Present: Mike Rundle (Chairman and Treasurer), Neil Dandy, Barley Wilson, Ian Wilson, Gill Waldron.
Apologies: David Cooling, Nick Parsons.
- Minutes of the last meeting –
- Financial Report – current account unchanged at £2217.69. Bird food to pay.
- Membership is static, all members (bar one) have renewed.
- NWT/RWG conference. There has been no news from NWT. Initiatives as discussed at the last meeting were further discussed. a) Tree mapping, of our trees on public land, is desirable, Imogen Mole (NNDC Tree Officer) will be consulted, also Jem Burlingham re NCC habitat mapping (Barley), and Mike will talk to NWT. b) Swallow and swift count Suggestions are to message on Ryburgh Facebook and our website to invite people to inform us of nests they have on their property. Barley to put a page on our website with information about fledging rescue and how to achieve it. (Barley and David). c) Bluebell transplantation from Bluebell wood to the community woodland. This needs to be done soon and it is planned for Monday June 16th 10 am at woodland (Ian and all available). d) Leaflets . Barley brought a selection of leaflets left by some groups at the conference which briefly explain aims, achievements and projects of interest. After discussion it was agreed that this would be a useful thing for us to advertise our existence, useful to distribute at village events of relevance to the group. Gill to liaise with David about this.
- a) Progress on joining UWFC. There is no news from Dani, Gill to check progress with her. b). Progress on meeting with Crisp. Neil sent Elly a list of survey proposals, no response as yet. c) LNRS consultation Mike confirmed that the map is multilayered and complex. He submitted an opinion on behalf of RWG, that wildlife connections and routes should be a responsibility of Parish Councils in liaison with their communities to negotiate with the landowners of the parish. Consultation will end on June 11th, we hope for feedback in due course.
- Sennowe pond and scrape. The scrape is very overgrown. The first lock has not been broken but the wood around it has been. No news from Steve.
There is no agreement about where the spoil from the pond will be put after excavation in the autumn, Mike has asked Fergus and awaits a reply, perhaps it is worth consulting Adrian? Dani will confirm the date for the contractor, scrub and overhanging branches to be removed and it is to be excavated to the original dimensions, removing sediment but leaving 20-50mm to protect the seedbank. (Ian will talk to Adrian about size and depth to be left). A meeting to be arranged when the excavation date is known. Plan is to record basic data and commence monitoring from spring 2026. NWT may have a monitoring programme and can advise (Mike)
- Future Events. Foxley Wood, suggested July 8th, meet at car park at 9.00, finished by 11.30, no dogs. To be confirmed (David). £5 members, £10 non members. Summer Barbecue July 27th, by the community woodland, with associated Purple Hairstreak walk (David). Times of both to be confirmed. BBQ (Mike, Gill). Charcoal (Mike), food (Gill – cheeseburgers, sausages, salad, strawberries). Members £10, Non-members £15, children under 5 free, 5-12 £5, bring own drink and chair. Specific invitations to Tom Cook, Fergus and Adrian (Mike) . Publicity – posters/flyers, (Gill) UWD (Gill), social media and website (David). Warham Camp visit August 24th, time tbc.
NWT Walk to showcase RWG achievements on August 14th. Plans for this and the BBQ led to discussion about access at the back of the playing field across the field ditch using the two goal posts which were installed for the purpose long ago. These are entirely inappropriate for visitors of mixed and unknown mobility, and must be removed. It is suggested that the PF committee consider filling part of the ditch so that it can safely be walked across for access to and from Westwood Lane. Barley to propose this to the committee to be achieved as soon as possible and before the end of July
- AOB None
Date of Next Meeting – July 7th, 7.00 Stone House