Herald - Issue 409

15th July 2021 • The HERALD • Page 69 v GET MOVING WITH THE HERALD v 7 & 9 THE MARSH, HYTHE, SOUTHAMPTON SO45 6AJ Tel: 023 8084 4131 • E: hythe@pearsons.com WANTED: Due to unprecedented sales we are in need of ALL types of property in the Waterside area. Please call us now for a free, no obligation valuation PROPERTIES REQUIRED v ON THE HOME FRONT v is spacious 3/4 bedroom detached bungalow is situated in a highly sought a er location within the catchment for Orchard and Noadswood schools and is within walking distance of e New Forest National Park. e property is well presented throughout and bene ts from lounge with a feature re place and double doors to the garden, kitchen leading onto a utility room with rear door, walk in shower room and master bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Outside is a wrap- around garden with ample o street parking and separate garage. Situated in a sought a er position within Dibden Purlieu, this family home is convenient for local shops, cafés, schools, churches and medical centres. Southampton City Centre is easily accessible by road or alternatively via the frequent passenger ferry service from nearby Hythe Pier. On the market at £475,000 this property will attract a lot of interest. Call Pearsons Estate Agents to book a viewing on: 023 8084 4131 or visit: www.pearsons.com Location, Location, Location! Moving provides a great opportunity to de-clutter! Take your saleable, but unwanted, items to a charity shop or why not put an ad in a local shop window or in The Herald classified pages. The money you make can then go towards decorating your new home. ink about the number and size of boxes you will need to pack your belongings in. A variety of sizes is useful because you cannot ll a big box with heavy items or no-one will be able to li it! Bubble wrap or old newspapers are useful for packing, and strong tape for sealing the boxes. Clearly label each box so you know what’s in it. Check your home contents insurance covers items in transit during the move and nd out from your removal rm the extent of their liability should something get broken. Keep an ‘essentials’ box handy with all the things you will need when you rst arrive, kettle, tea, co ee, cups, snacks, toilet roll, cleaning items, small tool kit, simple rst aid kit and toiletries, together with overnight needs – and keep this with you during the move. Get Packing Two local Housing schemes situated on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Muir House in Dibden Purlieu and Priest Cro in Black eld, are this year celebrating 50 years from the establishment of the Association from which they developed. In July 1971, the then named Hythe Rotary Housing Association , came into being following a generous donation by a local resident. In 1970, an elderly widow, Mrs Kate Muir, approached the Rotary Club of Hythe , o ering a sum of money if the Club, in return, would provide her with rent, rates and maintenance free accommodation for the rest of her life. A er considerable deliberation the Club accepted the o er, settling Mrs Muir in a new home and, having looked at the wider needs of the elderly in the area, formed the Hythe Rotary Housing Association. Its objective, which remains valid today, was to provide rented, sheltered housing for the elderly, especially those with a local connection. After the first meeting of the Management Committee of the Association in July 1971 and with the full support of the New Forest District Council, work started in earnest to identify a suitable site and raise the necessary funding for a two-storey building for 51 units and warden accommodation. Two properties, e Chase and Meadcro , on the Beaulieu Road in Dibden Purlieu, were identi ed as a suitable site and, a er a number of funding issues, eventually purchased in 1977 with building able to commence and the Association’s Chairman, Howard Oliver, turning the rst sod. e o cial opening in 1981 by Maldwin and Mrs Gilly Drummond saw the fruition of the hopes held by the Association over many years, thanks to the dedicated work by the Association’s Management Committee, all members of the Rotary Club, giving generously of their time alongside their own professional occupations. e complex opened with full tenant occupancy, including Mrs Muir who had decided to move from her bungalow, and already, many more on the waiting list. Ray Lewis, President of Hythe & Waterside Rotary Club said: “ Those from Hythe Rotary who formed the Association would be very proud of what it has become and so pleased to see that club members remain actively involved today. Particular tribute must be paid to past Rotarians Howard Oliver and John Towndrow who worked tirelessly for the Association over many years.” One might think that a er ten years of hard work, the Committee would have wanted a break. On the contrary! ey felt they had learnt a lot in the course of their rst venture and were eager to commence with a second building development. Fawley Parish Council agreed to consider the erection of a block of 50 atlets on an area of two acres at Gang Warily in Black eld, where a suitable site opposite the Medical Centre was agreed. A er a number of false starts and with considerable support again from the New Forest District Council, building began in 1986. By 1987 there were one hundred names on the waiting list for tenancies and residents began moving in by the October. e scheme was named Priest Cro as this had been the name of the eld on which Priest Cro is sited when the land was part of the Cadland Estate. Priest Cro was o cially opened in September 1988 by Lord and Lady Denning. Today the Association, now known as Muircro , o ers across its two schemes, sheltered housing for over 100 tenants aged over 60 who want a balance between retaining an independent life with the reassurance of having support and facilities close by. Current Chairman of Muircroft Housing Association, Trevor Guymer, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the very professional management team who run the two schemes, always keeping the welfare and happiness of the tenants at the heart of everything they do, and to the Board members, past and present, who unstintingly give of their time and expertise to ensure the continuance of best practises across both schemes.” Helen Barber, Muircroft Chief Executive added: “It is my privilege to lead Muircroft in this milestone year, our 50th anniversary. I am so proud of our formation by Hythe & Waterside Rotary Club and will build on the legacy of those who went before me by leading the team so we can continue to support many more people to remain independent for as long as possible. I’m very excited for the next phase of our journey which will include making sure that tenants have a stronger voice, positively contributing towards the climate agenda and improving our homes so they remain fit for present and future tenants.” COVID-19 restrictions allowing, a 50th anniversary celebration is being planned for September, with an a ernoon tea in the gardens of Muir House for tenants and guests. For more information on Muircroft or tenancy vacancies visit: www. muircroft.co.uk or email: info@ muircroft.co.uk Muircroft celebrates Golden Anniversary Howard Oliver shows Rotoract group around Muir House build site