Committee Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 October 2005 at 4 Ann's Place
Langley Moor, Durham
Present: Lo Brown, David Sowerbutts, Morag Craig, Julie Hogg, Dave Gibson, Ray Logan, Richard
Cowen.
1. Apologies:
None.
2. Minutes of last meeting
Taken as read.
3. Matters arising
A suggestion to put the Minutes on the Branch Web site was discussed. Julie agreed to do this in the future.
4. Correspondence
The following correspondence of note had been received:
» Lo produced various leaflets that will be made available at the next meeting.
» Letters were received from Mrs Tomlinson and Mr and Mrs Rendell explaining that they had moved out of the area. Mr and Mrs R did however wish to retain their membership.
» A request had been received from HQ at Sandy asking for volunteer speakers to provide approved talks to community organisations throughout the country in accordance with a pack produced by HQ.
» An email had been received from Anna Moody saying she was still
enquiring about the set aside question raised at the last meeting
and giving some information about the new rules concerning the
strip farmers may have to leave by hedges. Details
are contained on page 22 of the Cross Compliance Handbook for
England of 2005 or a Defra advisor can be contacted on 229 5500.
5. Holy Island Trip 8 October
It was confirmed the bus had been booked.
6. Meetings
David S confirmed he had sent the booking form in but had not yet received confirmation.
Lo and Morag have sufficient prizes for the raffles for 3 to 4 meetings. Morag will bring water for the Speaker to the next meeting.
Joe Bray has said he now wishes to stop selling seeds and nuts. The Committee wished to thank him for the efforts he has put in for some considerable time and noted the money it had raised for the Branch.
David G agreed to collect the direction signs from Joe.
7. Newsletter
There is usually a rush to get the Newsletter out on time which appears to be inevitable. A suggestion to reduce from 4 issues per year to 3 was discussed but it was considered this would lead to a bigger issue and the timing problems would probably not be resolved anyway. It was decided to retain 4 issues per year but Julie said she would like to consider the format for future issues. It was agreed she should do this and if appropriate report to the next meeting.
8. Field trips in January and February/March
David S agreed to write the January report and Lo the February/March one.
9. AOB
Richard and Ray reported on the Volunteers' Conference held in Gateshead
on 17 September. This was an excellent day and Anne Westerburg who
organised it should be congratulated. Many lively talks
were given and a trip was arranged to see the red kites round Barlow
and Rowlands Gill. About 12 kites were seen. The
general theme of the Conference was climate change and encouraging
more volunteers. RSPB wanted volunteers not only for
work at sites but also to write letters e.g. to MPs on chosen topics
(such as the proposed airport at Cliffe, which had been abandoned
as a result of all the comments received).
10. Next Meeting
10 January 2006 at 4 Ann's Place.
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