The Voice

The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014/15

Published by the Lymington Society. Hon. Sec. C Sutton (acting) Chairman’s Comments Inside this issue: I hope that in this newsletter provide support through the Chairman’s Comments 1 our members will find offices of the town clerk. something to interest Burrard Neale 2 It is really gratifying that everyone. It shows the society Anniversary given all our usual major continuing to represent the projects are criticism of New Committee 3 town in keeping a close eye developments, albeit Member on all planning matters as hopefully constructive detailed in the article by our Social Programme 3 criticism, this is a project planning guru Nic King. which is a positive initiative Friends of St Thomas’ 5 It shows our social events for the good of the town and which hopefully keep the one in which the society is Web Site Update 5 interest of members. taken a prominent interest very appropriate to its own The Year in Planning 6 It shows at least one aims. particular project that we are Society Chairman AGM Minutes 8 supporting at the moment in Clive Sutton This is probably the first time line with our object to shows the development of the that the Society has been I hope you will enjoy the maintain the quality of the Burrard Neale project which involved in such a articles in the newsletter. If buildings in Lymington and is in the process of becoming commitment and possibly any stage anyone feels that its surroundings. a great success and is now other projects will follow on they would like to contribute from it in the future. So far as planning is achieving critical mass so that an item of interest for the concerned I described in my there is every chance that the Following the last AGM we website or an article for a chairman’s report for the whole project will be were joined on the committee newsletter then do please let AGM how we had useful completed. Projects like this by Pam Morrissey and Lesley us know. meeting with the town can only get off the ground if Pope. Both of them have Council a year ago and have there is firstly an idea. In this shown willingness to support maintained that dialogue in case it came from our new the social committee although relation to the neighbourhood committee member Peter Lesley has felt the need to plan which is going to be so Stone. Secondly sufficient retire from the committee for important in the future. We vision. This again came from personal reasons. We are very are continuing that dialogue Peter Stone who enthused the grateful to her for all the input with the NFDC through its Committee and also the town she gave during her period of Don’t Miss chief planning officer Chris Council and the membership. Elliott. Gardens Trust. Thirdly there Lymington Society needs to be commitment Similarly Tim Kermode has So far as the social committee taken on other commitments which has come following a AGM is concerned there is an series of meetings between and has resigned from the appreciation of the work of committee having given us the three parties and a March 18th Donald and Yvonne contribution of priming the wise advice and help Mackenzie in running the pump funding which our particularly on environmental 7:30 to 9:30 pm social committee for the last matters. members agreed to at the last few years and the transition to AGM. Since the retirement of Ivor Lymington Community one of our new members Pam Johnson as secretary there has Centre Morrissey under the guidance That commitment led to us been a vacancy which I have of Don initially. being able to support the town Council in carrying its filled on a temporary basis. See Page 4 for Details Don Mackenzie’s article own councillors with it to The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014 /15 Page 2 Sir Harry Burrard Neale’s 250th Anniversary and would welcome recommendations. We were, however, excited to hear a monumental mason, who recently visited , confirm that the end result of cleaning all that Dartmoor granite will be magnificent!

