Ongoing research; last updated 4 March 2014
21st January 2013 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Teasurer), Ken Pugh (Secretary), and Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts).
Minute of the Committee Meeting
held in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road on Monday
21 January 2013
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Dave Barker (Teasurer), Ken Pugh (Secretary), and Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts).
Apologies: Steve Carter, Bob Curry,
Ann-Marie McCarthy, Nicola Clarke (Quadron), and Simon Cooper (BCC)
The Chairman
welcomed everyone to the meeting thanking them for giving time to the Friends
Group on such a snow-bedevilled evening.
1.
Community Partnership for Selly Oak (cp4so)
AS
gave a brief overview of developments since the last FoSOP meeting regarding
the regeneration proposals for Sainsbury’s Battery site, and described the
proposed formation of a Community Partnership which would urge the developers
and the City Council to go ahead with the 2007 proposals which had already been
given planning approval, and ii) the development of a website at www.cp4so.org.uk.
We
reaffirmed our position, namely that, for all the benefits it would bring to
the park, we wished to see a restored canal along its northern boundary. This could only be achieved if Sainsbury’s (or
indeed any other) development accommodated a watered section of canal across
the site under consideration, and therefore we would become members of the
Community Partnership and give our backing to its aims in this regard. (Action: AS)
2.
Festival 2013
AS
tabled a draft of a contract / application form for stallholders which, after
minor amendment and adjustment of the scale of charges, was approved. (Action: AS)
Insurance
(underwritten by Zurich) from BTCV, covering events and activities for 12
months has been purchased. This
insurance does not cover the activities of other groups who may be involved in
our events, and we therefore agreed to advise Festival participants to check
their own insurance cover, taking advice from FoSOP or, where appropriate, from
their own central administration. (Action:
AS) Explore with FoCP how
they handle this matter. (Action:
KP)
Grateful
to Tracey Hewitt who had offered £750 to the Festival from the neighbourhood
budget, the money having to be spent by 31st March.
Falconry
and Juggler have been booked.
Investigate availability of a ceilidh band, also musical performers from
Bournville Secondary School (Action: AS).
Bloco Louco held in reserve meanwhile.
KP
to liaise with SCo re the appearance of Pawfect at the Festival. (Action: KP)
KP
had spoken to the manager of the refreshment room at Cannon Hill Park and
learned that he would be willing to bring his motor train to the Festival to
provide rides around the pathways.
Agreed to book. (Action:
KP)
DB
suggested inviting the Ariel Motorcycle Collectors Club to hold an event in
conjunction with the Festival. Agreed to
investigate possibilities. (Action:
KP)
Advertising
to attract stallholders via Twitter, our website, VSO website, past stallholder
list, schools, etc. (Action:
AS/KP)
3.
Cherry Oak School and the Park
KP
reported on the meeting he, NC and SCo had had with Justine Sims, Executive Head-teacher,
who was keen to provide educational experiences in the community for the
handicapped children in her care.
Explored activities that might take place in the park, including the
adoption of a flower bed. JS, NC and SCo to continue to liaise
(through KP if necessary) towards activity in the Spring.
4.
Green Flag
The
documentation just needs a couple of factual insertions (SCo), and the addition of photographs (AS, KP, NC), and is then ready for submission by the deadline date
of 23 February. (Action: SCo/NC)
5.
Geo-caching
SCa
had sent a report that his proposal was in place and ready to roll except for
the location of one cache which needed replacement from a site whose access he
subsequently deemed unsuitable on health & safety grounds. He proposed to demonstrate his system at the
next meeting. (Action: SCa) Check with SCo that geo-caching would be a
suitable activity within BCC guidelines.
(Action: KP)
6.
The Minute of the last meeting (19 November 2012) was accepted as an accurate record.
7.
Matters arising from the Minute
·
Carols
in the Park had been a great
success with approx 150 attending.
Agreed to do it again, and to get the date in local church diaries now (Action:
AS). For future events will
provide a gazebo for the musicians (who had been very much appreciated) and,
with some suitable lighting, locate it nearer the illuminated tree.
·
Exercise
Zone – need to spend the
available £10k by 31st March.
(Action: AS/SCo)
·
Bulbs
/ Wild Flower Beds – Ongoing. (Action: NC/SCo)
·
Willow Sculpture SCo
to consult specialist colleagues for advice and assistance with remedial work. (Action:
SCo) KP to enquire of FoCP whether
they have spare willows and/or expertise to repair Cyril. (Action: KP)
8.
AOB
·
DB noted that the current balance of funds was
£631.65
·
KP noted that the annual subscription (£30) to
Birmingham Heritage Forum was due, and that the proof of the leaflet (including
our entry) had been seen.
·
KP understood that the Park Ranger, Dean Paul, had
been assigned to the Park
9.
