Guernsey Press

Friends of Commons urges public to join

MEMBERS of the public have been urged to join a group helping to maintain L’Ancresse Common.

Published
Friends of the Vale Commons midsummer's eve picnic at Rocque Balan.

The Friends of the Vale Commons offers a forum for like-minded people who would find it rewarding to share a closer and better understanding of the commons.

Independent of the Vale Commons Council, the group has a constitution which members themselves have drawn up in consultation with the council.

As part of this the group may suggest initiatives to the council, organise events and become generally involved with the commons as a body.

Friends chairman John Toynton said the group was open to everyone interested in the common.

‘The reason the Friends was started is that members of the public do not have access to the council’s AGMs and there was no outlet for us to let the public know what we were doing, which gives them the option to get involved,’ he said.

‘The big purpose is to have more people readily available to help us with some of our volunteering projects and initiatives.

‘What I would say to anyone wishing to join is that you get as much out of being a member as you put in.’

Over the past two years the group has helped with various projects and attended several events.

These include clearing invasive hottentot fig at Le Catelain, holding a midsummer’s eve picnic party at La Rocque Balan Farm and working with the Festung Guernsey group to help with its various new projects, ensuring that any site clearance is undertaken sympathetically and without detriment to any rare species.

‘Our plans for this year include encouragement and assistance with more clearance of the invasive fig, a bunker visit with Festung [Guernsey], a botany walk with Hazel Hill, more archaeology and another midsummer picnic at La Rocque Balan,’ said Mr Toynton.

The group is open to anyone.

  • To find out more email friendsofthevalecommons@gmail.com