Author Archives: newforestcommoner

About newforestcommoner

Keeping the history, ecology and cultural traditions of the New Forest alive through practice of 'commoning'. Sharing information about #NewForest & #commoning.

The New Forest Commoner

When I learned that I had Rights of Common on the New Forest, I began a journey of discovery into the traditions and practices of commoning on this beautiful and ancient landscape. Being a commoner means that I can ‘depasture … Continue reading

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A calf called ‘Mary Christmas’

When William the Conqueror declared, in 1079AD, his intention to create a Nova Foresta, he did so because he wanted to establish a royal hunting park. However, the laws he created to protect the game also provided for the creation … Continue reading

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Turbary and Estovers: Even the hearthstone has rights!

Winter in the New Forest can be a magical time of year. The early morning frosts cover the landscape with a sparkling, sugar icing-like layer of white dust. As John Geddes remarked; ‘December’s wintery breath is already clouding the pond, … Continue reading

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Animal road casualty reports make grim statistics

The Verderers weekly reports of animal casualties on the Forest roads always make such grim reading. Each entry states the day, date, time, the animal involved – pony, cow, sheep, pig or donkey – and what happen to that animal. … Continue reading

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Abundance of acorns means winners and losers

There’s an often quoted saying that is familiar to commoners: “where you get livestock you get deadstock”. The livestock part is the good part. Tending to your animals, working with them, and, if you’re a breeder, watching the next generation … Continue reading

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New Forest: leave room for the mushrooms

Did you know that the largest living organism on the planet was found in an ancient forest? The organism in question is an Armillaria ostoyae, a variety of honey fungus, which started from a single spore invisible to the naked … Continue reading

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It’s an ill wind that blows no good

The storm that hit Britain recently (October 2013), wreaking havoc and claiming four lives, was nicknamed St Jude because it was due to fall on the patron saints’ day – 28th October. St Jude was the patron saint of lost … Continue reading

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Going under cover at the Beaulieu Road Pony Sales

I haven’t visited the Beaulieu Road Sales in a long while and was pleasantly surprised by the improvements that have taken place in my absence. The first thing that greeted me as I crested the railway bridge on the road … Continue reading

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People watching and other wildlife observations

I’ve been travelling to London a lot recently for meetings and business functions. Travelling in and around our nation’s capital and waiting for trains at mainline railway stations gives one the most marvellous opportunity for ‘people watching’. Watching people has … Continue reading

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New Forest: Horses for courses in bogs and mires

I’ve had to change my routine recently (October 2013). It happens whenever I have given my dogs their monthly spot-on flea treatment. The treatment contains moxidectin and is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. So, for a week or two my dog-walks … Continue reading

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