Date, time and place of next meeting:
Monday 18th March 2013, Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
18th March 2013 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 18 March 2013
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chair) and Malcolm Smith.
Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Simon Cooper (BCC
Parks), Adrian Langley (Scouts) and Dean Paul (New Park Ranger)
Apologies: Dave
Barker (Treasurer), Steve Carter, Bob Curry and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Dean Paul, who has
been in post for four months, was introduced to all present.
1. Minute of the
Committee Meeting held on 21 January 2013 was approved.
2. Matters
arising:
2.1 Exercise Zone: Funding from section 106 funds and community
chest has been secured for the exercise zone, and to carry out repairs and
maintenance to the park.
The exercise zone
will be located in the L section of the children's play area (as previously
approved by the committee). It is
anticipated that the exercise zone will be completed in the next few months
with equipment similar to that in Selly Park recreation area (Raddlebarn Road).
The exercise zone can be incorporated
into our Selly Oak Festival. It is hoped
that University staff with an interest in sport and exercise, or Birmingham
Council sports and leisure personnel, would be able to demonstrate exercise and
the equipment to people attending the festival in this area.
Repairs need to be
made to the car park, rubbish tidied up from certain areas of the park, litter
bins replaced, and repairs made to paths (including resurfacing to the newer
yellow paths and provision of water drainage points). The wooden gates, benches and other features
need to be treated in order to bring up the colour and make them more
aesthetically appealing.
2.2 Bulbs, Bedding: Cherry Oak Special School flower bed project is
ongoing.
2.3 Willow sculpture: Suggested that KP and Emma Wolfe inspect the
sculpture. NC observed that the willow
sculpture is re-growing now and needs tying in, and that it may therefore be
salvageable. Cotteridge Park has a
willow nursery which may be of use for our willow sculpture.
Park conservation -
Andy Hogben architectural horticulturist may be able to offer some knowledge
and skills to the park.
2.4 Geo-cache: Three geo-cache sites are already in
use in the park. Steve to look at
putting more in. It was suggested to
advertise geo-cache on website.
2.5 Green Flag: SC and NC and others have submitted the bid
for Selly Oak Park to have Green Flag status.
The bid has been accepted; we await a date for judging - usually between
April and June, often May. We will use
the Scout Hut as the base for the judges. The verdict on the Green Flag award should be
received within a month of visiting the park. PDF of Green Flag bid to be circulated to all
on committee.
3. Festival
AS asked SC whether
the proposed centralised funding for parks would impact Selly Oak park funds. This does not appear to be a problem, which
means that the committee should be able to use money from last year to secure
acts and performers for this year, e.g falconry etc. AS has circulated a booking form, showing
booking fees, for pitches at the festival, using e-mails from people who had
pitches last year. So far not much
response, but interest in pitches tends to happen closer to the festival. Fee for pitch for non-profit organisation / charity
£20, and for companies / commercial ventures £50.
Falconry, Martin the
Juggler, and The Small Train from Canon Hill Park have already been booked for the
Festival.
Other ideas for the
festival:
·
to
have information on the Selly Oak park twitter feed.
·
to
contact Joe Hayden, Head Park Ranger, re: rock climbing wall.
4. Community Partnership
for Selly Oak
has twitter feed CP4SO which is useful for planning issues.
5. Any Other
Business
5.1 Lapal Canal. The LCT are proposing a working party to clear
debris from the Harborne Wharf section of the canal. It was suggested that a combined, LCT, FoSOP
and Ariel Scouts effort would be “good press” with regard to the developments
on the Battery Site and with regard to Green Flag, as an example of
conservation within the park. LCT
estimate that the section without infill would take a few hours to clear out. Graffiti needs to be cleaned off the bridge.
The tow path and some
clearance around this area with the present level of water makes it appear like
a water feature.
Can use any salvaged
wood for wood piles for hedgehogs.
5.2 Table tennis table: A new table and net to be replaced in early
April (SC).
Any vandalism to
table tennis equipment or any of the Park’s other features needs to be reported
to the Police.
Date of Next Meeting
Festival planning
meeting - 15th April 2013, 6pm, Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
15th April 2013 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee (Festival Planning) Meeting held
on 15 April 2013
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chair), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry and Ken
Pugh (Secretary).
Simon Cooper (BCC Parks) and Adrian Langley.
Apologies: Nicola
Clarke (Quadron)
1. Minute of the
Committee Meeting held on 18 March 2013 was approved.
2. Matters
arising:
2.1 Exercise Zone: Installation work to begin shortly –
anticipated completion in good time for Green Flag judging.
2.2 Repairs:
Path surfaces have been repaired; drainage to follow. Other work in hand.
2.3 Bulbs, Bedding: Cherry Oak Special School flower bed project –
Action: KP to investigate progress.
