Weekly What's On For Friday 25 September 2026
An Early Bird...
Sending early this week, partly because I'm away tomorrow, also to give everyone an extra day to respond to the consultation about the Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy: DEADLINE IS FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER. Please read on below...
Hope For Our Local Future
Last Chance to Respond
There is some inevitability about the long term impact of climate change along the 15-kilometre stretch of coastline between Hurst Spit and Lymington: sea levels will rise and flooding take place, across this environmentally and historically significant area.
As humans though we have hope - which isn't just 'passive optimism' but 'active desire for a specific, positive outcome...having the drive and energy to do something about it and finding practical ways and steps to reach it, despite obstacles'.
We can do something towards a positive outcome here!
Led by the Environment Agency, the current proposed strategy for 'Managed Retreat' has been available through the summer for inspection and our feedback has been invited.
Respected local organisations including Berthon, the Lymington Society and the Save Lymington and Keyhaven (SLAK) Committee are extremely worried, that 'Managed Retreat' threatens the future of Lymington River and local businesses.
After studying the subject in depth they have put forward an alternative: 'Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment (BUDS)', as a more realistic and cost‑effective option,. BUDS could help restore existing saltmarshes and strengthen the current sea wall, extending its life and at a lower cost.
Everyone who cares about this and is willing to fill in the online questionnaire is strongly encouraged to do it, now, before the deadline tomorrow. Please click below to read a summary and, if you agree, follow the suggested responses provided.
The more people who tell the Environment Agency that BUDS should be actively developed, the stronger the message and the more likely it will happen!
SUMMARY OF BUDS AND SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO CONSULTATION
From Brockenhurst to the Banks of the Ganges
A new restaurant is preparing to open its doors in Brockenhurst this October, bringing contemporary Indian cooking to the heart of the New Forest.
KASI will open at Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa in the former home of Le Blaireau. Led by renowned London chef and television personality Surjan Singh, better known as Chef Jolly, the restaurant will be his first outside the capital.
While the name and menu may be changing, guests will still find a familiar face waiting to welcome them. Richard Naulleau, who managed Le Blaireau, will remain as restaurant manager at KASI, bringing his knowledge of the hotel, its guests and the local community into this next chapter.
Read on and anticipate a culinary journey along the Ganges, from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. I simply cannot wait for this opening!
MEET CHEF JOLLY AND DISCOVER KASI!
Hope For Our Young
David Coppinger and his team are now bringing together Transition Lymington and Maritime Futures Hub to get Reimagine Pennington & Lymington off the ground — a welcoming place where young people can meet local makers and older residents, learn practical skills, and turn unwanted materials into useful or beautiful things.
They're looking for a temporary home in Pennington or Lymington: an empty shop, workshop or community space could work. They'd also love to hear from artists, makers, DIY enthusiasts, community groups and businesses who could lend skills, materials or support.
REIMAGINE PENNINGTON & LYMINGTON
MARITIME FUTURES HUB - THE BACKGROUND
A Royal Visit!
On Wednesday of this week HRH The Princess Royal joined the sailors and volunteers at the final session of this year's Wednesday Junior Sailing at Royal Lymington Yacht Club.
For more than 40 years, Wednesday Junior Sailing has given local children the opportunity to get out on the Lymington River in a safe, welcoming and affordable environment. Around 100 children take part each Wednesday during the season from April to September, supported by a large team of volunteers both ashore and on the water. Remarkably, participation continues to cost just £1 per child, traditionally including a hot chocolate and doughnut after sailing.
Read on to discover how this all happens!
HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL VISITS WEDNESDAY JUNIOR SAILING
Other News and Upcoming Events
Congratulations to Jim Green of Lyndhurst, who joined the fire service in 1996 when rescuing animals often meant little more than determination, guesswork and a willingness to get muddy. Three decades later, techniques he helped pioneer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue are being used by emergency services across the UK and around the world, helping him earn the New Forest Diamond Jubilee Award. Read on BBC News here.
Best wishes to the Rectory Quilters, whose Rectory Quilters Quilt Festival takes place in New Milton this weekend. For inspiration, see Val's Fantastic Fish Quilt above! New members are always welcome...
And a reminder of next Thursday evening's An Evening to Celebrate Life: 15 years of Força! at Lymington Town Sailing Club.
For these and other events this weekend and next week scroll down below and check out the full Events Calendar too. With the Autumn Equinox passed on Wednesday and the Harvest Full Moon due on Saturday, although it still doesn't feel much like it we are now well into autumn - it must surely soon be time to look out those coats and gloves!
Best wishes Jane
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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