Meeting of the committee of the Ryburgh Wildlife Group at Stone House, January 5th 2026
Present: Mike Rundle (in the chair), Neil Dandy, Nick Parsons, Barley Wilson, Ian Wilson, Gill Waldron.
Apologies: David Cooling, Steve Cale (invited to the meeting)
- Finances: Bank account currently stands at £1778.17
- Membership: 58 households after October renewal, Tony Gray, member from Mileham, died in 2024, his widow has not renewed. Fergus to be invited to rejoin, by whoever meets him next.
- AGM February 2nd: Venue booked, to convene by 6.30 for 7.00 start, room will need to be rearranged. A glass of wine and nibbles to be provided (Mike, sale or return 6 white, 6 red from shop). Speaker arranged, agreed a donation to her of £75. Projector and screen to be provided (no screen in Hall). David has asked Anne Prentiss to lend her projector, Gill to liaise with her about connections, etc. It was agreed to base the agenda on the draft sent by David (email on January 3rd). Mike to prepare – and see also items 5 and 6 below. Donations to contribute to costs to be requested. (Gill) All serving committee members willing to stand for re election, the need for new, younger members was discussed, some potential members were identified, an informal approach to them was agreed. David to stress in the newsletter the need for attendance, openings for new members, donations will be sought.
- Scrape: Is full, looking healthy. An open hide morning to be suggested at the AGM. Steve Cale to attend the next committee meeting where scrape matters will be discussed in full.
- Pond: Further discussion about inviting study groups (Gill to contact schools at the beginning of term) and safe access. To check with Dani (UWFC) about the Sennowe safety policy for visitors.(Mike). Ian to hold pond dipping events at both ponds in the summer (to be highlighted at the AGM, date tba).
- Initiatives: Tree Mapping to be discussed when David is present. Swallows and Swifts – Important to have a plan in place by April. Discussion concentrated on the apparent effectiveness of recorded callings attracting later migrants to swift nest boxes. The Norwich Swift Network may have useful advice, Ian and Barley to check. This could be a very attractive proposition for enthusiasts in the village – Mike to highlight the possibility at the AGM.
- Mike Gaston and Ben Earl contact: Mike has mislaid the email addresses after the Biodiversity awards, Barley may have a note, will liaise.
- Calendar Sales: It was agreed to reimburse Gill as discussed at the last meeting, leaving a surplus of £43.00 for funds, largely from profit, with some donations. It was agreed that series of postcards be made for sale in the shop, starting in the Spring (Neil, Gill, David to request photos for this purpose on the website).
- Bug hotels: Three are ready, Maltings has paid invoice, Ian has been paid for materials. Still waiting for Flagship to agree the siting position, and at the nursery at Stibbard. Third available placement to be decided (Barley). Neil to write to Maltings to thank them for the donation and to remind them that help with the willow den pruning in the community woodland was promised.
- Meeting re GR website. No further news.
- Future events and AOB: Mammal list to be discussed next meeting, Wassail arranged, if 4.15 too early for the wassail, some dancing in the Hall to start with. Venue for proposed Mummers play uncertain. David encouraging village music makers to come and play. Gill to liaise with Keep a Pub group about modifying pub arrangements to suit. White letter Hairstreak arranged for February 12th, Barley to continue to look for suitable elm trees or saplings. Not to be advertised to the membership to ensure any eggs discovered are not disturbed. A proposed biofluorescence walk to be held, Barley to liaise with the specialist who holds walks.
Barley suggested that the chairman of Butterfly Conservation Norfolk who lives in Stibbard be asked if their plans for schools, under their ‘Wild Places’ initiative could embrace Stibbard Nursery to coincide with the bug hotel installation. (David?)
Next meetings: Monday February 2nd AGM, Hall annexe, 7.00pm
Monday March 3rd, Stone House, 7.00pm