Arno's Park Action Group
APAG meeting minutes
9th June 2008
General
PRESENT
Becky Thoburn (BT), Jackie Freeman (JF), Ken Taylor (KT), Barry Mcleod (BM), Steve Pearce (SP), Emma Channon (EC), Richard Fletcher (RF), Jackie Norman (JN), Judith Thomas (JT)
Apologies
Sarah Peacock (SPe), Peter Main (PM)
Next Meeting
PLEASE NOTE THE NEXT MEETING is now 7.30pm Tues 15th July in the park (or Arnos Hotel if raining) – bring a mat/cushion! and meet at Kings Road entrance
Minutes
1 - Chairs welcome
BM thanked all for attending.
2 - Treasurer KT
FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING:
Treasurer (KT)
Agreed that accounts would be audited annually in advance of the AGM. Next AGM is scheduled for March 2009. It was discussed but not considered necessary for an independent auditor to view the accounts.
Treasurer (KT)
Agreed that accounts would be audited annually in advance of the AGM. Next AGM is scheduled for March 2009. It was discussed but not considered necessary for an independent auditor to view the accounts.
3 - Secretary (JF):
Bristol City Council have agreed to post out future hard copies of the minutes to those without e-mail addresses but are short staffed so cannot guarantee a timely delivery. In the interim we may need additional volunteers to help hand deliver. Numbers of copies for hand delivery to be confirmed.
4 - Fund Raising Team Publicity:
Fund Raising Team (BMRF)
YANSET (Yanley & North Somerset Environmental Company) application has been submitted for 1 new piece of equipment to replace the slide/hut. The bid has been rejected at this time by Yansec. We are awaiting further feedback from Yansec on the reasons for rejection.
Heritage Bid
RF continuing to work on this-a lot of work being done as it is for a substantial amount of money. JF/BM have sent out letters to key groups asking for their support but had minimal response. RF has recommended that the bid be aimed at the September entry due to the amount of work still required to formulate bid. Looking to bid at approx £70k worth of work including landscape design, path re – work and publication of an extended version of Ken’s History booklet. .
Other Fundraising Opportunities:
Thanks to everyone has sent details of additional opportunities for funding. BM to meet with Andy Thomas on Weds 16th July to discuss these further.
Steve P to check out position re Section 106 funding and possibility of funds for the park. Marks & Spencer Green Bag scheme may also be a source of funding. BM to follow up.
Open Spaces bid to be submitted. £10-50k available and we meet their criteria. BM will check that we are able to submit a bid as well as the Heritage bid.
BMX Park
John Threadgold has asked for a risk assessment to be completed on the BMX track that is being carved out in the park. He has suggested that the area is properly fenced off and used specifically for that purpose. This would provide a low cost area for youth play.
YANSET (Yanley & North Somerset Environmental Company) application has been submitted for 1 new piece of equipment to replace the slide/hut. The bid has been rejected at this time by Yansec. We are awaiting further feedback from Yansec on the reasons for rejection.
Heritage Bid
RF continuing to work on this-a lot of work being done as it is for a substantial amount of money. JF/BM have sent out letters to key groups asking for their support but had minimal response. RF has recommended that the bid be aimed at the September entry due to the amount of work still required to formulate bid. Looking to bid at approx £70k worth of work including landscape design, path re – work and publication of an extended version of Ken’s History booklet. .
Other Fundraising Opportunities:
Thanks to everyone has sent details of additional opportunities for funding. BM to meet with Andy Thomas on Weds 16th July to discuss these further.
Steve P to check out position re Section 106 funding and possibility of funds for the park. Marks & Spencer Green Bag scheme may also be a source of funding. BM to follow up.
Open Spaces bid to be submitted. £10-50k available and we meet their criteria. BM will check that we are able to submit a bid as well as the Heritage bid.
BMX Park
John Threadgold has asked for a risk assessment to be completed on the BMX track that is being carved out in the park. He has suggested that the area is properly fenced off and used specifically for that purpose. This would provide a low cost area for youth play.
5 - Head of Dog
No Feedback
6 - PR / Publicity: (SPe)
PR / Publicity: (SPe)
Still need to clarify re apostrophe usage in Arno's. KT has discovered that the cemetery, hotel and road signs have dropped the apostrophe but that the Ordinance Survey still includes it. Historically it should be included but Bristol city Council (as the land owners) have the right to change it. BCC has mixed usage. JF to ask Ghislaine if her dad would be able to investigate.
Website
Phase 1 has been completed and paid for. Content is still being worked on. SPe asked all to send news items and details of links to other sites (together with a short paragraph saying why it's useful/interesting) and would appreciate help/comments on the home page content.
