2014 Clippings

On-going research; last updated 13 August 2015
 
 
20 January 2014 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
 
 
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 20 January 2014
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present:
Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry, Paul Lucas, Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chairman) and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Gerard Airey (Ariel Scouts), Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Simon Cooper (BCC Parks), John Moody (Ariel Scouts) and Roger Morcom (Ariel Scouts).

Apologies:       None

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly Roger Morcom the newly appointed Chairman of the Ariel Scouts.

1              Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 18 November 2013 was approved after one correction (Item 6 – name correction to “Graham Jones”).
 
2              Matters arising:
 
2.1  Update on ArtSoak and Fake Festival Plans
Both events expected to proceed.
·    FF have submitted an application and are seeking a Premises Licence for their event on 9th August.  AS & SC to meet with BCC Finance to discuss how income from the event might benefit FoSOP.  (Action:  AS and SC)
·    ArtSoak have also submitted an application on behalf of “Circus Mash” – preferred weekend 16 March.  Scouts will consider offering to provide refreshments and toilet facilities.  (Action:  GA)
 
2.2    Willow sculpture & Millennium Wood – Maintenance – Plans
·    AS has contacted the local schools regarding attention to “Cyril”.  When reply received, AS to liaise with Dean Paul to arrange date and activity (informing NC)  (Action:  AS)
·    Re: Millennium Wood – SC to arrange for Dean Paul to organise, in conjunction with NC and Scouts, notifying FoSOP members of arrangements.  (Action:  SC)
 
2.3    Exercise Zone – progress; lamp posts
·    Exercise Zone - Installation awaiting the approval of BCC (Charities and Trusts).
·    Opportunity for retention of the replaced old lamp-posts for other decorative purposes in the Park has now passed.
Check that “Cycling” signs have been re-instated.  (Action:  SC)
 
2.4    Carols in the Park- Review
Event deemed “marvellous”.  Disappointment that there was less cooperation from several churches this year; though Vineyard Church had helped extensively.  Attendance (approx 130) was marginally lower than last year.  Refreshment takings down.
Event to be repeated - 6 or 13 December 2014; latter preferred.  AS to liaise with Vineyard and other churches to set date.  (Action:  AS)
Need better lighting – purchase or hire a generator?
Need few more musicians – Bournville school?  University music groups?  Steel band?
 
2.5    Development of Central Area of the Park
Consideration ongoing.  (Action: SC & AS)
 
2.6    Finance / Fundraising – Meeting with BCC – Progress
Some money owed to FoSOP from BCC has been released; must spend by 31 March.  AS given guidance on its use.   (Action:  AS)
Proposed meeting regarding future funding still to be arranged.  (Action:  SC & AS)
 
2.7    Committee Membership
Andy Hogben to be contacted by KP again, and by SC.  (Action SC & KP)
 
3      Festival 2014
Agreed to accept Robert Wilkinson’s preference to run the fair in parallel with the Festival.
Entertainments already booked – Martin the Juggler, Falconry.
Entertainments invited (no response to date) - Ariel Motorcycles, Bournville Bee-keepers (contact Midland Beekeepers if no response).
Suggestions for further participants:-
·         Cheerleaders (AS to contact);
·         Dog show (AS and SC to provide KP with details of their contacts);
·         Music - Bournville College Brass Band (AS); Music Supervisor (AMcC to send contact details to KP); King Norton Girls Steel Band (KP);
·         Puppet Theatre (KP contact MAC);
·         Active Parks (SC to provide contact details to KP);
·         Steam train rides (KP & SC to provide KP with more contact details);
·         Austin 7 Club (KP);
·         Mystic Meg (KP).
Football tournament to proceed. (DB & BC)
Circular to be sent to previous stall-holders. (AS) 
 
4        BCC Spending Review
Noted that the recent consultation has closed, that the BCC Cabinet has met to consider comments and the way ahead, and that the result of their Review is expected in the next couple of weeks.  Agreed that, if necessary, BOSF would be the vehicle for our response to the outcome.  Suggested the need for a “celebrity” sponsor / champion for Birmingham Parks.
 
