Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

About Leigh Hatts

Leigh Hatts is an experienced walker and has known the local coastline since childhood. He is the author of many successful walking guides.

Milford-on-Sea history exhibition

The Grand Centenary Exhibition staged by Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society opens today in the church hall. Sadly it only runs until next Saturday 8 August which is far too short for such an interesting exhibition. The displays look back more … Continue reading

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Highcliffe pictures at Selfridges

Another exhibition worth visiting is the centenary exhibition at Selfridges. I struggled past a huge queue for Katie Price’s book signing in the basement last week. It was most rewarding for in addition to fascinating facts about the store there … Continue reading

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Barton-on-Sea history

It might be worth joining the coast path via New Milton Station over the next three weeks to see a rare exhibition. A Seaside Home in the Country exhibition is being staged in a shop in Station Road – New … Continue reading

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Helicopters and dolphins

There are reports of two helicopters on the coast last weekend. On Sunday a person was rescued from halfway doen the East Cliff by a coastguard helicopter just before 6pm. This is the second rescue on the cliff this year. … Continue reading

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Rogation Sunday at Mudeford

Today is Rogation Sunday when prayers are said for crops. It’s a time to pray for a good harvest festival later in the year. The weather is not good but this afternoon at 3.15pm there is the annual blessing of … Continue reading

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Bournemouth cliff rescue

There is overnight news of a cliff rescue at Bournemouth. Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 104 from Lee on Solent was scrambled at just after midnight following a report that a 22 year old man had fallen over the cliff. Southbourne Coastguard … Continue reading

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Highcliffe Castle’s Selfridge exhibition

Last week I was reading Selfridges magazine devoted to the store’s centenary so it was very interesting to be able to visit the Gordon Selfridge exhibition at Highcliffe Castle this morning. It opened this weekend and I spent an hour … Continue reading

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New Forest coast ranger is back

Leanne Atkinson has returned for a second season as a Coastal Ranger on the New Forest National Park coastline. But this time the joint-funded post between the New Forest National Park Authority and Hampshire County Council will run for 12 … Continue reading

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Goats at Boscombe and maybe a wind farm

I spent Easter Bank Holiday Monday morning on the path walking slowly between the Bournemouth cliff lift and Boscombe. It was a fantastic day and I thought of both Disraeli and Henry James writing about the fantastic view of the … Continue reading

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Point House Café developers lose appeal

Surprise news today. Developers have lost their recent appeal to be allowed to build flats on the Point House Café site in Southbourne. Government Planning Inspector Richard Marshall who heard the appeal at Bournemouth Town Hall earlier this month has … Continue reading

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