By Peter Stone has spent nearly £10,000 dramatically Associated Events May I start by urging everyone to keep changing the state of the second of the The St. Barbe Museum & Art Gallery in touch with our website www.burrard Burrard Neale memorials - the 'Gas has recently opened its latest exhibition -neale250.org.uk. Not only is this up-to Lamp Monument' adjacent to the Royal 'Lives Less Ordinary' - 'a celebration of -date with 'Latest News' developments, it Lymington Yacht Club. The result of the lives of local residents who made a also now incorporates a direct YouTube this restoration, by a specialist Millbrook mark both locally and nationally': it runs link to the excellent BBC South Today company, can only be described as until 10th January. There are very few feature about the Admiral, the project stunning. Burrard Neale artefacts (that we know and why it's necessary. of) but, nonetheless, Sir Harry features The third Burrard Neale memorial is that prominently in the exhibition, with pride Phase 1 of the project is down as to the left of the High Altar in St of place having been given to 'The Nora 'Raising awareness of the project' - Thomas' Church - and needs cleaning to Drum' - said to have been used to beat to which we're chipping away at, greatly make it legible. As it's immediately quarters on the Admiral's warship during helped by the BBC. adjacent to a similar plaque to an earlier the Nore Mutiny in 1797. The Drum - Phase 2 is down as 'Restoring the relative, we're needing to restore both - which is the property of Lymington - is Walhampton site (excluding the and are currently looking for funding. on a rare outing from the National Monument) ...' and there's very positive Maritime Museum, Greenwich - so news. In the last few weeks, we've been At the Walhampton site, Saturday and everyone is urged to take this successful in securing two significant Sunday 3rd/4th January 2015 is an opportunity to see it. important weekend - because it's due to grants - from Hants. County Council and Attempts to clarify the Burrard see our first Volunteer Working the New Forest National Park Authority connection with - which Party. (see STOP PRESS page 8—ed) - jointly totalling nearly £25,000. Under stands on the Burrard Inlet from the We're being visited by the very the HCC Countryside Access scheme, Pacific, crossed by a magnificent experienced Hampshire Conservation we've secured funding of over £6,000 for Burrard Bridge - have unearthed a Volunteers, who will be principally improvements to the 'Solent Way', as it telescope presented to Sir Harry by Lord addressing the rationalisation of the rises from Undershore up to the obelisk - Nelson in 1805 - and passed to the City 'jungle' that currently covers the lower to make it far more inviting to of Vancouver by a Burrard relative in half of the site. The HCV welcome walkers. Not only will the width and the 1940s surface of the path be improved; we will support from 'locals' - so all are invited also be addressing the drainage of the to turn up, with old clothes, a flask and Another find is an account of 'The area which, for half of each year, (if you've got them) saws and loppers, to Memoirs of Sir Harry Burrard Neale', as resembles the bed of a stream. 'make a difference'. It'll be a much better recorded by a relative in Victorian We've been successful with our way of shedding post-Christmas pounds times. We have kindly been presented application to the New Forest NPA than at the Southampton Sales! with a scanned copy - which is being 'Sustainable Communities Fund', to the Now that we've got the plans and funds studied and typed-up for us by a member tune of £18,500 - specifically for to address the landscape of the of the Lymington & District Historical improvements to the landscape of the Walhampton site, we're giving further Society. thought to the Monument itself. We've Walhampton site. These will include One other fascinating Burrard record is authorised tree works, the removal of started taking a closer look at the state of it, what needs to be done and how and at the 'List of the Subscribers to the Public laurel and the clearance of scrub, new Testimonial to the late Sir Harry Burrard fencing - to make the site safer and more what cost. The answer to the last point is likely to be not less than £70,000 - and Neale ...' - which records the names and secure ... and, last but by no means least, brief addresses of all 200 people wild flower planting. All in all, the two probably more, depending on what we choose to do about the railings that (including 3 'Royals') who contributed grants should enable us to transform the the £1,500 that paid for the Walhampton Walhampton site (excluding the surrounded the Monument pre-WWll and the matching ones that ran alongside Monument. The Genealogy Group of Monument itself) - most of it by Easter the Lymington U3A has kindly agreed to 2015. Monument Lane. We're currently nowhere in terms of funding this work Meanwhile, a third authority - NFDC - Continued on page 7 The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014 /15 Page 3 Your Committee Members In the finest journalistic tradition, page 3 of your Newsletter has intimate insights into the lives of your Committee Members. In this edition we are delighted to welcome a new Committee Member—and Social Secretary—Pam Morrissey Social Programme 2014/15 Recent Events ideas and views were exchanged. Some Nocturnal Encounters people admired the complex detail of some work while others preferred simpler more dramatic prints. We discussed why some animals prefer night to day and the effect of light pollution. Also how much do we know of the "Nocturnal Encounters" in our own gardens. Steve was thanked for his talk Pam Morrissey by Donald Mackenzie.

