From Our Files: Implant joy... splinter tragedy... gas strikes... ‘mini Tesco’ hall plan

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THE first of the six one-day strikes planned by manual workers in the gas industry in the Southern Gas region will take place on Wednesday next, 21st February, and after this date gas pressures are likely to be reduced gradually – though pressures may be reduced earlier, and if this is necessary public announcements will be made.

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ALTHOUGH the New Forest Rural District Council have planned a 16-acre industrial estate at Hardley, which originally was not going to be let out in plots any bigger than half an acre, this estate has now proved popular with industrialists and over half the area has been let to two firms.

But a small local contracting firm employing nine men, which has applied in 1968 for a small plot of only 2,600 sq ft, could not get any of the land because they were told they must have not less than half an acre. Now the first are in danger of closing down.

50 YEARS AGO

THE Farringford, the new ferry steamer for the Lymington-Yarmouth service, which has been the subject of more than one debate in Lymington Council Chamber, achieved national publicity last week in safely making a rough passage from the Clyde to Southampton.

Local yachtsmen and members of the Council have expressed fears for the safety of small boats using the Lymington River when this new ferry boat operates.

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LAYOUT plans for a further 126 houses at Pennington and a first estimate of 52 at New Milton were put before the Borough Council at their monthly meeting held in the Town Hall on Wednesday. It was reported that the Ministry of Health have stated that they are prepared to receive proposals for the erection of 30 of these houses up to 1st June next, after which date the Council can make application for a further allocation.

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IMPROVED efficiency in agriculture was referred to by Mr Harold T. Hill, chairman and managing director of Wellworthy Ltd, at Lymington Growmore Club’s annual gathering in Sway Village Hall on Friday in last week.

Mr Hill, giving the toast to agriculture and the Club, said that although 25,000 people left the land each year, and about 50,000 acres a year were lost to farming, the industry had over the past 20 years increased its return by 44%, but farmers’ incomes had been raised by only about 10%. It was a remarkable performance unbeaten in any other industry.

25 YEARS AGO

FOUR-year-old Emillie Bailie was born profoundly deaf and her world was one of silence, only able to communicate a few words owing to her impaired speech – but hopes rose when she received a cochlea implant last April. Emillie can now hear cars driving past and, quite a novelty, can also hear her own voice. In an attempt to expedite such benefits, an appeal was launched by the youngster’s mother, Donna (left), to raise £5,000 so that both she and Emillie might cross the Atlantic to attend a pioneering deaf school in America. The appeal reached £3,800 and now Leon Crouch (right), managing director of Lymington Precision Engineering, has presented Emillie with the remaining £1,200.

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REGULARS at a Winsor pub in the New Forest are furious that they may be in danger of losing a free service which ferries them home at closing time.

Since Christmas the landlady of the Compass Inn, Mops Draper, has been operating a courtesy car so that her punters can enjoy a drink without worrying about driving home. But New Forest District Council could pull the plug if Mrs Draper does not pay £600 for a licence.

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THE planned new village hall at Boldre, to commemorate the Millennium and replace the 75-year-old hall built as a memorial to parishioners who died during the First World War, continues to provoke controversy. District and parish councillor David Scott told of 109 people raising a petition against the proposed hall, likening its design to a “mini Tesco”.