Below is a short history of the Centre over the last 60 years, but a more detailed version was produced in the "History of New Milton Community Centre 1960-2020" to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

This has been converted to a Web Version and includes old maps and photographs, both then and now, mainly in Section 5 and The Appendix. With grateful contributions from the Milton Heritage Society which aims to collect together photographs, maps, postcard images and other documents which tell the story of Milton.

Click the cover image or the link Web Version, to start.

Short History
More details are in Section 4

In 1960, representatives of local organisations met to discuss the feasibility of establishing a Community Centre in New Milton. As a result, the New Milton & District Community Association was formed to manage a new Centre.

Initially, interest groups met where they could and other people's halls and rooms were hired. It was realised that a more permanent arrangement was needed and a Committee was formed to make plans.

In 1966, a short lease was negotiated so that we could use the Council Office building situated, at that time, in Station Road. This enabled more activities to be offered and the Membership grew.

The need for us to have our own building became increasingly obvious and our Association proceeded to organise ways in which we could raise the necessary money. Financial assistance was given by the Ratepayers' Association (see Note A. below) and several other organisations which became "affiliate members".

After a few years, with the help of Hampshire County Council and Lymington Borough Council (see Note B. below), we obtained the land and derelict private house Ashcombe in Osborne Road on which the Centre now stands and planning permission was sought.

In August 1973, demolition of Ashcombe began. It was obvious that inflation was increasing nearly as fast as our bank balance. So the decision was made to start on the building of the new Centre. Many economies were made, such as having bare-brick inside walls, to keep within our budget.

But in 1974, we at last moved into our new single-storey building. The cost of this was £28,000.

Within six months, however, it was realised that we needed to expand onto a second floor and the fundraising activities were increased. Fortune looked kindly upon us and we were given a grant by Hampshire County Council and the New Forest District Council (see Note B. below). In addition, some Members kindly gave interest-free loans to assist in raising the £62,000 required for the upper extension.

Our two-storey building was completed in 1977, but further funds were required for furniture and equipment and our Members worked hard to raise the necessary capital. This was an early example of the wonderful voluntary spirit which still exists today.

During all of the time it has been in existence, the Association has only employed Caretakers. We have been fortunate in our choice of these and they have all, in turn, greatly assisted the smooth running of the Centre. But the real secret of our success has been the devotion given by our volunteers.

Firstly, there have been those who have worked in Catering, Reception, our Office and on the Executive Committee. The day to day running has been monitored and controlled by managers and the Executive Committee, which meets monthly to consider operational issues, finances, building maintenance and ways in which the activities undertaken and general appearance of the building are maintained and improved.

Secondly, there has been the magnificent contribution from our volunteer group leaders who organise and run the 30 or so activities that take place at the Centre.

We registered as a Charity on 3 November 1965 but this only gives us certain tax advantages. We don't receive any money!! Unlike other Community Associations, we are completely self-financing and have no assistance from the local Council or anyone else - apart from bequests by deceased Members.

To achieve this, we offer a range of social and recreational activities to our Membership and make our rooms available to the wider community at reasonable rates.

It is true to say that our friendly spirit and beautiful building, which we own, are often commented upon by visitors and are the envy of other such organisations. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the people who, in some way, have contributed to the growth and success of the Community Centre over the years.

We had planned a week of events and activities in September 2020 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the start of the Association, but they were all cancelled due to the pandemic Covid 19.

We did buy a rose, Diamond Days, which was planted by the Mayor of New Milton on 1 October 2020.

The Diamond Jubilee booklet, “History of New Milton Community Centre 1960-2020”, was shelved in September 2020 but updated in July 2021 when more photos from Milton Heritage Society's collection were made available.

Publications of Our History

In 1969, one of our Members compiled a booklet giving the background to the formation of the Association and the establishment of the Centre. Its tile was, suitably, "Acorn to Sapling".

It was thought that an attempt should be made to update and re-publish the booklet including a record of events leading up to our 50^th Anniversary. The resulting booklet-"Acorn to Noble Oak"- detailed not only the origins of the Association but also depicts the growth of the Centre from those "acorn" days. It gave an insight into the work behind the scenes that has contributed to the success of the Centre.

The 25 page booklet has gone out of print but is available to download Online Here.

The planned Diamond Jubilee booklet, "History of New Milton Community Centre 1960-2020", was shelved in September 2020, but was updated in July 2021 to include:

• an additional series of black and white photos of the building of the Centre in Osborne Road and
• changes in the Centre's Officers made at the AGM in October 2020.

The booklet provides a snapshot of the Centre in September 2020 and names many of the volunteers who have served the Centre so well.

It may be downloaded as a compact version to Print on 28 pages or more like the website edition to Print on 34 pages. Both are PDF files and around 1 MB in file size each.

Notes: