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Hi all

A couple of documents below for Tuesdays AGM.

The zoom link and agenda is below:

AGM - Tuesday 12th January 2021 - 7pm

Join us for our AGM - hear what happened in the Wood in 2020 and help plan what will happen in 2021.

We should have a representative from Barnet Council to brief us on the latest with the kiosk and tennis courts. We will also update people on works going ahead using the Community Infrastructure Grant money that we were awarded during the year.

The link you need is:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99200095382?pwd=RTdtQjhOTmRhYXdEY3VOdzFjanJGUT09

Meeting ID: 992 0009 5382
Passcode: 3M5UQX

Agenda

Apologies for absence
Minutes of last AGM
Matters arising
Chairs report on activities in 2020
Secretaries Report
Treasurers report and agree accounts;
Officers nominations:
1. Chair
2. Vice Chair
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Other Executive Committee members – up to 4 members
What next – Activities in 2021 – including a contribution from a Barnet Council representative
Dates of general meetings for 2021:

1. Tuesday 16^th March 7pm
2. Tuesday 15^th June 7pm
3. Tuesday 5^th October 7pm
4. Tuesday 11^th January 2021 7pm

We look forward to seeing you on the 12th.

Friends of Cherry Tree Wood                                                          Registered Charity No. 1060923

MINUTES – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 14^th January 2020, Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery, Park House, High Rd., East Finchley. N2

Present           Chairman – Roger Chapman, Treasurer - Nigel Linton, Secretary - Debbie Linton
John Attree, Jane Howard, Mary Poulter, Donald Lyven, Jake Eiseman-Renyard, Shira Avrahami, Ruth Brown, John Smedley, Janet Francis, Peter Hale, Harriet Copperman, Pauline Crilly and David Attfield.
Apologies     Andras Szabo, Kate Brown, Jeffrey Poulter, Cllr Alison Moore, Ian Cormack, Martin Thompson
                      (Barnet Green Spaces) and Diane Johnson.
---------------------------------------

Introduction and welcome

The meeting was opened with a welcome and introductions.

Election of officers

Roger Chapman was agreed to continue as Chairman, Nigel Linton as Treasurer and Debbie Linton as Secretary. Andras Szabo was proposed as the new Vice Chairman and this was agreed. No new committee members, however, several informal offers to help.

Treasurers Report: Finances in 2018/19

The accounts had been filed for the financial year ending March 31^st 2019. Currently there is roughly just under £4,000 in the Friends account. Approximately half is from historical fundraising, however, a grant of £1,750 was received from the Greenspace Community Empowerment and Co-Management Project in February. It was agreed that Friends of Cherry Wood membership should remain at zero charge. Funding would be raised as required via, for example, grants and crowdfunding initiatives.

Volunteers needed to attend the forthcoming Greenspace Community Empowerment meeting in February 2020, details soon

Chairs Report: Activities in 2019

Roger provided a brief outline of activities throughout 2019. The Friends had held a successful stall at the East Finchley Festival. A good relationship had begun with Barnet Green Spaces Dept., with monthly meetings in the wood. Litter picks were now on a monthly cycle, with increasing interest from the community. The History Walk in October was enjoyed by over twenty people (despite the heavy rain), as was the Bird and Bat Box making day in September. Other items not included in the original Activity Plan had also been undertaken, for example, the survey canvassing local views on priorities for the wood (270+ respondents).

Proposed Activity Programme 2020

Copies of the new draft Activity Plan 2020 were circulated (Appendix 1). This was discussed in detail for the remainder of the meeting.

Area Committee Bid
A draft Area Committee bid had been completed, final copy to be submitted to the Council in March/April 2020. The bid includes an application for funds towards; new bins, improving raised flower beds by the kiosk, repairing the noticeboard, nature trail for under 10s, improved drainage, a drinking fountain, willow planting and a community orchard. It was noted that in recent years the Council had shown some reluctance regarding drinking fountains. However, there are examples of other local parks and the idea was very much supported.

Roger to circulate Area Bid to core group ahead of submitting to the Council

Pavilion Site
The power supply to the building has been cut. Proposed demolition works due to take place before the end of March 2020. It will not be possible to make use of the concrete base due to issues with tree roots. The site is to be cleared and left as glade. Specialist contractors to remove the asbestos first. Lorry manoeuvres will be via the Summerlee Avenue entrance throughout. It is hoped to negotiate that contractors make good any damaged paths, and deal with the drainage problem at Summerlee entrance to the wood. Concern was raised about the removal of a large Ash tree, could a second opinion could be sought? Concerns were also raised as to whether the area would be fenced off afterwards, to allow the area to rejuvenate. It was agreed this should be done, perhaps using wood from the Hornbeam that recently fell opposite.

