new forest

todaySummer 2009

newforesttoday.org.uk

newforest.gov.uk

See yOu atthe ShOW

Summer Safety

WhO’S WhO

WOOD WORKSuStainable fOReStRy

In the National Park

New Forest Show edition

FOOD • BUSINESS • ENERGY • HEALTH & LEISURE

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New Forest Today is brought to you by the communications

department of New Forest District Council in partnership with

the Forestry Commission and the New Forest National Park

Authority.

Editor: David Atwill.

New Forest Today writing team: Davina Staples, Donna Jones.

Photographs: Robert Hales, Luke Johnson and Kevin Holmes.

A large print copy and a talking book of

New Forest Today is available on request

from the communications team on

023 8028 5142

New Forest:today

This edition of New Forest Today

is all about letting you know

what is on offer from New Forest

District Council and its partners

– the Forestry Commission and

the New Forest National Park

Authority – at the New Forest

and Hampshire County Show.

I believe the show does

more to tell visitors, from far and

wide, about the life and times of

the New Forest than any other event or organisation.

The show is a summer highlight that gives the New

Forest District Council a chance to demonstrate how we go

about leading our forest communities through practical

examples of our services.

This year we are launching Brand New Forest at the

show. This new initiative is designed to reinvigorate support

and loyalty for the local economy and to instil a sense of local

pride in the community of the New Forest.

Come and see us at the New Forest District Council

exhibit, block 24, stand 165. You will be able to find out

more about Brand New Forest; and the New Forest Business

Partnership, the New Forest Food Challenge, energy

conservation and recycling, and opportunities for health and

leisure activities.

And have a look at our two ‘grow-your-own’ gardens

outside our marquee – both designed to show you how easy

it is to produce cheap fresh food right on your doorstep.

We look forward to meeting you.

Councillor Barry Rickman

Leader, New Forest District Council

new forest

today

Information correct at time of printing.

Printed from paper from sustainably managed forests.

newforesttoday.org.uk 3

New Forest:today

A Chinese dragon, Bollywood

dancers and Morris Men are

among the acts getting together

to strut their stuff this summer.

The New Forest Mela is a free

festival for people of all ages,

celebrating the art, music and food of

the diverse ethnic communities who live

and work in the New Forest.

The festival will be held on Saturday

8 August, from 11.00am to 8.30pm in

the beautiful grounds of New Forest

District Council’s offices at Appletree

Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst,

SO43 7PA.

Music & dance performances will

include bhangra, street dancers, gypsy

jazz, reggae, and salsa.

Workshops and stalls include Indian

craft, henna tattooing, Kabaddi games

and more.

And why not challenge yourself on

the climbing wall or view the gypsy

wagon.

Plus - enjoy food and drink from

across the world, including Indian,

Chinese, Thai and Afro-Caribbean

specialities.

Find us on FacebookVisit us at: forestmela.org.ukEmail: info@forestmela.org.ukTel: 023 8028 5494Organised by the New Forest

Diversity Network in partnership with

New Forest District Council,

Hampshire County Council, Forest

Bus and Community First New Forest

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Come and visit us in the

Forestry Commission area at the

New Forest Show this year.

You may think we’re biased, living

and working in woodlands across

Britain, but throughout the three days

we’ll be on hand to share with you why

we think wood is so great!

We may even surprise you by

challenging your own views about

forestry. Can chopping down trees be

good for the environment? Can it really

benefit wildlife? How can burning wood

have a positive impact on climate

change? We’ll explain all about

sustainable forestry – and even show

you some of the big machines we use

to fell and extract timber.

We’d like to tell you about exciting

developments in the forestry industry

and let you know what is happening on

your doorstep. What happens to all of

the timber stacked along forest tracks?

Are trees being replanted? How can

YOU use wood?

We’ve teamed up with local groups

Wood workand businesses to let them

demonstrate how they use woodland

products. The Hampshire Coppice

Group will be demonstrating traditional

woodland crafts.

Snakecatcher Charcoal will show

you how they use New Forest

woodlands to fuel your summer

barbecues and The New Forest Wood

Burning Centre will explain how you can

have clean, efficient and carbon-neutral

heat in your home by burning local

wood in a wood burning stove.

If you’re involved in the forestry

sector, pick up some information from

our funding opportunities stand and see

how you can improve the economic

value of your woodland, add value to

your forestry products or invest in

marketing support for your forestry

business. Visit the New Forest

Transition Group to find out how they

are taking action locally.

