Present
Andrew Brennand (Chair), Chris Johnston, Geoff Oliver, Hilary Short, Ian Diffenthal, Jane Parker, Mark Tanner, Mick Short, Sharon Diffenthal
1. Apologies
- Dave Brookes, Ian Procter, Sue Nieduszynska
2. Minutes from the last meeting
- These were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
- LGGS and Local Nature Reserve status in the hands of our solicitor – no update.
- Calendar team has produced posters – Grace Naylor is leading, pictures must be submitted by 1 August, will attempt to get printed in time for Apple Day.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Bank balance
| Date | 30/4/26 | 21/4/26 |
| Coop | 40,946 | 29,417 |
| Skipton | 120,000 | 120,000 |
| Total | 160,946 | 149,417 |
This includes the Burtonwood legacy of £54,760 received in 2023.
Funds
Restricted
First Trenitalia £7388 (Cycle Hangar)
Lottery funding £10,996 (lucy Brook)
Total: £18,384
General
£ 142,562
Balance
£ 160,946
Significant Income
Lottery funding for Lucy Brook £10,996
- Insurance premium – additional £120 for Cycle Hub assets
5. FFOG
- There are now seven calves
- People have been dropping bags of dog poo over the concrete wall – volunteers are having to retrieve them – a sign is going up asking people to take their bags with them
- Outdoor meeting to look at fences – fences to protect new planting from the cattle isn’t strong enough – we need to get a contractor to replace the fencing in West Field
- Gate to Cromwell Road should be kept open but the position of the hook on the wooden fence doesn’t make that possible – Hilary will follow up
- Fence to be erected at residents by Edenbreck
- Nettles in Pony Wood and by the path – volunteers will be asked to cut back
- Fencing into Flora field has been broken and then taken down – this has been filled with brash by volunteers. Barbed wire to be replaced
- Chris reported seeing Black Cap, Chiff Chaffs, Cetti warbler, Sedge warbler, hares, stock doves, great spotted woodpecker
6. Playground
- Lease renewal – draft awaited
- Cycle Hub – sign has been affixed. Press release imminent
- Little Free Library – funds secured to purchase a shed
- Replacement metal plaques – design agreed; likely cost £300-400
- LWT has agreed to realign benches in September.
- Football goal mouth – the work should be done in September after the summer holiday before October half term (approx. cost £450. If needed, rubber matting would be an additional £300). The area will need to fenced off using Harris fencing with information posters to explain the work.
7. The Triangle
- Some progress has been made on clearing the noticeboard post holes in readiness for replacement posts
- Recently hosted a meeting of a regular roving art group convened by King St Arts
8. Website, Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter
- Chris’s reports are a regular feature on the website
- E-news was sent out at the beginning of May
- Michael Sheppard was on a Radio 2 show on Sunday 10 May talking briefly about the Fairfield Nature Reserve
9. Education
- School visit on Monday 15 June from Lancaster Cathedral Primary School
10. Fundraising update
- Footpath repairs – we expect to hear from LEF soon.
- The Wind Turbine Fund – request for funds for the gate to enable wheelchair access, with Sue Holden.
11. Events
- Lancaster Orchard Blossom trail – 2 May, picnic in the Millennium Orchard, no one attending the meeting was able to attend
- 30 years of the Fairfield Association – Adrienne and Andrew have scheduled about 10 interviews with volunteers
- Apple Day – Hilary will approach Pavlos and Patricia to see if they are interested in organising; Andrew will send a general email for volunteers. Veronica has information about the planning for 2025 to handover. Possible dates 26 September or 3 October.
12. AOB
- Sharon and Ian brought some photos from several years ago
- AGM will be at 1930 on Wednesday 23 September at the Storey auditorium
13. Date of next meeting
- The next meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 16 June 2026 at the Tite & Locke.