I grew up in nearby Poole and after living in Buckinghamshire for a Christmas Drinks Party significant period of my life, my husband Peter and I took the decision to Stanwell House Hotel retire to Lymington which we both knew A private guided tour and talk about the from sailing and childhood holidays . internationally famous wood engraver We have lived in Lymington now, part Colin See-Poynton was enjoyed by time for about fourteen years, and full time for the last four. members of the Lymington Society. Before retiring, and having initially Steve Marshall of St Barbe museum gave a fascinating insight into how this been a secondary school teacher I spent artist created his work. over eighteen years working in Colin See-Poynton lives in Wales and educational publishing, latterly for Once again our big social event of the draws his inspiration from the wildlife Oxford University Press. year was held at Stanwell House I am really pleased to be able to help as he observes around his studio. This Lymington High Street an educational consultant on the Burrard exhibition focuses on the hares he watched at dawn and dusk, he wondered As usual Stanwells served a delicious Neale campaign and hope to get as many what they did at night and imagined the selection of canapés and wines and the young people as possible involved in a other creatures they would meet. Hence Committee enjoyed meeting many of our schools competition in the New Year. I the title "Nocturnal Encounters" members am also pleased to be involved with social events for the Society and look He is entirely self taught and uses his St Barbe Museum forward to the 2015 Programme. imagination and knowledge to construct engravings of great complexity and Lives Less Ordinary refinement. Colin is a Fellow of the New Social Secretary Royal Cambrian Academy, Honorary Pam’s introduction belongs on this page Fellow of the Royal Society of alongside the Social Programme, as she Printmakers and a member of the has taken over as social secretary for the Society of Wood Engravers. His work is Society. The excellent programme for represented in many private and public next year is a great start to her tenure— collections around the world. as well as being a tribute to Don Wood engraving is a relief printmaking process which requires great technical Mackenzie who has been acting social As part of the 250th anniversary of the skill and patience to achieve the artistic secretary, and who has helped launch birth of Sir Harry Burrard Neale we finished print Pam in the role. As always, other could not let an opportunity such as this Full of new knowledge from Steve the committee members and society exhibition pass us by. We had a guided members looked with fresh eyes at the members can be relied on to lend a tour including an opportunity to view the exhibition which included wood blocks hand—many thanks to all helpers for our famous Nore Drum on loan from the and hand tools as well as many years social events, and all members who Maritime Museum at Greenwich. work of prints. Over wine and nibbles attend and enjoy them. The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014 /15 Page 4 Social Programme 2015 - Upcoming Events February 17th June 9th Don Mackenzie and the Social A visit to Lymington Summer Garden Party Committee—An appreciation. Precision Engineering The Chantry, Hollywood Lane We are pleased to announce that one of the town’s foremost businesses had kindly agreed to give members a tour of their factory. Numbers are however strictly limited to just twenty and those members wishing to go should contact Pam Morrissey as soon as possible. SOLDE mail: OUT [email protected]. uk With the kind permission of Ivor and The primary purpose of the Society is to Daphne Johnston the Lymington Society protect and enhance the character of is very pleased to announce that their Lymington. In that it needs the support beautiful garden will be the venue of this of a wide base of members. Those March 18th year’s garden party. members need to feel involved and that Lymington Society AGM has partly been achieved by the Lymington Society through social Community Centre events. 7.30 to 9.30pm For the past several years Don has organised these events admirably, with This is the main business meeting of the his ability to encourage people to year when Members get a chance to involve themselves with events and his stand for Committee or nominate fellow unerring nose for the sort of subjects and members. Election of offices takes place venues which will attract people. following the Chairman’s report which Under his guidance those events have details the Societies activities in the year fallen into a pattern of the summer and also any current and important Members are invited to explore both the garden party at various venues and the issues are debated and discussed. formal and wooded areas of the garden, Stanwell House Christmas party, among and catering will be provided with numerous lectures and events. Notable Pimms, wine, soft drinks and the usual have been visits to the Berthon Boat delicious party