5      Specific Actions regarding maintenance of “Green Flag” status
None thought necessary.  Current arrangements all thought to be in accord with the Management Plan.  SC and NC to keep under review.  (Action SC & NC)
 
6      Active Parks Presentation, 29 Jaunary 2014
SC outlined the proposals for the Active Parks project to be rolled out to about 50 Birmingham Parks, including Selly Oak.  DB and AMcC agreed to accept the invitation and attend the presentation; AS and PL will attend if their schedule allows.  (Action DB, AMcC, AS & PL)
 
7       Sainsbury’s / Community Partnership for Selly Oak / Lapal Canal Trust
AS reported all “quiet” at the moment; no new news.
SC mentioned LCT’s plans to dig out the Harborne Lane wharf during the summer with the assistance of an IWA RWG.
 
8      Any Other Business
 
8.1   KP indicated that his history research (of Selly Oak and King’s Heath Parks) has resumed now that the new Library of Birmingham is operational.  To date events up as far as 1947 have been recorded.  See www.thehistoryofsellyoakpark.blogspot.com and www.thehistoryofkingsheathpark.blogspot.com.  Recent complementary findings in the Worcester County Archives re Selly Oak Park for 1897 will be posted to the history website as soon as library permission to publish is received.
 
8.2   KP explained recent contact from a firm of architects who wanted to contact Gibbins descendants with regard to the 1988 variation of the existing lease affecting the use of the premises at 187 Harborne Lane.

9      Date of Next Meeting
Monday, 17th March 2014, at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.


 
15th March 2014 - Circus Mash
 
As part of the Art Soak Festival, Circus Mash, using one of the larger trees in the Park, set up a Circus Tree upon which supervised aerial activities took place.  


                          




17th March 2014 - Friends of Selly Oak Park

Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 17 March 2014
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
 
Present:       Andrew Schofield (Chairman) and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Gerard Airey (Ariel Scouts), Nicola Clarke (Quadron), and John Moody (Ariel Scouts).

Apologies:       Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry, Paul Lucas, Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chairman) and Simon Cooper (BCC Parks).

THE MEETING WAS NOT QUORATE, SO NO FORMAL DECISIONS COULD BE TAKEN.

1              Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 20 January 2014 was reviewed.

2              Matters arising:

2.1       Update on ArtSoak and Fake Festival Plans
  • FF are advertising their event on 9th August on their website.
  • ArtSoak events – Circus Mash and Thissen Thatten - were held in the park during the weekend of 15-16 March.  KP had GA had seen Circus Mash’s activity.  KP has drawn Circus Mash’s attention to the Festival and invited them to participate.
2.2          Willow sculpture & Millennium Wood – Maintenance – Plans
  • “Cyril” was repaired by pupils from St. Mary’s school (assisted by Ranger Alf Dimmock, AS and KP) on 25th February.
  • Millennium Wood – in response to the unseasonal warm weather, birds were now nesting, and it was thought inappropriate to go ahead with thinning the Wood this Spring.  Suggested (in consultation with SC) planning say 2 weekends in Nov / Dec when the structure of the woodland could be attended to, and follow that up with under-planting with woodland plants.
2.3          Exercise Zone – progress
  • Exercise Zone – Installation had not begun at the time of the meeting, but it began in the week following.  Remember to ask for the table tennis table to be moved into the vicinity of the exercise equipment.
2.4          Finance / Fundraising – Meeting with BCC – Progress
AS and  KP had met with Robin Bryan and SC.  RB sympathetic to the needs of FoSOP but, with impending cuts in budgets, not in a position to support with new money.  RB agreed to supply details of contacts who might help with grant applications and fundraising.
Subsequently learned that, arising from representations to the BCC Spending Review, the Rangers and Park-keepers had been spared, though some play areas would still have to go.  It was feared that “big hits” in spending would still follow in subsequent years.
Noted that Birmingham Airport provide support to local (across the City) community events.
 
2.5          Committee Membership
Still desperately need more active Committee members. 
Discussion about future activities and the continuation of the Festival after 2014 without more input.
Suggested distributing leaflets at the Festival appealing for more members.
 
