windows and doors • Security locking system • ‘A’ rated windows available............. or or • Double glaze your whole house just one window or door • No deposit needed • 10-year insurance-backed guarantee I care for your home as my own. Over 20 years’ experience.

Telephone: 01425 619899 / 07831 702357

YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS MY AIM

DEC 25th, 26th, 27th & 28th CLOSED DEC 29th, 30th & 31st 8:30am - 4:00pm JAN 1st, 2nd & 3rd CLOSED

INSURANCE WORK REPLACE Your condensated or broken glass units; upgrade to Energy Efficient glass units Fit fire escape window hinges F aulty hinges, locks, handles including window and door locking mechanisms Velux window glass units Cat flaps fitted Any other problem with your Double Glazing? Just call me! or

• 10-year insurance-backed guarantee I care for your home as my own. Over 20 years’ experience.

just one window or door • No deposit needed

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS & DOORS • Internally beaded windows and doors • Security locking system • ‘A’ rated windows available............. or

JAN 4th normal opening times 8:30am — 5:30pm We look forward to welcoming our existing and new customers in the coming year.

YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS MY AIM

YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS MY AIM

Telephone: 01425 619899 / 07831 702357 19 Fir Avenue, New Milton Telephone: 01425 61989 / 07831 702357 19 Fir Avenue, New Milton

REPAIRS &

Field Fencing, Hedge Trimming, Flail Topping, Digger Excavation, Field Maintenance, Ditching, Garden Clearance, Tree Stump Removal. Fully Insured – Waste Carriers Licence – Free Estimates 07914 387729 www.awparker.co.uk A W PARKER Agricultural & Groundworks Contractor

For more information on BOSCH Car Service Centres visit www.mps.boschauto.co.uk

Friday 25th December 2020 · 5 News

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

Veteran (90) loses bike to thieves for second time

RSPCA expects rise in dumped animals adopted in lockdown

THE RSPCA in Hampshire is bracing itself for a rise in the number of animals abandoned this winter as pet ownership has risen sharply during the pandemic. The number of unwanted pets rescued by the charity in the county during the whole of 2019 was 109. In November alone this year there have already been 11 reports of dumped animals. Sales of puppies and kittens shot up during lockdown with people looking for something to keep them occupied. But the reality of keeping a demanding animal, along with many people suffering finan-

cial struggles, means the RSP- CA believes it could see record numbers of pets ending up not being wanted. A recent national YouGov poll revealed that nearly one in six people who had acquired a pet during lockdown were now worried about the cost of look- ing after them in the future. Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “The last thing we want to see is animals dumped and left out in the cold, so we’d urge an- yone who is struggling to care for their pets to please reach out to friends, family and chari- ties for support instead.”

£1,000 bicycle man’s only independent means of transport

overwhelmed by the response. Messages of support included offers to pay towards replacing the bike, although he believed his parents could afford it and would “draw a line” under the incident. Brian expressed concern that other Facebook posters had re- ported having bikes stolen from outside the same Asda. The stolen bike was white with black pannier bags at- tached either side of the rear wheel. Updating the A&T on Mon- day, Brian said his father had been able to once again get himself out about at the weekend after obtaining a re- placement electric bike. Anyone with information should contact Hampshire po- lice on 101, quoting crime ref- erence number 44200484209, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

BY CHRIS MARCH

A 90-YEAR-OLD veteran whose only means of independent travel was an electric bike has had it stolen for the second time. Derek Stevens was shopping at Asda in Maynard Road, Tot- ton, for himself and his wife Lesley when the Freego Hawk cycle was snatched from where it had been secured in the car park bike shed. It happened at around mid- day last Wednesday, forcing Derek to take a taxi back to the couple’s home in Testbourne Road. Six years ago he lost another bike of the same model – worth over £1,000 – to thieves while it was locked up at the same loca- tion. Derek’s son Brian told the A&T: “It brings a tear to your eye because it’s so bloody sad to have it happen again.” The latest theft has left Derek without his own means of get- ting out and about unaccom- panied, Brian said. Derek and Lesley have a car, but he lost his licence several years ago due to poor eyesight. Since the pandemic hit, Brian has done most of his parents’ shopping – something Derek A HIGHCLIFFE nursing home has been enjoying a white Christmas for the fourth year in a row. Residents and staff have been treated to flurries of the white stuff ever since the own- ers bought a snow machine to add some extra festive sparkle. Despite the south coast’s warmer weather, Highcliffe Nursing Home, in Stuart Road, has been experiencing snow- flakes to step up its Christmas celebrations. Tracey Millar, operations manager at the Kingsley Healthcare home, bought a snow machine four years ago. She said: “The residents love it. As it gets dark we turn the lights off in the lounge and open the curtains. Residents are greeted by the sight of a winter wonderland.” Warm inside, residents can spectate on the falling snow as well as lights in the courtyard and lit-up festive figures of reindeer, snowmen and Father Christmas.

