Founded in 1990, the Association aims to represent, support and safeguard the interests of its members who own beach huts at Barton-on-Sea, Calshot, Hordle Cliff or Milford-on-Sea. We hope you will find information of use and interest in these pages, whether you are a general enquirer or looking for information in our members’ only section.
The Association’s purpose, set out in its constitution, is to advise, represent, and liaise with New Forest District Council and other authorities on behalf of its members across all matters relating to the ownership of beach huts. Membership is by annual subscription and there are currently over 380 huts whose owners are members. The Association is headed up by a committee of currently 7, though 2 additional members are being sought. Although not a Registered Charity, the Association makes donations to charitable organisations from time to time.
Announcement from Acting Chairman, Alice Burch
I am sad to say that I have made the difficult decision to step down as Acting Chairman for personal reasons. I am about to embark on a new job as well as juggling my young children during continued lockdown. I wish you all well and may see you down the beach when permitted.
I hope 2021 brings you happiness and safety as we move through the latter stages of this horrible pandemic.
The Association is here to support you with your beach huts during these times. Please feel free to get in contact with your beach area rep or other Committee member - please see details under the Contact tab: https://www.newforestbeachhuts.com/#contactus
Also, National Lockdown: Stay at Home guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home. We are hopeful that we will start to get back to meeting and socialising at our loved beach huts in the warmer months.
Beach Hut Site Licence Fees
There will be an increase in beach hut licence fees (commencing 1st April). The Association has been working extremely hard with the NFDC to minimise the financial impact and is pleased to report that the fee increase for 2021 / 2022 has been brought down from the proposed 10% to an average of 3.8% (£24 inc. VAT). The Council will send a formal invoice to each hut owner showing the charge for your hut but this is advance notice of the headline figure increase. Nobody at the Association welcomed any increase naturally but the NFDC have a huge deficit in their budgets so, fortunately, I feel we have limited our exposure in fee increases for us.
Annual General Meeting
We recognise that we have not yet had our AGM, and plan to hold this in the month of April. I am unsure yet whether this will be our usual face to face meet. If the restrictions do not permit us to, then we will proceed with an online video meeting. You will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance. I am hoping we will have in attendance representatives from the NFDC, local MP and police officer, together with the Association committee members.
Crime
We take crime very seriously and have written to both the local police and MP in relation to reporting and reducing crime. This is an ongoing matter and we will work with all members. Advice on this can be found at: The New Forest Beach Hut Owner's Association - NFBHOA (newforestbeachhuts.com).
Beach Hut Sales
As a reminder, we have introduced a new Beach Hut Sales option on our website. This is a fantastic free facility members can use. Please visit The New Forest Beach Hut Owner's Association - NFBHOA - Hut Sales (newforestbeachhuts.com) for more information.
Kestrel Security Patrols at Barton on Sea
Following the incident of criminal damage and theft which took place at 22 huts at Barton on 2 /3 October 2020, NFDC have reinstated Kestrel Security patrols at the beach.
Barton Rep
Melanie Swain, a Barton hut owner has volunteered to take the position of Barton Rep. Your committee voted to accept her appointment and welcome her in an acting role until a formal membership vote at the next AGM. Melanie replaces Paul Major who has been fulfilling the position temporarily in addition to his position as Hordle Rep.
Palm Oil on Beaches
Reports have been received of white lumps of congealed palm oil on New Forest beaches. Dog owners are warned that this material causes severe illness if ingested by their pets.
If you see this material on a beach, please advise NFDC's Customer Services by phoning: 023 8028 5000 or by email at: customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk
2020 – 2021 Photographic Competition
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, your Committee has sadly been unable to arrange a social event for members this year. So, in its place, we announced a new Photographic Competition, open to all current Association members. The theme was Autumn & Winter at the Beach.
Closing date was 31 January 2021 so judging is in progress. Full details of the competition, including the rules can be found at: https://www.newforestbeachhuts.com/members-only/social-events
NFDC Contact Phone Number Change
NFDC have advised that from 3 August, you will no longer be able to contact them on 023 80 28 5588. If you have the 5588 number stored anywhere, please delete it to save you misdialling in future. If you call that number you will hear a recorded message to advise that the number is no longer in use.
All the other NFDC telephone numbers remain unchanged and 023 80 28 5000 is the customer services number.
Before telephoning you may wish to save time by visiting the website http://www.newforest.gov.uk where there is information about NFDC's services.
By visiting https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1162/Contact-us you will also see all NFDC contact options including using a web-chat with the customer services team.
You can email NFDC at customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk
If you call customer services you will hear a list of options. Please listen carefully so you can select the right one for the service you need. Your call will then be automatically put through to the service you want, or you will be connected to customer services.
2019-2020 Income and Expenditure Account
The Income and Expenditure Accounts for 2019-2020 were to have been presented at the 2020 AGM. However, as the AGM has been postponed, the accounts are instead available for Members to view in the Members Only section, by clicking on AGM minutes (current and archive)
New NFBHOA Committee Members Urgently Required
Following the resignation of our Acting Chairman, Alice Burch, the Association is again seeking a new Chairman.
Colin Holdsworth would prefer not to continue as the Milford Rep. and will not stand for re-election if someone else comes forward.
The rest of the Committee are willing to stand again, and their statements of intent will be available at the next AGM. We are all volunteers.
If you are interested in being the Chairman or the Milford Rep. please contact Jan Wise for further details: hon.secretary@newforestbeachhuts.com
Any nominations for these committee positions must be received in writing by the Hon. Secretary at least 14 days prior to the date of the AGM and accompanied by the names of the Proposer and Seconder. Prospective nominees will need to be members of the Association.
If you see anti-social behaviour or criminal activity in progress, do not intervene, but call 999.
Report any suspicious behaviour you see, or damage to your hut which you believe may have been caused by criminal activity, to the police on 101.
Be ready to give the postcode for the incident. For Barton on Sea BH25 7DU, Calshot SO45 1BR, Hordle Cliff SO41 0UX and Milford SO41 0PY.
Looking around your neighbours’ huts is invaluable. Please report any damage found to your NFBHOA beach rep. For contact, see: https://www.newforestbeachhuts.com/#contactus
or phone NFDC on 02380 285000, email: coastal.team@nfdc.gov.uk
Outside normal office hours call NFDC’s emergency service on 023 8028 5250. In the unlikely event you are unable to contact NFDC on this number, you can call an emergency mobile number: 07771 259098.
https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1162/Contact-us
NFBHOA has notice boards at all the beaches with information regarding tides (Calshot does in the summer) and general information which you may find useful in an emergency.
Advice for Beach Hut Owners - Autumn and Winter
Autumn / winter is an interesting time at the beach, but there are fewer people about to look out for problems with huts and weather may cause damage too. So, the first step to keep your hut safe and secure is to make sure that it is in good condition and that it is properly locked-up. If repair work is needed, a list of contractors can be found by visiting our Members Only page (password required) and clicking the link to Beach Hut Repair / Maintenance Contractors:
https://www.newforestbeachhuts.com/members-only/
If you are closing your hut for the winter, please be sure to remove any items of value and all gas bottles.
Under the licence issued to owners by New Forest District Council for beach huts on our 4 beaches, no renting of huts is permitted under any circumstances.
Responsible dog owners and their dogs are welcome on our beaches, but it is advisable to keep dogs on long leads. Please clean up after your dog has fouled.
Reports have been received of white lumps of congealed palm oil on New Forest beaches. Dog owners are warned that this material causes severe illness if ingested by their pets. If you see this material on a beach, please advise NFDC's Customer Services by phoning 023 8028 5000 or by email at: customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk
