New Milton Advertiser 6th Nov 2020

8 · Friday 6th November 2020

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Demolition of social club set for approval

Man admits spraying woman SPRAYING a potentially corrosive liquid in a woman’s face resulted in a man being handed a suspended prison sentence. Connor Bassett (20), of Green Lane, Fordingbridge, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating in Febru- ary. He also admitted causing criminal damage to her car. Southampton magistrates imposed 16 weeks’ jail, sus- pended for 24 months, and a five-year restraining order banning contact with the victim. Bassett must pay her £1,000 compensation, plus £55 court costs. Vacancy on harbour board LYMINGTON Harbour Commissioners are looking to recruit an experienced new committee member to help plan future harbour develop- ments. The authority’s board comprises the harbour mas- ter, Ryan Willegers, and nine voluntary commissioners. It is responsible for policing the harbour, letting moorings and managing the safety of river users. The closing date for appli- cations to the three-year post is Monday 23rd November. For more information visit www.lymingtonharbour.co.uk New equipment for hospital A NEW scanner and ther- mometer are among £3,500 of items purchased by Milford hospital thanks to help from a volunteer group. The Milford Hospital League of Friends is covering the £554 cost of a Doppler ul- trasound blood flow scanner, a £500 distance thermometer, and purchasing chairs for more than £2,500. “Although Milford Hospi- tal League of Friends can’t run its normal ‘close-up and friendly’ services in the hos- pital during the coronavirus pandemic, nor hold its usual fundraising events, it still con- tinues to support our NHS and our local community,” said a spokesperson.

COUNCILLORS have been ad- vised to approve plans to de- molish a derelict former social club despite warnings it would leave the Waterside without a single performing arts venue. The Holbury Club, off the A326 Long Lane, has been pro- posed for demolition having stood empty since 2016 follow- ing the collapse of the organisa- tion that managed it, Waterside Sport and Social Club. Owned by Fawley oil refin - ery operator Esso, it contains the sole large theatre space on the Waterside, plus changing rooms, a bar and clubroom. Be- hind it are football, cricket, ten- nis and bowls pitches. The overhaul features a new sports pavilion and commu- nity garden, but no theatre or cultural room. It will go before New Forest District Council’s planning committee meeting Objections that site is last theatre space on Waterside BY JON WALLER

Waterside Theatre Company has shut, while the musical so- ciety has struggled to find a suitable alternative venue. The Theatres Trust is also op- posed, pointing out the project will cause the “loss of non-des- ignated heritage assets”. A planning report to the committee said the theatre use ceased in 2016 and while it had been a “valued community fa- cility” it was now in a “state of disrepair” and subject to van- dalism. It went on: “It is clear that, due to the poor condition of the building, significant funds would be required to refurbish the building to a useable condi- tion, and there is no evidence of any community groups or other interested parties willing to un- dertake this project. “The proposed development consists of a pavilion which would predominantly provide facilities necessary to support the use of the open space as playing fields by the local com - munity. “Without these facilities, the existing site cannot be used to its full potential.” PROVIDING activities for youngsters is “absolutely vital” for their wellbeing, it was ar- gued as New Milton councillors heard plans for a scaled-down reopening of a popular local youth club. Town council youth services manager Silma Ramsaywack told Monday’s online finance and general purposes commit- tee meeting that Ashley Youth Club was due to return at its base in the rugby club’s pavil- ion, off Normans Way, this com- ing Wednesday. Mrs Ramsaywack pointed out youth clubs are classed as an essential service like schools and can remain open during the pandemic, but stressed numbers had to be limited. The club, which launched in February, previously attracted dozens of 11 to 14-year-olds to its Wednesday sessions. Now, the relaunch will cater for no more than around 10 youngsters, with three or more youth workers and volunteers. “There were few places for young people to meet and so- cialise before Covid-19,” Mrs Ramsaywack said. “The situation is now much worse. Unfortunately, this has meant even more young peo- ple gather on the recreation ground, in the play park area and on the skate park.” As reported in the A&T, the

From left are golf day winner Nigel Cooke, John Wild’s father Marty Wild, and John’s cousin Simon Rickman Golfers chip in for memorial fundraiser

A MEMORIAL contest was held at Walhampton golf course in memory of John Wild who was a green keeper there before his death from a peanut allergy eight years ago. The fundraising game has been held every year since John died in 2012 but there were fears it would have to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic. But golfers came up with a range of measures including social distancing and tempera- ture testing to ensure it could go ahead before lockdown. Together they raised £800 for Oakhaven Hospice in Penning- ton, which John’s dad Marty had named as this year’s char- ity.