snacks. Company, and a series of talks and exhibitions at the St Barbe Museum Tickets £7.50 to include These events don’t happen by refreshments themselves. They need research and organisation of dates and venues and To Purchase Tickets for Social invitations, the food and drink, and last but not least the clearing up, assisted by Events, Please Contact: other members of the committee, but Clive Sutton Solicitors, ultimately Don’s responsibility supported by his wife Yvonne. Following on from the business section 3 The Old Printworks, of the meeting we are pleased to 85b High Street, Lymington In spite of Don’s threats we have not lost welcome The Hampshire Maritime SO41 9AN his services as a committee member yet, and he continues to help Pam Morrissey Police. As a department of special Please see our website for the branch the Marine unit is heavily in her role as the new socal secretary latest on upcoming events: involved in daily tasks relating to the The Committee and the Society are security of our coastal borders www.lymsoc.co.uk extremely grateful to Don and Yvonne No charge for this meeting. Click “The Society” then for having carried out this role for many years so effectively and with such Refreshments 7pm “Social Events” dedication. The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014 /15 Page 5 Web Site Update Friends of St Thomas’ Church

By Mark Lanigan Some visitors are sharing our stories as The web site continues to be a popular well with twelve stories being shared window into the Society’s activities with last quarter to blogs and social media an average of over 400 pages viewed sites so our message is being passed on each month by more than 160 people. to others outside our immediate While unsurprisingly the UK accounts community. for over 98% of the site’s traffic it is interesting to see that our activities are One tip I would remind members of is being viewed as far afield as Australia, the Following function. On each page at the bottom right hand corner is a small Ecuador and even Senegal. By Ivor Johnston button marked ‘Follow’ if you click this Visitors find the Lymington Society web you can enter your email address and For 800 years St. Thomas' Church has site using a wide variety of search terms then when we publish any new story on been the iconic landmark and symbol of amongst them Webb chicken factory, the site you will receive an email about Lymington – a source of local pride and Solent Music Festival and even crankle it. Very handy to keep up to date with sense of identity. The current damage to wall and while Google generates by far the social calendar and any planning the Cupola is obvious and the cost of the greatest amount of search traffic we stories we add. repair high. The burden of maintaining are getting visitors referred from New this historic building, however, falls Forest Tourism and local bodies like If you get stuck or need a hand with this increasingly heavily on a smaller Lymington.org. just drop me a line ([email protected]) congregation and more widespread and I’ll help you get set up. support is a pressing need. The Constitution of The Lymington Society states that it will “stimulate interest in and care for the beauty, Membership history and character of the town”. We heartily welcome the formation of The New Lymington Society members are always welcome. Friends of St. Thomas Church and have made a donation of £50 from the Society’s funds to support this valuable Membership £10.00 per member. Application forms available from initiative. our Web Site www.lymsoc.co.uk or from Derek Sheffer. The aim of The Friends is to enlist the support of those in out community who Please send Completed Membership form to: value not only the building but also the many festivals, concerts and charitable Derek Sheffer activities it hosts. A surprising number of local residents have never entered the building to admire its historic beauty or Lymington Soc. Membership Sec. Lorne Cottage, Navarino Court, the astonishing engraved glass doors. Leaflets to join the Friends are on Lymington, SO41 9AE display in the church. The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014 /15 Page 6 Planning—The Last Year by Nic King critical to the setting of a town. New 10918; Old Walls, Mill Lane; house; Neighbourhood Plan guidelines say that “once established, demolition of existing. LymSoc objected green belt boundaries should only be on grounds of over-development. NFDC Lymington and Pennington Town altered in exceptional circumstances”. refused. Status: appeal outstanding Council has formally requested that Infrastructure and availability of (APP/B1740/A/14/2228968). NFDC starts procedures in connection transport are regarded as ‘valid with producing a local plan. We’ve been concerns’ when considering 11138; Pinetops House, 67-69 Ramley urging them to do so for some time. development proposals. Traffic is only Road; 5 detached houses; garages. Developers are targeting areas and regarded as a concern if increased LymSoc objected on grounds of over- appeals are being allowed where there is volume causes a