About New Forest Dispatch
New Forest Dispatch is an independent news publication covering the issues that affect everyday life in the New Forest, UK.
Free to read. Supported by readers.
🎉 Taking part in Indie News Week 2026 – book a free Story Clinic session
We publish clear, trustworthy local journalism covering everything from council decisions and community issues to investigations, accountability reporting and the stories shaping everyday life in the New Forest.
Our focus is the issues affecting everyday life in the New Forest - from transport and local government to business, housing, healthcare and community concerns.
Founded and edited by journalist Kerri L Watt, New Forest Dispatch was created to offer something different in local media - careful, slow reporting with no corporate owners, no ad pop-ups, no political agenda, and absolutely no ‘icky’ clickbait.
You won't just find the story of what happened. We aim to go a level deeper and ask: why does this matter, how does it affect local people, and what happens next?
Currently all stories are free to read.
Alongside this, we publish deeper investigations and important updates to keep residents and businesses fully informed.
So, I do hope you’ll join us.
What we cover
Local government and council news
Business, environment and local services
Housing, planning and development
Rural crime and policing
Transport, infrastructure and community campaigns
“Your Voices” - letters from councillors, residents, businesses and community groups
Investigations into issues that need deeper reporting
If it affects people in the New Forest or Hampshire, we aim to cover it.
How we’re funded
New Forest Dispatch is independently run and reader-supported newsroom.
We keep our journalism free to read because we believe access to local news is vital - but reader support, sponsorships and upgraded membership donations help fund the work that goes into:
interviews and on-the-ground reporting
deeper investigations into complex issues
attending council meetings
Freedom of Information requests
Every bit of support helps keep independent local news alive.
What our supporters are saying…
The publication is also supported by NFD Studio, a separate creative and communications service that helps sustain our independent local journalism.
Editorial decisions at New Forest Dispatch remain independent of any commercial activity. Any financial support does not guarantee coverage or influence editorial decisions.
Got a story?
We’re always listening.
If you have a tip, story idea, question, or something happening in your part of the Forest, you can contact me directly:
📧 editor@newforestdispatch.co.uk
💬 Twitter/X: @NFDispatch
Anonymous tips are always welcome, and full discretion is assured.
Support New Forest Dispatch
Independent local journalism takes time and resources.
If you’d like to help fund investigations and keep our reporting free for everyone, you can support NFD through tips or sponsorships.
👉 Back our independent reporting
👉 Become a sponsor (get your business in front of our engaged readers)
Editorial standards
New Forest Dispatch works to clear editorial standards and public-interest journalism principles. Our editorial policies and complaints process are available here.
