Brusher’ Mills, a New Forest Character.
Nick Saunders SpeakerNet Sponsor
- Regions:
- England, Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Hobby
- Fee:
- Paid: £70.00 plus 20p per mile for travel to and from the venue.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 25th January 2026
- Tagged:
- Snakes | New Forest
The talk discusses the life and times of ‘Brusher’ Mills, who lived in a charcoal burner’s shelter in the New Forest and made a living catching snakes, which he sold to collectors and Zoos. He died in 1905.
'Brusher' was and still is a well known character in the New Forest. The =Brockenhurst Inn where he died is named 'The Snake Catcher'. He has one of the most elaborate graves stones in St Nicholas Church Brockenhurst.
About Nick Saunders
I am a historian based in the New Forest, Hampshire. I am chairman of a local history society. I write history articles for publication. I work part time in a Hampshire military museum and I am a battlefield guide. I have a BA (Hons) and MA in history. I have been giving local and military history talks for ten years.
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Nick Saunders
- Dame Alice Lisle of Moyles Court.
- Local Literary Connections
- An armed incident at Barton on Sea.
- The Murder of Sheila Sutherland
- The Indian Army in the New Forest in WW1
- The History of the New Forest Show
- The Victoria Cross awards to the Hampshire Regiment in WW1.
- Special Operations Executive in WW2 and the training of secret agents at Beaulieu.
- The life and death of Manfred von Richthofen
- The life and death of Werner Voss
- A brief history of Milton Parish.
- A walk through the history of New Milton.
- Using newspapers in local history research.
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