Fairfield Association Minutes: 15 July 2025

The meeting was held at the Tite & Locke at 7.30pm

Present

Andrew Brennand (Chair), Dave Brookes, Geoff Oliver, Hilary Short, Ian Procter, Jane Parker, Mark Tanner, Mick Short, Sue Nieduszynska

1. Apologies

Sue Pope, Ian Diffenthal, Sharon Diffenthal

2. Minutes from the last meeting

• These were agreed

3. Matters Arising

• LGGS and Local Nature Reserve status – no progress
• AGM is booked for Tuesday 23 September at the Storey in the Auditorium

4. Treasurer’s Report

Bank balance

Notes

This includes the legacy of £54,760 received in 2023

Restricted

First Trenitalia £6995 (Cycle Hub)

General funds

£140,675

Balance

£147,670

Income

• First Trenitalia £7388 Cycle Hub
• £1223 Open Yardens (150 visitors?)

Significant expenditure

• £383 Lancaster City Council planning permission (Cycle Hub)
• £1907.51 Zurich – insurance renewal
• How much does it cost on a daily basis to keep the Fairfield nature reserve, orchard and playground running? Jane will investigate

How much does it cost on a daily basis to keep the Fairfield nature reserve, orchard and playground running? Jane will investigate

5. FFOG

• There will be sapling planting in West Field in January, organised by Rebekah.  This will be open to all.
• Of the trees planted in the play area, only four have survived.  These trees will be left in place but no further trees will be planted.  The large area of blackthorn will be cut back and managed.
• The Lancashire Wildlife Trust will tender for the Lucy Brook project, including project management.  They will also look at the bund on Alder Pond.  It may be that a spillway is more practical.
• Contracted work on the gates and the Towneley Close path is not satisfactory.  Sue will meet the contractor to point out what needs to be done.
• We have a new interactive map of our hedging, thanks to Mark Tanner.
• The article on the Orchard for Thrive has been done

6. Playground

• Lease renewal is still with LCC
• Mike has negotiated large plastic bins, still awaiting installation

7. The Triangle

• The Triangle Summer Fair will take place on Saturday 9 August.  Donations of cakes and books are needed and payment devices need to go back to Andrew.  Further details from Dave to follow.

8. IT, social media and newsletter

• Mark will streamline the current sources of information and news, so that there is no duplication.
• Following the successful Yardens event, Mark has begun a “Gardening for Wildlife” strand of the blog on the website.
• A short bi-monthly newsletter will go out online, based on the minutes of the meetings.   Possibly circulated by Sarah.
• A newsletter will go out in late summer, in time to advertise Apple Day.

9. Education

• Andrew has organised a meeting with Dan and Tony in the Orchard on Monday 21 July at 7pm.  All welcome to attend.  He is hoping to put together an action plan for the autumn.

10. Fundraising update

• Footpath repairs – Sue Holden (lead) has heard back from one of the contractors.  He has pointed out that because of the nature of the work and the types of machinery needed, patching is not a good option.  He estimates £18,000 – £25,000 to do all the work.
• QR code project – Mike Stevens will prepare a bid to the 3R foundation soon – on hold until the autumn
• New benches and Cromwell Rd notice board.  Andrew has received a reply form the Lancaster University Wind Turbine fund asking if part funding would be OK.  We have had a further site visit from Woodscape to estimate the cost of installation by them.
• Cycle Hub – Mike will provide an update on the costs.  Planning permission should be with us by the end of August.
• Lucy Brook project – LEF has invited us to apply.  Sue is organising a community consultation (required by the Lottery Fund).  Kerry is investigating permissions required from NE and estimates of the cost.
• Tree planting in January, Rebekah will apply to the Tree Council for saplings.
• Oral history – possibility of National Lottery Heritage funding for recording and presenting – first step is to garner local support

11. Events

• Open Yardens – was a great success and raised £1223 – thanks to Jon Barry
• Apple Day will take place on Saturday 4 October and will be organized by Veronica and Pavlos.

12. AOB

• Summer break in August.

13. Date of next meeting

• The next meeting will be the AGM at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 23 September at the Storey in the Auditorium.
• The subsequent meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 21 October at the Tite & Locke.

PDF copy of minutes

PDF copy will be available from 28 July 2025