Minutes of the AGM of Lime Kiln Wood Trust
At 18.00 on 27/01/2027
Held on zoom – hosted by The Chairman
Attendees: Michael Burke (Chairman), Jack Ellerby (Vice Chairman) Richard Scott, Colin Barr (Treasurer), Mandy Lane, Sally Varian, Peter Davis, Jenifer Burke, Peter Matthiessen. The meeting commenced at 18.20 on Zoom after some IT issues.
- Apologies for absence: None
- Minutes and Actions from the previous minutes.
First Aid Kit – MB agreed to visit with Barkers and check it is still in place and suitable for use.
Plant Surveys. Detailed surveys remain outstanding but may be reduced.
Tree safety. Confidence that we are aware of the outstanding issues from the recent storm Arwen that caused considerable damage. Barkers have helped enormously clearing the major pathways and ensuring safety is a high priority.
Two issues remain to be decided. Fallen Ash leaning against secure tree beside the Industrial estate. Sizable bough overhanging neighbors garden on the south side. Fallen tree on Bridle Path should be LDNP matter and not ours. SV volunteered to contact local Senior Ranger to confirm it is known to be a problem. (This was done and has been registered on the long list at LDNP)
Webmaster – PD Confirmed the 2021 notes from AGM had been loaded.
Insurance – The treasurer commented that cover from the renewed Insurance had been questioned and we might need to review that as part of his report.
Habitat/Species. Bird boxes are numbered and JE completed a map. Photos from the 80’s from CB suggested that the only change noticed was a greater abundance of material available at the time. Bat Detector software has yet to be purchased but ML agreed to remedy the situation as funds are available.
School contact – MB confirmed that he had received no response from several approaches.
- Chair Report. The Chairman commented :-
Visual survey of damage caused by the latest storms had been done and Barkers had managed to clear the worst of the access issues.
At least 20 large trees, Beech, Sycamore and Pine had been lost and most will be left in situ as they pose no problem. JE was thanked for his efforts , with trainee wallers, in repairing the major damage on the wall by the Industrial Estate. Barkers had quickly removed the fallen tree over hanging our neighbour’s garden, but one bough remains which has become detached from its host tree and will need attention. MB commented that some of the fallen trees could not be reached by Barkers due to the terrain and we would have to decide what we might need to do. JE commented that the plan from Barkers to remove the potential threat to the Industrial Estate seemed overly complex but until we have a conversation with them in detail, we may not fully understand their motives. Low hanging fruit may be attractive? It was agreed that we needed to meet with Barkers and ensure we maintain our good relations and see if the original agreement of firewood being available from our own stock would continue. MB and JE to liaise and meet with Barkers.
The Glade was discussed and thought to be a success. Keeping on top of the
Brambles was seen as an ambition so that we could see what species appear. It
was noted that Buddleia had sprouted in two places and was that a good or bad
thing? It was felt by CBthat more visual species research might be carried out
as the year progressed.
- Treasurer’s Report. CB tabled his report showing a current balance of £7,399 with an income from subs of £780. Insurance cost increased to £448. The adequacy of the cover was queried by Richard as to whether the Scottish Woodlands cover provided was acceptable. CB suggested we find a friendly Insurance expert to check it out. None was forthcoming. ALL.The Website cost had been a two year deal so not cost registered this last 12 months.
CB queried the monthly contributions and why PM paid £5 and the rest £10.
It was agreed that those unable to benefit from “free” firewood would contribute less. PD had not adjusted his contribution.
- Webmaster’s Report. PD presented his brief report which commented that occasionally we are “hacked” in a very minor way with adverts for over the counter drugs of the “medicinal booster” type. These are removed with a moments effort. Minutes will again be posted after redaction by the Chairman.
PD/MB
ML requested that the species lists be reviewed and reloaded into separate posts so that each was separated into categories. This would make searching and updating easier. PD agreed to so do.
- Election of Officers.
- Chairman. MB agreed to continue to stand.
- Vice Chairman. JE agreed to continue in the role.
- Treasurer. CB agreed to continue.
- Webmaster. PD also agreed to continue.
The meeting voted unanimously to propose and accept all nominations.
- Provisional work programme :- Glade, Coppice , Boundaries
MB opened a discussion to the meeting and PM asked what the recent Hornbeam planting by CB implied. Was it part of a wider plan or an “experiment” to see how they might settle and improve the biodiversity?
CB responded that he had managed to plant the10 he had after a struggle to find suitable places and will ensure they are cared for. Hornbeam were seen as a pioneer tree – moving north with climate change and should do well. If they survive JE hoped they might attract Hawfinch as had happened elsewhere. He also warned that Grey Squirrels enjoyed them as well. Few signs of that pest recently as the traps and “active management” appears successful.
Glade Management:-
Was discussed once again, and RS suggested that providing bushes/trees of a lower height around the edge of the Glade was recommended to help generate the diversity of habitat that ours currently lacked. Brambles remained unwanted to a large extent but the bare height of the surrounding tree cover provided little cover at the ground – 10 foot level. Holly was thought to be too invasive and provided to little sunlight in Winter.
Hawthorn was a preferred solution, and selective “removal of unwanted species” might solve that problem for us.
The meeting agreed that reviewing progress annually was the correct time scale before doing anything dramatic.
The regeneration seen on some of the Ash stumps had a hope that all were not lost as many of the trees in the wood were affected.
The Brash piles in the Glade were currently less than ideal but will subsume into the ground over a period of years and provide cover for small mammals and birds as they become food for insects and Fungii.
Coppice Management:-
MB questioned whether collectively we still had the fitness and stamina to achieve what we set out to do. His recent work revisiting Coup1 showed that brambles prevented suitable access to the hazel and everything else. Collectively the meeting suggested that with numbers and machinery we could improve the results dramatically. It was suggested that volunteers from BTCV or The Conservation Volunteers might be a source of manpower but quickly quashed as not in the area. JE remarked that planting anything in rock as a challenge anyway. MB suggested organizing a working party promptly so that we could bring full effort to bear. It was noted that our current financial position would allow us to hire help if needed.
CB queried if using power tools in public space was ok and the meeting felt that we could section off the working area successfully.
Boundaries:-
JE suggested that as long as it was not too urgent he had a training day in the diary for 15th March with would allow him to use them to finish the boundary wall by the Industrial estate. This cost would be covered by the clients he was training. The meeting thanked him unanimously.
- Habitat and Species.
The existing Bat Box remained intact but now fallen with the Pine tree it was on. To be repatriated.
JE informed the meeting that John Martin had built and had available 8 boxes including an Owl box for just £160. He would liaise and help erect in the appropriate places. Approved and JE to confirm.
PD has raw material for additional/replacement bird boxes with new design and metal plates to protect some element from woodpeckers. Pallet wood is free but soft.
Squirrels were not perceived as a problem despite RS seeing a dozen last spring in one day. Culling seems to be successful so far.
- Any Other Business.
ML mentioned that it appeared that the volume of litter had subsided and may
have been a result of efforts to remove what was already left. People helping
keep something tidy rather than not caring if there was copious litter already.
ML also questioned if the recently made shortcut to enter the wood from the
roadside end of the parking was permanent? RS agreed that he had created it
to make it safer for people to enter the wood as walking towards the formal
entrance means exposing people to traffic. The meeting left the discussion
open and can be reviewed MB at our next working party.
PD agreed to drill drainage holes in the new information board on his next
visit
There being no other business the meeting ended with best wishes and safe keeping to all. Date of next meeting: 26