What is the Verderers Election ?
There are a total of ten verderers, five of which are appointed. The remaining five are elected on a rolling basis. The office of Verderer is entirely unpaid.
On Tuesday 26 November the current terms of office for Elected Verderers Dave Readhead and Graham Ferris will come to an end.
The Role of the Verderers is:
- To protect and regulate the New Forest’s unique agricultural commoning practices;
- Conserve it’s traditional landscape, wildlife and aesthetic character, including it’s flora and fauna, peacefulness, natural beauty and cultural heritage;
- Safeguard a viable future for commoning upon which the foregoing depends.
Who can vote at the Verderers Election ?
If you have an acre of land with Forest Rights you are eligible to cast a vote to appoint 2 verderers on Tuesday 26 November. You will need to register before Tuesday 17th September 2024 by completing and returning the registration form click here.
What happens next ?
When you have registered we will post you a poll card – you must bring this to the polling station to be able to cast your vote.
Voting hours are from 10am until 8pm.
The polling stations to cast your vote are;
- Lyndhurst – The Verderers Hall, Kings House, Lyndhurst SO43 7NH
- Fordingbridge – Avonway Community Centre, 36 Shaftesbury St, Fordingbridge, SP6 1JF
- Lymington – Town Hall, Avenue Rd, Lymington SO41 9GJ
- Ringwood – Carvers Clubhouse, 92 Southampton Rd, Ringwood BH24 1JD
Timetable of 2024 Election
The Notice of Election will be published by no later than Monday 4 November 2024
Nomination papers to stand as a candidate will be available by no later than Monday 4 November 2024
The Statement of Persons Nominated will be published by no later than Wednesday 13 November 2024
The Notice of Poll will be published by no later than Thursday 21 November 2024
The Notice of results will be published on Wednesday 27 November 2024
Contact: Clerk to the Verderers, King’s House, Lyndhurst Tel: 02380 282052 email: suewestwood@verderers.org.uk