And for the kids – there will be

plenty of opportunities to explore the

woodland with one of our Rangers,

perhaps have a go at den-building and

of course complete our woody-trail and

claim a prize. For the more

adventurous, Arbor Venture will be on-

site to test your nerve and help you

swing high amongst the trees!

As always, you’re very welcome to

pop in and simply enjoy your picnic.

Relax in our open grassy area, on

benches made by our own staff in their

workshop at Burley Yard (made from

timber grown and harvested in the New

Forest - naturally!). Enter our

competition to win an FSC piece of

garden furniture made by Burley

Products in the New Forest.

Plus, we’re joined by our usual

show-partners: the Verderers of the

New Forest, Lyndhurst Fire and

Rescue, CountryWatch, The British

Deer Society.

Facts:Using an additional two million

tonnes of wood per year as a

renewable fuel to replace fossil fuel

use would save 400,000 tonnes of

carbon a year and help to tackle

climate change.

Bringing more of England’s

woodlands into active management

could help support wildlife.

Many of our most important and

cherished woodlands are not

‘natural’ but have developed thanks

to a long history of management for

fuel and other wood products.

All Forestry Commission wood

harvested in the UK must be

sustainably harvested which means

that when a tree is felled other trees

are planted in its place. By using UK

Forestry Commission woodfuel you

can guarantee that forests have not

been destroyed.

Woodfuel works best on a local scale

– using locally grown trees in efficient

boilers to provide heat for business

and community use reduces haulage

costs and emissions.

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School’s out– and many

families are planning their

summer breaks on the south

coast. Everybody wants a

day of fun in the sun and

there are fabulous places to

choose from – whether it’s

splashing in the surf or

foraging in the forest, but

don’t let unforeseen

accidents spoil your day.

Follow our top tips for staying safe

at the seaside and in the forest this

summer – with a little help from our

friends at the Royal National Lifeboat

Institution and the Forestry

Commission.

The RNLI’s beach safety campaign

urges people to keep themselves and

their families safe by choosing a

lifeguarded beach. Last year, RNLI

lifeguards responded to more than

9,500 incidents and helped more

than 10,900 people on some of the

UK's busiest beaches.

RNLI lifeguards are patrolling

140 beaches around the coast of

the UK.

1. Always swim at a lifeguarded beach.

2. Swim between the red and yellow

flags.

3. Never swim alone.

4. Know your beach safety flags.

5. Never use inflatables in strong

winds or rough seas.

6. If you get into trouble, stick your

hand in the air and shout for help.

7. If you see someone else in trouble,

tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a

lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask

for the Coastguard.

8. Check tide times before you go.

9. Read and obey local hazard signs.

Visit the RNLI’s website,

rnli.org.uk/beachsafety

There’s plenty to do in the beautiful New Forest, butvisitors are reminded to be mindful of the wildlifeand residents who live here.

Watching the ponies while enjoying a picnic makes a

perfect day out – but to stay safe and leave the forest as you

found it, the Forestry Commission has drawn up the following

guidelines:

1. Keep to the forest’s tracks and plan to leave the car parks

before dusk.

2. Enjoy walking with your dogs, but keep them under

control at all times.

3. Park your car in a designated car park and always lock

your car, taking all valuables with you.

4. When driving on forest roads, keep at or below the

40mph speed limit – slow down and give forest animals a

wide berth.

5. Enjoy a cycle ride around the forest, but keep to the

tracks and give way to horse riders and walkers. Ride in

single file on narrow roads and make sure you are visible

after dark.

6. Campfires are not allowed in the New Forest without the

landowner’s permission, but there are several designated

barbecue sites for hire around the forest. See

forestry.gov.uk/newforest for more details.

7. Be aware of warning signs and keep a safe distance from

forest management work sites.

8. The New Forest ponies are a wonderful sight – but help

look after their wellbeing. Don’t get too close or attempt

to stroke them – view from a safe distance as ponies are

liable to kick or even bite if they feel threatened. Never

feed ponies as they can suffer bad stomach cramps. The

feeding of ponies also makes them more vulnerable to

traffic accidents and can make them aggressive at picnic

sites.

9. And NEVER drop litter – take it home with you.

In an emergency, always dial 999. But the public can

also call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 to report

crime, including anti-social behaviour issues, leave a

message and seek general advice. Calls cost 10p

and are free from public phones.

Summer safety

For what to see and do in the New Forest this summer visitthenewforest.co.uk

newforesttoday.org.uk 7

BUSINESS

The economic downturn has

had an impact on all our lives. If

you feel you need help or

business advice, then ask

yourself these questions:

• Do I want to develop and promote

the New Forest business brand?

• Do I want to be better connected to

other New Forest businesses?

