MAYOR’S OFFICIAL OPENINGS
New Milton residents made the most of a mainly rainless day on Sunday and enjoyed a couple of hours of music provided by the Wessex Military Band who performed on the Recreation Ground to an appreciative audience of over 300 attendees.
As part of the day’s proceedings on the Recreation Ground, New Milton Town Mayor, Cllr David Hawkins, was delighted to undertake “official” openings, of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Rose Garden and the new table tennis tables nearby on the western side.
Back in late 2021, New Milton Town Council asked residents for their suggestions on how the town should celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Receiving an array of ideas from installing a fountain to creating a one-way system around New Milton!
Overwhelming support was received for the installation of a Rose Pergola on the Recreation Ground, to be planted with a variety of shrub, climber, ground cover, and floribunda roses. Varieties including Rosa Charles Darwin (shrub) and Rosa Hanky Panky (floribunda) all beautifully fragranced.
The design of the Pergola, forged from stainless steel, was considered stylish and resilient for the park in the centre of town.
The town also marked the Queen’s Jubilee by participating in planting trees for the Queen’s Green Canopy starting with the Yellow Tulip Tree which is planted on the Recreation Ground near to the Rose Garden.
New Milton Town Mayor, Cllr David Hawkins, said “The Rose Garden is a beautiful place planted in honour of our great Queen to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Sadly, she passed away last September but her unwavering commitment and duty will always be remembered. I’m delighted to “officially” open the Rose Garden in her memory and encourage everyone to enjoy their stroll through the roses.”
The Mayor then moved on to “officially” open the new concrete table tennis tables, recently permanently installed to replace the previous table tennis that were well-used and worn, and unfortunately damaged beyond repair.
These new tables are as a result of the determined efforts of the group of table tennis enthusiasts led by Brenda Talbot working closely with New Milton Town Council. She coordinated the fundraising bringing together contributions from New Milton Town Council, New Milton Residents Association, New Milton Round Table, NMSB and M A Hart Ltd.
Brenda Talbot said “This has been a really exciting day for us all. After using all 4 table tennis tables during lockdown from 2020, we have been really amazed by the donations made by local organisations to help everyone to play again at our local recreation ground. A true community effort”.
Further information from:
Graham Flexman
Town Clerk
New Milton Town Council
Tel: 01425 619120
Email: info@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Dated: 8 August 2023