Reports

13th November 2007                Pigneys Wood Board Meeting at MADRA, Knapton

AGM and General Meeting

Present

Norman Dodd, David Ross, Brian Abbs, Peter Kaye, David Gosling, Peter Croot, Edward de Feyter, Pip Thomas, Katie Manning

Apologies

Don Birch, Mike & Jackie Cunnington, Nick Sutherland

AGM

  1. Accounts – Year ending 31 August 2007-11-15 Explanation by DG of income and expenditure over this period.  PC proposed to accept accounts and seconded by PT.  Vote to dispense with Audit requirements.  Proposed by PT and seconded by EDF.  All agreed not to have an independent examination. 
  2. Proposal by PC for KM to become Director, seconded by BA.
  3. All Directors present were willing to stand again. 
  4. Agreed for BA to work as paid volunteer and be covered by Company’s insurance.

General Meeting

Signs – suggested to be placed defining walking routes and potential to get more  money from Breathing Spaces.

Other

Review of wild flower planting

Thanks to Brian and all others involved in the planting.  Many groups were involved and all agreed the venture was successful.  Emergency access issues RE parking.  In future car park may need extending.
Volunteer groups – well received and good value.  Planting very popular with children/parents.  Guided walks also popular.  Must be three people per session. 

Finance

Next meeting at Beechwood Hotel, Thursday 7th February, 4pm.

Christmas meal at Beechwood Hotel 12th December 7pm.

 

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North Norfolk Woodland Trust – Report to Council July 3rd, 2007.

During the past year, apart from the normal maintenance work undertaken by volunteers, the following programmes have been implemented or are undergoing implementation as part of a structured plan of improvements and regeneration.

  1. 600 hazels planted/replanted.
  2. 25 Christmas trees planted in an area of tree regeneration.
  3. 20 different varieties of apple trees and 2 oaks planted.
  4. 600 milk parsley plants have been planted on the canal bank to attract butterflies, mainly swallowtails.
  5. Extensive brush cutting and brushing of trees by contractors. 

In addition improvements have been made to improve access and information for the public, these include.

  1. Refurbishment of the car park.
  2. Erection of community information boards.
  3. The siting of two large picnic tables with wheelchair access, and
  4. The placing, by the department of highways, of tourist (brown) directional signs for Pigneys Wood at the Knapton and North Walsham ends of Hall Lane.

 All of this work, except where otherwise stated, has been carried out by volunteers under the able leadership and guidance of Mike Cunnington.

A further, large scale, planting programme is to be carried out when some 7000 plants are to be planted surrounding the scrape, a shallow lagoon created to attract feeding and migratory birds to the site.

This programme which is to be carried out during the months of September, October and November is labour intensive and will require large numbers of volunteers and it is hoped that local schools can be encouraged to assist, providing the younger generation with a valuable introduction to nature. Interested parties should contact Sue Willis of the Griffon Area Partnership on 01692 407 509 or email office@griffon.org.uk

We cannot underestimate the importance of volunteers to the continued success of this project and all those interested should turn up at the Hall Lane car park on the dates and times notified. Alternatively, they can contact Peter Croot on 01603 737 427, who is in charge of woodland management. All are very welcome.

Butterfly Walk.

As users of this walk will be aware a programme of heavy pruning and brush clearance has recently taken place to improve public access.

This work was carried out by NCC footpaths department under the able guidance of Paul Ryan.

Peter Kaye (Trustee).

Knapton, July 3rd, 2007.