2.4 Willow sculpture: AS and
KP to tie-in new shoots on 18 April.
Emma Wolfe to be invited to advise on longer term maintenance
strategy. (Action: KP)
2.5 Damage to trees: Noted.
SC wondered whether this might have been caused by Monkjack Deer which
are known to be an increasing problem in other open spaces around the
City. Action: Keep under
surveillance, generally.
BC reported a fallen
tree near the football pitches, and suggested it should remain as a play
feature. Action: SC to examine.
2.6 Table Tennis Table: Scheduled for replacement and re-siting, (on
protective matting) nearer the area allocated for the exercise equipment, on 17
April.
3. Green Flag
SC outlined the
anticipated schedule of events leading up to, and on, the judging day.
4. Festival
·
Permission
to use park has been granted.
·
Temporary
events licence to be obtained (AS).
·
First
Aid cover, Scouts (catering, etc), Martin the Juggler, and Falconry, ice cream,
all arranged.
·
Another
hot food supplier to be sought (insisting on supplier having in place
appropriate insurance, H&S certificate, fire precautions, etc.) (AS)
·
Frankie
and Benny’s can hand out leaflets at the festival in return for a donation. (AS)
·
SC to approach NC to enquire whether Quadron might be
able to provide 2 men and a vehicle to help with general organisational
matters, and equipment movement on Festival day.
·
Football
tournament to be arranged – Action DB
– ideally eight teams (6-a-side) for lads of 11 years and under, preferably
from local schools, otherwise made up by invited teams. Dave Radcliffe assisted by A N Other to
referee. Trophy to be presented by
either of local councillors. (AS)
·
Arena
area to be marked for moveable posts and a rope barrier. (AS/KP/DF)
Approaches to be made
/ followed up:
·
Train
ride round park (KP)
·
Bouncy
castle – KP speak to Andy @ KH Park
(mention Fair running simultaneously)
·
Cheerleaders
(AS)
·
Brass
band – either Bournville Secondary School (AS), Raddlebarn School (AL), Cadbury’s (KP) or City of Birmingham (KP).
·
Ariel
Owners Motorcycle Collectors Club (KP)
·
Bloco
Louco (KP)
·
Climbing
Wall – Rangers – via Dean Paul (SC)
·
Drama
/ music activities for stage – ask Cherry Oak School (KP), and St Edwards School (AMM)
·
Vintage
SO (KP)
·
Beekeepers
(AS)
·
Fire
Brigade(AS)
·
QE
Hopsital (KP)
·
British
Military Fitness (AS)
·
Pawfect
Dogsense (KP)
5. Community Partnership
for Selly Oak
Following examination
and discussion of the various proposals on the table AMM agreed to draft a
submission on behalf of FoSOP, incorporating the following points (not
necessarily in the following order, and not exclusively):
·
Loss
of view of the University Clock-tower, a unique visual characteristic of the
Park.
·
Loss
of amenity (view) due to proposed 16 storey tower block, and consequent blight.
·
Without
a canal the walkway is not viable – and will be irrelevant to the park.
·
Green
walkway as proposed is likely to be abused with all manner of nefarious
activities.
·
Proposed
cycle roots across proposed development are contrary to the recent BCC Strategy
document – “Transforming Urban Movement through Cycling and Walking: Changing Gear”.
·
There
will be no real easing of traffic congestion in the area.
·
The
difficulty of pedestrian crossing at the Gibbins Road junction (and thus access
to the park) will be exacerbated if the green-walkway / canal channel is not
connected under Harborne Lane.
·
The
Gibbins Road junction will require pedestrian controlled traffic lights.
·
Partial
development of the triangle will be counter-productive – full implementation is
essential.
·
FoSOP
support an alternative proposal - having Sainsburys turned through 90 degrees
in keeping with the plan which was approved by the Council in 2007 – and as
recommended by the CP4SO plan, per www.cp4so.org.uk.
6. Any Other
Business
6.1 SC introduced posters and the concept of
“YellowDog”, which may be trialled in the park.
Date of Next Meeting
Next normal Committee
– Monday, 20 May, 6 pm, Ariel Scout Hut.
Festival planning (“pre-flight”)
meeting – Monday, 24 June, 2013, 6pm, Ariel Scout Hut.
20th May 2013 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 20 May 2013
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chair), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry and Ken
Pugh (Secretary).
Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Paul Lucas, John
Moody (Ariel Scouts) and Gerard Airey (Ariel Scouts)
Apologies: Simon
Cooper (BCC Parks), Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts) and Malcolm Smith.
1. Minute of the
Committee Meeting held on 16 April 2013 was approved.
2. Matters
arising:
2.1 Exercise Zone: Installation work to begin shortly –
anticipated completion in good time for Green Flag judging.
