Minutes of a meeting of the committee of the Ryburgh Wildlife Group at Stone House on July 7th 2025
Present- Mike Rundle (Chairman), David Cooling, Nick Parsons, Barley Wilson, Ian Wilson, Gill Waldron.
Apologies – Neil Dandy
- Minutes of the meeting on June 9th were approved.
- Financial Report Bank account £1981.44 , public liability insurance and bird feed outgoings last month.
- Membership no change
- Review minutes initiative a) Tree mapping. Barley has prepared a draft proposal for 2 initiatives (email July 7th). These were discussed. It was agreed to invite the community to consider their favourite tree(s), with an event (Saturday morning in Hall?) to explain and encourage wider community participation, with involvement perhaps at the Spring Show (photography competition). Also to attempt to map important trees in the neighbourhood with regard to age, variety, and position. Further discussion needed to finalise plans. b) Swallow, swift, house martins count. Difficulty in identifying nests without house to house visiting. Worthwhile attempting a baseline count, which needs to be done now. Membership to be asked through the newsletter, and non members to be invited to submit nest numbers to the website via Facebook ( David), a poster in the shop (Mike). John Hopkins has an interest in this, Gill to invite him to participate. c)Bluebells Too dry to move them now, attempt in autumn. d) Leaflet Size and content discussed. David to prepare and print at Willow Tree.
- UWFG. RWG is now a member, fee of £75 due in October for 2025-26. Dani produces a fortnightly newsletter.
- Meeting with Crisp They are keen to fund and possess a bug hotel (Ian plus others) but did not take up the offer to advise on wild flower seeding. It is clear that they are moving on the development which will potentially jeopardise local biodiversity.
- Pond and Scrape Scrape is dry and not functioning at present, overgrown and with few birds, raising questions about its future. Mike to talk to Steve and report back. Pond – Sennowe is liaising with NWT and has a meeting this week with a contractor to decide stump removal, silt clearance and disposal. It is important that RWG meets with contractor in due course. ‘Our’ pond is one of ten on the Sennowe estate under development.
- Future Events Foxley Wood walk July 8th, only 3 members plus committee attending, disappointingly. Summer BBQ July 27th, Mike has local charcoal. Barley stressed the fire hazard and explained the position of fire extinguishers in the Tractor Shed. Also safety netting. Tables from the Hall and the Gazebo will be necessary. Set up at 12.30 for BBQ from 2.00,(all available) (David to advertise times and for walk at 4.30) NWT walk August 14th. No role for us apart from request for an interview (Barley). Warham Camp August 24th, meet at 11.00, Pat will talk 11.30-12.00.
- Any Other Business The provision of a footbridge from the playing field across the ditch on the agenda of the Playing field committee July 10th.
Date of next meeting – Monday August 4th, Stone house, 7.00pm