Spring/Summer 2021 FOREST MATTERS

Issue No: 9 Spring/Summer 2021 FOREST MATTERS

In the news 2 Recent developments at the Heritage Centre; Verderers’ 2020 Lockdown activities; New planning implications for the Park Authority; The Agriculture Act 2020 explained.

The New Forest’s special qualities 7 Clive Chatters and Russell Wynn discuss the consequences for the Forest of rising visitor numbers and recreational activity.

Simon Chadwick’s cartoon 8

Verge parking 9 Photographic evidence of some thoughtless and antisocial New Forest visitor behaviour.

2021 AGM Papers 10–12 2020 Minutes and Reports for 2020.

Opinion: Big Three plus “big tent” 13 Tony Hockley argues for a more all- inclusive approach to governance from all stakeholders if the Forest is to flourish.

The importance of New Forest fungi 15 Mycological expert Sara Cadbury considers the effects of 2020’s climatic oscillations on their ability to produce their fruiting bodies.

Hatchet Pond: A special place 17 Forestry England’s Susan Smith outlines a plan for protecting this wildlife-rich water from the ravages of human activity.

Donkeys through history 19 Equine vet, Marta Ferrari, explains how these equids – common on the New Forest – have served humans over time.

Obituary: Graham Long 21 A “people person” who gave a great deal as Council Member and Newsletter Editor.

FOREST MATTERS ABOUT US is the magazine of Founded in 1867 as the Friends of the New Forest. New Forest Association and Issue 9: Registered Charity No. 260328. Information about the Association Spring/Summer 2021 can be found on: www.friendsofthenewforest.org www.facebook.com/NewForestAssociation Views expressed in Forest Matters are not necessarily those of PATRON AND PRESIDENT Friends of the New Forest. Patron: Belinda Lady Montagu President: Professor Matthew Kelly

Editor: Robert Whiting Please contact VICE PRESIDENTS the editor at [email protected] Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre with any contributions for or comments Peter Frost concerning this publication.

OFFICERS The deadline for the Autumn/Winter Chair: John Ward 2021 issue is: 30 June 2021. Vice Chair: Gale Pettifer Hon Secretary: Tara Dempsey Hon Treasurer: Brandy Gill Unattributed photographs are understood to have been taken by TRUSTEES the author or submitted with the Bernie Austin, Tony Balch, Brian Tarnoff, photographer’s permission. William Ziegler

Cover image: COUNCIL MEMBERS New Forest coastal marshes Clive Chatters, Jonathan Cox, Roly Errington, by Mary Godfroy Eve Gilmon, Keith Howe, David Humbert, Leo Randall, Richard Reeves, Neil Sanderson, Ann Sevier, Jenni Tubbs, Russell Wynn Design and layout by Philippa Firth PLANNING AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE Tel: 07740 289 411 Chair: Bernie Austin email: [email protected]

Printed by Document Despatch, Basingstoke, HABITAT AND LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE Hampshire Chair: Brian Tarnoff email: [email protected] www.documentdespatch.com

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Copyright © 2021 Individual: £15 by direct debit (or £17 by Friends of The New Forest cheque) Registered Charity Joint: £25 by direct debit (or £29 by cheque) No. 260328 Join through our website or contact: Juliet Lynn (Membership) 14 Shrubbs Avenue Lymington, SO41 9DJ

GENERAL ENQUIRIES By email: [email protected] By phone: John Ward: 01590 671205 Letter from our Chairman

Spending too long “staying in” during Covid lockdowns, We can do our best to help with the knowledge gap by, one might be forgiven occasional moments of for example, explaining why a valley mire is a valuable reminiscence while pondering the knowledge and carbon sink, or by research such as providing trackers to numbers dilemma. study nesting curlews. A flat in an urban, un-posh part of London was my But what about numbers? Most visitors to the Forest childhood home. Outdoors was the street, or for more do not intend to do harm any more than I did as a adventure, nearby WW2 bomb sites. A school holiday schoolboy on a Welsh mountain (although some are took me aged 15 to Snowdonia and I returned with a wilfully bad or uncaring when they throw litter). But friend to climb mountains, finding rocky routes to the ultimately it is a numbers game. The Forest is too small top. The only clue that someone had been there before and too fragile to hold on to its special qualities and us was to spot a few scratches on the rock made by the meet ever-growing recreational demands. nailed boots everyone still wore then. Sometimes on the way back we would run down scree slopes in an exciting Rationing recreation? cascade of falling stones. Returning to my childhood, I grew up with ration books Returning today, the same route to the top is a made-up because there was not enough food and goods to stone path with steps where it is steep, in an attempt go round. How should we “ration” recreation today? to cope with the erosion of thousands of feet that have Persuade those whose activities could be met elsewhere followed. No danger of getting lost and probably plenty to do them elsewhere and also limit licences for activities of other people going the same way. The scree slopes on the Forest? Cut down on promotion attracting have gone, eroded back to bare earth and rock. I’m sure more visitors? Manage demand by charging – both to that many walkers enjoy their visit, but it is not the same persuade some to go elsewhere to a free alternative “away-from-it-all” adventure I was fortunate enough and to raise income for restoration of lost qualities? to experience. If I had been told about the erosion Restrict access, primarily through location and amount consequences of running down scree slopes that have of car parking? Have tougher byelaws and enforcement? taken centuries of weathering and freezing to create Persuade traffic to go around instead of through the and about their slow-growing flora that I failed even Forest and slow down the rest? And I’m sure there are to notice, would I have behaved differently? Not being many other possibilities. We do, of course, need to be able to return to my 15-year-old mind, I can’t say – but mindful of unintended consequences. This year we saw maybe. with concern how overfull car parks led to traffic parking on and destroying Forest verges (see page 9). Measures The inevitability of change that are experimental and reversible might be safer than those, which once done, remain fixed. Ten years on and still a young man, I wandered along the west coast of Africa beyond the Niger delta. Palm Any restrictive changes are likely to be met with tree-lined beaches with scattered villages and from resistance, from individuals and special-interest groups. time to time a group of fishermen furiously paddling We live increasingly in a culture of “It’s my right…”. a canoe out through the surf to open sea. Night time Change will not be easy. We look to the New Forest was not a blackout because the sky blazed with the public authorities to show leadership but, despite plenty Milky Way with no competition from artificial light. The of recent publications, it is hard to find a coherent only footprints in the sand and the only white faces coordinated strategy for the protection of the New were mine and those of my girlfriend. I can remember Forest coupled to recreation management and a tangible thinking that I was probably the thin edge of many more programme of practical implementation. future visitors, privileged to be ahead of that time. No It would be foolish of me to overstate what Friends of need to return – a simple internet search for holidays the New Forest might do to meet this challenge, but I shows much of the same coast transformed into beach hope that in the coming year, as the Forest’s friend and resorts with unending chains of “all mod-cons” hotels watchdog, we will do our best to move the New Forest together with a lit-up nightlife. More economic wealth public authorities to a willingness to grasp this difficult than fishing brought into the local community and still challenge a bit more firmly and accept and implement sun, sand and surf, but…. changes required to hang on to all of the Forest’s special What has this to do with the New Forest? Places, people, qualities, while also explaining this to visitors and local economies and cultures inevitably change. And global residents. populations, habitat destruction and climate change I am confident that we will continue to do our best to may well overtake us before we respond adequately, ensure at least that this small area does not become but we designate some places like the New Forest to try even smaller through development and changes of use to protect their “Special Qualities”: scarce habitats and away from those that are intrinsically part of a special wildlife ecosystems, rare landscape, particular cultural landscape. ways like Commoning, and an intangible feeling of tranquillity being in a place set apart from the urban hurly burly all around. John Ward

