New pre-loved boutique for Lymington

New "Tidal Boutique" located within Lymington Community Centre will raise additional funds for the Centre

Over the 70 years since it opened in 1948 and supported by a huge number of passionate volunteers Lymington Community Centre has contributed enormously to the local area, offering both recreational and educational facilities to all.  It's used and enjoyed by up to 4,000 people every week and is always vibrant and busy!  The Centre is also on an enormous fund raising mission to renovate and update its tired buildings and continue to perform its vital role in the community. Read more here

And now it also has an exciting new pre-loved clothes boutique!

Tidal Boutique makes a splash at Lymington Community Centre

The Lymington Community Association is excited to announce our new venture ‘Tidal Boutique’.

The Boutique will be in the Normandy room of Lymington Community Centre with all proceeds in aid of the Community Centre (Charity number 1188765).

We are delighted to welcome Jayne Ashley and Valerie Lawrence to the team of volunteers at the Centre.  Jayne and Valerie who will be running the Boutique both have plenty of experience in high fashion and retail having recently supported Oakhaven Hospice shop in Lymington. They have both decided to start a new venture at the Lymington Community Centre and look forward to welcoming you to the Tidal Boutique very soon.

The Boutique will be selling preloved ladies and men’s clothing and accessories which will benefit the Lymington Community Centre.

The Centre Manager, Rachel Smith said: ‘The launch of Tidal Boutique is an exciting time for the Community Association. We look forward to welcoming new faces into the Boutique. Please do pop in and have a browse of the rails and displays and find yourself a lovely new item of clothing whilst supporting your local Charity in the heart of Lymington. We are incredibly grateful to Jayne and Valerie for supporting us in this new venture.’

The boutique will be open Wednesday – Friday – 9:30am – 4pm and Saturdays 9:30am- 2pm.  Please do pop in and say hello, we look forward to welcoming you.

We are looking for donations of preloved clothing. If you have anything you would like to donate, please drop it to Reception in bags from Monday – Saturday between 9am – 4:30pm, Thank you.

Can you help with the fundraising?

Anybody able to offer help in any capacity is as ever warmly invited to contact the Centre! 

In the first instance contact Centre Manager Rachel who is in the Centre most days and would be happy to have a preliminary chat, totally in confidence.   You can contact Rachel by email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on her mobile which is  07985 055329.

Anybody who would simply like to make a donation can do so by clicking the Just Giving link:  https://www.justgiving.com/lymingtoncommunityassociation

Lymington Community Association - a Charity

Lymington Community Association whcich owns the Community Centre is a Charity, Number 1188765.

Do read the history of how the Association began and how the Centre came into being and evolved to the current day. 

Facilities on offer at the Centre

For the full scope of what's on offer at our Community Centre please click here.   

Do read all about what's on offer - here

Hampshire care home provider’s Children in Need totaliser hits £5,000

Residents and staff at Colten Care’s 20 homes in the South have raised more than £5,000 for Children in Need

A Strictly Come Tea Dancing competition, a pyjama walkathon, a teddy bear picnic and a car wash were among Colten Care's fundraising initiatives for Children in Need over recent weeks. Other events included coffee mornings, bingo competitions, all day ‘spotty’ mufti days, raffles and quizzes.

Hilda Snelling, a resident at Belmore Lodge in Lymington, was one of the participants in the tea dance competition held at the town’s community centre.

She said: “It was wonderful. I used to be a professional dancer along with my husband and being up there on the dance floor was just as thrilling as it has always been.”

Fiona Pritchard, Colten Care’s Music and Arts Partner, said: “Our residents and team members really enjoy raising money for worthwhile causes. It’s a fantastic feeling to support Children in Need and so help disadvantaged children and young people in our region and across the UK.”

With more than 30 years’ experience, Colten Care is an award-winning family-owned care home company. It has 20 quality care homes covering Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex and offers a range of services spanning residential, nursing and dementia care.

Colten Care is determined to set the highest standards in all aspects of care of the older person. Colten Care is also committed to raising money for charitable causes. In the past year, residents and team members have raised more than £40,000 for charity.

