Letter: Locals ‘don’t slow for New Forest ponies’

I AM wholeheartedly in agreement with the letter (A&T 1st Sep) from Liam Hinks, Barton, but would like to clarify one point.

People whose families have roots in the area regard the Forest as part of their birthright.

For the Forest people in particular it is a major part of their lives, but both Forest and village people are constantly horrified, disgusted and frustrated by the reckless behaviour of many of the drivers.

Like many, I came here in the early ’60s to be told by a neighbour who had himself recently arrived: “We don’t slow down for ponies. They are very traffic-wise. If you slow down you will look like a tourist.”

Non-rural people moving to the countryside often bring their urban habits and prejudices with them passing them down to their offspring.

With little contact with indigenous Forest people whom they vastly outnumber, they have created a dominant urban Forest culture which includes the belief that by not slowing for ponies they are showing they belong here.

In reality, they show they have no understanding or respect for the Forest.

I was recently horrified to hear the presenter in a freeview video say “Those in the know don’t stop for Forest ponies because they know they will move out of the way”.

This reflects the attitude of many of our urban residents who also treat the Forest as an urban park and petting farm.

CJ Aldhous

Dibden Purlieu