Land Acquisition Fund Talbot Valley

For over sixty years the National Trust of Guernsey has sought to preserve the Island’s culture, heritage and environment for future generations. 

Historically, we have gratefully accepted donations of land and we are delighted to continue to benefit from the generosity of Islanders and those from further afield. Our land holdings are increasing year on year, thanks to these generous donations. 

The climate is changing, only recently we have seen the hottest July day on record. Globally species are being lost at an alarming rate, the use of pesticides are indiscriminately killing the pollinators which are vital for our food supplies. Our small and beautiful island is not immune to these global forces. Locally Guernsey’s green spaces are under serious threat with increased pressure to provide housing, careless removal of trees and hedges, and an inexorable rise in the use of plastic grass all of which are having an impact on Guernsey’s environment. 

Any loss of natural biodiversity must be resisted and any plan to lose natural biodiversity, rejected. Islanders must do everything within their power to protect Guernsey’s landscapes. 

Land Acquisition Fund

Many of you will have seen an advertisement in the Press offering a plot of land for sale in the Talbot Valley. Some of you will have seen the wish, posted on the Guernsey Wildlife Facebook page, that the National Trust step in and purchase the site. 

We were watching and listening too, and the Council of the Trust decided to depart from our normal practice of relying on donations and make an offer for the site. 

We are delighted to say that our offer has been accepted. Notwithstanding an acceptable offer price, the vendors accepted our bid knowing that National Trust of Guernsey will ensure it forever remains a protected green space, with appropriate management and with minimal disruption to the established flora and fauna. In due course and funds allowing, it is our aim to create access. The sloping lay of the land, even with steps, warrants careful examination for appropriate and safe access which remain important factors for the Trust and vendors. 

This purchase represents the Trust’s determination to act to preserve Guernsey’s natural heritage, in the face of increasing pressure on the environment. The land acquisition was not budgeted for and has made a significant hole is our reserves which, in turn, will impact on our other activities. We therefore appeal to the generosity of Islanders and businesses to assist us by crowdfunding this acquisition. 

Land often comes up for sale with little or no warning. Council is exploring future ways in which the Trust can preserve our beautiful environment and, if this crowdfunding exercise goes well, it may be the first of many. 

We all recognise the wise words “they’re not making land anymore” so please support us in our aim to preserve Guernsey’s heritage for future generations. 

Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/national-trust-guernsey

or please contact Steve Hogg, Trust Treasurer directly: [email protected] 

For more information about National Trust of Guernsey lands, please contact Mike Brown, Lands Manager directly: [email protected]

Header photograph from Google Earth, with as close a representation of land area as possible. Full boundary details can be obtained through: [email protected]

Scan the QR code below to go straight to our Just Giving Land Acquisition Fundraising page. Thank you for your support.