Category Archives: New Forest

New Forest: William the Conqueror and divine retribution

Posted on June 30, 2014 by newforestcommoner

I was inspired to read more about William the Conqueror, after attending an event at the Chalke Valley History Festival (2014). Apparently after the Norman invasion, which followed the Battle of Hastings in 1066, he attempted to integrate with the … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shades, sleeping ponies and the dreaded New Forest fly

Posted on June 23, 2014 by newforestcommoner

The warm weather of late has driven the ponies to find relief from the sun and the heat of the day. They gather together in places known as ‘shades’ that, unlike the name would suggest, aren’t always under the cover … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Forest: the benefits of nature

Posted on June 9, 2014 by newforestcommoner

Like most commoners I work full-time in a job that is not related in any way to the New Forest. Recently I’ve been travelling more and more to London for various meetings and events. Witnessing the hectic pace of city … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stallions on the New Forest

Posted on May 26, 2014 by newforestcommoner

There has been a lot of excitement on the New Forest recently due to the stallions being released onto the Open Forest. This is an annual event and, this year (2014), ten male ponies have been turned out to run … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony, New Forest Pony Drift | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Forest Stallion Areas 2014

Posted on May 21, 2014 by newforestcommoner

Each year stallions are released onto the Open Forest to run with the free-roaming mares and sire the next generation of New Forest pony. The stallions are carefully selected by the Verderer’s of the New Forest and the New Forest Pony Breeding … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

New Forest: picnics and ponies

Posted on May 20, 2014 by newforestcommoner

The late spring and early summer is a much favoured time of the year for many Forest dwellers and visitor alike. It is the time when the lushness of nature returns to the Forest, our migratory birds have again taken … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Forest: the costs and benefits of commoning

Posted on May 12, 2014 by newforestcommoner

I’ve been doing a bit of sums recently and calculating the cost of being a commoner on the New Forest. I can tell you that it’s not cheap. After registering my mark, having my brand made, joining the New Forest … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner, New Forest pony | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The arrival of foals on the New Forest

Posted on May 6, 2014 by newforestcommoner

The month of May brings warm sunshine that transforms the Forest landscape. Everywhere nature stirs. The emerging foliage of the trees, hedgerows and heathland grasses blend in many shades of verdant colour. With the warmth and flush of new growth comes the … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest pony | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Forest: history lessons, hunting and conservation.

Posted on April 28, 2014 by newforestcommoner

With the development of high-tech communication tools the world seems to be becoming a smaller place. News, images and videos from the far reaches of the world are available in an instant on your TV, computer or mobile phone. Much … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Forest: the importance of names

Posted on April 22, 2014 by newforestcommoner

When William the Conqueror established his ‘Nova Foresta’ in 1079AD he did so to create an area for royal hunting. The New Forest was named as such, not because it was a densely wooded area, but because it was an … Continue reading →

Posted in New Forest, New Forest Commoner | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment