Some of the very best from the New Forest community have been recognised in the 2026 New Forest Awards.
Now in their 13th year, the awards – run by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) and Country Land and Business Association (CLA) – celebrate the wonderful people who work year-round to support the New Forest’s environment and rural economy.
The winners and highly recommended were recognised at a special ceremony at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show at New Park, Brockenhurst, on Wednesday, 29 July, with individual trophies presented by Stephen Morgan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for DEFRA.
There were six categories, highlighting those involved in a variety of areas including farming, sustainability and commoning.
Winners of the 2026 awards – supported by Moore Barlow and the New Forest Agricultural Show Society – were:
- Young Farmer: Elycia Farnish
- Best Supporter of Local Produce: The Farmers Butcher
- Sustainability Champion: Hockey’s Farm Shop
- Young Environmental Champion: Gemma Hobbs
- Farming and Nature Champion: Richard Chanell
- Commoning Champion: Richard Deakin
Elycia Farnish from Fordingbridge won Young Farmer for her dedication to New Forest commoning, the environment and supporting her local community.
An active and passionate Commoner, Elycia turns out ponies, donkeys and cattle on the Open Forest and is always willing to help others in the commoning community.
She has a remarkable awareness of Forest wildlife as well as knowledge of the key environmental issues facing the Forest.
Best Supporter of Local Produce went to The Farmers Butcher in Bramshaw, for its commitment to local produce, working with other independent local businesses at events and championing high-quality local food while actively supporting the wider farming community.
The family-run business, led by Mike and Sarah Alexander, sources its beef, lamb and pork from farms within the New Forest and surrounding area.
Hockey’s Farm Shop in Fordingbridge was crowned Sustainability Champion for placing sustainability at the heart of a business, with its commitment including reducing consumption, harvesting rainwater, treating its own wastewater, and reducing waste and reusing it to create biofuel.
By investing in the future while continually improving its environmental performance, Hockey’s, under the stewardship of Jonny Burrell and his wife Laura Stainton-Burrell, has become a fantastic example of sustainable business in the New Forest.
This year’s Young Environmental Champion was 19-year-old Gemma Hobbs from Boldre for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to protecting the New Forest and supporting its commoning heritage.
The judges praised Gemma’s passion for conservation, her commoning background and the way she inspires other young people to value the Forest’s unique landscape and wildlife in a variety of ways like Beaulieu Young Farmers, the Young Commoners or the NPA’s Young Content Creators scheme.
Richard Chanell from Exbury was given the Farming and Nature Champion award for his dedication to nature conservation, sustainable farming and sharing his knowledge with others.
Richard has worked at Newtown Park Estate near Lymington for almost 30 years, first as a contractor before becoming Estate Manager in 2008.
Under his stewardship, the estate has seen significant improvements for wildlife, soil health and habitat creation, leaving the land in a far better condition than when he first arrived.
The judges particularly praised the lasting legacy he has created through hedge-lined wildflower meadows, new woodlands and nesting habitat for birds.
Commoning Champion went to Richard Deakin from Langley, one of the Verderers of the New Forest, for his contribution to protecting and promoting the interests of commoning and Commoners.
Over many decades, Richard has served the commoning community with dedication across a wide range of organisations and roles.
As a founder member of the New Forest Livestock Society, treasurer of the Commoners’ Defence Association and a long-serving Verderer, his commitment and service have helped shape the future of commoning for generations to come.
Alison Barnes, CEO of the New Forest National Park Authority said: ‘The New Forest Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the people, businesses and organisations whose dedication helps make this National Park such a special place.
‘Protecting and enhancing the New Forest takes the efforts of an entire Team New Forest, from Commoners and farmers to conservationists, volunteers, community groups and local businesses. The quality of nominations this year was exceptional, and our winners represent some of the very best examples of commitment, innovation and care for the Forest.
‘Congratulations to all of our winners and highly commended recipients and thank you to everyone who works so hard to support the future of the New Forest.’
Tim Bamford, Regional Director of CLA South East, said: ‘The New Forest is home to an extraordinary range of people, businesses and organisations whose dedication helps keep this special place thriving.
‘The CLA is proud to support the New Forest Awards and celebrate those who make such a positive contribution to the landscape, rural economy and local communities.
‘This year’s nominations showed an impressive breadth of talent, innovation and commitment, making the judges’ task no easy one. Many congratulations to all of the winners and those who were highly commended by the judges, and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter or nominate someone deserving of recognition.
‘We would also like to thank our event partners, Moore Barlow, for their continued support of these Awards.’
This year’s highly commended were:
- Young Farmer: Lewis Potter
- Best Supporter of Local Produce: Hockey’s Farm Shop
- Sustainability Champion: Pondhead Conservation Trust
- Commoning Champion: Gilly Jones
Winners’ quotes
Young Farmer: Elycia Farnish
‘I do what I do because I enjoy it, and I take great pride in my animals and the work I do. To be recognised for that for the Young Farmer Award is absolutely amazing. I’m really shocked and incredibly grateful to whoever nominated me.’
Best Supporter of Local Produce: The Farmers Butcher
‘We’re so proud to receive this award. Championing local produce isn’t just part of our business; it’s what we’re passionate about every single day, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supports us and our local producers.’
Sustainability Champion: Hockey’s Farm Shop
‘We are absolutely thrilled to have been named Sustainability Champion and are incredibly honoured. This award recognises that our commitment to ethical farming and environmental stewardship is hitting the mark and validates the hard work our team puts in every day to go beyond standard practices.’
Young Environmental Champion: Gemma Hobbs
‘I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been selected as this year’s Young Environmental Champion. I’d like to thank everyone involved in the process – it means a great deal to me.’
Farming and Nature Champion: Richard Chanell
‘I’m genuinely honoured to receive this award. It means a great deal to be recognised in this way, especially as I am very much aware of the fact that there are many great people doing great work. The New Forest is a very special place, and it’s a privilege to play a small part in looking after it.
‘I’d like to thank my family, friends, and everyone who has supported and encouraged me over the years. I’m very grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey.’
Commoning Champion: Richard Deakin
‘Winning the Commoning Champion Award means a great deal to me. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the time and effort I’ve put in has been recognised, and that it’s helping, in some small way, to support the future of both commoning and the New Forest. That kind of encouragement gives you the motivation to keep going.’