2018 Programme
Pre-booking is required for all events as places are limited.
Joining details will be provided to all those who book places.
Events are for Friends of the New Forest members unless shown otherwise.
Members may bring one guest to the starred events *
Please bring your friends and family to all other events.
Friday 2nd February 7.30 pm
THE NEW FOREST – CHANGING FARMING, COMMONING AND COUNTRYSIDE
Linden Hall, Lyndhurst Community Centre
ALL WELCOME – £5
Merrick Denton-Thompson, President of the Landscape Institute, will present visions for the future of farming and the countryside in Britain.
The decision to leave the European Union has created the first opportunity for 50 years for the United Kingdom to work with the farming community in taking back control of the countryside. The unintended consequences of some agricultural activities have caused untold damage to our soils, to our biodiversity, to the quality of our air and water. At the same time we have often treated the farming community as potential fraudsters and the public have little understanding of what is achieved by the public investment into farming. A new vision for our countryside is being developed by the Government through its new 25 Year Environment Plan.
Then time for questions and discussion with panel including .
Lord Willie Manners: Official Verderer and Director of Avon Tyrrell Farms Ltd
Oliver Cook: Chairman of New Forest Young Commoners and Land Agent for Strutt and Parker
Dr Keith Howe: Council member of Friends of the New Forest, Agricultural economist and Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Rural Policy Research, Exeter University
Come along and join in the discussion.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
Merrick Denton-Thompson is President, Trustee and Fellow of the Landscape Institute. He left local government as the Assistant Director of the Environment at Hampshire County Council where he was responsible for environmental policies in strategic planning, rural affairs and the countryside service. He was appointed to the Board of Natural England by the Secretary of State to assist in the development of the new government agency in 2006 – 2009. He directed the Rural Pathfinder for the South East of England in 2002, was a member of the Cross-Compliance Board for the Single Farm Payment and a member of the Agri-Environment Review Group that set up the Environmental and Countryside Stewardship Scheme. He is the founding Trustee of the Learning Through Landscapes Trust; and is a member of the South Downs National Park Design Panel and a Friend of the New Forest.
Saturday 21st April 10.00 am
NEW FOREST ASSOCIATION AGM AND MEMBERS’ DAY
The Barn, Foxlease, Lyndhurst, SO43 7DE
ALL WELCOME
Programme (timings after 10.30 am are approximate)
10.00 am Coffee and tea available
10.30 am AGM
Click here for AGM AGENDA and REPORT
Click here for PRESIDENT’S REPORT
11.00 am Members’ Event
The New Forest Curlew Project – Talk by Professor Russell Wynn
Update on the Recreation Strategy Review – Nigel Matthews, Head of Recreation, NFNPA
12 noon
Panel discussion for you to raise questions and issues for the Friends to address, with Clive Chatters, Gale Gould, Brian Tarnoff and John Ward
12.30 pm
Lunch – bring your own sandwiches / picnic and we will provide tea or coffee
1.30 pm Afternoon Activity
Guided walk led by a member of the Pondhead Conservation Group to explain the history and current clearance and coppicing work going on in Pondhead Inclosure near Lyndhurst. Duration 1 – 1½ hours. Dogs permitted.
Sunday 6th May 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
COMMONERS’ FARM VISIT AND FOREST WALK
Emery Down
All WELCOME: FREE – Donations to New Forest Young Commoners
Local Commoners, the Stride family, welcome you to their holding for a farm and forest walk to discover the #RealNewForest, followed by ‘Questions and Answers’ over tea and cake.
Please wear boots as it may be muddy
ALL PLACES BOOKED
Sunday 3rd June 10.00am to 2.00pm
* WILDFLOWER MEADOW WALK
Blissford near Fordingbridge
FREE – Donations to Friends of the New Forest
Enjoy a walk in one of the finest wildflower meadows in the New Forest, which has been lovingly maintained by generations of the Sevier family. Ann Sevier (13th generation commoner) will be available to talk about the flora and fauna in the meadow and answer any questions.
Picnics are permitted, but please clear up afterwards.
Campfire tea and coffee available (Please bring your own mug)
BOOK YOUR PLACE
24th, 25th and 26th July
NEW FOREST SHOW
The Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst
We will be there with a stand promoting the Association under our Friends of the New Forest banner.
Volunteer to help on the stand if you can.
Thursday 6th September 10.00am to 1.00pm
* HEATHLAND REVIVED
Longdown Inclosure near Ashurst
FREE
Enjoy a walk led by Clive Chatters to look at Open Forest landscapes and habitats that are being restored from a 1960s conifer plantation.
Well behaved dogs on the lead are welcome.
It is possible that some paths will be wet, so please wear sensible shoes.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
Saturday 8th September
ROMSEY SHOW
Broadlands Park, Romsey SO51 9LQ
We will be there with a stand promoting the Association under our Friends of the New Forest banner.
Volunteer to help on the stand if you can.