Ongoing research: last updated 26 August 2013
16 January 2012 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road
Present:
Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Ken Pugh (Secretary), Bob Curry , Bridget Ferris
and Malcolm Smith .
Nicola
Clarke (Quadron), and Tracey Hewitt (BCC) were also present.
The
Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, thanking them for giving their time
to the Friends Group
1.
Apologies were received from Ann-Marie McCarthy
(Vice-chairman), Simon Cooper (BCC Parks Manager), Cllr Alasdair Dow and Adrian
Langley (Ariel Scouts)
2.
The Minute of the last meeting (21 November
2011), with one amendment
(“Scooby Zoo” should read “Scooby Soo”), was accepted as an accurate record.
3.
Matters arising
·
Zip
wire – Iggy Smith is
negotiating with the installers regarding a partial refund as the equipment is
perceived as being unfit for purpose. Whatever
the outcome, money is still held for adjustments which will give the wire a
gradient. (Action: IS)
·
Memorial
Bench for Geoff Bartlett – A bench with an engineering theme, designed and carved by Graham Jones,
had been installed earlier in the day by Graham and a small group of
Friends. KP offered to send a short note
and some photographs to the local reporters for possible use for an article in
the newspapers. (Action: KP)
·
Exercise
Trail / Zone – Still looking
for funding. AS to apply for a grant
from the Community Chest which might be used for match funding from the Veolia
Trust. By this means £6k could possibly
become £30k which would purchase a complete set of equipment. £6k if not matched would still allow 2 or 3
pieces of equipment to be acquired as a base for a trail. (Action: AS)
·
Bulbs – It was agreed to plan for the purchase of
bulbs (e.g. daffodils, crocuses, winter aconites, perhaps Autumn and Spring
cyclamen too) for the area around the Millennium Wood. NC to consider appropriate species and
provide illustrations. (Action:
NC) NC/SC to advise on soil
type to moderate the purchase list. (Action NC/SC) Border planting was suggested – but it was
pointed out that this may lead to unsightly areas as mowing could not take
place until at least 6 weeks after flowering.
Bluebells were mentioned; but since these can become very invasive it
was considered that if they were obtained they would be best used in the area
adjacent to the canal.
·
Dog
Mess – Consideration still
on-going; hope signs can be provided in the current development project, and
that the matter can be discussed with the environmental team. (Action: SC, Next agenda)
·
New
paths and trip level fencing, etc – The project had been signed off last week and it is expected to see
work begin in the park shortly, for completion by 31 March.
4.
Interpretation
·
Plaque
mounting, etc – Advice had
been sought from both the West Midlands Guild of Woodworkers and from Graham
Jones (Woodcarver) about the preparation of the slice of oak trunk which had
been obtained to make a mount. This
requires seasoning – during which it will shrink, warp and crack – and is best
done slowly over the next 12-24 months.
It was suggested that in the interim a small piece of dressed seasoned
oak should be obtained “off the shelf” and used as a temporary mount for the
plaque so that it could be displayed in the near future. This would buy time to watch progress of the
seasoning of the oak slice and determine a strategy in the light of the extent
of warping and cracking. (Action:
KP)
Wherever
the plaque is to reside it should do so as a loan and not go out of the control
of the Friends. It must not be lost.
·
Interpretation
Boards for the Park – KP and
AS are considering the text and appropriate illustrations for an interpretation
board about the historical Selly Oak tree, its felling and its stump. The material will be available by 31 January
to enable SC to proceed and engage design and production teams for project
completion by 31 March. (Action:
KP, AS, SC)
If
there is money available for a second interpretation board before 31 March (SC to determine) – about the history
and major features of the park – then KP & AS are ready to respond.
5.
Festival 2012
AS
has sent notices to all last year’s stall-holders, and a small number of other
organisations, inviting them to book a stall at the Festival - £10 for charity
/ non profit making, £25 for commercial / profit making. Some gazebos available to hire at a further
£10 each. Already he has had 5-6
positive responses.
Following
wide ranging discussion the following decisions and actions were agreed:
·
Open the
Festival at 10 am; run until at least 3 pm, depending on demand and interaction
with Fun Fair.
·
DB agreed to run the football competition with BC’s assistance. MS agreed to be the “site manager”. BF
agreed to assist the “site manager” on the day if she is available. KP
agreed to prepare, and incorporate his history material into, a backdrop for
the FOSOP stall which would depict the Park – Past, Present and Future. BF
agreed to help with fundraising on the FOSOP stall.
·
It was
agreed to sell bedding plants on the FOSOP stall. At the March meeting we would
distribute seeds, etc for members to propagate an agreed list of summer bedding
plants and have them ready for sale at the Festival. NC to
advise on selection.
·
NC to investigate the possibility of preparing hanging baskets for sale /
or via a tombola.
·
FOSOP to
acquire an additional large gazebo to be used as a shelter for visitors,
entertainers, etc. (AS)
·
Entertainments
to be booked (est. costs) – Bloco Louco (£250-£300), Scooby Soo (£250) (via
Robert Wilkinson), Juggler (£200), Falconry (£300), Bouncy Castle
·
Offer
the stage to schools, dance schools, theatre groups, etc. (KP consult Roxie Collins).
·
Display
a timetable of entertainments on the field on the day.
·
Obtain a
mega-phone for announcement purposes.
