Minutes of the 13th Annual General Meeting of

THE FRIENDS OF LITTLEHEATH WOODS

The Selsdon Centre for the Retired

Sunday 18th May 2008 at 2.00pm.

Those Present:

Allan Turner,  Chris & Adrian Hyde, Brian Stone, Shirley Shephard, Pat Crooke, Sean and Myrna Walsh, Cyril Watmore, Keith Sinclair, Ian Leggatt, Chris Struthers
Valerie Wood, John and Sylvia Smith, Elizabeth Slatter, Paul Shaw.

Apologies for absence:

Ann Goss, Mr & Mrs Morley-Smith.

Welcome.

Ian Leggatt chaired the meeting. Ian thanked everyone for coming and explained the agenda.

Item 1. Minutes of the Last Meeting.

These were agreed as a true and accurate record. They were proposed for adoption by Cyril Watmore and seconded by Shirley Shephard.

Item 2. Chairman’s Report.

This had taken the form of a short Spring Newsletter, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting. Ian thanked Chris Hyde for her input and apologised for any grammatical errors which were his alone. Ian explained that the year had been a very busy one. The Sunday group had ceased but the Tuesday workparties continued with renewed vigour and they had managed to achieve much over the year. Ian invited questions from the floor. The report was noted by the AGM.

 

Item 3. Treasurers Report.

Chris distributed copies of the audited accounts, which showed total expenditure of £853.05, the largest items being BTCV Affiliation and Insurance (£296.51) and ‘Professional Fees’. This related to a training course which Adrian Hyde is attending to qualify him to use Herbicides in the woods.. We will carry forward a balance of £1,214.02. The accounts were proposed for adoption by Allan Turner, and seconded by Paul Shaw. A vote of thanks was passed to Rob Shephard for his audit of the accounts.

Item 4. Election of Committee.

All current Committee members having offered their names for re-election and with no nominations received from the floor, Adrian Hyde proposed the re-election of the current committee. Seconded by Cyril Watmore.

Your committee comprises, Ian Leggatt (Chair) Chris Hyde (Treasurer), Pat Crooke, Brian Stone, Allan Turner, Sean Walsh and Shirley Shephard. Post of Secretary is vacant.

 

Item 5. Annual Subscription.

Discussion took place regarding the current £5 per family subscription. It was proposed that this should remain at £5 per family per year. Proposed by Keith Sinclair, seconded Chris Hyde.
Item 6. Any Other Business.

 

Shirley’s Surveys.

Shirley has arranged dates with Jane McLauchlin for a flower survey –Wednesday, 18th June, 7.00pm at Queenhill Steps, and a Fungus Foray – Sunday 12th October, 2pm at Queenhill Steps. Other dates for the diary are: Saturday 26th July at 10am for  a ‘Great Green Yonder’ walk entitled Littleheath in Leaf.  A second ‘Great Green Yonder’ walk entitled Seeds & Fruits in Littleheath Woods has been arranged for 27th September at 10am. All walks start at Queenhill Steps. It was agreed to postpone the proposed Members Walk from 21st June.

 

Green Pond

Cyril discussed proposals to install a liner to the bed of the Green Pond to attempt to create a small reservoir of water. Investigations are ongoing to locate the position of the breach in the clay base of the pond.

 

Horseriders

The committee was asked if they knew the current situation regarding the proposed new permissive bridleway.  Our contact at Heathfield Stables had recently been advised that the bridleway request now needs to pass through the Traffic Management Committee before the Rights of Way Committee could discuss it.  The Traffic Management Committee was next due to meet on 12 June, so hopefully matters will move on after that.  We have no information about why the Traffic Management Committee is now involved.

 

Website

Allan Turner confirmed that he would still be maintaining the Friends website to be found at http://www.btinternet.com/~folw.croydon/

 

Friends consultaton

Pat Crooke outlined the current work strategy and described the recent planting regime that had been carried out. Pat circulated copies of a map of the woods and asked that the attendees take the maps away and consider what work they would like carried out and indicate on the maps where. Ian asked that maps and comments be returned to Pat at 8 Rylandes Road.

 

Recent EDF work

Comments from the floor expressed concern and dismay at the clearance work undertaken by EDF, underneath their pylons and overhead cables. It was explained that the committee had very little notice of the work and, more importantly, no idea of the nature of the clearance. Keith Sinclair queried the strategy that the Friends were adopting for the area. Pat Crooke described the recent replanting that had been carried out.

 

Upcoming BTCV work

It was reported that BTCV are proposing to carry out some more improvement works to the Vanguard Way in July.

 

Hedging around work sites.

Recent trials to create hazel dead hedging around the Gruttendens work area were discussed. All approved of the woven fencing as a visually enhancing protection to areas of sensitivity. Considered ideal for areas of new planting to protect from unwanted access. It was noted that the hedging did not prevent access physically or visually. Approved for use in other locations.

 

Tree Planting

Brian Stone reminded the meeting that recently well over 250 trees had been planted in the woods by the Friends.

 

Chairmanship

Allan Turner raised the topic of future chairmanship. The committee are aware that the current chair wishes to stand down but is prepared not to do so if it would damage the Friends of Littleheath Woods. The lack of volunteers was noted. Allan suggested that the position of Chair rotate through the committee. It was suggested to review the proposal at the next committee meeting.

 

 

Close.

Ian Leggatt again thanked everyone for their attendance. The meeting closed at 15.10pm.