Find out more about Colten Care's New Forest homes

Colten Care operates six residential nursing and care homes in the local area, including three in Lymington: Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and dementia specialist Linden House. There are also homes in Brockenhurst (Woodpecker's), New Milton (Kingfisher's) and Mudeford (Avon Reach). Click on the links to find out more about each home...

Salterns 24 hour Sail-a-thon raises almost £6,000 for Children in Need

Another fabulous effort by Lymington's sailing club for children run by children in this 20th year of fundraising!

They've done it! This weekend the children of Salterns Sailing Club completed their Sail-a-thon, sailing non stop for 24 hours in aid of the BBC Children in Need appeal.

The total so far for this year's Sail-a-thon is almost £6,000 - can you help the children increase this amount? You can donate to Children in Need via the Salterns justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/salterns-sailing-club-cin

The challenge started promptly at 4.30pm on Friday 16 November with hoards of members sailing in optimists, RS Teras, British Moths and Lymington Scows. 

BBC South Today team came to interview Commodore Alex Paton, aged 17, and Junior Committee member Sammy Griffiths, aged 13, and earlier in the day Alex was interviewed on BBC Radio Solent.

Salterns Sailing Club, based at Eight Acre Pond in Lymington, is a sailing club for children, run by children. Over the last 19 years, the children of Salterns have raised over £150,000 for Children in Need - not bad for a small children’s sailing club! Learn more here.

In this twentieth year, a large number of past Commodores travelled back to Lymington to sail their own 24 hour Sail-a-thon alongside the children. Ollie Tait (Commodore 2015), James Eady (Commodore 2014) and Tom Simpson (Commodore 2010) spent the whole day driving down from Newcastle for the event - and Guy Wilson (Commodore 1983) flew over from Bremen in Germany to take part!

"Throughout the 24 hours it was fantastic to have so much support from the past commodores," said Alex Paton. Past commodores who came along to support included 1962 Commodore Joe Blachford, 1967 Commodore John Claridge, 1973 Commodore Ian Halliday, 1998 Commodore Johnny Clegg and 2000 Commodore Rupert Stock, who was one of the organisers of the first 24 hour sailathon in 1998.

During the 24 hours it was also great to have support from the local sailing community, including local Olympians Barry Dunning and Stuart and Ado Jardine and ex Laser Radial world champion Ben Paton. Kirstie Urwin, who learnt to sail at Salterns and is now a member of the British Sailing Team in the Nacra 17 inspired young sailors on Saturday, taking them out for a sail in a Lymington Scow, whilst Matt Cornwell, who sailed with Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup Land Rover BAR team, brought his children - now members of Salterns themselves - to take part in the sailathon.

The first few hours passed very quickly, with a lot of boats out on the water. During the evening Pudsey and some of the Junior Committee visited a number of pubs and restarurants around Lymington, collecting for Children in Need.

Over night the sailing continued non-stop, with the older children taking it in turns to sail whilst others caught up with 40 winks. It was cold and eerie - but thankfully there was a little wind to keep them moving."The early hours of the morning were tough," shared Alex. "But we kept going by thinking about children less fortunate than us and how we are helping them by raising money."

The morning was hard. Due to the windy conditions, not many of the younger members were keen to sail, but the Junior Committtee sailed on regardless.

At midday members of the Lymington RNLI crew arrived for their annual Optimist race. This includes rigging and launching their oppies before sailing a course around the lake. As usual they got rather wet and provided a great laugh for spectators!

And then the sun came out! Young sailors flocked down to sail and many people stopped by to buy cakes and tombola tickets.  

During the afternoon past commodores and old salts took the opportunity to race against each other in British Moths - some having not sailed at Salterns for quite some time! As you can imagine it got very competitive!

At 4.30pm on Saturday 17 November the children counted down to the end of the 24 hour sailathon, with Pudsey sailing in to moor at the pontoon.

Congratulations to everyone who took part, to all the volunteer organisers and of course to all who have supported the event. The 20th Salterns Sail-a-thon was another fun success!

