To mark this anniversary and as part of Tenby Civic Society's continuing care and maintenance of the Allen's View woodland area, it was decided to map and record all the present trees and shrubs in Allen's View.
Last week, Tenby Mayor, Clr. Trevor Hallett, who is also vice-chairman of the society, brought his knowledge as Tenby tree warden to the task of identifying each tree and shrub at Allen's View, whilst society chairman Harry Gardiner endeavoured to keep up, recording each and its location on the society's map of the site.
The record shows the rich heritage of Miss Allen's gift today; groups of mature native and planted trees from 40 years ago and before, as well as more recent self-seedings and planting.
Amongst over 200 trees 23 different species of trees were identified, including groups of monterey pine, Scots pine, oak, hawthorn, blackthorn, sycamore and some (40-foot!) leylandii. Other trees present include ash, bay, beech, birch, cherry, crab apple, cypress, damson, firs, griselinia, hickory, holm oak, laburnum, ornamental ash, silver birch, rowan and whitebeam.
Amongst the shrubs recorded are buddleia, cotoneaster, dog rose, elder, fuschia, griselinia, gorse, holly, ivy, laurel, mahonia, privet, rhododendron and weeping laburnum. Seasonal flowers include snowdrops, bluebells, cowslips, crocosmia, kniphofia, pink campion, aquilegia, tutson, daffodils, and primroses, whilst a variety of ferns grow beneath the trees.
In recent years, the growing maturity of the woodland has meant quite a lot of work reducing ivy growth (especially on groups of blackthorn trees), removing dead pine branches: removing a few dead trees (like a crack willow that cracked!) and some tall leylandii hampering other trees, staged reductions of the height of the remaining leylandii, and trimming intergrowth of tree branches.
Other work is regularly needed, including trimming hedges at viewpoints, maintaining footpaths through the site, trimming grass in the glades, cutting back blackberry growth (which last year was particularly invasive!), cleaning and varnishing benches, clearing branches and emptying litter bins. (Little litter is dropped in the site itself). A small group from the committee carry out the maintenance with a tree surgeon called in for specialist help.
The site's easy public foot access by the coast path, views north and south along the coast, glades, trees, flowers, sitting areas and wildlife attract repeat visits by locals (especially dog walkers) and visitors alike, showing that Miss Allen's dream of the public sharing the pleasures of and views from this hill top vantage point has worked well for over half a century and will continue to be so enjoyed.