·
Provide
litter bins on the Festival field.
·
AS to arrange an ice cream “Contractor” for the day; opportunistic
sellers on the day to be refused.
·
Consider
a candy floss supplier.
·
Aside
from the parking required for stall-holders, consider asking the Scouts to
organise and run a car parking scheme, keeping the proceeds for their own
funds. This would be subject to the grounds being sufficiently dry.
6.
AOB
·
Willow
·
Tree
Planting Ariel Scouts have again been awarded tree
whips by Sainsbury’s and they have offered to plant these in the Park near the
Millennium Wood on Saturday, 28 January.
Gratitude was expressed for this gesture. KP to ascertain the time of planting and
circulate a note of same to members who may be able to attend. (Action:
KP)
·
Nature
Improvement Area (NIA), MoU AS authorised to sign on behalf of FOSOP the
MoU for the Birmingham
·
Planning
permission AS and BF to obtain more details about the
intended change of use of the old Nursing Home at the Harborne Lane entrance to
the park to bedsit accommodation, and ensure that the best interests of the
park, especially in relation to young people, is not compromised. (Action:
AS, BF)
·
Signatory
for Bank Account With the passing of Geoff Bartlett, a third
signatory for the bank account is required.
BF has agreed to be a
signatory. (Action DB and BF)
7.
Date, time and place of next meeting.
Monday,
19 March 2012, 6pm, Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins
Road
28th January 2012 - Paganel Primary School, Selly Oak
The following text is taken from the report of the school's visit to the Park on 27th January 2012.
A trip to Selly Oak Park
On Friday 27th January Year 6 visited Selly Oak Park. Although only a mile or so from the school, many of the children had never previously been there and had only first heard of the park when Local Historian Chris Upton gave a lecture about his 5 local heroes back in October 2011. In that lecture, Chris Upton had cheated slightly, because his final hero was not a person but a tree - the original Selly Oak.
Cut down in 1909, the stump of the tree still sits in Selly Oak Park, hidden behind a bush, with a secretive plaque that declares its significance. If you watch the photopeach presentation below you will see the plaque in one of the photos we took.
The children had a great time, not only because of Selly Oak Park, but also the walk down there along the newly constructed Bournbrook Way, a path that takes you through some really rather picturesque scenery, considering it is the middle of Birmingham.
In Selly Oak Park, the children attempted the Nature Trail Quiz designed and made by the Friends of Selly Oak Park. You can find out more about the Nature Trail here, although you're best off downloading the quiz from the link above, as we were sent a more up-to-date version of the quiz.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the trail, learning about some of the wildlife in the park and discovering that its history stretches back further than Victorian times (when it was first created), as there are two ice-age boulders in the Park. The playground was fun for all too (including Mrs Reading as you can see in the photos), although for two boys the highlight was when they heard, and then saw, a greater spotted woodpecker. For us the next thing will be to plot the journey and the significant features on a map, and then look towards creating our own trail. Although the visit itself was not directly 'ICT', it forms part of Year 6's 'Switched on ICT' scheme of work in the unit 'We are Explorers.'
Present:
Present:
May 2012 - New signs appear in the park:
30th June 2012 - Selly Oak Festival
Cut down in 1909, the stump of the tree still sits in Selly Oak Park, hidden behind a bush, with a secretive plaque that declares its significance. If you watch the photopeach presentation below you will see the plaque in one of the photos we took.
The children had a great time, not only because of Selly Oak Park, but also the walk down there along the newly constructed Bournbrook Way, a path that takes you through some really rather picturesque scenery, considering it is the middle of Birmingham.
In Selly Oak Park, the children attempted the Nature Trail Quiz designed and made by the Friends of Selly Oak Park. You can find out more about the Nature Trail here, although you're best off downloading the quiz from the link above, as we were sent a more up-to-date version of the quiz.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the trail, learning about some of the wildlife in the park and discovering that its history stretches back further than Victorian times (when it was first created), as there are two ice-age boulders in the Park. The playground was fun for all too (including Mrs Reading as you can see in the photos), although for two boys the highlight was when they heard, and then saw, a greater spotted woodpecker. For us the next thing will be to plot the journey and the significant features on a map, and then look towards creating our own trail. Although the visit itself was not directly 'ICT', it forms part of Year 6's 'Switched on ICT' scheme of work in the unit 'We are Explorers.'
19 March 2012 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road
Present:
Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Ann-Marie
McCarthy (Vice-chairman), Ken Pugh (Secretary), and Michael Chu.
Nicola
Clarke (Quadron), Simon Cooper (BCC Parks Manager) and Adrian Langley (Ariel
Scouts) were also present.
We were
also joined by Norman White (Land Securities), Councillor Brigid Jones, Dr.
Peter Best (Lapal Canal Trust) and Helen Jones (Lapal Canal Trust) for the
first agenda item.
The Chairman
welcomed everyone to the meeting, thanking them for giving their time to the
Friends Group
1.
Sainsbury’s Development Plans
AS
introduced NW and invited him to give an overview of the planning application
in connection with Sainsbury’s Regeneration Programme for their Selly Oak site
which had been submitted to the Council on 29th February 2012. The meeting welcomed the inclusion of a
navigable channel through the development site.
