Minutes of a meeting of the committee of the Ryburgh Wildlife Group at Stone House on September 22nd 2025
Present- Mike Rundle (Chairman), Neil Dandy, Barley Wilson, Ian Wilson, Gill Waldron.
David Cooling and Nick Parsons via Zoom, for part of the meeting.
- Minutes of the meeting on August 4th were approved.
- Financial Report Bank account £2255.44.
- Membership no change
- Review minutes initiative a) Tree mapping. This has two distinct components, firstly, to engage the membership and the wider community in identifying trees which have a particular meaning, maybe an emotional connection, or a beautiful view which they appreciate. David has produced a draft leaflet for this purpose which will be held at the Shop and be available at RWG events, which has a map to place the position of the tree. This was approved for printing (David). Secondly, to identify those old trees which are a valuable wildlife habitat, which the committee could measure, using the Woodland Trust definition. For further discussion. b) Swallows and Swifts . Gill to collate feedback from members and the report from John Hopkins and report back. Ian and Barley have overseen the fledging of about 28 young swallows. David to add to newsletter and a further plan to be in operation by spring 2026. c)Leaflet for further discussion when David is able to be face to face at meeting. d) Calendar Decisions must be made before the next meeting in order for it to be available in time, Neil and Gill will form a subcommittee.
- There was discussion about how to progress this, David is keen to establish an informal meeting with some Sennowe members on a regular basis, such as quarterly. Adrian is a good contact and it was decided to review that once we have confirmed membership and had some experience of what opportunities it may give us, whether we may be, for example a useful conduit for information into the community.
- Meeting with Crisp Neil and Ian met today with Ellie and their environmental oflficer, They will not commit to RWG involvement in species or habitat assessment, but are interested to support RWG projects with volunteers from their work force. Barley will draft a proposal which could involve them in the Willow Den and the Community Woodland management. They wish to hear if RWG receive a biodiversity award at the event on October 4th, to use for their publicity, and similarly, are interested in the Wassail planned for January 2026.They were pleased to receive the species listing for the field adjacent to Barley and Ian’s property, and indicated that they would preserve it during the construction of the link road, which will go ahead in relation to the warehouse development. They are keen to have a Newsletter, and it is proposed that they be asked for a corporate membership, or ask for a donation, in order to receive it. Neil to draft a letter summarising the decisions of the meeting, circulate to the committee.
- Pond and Scrape Although the current overgrown state of the scrape creates is own wildlife habitat, it is essential to maintain it for the benefit of members. Adrian has told Barley that he will dispose of the spoil. Barley and Ian to liaise with Steve and to arrange 2 days of tractor hire from FTC and Dom to operate it.
The pond is due to be dug out this week, Ian and Mike will attend, and Mike will tape of the area with most primroses to preserve them.
- Biodiversity award RWG will run a stall at the Biodiversity Fair at the Forum on Saturday October 4th , and will attend the award ceremony in the afternoon. The nomination will be helpful for publicity. Mike, Barley and Ian will be there.
- Future Events. Sennowe walk to see ancient trees in the Park on Sunday October 26th. Two members have booked so far. This cannot coincide with Tony Leach conducting a fungus walk as hoped, Mike will contact him to see what other dates later in the autumn he may have.
- Any Other Business a) Water Testing Norfolk Rivers Trust may be resuming testing on the Wensum. For discussion at the next meeting. b) Bug Hotels Barley has agreement from Flagship Housing to place one in Highfield Close, site to be determined, this may result in a joint press release. (Barley) Possibly one to go on the grass stretch on Station Road. The wine rack bed housing the bug hotel needs tidying, Ian and Mike c)Persimmon Homes at Guist Mike wrote as decided in the last meeting to the company re the environmental activity there, they wrote in reply that it was for mitigation of phosphates for development downstream near the Wensum. An invitation to view will be arranged in the New Year when the site is deemed safe for outside visitors. Tom Cook to be added to the invitation, if he would like to. d) Wassail The Playing Field Committee has negotiated with Holt Morris to have another wassail January 31st Barley will advertise this through the Apples and Orchards Project.
- e) Committee meeting dates It was suggested, because of work and other commitments, that it would be helpful to plan ahead for several months in order to make it easier for members to attend. The Zoom connection was lost before all dates were finalised. Email Gill to confirm which dates are suitable.
Suggested meetings – all at Stone House, Mondays, 7pm.
October 27th
December 15th
January 5th 2026
February 2nd
March 3rd