CW Minutes 2026

MINUTES COMMITTEE MEETING, CRADLEY WILD 22 January 2026

2.30pm, Lilac Cottage, Cradley

Present: Linda B (chair), Jessie M (treasurer), Clare G (secretary), Patrick F, Bill vM

1. APOLOGIES

There were no apologies.

2. MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MEETING

Outstanding action points: hedgelaying man; survey slip for meetings.

SOCIAL MEDIA: CG has set up a Facebook page and will email members with details and to encourage them to sign up to Whatsapp.

CRAYFISH SURVEY: LB has written to Robert but has not had a reply.

3. REPORT FROM JOHNNY BIRKS TALK

This was well attended and well received: 39 people attended and there was good feedback from audience and from Johnny Birks. JM pointed out that the timing (4pm) could be one reason for the larger number. Not many children attended (four).

4. CHAIR’S REPORT

All matters covered elsewhere.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT

We currently have £1,204.51 in the account. JM reported that invoices etc must be sent to David A (National Landscape) by February. There are several outstanding invoices from speakers (Rebecca Tully, Herefordshire Meadows, Save the Wye). We are about £500 short of the amount to claim/spend before April. Suggestions included materials for bee tubes and swift boxes, also publicity material for Bee Village (badges, stickers).

Action points: LB to create a document specifying when the talks took place, cost and supplier. PF to get a pro-forma invoice from Say it With Wood. More suggestions of spend required.

6. BEE VILLAGE

Mason bees: PF reported that there have been requests for 16 mason bee houses. A group will attend Di’s de-tubing on 29 January. She is prepared to donate surplus grey tubes/smaller tubes. It was suggested that we instal public mason bee tubes, perhaps at each of the three churches and the school, if someone is prepared to look after them.

Action points: PF to ask Di where to source boxes to house cocoons. An instruction leaflet to be produced to accompany each mason bee house.

Bee hotels: PF suggested we make some community bee hotels. CG and LB pointed out that the Buzz Club are doing research into best practice ie some bee hotels sold in garden centres etc are poor quality and would not encourage bees.

Action point: Cradley Wild to join Buzz Clug as a community member. CG to action.

Publicity: CG has designed a logo and flyer to launch the Bee Village. JM suggested that the bee on the logo be named, perhaps in a competition. The logo could also work as a badge or car/window sticker saying ‘Cradley Bee Villager’.

Action point: CG to cost stickers and badges.

School: It was agreed that school/Cubs involvement in the Bee Village is key.

Action point: LB to arrange a meeting with the school.

WI LB and CG had a productive meeting with Sue and Pam from the WI (held after this meeting on 23 Jan). A report will be circulated later.

Other elements to consider: a wildflower seed swap (see Rory’s notes at end) a bee-friendly verge working with Verging on Wild, and other bee habitat creation. Also child-friendly activities eg bee crafts. PF suggested we include an item in the Newsletter about those who have done bee-friendly things eg the Hunabans’ wild patch.

Action point: CG to contact Verging on Wild about wildflower verge by Pixiefields.

5. SWIFT BOXES

Pauline D already has swifts and has requested an additional box. PF suggested that other boxes be positioned nearby eg on Village Hall, local houses if they are tall enough.  BvM pointed out that there is one on the church tower which could be moved. Dave K is happy to make boxes from a template created by the RSPB.  We need someone to put them up.

Action point: PF to talk to Dave. BvM to approach church re box on tower. CG to email members and PF to Whatsapp before April to see who wants one. Also to include in the Newsletter. 

7. SPEAKERS/ EVENTS UPDATE

12 FEBRUARY 7pm

Denise Plume and Dave Lee will speak on bats and dormice. They will need a projector, screen and laptop to show their slides. PF to action.

12 MARCH 7pm

Nature Quiz, with quizmaster Paul M.

12 APRIL, 2pm

Visit to Old Country Farm

17 MAY, 2.30 pm

Farm visit to Amwells Farm in Much Marcle.

11 JUNE, 7pm, Richard Comont, bumble bees.

September AGM and screening of Six Inches of Soil

JULY: summer picnic tbc.

PF pointed out that the meadow at Colwall Orchard could be a possibility as it is set up for this already. He will ask Lindsay.

AUGUST: walk tbc.

SEPTEMBER: AGM and film

OCTOBER: Raptor expert.

OTHER EVENT IDEAS

ADDERS BvM has emailed Nigel Hands professional herpetologist (reptile and amphibian expert), aw response

BEE VILLAGE: we may have to slot in two additional meetings re Bee Village in May as there is no Plant Sale this year. We also need a speaker to talk about creating a wildlife-friendly garden.

Action point: LB to approach HWT, Herefordshire Meadows and other local organisations to see if they can recommend someone to talk about wildlife- (particularly bee-) friendly gardening.

LITTER PICKS: to be slotted in as and when.

REFRESHMENTS: LB thanked Celia for taking on refreshment duties at meetings. She will buy supplies and invoice. If she can’t make a meeting, volunteers will be needed to step in.

8. PARISH COUNCIL

CG has emailed Colin M to request a meeting but has not had a response. She mentioned that a new Parish Council Member, Sarah W, is keen to be involved with Cradley Wild and the Bee Village in particular.

9. HOW TO ENCOURAGE MORE CHILDREN TO EVENTS

JM pointed out that two of the children who came to the Mammals of the Malverns talk were late because they had been to after-school club. Something to bear in mind. There was also no refreshment for children eg squash, and no age guidance given on publicity.

Action point: it was agreed that we should create targeted child-friendly events (maybe over summer holidays and with Cubs) around bee village. LB suggested making hoverfly lagoons as suggested on Buzz Club website.

10. NEWSLETTER MARCH

PF to write 750 words about why hedges are beneficial for bees, specifying which plants and offering tips on how to plant/maintain. Also future events and bee village shout-out.

Action point: all copy to CG by 16 February to meet deadline

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

WEBSITE CG reported that Tony C requested that we look at the Cradley Wild section on the village website, discuss and feedback to him. JM suggested that we consider what we want the website to achieve and what content will deliver this.

Action point: all committee members to look at the website and report back at next meeting.

ROLLED-OVER MINUTES

RORY’S J’s IDEAS

- Buglife’s B-Lines project which runs along the length of the Malvern Hills.

- Local farmers: he has contacts with various HM have worked with.

- Seed Swap: set up a wildflower seed swap service next summer to help members create their own mini meadows. You only need about 4g of seed per m2. This would tie in with the bee village idea, see below.

- Workbook: he supplied a copy of the Middle Marches Community Trust workbook which is a useful template/guidance for our own projects. LB has forwarded to Chair of Parish Council.

- Funding: are we eligible and should we apply for NatureSave Trust Awards? Maybe next year, when we have a specific project in mind and have a clearer idea about our objectives and strategy.

SIX INCHES OF SOIL

To be screened at the AGM in September. CG reported that she has registered with Kinema and to screen the film for 40 people costs $100 (about £73).

Action points: LB to approach Ruth P re panellists nearer the time. Rory J may also help.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

26 February, 2.30pm, The Hurst

26 March, 2.30pm, Fincher’s Corner

16 April, 2.30pm. Lutian House