New Forest champions recognised at 2024 rural awards

CLA and New Forest National Park Authority celebrate those making the forest a vibrant and dynamic place
Written by Mike Sims. First published on 1 Aug 2024.
New Forest award winnners 2024 at the New Forest Show
The winners were recognised at a special ceremony at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show this week.

The CLA and New Forest National Park Authority have announced the winners of the 2024 New Forest rural awards.

The annual awards, now in their 11th year, celebrate the people who work hard year-round to support the forest's landscape and economy.

The winners were recognised at a special ceremony at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show this week, with individual trophies presented by President of the New Forest Show Society, Hallam Mills.

The winners of the 2024 New Forest awards were:

  • Young Farmer/Commoner: Christian Newman from Totton
  • Best Supporter of Local Produce: Cottage Lodge Hotel, Brockenhurst
  • Sustainability Champion: Rebecca Gabzdyl of East Boldre Community Stores
  • Young Environmental Champion: Gemma Hobbs from Boldre.

Meet the winners

Christian Newman, whose ponies graze at Copythorne, won the Young Farmer/Commoner award for his understanding and respect for the heritage of commoning, his drive to establish himself and to improve on tradition. While he comes from a family of commoners, he started commoning from scratch only three years ago, researching his family’s stock bloodlines to reintroduce them today. The judges were impressed with how much he’s achieved in such a short time and his long-term ambition for the Forest.

Cottage Lodge Hotel in Brockenhurst won Best Supporter of Local Produce, with owner Maurizio Redaelli demonstrating unwavering support for a huge array of local food and drink producers. The hotel supplies everything from local sausages and bacon, to jams, honey and English sparkling wine. Maurizio’s passion for educating guests in New Forest produce is unparalleled, and he has set up a separate website: Yellow Forest, selling local goods.

Sustainability Champion was awarded to Rebecca Gabzdyl, the driving force behind East Boldre Community stores. The shop, recently converted from a Chapel, uses energy-efficient chillers, air source heating, salvaged materials and LED lighting, while solar panels have reduced electricity bills by half. The shop is stocked with local produce which reduces food miles across the National Park and is within walking distance to people in the community. The judges called East Boldre Community Stores ‘a shining example of what it means to be sustainable’.

Winner of Young Environmental Champion was Gemma Hobbs whose passion for protecting the Forest shone through. Gemma, 17, comes from a commoning background, and looks to empower the younger generation to treasure the Forest’s landscape and wildlife whenever possible. She’s vice chair of Beaulieu Young Farmers Club and has given many talks on common land and its upkeep, as well as on the vital role of commoning. She has also featured in numerous national newspaper articles on young environmentalists.

'Proud to support'

Tim Bamford, Regional Director of CLA South East which represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the New Forest and beyond, said: ‘The CLA is proud to support the awards once again this year, as they highlight the hugely important role played by farmers and other rural businesses in managing the landscape and helping our communities prosper.

‘With the New Forest National Park Authority we have been running these awards for more than a decade and it’s pleasing to see how well-established and respected they have become, and how excited our very deserving winners are at being recognised.

‘We would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter, as well as our event partners Moore Barlow for their continued support.’

Alison Barnes, CEO of the New Forest National Park Authority, said: ‘2024 marks the 75th year of UK’s national parks. As well as a time of reflection we also need to focus on what we need for their future and how our protected landscapes can support national objectives for climate, nature, people and places.

‘It’s heartening to know that such an impressive array of people are working day in, day out to ensure the New Forest is protected and enhanced. Well done to all our nominees and congratulations to our worthy winners.’

Highly commended

This year’s Highly Commended were:

Young Farmer/Commoner

Peter Fogarty from Lepe, a previous winner who still shows a remarkable commitment to the New Forest and its commoning community, including a willingness to help all his fellow commoners.

Best Supporter of Local Produce

The Farmers Butcher, Bramshaw, for its continued support for local farmers, excellent online delivery service and expansion of its shop.

Sustainability Champion

- Green Hill Farm Holiday Village, Landford, a tourism business providing solutions to reduce impact, help wildlife and engage visitors in how special the New Forest is for nature.

- Kat Wilcox and Wendy Collyer, co-chairs of Eco Sway –for leading and inspiring the community on a journey to a more sustainable future.

Winners' quotes

Christian Newman said: ‘It feels great to have won this award. It’s important to support young commoners for the future of the New Forest. I started commoning from scratch, which hasn’t been easy at times, but it feels like my work and input into the Forest has been recognised and appreciated.’

Gemma Hobbs said: ‘Winning the award for Young Environmental Champion is a profound honour that highlights the importance of youth leadership in conservation. This recognition not only validates the hard work and dedication of young environmentalists but also serves as an inspiring beacon for the younger generation in the New Forest.’

Maurizio Redaelli said: ‘We are extremely proud to receive this award. Since we took over the Cottage Lodge Hotel five years ago, we have made it a priority to support local businesses, and we proudly use many Brockenhurst and New Forest products in the hotel. We strongly believe that every business should support the local community and reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible.’

Rebecca Gabzdyl said: ‘It’s great after five and a half years of work that our efforts to make our shop sustainable have been recognised. One of the drivers to keep the shop in the village was to reduce vehicle miles which we’re also doing by supporting local produce. Making the business energy efficient is essential to make it financially viable.

‘Thanks to our customers for their support, and to other local community shops kind enough to share their know-how with us.’