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12 interesting facts about the New Forest in a Tweet

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A New Forest scene as shown in one of
New Forest Commoners tweets.
Each tweet on Twitter is like a mini blog post. Every day on my profile at @forestwaterside I scroll through my followers tweets reading the wealth of interesting information.

For some time now I have been particularly interested by the tweets put up by New Forest Commoner @Forest_Commoner. In the main, the tweets are comprised of very interesting facts about the New Forest.

Their Twitter Profile states: "Keeping the history, ecology and cultural traditions of the New Forest alive through practice of 'commoning'. Sharing information about #NewForest & #commoning."

I have listed here a dozen of the tweets they have published and hope you find them as interesting and informative as I have. For many more interesting and informative tweets go and follow them at @Forest_Commoner - enjoy!

  • During the Victorian heydays of insect collecting, the #NewForest was a popular destination for specimen hunters! #minibeasts
  • Did you know that the #NewForest has 26 miles of coastline?
  • Combating the number of livestock killed on the roads is one of the Verderers’ chief concerns in managing agriculture of the #NewForest.
  • In 1079AD William the Conquerer created his 'Nova Foresta' to be preserved for royal hunting. The #NewForest nearly a 1000 years old!
  • A 'Society for the improvement of New Forest Ponies' was founded in 1891 to encourage owners of good stallions to run them on the Forest.
  • An Act of Parliament in 1877 upheld the rights of the #NewForest commoners, which had been encroached by naval plantations for shipbuilding.
  • In 1653 a group of #Southampton merchants were given permission by the Commonwealth govt. to prospect for coal in the #NewForest.
  • Henry of Huntingdon said of William I: "If any one killed a stag or a wild boar, his eyes were put out". #conqueror #Normans #ForestLaw
  • In January 1900 Emily Whitehouse, of Lyndhurst Parish, was fined 2s. 6d., with costs of 7s., for being drunk and disorderly! #NewForest
  • The Royal Oak, Fritham, was a favourite meeting place for smugglers on the #NewForest to plan their 'free-trading'.
  • DYK that Richard, Duke of Bernay, son of William I (the elder brother of Rufus, King William II) was gored to death by a #NewForest stag?
  • Old rural rhyme about wood: 'Oak and maple dry and old, help keep out the winter cold.' (Oak and maple need to be well seasoned before use.)

Please do leave a comment below and why not share with others by clicking on the share buttons below.




22 ways how owning a dog can improve your health

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Dogs are considered as man's best friends because of their loyalty and affection. They are sweet and cuddly, not to mention cute! You'll be surprised that owning a dog also has benefits on your health, and there are several of them.

If you don't have a dog yet, you'll be encouraged on getting one after reading this post. One of the things that you'll notice about dogs is that they are active and playful. They are perfect buddies for walking or running. Making it a habit to walk or run with your pet around the neighborhood is a good exercise for you. As you know, this is a vital part of staying fit and healthy.

Dogs are amazing stress relievers, as they help decrease the chemicals in your body that make you feel bad, while increasing the chemicals that make you feel good. Lower stress level also contributes to lower blood pressure.

According to a study, participants who had interactions with dogs had lower blood pressure even when they were under a stressful situation. Dogs can also help combat depression. One of the reasons for this is that they are good listeners allowing owners to talk to them without having to worry on what they have to think or say.

To give you a better insight on the healthy benefits of dogs to humans, we created this amazing infographic.

Check out the eye-catching illustration below and be wowed with the positive impact of dogs to your health:

22 ways dogs make humans healthier
 
Guest post: Many thanks to HEREPUPhttps://www.herepup.com for a most informative infographic about how your dog can keep you healthy.

Please spread the love by clicking and sharing using one of the buttons below. Please do leave your thoughts in the comments below.



