Did you know that the New Forest was once the site of a thriving Roman pottery industry? Or that the electricity pylons in the north of the Forest date from the 1930s? These and other fascinating facts featured in a series of ‘walks and talks’ organised by the New Forest Association this summer.
NFA Chairman Peter Roberts and National Trust Countryside Manager Phil Marshall led one of the guided walks on September 6th and talked about the history of pylons and the rare wildlife species in the north of the New Forest. Local writer Anne Biffin also led a walk on August 17th on the subject of archaeologist and artist George Heywood Sumner and the New Forest’s Roman pottery sites.
Anne Biffin, who has written many articles on Heywood Sumner, took her group around Sloden, Amberwood and Crock Hill, pointing out the various Roman pottery sites described by Heywood Sumner in his book Excavations in New Forest Roman Pottery Sites, published in 1927. The group also saw the seat dedicated to the memory of wildlife photographer and film maker Eric Ashby, who lived in Linwood.
In the second walk Phil Marshall led the group around Turf Hill and Hale Purlieu and talked about the concentrations of rare and endangered species in Hale Purlieu, a former manorial waste ground which is still grazed by commoners’ stock. He also talked about the National Trust’s management policy for the 500 acres of dry and wet heath and mires that make up Hale Purlieu, which are home to Dartford warblers, stonechats, curlews and nightjars as well as unusual plant and insect species.
Peter Roberts described the history of the power lines and pylons crossing the north of the Forest, which date from the 1930s. If the New Forest had already gained National Park status at that time, the power lines would have been avoided, he said.
“The walks and talks were a big success,” said Peter. “There is a great deal to learn about the Forest’s cultural, social and natural history. We are planning more events soon and would encourage as many people as possible to check our website and to come along to them.”
The New Forest Association is an independent charity which aims to protect the New Forest and to disseminate information about its culture, history and ecology. Anyone is welcome to join. Further information and membership details are available at www.newforestassociation.org
