Welcoming BBC South Today to the New Forest for Pannage season

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