- Location: Tite & Locke
- Date: 06.11.25
- Time: 7.00pm to 9.00pm
Attendees
Sue Nieduszynska (chair), Graham Brandwood, Steve Bullen, David Elliott, Clio Graham, Anne Greenwood, Rebekah Mulligan, Ian Procter, Hilary Short, Chris Workman.
Apologies
David Brookes.
Previous Minutes
Accepted.
Matters Arising
3.1. Forest School.
There is a change of date to 1 December. Andrew Brennand will be contacting RM about access to the shed.
3.2. Chainsaw Training.
Craig is commencing the training on 24 November.
3.3. DBS checks.
RM will contact Michael Sheppard to ascertain progress with DBS checks.
3.4. Update on contactors activity.
SN and Robin met with Craig to discuss site maintenance issues. Craig will address the balustrade and check the gate lock within two weeks. Concerns were raised regarding the durability of the hazel fencing in upper Sowerholme, with suggestions to replace it with a sturdier post and wire fence. Craig will assess. Plans include extending the brook fencing and providing pedestrian access using planks. Additionally, the wet area to the right of the entrance going into Upper Sowerholme is believed to have a stone-lined pond beneath and may offer a suitable habitat for wetland plants. CW/SB to assess this area.
3.5. John Muir awards.
GB will send out details regarding the Wild Places Guardian award to all interested volunteers and will provide a further update at the next meeting.
3.6. Cyclist dismount signs
HS has obtained a sign. The “no cycling signs at Cromwell Rd to be removed and the “cyclist dismount” sign to be mounted on the wooden board.
Agenda items
4.1.1. Arable Field
See report SN. SB said they had found 18 species of arable weeds many of which are useful for winter feeding for birds. SN said there would be crop rotation again next year. There is a large amount of nettles & thistles along the boundary with Lower Sowerholme. These should be monitored & scythed next year if necessary.
4.1.2. Willows by ponds along Aldcliffe Road.
See photos SN. Willows have self-seeded in this area & are extending southward. There are 2 well established willows between Newt & Toad ponds. There is concern that these could overshadow the ponds & cause the area to dry out. GB suggested leaving the 2 established willows and removing the saplings.RM to task volunteers to remove the small willow saplings south of Toad Pond.
4.2.1. Update on sapling planting.
RM was successful in her application to the Tree Council for a grant of £875. The planting session is to take place on 10 January 2026. Unfortunately, some of the bays have been damaged by cattle & need repair. Some of the fence posts require deeper placement for stability.GB will lead a volunteer team to the repair the bays prior to the 10 January planting session.
4.2.2. Discussion re accepting saplings from members of the public.
SN thought we should have a consistent response to members of the public wishing to donate saplings. For memorial trees there has been a policy that the species is decided by us and a donation of £25 is given. It was decided that saplings can be accepted if there is space and the species is right.
4.4.1. Annual Orchard report.
See report AG. There has been a 5% drop in the number of orchard trees classified as “doing well” (green category) over the past year. This year, all trees were assessed for strimmer/mower damage to the base of the trunk. Over time, this data may help determine if such damage correlates with overall tree health. The 2011 Natural England Agreement set a target to maintain 90% of the original trees. The current figure is below 87%.
There is the risk that some trees, in very poor health and unlikely to survive may act as vectors for disease, threatening the rest of the orchard. It was agreed that it’s more important to manage the orchard appropriately (e.g.removing diseased trees) rather than strictly meeting the numerical target. 4 replacement trees to be ordered for planting this winter and this may include Katy & Discovery varieties as these do well in the Orchard.
A member of the public has been in contact with SN about planting a memorial tree for her sister who died recently. AG will make contact with her.
4.5. Meadows-barn scrapings.
SN passed round a sample of scrapings containing wildflower seeds from the Grayson’s barn. SN is in possession of 3kg of the scrapings to be spread in our meadows. There is little bare ground in the meadows so the cows could be allowed to trample after the seed is scattered. Alternatively, volunteers could use hand forks and then trample. It could also be used on the existing wildflower areas.
5.1. Volunteer Activities for September and October
See report RM. The West Field hedge is being cut with the petrol hedge trimmer.
5.2. Volunteer Job report
See report GB. SN commented that this was very informative. The West Field access gate is obstructed with blackthorn. No action required. There was discussion as to whether the electric fence on the west side of West Field should be replaced with a permanent fence. IP said the electric fence was effective but looking after it was onerous. SN and HS said it would be too expensive to install a permanent fence on the west side of West Field.
5.3. Proposed tasks for November and December
RM provided a report. At the southern end of the Orchard, it has previously been agreed with the neighbour that we will keep the hedge low. GB would prefer to retain the 3 hazels in this area for coppicing. CW expressed concern about 2 ash trees halfway down the Orchard on the side of Big Meadow & the ash trees near Flora Field by the double gates with branches overhanging the path.
Tasks for volunteers:
- To cut a gap in the West Field hedge (which is currently being trimmed)
- To lay the bird cherry into the pony Wood hedge
- To lay the Pony wood hedge (on the east side) beyond the 3rd viewpoint.
- Willow domes in the playground need repair.
- Cut the hedge at the southern end of the Orchard, then check if the hazels need trimming.
- The track leading past the shed needs to cleared of leaves.
- GB or Craig to use a chainsaw to remove overhanging branches from the ash trees near the double gate
6.1. Monitoring Report
See report GB. The gate separating the Gun Range from the Girls Grammar school field needs to be replaced. Robin has hired a contractor, but it’s unclear whether the gate is part of the current work.
6.2. Survey Update.
SN reported that Hil has submitted a butterfly survey July 2025. There was discussion about recording the data on a national database and DB had suggested that we should register with Butterfly Conservation as a Wild Space at wild-spaces.co.uk. SN to contact Hil about recording the survey data on iRecord & to discuss Wild Spaces.
The butterfly survey from Christine Bennett is awaited. SN to chase up.
7.1. Arrangements
RM to present the annual report on the tool & materials fund for January FFOG meeting.
7.2. Financial Control.
- Bird Food SN – £100.50
- Methylated spirits 5L AG – £21.49
- Updating first aid boxes AG- £21.38
- Platform for hedge trimmers RM- £50 from tools budget.
- Expenses for Craig PPE for chain saw training. (Amount unknown but Jane knows to expect)
3.3 Feedback from FA
The benches in the playground are all to be replaced.
Link to the minutes of the last FA meeting below:
Bioacoustic monitoring: see report SN. This would need an “enthusiast” to take responsibility for the monitoring. To defer.
7.5. Items to report from trustees.
- HS, DB, SN & Kerry met Elizabeth Morgan, head of LEF, during a site visit regarding the funding application for the Lucy Brook project and she appeared enthusiastic. We will know the outcome in December. SN will apply for match funding from the National Lottery Environment Fund.
- SN has registered with the Community Wings project for enhancing & monitoring habitats for butterflies, moths & other pollinators.
- We will have offered to be responsible for laying a hedge for the Eden Project community garden near the Midland Hotel.
AOB
GB reported that several years ago, volunteers participated in constructing willow domes at Heysham St Peter’s School. Recently, these structures were repaired, with additional maintenance scheduled for the Christmas holidays. A cheque for £100 was received; however, GB recommended returning these funds so that the school children may use them to purchase items for their outdoor play area. This was agreed and a letter to come from Andrew Brennand as chair of the association to the school
Next meeting
Thursday 8 January 2026. 7pm & venue to be arranged.