Who does what?
Knowing who is responsible for what in the commoning community can be confusing. So here is a quick overview of the main organisations with links to commoning in the New Forest:
- Verderers of the New Forest. The Verderers’ Court dates back to medieval times, and was re-established by the 1877 New Forest Act. The court consists of ten Verderers, five of whom are elected commoners, and regulate commoning in the New Forest.
- Commoners Defence Association. The CDA was formed in 1909, to give commoners a voice, and to better ensure the survival of the practice of commoning and everything that depends upon it.
- New Forest Livestock Society. The society was formed in 2002 and is run by commoners who to organise and manage the pony sales at Beaulieu Road.
- New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society is a charity and registered company administering and promoting registered New Forest ponies both in the UK and around the world.
- New Forest Land Advice Service. Supports commoners with land management advice and assistance when applying for grants and subsidies.