3      Festival 2014
Festival 2014 will proceed on Saturday, 28 June, between 10 am and 3 pm.
Robert Wilkinson has indicated that he will not be bringing the full fair to the Festival, but will bring the Festival Stage and a couple of small rides and will make a small contribution to FoSOP funds.
Discussed crowd-funding.
Festival entertainments already booked – Martin the Juggler, Falconry, Ariel Motorcycles, Cheerleaders and a Folk Group.  Since the meeting “Active Parks” have also agreed to participate.
An invitation has been issued to the Austin 7 Club who in response are seeking support from amongst their membership.
Steam train ride providers and Bournville Bee-keepers not available.  AS to approach other bee-keepers.
Football competition to be held.
Suggestions for further participants:-
·         Dog show (JM to provide KP with details of a contact willing to organise an event);
·         Music - Bournville College Brass Band (AS); Music Supervisor (AMcC to send contact details to KP); King Norton Girls Steel Band (KP);
·         Puppet Theatre (KP contact MAC);
·         Mystic Meg (KP).
·         Lydiate Ash Nursery (KP to contact John Singleton)
 
 4      Active Parks
DB has proposed to commence a weekday walking group, and has asked for access to the Scout Hut.
 
5       Sainsbury’s / Community Partnership for Selly Oak / Lapal Canal Trust
Site remediation work is due to commence in May.
LCT plans to dig out the Harborne Lane wharf during the summer with the assistance of an IWA RWG.
 
6      Any Other Business
6.1     Centre of the Park – suggestion that the central feature should be a wood carving of an “Ariel” motorcycle (a play feature for young children), surrounded by a junior cycle track / roundabout junction complete with “traffic lights”, signs, road-markings, etc.  Surface to be child friendly.  NC agreed to consider a grant application to the HLF.
6.2       Birmingham Heritage Forum – the annual subscription (£40) is due for payment.
6.3      Oak Furniture – NC agreed to seek advice from SC about the need, or otherwise, to treat the oak furniture in the Park.
 
7      Date of Next (Festival Planning) Meeting
Monday, 28th April 2014, at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
Note – this is a change to the previously listed date (to avoid the Easter holiday)



19th May 2014 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
 
Friends of Selly Oak Park
Committee Meeting held on 19th May 2014
 
Present:       Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Ann-Marie McCarthy(Vice-Chairman).
Gerard Airey (Ariel Scouts), Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Louise Francis-Taylor (Pampered Pet Co.) and John Moody (Ariel Scouts).
 
Apologies:       Simon Cooper (Area Parks Manager, BCC); Bob Curry and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
 
In the Secretary’s absence, Gerard Airey kindly agreed to keep a note of the meeting.
 
1.    Exercise Zone
Committee was very complimentary, “best in Birmingham”.
Some reinstatement required - Simon to be informed.
One cross trainer and recumbent bike need maintenance.

2.    Fake Festival
Flyers have been delivered to local homes.
Nicola suggested putting notice on the notice board.

3.    Festival 2014
St Mary’s Hospice pulled out.
One additional confirmed.
Possible - Guide Dogs for the Blind participating as stall holder and Birmingham Dogs Home via dog show contact.
Possible - RSPCA contact via Simon Schofield.
Suggestion - advertise on GumTree; Birmingham Open Spaces Forum; local schools; local papers – article.
Toilets will be hired as done last year.
Sponsorship from Birmingham University.  £500 requested.  Amount not settled.
Crowd-funding not going well.  May not amount to much.
Dog Show – Vicky Allwood at BCC cannot attend.  She will send leaflets for stand on 'Dogs in Parks' new laws.  Avon dog grooming coming (helping nervous dogs).  Police dogs have been contacted but, they are not sure if it will be possible with active dogs.  Possible for retired dogs.  PR company contacted for celebrity judge for dog show, possible local vet for judging.  10 competition classes, starting at 11:00,  1.5 hours running time.  St Bernard’s (Saving Saints) coming.  Wag & Walk will have presence with a stall.  Rosettes still to be investigated.
Dog show details to be included on main Festival flyer.  Class and registration details will be required from <> to Andrew for him to prepare graphics.
St John’s Ambulance will be attending.
£20 stall holder fee for profit making; £10 for stall that is information only.
Football – list of teams required – so far just two confirmed from Northfield Manor.  Bournville Warriors approached.  Ann-Marie looking for other team options.

