Ambassador Nicky Mansell
Guide for the Jersey Island Geopark
What does the Jersey Geopark mean to you?
To me if Jersey becomes a Geopark it means that the island will be recognised for its amazing variety of landscape and heritage. Many people who visit the island are surprised at how beautiful it is and often say they hadn’t realised what a unique place it is. Travelling around the island and seeing it though the eyes of visitors it always amazes me the variety of landscapes which exist in 9 miles by 5. A Geopark will celebrate those differences and put us on the map as a place worth exploring whether a beach lover, history buff or adventure tourist.
What’s your favourite geosite and why?
Very hard to choose between Le Pulec, Plemont and the Violet Bank. I think I would probably go for Plemont. There is such amazing coastal geomorphology in the bay with caves, arches and stacks and some superb examples of the NW granites and igneous intrusions, all very accessible to the visitor. I also love the headland as it proves the Jersey peoples commitment to preserving our coastline after it was saved from housing by the National Trust for Jersey and The States and at the right time of year you may be able to see a puffin or two.
What first sparked your interest in geology, nature or heritage?
I was brought up on the edge of the South Downs in Eastbourne and spent a lot of my childhood walking along the ancient trackways past tumuli and barrows and finding fossils and flint in old quarries. My parents were always interested in history and different landscapes and we would travel up to Wales to my grandparents and explore the beaches, mountains and castles so it rubbed off on me. So much so I ended up reading Geography at university and then teaching it for over 30 years. My real passion is in enjoying travelling though and understanding different landscapes. I remember reading The Making of the English Landscape by WG Hoskins when studying for my A Level Geography and loving the idea that our landscapes are a result of millions of years evolution from the creation of the rocks and landforms, to the ecosystems which develop on the land and then the impact of man from prehistory to today.
How do you share your passion for the Geopark with others?
As a geography teacher all my working life, I always tried to incorporate as many field trips as possible into the curriculum and now when meeting former students they often reminisce about trips to the Lake District or North Wales or visits to St Catherine’s Woods to measure the characteristics of the stream or onto the Dunes to study plant succession. Since retiring from teaching I have continued with that passion as a Blue Badge Guide for Jersey Uncovered and love to take people to unusual locations in the island either walking, cycling or by kayak and open their eyes to the processes which have created that landscape. I feel I have succeeded when locals on walks say they will never look at the granite cliffs in the same way. My other passion is sea kayaking and whenever I am on the water with groups I can’t help getting excited about some of the amazing coastal features around the coast and sharing this with my fellow paddlers.
Do you have a special memory linked to a Geopark location?
I remember in Covid when we only had 2 hours of exercise time, I cycled from my house to L’Etacq. The weather was so good I swam off the slip at Le Pulec, which was unusually seaweed free and lay on my back watching the oyster catchers and gulls overhead, granites to the north of me and Jersey shales to the south. I then sat on the beach and watched a grey seal swimming in the gullies. A perfect 2 hours in difficult times.
Why is it important for Jersey to become a UNESCO Global Geopark?
By becoming a Geopark it will put the island on the map. The island is really well placed for the independent traveller. Hopefully as a Geopark more people will come to explore and locals will be proud of what we have and therefore be more ready to fight to preserve it. I hope it will give the island the recognition it deserves as a beautiful place to visit.
How do you see your role evolving as an ambassador?
I love to share my passion for Jersey’s landscapes and am happy to keep running Geowalks and giving talks to interested parties. I would like more schools to go out and explore the beaches and more locals to understand what a unique place we live in. I am always learning and with every new discovery I love to share that knowledge with anyone from primary schools, fellow tour guides, visiting kayakers, to retirees in the USA.
Hard to choose between Le Pulec, Plemont and the Violet Bank!
By becoming a Geopark it will put the island on the map. The island is really well placed for the independent traveller. Hopefully as a Geopark more people will come to explore and locals will be proud of what we have and therefore be more ready to fight to preserve it.