From Our Files: Pavement ‘body’ reading meter...farmers’ plea...planning battles
50 YEARS AGO
PRINCE Charles paid an informal visit to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu on Sunday.
Visitors going round the exhibits were surprised to find him mingling with them accompanied by his uncle Earl Mountbatten and Lord Montagu.
The prince is seen viewing the 1901 Columbia electric car which his great grandmother Queen Alice used to drive herself around the grounds of Sandringham.
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THE need to educate the vast majority of people in this country as to the part played by farmers and estates in providing them with food was stressed by Mr C. Heywood, president of the Country Land Owners Association, when he replied to the toast by Lord Montagu at the annual dinner of the Beaulieu estates.
Mr Heywood said that 98% of people living in towns were “urban minded” and did not understand that 60% of the nation’s food was grown by 2% of the population.
He said that the 98% to which he referred needed to understand that unless they looked after those who farmed and managed and planned agriculture’s future they would quit and we would get less food.
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MR Robert Adley MP for Christchurch and Lymington has given his support to the Channel Tunnel project saying: “I want to see British Rail become successful”.
He believes the tunnel will give BR enormous opportunities in the long distance freight business and said it represented a “major investment” in the railway system.
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“FOR someone connected with the New Forest District Council to have the effrontery to come along this evening, bearing in mind the state of your greens during the past season has to be very brave, or stupid” said town mayor Mr W. Symons referring to his attendance at the annual dinner of Lymington Bowling Club.
“But always believe it is far better to look a problem straight in the face rather than avoid it. I am aware of the problem and I would have made more noise a lot earlier if I had known about them sooner.”
“You have been too understanding and patient and should have kicked those of us who are here to represent you earlier.”
25 YEARS AGO
A BID to resolve a planning dispute over an advert which Lymington businessman Leon Crouch has put up on his factory frontage at the foot of East Hill looks doomed to failure.
At a meeting of NFDC Cllr Kevin Ault praised Mr Crouch, a considerable local employer who was proud of his company.
He said he hoped there would be “amicable negotiations” between Mr Crouch and planning officers but that proved to be short lived as proceedings in the chamber became heated.
Cllr Ben Earwicker said there was too much advertising in Lymington saying: “You will turn it into Sunset Strip and Las Vegas if you are not careful.”
At this point Mr Crouch shouted “No!” and left the council chamber shouting at Cllr Earwicker “Stop smiling at me you bloody long haired git.”
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ONCE widely criticised for the state of its public toilets Christchurch Council is now a regular winner in the Loo of the Year competition, this year earning three accolades.
The conveniences at Sea Corner, Highcliffe, and the River Way recreation ground in the Jumpers area have both been given awards while the block at Highcliffe Castle has been commended.
“We are very pleased with this news, “said Cllr Brian Williams “Residents told us they wanted good quality clean conveniences and that is what the council has provided.
“Over the last three years a programme of refurbishment has been carried out and as a result the borough has a chain of eight award-winning sets of public conveniences.”
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AN ambulance crew responding to a 999 call to a body on the pavement in Stopples Lane, Hordle, on Monday were unable to locate a casualty but on making inquiries of a man nearby learnt that it had probably been him.
“I have to lie down to read water metres, “he informed the paramedics.