NW answered questions seeking clarification of various aspects, and
facilitated a brief discussion of FoSOP concerns especially relating to
connectivity under the Harborne Lane Bridge to / from the park, traffic
densities in and around the Gibbins Road junction (and associated pedestrian
crossing places, again relative to access to the park), and lines of sight from
the park towards the University clock tower.
PB
outlined the Lapal Trust’s aspirations regarding the Wharf area adjacent to the
Harborne Lane Bridge, hopefully to be implemented concurrent with the
Sainsbury’s development. FoSOP
congratulated the Lapal Trust on the work they had undertaken in clearing the
wharf area and repairing the towpath through it.
In
thanking NW for his presentation, AS invited Harvest / Land Securities to
display the development proposals at the Festival. (Action:
AS/NW)
At
this point NW, BJ, PB, and HJ left the meeting.
2.
Apologies were received from Dave Barker (Treasurer), Tracey Hewitt
(Neighbourhood Development Manager) and Councillor Alasdair Dow.
3.
The Minute of the last meeting (16 January
2012), with one amendment
(“Scooby Soo” should read “Scooby Sue”), was accepted as an accurate record.
4.
Matters arising
·
Zip
wire – Iggy Smith is
negotiating with the installers regarding a date for adjustments to be
implemented. (Action: IS)
·
Exercise
Zone – AS has applied for a
grant from the Community Chest which might be used for match funding from the
Veolia Trust. SC indicated that 15 yrs
worth of maintenance costs would need to be accounted for in any exercise zone
development (Ward funds have been secured for this purpose in other areas), and
suggested that the zone should be located as close to the existing play area as
possible to facilitate the most economic maintenance arrangements. NC suggested that NHS may be able to assist with
funding through their “Be Active” initiative, and she and SC indicated
successful approaches had been made in other areas. (Action: AS)
·
Bulbs – this consideration ongoing. NC/SC also to advise and propose re a trial
planting of a wild flower bed (perhaps in place of existing flower beds along
Gibbins Road which require seasonal attention), whereby a carefully chosen seed
mix could give a low maintenance, but
attractive, succession of colour – perhaps annuals at first, with perennials to
follow. Could also consider a similar
strategy for the abandoned rose beds near the Scout Hut. (Action: NC/SC).
·
Dog
Mess – Consideration still
on-going; the environmental team has less resources to deal with a growing
problem. Meanwhile SC will attend to
signage and new stickers for bins etc.
KP/AS to provide and fix temporary notices at the play area. (Action: SC, AS, KP)
·
Park
developments SC reported that work – on paths, bollards,
gates, goal posts, seats, signs, noticeboard, interpretation board, re-turfing
and re-seeding – was progressing well and on target for completion by 31 March.
·
Plaque KP
displayed a temporary mount for the oak tree plaque.
5 Green Flag Award
NC announced
Quadron’s desire to enter Selly Oak Park for a Green Flag Award in the tranche
of bids in January 2013, and sought FoSOP approval and co-operation in
preparing the necessary 5 year Management Plan and associated application paperwork;
to which there was unanimous enthusiasm and thanks for the initiative, with a
willingness to co-operate. (Action NC/KP)
6
Selly Oak Festival
2012
So far we have 24 stalls booked including
ourselves (requiring so far 31 3x3 metre plots) as well as a First Aid area,
and Festival stage – stalls make up being: 4 non fee paying, 17 not for profit
(£10), and 2 commercial units (£25).
Booked entertainments include - Samba
Band, Scooby Sue children’s entertainer, Falconry Display Team, and Bouncy
Castle (40x30ft). The bouncy castle will
be run by Knights Castles who will pay us 20% of turnover. Robert Wilkinson was offered the opportunity
to provide this but declined and has agreed that we can provide it independently. The proposal is to charge £1 for 5 minutes. Budget is available for at least one more
entertainment feature and options are being investigated. AMM informed us that an accordion band,
guitar group and set dancers had agreed to perform at the Festival.
Willows Ice Cream have been booked to
provide a tricycle with stock for 600 servings of ice cream. We will receive 10% of turnover.
Football competition - So far no teams
are confirmed but Tiverton and St Mary’s have expressed an interest. A trophy
as well as a prize to be provided. The
trophy should be updated with plaques from previous years.
The Scouts have been
contacted with regard to providing car parking marshals but have not
replied.
Advertising is under active consideration.
FoSOP Stall AS
has sourced seeds, pots and compost - and with advice from NC these were
distributed to members for propagation. AS
will also supply a quantity of marigold and lupin plants from his allotment. Plant sale prices need to be determined. KP has prepared posters to act as a backdrop
for the stall.
KP has obtained
one gift from Aldi, which together with gifts from last year still does not
make enough for a tombola. Should
we pursue this?
KP had suggested
the preparation and sale of park calendars
or cards which AS had costed.
Agreed AS/KP to pursue production of cards with assistance of Eugene
McCarthy and Margaret Decker who may be willing to let us use their wonderful photographs
from the Flickr site for free.
In the absence of CLC
from the Festival this year and the unavailability of their van it was agreed to hire a van
locally for the Festival day.
The limited number
of gazebos available to us is
an inconvenience. AS has sourced 6x3 metre
gazebos for about £50 each. It was agreed to purchase two, which AL indicated
could be stored in the Scout Hut.
