From Our Files: Cafe erosion fears...tree house victory...hunting for support...

Then & Now (with St Barbe Museum + Gallery): The Indian War Memorial Barton on Sea, 1940

The Indian War Memorial at Barton honours the memory of Indian soldiers who served during the First World War.

The obelisk is located on the clifftop and marks the site of a temporary military hospital where injured Indian troops were treated after fighting on the Western Front.

The memorial, unveiled in 1917, with inscriptions in English and Hindi, stands as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance, highlighting the vital contributions of the Indian army to the British war effort.

25 YEARS AGO

Three young Hordle brothers celebrated this week when they heard that the tree house they pulled down after the weight of the planning authority had fallen on them could be replaced with a superior model.

There was national publicity for the Hiscock family after the A&T revealed that brothers David, 12, Jamie, 10, and Rhys, 8, had contravened planning regulations by putting the tree house at their home in Everton Road.,

But they have gained official approval from the district council.

The boys’ mum said: “They are delighted. When I picked David up from school and told him we’d won he was dancing up and down the street.”

* * * * *

Supporters of fox hunting across the New Forest fear an uncertain future after the publication of the long-awaited Burns Report into the effects of hunting with hounds which could spell an end to the sport.

But some farmers and commoners say they are quietly confident that fox hunting will continue because Lord Burns has acknowledged the importance of it to the agricultural economy such as the dead stock service in the countryside.

Here the New Forest Foxhounds remove and dispose of carcasses of animals who either die naturally or are involved in road accidents.

* * * * *

Villagers at Brockenhurst are being asked to keep an eye out for an escaped lemur.

The 14-month-old white-fronted Lemur escaped from an enclosure at Black Knowl.

50 YEARS AGO

A couple who bought the clifftop café at Barton-on-Sea say they fear financial ruin as the premises are now only yards away from the receding cliff edge and the money, they have put into the business £18,000 which they fear will be irretrievably lost.

Harry and Margaret Clover, who brought the business five months ago, now realise they have made a mistake which could cost them dear.

Mr Clover said he was under misapprehension about erosion at Barton believing it was wave action not running water within the land formation.

* * * * *

When the Lymington and District Dog Training Club handed over a £900 cheque for a guide dog for the blind, it had been hoped that comedian Charlie Drake would be accepting it.

But he was unable to attend as he was at a meeting about his dispute with Equity, and Mr Mike Henry read out a telegram from Charlie.

In it he said: “Hello my darlings! Congratulations. Keep up your good work. Lots of Luv. Charlie.”

* * * * *

A two-year-old Burley boy who was bitten by an adder was admitted to the intensive care unit of Poole Hospital.

Burley Parish Council was told about his plight at a meeting this week, and members highlighted the need for visitors to the Forest and local people to be aware of the drill in case of snake bites.

They heard snake bite serum was no longer kept by local doctors and anyone bitten by an adder should go straight to hospital.

Clerk Miss A Weir said the Forest was “riddled” with adders and a notice should be put on the parish board telling people what to do if bitten.