Present: Ian Hammerton (Chair), Mervyn Brown, Kate Harmer, Richard Wiltshire, Charles Tustian, Mike Pratt

1) Apologies for Absence: Eric Tomlinson, Phil Kessel, Alan Cremer

2) Notes from the last Meeting: Item 4 Darenth Country park - Line 2 was amended so that the sentence reads "Mervyn said he had no concerns about any plants on the allotment site."

3) Matters Arising from the Notes (not on the Agenda):

2. Phil Kessel has drafted an article which has been passed to Dartford Borough Council Public Relations for inclusion in the Borough News

4. Richard Wiltshire reported that progress by the Allotments Group on the Park has stopped other than what has already been agreed because of concerns about personal security.

5. Alan Cremer has written an article and submitted it to Biodiversity News.

7. Ian Hammerton has supplied an article for inclusion in the Informer. A reminder was given to all group members to supply articles about their own organisations so that a stockpile of suitable articles could be held.

8. Charles Tustian reported that he had been unable to find the Man Orchids but it was likely that no further disturbance would take place and therefore there was no problem.

4) Chairman's Report: None.

5) Dartford Festival: Ian Hammerton has applied for car passes and exhibitors passes for four people. Application relates to Friday and Saturday but there is no reference to Sunday on the form. - Mike Pratt to investigate. A table and chairs have been booked as well as space outside the tent for the Young Ornithologists Club. Charles Tustian confirmed that he would be putting the displays in on Saturday morning and may be able to assist with staffing the display for an hour or two. A general appeal was made for help with staffing the display.Mervyn Brown agreed to raise with his group. ALL - Please let Ian Hammerton or Alan Cremer know if you are able to assist. With regard to the activities of the Green Roadshow a scouting party of Mike Pratt, Richard Wiltshire, John Gunn and any other interested persons will be visiting the show in Walthamstow on Sunday July 5th to see exactly what they do and how it will fit in with what QED are doing.

6) Publicity Up-date: Nothing to report. See note in Matters Arising.

7) Dartford Wildlife Garden: Eric Tomlinson's proposal was discussed at some length. There was general support from the group:

Charles Tustian commented that ponds can be difficult to create and manage e.g. Finding water and then keeping it, requirement for pumps etc. His suggestion was to cut a bay from the river and use the spoil to complete the bund by the running track to avoid it having to be removed from the site.

Is there space for a 2000 ft hedge?

Planting is prone to vandalism. It may be more beneficial to create an area by highlighting it by an appropriate mowing regime. Leaving longer grassed areas, perhaps mown once a year, with definite pathways through the area mown regularly. It was generally agreed that "pretty" species would not work and are liable to be "removed". The use of non invasive shrubs was suggested as were Field Buttercups which are considered to give a good show. Another suggestion was an annual show of Poppies, these would not need a lot of attention, perhaps rotovated once a year. There would probably be no need to re-seed BUT the area may appear scruffy at certain times. Ian Hammerton to consider comments with a view to obtaining Group support for a scheme to be recommended to the Council for inclusion in plans for the Park. To also elicit the support of the QED Steering Group if appropriate.

8) Composition of Future Agenda: Ian Hammerton asked for ideas for future agenda items. ALL- Everyone to consider issues for future agenda and pass them to Ian or Alan Cremer. Ian stressed that by now the Group should be bringing together information from its various constituent groups so that the group can feed positive information back to Dartford Borough Council. Everyone to consider what they can feed to the group or how the group can obtain access to information held by the constituent groups.

9) Other Business:

Charles Tustian raised a letter to the Kent Wildlife Trust that had been copied to him. It related to the proposal to fill the L shaped quarry at St James Lane with inert material. The proposal was briefly discussed by the group. It was generally agreed that the KWT would progress with any investigation of the site that they felt was necessary.

Richard Wiltshire introduced the DETR Consultation Paper - "Making Biodiversity Happen". Request Forms for the document were distributed to the Group.

10) Date of Next Meeting: Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday September 1, 1998 from 7.30 pm at the Civic Centre.

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