ONE OF Hampshire most influential bodies has a new leader for the first time in six years.

The new Official Verderer of the New Forest, former solicitor Lord Manners, is following in the footsteps of his father, who held the position in the 1980s.

During that time the Verderers helped defeat a controversial Private Members’ Bill that would have allowed a bypass to be built around Lyndhurst.

The scheme aimed to ease the gridlock that occurs in the area but conservationists said the proposed new road would have a devastating impact on the countryside surrounding the village.

Dubbed the ancient guardians of the Forest, the Verderers strive to protect its character and appearance.

They also administer a unique agricultural practice known as commoning, which gives villagers the right to let their ponies, cattle and donkeys graze the landscape.

Married with four children, Lord Manners, 60, lives at North Ripley, near Bransgore.

He said: “I love the New Forest and this is a chance to put something back. My aim is to help preserve and enhance the area.”

The current Official Verderer is Dominic May, who is stepping down next month.

Speaking at the monthly Court of Verderers in Lyndhurst yesterday, Mr May said his successor would take up his duties on May 1.

He added: “Lord Manners practised as a solicitor in the City of London, retiring in 2014, and now farms in the Avon Valley. He is chairman of the trustees of the Fortune Centre for Riding Therapy and is a trustee of a number of other local charities.”

The previous Lord Manners, who was Official Verderer for ten years from 1983, died in 2008 aged 85.

Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, Official Verderer at the time, said: “Lord Manners provided the court with a decade of much-needed steady leadership during a difficult period, including the troubled times created by the proposed Lyndhurst Bypass Bill in 1988.

“He showed his considerable skills as a tactician, as an advocate for the Forest in the House of Lords, and indeed as an experienced lawyer.

“He also played a key role in the influencing the content and conclusions of the Illingworth Report, which did so much to shore up the future financial position of the court.

“But perhaps most of all he will be remembered as an utterly fearless horseman. I am assured that Lord Manners was the only serving Official Verderer ever to have ridden out to help on the drifts (pony round-ups).

“It’s an example that has not been matched since - nor is it likely to be.”

Ironically, Mr May marked one of his last appearances as Official Verderer by riding his horse to the court.

He said: “It occurred to me that we mostly notice the Forest through the car window, as if watching it on television and only seeing the bit closest to the road as we whizz past.

“This morning I was able to take in the early morning beauty, the bird life of Beaulieu Heath and the hidden backwoods.”

Mr May’s cross-country route included Beaulieu Heath, Hawkhill and Parkhill.

He told the court: “It was a real pleasure and reminded me that this is a working forest, with commercial tree plantations and stock management rubbing along side by side.

“It also reminded me why we all agree to serve as Verderers. It’s in order to preserve this unique place.”