Our Chairman has produced his Report on the activities of the Friends in the past year.
You will be pleased to hear that he has confined himself to 2 sides of paper (with big print!) so if you want to be reminded of what we have achieved, and what we hope to achieve in the next year, Read On……..
Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field Chairman’s Annual Report May 2023
Successes
- Partnerships are strong especially with the Gregson, local community, politicians and Lancaster City Council
- A new access path from Kentmere Road was opened by Caroline Jackson
- 3 wild flower ‘meadows’ are now planted- approx. 8000 plants, many grown from seed by our members Richard and Catherine – an astonishing effort.
- New fruit trees have been planted, with a member again taking the lead.
- Kings Award for volunteers – good progress has been made on our application.
- Jean Argles wood – 750 native trees planted and doing well following our pruning efforts.
Issues
- Flooding near the main path– the City Council are to resolve
- Vehicle driven on the Field causing significant damage – repaired by our volunteers
- Notice board damaged – repaired by our Committee
- Graffiti on the benches – removed by the City Council
- ‘Attack dogs’ destroying trees – dog warden etc. informed
How to deal with anti-social behaviour and vandalism?
- Please pick up your litter/dog mess etc. and politely challenge anyone failing to do so.
- Publicise and shame – web site, Facebook etc.
- Put any damage right ASAP – we have funds to repair/replace damage.
2023 Focus
- Town green status – work with County Council to progress this application.
- Promote greater use of the Field as an outdoor resource by the Gregson; the “Gregson Garden”
- Renovate and replant the Memorial garden and bench
- Willow – cut back excessive growth; coppice to encourage new (light) growth, reduce shading and allow a new orchard to be planted. Use the wood to build animal refuge areas.
- New orchard – replace the millennium orchard, which is in poor shape
- Install bat/bird boxes – raise funds if required
- Pebble art – like in Williamson Park. Maybe the Gregson/others can play a key role in this project.
- Web cam of wild life – check legalities and logistics as this may be too complicated.
- Drone survey – check licensing requirements etc.
2023 onwards
Maintenance and management
All our good work will fail unless we carry out regular maintenance and management . Our partnership with the City Council is critical to sustaining the effort. Fortunately we have developed a very good relationship with them and they know we have an enthusiastic volunteer “army” to sustain the various initiatives they help us with. All members have a vital role in this.
Lead roles for volunteers
We already have several volunteers who take the lead in particular areas.
Initiatives that do not currently have a lead volunteer include:
- Establishing and monitoring bird/bat boxes
- Maintaining a planter to be installed on the new path
- Carrying out an ecological survey of the Field
- Helping to control species such as Brambles and Ivy
If you would like to help lead or support one of these initiatives, just get in touch. Contact the Committee fmwfcontact@gmail.com
Increase the social aspect
We have been asked if it would be possible to start organising some events with a more social aspect. This would particularly benefit people new to the area. Ideas include:
- Going for a tea/coffee/cake (at the Gregson?) following volunteer events
- Getting together on the Field, perhaps with Children’s games, during the summer months
- Having a social event e.g. at the Gregson, at Christmas
Do you like the sound of this? Any ideas for other events? Would you be willing to lead? Please contact the Committee fmwfcontact@gmail.com
Paul Wiggins – Chair: Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field