Can Dogs Eat Cheese? 10 Toxic Foods, 23 Safe Ones and A Few in the Middle

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Dogs and cats are the two most common pets. They are constant companions, and for real dog and cat lovers, they would have more than one pet around with them. Dog owners would have whole kennels of dogs and puppies if they had the space to spare. Of course, the ultimate cat lover would be the cat lady who takes care of more than a dozen pet cats.

Taking care of pets is not an easy task. Besides food and shelter, the owner also has to ensure the good health of the pets. If he had a lot of dogs or cats, a single one of them getting sick might spread the disease with the rest of the household. In the same manner, the owner has to ensure that the foods that the pets eat are healthy and not something that may be toxic.

New pet owners have this mortal fear that their pets would just fall over and die on them. The truth is that there are some types of food which are naturally toxic to dogs and cats. Usually, these toxic foods also happen to be healthy for humans.

Consider it as a form of deadly allergy for pets. The food may not harm a person, but it might kill his pet. That is a real threat and there are a few common food which can be easily found in the kitchen.

This infographic shows some foods that are beneficial to humans but toxic to dogs and cats. This is a must read for all pet owners or those who plan to get dogs or cats as pets.

what dogs can eat
Guest post: Many thanks to HerePup https://www.herepup.com for a most informative article about toxic foods and dogs. Please share and pass on to others!


Five top tips for camping success

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shared by National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Whether you’re a first-time camper, a seasoned pro, or somewhere in-between, there’s something truly magical about spending a night under canvas.



With campsites at various places we look after across the country, you can camp on a working farm or near a watermill, pitch your tent in a stunning coastal landscape or relax in rolling countryside, nestled in peaks and dales.


Cotswold Outdoor is proud to be our official outdoor retailer and they’ve shared some of their top tips to make your camping trip one to remember (for all the right reasons). Read on to ensure you’re not one of those people with all the gear but no idea.

1. Bare essentials

As well as checking there is ample room for everyone to sleep comfortably, you need to allow plenty of room for your gear, so a tent with a porch area is ideal. Remember to take some spare tent pegs and a roll of duct tape for emergency repairs.

Along with a camping stove, pans and spare gas canisters, make sure you take enough plates and cutlery for everyone. ‘Sporks’ are great, as they triple-up as a fork, spoon and knife. Use frozen cartons of juice and milk as a space-saving alternative to freezer blocks. In the morning, everything in your coolbox will be fresh, ready for your hearty breakfast.

2. Camping in comfort

Choose a sleeping bag which not only keeps you at a comfortable temperature, but allows you as much space to move around as you need. When selecting a sleeping mat or inflatable airbed, make sure it fits in the inner section of your tent, without touching the sides.

Camping chairs come in all shapes and sizes, from basic folding seats to full luxurious loungers, complete with built-in pillows and footrests. Pick the one you like, sit back and relax.

3. Enjoy good, old-fashioned fun

A camping trip is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all and make wonderful lasting memories with loved ones. Get active with a game of catch, an impromptu cricket match or a swingball tournament. Take a torch and a lamp so the fun can continue long after the sun has set, playing card games, board games or just reading your favourite novel.

4. Be a pampered camper  

Going camping does not mean you have to ‘rough it’ completely. Far from it; most campsites have toilet blocks with shower facilities, so pack your washbag, a fluffy towel and don’t forget your toothbrush.

5. Be prepared

It’s a good idea to take a simple first aid kit with you, plus insect repellant and sunscreen in the summer, so that you’re ready for anything. For light sleepers, an eye mask and ear plugs will help you slumber in peace for longer.

See what the experts say

For more hints and tips on camping, visit Cotswold Outdoor, where you’ll also enjoy 15% off everything with your National Trust membership*. So all you need to do is gather everyone together and get ready for your next adventure.

*This is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Selected lines are exempt. This offer is redeemable on production of your National Trust membership card in store or email partners@cotswoldoutdoor.com with your National Trust membership number to receive a discount code to use online. Offer expires 31.12.17.