Roger to let people know when a date is fixed for demolition.

Winter Works, Litter Picks and East Finchley Festival
A schedule of works has been submitted to the Council which has been raised with Operations. This mainly involves defining the edges of paths. Operations currently slow to respond, however, the plan was to pursue this and liaise Ward Councillors. The Friends do not presently have the tools to carry out this type of work. It was also queried whether such basic maintenance work should be taken on? Regarding litter-picks, these are now monthly. The most recent one on January 12^th had about twenty enthusiastic volunteers. In the summer months they will be scheduled later in the afternoon. Regarding the stall at the East Finchley Festival, this had been a good opportunity to touch base with the community. Volunteers needed in 2020 (21^st June).

Debbie to book stall for East Finchley Festival 2020

Bird/Bat Boxes, Guided Walks, Bug, Bird and Mammal Surveys, and Botanical Survey
The bird boxes have been mounted with plans for a similar event this year (and to purchase a bat monitor). More Guided Walks are also planned, dates forthcoming. The Friends are still seeking input from local experts on bugs, birds and mammals. Roger updated about meeting local expert and botanist David Bevan (former Haringey Nature Conservation Officer). Jan Hewlett had produced the 1997 Ecology Report on Chery Tree Wood. It was agreed David Bevan should carry out a full updated botanical survey on the wood, to then be incorporated into a scientific Management Plan. To be implemented with the help of perhaps David Bevan, Jan Hewlett and other local experts (e.g. Highgate Wood Rangers). It was suggested that an artistic element should also be incorporated into the report (as found in Highgate Wood).

Adopt flower beds/maintain Community Orchard
Roger updated that the five fruit trees have arrived (three apple, one plumcot and one pear) courtesy of the London Orchard Project (workshop attended November 2019). Supports/cages need to be ordered, however, the plan is to plant these as soon as possible. A bid to adopt an area by the tennis courts has been submitted to the Council, and a response awaited. It was thought it would also be good to encourage more flowers and thus more pollinating insects near the site (including bees). Plans include adopting the raised flower beds by the kiosk. A community event to plant and maintain the orchard was welcomed. A plaque for the recently rediscovered 1953 Coronation Oak Tree near the kiosk was also supported. In that part of the wood concern was raised about the state of the hedges near where there had previously been a putting green. Concern was also raised about the damaged hedge alongside the Fordington Road exit.

Roger to publicise forthcoming Orchard event and purchase materials
Roger to investigate plaque for Coronation Oak
Roger to investigate improvements to above hedges

Establishing Links, Deep Cleanse, Membership and Management Plan
Good links had been made. The Friends had been instrumental in setting up and establishing a Barnet Friends of Green Spaces Network. London Green Spaces Network meetings had been attended, and many other local groups had also been liaised with. This included; Good Gym, Long Lane Pasture, Highgate Wood Rangers, TCV and the Fordington Road Residents Association. The idea of a ‘deep cleanse’ of the wood was supported. However, it was queried whether the Council have a Service Level Agreement, and if so what it entails? It was felt that graffiti spates had been dealt with swiftly by the Council. Small persistent areas of graffiti could be dealt with by the Friends? Regarding membership, this stands at approximately 160, with the aim for this to grow. Good progress had been made on promoting the charity via the Archer Newspaper and social media. There had also been regular newsletters to members. The new patron Michelle Collins was greatly welcomed. Regarding future Strategic Planning Work and a Management Plan, it was updated that this will need to be prepared in consultation with Barnet Council. Roger also outlined a planned archeological survey along the Brompton Grove boundary, with theories around the very early history of the wood.

Roger to investigate with Council any Service Level Agreement
Roger to circulate survey results from Fordington Road Residents Association

Tennis Courts, Toilet Block, Café, Playground Refurbishment and Parks Locking
The above are long term plans. Contact had been made with a local resident interested in the refurbishment of the tennis courts. There had also been discussions with the Council about refurbishing the basketball courts. Roger updated that Pepe no longer has the lease to the kiosk and the Council will be putting this out to tender shortly. The hope is to have it up and running this Spring. There have been discussions with the Council regarding introducing a new modular café with integral toilets (similar to Victoria Park). It may be possible to do this via the Council at a cost of £150,000 approx, however, it may require a local fundraising initiative. It was suggested that the area fenced around the back of the kiosk could hold a storage lock-up for Friends of Cherry Tree Wood equipment. The Friends have also been liaising with the Council about using the hut by the tennis courts for storage. Finally regarding the cessation of the locking of parks across Barnet, a successful petition was raised by the Friends to increase awareness (early in 2019). Plans to stop locking Cherry Tree Wood at night were subsequently delayed. They will be considered again by the Council when Phase Three is entered. No consultation on this phase has yet started.