• Do I want to adopt smarter working

practices?

• Have I got a small business and feel

cut off?

If you’ve answered ‘Yes’ to at least one

of these, then pop in to the Brand New

Forest marquee at the New Forest

Show. There you can meet New Forest

Business Partnership (NFBP)

professionals who will give you the

answers.New Forest Business Partnership

Bridging Commerce and Council

“Have fun, look after yourself

and do your bit for the local

economy by signing up to the

Brand New Forest campaign at

the New Forest and Hampshire

County Show,” said the leader

of the New Forest District

Council, Councillor Barry

Rickman.

Led by New Forest District Council,

and hosted in the Brand New Forest

marquee, the campaign aims to get

everybody involved – as local

consumers, businesses, communities,

or as individuals.

Call in to see for yourself what

Brand New Forest is all about - there

will be plenty of activities,

demonstrations and helpful advice on

the four themes of business, energy,

exercise and food. Read more about

these areas on the following three

pages.

For instance, find out how to take

the New Forest Food Challenge, get

healthier, lead a more environmentally-

friendly lifestyle, back local business or

simply buy and shop locally.

Brand New Forest aims to inspire a

sense of loyalty to the local economy

and fill us all with a sense of New

Forest pride. And with your help, we’re

on our way.

Following the launch, a Brand New

Forest roadshow will visit many

locations and be at the heart of all New

Forest Business Partnership events.

Brand New Forestbe part of it, be proud of it!

The best for your businesstogether we can make a difference

NFBP was established with the aim

of promoting better business-to-

business relationships, building a

stronger economy and bringing greater

prosperity to the local community as

well as improving relations between

commercial organisations and local

government.

During the economic downturn,

working together has become even

more vital than ever and through the

Brand New Forest campaign

businesses can get the help and

support they need to weather the

current financial climate and prosper in

the future.

NFBP brings together every size

and type of business and in every

location to the benefit of all. There’s

more to a vibrant local economy than

just good business. Together we can

make a difference.

For subscription and membership

benefits, visit nfbp.org.uk.

For any further enquiries email:

businesssupport@nfdc.gov.uk or tel:

023 8028 5371.

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It’s time to get into gear and put

your driving skills to the test at

the show.

A mean green Co2 emissions-

reducing driving simulator will allow

drivers to find out how they can reduce

their car’s impact on the New Forest

and further afield.

Sitting in the fun ‘car’, participants

will be invited to take a road trip which

will gauge how efficiently they drive. The

Energy Saving Trust is working in

partnership with the New Forest District

Council and advisors will be on hand to

discuss results and suggest ways to

drive to reduce emissions, cut fuel use

and save money too.

As part of the Brand New Forest

initiative, visitors will also be

encouraged to take the eco challenge,

ENERGY

The best for the

environment

Come along and play our

snakes and ladders game -

find out what steps you can

take to help the environment

and win the game.

pledging to do their bit to

help save the planet. There

will be a limited number of

eco-friendly giveaways each

day.

NFDC and the Energy

Saving Trust will also be

handing out free impartial

advice on grants, funding,

energy efficiency, renewable

energy, waste and water.

For more information, contact

the Energy Saving Trust free on 0800

512012 or energysavingtrust.org.uk

Test your driving skills

and see whether you

can be a more energy

efficient driver.

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With the warmer weather and energy levels up, summer is the

perfect time to start leading an active and healthy lifestyle.

So come and visit our Health and Leisure staff who will give you ideas to help

you on your way to a fitter future. And why not take up the offer of a free health

check before having a go on our ‘smoothie bike’ where you will be able to make

your own drink using the energy you create from your cycling efforts!

Enjoying outdoor activities that summer brings, such as cycling in the forest,

swimming in the sea or gardening, can help maintain our health and wellbeing,

reduce stress and improve our overall fitness. But as the autumn and winter

months approach, the activity doesn’t have to stop there - that’s why, as part of the

council’s commitment to promoting a healthier lifestyle for the whole community, we

are encouraging everyone who visits us to make a pledge for a fitter future.

Whether it’s committing to an extra day in the gym or pledging to take a new

dance class, we can all do something to become fitter and more active. What will

your pledge be?

Applemore Health & Leisure

Claypits Lane, Dibden, Southampton

SO45 5TN

Lymington Health & Leisure

North Street, Pennington, Lymington

SO41 8FZ

New Milton Health & Leisure

Gore Road, New Milton BH25 6RR

Ringwood Health & Leisure

Parsonage Barn Lane, Ringwood BH24 1PX

Totton Health & Leisure

Water Lane, Totton, Southampton

SO40 3GX

0845 659 0845

newforest.gov.uk/leisure

The best for yourhealth and wellbeing

HEALTH ANDLEISURE

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Food and the forest go together like strawberries and cream – and

the abundance of fabulous locally-produced food and drink will

be showcased in the New Forest District Council marquee.

