This is the Treasurer’s report by New Forest CDA committee member Richard Deakin. It was first published in the CDA’s annual report for 2024/25.

The year began with a requirement to pay what I thought was the last invoice associated with the encroachment case, which had fortuitously arrived at a conclusion.

An additional small invoice then came to light, which will show in the 2025 accounts. This should be the final expenditure for what has been an enormous total expense, and perhaps we also should breathe a sigh of relief that it wasn’t much worse.

As I reported last year, we are indebted to those organisations who provided significant financial support.

While thanking other organisations for their support, it is appropriate to mention that during the year the Association, in conjunction with the Honorary Vet, ran a trial cattle vaccination initiative.

We must thank the New Forest Trust for reimbursing us for all costs. The Trust also kindly offered to sponsor an extension of the Salt Lick road safety initiative, with those costs appearing in the accounts for next year.

Fundraising activities, mostly run by the Young Commoners, and of course involving the New Forest Show, generated a little less profit this year.

This was largely due to the need to purchase a new set of brands, signs, and Association clothing – an investment which should stand us in good stead for a few years and hopefully generate more future income. We must always remember that all fundraising is only possible because so many give generously of their time.

The association has now firmly embraced paperless internet banking. Bills are now paid online while a significant number of subscriptions are paid by standing orders or BACs.

Machines and Artificial Intelligence do the majority of the work, saving postage, paper, bank employee time and reducing the need to travel to a real live bank. The latter benefit being fortunate as there are now few bank branches, and their hours are uncertain.

In light of this efficiency move, I find it somewhat ironic, that January of 2025 brought a letter from the bank indicating that our account was to be renamed as a “Community” account, and that henceforth banking charges would be applicable.

Such charges have not been incurred for routine business, for the last 25 years, during which time we were not doing the work ourselves. Nevertheless, I would encourage as many members as are able to join the paperless world when paying subscriptions.

Richard Deakin, New Forest CDA treasurer

The CDA’s yellow signs have been placed back out across the New Forest to remind everyone to act responsibly around free-roaming livestock.

These signs, placed in key locations throughout the National Park, serve to protect not only the iconic New Forest ponies but also the people who come to enjoy the unique landscape.

They highlight some of the priority actions people should take while out in the Forest.

Keep your distance

While it may be tempting to approach or feed the ponies, it’s important to remember that they are semi-wild animals owned by commoners and allowed to roam freely. Getting too close can make the ponies feel threatened or anxious. In some cases, they may react by kicking or biting, which can result in serious injury.

Do not feed the animals

New Forest ponies do not need human help to find food. The Forest provides everything they need to stay healthy. Feeding them not only disrupts their natural grazing habits but can also lead to choking, colic, or other serious health problems.

Keep your distance from animals sign

Keep dogs under strict control

Visitors are also reminded to keep dogs under close control—and ideally on a lead—especially when near livestock. Even the friendliest dog can inadvertently scare ponies, cattle, or other grazing animals, potentially leading to dangerous encounters.

Lend a hand

If you do come across a fallen yellow sign, please take a moment to stand it back up. These signs play a crucial role in informing and protecting both animals and people, and your help in keeping them visible is greatly appreciated.

This report by New Forest CDA member Sam Dovey was first published in the CDA’s annual report for 2024/25.

Towards the end of 2024, two Forestry England properties became available for rent and, in line with the 2020 FE Housing Review, were offered to commoners based upon the agreed terms and rental formula that forms part of the agreed review.

The timescale for commoners to make the application was relatively short, and it was disappointing that the association were not notified directly of these properties becoming available so that it could notify members.

However, with the powers of social media and the usual Forest communication networks, we were pleased to hear a number of applications were received, confirming the ongoing need and demand for commoners housing. We are also aware that early this year FE have offered both properties to practising commoners.

Since the adoption of the FE Housing Review in 2020, a number of properties have been let to commoners following the agreed policy statements contained within, and those already occupying FE properties have also gone through the transition process to follow these principles.

The association continues to monitor the ongoing implementation of the agreed policy. We have, once again, requested dialogue with FE to understand how the implementation process has been going from its perspective, and to be able to feed in insights given to the committee from members.

Commoners’ Dwelling scheme

This year, the New Forest National Park Authority is planning a partial review of its adopted 2016 – 2036 local plan. An initial consultation took place in early spring on the proposed ‘direction of travel’ and scope of this review, with the review itself commencing later this year and into 2026.

We understand that the review will not give rise to a rewrite of the adopted local plan, it will be an interim five-year review to see how things are going, and if any adjustments need to be made since implementation, responding to any changes in circumstances since the previous adoption in 2019.

It will also help the Authority to understand if more significant changes would be required for future local plans considering a change of national administration and planning policies.

The Commoners’ Dwelling Scheme (policy SP29) will of course be included within this review, and looking at the initial paper, it is currently assessed as green noting: ‘the importance of commoning to the New Forest National Park justifies a bespoke policy which will be reviewed based on the experiences of applying the current policy since 2019’.