Original article: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/five-top-tips-for-camping-success

Help NFNPA care for the New Forest

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The New Forest National Park is a great place for walking, dog walking, cycling and horse riding. When you’re enjoying healthy exercise, fresh air, beautiful surroundings and the rich wildlife, please help us to care for this very special place.


Article and photo from: New Forest NPA

Birds: To help ground nesting birds rear their young safely, keep yourself, dogs and ridden horses on the main tracks from the beginning of March to the end of July.

Dogs: To minimise disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other people, please keep your dogs close by you and visible at all times - if necessary use a lead.  Pick up after your dog, especially around car parks, on paths and where people play or picnic, and take bagged waste home if there is no litter bin.



Parking: To avoid damage and obstruction, please park only in designated car parks, not on a verge or in gateways. Lock your car, taking any valuables with you and leave Forestry Commission car parks by dusk.

Driving: The ponies and other animals have no road sense and frequently stand or walk on the unfenced roads, so give them (and walkers, cyclists and horse-riders) a wide berth and be especially careful when driving at night.

BBQs and fire: To reduce the risk of damaging wildfires, campfires are not permitted without the landowner’s permission. Disposable BBQs are welcome at Bolderwood, Blackwater and Wilverley where stands and water are available. Raised non-disposable BBQs are allowed on the hard-standing areas of car parks, providing water is available. You can hire fixed stand party-sized BBQs from the Forestry Commission (call 0300 067 4601), and two barbecue sites are available for hire at Lepe Country Park provided by Hampshire County Council (please book in advance at: www.hants.gov.uk/lepe).

Cycling: Cycling is allowed only on the waymarked tracks and other designated routes. When approaching people and animals, call out a warning and pass slowly and wide. Try to leave gaps for overtaking vehicles and never ride more than two abreast. Keep to a safe speed, wear bright colours to be visible and always use lights in the dark.

Camping: Please note that camping in the wild and overnight parking is not allowed. There are 10 campsites in the New Forest run by Camping in the Forest, and a number of private sites.

Forest management: Stay safe by taking note of warning signs and keeping away from work sites and vehicles.

Litter: Your food and litter could harm the ponies and donkeys. Please take your litter home if bins are full.

Ponies, donkeys, cattle & pigs: For their safety and your own please leave the animals alone - although owned and cared for by local people called commoners, they are unpredictable and best treated as wild. Please don’t feed or pet them; there is plenty of natural food and it’s best that they don’t come to rely on people’s attention. They may look friendly but they can bite and kick, especially mares with foals.

Fungi: Please leave fungi for other people to enjoy. Fungi are essential to the New Forest’s internationally protected ecosystem.  Foray leaders must apply for permission for educational excursions from the Forestry Commission in advance. If you suspect or see commercial picking please call the Forestry Commission on 0300 067 4600 or the National Trust on 01425 650035.

Unidentified objects: Areas of the New Forest were used to test bombs in World War I and II. Please keep away from objects that might be dangerous and notify the police immediately on 999.

Horse riding: Horse riders have open access to the New Forest, but to reduce damage to the ground please use tracks when it’s wet.

Ticks: Check your dog and yourself for ticks when you get back home – they can lead to Lyme Disease.

Choice of over 30 Campsites in the New Forest

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Experience the beauty of the New Forest where nature thrives with a Camping or Glamping holiday. To help you choose a campsite which fits your individual needs, let me suggest a website that not only has a list of over 30 campsites but also offers a wealth of information and even a mobile phone App.

Camping and glamping marketplace Campsites.co.uk was launched in 2015 and has quickly become one of the UK's favourite websites (and free iPhone apps) for choosing and booking camping holidays.

Founder, Martin Smith, says "Camping isn't just about cheap holidays and the rise of glamping proves it. Disconnecting from technology and getting closer to nature is what appeals to people most, and we want to inspire our audience to get out there and explore."