Spring/Summer 2021 1 New Forest life, spanning all social classes for this period and details how the New Forest became what it is today. It provides a study of agricultural practices, which have remained virtually unchanged for NEWS centuries, and shows why they are NEW FOREST HERITAGE CENTRE: AN UPDATE an important part of preserving Chris Howard outlines recent The project was to add four times this precious landscape. It is an developments at this invaluable the amount of shelf space for inspirational testimony to how New Forest resource and the ever-expanding collections collective human effort to protect cultural hub. and create a study room in the the New Forest has worked and existing map-store area. This was Despite the lockdowns and the why it must be preserved for years funded and completed during challenges of Coronavirus, we to come. the first lockdown period. Staff made great strides in 2020 to and over twenty volunteers The Crosthwaite Eyre Archive will secure our future and were very continue to work behind the be fully catalogued, conserved and busy behind the scenes at the New scenes cataloguing our collections curated, ridding it of mould and Forest Heritage Centre. and preserving them for future repairing damage, and re-boxed The Masterplan generations. using acid free materials. It will be stored in a controlled environment With funding from the National Crosthwaite-Eyre and will also be digitised, so Lottery, we were able to re-open Archive that the primary documents are the Heritage Centre and welcome subjected to minimal handling. over 40,000 visitors between 27 Last year the Library also received July and 31 October 2020. Our one of its most important archives Introducing Museum was particularly busy and to date. The Crosthwaite-Eyre Dr Kath Walker needed more than ever to help Archive comprises 53 boxes of communicate to visitors how to largely primary archive material in behave in the countryside and why need of cataloguing, conserving the New Forest and its heritage and curating. The archive’s creator, are special. Briscoe Eyre, defended the New Forest against the most sustained We have been continuing with our and potentially devastating attack development plans to transform on its management ever recorded. the Heritage Centre into an The resulting Act of 1877 inspiring and engaging cultural protected historic Commoning hub for the New Forest. The first practices and prevented the phase of the Masterplan is the Forest from being turned into a Library Re-store project, to put in commercial timber plantation. roller racking in the Christopher This archive provides the human Tower Reference Library on the first connection and context for the floor of the Heritage Centre, home passing of the Act, and the to one of the largest collections struggle to save the Forest. It of New Forest books, maps and reveals a comprehensive picture of Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre with photographs. Collections Manager Kath Walker

Just a few items from the Crosthwaite-Eyre Archive

2 FOREST MATTERS Dr Katharine Walker FSA joined She is a Visiting Research Fellow of the Heritage Centre, re- us full-time as the Collections and at Bournemouth University, where invigorating it for the future and Engagement Manager. Previously, she supervises a PhD student. putting it on a more financially she managed the Ecademy project Katharine completed a PhD in sustainable footing. This, as ever, responsible for the development Archaeology, specialising in the is reliant on funding and your of the New Forest Knowledge study of prehistoric stone axes, at generosity. We hope to see you website, and worked for the local the University of Southampton at during 2021 and be able to show council as Curator and Collections the end of 2015. you more progress. Manager at Hengistbury Head and Despite uncertainties, we remain Chris Howard is Fund-Raising Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centres. committed to securing the future Manager at the Heritage Centre.

Those organisations welcome the opportunity to hear from and question the Head Agister and the Verderers and leave with a good NEWS understanding of our work. THE VERDERERS IN 2020

Lord Manners looks back over website and we committed to the activities of the Forest’s resuming our Open Courts as soon guardians during an unusual as that could be done safely. year. What activities While much was surprisingly normal in the 12 months of 2020, continued much also had to change. After a tentative start the Verderers Our office staff adapted continued to meet in committee remarkably quickly to working via Zoom and, as ever, much from home. business is done on email. When The administrative side of the permitted, site visits continued. Dionis Macnair Verderers’ work continued and was Out in the Forest, the Agisters well under control, albeit some carried out as many of their usual Dionis Macnair MBE retired at our tasks taking longer and being tasks as possible. Much less traffic November Court, having reached more difficult. While some form of in “Lockdown 1” reduced animal 90 earlier in the year. Dionis regular homeworking is likely to be accidents significantly but they became a Verderer in November a permanent feature of our lives, are sadly creeping up again. After 1973. Her record of service is I certainly hope that we will be careful consideration and much remarkable. She has been a fount able at least partially to reopen our work to make sure they could of common sense and she brought office some time in 2021. be carried out safely, there was to the Court an extraordinary One of the many casualties of a reduced programme of Drifts. depth of knowledge about our the pandemic has been our However, it was decided that it was iconic New Forest ponies. Our Open Courts. These were much not sufficiently safe for the Agisters gratitude for her work over so missed for all that they offer. The to mark cattle for 2021, although many years cannot be expressed chance to make presentments marking fees remain payable. sufficiently in words. We wish her many more happy years with her (often impromptu), the gathering Another casualty of the pandemic beloved ponies. together of Forest folk and the was our Welfare Tours, which structure and tradition we all value. we carry out twice a year in No reflection on the past year However, presentments continued May and December. These are would be complete without to flow in by email, fulfilling the typically attended by a wide mentioning that our Clerk, Sue Court’s role as a democratic outlet range of organisations concerned Westwood, completed 25 years where concerns can be raised. with animal welfare. They are of service. The Verderers marked We endeavoured to respond to an important showcase for the this achievement with the gift of them as normally as possible. Forest, as they demonstrate a brooch based on the Stirrup, Both presentments and our the importance attached to the designed and beautifully made by Announcements and Decisions are welfare of the depastured stock. the Lyndhurst jeweller, Christopher posted promptly on the Verderers’ Stephens, who most generously

Spring/Summer 2021 3 gave his time without charge. As a minority caused alarm and for rare habitats supporting an no form of social gathering could consternation to many. extraordinary diversity of species, take place, I presented this to Sue let alone as a working Forest, it The benefits of recreation should at the last Drift of the season at needs a clear set of rules backed by not be at the expense of damage Picket Post. proportionate enforcement. to the flora and fauna and to the The vagaries of working Forest. visitors Valiant though they have undoubtedly been, attempts at Much has been said and written educating recreational users of about the extraordinary influx the Forest to respect its fragile of visitors to the Forest. The environment have largely failed. benefits of being able to enjoy The Recreation Management the Forest, on foot or bicycle, are Steering Group continues to of course great and never more grapple with these problems but important than in 2020. However, there is little doubt now that if the behaviour of more than just the Forest is to survive as a haven

protections given to National Parks weakened further and would hope the Government takes the opportunity to strengthen existing safeguards aligned to the 25-year NEWS plan for the environment and The Times They Are A-Changin’ the more recent Government- commissioned Landscapes Review Steve Avery takes a look at anything we have seen since the led by Julian Glover. possible implications for the Second World War”. It wants We also raised concerns about New Forest of Government- to replace what is seen as an proposals to allow more types of proposed changes to the outdated and ineffective planning development to go ahead without Planning system. system with one that is simpler, needing planning permission, and clearer and quicker to navigate, Whatever one’s view of the world, changes to public consultation delivering results in weeks and there is no doubting that this is arrangements which would appear months rather than years and a time of momentous change; to make it harder for local people decades. There is talk about notwithstanding Covid-19, we are to engage with the planning streamlining local plans and “faster faced with wide-ranging policy system, both at the strategic plan- routes to permission”, while at the reforms. These include a major making stage and in considering same time saying more needs to shake-up of the planning system applications for new development. be done to plan for beautiful and in England, and the introduction sustainable places. As the planning authority for the of a new agricultural system as New Forest National Park, we we leave the EU, one that rewards The Authority’s would be the first to accept that farmers and land managers while the current planning system is not delivering additional public goods response a perfect one. There are aspects that improve the environment. A paper to our Authority meeting of the proposed reforms that There is also the Government’s on 15 October 2020 helped to we would welcome, including drive to accelerate our path to net shape our response, which had a greater emphasis on better- zero as we face up to the climate also been informed through some designed buildings and simplifying and nature emergencies and an lively discussions with local parish processes, as well as introducing announcement that Government councils. Our main concerns more enforcement powers and intends to create new National centred on the lack of any sanctions to address unauthorised Parks. So, what does this all mean mention of planning in National development. for the New Forest National Park? Parks and how the new planning If there is one thing that system would apply to areas of The Prime Minister’s foreword to undermines public confidence in environmental significance such as the Planning White Paper set the the planning system, it is the fact the New Forest. We certainly do tone for the planning reforms, that some people are seen to be not want to see any of the existing promising “radical reform unlike “getting away with it” when they