Here are a few pictures taken over the 20th Salterns Sail-a-thon in aid of Children in Need:

20th year of fundraising for Children in Need by Salterns Sailing Club

Over £150,000 raised so far by children sailing non-stop for 24 hours in Lymington.

This week the children of Salterns Sailing Club are fundraising for the BBC Children in Need Appeal - for the 20th consecutive year!

Salterns Sailing Club, based at Eight Acre Pond in Lymington, is a sailing club for children, run by children. Over the last 19 years, the children of Salterns have raised over £150,000 for Children in Need - not bad for a small children’s sailing club!

In 1998, the Junior Committee came up with the novel idea of a 24 hour Sail-a-thon in aid of the BBC Children in Need appeal. Then Commodore Rupert Stock and Vice Commodore Emily Dudley followed the example of Pippa Wilson MBE (then 13), Ian Watson and Catherine Putt who ran a 24 hour sail in the Lymington river from the Royal Lymington Yacht Club to Jack in the Basket to raise funds for their trip as part of the International GBR team to the European Cadet Championships.

Every year since, the Salterns Commodores have led their Junior Committee to organising a fantastic Sail-a-thon event and this year will be no exception!

In this twentieth year, a large number of ex-Commodores will be travelling back to Lymington to sail their own ’Ex Commodore’ 24 hour Sail-a-thon alongside the children, many travelling a long way to participate including 1983 Commodore Guy Wilson who will be flying in from Germany!

Saltern’s ‘Old Salts’ include current British Sailing Team members Nick Thompson (Laser), Sophie Weguelin (49erFX) and Hannah Snellgrove (Laser Radial), plus Matt Cornwell, who sailed with Ben Ainslie in the Land Rover BAR America’s Cup challenge, and whose children are now learning to sail at Salterns.

Other sailing champions who learnt the ropes at Salterns Sailing Club include Robbie Claridge and Richard Mason, both of whom were UK Optimist champions, as well as Sam Batten (29er/49er), Ben Batten (29er) and Ben Paton (Laser Radial). The event is also traditionally supported by a host of local Olympians, including Nick Rogers, Pippa Wilson and Stuart and Ado Jardine.

Hannah Snellgrove said, “I’m not sure if I should admit to having taken part in the very first Salterns 24 hour sail... it makes me feel rather old! But what I can safely say is that it remains my absolute favourite event of all time, and the one I have been most proud to be a part of... from sailing in the dark for the first time to seeing the local community come together to organising the 10th edition and bringing the past Commodores back and smashing the fundraising target... it has provided the most special of memories. I’m out training with the British Sailing Team in Portugal for the 20th 24 hour sail, but will be at Salterns in spirit! Good luck everyone!”

This year the Children in Need 24 hour Sail-a-thon at Salterns Sailing Club will start at 4.30pm on Friday 16th November. Many of the members and associate members of Salterns will be taking turns sailing on the pond during the 24 hours as there has to be someone out sailing all the time.

Children from 4 to 17 years will be sailing around the clock, in Optimists, RS Teras, British Moths and Lymington Scows. After dark the older and more experienced sailors will take it in turns to sail, including the Junior Committee.

"The 24 Sail is a fantastic experience for everyone involved,” shared Alex Paton, current Commodore of Salterns Sailing Club who is in Year 12 at Brockenhurst College. “It is particularly exciting for the older children to sail at night, staying at club. We have a lot of fun, however it is hard to keep going towards the last couple of hours, especially when it is really cold and wet. We keep in mind all the time that we are fundraising for Children in Need, helping kids who are not as fortunate as us - that really keeps us going.”

“24 hours sailing for Children-in-Need takes determination and teamwork to keep going whatever the weather, commitment of time to organise and courage to reach out to others - but is great for Club togetherness and is good fun,” said Jeff Dudley, a trustee of Salterns Sailing Club.

During the course of the evening it is traditional for Pudsey and members of the Junior Committee to visit the pubs and restaurants of Lymington, encouraging everyone to dig deep for Children in Need. If you’re planning an evening out in Lymington, do support the Salterns children!