Any other business

The Council has agreed Monkey Puzzle Nursery can run a small forest school in the wood. This was welcomed. Concerns were raised about the playground being relocated, perhaps to near the tennis court area. It was reassured that this was very much a long term idea with no tangible plans at present. A small Wendy house was also suggested for empty area on the playground. It was queried whether there were still any plans for a new improved path beside the playground? It was updated that the Council have been considering this idea. It was felt best suited to some sort of bonded gravel material (similar to the Barnwood project). It was also suggested the Friends should consider how to best deal with the boggy areas, whether these could be drained and incorporated into the Activity Plan? An outdoor gym was again suggested, perhaps near the picnic area beside the kiosk?

Committee Members: Not formally at this stage. People who were interested offered to help informally on agreed areas mentioned above.

Conclusion and proposed next meeting: Dates to be confirmed. Again three full meetings proposed per year; end of May (ahead of EF Festival), in the Autumn and the January AGM meeting. Smaller meetings to be held as required during the year. Chairman concluded the meeting thanking everyone for attending and thanking Monkey Puzzle for the venue.

Friends of Cherry Tree Wood – 2020 Activity Programme

Activity	Timescale	Comments	FoCTW Lead/Team	Notes
Some immediate priorities
Prepare Area Neighbourhood Committee Bid for Bins, benches, flower beds and access path monies	Spring/Summer 2020	Link with local councillor required. Existing condition survey undertaken. Develop bid with LBB staff for costings etc. Need to consider if additional bins and benches are required.	Roger	Draft Bid completed and with Barnet Council for costings. Will be submitted for March/April Committee. Survey completed and will inform bid now likely to include: Water fountain; bins, willow planting and possible community orchard
Pavilion site – consider options	Power supply to Pavilion cut in January 2020. Proposed demolition works – involving lorry manoeuvres through Wood to Summerlee exit still due to take place before end March 2020	Barnet will clear site and leave as glade. No rebuilding etc proposed due to tree root issues in this part of the site.	Roger/Deborah	Updates being sought from Barnet Council at regular monthly meetings.
Winter Works	Jan/Feb 2020	Plan and photographs indicating extent of works to edge paths and clear immediate undergrowth off them has been submitted to Barnet. Pressing for this work to be undertaken in January 2020	Roger	Potential future ongoing maintenance job that Friends could undertake if tools and storage facility for them are available.
Practical
Litter picks - monthly	Ongoing -These are now established on a monthly basis on the second Sunday of each month. The Winter rota dates are shown in the last column. We will continue on the same cycle for the rest of the year but the start time is likely to change.	(additional litter pick post East Finchley Community festival on 21^st June 2020)	Deborah Linton/ Andras	We are now moving to a monthly litter pick for the winter. Winter rota on Sundays starting at 2pm unless stated. i. 26th October (10 -noon) ii. 10th November iii. 8th December iv. 12th January 2020 v. 9th February 2020 vi. 8th March 2020 Potential to combine these if sufficient numbers of people attend with some more extensive maintenance work.
Stall at East Finchley Community Festival	Sunday 21st June 2020	Will need volunteers to set up, staff and take down stall.	Debbie/Andras	Successful stall held in 2019 with over 45 new supporters and questionnaire and over £100 raised mainly through donations from hook a duck
Bird and Bat box making day (s)	Possible repeat in 2020 – no date yet set. Aim to make boxes that people can take away and place in their own garden.	Aim for approx. 8 bird boxes and 2 bat boxes	Roger Chapman	Purchase of bat monitor being undertaken along with children’s hammers and various materials required; Installation of wildlife web cams in future to be debated.
Guided walks on history and ecology of wood	Possible repeat in 2020 – no dates set yet.	Approx. one-hour duration. Covering the development and history of the wood;	Roger Chapman	20 attended walk in poor weather on 26^th October.
Bug, bird and mammal surveys	ongoing	Will require volunteers to undertake and some knowledge specialism.	Any takers?	Still seeking volunteers to undertake these.
Botanical Survey	April-June 2020	Quote of £600 from David Bevan submitted to undertake work including recommendations for future management of the Wood.	Roger
Adopt some flower beds in park and maintain/ Community Orchard	Spring 2020	Use LB Barnet Adopt a Place scheme. Will require volunteers to undertake this specific task	Roger/Kate Brown/Mary	5 Fruit trees delivered and need to be planted. Suggested date is the morning of Sunday 9^th February. Order for supports and caging required. Type of approach for design of rest of area requires thought e.g. Hedging, wildlife garden approach or municipal flower beds. Bid for area by tennis courts has been made. Awaiting Barnet response.