4 FOREST MATTERS build first and ask for permission positive changes for our farmed the New Forest National Park in later. This is also an opportunity to landscape, our natural habitats the years ahead, bringing together close some well-known planning and the wildlife they support. They and coordinating the aspirations loopholes – especially those that will also impact our lives in terms of many different partners who actually reward non-compliance of how we “work, rest and play”, help contribute towards the two through the procedure known as with a much greater emphasis on statutory national park purposes the “Certificate of Lawful Use”. green jobs and skills, renewable for which the New Forest was energy, sustainable transport and designated. With some of the highest house finding “natural solutions” as we prices outside London, we have This is an exciting time to be seek to become “net zero” by also asked for more support for updating such an important plan 2050. affordable housing in the National for the Forest but one that is Park, both in terms of delivering An updated equally challenging with all the new housing and protecting necessary Covid-19 restrictions the existing stock of restricted- Partnership Plan in place. Nonetheless, we hope occupancy dwellings. Together with our partner to publish a draft for public consultation and discussion early We are keen to understand how organisations, we are looking to in 2021 and with our partners, these planning reforms will help to pull all these different strands look forward to setting out the deliver the changing agricultural together in the review and update “greenprint” for a nature-led and environmental agenda now of the New Forest National Park recovery in and around the New being brought forward through the Partnership Plan (last updated Forest. new Agriculture Act and the soon in 2015). All National Parks to be enacted Environment Bill. are required to update their Together with the Government’s management plans every five 10-point plan for a Green Industrial years. The updated Partnership Steve Avery is Director of Strategy Revolution, these reforms have Plan will set out the overarching and Planning at the New Forest the potential to herald huge and strategy for the management of National Park Authority.

The principle underpinning the new approach is often summarised as “public money for public goods”. Rather than subsidising private agricultural businesses, as NEWS we have since the Second World The Agriculture Act 2020 War, we will pay farmers to provide healthy ecosystems, which is in the Professor Matthew Kelly looks explosion of activity immediately interest of all. at the possible implications following its end. We became It is still not yet completely clear for the New Forest of the new more tolerant as we became less how the principles established Agriculture Act, described on its fearful. A familiar pattern. by the Act will be translated enactment as “transformative Principles of the into practice. The main vehicle legislation” by George Eustace, for implementation is to be new the Secretary of State for new Act Environmental Land Management Environment, Food and Rural (ELM) schemes. We’re going to Affairs. Against this backdrop, the Government passed a new hear a lot about ELMs over the As we went through Lockdown Agriculture Bill. The new Act is next decade. How landholders are 2 and then reduced restrictions an important moment in the paid will depend on which “tier” through Christmas to the end of development of agriculture they enter. 2020, social media continued to policy in England. The Act shifts Tier 1, the easiest to engage with, be awash with commentary on agricultural payments away from will require some environmental the health-giving qualities of the primarily paying farmers on the improvements, such as soil nutrient natural environment, especially the basis of their acreage to paying management, pest control, soil benefits to mental health of time farmers to look after their land improvement, cover crops or spent outside. Through the second in an environmentally sustainable planting wildflower margins to lockdown, folk exercising in rural manner. encourage sustainable farming. areas generated much less tension Tier 2 is more testing, requiring than through Lockdown 1 and the

Spring/Summer 2021 5 landholders to meet locally The 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Only by examining the fine detail targeted environmental outcomes, Act strengthened the SSSI system can we start to see how significant including improved rights of and the Act required that each these figures are. Some sites, way. Tier 3 is substantially more new SSSI was to be re-notified for example, include campsites, ambitious, aiming at landscape according to the new provisions. where visitor use makes significant change, including woodland This long process was supposed to ecological restoration unlikely. But creation, peatland restoration and impose certain controls over how the fact remains that it is hard to the creation of coastal habitats. the land was farmed. In 1987, establish how environmentally the New Forest SSSIs were re- effective the 1981 Act and the What impact on notified, and in 1996 these were SSSI system could be because the the Forest? amalgamated and expanded in a agencies tasked with implementing single New Forest SSSI, which now its provisions have often been We cannot yet say what long-term comprises much of the National significantly under-resourced. The difference the implementation Park. cynic might wonder if it has suited of the Act will make to the New certain governments to underfund Forest. For the past decade or Issues of monitoring while ensuring the cash more, much of the National Park underfunding still reached the pockets of the has been subject to a Higher Level landowners. Stewardship Scheme and this can The Prospect report highlights boast some solid achievements. the impact government spending In any case, as the implementation Details can be found here: cuts have had on Natural England, of the 2020 Agriculture Act begins, www.hlsnewforest.org.uk. particularly the staffing required it is vital to remember that we can to monitor SSSIs. Prospect doesn’t only ensure public money really What’s more, the Agriculture Act give figures for Hampshire or the is spent on public goods if the is intended to have most effect in New Forest, but it shows that the government agencies tasked with those areas subject to intensive number of Advisors/Lead Advisors overseeing these processes are agriculture. Nonetheless, when has fallen across Devon, Cornwall properly funded. Such agencies are thinking about the possible impact and Somerset from 61 in 2011 to vital infrastructure, as important to of the new Act, it is salutary to 9.5 in 2020. There is no reason the ecological health of the natural consider it alongside the report to suppose the situation has been environment as the National Health published by Prospect, the trade any different in the New Forest, Service and the social care system union that represents Natural for this trend is borne out by the is important to human health. England employees.1 assessments made of the New 1 https://prospect.org.uk/news/prospect- Natural England’s responsibilities Forest SSSI over the past decade.2 launches-second-state-of-natural- include designating and england-report/ The New Forest SSSI comprises monitoring the UK’s Sites of Special 2 over 600 separate units, some https://designatedsites.naturalengland. Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the UK’s org.uk/SiteSearch.aspx less than a hectare in size. Of 45 most important conservation sites classified as “unfavourable designation. SSSIs were first declining”, 31 were last assessed notified following the creation of between 2008 and 2012. The the Nature Conservancy in 1949. same applies to 13 of the 29 New Forest designations followed sites classified as “unfavourable in 1959, 1971, 1974 and 1979. – no change” and 54 of the 139 Professor Matthew Kelly is sites classified as “unfavourable President of Friends of the New recovering”. Forest.

BE BLOWN AWAY BY DESIGN Philippa Firth Graphic Design [email protected] Tel: 07740 289 411