Support the Salterns 24 hour sail via justgiving

You can also help the children of Salterns Sailing Club raise funds on https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/salterns-sailing-club-cin. This will donate to the Salterns Children in Need fund.

There are lots of other ways to help the children of Salterns Sailing Club to raise funds for Children in Need. If you know any of the sailors taking part in the 24 hour Sail-a-thon, each will have a sponsor form and will be gathering as many sponsors as possible!

The Salterns Junior Committee will be selling Tombola Tickets throughout the 24 hour Sail-a-thon at Salterns Sailing Club and will have cakes for sale and other fun activities on offer, such as a colouring competition - all to raise more funds.

Make your bids in the Salterns Silent Auction!

There is also be a Silent Auction, which includes some great lots from many local businesses including Seasonal Cookery Classes at The Kitchen at Chewton Glen, Family Afternoon Tea at New Park Manor, Afternoon Tea for Four at the Balmer Lawn, Dinner for Two with Wine at The Turfcutters Arms, a voucher for The Haven Restaurant, a Family SUP Taster Session with the New Forest Paddle Sport Company, class passes for Shape Up Fitness and a first gliding experience! Full details of the Silent Auction can be found at Salterns Sailing Club and on the Salterns website throughout the Sail-a-thon. Anyone keen to support the Salterns fundraising with a last minute bid, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Lymington Lifeboat crew will also be making an appearance at Salterns on Saturday 17th November to encourage the young sailors!

Whatever the weather, do take a walk around the sea wall to the Salterns Sailing Club on Saturday to cheer on the young sailors and the ex-commodores and please dig deep to help then raise as many funds as possible for Children in Need during their 20th Sail-a-thon!

Find out more about Salterns Sailing Club here.

Rescheduled Oakhaven Forest Half Marathon set fair 

On the day entries available and donations extremely welcome!

Following its necessary late postponement first time round in the spring because of the snow, the Oakhaven Forest Half Marathon has been rescheduled for this Sunday 4 November, start time 10.30. Approximately 300 of the original 400 runners are taking part and parking, changing, refreshments and the official “start” are all at Brockenhurst College.

Additional costs incurred by having to reschedule

The Oakhaven Forest Spring Half Marathon 2018 had to be cancelled at the last minute because of the snowy conditions.

The race organisers wanted to do the right thing by everybody and reschedule it, but were clearly going to incur considerable additional cost by having to set everything up all over again. 

So, runners have been asked to try and get sponsorship to help cover the extra costs.

Meanwhile everybody who cares about supporting our very own local Oakhaven Hospice, especially those whose own lives or those of loved ones and friends have been touched by the amazing work they do, is invited to make a donation however small;

https://www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/donate/

The race on Sunday - competition and fun!

So to recap, this is both an off road trail race for serious runners and also a Sunday morning, hopefully "fun" run for amateur enthusiasts like me!

We'll be running mainly on the gravel tracks through forest and open heathland between Brockenhurst and East Boldre area – including long stretches through the Inclosures with a lot of the trees looking resplendent in their autumn colours.

The race is fully marshalled so we can enjoy the scenery without having to worry about which way to go.

There are two road crossings but they shouldn’t hold up too many road users as they'll be across the relatively quiet road between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu.

On the day entries

The organisers will also be taking on the day entries for the run so if you feel inspired to have a go - just do it!

Head for Brockenhurst College

Parking, changing facilities and refreshments are available at Brockenhurst College where the New Forest Food & Drink Week “Eats n Treats” event  is also taking place - so non-running family members and friends can go and have some fun there while they’re waiting.

Registration is open from 8.30.

The start line is then 15minutes walk from the college, so runners are encouraged to leave plenty of time to get to it.  The race starts at 10.30.

Let's hope the weather is reasonable this time - and enjoy!

Hog and Lamb Spit Roast 

PS if you do visit Eats n Treats perhaps after the race, do look out for the wonderful Tony Notcutt and on our recommendation treat yourself to a brunch or lunch feast on his absolutely delicious Hog and Lamb Spit Roast! 

Colten Care's 2018 Children in Need Extravaganza

£8,500 was raised in 2017 by New Forest care homes in Lymington - a target to be beaten!

