Notes on Shepton Beauchamp Cowleaze Meadow Project meeting on Thurs 27th Nov Present Roger, Jules, David, Mary, Graham and Robert.

Graham and Robert are interested in helping to trim and remove dangerous branches from the willow trees on the southern bank of the stream. They are going to meet Roger and Jules on site at 9am on Sunday morning, to discuss the proposals. Robert Rowswell, who has used their services on the north bank of the stream, is happy for the work to proceed.

Shelley Bacon is keen for the playgroup to plant some primroses, on site, in the near future. A site near the main gate has been selected, and will be cleared on Sunday, of nettles and brambles, to enable access to a small area. Mary to talk to Shelley.

Ivan Herring wishes to scrape off surface vegetation in wild flower areas in the spring, prior to seeding with wildflower mixture.

David has trodden on some half buried railing in the area where the former sewage treatment beds were located. These are very dangerous, and need to be dragged out and disposed of. Roger to see if Ed would be able to help with this. Joy Williams (SCC involved in producing protocol for biodiversity survey) has been in touch with Roger to say they have no money to fund such a survey, and in addition no people to complete it. It seems we will have to rely on our own observations, and reports of sightings by local people.

Phil Stone has said that for a community orchard £10.00 per tree will be available. David to get written confirmation of this offer. An other way to raise money for trees is to invite people to sponsor a tree. We will need approx 30 apple trees for the initial orchard area.

The plan was discussed:

1. Paths, some mown regularly, Hard paths to have a scalpings base, with edging in appropriate areas. Top surface to be Breedon Selfbinding gravel. Main path needs to be cleaned up. Length 150 m, 1m wide. Most path areas already marked with cane etc, and to be kept mown.
2. Fences, suggest estate railings for seating area to pumping station. Grow a curved boundary between seating area and the land WW wish to remain available to them if required. This could be a wildlife area. There are natural boundaries to other parts of the site, or fencing already in place
3. Gates, 5bar gate at entrance, a pedestrian gate to seating area, and a large gate to allow mower access. At the moment we don’t think a padlock is essential, but if we get fly tipping or other problems we would have to speak to WW.
4. Benches, in seating area to accommodate older people, and therefore to have backs and arms. In the woodland areas, simple backless benches would be sufficient.
5. Picnic benches, are not favoured by some people. It was decided to leave these till later, and perhaps find sponsors for them.
6. Notice boards, to acknowledge our sponsors etc at the main entrance, but also information board to advise on events, meetings etc. the boards should look rustic, so they fit in with surroundings.
7. If we have litterbins, would the council empty them? Consult SSDC councilors.
8. Water supply to site, and taps etc. Roger to investigate.

Working party to meet on site 9am on Sunday30/11/08 - Tree cutting to commence on Sat 6th Dec—and continue on Sun. Important to keep public safe, so area needs to be cordoned off.

Next meeting to be arranged, probably in New Year. Mary H Clarke

Notes on Annual General Meeting, held on Wed 12th Nov 2008
1 Apologies for absence were received from David Gordon, and Charlie Pattisson, Chair of Shepton Playgroup.
2 Present were Debbie Welch, Marcus Jubb, Jules Compton, Roger Cripps, Mary Clarke and Barrie Bentley.
3 Chair’s report - presented by Debbie
We have had a busy year, and have had lots of help from very many people. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to our progress during the year.
Having applied for a Lottery Grant, this has really focused our minds on what we want to achieve, and the best way of going about this. The process of grant application has made us realise that in embarking on this project we have legal responsibilities to the Project group, the members of the public that are using the site, and of course the landowners, Wessex Water.
Progress has been made on getting detailed information on the possible risks in using the site of a former Sewage Treatment Works, and remaining investigations that need to be completed. We are conferring with our advisors, who include Jeff Downing. Contaminated Land officer, SSDC, Andy Roberts, Principal Scientific officer, Somerset Scientific Services, SCC, and Martin Fine, our grant Stage 2 facilitator.
At our next working party marking out of paths, orchard areas etc will allow a better view of site to be taken. From this information we will be able to make a basic set of requirements so that contractors can be contacted, and quotes obtained for work that we cannot do ourselves.
4 The new constitution was formally agreed by the meeting. 5 Election of Officers The current committee was re-elected unopposed. The committee is: -

1. Chairman———— Debbie Welch
2. Vice Chairman—– David Gordon
3. Treasurer———— Roger Cripps
4. Secretary———– Mary Clarke
5. Committee members— Marcus Jubb, Jules Compton, Jane Nieman, A N Other (?Jane Compton)

6 Treasurers Report Roger gave a brief Treasurers report, and confirmed that a bank account had been open, with 3 named signatories. There has been a donation of £50.00 from the Neighbourhood Watch group. This is all the money we have at present. Roger is to investigate a transfer of monies that the Parish Council is holding on our behalf, to our account. We will use the Auditor that the Parish Council use.
Roger reported that we had been unsuccessful in our application for a grant from the O2 community fund.
The Watermark grant application will be decided in Dec/Jan. The Second stage lottery grant application is progressing. We are to contact Les Collett to explore other local funding.
6 Site Plan Jules talked us through the updated site Plan, which looks very good, and has been modified in response to input from the group. He suggests we should make a list of skills we have, and decide what jobs we can do, and would like to do, and those that we need contractors to carry out. This will be compiled at the next meeting.
7 Management Plan The management plan needs to be modified in the light of new proposals. It is suggested that the plan be broken down into different areas, so the these can be dealt with individually, and make the task easier. The new management plan needs to be sent to Wessex Water for their comments. (We also need to discuss with WW a lock for the gate to the Meadow so that we can prevent access to the site by unauthorized people.)
9 RSPB Survey Debbie to talk to school about possibility of carrying out RSPB survey of birds in the spring, the opportunity for kids to make nesting boxes, the chance of getting some plant identification done in the spring, on site. The school might like to be involved in planting wildflower seeds on areas scraped bare, in the spring.
10 Working Party. Next working party on Sunday 23rd November at 10 am. This will use sticks to mark paths, mark tree positions in orchard, complete cutting up of old wire fencing, clear bramble regrowth, clear around seating area centre. 11 Logo Jules to send Mary the logo designed by Jane for use as letterhead etc (IT skills permitting!)
12 Thank you. We would like to thank all those who have helped in any way at all to advance this project. We would also like to invite anyone who has any interest at all to come along to a meeting, working party or just contact a committee member to find how you can get involved.
13 Next meeting Thurs 27th Nov,7.30pm, in pub
14 Next working party Sun 23rd Nov 10am—this will be a long session, so come along when you can.
15 Next meeting with Martin Fine Wed 19th Nov 10.30, The Willow House.

Mary H Clarke 15/11/08