Minutes of Meeting on Wednesday 3rd June 2015 held inNether Currie Primary School

Present –Neil Anderson - Jack Cairns - Jean Cairns - Barbara Chambers - Mark Hutchison -Ann Ireland – Ian Ireland – Sheila Nicol - Jo Walton – Val Wardle.

1. Apologies – Donald Kennedy – Gordon Porteous.

Mark welcomed everyone to the Meeting .

2. Minutes of 10th AGM on 04th March 2015.

In AOCB b) the sentence referring to the picnic in the School Grounds was incorrect and should be removed.With this amendment ,the Minutes were approved by Ann Ireland and seconded by Barbara Chambers.

3. Matters Arising from 04th March 2015 Meeting.

AOCB a) 5Year Plan

Ian had updated this and submitted to Craig. Checks had taken place and draft approved.

4. Membership Secretary Report.

Ann thanked all the collectors for their hard work in collecting the Annual Subscriptions.We lost 14 Members, gained 5 New Members and our total membership is now 96.

4a. Park Update.

Ian gave an update on happenings in the park over the past three months –

1. “No dogs in Playpark” and “ Please shut the gate “ signs had been fitted on the three gates.

1

2. Two instances of Vandalism – flower tub overturned and emptied and children lighting a fire in the woods. Both of these were reported to the Police so that a record can be compiled of vandalism reports.

3. Wild Flower Meadow has been re-seeded by pupils of Primary 4 from Nether Currie Primary School. Notices had been erected stating that this Meadow was part of the “Edinburgh Living Landscape “ scheme.Ian and Jack had scattered a large number of wildflower seeds throughout the park. These had been obtained from Kew Gardens /Lottery Fund.

4. Donald and Ian had installed six new bird/bat boxes in April and two repaired bird boxes were installed in May.

5. On the evening of 21st May 2015 , 8 volunteers had carried out a number of tasks clearing the path edge, cutting- back vegetation – re-fix ing signs, fixing goal nets, litter picking etc. Many thanks to them all for their contribution.

6. The completion of the Play Park fence made the front page of the C&B NEWS in the May issue.

2

7. A Meeting with Craig took place in the Park on 28th May 2015 – Mark, Jack and Ian attended.

Items resolved were – a board walk will be provided at the East end of the Nature Trail to cover the permanently muddy area. More fruit trees to be supplied for the Orchard. One metre strip to be cut in the vegetation at the path edge. A Wildlife Information Board will be provided.

Craig to arrange this.

5. Family Events 2015

Jo said that she had received funding from the Forestry Commission to run more Family events this year. There will be six Family Events and for the first time there will be two over 50s Events. Flyers have been sent out to the usual sources and both primary schools, Nether Currie and Currie, have been leafletted. In order to try and publicise these events more it was agreed that we would produce A3 flyers and display them in the park. Jo said that she could possibly do this. The first two Events had taken place last Saturday-30th May.

6. Autumn Event.

Ian asked if there would be support in organising a Teddy Bear’s Picnic at the end of August 2015. It was agreed that this would be a worthwhile project. Mark suggested that the gazebos could be erected in the now fenced in Children’s Play area. Ian to start the ball rolling re date etc.

7. Nature Talk

Mark gave an explanation of how the Council initiative “Edinburgh Living Landscape” would affect our Parks. Basically it is an attempt to increase the biodiversity in the parks by creating corridors for flowers and animals to bloom/roam freely. It is essential that all woodland management within Muir Wood Park is carried out by CEC with consideration given to any wildlife, flora or habitat and in compliance with any current laws which offer protection to any flora or fauna.

3

Discussion of this policy followed and Val felt strongly that not enough maintenance/cutting, particularly of brambles and nettles, was taking place.She felt that the brambles and nettles were taking over in the park to the detriment of the park users. It was suggested that she should contact Craig and make her views known. Her views were not supported by others present at the meeting.

8. AOCB

1.) Sheila Nicol handed out a selection of posters that the children had made – on the theme of litter. These will be displayed in the Play Park and the children were to be thanked for their hard work and creative ideas.

2.) Jo stated that MYPARKSCOTLAND is a website that will publicise events held in local parks. We should use them when we have details of the Teddy Bears Picnic.

3.) Mark stated that the burned- out bin in the Children’s Play area had still not been replaced.

4.) Ian agreed dates with Sheila Nicol regarding our future meetings.

The dates are – Wednesday 2nd September 2015 Wednesday 2nd December 2015 Wednesday 2nd March 2016 Wednesday 1st June 2016

Ian will submit the paperwork to the Council for these dates.

9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next Meeting will be held in Nether Currie Primary School onWednesday 2nd September 2015 at 6.45pm.

4

5