Author Archives: Julie Mottisfont

An historic Hampshire inn has raised more than £20,000 for conservation work in the New Forest – and it has all been thanks to their customers.

The 250-year-old Bell Inn at Bramshaw was  the first business in the New Forest to sign up to the Love the Forest  conservation scheme run by the New Forest Trust.

In 2006 they started adding £1 to every booking made as a donation to the conservation and preservation of the New Forest, and in 2013 increased that donation to £2.50.

The result has seen them smash through the £20,000 mark for donations to the New Forest Trust.

Robert Crosthwaite-Eyre, whose family has owned and run the inn for generations, said they were delighted to have been able to make the donation.

“Our customers appreciate the importance of securing  the future of the New Forest and since we joined the scheme we  have not had a single complaint  about making this little donation ,”said Robert.

“We had been collecting £1 for quite a long time and we felt it was time we increased that to £2.50 so that we could make an even bigger difference.

“The Bell Inn is a popular spot surrounded by the New Forest. Our guests only have to look out of the windows to see how important it is that we conserve and look after this very special place.”

Lovetheforest Director Julie Mottisfont said the contributions from businesses across the New Forest were vital – and it had been an amazing effort by The Bell Inn.

“To have collected £20,000 from their guests for the conservation of the New Forest is a fantastic achievement and that money will be extremely useful in funding some of the work we are doing at the New Forest Trust.”

Mark Kirtley from Forest Leisure Cycling with Dianna Wiseman, Liberty aged 4, Aaron O’Donnell and Arabella aged 7

Dianna Wiseman and Aaron O’Donnell from London and their two daughters were amongst the first families to show their support for the New Forest by hiring bikes from Forest Leisure Cycling in Burley – and making a donation to the New Forest conservation charity, the New Forest Trust.

From April this year customers booking bike hire online on Forest Leisure Cycling’s website, www.forestleisurecycling.co.uk have been able to make a donation directly to the New Forest Trust’s Love the Forest scheme which helps to secure the future of the New Forest.

Mark Kirtley, who owns and runs Forest Leisure Cycling said “We have been hiring bikes in Burley for 14 years and know just how much visitors love coming here.  We are all immensely proud to be part of the Love the Forest scheme – and to be doing our bit to protect the New Forest for future generations”.

Dianna & Aaron from London, who visited the New Forest in April with their daughters Arabella aged 7 & Liberty aged 4, said “This was our first visit to the New Forest and we were really pleased to have been able to book bike hire with a company that allowed us to put something back into the unique environment.  We are definitely planning a return trip very soon!”

Love the Forest Director Julie Mottisfont said contributions from businesses across the New Forest were vital.  “We are absolutely delighted Forest Leisure Cycling and their customers have joined our scheme.  With their help – and the help from all the businesses that support us – we can continue to fund vital conservation work”

We are once again looking for nominations for our Diamond Jubilee Award, which is presented annually at the New Forest Show.

First presented by Her Majesty the Queen to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the award is given annually at the New Forest Show at the end of July.

The award is made to someone who has given freely of their own time and made a significant contribution towards maintaining or improving the environment and rural economy of the New Forest. Or to someone who has contributed to the conservation or cultural heritage of the New Forest, or brought about a greater awareness of issues that have a direct bearing on the well-being of the forest.

The winner is chosen by a panel nominated by the principal voluntary New Forest organisations – the New Forest Association, the New Forest Commoners Defence Association, the New Forest Pony & Cattle Breeding Society and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Chairman of the Trust, William Ziegler said, “The New Forest is indebted to many who go the extra mile to help conserve and improve it. Often their work goes largely unrecognized and this award is for those people. So, we are asking the public to come forward and nominate anybody they know who fits that description”

Nominations for the award can be made direct on the Trusts website:
https://www.newforesttrust.org.uk/new-forest-award