Committee Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 July 2008 at 9 Frosterley Close, Newton Hall, Durham
Present: D Gibson, J Hogg, R Logan, R
Cowen, D Sowerbutts
1. Apologies:
None
2. Minutes of last meeting
Accepted.
3. Matters arising
» Ray said there had been no change re membership.
» A discussion took place re pin badge boxes. David G said his takings had gone down dramatically recently. Richard mentioned his takings had been so low he had stopped some time ago and had not so far been able to restart elsewhere.
» Re Saltholme, David G said it was now likely that it would open unofficially in November with an official opening Spring 2009. Any proposal to provide voluntary help here as considered at the last meeting could not be progressed at present.
» David S confirmed £300.00 had been sent to Northern Office for Campfield.
» David G had prepared a draft Grant Application. It was agreed that he should progress this claim and that in fact this cold help us to carry out objectives under the Next Step Policy IV document.
» Richard mentioned that the TV and Film Studio proposal at Seaham, close to Hawthorn Dene, had now received planning permission but there was now a wind farm application by it which could affect its development.
» With regard to the position re biofuels and the RSPB petition mentioned at the last meeting, the Government Report published yesterday criticising the drive for such fuels was noted.
4. Correspondence
David G mentioned he had received a copy of an employer’s liability certificate of insurance.
5. Speakers
David G mentioned limited progress since last meeting but now had the following schedule:
» October - Roy Dennis had still not confirmed. It was suggested that if he did not confirm, David S would give a fall back talk on South Africa.
» November – Sarah Dullage re Farmer Alliance and farmland birds.
» December – Adam Eagle on DWT development.
» January – Martin Kerby re Special Protection Areas in the North-East.
» February – John Edwards (of Hawk and Owl Trust) on Conservation of Birds on Fylindales Moor.
» March – Noel Jackson on the Galapagos.
David S agreed to book the room and suggested we now fix a date for the AGM. Agreed 21 April 2009 unless not in term-time.
6. Trips
The Following schedule was agreed:
» 11 October 2008 - Holy Island, by coach, leaving 9:00am
» 3 January 2009 - New Year Trip, by car, leaving 9:00am
» 28 February 2009 - Minibus trip to Campfield, leaving 7:30am
» 25 April 2009 - West Durham, by car, leaving 9:00am
» 16 May 2009 to 19 May 2009 - Norfolk. Price of accommodation likely to be around £130.00
» 13 June 2009 - Northumberland Valleys, by car, leaving 9:00am
7. AOB
Richard mentioned he was taking part in the Twite Survey in the County and hoped to make a second visit to the Harwood area on Saturday.
David S mentioned that there had been 29,000 records for the Bird Atlas in County Durham area as defined for the BTO. This did include Bird Track and Roving entries but was still considered to be a very good number of entries. David mentioned that 25% of the tetrads in Durham were covered.
David G agreed to contact Carol Bamber to see if there had been any progress in a previously suggested meeting for North East Committee members.
Ray mentioned the Hen Harrier safaris conducted in Northumberland this year. It was probably too late to do anything this year but perhaps should be mentioned in the Newsletter to see if anyone may be interested next year should they nest there again.
10. Date of next meeting
7 October 2008 at 9 Frosterley Close.
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