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The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Fairfield Association Minutes: 16 December 2025

Present

Andrew Brennand (Chair), Dave Brookes, Hilary Short, Ian Diffenthal, Ian Procter, Jane Parker, Mark Tanner, Mick Short, Sharon Diffenthal,  Sue Nieduszynska, Sue Pope

1. Apologies

Geoff Oliver

2. Minutes from the last meeting

  • Subject to a minor change to 5 (FFOG): Hedge laying is by the Pony Wood path – add Pony Wood path, these were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

  • LGGS and Local Nature Reserve status – response from the Head following a letter to the Chair of Governors.

4. Treasurer’s Report

Bank balance

Date16/12/25        18/11/25
Coop 62,40128,644
Skipton120,000 85,000
Total             147,401148,644

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

Note that £35,000 has been moved to the Skipton to earn interest given the change on 1 December by FSCS to increase the limit on protected funds to £120,000.

Funds

Restricted

First Trenitalia £6995 (Cycle Hub)
Duchy £600 (benches)
Skipton £400 (benches)
UoL windturbine £2300 (benches)
LCC £200 (benches)
Saplings -£875

Total: £9620

General

£139,024

Balance

£148,644

Significant Income

  • Sale of calendars and cards (so far) £1213

Significant Expenditure

  • Chainsaw PPE £289
  • Volunteer training £462
  • Annual margin clearance £510
  • Saplings £1078
  • Calendars £768

5. FFOG

  • Damage to the board walk on Fauna path has been repaired.
  • Cattle have been escaping to the footpath, volunteers have made repairs to the hedge and path.
  • Cattle were moved into West Field without notice, so the electric fence wasn’t turned on. Fortunately the saplings weren’t damaged and the electric fence has been repaired. Communication needs to be improved.
  • Re-placing the Crowell Road notice board – can it just be turned round?
  • Thanks to the nature reserve volunteers to be added to the website along with seasonal greetings – Sue N to write some words for Mark.  

6. Playground

  • Lease renewal – no response.
  • Cycle Hub – Andrew will contact the manufacturer as Jane has already issued a Purchase Order.
  • Benches – being delivered to LWT this week for a likely installation next year.
  • Little Free Library – Mark has sent details to Lynne about having a cabinet made locally.
  • Replacent metal plaques – we need to investigate local manufacturers (e.g. Quay Fabrications) – Hilary and Jane. Monumental Masons may be able to help with installation – Dave to provide information.

7. The Triangle

  • Noticeboard has fallen over due to rotten legs. It is stored in the workshop. We need to investigate alternative legs for the noticeboard. Compost bins are close to the end of life – they may not be needed after April 2026.

8. Website, Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter

  • New material on the website: accessible constitution, butterfly surveys for the last 10 years, new page for Lucy Brook redevelopment, automation of snipe counts, Chris has been developing a database of trees across the nature reserve and Mark will link a map. There is an annual safety survey of trees, this development will be helpful. We may want to label the trees.
  • Lucy Brook consultation – 200 responses, 98 weren’t from members. Mark will thank non-members for responding and give information about membership.

9. Education

  • School visit rescheduled for 1 December was cancelled by both schools.
  • Dan has communicated with Tony. Tony has passed over materials.

10. Fundraising update

  • Lucy Brook redevelopment –LEF funding secured. Bid to National Lottery environment fund for £11K submitted 16 December, response within 12 weeks.
  • Footpath repairs – Sue Holden is pursuing funds from LEF.
  • Oral history – ongoing

11. Events

  • Green Fair 22 November held at St Thomas’ church, which was a good venue. There are many surplus calendars. We need to produce calendars earlier in future – perhaps for Apple Day.
  • Carol singing on Christmas Eve. Starting on Sibsey Street. Posters are up. Andrew to post on Facebook.
  • Wild Roots Nature Festival – should Fairfield be involved? – it was a lot of work and experts are reluctant to repeat the experience.

12. AOB

  • Permissive Paths on the nature reserve. We already have signs at the start of each path. We need to buy two more so they are also at the end. Should we register the Fauna and Pony Wood paths? It costs £370 per path. Sue P and Mark to pursue in the new year.

13. Date of next meeting

  • The next meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026 at the Tite & Locke.