From Our Files: Lauder not lauded...sea defence danger...minister’s NPA pledge
50 YEARS AGO
Mr Reg Alderson, chairman of the New Forest District Council, was the official guest at Milford-on-Sea Social Club when an evening was held to celebrate the completion of extensive alterations to the premises, including a new bar, lounge area, new dance floor, air conditioning and double glazing, giving the premises the look of a top-class nightclub.
Among the guests was Val Arnold who has been a member since 1919. Recorded minutes of the club go back to 1805. The first president was Colonel Cornwallis West.
In 1906 the balance sheet showed a deficit of 2s 1d. Membership is now 700.
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“DO not grieve for those who pass through the glorious gates of death, for by the grace of God they are not dead, or sleeping but alive in the great wonderland of His heaven, and as Sir Harry Lauder sang “All you have loved will be waiting there at the end of the road.”
This is the wording on a plaque which has been given anonymously to Brockenhurst Parish Council by a long-standing resident.
The council have agreed that the plaque will be set in a bank in St Nicholas’ church cemetery. At a meeting of the council, Brigadier D. Thackwell said: “I would have preferred it without the Sir Harry Lauder bit.”
Rev H. Field considered the wording could have been done so much better. Mrs Evelyn Purkiss said she did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings but said she did not approve of it at all.
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AFTER the collapse of the sea defence works at Barton between the cutting and Mr Strudwick’s house to the west, further erosion has taken place to the east which means that the whole of the £1-million sea defences are now in danger of being lost.
It is also highly likely that beach huts will also be lost along with the present “roadway” between the two cuttings in the next week or so.
25 YEARS AGO
THE old established Lymington firm of funeral directors Diamond & Son has changed hands for only the second time in its history.
The firm has now been acquired by Winchester-based family concern Steel & Son who will continue to operate from the same premises in Lower Buckland Road.
It was in 1856 that Joseph Osmond Diamond arrived in Lymington, travelling up from Dorset to set up his business in Avenue Road opposite the Borough Arms pub which had opened the year before as a posting house.
In his workshop Joseph toiled as a cart and wagon builder, wheelwright and undertaker. He moved to Lower Buckland Road where in 1920 he was succeeded by his son Charles whose sons entered the family business at the age of 14 as pallbearers.
People could have a horse-drawn hearse if rich, or if poor could be pushed to the church on a wheeled bier. In 1934 a Daimler was purchased for use as a hearse.
In 1979 the business was sold to Dave Middle who organised funerals for soldiers killed in Bosnia, among others.
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ENVIRONMENT Minister Chris Mullin has given a written assurance that the New Forest acts will remain in force and the powers of the Forestry Commission and the verderers will remain unaffected.
Mr Mullin has written to MP Desmond Swayne saying that the decision to designate the New Forest a national park was in order to “ensure the future protection and best management of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area for future generations.”
He said the new NPA would work “closely” with existing bodies in the Forest.
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NEW Milton’s 107-year-old student artist Fred Moore who has been attending adult education classes for the last quarter of a century and intends continuing to do so, has been cited by the government in its Lifelong Learning Campaign.
Fred attends art classes every Tuesday. Government Minister Fred Wicks said: “People like Fred show that we can all benefit from proper learning throughout our lives. He is an example to us all.”