New Milton Advertiser 29th Jan 2021

24 · Friday 29th January 2021

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Clubs & societies

Lymington U3A A CENTURY ago a group of American musicians docked in London, bringing with them for the very first time the genre of jazz. Sandy Burnett, one of the UK’s most authoritative

Lymington and District Probus THE club met for the first time since lockdown by Zoom with the country. This made a number of own- ers wealthy so they could build the sea wall and main cy- cle-ways. Each year 300,000

20-plus members to enjoy a very interesting presentation with slides by Pete Durnell, the Hampshire County Council sites manager for the New Forest and Hampshire on the history and natural history of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve. Pete manages a number of reserves for the council in ad- dition to this one that encom- passes an area from the mouth of the Lymington River and Hurst Spit. The sea wall has been fully restored so it is open for every- one including disabled people on mobility scooters for the full distance to Keyhaven harbour. HCC now owns a major part of the land which it has pur- chased in sections since 1973. This protects the area from development and now encloses 500 acres including off-shore marshes. There are a total of 2,000 acres in the whole reserve. The area had been a hive of industrial activity for 2,000 years with the use of saltpans that flooded in the spring, dried out in the summer, until in autumn the thick brine was evaporated in coal-fired kilns to produce a high-quality sea- salt that was sent all around gramme has begun in earnest, with the active conservation volunteers in the friends group cutting hazel, stacking the timber and burning the tops, in Woar Copse. The group are well on their way to reaching the target of the first compartment in the wood being cut this winter. The second will be cut this time next year. Progress has been speeded up as the group have been assisted by students from Priestlands School in Lyming-

visitors use the area and there is a great deal of effort expend- ed keeping the different users happy. Information panels are dotted around to point out features to educate the pas- sers-by. In response to questions regarding legal authority Pete emphasised the policy was to deter and encourage, since prosecution is far from easy. Clearly there are issues with dogs not being properly con- trolled and speeding cyclists, especially where older people are walking. Attempts to keep open gates for lockdown are regularly hin- dered by well-meaning people cutting the ropes. To a question about food sources, Pete talked about blackberries, sloes, rosehips, fennel and other plants that many come and gather. Members were very im- pressed by the quality of the photos and the details of the talk. Peter Huntley gave an enthusiastic vote of thanks. For more information

fine houses in Lymington. Much of this heritage is crumbling away as repairs are the responsibility of private owners with no incentive to do the work. With the discovery of rock salt in Derbyshire the market collapsed. Pete turned to natural his- tory with an excellent Power- point presentation that includ- ed aerial shots of the area and many wonderful photos of a varied and colourful range of birds that nest in the reserve. Many come in the spring, but there are quite a number that visit in the winter. Some fly south in the winter, others come from the north at the same time. HCC is responsible for keeping the pasture right by burning and cutting as needed. He also illustrated the different types of flowering plants and other creatures such as adders that come out at various times to enjoy the sun or the shade. There are wardens that pa- trol the area and erect signs to encourage people not to walk in areas where birds are nest- ing. Quite a number of nests are on the ground and can be easily trodden on. There are a variety of trails and footpaths in addition to ton who come once a week, until half-term, to cut and clear the hazel. The students are studying woodland management and are picking up skills to help look after our woodlands, from tree recognition, traditional management, use of produce and aftercare. They are being tutored by Paul Bowman, an expert in woodland conserva- tion, recently awarded a BEM in the Honours List for services to nature conservation and woodland management. Some of the more

FOR their January Zoom meet- ing members of the Brocken- hurst and District Probus Club welcomed Bob Sinfield for a very amusing talk about his long and illustrious career as a comedy script writer. Bob has scripted some of the most famous and funny personalities in show business for the last 25 years. He illustrated his talk with loads of humour and his great gift as an impression- ist. He was brought up in Corn- wall (but now lives in Kent, rather closer to the home of radio and TV) where he was first exposed to radio comedy, which he enjoyed. However, with a friend, he thought he could do as well if broadcasters in many music fields, recently gave a talk to Lymington u3a with musical il- lustrations ranging from blues, ragtime and the very earliest jazz recordings. His highly entertaining and informative talk was the latest in a series of Zoom pres- entations for Lymington u3a members. Coming up in February is an- other well-known broadcaster and author, Mark Thompson, who will take members on a ‘Guided Tour of the Universe’, far away from our Covid-19 troubles here on earth! The Zoom era has helped to bring members together in these socially distancing times, Aside from the monthly talks, it has provided the op- portunity for some of the pop- ular study and interest group activities to keep going, such as current affairs, history and languages and other groups. Those that cannot meet are organising chat-room sessions to keep in touch.

