Present: Mike Rundle, Ian Wilson, David Cooling, Neil Dandy, Nick Parsons, Barley Wilson, Steve Cale, Gill Waldron
1) There were no apologies for absence.
2) Financial Report
The bank balance is £2756.90 in credit as of 28th Feb. Mike reminded Nick, David, Ian and Barley that Adama Traore of Barclays Bank has written to them as part of Know Your Customer and is awaiting a reply. If we do not respond we may be faced with some restriction of our bank account.
3) Membership Report
There are 2 new members since the last meeting, Patrick and Margaret Gompertz who live in Great Ryburgh. Members are paying their subscription fees.
4) Pollinator pathway/Habitat corridors
The majority of the meeting was taken up with discussion of this topic in conjunction with the RWG future vision plan which will be part of the 25th anniversary celebration (see item 6). The aim is to enable the pollinator pathway project (PPP) to move out of the village into the countryside. Current and potential threats to local wildlife diversity include destruction of hedges and scrub.
Contacts made at a conference at the Claylands project in South Norfolk last week include Gemma Walker who may be able to help with liaison with the Upper Wensum Cluster Farm Group and Matt Jones, the NWT living landscapes officer, so that we could enter a dialogue with local landowners and farmers. Much depends on the implementation of Defra’s ELM initiative. Gemma had a very useful mapping area which might form a blueprint for our locality ACTION Barley initially.
It will also be necessary to engage residents in support of wildlife friendly initiatives, discussion of the past and recent history of the area may be a route to remind people of past habitat value which might be salvageable now.
There are some positive moves too, the National Lottery have given £5 million for Wildlife Trusts, Aviva £38 million for carbon capture and rainforest development so there may be financial support opportunities in the future.
There was discussion about ideas that Steve will put to Fergus in a future meeting.
5) Future Events
a) Walk on Ryburgh Common, Sunday 16th April at 10.00am, meet at Beet Pad. ACTION Mike, Ian
b) Dawn Chorus walk, Sunday 14th May, locally, it needs to be earlier than previous starting times of 5.30, potentially 4 am, to be decided ACTION Ian, Mike, possibly Steve
c) Possible Sennowe walk later in the year.
6) 25th anniversary events
a) A celebratory weekend June 10th -11th with a project to invite/challenge residents to record wildlife seen over the weekend in the local environment. Possibly a special category for children with guidance. On Saturday afternoon/evening, a BBQ to be a celebration of the achievements of the group in the last 25 years, provisional date Saturday June 10th, to be held by the community woodland or, if wet in the Hall car park. ACTION to be decided
b) A lecture by Steve in the Memorial Hall on Saturday evening November 10th, with emphasis on the developments of the 25 years, the challenges and the future vision. Probable charge for entry? Refreshments? To be decided.
7) Colkirk playing field wild area plan
No progress on this matter. Discussion to be had with Colkirk PC and others before firm plans are made. ACTION Steve
8) Spring Show Liaison
RWGs presence at the first Spring Show last year was a successful contribution and it was proposed by the show group that RWG might like a space this year – Saturday April 22nd, 2-4 in Memorial Hall. Possibly an opportunity to show part of the vision, perhaps a wildlife map of the area. Also space in the car park would be available. RWG will also accept the offer of space on the show schedule (which has a wide distribution) to advertise . ACTION Gill, Barley (also use of RWG table top display boards)
9) Any Other Business
David promised/threatened to teach us Morris dancing or playing at the Morris weekend to be held in the village 21st-23rd July, and asked us to keep the date.
10) Date of next meeting
Monday March 27th 7.00 pm at Stone House