Some people like barley-sugars ...

Possibly one of the most beautiful roads leading from the town of St Helier in Jersey is the one through wooded St Peter's Valley.  But its splendour could only be appreciated when driving a car along the road; and many of those drivers were becoming more irritated as an increasing number of cyclists slowed traffic to a crawl in the uphill direction on what is a narrow roadway.  Recently, the States of Jersey has begun to make improvements; a separate foot (there was none before) and cycle path now winds its way beside the road, but separated from it by granite walls or rough timber fencing.  An aggregate or all-weather surface enables more residents and visitors to enjoy the managed woodland through shade, dappled sunlight or the muted light of the woodland edge.

Open Space at The Wick.

The former branch railway which thousands of us know as Alban Way has been walked ever since the tracks were lifted in the 1960s.  The ground on either side of the line had previously been open, managed by the railway company to ensure nothing overhung the track.  Gradually, seedlings became saplings, which became young trees, and until recently trees as old as fifty years jostled with shrubs, grasses and other ground cover until the latter were largely crowded out by the large trees, which in turn made continuing to walk the dark path less attractive for many of us, especially in the evenings when an early dusk enveloped us.  Recent work to managed the trackside was, inevitably, criticised by some walkers who had become used to the prevailing conditions.  But now that we have restrained ourselves for a season nature has painted us a new version of the canvas.  Light, has been given the chance to reach the woodland floor as a result of thinning, and the woodland floor has responded with new ground cover species probably not seen there since the 1970s.  The walkway, which had deteriorated with increased passage of feet and cycle wheels, has been resurfaced.  There has been less talk of official vandalism and more talk of a pleasant, enjoyable and even stimulating walking route, providing a quiet way to and from our city.

No doubt there are a few people who would still prefer the increasingly dark route and the adventure of donning wellington boots each time they venture into the wilds of eastern St Albans.  But then, some people like barley sugars while others prefer mints, or no sweets at all.  We all have our tastes in life.

The woodland floor may hold many secrets.

Which brings us to the subject of The Wick; a small patch of unmanaged woodland in the middle of residential Marshalswick.  It had been at serious risk of being obliterated altogether in the encroachment of the housing estate of old Marshals Wick.  However, it was rescued following a sustained campaign largely led by the local Scout movement who used The Wick for regular activity evenings.  Finally, it was acquired by Sir Arthur Peake of Wickwood House, opposite The Wick, and was given by him to the city.

When a space or a building is gifted in this manner there is an ongoing cost to the recipient.  Buildings have to be kept in good repair, open spaces have to be mown and woodland needs to be managed.  Peeling paintwork, overgrown and weed-infested open spaces and dark unchallenged woodland indicate that the gift is being neglected.  The Wick is also an ancient site and some of its ground surface shows evidence of former occupation.

To be utterly responsible for the care of the woodland, it is sensible to allow a number of specimen trees to grow more strongly, thinning unlikely survivors around it in the process.  Have you seen the extensive plantings at Heartwood Forest?  The density of the planting will ultimately result in thinning of a proportion of the trees to permit others to grown on.  Those it is proposed to thin at The Wick are non-native or invasive species which randomly arrived at some time in the past.  And as at Alban Way, ground cover species not seen in decades will undoubtedly colour the woodland floor according to their season.

There, of course, remains the question of the path.  Vehicles have required access to the open space since it became a public area; we used to watch as the gang mower trawled up and down the field, interrupting our games of cricket or football.  Its visits, and those of other council vehicles were not frequent, but presumably they were necessary.  However we think of The Wick, it is a managed space.  Public toilets, children's play area, shelter, scout hut, emergency wartime warden's post – and some residential encroachment – have all played their part in how The Wick has been used.  An aggregate or other prepared pathway winding its way from one end to the other may not be a huge priority in the entire scheme of council spending, but since it has been proposed and offered, why would we not take advantage?  Like many similar additions, they stand out boldly when new, but the path will surely blend into the landscape within a short time.  Let's continue to enjoy The Wick for what it is, a wonderful little public space which everyone can use in their own way.

1936 COURTESY HERTS ADVERTISER