Fordingbridge Rotary ON 12th January, during the height of lockdown, members of Fordingbridge Rotary were treated to a talk by fellow Ro- tarian Peter Montgomery, from Weighton Wold, via the medium of Zoom. health care very efficiently to a large number of people. Both ships are old Norwe- gian ferries, which have been fully fitted out as hospital ships, with a multitude of oper- ating theatres. No one gets paid except the

Sandy Burnett

Ian Bennett, chair of Lym- ington u3a, said: “Zoom has provided a lifeline at a time when members cannot enjoy our normal programme of speakers, group activities and outings. “Although we are not running at full pace at the moment, it is still a good time to join us to enjoy what is currently on offer and in readiness for our normal programme resuming, hopeful- ly, later in 2021.” To find out more visit www. lymingtonu3a.org.uk

Milford WI MILFORD WI held their Jan- uary meeting on Zoom thanks to the technical wizardry of host, Tracy Haupt who “let in” members to smaller chat rooms prior to the main event. Gale Pettifer gave an illus- trated and informative talk on a Year in the Life of a New Forest Pony, explaining the ancient origins of commoning rights and the hierarchy of verderers and agisters who are all expert and experienced horsemen. At present there is no femi- nine representation amongst their numbers! President Diana Cobbett said Milford Parish Council had again sanctioned the use of the village telephone box as an Peter has been involved in the concept of Mercy Ships since 2011, along with his wife who is a volunteer nurse on one of them. Mercy Ships is a fleet of two hospital ships which are equipped to undertake a multi- tude of surgeries, including re- moving tumours, cleft palates, cataracts, and various forms of orthopaedics. Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens realised that over 50% of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of a major sea port, and that a hospital ship could therefore deliver

exchange/swap-shop for books, jigsaws, DVDs etc. Despite issues with damp, it is hoped villagers will make use of this free facility offered and supervised by the WI during the current lockdown. New Forest WI have sus- pended annual subscriptions until 1st April when £44 will be due for the following 12 months. Secretary Beverley Smith has been collecting votes for the resolutions which will be sent to NFWI. Speaker secretary Vivien Shute has organised speakers for the February and March meetings. To find out more visit www. milfordonseawi.co.uk captain, who is paid $1 per annum, for legal reasons. Since Mercy Ships started, no less than 56 third world countries have been visited, and literally millions of pa- tients have been helped. Since the organisation recently purchased its second ship, Global Mercy (pictured) - the first one is named Africa Mercy - it needs more people and more money. To find out more about Fordingbridge Rotary Club visit fordingbridge-rotary.org. uk

contact chair Jenny Simpson via battswell@hotmail.com or 01590 623687, or secretary Maurice Crosswell on 01590 644677 or maurice.crosswell@ btopenworld.com Friends of Ballard Water Meadow THE winter coppicing pro-

Brockenhurst and District Probus

shade-casting holly trees will be coming down in February and cleared away to give the re-growing hazel more light and space to develop, and the group have been given a generous donation by the New Milton Residents’ Association to buy and plant many more hazel saplings throughout the woodland over the next few years. The group meets at the metal container in Lake Grove Road every Friday and Sunday at 09.30am. Visit friendsof ballardwatermeadow.co.uk

not better than some of them. He went to stage school but realised early on that he would enjoy a more successful career as a writer rather than an actor. That was certainly the case and the list of comedians he has written for is long and impressive. It isn’t possible or funny to reproduce the comedy here. But you can log onto Bob’s website (bobsinfield.co.uk) for a short extract of his presenta- tion as well as information about the books he has writ- ten. The site is entertaining and funny. For more information about the club contact the secretary on 01590 622501 or visit www. brockenhurstprobus.com

If you would like a report of your club’s activities to appear on this page please send up to 400 words to news@adt.press

57 High Street, Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hants, SO41 0QG 01590 643033 | sales@collinsandbutler.co.uk www.collinsandbutler.co.uk

A substantial, detached, four bedroom, two bathroom family home in a desirable and quiet location, a short distance from the village centre and seafront. • Well proportioned accommodation throughout • Two adjoining single garages • Mature, south facing rear garden • Beautiful woodland walks on the doorstep

A very well presented, detached, four bedroom, two bathroom family home, occupying a corner plot, located a short walk from the shops, cafes and restaurants of Milford on Sea village. • Situated in a quiet residential area

A rarely available, two bedroom, two bathroom, mid-terrace cottage dating from 1887, nestled on the fringe of the New Forest National Park, in the sailing hamlet of Keyhaven. The property bene“ts from o-road parking and a south facing garden. • Located within moments of two sailing clubs and The Gun PH • Approximately one mile to Milford on Sea village centre • South facing garden, mainly laid to lawn with a paved terrace

• Tandem garage with access from the garden • Driveway with parking for two/ three cars

north-west of the village centre • Attractive rear garden with a decorative paved terrace

MILFORD ON SEA

£785,000

MILFORD ON SEA

£649,950

KEYHAVEN

£450,000

A well positioned, two bedroom, ground oor apartment, in a small block of four, situated moments from the seafront at Milford on Sea. The property has its own private entrance and a garage in very nearby block. area. • Extensive communal lawns • Allocated o road parking space • Short walk to the village shops, cafes and restaurants • Easy access to the Milford on Sea Health Centre

A two bedroom, second/top oor apartment, situated in a quiet and secluded spot, a short, pleasant walk from the village centre. The property enjoys a very private, west facing balcony. • Garage in nearby block • Casual parking • Well maintained communal grounds • No forward chain

A well located, four bedroom, semi-detached family home, within easy reach of both the New Forest and the coast. The property is situated within walking distance of the amenities of Everton village and is being oered with no forward chain. • New boiler installed in 2018 (5 years residual warranty) • Integral garage (scope to convert into further accommodation) • Rear garden mainly laid to lawn with a large decked terrace • Ideally located in the catchments for good local schools

MILFORD ON SEA

£304,950

MILFORD ON SEA

£275,000

EVERTON

£425,000

INDEPENDENT ESTATE AND LETTINGS AGENTS | ESTABLISHED 1975