15th May 2025 • The HERALD • Page 53 v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 5TH JUNE v Yours Faithfully... New Forest Funerals A truly independent funeral directors and monumental masons The Waterside’s only independent funeral directors. We will help you create a funeral as unique as the person you wish to remember. From elaborate to simple, or unattended, we will guide you through every step of the way at your pace. We pride ourselves of being able to offer you a fully comprehensive service including: • Funeral pre-payment plans • Memorial masonry • Catering • Funeral stationery • Floristry And being able to give advice on: • Pre-purchasing of graves • Funeral finance options • Claiming from the social fund For 24-hour personal attention from Martin & Mandie, call: 023 8089 0990 Bank House, The Square, Fawley, Southampton SO45 1DD www.newforestfunerals.co.uk Bespoke Memorial Jewellery made with Love and Respect for you and your loved ones Telephone - 07879 856552 www.newforestmemorialjewellery.com Also find us on 60th Anniversary Celebrations for St Michael’s On Tuesday 8th April the parishioners of St Michael’s church in Hythe celebrated the 60th anniversary of the opening of their church. They were joined by parishioners from their sister church, St Bernard’s in Holbury, as well as guests from further a eld. The 60th anniversary events began on Sunday 6th April when Fr John and Fr Marcin swapped parishes for the day, followed on the Monday evening with the Lenten Reconciliation service and a most illuminating Q&A session with Fr John discussing the opportunities and di culties faced by the church in the 21st century. Naturally, being a church event co ee and cake were soon forthcoming. Over the past few months a dedicated team of volunteers gave generously of their time and talents to prepare St Michael’s for the anniversary, resulting in the church looking resplendent, while the beautiful reliquary and sanctuary lamp (both handmade) that Fr Marcin through the generous donations of parishioners commissioned to house e Statue of St Michael the Archangel and fragment of rock from the Shrine of Mount of Gargano in Italy which were gi ed to the Parish earlier this year was o cially unveiled and blessed by Fr John. The newly refurbished meeting rooms were home to tables overflowing with the generous (and delicious) dishes brought to the celebration by so many. e centrepiece being a fabulous celebration cake decorated with an image of St Michael. MAY FAIR AT ST JOHN’S HALL From the Parish of Hythe Coming up on Saturday 17th May we will be having our annual May Fair in St John’s Hall from 10am-1pm. ere will be a plant sale, as well as delicious cakes, bargain gi s, second hand books and a variety of children’s games and activities available to buy. ere will also be prizes to be won. Light refreshments will be available alongside the fair. The Devon Belle – Part 3 e Railway Club of the New Forest meet on Friday 30th May in the Exhibition Room, Brockenhurst Village Hall, Highwood Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RY. Ken Mumford presents e Devon Belle – Part 3. Exeter to Ilfracombe/ Plymouth. A er WW2 the Southern Railway was anxious to resume as soon as possible. Operation of this all Pullman luxury train began on 20th June 1947 from London Waterloo to Ilfracombe and Plymouth; unusual in that all seats had to be reserved and with an observation car at the end for Ilfracombe passengers. Despite initial popularity, the train was not such a success as hoped and the Plymouth portion was dropped in September 1949. Services were further reduced in 1952 and withdrawn entirely at the end of the 1954 summer season. Visitors welcome £5 on the door. Arrive from 7pm to start at 7.30pm Find us on: www. railwayclubo henewforest.org.uk Find them on Facebook: www.facebook. com/groups/2987633234865918 WATERSIDE REPAIR CAFÉ If you have an item sitting at home, not working, take it along to the Waterside Repair Café on the last Saturday of each month, the next session will be on 31st May. eir volunteers will do their best to repair it and if they can’t they might know someone who can. If your item is beyond repair the team will tell you the best way to dispose of it. From clocks, household electricals to umbrellas, they have seen it all. Go on down and say hello and enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake while you wait. e Repair Café takes place on the last Saturday of each month at Black eld Baptist Church Hall. Doors open at 10.30am last repair checked in at 1pm. Free parking on site. You can follow the Waterside Repair Café Facebook page for regular updates. BrockFest 2025 Take the whole family to Brockenhurst College for BrockFest on 31st May, 10am - 4pm there’ll be something for everyone. You can enjoy live music, family friendly activities, in atables, facepainting and much more. You can also browse stalls, and try food and drink from local producers. So don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this summer highlight. Adult tickets are £2 and children under 16 go free – just pay at the entrance. All vendors will be selling their goods and services at their own prices. Please note, Brockenhurst College is a smoke free, vape free, dog free campus. FAMILY HISTORY GROUP A small group of enthusiastic people who love delving into your family history and nding out all about your roots meet in the back room at Soul Café, North Road, Dibden Purlieu (the Methodist church) usually on the first Tuesday of each month. (Not in August) ere is so much that can now be explored online, they o er a selfhelp approach but more experienced members are on hand to provide guidance. ey are always open to new members who are welcome to go along to see what they are about. eir next meeting is on Tuesday 3rd June at 7.30pm. NEW FOREST MILITARIA FAIR e next New Forest Militaria Fair will be on Wednesday 4th June from 7pm to 9.30pm in the Colbury Church Rooms, Deerleap Lane, Colbury (near Ashurst) SO40 7EH. ere are stalls o ering a variety of militaria items, and these events are an ideal venue for dealers, collectors and enthusiasts to get together to buy, sell, swap, exhibit and a talk about all aspects of militaria. All are welcome and admission is £1. e fairs are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month. Anyone who would like to pre-book a table at £8, should call Dave Curtis on: 07903 600865 or: 023 8178 1324. Hythe & Dibden U3A meet at Hythe Parish Hall on the second Monday of the month at 2pm. eir next meeting takes place on Monday 9th June for talk titled ‘ e Duke of Monmouth’ by Brian and Jacqueline Sutton. Please email: membershiphytheu3a@gmail.com or visit: u3asites.org.uk/hythe-dibden or call: 07935 907456. ey are a friendly group so why not give them a go? The Duke of Monmouth
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