Friends of Carpenters Wood (FOCW)
AGM
Thursday 5 September 2024
at
Whitegates, Shire Lane, Chorleywood, WD3 5NT
Present: Barbara Green (BG) (Chair), Malcolm Green (MG), Dorothy Freedman (DF), Shamoon Karimjee (SK), Claire Casey (CC), Stephen Ramsay (SR), Robin Hurley (RH), Rosie Seddon (RS)(Treasurer), Rosemary Allen (RA), Julie Rees, TRDC (JR) Blue Jenkins, TRDC (BJ)
1 Apologies for absence
Janet Mason, Rob Benson, Lara Diesbecq, Alex Laurie, Andrew York, Terry Bell, Martin Free, Anne Pickard, John McAllister, James May, Richard Harvey, Rebecca Harvey, Kallum Wright, Sue Hall, Stephen Hall, Melissa Fabio.
2 Appointment of Chairman and Secretary
Barbara Green was proposed and seconded as Chairman by Dorothy Freedman and Shamoon Karimjee
Claire Casey was proposed and seconded as Secretary by Dorothy Freedman and Shamoon Karimjee.
3 Matters Arising
Disc markers – We are still waiting for new disc markers from TRDC. FOCW are prepared to replace these when available.
Action – JR
New battery for strimmer – This will cost £250, Alex Laurie is looking into how this will be funded. We need to train more people to use the strimmer and until that happens the new battery is surplus to requirements. The strimmer training course is a mixed equipment course and too long for our needs.
Action: – BG to write to Lantra to ask for a shorter course.
Alex Laurie to update FOCW on funding position for new battery.
Mechanical scythe – The next time the CMS volunteer group come to Carpenters Wood we would like them to bring the mechanical scythe
Action: – JR/BG to liaise with Mathew Bartlett CMS who is now responsible for volunteer sessions.
4. Green Action Plan (GAP) for 2025-2030
Actions scheduled for Year 1 of GAP
1. Way markers (GAP REF 4.0 A1)– outstanding
2. Benches (GAP REF 4.0 C1) – Some time ago Alex suggested that the woods could accommodate 3 new benches. The benches would cost roughly £600. Existing benches could be fitted with side handles to make them compliant with new laws. Supply of the new benches could attract new users to the woods.
Action : – JR to discuss benches with Alex and update FOCW
NB. Stephen said that he would like to donate a bench to the woods.
Action: – SH and BG to discuss
3. New dog bin/litter bin at the Barrel Arch (GAP REF 4.0 C4) – this needs council approval due to the budget so unlikely to get approval, should we take this off the action plan? Point 3.3 of Green Action Plan states ‘There are dog waste bins positioned at each of the three main entrances to the woodland. Dog waste has not been flagged up as an issue at this site, which would imply that the current provision is adequate.’
Action: – Kallum Wright and JR does this stay on the action plan?
4. Community involvement and marketing (GAP REF 4.0 F4)- Our leaflets need updating with new website and email details and possibly a QR code.
Action: – BG/RH to attempt to update leaflets
CC to investigate QR codes
5. Consider the creation of new rides (GAP REF 5.2, 1.04)
Do we need CMS to start us off?
Holly clearance near the new ride needs CMS help
Action: – TRDC/CMS to do a site visit to assess situation
6. Clarification needed on GAP REF 5.1, 0.08 – ‘Hand cutting of a quarter of the zone 2 ride along top of Carpenters Wood’
Action – JR/KW to clarify what this is!
7. Creation of open patches of ground in dense bramble in Hillas Wood (GAP REF 5.2, 1.05). FOCW will need help from CMS, preferably with a Mechanical Scythe to clear brambles.
Action: – BG to discuss with Matthew Bartlett, CMS
8. Selectively pollard or crown reduce Hornbeams along boundary with Carpenters Wood (GAP REF 5.2, 1.12). JR has requested quotes so work could start soon.
9. Diseased Ash removal (GAP REF 5.2, 1.02) – This is not considered a priority in Carpenters Wood, work will only be carried out if there are safety issues.
10. Fell two 0.05 ha groups needed to create regeneration (GAP REF 5.2, 1.01) – TRDC do not consider this a priority as some regeneration is occurring in the woodland anyway. But Holly clearance in the centre of the woods would help with regeneration. Action: FOCW
11. Noticeboards (GAP REF 5.2, 1.08) – JR assured the meeting that these are on their way!
12. QR codes and leaflets in leaflet holders – Both would make the wood more welcoming and help visitors understand the history of the woods.
13. Laurel removal – TRDC will clear large laurel along Whitelands Path. Action: JR
Actions Scheduled for Year 2 of GAP
14. Hedge laying of Farm gate hedge is scheduled for Jan 2026.
Archaeological Survey – Investigations are currently under way into possible information points which would flag up important archaeological features in the woodland.
5. Treasurers Report
Rosie introduced herself as the new Treasurer. She is now registered with the bank as Treasurer. We had income over the last year of £170 from TRDC. We have spent money on new tools, gloves and glasses to reflect our increased membership. SH has bought supplies for the first aid box. In the year to September 2024 an adjustment was made to the accounts of 0.80p due to a rounding-up error.
6. Report on Progress of Volunteer Group
a) Work covered since March 2024
- Path clearance around the woods
- Bramble removal around new planting
- Removal of a camp in Hillas
- Collection and removal of rubbish
- Path clearance in Hillas
- Clearance of Bridle Way, Whitelands Path, and Barrel Arch.
Thursday sessions are working much better than Saturdays in terms of attendance.
b) New members are still arriving. The posters are still up around the village and it was agreed these should remain. Maybe a QR code could be added. Action: CC
c) Tool Review – Two new pairs of Shears were bought this Spring. It was agreed to buy 3 more pairs of safety gloves. Action: MG
7. Volunteer work plan for Autumn/Winter
- Creation of a new ride
Action: TRDC/CMS to mark out new ride and arrange for clearance of vegetation that is too big for FOCW
- Laurel removal in conjunction with CMS
- Holly removal – keep holly hedge low around the edges of the wood to maintain sightlines, and clear holly in the middle of the wood to encourage regeneration of Beech.
- Clear Holly from dark corner of boundary walk roughly lower Hillas EFG1.
- Clear bramble around new saplings.
- Clear small Ash trees at Barrel Arch.
- Litter pick around the den areas in Whitelands Wood.
- Path clearance as usual.
- Branch removal over-hanging the new hedge at Hillas.
8 Website Update
Website volunteer needed; this isn’t an onerous task just uploading a couple of photos with a brief narrative after each session.
NB. Our newest member Melissa Fabio has volunteered to take on the website
9 AOB
Quiz night 23 November 2024 at the Chorleywood Memorial Hall.
We now have 8 of us who are happy to make up our table.
10 Date of Next Meeting
To be arranged for March 2025
Friends of Carpenters Wood 