Members of the Hampshire Archive Trust (HAT) recently enjoyed a special visit to the New Forest Heritage Trust, marking the successful completion of a significant archival preservation project. The day began with a presentation highlighting the conservation of the Crosthwaite Eyre family archives—an invaluable collection generously donated to the Trust.
This vital work was led by the Heritage Trust team and a group of dedicated volunteers under the guidance of Judy Faraday. The project was made possible through multiple funding sources, including a £10,000 grant from HAT, which supported the purchase of conservation materials, volunteer training, and the expertise of a professional conservator.
The visit offered HAT members a chance to witness the results of this collaborative effort and gain deeper insight into the rich history of the New Forest, including its distinctive and enduring governance structure—an essential element of the landscape still enjoyed by the public today.
The Crosthwaite Eyre archives, originating from The Warrens estate in Bramshaw, are now accessible to the public. Visitors can browse a detailed catalogue, select documents of interest, and schedule appointments to view them at the Heritage Centre.
This once-uncatalogued collection spans the 18th to 20th centuries and includes estate records, property deeds, legal agreements, indentures, cashbooks, correspondence (both handwritten and typed), and photographs. In some cases, multiple copies of documents were discovered. All materials have now been meticulously reviewed, catalogued, and stored in climate-controlled conditions to ensure their long-term preservation.
During the visit, the Heritage Trust team provided a guided tour of the new facilities, shared highlights from the collection, and explained the unique governance of the New Forest lands.
Following a light lunch at the Community Centre, the group visited the historic Verderers’ Hall. There, volunteer Ray Meyes welcomed them with a fascinating talk on the Hall’s history, its role in forest governance, and the significance of various artifacts in the room. One notable item was the ‘Rufus Stirrup’—a medieval tool used to measure dogs. If a dog could pass through the stirrup’s opening, it was spared; if not, it was maimed to prevent it from threatening other animals.
The Verderers’ Court, which convenes in the Hall, was originally established by the Crown to uphold Forest Law. Remarkably, it still operates today, meeting monthly on Wednesdays and continuing to play a vital role in managing the New Forest. These sessions are open to the public.
HAT extends heartfelt thanks to the New Forest Heritage Trust team and Ray Mayes for their time, knowledge, and hospitality. Their efforts have deepened our appreciation for the region’s remarkable heritage—preserved for generations to come.
Author: Barbara Gibson
Bio: Barbara is HAT’s event organiser. Barbara has spent her working life in business, initially in developing aircraft flight deck systems and later, in IT project delivery in the telecom industry. Approaching retirement, she is eager to explore other avenues and interests. She has a keen interest in her family history leading her to work with archived material that revealed exciting family history discoveries previously unknown to her, driving her to want to learn more about the past and share this knowledge with others. To support this passion, she is studying short online history Oxford University courses. Her business life has given her valuable transferable skills especially in terms of organisation, planning, building/managing stakeholder/customer relationships, and the use of IT.