15/10/2026
We're back with another member of our NFF '65 Club and celebrating a true legend - Steve from Hayward Fencing. 🤠 Red pickup, brown cowboy hat, and 60 years on the tools.
At 79 years young, Steve is still out there fencing every single day. Talk about staying power! Safe to say they definitely don’t make them like Steve anymore! 🛠️💪
Back when Steve was 37, he suffered a heart attack. He was told by doctors to "take it easy" and that his fencing days were over. Yet fast forward 42 years... and he’s still digging holes, clearing lines, and setting the gold standard for a pin-straight fence line. Ask Steve how he keeps going and he’ll laugh: "The easiest bit is digging the holes!" ⛏️
Steve’s history with New Forest Fencing goes all the way back to our original site before we moved to Mill Lane. Over six decades, he’s been a customer, a subcontractor, and a true friend to the business.
He remembers the days when Grandad David would hand-craft bespoke arches for his projects, and he’ll tell you that while NFF has grown massively, the heart of it hasn't changed:
"From David back in the day to Steve the Yard Manager, Dan, Jack, Rick the gate maker, and Tommy in the yard today - everyone is always happy to help and go the extra mile."
Steve’s career is packed with legendary tales - like his old partnership with the late Don Fitzgerald. Together, they did tree surgery back when you got paid fourpence (4d) a cubic metre for softwood and sixpence for hardwood! Dom had nerves of steel 50 feet up an oak tree, but when Steve tried to teach him to drive? A complete bag of nerves behind the wheel! 🚗💨
Steve’s legacy at NFF runs deep, too. When our very own lead fencer, James Nicholson, was just 17 years old, it was Steve who took him under his wing and taught him everything he knew about the trade before James eventually joined the NFF family.
Steve, thank you for 60 years of loyalty, endless laughs, and for showing us all how it’s done. You’re an absolute legend of the New Forest. 🥂🙌
