The meeting was held at the Tite & Locke.
Present
Andrew Brennand (Chair), Hilary Short, Ian Diffenthal, Ian Procter, Jane Parker, Mark Tanner, Michael Sheppard, Mick Short, Mike Stevens, Ros Jones, Sharon Diffenthal, Sue Nieduszynska, Sue Pope
1. Apologies
Dave Brookes, Geoff Oliver, Janet Paske, Norman Gardner
2. Minutes from the last meeting
These were agreed with minor amends.
3. Matters Arising
- Bicycle Hangar – 21 applications were received and the bicycle hangar is now in use for six bicycles. There was considerable demand and a second bicycle hangar would be welcomed. It cost just over £6K, and the Fairfield Association paid just over £1K. Residents are paying £25 p.a. (same as a parking permit) to use the hangar. There is money for active travel in the County Council, so we may be able to secure funding for an additional hangar. We may also be able to get funds towards our footpaths as they are well used by walkers and joggers. Avanti may have funds available to support footpaths. We need a bicycle hangar discussion at the meeting in January. Special meeting to discuss a more strategic approach towards fund raising – 19.30 on 17 December at the Tite & Locke; date and time to be confirmed.
- QR code project – NaviLens allows people with impaired vision to access additional helpful information via an App alongside the information available to all. Will apply for funding for the QR code posts. Go live date is February 2025.
- Cycle route – Google routes cyclists though the reserve, even though they are pedestrian only footpaths. No progress – item closed.
- AGM accounts are now available on the website.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Bank balance
| Date | Account | Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 15.10.24 | 137,724 | |
| 19.11.24 | Co-op | 46,006 |
| Skipton | 85,000 | |
| 19.11.24 | Total 131,006 |
Restricted funds
There are none as the bicycle hangar has been paid for
General funds
£131,006
Balance
£131,006
Significant income
£150 for bicycle hangar use
Payments
- £715.98 for saplings, this will be refunded
- Bicycle hangar £6180
5. Playground
- Lease renewal is still with LCC.
- Survey of users – generally very positive – ‘it’s the only place in Lancaster where I see people from all walks of life come together to connect’.
- Some suggestions on possible improvements include:
- additional accessible and sensory items of play equipment e.g. swing, hut for imaginary play;
- information signs about nature;
- benches may need replacing;
- refurbishing the football area – there are some worn areas near the goal mouth that need attention (Andrew to investigate);
- replacing the bins with ones that aren’t open;
- Everyone agreed that this should be investigated; Mike to ask the council whether they can replace the current bins.
6. Education
- An early years group is due to come in the spring
- Morecambe Bay curriculum – something to pursue – Ian will send information to Sue P
- Discussion about how we might expand the education offering beyond the current school visits. Ros will send information about a group that might be able to help.
7. Events
- Green Fair on Saturday 23 November at the Friends Meeting House – four people are staffing the Fairfield stall, Mick and Mark are also happy to help
- Carol singing on Christmas Eve – Andrew will send a request for volunteers to help facilitate
Fairfield Festival in the same vein as 2024 (i.e. not primarily concerned with fund raising) on Saturday 24 May 2025
8. Wildroots Nature Fest (Ros Jones)
- This will happen over the weekend Friday 13 June to Sunday 15 June, its being organised by Wildlife Wellbeing Walks
- It coincides with the Great Big Green Week
- Purpose is to raise awareness of nature and local green spaces and encourage respectful use amongst schools and the local community
- Enthusiastic interest for the Fairfield Association to be involved
- Need to check with the North Lancashire Wildlife Group about their plans for 2025
9. FFOG
- There are a number of issues that are likely to incur expense
- Several trees have ash die back and sycamore disease – these trees are potentially dangerous. A tree surgeon will assess what needs to be done
- One of the older ponds is leaking and this needs to be investigated
- Paths in need of repair
- Some hedges need to be reduced
- The bird feeding station is now up and running and a WhatsApp group has been established for the volunteers who feed the birds
- Sapling planting will be on Saturday 14 December in six different sites – we need to advertise this opportunity to members
- FFOG meetings will continue at Friends Meeting House
10. The Triangle
Nothing to report
11. Eden Project Update (Michael Sheppard)
- Michael and Jude attended an update meeting on 6 November
- Representatives from the Eden Project in Cornwall and the Lancaster District Community and Voluntary Solutions team led the update to a wide range of charitable voluntary groups
- Government funding of £50M has been confirmed
- All development will be in partnership with the local community
- The Eden Project is committed to the environment and community – consistent with the Fairfield Association aims
- For every £1 invested, £4 will be realised
- 740K visitors p.a. and 200 jobs
- Hoping to open in 2028, but there will be a ‘shop front’ in the Winter Gardens soon
- The key theme for Eden project in Morecambe Bay is ‘rhythms’
- Morecambe Bay Curriculum is involved
- There is a commitment to accessibility for all and engagement of the whole community
12. Website, Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter
For the last few months, the website has settled down to very stable figures. Any 30-day period has roughly:
- 500-600 unique visits
- 1300-1500 page views
- 3-4 minutes average time for each visit
13. AOB
- Walk and talk for university students – proposed for 29 January 2025
14. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will take place at 7:30pm on Tuesday 21 January 2025 at the Tite & Locke.