- Location: On-site meeting
- Date: 07.05.26
- Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Attendees
Hilary Short (chair), Graham Brandwood, David Brookes, Steve Bullen, David Elliott, Clio Graham, Anne Greenwood, Rick Gould, Rebekah Mulligan,
Ian Procter, Chris Workman.
Apologies
Mark Tanner
2. Previous Minutes
Accepted
3. Agenda Items
3.1 Sinage
IP indicated the two signs on the fence at the Cromwell Road entrance: “Dogs on Lead” and “No Cycling”. He said the new “No Cycling” sign, installed six weeks ago, had been unscrewed and removed although it has now been replaced. He also reported that two screws had been removed from the “Dogs on Lead” sign. To help prevent further tampering, the centres of the screws have been drilled out.
Other missing signs:
- The Great Crested Newt sign on Fauna path
- The “dogs on lead sign” recently put up along fauna path
- The “no cycling” sign at the entrance to Long Pads
IP showed 3 printed “no cycling “signs designed by children at the Easter egg hunt that had been agreed by the FA. He requested decisions on where these signs could be placed.
Decision
Sites for Children’s designed signs:
- Near the Cromwell Road bin replacing the existing sign.
- At entrance to Long Pads to replace the missing “no cycling “sign
- Opposite double gate near bird feeding station replacing existing sign which is to be reinstalled along Fauna path.
- The great Crested newt sign to be replaced with one from the shed.
- The poorly visible “dogs on lead” sign behind the bench on Pony Wood track to be moved to Fauna Path.
Action
Volunteers to put signs up. (RM)
3.2 Cromwell Road gate
IP/HS explained the previous FFOG decision to leave the Cromwell Road gate without a fastening- noise disturbance to neighbours, improved disabled access and previous fastenings vandalised/stolen. DB said on the rare occasion it needed to be closed it could be fastened with a chain.
3.3 Fauna Path fence
RG identified several areas of fencing along the Fauna Path, the Boardwalk, and the path up to the Orchard that require attention. Some posts were rotted at the top, allowing water to seep in. He suggested that wooden caps, grain the opposite way from the post, similar to those used on the boardwalk, would help prolong the life of the posts and could be fitted by volunteers. RG also said that some areas of rotted wood could be treated with liquid resin to extend their life.
Some jobs, such as repairing the gate post at Carr House Meadow, would require a contractor. HS also marked other repairs that would need contractor attention.
IP said that where there is a broad, intact hedge, this could serve as a barrier, allowing the post-and-rail fence to deteriorate gradually. Where gaps would allow dogs access, a cheaper post-and-wire fence could be used instead.
Decision
To install caps on the fence posts along Fauna path.
Action
Volunteers to:
- Make & install caps
- Repair rot with resin
- To repair the internal fence in Hay Meadow by inserting a couple of posts
- Replace screws on the top rail of the fence to school pond.
- Repair to the rail on the boardwalk-needs replacement wood & screws (RM)
HS to get a price for new gates for Carr House Meadow & Hay Meadow
3.4 Willow Screen
Refer to the volunteer jobs report GB. Selected willow had been cut by hand the previous day to provide a supply of fencing stakes. GB explained that the willows strip easily at this time of year when the sap is rising & that stripped willow will not regrow.
3.5 The woodland area at the north end of the Orchard.
The woodland area at the north end of the Orchard. HS reported that there have been complaints from neighbours about activity in the woodland area in the evenings. The entrance to the area is open and has well-trodden paths. IP reported that historically a fence had been put up on 3 separate occasions but had been dismantled.
Decision
A dead hedge to be erected at the entrance to the woodland area.
Action
RM to task volunteers
3.6 Section of barrier between Long Pads and Flora Field
The fence has been pushed down, and it would be relatively easy for a dog to access the field.
Decision
To be repaired with posts and barbed wire.
Action
Volunteers to repair the breach (RM)
3.7 Concrete wall along Long Pads
RM reported that black plastic bags containing dog waste are being persistently thrown over the wall creating a large pile that does not easily rot down.
Decision
A deterrent sign on a post to be put up.
Action
HS will ask Andrew Brennand to make a sign.
3.8 Notice board on Pony wood track.
IP reported that in March the board had been full of sighting with no space for new entries. He suggested 2 options:
- Have a person responsible for recording & regular cleaning of the board.
- Repurpose the board. Bearing in mind, that sightings can be recorded on iNaturalist the board could be used for other items e.g. signs on hedge laying, information on birds & fauna in the wood, link to iNaturalist etc.
Decision
It was agreed that the board could be repurposed. A sub-group could produce ideas for the signs.
Action
IP to measure the board & obtain a cost from the printer on Thurnham street.
3.9 Sycamore saplings in Pony Wood Extension
The prescription for the woodland creation stipulates that we “control all sycamore regeneration”.
DB reported that the new plantation has multiple sycamore saplings and this will worsen the longer we leave it. The ideal time to uproot is February/March.
Action
To add this item to the FFOG agenda for autumn
4. Reports
- Volunteer activities for March & April (RM)
- Volunteer jobs report (GB)
- Proposed tasks for May & June (RM)
- Monitoring report (GB)
- Cattle monitoring (RG) – to be sent out with the minutes
5. Standing Items
5.1 Arrangements
No amendments
5.2 Financial Control
Nothing to report
5.3 Feedback from FA (HS)
Link to the minutes of the FA meeting of 21.04.2026
5.4 Feedback from Trustees (HS)
Nothing to report
AOB
Nothing raised.
Next meeting
Tite and Locke Thursday 2 July 7pm.