4.    Finance
Current account stands at £2,227.36.
Just over £1,000 belongs to Selly Oak Neighbourhood Forum.
Paid for Falconry and Juggler already.
£500 expected from Robert to go into Festival funding.

5.    Green Flag
Mystery shopper visit is due.
Tidy up has been mentioned to contractor.
Issue with bank next to Gibbins Road if not mowed while crocus leaves are still required.
Committee need to decide what to do about Millennium Wood sign which is regularly vandalised. Should it be replaced and if yes, how?  The remaining posts in the ground will be removed for now.
A number of mature trees in the park have been marked for removal (with 'x').  Trees marked with '.' will have work done to preserve them.
A damp patch on the side of Millennium Wood is related to high levels of ground water.  Should it be highlighted as a feature on the nature trail as a 'natural spring'?

6.    Facebook Group
Has been set up.

7.    Sainsbury's/CP4SO/Lapal
5-12 July canal work going ahead.  Workers staying in the Stonehouse Gang premises.
Initial investigation work shows that existing wharf walls at the back of Scout Hut are sound.  Wall near old bridge may need to be repaired.
Re-mediation work on the Sainsbury's land is currently on hold due to unexpected wildlife.
Lapal Trust going to base themselves near the canal during the Festival.  Also present will be the Artist with the boxes of canal things.  Can walks around the nature trail be organised by Scouts?
A pamphlet advertising the local canals could be produced in combination with Lapal and CP4SO.
Discussion took place on how the canal link past Sainsbury's will happen.  Concern is that the necessary follow up on the agreement that was forced upon Sainsbury's, by the Canals and Rivers Trust, is not happening.  There is a limit on what can be done in the park by Lapel without requiring planning permission for a “reconstructed” canal.

8.    Simon Cooper retirement
He really likes Swifts.
Possible membership of RSPB.
He also likes tractors.
Possible – Tree in the park in his name.
Possible – display book of park history.

9.    AOB
None.

10.   Next Meeting – Festival Pre Flight – Monday 23/06/2014 – Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.



28th June 2014 - Selly Oak Festival

 
 

28th July 2014 - Keep Britain Tidy

Announced that Selly Oak Park had retained its Green Flag status.
See:     www.keepbritaintidy.org/greenflagawards2014/1394



21st September 2014 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
 
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 21 September 2014
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
 
Present:           Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Nicola Clarke (Quadron) and Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts).
 
Apologies:       Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chairman), Sue Amey (Area Parks Manager, BCC), Gerard Airey (Ariel Scouts) and John Moody (Ariel Scouts).
 
1       Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 19 May 2014:  Not available.
 
2       Matters arising:  None
 
3      Festival 2014 - Review
The general opinion was that the Festival had been “brilliant”, with the Dog Show being a particular success and worthy of becoming a major feature of any future event.  AS is to speak with the insurance company with a view to enabling integration of the dog events into the main arena.  It was thought that a dog agility performance (perhaps with visitor participation) would take the place of the falconry which has served us well but whose attraction is now waning.
Attendance was considered to be slightly down on previous years; possibly due to the uncertain weather, but it was also observed that there had been a number of local events on the same day.  The date of any future event was discussed – to avoid clashing with other events.
One weakness identified – the very uneven surface on which the football tournament was played – a cause of concern to the Friends (because of the risk of injury), but not to the players and their supervisors who urged that the event should go ahead.
 
4      Festival and Fair 2015
Whilst we have the financial means to run another Festival, it is not clear that we have the physical strength or depth in numbers to do so.  It was decided to gauge the interest that other local resident groups may have for the Festival, by calling representatives to an exploratory, scoping meeting in the near future.  Discussed the relationship between the Festival and the Fair and whether the two might be separated in time.  Discussed holding the Festival every other year, or breaking the Festival up and holding several of its component parts as separate events spread through the year.  We hoped to gain some feedback from the AGM later in the afternoon (but this was subsequently thwarted by poor attendance at it).  It was decided to leave a final decision until our next Committee meeting, by which time hopefully the exploratory meeting with others will have taken place.
 
