Minutes of a meeting of the Ryburgh Wildlife Group Committee
held at Stone House on April 7th 2025
Present: Mike Rundle (Chair) David Cooling, Neil Dandy, Barley Wilson, Ian Wilson, Gill Waldron
Apologies: Nick Parsons
- Minutes of the meeting on March 3rd were approved.
- Financial Report The bank account stands at £2127.69. The NWT event cost £60 for hall hire, and donations from participants covered much of the expense of the refreshments, the remainder of the cost was borne by committee members.
- Membership currently stands at 68 households, one couple have left, some are in arrears for fees but have been reminded.
- NWT and RWG conference March 26th The day had been a success in terms of the full attendance of invitees, the enthusiastic participation in the breakout and plenary sessions and the feedback from participants. Debate centred on whether there were useful results from the day apart from the support derived from sharing issues relevant to the task of supporting wildlife in the face of many setbacks and problems. Much will depend on feedback from NWT and the extent to which they encourage further networking and creation of a mapping tool which will develop a hub and support for connectivity of wildlife sites. For further discussion as matters develop, including how to feedback information to our members. No more meetings planned at present. Nick’s influence on the relationship and the success of the day was very much appreciated by the committee.
- Meeting with Dani Edwards from the Upper Wensum Farm Cluster. March 24th. Please see report from Mike in an email on March 27th. We (committee only) are invited to a farm walk through Sennowe on May 15th , and Dani will try to include our pond restoration project in an application she is making for funding other pond projects. Mike has confirmed with her our keenness to have financial support. Gill to contact Dani to express our enthusiasm for membership of the organisation if that is possible, as discussed on March 24th.
- Meeting with Crisp attended on March 17th by Neil and Ian. They agree to a joint assessment of wildlife habitat on their property for a 12 month period but have not confirmed dates. They have agreed to fund two bug hotels, one for the village, one for the nursery at Stibbard school. An invoice to be sent for £73 .(Ian). There was discussion about the amount of financial support available for wildlife conservation from the company and the extent to which the GR plant has independence in financial decisions.
- Sennowe Pond and Scrape. There are extensive flowering primroses around the pond which are visible, other improvements are anticipated. Mike has put a camera at the site and no identifiable mammal sitings have been recorded. No news re scrape.
- Future Events Sennowe walk on Easter Saturday, April 19th, 10 am.
Warham Camp walk Sunday August 24th . Sunday May 10th Green Hairstreak spotting walk on Ryburgh Common, meet at 11 at beet pad. To advertise it as a ‘challenging walk’ and to abandon if wet (no self respecting butterfly will be visible in the rain).
Possible walk in Foxley wood for Purple Emperor butterflies and to consider a walk to see Purple Hairstreak in an oak dominated landscape, from early July
Summer BBQ lunchtime on Sunday July 27th, on playing field (Barley to book). Suggesting £10 a head for BBQ and a glass of wine.
- Any Other Business RWG will have a table celebrating no mow May and pollinator bulbs at the Ryburgh Spring Show on April 12th. (Barley, Ian).
There was discussion about Ryburgh Common and the invitation from the trustees to the RWG to help maintain it. This was agreed. It would be useful to designate it as a County Wildlife site. It is proposed to have a working party to clear a path through the wet areas, because of the terrain and health and safety considerations, this will be invitation only. ( Ian, Neil, Mike, Barley)
DATE OF NEXT MEETING, Monday May 12th, 7.00 Stone House