Report on November 2024 Verderers Court

Many members will have attended the Verderers’ Court but, if you have not, you should think about doing so. You will see not only one of the oldest forest institutions but also a wide range of views on important forest matters. More information can be found on the Verderers’ website including what the Verderers do and the dates when the court sits https://www.verderers.org.uk/verderers-court/

The November court was one of the busier courts with standing room only and a good number of presentments, including two of our own. It was the last open court of the long serving clerk to the Verderers, Sue Westwood, and the court took the opportunity to thank her for her invaluable contribution. It was also the last open court for David Readhead and Graham Ferris who were standing down to make way for two new Verderers elected by the commoners. We now know that they will be replaced by Kay Harrison and Alison Tilbury whom we congratulate on their election.

The court was busy no doubt because of the opportunity to express views on the proposed extension of the permitted cycle tracks – of which more in a moment. We also made a presentment reporting on our work on Byelaw compliance conducted over the past two years. See BYELAWS COMPLIANCE

The Byelaws

In 2023 we conducted a survey of the impact of byelaw breaches on commoning and in 2024 we repeated our Byelaw Watch during the busy summer months. Thank you to all who took part. We are compiling interesting and valuable data, the highlights of which are captured in our presentment.  Pony petting and feeding are still common problems and so continuation of the Public Space Protection Orders is important. Litter and dog waste are problems too and so we are pleased to learn that NFDOG will be focussing their 2025 campaign on reducing dog waste. We will be supporting them. Cycling off the permitted tracks also continues unabated, and we are urging Forestry England to bring in proposed management measures such as the cycling code, improved signage and correction of Cycling Apps as soon as possible. We do not believe that these measures should wait for extension of the cycle network. 

Cycling

There were a good number of presentments made by individuals and cycling groups telling of their personal enjoyment of cycling and pressing the Verderers to approve the current proposals. Our own presentment can be found HERE. We emphasised that the Verderers, in making their decision, must have full information before them including the Habitat Impact Assessments that are required by law. The Deputy Surveyor had only offered these assessments after the Verderers’ approval in principle. We are pleased to report that our view has been supported by Natural England and so Forestry England are rethinking how to proceed.  This may lead to some delay which could have been minimised if the Cycling Working Group had consulted Natural England and considered relevant expertise.

We support a coherent cycle network, but this must not jeopardise the rich but fragile forest biodiversity or its tranquil places. Most of the proposed routes may not pose a threat but other routes could do so. Habitat Impact Assessments can help make that judgment and inform compliance with the Sandford Principle which prioritises the conservation purpose of national parks over recreation. In addition, the Verderers have their obligations under the New Forest Acts and other legislation.

To give an idea of what is at stake please read the presentment of the renowned wildlife photographer and author James Aldred which he has kindly allowed us to publish HERE.    His captivating book Goshawk Summer gives a fuller picture.

Safety, Forest Cattle and Commoning 

A presentment concerning public safety around grazing cattle was made by Susan Melluish following the very sad death of Pamela Barnwell whilst dog walking at Godshill. More details of Susan Melluish’s presentment are reported in the 22^nd November 2024 edition of the Lymington Times. An inquest will be held to determine the cause of Mrs Barnell’s death and any lessons to be learnt from this incident on the interaction between visitors and cattle.

Safety and animal welfare was also at the heart of the presentment by the Young Commoners Chair, Daisy Slocombe, requesting clarity from Forestry England on what bridges will be maintained to enable commoners to access and look after their stock.