Last Tuesday at about 4pm, a visit to Buskett Gardens, for most of us synonymous with tranquillity and enjoyment of nature, was spoilt by thumping music that could be heard from a mile away.

Hoping this would not last long, we stuck to our plan for a peaceful afternoon; but after three-quarters of an hour of incessant aggravation, we gave up and had to leave. On our way out we saw several cars parked at the Buskett Roadhouse and a group of some 30 young people partying inside.

One would like to think that the lease of the place binds the lessee to respect the site and its use. Failing this, there are laws about disturbing the public peace that apply.

The loud music was an unwelcome addition to the other regular irritation – the pack of dogs that the lessee keeps locked up behind a wire fence. Their savage barking scares the living daylights out of anyone passing on foot close by. Surely something should be done about this too.

At the moment, a sizeable area next to the parking area is closed off by netting and is being excavated. I believe the public would have much preferred to hear or read that the lease of the whole place is not being renewed and the area restored for public enjoyment.

We have been deprived of this for over 50 years; it is high time renewal was refused. Even if this entails finding the lessee a plot of land somewhere less precious. Not in an outside development zone, of course.

Finally, a word of appreciation for the ministry concerned with the continuing rehabilitation of this small wood: stretches of dry stone walls repaired, dead trees removed, new lanes opened to three new tracts being resurfaced and replanted.

One hopes that once these works are completed the four farmhouses on site neatly restored by the previous government will finally be put to some use.