A big thank you to all New Forest CDA members who turned out for our Mid-Term meeting at Bramshaw Village Hall last month – it was an excellent turn out and we hope all who attended had an enjoyable evening.

Chair Andrew Parry-Norton provided an overview of the past year and some of main issues which the CDA has been working on, on behalf of New Forest Commoners.

Issues include the introduction of parking charges by Forestry England, New Forest District Council’s roll-out of the new bins and how the Forest and commoning will be impacted by local government reorganisation.

Committee member James Young gave an update and overview of encroachments and why it is so important to keep on top of them throughout the Forest.

Chair of the Young Commoners, Daisy Slocombe, recapped some of the key events for the organisation over the past year while the CDA’s honorary vet Alex Crook talked about this year’s Pannage season, neospora and strangles, as well as a potential vaccine for the latter.

The guest speaker on the night was Professor Russell Wynn, director of Wild New Forest. His talk focused on some of the current pressures facing the New Forest, from climate change and conservation grazing to land management and pollution.

Russell spoke about the need to balance preservation against restoration, and how important it is to spread more positive messaging and stories about New Forest commoning to a wider audience as much as possible.

He also emphasised the importance of working together alongside New Forest Commoners to help safeguard the Forest’s future.

A formal consultation has been launched on proposals to extend two existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).

The Orders, which were originally introduced in July 2023, aim to protect the unique landscape, wildlife and communities of the New Forest by reducing behaviours that present risks to both the environment and public safety.

New Forest District Council (NFDC) is proposing a three-year extension, from July 1, 2026, of the following PSPOs:

• PSPO No. 1 – BBQs and Wildfires
  This Order prohibits the use of BBQs and similar fire-related activities across specified areas of the New Forest to reduce the risk of wildfires.
• PSPO No. 2 – Feeding and Petting New Forest Livestock
  This Order restricts the feeding and petting of New Forest ponies, horses, mules and donkeys. These measures help keep both animals and the public safe by discouraging behaviours that can lead to increased aggression, illness or road accidents involving livestock.

The council is required under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, to demonstrate that an extension is necessary to prevent harmful activities from recurring or increasing in severity.

Before the PSPOs can be extended, NFDC must carry out statutory consultation, publicity and notification, and as part of this process, it is seeking input from community representatives – groups or individuals who represent people living in, working in or visiting the areas covered by the Orders.

The New Forest CDA has been identified as one of these community representatives and NFDC is inviting feedback on the proposals.

If you wish to respond to the consultation, please complete this online form

If you require support completing the survey, you can contact NFDC’s community safety team on 02380 285438. Paper copies of consultation documents are available on request.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday, 19 December.

Please note if you took part in the public consultation held earlier this year, you do not need to submit a further response.

We’re delighted to announce our calendar for 2026 has arrived.

It features some lovely shots from across the New Forest to help showcase our centuries-old tradition.

There are a limited number of calendars on sale at the below locations:

All members of the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association are invited to attend the Mid-Term meeting taking place this Friday – November 14 – and starting at 7.30pm at Bramshaw Village Hall.

The event is an opportunity for members to come together and hear the latest updates from the CDA committee on matters concerning Commoners and the New Forest.

This year’s meeting will feature two guest speakers:

• Alex Crook, honorary vet for the CDA and part of Pilgrims Vets in Fordingbridge, will share the latest insights on livestock health, diseases and vaccination updates relevant to New Forest Commoners.
• Russell Wynn, director of Wild New Forest and chair of the New Forest Biodiversity Forum, will provide an overview of his work monitoring and protecting the Forest’s wildlife and habitats, and how it links in with commoning.

The New Forest CDA and Wild New Forest are both partners in the Species Survival Fund project, alongside three other organisations working to safeguard the Forest’s biodiversity and promote sustainable land management.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase the new 2026 Commoners’ Calendar, featuring striking images celebrating the people, animals and landscapes that make the New Forest so special.

The calendar will be on sale at the meeting at a special price of £7 (normally £8).

