Ashdown Forest

Commoner's Representation on the Board

Commoners have the right (under the Ashdown Forest Act 1974 amended by Clause 89 of the East Sussex Act 1981) to vote in the election of Commoner Conservators, or indeed stand for any election should they so wish. The Board of Conservators of Ashdown Forest consists of 16 members. Nine are appointed by East Sussex County Council, one of whom represents the Lord of the Manor (Ashdown Forest Trust), two by Wealden District Council and five are elected by the Commoners, of whom four must be Commoners.  Each Commoner Conservator stands for five years and is elected at the yearly Annual Meeting (in March). Postal voting is possible for those Commoners unable to attend. There is no proxy voting. 

Arrangements for the meeting follow the requirements laid out in the Ashdown Forest Act 1974. The Clerk to the Conservators sole duty is to give notice of the meeting taking place and of any election (should there be one).  The election is organised by the Commoners for the Commoners. The Forest Centre maintains the Commoner database and hires the hall for holding the Annual Meeting. The meeting rotates around the villages of Forest Row, Hartfield, Fairwarp and Nutley.

How do Commoners Register their Vote?

Commoners must complete a Voting Registration Form nominating one voter per property. This is often the owner of the property. Only one person per household may vote. If the nominated voter changes a voting form must be competed, signed and returned to the Office before the Clerk to the Conservators can accept the change to the electoral role. Voting forms are available from the Office.  Please note there is no proxy voting.

Commoners Rights

Estovers
This is the Right to cut birch, willow and alder for use on the ancestral hearth.  Estovers can only be granted to the original dwelling registered at the time of the Commons Registration Act 1965.  The  cutting of estovers is governed by Bye-Law 24 which gives the Conservators power to set aside areas for cutting and to prohibit the use of other areas.  

In practice any Commoner wishing to cut should contact the Ashdown Forest Centre (01342 823583) and a Ranger will then agree a site which is consistent with conservation, convenient for the Commoner and unlikely to annoy local residents.  The cutter must be suitably insured and a copy of cover will be required by the  Ranger.  Click here for more information on Wood Permits.

Each Commoner is entitled to 2 cords of wood (1 cord is a stack of wood 4’ x 4’ x 8’/1.25m x 1.25m x 2.50m).  Trees must be felled as close to the ground as possible and toppings stacked to rot down. Cutting sites must be left clean and tidy. Bye-Law 24(c) states that in the interest of the quietude of the Forest, power saws are not permitted to be used on a Sunday.  All commonable wood must be cleared off the Forest by the end of March.  Vehicles must not be taken onto the Forest when the ground is wet.

Brakes and Litter
The right to cut bracken and heather (litter) for the principal purpose of bedding down animals in winter on the holding.  Bye-Law 24 (a) states that these should only be cut in areas agreed by the Conservators.