6 FOREST MATTERS THE NEW FOREST’S SPECIAL QUALITIES: INFORMING THE GREAT RECREATION DEBATE

Clive Chatters and Russell Wynn report on Within the report we identified the features for which a review of the Forest’s special qualities – the New Forest is recognised as having international specifically its internationally important species importance, and then grouped these features for and habitats – and how these are being affected the convenience of discussing their relationship with by visitor numbers and various types recreational use. In summary some of the issues are: of recreational degradation. Ponds and lakes The New Forest has never been as busy as in the summer of 2020, when the first lockdown phase of Larger standing waterbodies have been targeted for the COVID-19 pandemic was partially lifted. As people development as recreation sites – i.e., Hatchet Pond, ventured out for a much-needed dose of fresh air and Setley Pond, Eyeworth Pond and Cadnam’s Pool. green space, the Forest’s car parks filled to capacity, • Abrasion to vegetation in the draw-down zone and with parked cars often spilling over onto verges and within the aquatic zone through pedestrians and gateways. Never before has the need for public open “dog-dipping”. spaces to serve our neighbouring towns and cities • Loss of water quality and increased turbidity been so starkly highlighted. People need open spaces. through abrasion of vegetation combined with However, the most desirable – and in some cases the introduction of nutrients, i.e., run-off from car only – places to go for hundreds and thousands of parks, “duck-feeding”, introduction of coarse fish the National Park’s neighbours are the most sensitive and ground baiting. landscapes of the Open Forest. • Introduction of persistent veterinary compounds, This overwhelming demand on the Forest emphasised i.e., Anthelminthics, dermal & systemic insecticides. the danger of “loving to death” the very things that • Introduction and establishment of non-native make the Forest special. In order to help our thinking species, i.e., plants, fish. about the issues, we undertook a review of what we know about the special qualities of the Forest, Rivers and how these qualities relate to recreation. Of Rivers are attractive features and have been subject course, one of the special qualities of the Forest is the to development as recreation facilities, e.g., Balmer opportunity it offers for quiet recreation. Lawn, Puttles Bridge, Ivy Wood, Latchmoor. Reviewing the Forest’s • Modification to geomorphology through abrasion. special qualities • Loss of connectivity of riverine species with marginal species through abrasion. Our review looked at why the Forest has importance, • Loss of aquatic vegetation to abrasion. as expressed in law and policy. We then explored the detail of just one aspect of those qualities, that of • Disturbance to breeding sites of Annex 1 species. internationally important species and habitats. Many recreational activities are benign to the Forest’s wildlife Woods if they occur in a responsible, low-key manner but, The aesthetics of pasture woodlands have resulted as more people access vulnerable places, then the in many recreation facilities being set within open cumulative impacts can be considerable. canopies. This includes most of the larger campsites and many car parks. Fortunately, there is a growing body of evidence describing the interactions between recreation and • Absolute loss of habitat through the construction wildlife, which helps us understand the challenges of access facilities. that we must rise to. However, there are gaps in • Attrition to habitat through safeguarding people the knowledge that should be guiding recreational who are using facilities, e.g., felling old-growth management, especially relating to the unique trees, removing limbs and branches. character of the New Forest and a need for long-term • Localised eutrophication, fires, fire risk and smoke monitoring to assess the efficacy of any management pollution, introduction of veterinary compounds. interventions. But, overall, we found that there is • Abrasion of vegetation and soil compaction both enough evidence available now to help guide the within, and radiating out from, facilities. This is decisions of practitioners, from rangers and keepers particularly severe in riparian woods. “on the ground” to senior executives and the authors of strategies. • Introduction and establishment of non-native species, e.g., Jo-Jo Weed. Spring/Summer 2021 7 Dwarf shrub heaths Bogs The New Forest supports the largest single stand of The New Forest is known as the locus classicus of European dry heath and Atlantic wet heath in Britain. lowland bogs in Britain. The importance of the This heath is found within an intimate matrix of other numerous bog systems is enhanced by their being habitats. The structural diversity of the heaths is highly set within substantially semi-natural catchments. complex, with the dwarf shrub communities being The bogs vary in their fertility and productivity and expressed in matrices of grasslands, bogs, woodlands are dependent on the presence of large herbivores and other habitats, their respective characters to maintain their structural diversity. The Annex I and distribution being dependant on the ongoing species Southern Damselfly is associated with runnels management of the heath. The Annex I Birds Directive in this habitat, as are a very significant range of Red species Hobby, Nightjar, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler Data Book and nationally protected species of birds, (breeding) and Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared invertebrates, flowering plants and lower plants. Bogs Owls (winter visitors) are associated with this habitat contribute to the breeding wader populations of the along with Annex 1 species Early Gentian (single Forest. By their very nature, recreational activities tend site) together with a very significant range of Red to avoid bogs. Interactions between bogs and people Data Book and nationally protected species of birds, are commonly concentrated on routes constructed invertebrates and plants. through the bogs. • Absolute loss of habitat due to the construction • Absolute loss of habitat through the construction of facilities together with abrasion along popular of access facilities, i.e., raised trackways. routes. • Disruption of hydrology through the construction • Suppression of early-stage succession communities of access facilities. in naturally open habitats, i.e., exposures of mineral • Abrasion and loss of vegetation alongside access sub-soils. facilities including “dog-dipping”. • Compaction of soils resulting in modification to • Introduction and establishment of non-native vegetation. species, i.e., aquatic and carnivorous plants • Localised eutrophication and the introduction Our review – The Special Qualities Report – was of persistent veterinary compounds, i.e., launched in autumn 2020 on our website and social Anthelminthics, dermal & systemic insecticides. media, and featured in local and regional news. We • Enhanced risk of fire. hope that we have written our review in a way that • Disturbance of nesting birds resulting in greater helps everyone to understand the issues, as well vulnerability to predation. as setting out our expectations of the government bodies who oversee recreation on the Forest. These bodies are now considering our review as part of their revised Recreation Management Strategy, details of which are due to be published in the coming months. The review – The Special Qualities Report – is published on our website at www.friendsofthenewforest.org. Clive Chatters and Russell Wynn are Friends of the New Forest Council Members.

8 FOREST MATTERS Off the road and on the Forest – Recreational Parking in Autumn 2020 – just a few of many photos

Spring/Summer 2021 9 NEW FOREST ASSOCIATION (Registered Charity No: 260328) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021 We postponed our 2020 AGM because of Covid-19 and, like many other organisations, in consultation with the Charity Commission, we resorted to an online virtual process, finally being held in January this year. Thank you to those who participated, including voting online or by post. All who were proposed for election or re-election were elected with no dissent. With the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is little or no prospect of holding our 2021 AGM in the form of a public meeting. The 2020 Annual Reports of Trustees and Council, and of the Hon. Treasurer, are published below and we will separately inform all Members of the date and arrangements for the Association’s 2021 AGM. Again, like many other charities, the Board of Trustees will be proposing resolutions to amend our constitution so as to enable email and similar communications within the Association and to all Members. Trustees and Council Report 2020 After three previous successful years, a Friends of the New Friends of the New Forest, like every other organisation Forest keynote address and panel discussion was arranged in 2020, found its scope for meetings and events severely to cover issues of Climate Change and the New Forest as curtailed. Again, like many others, we came to recognise our 2020 theme. Unfortunately, although fully booked, that “working from home” instead of travelling to this was a casualty of Covid-19. Having first postponed meetings was the new way of life in a pandemic and we the event from Spring to Autumn, we then had to cancel. too turned to tele- and video-conference meetings (coming We hope to come back to this in the not too distant future to both love and loathe Zoom) for meetings of Council, the because, as our keynote speaker said, we all hope to get Board of Trustees and our committees. The Association’s beyond Covid-19, but the climate change crisis and species 2020 AGM was postponed and finally only held as a virtual extinction will still be before us. event in January 2021. Life in the Forest was very much a year of two different During the year we lost two stalwarts: Peter Roberts retired halves with Covid-19. Initially, with Lockdown in force, and our former magazine editor and hardworking Council the Forest was unusually quiet and undisturbed, with Member, Graham Long, sadly died. Jacob White resigned breeding wildlife enjoying a less disturbed existence than because he moved away; having been furloughed, he usual. But then Lockdown restrictions were relaxed and took up other employment in Wales. At the end of 2020 suddenly the Forest was hit with an unprecedented deluge there were six Trustees and twelve non-trustee Members of of uncontrolled and seemingly unstoppable recreation Council. It would be good to gain some new Members on activity. Local fire-fighters, police, conservationists, Rangers Council and to join the Board of Trustees during the coming and Commoners were among those who reported repeated year. incidents of unacceptable behaviour by some visitors who ignored the measures in place to protect the fragile habitats We have continued to share issues and experiences with of the area. Cars were found parked irresponsibly, blocking other National Park Societies and as a Council Member gateways that are used by the emergency services, Park of the Campaign for National Parks (CNP). We have Rangers and Commoners accessing their livestock. Grass participated in Webinars and attended their online AGM verges that have international conservation designations and Council meeting. We have also collaborated with CNP upon them were driven over or used for parking. Visitors to co-ordinate responses to government and other national were found wild camping, lighting fires or using disposable consultations and draft proposals that will affect National barbeques, and some of the New Forest’s most important Parks. Examples with possible implications for the New ponds for wildlife were used for swimming, kayaking and Forest that have crossed our desks in 2020 include: even paddle-boarding. • Government White Paper on Planning for the Future. We feared that this might be a glimpse of things to come, • Defra consultation on an England Tree Strategy. as the Forest becomes ever more closely encircled by a growing urban population. Is there anything to be done, or • Ofgem consultation on “Draft determination for are selected areas of the Forest to be written off as visitor RII0-2” (Visual Amenity Allowances). concentration areas? • Department for International Trade and H.M. Treasury Chair – John Ward consultation on Freeports.

