Verderer (New Forest) facts for kids
In the New Forest, a verderer is a special person who helps look after the area. They are not paid for this job. Their main role is to protect the interests of the people who have special rights in the Forest, called New Forest commoners. Verderers also work to keep the Forest beautiful and to preserve its old traditions. There are ten verderers in total, and together they form a group called the Court of Verderers.
Meet the Court of Verderers
The Court of Verderers has a very long history, going back many centuries. Today, it works under special laws from 1887 and 1949.
There are ten verderers:
- Five are chosen by the commoners.
- Four are picked by important groups like the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Forestry Commission, the National Park Authority, and Natural England.
- The last verderer is called the Official Verderer. This person is chosen by the King or Queen and leads the Court.
The Court of Verderers has similar powers to a local court. They are in charge of making sure commoning rules are followed in the Forest. They also deal with illegal fences or buildings. They help decide on new roads, car parks, camping spots, and other changes to the Forest.
The verderers also care about the health of the commoners' animals. To help with this, they hire five paid helpers called agisters. Agisters look after the animals every day.
How the Court Works
The Court of Verderers usually meets once a month in a public session. Anyone can come and share their concerns or complaints about the Forest. These statements are called 'presentments'. If a matter is tricky, the Court might ask for other opinions later.
The verderers work closely with the Forestry Commission. One of the verderers is even chosen by the Forestry Commission. Sometimes, the Commission needs the verderers' permission for activities in the Forest. They have an agreement to work together smoothly.
The New Forest became a special place called a National Park on March 1, 2005. A group called the National Park Authority helps manage it. The verderers must always consider the goals of the National Park when they make decisions.
A Look Back in Time
In the 1200s, verderers were a court set up by the King or Queen. They handled small rule-breaking acts in the King's Forest. Later, in the 1600s and 1700s, their powers grew. They started dealing with people who trespassed or broke fences. This was important for protecting oak trees used to build ships.
In 1887, a new law made the Court official. The verderers became responsible for commoners, their rights, and the Forest's landscape. More laws in 1949 gave them power to create and change rules. Later laws in the 1960s added even more issues for the Court to approve or discuss.
See also
- Verderer
- New Forest Commoner
- Agister
- Reeve (England)
