FRIENDS OF HISTORIC PARKS GROUP

Draft Minutes of Meeting held 26th May 2016

Present: William Henwood (Chairman), Ken Webb (Secretary), John Aston, Carol Barratt, Lorna Bushell, Nick Burton (LCC), Roger Chapman, Peter Freeman (LDC), Derek Love, Lilas Rawling, Brian Smith, Anthony Wilson

Apologies: Betty Bradbury, Sue Ferguson, Cllr. Janice Greaves (LCC) Lyn Hammant (LDC), Ruth Witczak (LDC)

1. Minutes, Matters Arising and Outstanding Items List

The draft Minutes of the 24th March meeting were ratified.

Lilas reported that she had again seen rats, this time under Stowe Pool boathouse.. Environmental Health have been informed

The trees at the St. Chad’s end of Stowe Pool, together with Johnson’s Willow, have now been pollarded.

The poppy field is progressing well at the top end but lower down poppy plants are sparse. Tim Lock has re-seeded these areas.

Please see the attached report by Paul Niven on the maintenance of the rockery pool. As the intention is for progressive improvement it was agreed that this item will remain on the Outstanding Items list pro-tem.

William’s talk to Shenstone Friends and Neighbours on the history of had been well received.

William will investigate “You Can” project funding from SCC.

The wall top pushed out by a sycamore behind the scout hut has been judged by LDC building control not to represent a safety hazard at present.

2. Stowe Pool

LDC are looking to appoint a consultant to help with the preparation of the Stage 1 bid to the HLF.

The footpath between Reeve Lane and Stowe Pool is the top priority for repairing pot holes and will be repaired. Those around the pool are less of a safety hazard and will be considered later.

3. National Federation of Parks and Open Spaces – W.Mids Forum

William could not attend the last two meetings but no new relevant information has been received.

4. Area between Morrison’s and the Golf Course

Following a letter from Lorna, Morrison’s allege that this area is not their property. Lyn contests this and will respond to them. Peter said that the land clearly on the park side of the boundary fence is intended to be a wild life buffer but will be tidied up and a hedge laid.

5. Britain in Bloom

Lilas reported on meetings of the BIB committee. The visit for 20th July will involve the poppy field and then the Museum Gardens and Walk. I suggested that the Community Garden be included as it greatly impressed the judges last year. Friends are asked to help with litter picking and light weeding at 10 a.m. on 19th july in the Museum Gardens. Owners of the cottage on Minster Pool Walk will be encouraged to tidy up their garden.

6. Walk Leading

Three walks had been conducted by Ruth under the auspices of the National Forest Walking Week. Mr Chris Pattison of Lichfield Waterworks Trust explained the history of the Hanch Tunnel, Minster and Stowe Pools and the tunnel connecting them to Sandfields Pumping Station and then to . The first walk was a walk leading training session attended by William, Lilas, Carol and myself. The second and third walks were attended by members of the public interested in the water supply history. Ruth has now given a questionnaire to the four Friends prepared to lead walks and on the basis of their replies will put forward a proposal.

William reported on an event he had attended at Cannock Chase Visitor Centre to launch the AONB on Dementia Friendly Strategy for Walks. This suggests ensuring benches are sufficiently close together and using photos rather than maps to explain the route. William will feed back to Lyn.

7. City Council Items

The Little City Trail Tree leaflet was recently reprinted. Nick suggested that in a future leaflet historical information could be included linked with the site of each tree. In turn, this could be a podcast audio trail. Members who could help with this would be appreciated.

The Verdun Oak in the Garden of Remembrance will be propagated this Autumn.

Lorna reported her research into the survey of Lichfield trees. She had found out that LDC officer Spencer Duval as project manager had commissioned such a survey some years ago on behalf of Lichfield Councils. This can be retrieved from LDC and LCC records.

8. Park Management

Peter reported that the King Edward and Captain Scott statutes and the Swinfen Broun stone and plaques will be cleaned.

On the CPCG wildlife pool a willow fence has been woven.

Bedding plant sales will begin in the Museum Gardens from Wednesday, 1st June onwards.

Several members expressed their view that, since edge vegetation had been cut and pond lilies are no longer present, Stowe Pool has a rather sterile appearance. Although limited by the Reservoirs Act and SSSI regulations, members expressed the hope that the HLF bid would include more imaginative vegetation around the pool edges similar to the around Beacon Park pool and that more islands of a more substantial construction be introduced.

9. Events

The Victorian May Day was judged a success in spite of inclement weather in the afternoon.

The celebrations of the Queen’s 90th birthday including the planting of the replacement lime tree on Minster Pool Walk and lighting of the beacon in the Garden of Remembrance went off successfully, but attendance couid have been better.

Forthcoming events at which help from members would be welcome.

3rd/4th June and 29 July Explorer events in Beacon Park 11 a,m, - 2 p.m. 25th June Community Drop-In Museum Gardens 11 – 12 noon 26th June City Band in Museum Gardens 2 – 4 p.m. 2nd/3rd July Cars in the Park 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 9th/10th July Fuse 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

10. A.O.B

William had received a copy of the Lichfield City Centre Development Partnership Strategy and Action Plan 2016 – 2020 . A relevant proposal is to increase the number of “Headline Events” in Beacon Park. The plan supports the Stowe HLF bid and would like to see activity on the water and a new use for the boathouse.

Anthony reported that Christian Fields is in a sorry state. Peter said that as a local nature reserve it can’t be looked after as comprehensively as Beacon Park but that the CPCG Group had trimmed the hedgerows, maintained the footpaths and Kate Gomez has organized a regular community litter pick. It is hoped that vandalized outdoor furniture can be replaced and the pools clayed up. Members asked whether Christian Fields should be included in our ambit of Historic Parks but a higher priority extension would be the Festival Gardens.

Members expressed the wish to meet monthly in the summer months and consequently extra meetings will be held on 30th June and 25th August.

The meeting closed at 7.45p.m. The next meeting will be at 6.20 (for 6.30 p.m. start) on the 30th June behind LDC offices, Frog Lane.

Ken Webb (Secretary)