We need an entertainment licence. This year two groups (Lapal Canal Trust and
Vintage Selly Oak) are proposing to bring reasonably large groups to the
festival. Should we upgrade to a premises licence (£20 fee rising to £100)? Agreed to take advice from the Friends of
Cotteridge Park and ensure we make a fairly accurate head count at this year’s
Festival.
Festival finances: AS tabled a provisional budget showing an
anticipated all inclusive income of £3,810; and a total expenditure (including
£960 committed to date for entertainers) of £2,111; currently leaving a surplus
of £1,699, of which £1,000 would be set aside for 2013.
-----------------------------------
Having run out of
time, the meeting was adjourned at this point.
Much of the
remaining business was of a “for information” nature and KP agreed to
incorporate it, and his own AOB, after the minute for noting and / or
discussion at the next meeting as necessary.
7
Date, time and place of next meeting (primarily a festival planning meeting).
Monday,
23 April 2012, 6pm, Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
----------------------------------------
Additional
information for noting or subsequent action:
1.
Birmingham Heritage Forum
FoSOP has joined the Birmingham Heritage
Forum – see www.birminghamheritage.org.uk. Cost £30 pa.
The forum has strong links with Visit Birmingham, the City’s Tourist
Information Offices, and thus gives the Park more exposure as a visitor
attraction. There are reciprocal website
links between VB and BHF, and between BHF and FoSOP. KP attended a Forum members’ meeting earlier
in March and was able to promote the park and the SO Festival. Each year BHF produce 130,000 information leaflets for distribution through
libraries, schools, media, councillors, etc – the leaflets giving information
about the visitor attractions (including us in the future). Unfortunately our membership came just after
this year’s leaflets had gone to press, so we shall not feel the full benefit
this year, though our details are fully visible on the website. Should we need it at any time, there is also
a mechanism for city-wide distribution of leaflets with the BHF brochures. Updates from BHF will be provided as possible.
Thought arising from this – do we need to
expand / develop our Nature Trail leaflet? – maybe in the style of the leaflet
produced by Kings Norton Nature Trail (KP has a copy to illustrate).
2. Jubilee
Woods Scheme
See - www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/jubilee-woods/communities/Pages/information.aspx. There is an opportunity to apply for saplings
for the park. We need to discuss with SC
and NC whether this could be useful for the park.
3. Catering in the Park
It is understood that tenders are
being invited for mobile caterers to operate in the Park.
4. Websites of interest
- Facebook group, entitled “Vintage Selly Oak” –
http://www.facebook.com/groups/vsellyoak/. It is made up of current and former residents
of Selly Oak, located around the world, who are exchanging memories and
photographs from the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc; and occasionally posting comments and
pictures about the park. This group has
booked a stall at the Festival to hold a reunion and collect for the Acorns
charity.
- Facebook community, entitled “LOVE Birmingham Parks” –
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LOVE-Birmingham-Parks. It is a place for anybody to make any comments
about their visits to the city parks, and thus give publicity to the parks
cause.
5.
Jubilee Picnic
Is it too late to organise a Jubilee Picnic
in Selly Oak Park?
6.
Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (BOSF)
All those involved with open spaces are
welcome to avail themselves of the BOSF network – seeCached
- Similar - http://www.bosf.org.uk/. KP
represented FoSOP at the first informal coffee morning at the MAC, Cannon Hill
Park, earlier in the day (19 March) and enjoyed the networking and information
gathering opportunity it provided. It is
anticipated that further meetings will be arranged on a 6-8 week basis. Updates will be provided as possible. NC also attended representing Quadron.
At the meeting KP met Paul Stephenson, Senior
Ecologist, The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. Paul lives near SO Park and is familiar with
our Millennium Wood, having been involved with its establishment some 12-13
years ago. He drew attention to the
possibility of resources being available through the new Nature Improvement
Area (NIA) arrangement (see minute of our last committee meeting) for such work
to be done. Need to discuss with SC and
NC; we have already ourselves noted that the Millennium Wood needs some tidying
attention.
KP also met Andy Vernon, a former BBC
employee, who has in mind to prepare a Birmingham - wide parks calendar
annually. I shared with him and Emma
Woolf, Friends of Cotteridge Park, our thoughts about preparing a calendar;
there may be further liaison on this. Andy Vernon is the administrator of the LOVE
Birmingham Parks community on Facebook (see above).
23 April 2012 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Note of the Festival Planning Meeting held in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road
Present:
Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Ann-Marie
McCarthy (Vice-chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Ken Pugh (Secretary), Bob
Curry and Malcolm Smith.
Also
present were Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts), Helen &
Ray Jones (Lapal Canal Trust) and, representing the Vintage Selly Oak Facebook
Group, Lillian Tuckwell, Dawn Murphy and John Alcock.
The Chairman
welcomed everyone to the meeting, thanking them for giving their time to the
Friends Group
1.
Apologies were received Simon Cooper (BCC Parks Manager), Michael Chu and Bridget
Ferris.
2.
AS
reported the resignation, with immediate effect, of Michael Chu, whose work was
taking him to Milton Keynes. Thanks for his
participation in FoSOP, and good wishes for his future, were expressed.
There
are now three vacancies on the Committee and strenuous efforts are needed to
fill them.
3.
H&RJ
asked that the thanks of the Lapal Canal Trust, for the support received from
FoSOP and other associates with regard to the inclusion of a navigable channel
through the Battery site as part of Sainsbury’s development plans, be recorded.
