Tag Archives: New forest

Famous New Forest inhabitants

I recently wrote an article about ‘celebrity’ trees on the New Forest and have since received requests for information about other famed inhabitants. An obvious candidate is King William I, otherwise known as William the Conqueror, who established the Nova … Continue reading

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New Forest: Kindness can kill ponies born to be free

With spring definitely beginning to establish its influence on the landscape it is getting near the time of year when my recently purchased New Forest ponies will be going back out on the Open Forest to roam free. My two … Continue reading

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New Forest: signs of spring

The recent day of sunshine was a welcome relief from the incessant wind and rain of late. I was able to get out on my holding for a good look around in the daylight and check boundary fences and trees … Continue reading

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New Forest Wildlife Forum

I recently attended the New Forest Wildlife Forum in Lyndhurst (February 2014) where an impressive array of scientists, academics, and conservationists gave interesting and informative presentations on their work. There were representatives from the National Trust, the Freshwater Habitats Trust, … Continue reading

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New Forest: traffic, animals and road accidents

For me, one of the biggest attractions in commoning is learning about and practicing an ancient pastoral activity that involves keeping commonable livestock (ponies, cattle, donkeys, or pigs during Pannage), which are so important to the ecology of New Forest.  There is … Continue reading

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Celebrity trees of the New Forest

Fruitful in old age The prolonged wet weather and high winds of late have brought down two trees at our holding. The apple tree was a grand old fellow and must have stood more than 9 metres (30ft). Its trunk … Continue reading

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Forest Law, Courts and Officials

Before becoming a practising commoner I first had to apply to the Verderers of the New Forest to confirm my Rights of Pasture, request permission to run ponies on the Open Forest and gain approval for my commoner’s mark, which … Continue reading

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The New Forest pony – the natural selection

The New Forest pony is known as the ‘architect’ of the Forest and plays a significant role in the biological diversity, culture and economy of the New Forest.  So important is this animal to the Forest and to commoning that … 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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