The Forestry Commission was set up in 1919 and has been responsible for the protection of the Crown Lands since 1923. This responsibility is now shared with the National Park Authority. The New Forest is managed by a variety of different organisations and groups who work together towards protecting the land and the wildlife.
The Forestry Commission was set up in 1919 and has been responsible for the protection of the Crown Lands since 1923. This responsibility is now shared with the National Park Authority.
The Forestry Commission’s approach is one of multi-purpose forestry. Timber production is still an important economic output, but there is now an increasing emphasis on the conservation and recreation values of the Forest.
Presently, timber production is centred on almost 9,000 hectares, which are enclosed to exclude grazing animals. These woodlands produce around 50,000m³ of timber each year.
In order to promote the regeneration of fresh young growth, the Forestry Commission undertakes controlled burning of gorse and heather, and the harvesting of bracken.
Burning of gorse and heather encourages new growth which is beneficial to a variety of flora and fauna, and creates food for commoning stock. It also results in a mosaic of different aged habitats which creates effective fire breaks to protect large areas of heathland, woodland and private property from wildfire. Burning starts on the first working day in November and ends on the last working day of March each year.
Bracken is a vigorous and dominant plant that can create a tall, dense canopy up to six feet in height. When it collapses each autumn, the understorey plant species can be smothered. It encroaches onto the open heathland areas and it is here that the Forestry Commission controls the growth by swiping it down, chemically treating it or cutting the foliage and turning it into garden mulch which is sold in local nurseries and garden centres. All bracken control takes place during the summer.
For more information about the Forestry Commission visit www.forestry.gov.uk
On 1st March 2005 the New Forest became a National Park. Recognised as an area of outstanding natural beauty by Alun Michael, Minister for Rural Affairs, the New Forest, with National Park status, will benefit from more Government funding to help protect and manage the area.
The two main purposes of the National Park are to conserve the natural beauty, wildlife and heritage of the area, whilst promoting a greater understanding and enjoyment of the Park.
For more information about the New Forest becoming a National Park visit www.newforest-npa.org.uk
CommoningCommoning has been a way of life in the New Forest since medieval times, and became official in the mid-16th century. Whilst it no longer provides a living, it is continued by many simply because it is a traditional way of life in the Forest.
Commoners are those who occupy land or property to which privileges known as ‘rights of common’ are attached, which includes the right to graze stock on the open Forest. At present, over 300 commoners exercise this particular right and graze more than 6,000 ponies, cattle and donkeys all year round.
Today, children of commoners are finding it increasingly difficult to continue the tradition due to the poor rate of return, and due to properties having commoning rights attached to them being too expensive, or bought up for holiday lets or retirement homes. In 1992 a Housing Trust was set up to protect the tradition by ensuring that genuine commoners could continue to live in the area, and that properties were not all bought by ‘outsiders’. The Commoners’ Defence Association (set up in 1909) was also founded to promote, safeguard and represent the interests of the New Forest commoners.
It is vital that the tradition of commoning is maintained as without the stock, the Forest would soon lose its essential character. The ponies and cattle are the ‘architects’ of the land, feeding on the shrubs, holly, gorse and brambles that would otherwise become overgrown, which would have serious ecological consequences, and affect the recreational activities that visitors enjoy across the Forest today.
The Rights of CommonPasture: The right to put ponies, cattle and donkeys out to graze on the Forest.
Pannage: The right to turn pigs out on the Forest in Autumn (pannage season) to feed on the acorns and beech mast which have fallen. This not only provides food for the pigs, but also removes excess acorns from the Forest, which when eaten in excess can be poisonous to ponies and cattle.
Sheep: The right to turn sheep out on the Forest – this is limited to only a few properties and none is currently exercising it.
Fuelwood (Estovers): The right to collect wood for fuel. The amount is now regulated with wood being put into ‘cords’ on the side of Forest tracks for commoners to collect.
For more information about commoning visit www.newforestcommoners.co.uk
The Verderers’ Court dates back to medieval times, and was re-established by the 1877 New Forest Act. The court consists of ten Verderers – five are elected and five are appointed. One is appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, one by the Forestry Commissioners, one by Hampshire County Council and one by the Countryside Agency. The official Verderer, who presides over all, is the Sovereign’s representative. The five elected Verderers must all be commoners.
Working in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and English Nature, the Verderers deal with all matters concerning the New Forest. Members of the public are welcome to voice any concerns about the Forest at the Verderers’ Court, which meets ten times a year. The Verderers will then consider all ‘presentments’ and make a final judgement once all issues have been discussed in private session. Many of the decisions about the management of the New Forest must firstly be approved by the Verderers’ Court.
For more information about the Verderers visit www.verderers.org.uk
AgistersA team of agisters is appointed by the Verderers to deal with the daily management and welfare of the commoners’ stock, including dealing with road accidents involving animals.
In the late Summer and Autumn, round-ups, or ‘drifts’ are held throughout the Forest by the agisters to treat any health problems of the ponies and cattle, and to keep a count of the stock roaming the open forest. Mares and foals are marked during this time – foals are branded and the tails of mares are cut in distinctive patterns – enabling the agisters to see that the grazing fees have been paid and to indicate in which area their owner lives.
KeepersThe Keepers of the Forest hold a traditional role that goes back to ancient times. Employed by the Forestry Commission, Keepers undertake a range of wildlife, conservation and recreation duties within their ‘beat’. They also manage the deer population in the Forest.
For more information about the New Forest visit www.forestry.gov.uk/newforest