New Milton Equestrian Supplement Autumn-Winter 2019

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EQUESTRIAN ∙ Autumn/Winter 2019

WHO LOOKS AFTER THE FOREST?

The ponies, cattle and donkeys are an inescapable part of the New Forest landscape – but who is actually responsible for their care? In this special feature produced together with the New Forest Verderers, we take a look at how the system of verderers and agisters work.

VERDERERS COURT The court was set up under the New Forest

court in which concern is expressed, a complaint made or a question asked about a matter relevant to the Forest. On Court days, the agisters dress in their traditional green livery with gold buttons bearing the Crown and Stirrup symbol of the New Forest. It is the task of the Head Agister to perform the duty of Crier of the Court by announcing the opening words from the ancient oak dock: “Oyez, Oyez! All manner of persons who have any presentment to make or matter or thing to do at this Court of Verderers, let them come forward and they shall be heard. God save the Queen”

LORD MANNERS IS THE OFFICIAL VERDERER: “I took up the post of Official Verderer in May 2017 - prior to that I spent over 30 years working weekdays in the City of London as a solicitor. I live in and farm in the Avon Valley on the western edge of the Forest. “As Official Verderer, my main role is to chair the Court of Verderers. The court consists of five elected Verderers, who represent the commoners who turn their animals out onto the Forest, as well as four appointed Verderers, who are chosen by Forestry England, DEFRA, The New Forest National Park authority and Natural England. “Our role is to protect and regulate the unique agricultural practice of commoning, which provides vital conservation benefits to the New Forest. We also use our powers and influence to conserve and protect the traditional landscape, flora and fauna, including the peacefulness and natural beauty.”

Act of 1877. It is the last remnant of the old form of Forest government which was at one time found in many parts of the country. The court’s authority is based on an unusual blend of ancient and modern statutory powers. The Verderers Court meets on the third Wednesday of each month in public session, at which presentments may be made. The Open Court is followed by a private committee. A presentment is a verbal statement made to the