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) is inviting all residents – including the commoning community – to share their views in its latest residents’ survey.

It represents an important opportunity for Commoners, landowners and everyone who lives and works in the Forest to have a direct say in how the National Park is managed in the years ahead.

The last residents’ survey in 2021 received more than 2,700 responses and 10,000 comments. That feedback helped shape the National Park Partnership Plan, guiding how local organisations care for the Forest.

Since then, a number of positive initiatives have been introduced in response to residents’ priorities:

• Sustainability and climate action: The £1.4million YouCAN Youth for Climate and Nature project was launched, alongside the Green Groups Network, New Forest Awakening Festival, and a Sustainable Living Pledge to support communities taking environmental action
• Protecting wildlife and livestock: Two Public Spaces Protection Orders were introduced to help prevent wildfires and to discourage feeding or petting of Commoners’ animals.
• Supporting land managers and Commoners: Through Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, over £1million in grants will be awarded by 2026 to farmers, Commoners and landowners to support nature recovery and sustainable land management.
• Enhancing nature: A £1.3million Species Survival Fund was secured to improve 250 hectares of land for wildlife across 25 sites – the equivalent of 350 football pitches.

Hilary Makin, NPA communications manager, said: ‘Our communities and local organisations are best placed to understand issues on the ground and how to solve them to enable people and nature to thrive in the National Park.

‘New Forest partners have been acting on previous feedback. We’re now encouraging people of all ages to tell us their thoughts and ideas for the future of the National Park.’

The deadline to complete the survey is Sunday, 30 November.

Take the survey here

Businesses across the New Forest are being asked to play their part in keeping the Forest’s roads and its iconic animals safe.

The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) has launched the New Forest Drive Safe campaign, encouraging local companies with staff who drive in the Forest to help raise awareness about road safety around the free-roaming animals.

The campaign invites businesses of all sizes to sign up and receive free support and advice to help educate their teams about the risks of driving near livestock such as ponies, cattle and donkeys, as well as what to do in the event of an incident involving an animal.

So far this year (up to the week beginning October 20), there have been 62 accidents involving animals on Forest roads, resulting in 36 animals being killed or injured. The risk increases during winter months, when more journeys take place in darkness and poor weather.

It’s also a legal requirement to report any accident involving New Forest livestock to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours – even if the animal has run off.

A collective effort to protect the Forest

New Forest CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton said:

‘This is an initiative which we hope will highlight to everyone the importance of treating the Forest and Commoners’ livestock respectfully.

‘Signing up to this scheme is a great example for local businesses to show they understand why their drivers should take extra care while travelling across the Forest. Whatever size your business is, if you have drivers who drive through the Forest, I would strongly encourage you to join the scheme.’

Victoria Mander, chair of the New Forest National Park Authority, added:

‘The animals’ grazing is vital in maintaining rare habitats and shaping the incredible New Forest landscape. All individuals, organisations and businesses have a duty to look out for Forest livestock and each other when driving on Forest roads.

‘By being part of the New Forest Drive Safe group, organisations are showing a commitment to protecting Commoners’ livestock and the internationally important landscape they help to sustain.’

Charlotte Belcher, community manager at Forestry England, said:

‘Many motorists tell us they know the risks but think it won’t happen to them. The figures make it clear that accidents can happen to anyone, at any time. We can all improve safety by driving with care and passing animals wide and slow.’

Gilly Jones from New Forest Roads Awareness added:

‘The Drive Safe campaign gives businesses a way to share awareness among their teams. It’s about changing habits, encouraging drivers to slow down, and reminding everyone that the Forest’s animals always have right of way.’

Local businesses already showing support

Local companies such as Thurston, The Commoners’ Larder and Camping in the New Forest are among those to have already joined the scheme.

Mark Thurston-Jones, owner of Thurston in Holbury, said:

‘My parents were involved in a road traffic accident involving a pony a few years back and it really opened my eyes to the dangers of driving across the Forest. Many of my staff drive through the area every day, so I know how important it is to raise awareness.

