STOCKBRIDGE'S lord of the manor has handed over the keys to his successor and is making a new start in France.

Outgoing resident Chris-topher Robathan recommended that His Honour Judge Guy Boney QC should take over the appointment - having lived in Stockbridge for the last 20 years.

The lord of the manor role has been a long-standing tradition in Stockbridge for more than 800 years. Mr Robathan, a solicitor, is looking forward to retiring from his job and making a new life in France with wife Nancy.

He said: "It's a fascinating job. I've tried to find out what's going on and knit various parts of the community together."

Mr Boney is excited about the challenge ahead of him. He said: "It's not just about presiding over ceremonial occasions - it's about being involved in a lot of local activities and acting as a figurehead."

The Lord of Stockbridge Manor traditionally managed the rights of Stock-bridge commoners using land at Stockbridge Common Marsh and Stockbridge Common Down.

The idea of the manor court comes from medieval times. Each estate belonged to a 'lord of the manor'.

It was the responsibility of the lord of the manor to organise the estate for his own profit and the rights of the workers living there.

The Stockbridge court also dealt with the transfer of land, the organisation of the common fields and meadows and dealt with blocked paths and defective hedges.

The steward, who ran the court for the lord, kept a watchful eye over the Lord's rights including rentals, heriots and boon work.

The National Trust now owns the common land.

The role of the lord of the manor remains because it is designed to look after the best interests of the residents of Stockbridge.