PRESS RELEASE
Annual Towns Meeting Commends Young People
New Milton Town Council held its Annual Towns Meeting for the 45th time since its inception as a Town Council in 1979. (Noting no Annual Towns Meeting was held in 2020 due to the restrictions imposed at the time of the Covid pandemic.)
Cllr Alvin Reid, Chairman of the Council and Town Mayor, presided over the Annual Town’s Meeting, and welcomed councillors and members of the public to the Town Hall.
Cllr Alvin Reid shared a summary of his Annual Report for 2024/2025, inviting attendees to read a copy of his full report, and the annual reports from the Finance & General Purposes, Amenities and Planning Committees, made available at the meeting.
One of the items of interest he shared included the official opening of the Ashley Youth Hub building at Ashley Recreation Ground. Already proving to be a popular facility offering support to young people and families, as well as being used by other community groups.
Cllr Reid also shared news about the works being undertaken at Ballard Lake, one of the town’s much-loved outdoor spaces. This Environmental Enhancement Project was funded by New Forest District Council CIL funds, S.106 Drainage monies, and NFDC Mitigation Funds.
Phase 1 was completed by New Milton Town Council earlier in the year, including the health-check and removal of nearly 2,000 fish from the lake, recycling the desilting arisings to enhance the profile of the lake and island. Phase 2 is currently in progress, with the construction of footpath improvements and installation of outdoor seating being arranged by New Forest District Council.
Following on from the Civic Celebration event in April, there were three young people nominated for Mayor’s Commendation who were unable to attend at that time. Cllr Reid was delighted to welcome Callum Murray and sisters Poppy and Marleigh Bonsell to receive their certificates and vouchers.
These deserving young people were nominated because of their positive impacts. Callum Murray for his commitment to history and heritage, presenting many interesting topics, attending Remembrance Events, and his support for the Friends of the Indian Soldiers Memorial at Barton on Sea.
Poppy and Marleigh were nominated by Youth Voice New Milton for their contribution and enthusiasm at Youth Club, noting that as Young Carers they were always positive and cheery.
Guest speaker was Lee Fleming, Chairman of the New Milton Branch of the Royal British Legion who briefly outlined the history of the branch in New Milton. He was pleased to report branch membership was increasing and affiliation with the local Army Cadets was being strengthened.
The Mayor was delighted to present a cheque of £1,153 to his nominated charity, New Milton Men’s Shed who have a thriving group of “Shedders” at their facility at the Fawcetts Field site. Their members share skills, knowledge, and experience to enrich each other’s lives, by undertaking practical projects and using their shed as a social hub.
The activities of the shed are driven by the aims and interests of its membership, to benefit themselves and the wider community.
Cllr Alvin Reid thanked everyone for attending, concluding : “Representing New Milton as Chairman of the Council and Town Mayor has been a great honour for me and my wife and Consort, Vivian. We’ve met many lovely residents at many different events over the last twelve months of my term of office. We are very lucky to have so many groups and individuals who make a difference in New Milton.”
Further information available from:
Graham Flexman, Town Clerk
New Milton Town Council
Email: info@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01425 619120
Dated: 16 May 2025