5      Fake Festival - Feedback
By all accounts, from postings on social media, the event had been well received.  Committee members have not received any local complaints.  Disappointment was expressed that, having sought support from the Friends ahead of their application, the organisers did not invite a representative(s) to the event, nor have they given any post-event feedback themselves.  Disappointment was also expressed that whilst the event was clearly a commercial one, there appears to have been no direct financial benefit to the park or the Friends.
 
6.    Green Flag Award 2014/15
The award was announced in July.  To date there has been no feedback on the Green Flag award and any action required by the judges, or in relation to the Management Plan.  Sue Amey to be consulted – AS & KP to arrange an on-site meeting.
The new Green Flag has not become available.
 
7.    Carols in the Park 2014
Agreed to run the event on Saturday, 6th December at 5 p.m.  AS to make application for park use.
 
8.       Any Other Business
 
8.1      Football Facilities   NC informed that the goal posts have to be replaced as they do not comply with current performance requirements.  New posts have been ordered.  The area used for football is not formally recognised as a football pitch within the park management programme, and thus there is no provision for maintenance (thus the condition at the Festival, referred to above).  Hitherto Quadron have marked the pitch as a favour.  Maybe need to consider temporary goal posts in due course.
 
8.2      Quadron Re-structure   NC informed that, in anticipation of swinging Council spending cuts, Quadron has re-structured in order to re-position itself in an uncertain financial climate.  Consequently Paul Spinks, the contract manager for Selly Oak, finds himself responsible for two areas, and it is expected that there will be a reduction in maintenance in the park.
 
8.3          Tree Trail   KP drew attention to the new (Britain in Bloom award-winning) Tree Trail which has been introduced at Ward End Park, and suggested that a similar trail could be introduced at Selly Oak Park given the interesting variety of trees there.  NC agreed to work with KP with a view to making application to “Awards for All” for a grant which might cover the regeneration of the central area of the park (an outstanding Green Flag issue) and a Tree Trail.
 
8.4          Stump of Old Oak   The oak stump is severely decomposed and now hardly able to provide a secure fixing for the plaque.  Consideration was given to a replacement, or an alternative monument.  KP has approached Graham Jones for guideline prices regarding a replacement.  NC agreed to investigate other possible sources and avenues.  Agreed all should consider the best way to ensure the continued memorial of this feature, and bring ideas to the next meeting.
 
8.5          Lodge   AS informed that there were new tenants in the Lodge who had expressed some interest in the park and its history.
 
8.6          Active Parks   AS informed that Active Parks have proposed programmes involving the new gym equipment and Tai Chi.
 
8.7          Memorial    Agreed to provide a memorial (shared with the Scouts) to the total value of £150.  NC agreed to bring forward three costed options for a half standard tree of a slow growing, large, long-lasting variety, with tree guard, leaving money for a small commemorative plaque (Friends to arrange). 
 
9.      Dates for future meetings
Ordinary committee meetings - in the Scout Hut, Monday evenings at 6 p.m. – on 17th November 2014, then next year on 21st January, 16th March, and 18th May.  The final Committee meeting of the series will be at 2 pm on Sunday 20th September, followed by the AGM at 3 p.m.
(If the Festival were held as last year, then the date would be 27th June, and additional planning meetings might be 20th April and 22nd June.)
 
10.    Date of Next Meeting
Monday, 17th November 2014, at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
 
 
 
Minute of the Annual General Meeting
held at 3 p.m. on 21st September 2014.
 
Present:      Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts).
Marian Evans.
 
Apologies: Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice Chairman), Sue Amey (Area Parks Manager, BCC), Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Cllr. Karen McCarthy, John Moody (Ariel Scouts), and Gerard Airey (Ariel Scouts).
 
The Chairman thanked everyone for their presence and support of the Friends.
 
1.      The Minute of the AGM held on 15th September 2013 was approved.
 
2.      There were no Matters Arising.
 
3.      Annual Report from the Chairman
 
Friends of Selly Oak Park
Chairman’s Report 2014
 
Every year for the last few years I’ve stood here and said that the preceding year was the busiest yet for the park and the Friends group.  We’ll I’m not sure if the last year was so busy but it’s certainly been very eventful.
 
In December 2013 we hosted Carols in the Park.  This event was co-organised with the scouts and local Churches.  Around 100 people joined us to sing traditional carols around an illuminated tree.  The event was successful and we plan to repeat it again this December**.
 
