Present
Andrew Brennand (Chair), Dave Brookes, Geoff Oliver, Hilary Short, Ian Procter, Jane Parker, Mark Tanner, Mick Short, Sharon Diffenthal, Sue Pope, Viv Shaw (Lancaster Orchard Blossom trail)
1. Apologies
- Ian Diffenthal, Sue Nieduszynska
2. Minutes from the last meeting
- These were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
- LGGS and Local Nature Reserve status – nothing to report.
- Calendar – team needed, meeting postponed to await response from newsletter.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Bank balance
| Date | 17/3/26 | 17/2/26 |
| Coop | 25,426 | 27,664 |
| Skipton | 120,000 | 120,000 |
| Total | 145,426 | 147,664 |
This includes the Burtonwood legacy of £54,760 received in 2023
Funds
Restricted
First Trenitalia £6995 (Cycle Hub))
Total: £6995
General
£138,431
Balance
£145,426
Significant Income
- Calendars and cards £1352 (net)
Significant Expenditure
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust fitting playground benches £2076
- Newsletter £333
- Number tags for trees £369
5. FFOG
- Rick Gould has prepared a report on the current fencing – expenditure required.
- Health & safety – improved access.
- Footpaths – Mick and Rick have been adding drainage, which has helped to reduce puddling.
- Plan to plant more wildflowers in the orchard.
- Need people to count Snipe in the autumn.
- Calf has been born.
6. Playground
- Lease renewal – still under discussion. Awaiting response from Ann Wood at Lancaster City Council.
- Cycle Hub – installation issues have been resolved. Agreed that a household can’t have more than one space. The installers will make a donation of £750 to compensate for all the installation challenges. Andrew will arrange a sign for the Cycle Hub.
- Benches – all the benches have been installed and look lovely. Unfortunately, not all the benches are perfectly level. LWT is doing work in the autumn and will adjust the level of one bench then. Cromwell Rd noticeboard will be resited then. Need to find out about how best to maintain the benches.
- Little Free Library – crowdfunding has gone live.
- Replacement metal plaques – approx. cost £400.
- Gate to the toddler area isn’t closing properly – Lancaster City Council will repair.
- Football goal mouth has a large hole that fills with water. Needs to be filled and repaired. Andrew to contact Helen Brister.
7. The Triangle
- Hoping to re-erect the notice board.
8. Website, Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter
- Newsletter has just gone out.
- British Trust for Orthinology (BTO) is campaigning for people to use its App to record birds in local green spaces from April to June
9. Education
- Dan has approached schools to come to the Nature Reserve after Easter. One school signed up so far.
10. Fundraising update
- Lucy Brook redevelopment – Awards for All (National Lottery environment fund) contacted Sue N to suggest requesting more money and change the category from community to conservation.
- Footpath repairs – LEF rep. visited and suggested requesting £30,000.
11. Events
- Easter Egg Hunt Sunday 5 April – Bethany is organising – plenty of volunteers after a post on Facebook. We need to request First Aiders – Andrew to action. Bakers have already been contacted. Rick Gould will coordinate gazebos as Pavlos is away.
- Lancaster Orchard Blossom trail – Viv Shaw is an orchardist who recently moved to Lancaster. Annual blossom trail, approx. 300 events around the country. So far, five orchards in Lancaster are taking part: Claver Hill, Fenham Carr, Miss Whalley’s Fields, Scotch Quarry and Storey Gardens, Most likely date, Saturday 2 May. There will be national events the week before. A blossom picnic 1200-1400 was a popular proposal. Anne Greenwood needs to be consulted about what the orchard volunteers might like to do in the orchard – Andrew to action. Viv will provide publicity that can be put on the noticeboard. Possibly arrange music.
- 30 years of the Fairfield Association – collecting photographs, memories and volunteers for oral history. We have had some responses already but are hoping for more after the newsletter article.
12. AOB
- There was no AOB
13. Date of next meeting
- The next meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026 at the Tite & Locke.
Sue P cannot attend. Hilary will take notes and pass to Sue P.