• Joint letter to the Environment Secretary about Planning & Transport Committee Report “National Parks and AONBs” (Glover Report). Our Committee have continued to function during this We have managed to keep up our contact with members difficult year, while observing the Covid-19 restrictions. The of local organisations around the Forest despite the NFNPA weekly planning lists are circulated and considered pandemic. The slide show presentation telling the story via email and there has been no noticeable reduction in the of the Association and the New Forest from the mid-19th number of applications, despite the current circumstances. century until today continued to be popular and was given Most have been of a domestic nature. to five groups before we were hit by “Lockdown”. Having adapted the talk for online video presentation, later in the The Government’s White Paper Planning for the Future, year we gave presentations to three more groups. Our published in July 2020, proposes a radical overhaul of second talk, The New Forest Coast, was launched with a the planning system. It has some merit in attempting video presentation in December. to streamline the overall process, but at the expense of

10 FOREST MATTERS meaningful local involvement. The National Planning Policy Habitats Regulations Assessment. However, what is really Framework (NPPF) will be the governing document setting needed in the longer term is a road strategy for the Forest out general development policies at national level with to include: reviewing the number of access points; possible Local Plans becoming less detailed and almost secondary. closure of some roads; lowering of speed limits and innovative physical measures. While radical ideas will be The White Paper gives serious cause for concern and controversial and may be too late to be a feasible option National Parks are not specifically mentioned. for Ipley, they will need to be considered for the safety of We responded to the initial consultation stating that the walkers, cyclists and livestock and to enhance the Forest New Forest National Park must be a “Protected Area” and environment. with the benefit of greater protection as the pressures of Two other unconnected applications were made for dog- increased recreational activities are already causing harm exercising areas at Fawley and Woodgreen. On the face to this fragile wildlife habitat and landscape. We regard as of it, there are benefits of alternative recreation areas vital the retention of NPPF para.172 in any new legislation, to reduce pressure on the Forest, particularly from dog “great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing walking, but we have reservations about how this change landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks…which have of use can be controlled to avoid setting a damaging the highest status of protection in relation to these issues”. precedent by widespread commercialisation of the Forest Following public consultation and pressure from “shire” with random dog parks. MPs and environmental bodies, it seems as though for Chair, Planning & Transport Committee – Bernie the moment the greater emphasis will be on job creation Austin and additional housing in the northern cities and in developing brownfield sites. However, as a note of caution, the Government will be encouraging more housing Habitat & Landscape Committee Report wherever possible, not least to help the economy recover The lack of face-to-face meetings this year hampered from the pandemic. networking and those informal conversations where This should be an important opportunity for the consensus with other stakeholders is often forged, but we Government to implement key proposals from the Glover have continued to focus on consultations affecting the Review to help strengthen the existing protection for Forest. designated landscapes; and we are maintaining contact Defra Environmental Land Management (ELM) – with Campaign for National Parks (CNP) to co-ordinate our This consultation was much more about defining the actions leading to the Planning Bill, which is expected in paperwork and laying out different tiers of projects than Autumn 2021. any useful detailed criteria for the projects to be funded, Creeping urbanisation of volume housing outside the or notion of funds available. This will be the post-Brexit National Park boundary continues to threaten the fabric environmental subsidy, replacing the previous Stewardship of the Forest, which we should be doing our utmost to Schemes, and is very important to the future resources protect. The adoption of NFDC and NFNPA Local Plans, as for the management and restoration of Forest habitat. well as those of neighbouring Authorities, will significantly The Verderers of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship increase day visitors, with adverse effects on the Forest that (HLS) scheme was extended by a year in February 2020, are only too apparent. and whether further extensions will be made while ELMs are being hashed out is not known at this time. We will Outline approval for the redevelopment of Fawley Power press for built-in funds to monitor target outcomes to Station and land to the south was granted in August 2020. show, where possible, public good for public money. Although we continued to object, the matter – having been Also, where livestock grazing is funded, it should be tied included in the new Local Plans – was more or less a fait to a mechanism not based bluntly on headcount but accompli. recognising nuanced stewardship. Proposals have been made by Hampshire County Council New Forest Visitor Research – We and other key for the reconfiguration of Ipley crossroads. This work has stakeholders were shown the completed report on Forest progressed without due diligence regarding necessary usage by Footprint Ecology at the end of February, ahead habitats assessments legally required for work on the of its publication in May 2020. While the report brings Forest’s SSSI. While we recognise the importance of together discussion of the protected features, the majority addressing the serious and fatal road-traffic accidents here, of the work is drawn from original surveys administered in we have stressed that the challenge is to find an effective Forest Car Parks and by phone, asking about individuals’ solution that improves safety and is also in the best interest recreational use of the Forest. The work was commissioned of the Forest. by a partnership of local authorities whose population is With the planned high level of housing and commercial the most significant proportion of recreational users here, expansion at Fawley and along the Waterside, the increase and the focus on their activities reflects that. This helps in traffic on the A326 will inevitably result in additional form a picture of location, frequency, distanced travelled, traffic using the C97 and C93, both unfenced roads. etc., which should be a useful input in developing a A possible alternative would be the closure of one or strategic spatial strategy for future recreation infrastructure more of the carriageways to some or all classes of traffic on the Forest. However, more detailed surveys of our and, although we support the principle of junction habitats will also be necessary. improvements, this must be subject to a fully compliant

Spring/Summer 2021 11 Committee members Clive Chatters and Russell Wynn for being “a true unsung hero and defender of the Forest”. produced our report A Contribution to Understanding the In addition to other volunteer roles in the Forest, Jenni is Relationship of the Recreational Use of the New Forest a Member of our Council and the Habitats and Landscape with its Special Qualities. This identified both extant habitat Committee. She is our representative on Forestry England’s research and key gaps in knowledge which, if filled, would Open Forest Advisory Committee. She also represents New be the minimum required to advance actual strategic Forest Friends of the Earth on the New Forest Consultative recreation management on the Forest. Panel, and is a member of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight England Tree Strategy – This consultation from Wildlife Trust’s Conservation & Science Committee. Government is meant to address climate change, yet Chair, Habitat & Landscape Committee – Brian Tarnoff proposes doing so in a less sophisticated way than its own 25 Year Environment Plan within which it will sit. Throwing resources only into tree planting for carbon sequestration Treasurer’s Report 2020 while ignoring other options would compete with the Income – Our total income of £13,741 is lower than last broader Environment Plan proposals. The New Forest is year’s income of £19,008. The difference is all due to the home to grasslands, heathlands, woodlands and peatlands amount of Gift Aid received. In 2019 we received two that are very good carbon sinks. That important mix of years’ (2018 and 2019) claim together. This year’s receipt habitats should not be lost chasing a media-friendly policy of £124 also relates to 2019. In 2020 we have made a goal. claim of £1,764, although this has not yet been received. Revised Habitat Mitigation Scheme – This revision was Excluding Gift Aid, our receipts of £13,616 are roughly a small improvement over the previous one, but has no in line with the £13,917 received last year. Membership clear plan for showing its effectiveness. We objected as this subscriptions and donations are stable. The key change represented a missed opportunity to correct fundamental from last year is no income from event tickets. No events flaws: were held in 2020 due to the Covid crisis. • Lack of a mitigation model fit for purpose for the Payments – Our payments of £8,550 are much lower unique high-value and distinct morphology of the New than the £12,034 spent in 2019. All expenses have been Forest, instead relying on the formula developed by lower this year, due to a slowdown in activities as a result Natural England for Thames Basin Heaths, which does of the Covid crisis. This included a reduction in printing not scale appropriately to the Forest. and postage as we printed one less copy of our magazine Forest Matters. • Lack of evidence on the efficacy of the current mitigation scheme, along with lack of criteria or Grants given – In 2020, no grants were given. The 3-year monitoring to validate the scheme, which should be sponsorship schemes of NFNPA (Apprentice Rangers and essential to any basis for continuing, with or without Restoring Lost Landscapes) that we supported finished in the modifications. 2019. • Lack of specificity about the initiatives promised from Net Surplus – Our net surplus for the year was £5,191. the Recreation Management Strategy. Statement of Assets and Liabilities – Our cash funds • Proposed Ranger roles within the scheme do not increased by the surplus of £5,191 to £104,134. include enforcement powers, falling short of the M&G charity bonds increased in value from £97,926 to Glover Report’s proposed National Landscapes £99,054. Ranger Service, leaving us with a handful of people distributing leaflets to those creating millions of annual Gift Aid receivable of £1,764 is our claim for 2020, which day visits to the Forest. has not yet been received. • Lack of joined-up thinking with the Habitat Mitigation We closed our Barclays account, as there was no sense scheme for the NFDC, despite the co-dependencies with having accounts with both Barclays and Lloyds. between the Park and its enveloping neighbour, New Overall, the charity’s finances remain stable. Thank you for Forest District. your support – and stay safe. Effluent Discharge into New Forest waterways – This (Detailed year-end 2020 tables for the charity’s receipts and became an issue raised by one of our Council members, payments and for assets and liabilities will published on Russell Wynn. Southern Water are allowed by the the Association’s website and will be available before the Environment Agency to discharge untreated waste into the AGM.) Beaulieu River and Bartley Water. Through his great work with Wild New Forest, he got the news on the BBC. Our Hon. Treasurer – Brandy Gill friends at the Freshwater Habitats Trust, with their “Say No (This Annual Report is also available to download from to the Overflow” campaign, are calling for strict measures www.friendsofthenewforest.org.) to stop water companies discharging sewage into rivers in the upcoming Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill (second Commons reading 22/01/2021). We will be pushing this agenda forward in 2021. To end 2020 on an up note, we congratulated Jenni Tubbs, who earned The New Forest Trust’s Diamond Jubilee award