measurable highway development. NFDC granted. no compliant local plan in place. Having impact e.g. at junctions. a neighbourhood plan is an advantage 10255; Manor Farm Recycling Facility; for the forthcoming review of local Recent planning activity variation to condition on noise; New Milton Sand & Ballast. LymSoc wrote to housing. An adopted NP gives the local HCC asking that existing conditions on community a say in where additional 1142 Land north of Alexandra Road; noise are closely enforced. houses are to go and can deal with other 95 dwellings: 45% open market (30% aspects of planning e.g. transport, ‘low cost’; 15% shared equity) and 55% 11547; 127-128 High Street; two air employment opportunities. The technical (40% social rent; 15% affordable rent). conditioning units & enclosures. Grade work is due to start in May 2015 after Local plan allocates this site and II listed building in Town Centre/ the election. Pinetops (see below) for ‘green belt’ Conservation Area. Surprisingly, this development. LymSoc objected on proposal which impacts on character and The national planning framework grounds that the proposed development appearance of area and on residential requires each local authority to decide on is unsustainable, out of character and amenity of neighbouring properties did the ‘objectively assessed’ demand for fails to provide sufficient open space - not require a change of planning use. houses in its own area; criteria include see LymSoc website post. LymSoc objected: environmental impact demographics e.g. age of local on courtyard businesses. NFDC refused. population and employment. The 11341; Pinetops Nurseries, 67-69 assessment is likely to result in pressure Ramley Road; development of 45 11548; 127-128 High Street; 2 air to increase the existing Lymington & dwellings comprised: 1 terrace of 3 conditioning units & enclosures to rear Pennington housing stock (currently houses; 11 pairs of semi-detached elevation; new wall vents; shop fitting to around 8000) by an additional 700 to houses; 2 pairs of semi-detached include stud walls; disabled access 1000 homes by 2026. Existing bungalows; 13 detached houses; 3 facilities; new ceiling lights & lights; authorised developments already under detached bungalows; access roads; internal air conditioning units; display 1 construction such as Redrow are not footpaths; open space; landscaping; non illuminated projecting sign; taken into account. demolition of existing. Permission has unilluminated internally mounted signs already been granted for 45 dwellings (Application for Listed Building The Town Council will prepare a draft (13/11561). This application seeks Consent). LymSoc objection submitted. plan for consultations on the scale of approval of scale of dwellings, NFDC refused. development which must conform to appearance and landscaping.

Strategic Plan objectives. Before 10814; 127-128 High Street (Subway); 2 adoption the plan is subject to District 11033; Gordleton Industrial Park; air conditioning units, ventilation Council approval, an Inspector’s inquiry buildings for industrial, storage and ducting and internal extraction ductwork into its ‘soundness’ and finally a simple business use. LymSoc objected on for food preparation area. NFDC granted majority referendum by the community. grounds of threat to highway safety and subject to louvre door to the rear of inadequate evidence of un-met need to premises being kept closed at all times Greenbelt development justify loss of greenbelt. NFDC judged when the air conditioning units are The green belt around Lymington & that the proposal demonstrated the very operating except for maintenance. Pennington will come under increasing special circumstances needed to justify pressure for additional housing. Our development in the Green Belt - a lack 10770; The Lodge, 4 Milford Road; two town is quite unusually advantaged in of supply of employment opportunities houses; associated parking (demolition having such a well defined greenbelt. locally. The decision to grant permission of existing). LymSoc requested a Eric Pickles, government housing was made subject to the Secretary of condition on tree protection/ restoration minister has recently announced State’s right to “call in” a decision made of verdant frontage. Status: NFDC increased protection for the greenbelt, in conflict with local planning policy, granted permission subject to conditions which had diminished under his which was not exercised. predecessor. Green fields are regarded as Contd. on page 7 col 1 The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014 /15 Page 7 Planning Update Sir Harry Burrard Neale Contd. from page 6 Contd. from page 2 including landscaping, to include take on the challenge of finding out leading up to the site - which actually retention of existing trees and shrubs; a more about these donors and their constitutes part of the official Solent specification for new planting. motivation - and possibly tracing some Way - has been almost completely present-day descendants! overgrown as well as becoming treacherously muddy and virtually 10567; 130 