Friends of BraidburnValleyPark Committee Meeting

12th May 2014 @ GreenbankChurch

Present – KarenYoung (KY), RogerWest (RW), Mandy Drake (MD), DianneSavage (DS), ChristineJohnston (CJ)

1. Apologies

Keith Knight (KK), Louise Maguire (LM), Linda Bendle (LB), Rona Sommerville (RS), Alan Smith (AS)

2. Minutes and matters arising

Path damage from bridge works: Bridges dept. were to circulate photos of paths taken before new bridge – but these are now apparently ‘inaccessible’. KY has sent reminder.

Main path erosion: Holes have been filled in. Discharged.

Drainage: Drainage at both N and S Fly walk is bad. Action:KY to suggest site visit

‘Yoghurting’ of the new urn: Weather is warming up. Will need publicity and possible trial run Action:MD

New bridge antiskid surface:Parks are discussing with Roads Department.

Otter holt: Still being offered – we need to find out how to build/buy/dig otter holt.Action: KK

Butterbur – Recent survey shows that the majority of the butterbur alongside the burn is native.

3 patches of non-native invasive butterbur and all these have already been tackled. They are:

  1. The large patch on the E side of the burn at the south end above the landslip. The level part alongside the path has been tacked on a number of occasions but it is still growing strongly on the steep slope.
  2. On the E side of the burn between the 2 south most bridges. This was a large area a couple of years ago but now has just a few weak growths. The area is quite eroded by dog traffic in the centre
  3. The area to the north of the narrow bridge in the centre of the Park again on the E side. The butterbur in this area has been almost totally eliminated except right on the N edge at the base of the willows.
  4. Roger mentioned that other groups have been trained to do chemical treatment – keep in mind.

Bollard key – KY has ordered a new key safe – AS has chosen site. Committee members will all have the combination .

Afternoon T in the Park: Duck catching heavy duty stakes - ordered and for delivery tomorrow!More ducks have been purchased to replace lost ducks.

3. Council including management plan

Thanks to all for work on the management plan and for all comments received. This was sent to the council - email reply received from council – they will not be able to look at this until the autumn!

Action: KY to send to Mark and Melanie

Ask for council meeting to discuss – date to be set well in advance

Trees –Tree committee not yet met. KY met with DavidJamieson and discussed lottery funding application – happy to support. Need stage 1 of costs updated- KK looking into this.

Drain -Under downhill path at Oxgangs end silts up regularly – long standing problem – KY will ask AndrewSwann who enjoys taking a spade to it. Action: KY

Old Pavilion- now has some graffiti and also patchy painting - this is an eyesore. DS would be prepared to paint a wall at a time. She will ask Mike Shields if she can do this.Also some graffiti on electricity substation – DS will co-ordinate (AS has previously offered his help and KY has the email of someone else who offered to help). Action:DS

4. Scout Community Service Badge – Friday 16th May – We will suggest they do some butterbur clearing and sanding of cherry benches and re-varnishing. KY will be around for butterbur area. New path needs a bit of re-doing – Andrew needs to supervise. If no word from him before Fri may sort another group in summer.

5. Financial report (prepared by CJ) ~ £8700 in current funds. Gift aid and annual reports up-to-date. We have applied for change of signatory – waiting to hear back from Bank of Scotland. Plans:

a)Some money on plants for bee meadow

b)Donation of £250 to be made to the church as per AGM discussion

c)Some money needs to be spent on the new path – extension and maintenance

d)Tents, ducks, stakes, clean up refreshments, etc.

e)Reserve fund – a ‘Designated fund’ can sit separately from main fund but money can be moved easily between funds. Generally this needs to be ‘for’ something’ – is designed to be spent. Needs more clarification. Action: CJ

6. Membership – Most renewals now in. Trying to grow membership – DS has delivered some more notices locally and has also delivered letters to some traders in Morningside to ask for offers to reward members.

7. AOB

Green Dog Walkers scheme

DS attended a talk by AlexMitchell who is tasked with sorting dog poo in Edinburgh! Falkirk Council took this up and have licenced it. Edinburgh have purchased this licence and will pay for first year then groups pay thereafter. Responsible dog walkers join up and then wear a green armband – their presence discourages people from letting dogs poo – it is about setting an example and surveillance rather than confrontation. Friends of Hermitage are taking up and as many people walk their dogs in both parks it would seem reasonable to join the initiative too. We could start – council can provide arm bands, green dog walkers carry poo bags and offer politely. DS happy to take a lead on this. We may purchase bags, put up notices and hold promotional stalls at different events. This was agreed. Action: DS

Herbaceous borders – no news from StevenOgilvie re: design – KY has reminded. Mike has been in touch – may be able to provide funding for revamp of area to left – may be able to blend both.

Parliament – Environmental volunteer event – attended by KY. We aredoing well.

Valley Voice – next one due – aiming for before schools break up. Feature Green Dog Walking Scheme, Lindsay’s picture of a 1962 bus, bee meadow extension, yoghurting, new design for garden, etc. Flier for Fun Day needs to be included.

Tea in the Park - Climbing Wall being pursued and plans for a range of smaller activities rather than e.g. weather dependent bikes.

DONM – 25.8.14 at Greenbank Church 7.30pm. Action: RS to book room

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