© 2018 Sally Fear

About the New Forest Commoners Defence Association

Thank you for your interest in the work of the NFCDA

People are often surprised by the name of the commoners voluntary association for the New Forest. But the secret of the survival of the New Forest landscape has been its fierce defence by commoners over centuries. Challenges have come from all directions, particularly from governments and their agencies, eyeing just another piece of southern heathland for whatever the latest “need” happens to be. Large areas of the New Forest were lost to development, but the fact that so much remains bears powerful testimony to the commoners’ willingness to speak truth to power and stand up for this special place. We think it fair to say that the New Forest of today simply would not exist had it not been for its robust defence by commoners. Commoning is the essential element that sustains not only its special cultural heritage, but also its landscape, biodiversity, and accessibility. The Commoners Defence Association was established in 1909, at a time when threats to this traditional form of land management, were rising once again. As the number of agencies with a say over the Forest grew, not least the subsequent creation of the Forestry Commission, the commoners realised that the time had arrived that a more formal voice had become necessary. The CDA is now over one hundred years old and continues to work in support of commoners and their animals grazing on the open Forest. It remains as important as ever, and does an extraordinary amount of work given that it is run by volunteers and funded by its members’ subscriptions.

2021 Officers & Committee

Officers Mike Eccles (President/Membership Secretary), Richard Deakin (Treasurer), Robert Stride (Vice-Chair), Sam Dovey (Asst.Claims Secretary), Katie Walding (Hon.Secretary), Charlotte Lines (Chair) Elected Members: Mark Adams, Oliver Cook, Adam Coutts, Kay Harrison, Tom Hordle, Bill Howells, Brian Ingram, Charlotte Lines, Colin Moore, John Pooley, Dave Readhead, Daisy Slocombe, Jenny Tiilyer, James Young Erika Dovey, Andrew Parry-Norton, Debbie Stokes, Tony Vanderhoek Co-Opted Members  Jonathan Gerrelli, Lee Hulin, Keith Mansbridge, Phil Stride.

History of the NFCDA

History of the NFCDA
© 2018 Tony

Up to the mid nineteenth century the New Forest had been a neglected area of rough heathland and simple cottages, surrounded by large landed estates and tenanted farms. The development of the railway and extension of road network in the late nineteenth century saw increasing access deep into the Forest. It was also a period of romantic nostalgia for ‘wilderness’ and natural beauty which meant that new residents started to move into the area, buying up old lodges and service cottages advertised as ‘superior gentlemen’s residence in beautiful and romantic surroundings.’ The improvement of the road network also allowed the opening up of the area to residential development, spreading out from Southampton and Bournemouth.

© 2018 Tony

At this time, the New Forest’s importance as a source of revenue from timber was replaced by its potential as an area of recreational and natural history importance. The new residents to the area – often urban born – frequently found the close proximity of the commoners’ animals a nuisance, and misunderstanding and mistrust grew over the years. Increasing numbers of animals strayed out of the were impounded causing conflict and mistrust which had become so serious by the early 20th century that the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association was established in 1909.

NFCDA PRIORITIES

NFCDA PRIORITIES

© 2018 Sally Fear

COMMONING & ANIMAL WELFARE The primary focus of the NFCDA is on safeguarding the interests of  commoners, particularly around the welfare of animals turned out to graze the New Forest. Everything the Association does is in support of this core mission to sustain our landscape’s commoning system. The New Forest has survived because commoners have done this forcefully and successfully over centuries.

© 2018 Sally Fear

WORKING WITH THE VERDERERS The CDA works very closely with the Verderers to help them fulfil their statutory duties to protect commoning, promote animal welfare, and maintain the grazed New Forest. The commoners are directly represented by the elected Verderers, and work closely with the Verderers throughout the year.

© 2018 Sally Fear

HELPING MEMBERS’ IN LEGAL CLAIMS The legal situation of the New Forest is unusual: Grazing animals have a right of way on Forest roads; adjacent landowners should fence stock out of their property. Both are the opposite of what is normal. The CDA, therefore, has an important role in helping members handle any claims.

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