Herald - Issue 396

v THE HERALD - ENCOURAGING LOCAL ENTERPRISE v 8th October 2020 • The HERALD • Page 17 • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Doors • Flooring NO JOB TOO SMALL 023 8178 9869 • 07967 807948 • info@bencurtis.co.uk Your Local Professional Electrician • Complete Rewires • Periodic Inspection Reports • Fault Finding & Repair • New Consumer Units • New Circuits • Central Heating Wiring • Extra Sockets/Lights • PAT Testing • No Job Too Small • Part P Registered • Fast & Efficient Service • Free Estimates Telephone Gary on 07788 865081 forestelectrical@gmail.com Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH Lymington Hospital Receives Donation Lymington New Forest Hospital was presented with almost £3,000 from local Freemasons who collected the money during lockdown. Funds were also raised for Bournemouth Hospital and individual lodges donated to other charities during the pandemic. Members were innovative in their fundraising e orts; some slept out in tents, others made and sold lapel pins and several online competitions were held. Leon Whit eld from the Freemasons presented a cheque for £2,821.25 to Arthur England, Trustee and Joint Chair of Lymington Hospital Friends. Arthur said: “We really appreciate and value the magnificent fundraising by the local Freemasons to support our hospital, patients and staff during this challenging time. “Due to COVID-19 security guidelines, we have not been able to provide our normal volunteering services, but continue to fundraise for additional equipment to enable the hospital to enhance patient care and treatment for the local community.” Leon added: “One of the main activities of the Freemasons is our support for charitable causes in the community and Hythe Ferry Awarded £45k to Help Keep Vital Service Afloat during the lockdown our members raised money for local hospital staff and key workers. Promoting health and well- being amongst our members and in the local community is an important part of what we do. We value the chance to provide ongoing support for the work of the hospital to care for our local community.” Leon Whitfield from the Freemasons and Arthur English from Lymington Hospital Friends New Forest District Council (NFDC) Southampton City Council (SCC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC) have awarded the Hythe to Southampton passenger ferry £15k each. A total of £45k was granted to help this important community transport provider adversely a ected by reduced passenger numbers due to COVID-19. Running since 1887, the Hythe Ferry provides a crucial commuter and tourist service from the Hythe Pier to Town Quay, Southampton 7 days a week. Liberal Democrat Councillor, Malcolm Wade said: “I have campaigned heavily for this and I am pleased to say Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and Southampton City Council are going to give £15,000 each towards helping the ferry service.” e County Council was approached by the Hythe Ferry owner regarding the COVID- 19 situation and the impact on its business to seek nancial support. As with all public transport operators, patronage levels dropped signi cantly when lockdown started, and in an attempt to protect their business they decided to mothball the service until some sort of normality resumed. Hampshire County Council (HCC) no longer pays a revenue subsidy to Hythe ferry, this annual support was withdrawn in 2018/19 a er a couple of years of higher payments to help the new owner invest in the business and make it more commercially viable. e only payment HCC now make is to cover the pontoon landing charges at Town Quay which is in the single gure and is the result of a historical legal agreement. e Ferry has su ered losses of circa £49k due to COVID-19, and their annual passenger numbers are just under 200,000. is funding will go some way to keeping the ferry going whilst passenger numbers are low.