2.2 Bulbs: St
Mary’s School and Cherry Oak Special School will plant bluebell bulbs near the
Millennium Wood, with NC and KP, on the afternoon of Tuesday (21st
May) and Thursday (23rd May) respectively. If parental permission is granted,
photographs to be posted on website. (Action:
NC & KP)
2.3 Willow sculpture: Looking better - AS and KP had had a session tying-in
new shoots. Subsequent strong growth is
providing more scope for further remedial work in due course. Outstanding action: Emma Wolfe to be invited to advise on longer
term maintenance strategy. (Action:
KP)
2.4 Damage to trees: Having examined the damage, and especially
the height up the trees, NC believes it might be caused by fallow deer rubbing
their antlers to rid them of felt – a seasonal phenomenon most likely in late
Winter / early Spring. The intricate
network of inter-connected green corridors in the city is allowing the
migration of deer and other animals. In
view of this, we may have to include tree guards into the cost of future tree
planting – too expensive to do this retrospectively. Action: Keep under surveillance, generally.
Outstanding
action: SC to examine fallen tree near
the football pitches to decide whether it should remain as a play feature. (Action: SC)
2.5 Table Tennis Table: Has been repaired.
2.6 Geo-cache Project: Outstanding action: SC to locate new caches. (Action: SC)
3. Festival
About 15 stalls
reserved so far.
After all it will not
be possible to have the train ride and bouncy castle from Andy at Cannon Hill
Park this year.
Bournville School’s
brass quartet, brass ensemble and soul band have been booked.
Ariel Owners
Motorcycle Collectors Club have agreed to display a small number of machines.
Cheerleaders are to
support the football competition and have their own display spot.
Fliers are being
designed by Tiverton Road School.
Outstanding actions:
·
Temporary
events licence to be obtained (AS).
·
Another
hot food supplier to be sought (insisting on supplier having in place
appropriate insurance, H&S certificate, fire precautions, etc.) (AS)
·
SC to approach NC to enquire whether Quadron might be
able to provide 2 men and a vehicle to help with general organisational
matters, and equipment movement on Festival day.
·
Portaloo
to be arranged and deployed in same manner as last year. (AS)
·
Scouts
to oversee car parking and appropriate level of marshalling dependent upon
ground conditions on Festival day and the run up to it. (GA)
·
Football
tournament to be arranged and medals obtained – DB – ideally eight teams (6-a-side) for lads of 11 years and under,
preferably from local schools, otherwise made up by invited teams. [So far only 3 teams confirmed; others to be
found.] (DB). Dave Radcliffe assisted by A N Other to
referee. Trophy to be presented by
either of local councillors. (AS)
Trophy to be returned by current holders. (AS)
·
Arena
area to be marked for moveable posts and a rope barrier. (AS/KP/DF)
·
Bloco
Louco, if still available, to be booked for a morning slot. (KP)
·
Majorettes
to be booked (£100). (AS)
·
Gospel
Choir to be approached. (AS)
·
Drama
/ music activities for stage – ask Cherry Oak School (KP), and St Edwards School (AMM)
·
Vintage
SO to be offered a stall space, gazebo and insurance cover for a fundraising
activity (AS)
·
Beekeepers
(AS)
·
Fire
Brigade (AS)
·
QE
Hopsital (KP)
·
British
Military Fitness (AS)
·
Pawfect
Dogsense (KP)
4. Green Flag
Two judges have been
appointed but no date for judging set yet.
KP & SC to liaise re hosting arrangements on judging day. (Action: KP & SC)
5. Sainsbury’s / Community
Partnership for Selly Oak / Lapal Canal Trust
Objections and
comments have been formally submitted to the Planning Department by FoSOP.
LCT held a boaters
event (including a poster display, meeting and walk through the park) on 11 May
to highlight their, and the local, reaction to the Sainsbury proposals; approx
60 attending.
The cp4so website (www.cp4so.org.uk) continues to receive many
hits.
Original timetable
indicates decision on the planning application should be announced by the end
of May; but expected that there may be delays in firm decisions.
6. Any Other
Business
6.1 By
email post-meeting, AS drew attention to a planning application (No 2013/02318/PA –
http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/ApplicationSearch.aspx)
for an
outbuilding which will overlook the park at the student accommodation at 187
Harborne Lane (formerly the nursing home).
FoSOP and cp4so have both sent in
objections. Individual objections are
invited.
Date of Next Meeting
Festival “pre-flight”
meeting – Monday, 24 June, 6 pm, Ariel Scout Hut (subsequently held but not minuted).
21st and 23rd May 2013 - Bulb Planting
http://prolandscapermagazine.com/quadron-helped-plant-1000-bluebells-in-selly-oak-park-birmingham/
29th June 2013 - Selly Oak Festival
21st and 23rd May 2013 - Bulb Planting
http://prolandscapermagazine.com/quadron-helped-plant-1000-bluebells-in-selly-oak-park-birmingham/
29th June 2013 - Selly Oak Festival
Above: The "flier" designed by the children at Tiverton Academy.
