History of the New Forest: 1964

History Menu

Use the sub-menu below for selecting the periods in history

A synopsis:

The motor vehicle takes its toll of Commoners' animals; some roads are fenced; the border of the Forest is bounded by fences and cattle grids;
Some of the open private land bordering the Forest in which stock grazes is brought within the Verderers' responsibility;
The formal end of Forest Law!
Tourism threatens the Forest; positive steps are taken to preserve the environment and character of the New Forest; there are moves to classify the Forest as a National Park.

1964 Elizabeth II	Beech timber in Alderhill Inclosure New Forest Act. The Act arose from the appalling toll of animal deaths on the roads, the damage done to property of animals straying out of the perambulation, and concerns about the health of stock on the Adjacent Commons - in particular their TB status. The Adjacent Commons are privately owned areas bordering the perambulation of the Forest, in which stock are depastured. Prior to 1964, the stock in these areas were not subject to the control of the Verderers. On the ground, the areas were unfenced and generally indistinguishable from open forest (except for marker stones). This led to difficulties in disease control and disputes over fees for depasturing stock. Ponies loafing on Ogdens The principal power was the inclusion of the Adjacent Commons into the perambulation (and thus jurisdiction of the Verderers and Bye-Laws) - 3,800 acres, with 1,000 stock. Some land close to Southampton Water was disafforested. The Act gave the Verderers powers to control means of access into the Forest and prevent interference with fences. The perambulation was fenced and gridded. It gave the power to fence the A35 road (Christchurch-Lyndhurst) - the fencing was completed in 1967. Powers were given to replant and tend "ornamental" woods. The Forestry Commission was empowered to make campsites.
1970	New Forest Act. The Forestry Commission was given powers to enclose land for recreational purposes (with Verderers' permission) - car parks, camping. It gave powers to fence the A337 road (Cadnam - Lymington); fencing was completed in 1973.
1971	Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act - "An Act to abolish certain rights of Her Majesty to wild creatures" - "The Forest Law is hereby abrogated" - the formal ending of Forest Law. It abolished the prerogative right of the Sovereign to wild animals (except swans and royal fish). Until this date, Forest keepers could enter assarts and other encroachments each year to fire a shot and thereby declare the Crown's rights to the land. Ibsley Common - an "Adjacent Common" A Ministry of Agriculture Mandate to the Forestry Commission declared that unenclosed woodland was to be conserved with no regard to timber production. This was to counter a Forestry Commission policy concerned with the commercial exploitation of broad-leaved woodland, and the widespread planting of conifers. The Conservation of the Forest published - management and planning policies to conserve the important facets of the Forest and reduce the impact of damaging factors (particularly cars and recreational use). A New Forest Consultative Panel formed. It comprised forty-six bodies concerned with management and recreational use of the Forest. The Forest was designated a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). The ancient woodlands, heath and mires were recognised as outstanding examples of their type.
1976	Cars were confined to designated car parks, ending a period of damage to lawns and open Forest from vehicles.
1990	A 40 mph speed limit was imposed on the road from Fordingbridge to Cadnam (B3078) to try and alleviate the appalling death toll of cattle, ponies and deer on the road. The speed limit is currently extended to all roads in the Forest, except the fenced major trunk roads (A31, A35 & A337).
1997	"Life" initiative in the Forest - a European Union/Forestry Commission financed four year programme to restore the area's ancient woods, heaths and wetlands and encourage associated wildlife: Alien tree removal; Re-introduction of pollarding; Rhododendron clearance; Erosion repairs; Restoration of heathland and wetland; Action to conserve specific species - Dartford Warbler, Southern Damselfly.
1999	Ponies grooming each other - early morning on Thompson's Castle near Hasley Inclosure. The Deputy Prime Minister - Mr John Prescott - announced that he had asked the Countryside Agency to consider designating the New Forest as a National Park.
2005	March: The New Forest is now a National Park.
2006	April: The New Forest National Park Authority takes up its full powers.