DR Cyril Hart will be celebrating 50 years as a Forest of Dean Verderer at a luncheon in his honour at the Verderers Court at the Speech House next Monday.

Elected by the people of Gloucestershire at the County Court in 1952 to serve as one of the four verderers for the Forest, Dr Hart has not just helped to maintain this ancient tradition. Within 10 years he was elected senior Verderer and he has worked tirelessly to protect the Forest and its wildlife over the last half century.

"We are celebrating 50 years of loyal service as a Verderer," said Rob Guest, deputy surveyor. "But Dr Hart continues to demonstrate his ability to provide a relevant contribution – and we look forward to working with him for many years yet."

There have been several significant events when his knowledge, careful research and insight into the Forest and its history have made a particular mark. One of the most notable was his involvement in the Wild Creatures and Forest Laws Act 1971, where the abolition of the old forest law meant that the Queen relinquished her interest in the Forest (and thus it ceased to be the Royal Forest of Dean).

He provided input to the development of the Forestry Commission Byelaws in 1982, which, for the last 20 years, have been so important in protecting the Forest against the less desirable aspects of modern society.

Perhaps his most important achievement has been the clause inserted into the Forestry Act 1981 that prevents the sale of the Statutory Forest of Dean, but still allows for beneficial exchanges. No other forest in Britain has that protection.

In more recent years he has played an important role in advising the deputy surveyors and their staff about the management of the Forest – taking forward the traditional responsibilities of caring the the 'vert and venison' – into the 21st century, with the moves towards multipurpose forestry, emphasising the social benefits and conservation interest as well as timber production.

Dr Hart has a wealth of knowledge about the traditional practices of sheep grazing and mining – the Freeminers and Commoners – and he has recently updated his books on both subjects. He has written several other notable books about the Forest of Dean, its history and traditions.

Trained as a Forester, he has brought real expertise to the job of verderer and generations of students have used his book on practical forestry as their bible.

The position of verderer has not been the outdated role that some may suspect. Dr Hart has, and continues to, contribute greatly to the management of the Forest of Dean that he loves, where he was born and where he lives.

"It has been a great honour for me to serve the Forest for 50 years. During that time I have experienced many changes but throughout I have been pleased to assist whenever I can," explained Dr Hart.

"I would like to record my thanks to all those friends and colleagues who have supported me in my office of verderer over the years."

Guests at the Speech House will include the three other verderers, members of Dr Hart's family, dignitaries from Gloucestershire including the High Sheriff, Lord Lieutenant, chair of the county council and district council, and, from London, representing the Queen, the Queen's Remembrancer, former deputy surveyors and Forestry Commission staff, from the Edinburgh HQ, England and local office.