From Our Files: Cost of coast cover...parking ban...racist vandals...pricey mugs
Then & Now (with St Barbe Museum + Gallery): St Thomas Church Lymington, circa 1907
St Thomas Church in Lymington, with its imposing tower and weathered stonework, stands as a landmark on the High Street.
Its exterior dates mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, although the site has housed a church since at least the 13th century.
Climbing ivy had long softened the church’s rugged façade, lending it a timeless, almost romantic quality. Ivy was seen as both protective and symbolic of eternal life, fitting for a place of worship. Today, Ivy is often controlled to preserve the stonework.
This postcard from 1907 reads on the back: “This is the church at the town where we do all our shopping.”
50 YEARS AGO
Mr CH Smith chief financial officer who was asked to express the implications of coastal defence costs told the meeting: “The burden for coast protection is just over £81,000 per annum. That is almost equal to the amount you are spending on recreational facilities in the whole of the New Forest district.”
Half the £75,000 needed for the scheme could be expected to be a grant from the Department of Environment but, said Mr Smith, that leaves £37,500 which would fall on the rates.
“Your ratepayers cannot afford it, you have reached the ultimate burden, and I would urge you to avoid expenditure at this grave stage in the financial plight of the country and the district.”
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Lymington traders affected by the new daytime parking ban in St Thomas Street imposed by the New Forest District Council are almost unanimous in their serious concerns at the way the ban has resulted in a considerable decline in their trading figures.
A street survey carried out by the A&T showed an average drop of 15 percent in takings since the ban was introduced. “That figure could mean the difference between solvency and bankruptcy, “ said hairdresser Andrew Gosling.
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Angry villagers at Burley are writing to the council and their MP because provision of public conveniences has been put back until next year. At Monday’s council meeting Group Captain RJA Ford asked for reconsideration of the amenities committee decision to postpone the scheme.
The Group Capt said: “Stories of queuing for the telephone box and going behind the post office are perfectly true. If members cared to visit the village round about midday they would be quite astounded at what happens.
“They might care to call in at the paper shop where they are harried all day long by old people dancing about and the post office is exactly the same and having danced in the post office they dance round the back and into the bushes.”
25 YEARS AGO
A desperate dog owner who broke a driving ban to get his animal away from a bitch on heat has won an appeal against a two-month jail sentence.
Southampton Crown Court heard how the 32-year-old was disqualified for driving for three years for drink driving but was spotted by police officers at the wheel of his car in Forest Road, Burley Street.
When stopped he told them: “I was only trying to get the dog out for a walk. There’s a bitch on heat near us and he’s going mental.”
The court heard the dog had smashed a window costing £300 to try to get to the pet. In defence his barrister said: “With him not having had any sleep, the dog barking and the neighbours complaining he made a very stupid decision to take the dog out to the Forest. It was an act born out of desperation.”
Since then, he had had his dog castrated and sold his car. His jail sentence was substituted for a 120-hour community service order.
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The new owner of a shop at Walkford says he will be driven out by suspected racist vandals who have twice smashed his £4,000 front window.
Indian-born Seva Binning took over the Happy Shopper store in the Walkford parade at the beginning of May.
The first attack was on 14th June when three bricks were thrown through the window. After it was repaired the vandals struck again.
Mr Binning said: “I think they are trying to drive me out, but they won’t succeed.” Although he was aware that some people did not come into the shop anymore because of his race he said on the whole locals had been welcoming.
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Lord Montagu of Beaulieu sold a pair of old beer mugs in London for £300,000 – one thousand for each year of their age.
The flagons, which resemble lidded tankards, were made in the time of Charles II and given to the first Earl Montagu Ralph by joint rulers William and Mary in 1689.