4.
Festival Planning
AS presented an
overview of the Festival finances. Discussion of the urgent need for a “bridging
finance” facility, as currently AS can only reclaim expenditure
retrospectively.
Noting that it was
impossible to control attendances in an open park, it was agreed to apply for a
temporary entertainment licence and manage audiences as
suggested by David Kennedy. Public
liability etc insurance in
place; damage to vehicles will be the responsibility of owners.
26 stalls booked so far.
Two double gazebos to be purchased and
stored at Scout Hut. Allocation of
gazebos to be notified within the next 7 days.
AS & MS to
plan stall / site layout. Spikes and barrier tapes (NC)
Entertainments booked - Scooby
Sue children’s entertainer, Circus performer, Samba Band, Falconry Display
Team, Cheerleader Squad, Accordion group, Guitar group, Bouncy Castle. Tentative programme tabled. There is still space in the programme for more
“small” entertainments.
Major catering stall will be operated
by the Scouts. Ice Cream vendor
arranged.
Risk assessment Basically as per last year. Dogs to be permitted, but must be kept on
lead at all times. Generator use
considered. ALCOHOL NOT PERMITTED IN THE PARK – as well as specific covenants, this
is a local community requirement, and will be upheld by FoSOP.
Football competition – Maximum of
eight junior 5-a-side teams to play (DB & AMM to recruit as necessary). Team trophy obtained; to be engraved with
previous winners’ names. Simple “medals”
to be obtained for other participants. Coordinate
the cheerleaders with the football competition (KP).
Car parking – to be organised and managed by the
Scouts.
Advertising – cards to be produced (AMM & AS) for
door-to-door distribution (all); posters for stores and other noticeboards,
billboard posters for front of park.
Press to be notified nearer the time (KP). Possible contact at BRBM (Action: LT/DM?).
FoSOP Stall Plants
being prepared. Posters for stall
background ready. Greeting cards to be
printed and packaged in threes (AS & KP).
Doggy bags to be made available (BC).
(Money) Donations (in to a bucket) to be sought rather than prices
charged (though costs may be indicated).
Stewards – sought and duties outlined.
Additional litter bins - to be provided.
6
Date, time and place of next normal Committee
meeting:
Monday,
21 May 2012, 6pm, Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
May 2012 - New signs appear in the park:
http://www.birminghamcyclinggreenways.co.uk/transport-posters-and-other/selly-oak-park---a-model.html
21 May 2012 - Friends of SellyOak Park
21 May 2012 - Friends of Selly
Minute of the Committee Meeting held in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road
Present:
Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Ann-Marie
McCarthy (Vice-chairman), Dave Barker (Teasurer), Ken Pugh (Secretary), and Malcolm
Smith.
Nicola
Clarke (Quadron), Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts), Sara Nicklin and Steve Carter were
also present.
Apologies: Simon Cooper (BCC Parks
Manager)
The Chairman
welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Sara and Steve, thanking them all for
giving time to the Friends Group. He
noted with regret that Alasdair Dow had not been returned in the recent
elections. Alasdair had been
instrumental in the start of the Group in 2006 and had been an ardent supporter
and facilitator ever since; and thanks were voiced for his work. Thanks were also expressed to Michael Chu and
Bridget Ferris who were moving away from the area and had therefore resigned
from the Committee.
1.
The Minute of the last meeting (19 March 2012) was accepted as an accurate record.
2.
Matters arising
·
Sainsbury’s
development – in progress;
no new news.
·
Zip
wire – Iggy Smith is
negotiating with the installers regarding a date for adjustments to be
implemented, expected now during the summer. (Action: IS)
·
Exercise
Zone – Despite not being
certain of obtaining maintenance funds, AS to proceed with an application to
the Veolia Trust. (Action: AS)
·
Park
developments – Most of the
work has been completed and is settling in well. New suppliers have had to be sought for the Oak
Tree interpretation board; production now in progress. Notice-board – hold up with a bulk order (for
many Birmingham parks) being resolved.
·
Bulbs
/ Wild Flower Beds – resources
reserved. NC/SC to progress in season. (Action:
NC/SC)
Suggestion
that old rose beds might be the focus for some school activity – that having
sought SC’s approval, FoSOP should make timely contact with School Governers /
PTAs to stimulate curricular projects for the new school year. (Action: AS/KP)
·
Dog
Mess – Consideration still
on-going. AS to fix temporary dog mess notices
at the play area. (Action: SC, AS)
It
was noted that this is a city-wide problem and that the Council will be
devoting resources specifically to tackle it.
MS agreed to enquire about the role of the dog-patrols with whom he had
contact in his area of work. (Action: MS)
·
Nature
Trail Leaflet Stocks exhausted. Re-design in relation to defined projects
purposed. If / when go to print again,
incorporate more photographs. Consider
using leaflet to promote activities / “things to do”. (Action:
Thoughts from All)
·
Millennium
Woods NC to approach SC to devise a maintenance /
thinning plan for the appropriate season. (Action: NC/SC)
·
Green Flag Award Preparation
of documentation, etc to commence after the Festival for completion by the January
2013. (Action: NC/KP)
3
Selly Oak Festival
2012 – Essential updates and arrangements
·
Leaflet design
Local schoolchildren had submitted depictions of the Festival. Four were ranked for taking forward to
leaflet production. (Action: AS)
·
Tables and chairs A
scout camp needing tables and chairs clashes with the Festival and has
precedence over it. Tables and chairs
being alternatively sourced. Fall back
positions agreed – hire or, if that too expensive, ask stall holders to satisfy
their own needs. (Action: AS)
·
Catering
Scouts to confirm within the next couple of weeks that, with any
necessary contingencies, they can definitely bulk cater for the numbers
anticipated. Assuming so, AS to stand
down offers from two commercial caterers.
