From Our Files: US and them...shops in cliff warning...rhodie to redemption
50 YEARS AGO
A MEETING of the New Forest branch of the Business and Professional Women’s Club heard from Mrs Stewartson about her recent trip to America.
She said she had eaten a rather strange mixture of foods. Steaks in generous portions were frequent, but they lacked the flavor our meat has.
She noticed a difference in the daily life of the home. Such as very long “gossip sessions” on the phones, TV commercials interrupted programmes every few minutes.
But contrary to her expectations, children had very good manners. Wives seemed to boss their husbands but this was taken as the normal thing.
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KEEPING families in temporary shelter including hotels and guest houses is costing Hampshire County Council £1,777 a week.
They are being cared for on a bread and breakfast basis with one family costing £75 a week.
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IT was vital that Barton residents did not lose the shopping facilities on the seafront as a result of cliff falls, district member Julie Brown told New Milton and Barton Ratepayers Association.
Mrs Brown said that residents were not concerned about the immediate future of their houses in premises but would like to see a long term plan for the cliffs.
Another district council member, Mr D. Taylor, said that in no time the shops and Marine Drive would be lost through cliff falls.
Lt Cdr H. Mole commented that the recent fall was the first major fall since the coast protection works had begun at Barton 10 years ago.
Mrs R Williams said they had to consider the cost of saving land and whether or not it would be better to let it take its natural course.
25 YEARS AGO
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THE chairman of New Milton Town Council has called for district council enforcement officers to throw the book at a Bashley man who is building what is described as a mansion house, instead of an approved bungalow.
“Every planning rule is being disregarded and we should object in the strongest way,” fumed Tink Snudden, Bashley ward councillor.
He told colleagues he was outraged over the retrospective application of the man for the retention of an agricultural dwelling as built at Lake Side, Ossemsley.
“It’s disgusting what’s been done there. If this is an agricultural dwelling, then I am a Dutchman.”
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FORESTRY commission rangers aim to return Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, famous for its show of rhododendrons in the New Forest, to its Victorian splendour.
Their first job must be to remove the rhododendron bushes which have robbed the old coaching road of its one time area of colour.
Ranger Helen Wood said: “The Victorians planted a whole range of ‘rhodie’ species along the drive in 1859.
“The effect was stunning with all sorts of bold and different coloured blooms appearing during the year.
“But ‘Rhododendron ponticum’ has gradually taken over until only it remains.”
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A NEW Milton couple are taking legal action after being told to switch off a waterfall that aerates their fish pond.
They have been served with a noise abatement notice by New Forest District Council after their next door neighbour complained that the constant splashing of water was “irritating” and disturbing his sleep at night, especially during the warm months when he had his windows open.
The couple lessened the waterfall so it ran at half speed to help with the noise but fish, including a £90 sturgeon, had died as a result.