To tickle the tastebuds – and encourage more people to join the

Brand New Forest food challenge, there will be mouth-watering cookery

demonstrations using fresh produce in imaginative

ways. You may even get a chance to taste test the

dishes for yourself.

To promote a healthier lifestyle for all

ages, Brand New Forest is encouraging

everyone to make a pledge to improve their

diet.

By taking part in the New Forest Food

Challenge, you’ll be encouraged to eat locally

grown produce, preferably organic or free

range food from local farms.

Summer or winter, spring or autumn,

you can keep down costs by eating

food that’s in season. From hearty

hotpots to crunchy salads, you can

plan your meals – for those seeking

inspiration, turn to Well Seasoned, a

great cookbook featuring delicious

recipes from members of the New

Forest Marque. Any leftovers can

often be used to make a second

meal – and waste scraps are

great for your compost heap.

And for keen gardeners,

why not grow your own food,

as demonstrated outside our

show marquee, to serve up fresh and inexpensive

family fare.

Make a pledge to join the Brand New Forest’s commitment to

a locally sustainable food system – and enjoy a taste of success on a plate.

For more information about the New Forest Food Challenge, go online at

newforesttransition.org/foodchallenge

The best forlocal produce

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LOCAL PRODUCEMARKET DATES

10 - 2pm unless otherwise statedJuly12th Beaulieu Village School19th Hoburne Holiday Parks - Bashley,

New Milton25th Sandy Balls Holiday Centre,

Fordingbridge (4pm-7pm)26th Lyndhurst Community CentreAugust2nd Lymington Masonic Hall9th Beaulieu Village Hall16th Hoburne Holiday Parks - Naish,

New Milton22nd Sandy Balls Holiday Centre,

Fordingbridge (4pm-7pm)23th Lyndhurst Community Centre30th Brockenhurst Masonic CentreSeptember6th Lymington Masonic Hall13th Beaulieu Village Hall20th Hoburne Holiday Parks - Naish,

New Milton27th Sandy Balls Holiday Centre,

Fordingbridge27th Lyndhurst Community Centre

Grants for rural businesses

The New Forest Marque is

launching a brand new scheme

that offers everyone who joins

exclusive discounts, days out,

recipes and much, much more.

The ‘Friends of the Marque’ scheme

is for anybody who loves to shop local,

cares about the welfare of animals and

is keen to support local producers,

farmers and commoners.

The New Forest Marque was

launched to provide a recognised

standard and stringent criteria for all

goods that carry the Marque. There are

currently 134 individuals, farmers,

hotels, B&Bs and restaurants who are

part of, endorse and supply New Forest

Marque produce.

By joining the ‘Friends of the

Marque’ scheme you can take your

passion for shopping local a step

further by getting to know the local

people behind the food and produce

you buy.

For just £20 a year you will receive

the following exclusive benefits:

• A 10 percent discount at

participating New Forest Marque

outlets.

• A farm tour, where you can meet

farmers and producers, talk to them

about their work and try their

delicious products.

• A ‘meet the producers’ day where

you can sample your way around

the different delicacies the New

Forest has to offer.

• Two newsletters bursting with local

recipes, events and features on

local producers.

For more information please visit

newforestproduce.com or contact

Sarah Richards -

sarah.richards@newforestnpa.gov.uk

Tel: 01590 646692 or why not come

and visit us at the New Forest Show -

Hampshire & New Forest Food

Experience area.

Food friends

Farmers, foresters, growers,

rural businesses and community

organisations in the New Forest

are now able to apply for a

share of the £2.2 million New

Forest RDPE (Leader) fund.

Grants of up to 50% are available

for a wide range of buildings and

equipment for farm diversification

projects, forestry management

activities, on-farm renewable energy

projects and for businesses which add

value to local produce.

New Forest community groups can

apply for funding to build or improve

essential community facilities.

For more information visit us in the

‘Food from Field and Forest’ area at the

New Forest Show or see

newforestleader.org.uk

Alternatively, contact Sally Igra, New

Forest RDPE (Leader) Programme

Manager, New Forest District Council,

Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road,

Lyndhurst, Hants SO43 7PA

Tel: 023 8028 5368 E-mail:

sally.igra@nfdc.gov.uk

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Snap your ‘iconic’ New Forest

image and win up to £500.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of

the National Parks and Access to the

Countryside Act, the Authority and the

Forestry Commission are launching a

joint photography competition with

prizes worth £1000. All you need to do

is take a picture that is your ‘iconic’

image of the New Forest National Park.

