Gift of land means a new nature reserve in the Vale

The new site joins several other parcels of Trust land on the Chouet peninsula. The small hut 'No. 79' (picture above) was a former ICI explosives store before being acquired by the Guernsey Press to hold fireworks, which it used to sell. It was subsequently gifted to the Trust and is probably the most northerly located property on Guernsey.

The latest gift, by the heirs of the owner, link the hut to the adjoining rise of land, Creve Coeur, which is shortly to be returned to the National Trust of Guernsey having been leased to the States of Guernsey within a landfill site nearly 30 years ago.

It is currently possible to walk around the peninsular with unencumbered sea views and, when access to Creve Coeur itself is available, will provide a spectacular spot for sunrise and sunset. Parking is by the hut and the walk runs around the norther endge by the sea, returning via Les Hures road. 

National Trust president Mike Brown said they are awaiting the States of Guernsey to complete the return of Creve Coeur to the Trust and, when this was done, a new nature reserve was planned for this important coastal site.

Diversity
"We hope to work with La Société Guernesiaise and ACLAMS (the States' Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services) to turn the enlarged area into a nature reserve specifically aimed at improving nature diversity," he said. "We understand there are ground nesting birds there already so we may fence off part of the area to ensure they are undisturbed by dogs and walkers."

He didn't know when the States would complete formalities to hand back Creve Coeur to the Trust but he hoped it wouldn't be too much longer as the Vale and the north needed protected open spaces, all of which were under pressure in the island.

Mr Brown was grateful for the gift of land and said they welcomed approaches from landowners who wanted to protect their holdings in perpetuity The Trust was set up in 1960 to preserve Guernsey's heritage and traditions for future generations.

• The Trust is also grateful for a recent gift of five vergees of furzebrake in the Forest. 

Below: The recently enlarged area which the National Trust intends turning into a nature reserve.