All agreed that anything to be put on the website ought to go to SPe to co-ordinate. All agreed to allow SPe a £50 budget so that she doesn’t have to keep asking/getting agreement to pay Joules – Spe to feedback monies spent at each meeting.
Still need to clarify re apostrophe usage in Arno's. KT has discovered that the cemetery, hotel and road signs have dropped the apostrophe but that the Ordinance Survey still includes it. Historically it should be included but Bristol city Council (as the land owners) have the right to change it. BCC has mixed usage. JF to ask Ghislaine if her dad would be able to investigate.
Website
Phase 1 has been completed and paid for. Content is still being worked on. SPe asked all to send news items and details of links to other sites (together with a short paragraph saying why it's useful/interesting) and would appreciate help/comments on the home page content.
All agreed that anything to be put on the website ought to go to SPe to co-ordinate. All agreed to allow SPe a £50 budget so that she doesn’t have to keep asking/getting agreement to pay Joules – Spe to feedback monies spent at each meeting.
7 - Youth links: Position Vacant still
Youth links: Position Vacant still
APAG to investigate feasibility of a youth focus day. To include activities such as the mobile rock climbing tower and mobile skate park. JF to investigate costs.
Football nets are not practical on our goal posts but JF to investigate getting a basketball net.
APAG to investigate feasibility of a youth focus day. To include activities such as the mobile rock climbing tower and mobile skate park. JF to investigate costs.
Football nets are not practical on our goal posts but JF to investigate getting a basketball net.
8 - Community Venue Marketing /Event Co-ordination Team: SP & EC
Community Venue Marketing /Event Co-ordination Team: (Steve Pearce (SP) & EC)
Advised that all activities in the park should ideally pay for themselves. . A site licence is required for each event and no annual licence is available (as each event can be different )
Easter Egg Hunt
Congratulations to SPe for a successful, well organised event. 150 eggs were given away and funds raised (though this wasn't the aim).
Teddy Bears Picnic
Mel not keen to lead this as is expecting a baby in June. Aim for the under 5's to bring a picnic and teddy to the park. Wick Road Library have agreed to do a craft session and BT will ask them to organise with the St Christopher's church toddler group incl. The poster etc. APAG can support with publicity and risk assessments.
Dawn Chorus
Looking to repeat next year with a 4 o’clock start probable..
Yoga in the Park
BT has emailed someone to see if this is possible and is waiting a response. Thai Chi is also a possibility.
Funday
Date set for Sun 6th July.
Volunteers/donations needed for cake stalls and running inflatables as well as clearing up/manning stalls.
Flyers and posters have been printed by Barry and are now being distributed to local schools, shops, libraries and the immediate streets around the park.
EC & SP confirming site plan for the day
BM to confirm additional clean ups before for the weekend and tree trimming at Kings Road entrance.
Brislington Police have donated £100 on behalf of the local Traders association.
Easter Egg Hunt
Congratulations to SPe for a successful, well organised event. 150 eggs were given away and funds raised (though this wasn't the aim).
Teddy Bears Picnic
Mel not keen to lead this as is expecting a baby in June. Aim for the under 5's to bring a picnic and teddy to the park. Wick Road Library have agreed to do a craft session and BT will ask them to organise with the St Christopher's church toddler group incl. The poster etc. APAG can support with publicity and risk assessments.
Dawn Chorus
Looking to repeat next year with a 4 o’clock start probable..
Yoga in the Park
BT has emailed someone to see if this is possible and is waiting a response. Thai Chi is also a possibility.
Funday
Date set for Sun 6th July.
Volunteers/donations needed for cake stalls and running inflatables as well as clearing up/manning stalls.
Flyers and posters have been printed by Barry and are now being distributed to local schools, shops, libraries and the immediate streets around the park.
EC & SP confirming site plan for the day
BM to confirm additional clean ups before for the weekend and tree trimming at Kings Road entrance.
Brislington Police have donated £100 on behalf of the local Traders association.
9 - Cemetery links / development: PM
Cemetery links / development: Peter Main (PM)
Welcome to RS for attending. JF to email management committees email addresses to RS. BT/JF sent cemetery trust a letter re the feasibility of moving the cemetery boundaries so that the park could gain access to the natural pond and woodland behind. John T of BCC parks supported this.RS has a meeting with the parks dept. and will discuss this further. RS to copy in PM and BM. A park user (Ghislaine) is looking into ownership/maps/boundary issues to clarify park/cemetery land. JF to check.
RS clarified that the cemetery/park gate has been secured and will be put in place once the boundary has been cleared. There is also the possibility of putting in steps through the woodland. The cemetery would like a joint working party to clear the woodland. This will be in Nov/Dec to avoid the nesting season. RS is awaiting an order of works before she can give any firm dates.