Colten Care's "New Forest Cluster" of care homes have been busy sowing the seeds for a bumper Children in Need fundraising campaign this November.

In 2017, three of the Colten Care homes in the New Forest grouped together for a variety of events to raise money for Children in Need. Belmore Lodge,  Court Lodge and Linden House Care Homes in Lymington organised a ball hosted by Alexis Green at the local sailing club Lymington Town Sailing Club, with the BBC in attendance who broadcasted the weather from there. An amazing £8,500 was raised!

This year it's Strictly!

This year the whole of the "New Forest Cluster" which brings in homes in New Milton, Brockenhurst and Mudeford, aims to recreate the magic with a number of events providing fun for residents, families and staff with a Strictly Come Dancing theme.

With dance partners from Ringwood School Performing Arts Team 

Apart from the fundraising objective, the idea is that all this activity will give extra opportunities to residents, to enjoy both music and exercise - Ringwood School Performing Arts Team are the dance partners!

In addition to their participation in the dancing, residents have also been very creative in arts and crafts sessions making decorations and costume accessories - as with every fundraising initiative undertaken by the homes, with the help of the professionally qualified and exceptionally committed activity teams this is a win win inclusive activity for everybody involved. 

The launch event on the 28^th September with a quiz night at Lymington Town Sailing Club was great fun and raised £270 – it's a start!

Strictly Come Tea Dancing Competition on 7 November at Lymington Community Centre

The highlight will be our ‘Strictly Come Tea Dancing Competition’ to be held at Lymington Community Centre on Wednesday 7 November. 

Residents and staff have been rehearsing since April under the guidance of Fiona Pritchard, The Music and Arts Partner along with the expert tuition of Helen Hawkins, the performing arts teacher at Ringwood School.

Each home will present a different dance in full costume with original routines including the Jive, Charleston and even a Paso Doble!

The panel of judges will include the Mayor of Lymington. Alan Dedicoat is providing his pre-recorded voice over so the event feels truly authentic!

Helen is bringing her team of dancers from the sixth form performing arts course at Ringwood School who have offered their help for the afternoon and will also perform for the residents.

Pudsey will of course be there with his own unique dance moves!!!!

The afternoon event will be hosted by Janie Pearman Home Manager of Belmore Lodge who came up with the concept alongside a team of supporters including Colten’s Hotel Services who will be providing a fabulous afternoon cream tea.

The audience will have an opportunity to help the judges decide who wins the glitter ball, other prize categories include ‘most energetic’ and ‘most entertaining’.

This promises to be a glittering fun filled afternoon for all involved.

Following the tea dance, Pudsey is going to be at Belmore Lodge on Saturday afternoon 2 – 4 for an afternoon of fun. There will be a singer (name to be revealed!) face painting and an afternoon tea. There is no admission charge but there will be collecting buckets for donations.

Grand finale disco 16 November at Lymington Town Sailing Club

The grand finale will be on the evening of the 16 November, again at the sailing club with a gala disco.

Everyone will be attending dressed in the style of their favourite dance genre and during the course of the evening will be invited to ‘strut their stuff’ and demonstrate their interpretation of the dances in their chosen era.

The team's aim is that these events will not only raise money for a great charity but also showcase the fun that can be had as a resident living in a Colten home.

Golden opportunity at New Forest care home's Macmillan coffee morning

Colten Care residents supported Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning with cupcake competition

The kettles went on and the freshly baked cakes were served as Colten Care residents in the New Forest supported the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 28 September 2018.

They were joined by relatives, friends, staff and community contacts, all doing their bit for the annual fundraiser in aid of people affected by cancer. 

All six Colten Care homes in the Forest, plus 14 others in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex, took part, adding a Willy Wonka-style twist to the proceedings. 

Among the cakes and pastries at each home was a ‘Golden Cupcake’, containing an edible gold leaf filling hidden inside.

Lucky recipients won a bottle of bubbly and have been entered into a prize draw with the chance to win £250 in shopping vouchers. Colten Care will make an equivalent £250 donation to Macmillan on their behalf.

