Election of a new Verderer for the Forest of Dean

Melville Watts was elected in July 1980 to the 800-year-old Verderers' Court, which meets quarterly in the Speech House Hotel in the heart of the Forest of Dean. The Verderers are the sole remnant of the organisational structure developed after Norman times to administer Forest Law, introduced to provide for beasts of the Forest, in particular deer and boar, and for the protection of their habitat. Today's Verderers take a broader view, concerning themselves with the environment as a whole, not just the vert and venison.

A Verderer is elected for life. Due to the ill-health of the Senior Verderer, Dr. Cyril Hart, Melville has been Acting Senior Verderer for a couple of years and fully assumed the role on Dr. Hart's death earlier this year. The Court only has four Verderers and, as there were three candidates for the vacancy, an election had to be arranged.

The candidates have to own land within or near the Forest. The election is presided over by the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, currently Mrs. Anne Chambers, and the arrangements are handled by the Under Sheriff. All freeholders of the county of Gloucestershire (except those of Gloucester and Bristol) are entitled to vote and the outcome is decided by a show of hands. If the outcome is not clear a poll can be demanded. Election in this manner was suspended for most officials as the number of freeholders grew and voting by show of hands became impractical. However, the election of a Verderer continues with this special tradition.

The election took place in The Shire Hall, Gloucester, on 1 December 2009 and Maurice Bent was the successful candidate.

More information on the Verderers' Court is available at http://deanverderers.org.uk/