When BT/JF met with John Threadgold (Bristol Parks) he offered some possible mechanical support for both scrub clearance and putting in natural play spaces, if this could also be linked with the woodland management schedule. BM may be able to get the use of a petrol strimmer. Mary Wood (Avon Wildlife) keen to come along and give a wildlife talk on the same day.
Welcome to RS for attending. JF to email management committees email addresses to RS. BT/JF sent cemetery trust a letter re the feasibility of moving the cemetery boundaries so that the park could gain access to the natural pond and woodland behind. John T of BCC parks supported this.RS has a meeting with the parks dept. and will discuss this further. RS to copy in PM and BM. A park user (Ghislaine) is looking into ownership/maps/boundary issues to clarify park/cemetery land. JF to check.
RS clarified that the cemetery/park gate has been secured and will be put in place once the boundary has been cleared. There is also the possibility of putting in steps through the woodland. The cemetery would like a joint working party to clear the woodland. This will be in Nov/Dec to avoid the nesting season. RS is awaiting an order of works before she can give any firm dates.
When BT/JF met with John Threadgold (Bristol Parks) he offered some possible mechanical support for both scrub clearance and putting in natural play spaces, if this could also be linked with the woodland management schedule. BM may be able to get the use of a petrol strimmer. Mary Wood (Avon Wildlife) keen to come along and give a wildlife talk on the same day.
10 - Neighbourhood Partnerships
No Update
11 - Environmental Report
There has been no species report done for the park. Mary Woods (Avon Wildlife) gives regular talks in the cemetery and our wildlife is likely to be similar. Jan Walters (Nature Conservation Officer for Bristol Parks) had some information. BT to start compiling a list of plants/wildlife seen and would appreciate any comments/photos/locations. She will also try and plot these on a map of the park. KT has good reference books.
BT to follow up with a meeting with John Threadgold of BCC.and discuss plans for creating natural play spaces within the woodland, a community orchard, development of the natural pond/streamway and possible meadows/flowers. Any comments/suggestions welcomed. BT to ask John T for a schedule of works so we can link in. Needs to be done ASAP as John T leaving in June.
N.B. John Threadgold's replacement is Claire Adams.
Bench – John T apologised that this hadn't been done yet. He will action. BT to chase
Path from Somerset Road/Withleigh – John T assured us this was top priority but the person responsible had been made redundant and the job was not reallocated. To action. BT to chase.
BT to also get email to confirm all discussed at meeting incl. community orchard, tree planting
BM has contacted John Threadgold who has confirmed regular weekend summer cleanups in the park as per last year.
BT to list out all items John has previously agreed to and JN to write to BCC requesting an update.
Tree Survey 5 trees to be felled + pruning to be done. John Threadgold has confirmed that the tree stumps will be left in the park to be used as natural play areas.
BT to follow up with a meeting with John Threadgold of BCC.and discuss plans for creating natural play spaces within the woodland, a community orchard, development of the natural pond/streamway and possible meadows/flowers. Any comments/suggestions welcomed. BT to ask John T for a schedule of works so we can link in. Needs to be done ASAP as John T leaving in June.
N.B. John Threadgold's replacement is Claire Adams.
Bench – John T apologised that this hadn't been done yet. He will action. BT to chase
Path from Somerset Road/Withleigh – John T assured us this was top priority but the person responsible had been made redundant and the job was not reallocated. To action. BT to chase.
BT to also get email to confirm all discussed at meeting incl. community orchard, tree planting
BM has contacted John Threadgold who has confirmed regular weekend summer cleanups in the park as per last year.
BT to list out all items John has previously agreed to and JN to write to BCC requesting an update.
Tree Survey 5 trees to be felled + pruning to be done. John Threadgold has confirmed that the tree stumps will be left in the park to be used as natural play areas.
12 - AOB
BCC Area Green Space Plan
Bristol City Council will be launching the Area Green Space Plan at the next Brislington Community Partnership meeting.
This plan lays out the how the Council will approach the development of Green Spaces within the city over the coming 20 years.
This is our opportunity to add our voice to the debate and actively help shape the policy of our local green space.
We will not be able to influence the decision making process if we do not attend these meetings so all members are encouraged to attend to ensure Arnos Park is well presented.
Angels of Arnos – tour of the cemetery has been offered to BT who cannot attend. Suggested KT attends instead.
This plan lays out the how the Council will approach the development of Green Spaces within the city over the coming 20 years.
This is our opportunity to add our voice to the debate and actively help shape the policy of our local green space.
We will not be able to influence the decision making process if we do not attend these meetings so all members are encouraged to attend to ensure Arnos Park is well presented.
Angels of Arnos – tour of the cemetery has been offered to BT who cannot attend. Suggested KT attends instead.
Date of next meeting: 15th July 2008 at 7.30 – in the Park if dry – meet at the King’s Road entrance.