12 FOREST MATTERS consistent theme of exclusivity runs through all of this. The Covid-19 pandemic cast light on many truths, nationally and locally. The complete loss of OPINION Forestry Commission control of Supplementing the “Big Three” the campsites was revealed, as with “big-tent” input was the focus of its new “Forestry England” subsidiary on the Tony Hockley argues for a to make a success of a policy bottom line, not on conservation; more all-inclusive, transparent of “public money for public grabbing the opportunity to and well-regulated approach goods”. The default approach is furlough frontline staff when to governance from all to defend the status quo, evading the Forest faced unprecedented stakeholders if the New Forest transparency, inclusion and recreational pressures. This should is to flourish in the future. change. The Glover Review saw ring loud alarm bells. through the smokescreen. The Now is the time for all New Forest Commoners Defence Association groups to speak up on their (CDA) has learnt to break from A fairer Forest future vision for the future. An inclusive an approach that was helping So what of the future? I remain “big-tent” approach is needed, stoke problems, not reduce them. hopeful that a new system of bringing together everyone who It has grown in confidence to support will be better than the wants to see the New Forest converse directly with the general Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). rise to the challenges it faces. public. This was hugely assisted That regulation and enforcement Leaving it to the “Big Three” by work in the “Our Past Our will improve. They can hardly be local statutory bodies – Forestry Future” landscape partnership. worse. A tiny group of people, England, the National Park Direct questions are getting direct whom I could count on the fingers Authority and the Verderers – will answers, whether in person or of one hand, have been using be a recipe for continued decline. online. CAP payments for all they can The year 2021 opens a window get, with little regard for anyone of opportunity to do things very In contrast to this, as CDA or anything else. Thousands of differently. chairman for three years, I cattle are marked each year, as the encountered a deep fear of The New Forest is a unique marking fee receipt is the ticket transparency and inclusion landscape, distinctive from any to receive Basic Payment Scheme among the Big Three. I was even other National Park or area of (BPS) payments (thankfully many forced to read the riot act of common land, with unique of these never set a hoof on the the “Nolan Principles for Public challenges. Despite its incredible Forest). The more a few people Life” to meetings with them. ecology, the Forest is almost take, the less support there is Transparency must be the default. invisible in national discussions for everyone else. It would be Lessons have not been learnt of the future. I was reminded hard to devise a system more from the engagement failure recently of this fact, when Wild undermining of good practice. responsible for the abandonment Guides produced a brilliant new The CDA chairman should not of the Latchmore Brook stream handbook of “British Habitats”. have to spend huge amounts of restoration project. The same The New Forest features in the time defending the reputation of reclusive approach is being taken mapping of almost every habitat Commoning due to the actions in the “Forest Friendly Farming type (except mountains), but is of a tiny minority of Commoners. Group” set up to discuss ideas to largely absent from the text and Thankfully, the end is in sight, secure and spend future taxpayer images. Time and again Britain’s with the phased end of the CAP support. best surviving lowland landscape system from January 2021. of linked habitats is forgotten. When the Covid-19 pandemic Any system of financial support struck, the Court of Verderers is liable to abuse. A much better refused a CDA request to hold the A lack of clear regime of regulation must be short monthly Open Court online. devised. The lack of penalties, leadership A huge and simple engagement national or local, for harmful opportunity was lost. Minutes Leadership of our big-three behaviour has been an appalling of the Verderers Higher Level statutory bodies is timid, risk- indictment, not only of the Stewardship Scheme Board are averse, parochial and stuck in the national enforcement agencies, fully disinfected, concealing past. It represents the opposite but also of our own. The Verderers any debate from public view. A of the “big tent” that is needed have been quick to blame

Spring/Summer 2021 13 Commoners, even proposing new force to protect the status quo. back-up grazing and in ensuring byelaws to end calving on the It is the Commoners who are that there are suitable homes Forest, but slow to act on their standing up to Forestry England to rent, and supporting good own responsibilities. For years they to honour the Minister’s Mandate Commoning practice. Efforts on have sat on complaints of farmers for the management of the Crown public education and engagement feeding cattle away from approved Lands, who called out the covert could be scaled up and broadened, areas. Despite CDA demands, the privatisation of Crown holdings. for example involving the Friends Verderers have continued to give It was the Commoners who first of the New Forest, the RSPB, Wild the privilege of supplementary called on ministers to announce New Forest and the Wildlife Trust. feeding to those involved. the Reference Period for post- Perhaps funding could be secured CAP payments, and thereby end for a proper ranger service covering Astonishingly, the September another incentive to inflation in the the whole landscape. 2020 Verderers Court reported Marking Register (and who had to “no problems” with feeding The New Forest needs a much lobby the Big Three to do likewise). areas. Turning a blind eye is an bigger voice in policy, and much It was the Commoners who called entrenched policy. How are a few more appreciation of what out the abuse of Feeding Area excessively large herds sustained makes it so special. This requires privileges, and who responded on the Forest? The BPS does not a big-tent approach, of different to incidents involving cattle with make this possible. The Verderers interests with a shared appreciation practical advice to Commoners. do. The relationship between of the landscape. The opportunity local regulators and some of the This is a time of real opportunity. is huge. To seize it, however, the worst offenders needs to be better Outside the CAP, taxpayer support New Forest will require confident, understood if any future system is should be available to tackle the innovative and inclusive leadership. to work. problems facing the New Forest. At the top of the list is the economic Tony Hockley is a former The CDA has become a force for threat to Commoning. Public funds chairman of the Commoners change. The Big Three remain a could well support investment in Defence Association.

FRIENDS of the NEW FOREST ILLUSTRATED TALKS We have two talks with slides that we can give to local organisations and community groups. They last about an hour + questions, but we can also deliver cut-down 40-minute versions. SAVING THE FOREST is about the Forest in the past and today – landscape, history, wildlife and more. It is also the story of how the New Forest Association came to be set up to save the Forest and our campaigns from then until today. NEW FOREST COAST is about our diverse coast – history, economy, wildlife, threats and more. To find out more or to book a talk, please contact us at [email protected]

CAR WINDOW STICKERS We have Friends of the New Forest car window stickers available. Please let people know you are a “Friend” and help to publicise our organisation. Unfortunately, you probably will not be able to collect one at the AGM this year, because it is likely to be another virtual on-line affair. But, just email [email protected] and ask us to post one to you.