Below: A selection of images of the day.
29th July 2013 - Announcement of the Green Flag Award
http://greenflag.keepbritaintidy.org/park-summary/?ParkID=2074
30th July 2013 - Birmingham Mail
Selly Oak Park is one of the best in the UK
Gibbins Road site awarded Green Flag status by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/selly-oak-park-one-best-5384447
also
http://birminghamnewsroom.com/2013/07/selly-oak-park-is-one-of-the-best-in-the-country/
15th September 2013 - Raising the Green Flag
Preparing to raise the Green Flag
.jpg)
Cllr Karen McCarthy raising the Green Flag
.jpg)
15th September 2013 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 15 September 2013
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chair), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry and Ken
Pugh (Secretary).
Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Derek Foley
(Quadron), and Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts)
Apologies: Steve
Carter, Simon Cooper (BCC Parks), Paul Lucas and Tracey Hewitt.
1. Minute of the
Committee Meeting held on 20 May 2013 was approved.
2. Matters
arising:
2.1 Exercise Zone: No news regarding installation – ask Simon
Cooper (Action: KP).
2.2 Tree Damage: AS explained recent activity by AS & KP in
painting affected trees with a deer deterrent (clove and almond oil spray, followed
by dusting with pepper and flowers of sulphur). No particular evidence that
treatment has been effective. In any
case, would require repeated applications.
Alternatives discussed: i) Lion dung (“Roar”) – investigate availability
from the Nature Centre, cost and transport implications (Action: AS & KP); ii)
Tree guards – recognised as most effective option, but costly (ca £30 per unit)
and potentially unsightly and park-appearance changing, especially if many
guards are used. NC volunteered to get
quotes from various sources with a view to the Friends applying for grants, e.g.
from the B&BC NIA. (Action: NC)
2.3 Willow sculpture: Masses of new growth – to be woven in when
the leaves have been shed. (Action:
All)
3. Festival
·
Agreed
best Festival to date, and to be repeated in 2014 – decide date at next
Committee meeting.
·
Thanks
to everyone involved.
·
Work
on the day by the committee much eased by asking stallholders to supply and
erect their own gazebos, tables, etc.
·
Very
successful without the Fair; though two questions emerging: i) has the rent
money promised by Robert Wilkinson been received and allocated to the Friends?
(Action:
AS to investigate); ii) how will we fund future events? (Action: Agenda item for next meeting – to address
the whole issue of fund raising by all means for all FoSOP purposes, especially
now that we have Green Flag status).
·
Entertainments
reviewed – special appreciation of Martin the Juggler, Falconry and the Ariel
Motorcycle Collectors Club.
·
Scouts
would benefit in future by the park gate being unlocked and opened very early
in the morning (so that they can set up catering for early-arriving
stallholders). Scouts input much
appreciated. Very positive comments
about the politeness of their young people who helped.
4. Green Flag
·
Delight
at having been awarded Green Flag status.
Flag to be raised later in afternoon after the AGM.
·
Thanks
expressed to Nicola Clarke and Simon Cooper (and all their support staff) for
compiling the paperwork, preparing the park for judging, and making all the
necessary arrangements.
·
NC
voiced her thanks for the support received from the Friends on a gruelling
judging day, especially to AS who had fielded very astutely some very
challenging questions.
·
NC
reported the feedback from the judges, noting that the criteria for the award
had only just been achieved and that there were several areas where ongoing
work would be required from all - the City, Quadron and the Friends.
·
Likely
that the judging next year will take the form of an unannounced “shopping”
visit.
·
Major
item for the Friends to consider – what
do they recommend for the central area of the park? – the area highlighted
by the judges as needing urgent attention.
Issue to be considered as a separate item at the next committee
meeting (Action: All).
5. Consultation
on proposed Dog Regulations
Item to be carried
forward to AGM.
6. Sainsbury’s / Community Partnership for Selly Oak / Lapal Canal Trust
6. Sainsbury’s / Community Partnership for Selly Oak / Lapal Canal Trust
AS advised that the
outline planning application had been unanimously deferred by the City’s
Planning Committee as “not good enough for Birmingham”, with more attention
needed to the objections presented at the Committee meeting from members of
CP4SO and the Lapal Trust. See www.cp4so.org.uk for more.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 Birmingham Trees for Life had been expecting to support the park with another donation of trees this autumn. Their funds for the current year have been restricted, so that they can no longer support us this year. They have intimated priority support for us when the next round of funding is released.
