End to End Nature Care

 

Minutes of meeting held on 2^nd December 2009

8:00pm Monken Hadley Lodge, Bocking

 

Present: Simon Taylor (Chair), Shirley Taylor, Allan Gray, Sharon Gray, Roy Fierheller, Eileen Fierheller, Wilson Kerr, Ann Kerr, Jane Gelder, Andrew Moss, Liz Churley, Jackie Nesbitt

 

Apologies: Martin Andrews, Keith Newbitt, John Macrae

 

Business:

 

1.         Matters Arising (post meeting addition):

a.         5a from last minutes still pending. ST to complete (letter to Rivenhall PC regarding Rickstones Road verge).

b.         5b from last minutes: ST preparing recording spreadsheet which will be presented at the next committee meeting.

 

2.         Winter Evening Meetings:

a.         The group agreed that given recent poor attendances and the fact that forthcoming speakers are likely to be particularly good, the remaining programme should be given a concerted promotional push.

b.         AK agreed to co-ordinate (contact press, distribute posters, etc). ST to prepare posters, unless anybody else volunteers.

c.         ST asked all to think of ideas for speakers for the 2010/11 season, suggestion to ST please.

 

3.         Summer Programme 2010:

a.         ST said there were plenty of ideas in the pot for the programme to be scheduled early in the New Year (e.g. Silver End newt pond, Oxley Meadow with warden, follow-up to the forthcoming grasshoppers talk).

b.         Coggeshall church was suggested for bats.

c.         A return to Marks Hall was mooted.

d.         ST intends to approach Arthur Marshall to see if an evening involving charcoal can be arranged.

 

4.         Trips:

a.         ST thanked EF and AK for their efforts in helping to organise the recent day trip to Down House, which was very much enjoyed by all who went.

b.         ST noted how difficult it was to co-ordinate a date, but that in the end it was worth pursuing.

c.         ST suggested Minsmere as a future destination.

d.         EF suggested the South Downs.

e.         A possible return to Cambridge Botanical Gardens / Minsmere was suggested.

c.         AM suggested freshwater surveying at Audley End in a stretch of river he is involved in from an angling perspective.

 

5.         Finance:

a.         ST noted the group’s bank balance is still over £500.

b.         WK received a cheque for £42 to cover cost of bird box materials.

c.         ST noted he needs to inform the Co-operative Bank of his change of address. With RF’s impending departure a new cheque signatory will also be required. ST to organise.

d.         ST suggested that the healthy bank balance could be used to tempt good speakers for future indoor meetings.

 

6.         AOB:

a.         ST thanked Roy and Eileen Fierheller for their hospitality this evening and for their contribution to the group over the years. All wished them well for the future with the impending move to Sussex.

                       

7.         Date of Next Meeting:

a.         To be confirmed.