14 FOREST MATTERS NEW FOREST FUNGI: THEIR IMPORTANCE AND CHALLENGES IN 2020

Sara Cadbury considers the effects that last year’s The large areas of heathland and grassy lawns in the climatic oscillations had on fungi’s ability to New Forest have their own species of fungi which can produce their fruiting bodies because, although thrive there, but 2020’s long dry spring and summer they can tolerate widely varying temperatures, dried out the heathlands, while the grassy lawns fungi need just the right atmosphere, neither too turned brown, and even the large established bogs wet nor too dry. started to become alarmingly dry. All the normally damp areas, both in the woods and out in the open, The New Forest is one of the best and most important became completely dry. This had a serious effect on areas for fungi in Europe – for both richness and the biodiversity – especially fungi – of these damp areas. variety of species. The Forest has well over 3,000 species, with more still being discovered due to the DNA sequencing that is becoming readily available. The fluctuating climate challenge The geology of the Hampshire Basin, in which the In 2020 much of the fungi in the New Forest were New Forest lies, is composed of damp clays in the greatly challenged due to climate oscillations. Fungi south (the Headon Beds) and sands and gravels in dislike growing in conditions that are too dry for a the north (the Bagshot Sands and Bracklesham Beds), long period of time or even too wet, especially if the giving a good variety of macro fungi to be seen in ground is completely saturated by water. the wooded areas and also out on the heathlands The fungi that are visible – and that we admire and grasslands. and love – are only a very small part of the whole. The large areas of woodland, both deciduous and They are simply the fruiting bodies that produce coniferous, and areas with a mixture of both, are the reproductive spores which, fortunately, are very always excellent for fungi to thrive in, as they remain resilient. While this fruiting body may be short-lived, damp and shaded. Fungi form an important part of it is nevertheless vital. The main structure of fungi is woodland management and biodiversity, so they are underground and so is kept reasonably damp and vital for regeneration and a healthy forest ecosystem. protected at all times. It is composed of a network The woods would be many metres deep in leaves if of threads (small hyphae interwoven with larger the fungi were not there feeding on the dead organic mycelium) which constantly grow and expand – with material and rotting wood. rhizomorphs covering huge areas, especially in woodland.

Boletus aereus Boletus rhodopurpureus

Spring/Summer 2021 15 The year 2020 was unusually very hot and dry for a underground. The various fungi that lived on and in very long period of time, then extremely wet for just trees, both living and dead, were unable to reproduce a week in mid-September, and again hot and dry in – or had only a few very small, dried-up and distorted October. All very unusual conditions for an autumn in specimens. The large, strong, long-lived Ganodermas, the New Forest. growing on mature trees, managed to survive, but there was little new growth to be seen on the edges Fungi are not greatly affected by temperature and can of their fruiting bodies and spore production was tolerate a temperature of anything between compromised. 0°C - 40°C degrees. They do not necessarily reproduce in an environment in which the temperature is constant. So, fungi are reasonably tolerant of “normal” oscillations of temperature in the Forest, especially in the woodlands. Unfortunately, weeks of prolonged dry weather that is followed by several days of heavy rain, and then a return to drought conditions, is definitely not ideal for fungi growth and survival. A thirst for a modicum of rain However, all fungi do need water for their entire structure to grow and thrive. Water is absolutely essential. They depend completely on a combination of water and organic carbon. The New Forest is normally perfect for them – but not in 2020!

Ganoderma resinaceum After the week of heavy rain that the New Forest experienced in mid-September, numerous fungi fruiting bodies of all species were very quick to appear, especially the Boletes. It could be said that the Forest and its people were “taken by surprise”! New Forest Rangers and Keepers had to get into “fungi- protection mode” very quickly, and the “Please look but don't Pick” notices had to be erected very rapidly! Unfortunately, the commercial pickers (who are not allowed in the Forest) were also quick to respond to a good harvest, and bags and bags of fungi were plundered and taken away every day. The effects of the much needed rain lasted for only a short time, probably less than two weeks, and were followed by Ganoderma australe the return to hot drought conditions, with very few fungi managing to appear again in October. The whole year of 2020 became a challenge, even for the genus Boletaceae. They are the first of the macro So, 2020 was a very strange year in the New Forest fungi to fruit, usually starting in early August. Very – an important area in Europe that was unable to few Boletes managed to produce fruiting bodies that realise its potential due to the year’s unusual climatic year in the dry August. They were waiting for rain! conditions. Fortunately, the New Forest is extremely When some rain arrived in mid-September, Boletes resilient and accustomed to change. It is truly amazing were quick to respond and, amazingly, in a matter of how quickly all the areas that may have been severely hours – maybe less than twelve – they had produced poached and disturbed by animals or by working their fruiting bodies. machinery, can manage to recover and repair. We must hope that 2021 will be an improvement in every As the drought progressed, however, many trees way, for the truly magnificent New Forest. became seriously stressed, to the extent that some oaks and beeches dropped some of their branches Sara Cadbury is a member of the British Mycological and many mature trees just keeled over, as their Society and founder of the Hampshire Fungus root systems collapsed without sufficient water Recording Group.

16 FOREST MATTERS HATCHET POND: A SPECIAL PLACE

Given unprecedented visitor numbers and a Hatchet Pond is also home to a wide range of rare steep increase in prohibited activities – including and endangered wildlife such as Great Crested Newts, wild camping, littering, the use of BBQs and the UK’s largest newt species and a protected and campfires, swimming, kayaking and paddle priority species across Europe. The mighty Medicinal boarding – Susan Smith considers what is being Leech is found in just five water bodies in the New done to alleviate the impact this is having on this Forest, including Hatchet Pond. unique Site of Special Scientific Interest. This small, shallow lake is the New Forest’s largest body of fresh water and home to some of the rarest wetland plants and freshwater animals. As the most wildlife-rich pond remaining in lowland England, it is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area for Conservation (SAC). Many of the species found here have long since become extinct from other parts of the country. These include Pillwort, a creeping fern with tiny round spore cases or “pills” at its base. In decline across Western Europe and lost from nearly half of its known locations in the UK, it is widespread in the New Forest, making it one of the most important populations in Europe. © Fresh Water Habitats Trust © Fresh Water

Medicinal Leech

Under threat Sadly, this special place is under threat. Analysis of the Pond shows the health of the water, and the plants and wildlife that rely on it, are in decline. Pollution is being caused by a number of factors: the area around the Pond is rapidly eroding, allowing silt to drain into it from the very busy car park; large amounts of material thrown in for bird feeding and bait fish; and a sharp rise in people and dogs entering the water disturbing sediment and releasing trapped chemicals. Erosion of the surrounding banks has also led to

© Forestry England regular flooding of the car park, raising a major risk of pollution from the toilet block. Pillwort A group of New Forest organisations have agreed an urgent action plan to help protect the Pond. Other rare plants found here include Stoneworts – a Works began in 2019 but unprecedented pressures group of complex algae – with 10 of its 28 species experienced during the easing of Lockdown 1 here in the New Forest, and Coral Necklace, with its accelerated the plans by Forestry England, Freshwater long trailing red stems and clusters of white flowers. Habitats Trust and Natural England. With the widespread loss of heathlands across the UK, the latter is now only found in a handful of locations Actions taken to improve the water quality in 2019 in the UK. began with an environmental DNA survey of the fish

Spring/Summer 2021 17 within the Pond, followed by the removal of non- Forestry England, the New Forest National Park native carp, a process repeated in 2020. Changes Authority and the emergency services significantly were also made to the car park to help prevent increased patrols at Hatchet Pond throughout this drainage flowing directly into the pond, and increased period. Taking action The urgent plan agreed by Forest organisations aims to increase protection of the site and covers a range of measures designed to halt the decline and restore this special place. Actions include relocating the car park, subject to planning consent, away from the Pond edge while retaining views over it. The toilet block is also being removed to reduce the major risk of pollution, with alternative public toilets available in nearby Beaulieu, Brockenhurst and Lymington. Helping to ensure this special place survives requires everyone to play their part. To help achieve this there will be a focus on improved information and signage at the Pond, highlighting its conservation status and importance, together with increased engagement

© Neil Phillips with the public to encourage them to help protect the area. Visitors have a critical role to play by not entering the water for swimming, or any other reason, Great Crested Newt and not allowing dogs into the water. signage was installed highlighting the prohibition of activities including water sports, swimming and petting or feeding livestock. More information on the plans and updates on the works can be found at However, problems here reached a critical point www.forestryengland.uk/hatchet-pond during the easing of lockdown, with unprecedented numbers of people visiting the location and a steep increase in prohibited activities, including wild Susan Smith is Media Officer for Forestry England. camping, littering, the use of BBQs and campfires, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. © Forestry England