In the spring we joined with St Mary’s School to weave in the new growth on the willow sculpture and generally improve its structure.  Interestingly the class we worked with was the same class that helped to install the sculpture in the first place.  The willow has put on tremendous growth this year and we shall have to do some more weaving in once the leaves have fallen.  I think that we nearly pulled the sculpture out after it had been vandalised; it is great to see it now growing so well.
 
In June 2014 we organised and hosted the Selly Oak Festival.  This year’s event benefited from sponsorship by the University of Birmingham as well as Robert Wilkinson’s Fun Fair.  Once again Robert provided the stage and children’s rides but – as last year – he did not bring his full fair.  For entertainment we added a Dog Show organised by the Pampered Pet Company and a display of Flyball – a kind of racing game for dogs.  We also had live music from Where’s Mary.  The weather was not entirely pleasant and numbers were a little down on 2013 we think because of this.
 
The festival also saw the official opening of our new Exercise Zone.  This zone was entirely funded by Birmingham City Council and is the best equipped outside Exercise Zone in the city.  It has been great to see the zone well used by old and young alike.
 
Also over the summer the park hosted a Fake Festival.  This concert featured a number of tribute bands as well as local talent.  It was organised entirely by the Fake Festival franchise company but seems to have been a good use of the park.
 
There have been a number of tree removals from the park this year due to disease and damage.  It has been a shame to see some favourite trees succumb to this but we will seek to replenish the tree stock.  There have been more confirmed deer sightings in the park but less tree damage than last year.  Or perhaps people have stopped encouraging dogs to strip the trees – we might never know.
 
Another development is that the historic stump of the old oak tree has now decayed to the point where it can no longer support the commemorative plaque attached to it.  The original plaque was removed a few years ago and replaced with a resin duplicate so there is no danger of losing that, but we do now need to come up with a new plan to preserve the memory of the oak stump which is such a vital part of Selly Oak’s history.
 
Lastly we are pleased that the park has been awarded a continuation of its Green Flag status for 2014/15.
 
I’d like to thank the following people for their support over the last year: Simon Cooper of Birmingham City Council who retired in June, Nicola Clarke and Derek Foley of Quadron, Cllr Karen McCarthy, Dave Radcliffe and PCSO Barrington who all helped at the festival football.  I’d like to thank Gerard Airey and John Moody who attend all of our meetings on behalf of the Scouts.  Finally I’d like to thank the loyal members of the committee for their hard work and support over the year.
 
Andrew Schofield
21 September 2014
 
**       Date subsequently announced as 6th December 2014.
 
Thanks were expressed to Andrew Schofield for his sterling work and energy expended on behalf of the park and the Friends.
 
4.       Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer tabled his report for the period 1st September 2013 to 21st September 2014.  It showed a balance brought forward into the period of £2,088.76, and after all Festival and other activities, a balance of £2,709.39 to carry forward.  It was noted that about £1,000 of this actually belonged to the St Mary’s Neighbourhood Forum, the Council having paid some Forum money into the Friends’ account, since the Forum are without a bank account.
Thanks were expressed to Dave Barker, our Treasurer, for his constant monitoring of our finances.
 
5.      Election of Committee and Officers
With Marian Evans invited take a place on the Committee, the existing officers and committee were re-appointed en bloc:
 
Chair  –  Andrew Schofield
Vice-Chair  –  Ann-Marie McCarthy
Treasurer  –  Dave Barker
Secretary  –  Ken Pugh
Committee members  –  Bob Curry, Marian Evans and Malcolm Smith.
 
6.       Any Other Business
 
6.1   Sainsbury’s Development   In response to an enquiry from Dave Barker, the Chairman described progress with the work on Sainsbury’s Battery site where remediation to a depth of 19m across the entire site is taking place.  It was not clear what arrangements had been made in the event of any archaeological or unusual geological finds.  Detailed building plans are expected in the near future.
 
There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 3.30 p.m.


17th November 2014 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
 
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 17 November 2014
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
 
Present:       Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Ken Pugh (Secretary) and Marian Evans.
Sue Amey (Area Parks Manager, BCC), Nicola Clarke (Quadron) and John Moody (Ariel Scouts).
 
