WELCOME!

Sunset over the Avon valley (© 2018 Bill Shepley)

Welcome to Woodgreen, without doubt one of the loveliest places to live in the New Forest (or anywhere for that matter); a real community with great facilities and lots of activities for you to use and enjoy. Good choice!

The purpose of The Welcome Pack is to get you started, with specific contact information for you to follow up according to your circumstances. We hope you will come to love living here as much as we do, and become as active as possible in our various enterprises.

The New Forest

Now a National Park, with over 200 sq. miles of open heath, ancient woodland, forest trails and multiple recreational opportunities the area was proclaimed a Royal Forest by William the Conqueror in c.1079 for his own personal use. With the land reserved for hunting wild deer and boar, and the grazing rights of commoners established and maintained over the centuries, we can now walk, drive, cycle or ride on the largest open space in South-East England…on your doorstep!

The New Forest was designated a national park in 2005 and it is administered by the New Forest National Park Authority. The NFNPA website provides a helpful guide to living in the New Forest and a ‘welcome’ leaflet for new residents with 10 top tips to make you feel at home within the National Park.

Cricket on the Common (© 2018 Bill Shepley) — Cricket on Woodgreen Common (© 2018 Bill Shepley)

Woodgreen, a very potted history

Woodgreen initially started as an encroachment settlement sometime in the late 1600s, with the influx of poor people determined to set up home and scratch a living as best they could. Woodgreen thus grew into a village, both illegal and precariously surviving on the edge of the Forest and organised society. Don’t worry, the various authorities have long recognised our rights to stay, and Woodgreen as you see it today reflects the accelerating social change of the late 20th century as townspeople moved to the countryside, tracks became roads, the age of the motor car arrived and the rest is, as they say, history.

For more information about the history of Woodgreen and the surrounding area, we recommend a visit to the village’s telephone box! In 2016, BT planned to scrap it but the Parish Council adopt the box for a nominal fee. Now lovingly restored, the old telephone box is a local history and information point.

The old telephone box: now a history and information point.

A Community in Action

Woodgreen is more than just a place to live, somewhere to rest your head and park your car! We are a thriving community, open to newcomers and hopeful that you will enjoy our facilities and take part in our activities.

At the heart of the village are the Magnificent Four: Shop, Pub, Church and Hall… all with a few yards of one another.

Our shop belongs to the whole Community! If you haven’t found it yet you will be amazed by its size, the range of goods and services on offer, many locally produced, and where you are sure of a warm welcome. If you are so inclined you can even volunteer to help… and become a shareholder.

The “Horse and Groom” will serve you a good pint and tasty home cooked food. No need to find a duty-driver.

Our Church, “St. Boniface” (C of E) is part of the Avon Valley Partnership with services shared with St Mary’s, Hale and other local Churches.

The Village Hall completes the picture with its wonderful murals, showing village life in the 1930s, and at the heart of many local activities.

Clockwise from top left: Woodgreen Community Shop, the Horse and Groom Inn (photos © 2018 Bill Shepley), Woodgreen Village Hall and St Boniface Church (photos © 2018 Steve Morris)

Click here to download a printer-friendly version

THE WELCOME PACK

The New Forest National Park Authority (https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/) has produced a ‘Welcome Home’ leaflet for new residents with 10 top tips to make you feel at home within the National Park.

Welcome home leaflet

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION

Any villagers wishing to carry out work at their properties (including trees, hedges & fencing) must check with the planning authorities and seek relative approvals. General advice on planning matters is always available from the Parish Council.

New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA)

All enquiries: 01590 646600

https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/planning

ANIMAL WELFARE

About 100 commoners’ ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep are killed or injured on the Forest’s roads each year along with a similar number of deer. It is important that people report all animal accidents as soon as possible; some animals survive but have serious internal injuries. The National Park Authority produce a Hotline Card with the important emergency contact numbers.

If you are involved in a road traffic accident involving a pony, cow, donkey, pig, sheep, dog or deer, call the Police:

In an emergency, call 999 (24 hours)
In non-emergency cases, call 101

If you encounter a sick, injured or distressed pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep (not deer), contact the Verderers’ Office:
023 8028 2052 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) (https://www.verderers.org.uk/)

The Forestry Commission also operate a 24 hour helpline and can be contacted in the case of a sick, injured or distressed pony, cow, donkey, pig, sheep or deer:
0300 067 4600

Download an Animal Emergency Hotline Card

PUBLIC SAFETY

Police: General incidents: 101; Emergency: 999

Health: General 111, Emergency: 999

Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

Our Community Support Officer is PCSO Steve May
New Forest West Neighbourhood Policing Team
Email: New.Forest.West.Police@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Website: www.hampshire.police.uk

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Woodgreen Main Co-ordinator: Kevin Hunt 01725 512818 mobile: 07768 765780

CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION

PRESCHOOLS

Forres Sandle Manor

Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1NS.
Phone: 01425 653181
Website: https://www.fsmschool.com/
Email: office@fsmschool.com

