A FOREST of hands secured the place as the fourth Forest of Dean verderer for freeminer and Dean campaigner Rich Daniels.

Around 500 people filled Gloucester Cathedral to vote in the election for the ‘protector’ of the Forest to replace the late Ray Wright of Clearwell.

Lady Bathurst said the former owner of Clearwell Caves will be remembered for “fulfilling his commitment to the Forest of Dean, one of the most beautiful areas of our county of Gloucestershire, with selfless duty and energy.”

The election last Wednesday (February 15) was almost exactly 800 years after the first verderers were appointed.

Mr Daniels, who led the successful campaign against the sell-off of the Forest as chairman of HOOF (Hands Off Our Forest), said it was “humbling to be here, 800 years after the first verderers were elected.”

The election is overseen by the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire and is open to all the county’s freeholders – except those of Gloucester and Bristol which have their own sheriffs.

It was decided on a show of hands, although a poll would have been taken had there not been a clear majority.

The candidates were: Mr Daniels, businessman Spencer Thomas and engineer Malcolm Walker.

Lady Bathurst said: “I am delighted to see the freemen of the shire have responded in such numbers to my call to attend this historic occasion to elect a verderer of Her Majesty’s Forest of Dean.

“The Forest of Dean is one of only three Royal Forests in England that have appointed verderers, the others being New Forest and Epping Forest but, unlike the other two, the structure has remained unchanged here for at least 800 years – the first Forest of Dean verderers being recorded in 1216.

“As the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire it is my duty to oversee the election and confirm this ancient appointment and I would like to thank you for your presence in our wonderful cathedral.”

Traditionally the election was held at the nearby Shire Hall but was moved to the cathedral in 2011 when Ian Standing was elected.

Mr Standing and the two other verderers, Robert Jenkins and Maurice Bent, were present at the election.

All three candidates spoke of their strong opposition to any privatisation or over-commercialisation of the Forest.

Mr Daniels, who was born in the Dilke Hospital in Cinderford and was awarded an MBE for his services to the Forest, said: “I believe it is true that the people of the Forest of Dean and the Forest are inextricably linked.

“I was once asked what the Forest meant to me and my answer was: independence and freedom. 

“I work as a freeminer every day in the heart of the Forest and this not only gives me an understanding of the Forest below ground but also brings me into contact with all aspects of forestry management.

“This includes the working Forest, of which I am a great advocate, including timber production, understanding that process and the need for it. If we didn’t have our Forest managed it wouldn’t be long before we didn’t have the Forest at all. 

“The diverse and multi-faceted uses of the Forest give pleasure and also a huge amount of pressure on the Forest and of course the wonderful environment, the nature and the wildlife – wildlife that is challenged itself and wildlife that challenges us.

“As chairman of HOOF I have met four successive Forestry Ministers. There are still those who would see our Forest sold, disposed of, developed and over-commercialised.

“This must not be allowed to happen. 

“In these uncertain times providing knowledge, understanding and continuity I see as a vital role of our verderers.” 

Mr Thomas was born in Bream and his family had a long-time association with the quarrying, mining and timber industries.

He said: “I hold strong views on the possible over-commercialisation of the Forest, on animal numbers and I am passionate that the Forest should not be privatised and parts of it sold off for short-term gain. 

“It should be open and free for all but, most importantly, I would be your representative and take note of the concerns of the community in my tenure as your elected verderer. 

“A verderer needs to be passionate about all aspects of the Forest, past, present and most importantly, its future. 

“The verderer represents the Crown but also, importantly, the community and the inhabitants in general.

“They need to understand the economics of the Forest and those whose livelihoods depend on it.

“They need to be sympathetic to the Forest. I believe I have these qualities and I’m committed to the requirements of this role.”

Mr Walker, who was born in the Forest, said “in no way” could he ever support the sell-off of the Forest.

He said: “I have had no experience in free-mining or that of forestry but I was born in the Forest, I love the Forest and did my engineering qualification at Cinderford. 

“The Forest has always been an important part of my life. As a child it was a playground and I enjoyed walking in it.

“To me it was my extended back garden and I would like that to continue – so in no way would I ever support the selling off of the ground in any way.”

He said the problems of boar and sheep needed “deep discussions”.

Mr Daniels’s duties will include attending the verderers’ court which is held four times a year at the Speech House near Coleford.

The verderers work closely with the Forestry Commission and, in an address to the electors, Senior Verderer Mr Jenkins praised “the good management skills” of Deputy Surveyor Kevin Stannard and his staff.

He also thanked Lady Bathurst and Under Sheriff Nicholas Tanner for the interest they had shown for the Forest’s “heritage, traditions, customs, privileges and rights – although what is a right and what is a privilege does sometimes invite some very interesting debate.

“You can imagine that in the Forest can’t you?” he said.

Following the meeting, Mr Daniels’s mother Isobel said she was “so proud I can’t put it into words.”