Friends of Carpenters Wood (FOCW)
Meeting
Wednesday, 13th March, 2023, 2.00pm
at
Whitegates, Shire Lane, Chorleywood, WD3 5NT
Present: Barbara Green (BG) (Chair and Minutes), Malcolm Green (MG), Dorothy Freedman (DF), Stephen Ramsay (SR), Shamoon Karimjee (SK), Andrew York (AY), Claire Casey (CC), Robin Hurley (RH), Helen Coppock (HC), Lance Coppock(LC).
1. Apologies: Sue Hall, Stephen Hall, Nick Hood, Richard Anderson, Pam Ferrar, Kallum Wright (CMS), Julie Rees (TRDC).
2. Matters Arising from Last Minutes 14.9.22:
Matters outstanding from our September AGM:-
New Benches, Replacement Notice Boards, Cycling Signage – will all be addressed, hopefully, this year as part of the Interim Green Action Plan – Action BG to contact KW to ensure inclusion in Interim Plan.
Footpath Signs at Whitelands entrance and Barrel Arch entrance – these are still awaiting Herts Highways action ie. ‘under review by engineers’. Ref numbers are 401002702130 and 401002702132 respectively. Don’t hold your breath!
Broken/Lost Disc Markers – FOCW to investigate further and if appropriate we will replace – Action MG
Safety Works – removal of Oak at H7 and other works has not yet happened. This is due to be done shortly, according to email from JR. DF asked if Laurel at H11 is on the H & S list? – Action BG to seek clarification from JR re H11 Laurel
Chorleywood Residents Association – contacted by BG and an article about FOCW volunteering went on their website before Christmas.
Carpenters Wood Drive Whats App Group and ‘Hello Chorleywood’ – contacted by DF regarding FOCW volunteers.
Battery Operated Brush Cutter and Battery – this has now been purchased and supplied to us by TRDC (Thankyou Julie!). Two of our team, AY and LC have also received appropriate training and have got their certificates to prove it. Well done guys!
Chipping of Brash piles in Bramble Ramble – JR has asked TRDC Grounds Maintenance to do this, hopefully in the next few weeks.
Tree Planting – as promised, a large number of trees have been supplied by TRDC and now planted in various sites within the woodland.
3. Interim Green Action Plan – Kallum Wright from CMS is drawing up this interim plan for 2023/24 prior to the Plan proper which will come into force in April 2024. However, we have had no contact from Kallum since our AGM in September – Action BG to contact KW.
The new hedge along the Farm track was raised with regard to layering. This needs including in the new Plan – Action KW
4. Treasurers Report:
SR provided a Report which shows that our current bank balance is £937. Our only source of income, which is the annual Parish Quiz Night, provided £450 of funds in November thanks to our quiz team. We currently pay no bank charges.
5. Report on Progress of Volunteer Group:
a) Work covered since September 2022 –
i) Ash subject to die back was removed on the left side of Chiltern Way (map ref. F1/2).
ii) Paths kept clear and some fallen branches/trees removed from paths.
iii) Holly and Laurel have both been tackled, but work is ongoing.
iv) Bird Boxes were checked and cleaned out by SH and MG – all 20 small bird boxes are currently being used!
v) A large number of tree saplings were planted both by our volunteers and TRDC staff in various locations, mainly where Larch has been removed.
b) Membership Update – Membership has remained stable, with one new member due to join shortly.
c) Tool Review – we are reasonably well-equipped at present. Some discussion was had about purchasing a second battery for the new brush cutter, but LC advised that we should wait and see how it goes before committing to this.
i) Many of the tools need sharpening again. – Action SH in absentia!
ii) More safety glasses and gloves needed – Action MG – now ordered
iii) LC mentioned the safety issue for members of the public when we are either felling near paths or using the brush cutter. We agreed that we need some ‘Caution – Work in Progress’ signs – Action MG 2 of these have now been ordered.
iv) Shears are still needed – Action MG – now ordered
d) Day Change – it was agreed to keep to first Thursday and third Saturday for our volunteer sessions.
6. Volunteer Work for the Spring/Summer:
a) General path and Bridleway clearance to maintain accessibility for walkers and horse-riders.
b) Bench Maintenance – our three existing benches need sanding and treating. We already have a preservative which was used for our notice boards.We will also need sandpaper – Action BG
c) Some discussion was had about the Nursery site in Hillas. LC and HC mentioned that Russell School already use the woodland for a range of ‘wildlife’ activities and it was suggested that this area in Hillas could be used in some way as it is no longer planned as a ‘nursery’. HC suggested that we might make a small circle of logs which could be used as a ‘reading circle’ for local school children, although it was acknowledged that the location was some distance from both local schools. Probably some discussion with TRDC needs to happen before we can go ahead with this as well as contact with local schools – Action BG
d) Litter picks
e) Assessment of all signage (disc markers) needing replacement.
f) Bramble and Nettle removal where appropriate.
7. Web-Site Update:
DF has recently up-dated the website to include new photos of work covered, a new map with all bird boxes now located on it, and a section on recent tree planting. At present there is no new Calendar of dates for volunteer sessions on the Website, but now our sessions are remaining on the same days, this can be added – Action DF
8. A.O.B
- DF raised the issue of an induction/safety checklist for new members which was requested some time ago from CMS. She agreed to have a go at drawing up a list of do’s and dont’s and send a draft to BG – Action DF
- First Aid Boxes – we have two of these at present. DF suggested that the newest one should be used.
- MG raised the issue of our petrol-powered brush cutter which is currently not used because it is too heavy for most members to handle. It was agreed that we should consider selling this on ebay or similar – Action MG
9. Date of next Meeting
AGM – Monday 9th October, 2023 at 2.00pm
Friends of Carpenters Wood 