End to End Nature Care

 

Minutes of meeting held on 21st July 2010

9:00pm Stovern’s Hall Farm

 

Present: Simon Taylor (Chair), Shirley Taylor, Wilson Kerr, Ann Kerr, John Macrae, Jane Macrae, Jackie Nesbitt, Keith Newbitt, Martin Andrews.

 

Apologies: Allan Gray, Jane Gelder, Andrew Brown

 

Business:

 

1.         Matters Arising:

a.         3 from last minutes. Current summer programme is going well, some attendances have been a little low due to competing demands on peoples’ time, but others have been quite good.

b.         ST thanked John M for arranging the successful outing to Kirby-le-Soken.

c.         JN asked if the “less exciting” summer events could be aimed at the 2nd Wednesday of each month as that clashes with several other activities locally.

 

2.         Winter Evening Meetings:

a.         The Orthoptera evening with Tim Gardner in January had to be cancelled due to snow. TG has tentatively agreed to a rearranged date in the forthcoming season.

b.         The following ideas for 2010/11 were mooted:

·         Members’ photography evening.

·         Bat and bird box building.

·         An outdoor astronomy evening with James Abbott (date of 6th October already agreed).

·         A talk by an apiarist.

·         Simon Brice on his archaeological finds.

c.         AK to book the Village Hall for the evenings required.

d.         The Christmas social evening in December will be hosted by ST.

e.         ST asked all to keep eyes and ears open for future speakers or alternative winter evening activities for the group.

f.          ST thanked AK for her efforts in publicising all the group’s activities, which has been quite successful.

 

3.         Trips:

a.         ST expressed the group’s thanks to AB for organising the recent freshwater surveying trip to the River Cam at Audley End.

b.         Possible future destinations suggested are:

·         Minsmere.

·         Roy and Eileen on the south coast (ST to contact them).

·         Cambridge Botanical Gardens.

·         Wallasea Island (ST to recce).

·         John M suggested a possible circular walk around Horsey Island.

·         Davey Down.

·         Chafford Gorges.

 

5.         Finance:

a.         The group’s balance is currently £462.03

b.         ST is currently in the process of arranging with the Co-operative Bank to remove Roy Fierheller from the account signatories and to add MA and AG.

 

6.         AOB:

a.         James Abbott has requested a tit-box and bat-box. WK to check stock.

b.         John M suggested the group look into creating a “bug hotel” in the local area, describing one he recently had constructed for the EA. Ideas for a possible site were invited (the footprint required is approximately that of a standard transport pallet.

c.         Local road verges. ST has contacted ECC regarding the inclusion of the sulphur clover section of Sheepcote Lane and the orchid/Cladonia section of Rickstones Road in the Special Roadside Verges scheme.

d.         Rivenhall PC contacted ST for management advice regarding the verge on Oak Road, which they intend to keep as a biodiversity area. ST advised the best course of action was to do nothing, except litter picking.

e.         ST asked if anybody was interested in group participation in a Stour River Boating excursion following last winter’s talk. There was no evident enthusiasm.

f.          John M suggested a narrow boat trip on a canal.

g.         JN noted she is helping to put together a Silver End parish magazine, entitled “Window on Silver End”. ST to supply details on Nature Care for the first issue.

h.         All thanked ST for his efforts in organising the group’s activities.

i.          ST thanked WK & AK for their generous hospitality in hosting the evening’s event.

                       

7.         Date of Next Meeting:

a.         Wednesday 1st December 2010, 7:30pm for 8pm, 44 Strawberry Lane, Tolleshunt Knights. Please car share if possible.