(Action AL, AS)
·
Football tournament DB displayed samples of individual medals for
winners and runners-up. Agreed to
purchase sets of medals, with another set for the best “triers”. (Action: DB) DB displayed the engraved tournament trophy.
4
Feedback from BOSF
Coffee Morning
·
SC had provided reassurance regarding the
entertainment licence required for the Festival (on that basis AS has subsequently
applied for a temporary licence).
·
Ideas for community / school gardens (flowers or
vegetable) in the light of the experience of the Friends of Ward End Park
(discussed - see minute 3 above)
·
Possibility of City- wide Parks calendar produced
by Andy Vernon.
5
Jubilee Woods
Scheme Agreed NC to approach SC with a
view to applying for a tree pack appropriate for use in the park; trees to be
planted in positions advised by SC. (Action: NC/SC)
6
Birmingham Trees
for Life NC had already lodged
a note of interest with BTL on our behalf.
7
BBC Things to do
Project KP to pursue
enrolment of the park, if possible. (Action: KP)
8
AOB
·
AS reported that the “Bat” interpretation board had
been torn out of the ground again, and described his proposals to make a more
secure fixing.
·
SCa described the growing popularity of geocaching
and agreed to devise and bring forward a cyber-hunting project for the
park. (Action: SCa) (SCa advised that there is already a
geocache located somewhere near the canal, though he has not discovered it
yet.)
·
AS announced that the park is to receive a concrete
table tennis table and it was agreed that this should be installed near the
other play equipment, but preferably towards the rear / middle of the park
(perhaps near the climbing frame), not on the old tennis court area where
unsightly worn grass might mar the appearance of the park from Gibbins Road.
9
Date, time and place of next meeting:
Sunday 16th September 2012. 2pm.
Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road – this meeting to be followed by the AGM
at 3pm.
Note - There will be a Festival “pre-flight”
meeting on Monday, 25 June 2012, 6pm, Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
30th June 2012 - Selly Oak Festival
.jpg)
.jpg)
The following account, taken from the Friends website, was prepared by Andrew Schofield, the Chairman of the Friends of Selly Oak Park,
Selly Oak Festival
2012
 |
| Up close and personal with the falcons |
In addition to championing the needs of the park and its users the Friends of Selly Oak Park also organise the annual Selly Oak Festival. 2012 was our biggest festival yet with around 2500 visitors and around 25 stalls plus performances on the Festival Stage and in the main arena.
 |
| Gospel Choir take to the Festival Stage |
 |
| Martin the Juggler |
 |
| British Red Cross keep a watching brief at the Football |
 |
| Hummm, choices |
Other activities included BBQ, Curry Stall, cake stall, face painting, Olympic torch throwing, tombolas, raffles, bookstall, information stalls and other games. And a toy stall selling handy bubble machines...
 |
| ... apparently they don't like
bubbles! |
The 2012 festival was
sponsored by Robert Wilkinson's Fun Fair, and Birmingham City Council, and
supported by Quadron, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire
Service, and
the British Red Cross.
If you would be interested in
having a stall at the 2013 Selly Oak Festival e-mail:
.jpg)
Nicola Little, of Quadron Environmental Services who provide the maintenance services at the park, is immensely supportive of the Friends group, and she described and illustrated the Festival in her article - http://www.quadronenvironment.com/downloads/Selly%20Oak%20Park%20Festival%20-%2030.06.12.pdf.
16th September 2012 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute
of Committee meeting prior to AGM,
Sunday
16th September 2012, held in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Ann-Marie
McCarthy (Vice-Chair), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Bob
Curry, Steve Carter, Adrian Langley.
Apologies: Simon Cooper, Ken Pugh
Minutes from
19/03/2012 approved
Matters Arising
Sainsburys: no new progress.
Zip wire: Completed.
Table tennis table in
park: very popular. Lots of usage early morning and late evening had seen a lot
of usage of table tennis in Kings Heath park. A lot of bats and balls under the table in our
park and they appear to be returned. (see
further AGM comments on table tennis table in Selly Oak park).
Exercise zone bid: awaiting result of bid which has been
submitted, result expected this October.
Bulbs and flowers: where to plant probably around frontage. Triangular beds by scouts and other flower
beds around front of park. In addition
to bedding plants, £500 of fund to be spent on wild flowers. More than likely annuals but it is possible if
these are left they may self seed. Action: NC to research seeds to be used. It was
suggested that local schools are asked to get involved Feb/March 2013. Each school could have a particular flower
bed.
Dog mess: New signs appear not to be having the desired
effect of encouraging dog owners to clean up after their dogs. See if there are any Council strategies to
help this problem. Other districts i.e.
Tamworth have prosecuted offenders.
Simon Cooper to be
involved. (Action: A. Schofield)
Nature trail leaflet:
May be good to wait until the Green Flag
awards in May. (NC)
Millennium wood: Maintenance to restart in winter 2012.
