900-year-old forest under pressure

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 15

900-year-old forest under pressure

Britain's New Forest was founded more than 900 years ago. Throughout the generations. since William the Conqueror first claimed the forest as his own, the woodland, heath and marshland have sheltered a wide variety of wild animals. Today the descendants of those animals are still there, living among and protected by the descendants of the original trees. But modern

man is making increasing demands on the forest. When king William conquered England in 1066 the event was recorded for posterity by the Bayeux Tapestry. Nine hundred years later, a large modern canvas was embroidered by Belinda Montagu and some of the people now living in ’the forest. This embroidery forms a backcloth through which the programme “The

Royal Forest." retraces the history of the forest. For generations the forest’s wild animals have been used by commoners and kings alike for their livelihood and their leisure. Until recent times there has been room in the forest for everyone and everything.

The deer have survived and are plentiful; the birds, both rare and common, are still there, although some in gradually diminishing numbers: the trees seem almost as plentiful as in the past, when they were needed to provide fortifications for cities and timber for the ships of many a monarch's navy.

Today, howqver, the forest is under increasing pressure from industry, transport and leisure activities and is beginning to show signs of wear.

Like the embroidery, this film is intended as not only a celebration of the forest's survival, but also as a plea for its future preservation. • “The Royal Forest,” produced by John King for the 8.8. C. will be screened on Two on Sunday at 6 p.m.