CW minutes 2025
COMMITTEE MEETING, CRADLEY WILD, 27 February 2025
2.30pm Lutian House, Cradley
Present: Linda B (chair), Clare G (secretary), Patrick F, Bill vM
Apologies: Jessie M (treasurer),
1. MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MEETING
Membership fee: there was discussion about whether a two-tier membership (active members, non-active members) is a good idea. PF pointed out that agreeing to be on the email list makes you a member, and it is good to have a decent membership number when applying for grants etc.
Action points: everyone to give it more thought. JM is preparing a report.
2. LITTER PICK 9 March, 2.30-3.30pm
It was agreed that meeting point to be Fincher’s Corner. Participants urged to bring hi-vis vests, gloves and litterpicks if they have them. CW has six of each. People to be paired up and set off up Chockbury Lane. LB has purple bags.
Action points: LB to arrange collection of purple bags. CG to email members to remind them of date etc. CG to create four posters to put up around the village.
3. PLANT SALE, 5 May
Celia and CW members have cut willow and hazel. Celia will make sweet pea supports to sell at the Plant Sale. ‘Living’ willow also available.
Action point: LB to email about availability of willow to members wishing to make living structures. A date in April to be fixed to make supports under Celia’s guidance.
PF said he is available to set up the stand. More volunteers needed to people it.
Action point: Jan Dampney to notify us re timings.
4. PROGRAMME FOR 2025
Speakers and events now confirmed until September.
Ideas for others:
Warden at Knapp Nature Reserve for Spring/Summer 2026 when orchids are in flower.
Action point: BvM to contact.
Ian Hague, Save they Wye, October or November.
Action point: LB to contact.
5. APRIL NEWSLETTER
April issue: a composite feature comprising Ian Perry about forthcoming floral walk: PF about his hedge survey; BvM on bio-abundance; CG shout-out about P4P.
Action point: all copy to CG by 10 March.
6. FUNDING AND GRANTS
All invoices have been submitted to National Landscapes by JM.
Should we apply for another grant from Parish Council for 2026?
7. CHAPEL LANE, MOLEHILLS
CG reported that she met with Janita and Diane M to suggest letting the grass grow longer to create a more wildlife-friendly habitat. The response was that this would be a health and safety risk (molehills now concealed); the mower is too big to mow a narrow path; and there is not sufficient variety of species to make this worthwhile. They are however prepared to let the verge by the fence to grow.
BvM suggested asking Rory Johnson of Herefordshire Meadows to take a look and advise. If he thinks growing the grass is beneficial, then to resubmit the idea to the PC.
Action point: BvM to contact Rory.
8. VERGES
Diane M has informed CG that all c and u roads should be mown just once a year. However, last year no one reapplied to stop the spring mowing and they were mowed twice.
Action point: CG to ask Diane if a previous application can be resubmitted.
Following an email from CG to members, various verges have been nominated not to be cut. What is the follow-up ie should we ask VoW to advise? If these are c and u roads, they should be covered.
9. P4P UPDATE
LB reported that 12 April has been set to distribute compost and starter packs at the school. Lavender plants have been ordered from the Hop Pocket. Flyers to be distributed at the start of March. A meeting with LB and CG and the WI to be held on 7 March.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Buryfield orchard: PF and LB have pruned the trees and laid cardboard. PF reported that the WI tree is diseased and has been all along. Frank Mathews will not refund money so a new to be ordered by WI. The pear tree is still to be pruned.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS
The next committee meeting will be held on Thursday 27 March, 2.30pm, VBvM’s house.
COMMITTEE MEETING, CRADLEY WILD, 31 January 2025
2.30pm. Lilac Cottage, Bosbury
Present: Linda B (chair), Jessie M (treasurer), Clare G (secretary),
Patrick F
Apologies: Bill vM
1. PLANTERS FOR POLLINATORS
LB reported that this initiative is gathering momentum. Meetings have been held with Pam and Sue from the WI and the word is being spread via the Newsletter and flyers which will be distributed in late Feb. CW will contribute £200 towards plug plants.
The WI is applying for a grant from the Parish Council. Sue H has also organised laser printing of labels.
LB and CG and Pam from WI had a meeting with Mrs Jones at the school. She is happy for P4P to hold a morning there to distribute compost and starter packs.
JM wondered what happens if more than 110 people sign up for planters.
Action points:
The WI to give us a list of expected costs.
Plug plants to be ordered and pro-forma invoice given to JM by mid-Feb, to send to National Landscapes. LB
2. VERGING ON WILD TALK, 13 Feb
LB reported that SW still to respond to emails but otherwise all looks set.
Action point: committee members to arrive at 6.30 where possible to help with set-up, entrance fee and refreshments
3. CW PROGRAMME FOR 2025
The following events were agreed.
13 February: Sally Webster, Verging on the Wild.
Xx March: Litter pick, date to be confirmed. JM has been solo litter picking. It was suggested that this be rolled out to see if any other members would also like to pick around their patch.
We may also hold a seed sowing for Plants for Propagators in March.
12 April, 10am: P4P compost drop at the school
26 April, 2pm: Ian Perry’s nature walk around village
5 May Plant Sale, Village Hall. CW to have a stand with WI to promote P4P tbc
18 May: Patrick Fleming’s hedge survey
25 June. Rory Johnson, Herefordshire Meadows
28/29 June 5/6 July: Village Open Gardens. P4P judging?
10 July: Rebecca Tully, Food Alliance
August: no meeting, though PF suggested another hedge survey.
11 September: AGM and talk re Eco churches
Suggestions for future speakers
* The warden from The Knapp and Paper Mill Nature Reserve.
* Dr Ian Hague, Save the Wye
* Dr Johnny Birks, zoologist and chairman of The Mammal Society
* Archie Miles, Herefordshire tree expert and author
* Ella Quincy on dormice
* John Hughes formerly of Shropshire Wildlife Trust on fungi
* A regenerative farmer eg Ben Taylor-Davies (Regen Ben), or the woman farmer in Bishop’s Frome.
4. MEMBERSHIP
There was discussion about the £5 membership fee, which is due in September every year. JM suggested that membership benefits ie what does membership buy, be spelt out, this is where the money went last year, this is where it’s going. Should there be two levels of membership ie one for active volunteers, one for those with more passive engagement? It was also suggested that a call for membership be included in future CMS Newsletter features.
Action point: JM to draft a proposal.
5. CMS NEWSLETTER
Next deadline: 16 Feb. LB suggested more child-friendly features be included.
Action point: CG to write about moths for March issue, and to send P4P flyer to run as a full-page ad. PF to write about hedges in subsequent issue.
6. WILLOW CUTTING
Celia has a source of willow (Ivan) which can be used to make plant structures and/or to plant.
Action point: a date/time to be fixed for people to come and cut.
7. MOLEHILL UPDATE
The molehill spoil in the Chapel Lane playground is considerable. Currently five CW members take it in turn to rake/remove. CG suggested that part of the playground, currently grass and not used for sport etc be allowed to grow long and wild. This would conceal some of the molehills and would not require mowing.
Action point: CG to talk to Janita and/or other Parish Councillors to see if they can be persuaded.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Project log: JM suggested that a spreadsheet be created to keep track of all CW’s various activities and to ensure that none drop off our radar. This was agreed.
Action point: JM to create.
Bluebell Wood: PF reported that the two-acre Bluebell Wood on the road to Mathon is for sale. It was agreed that it would be good to keep it for villagers but how to do this?
Action point: funding and crowd funding possibilities to be researched.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS
The next committee meeting will be held on 27 March, 2.30pm, PF’s house.