As well as the cupcake search, homes hosted garden events, live music and even staff-versus-relatives bake-off competitions.

Tim Wookey, Companionship Director at Colten Care, said: “Our residents and team members really enjoy welcoming friends and contacts into our homes and of course helping good causes. The coffee morning is a great community initiative that brings people together, raises awareness of Macmillan’s work and generates donations. Our Golden Cupcakes added a definite talking point.”

Colten Care resident John Griffin said: “This was a lovely, happy get-together in aid of a charity that does such amazing work.”

Macmillan Cancer Support works with people affected by cancer to provide the tools and inspiration needed to get through their treatment. Macmillan's research helps the charity understand the needs and experiences of people affected by cancer, to develop and influence better care services. For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or follow #CoffeeMorning or @macmillancoffee.

Colten Care residents and team members enjoy the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Pictured are staff Nina Upwood, Justin Corder, Lilly Chiu and Mark Newell with residents Ian Milroy and John Griffin.

Buzz of activity as care home residents turn children’s champions

The Honeypot Children's Charity praises Colten Care's Woodpeckers home for their support

Woodpeckers nursing home in the New Forest has experienced a buzz of activity as residents raised hundreds of pounds to help young carers.

The Honeypot Children’s Charity praised Colten Care’s home in Brockenhurst for making and selling craft items to support its work. Betty Hampton, who knitted a host of bee-inspired woollen gifts including glove and finger puppets, was among residents receiving a thank-you visit from Honeypot representatives including mascot Bumble.

“Helping children who are carers is such a good cause,” said Betty. “They often have very challenging circumstances and difficult lives. Anyone who cares for others needs some respite for themselves, especially children.”

Honeypot, based near Beaulieu in the New Forest, helps youngsters aged from five to 12 whose childhoods are impacted by having to take on care roles in their families. Support includes respite stays at Honeypot House in Exbury and visits from a specially adapted mobile playbus. The charity currently works with around 1,000 children across the south, including 80 in the New Forest and 57 in Lymington alone.

Viv Carter, Regional Community Fundraising Officer, who gave a talk at Woodpeckers about the charity’s work, said the £469 raised by the home would give one child access to a year’s support programme.

Viv said: “The young people we work with typically juggle school and growing up while acting as a family carer. They may be living with a chronically or terminally ill loved one or a parent with drug, alcohol or mental health issues. We offer long-term support so they have the time and space to be a child. It makes such a difference to know that Woodpeckers residents and their families are doing their best to help our children have their one chance of childhood.”

Woodpeckers Home Manager Katie Whiteside said: “It’s always up to our residents as to which charities we support. They chose Honeypot as they wanted to give vulnerable children the best chance in life. Betty and all the others always love their craft sessions and our team enable them to make and sell gifts and greeting cards at our fetes and other home events.”

Colten Care's homes are committed to raising money for charitable causes. In the past year, residents and team members have raised more than £40,000 for charity. 

Find out more about Colten Care's New Forest homes:

Colten Care operates six residential nursing and care homes in the local area, including three in Lymington: Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and dementia specialist Linden House. There are also homes in Brockenhurst (Woodpecker's), New Milton (Kingfisher's) and Mudeford (Avon Reach). Click on the links to find out more about each home...

2018 Lymington Italia Festival supporting local MS Society branch

Free event on 1st July 2018 will include Ferrari convoy, Italian market and live music

Lymington’s FREE Italia Festival will be held on July 1st this year with all charitable proceeds going to the Lymington and New Forest branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Lymington and Pennington Town Council event is set to be bigger than ever in 2018, thanks to a huge wave of local support. For those who don’t know, it’s all about chic Italian motor cars, quality Italian food, a fun family day out and raising money for charity.

The day begins at 10am when 50 classic Ferrari owners from the Wessex Ferrari Owners’ Club will meet with their beloved vehicles at Lymington’s Yacht Haven. Ferraris joining the celebration this year include: 1973 Dino, F430 Spider, Ferrari FF, 550 Marinello, 458 Speciale, 430 Scudiera, 360 Modena, 458 Italia, Mondial, F40, F12 and California.

