(These minutes were amended on 22 April 2025. The word “urgent” was deleted in item 5.)
Present
Andrew Brennand (Chair), Dave Brookes, Hilary Short, Ian Diffenthal, Ian Procter, Jane Parker, Mark Tanner, Mick Short, Mike Stevens, Norman Gardner, Sharon Diffenthal, Sue Nieduszynska, Sue Pope
1. Apologies
Geoff Oliver
2. Minutes from the last meeting
- These were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
- LGGS and Local Nature Reserve status – no progress
4. Treasurer’s Report & Annual Return
Bank balance
| Date | Account | Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 18.02.25 | 138,262 | |
| 18.03.25 | Co-op | 53,210 |
| Skipton | 85,000 | |
| Total 138,210 |
Notes
This includes the legacy of £54,760 received in 2023
General funds
£138,210
Balance
£138,210
Payments
- £368 for fencing posts
5. FFOG
- Playground is a public space and needs tidying up around the sub-station and sorting out some crowded trees – will seek advice from tree surgeon
- Dog waste in the reserve – fluorescent pink chalk-based paint is being used. Suggest putting little signs up as well. We are grateful to the volunteer who is willing to do this.
- Dave and Sue N have met Frank Huddleston, contractor, about
urgentwork on footpaths and gates including the removal of the Cromwell Road notice board for refurbishment by Woodscape (see fundraising) – estimate was reasonable and he has been asked to proceed - John Muir Trust is an international conservation society and for many years FA subscribed to its awards scheme. The awards are a good way of recognising volunteers’ contribution to maintaining the nature reserve. The awards scheme was temporarily suspended but is now available. Agreed that we should subscribe again
- Mark has made an interactive map of the photographic evidence of the development of the reserve over the last ten years. Chris Workman has prepared a narrative and will send a finalised version to Mark
- Some of the playground grass is in need of repair – volunteers to investigate
6. Playground
- Lease renewal is still with LCC – Dave will chase
7. The Triangle
- Quarter barrel has been purchased and will be installed on Sunday 23 March
8. Education
- Tony Finn has been the lead for school visits for 15 years and has asked that someone takes over – his substantial contributions over the past 15 years are much appreciated by the FA. All the information and materials he has developed are available on the FA website. He is willing to support whoever takes over and any visits meanwhile
- No feedback from Dan Morris – Andrew to pursue
- Morecambe Bay Curriculum – conference on 4 July to support schools develop their Climate Action Plans
9. Fundraising update
- Lucy Brook redevelopment is likely to cost £38K. Sue N is in touch with Kerry Diamond (lead) to consider how we might apply for LEF funding
- Footpath repairs – Sue Holden (lead) and Hilary Short are due to walk the paths when it rains
- QR code project – Mike Stevens will prepare a bid to the 3R foundation soon – on hold until June
- Notice boards – the majority of noticeboards just need refurbishing with a sander rather than replacing. The noticeboard by Cromwell Road needs modifying and moving. Woodscape has offered to modify the Cromwell Road noticeboard for no additional charge if we purchase new wooden benches for the play area. The cost to replace all the play area benches is approximately £22K. Mike and Andrew to conduct a detailed survey of the benches and consider fundraising from the wind turbine or Glasdon – no further progress
- Playground benchtops could be reused on other benches in the reserve
- Accessible signage – talk with local groups about what is needed – Mike Stevens is happy to apply for funding. Abi Mills is LCC disability champion – Andrew has spoken with Abi
- Fairfield Cycle Hub – bid has been submitted to Avanti for a second cycle hangar, a public access cycle parking rack and cycle toolkit that includes a bicycle pump – should hear soon
- Oral history project – Adrienne with Ruth are keen to get on with this. Norman has been contacted by Adrienne
10. Events
- Easter Egg Hunt – Bethany Haughey & Katherine Woodfine are organising for Monday 21 April (contingency date Saturday 26 April) – payment systems need locating and collecting for this event
- Fairfield Festival on Saturday 24 May 2025 – Andrew, Mike and Jon Hill are organising – Global Village Cafe to provide catering including sweets; Beyond Radio are doing the music; sponsors needed; active publicity from beginning of May; first aiders – Andrew to coordinate
- North Lancashire Wildlife Group (NLWG) – Sunday 25 May
- Wild Roots Nature Fest – 14 & 15 June – nature walks around the reserve organised by Ros Jones
- Open Yardens – 21 & 22 June – Jon Barry is organising. Mark will provide technical support
11. Website, Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter
- Newsletter is in train for March to advertise the Easter Egg Hunt and the Fairfield Festival
12. AOB
- BBC Make a Difference Award – need to nominate Fairfield Association by 31 March – Andrew to coordinate
- Black Poplars need boggy sites – Woodland Trust is looking for suitable sites. Ian and team are planning tree planting for the end of 2025, they will investigate possibilities
- Providing advice for planting hedges and not replacing hedges with fences
- Just behind the bench at Harries View, someone has planted a small Christmas tree – it needs to be removed – Ian will raise with the volunteers
13. Date of next meeting
- The next meeting will take place at 7:30pm on Tuesday 22 April 2025 at the Tite & Locke.