7.2 The Millennium Wood needs thinning. Action: NC to speak to SC.
8. Dates of Meetings 2013/14
All Mondays at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road:
18th November 2013
20th January 2014
17th March 2014
21st April 2014 - Festival planning
19th May 2014
16th or 23rd June 2014 - Festival planning
and
Sunday 21st September 2014 – Committee at 2.00 pm, followed by AGM at 3 pm.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 Birmingham Trees for Life had been expecting to support the park with another donation of trees this autumn. Their funds for the current year have been restricted, so that they can no longer support us this year. They have intimated priority support for us when the next round of funding is released.
7.2 The Millennium Wood needs thinning. Action: NC to speak to SC.
8. Dates of Meetings 2013/14
All Mondays at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road:
18th November 2013
20th January 2014
17th March 2014
21st April 2014 - Festival planning
19th May 2014
16th or 23rd June 2014 - Festival planning
and
Sunday 21st September 2014 – Committee at 2.00 pm, followed by AGM at 3 pm.
15th September 2013 - The
Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute
of the Annual General Meeting
Held on
15th September 2013.
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman), Ann-Marie
McCarthy (Vice-Chair), Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry and Ken Pugh
(Secretary).
Nicola Clarke (Quadron),
Derek Foley (Quadron), Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts) and Cllr Karen McCarthy.
W. Critchlow, M.
Decker, M. Evans, C. Hitchman, J.D. Holt, D. Langley, G. Malone, J. Moody, M.
Parker, S. Parker, J. Skinner, and S. Stafford.
Apologies: Steve Carter, Simon Cooper (BCC Parks), Tracey
Hewitt, Cllr. Brigid Jones, Paul Lucas, and Cllr Dave Radcliffe.
The
Chairman thanked everyone for their presence and support of the Friends.
1. The Minute of the AGM held on 16th September
2012
was approved.
2. There were no Matters Arising.
3. Annual Report from the Chairman
Friends
of Selly Oak Park
Annual
General Meeting 2013
Chairman’s
Report
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. Well I’m not sure if
the last year was so busy, but it’s certainly been very eventful.
In
December 2012 we hosted Carols in the Park. This event was co-organised with
the Scouts and three local Churches. Around 150 people joined us to sing
traditional carols around an illuminated tree. The event was very successfully
and we plan to repeat it again in 2013**.
June
2013 saw two events. First we had our Green Flag inspection. This took about 6
hours with Simon Cooper and Nicola Clarke here throughout assisted by myself, Dave Barker , Anne-Marie McCarthy, Adrian Langley
from the Scouts and an unknown “gentleman of the road” who came in to enjoy a
free lunch. The day was quite gruelling but ultimately rewarding in that we
were awarded Green Flag status. More about that later.
Later
that month we once again hosted the Selly Oak Festival. This event has now
grown tremendously and this year we had a record number of visitors. For
entertainment we added the Bournville School Brass Ensemble, Majorettes and the
Ariel Motorcycle Owners Club to our regular entertainers. This year there was
no fun fair, Robert Wilkinson having decided not to bring the large rides onto
the park at the last minute. He did however provide the Festival Stage and a
few small rides. He also agreed to pay the rent that would have been due to
Birmingham City Council for our benefit although we are still verifying that
this has happened. Regardless we will not be out of pocket due to other monies
raised and a buffer we have from previous years. On the whole the event felt
better without the fair. Ironically during the Green Flag inspection we were
asked what we would do if the fun fair failed to show up for a festival week.
Now at least we know that we can still draw a good crowd and have a great time.
It does however leave us with the challenge of how we fund future festivals.
The
year has also been marked by the return of deer to the park; the area was part
of a deer park in medieval times. Our deer are probably Muntjac, which are
quite small as deer go. Unfortunately deer rub their antlers on trees and they
have caused considerable damage to many trees in the park. If you see pairs of
short scratches on the bark of a tree this is probably deer damage. However,
either we have some larger deer or vandals have been joining in and also
damaging trees. This is possible as vandals tend to copy other vandals but may
think the antler marks are cut marks. We’ve also had more damage to nature
trail signs and the traditional wooden bench near the centre of the park has
been destroyed.
This
year we also joined with other local groups and residents associations to form
the Community Partnership for Selly Oak. The partnership seeks to protect Selly
Oak from unsympathetic development and to promote regeneration in the ward.
Most notably in relation to the park the Partnership has been lobbying for the
restoration of the Lapal Canal across the Battery Site so that it can then be
carried on into the park improving on the current ditch and adding recreational
benefits to the park.
I’d
like to thank the following people for their support over the last year: Simon
Cooper of Birmingham City Council, Nicola Clarke and Derek Foley of Quadron,
Cllr Karen McCarthy and finally Cllr
Dave Radcliffe , and PCSO Barrington
who all helped at the Festival football. Finally we’d like to thank Adrian
Langley who has been attending our meetings on behalf of the Scouts for many
years but we understand is now standing down.