Apologies:       Bob Curry.
1       Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 21 September 2014 was approved.
 
2       Matters arising: 
2.1   Green Flag Award 2014/15
·       The new flag is now flying.
·       SA explained group award assessment process, and our part in it.
·       Likely to be “mystery shopped” anytime now.
·       New paperwork to be submitted early in 2015 – SA to email us relevant parts for input and comment.
 
2.2   Tree Trail & Central Area of Park
·       SA, NC and any Friends available to meet on site at 12 noon on 27 November to discuss options.
·       Central feature could have either “Canal” or “Ariel” focus.
·       Wood sculpture could be designed by Graham Jones.
·       Pathway round central area could be resurfaced and made into a junior mini cycleway with road markings, traffic signs, etc.
·       NC & KP to work on grant application.
 
2.3   Millennium Wood
·         To be inspected by party (as above) at 12 noon on 27 November.
·         Thinning to be undertaken under guidance from Tree Surgeon affiliated through the Scouts.
·         To be under-planted after thinning – SA & NC to advise – investigate grant availability, consult with Simon Atkinson (BWT).
 
2.4   Oak Stump
·       To be inspected by party (as above) at 12 noon on 27 November.
·       Perhaps cover the oak stump to preserve the site, and fix the original plaque to the cover or to the oak “slice” already in our possession (stored with DB).
·       Perhaps site an Acorn Sculpture (by Graham Jones) nearby as a continuing memorial to the oak stump.
 
2.5   Memorial   
·              Item continued.
·              Suggested best option, a Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea).
·              NC to cost, including suitable tree protection.
 
2.6    Active Parks  
·       JM advised that for the last 3 or 4 months Dean Paul has been holding Park walks at 2 pm on Thursday afternoons.  Usually about 8 people attending.
·       Disappointment and surprise expressed that Active Parks are now objecting to facilitating access to toilet facilities at the Scout Hut for the walkers (surprise, especially given the facilities made available at other parks!).
·       Disappointment also expressed that the activities promised after Active Parks attendance at the Festival has not materialised.
 
3      Festival 2015
·       Minimal response to recent appeal to local organisations to help run the event.
·       Muriel Caddy has offered to help with entertainments programme.
·       Run Festival from noon until 4 pm.
·       Run week before the Bournville Festival.
·       Run Football tournament from 11 am.
·       Use Fair if available.
·       Explore possibility of other local Friends groups cooperating in the running of the event.
·       Explore availability of SO Vocal.
 
4      Birmingham Trees for Life - Tree Planting – 10.30 am, Thursday, 27 November 2014
·       BTFL kindly making available at least 5 half-standard trees.
·       To be planted with assistance from pupils from Cherry Oak School.
·       Quadron preparing planting sites - NC to provide a plan of proposed sites for “approval” or resiting.
·       FoSOP to provide light refreshments at close of tree planting, in Scout Hut (KP).
 
5      Carols in the Park
·       5pm, Saturday 13 December 2014.
·       Tree to be prepared and gazebo erected – 1 pm on the Saturday.  Assistance agreed.
·       Lights to be left on overnight and taken down at 2 pm on the Sunday.  Assistance agreed.
·       Leaflet drop, and other uses of leaflets, during week before.
·       Temporary Event Notice and Insurance cover to be arranged (AS).
·       Refreshments in Scout Hut afterwards.
·       Lights for musicians to be obtained.  (Possibility of lights loan via NC.)
 
6    Any Other Business
6.1   Nature Trail
·       Millennium Wood sign is lost – to be replaced.
·       “Gift” plate on bench defaced – to be replaced.
·       Finger Post gone!  Does DF have it in safe keeping?
·       AS to arrange for replacements.
 
6.2   Football Pitches  
·       SA to examine state of ground, and safety standard of existing goal posts; and investigate scope of possible maintenance (if available).
·       Plea for pitch to be turned through 90 degrees to provide new goal areas, and allow recovery of badly worn areas.
 
6.3   Sainsbury’s Development
·       AS advised that Sainsbury’s policy regarding new developments would not affect the project in Selly Oak which is ongoing and will continue.
 
7       Date of Next Meeting  
·       Monday, 19 January 2015, at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.








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