End to End Nature Care

 

Minutes of meeting held on 22nd July 2009

9:00pm, The Summerhouse at Stovern’s Hall Farm, Rickstones Road.

 

Present: Simon Taylor (Chair), Allan Gray, John Macrae, Jane Macrae, John Churley, Liz Churley, Roy Fierheller, Eileen Fierheller, Wilson Kerr, Ann Kerr, Martin Andrews, Jane Gelder, Jackie Nesbitt

 

Apologies: Keith Newbitt

 

Business:

 

1.         Summer Programme Publicity:

a.         Attendances during the summer have generally been good. ST thanked AK for her continued efforts in promoting the group’s activities.

 

2.         Forthcoming Winter Events:

a.         AK to book the Village Hall for the first Wednesdays of October, November, January, February and March.

            b.         RF & EF volunteered to host the winter social on 2nd December.

c.         ST invited suggestions for winter event activities/speakers:

            i.          Bird/bat box making (can fit into a spare date if needed).

            ii.         RF suggested Simon talking on seashells.

            iii.        A presentation on the recent trip to China by WK, AK, etc.

            iv.        Maurice Bacon? Apiary? Alpines?

v.         JN suggested a local lady who would speak on travels in Scotland.

vi.        EF will investigate a possible speaker who canoes local rivers.

vii.       John M offered a possible lecture on Essex islands.

viii.      ST noted there are a couple of possible speakers still on the books from last year’s list, which he will explore.

            d.         ST to put together a tentative list based on the above.

 

3.         Trips:

a.         EF proposed we pursue the proposal to visit Down House in Kent, the former residence of Charles Darwin now maintained as a museum in his honour. ST/EF to investigate. Suggested for September/October, just using member’s cars.

 

4.         Finances:

a.         The group’s bank balance stands at £577.05

 

 

 

5.         Other Business:

a.         ST suggested the group write to Rivenhall Parish Council regarding the verge on Rickstones Road adjacent to Stovern’s Hall Farm, known to contain pyramidal and purple-spotted orchids and Cladonia lichen. The verge is being increasingly managed and has recently had a wide cutting made in it. All agreed, JG suggesting the letter express concern and suggest a management plan be devised.

b.         ST restated a previous suggestion that the group make a concerted effort to maintain a database of local biological records and those made by the group and its members on their travels. It was agreed to pursue this. ST to devise a spreadsheet to be used.

c.         John M invited suggestions for coastal sites to which he can potentially arrange future summer evening visits. Please forward any thoughts to John or ST.

d.         ST to provide bat box construction plans to Les Reigate as requested.

e.         ST thanked WK and AK for their generosity and hospitality in hosting the evening.        

           

6.         Date of Next Meeting:

a.         During the Winter Social on 2nd December 2009.