Support our Heritage Centre!

We were very privileged to be given a behind-the-scenes tour of the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst on 27th November 2025 as the dedicated team there re-affirmed their commitment to the crucial role they play in securing local history and enriching the lives of residents and visitors to the New Forest. But, of course, support is essential for them to make the most of the wonderful material they hold.

We all have special items from our family history we carefully preserve and since it opened the Centre has become the place where many of us would like such precious items to be cared for in the future. But they can't do this and share it without our help...

Anthony Green (my husband) is old enough to remember when plans for the Centre were drawn up in 1979 (finally opened in 1988) quite simply thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of people who loved the Forest. Our friend, the much missed Jude James, who became the first Librarian was one of those instrumental in making it happen. Over the years we have come to know many of the dedicated people who continued since those early days to catalogue, archive and present New Forest gems, sharing their knowledge.

We have even held our own events there, like the launch of our book on artist Sven Berlin in 2016 (I'm pictured below (photos by Kareena Browne) with the late Brian Bartlett) and material relating to Anthony's maternal Great Great Grandfather William George (Punchy) Bennett along with the cups won by Punchy's son Frank for his well-known New Forest pony Goodenough which have often been on display. Of course, Anthony's Grandfather was Brock Maier, the famous whipper-in/huntsman with the New Forest Buckhounds from 1908 for almost 30 years under Sir George Thursby. More history for us to discover!

At the New Forest Heritage Centre: The launch of our book on Sven Berlin in 2016, Sonia talking to the late Brian Bartlett.

How easy it is to take the New Forest Heritage Centre for granted, it's easy to park there in the middle of Lyndhurst and a great place to have a quick wander round and a coffee/lunch. But how much do you know about what lies in the Archive, the Library, how their projects for schools and other groups enthuse children, adults and older people?

Among the many extraordinary books and fascinating collections (there are over 50,000 items) are the carvings and artwork of Tom Charman of Godshill Pottery some of which have been on display and can be brought out for a closer look by appointment (as photo below with thanks to NFHC). Lovely to see some of the artwork now in a glass covered trunk after it managed to survive for so long in a damp wooden trunk. Of course it would be great to do more with them but like all things that takes someone's time and money!!

Discovering Tom Charman's carvings at the New Forest Heritage Centre (photo: NFHC)

Equally fascinating are the records of the well-known Crosthwaite-Eyre family some of which were also on display during the evening and much of which would benefit from transcribing - more time and money!

On our tour there were yet more stories coming to light such as a little book describing a walk taken by Roosevelt in the New Forest which has recently been discovered in a box of guide books. Research continues and there will undoubtedly be many more stories to tell. If you'd like to help uncover and reveal more and/or support the Centre's future projects find out more here. Angus Harley and his team, his trustees and the amazingly knowledgeable volunteers are much to be commended. Go and visit them today I, for one, can't wait!