The culprits targeted the rack outside Asda

had done fully himself until then. But the nonagenarian still continued to do smaller shop- ping trips. “He’s got a lock for the bike, knows how to use it and used it. But that’s not much of a de- terrent these days for someone with an angle grinder in their rucksack,” Brian said. “He’s not able to walk very far so his only alternative is buses or taxis, but in this situation with Covid you don’t want to get too close to anyone.” He continued: “He’s done his bit for Queen and coun-

try. He served in Korea in the 1950s, and he went from Ko- rea straight to Egypt after that when he was 23. “In later years, when me and my brother were encouraged to join the Cub Scouts, both our parents got involved and dad was Scout leader for 23rd Rom- sey in Totton. “He’s given to the community for a lot of years and you think, this is how it repays him?” Having posted about the theft on Facebook in the slim hope that someone may have seen the stolen bike, Brian was

OFFICE MAKERS Bespoke Home Office and Study Areas Something that is a little bit special Part of the Kitchenmakers Group

The Old Forge,Arnewood Bridge Road, Sway, Lymington SO41 6DA T: 01590 683225 • F: 01590 683629 • www.kitchenmakers.co.uk

Flurry nice – nursing home lets it snow for residents

SUMMIT L A N D & D E V E L O P M E N T LANDWANTED, CASH PAID FOR:  LARGE GARDENS  GARAGE BLOCKS / YARDS  RUN DOWN PROPERTIES  REDUNDANT OFFICES 01202 836215  info@landwithsummit.com www.landwithsummit.com

It’s going to be a white Christmas at Highcliffe Nursing Home

Mrs Millar added: “This year it was extra special. It’s been a dreadful year with residents unable to see their families for long periods because of the coronavirus lockdown and we wanted to put on an event to cheer everyone up.” The residents’ favourite sing- er, Jo Geraty – stagename Ret-

ro Rita – dressed up as Father Christmas to switch on the win- ter wonderland lights and per- formed a selection of Christmas songs. Staff also recently took part in Kingsley Heroes Day, a cele- bration organised by Kingsley to honour the service of em- ployees during the pandemic.

Toys collected and cash raised in developers’ ra e

MORE than £2,000 was raised and over 100 toys collected for good causes by staff at a Ring- wood development company. Churchill Retirement Living and its management compa- ny Millstream Management Services collected the dona- tions for disadvantaged local children, homeless people and those in need. The money was raised by a Christmas raffle run by the firm’s charitable arm, the Churchill Foundation. The toys were for Wave 105’s Mission Christmas Cash for Kids ap- peal, helping provide presents for those who otherwise would

go without. An additional £500 contribu- tion from the Churchill Founda- tion ensured that over 100 pre- sents could be delivered to the Mission Christmas distribution centre in Southampton. Staff also donated essential items to Bournemouth chari- ty Hope For Food, supporting homeless people and vulnera- ble families. Spencer and Clinton McCar- thy, Churchill Retirement Liv- ing founders and foundation trustees, said: “We’re delighted with the response to this year’s Christmas Raffle and our ap- peal to support both Mission

Christmas and Hope For Food. “After a particularly tough year, it’s more important than ever to support these charities so they can continue the excel- lent work they do. “The gifts for Mission Christ- mas will make such a difference to children across the south who faced the prospect of waking up to no presents this Christmas morning.” They added: “The extra dona- tions to Hope For Food will also really help this hardworking lo- cal charity to support those in need. We’d like to thank every- one who donated for their gen- erosity.”

Beautifully made, surprisingly affordable Raynsford design and build kitchens in our own workshops in Hampshire. No middle men, no costly supply chain, just affordable cabinetry built with style and integrity. Visit our Lymington showroom conveniently situated at 26A St Thomas Street

Handmade Kitchens and Bespoke Cabinetry 01590 670080 / 07747 536631 hamish@raylym.co.uk www.raylym.co.uk 26A St Thomas Street Lymington Hampshire SO41 9NE NOWOPEN: 10amuntil 2pmMonday to Friday, or by appointment at any other time

Visit our Department Store at 124-138 Station Road, New Milton BH25 6LW

Visit our Furniture Store at 30-34 Old Milton Road, New Milton BH25 6DN