Marsh Club Moss

18 FOREST MATTERS THE ROLE OF THE DONKEY THROUGHOUT HISTORY

While donkeys are a part of the New Forest “burro racing”, where people run long distances landscape today, they have been working at the alongside their donkeys, is also gaining popularity side of their humans for thousands of years, as in the United States. An active lifestyle is healthy for vet Marta Ferrari explains. donkeys; in fact obesity and lack of mental stimulation are a problem for the modern domesticated donkey. The donkey is believed to have been first domesticated from the African Wild Ass in Northeast Africa around 6,000 years ago. It was used as a means of transport for people and goods in the Egypt of the pharaohs and from there the donkey spread south, to Sudan and Ethiopia, and west, to the Sahara. Outside Africa, donkeys were documented carrying olive oil and other products in Palestine before 3000 BC and were used as pack animals on the trade routes across the Middle East, eventually reaching South East Asia. Donkeys were later used to carry silk from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean along the Silk Roads. Unplanned matings between different breeds happened en-route and generated the diverse range of donkey breeds that are present today. Donkeys made it to Great Britain with the Romans in AD 43 and, since then, have been used in the cities, Donkeys delivering drinking water to households in a South African township, countryside and seaside in various ways, including where running water is not available transporting goods to market, pulling lawnmowers and rubbish carts, carrying miners, and giving beach A frugal diet rides to children. Adapted to survive well in arid environments and An essential role rough terrain, donkeys are much more frugal than horses in terms of dietary requirements and prefer Nowadays, there are around 46 million donkeys to browse on hedges rather than grazing on grassy worldwide. Over 50 percent of the world’s human pastures. In the wild they travel many miles per day in population are still reliant on working animals, who search of coarse vegetation on which they can browse play an essential role in agriculture and supporting and might spend up to 16 hours a day in search of the livelihoods of rural and urban communities in the food. developing world. Donkeys are often the first route out of poverty, as they allow families and communities to generate income. Thanks to their placid and versatile nature, donkeys have the most varied roles: they carry water cans to households in the absence of running water, they transport goods to and from remote regions that are inaccessible to motor vehicles, they serve as taxis, taking children to school and sick people to hospitals. They pull carts, plough fields – and even work as beekeeper assistants! In developed countries they are often kept as pets, used in animal-assisted therapy and for milk production. Recently, trekking with donkeys is becoming popular in Italy and France. In the United States, donkeys are often used as pack animals during Donkeys carrying bags of ginger in Tanzania. long-distance trail rides. The Ultra running sport of Many remote villages are inaccessible to motor vehicles

Spring/Summer 2021 19 The New Forest environment, with its shrubs, in horses. In many countries they are used as flock woodlands and trails, is an ideal environment for the guards against wolves, coyotes and other predators. donkeys to roam. However, wet winter conditions can Care should be taken when introducing them to have a detrimental effect on their hooves, which are dogs and other small domestic animals, as they might more porous than horses’ and absorb more moisture, display aggressive behaviour and chase/stomp on leading to frequent foot issues, such as white line the other animals if they identify them as a possible disease. Also, their coats are not waterproof like threat. This is particularly dangerous for elderly dogs horses’ and they will most likely try and find shelter on who cannot move fast. A good reason to keep your a rainy day. dogs on a lead when encountering donkeys in the Forest! It is also important not to feed or pet the free- roaming donkeys, as giving them treats encourages bad behaviour. Donkeys are quick learners and it won’t take long before they will start demanding food from people walking past, becoming quite insistent and in some cases even aggressive.

Donkey trekking in the UK – Marta and Ulysses Unlike the New Forest pony, there isn’t an equivalent local donkey breed. Pure donkey breeds are now quite rare and, with very few individuals surviving, they are being preserved through conservation programmes. Donkeys are generally classified by their size: Standard (generally 90–125 cm at withers), Miniature (up to A herd of donkeys on the move in the New Forest 90 cm) and Large (the tallest is a Mammoth donkey Donkeys can often be spotted in the Forest measuring 173 cm). The donkeys present in the New around Godshill, Burley, Beaulieu, Bramshaw and Forest are considered Standard donkeys. Brockenhurst – just look out for the long ears! Marta Ferrari qualified as a vet from the University Stupid or of Bologna, Italy, and stubborn? completed a PhD in Equine Biomechanics Despite having played at the Royal Veterinary such a big role in human College. She has history, the donkey, worked as an equine is possibly one of the vet in Hertfordshire and most misunderstood Hampshire and as a living creatures, often Veterinary Advisor with labeled as stupid or an international charity stubborn. This is due to in several developing the donkey’s response countries. Now based in to danger. Unlike a the New Forest, she runs horse, that would run her own donkey-walking away, a donkey typically business “Walk Beside “freezes”. A donkey me”, as well as working that is refusing to move as a locum vet. is most likely thinking! While generally placid For more information and tolerant, they can be about Marta’s donkeys quite territorial and their visit: fight response to danger www.donkey-trekking.com. is more pronounced than Donkeys love foraging on hedges and woodland

20 FOREST MATTERS OBITUARY GRAHAM LONG 1937 – 2020

Friends of the New Forest Council Member and Editor of the Association’s Newsletter

Graham Long moved to Southampton after the changed under his editorial guidance, with longer war with his family. He joined Sawbridges Estate articles making an appearance over a number of Agents in Lyndhurst to train as a Surveyor under issues, alongside traditional single-issue articles of a Hugh Pasmore in the fifties. He remained there until high standard. These he actively sought from various 1958 and, in later years, had a few stories to tell local experts so as to ensure that our Members – and of his apprenticeship. In 1958 he decided to study others – were informed by the best science available. theology and became a Congregational Minister. It He attended many of our events, including the walks, was not until 2002 that he returned to the Forest for and wrote up a number of them as well as providing retirement in Fordingbridge. A year later he suffered photographs. serious injuries in an horrific road crash that killed his These changes were clear, informative and positive, all first wife Sheila. attributes he would demonstrate when he addressed He took up writing, providing a regular column – Council on any issue. His skills as a “people person”, Country Diary – for the Guardian, keeping up a long combined with his wildlife interest and knowledge, tradition as a New Forest correspondent. His interests made his contributions to debate valuable and were were wide but mostly to do with natural history and often delivered at a time when such clarity was in particular molluscs, for which he was a County needed. Recorder. His care and concerns about the local In recent years, his own health and that of his second environment – as well as the wider world – led him to wife, Beryl, began to give cause for concern, which join the New Forest Association in 2011. meant he had to reduce his activities, with the He became a Council member and was immediately Newsletter being a casualty. He remained on Council catapulted in to fill a vacancy as Newsletter Editor. for a while longer, giving us the benefit of his wisdom. Indeed, this was after he had approached the Council Beryl pre-deceased him by little more than a year. to suggest a number of improvements he wanted to His wisdom, intelligence and knowledge is not often make to its style and content. Graham took the job found; we shall miss him. from just being Editor to being the “commissioning” editor, sourcing and chasing the articles that he felt the Association should be telling.The Newsletter Peter Roberts

Spring/Summer 2021 21 INSPIRED by the NEW FOREST Pete Gilbert

Just one step… Morning sunlight... is one step off the road and you are in this magical is trying to capture that moment when the sun bursts wonderland that is the New Forest. through the trees and bathes the forest around you. (From Godshill Woods) (From Godshill Woods)

From leaving school in the 60’s, I have always painted or drawn. I think not going to Art College was for me the best route, as over the years and career changes – from advertising agencies to restaurateur and night club owner – I have always found the time to keep painting, exploring and developing my own style. Changing them with my own lifestyle, from the very precise skills needed as an airbrush artist and illustrator to the strong brush strokes and bold colours of my New Forest landscapes. I am now lucky enough to make a living as an artist, painting mainly contemporary landscapes of the New Forest or the coast from Cornwall and the Scottish Western Isles. Living now for the last 30 years in the New Forest, my passion for painting the landscape has never diminished and has if possible increased year on year. I tend to work out on site to capture the immediacy of the moment with pastels and watercolour and then, using those sketches, either finish them back in the studio as small paintings or use them as reference for larger works. Working outside helps me, I hope, capture that moment of light, colour and time. Moving forward, we will see what 2021 will bring. But for me, it kicks off with a Solo exhibition at the excellent Hatch Gallery in Christchurch, starting on 19 March. www.hatchgallery.co.uk