‘Part of our souls’: the fight to stop the New Forest being split in two

As government reorganisation ties part of the forest to Southampton, local people are angry Della Keable could not hold back the tears as she explained how her family had lived in the forest for centuries, making a living among the trees, loving the tight-knit feel of the place. “I’m sorry,” she said as the emotion got too much. “But the forest is part of our souls.” Keable is among thousands of people protesting against the UK government’s decision to split up the administration of the New F...

By Steven Morris