Doyle Monument Looking Tatty And Unloved

Thursday, 31 August 2023 07:00

The area around the St Martin's landmark is littered, the grass and weeds uncut and granite flagstones are lifting and out of place.

The original Doyle monument was blown up by the Germans because it blocked the view of a nearby gun. The States rebuilt it in 1953 and for years it was a tourist attraction, with views across to France and Alderney.

Now, although the granite monument is in good repair, the surrounding area is uncared for. There are broken bottles and litter and the green benches need painting.

The flagstones on the western side are covered in weeds and are lifting in places. The pathway up to the Doyle monument is overgrown.

The parish isn't responsible for the monument, it comes under the States' department, Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services.

Jim Robinson from that department says allowing the vegetation to grow, and not repeatedly chop it back, is good for wildlife:

“In years gone by, relevant authorities would’ve been much quicker to cut down what it deemed to be overgrown vegetation, but we now have a much greater understanding and appreciation of how our vegetation supports our wider biodiversity for the benefit of the island and the enjoyment of islanders.

The whole area next to Doyle monument will be cut later in the season after the flowering period."

The States wouldn't say what would happen to the granite work, just that it was on a list of priorities, but the benches are part of their maintenance regime:

“We manage just less than 500 benches across the island and carry out an assessment of these each year to identify which ones require maintenance. We then carry out any necessary work in the quieter winter period to ensure that as much seating as possible is available during the summer months.”