Green Flag: NC to meet up with AS re friends in put. Also KP for history input and Simon Cooper to
be scheduled probably AS home mid afternoon/early evening.
NC to put management
plan together and she would be grateful for photos that demonstrate the many
different aspects of Selly Oak Park.
Jubilee Wood Scheme
to action response from Birmingham trees for life.
Festival: FoSOP committee struggling to do festival
stewarding etc and stall. FoSOP stall
next year information only. FoSOP to
have a site management tent. Festival
2012 had a good number of stalls but there were a few gaps where people we were
expecting did not turn-up. Next year get
stalls to pay and sign -up in advance. Ideally
stalls should provide their own gazebos. FoSOP two gazebos are damaged but may be able
to make one gazebo and give any spare parts to Tiverton School/Allotment
organisation. Ideally stalls provide own
tables but where they use Scouts they collect and return.
Festival
Entertainment: keep core 2011/2012
entertainment i.e. falconry, samba band, juggler/children’s entertainer. Make more use of stage and speakers. Local up and coming bands, famous Selly Oak
recording studio, local BBC presenters, local programme Doctors filmed in park
and locality, Sports and famous celebrities from Selly Oak. Can twitter be used for festival.
Ideally date should
be fixed for festival with Robert Wilkinson.
Any other Business
(AS) Carol service in park involving any
interested churches possibly Sat 8th December. To have lights on a tree. AS to discuss with Simon Cooper. Steve C suggested tea-lights in a jam jar for
children. Need to apply for events
licence insurance and advertising. Potential
cost for such an event £200. Scouts, Beavers,
Cubs may be able to organise mince-pies and teas/coffees.
Suggestion of all
year round public liability insurance may want to do events at other times of
the year e.g. Halloween event.
(Adrian) Car park has potholes to ask Simon Cooper.
GeoCache Steve C to speak to Simon Cooper re where to
safely place cache and to ask permission. To put information re: Geocache on park notice
board.
Next committee
meetings: 3rd Monday of November, Jan, March, May plus extra
festival meetings.
Minute
of the Annual General Meeting
16th
September 2012 in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
All
present during pre-AGM meeting, plus Karen McCarthy, Dave Radcliffe, Jean
Malladin, Martin the Juggler.
Apologies: Simon Cooper, Ken Pugh.
Minutes
from last year’s meeting agreed.
Matters
Arising
Item
8. Decided not to go ahead with. To continue with tidying up and weaving in
new growth to willow sculpture.
Annual
Report
Delivered
by Andrew Schofield (Chairman).
Friends
of Selly Oak Par
Annual
General Meeting 201
Chairman’s
Report
It
has been another busy year for the Friends of Selly Oak Park with many
improvements and enhancements.
New
gravel paths (funded by BCC) have allowed completion of a walking circuit of
the park if you use the rough track by the canal. We are disappointed that
parts of the new paths were washed away by heavy rain before they were able to
properly bed in.
BCC
also provided a new notice board for the Gibbins Rd Entrance with our name
embossed in gold lettering on the front. We also have a new interpretation
board for the stump of the Old Oak Tree. This display was designed by myself
and Ken Pugh.
BCC
also provided a new wooden gate by the lodge, a new bench and some bins plus
much appreciated trip level fencing along Gibbins Rd.
Following
up on previous AGM requests BCC also provided signs promoting safe cycling at
various points in the park.
The
remaining Play Builder budget was used to raise one end of the Zip Wire to add
more zip although the supplier contributed to this also.
Friends
funds were used for a carved bench in memory of founder member Geoff Bartlett.
The bench, designed and carved by Grahame Young, features a mechanical theme
recalling Geoff’s engineering background and hobby. It is inscribed “In memory
of Geoff Bartlett founder member of the Friends of Selly Oak Park”.
We
were successful in obtaining £1500 from the ward to help fund the Selly Oak
Festival which we held at the end of June. It was, once again, the best
festival ever with many more stalls and activities than previous years.
Attendance was beyond expectation (we estimate at least 2000 people). A real
marker of success is that when the Fun Fair opened we did not notice a change
in numbers at the festival. It was however hard work for the Friends and in
future we will not be able to run the festival and have our own stall. Overall
we raised about £250 from stall fees and stall takings with a fair rent surplus
of about £800 held by BCC on our behalf. The weather on the day was good
considering that either side it was very wet. This caused problems with getting
cars on and off the park and also stranded the fair in the park for much longer
than they had wished. However, the Constituency Parks Manager was happy that
the damage to the grass was minimal and much less than other parks holding
events this year.
We
have also been awarded £10100 by the ward towards an exercise zone (to go
adjacent to the play area). We have used this as a basis for a bid to the
Veolia Trust for a further £20000. We will hear about this in November. If this
is unsuccessful the ward money will still fund a viable if small zone.
We’ve
been donated a table tennis table which now sits in the middle of the park.
This is proving surprisingly popular with groups brining their own bats and
balls to play. We do now also have a stock of bats and balls to place by the
table on an honesty basis and to use at events.
During
this year we joined the Birmingham Heritage Forum a local network which will
boost the public profile of the park. Our website continues to be popular with
over 15000 visits since we re-started it.
Andrew
Schofield.
8/9/2012
Treasurer’s Report
Delivered by Dave Barker
(Treasurer).