Andrew
Schofield
15
September 2013
** Date announced as 7 December 2013
4. Treasurer’s Report
The report for the
period 18 August 2012 to 1st September 2013 showed a balance brought
forward of £1,283.41, and after all Festival and other activities, a balance of
£1,813.76 to carry forward.
The Treasurer drew attention
to the need to raise additional funds if we are to underwrite the Festival next
year. Seeking sponsorship, crowd funding,
and the inclusion of a dog competition in the Festival, were suggested from the
floor. It was agreed that fundraising be
explored more fully at the next committee meeting.
5. Election of Committee and Officers
With no new
nominations or volunteers, the committee and officers were re-elected en bloc:
Chair –
Andrew Schofield
Vice-Chair –
Ann-Marie McCarthy
Treasurer – Dave
Barker
Secretary – Ken
Pugh
Committee
members – Steve Carter, Bob Curry, Paul Lucas, and
Malcolm Smith.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 Damage to trees in
the Park Attention was drawn to the damage to many
trees in the park. This was ascribed to
deer and dogs. Whilst damage by dogs has
been witnessed (and is controllable more easily – see below), the deer damage
is a more major issue, with no easy solution.
A liquid deer deterrent has been used, but there is little confidence in
its efficacy. The only successful
solution is the use of tree guards which are expensive and potentially
unsightly if used widely across the park.
After lengthy discussion it was resolved that for any new tree planting
tree guards must be put in place as part of the planting package; and for
existing trees the most vulnerable ones (as assessed from the tree survey of
the park and by the tree officers) should be protected by tree guards as and
when resources allow.
6.2 Proposed Dog
Regulations Attention was drawn to
the closing date (20 September) for the consultation on the proposed
regulations. It was proposed from the
floor that a fenced enclosure be built in the park in which dogs could be
allowed to run off the lead. It was
advised that the suggestion should be included in a consultation response from
the dog-walkers.
6.3 Willow
sculpture Attention was drawn to
the luxurious growth of new willow on Cyril the Squirrel, and permission
sought, and granted to volunteers, to weave and tie in the new willows so strengthening
the structure. It was pointed out that
this may best be done once the leaves have fallen and the existing structure
could more easily be seen.
6.4 List of
volunteers It was suggested that a
list of volunteers (who could not otherwise commit to committee work) be
compiled. A form was made available at
the meeting and attendees invited to show their interest for preferred tasks –
to be added to the existing list held by the Chairman.
6.5 The Lodge Attention was drawn to the dilapidated appearance
of the Lodge and the remedial maintenance work required. This need had also been highlighted by the
Green Flag judges. It was stated that
the Lodge had been removed from the Parks Department’s remit, and now fell
within the City’s housing stock, and the matter should therefore be referred to
the Housing Department for remedy.
------------------------------
There being no
further business, the Chairman
·
proposed
the raising of the Green Flag,
·
thanked
all involved in the Parks Department, Quadron and the Friends for their
preparation for the award,
·
invited
all to gather at the flag pole,
·
invited
Cllr Karen McCarthy to hoist the flag, which was done to acclaim; and then
·
invited
everyone to return to the Scout Hut for refreshments.
18th November 2013 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 18 November 2013
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak.
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Gerard Airey (Ariel Scouts), Nicola Clarke (Quadron),
Simon Cooper (BCC Parks), and John Moody (Ariel Scouts).
Jez Lee (Fake
Festivals - jez@fakefestivals.co.uk),
Sabra Khan (Art Soak- artsforumsellyoak@gmail.com)
and Lee Storey (Fake Festivals).
Apologies: Ann-Marie McCarthy.
The Chairman welcomed
everyone to the meeting.
1
Art Soak
Sabra Khan explained
Art Soak’s proposals for their Festival in March 2014, and sought and was given
approval to bring “Circus Mash” into the Park to set up a Circus Tree upon
which supervised aerial activities would take place. We offered advertising on our website,
street-side poster display boards, and the park noticeboards; and agreed to
investigate the possibility of a schools leaflet drop. Circus Mash were identified as possible
entertainers at our own Festival.
Sabra also notified
the meeting of Art Soak’s plans to organise an accompanied local history walk
ending in the Park near the old canal bridge where local artist Tom Cahill
Jones would display his work. These
plans were enthusiastically received too.
2
Fake Festival
Jez Lee explained Fake
Festivals’ proposals for holding a Festival in the Park on Saturday, 9th
August 2014 and answered members queries regarding siting, ground conditions,
crowd control, security, policing, neighbourhood friendliness, nuisance
minimisation, insurance, licensing, car parking, promotion, etc. Reassured by answers (and references from
some of the 90 events held by FF nationwide to date), members indicated their
support for any formal application FF might make to BCC for an event in the
Park (noting that this would be FF’s first entry to Birmingham Parks).
