Reflections & Connections 

Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the disastrous 1915-16 Gallipoli campaign in which more than 250,000 lives were lost. (Read more here if you're interested!) The local connection is that an Anzac Day service is held in Brockenhurst on the Sunday closest to the 25th at St Nicholas Churchyard, amongst the Commonwealth War Graves of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers based here who served in the First World War. This Sunday's service is at 3pm (youth groups muster at 2.45pm) and all are welcome.

The support of nearly 1,000 local residents has helped the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to secure a vital wildlife haven in the heart of the New Forest. The newly acquired 11.1 hectares (28 acres) site of special scientific interest in the Lymington Valley expands the trust’s existing Lymington Reedbeds Nature Reserve. This habitat is a critical link in the trust’s ambitious vision for 'Forest to Foreshore': a continuous corridor of protected landscapes connecting Roydon Woods Nature Reserve to the Lymington and Keyhaven coast. The land includes a number of different habitats including high-quality fen, wetland, and wet woodland. The Lymington River running through it provides an essential environment for sea trout, the endangered European eel, and water voles. The area supports a diverse array of wildlife including bird species such as kingfisher, reed bunting, reed warbler, and Cetti’s warbler. 

Lymington businesses are being impacted by the parking machines on the high street - they need more connections with their customers! A petition to Hampshire County Council has been mounted, to bring back 1 hour of free parking with no ticket required. The link is here if you'd like to sign.

Also, residents of Lymington and Pennington are invited to give your views on the draft neighbourhood plan which will allow local communities to have more say on development including where new homes, shops, and offices are built. It will also help decide what new buildings look like, guide infrastructure provision, and provide tools for planning development that meets local needs. You can click here to take the survey; the closing date for representations is 5pm on 30 May. 

With the London Marathon set on Sunday to wow us not only with speed records but also inspirational stories, do consider taking part as participant or supporter in the upcoming Lymington Lifeboat 10k Run and Children's Events on Sunday 11 May. Our local RNLI team has also asked me to flag its Free Tours of Lymington Lifeboat Station which are on offer every weekend from now through until the end of October; also its Fundraising Dinner at the Mayflower on 15 May. 

And finally a word for Lymington's Loz Walters, currently fundraising for the RNLI as he pedals his way around the entire continent of Australia. We seem to have come full connecting circle back to Oz!

See upcoming events below and at https://www.lymington.com/lymington-events, and happy weekends everyone!

Best wishes Jane
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CONNECTIONS WITH OUR CANINES

The all-year-round, day-in-day-out companionship of and connection with our canines is the cause for celebration for the whole weekend of Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June at this year's Dogstival: the festival where we appreciate and treat our four-legged friends to some special fun! Taking place once again at Burley Park in its acres of wonderful space, this year's Dogstival as usual includes a whole bundle of entertainment including of course live music: from fantastic arena displays with shows to watch, to lots of ‘have a go’ activities to try, things to learn, toys to buy and delicious treats to taste. Brand new for 2025 there's also a Naturo Healthy Hound Kitchen with demos and cook-a-longs with your dog, including a sausage making machine. There's also a Dan the Hat Circus skills tent for kids, and you can even try stand up paddle boarding with your dog in the new SUP pool. It's time to get your tickets now!

Read the rest of this week's newsletter here

And check out What's On in the Diary of Upcoming Events!

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