Enjoy

Milford on Sea and the Great War compiled by John Cockram and Richard Williams. Published in 2006.
In 1914 Milford on Sea was a small seaside village of some 2,000 souls. It had been promoted as a coastal resort with some success and under the initiatives of Colonel William Cornwallis-West, the Agar Family, Dr Bruce and the Vicars of the parish it was in the process of change.
People were encouraged to support the war effort - be it children knitting scarves for soldiers, women making medical supplies, cottagers growing food or men enlisting. It was apparently done effectively and without fuss. Over the war years Milford absorbed Indians, Londoners and New Zealanders with varying degrees of comfort. Personal liberty was restricted and families suffered the loss of loved ones. Despite all this the village was rightly proud of its efforts and valued highly the sacrifice of those who died.
Through the creation of two war memorial shrines and later the dedication of the Memorial Cottage Hospital, the village was determined not to forget those who participated in 'The War to end all Wars'.
Available from our village newsagents & the Milford Historical Records Society.

Hurst Castle: An Illustrated History by Jude James.

Published by Dovecote Press in December 1986.
Hurst Castle began its career as a defensive fort in the Tudor period, primarily to guard the western entrance to the Solent, with many of its stones coming from Beaulieu Abbey. During the Civil War it provided an uncomfortable temporary prison for Charles I. In Victorian times the castle was extensively rebuilt, its ancient cannon being replaced by massive muzzle-loading guns.
The castle lost its strategic importance in 1918, but with the outbreak of the Second World War, the castle again became a garrison. Since 1956, when the castle was again vacated by the military, the castle has become a popular ancient monument.
Jude James' book, representing more than 10 years of careful research, gives an informative account of Hurst Castle and those who lived and worked there during its long history.
Available from New Milton Online Shop.

Hurst Castle Guidebook from English Heritage.

Hurst Castle, low and menacing on its shingle spit, is the most powerful of the defences built to guard the western entrance to the Solent. The castle was garrisoned in the First and Second World Wars. Visitors today can see the Tudor castle (where there is an exhibition on the defences of the area) and parts of the Victorian wings.
Available fron Hurst Castle or English Heritage Online Shop.

The lives of the members of the family are a microcosm of the changes experienced world-wide over the last couple of centuries and their individual stories reflect their social situation of the time: from their prominence in the upper reaches of the aristocracy and royal circles, to being at the heart of the lively social scene in Edwardian England with one or two family members allegedly being lovers of the Prince of Wales, through to the turbulent 20th century with wars and revolutions affecting their lives and a consequential decline in their position, prestige and finance.
Wild West Show' was the name given to the family by Edward Prince of Wales, because of their exuberant way of life, particularly when they lived at Newlands, led by the ebullient Patsy and replicated by her children George, Daisy and Shelagh.
Available from Natula Book Store.

Colonel Hawkers Shooting Diaries. Hawker also wrote a diary for most of his adult life which recorded his military exploits & his passion for country sports, especially shooting and fishing. He also devised technical innovations for certain sporting guns & designed a double-barreled punt gun. He also invented hand moulds for the piano. The Gun Inn pub at Keyhaven, commemorates his great punt gun for shooting duck, one of which can still be found at his ancestral home at Longparish House in Andover, Hampshire. Hawker’s Cottage still stands next to the Gun Inn in Keyhaven, the original low lattice windows were replaced in the 19th century by stuccoed bays. Colonel Hawker died in 1853.

Milford on Sea 'Then & Now' Wall Calendar by the Milford Historical Records Society. Available from our village newsagents.
Around Milford Calendar: Features images from village photgraphic competition. Available from our village newsagents.

Bradley the New Forest Bear

Christine Rix is the Milford on Sea based author of the Bradley the New Forest Bear Books. Bradley's series of adventures reflect Christine's love of the New Forest, hoping to encourage children to respect others and the environment.

Christine is also an artist working mainly in watercolour, drawing inspiration from nature, painting landscapes, seascapes and flowers. Occasionally experimenting with abstract work in acrylics and mixed media.