NEWS
Please see information and updates below that we feel are of interest to our members and local community.
DECEMBER 2025
OPERATION CANDLELIGHT...
On Christmas Eve, we are honoured to present “Operation Candlelight” – a commemorative initiative in which tea lights will be placed on the war graves at St Nicholas Church. Lighting a candle on each grave offers a simple yet powerful gesture of respect and remembrance for the fallen.
NOVEMBER 2025
FOB SUPPORTS THE PTA & PRIMARY SCHOOL...
We are delighted to announce we have donated £1000 to Brockenhurst Primary School PTA towards their Outdoor Learning Area project. This new special space will encourage curiosity, creativity and hands-on learning in the great outdoors – giving our children a chance to grow and thrive.
​
​
NOVEMBER 2025
FOB AGM...
We held our AGM on 14th November with over 70 members in attendance. Our new Chairman, Jonathan Doughty gave an overview of what the society has done during 2025 and the plans moving forward into 2026.
New members of the Committee were voted in and join the existing members who will be working hard to bring more exciting developments for Friends of Brockenhurst.
NOVEMBER 2025
FOB DONATION...
We are pleased to announce a £500 donation to the "Save Our Bridge" campaign to support the commissioning of an independent structural engineer to assess the safety and condition of the bridge near Martin's Road.
​
This contribution represents an important step toward ensuring the bridge remains safe, functional, and preserved for future use by the community.
OCTOBER 2025
FOB & PTA TO HOST CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL...
The Friends of Brockenhurst and Brockenhurst Primary School PTA are delighted to announce the return of the Brockenhurst Christmas Tree Festival, taking place at St Saviour’s Church from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th November 2025.
​
This much-loved community event will transform the church into a glittering winter wonderland, showcasing around 40 beautifully decorated Christmas trees sponsored and designed by local businesses, organisations, and community groups. Each tree will reflect its creator’s unique style and festive spirit, offering visitors a joyful start to the Christmas season.
​
Funds raised from the festival will go to local charities, including Brockenhurst Primary School PTA, Brockenhurst Mother’s Union, and Oakhaven Hospice, helping to support vital community projects and services.
OCTOBER 2025
FOB CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENT
David Eley, Chair of Friends of Brockenhurst has decided to step down with immediate effect, due to ill health. The committee of Friends of Brockenhurst would like to thank him for his leadership, support and commitment over the years and wish him and his family well at this time.
Jonathan Doughty will be stepping up today as the new Chair, with immediate effect and more information will be made available soon and at the Friends of Brockenhurst Annual General Meeting on 14th November 2025.
OCTOBER 2025
FORESTRY ENGLAND SET TO CHARGE AT FOREST CAR PARKS
​Forestry England has announced it is planning to introduce charging at all 129 car parks across the central Crown Lands of the Forest – around 50% of the National Park.
​
The National Park Authority has no remit in approving or refusing the FE scheme as any changes are classed as permitted development and don’t require planning permission. It is also not in line to receive any of the income generated by the car parking scheme.
​
The New Forest National Park Authority has called on FE to reinvest all income generated from a new car parking scheme back into the New Forest National Park. FE is the land manager for the Crown Lands of the National Park – the National Park Authority doesn’t own any land.
​
More information to come on this topic.
SEPTEMBER 2025
AGM & AUTUMN TALK DATE ANNOUNCED...
"Flights and Local Government" - Guest Speaker David Illsley
Friday 14th November at Brockenhurst Village Hall
​
The Friends of Brockenhurst Committee are delighted to announce that David Illsley, Interim Head of Planning at the New Forest National Park Authority, will be our speaker for the Autumn meeting and AGM. Having previously been the Manager of Policy and Conservation, David will speak on two key topics that are of importance to Brockenhurst and the New Forest National Park, Flights and Local Government.
​
AUGUST 2025
PANNAGE DATES ANNOUNCED - 15TH SEPTEMBER
Pannage season in the New Forest for 2025 is scheduled to run from Monday, September 15th to Friday, November 28th. During this time, Commoners turn out their pigs to feed on fallen acorns and nuts, an important practice that protects the ponies and cattle who would otherwise consume these acorns, which are poisonous to them. The season may be extended if there is a particularly heavy fall of acorns