ROWLEDGE historian Roy Waight has published his latest book, exploring the history of Alice Holt Forest from the Iron Age to modern day.

‘Alice Holt: A Brief History’ has been published by the Farnham District and Museum Society and can be obtained from Farnham Museum or Waterstones.

It follows Roy’s last publication ‘Rowledge – Remote from Civilisation?’ and was inspired by his frustration at the lack of any single, popular summary text on the forest.

He said: “You know, Alice Holt looks unchanging. One might imagine it had always been, and would always be, unchanging.

“In truth, it has changed enormously over the past 8,000 years, from the first birch woods that replaced the tundra of the last post-glacial dawn to the present. Nothing of the original wildwood survives.

“In extent, it has gradually reduced as land-hungry farmers have cleared it in quest of arable land. The process by which much of the original forest was cleared, all done by manual labour, must be one of the most astonishing achievements in British history.

“Although at times of population growth, folk have made clearances or encroached on the forest edges, at other times, when pestilence ravaged the population, they have retreated and the forest has reclaimed the clearings.”

From the Iron Age, if not before, people have wrested a living from Alice Holt Forest, says Roy.

It has been used in many ways: for hunting, for the production of timber for the navy, as a source of wood and game, poles for hurdles and hop poles and underwood for charcoal.

It has been the site of a pleasure garden. Eccentric and powerful personalities have occupied the various lodges that have been built there. More recently, it has been managed professionally by the Forestry Commission.

Now, environmental considerations have reasserted the importance of broadleaf trees and downplayed the ubiquitous conifer.

He continued: “The average person experiencing the forest today does so in pursuit of recreation and may not appreciate how complex and fascinating is the history of the great swathe of trees through which he jogs or cycles.

“He is not likely to know that once an almost queen of England ruled its rides, or that it had its own Robin Hood. Nor is he likely to appreciate the quiet persistence of those who now manage and make a living from the forest.

“If I encourage interest in the forest, I shall be happy. And I must thank the Farnham District and Museum Society for agreeing to publish my book.”