In addition there
needs to be a financial buffer near to the festival. It was acknowledged that Andrew has put up
own personal funds to pay for various festival expenses until funds available
in FoSoP account. Money has not been in
the FoSoP account in time for the festival.
Election of Officers
All officers re-elected:
Andrew Schofield - Chair, Ann-Marie McCarthy - Vice-Chair, Ken Pugh - Secretary, Dave Barker – Treasurer, Bob Curry, Steve Carter and Malcolm Smith to remain on
committee.
Any Other Business
Karen McCarthy
suggested that there is a scheme within Birmingham City Council that trains
young people in community involvement and this may be of benefit for the
festival, as the young people in this scheme may be able to help with
stewarding etc etc.
Also discussed the
combination of the toy bubble machines which were being sold in proximity to
the falconry.
Optimising the PA
system for the falconry.
To have a location
for missing children with a query bear sign.
No problems observed
with dog owners bringing their dogs on leads to the festival
It was discussed that
it may be necessary to fix a date for the festival. It was suggested the last Saturday in June.
19th November 2012 - Friends of Selly
Minute of the Committee Meeting
held in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road
Present:
Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-chairman), Dave Barker (Teasurer), Ken Pugh (Secretary), and Bob Curry .
Nicola
Clarke (Quadron), Simon Cooper (BCC), Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts), and Robert
Wilkinson (for Item 1) were also present.
Apologies: None
The Chairman
welcomed everyone to the meeting thanking them all for giving time to the
Friends Group.
1.
Festival 2013
Robert
Wilkinson indicated his intention to open the Fair in the park on Wednesday to
Saturday, 26-29th June 2013.
It was agreed to hold the Festival on Saturday, 29th June.
RW
drew attention to the obedient dog show organised by “Pawfect”; SC to provide
contact details for us to investigate availability for the Festival. (Action: SC, KP)
RW
confirmed that the stage would be available again – discussed finding musical
acts that could use it.
RW
confirmed the Big Top should be fully up and running by June, and that whilst
for logistic reasons it would be located at the entrance to the Fair, we could
nevertheless have free use of it.
RW
suggested that the Special
School Oak Tree Lane
Agreed
to purchase insurance (underwritten by Zurich
Agreed
to rebook Andy Cook Falconry and Martin the Juggler. (Action: KP)
2.
The Minute of the last meeting (16 September
2012) was accepted as an
accurate record.
3.
The Minute of the AGM (16 September 2012) was accepted as an accurate record.
4.
Matters arising from both Minutes
·
Exercise
Zone – The application to
the Veolia Trust had been unsuccessful – AS to get feedback to inform future
applications. (Action: AS). SC indicated other funding streams that
could be pursued. (Action: SC, AS)
·
Bulbs
/ Wild Flower Beds – Ongoing. (Action: NC/SC)
·
Dog
Mess – SC indicated that
this is now being tackled as a city-wide campaign. (Action: BCC)
·
Willow Sculpture SC
5.
Green Flag
NC & SC have prepared the basis of the
Management Plan and the application documentation, which now needs FoSOP
input. Agreed:
·
KP to circulate latest draft to Committee members.
·
Committee members to read and feedback to KP their comments,
corrections, and additions (paying particular attention to the SWOT analyses) –
by Friday 7th December.
·
KP to collate feedback, to take
forward to ..........
·
........
Meeting between NC, SC, AS and KP on
Tuesday, 11th December, at Kings Heath
Park
·
Photographs
to be selected to illustrate the Plan (Action: All – feedback to KP)
·
All
documentation to be ready for formal submission by mid January.
6.
Carols in the Park
AS tabled posters and flyers, and reviewed
all arrangements, acknowledging help and participation from Scouts, local
schools and churches. CLC will provide
song sheets; Vineyard Church glo-sticks.
Rev Cox (Vicar of St Mary’s Church) will attend. CLC, Vineyard and St
Mary’s Churches have agreed to provide funds towards flyers, posters, light and
Temporary Event Notice. Programme of
carols, readings and a concluding prayer will be finalised shortly: the carols
will all be traditional. Lead singers
arranged. Brass players being sought
(post meeting note: a small number of brass players has come forward from St John’s Eugene
AS to email pdf versions of the poster and
flyers to committee. (Action:
AS)
7.
Geo-cache Project -
carried forward.
8.
Schools adopting a flower bed
Agreed
that the concept has many benefits – for the children, the community, as a
story opportunity, for websites, and most importantly for Green Flag. Maintenance would need to be programmed,
preferably into the curriculum.
Arising
from interest recently expressed by Cherry
Oak School
9.
Card Sales
KP agreed to attempt to find sales outlets
through local traders. (Action:
KP)
10.
AOB
·
AS agreed to prepare a health and Safety Policy for
FoSOP. (Action: AS)
·
DB agreed to store the slice of oak trunk during
ongoing seasoning. (Action: DB)
·
AL
11.
Date, time and place of next meeting:
Monday 21st January 2013, Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road
22nd November 2012 - BCC Central Library - The Iron Room blog
The Archive and Heritage Section of the Birmingham Central Library published a brief note of my research on their blog, having invited me to contribute as a guest-blogger.
8th December 2012 - Carols in the Park
13th December 2012 - Land Securities / Sainsbury's
http://sellyoak-regeneration.co.uk/