At around midday the iconic sports cars will depart in convoy to Pennington Cross, then travel up Stanford Hill, along Southampton Road, down Avenue Road and along Gosport Street, before entering the High Street.

Once on Lymington High Street, the cars will be parked in the centre of town, which will be pedestrianised so people can admire them.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy an authentic taste of Italy thanks to an Italian food market, which will offer an array of Mediterranean taste sensations including pastries, olives, vinegars, antipasti, pesto, breads, cheeses, desserts, salami, Aperol spritz, coffee, meringues and ice cream. 

There will be face painting, a Ferrari models stand, along with pizzas, traditional Italian street food, pasta, a hog roast, fish & chips and a barbecue. In addition a host of local traders will be selling Italian clothes, handbags and artisan gifts.

Lymington Rock Choir will be performing at 2.00pm, singing a medley of songs.

A fundraising raffle, with a wide range of prizes including a ride in a Ferrari and/or Aston Martin, will be match-funded up to £1,000 by Barclays. Raffle tickets can be bought on the day from the council stall, which will be located outside the EE shop in the High Street. The raffle will be drawn at 3pm. 

Mayor of Lymington and Pennington, Anne Corbridge, said: “Every year this event exceeds all our expectations, and we’re looking forward to another enjoyable day out this time around. It’s great fun for the whole family, and I’d like to thank in advance our sponsors, the choir, the stall holders and the local businesses who have kindly donated some very desirable raffle prizes.”

Sue Niekirk for the Lymington and New Forest branch of the MS Society said: “We’re honoured to have been chosen by the Mayor as her Italia Festival charity for 2018. The branch doesn’t receive any funding from the national MS Society, but relies on its own fundraising together with donations from generous groups and individuals.”

Lymington and New Forest MS Society has helped hundreds of local people living with the effects of MS. It provides advice, gives practical and emotional support, and organises exercise classes and social groups.

Find out more about Lymington's Italia Festival 2018

National Hospitality Charity winner chooses 'Break of a Lifetime' at Balmer Lawn

The New Forest’s Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa is the destination of choice for charity 'hidden hero'.

The hotel industry has come together to give thanks to a veteran of volunteering; with a stay at her dream hotel, Brockenhurst’s iconic 4 star Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa. 

National charity, Room to Reward works on a simple premise - partner hotels donate their anticipated unsold rooms to the initiative. Registered charities are invited to nominate their ‘Hidden Heroes’ for a break away. If selected, volunteers choose from over 150 hotels throughout the U.K where they would like to spend a break away as a ‘thank you’ from the charity they support.

After a long and varied career in hospitality, Denise Haugh turned her hand to volunteering with industry charity Hospitality Action. Mark Lewis, CEO of the charity, explains: “It’d be easier to list what Denise hasn’t done for our charity, than what she has. She has visited grant applicants to offer support with their applications, spends many hours in our offices helping with our administration and tirelessly volunteers for Golden Friends, for retired industry members who find themselves isolated or lonely.”

For Denise, the nomination was extra-special. Her choice for a stay at the Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa meant the realisation of a lifelong ambition. Denise says “When I was a teenager I was horse mad. I spent every weekend and most of my school holidays at Billy Walsh's stable on Ham Common. Many times, in a horse box, I visited the New Forest where Lord Cowdray's team were playing Ham. I vowed to myself that one day I would be a guest at the Balmer Lawn. I am now almost 82! Thank you for making it possible.”

Michael Clitheroe, General Manager of the Balmer Lawn Hotel, said: “Denise was the most wonderful guest to look after. She encapsulates the true spirit of her work and the love and comradery of the Hospitality Industry. Not only was it so rewarding for me to be able to look after Denise, but also to hear the back story of why this hotel meant so much to her”

Find out more about Balmer Lawn rooms, events, weddings and spa here.

For more information about the work Hospitality Action does, visit: www.hospitalityaction.org.uk.

For more information on how Room to Reward is giving back to society’s Hidden Heroes, visit: www.roomtoreward.org.