Whether you are a fan of the

famous New Forest pony or the

heathland or coast we want your

pictures. For more information about

the competition, prizes and conditions

visit newforestnpa.gov.uk/

photography_competition

‘Who’s who?’ is the theme of

the New Forest National Park

Authority’s stand at the New

Forest Show this July.

Visitors will follow a Forest trail

made of giant National Park boundary

markers, discovering who does what in

the New Forest with multiple-choice

questions featuring fun cartoon

characters.

For example: who owns the animals

that roam free in the National Park?

Who decides what you can build in the

National Park?

Along the way visitors will get to

play games about disposing of litter,

voting for what is most important to

them in the Forest and decorating a

tree with their favourite places and

things to do. Everyone who follows

the trail gets a prize.

In a separate part of the stand,

there will be a peaceful autumn

woodland scene complete with

beautiful images, mushroom-

shaped seating, heaps of

colourful leaves and autumn

sounds. Members and staff

will be on hand to talk to

visitors about the National Park

and its work.

The autumn area will also

feature a host of free leaflets to

take away and an interactive

terminal with quizzes and slide-

shows.

Martin O’Neill, Director of

Information and Visitor Services for

the New Forest National Park Authority,

Who’s whosaid: ‘We know from questions we get

all the time that it can be tricky for

people to work out who’s who in the

New Forest.

‘Our Forest trail is first and foremost

good fun, but it will also be packed with

useful information about who does

what.’

in the National Park?

Foresticon

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The New Forest National Park

Authority, Forestry Commission

and Hampshire Fire and Rescue

are working hard to prevent a

scourge of wildfires this summer.

After a damp winter with lots of

flooding, we are now faced with the

prospect of a very dry summer. The risk

of fires in the New Forest is high with

both accidental and deliberate fires

being a big issue.

Fires in the New Forest National

Park can have a devastating effect; not

only the threat to human life but also to

the animals and vegetation.

Many fires are started accidently.

There are simple steps you can take to

make sure you do not start a fire:

• Do not throw cigarettes out of car

windows or drop them on the

Forest floor when you are driving or

walking in the New Forest. Use a

portable ashtray.

• Only barbecue at the following

designated sites where running

water is available:

- Use disposable barbecues only

on the metal plates fixed to

picnic tables at Bolderwood,

Wilverley and Blackwater

- Use raised non-disposable

barbecues at Anderwood,

Blackwater, Bolderwood,

Hatchet Pond, Linford Bottom,

Whitefield Moor, and Wilverley

car parks.

- Or hire a barbecue site at

Wilverley or Anderwood car

park.

• Never drop glass of any kind on the

Forest floor; this can sometimes

start a fire.

• Never start a campfire as they can

get out of hand very quickly.

For a portable ashtray or to book a

designated barbecue site contact the

Forestry Commission on

023 8028 3141.

What to do if you spot a fire:

Call 999 immediately and give the exact location of the fire. If possible

wait for the fire crew to arrive to give directions.

Summer scorcher

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Residents, visitors and commuters in south east Dorsetcan soon have their say as part of a major transportstudy. The study will explore the area’s current and future

transport needs and will develop proposals for improvements to

the transport system for the next 20 years in Poole, Bournemouth

and Christchurch, extending north to Wimborne and Ringwood.

During July and August, the views of people who use buses,

trains and roads will be gathered to understand what they see as

the main problems when travelling around the area.

Questionnaires will be available in libraries, council offices and

tourist offices. They can also be accessed at sedorsetmms.com.

Do your travels take youto south east Dorset?

“The next 20 years could see major growth in this area and we need to

start planning now to ensure that we have the transport system in place

to cater for it.”

Rick Clayton, Project Manager for the SE Dorset Transport Study

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See individual health and leisurecentres for class information

Applemore Health & Leisure

Lymington Health & Leisure

New Milton Health & Leisure

Ringwood Health & Leisure

Totton Health & Leisure

0845 659 0845 newforest.gov.uk/leisure

Shape up for summerVisit your local health and leisure centre tofind out about our classes and special offers

Spin • Aerobics • Boxercise • PilatesZumba • Aquafit and lots more...

Don’t forget under 17s and over 60sswim for free**£2 registration fee

SummerHoliday programmes

Fun and excitingactivities for childrenaged 3 -16yrs