1/1 IT S the Hampshire housing provider that owes its existence to the generosity of an elderly widow who stepped forward half a century ago. Two housing schemes on the edge of the New Forest National Park are run by Muircroft Housing Association, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It was formerly Hythe Rotary Housing Association, which was established in July 1971. The previous year Kate Muir offered to give Hythe Rotary Club £5,000 - £75,000 in today s money - if it provided her with rent-free accommodation for the rest of her life. The club accepted her offer and later embarked on a mission to provide rented sheltered housing for the elderly. Its first task was to identify a suitable site for 51 homes with warden-controlled accommodation and raise the necessary funding.