High Street. Display Discussions are taking place with local impassable in winter. illuminated fascia sign; hanging sign; schools, to decide how best to get the shop front; block up door; internal Burrard Neale story across to the The monument itself, whilst appearing alterations; remove walls & doors; move younger generation ... and we are to look in surprisingly good condition hatch; wall cladding (Application for continuing to develop plans to enable after 175 years, needs major renovation Listed Building Consent). Grade II two everyone to celebrate Sir Harry's '250th to prevent water penetration, to clean storey listed building in lower section of Birthday' in September 2015. and repair the granite stonework and to Lymington High Street conservation repaint and highlight the beautiful cast 'Stop Press': In the last week, we've area. External lighting is to fascia sign iron plaques describing Sir Harry’s life heard from the '1805 Club' - a and comprises 3 ‘swan neck’ fittings and achievements. (see Fig below). LymSoc objected on fascinating and well-connected body grounds that illuminated signs are not dedicated to the conservation and The initial phase of the project involves acceptable in Conservation area (CS 2 maintenance of monuments and a major clearance of the overgrown and CS 3). Status: withdrawn memorials of the Georgian-era Royal landscaping to try and create more of a Navy. They are not a grant-making parkland feel for some of the site, whilst body but, nevertheless, say 'Burrard retaining a more natural woodland 11292; 31 New Street; use as 5 flats; Neale 250' is so much in line with our setting in other parts. This phase will second floor extension; extension to work that we would like to make a small also include a major upgrading of the create new third floor; balconies; ground financial contribution and also to offer Solent Way path including much needed floor parking; cycle store & bin store; some advice.' They have also proposed drainage improvements. part use of ground floor as office. further Vancouver connections. LymSoc submitted comment in support Early next year fundraising will begin of retaining existing building. As we enter Sir Harry's milestone for the second phase of the project anniversary year, we're pleased to report namely the restoration of the monument 10306; Our Lady of Mercy and St that 'Burrard Neale 250' gathers itself through an application to the Joseph Catholic Church; 132 High momentum ... Heritage Lottery Fund. Street; wall facing Gosport street; 1.1 Lymington Society Involvement The project also hopes to re-engage with metre high boundary wall (Application local people to bring Sir Harry’s From Lymington Society Press for Listed Building Consent). Historic achievements both as a naval war hero boundary wall 2 metres high demolished Release: and as local MP and benefactor to a without planning permission Aug 2012. The Lymington Society is pleased to wider audience. The Burrard Neale 250 Preservation of historic boundary walls announce that its campaign, being run campaign has worked with the St Barbe is an important feature of the jointly with the Hampshire Gardens Museum’s on the current exhibition Conservation Area. LymSoc submitted Trust and the Lymington Pennington “Lives Less Ordinary “ which has a objection and further comments in Town Council to renovate and restore major section devoted to Sir Harry’s life. support of Town Council the Walhampton Monument to Sir Harry th Educational initiatives in local schools recommendation that wall should be re- Burrard Neale and to celebrate the 250 are also being planned. built to original height. anniversary of his birth in September Initially supported by a grant from the 2015, has received a significant boost Lymington Society and from the 1069/10698/11606; 11 West Hayes; with the announcement that two local Hampshire Garden Trust, as well as an house (demolition of existing in a authorities have supported the project expenditure of £2,000 agreed by the Conservation Area). LymSoc objected: with major grant funding. Town Council, the project engaged out of character/ overbearing impact on The Walhampton Monument, which is a Vicky Jordan, a highly experienced prominent corner of Grove Gardens. particularly fine granite obelisk similar chartered landscape architect and Status: granted on appeal (APP/ to Cleopatra’s Needle in London, was arboriculturalist, who undertook a B1740/E/13/2211069; APP/B1740/ built in 1840 on what was then known as detailed survey of the site detailing A/14/2211067). Mount Pleasant from where it was every tree on the land surrounding the possible to see most of the Solent as far monument and the path. From this initial as the Needles as well as looking the survey, detailed discussions were held down onto the town of Lymington. with National Park Conservation and Sadly over the years the site has been neglected to the point where the path Continued on page 8 column 2 The Newsletter of the Lymington Society Winter 2014 /15 Page 8 2014 AGM Minutes About Sir Harry 40 members were welcomed with a glass Museum to the H.L.F. and stressed the of wine to the AGM on 24th March need to employ a consultant. 2014. Mark Tomlinson outlined plans for the Lt. Col. Chitty welcomed members and development and the refurbishment of Mr Sutton welcomed the Mayor, Cllr. the museum. He presented drawings of Anna Rostand and Cllr. Elizabeth Lewis. the proposed new museum frontage, echoing the wavy walls characteristic of Apologies were received from members Lymington and making it more visible Sir Harry Burrard Neale, who was Rosie Gaskell and Nigel Lang. from the High Street. Comments almost certainly Lymington’s most expressed by members were generally The minutes of the 2013 AGM had been famous son, was born in 1765 at favourable. circulated by newsletter and on the Yarmouth Castle as Harry Burrard, the website. Mr. Sutton thanked all the speakers. He son of the Governor of the castle and Approval was proposed by Elizabeth raised the question of the Lymington entered the when he was 13 Lewis, seconded by Pam Keen and Society making a financial contribution in 1778. He rose to be one of the most accepted. towards the H.L.F. application for the distinguished naval officers of the restoration of the Wallhampton Napoleonic era and eventually became Mr. Sutton gave the Chairman’s Address Monument. John Beaumont offered a Commander-in-Chief of the (to be published in the newsletter and on personal contribution of £100. £1,000 Mediterranean fleet. He is credited with the website). He described a year was suggested by one member as a the capture of 20 enemy ships and was without large controversial issues and suitable donation from the Society’s most famous for escaping with his loyal listed the specialised contributions of reserves. The meeting closed at 9.30pm. crew from the Nore Mutiny which committee members. He announced Dr. happened in the Thames estuary in 1797. Johnston’s resignation as Hon. Secretary He was able to raise the alarm and and presented him with a copy of Jude Burrard Neale became nationally famous in the process James new book signed by the Contd. from page 7 and was thanked by the merchants of committee. London. The Nore drum which he was The Treasurer’s Report was given by Tree Officers to arrive at a plan which given in recognition of his heroics is Mr. Sheffer, who reported a satisfactory was aimed at preserving where possible Lymington and Pennington Council’s financial situation in spite of falling but also clearing invasive species and most prized possession and whilst membership. Steven Montague-Jones dead and dying trees and shrubs to allow usually on display at the National and Janet Irving suggested that more light back into the site. This then led to a Maritime Museum, it is currently on publicity was needed to recruit new successful application for planning display in the St Barbe exhibition “Lives members. More use of the local paper permission for the work involved. Less Ordinary” was suggested. Applications were then made by the Sir Harry lived at Walhampton House. Dr Mackenzie gave an account of the Burrard Neale Steering Committee to He was MP for Lymington for over 25 successful social programme and Hampshire County Council Small Grants years on and off as well as being Town outlined the calendar for the coming Countryside Access Scheme and to the Mayor for many years. He donated the year. National Park Authority’s Sustainability gas lamps to the town an act which is Fund for funding for various aspects of commemorated at a newly restored gas The nominations for the Executive the scheme. lamp on the riverside at Bath Road near Committee followed. the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. Further announcements will be made The current members of the Executive during the course of the New Year Committee were proposed by Tom leading Up to the 250th anniversary of Russell and seconded by Jenny Sutton the Harry’s birth which we hope to STOP PRESS and re-elected en bloc. celebrate with a concert in September. The January 3rd/4th Volunteers’ Week- Peter Stone presented proposals for the th Members interested in the project are end was a great success and we are very commemoration of the 250 anniversary invited to visit our website at grateful to those to those members who of Sir Harry Burrard Neale’s birth. This www.burrard-neale250.org.uk where the worked so hard and got so much done. includes the restoration of the latest news on developments can be Walhampton Monument. He stressed There’s to be another one on Saturday found and where people can sign up to the need for community involvement to February 28th. Meet at the monument at be kept up-to-date by email. The website support an application to the Heritage 10:00 am, ideally with loppers, forks, also has the BBC South Today video Lottery Fund. The Lymington Society is rakes etc. broadcast earlier in the year which represented on this steering group. describes the aims of the project as well See www.burrard-neale250.org.uk for David Rule gave an account of the as giving a brief history of Sir Harry and further details successful application by the St. Barbe his achievements