Establish contact and Develop Links with other organisations	Continuous	Initial thoughts include: London Wildlife Trust, Friends of Coldfall Wood Highgate Wood; London Friends of Green Spaces Network; Other Barnet friends Groups Long Lane Pasture, The Conservation Volunteers, The Harrington Scheme, Friends of Childs Hill Park.	Roger/Deborah	Links made with Fordington Road residents Association, LWT, other Friends Groups – FoCTW instrumental in setting up and establishing a Barnet Friends of green spaces network which had met twice and holds its third meeting in January 2020
Deep cleanse/maintenance work – repainting gates.	Ongoing but initially done in tandem with litter picking	Additional to Litter picking this is small scale project work on targeted areas of the wood	Roger/Deborah Seek arrangement with Goodgym	Initial projects: Entrance blitzes – clearing bramble, refurbishing and repainting gates, defining edges, cleaning signage, removing, plastic ties etc. Tool list in preparation – to be brought by Barnet but paid for by the Friends and stored in Tennis Court hut to give us a base.
Children’s benches	Complete by summer 2020	During a recent litter pick two good quality, but with rotten wood slats, children’s benches were discovered thrown over the fence from Brompton Grove. These are being refurbished with the intention (if health and safety concerns are met) to place them in the playground. If not, we will sell at next years festival to help the Friends funds.	Roger
Noticeboard	Ongoing	FoCTW now have the key to the noticeboard and look after its contents. The current problem is that although we cleaned it up and removed a lot of rubbish from it the plastic covering is still hard to see through. New Perspex cover to be purchased and installed. New Noticeboard to be purchased as part of Area Committee bid.		Discussing with Barnet a solution (replacement) clear cover for the noticeboard.
Graffiti	Ongoing	Reporting recent graffiti attacks to the parks@barnet.gov.uk email and copying in Martin Thompson has led to a clean up response within 24-36 hours which is very good.		Martin Thompson is to explore the health and safety implications of proving the Friends with graffiti cleaning chemical for small scale issues which we could quickly do ourselves.
Building Membership
Irregular email newsletter	Summer and Winter – Currently ad hoc and more frequent using mailchimp.	Promote through email list, Archer, Facebook page and other social media outlets.	Deborah/Roger	Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram accounts established. Regular material provided to the Archer on our activities.
Build Friends email contact list	Ongoing	Agree no membership fee for foreseeable future – Secure funding for time being via grants and crowdfunding as necessary.	Deborah/Roger	Approx. 160 on current list. Newsletter also distributed through social media.
Strategic and Planning work
Cherry Tree Wood Management Plan	Winter 2020 – first draft but ongoing	To be prepared in consultation with Barnet Council to underpin future work in the Wood. Will draw on botanical study by David Bevan plus geological and archaeological work that will take place ove rhte next few years.	Roger	Seek ideas for Management Plan from Friends supporters’, East Finchley residents, Local schools and general public via social media. Exploring links with London Wildlife Trust; Corporation of London (Highgate Wood); Friends of Coldfall Wood – other nature conservation groups -approaches to Archer Academy, Treehouse School, Martin Primary, Holy Trinity, Highgate Primary etc.
Tennis Courts, toilet block, café future plans	Winter 2020	Incorporate into CTW Management Plan	Roger	FoCTW approached by local resident who is keen to work on this project. One meeting held.
Playground refurbishment proposals	Winter 2020	Condition survey on existing equipment	Roger	Is the current location appropriate?
Parks Locking	Barnet Council Environment Committee: March 2020	The Committee decided to phase implementation of this scheme following consultation on a park by park basis. Cherry Tree Woods is in Phase 3. No consultation has yet been started on this phase.	Roger	Forward plan for committee indicates consultation to start on phase 2 of parks locking.

Other ideas: Other ideas are always welcome:Some thoughts:
Other Activity days e.g. Christmas/other celebration decoration making from natural materials found in the wood; Build links with Race to Neighbours group;

Copyright © Friends of Cherry Tree Wood All rights reserved. 2021

Our mailing address is:
friendsofcherrytreewood@gmail.com

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Friends of Cherry Tree Wood · 50 Summerlee Avenue · East Finchley, London N2 9QP · United Kingdom