THE traditional way of life in the New Forest continues to be preserved, thanks to a donation from a local hotel.

Having collected donations from guests and diners for several years, The Bell Inn has raised more than £30k for their chosen charity – The New Forest Trust, which funds projects to protect the unique landscape, wildlife and traditions in the area.

One of the projects to receive a Love New Forest grant was the Pondhead Conservation Trust, a volunteer-run woodland initiative working in partnership with the Forestry Commission to improve the biodiversity of the 13th century Royal Deer Park, near Lyndhurst, via sustainable wood coppicing techniques.

The group used the money to install an environmentally friendly kiln to burn hazel and birch coppiced on the 200-acre site, which is then converted into barbecue charcoal, sold through outlets, hotels and shops in the local area.

Founder of Pondhead Conservation Trust, Dave Dibben, said ‘When we started this project in 2014 we were heavily reliant and extremely grateful for any grant donations and were delighted when we were able to purchase the charcoal retort.

"It enables us to be self-sustainable with wood from the site. The charcoal we produce is high quality that lights easily and burns evenly and is even used by artists for drawing."