In addition, the current plan for the consultation includes reference to the scheme under the ‘Vibrant Communities’ section, asking if consultees agree with the Authority’s intention to retain policies focusing on commoners’ dwellings and Estate workers’ dwellings.

The association intends to respond to the full consultation and to confirm the importance of the commoners’ dwelling scheme. We urge members to also respond, supporting this unique and special policy of exception for commoners contained within our local plan.

Sam Dovey, New Forest CDA committee member

New Forest commoners and their livestock have benefitted from several generous grants given to the CDA by the New Forest Trust.

The Trust, which funds projects aimed at helping sustain the New Forest for future generations, has provided a £5,000 grant to go towards the vaccination of cattle against the viral disease BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea).

The vaccinations have taken place over the past few months and will not only help prevent the transmission of the disease in the Forest but also help stop abortions from taking place.

New Forest CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton said: ‘I would like to say a massive thank you to the New Forest Trust for funding this project. We could not have carried this out without their backing and support.

‘New Forest commoners are not immune to the rising costs of living so I was delighted the CDA could help them out financially with these vaccinations.

‘The program is a really important initiative and one which we hope to replicate in the coming years to boost the overall health of cattle in the Forest.’

The Trust has also funded the salt lick project, which is an ongoing scheme overseen by commoners Tony Vanderhoek and Bill Howells.

The project sees bowls of Himalayan salt put out in various places around the New Forest to encourage ponies and other animals away from the road, and stop them licking the grit spread on roads during icy conditions.

It is aimed particularly around the times when the clocks change and drivers are getting used to different conditions on their morning and afternoon commutes, and also during the winter months when it is dark for longer periods.

Salt licks are among various initiatives, including signage and fencing, aimed at reducing the number of accidents between vehicles and livestock.

Chair of the New Forest Trust William Ziegler said: ‘We are delighted to help New Forest commoners with these two grants. They contribute a huge amount to the landscape and we are happy to support them in any way possible.’

For more information about how to apply for a grant from the New Forest Trust, head to the page here

This report, by New Forest CDA member Sam Dovey, first appeared in the CDA’s annual report for 2024/25.

The New Forest CDA holds an insurance policy with the NFU Mutual covering legal liability (Public Liability) for its activities. Our level of cover, or indemnity limit per claim, is currently set at £10million.

This covers the CDA’s general (and usual) activities such as holding and organising meetings, fund raising events, our mentoring scheme, stock road signs and of course our annual stand at the New Forest Show.

The association also holds Employers Liability for any stewards or helpers assisting directly in connection with association activities.

As an additional membership benefit, the policy is extended to cover legal liability in respect of damage to third party persons or property for all fully paid up ‘full’ members, in respect of their lawfully depastured stock turned out within the fenced and gridded perambulation of the Forest and adjacent commons for the sole function of ‘grazing livestock on the New Forest’.

This is provided for individual members who do not have their own, more specific insurance in place covering their stock, farming and commoning activities which covers the same risk and activities. Where a member has their own, more specific policy in place, this would take prominence in the event of a claim and the association’s policy would not need to be called upon to respond.

The association’s ‘safety net’ policy is, therefore, a real benefit particularly for members who only have a small number of lawfully depastured stock, and for whom arranging an individual policy could be expensive given the very small margins commoners receive.

It must be remembered however, that it should be regarded as a cover of last resort, and the committee would expect most practicing commoners to be arranging their own, more specific cover.

It is also important to be aware that whilst the association’s insurance cover includes legal liability arising from lawfully ‘depastured’ stock whilst grazing on the crown lands and adjacent commons, it will not cover any liability for stock kept in fenced land owned, rented, occupied or used by members; or from any other common land away from the gridded perambulation of the forest or other associated activities other than ‘grazing livestock on the New Forest’.

In this ever-increasing world of litigation, it is your committee’s strong recommendation that members ensure they have cover in place for such situations that may arise off the open Forest, and therefore out of the remit of the association’s policy cover as well as while stock remain on the Forest.

It should be remembered that owning stock that are depastured on the Forest can also mean stock may need to managed away from the Crown lands as well – sometimes at very short notice.

This is particularly relevant for cattle keepers, as cattle will be off the forest for certain periods (eg annual TB testing and marking) and we believe that no cover is in place for scenarios such as this under the association cover.

The same principle would also apply in respect of stallions where cover for these would only apply for the period any stallion was lawfully depastured and running on the open Forest. There would be no cover under the association’s policy while they are off the Forest, or in the stallion grazing scheme.

Whether members rely on the association’s blanket safety net cover, or have their own policy in place, it should be remembered that all insurance policies have terms, conditions and limitations that need to be followed to ensure that the cover is in place correctly.

Ultimately, as a stock owner and keeper, members are responsible for the actions of their stock notwithstanding insurance cover that may be in place or any rights to turn stock on the Crown lands and adjacent commons.

If members have any queries concerning the association’s insurance cover, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or one of your committee members, we are always happy to talk.

Any formal insurance queries or requests that could involve a potential claim should be made, without delay, in writing via the association’s secretary.

