Notes on Shepton Beauchamp Cowleaze Meadow Project committee meeting held on Thursday 15th September 2011

Debbie, Barrie, Roger and Mary. Apologies from Ruth.

Membership of the committee was discussed. David Gordon has not attended a meeting for several months, and we are assuming that he has left the committee as we have had no communication lately. Marcus has said he does not want to attend meetings, so we assume that he is no longer on the committee. We would like any interested people to contact the group if they would like to participate more actively.

The mower has had its initial inspection and check, and is working well. Only Roger, Barrie and Nick are insured to drive it on the road, but other competent people can get involved in grass cutting. We will organise a rota for next year. Weekly cutting is still required, and more cutting is required in the growing season.

The school have not made any use of the raised bed, which has a good crop of weeds. Mary to find out what they intend to do for next year. If it is not required, we could grow wild flower seed there, rabbits permitting. If full use is to be made of the beds, perhaps a substantial fence could be erected to keep the rabbits out. As the fenced area would need mowing, there is a possibility that Barrie could provide us with some paving slabs to lay in this area, which would make management easier.

The setting up of a sensory garden in the central part of the seating area was talked about. Mary was not keen, as this would involve a lot of maintenance. Debbie would be organising it, and will put a notice in the Web to try to get interested people to get involved. There is also the possibility of growing grasses in the central seating area, native if possible. This would just require an annual cut. Roger to investigate suppliers etc.

Debbie to contact Carol who has said she will organise the building of the willow tunnel in October/November. The initial proposal was that adults should cut willow on a weekend in late October, and the willow will be soaked in water for One week. Then it will be planted, through black plastic to suppress weeds, and mulched, and left to get on with growing. It will need pruning every year when established. If we cannot provide all the willow from the site, carol can purchase more from a local supplier. Debbie to add information about this to piece in Web.

With our sustainability grant, we will organise 3 events,the willow planting being one. We also hope to use funding for a Community Lunch in Cowleaze on the Jubilee weekend next June. This would be like the launch we held last May, with music. Roger to find if this is a suitable community event to use the funding on. It could be a picnic, where everyone contributes, of some other arrangement to be worked out. The 3rd event might be a workshop to make bat boxes, bird boxes etc. which could take place in the spring.

The cutting of the long grass at the east end of the site will take place at the October workparty, but may have to be on a weekday as if we hire a flail/allen scythe from Loxtons, it will have to be delivered and collected in working hours. If there is a wait for collection, Barrie could store it at his house until it is removed.

Barrie is keen to explore a pond/scoop or scrape in the area of long grass on the south side of the stream. This could be shallow, lined with rubber membrane held down by gravel, and filled by rainwater. This could be topped up from thr stream or tap in dry weather. It would be colonised by local flora and fauna. A site to be selected at next working party.

Debbie has some pallets to make a bug house. She is to contact school to see if they can get children and parents to collect suitable material to encourage creatures to colonise the structures. We could them have a day in spring to construct the “houses”.

The AGM is to take place on Thursday 24th November at 7.30 in the pub. Mary to arrange with the landlord.

Joy Williams, SCC , is organising Apple events in the area, and our project will be used to bring local school children to inspect an orchard. Insurance needs to be clarified.

Next Sunday, 18th September—Working Party from 10 am onwards, all welcome. AGM 24th November2011
Mary Clarke 16/09/2011