Present: Mike Rundle,(in the chair), Barley Wilson, Ian Wilson, Gill Waldron
- Apologies David Cooling, Neil Dandy, Nick Parsons.
- Minutes of the meeting of April 8th were unfortunately unavailable due to technical failure, subsequent incompetence and absence from the village. However all action points were sent to members of the committee by email on April 11th.
- Financial Report Bank account stands, as of today, at £2413.63. The dawn chorus expenses were £73.70, income from members £90.
- Meeting with Barbara Wyvill Mike reported back on the meeting in Kettlestone between Barbara, Richard Ives, Gill and himself. No other members of the Kettlestone group attended, it appears to be a loosely structured group acting largely on ideas from Barbara. Her primary concern is climate change, and efforts largely focus on the written word, articles, posters, blog posts. A fairly large bus shelter in the village often serves as a place for articles and posters to be displayed and Barbara believes there is substantial interest in and support from families and younger people in the village. Richard rents a small area of woodland for conservation and knows of other initiatives with patches of woodland the other side of the A148 at Little Snoring. Mike discussed the idea of linking Little Ryburgh Common and Kettlestone Common which virtually abut at the L Ryburgh northern end, to secure pollinator pathway protection – both areas of land are currently managed by Pensthorpe. He has suggested that Barbara canvas support for this amongst the village and return to us with the results. Two members of the group are involved with rewilding the churchyard and help was requested from us about relevant plants – Barley is happy to advise.
- Review of recent activities. RWG participation in the Spring Fair was appreciated by the organisers, and was thought to be a success, interest was shown in the harvest mice in particular but also by the attractive displays, flyers, maps etc. Glenn Mc Carthy asked if it could go to the Annual Parish Meeting on May 22nd. Dawn Chorus had 12 members, lovely day, no problem with early start which enhances it a great deal, thanks to Ian for leading it and Jane and Mike for another lavish breakfast. The Bug Hotel has been erected in the churchyard, Anne Prentis is pleased and it is in a good position on an area of rough and wilder vegetation. Ian to send a photo to David for the Newsletter. Mike is keeping an eye on the one near the Vines for bug activity. Barley will think of where to place the next one at the western end of the village.
- Biodiversity plan and the Parish Council Mike spoke to this at the latest PC meeting. There is now a document on the PC website, a model plan, PC invites contributions. Mike suggests that the PC endorsement of the preservation of Little Ryburgh common would be helpful amongst other ideas. For further discussion.
- Meeting with Sennowe and draft licence. Steve is now supportive of the licence application for the scrape, no progress has been made. Fergus has suggested that there is a possibility of renewal of the virtually defunct pond at the top of the field which is first on the right along Mill Road. There may be grants available? Research into its history is needed – what was it? Mike will ask Peter Trent if he has relevant information and it is a topic for the newsletter (David), so that we can establish whether members support the proposal, essential for grant application and volunteer help.
- Correspondence with Crisp Neil has been offered a meeting with the Environmental PR, Ian and he will agree on some potential dates and an agenda of bullet points, emphasis on biodiversity, pollination and the field by Ian and Barley’s property.
- Correspondence with NWT Gill had an email from Ella Warren-Cook on April 11th stating that she hoped to suggest some dates for a meeting after discussion with Helen the following week, but we have heard nothing, disappointingly. Gill will write again stressing our wish to engage with them prior to the Nature Watch in particular.
- Spring Nature Watch, 15-20 June. Barley has drawn up a draft programme (later version attached) to highlight activities in various venues around the village. The daytime emphasis at the weekend is on families and young children, moth trapping and bat detection will be in later evenings. She is planning with Roger (Moths) and Mark Goss and David Gittings (Bat detection) to finalise details. Do we need a generator in the field for the moth trap or is there a rechargeable system? She is trying to contact Sue from Stibbard School who has run Forest School sessions there to suggest using the Community Woodland for such an activity. Steve to be asked his availability for Open Hide sessions. Barley will amend flyer to a leaflet, print at Willow Tree. Leaflet drop – Gill to ask Kathryn – Kathryn agrees, her team will do from shop to western end, Little Ryburgh and Testerton, we will organise from shop down to the rest of the village. Kathryn suggests 350 leaflets. Gill to ask Moira to do a window display in the shop in advance of the week. Could David organise the photograph competition, probably a phone and a camera category, to be displayed on 20th in the Hall. Maps to be prepared, information about identification, etc. Publicity through the website and social media in addition to Newsletter. An interim meeting is needed to plan this event, especially since not all committee members can be present during it. Either May 28th or 29th at Stone House at 7. All members were emailed after this meeting on May 8th – so far only Steve (in Bulgaria) has replied.
- Future Events John Savory farm walk , title ‘Farm Stewardship for Food and Conservation’ Saturday June 1st 10 am, meet at the Beet Pad above Highfield Farm. £5 a head, members only, waterproof shoes. No information about Sennowe Walk.
- AOB
- Hide Etiquette. The hide door was left open on one occasion, this was discussed, apparently no repercussions. Extending wildlife area village field Barley will discuss at next playing field committee. It is a suggestion in the Biodiversity Policy. Contact with Mannington Bioblitz was discussed. RWG event is organised, and a joint meeting after the events was thought to be more helpful than one before.
- Ian will investigate the legality/possibility of requesting permission to transfer some bluebell plants from pathways in Bluebell Wood to the Community Woodland.
Date of next meeting, Either 28th or 29th May, please contact Gill asap with availability on either or both dates. Future ordinary meeting to be arranged then.