Among those donating raffle prizes were Double H Nurser- ies, while Pedz 4 Tredz spon- sored the loyal toast. Simon Rickman, John’s cous- in, said: “We had to do things differently this year, but the event was still a great success. “The family and I would like to thank Gracelands for their continued sponsorship and Vicky and staff at Walhampton golf course.” John (29) was found in ana- phylactic shock in his bedroom on Christmas Eve 2012. He had eaten peanut butter fre- quently but, on this occasion, an inquest heard, it caused an overwhelming reaction in his body.

next Wednesday with an offi - cer’s report recommending to approve it. The scheme has been sup- ported by 118 people who have written to back the plans – in- cluding Fawley Parish Council and Hampshire County Council. There have been 18 objec- tions including Christine Tal- bot, musical director of the Wa- terside Musical Society. While not opposed in principle, she The club has lain empty since 2016

argued the scheme should be amended to include a cultural facility. She pointed out the theatre had been used by many groups, including the musical society, Waterside Theatre Company, dance schools and commercial organisations. It had hosted films, plays, and concerts, and served as a large function room for other events. Since the club’s closure the

Youth club’s relaunch plans

More to moor as upgrade to hit sailors in pocket

SAILORS at Keyhaven face fee increases next year to help pay for an upgrade to the chain mooring system. New Forest District Coun- cil said the improvements will ensure vacant moorings can be taken up and waiting times shortened. That will improve confidence in the moorings and increase occupancy to help pay for the work, it said. The move was set out in a re- port signed off by the cabinet member for environment, Cllr

Alison Hoare. It said the in- creases for 2021 were “fair and proportionate”. There are also policy changes, including fees now covering a calendar year not the financial one. The biggest rises included al- most doubling a single launch of a kayak, canoe or paddle- board, and the cost of a sea- sonal launch of the same craft going up 87%. An annual wall mooring for a boat 12ft or more was up 38% to £416, licence fees for pri-

vate moorings 15.3% higher at £125, and waiting list fees for a mooring or dinghy up 13.6% to £41.67. There were some decreas- es: a Fisherman’s Associa- tion wall mooring was down nearly 17%, and anchorage and visitor moorings dropped 84p (9%). The NFDC report said it was “aware of the difficult season” commercial fisherman had faced, so reduced the fees for their moorings.

The youth club is run at New Milton rugby pavilion

town’s amenities committee re- sisted calls by police to close the skate park at night amid claims officers dispersed a group of up to 70 youths. This led to an urgent online meeting of the town’s youth and play forum, a group com- prising representatives of youth organisations. “We discussed the possibility of other youth clubs opening again,” Mrs Ramsaywack con- tinued. “It was felt that it would be good to be able to publicise several youth venues and activ- ities happening throughout the week, perhaps on social media and through schools. “With the reopening of the Ashley Youth Club, the in-

tention is to share with other groups information relating to risk assessments and general- ly how to reopen a youth club safely during Covid-19.” Ashley Youth Club’s reopen- ing was welcomed by Cllr Ste- ve Clarke, who has long been a strong advocate of the town’s young people. “We must get some youth clubs up and running,” he said. “It’s absolutely vital for the health and wellbeing of our young people.” Cllr John Ward offered £200 from his New Forest District Council grant allowance to- wards the printing of booklets to complement a planned on- line directory of local youth support services.

NU R S E R I E S Shallowmead Est.1947

Open for business

Nursery The nursery is open for all your gardening requirements. We also have a beautiful garden which will be open for you to wander round.

Mabel’s We are currently offering a range of hot & cold drinks as well as delicious cakes to takeaway.

Farm Shop Our Farm Shop will be open as normal, with a range of fresh fruit & vegetables, meat, dairy and a wide selection of preserves.

We’re thrilled to have launched our online shop for home delivery & collection. Visit www.shallowmeadonlineshop.co.uk for more details.

Opening Times: 9am - 5pm, Sundays 10am - 4pm Shallowmead Nurseries, Boldre Lane, Lymington, SO41 8PA 01590 672550 | mail@shallowmead.co.uk