The Forest sheep and their shepherds, more commonly known as ‘ship’ and their ‘badgers’, have a special significance in the Forest of Dean where they freely roam. The Forest Charter of 1217 allowed people living in forests the freedom to collect wood for fuel and the right to graze livestock. Whereas the Magna Carter made the Barons more powerful, the Forest Charter was exceptional in providing protection for ordinary people who inhabited forests.  After the industrial revolution the traditions based on the Charter, and the opportunity to fish on the Severn and Wye, provided a source of sustenance and income when work was precarious and household income barely covered subsistence. 

In ‘This Land is Our Land’ we explore how the ability to turn out the domestic pig, cattle and sheep was challenged by modernisation, authorities and regulation after the Second World War.

We hear from the foresters working for the Forestry Commission; the last charcoal burners; and the commoners who turned out sheep and pigs and who were labelled ‘unprincipled rogues’. We learn about the impact of motor vehicles, the hazards of fishing on the river, and how determined attempts to remove grazing rights went to the heart of government but faltered when all seemed lost. In our last podcast in this series we end by looking at how the new century brought an even greater challenge than legislation could ever bring. 

Presented by Dr Roger Deeks, with contributions from Steve Cooper, Bart Venner, Clayton Ryder, Fred Thomas, Kelvyn and Carol Jones, Gordon Brooks, Charlie Penn, Henry Mills, Mr and Mrs George Hogg, Nigel Isaac, Mick Holder, Thomas Preece, and John Thomas. Thanks also to Caroline Prosser-Lodge and Cheryl Mayo. Additional material voiced by Amanda Deeks and Emily Wood. This podcast is made possible through the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and University of Gloucestershire.