Stepping Stones Pre-School

Avonway Community Centre, Fordingbridge
Hampshire, SP6 1JF
Phone: 01425 653517
Website: www.steppingstonesfordingbridge.co.uk
Email: manager@steppingstonesfordingbridge.co.uk

Lover & Redlynch Preschool

School Road, Lover, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 2PW
Phone: 01725 510295
Website: www.loverandredlynchpreschool.co.uk
Email: lover.preschool@gmail.com

Hyde Preschool

Hyde Church Rooms, Hyde, Fordingbridge,
Hampshire, SP6 2QH
Phone: 01425 655714/07795570041
Website: https://www.hydepreschool.co.uk/
Email: enquiries@hydepreschool.co.uk

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Breamore Church of England Primary School

Marsh Lane, Breamore, Fordingbridge SP6 2EF
(01725) 512286
https://breamore.forestedgelearning.co.uk/

Hale Primary School

Hatchet Green, Hale, Hampshire SP6 2NE
(01725) 510436
https://hale.forestedgelearning.co.uk/

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The Burgate School & Sixth Form Centre

Salisbury Road, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 1EZ
(01425) 652039
https://www.theburgate.com/

The Trafalgar School, Downton

Breamore Road, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3HN
(01725) 550300
https://www.trafalgarschool.com/

Souths Wilts Grammar School

Stratford Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3JJ
(01722) 323326
https://www.swgs.wilts.sch.uk/

Bishop Wordsworth’s School

Exeter Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2ED
(01722) 333851
https://www.bishopwordsworths.org.uk/

EVENTS AND CLUBS

Nextdoor

Join the online community “Nextdoor” via the website/app for the Woodgreen area to find out all the latest EVENTS, CLUBS, LOCAL AFFAIRS, LOST/FOUND etc concerning Woodgreen and surrounding villages.
https://nextdoor.co.uk/

Local Clubs

Selection of local clubs includes:

Hale and Woodgreen Horticultural Society (http://haleandwoodgreenhorticulturalsociety.org/)
British Legion
Ladies Evening Out (LEO)
Horse & Groom Ladies and Gents monthly dinners
Woodgreen Cricket Club (https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/woodgreencricketclub)
Woodgreen WI (monthly) (https://hampshirewi.org.uk/wi-page/woodgreen-wi/)
Hale Table Tennis Club (Wednesday 7-9pm, Hale Village Hall)
Craft club: Crafty Sew and Sos (Woodgreen VIllage Hall, Monday afternoons)
Jigsaw exchange (Woodgreen Village Hall, monthly on 2nd Wednesday)
Scrabble
Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics (see Woodgreen Village Hall for details)
Boniface Church Fairtrade Coffee mornings

Annual Events

April: Annual H&WHS plant sale (Woodgreen Village Hall)
May: Model Railway and Steam Fair (Woodgreen Village Hall)
June: Woodgreen Cricket Club and Hyde Band: Picnic concert on the Common in June
July: Horticultural Show: Woodgreen Village Hall
August: BH Monday: Woodgreen Cricket Club: Annual Fete on Common
November: British Legion Social Evening

Throughout the year, the Shop, Woodgreen Village Hall & St. Boniface Church host charity coffee mornings. The Shop also holds regular tasting events in Woodgreen Village Hall.

Hale Market

Hale Local Food Market is held in Hale Village Hall on the third Saturday of every month, 9am to 12 noon.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Hale-Local-Food-Market/100070928941993/

LOCAL HALLS FOR USE OR HIRE

Woodgreen Village Hall: Hale Road, Woodgreen; contact number for booking: 01725 513828
(http://www.woodgreenvillagehall.org.uk)

NOTE: Preferential rates are given to Woodgreen villagers for the hire of Woodgreen village hall for private functions. Check online for possible availability but also check with booking clerk.

Breamore Hulse Hall: 01725 510093 (https://hulsehall.org.uk/ )

Hale Village Hall: 01725 510050 (https://www.halevillagehall.co.uk/ )

WOODGREEN VILLAGE TRUST

Woodgreen is very lucky to have the Woodgreen Village Trust available to finance projects for groups and people of Woodgreen.

Applications for grant money need to be made to the secretary for consideration at the next quarterly meeting.

CHURCHES

Full contact details of the Avon Valley Partnership church team are in the Parish magazine and on the Partnership website: https://www.avonvalleychurches.org.uk/

St Boniface, Woodgreen
St Mary’s, Hale
St Mary’s, Breamore

COUNCILS

Woodgreen Parish Council

Meets the first Tuesday of the month in Woodgreen Village hall at 7.30pm.

Emails to: parish.clerk@woodgreen-pc.gov
Website: https://woodgreen-pc.gov.uk/

New Forest District Council (NFDC)

General contact number: 02380 285000 (https://www.newforest.gov.uk )

Waste collection: · Weekly general collection – Friday AM

Garden Waste collection: fortnightly (bags available from NFDC for an annual payment)

Glass collection: monthly (black box available from NFDC)

Parking clocks, which allow for 3 hours parking in all NFDC car parks are available from https://www.newforest.gov.uk/parkingclock.

