From our Files: Housing shortage...calves saved...tents catch fire
75 YEARS AGO
MEMBERS of the Women Citizens’ Association heard an interesting address on housing at their monthly meeting in the Institute recently.
Introduced by Miss D. Bowker (Chairman), Mr Herbert Collins, FRIBA, an architect from Southampton, impressed his listeners with the urgency of this problem. The shortage of houses and consequent overcrowding, he said, was responsible for all sorts of juvenile delinquency and marriage failure. Many of those present would never see its solution. The first and second world wars were the major causes of the problem. A third war would be fatal.
THE Ministry of Transport’s Committee on Ferries, in a report published this week, notes in regard to the Lymington-Yarmouth ferry: “That the proprietors are proposing to introduce a new vessel of greater capacity. In view, however, of the narrowness of the waterway at the Lymington terminal and of the constant interference with mooring facilities and navigation we are of opinion that the question of the resiting of the terminal should be given consideration at an early date.
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THE public are making another wonderful response in our Borough in obtaining their new Ration Books from the Food Office.
Mr F. J. Williams, the Local Food Executive Office, reports that in two weeks’ distribution at Milford and Lymington, which closed last Saturday, a total of 10,209 books were issued, this representing very nearly 100 per cent.
The staff at Lymington had their busiest time on Saturday, the last day of the distribution for that district, when three people issued a total of 315 books, or an average of 90 an hour each.
50 YEARS AGO
THE number of people registered as unemployed at Lymington fell by over a hundred in the twelve months period to June this year, and at Christchurch the fall was over 200. Those registered as unemployed at the beginning of June, with last year’s totals for the same month in brackets, were: Lymington, men 270 (347), women 14 (42), Christchurch, men 337 (536), women 31 (41).
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MR ERIC DEARING suggested at the recent meeting of Lyndhurst Parish Council, that the Council should recommend the new New Forest District Council to appoint a tree expert. Lyndhurst council are upset, because trees at Shrubbs Hill, Lyndhurst, which were the subject of a preservation order had been felled although they had objected to the felling. It was stated that one tree was in such a poor condition that it might have fallen across the road within three or four years.
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THE lives of two calves were saved by Burley firemen who rescued the animals from Whitten Pond near Burley after they had been driven into the pond by three large dogs on Saturday evening. Sub-Officer R. Gillam and firemen H. Law and D. Bailey waded into the pond, which was almost up to their waists in places, to rescue the calves which just had their heads above water.
25 YEARS AGO
DOZENS of mums and children braved heavy downpours to boost funds for their toddler group when they took part in a sponsored toddle. Sixty-five children from St Mary Magdalene Parish Church Toddler Group in Milton completed the half-mile lap around the Rectory Gardens in Church Lane. Some of the children walked round the gardens, others rode small bikes and the rest were pushed around the course in their prams. Aside from raising money to buy new toys for the toddler group, some of the money from the sponsored toddle will go to Barnardos charity.
The Rector’s wife, Rosemary Bailey, said: “The children were very brave to do the toddle in the rain.”
Children from the Barton Playgroup have also taken part in similar sponsored toddle around the Rectory Gardens.
Pictured are the under-2s toddler group from St Mary Magdalene Parish Church at the start of the sponsored toddle.
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FIVE youngsters on a Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme camping trip in the Forest were rushed to hospital after their tents caught fire when they attempted to refill a camping stove with methylated spirit.
Twelve firefighters with appliances from Fordingbridge and Lyndhurst attended, but flames had already been successfully extinguished by pub landlord Andrew Taylor. All five teenagers were taken to Salisbury District Hospital by ambulance and treated for burns to the arms, legs and faces.
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“THIS is the joke of the year,” declared local councillor Ben Earwicker on plans to build a restaurant and drive-through on the former Gas Board site off Gore Road, New Milton.
Opposing R. S. Holdings’ outline proposal at Thursday in last week’s meeting of the Town Council’s Planning Committee, Mr Earwicker said the site was surrounded by industry on three sides and by social housing on the fourth.
Assistant town clerk Alan Gray said there had been a number of objections to the proposal, which he pointed out was contrary to policy as the site was zoned for industry.