(Here Jez Lee, Sabra Khan and Lee Storey left the
meeting)
3
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 15
September 2013
was approved.
4 Matters
arising:
4.1 Willow
sculpture: Is ready for new growth to
be tied in. Scouts offered to help. SC notified that Dean Paul has been assigned
to assist. AS to enquire whether St.
Mary’s School want to assist after Christmas. (Action: AS)
4.2
Millennium Wood:
Scouts willing to help the Friends with thinning and otherwise managing
the Wood with the help of tree surgeon experience available to them. (Action
GA, AS & SC)
4.3
Tree Damage: No
new evidence of tree damage has been observed / reported.
4.4
Exercise Zone: SC
explained that an installation contract has been let, with work starting
imminently, and completion hopefully before Christmas. The Table Tennis table to be relocated nearer
the play and exercise equipment whilst the contractor is on site. The log at the top of the drive also to be
re-located (in preparation for development of this latter area –see below).
5 Carols in the
Park
Event to take place
at 5pm on Saturday, 7 December. Lights
to be fixed at 1 pm. Gazebo for the
musicians to be erected at 4pm. Battery
powered camp lights to be provided for musicians by Scouts. Glo-Sticks will be provided by Vineyard
Church. Programme of carols, prayers, etc,
to be arranged by local ministers.
Programme printing to be done by CLC.
Scouts to serve refreshments in Scout Hut after the carols – perhaps on
a profit sharing basis with the Friends.
Scouts and Friends will assist with leaflet drops.
AS was requested to
send event details to Friends of Cotteridge and Muntz Parks. (Action:
AS)
6 Development
of Central Area of the Park
Arising from comments
from the judges for the Green Flag award, SC requested ideas from the Friends
about how the central area of the park (at the top of the Lodge Drive) might be
improved. Suggestions emerging:
·
Clear
the area and resurface as appropriate – an essential for any of the following:
·
A
sculpture and planting.
·
Benches
round perimeter – central lighting column (6 arms as a tree) (a future focus
for the Carols event?).
·
A
water feature.
·
A
“Narnia” scene on a circular plot.
·
A
local history theme, e.g. lock gates or a canal workboat (modified as a play
item).
·
A
refreshment facility / summertime coffee patio.
AS to liaise with
Sabra Khan and Graham Jones regarding designs for a light arbour or other
feature. (Action: AS & SC)
6
Fundraising
SC had received confirmation
that £1,200 rent income from 4 days Fair attendance in 2013 had been allocated
to the Friends. c£900 had already been
received; £300 needed to be claimed by the submission of appropriate
invoices. There remained the issue of
£600 from the previous year to be clarified.
Decided that:
·
In
future the Fair should be held as a separate (though loosely linked) event to
the Festival and that AS should discuss with Robert Wilkinson. (Action: AS)
·
AS,
with DB, KP and SC, to seek a meeting with Robin Bryan to clarify the future funding
arrangements of the Friends group in the light of various Park uses. (Action: AS, SC)
7 Festival 2014
To be held on Saturday 28 June 2014.
Full Fair not to be
used; but hope Robert Wilkinson will bring small rides and Festival Stage.
Football competition
to be held.
Entertainments to be
booked again – Martin the Juggler, Ariel Motorcycles, Cheerleaders, Falconry. (Not Bloco Louco or Majorettes this year) (Action: KP)
Dog Show to be
arranged. (Action: KP)
Circus Mash to be
invited? (Consider on basis of
reactions after Art Soak event)
Ask for the use of
parking cones along Gibbins Road, Frederick Road, Fladbury Crescent, etc.
8
Committee
Membership
Steve Carter has
withdrawn from committee membership because of pressure of work; though has
asked to remain on FoSOP circulation lists.
Steve was thanked for his participation.
New members required
– invitations to be issued via personal contacts, website, VSO, etc. (Action: All)
9
Sainsbury’s / Community Partnership for
Selly Oak / Lapal Canal Trust
AS gave an
update. BCC have granted outline
planning permission for a development which includes an allocation by Harvest
of £700,000 towards the provision of a watered canal through the site in
anticipation of the Lapal Trust raising approx £1m to complete that aspect of
the project. Further meetings between
Harvest and representatives of the local community are planned.
10 Any Other Business
10.1 New lamp
posts have been fitted in the Park (to the Friends great pleasure and
thanks, but surprise that this had not been notified by the Lighting Dept.) Can the old lamp standards be retained by the
Friends for decorative purposes elsewhere in the Park? SC to enquire. (Action: SC)
11 Date of Next
Meeting
Monday,
20th January 2014, at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout
Hut, Gibbins Road.
7th December 2013 - Carols in the Park
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