The meeting was held at the Tite & Locke at 7.30pm
Present
Andrew Brennand (Chair), Dave Brookes, Hilary Short, Ian Diffenthal, Jane Parker, Mike Stevens, Norman Gardner, Sharon Diffenthal, Sue Nieduszynska, Sue Pope, Mark Tanner
1. Apologies
Geoff Oliver, Ian Procter, Mick Short
2. Minutes from the last meeting
- These were agreed, with the adjustment of the Skipton balance to £87,896 in the Treasurer’s report (item 4)
3. Matters Arising
- LGGS and Local Nature Reserve status – no progress
- AGM is booked for Tuesday 23 September at the Storey in the Auditoriums
4. Treasurer’s Report & Annual Return
Bank balance
| Date | Account | Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 22.04.25 | 141,735 | |
| 31/4/25 – Year end | Co-op | 53,553 |
| Skipton | 87,896 | |
| Total: 141,449 | ||
| 20.05.25 | Co-op | 52,316 |
| Skipton | 87,896 | |
| Total: 140,213 |
Notes
This includes the legacy of £54,760 received in 2023
General funds
£140,213
Balance
£140,213
Income
- £582 from the Easter Egg Hunt
- £100 sponsorship from Xeinadin (accountants) towards the Fairfield Festival
Payments
- £383 for two E-ZUp shelters
- £1163 for larger Gazebo
- £950 expenditure for Fairfield Festival (£642 for loos (£282) and fridge and freezer (£360))
- How much does it cost on a daily basis to keep the Fairfield nature reserve, orchard and playground running? Jane will investigate.
5. FFOG
- Some ponds have dried up completely
- Cows can only use fields where there is water
- Tawny owl nesting n Pony Wood
- Gate to Aldcliffe Road is slipping and needs to be kept secure
6. Playground
- Lease renewal is still with LCC
- Mike has negotiated large plastic bins, likely to be installed in June or July
- Andrew will apply to Lancaster University Wind Turbine fund for replacement benches
7. The Triangle
- There was a small event selling plants for Oxfam
- Considering a summer fair
8. Education
- Andrew and Dan Morris were due to meet at 7 pm on Monday 28 April in the Tite & Locke. It is rescheduled for Monday 2 June
9. Fundraising update
- Lucy Brook redevelopment – Teams meeting with Elizabeth Morgan from LEF on 10 June
- Footpath repairs – Sue Holden (lead) and Hilary Short need a ball park figure for repairing paths
- QR code project – Mike Stevens will prepare a bid to the 3R foundation soon – on hold until the autumn
- New benches and Cromwell Rd notice board – Andrew to pursue possible funding after the Fairfield Festival (part of Accessible signage initiative)
- Fairfield Cycle Hub – Avanti bid was successful – £7388 for another hangar, bicycle stand, bicycle tools and pump, bollard and signage
- Oral history – possibility of National Lottery Heritage funding for recording and presenting – first step is to garner local support
10. Events
- Easter Egg Hunt raised £582
- Fairfield Festival on Saturday 24 May 2025 – Dave is coordinating putting up the gazebos on Saturday, BBQ for lunch, Global Village Café is providing Middle Eastern wraps, desserts and coffee later in the day, Beyond Radio is coordinating music, Lancaster Brewery has donated £1000 worth of beer to sell, More Music gamelan, Info tent – Fairfield leaflets and stickers and items to sell. There are four card readers – we need to gather them all
- 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. 21 yardens have volunteered. We may need cake. There will be four tea stations.
11. Website, Facebook, Instagram and Newsletter
- Open Yardens on the website will be available just before the Fairfield Festival. Inaturalist App is being used across the Fairfield reserve, anyone can use it. Something for the next newsletter?
12. AOB
- Summer break in August. Hilary will take minutes on 15 July.
13. Date of next meeting
- The next meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 17 June 2025 at the Tite & Locke
- The subsequent meeting will take place at 7:30pm on Tuesday 15 July at the Tite & Locke