Environment Group (WEG)

AGM Minutes Wednesday 20th July 2016 8.00 pm at Claire Wallen's House

Present: Sheila Collings, Mark Collings, Catalina Estrada, Adrian Haffegee, Annie Hill, Amanda Luffrum, Martyn Towle, David Calcutt, Claire Wallen & Richard Wallen

Apologies: Dave French & Sara Watson

1. Review of the Chairs report looking back at the WEG activities and achievements over the last 12 months, detailed below:

The Conservation / Rhododendron Clearance Days - Hayley Green Wood - Nov ‘15 & Jan ’16: - We had a much better uptake than previous conservation days at both events and we were able to clear a considerable amount of rhododendron bushes/trees and plant more trees, mostly Hazel, donated by The Woodland Trust.

Tree Survey Events – Aug ‘15 & Apr ’16 & members measuring trees individually: - Collectively the group has surveyed and recorded 75 trees – many of them oaks but other notables including wild service tree, sweet chestnut and Wellingtonia. 2016 marks ‘Year of the Tree’ so Forest Borough Council (BFBC) have been keen to promote and focus on trees in local urban areas of Bracknell. They are very happy with the tree surveys we have completed so far in Warfield. We discussed Frost Folly and Hogoak Lane as potential sites for future tree survey events.

Newt Survey – May’16 – Thomas Lawrence Brickworks Newt Reserve: - We recorded 5 Great Crested Newts and 20 Smooth Newts. BBC Radio attended the event. Adrian Haffegee received his Great Crested Newts Activities Licence this year which will enable him to run future newt survey events. More surveys planned at Thomas Lawrence Brickworks Newt Reserve and also Rachel’s Lake.

Nest box making ‘taster session’ – Oct’15: - Following this event, we decided that it would not be practical to offer this activity at the Warfield village fete in June ‘16 so we are considering a stand-alone event next year.

Warfield Village Fete – Jun’16 – Warfield Green: - Another great success this year, we had many visitors (adults/children) to the stall and we made 20+ bee hotels, planted bee-friendly seeds to grow at home and displayed information about the Veteran Tree Surveys we have been carrying out. 2 people signed up to become new members and we also received an invitation to survey veteran trees at Home Farm in Warfield.

Litter Picks: - Sep ’15 – 4 evening litter picks with the 2nd Bracknell Beavers in Warfield & Bracknell. Clean for the Queen Community Litter Picks – Mar ’16 – 2 litter picks in partnership with Warfield Parish Council, at and around Larks Hill, and on the footpaths around Tesco. We collected 40 sacks of rubbish including recyclables, and a microwave, garden table, headrest, bumper and tyre, skateboard, child’s bike, advertising board, cone and garden hose. We will continue to run these activities on an annual basis and we will also take part in the Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean event taking place in 2017.

Awards: - We achieved a ‘Level 4 – Thriving’ Award by the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) in 2015.

Claire Wallen and Sheila Collings attended the RHS It’s your Neighbourhood Assessment on the 9th July at Hayley Green Wood. We are waiting to find out what level we will be awarded this year.

Suggestion to focus on the Veteran Tree Survey and the map Catalina has put together for the RHS Assessment in 2017.

Thanks to: -  The committee and members of WEG for their dedication and support.  Members of the public who support our events.  Dan Carpenter, Rob Solomon & Kevin Thornett at Council for providing us with advice & things to do, and for helping at events.  Warfield Parish Council and the 2nd Bracknell Beavers for holding litter picks in partnership with WEG.  Customer Service team for organising the collection of rubbish and recyclables after our litter picks.  Warfield Parish Council and Warfield Village Fete Committee for their kind donations.

2. Review of the Treasure’s Report (Accounts for the year 01/06/15 – 31/05/16): -  The highest expenditure this year was on the sail flag, folding panel display boards, nest boxes and giant bee we purchased for the Warfield Village Fete Bee hotel activity.  £100 grant received from the Warfield Village Fete Committee in 2015.  £200 grant received from the Warfield Parish Council in 2015. We plan to use the £200 to purchase a bat detector for WEG to use locally and to enable us to hold bat detecting events/walks with members of the public in the future.  No change to the RHS Group Insurance this year.  Due to receive a £100 grant from the Warfield Village Fete Committee on the 29th September 2016.  We need to consider ideas for fundraising to support future WEG events next year.  Investigate whether we can apply for a grant through Berkley Homes and the Bracknell Forest Borough Council Recycling Incentive Schemes.

3. Committee Elections: - The election process was carried out and the new committee members elected are as follows: -  Chair - Claire Wallen  Treasurer - Martyn Towle  Secretary - Amanda Luffrum  Events Co-ordinators - Catalina Estrada, Adrian Haffegee & Annie Hill  Media Co-ordinators - Sheila Collings & Claire Wallen

4. Future Events: -  Veteran Tree Survey Event – Cricketers Lane, Warfield – 24/07/16  WEG meeting – The Plough & Harrow pub, Warfield – 09/09/11  Veteran Tree Survey Event – Long Copse, Warfield - meet in the car park of the marketing suite, Berkley Homes Development site – 24/09/16  Nest box erection – Hayley Green Wood – 09/10/16  Conservation Day - Rhododendron Clearance & Tree Planting – Hayley Green Wood, Warfield - 06/11/16  WEG meeting – 23/11/11, location TBC  Christmas meal – 08/12/16, location TBC  Newt surveys - TBC

5. Outstanding Actions: -

Adrian  Contact David Calcutt and arrange a date to show him how to conduct a veteran tree survey.  Provide Catalina with contact details for Marlies (Biodiversity officer).  Contact Dan Carpenter (Ranger) to help him source, organise a demo and purchase a bat detector before winter.  Contact Marlies (Biodiversity officer) and arrange a WEG demo of the bat detector once purchased.  Survey Hedge Lane pond to check suitability for a newt survey, when the developers allow access to the land.

Annie  Contact Derrick Salter (2nd Bracknell Beavers) about organising dates to carry out litter picks in November.

Catalina  Contact Marlies (Biodiversity officer) about Veteran Tree Survey and to find out when the next group meeting will be taking place.

Claire  Book the Plough & Harrow pub for WEG meeting on the 09/09/16 at 8:00pm.  Contact Jill Martin (organiser of the Veteran Tree Survey Group for BFBC) to advertise our WEG tree survey events to see if they would like to participate.  Contact Kevin Thornett (Ranger) to identify trees from the land share that we can plant in Hayley Green Wood for the Conservation Day on the 06/11/16. The trees will need to be labelled once sourced.  Review the Health & Safety Advisory Group website (Bracknell Forest Ranger) to review/organise a risk assessment for the next Conservation Day on the 06/11/16 and the nest box erection day taking place on the 09/10/16.  Source & purchase fire blanket for the next Conservation Day on the 06/11/16.  Source snow drop bulbs for planting.

Martyn  Contact Dave from Montessori School to confirm the dates of the 26th & 27th September litter picks.

Sheila  Add twitter feed and update the list of ‘Future Events’ on the new WEG website.  Tweet/advertise the Veteran Tree Survey Event on the 24/07/16 again.  WEG sign (Tesco) – Update current sign/map.  Contact John Wennman to get advice about planting mixed wood trees at Hayley Green Wood for the Conservation Day on the 06/11/16.  Identify dates to carry out a veteran tree survey at Home Farm.  Identify suitable trees for nest box erection day taking place on the 09/10/16.