Commoning Champion – Richard Deakin

Richard Deakin has spent a lifetime immersed in the traditions, landscapes and communities that make the New Forest such a special place.

From starting out in a Forest village to embracing the commoning lifestyle, Richard is someone who has dedicated his life to keeping the Forest thriving.

This year, his outstanding commitment has been recognised with the Commoning Champion award at the New Forest Awards, celebrating someone whose dedication has helped safeguard one of the Forest’s most distinctive and important traditions.

The New Forest Awards celebrate the people, businesses and organisations whose work helps protect, enhance and champion the National Park.

From conservation and sustainability to farming, tourism and commoning, the Awards recognise those making an outstanding contribution to the future of the Forest and the communities that reply on it.

Richard’s road into commoning started at a young age, having attended school in Beaulieu and Brockenhurst.

‘There were several Commoners on my mother’s side of the family, all living locally, which was my early introduction to the practicalities of commoning,’ he says.

‘Over the years I came to appreciate the special qualities of the Forest, and the important role that the Commoners and their animals play in maintaining those qualities.’

The appreciation soon became a personal commitment as he stepped in the commoning way of life and the responsibilities that come with it.

‘I became a committed Commoner and over time felt an obligation to assist in any way possible to make commoning viable into the long-term future, which would help secure the future of the Forest as well,’ he adds.

Richard has taken on a number of important roles, serving as a committee member and treasurer of the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association, a director of the New Forest Livestock Society and being an Elected Verderer.

Together, those roles have allowed him to support Commoners, help shape the future of commoning and contribute to the long-term stewardship of the New Forest.

Receiving the Commoning Champion award is, Richard says, both an honour and an encouragement.

‘I’m really honoured to receive this award,’ he says.

‘You don’t do this sort of work for recognition, but it’s wonderful to know that people value what you’re doing.

‘If it’s helping to secure the future of commoning and the New Forest, then that’s incredibly rewarding, and it certainly gives me the encouragement to keep going.’

Richard says his focus remains firmly on ensuring the next generation of younger Commoners has the support and knowledge to continue the work.

‘I intend to continue to give full commitment to my roles for as long as I am elected into those positions and for as long as I am able,’ he says.

‘Because of my long experience, I feel that I am suited to contribute and assist younger people to quickly develop into the roles which I have been fortunate to hold.

‘If not elected at any time, then I would willingly volunteer wherever there was a need and an opportunity.’

It is evident the New Forest is in very safe hands with people like Richard around.

His dedication reflects the spirit of the New Forest Awards; recognising the people whose passion, knowledge and commitment help ensure the National Park’s unique way of life continues to flourish for generations to come.