From our Files: POW camp extension...crane crash...student’s UFO mission
75 YEARS AGO
A WAR OFFICE proposal to retain and extend the prisoner-of-war camp site at Setley, on the Brockenhurst-Lymington road, and to utilise, in all, some 4,700 acres of the New Forest between there and Burley for Territorial training purposes, will be stoutly resisted by the bodies and organisations interested in the Forest from both a national and local point of view.
Major Colin Ziegler said that the commoners’ concern was not only regarding the damage that would be done to pasture, but also the disturbance that would be caused to their ponies and cattle by military operations.
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WE understand that after a great many years of delays a start is at last to be made on making a footbridge over the railway line at Station Bridge, New Milton. This project was first suggested many years before the war. The materials have been delivered and the work is to be done by Messrs. A. E. Farr Ltd of Westbury, Wilts.
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EVERTON has lost one of its oldest inhabitants by the death on June 30th of Miss Julia Pelham-Clay, at the age of 85. She had lived at Everton Cottage for 70 years.
In 1878, when only 15 years of age, she came to reside at Everton Cottage with her aunt, Miss de Crespigny, and on her aunt’s death inherited this charming old house, which was destined to be her home for the rest of her life.
She was of a retiring disposition and did not take any active part in public affairs.
50 YEARS AGO
Picture Caption - Three year old Millie Penton, meets “Tee Vee Lassies California”, a 13-month-old Jersey heifer from Longdown Dairy Farm at Ashurst. Millie was at the show just for the day and told the “A&T” the “moo cow” was her favourite animal.
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TWO soldiers were taken to Boscombe Hospital on Monday after an accident at Mudeford Quay in which a four-ton Army recovery truck fitted with a small hydraulically operated crane overbalanced and tipped into the Run while lifting a boat from the water. Although both soldiers were shaken by their experience, neither was detained.
The accident occurred in the afternoon in front of holidaymakers.
An eye witness described how the lorry had almost lifted the boat clear of the water when it lurched over on to its side, knocking one of the soldiers into the Run. It hovered momentarily, giving the other soldier just enough time to scramble clear before rolling over onto the boat and into the water. “It sank almost immediately and all you could see were a few air bubbles and a bit of oil on the surface,” he said.
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EACH morning this week about 30 helicopters have taken off from the Chewton Glen Hotel grounds to fly to the Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop, to participate in the second World Helicopter Championships. Each evening the machines return to the hotel, where pilots and crews numbering 50 from Russia, America, Austria, Germany and England are staying. The hotel was chosen by the Helicopter Club of Great Britain, who were organising the event, because of its facilities for landings, take-offs and parking.
Several Highcliffe residents complained of the noise caused by the helicopters, and the pilots were instructed by the Civil Aviation Authority to change their flight paths to the hotel.
25 YEARS AGO
FORMER Brockenhurst College student, 18-year-old Martin Roberts, has embarked on a mission to unravel the mysteries of paranormal activity similar to those of his favourite television programme, The X-Files.
Mr Roberts, who is a member of the British UFO Research Association, has had personal experiences which have further prompted his interest.
“I was standing waiting for a bus one day when I saw an aeroplane flying overhead. Then I noticed a black object circling around the plane,” he said. Martin went on to explain he was sure that what he saw was a UFO.
“Eventually, after I have obtained a huge file, I would like to present it to the government so they can use their resources to investigate fully and provide answers to many of the world’s most mysterious questions.”
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MILFORD–ON-SEA Parish Council met on Monday night, and among the items discussed were the possible formation of a consultative group, purchase of the youth club site, and, controversially, concern over the number of second homes in the area – felt by some councillors to be depriving locals of housing.
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PROFESSOR Smart said he also wanted to air a concern he had over second home owners in the area. “In South Devon 2/3rds of village houses are second homes. In Keyhaven, 1/3rd are second homes. This causes a loss of possible housing for people who live in the area. This is a very sensitive issue and I’m just airing it. Eventually our view should be represented to the District Council.”
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POLA BROWN of Ringwood was baffled last week when her Mercedes SLK sports car was only able to reach speeds of 30mph. Mrs Brown claimed that the problem was driving her nuts until she eventually decided to take the vehicle to the local garage.
Intrigued by the problem, mechanics examined the air filter only to find a massive collection of peanuts stashed away, blocking the car’s system. Mrs Brown, who leaves nuts as food for local birds, quickly realised that her good intentions had obviously backfired. A local squirrel, it seems, had beaten his feathered friends to it, and had begun to accumulate his very own collection in the £40,000 car.
