New Forest pony sales yard fire 'shattering'

The apparently deliberate vehicle fire spread to the wooden compound

A fire that badly damaged a sales yard for New Forest ponies has been "shattering", its operator has said.

The purpose-built wooden compound at Beaulieu Road caught alight earlier this month when an apparently deliberate vehicle fire spread.

The famous New Forest ponies have been traded at the site for decades.

The New Forest Livestock Society, which runs the sales, said there was no indication as to when auctions at the site were likely to resume.

The sales yard was purpose-built for the sale of New Forest ponies

The current timber compound was rebuilt in 2002, to take account of modern specifications for animal sales. However, the trading of ponies has taken place at the site for decades.

It is managed by the New Forest Livestock Society, with volunteers fundraising and maintaining the facility.

Lucinda Lang, from the society, said: "It's just shattering. The sales yard holds so much history and tradition.

"Local residents have also been shocked by such a reckless act."

Pony sales at Beaulieu Road - photographed here in 1958 - are part of the New Forest's history

Pony sale events had been suspended during the Covid pandemic, although online auctions had taken place to allow the trade to continue.

Ms Lang said the society was still assessing the extent of the damage and how it could be rebuilt.

The New Forest's ponies are owned by commoners who live in properties with ancient rights attached, allowing them to graze livestock on the open forest.

'Absolute disaster'

Commoner Mark Ferrett said the compound was "essential and steeped in history".

"It's an absolute disaster," he said, adding: "It's part of the heritage and economy of the working forest.

"People come from all over the country - the sales are important for the bloodlines which developed through centuries."

In a statement, the Verderers, who oversee commoning in the forest, described the yard as "a very valuable New Forest resource" and said a "huge effort" had been put in to upgrade the sales facilities over the past two decades.

"The works carried out have helped to ensure the health and safety of everyone who attends the sales, as well as the ponies," the statement said.

The wooden sales compound was purpose-built in 2002

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were called to Beaulieu Road shortly after midnight on 8 April to a "rapidly-developing" vehicle fire, which spread to the wooden structure.

Hampshire Constabulary said investigations into the blaze were continuing.