Forest Stock: RTA recovery service

As reported previously, after many years of providing an uninsured loss recovery service for stock killed or injured on Forest roads, the association was unable to find a way of providing this service for members going forward.

The committee continue to keep this on the agenda, and if circumstances change and a solution can be found, then we will inform members.

On a more positive note, our insurers, NFU Mutual, have informed us that they have developed an option with ARAG Plc (formally DAS Legal Expenses insurance) to assist with recovery of these losses for their policyholders.

We understand that this service would be via an annual insurance policy that individuals may need to add to their existing NFU Mutual insurance policies and may incur an annual fee to maintain the cover.

For more information, please contact NFU Mutual directly at its offices in New Park, Brockenhurst.

Sam Dovey, New Forest CDA committee member 

The chair of the New Forest CDA has reminded members of the public to be extra vigilant in and around the Forest.

It comes amid the 21 stallions which are now out on the Forest for a six-week period, to breed with the free-roaming mares.

Their often unpredictable behaviour during this time means those out enjoying the New Forest should keep their distance, while dogs should be kept away and on leads.

‘Stallions are now out on the Forest and we’ve got some lovely looking animals out there,’ said chair Andrew Parry-Norton. ‘But please, members of the public, please do stay clear.

‘And if you’re out riding a pony, a stallion will come across to investigate and check you out to find out if you’re a threat or whether you can be included in the herd. So if you do ride, go right around the stallions and keep well away.

‘Also, the ponies are very skittish – they’re running all over the place at the moment and crossing roads very, very quickly so as drivers, please be aware of that.’

The stallions are are let out each year to help maintain the New Forest pony bloodlines and control the number of foals born each year. 

They are out on the Forest for several more weeks and can start coming in during the week beginning Monday, 16 June.

Commoners are invited to a summer round-up at the start of next month.

The event, which is being put on by the Young Commoners committee, is open to all New Forest commoners and is taking place at Nuthatch Cottage, Storms Farm in Cadnam on Saturday, 5 July.

There will be a barbecue, live band and games, as well as a bar. Tickets cost £5 per person while under 15s are free.

All profits from the round-up go towards the Young Commoners’ Injured Stallion fund.

More information on the Facebook event page here and tickets can be purchased here

New Forest CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton has raised his concerns about the introduction of food waste bins by New Forest District Council.

In a presentment at Verderers Court on Wednesday, May 21, he spoke about the risk to livestock. He said commoners’ animals could access the bins and consume the food waste – potentially affecting their health.

Andrew urged Verderers to speak to the council – who are introducing a phased roll-out of the bins – about changing the advice to the public from leaving the bins outside enclosed areas to leaving them within, to help protect animals.

‘Not only could the bins be a problem for pigs, but also donkeys and ponies who will quickly realise this could become a potential food source,’ he told the court.

‘We, the CDA, ask the Verderers to persuade New Forest District Council to retract their advice and request that these bins are kept on the residents’ premises where stock do not have access to it.’

You can read Andrew’s presentment in full below.

CDA Presentment at Verderers Court – May 2025

The introduction of new food waste bins for New Forest residents and a recent visit by DEFRA officials were among the topics of discussion in Andrew Parry-Norton’s monthly video update.

In his latest chat to New Forest CDA members, he also talks about preparing to go into a Landscape Recovery scheme and issues a reminder to members of the public about stallions.

Watch his full update below or on our Facebook page

 

 

Do you know someone who makes an exceptional contribution to New Forest commoning? Then now is the time to get them recognised as part of the New Forest National Park Awards.

The annual awards, which is in its 12th year and run by the New Forest National Park Authority and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), recognise outstanding contributions to the environment, rural economy and local communities in and around the National Park.

This year, as the New Forest National Park marks its 20th anniversary, a new award – Commoning Champion – has been introduced to recognise individuals playing a vital role in sustaining the unique practice which helps maintain the Forest’s landscape and biodiversity.

To be nominated for the Commoning Champion category, the following criteria must be met:

  • Demonstrates sustainability and regenerative farming in the context of the New Forest as well as responsibility for, respect and care of the New Forest landscape
  • Demonstrates support for the commoning community – for example as member of the CDA and/or the New Forest Marque, attending the Verderers Court, supporting/attending drifts
  • Demonstrates a commitment to public education
  • Has a strong commitment to high welfare standards and practices, overall condition of cattle and ponies
  • Has a management plan for the holding and improvement of livestock
  • Contributes to the management of the interaction between visitors and his / her stock
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the history of commoning and the Forest and the role of the different organisations in managing the New Forest landscape

Individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by others. All nominees must live, work or operate within the New Forest Awards area.

The other categories are Sustainability Champion, Young Farmer (aged 35 and under), Best Supporter of Local Produce, Young Environmental Champion (aged 25 and under) and Farming and Nature Champion.

Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony and drinks reception at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show on Wednesday, 30 July. The event is supported by Moore Barlow and the New Forest Agricultural Show Society.

Nominations close on Sunday, 8 June. Full criteria and nomination forms are available at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/newforestawards

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