Hampshire County Council

General Contact number: 0300 555 1375

Hampshire Highways, report a problem with roads, footpaths or verges, potholes, drainage, trees or hedges : https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/roadmaintenance/

LOCAL INFORMATION

Hale and Woodgreen Community and Parish magazine

Village news and information on local traders.
Delivered monthly. Email to: haleandwoodgreen@aol.com

Woodgreen Community Shop/Post Office

(Also serves as New Forest Local Information Point)
Hale Road, Woodgreen SP6 2AJ (Contact number: 01725 512467)

https://www.woodgreenshop.org/
https://www.facebook.com/WoodgreenCommunityShop

Opening hours:

	Shop	Post Office
Monday-Friday	08.00 – 18.00	09.00 – 17.00
Saturday	08.00 – 17.00	09.00 – 13.00
Sunday	08.00 – 11.00	– closed –

To help you find your way around the village, the shop sells a ‘Gazetteer’ with a map and listing of all houses in Woodgreen (£2.00).

Cashpoints

Our post office offers cash withdrawal facilities during normal opening hours. At other times, the nearest cashpoints are:

Outside of the CO-OP in Downton (Postcode: SP5 3LY).
Outside of the CO-OP in Fordingbridge (Postcode: SP6 1AX).

Local Pubs

Horse & Groom, Woodgreen
Tel: (01725) 510739 (https://www.horseandgroom-woodgreen.com/)

Bat & Ball Inn, Breamore, Tel: (01725) 512252 (https://batandballbreamore.co.uk/)

Cafés

The Borough Café, 70 The Borough, Downton, SP5 3LY (01725 238083), http://www.theboroughcafe.co.uk/
Bridges, 26 High St, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AX (01425 654149) https://www.bridgescafe.co.uk/
Pantry Barn, Breamore House, SP6 2DB (01725 511955), https://www.thenewforestpantry.com/pantry-barn-breamore

Also, Woodgreen Community Shop has a small café area with inside and outside seating areas where you can enjoy lovely cake and hot drinks.

Doctors

Downton The Surgery, Moot Lane, Downton, SP5 3JP (01725 510296) (https://www.downtonsurgery.nhs.uk/ )

Fordingbridge Bartons Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1RS, (01425 653430) (https://www.fordingbridgegps.co.uk/ )

Dentist

My Dentist, Highfield House, Bartons Road, Fordingbridge, SP6 1JD. Telephone: 01425 652331, https://www.mydentist.co.uk/dentists/practices/england/south-east-england/fordingbridge/highfield-house

The Borough Practice, 58 The Borough, Downton SP5 3ND, 01725 510303 (https://www.theboroughdentalpractice.co.uk/ )

Hospital/A&E

Salisbury District Hospital, Odstock Rd, Salisbury SP2 8BJ, 01722 336262 (https://www.salisbury.nhs.uk )

Rubbish and Recycling

Rubbish and recycling are collected on Friday morning: Black binbags (general waste) & clear recycle bags (paper, cardboard, tins, cans & plastic bottles only).

Recycle Centre: Somerley Recycle Centre, Verwood Road, Ringwood Forest, Somerley, BH24 3QE, https://www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/hwrcfinder/somerley
Booking required: https://www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres

Vets

Pilgrims, Gorse Farm, Blissford Road, Fordingbridge, SP6 2JH, 01425 657700 (https://pilgrimsvets.org.uk/)

Forest Veterinary Practice, 7 Park Road, Fordingbridge, SP6 1EQ 01425 652221 (https://forestvets.co.uk/)

Garden Centres

Baskets & Blooms, Stuckton, Fordingbridge, SP62HG, 01425 655150 (https://basketsnblooms.co.uk/)

Scent Sational, Frog Lane, Bowerwood Rd, Fordingbridge,SP6 1BN, 01425 650041 (https://scentsationalplants.co.uk)

Wolvercroft, Fordingbridge Road, Alderholt, SP6 3BE, 01425 652437 (https://www.wolvercroft.com/)

Hill Garth Nursery, Woodgreen Road, Godshill, SP6 2LP 01425 657619
(March – October; Thurs & Sunday, 9.30-5pm)

Garages

Petrol

Longford Garage, Salisbury Rd, Downton, Salisbury SP5 3HZ (01725 510890) 24hrs; cashpoint; Asda, Greggs
Fordingbridge Service Station, Southampton Rd, Fordingbridge SP6 1AP (01425 652259); Londis, 7.00 – 2100.

Tyres

Downton Tyre and Autocare Ltd, Downton Industrial Estate, SP5 3HU (01725 510334)

MOT & Servicing

Skinner & Osment, Unit 16, Downton Industrial Estate, SP5 3HU (01725 511543)