‘I would urge other businesses to support New Forest Drive Safe – it’s a very worthy cause.’

Join the campaign

The New Forest Drive Safe campaign is led by the New Forest CDA in partnership with the New Forest National Park Authority, Forestry England and New Forest Roads Awareness, as part of the New Forest Animal Accidents Reduction Group.

Businesses can join free of charge by following the link below.

Sign up to New Forest Drive Safe

Pictured above (from left): Jim Day (New Forest National Park Authority ranger), Charlotte Belcher (Forestry England community manager), Mark Thurston-Jones (owner of Thurston), Keith Mansbridge (vice chair of New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association) and Gilly Jones (New Forest Roads Awareness)

The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) has called on all revenue raised through Forestry England’s new car parking charges to be reinvested directly into the New Forest.

Speaking at this month’s sitting of Verderers’ Court, chair Andrew Parry-Norton emphasised that both visitors and local people will be contributing financially to the upkeep of the Forest through these charges.

It is therefore only fair, he argued, that this money remains within the Forest to support its protection, maintenance and sustainable management.

‘Those who value and use this unique landscape are paying these charges,’ he told the court. ‘It is only right that the funds raised should be used here, to care for the very place they are intended to support.’

The CDA expressed concern that diverting any of this income elsewhere would undermine public trust and fail to reflect the specific environmental and cultural needs of the New Forest.

‘Spending this revenue elsewhere would fail to recognise the New Forest’s particular needs,’ added Andrew. ‘Every penny raised here should stay here, to preserve this precious place for future generations.’

You can read the presentment in full below.

New Forest CDA presentment October 2025

Members of the public will have a chance to hear from three Young Commoners during a commoning themed walk in the New Forest.

It is all part of the New Forest Walking Festival – organised by the New Forest National Park Authority – which aims to bring people closer to the landscapes, wildlife and heritage that define the area.

The walk starts at 10am and is expected to finish at around 12pm on Friday, 31 October.

It will be led by Young Commoners Jake Moore, Tom Hordle and Daisy Slocombe and starts at Beaulieu Road car park (opposite Beaulieu Road train station).

The walk offers a chance to hear first-hand from those who continue the centuries-old way of life and helping to sustain the habitats, open heathlands and woodlands that make the New Forest so special.

Participants are advised to wear sturdy walking boots and dress for the outdoors. Free parking is available on site.

Tickets cost £5, while for U16s it is free.

Sign up for the walk on the Eventbrite page here

Limited tickets are remaining.

To see the other Walking Festival walks, head to the New Forest NPA website

Pictured above: Tom Hordle and Jake Moore lead a commoning walk earlier this year

We were delighted to welcome a film crew from BBC South Today earlier this week, who visited our chair Andrew Parry-Norton’s farm to report on the extension of this year’s Pannage season.

Due to an exceptional mast year – when oak and beech trees produce an abundance of acorns and nuts – the Verderers of the New Forest agreed to Pannage season being extended until Sunday, 4 January.

This allows the Commoners’ pigs more time to roam the Forest, foraging naturally and helping to reduce the number of acorns that can be harmful to ponies and cattle.

Andrew was joined by our vice-chair Keith Mansbridge and both were interviewed for the feature which went out on Wednesday night.

They both shared insights into the importance of Pannage for the health of the Forest and the welfare of the livestock that graze it.

The episode is no longer able to be viewed on BBC iPlayer (it expires after 24 hours) although you can read the piece which reporter Anjana Gadgil wrote here

Picture above: Keith Mansbridge and Andrew Parry-Norton being filmed. Credit: Sarah Parry-Norton

This year’s Pannage season has been extended.

It comes amid a glut of acorns on the floor of the New Forest due to it being a mast year.

It had been due to finish at the end of November, but Forestry England have agreed to extend the season until Sunday, 4 January.

Pannage is the traditional practice of turning out pigs by Commoners in the Forest to hoover up all the acorns, which can prove to be poisonous to ponies and cattle if they are consumed in large amounts.

Watch a short video on our Facebook page here about Pannage season.