The site lists 1,200 campsites across the country, with 30+ sites in the New Forest alone. Indeed, it's the site's third most popular region, behind only Cornwall and the Lake District.

Options include everything from well loved holiday parks and Camping in the Forest sites, right down to tiny off-grid glamping sites with alpacas for neighbours.

CLICK HERE for campsites in the New Forest

Video: Discover the New Forest National Park

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The New Forest in southern England UK is a unique landscape shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free.

The New Forest National Park Authority works with others to protect this special place and to increase people's understanding and enjoyment of this world capital for wildlife. Find out more: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk



Three Bronze Age Burial Mounds revealed at Franchises Lodge New Forest

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Three Bronze Age burial mounds have been revealed at a nature reserve in the New Forest.

NPA Community Archaeologist Hilde van der Heul advising RSPB volunteers on the clearance of rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge. NPA Community Archaeologist Hilde van der Heul advising RSPB volunteers on the clearance of rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge.

It took a team of experts and volunteers five days to uncover the mounds, known as round barrows, which were smothered by thick vegetation and trees at Franchises lodge, an RSPB woodland near Nomansland.

Round barrows were created in every part of England, mainly between 2200BC and 1100BC. Over 200 of these still survive in the New Forest today, and they can be identified as round mounds, often surrounded by a ‘ring ditch’ from which the earth for the mound was dug.

The barrows at Franchises Lodge are Scheduled Ancient Monuments and currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register because of the scrub and tree cover.

During the barrow clearance work, volunteers and RSPB staff were joined by New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) Community Archaeologist Hilde van der Heul.

NPA Community Archaeologist Hilde van der Heul helping clear rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge with RSPB volunteers. NPA Community Archaeologist Hilde van der Heul helping clear rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge with RSPB volunteers.

Hilde said: ‘The burial mounds at Franchises Lodge are called bowl barrows, which are the most common form of Bronze Age round barrow. They would have been constructed anywhere from the Late Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age, probably covering single or multiple burials. These ones are grouped into what is called a barrow cemetery, which is not uncommon for the period.

‘Despite scrub and tree growth these barrows have survived comparatively well. They contain important archaeological evidence relating to their construction, social organisation, ritual and funerary practices, as well as overall landscape context within the New Forest. It is really important that we keep them in good shape for future generations to enjoy.’

It is hoped the clearance work will result in the barrows being removed the Heritage at Risk Register.

RSPB volunteers and NPA Community Archaeologist Hilde van der Heul discussing the removal of rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge. RSPB volunteers and NPA Community Archaeologist Hilde van der Heul discussing the removal of rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge.

Franchises Lodge is a 1,000-acre woodland of deciduous and conifer trees, which was purchased by the RSPB in 2018. The NPA contributed £200,000 towards buying the land and offers ongoing support and advice.

The RSPB describes Franchises Lodge as a ‘secret forest’ that is home to a wide range of birds, invertebrates and plant life. Public access to the site is currently limited, with plans to fully open the site in the future.

Anneka Schofield, Community Volunteering Development Officer at Franchises Lodge, said: ‘The barrows were in unfavourable condition and largely or completely covered in thick rhododendron and conifer trees. We have cleared all three in line with Hilde’s advice for preserving the integrity of the barrows. Thank you to all our volunteers for their time and effort, and to Hilde for her advice.’

An RSPB volunteer clears rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge. An RSPB volunteer clears rhododendron bushes and other shrubs to help protect Bronze Age barrows at Franchises Lodge.

Learn more about the ‘secret forest’

You can hear more about Franchises Lodge by watching a virtual talk taking place during the NPA’s Awakening Festival.

The secret forest – RSPB Franchises Lodge, on 23 February, is sold out but a recording will be available on the NPA’s website after the event.

The NPA’s Awakening Festival is running throughout February, looking at the climate and nature emergencies. See our website for more virtual events www.newforestnpa.gov.uk


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